Saint Daniel the Confessor, (in the schema Stephen) lived in
the tenth century. He was a Spanish dignitary, and prefect of the island
of Niverta. Disdaining worldly glory, he became a monk in Rome and went
on pilgrimage to the holy places at Constantinople and Jerusalem, where
he received the Great Schema and the name Stephen. He received the
crown of martyrdom after he refused the Saracens’ demand that he
renounce Christ and become a Moslem.
Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Suzdal and Yuriev (in the
world John), was born November 13, 1631 into the family of the lower
city priest Ananias. His father, famed for his piety and reading, was
one of three candidates for the Patriarchal throne, together with the
future Patriarch Nikon (1652-1658).
John entered a monastery in
1653. In 1655, he became founder and builder of the Phlorischev
wilderness monastery not far from the city of Gorokhovetsa. In his
monastic struggles, the saint wrestled with fleshly passions. When he
fell down in exhaustion before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
beseeching Her help, the Mother of God shielded him with gracious power
and calmed his spirit.
Once, when St Hilarion was serving Vespers
together with a hierodeacon, robbers burst into the church. They killed
the deacon and started to set St Hilarion on fire, asking him where the
monastery treasure was hid. They did not believe that there was no gold
in the monastery. Overcome by the pain, St Hilarion turned to the
wonderworking icon and said, “O All-Pure Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord
Jesus Christ! If they injure me with the fire, I shall no longer have
the ability to glorify Thy Son and Thee.” Suddenly the robbers heard the
shouts of people searching for them, and they fled.
Another
time, St Hilarion in passing by the church heard a voice: “I shall
glorify thee throughout all the land.” He trembled, and going into the
vestibule, he found no people there. On the portico he found only the
Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The ascetic fell down before the
image with tears and confessed his unworthiness.
Later on, when
the saint had begun the construction of a stone church, he was very sad
that concerns about the construction and disagreements among the workers
were distracting him from prayer. While serving in church with the
brethren, he was preoccupied by these thoughts and began to regret
undertaking the work. With tears he besought the Mother of God not to
abandon him and to deliver him from these worries.
When he
finished his prayer, St Hilarion remained alone in church and began
again to think about the construction. And so he fell asleep. In a dream
the Mother of God appeared to him and said, “Transfer My icon, named
the Vladimir, from this hot church and put it in the newly-built stone
church, and I shall be your Helper there”.
St Hilarion awoke and
ordered the large bell to be rung. The monks immediately assembled. All
went to the hot church and, having prayed before the icon, solemnly
transferred it from the portico into the temple. After serving the all
night Vigil, Divine Liturgy and a Molieben, the saint told the brethren
of his vision. Then in procession they transferred the icon to the
church under construction, where they set it in the midst of the woods.
From that time the construction went successfully and was soon
completed. The saint wanted to dedicate the temple in honor of the icon,
but he it was revealed to him in a vision that the temple was to be
consecrated in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
In
the wilderness monastery he maintained a very strict community rule. In
1694, the saint sent a letter to the Phlorischev monastery in which he
reminisced about his own monastic Rule at this monastery: “Under me, a
sinner, no one possessed anything of his own, but all was shared in
common. Many of you may remember that former cenobitic community. And
you also remember that I consigned to the fire those possessions which
would destroy that cenobitic community.”
On December 11, 1681,
the saint was consecrated as Archbishop of Suzdal and Yuriev, and in
1682 he was elevated to the dignity of Metropolitan and remained on the
Suzda’ cathedra until February 1705. The saint died peacefully on
December 14, 1707 and was buried in the Suzdal cathedral in honor of the
Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. The saint was known for his
unceasing concern for the poor. After his death they found only three
coins.
The wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God of
Vladimir-Phlorischev (August 26) was painted by the renowned
iconographer John Chirov in 1464 at Nizhni Novgorod in fulfillment of a
vow of John Vetoshnikov.
St Arsenius of Latros, the son of rich, illustrious and pious
parents, was born at Constantinople. He was made Patrician and General
of the Cibyrra military Theme (the Byzantine Empire was divided into 29
Themes, or districts). Once, when he was traveling by sea with his
soldiers, a storm arose and the ships sank. Of all the soldiers only St
Arsenius was saved. After this he became a monk, and he mortified his
flesh by fasting, vigil and hardships.
Later, he came to a
certain place on Mount Latros, in Asia Minor. There he killed a
poisonous viper by his prayer and the Sign of the Cross, and then he
settled in the nearby Kelliboria monastery on the north side of the
mountain, where he was chosen igumen. From the monastery St Arsenius
went to a cave, where he repelled wild beasts by prayer. The brethren of
the monastery asked him to return to them. He did go back, but did not
live with the other monks. He lived alone in a small cell, and for six
days of the week he neither ate any food, nor would he converse with
anyone.
