Commemorated on May 2
The Holy Equal of the Apostles Tsar Boris, in Holy Baptism Michael:
His apostolic deeds were foretold by an uncle, St Boyan. The first years
of the reign of Tsar Boris were marked by misfortune. The Bulgarians
were frequently at war with surrounding nations, famine and plague beset
the land, and in the year 860 Bulgaria found itself in dire straits.
Tsar Boris saw the salvation of his land, which was darkened by
paganism, in its enlightenment by the faith in Christ.
During one
of the battles of the Bulgarians with the Greeks he captured the
illustrious courtier Theodore Kuphares, who had become a monk. He was
the first man to plant the seed of the Gospel in the soul of the
Bulgarian tsar. In one of the campaigns with the Greeks the young sister
of Tsar Boris was taken captive, and was raised in the Orthodox Faith
at the court of the Byzantine Emperor.
When the emperor
Theophilus died, Tsar Boris decided to take advantage of this
circumstance to take revenge upon the Greeks for his former defeats. But
the widow of the emperor, Theodora, showed courage and sent a messenger
to the Bulgarian tsar saying that she was prepared to defend the Empire
and humiliate its opponents. Tsar Boris agreed to a peace alliance, and
Theodore Kuphares was exchanged for the Bulgarian princess, who
influenced her brother toward Christianity. A while later St Methodius
was sent into Bulgaria. He and his brother St Cyril were enlightening
the Slavic peoples with the light of Christ. St Methodius baptized Tsar
Boris, his family and many of the nobles.
When the pagan
Bulgarians learned of this, they wanted to kill Tsar Boris, but their
plot was frustrated by the tsar. Deprived of their rebellious leaders,
the Bulgarian people voluntarily accepted Baptism. A peace was concluded
between Byzantium and Bulgaria, based on their unity in faith, which
was not broken until the end of the reign of the noble tsar. The
Patriarch Photius (February 6) took great interest in the spiritual
growth of the Bulgarian nation. In 867, preachers from Rome were sent
into Bulgaria. This led to three years of discord between the Greek and
Roman Churches in Bulgaria.
A Council at Constantinople in 869
put an end to the quarrel, and on March 3, 870 Bulgaria was joined to
the Eastern Church, and Orthodoxy was firmly established there.
Bulgaria’s holy ascetics: Sts Gorazd (July 27) and Clement of Ochrid
(July 27) were glorified as saints. Tsar Boris adorned the land with
churches and furthered the spread of piety. Later, a Patriarchal See was
established in Bulgaria. In his declining years, Tsar Boris entered a
monastery, leaving the throne to his sons Vladimir and Simeon.
While
in the monastery the saint learned that Vladimir, who succeeded him,
had renounced Christianity. Distressed by this, St Boris again donned
his military garb, punished his disobedient son and threw him in prison.
After giving the throne to his younger son Simeon, St Boris returned to
the monastery. He left it once more to repel a Hungarian invasion. St
Boris, who was named Michael in holy Baptism, reposed on May 2, 907.
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2013(with 2012's link here also and further, 2011, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!)
Hawaiian Icon received in Ireland for last stop on Western European trip
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The parish was joined by hundreds of faithful from other churches and
missions in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and even some from Great Britain.
8 hours ago
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