March 31
Tone of the week: Tone Two
Tenth Eothinon
Reading:
This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from
childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was
instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a
youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount
Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica
being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He
was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341
against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against
Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus
claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the
Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of
Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is
the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout
creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for
man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was
appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an
apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and
treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived
for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.
His
holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service
was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when
it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since
works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as
the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating
the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of
the teachings of the holy Fathers today.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone
When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal
Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your
Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the
Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God,
glory be to You.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and
teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of
theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede
forever that our souls may be saved.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered
from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank
offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that
I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2012(with 2011's link here also and further, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!):
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