Hieromartyr Zeno the Bishop of Verona

Commemorated on April 12

Saint Zeno, Bishop of Verona, was born a Greek and came from Syria. In his youth he became a monk and devoted himself to the study of Holy Scripture. Visiting several monasteries, the saint came to the city of Verona and settled there. The people chose him as bishop of the city.

The emperors Constantius (353-361) and Valens (364-378), were advocates of the Arian heresy, which had been condemned at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in the year 325. Under their patronage the Arians began a persecution against the Orthodox. St Zeno bravely endured all the oppression from the heretics.

In his sermons and letters he firmly asserted the Orthodox teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ as the Only-Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. St Zeno wrote sixteen long and seventy-seven short discourses and directives. He died around the year 360.

St Gregory Dialogus (March 12) speaks of a miracle in the year 558 on St Zeno's Feast day. There were spring floods in Italy. The River Tiber overflowed its banks and inundated the surrounding area. The River Atesis flowing past Verona also flooded. The water reached the church built in honor of the hieromartyr Zeno, and came up to the windows of the church. The doors of the temple were open, but the water did not rush inside. It stopped at the wall, and did not harm the church.

SOURCE:

SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2008:

Books I've Read(or am reading)-Seventeen: "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" by Victor E. Marsden (B)

This book is a very controversial one and I would like the reader to know that I post this with some reservation because it may be assumed that I hold positions as a result of such a book that may not actually be mine in fact.

The fact is that this book has had a major effect on history. Whether it is indeed a forgery, as its detractors claim, or whether it is true as its author claims, peoples' ideas have been set into motion as a result of this collection of these protocols and perhaps to understand the previous century and the one we are now in it is necessary to read such a book to see what, if any, effect this book may have had.

I myself will offer no comment except to note that the protocols have a very detailed and profound understanding of the human condition and in a C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters type of way, the Protocols view the human being in the reverse of the Benevolent God Who desires the healing of the human being through union with Himself and Who accurately expounds on the human condition so as to bring about this healing.

In the Protocols we have the same viewing of the fallen condition which is prone to sin and error but with the aim of exploiting this weakness to bring about the subjugation of the human being using this understanding of the psychology of the fallen human condition against itself. There is a certain wisdom in these protocols which surprised me.

Also, interestingly, Plato's Republic came to mind when I read this book. As the reader may know, in his work, Plato argued that Rule should be in the hands of a born and bred Philosopher King whose rule alone should be desired over the other forms of government he speaks of in descending value from the Philosopher King: Tyranny(and remember that a "tyrant", in the ancient Greek usage of this word denotes something other what a modern user of this word means, Oligarchy(the rule of the few) and in Plato's mind the worst form of government, Democracy.

Along these lines, it must be noted that in the aim of the protocols there is also manifested a certain desire by those orchestrating the events to bring about the good of those to be ruled for their own good as they, if left to themselves cannot rule. So the "takeover" is viewed in a "positive"light by the one being instructed in the protocols for the ultimate good of those to be ruled who cannot, because of an inherent weakness, rule themselves.

I will over the course of time print all the protocols. It is a fascinating work. I will preface each post with the above primer I have provided.

Protocol VI

Take-Over Technique

1. We shall soon begin to establish huge monopolies, reservoirs
of colossal riches, upon which even large fortunes of the
GOYIM will depend to such an extent that they will go to the
bottom together with the credit of the States on the day after
the political smash ... (Compulsory superannuation, Social
Security).

2. You gentlemen here present who are economists, just strike
an estimate of the significance of this combination! ...

3. In every possible way we must develop the significance of
our Super-Government by representing it as the Protector and
Benefactor of all those who voluntarily submit to us.

4. The aristocracy of the GOYIM as a political force, is dead -
We need not take it into account; but as landed proprietors they
can still be harmful to us from the fact that they are self-
sufficing in the resources upon which they live. It is essential
therefore for us at whatever cost to deprive them of their land.
This object will be best attained by increasing the burdens upon
landed property - in loading lands with debts. These measures
will check land-holding and keep it in a state of humble and
unconditional submission.