Finally, St Arsenius attained such perfection that he was
fed by an angel. He was also granted the grace to perform miracles. He
could stir bitter water with his staff and change it into sweet water.
After performing many other miracles, he called the brethren to him and
gave them his final instructions.
After advising them to put
aside all worldly cares and vanities, St Arsenius surrendered his soul
to God. The saint continued to work miracles even after his death.
The holy New Martyr Peter suffered martyrdom in San
Francisco at the time that California belonged to Spain. An Aleut from
Alaska, he and his companions were captured in California by the
Spaniards. When he refused to abandon Orthodoxy to accept Latinism,
which they wished to force upon him, the Spaniards submitted him to a
martyrdom like that suffered by Saint James the Persian, cutting him
apart joint by joint. He died from loss of blood in steadfast confession
of the Faith in 1815.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
O Peter, upon the rock of thy faith hath Christ built His Church,
and in the streams of thy blood hath He hallowed our land. In thee thy
people hath been sanctified, O Aleut; from the farthest islands of the
west hath He raised thee, a light unto all. Glory to Him that hath
glorified thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through
thee.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a skilful fisherman, the Martyr Peter was not harmed when he
was caught by adversaries of the Faith; but in a sea of martyric blood,
he gained the Kingdom and drowned bitter heresy.
The Holy Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia was subjected to
cruel tortures for his staunch denunciation of the emperor Juilan the
Apostate (361-363) in the city of Ancyra (Galatia). A red-hot iron belt
was placed around his waist. Then he was ordered to accompany the
impious Julian on his journey. When they reached Edessa in Mesopotamia,
he was stretched out on the ground and his limbs were pierced with
wooden stakes. Then he was hung on a post and mutilated.
Enduring
the tortures, the saint continued to revile the emperor. After being
subjected to even more horrible torments, they let him go. He was still
able to walk and speak, so he went on his way until he met a priest. He
entreated the priest to baptize him, and when he emerged from the water,
his wounds were all healed.
Hearing of this miracle, Julian
ordered that St Gemellus be crucified. The victorious athlete of Christ
gave up his soul to God, and his body was secretly taken down and buried
by Christians.
The Holy Martyrs of Africa (62 Clergy and 300 Laypeople):
They suffered in the time of the emperor Zeno (474-491). Guneric, the
ruler of the Vandal kingdom in North Africa, came under the influence of
heretical Arian bishops and began a fierce persecution against the
Orthodox.
When believers had gathered at one of the churches and
secretly celebrated the Divine Liturgy, barbarian soldiers burst into
the church. Some of the worshippers fled, but 300 men voluntarily gave
themselves over to torture and were beheaded. Of the clergy, two were
burned, and sixty had their tongues cut out. By a miraculous Divine
power they continued to preach and to oppose the Arian heresy.
They all endured horrible torments, but remained faithful to Christ and His holy Church.
This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the
Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the
solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he
found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made
known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but
that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for
many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for
his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering
those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal
for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318
Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius
brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on
the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any
man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary
action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the
night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain
of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against
him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety.
The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed
thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is
the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is
one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your
life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of
temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high,
and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests,
intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra you proved yourself a priest;
for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down
your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this
you were sanctified as One learned in divine grace.
This Prophet, who is ninth in order among the minor
Prophets, was the son of Chusi (Cushi), from the tribe of Levi, or
according to some, the great-grandson of King Hezekias. He prophesied in
the years of Josias, who reigned in the years 641-610 before Christ.
His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters. His name means "Yah
is darkness."
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Sophonias, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Thou wast shown to be illumined by the Divine Spirit, O Prophet
Sophonias, proclaiming God's manifestation, and thou didst preach:
Rejoice greatly, O daughters of Sion and of Jerusalem; behold, your King
cometh, bringing salvation.
This Prophet, whose name means "loving embrace," is eighth
in order of the minor Prophets. His homeland and tribe are not recorded
in the Divine Scriptures; according to some, he was of the tribe of
Symeon. He prophesied in the years of Joachim, who is also called
Jechonias, before the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish People, which
took place 599 years before Christ. When Nabuchodonosor came to take the
Israelites captive, Habakkuk fled to Ostrakine, and after Jerusalem was
destroyed and the Chaldeans departed, Habakkuk returned and cultivated
his field. Once he made some pottage and was about to take it to the
reapers in the field. An Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and carried
him with the pottage to Babylon to feed Daniel in the lions' den, then
brought him back to Judea (Bel and the Dragon, 33-39): His book of
prophecy is divided into three chapters; the third chapter is also used
as the Fourth Ode of the Psalter. His holy relics were found in
Palestine during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great, through a
revelation to Zebennus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Eccl. Hist.,
Book VI 1, 2-9).