5. The aristocrats of the GOYIM, being hereditarily incapable
of contenting themselves with little, will rapidly burn up and
fizzle out.

WE SHALL ENSLAVE GENTILES

6. At the same time we must intensively patronize trade and
industry, but, first and foremost, speculation, the part played by
which is to provide a counterpoise to industry: the absence of
speculative industry will multiply capital in private hands and
will serve to restore agriculture by freeing the land from
indebtedness to the land banks. What we want is that industry
should drain off from the land both labor and capital and by
means of speculation transfer into our hands all the money of
the world, and thereby throw all the GOYIM into the ranks of
the proletariat. Then the GOYIM will bow down before us, if
for no other reason but to get the right to exist.

7. To complete the ruin of the industry of the GOYIM we shall
bring to the assistance of speculation the luxury which we have
developed among the GOYIM, that greedy demand for luxury
which is swallowing up everything. WE SHALL RAISE THE
RATE OF WAGES WHICH, HOWEVER, WILL NOT
BRING ANY ADVANTAGE TO THE WORKERS, FOR, AT
THE SAME TIME, WE SHALL PRODUCE A RISE IN
PRICES OF THE FIRST NECESSARIES OF LIFE,
ALLEGING THAT IT ARISES FROM THE DECLINE OF
AGRICULTURE AND CATTLE-BREEDING: WE SHALL
FURTHER UNDERMINE ARTFULLY AND DEEPLY
SOURCES OF PRODUCTION, BY ACCUSTOMING THE
WORKERS TO ANARCHY AND TO DRUNKENNESS
AND SIDE BY SIDE THEREWITH TAKING ALL
MEASURE TO EXTIRPATE FROM THE FACE OF THE
EARTH ALL THE EDUCATED FORCES OF THE "GOYIM."

8. IN ORDER THAT THE TRUE MEANING OF THINGS MAY NOT STRIKE THE "GOYIM" BEFORE THE PROPER TIME WE SHALL MASK IT UNDER AN ALLEGED ARDENT DESIRE TO SERVE THE WORKING CLASSES AND THE GREAT PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY ABOUT WHICH OUR ECONOMIC THEORIES ARE CARRYING ON AN ENERGETIC PROPAGANDA.

Protocol VII

World-Wide Wars

1. The intensification of armaments, the increase of police
forces - are all essential for the completion of the
aforementioned plans. What we have to get at is that there
should be in all the States of the world, besides ourselves, only
the masses of the proletariat, a few millionaires devoted to our
interests, police and soldiers.

2. Throughout all Europe, and by means of relations with
Europe, in other continents also, we must create ferments,
discords and hostility. Therein we gain a double advantage. In
the first place we keep in check all countries, for they will
know that we have the power whenever we like to create
disorders or to restore order. All these countries are
accustomed to see in us an indispensable force of coercion. In
the second place, by our intrigues we shall tangle up all the
threads which we have stretched into the cabinets of all States
by means of the political, by economic treaties, or loan
obligations. In order to succeed in this we must use great
cunning and penetration during negotiations and agreements,
but, as regards what is called the "official language," we shall
keep to the opposite tactics and assume the mask of honesty
and complacency. In this way the peoples and governments of
the GOYIM, whom we have taught to look only at the outside
whatever we present to their notice, will still continue to accept
us as the benefactors and saviours of the human race.

UNIVERSAL WAR

3. We must be in a position to respond to every act of
opposition by war with the neighbors of that country which
dares to oppose us: but if these neighbors should also venture
to stand collectively together against us, then we must offer
resistance by a universal war.

4. The principal factor of success in the political is the secrecy
of its undertakings: the word should not agree with the deeds of
the diplomat.

5. We must compel the governments of the GOYIM to take
action in the direction favored by our widely conceived plan,
already approaching the desired consummation, by what we
shall represent as public opinion, secretly promoted by us
through the means of that so-called "Great Power" - THE
PRESS, WHICH, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS THAT MAY
BE DISREGARDED, IS ALREADY ENTIRELY IN OUR
HANDS.

6. In a word, to sum up our system of keeping the government
of the goyim in Europe in check, we shall show our strength to
one of them by terrorist attempts and to all, if we allow the
possibility of a general rising against us, we shall respond wit!
the guns of America or China or Japan. (The Russo-Japanese
War of 1904-1905-Ed.).

Protocol VIII

Provisional Government

1. We must arm ourselves with all the weapons which our opponents might employ against us. We must search out in the very finest shades of expression and the knotty points of the lexicon of law justification for those cases where we shall have to pronounce judgments that might appear abnormally audacious and unjust, for it is important that these resolutions should be set forth in expressions that shall seem to be the most exalted moral principles cast into legal form. (Genocide Convention? U.N. Declaration of the Rights of the Child?) Our directorate must surround itself with all these forces of civilization among which it will have to work. It will surround itself with publicists, practical jurists, administrators, diplomats
finally, with persons prepared by a special super-educational training IN OUR SPECIAL SCHOOLS (Rhodes Scholars? London School of Economics?) These persons will have consonance of all the secrets of the social structure, they will know all the languages that can be made up by political alphabets and words; they will be made acquainted with the whole underside of human nature, with all its sensitive chords on which they will have to play. These chords are the cast of
mind of the GOYIM, their tendencies, short-comings, vices and qualities, the particularities of classes and conditions. Needless to say that the talented assistants of authority, of whom I speak, will be taken not from among the GOYIM, who
are accustomed to perform their administrative work without
giving themselves the trouble to think what its aim is, and
never consider what it is needed for. The administrators of the GOYIM sign papers without reading them, (As Margaret Thatcher signed-away British sovereignty by the Maastricht Treaty? As Australian Parliamentarians signed over 2,000 U.N. Treaties ... unread?) and they serve either for mercenary reasons or from ambition.

2. We shall surround our government with a whole world of
economists. That is the reason why economic sciences form the
principal subject of the teaching given to the Jews. Around us
again will be a whole constellation of bankers, industrialists,
capitalists and - THE MAIN THING - MILLIONAIRES,
BECAUSE IN SUBSTANCE EVERYTHING WILL BE
SETTLED BY THE QUESTION OF FIGURES.

3. For a time, until there will no longer be any risk in entrusting
responsible posts in our State to our brother-Jews, we shall put
them in the hands of persons whose past and reputation are
such that between them and the people lies an abyss, persons
who, in case of disobedience to our instructions, must face
criminal charges or disappear - this in order to make them
defend our interests to their last gasp.

Protocol IX

Re-education

1. In applying our principles let attention be paid to the character of the people in whose country you live and act; a general, identical application of them, until such time as the people shall have been re-educated to our pattern, cannot have success. But by approaching their application cautiously you will see that not a decade will pass before the most stubborn character will change and we shall add a new people to the ranks of those already subdued by us.

2. The words of the liberal, which are in effect the words of our sonic watchword, namely, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," will, when we come into our kingdom, be changed by us into words no longer of a watchword, but only an expression of idealism, namely, into "The right of liberty, the duty of equality, the ideal of brotherhood." That is how we shall put it, and so we shall catch the bull by the horns ... DE FACTO we re already wiped out every kind of rule except our own, although DE JURE there still remain a good many of them. Nowadays, if any States raise a protest against us it is only PRO FORMA at our discretion and by our direction, for THEIR ANTI-SEMITISM IS INDISPENSABLE TO US FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR LESSER BRETHREN. I will enter into further explanations, for this matter has formed the subject of repeated discussions amongst us.

JEWISH SUPER-STATE

3. For us there are not checks to limit the range of our activity.

Our Super-Government subsists in extra-legal conditions which
are described in the accepted terminology by the energetic and
forcible word - Dictatorship. I am in a position to tell you with
a clear conscience that at the proper time we, the law-givers,
shall execute judgment and sentence, we shall slay and we
shall spare, we, as head of all our troops, are mounted on the
steed of the leader. We rule by force of will, because in our
hands are the fragments of a once powerful party, now
vanquished by us. AND THE WEAPONS IN OUR HANDS
ARE LIMITLESS AMBITIONS, BURNING GREEDINESS,
MERCILESS VENGEANCE, HATREDS AND MALICE.