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Habakkuk , O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Thou plainly beheldest the sacred disciples of Christ as horses
that troubled the deep sea of ignorance, plunging error into the depths
with their godly teachings, Habakkuk, God-proclaimer; hence, as a true
Prophet, we acclaim thee, while asking that thou shouldst intercede that
we find mercy with God the Lord.
The Prophet Nahum had Elkesaeus (Elkosh) as his homeland,
and was from the tribe of Symeon; he is seventh in order among the
twelve Minor Prophets. He prophesied during the time of Hezekias, after
the destruction of Samaria (721 years before Christ), but before the ten
tribes were taken into captivity; he prophesied against Nineveh, the
capital of Assyria. His name means "comforter." His book of prophecy is
divided into three chapters.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Nahum, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Thy pure heart, illumined by the Holy Spirit, was a sacred vessel
of resplendent prophecy, for thou didst see things far off as close at
hand. Hence we revere thee, blest Nahum most glorious.
Saint Peter was the first catholicos of Georgia. He led the Church of
Kartli from the 460s through the beginning of the 6th century.
According to God’s will, St. Peter inaugurated the dynasty of the chief
shepherds of Georgia.
It is written in the biography of Holy King
Vakhtang IV Gorgasali that the king was introduced to Peter, a pupil of
St. Gregory the Theologian, during one of his visits to Byzantium, and
he became very close to him. At that time he was also introduced to the
future catholicos Samuel.
The close spiritual bond of the holy
king and the catholicos, combined with their concerted efforts on behalf
of the Church, contributed immeasurably to the establishment of
friendly political relations between Georgia and Byzantium and the
proclamation of the autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Church.
Having
returned to his own capital, King Vakhtang sent an envoy to Byzantium
to find him a wife. He also sent a request that the hierarch Peter be
elevated as catholicos and that the priest Samuel be consecrated bishop.
He pleaded with the patriarch to hasten the arrival of Catholicos Peter
and the twelve bishops with him.
The patriarch of Constantinople
approved King Vakhtang’s request to institute the rank of catholicos of
Georgia. Since the Georgian Church was still under the jurisdiction of
Antioch, Peter and Samuel were sent to the Antiochian patriarch himself
to be elevated. The autocephaly of the Georgian Church was proclaimed
upon the arrival of the holy fathers in Georgia.
St. Peter ruled
the Church according to the principle of autocephaly and established a
form of self-rule that would later help to increase the authority of the
Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
The mutual respect and
cooperation of the catholicos and the holy king laid the foundations for
future, harmonious relations between secular and Church authorities in
Georgia. Their example defined the authority of the Church and a
national love and respect for the king.
Peter accompanied Holy
King Vakhtang Gorgasali to war with the Persians in 502. It is written
that “the fatally wounded king Vakhtang summoned the catholicos, the
queen, his sons and all the nobility.” St. Peter heard the king’s
last confession, granted the remission of his sins, presided at his
funeral service, and blessed the prince Dachi (502-514) to succeed him
as king of Kartli.
Holy Catholicos Peter led the Georgian Church with great wisdom to the end of his days.
St. Samuel ascended the throne of the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Georgia in the 6th century, after the holy catholicos Peter.
Like
St. Peter, Samuel was a native of Byzantium. He arrived with Catholicos
Peter in Georgia as a bishop, at the invitation of King Vakhtang
Gorgasali and with the blessing of the patriarch of Constantinople.
At that time Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta was the residence of the catholicos.
After
the repose of Catholicos Peter, Samuel succeeded him, and King Dachi
“bestowed upon him the city of Mtskheta, according to the will of King
Vakhtang.” St. Samuel led the Georgian Church during the reigns of King
Dachi and his son Bakur. He initiated construction of Tsqarostavi Church
in the Javakheti region.
What we know of St. Samuel’s activity
paints him as a pastor who demonstrated great foresight and cared deeply
about his flock. He was also a close acquaintance of the holy martyr
Queen Shushanik.
St. Samuel faithfully served the Autocephalous
Church of Georgia and labored to strengthen the Christian Faith of the
Georgian people to the end of his days.
The Holy Synod of the
Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church canonized the holy catholicos Peter
and the holy catholicos Samuel on October 17, 2002.