4. IT IS FROM US THAT THE ALL-ENGULFING TERROR
PROCEEDS. WE HAVE IN OUR SERVICE PERSONS OF
ALL OPINIONS, OF ALL DOCTRINES, RESTORATING
MONARCHISTS, DEMAGOGUES, SOCIALISTS,
COMMUNISTS, AND UTOPIAN DREAMERS OF EVERY
KIND. We have harnessed them all to the task: EACH ONE
OF THEM ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT IS BORING AWAY
AT THE LAST REMNANTS OF AUTHORITY, IS
STRIVING TO OVERTHROW ALL ESTABLISHED FORM
OF ORDER. By these acts all States are in torture; they exhort
to tranquility, are ready to sacrifice everything for peace: BUT
WE WILL NOT GIVE THEM PEACE UNTIL THEY
OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR INTERNATIONAL
SUPER-GOVERNMENT, AND WITH SUBMISSIVENESS.

5. The people have raised a howl about the necessity of settling
the question of Socialism by way of an international
agreement. DIVISION INTO FRACTIONAL PARTIES HAS
GIVEN THEM INTO OUR HANDS, FOR, IN ORDER TO CARRY ON A CONTESTED STRUGGLE ONE MUST HAVE MONEY, AND THE MONEY IS ALL IN OUR HANDS.

6. We might have reason to apprehend a union between the
'clear-sighted" force of the GOY kings on their thrones and the
blind" force of the GOY mobs, but we have taken all the
needful measure against any such possibility: between the one and the other force we have erected a bulwark in the shape of a mutual terror between them. In this way the blind force of the people remains our support and we, and we only, shall provide them with a leader and, of course, direct them along the road that leads to our goal.

7. In order that the hand of the blind mob may not free itself
from our guiding hand, we must every now and then enter into
close communion with it, if not actually in person, at any rate
through some of the most trusty of our brethren. When we are
acknowledged as the only authority we shall discuss with the
people personally on the market, places, and we shall instruct
them on questings of the political in such wise as may turn
them in the direction that suits us.

8. Who is going to verify what is taught in the village schools? But what an envoy of the government or a king on his throne himself may say cannot but become immediately known to the whole State, for it will be spread abroad by the voice of the people.

9. In order to annihilate the institutions of the GOYIM before it is time we have touched them with craft and delicacy, and have taken hold of the ends of the springs which move their
mechanism. These springs lay in a strict but just sense of order: we have replaced them by the chaotic license of liberalism. We have got our hands into the administration of the law, into the conduct of elections, into the press, into liberty of the person, BUT PRINCIPALLY INTO EDUCATION AND TRAINING AS BEING THE CORNERSTONES OF A FREE EXISTENCE.

CHRISTIAN YOUTH DESTROYED

10. WE HAVE FOOLED, BEMUSED AND CORRUPTED
THE YOUTH OF THE "GOYIM" BY REARING THEM IN
PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES WHICH ARE KNOWN TO
US TO BE FALSE ALTHOUGH IT IS THAT THEY HAVE
BEEN INCULCATED.

11. Above the existing laws without substantially altering
them, and by merely twisting them into contradictions of
interpretations, we have erected something grandiose in the
way of results. These results found expression in the fact that
the INTERPRETATIONS MASKED THE LAW: afterwards
they entirely hid them from the eyes of the governments owing
to the impossibility of making anything out of the tangled web
of legislation.

12. This is the origin of the theory of course of arbitration.

13. You may say that the GOYIM will rise upon us, arms in
hand, if they guess what is going on before the time comes; but
in the West we have against this a manoeuvre of such appalling
terror that the very stoutest hearts quail - the undergrounds,
metropolitans, those subterranean corridors which, before the
time comes, will be driven under all the capitals and from
whence those capitals will be blown into the air with all their organizations and archives.

Protocol X

Preparing for Power

1. To-day I begin with a repetition of what I said before, and I BEG YOU TO BEAR IN MIND THAT GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE ARE CONTENT IN THE POLITICAL WITH OUTSIDE APPEARANCES. And how, indeed, are the GOYIM to perceive the underlying meaning of things when their representatives give the best of their energies to enjoying themselves? For our policy it is of the greatest importance to take cognizance of this detail; it will be of assistance to us when we come to consider the division of authority of property, of the dwelling, of taxation (the idea of concealed taxes), of the reflex force of the laws. All these questions are such as ought not to be touched upon directly and openly before the people. In cases where it is indispensable to touch upon them they must not be categorically named, it must merely be declared without detailed exposition that the principles of contemporary law are acknowledged by us. The reason of keeping silence in this respect is that by not naming a principle we leave ourselves freedom of action, to drop this or that out of it without attracting notice; if they were all categorically named they would all appear to have been already given.

2. The mob cherishes a special affection and respect for the geniuses of political power and accepts all their deeds of violence with the admiring response: "rascally, well, yes, it is
rascally, but it's clever! ... a trick, if you like, but how craftily played, how magnificently done, what impudent audacity!" ...

OUR GOAL - WORLD POWER

3. We count upon attracting all nations to the task of erecting
the new fundamental structure, the project for which has been
drawn up by us. This is why, before everything, it is
indispensable for us to arm ourselves and to store up in
ourselves that absolutely reckless audacity and irresistible
might of the spirit which in the person of our active workers
will break down all hindrances on our way.

4. WHEN WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OUR COUP
D'ETAT WE SHALL SAY THEN TO THE VARIOUS
PEOPLES: "EVERYTHING HAS GONE TERRIBLY
BADLY, ALL HAVE BEEN WORN OUT WITH
SUFFERING. WE ARE DESTROYING THE CAUSES OF
YOUR TORMENT - NATIONALITIES, FRONTIERS,
DIFFERENCES OF COINAGES. YOU ARE AT LIBERTY,
OF COURSE, TO PRONOUNCE SENTENCE UPON US,
BUT CAN IT POSSIBLY BE A JUST ONE IF IT IS
CONFIRMED BY YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY TRIAL
OF WHAT WE ARE OFFERING YOU." ... THEN WILL
THE MOB EXALT US AND BEAR US UP IN THEIR
HANDS IN A UNANIMOUS TRIUMPH OF HOPES AND
EXPECTATIONS. VOTING, WHICH WE HAVE MADE
THE INSTRUMENT WHICH WILL SET US ON THE
THRONE OF THE WORLD BY TEACHING EVEN THE
VERY SMALLEST UNITS OF MEMBERS OF THE
HUMAN RACE TO VOTE BY MEANS OF MEETINGS
AND AGREEMENTS BY GROUPS, WILL THEN HAVE
SERVED ITS PURPOSES AND WILL PLAY ITS PART
THEN FOR THE LAST TIME BY A UNANIMITY OF DESIRE TO MAKE CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE WITH US BEFORE CONDEMNING US.

5. TO SECURE THIS WE MUST HAVE EVERYBODY VOTE WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF CLASSES AND QUALIFICATIONS, in order to establish an absolute majority, which cannot be got from the educated propertied classes. In this way, by inculcating in all a sense of self-importance, we ill destroy among the GOYIM the importance of the family and its educational value and remove the possibility of individual minds splitting off, for the mob, handled by us, will not let them come to the front nor even give them a hearing; it is accustomed to listen to us only who pay it for obedience and attention. In this way we shall create a blind, mighty force which will never be in a position to move in any direction without the guidance of our agents set at its head by us as leaders of the mob. The people will submit to this regime because it will know that upon these leaders will depend its earnings, gratifications and the receipt of all kinds of benefits.