The righteous Stephen was born in Constantinople in 715 to
pious parents named John and Anna. His mother had prayed often to the
most holy Theotokos in her church at Blachernae to be granted a son, and
one day received a revelation from our Lady that she would conceive the
son she desired. When Anna had conceived, she asked the newly-elected
Patriarch Germanus (see May 12) to bless the babe in her womb. He said,
"May God bless him through the prayers of the holy First Martyr
Stephen." At that moment Anna saw a flame of fire issue from the mouth
of the holy Patriarch. When the child was born, she named him Stephen,
according to the prophecy of Saint Germanus.
Stephen struggled in
asceticism from his youth in Bithynia at the Monastery of Saint
Auxentius, which was located at a lofty place called Mount Auxentius
(see Feb. 14). Because of his extreme labours and great goodness, he was
chosen by the hermits of Mount Auxentius to be their leader. The fame
of his spiritual struggles reached the ears of all, and the fragrance of
his virtue drew many to himself.
During the reign of Constantine V
(741-775), Stephen showed his love of Orthodoxy in contending for the
Faith. This Constantine was called Copronymus, that is, "namesake of
dung," because while being baptized he had soiled the waters of
regeneration, giving a fitting token of what manner of impiety he would
later embrace. Besides being a fierce Iconoclast, Constantine raised up a
ruthless persecution of monasticism. He held a council in 754 that
anathematized the holy icons. Because Saint Stephen rejected this
council, the Emperor framed false accusations against him and exiled
him. But while in exile Saint Stephen performed healings with holy icons
and turned many away from Iconoclasm. When he was brought before the
Emperor again, he showed him a coin and asked whose image the coin bore.
"Mine," said the tyrant. "If any man trample upon thine image, is he
liable to punishment?" asked the Saint. When they that stood by answered
yes, the Saint groaned because of their blindness, and said if they
thought dishonouring the image of a corruptible king worthy of
punishment, what torment would they receive who trampled upon the image
of the Master Christ and of the Mother of God? Then he threw the coin to
the ground and trampled on it. He was condemned to eleven months in
bonds and imprisonment. Later, he was dragged over the earth and was
stoned, like Stephen the First Martyr; wherefore he is called Stephen
the New. Finally, he was struck with a wooden club on the temple and his
head was shattered, and thus he gave up his spirit in the year 767.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Trained on the mountain in ascetical labours, with the whole
armour of the Cross thou didst vanquish the spiritual arrays of unseen
enemies; and when thou hadst stripped thyself with great courage for
contest, thou didst slay Copronymus with the sword of the true Faith.
For both these things hast thou been crowned by God, O righteous Martyr,
blest Stephen of great renown.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
With songs and hymns, O ye feast-lovers, let us all extol the
godly Stephen, that great lover of the Trinity, for he honoured with his
whole heart the comely image of the Master, of His Mother, and of all
the Saints. Now with one accord, with longing, and with joy of heart,
let us cry to him: Rejoice, O Father most glorious.
The Barefoot Violinist: St Athanasius of Oryol
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[image: St Athanasius of Oryol]
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Longtime readers will know I enjoy Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov's books and
articles. Enjoy this discussion on the canons from ROCORStudies.
--------------------...
The Catacomb Church (1991)
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The text below is excerpted from the 2011 book "In the Catacombs" by S.V.
Shumilo:
"Remaining in a position without rights, the Catacomb Church – as in t...
Εσύ ετοίμασες την Φάτνη σου;
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*Άκουε ουρανέ και ενωτίζου η γη· ιδού γαρ ο Υιός και Λόγος του Θεού και
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*Ηλιαχτίδα..*
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Ascension and Judgment in the Triumphal Entry
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One of the key features of the Gospels is the many prophecies of Christ
regarding His own passion, death, resurrection, …
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England and Wales, 2019
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I am back and rested after spending 15 days in the U.K. While I
always enjoy coming home, the truth of the matter is that I was not quite
ready to ...
Exceptions
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There seems to be a common school of thought that and exception to a canon
permits more exceptions. However, the very nature of an exception is that
it doe...
A Tale of Two Linguists
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The Second Vatican Council declared the Latin language to be one of the
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Christmas: the Eternal embraces the Finite
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*The following is a Christmas-season meditation by Susan Anne, who will be
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Beginnings and endings, finite measur...
Nostalgia
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This video reminds me of old Ochlophobist discussions. How Romanticizing
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The truth drew hatred…
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“Seest Thou what suffer those who censure, O Word of God, the faults of
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The Dynamism of Holy Tradition
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I. How & Why Traditions Are Created “Be imitators of me, just as I also am
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Sometimes I amuse myself by imagining Jesus and the Apostles in situations
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Moving Day
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I’m beginning to copy some of the articles on ecumenism over to a new blog
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