6. A scheme of government should come ready made from one brain, because it will never be clinched firmly if it is allowed to split into fractional parts in the minds of many. It is allowable, therefore, for us to have cognizance of the scheme of action but not to discuss it lest we disturb its artfulness, the interdependence of its component parts, the practical force of secret meaning of each clause. To discuss and make alterations in a labor of this kind by means of numerous votings is to impress upon it the stamp of all ratiocinations and understandings which have failed to penetrate the depth and nexus of its plottings. We want our schemes to be forcible and ably concocted. Therefore WE OUGHT NOT TO FLING
THE WORK OF GENIUS OF OUR GUIDE to the fangs of the mob or even of a select company.

7. These schemes will not turn existing institutions upside
down just yet. They will only effect changes in their economy
and consequently in the whole combined movement of their
progress, which will thus be directed along the paths laid down
in our schemes.

POISON OF LIBERALISM

8. Under various names there exists in all countries
approximately one and the same thing. Representation,
Ministry, Senate, State Council, Legislative and Executive
Corps. I need not explain to you the mechanism of the relation
of these institutions to one another, because you are aware of
all that; only take note of the fact that each of the above-named
institutions corresponds to some important function of the
State, and I would beg you to remark that the word "important"
I apply not to the institution but to the function, consequently it
is not the institutions which are important but their functions.
These institutions have divided up among themselves all the
functions of government - administrative, legislative,
executive, wherefore they have come to operate as do the
organs in the human body. If we injure one part in the
machinery of State, the State falls sick, like a human body, and
... will die.

9. When we introduced into the State organism the poison of
Liberalism its whole political complexion underwent a change.
States have been seized with a mortal illness - blood poisoning.
All that remains is to await the end of their death agony.

10. Liberalism produced Constitutional States, which took the place of what was the only safeguard of the GOYIM, namely, Despotism; and A CONSTITUTION, AS YOU WELL KNOW, IS NOTHING ELSE BUT A SCHOOL OF DISCORDS, misunderstandings, quarrels, disagreements, fruitless party agitations, party whims - in a word, a school of everything that serves to destroy the personality of State activity. THE TRIBUNE OF THE "TALKERIES" HAS, NO LESS EFFECTIVELY THAN THE PRESS, CONDEMNED IE RULERS TO INACTIVITY AND IMPOTENCE, and thereby rendered them useless and superfluous, for which reason indeed they have been in many countries deposed. THEN IT WAS THAT THE ERA OF REPUBLICS BECOME POSSIBLE OF REALIZATION; AND THEN IT WAS THAT WE REPLACED THE RULER BY A CARICATURE OF A GOVERNMENT - BY A PRESIDENT, TAKEN FROM THE MOB, FROM THE MIDST OF OUR PUPPET CREATURES, OR SLAVES. This was the foundation of the mine which we have laid under the GOY people, I should rather say, under the GOY peoples.

WE NAME PRESIDENTS

11. In the near future we shall establish the responsibility of presidents.

12. By that time we shall be in a position to disregard forms in carrying through matters for which our impersonal puppet will be responsible. What do we care if the ranks of those striving for power should be thinned, if there should arise a deadlock from the impossibility of finding presidents, a deadlock which ill finally disorganize the country? ...

13. In order that our scheme may produce this result we shall
arrange elections in favor of such presidents as have in their
past some dark, undiscovered stain, some "Panama" or other -
then they will be trustworthy agents for the accomplishment of
our plans out of fear of revelations and from the natural desire
of everyone who has attained power, namely, the retention of
the privileges, advantages and honor connected with the office
of president. The chamber of deputies will provide cover for,
will protect, will elect presidents, but we shall take from it the
right to propose new, or make changes in existing laws, for this
right will be given by us to the responsible president, a puppet
in our hands. Naturally, the authority of the presidents will then
become a target for every possible form of attack, but we shall
provide him with a means of self-defense in the right of an
appeal to the people, for the decision of the people over the
heads of their representatives, that is to say, an appeal to that
same blind slave of ours - the majority of the mob.
Independently of this we shall invest the president with the
right of declaring a state of war. We shall justify this last right
on the ground that the president as chief of the whole army of
the country must have it at his disposal, in case of need for the
defense of the new republican constitution, the right to defend
which will belong to him as the responsible representative of
this constitution. (Iran? Grenada? Kuwait? Iraq? Panama?
Somalia? Bosnia? Kosovo? Indonesia?)

14. It is easy to understand that in these conditions the key of
the shrine will lie in our hands, and no one outside ourselves
will any longer direct the force of legislation.

15. Besides this we shall, with the introduction of the new
republican constitution, take from the Chamber the right of
interpolation on government measures, on the pretext of
preserving political secrecy, and, further, we shall by the new constitution reduce the number of representatives to a minimum, thereby proportionately reducing political passions and the passion for politics. If, however, they should, which is hardly to be expected, burst into flame, even in this minimum, we shall nullify them by a stirring appeal and a reference to the majority of the whole people ... Upon the president will depend
the appointment of presidents and vice-presidents of the Chamber and the Senate. Instead of constant sessions of Parliaments we shall reduce their sittings to a few months. Moreover, the president, as chief of the executive power will have the right to summon and dissolve Parliament, and, in the latter case, to prolong the time for the appointment of a new parliamentary assembly. But in order that the consequences of all these acts which in substance are illegal, should not, prematurely for our plans, fall upon the responsibility established by us of the president, WE SHALL INSTIGATE MINISTERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE HIGHER ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT TO EVADE HIS DISPOSITIONS BY TAKING MEASURES OF THEIR OWN, for doing which they will be made the scapegoats in his place ... This part we especially recommend to be given to be played by the Senate, the Council of State, or the Council of ministers, but not to an individual official.

16. The president will, at our discretion, interpret the sense of such of the existing laws as admit of various interpretation; he will further annul them when we indicate to him the necessity to do so, besides this, he will have the right to propose temporary laws, and even new departures in the government constitutional working, the pretext both for the one and the other being the requirements for the supreme welfare of the tate. (Presidential Decrees such as F.D.R. employed to debase the US dollar and steal the gold and to place the U.S. under a permanent State of Emergency and War against its own citizens?)

WE SHALL DESTROY

17. By such measure we shall obtain the power of destroying
little by little, step by step, all that at the outset when we enter
on our rights, we are compelled to introduce into the
constitutions of States to prepare for the transition to an
imperceptible abolition of every kind of constitution, and then
the time is come to turn every form of government into OUR
DESPOTISM.

18. The recognition of our despot may also come before the
destruction of the constitution; the moment for this recognition
will come when the peoples, utterly wearied by the
irregularities and incompetence - a matter which we shall
arrange for - of their rulers, will clamor: "Away with them and
give us one king over all the earth who will unite us and
annihilate the causes of disorders - frontiers, nationalities,
religions, State debts - who will give us peace and quiet which
we cannot find under our rulers and representatives."

19. But you yourselves perfectly well know that TO
PRODUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE EXPRESSION OF
SUCH WISHES BY ALL THE NATIONS IT IS
INDISPENSABLE TO TROUBLE IN ALL COUNTRIES
THE PEOPLE'S RELATIONS WITH THEIR
GOVERNMENTS SO AS TO UTTERLY EXHAUST
HUMANITY WITH DISSENSION, HATRED, STRUGGLE,
ENVY AND EVEN BY THE USE OF TORTURE, BY
STARVATION, BY THE INOCULATION OF DISEASES,
BY WANT, SO THAT THE "GOYIM" SEE NO OTHER ISSUE THAN TO TAKE REFUGE IN OUR COMPLETE SOVEREIGNTY IN MONEY AND IN ALL ELSE.

20. But if we give the nations of the world a breathing space the moment we long for is hardly likely ever to arrive.

READ THE PREVIOUS POST IN THIS SERIES:

St Barsanuphius the Bishop of Tver

Commemorated on April 11

Saint Barsanuphius of Tver was born in the year 1495, and was from Serpukhov. He was named John in Baptism, and he was taught to read and write. While still a youth, he was captured by the Crimean Tatars. Accepting this as the Lord's will, he meekly submitted to his masters, and dutifully accomplished the work they assigned him to do. After three years, John's father ransomed him. He then went to Moscow and became a monk in the Andronikov Monastery, where he received the monastic name Barsanuphius.

Devoting himself to the ascetical life, he became proficient in virtue and piety. In 1544, he was appointed as igumen of the Pesnosha Monastery. Later, he went to Kazan and founded a monastery dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord.

While in Kazan, Archimandrite Barsanuphius was able to help St Gurias (December 5) in spreading Christianity among the Moslems and pagans. His knowledge of the Tatar language proved to be very useful in this work.

In 1567, St Barsanuphius was consecrated Bishop of Tver. He healed many sick people with his knowledge of medicine, but he also healed those suffering from infirmities of the soul.

When the God-pleaser reached old age, he returned to Kazan and to the Transfiguration Monastery which he founded. There he received the Great Schema, and he died at the monastery in 1576.

The holy relics of Sts Gurias and Barsanuphius were uncovered on October 4, 1596. They were placed in shrines in a side chapel of the church at the orders of Patriarch Job. On June 20, 1630 their grace-filled relics were transferred from the Transfiguration Monastery to the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

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Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia

Commemorated on April 10

The Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and Abdikius died in Persia under the emperor Sapor in about the year 380. They were arrested together with Bishop Akepsimas (November 3). Weak from hunger, the sufferers had mustard and vinegar inserted into their nostrils. Then they were stripped and led out to stand all night in the cold.

In the morning, after new torments, the martyrs were returned to prison and beheaded.

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"The Network" movie- Of Books, Music and Movies-Yeah, baby

This movie(The Network) was made in 1976. Hmm. Appropriateness to today seems more relevant then 33 years ago when this film was made.

Anyone here ever read "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman? I highly recommend this book.

Now watch this segment from "The Network":(No. Really. Watch this.)






And this segment. Begin to understand.





Which leads me to this great song of Ned's Atomic Dustbin. I think they say it very well.





All of this is so very groovy. Yeah, baby, television and numb me out, Yeah! Render my mind mush. Besides, I don't wanna know. I like living in Disneyland.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Cheff Jonny!

Just in case people don't know, I and my brothers Constantine and Yianni own a Greek restaurant, Kyklos Greek Cafe in Las Vegas(Henderson to be exact).

We have been doing this business together for almost 7 years now and it has been a challenge but very gratifying all the same. We have of late started sharing our Holy Faith with these new cards(which I will post on when I remember to bring some home). We were inspired by Saint Nektarios of Pentopolis for this idea and it has been so wonderful sharing Orthodoxy in this manner.

You can see more about us here.

Enough about this for now because I would like to bring to the reader's attention a new blog, Cheff Jonny, where in the comments box of one of the post's on this blog he wrote,

"I'm going to create a new blog for Orthodox cooking, recipes and cultural/ethno-food info. Thought you might think it interesting. check out cheffyboy.blogspot.com for updated info as to when and where."

This site looks really neat and it will fulfill a great need with fasting recipes(and non-fasting recipes). Chef says in his latest post,

"Well kids, I've made a hard decision. Some of you won't like it but many new readers will. I'm creating a new blog geared even more toward my own personal interests. I'm an Orthodox Christian first and a chef second and due to Lent, I'm not making much in the way of spectacular lately (at home) so I don't take pics of it. Although food is still interesting to me, I'm scaling back my diet for the fast and not spending as much time on the computer.
When my new blog starts up, it will be mainly an Orthodox recipe blog from your's truly. I hope to incorporate new recipes catering to the lenten fast including culturally Orthodox Christian dishes from around the world, maybe a few new twists to these old-world flavors though.
I guess I feel lost in the world of food blogs these days and starting out with a fresh idea is appropriate for the feast of Pascha. Maybe a new Lamb Roast will be my first entry...Stay tuned. Maybe I'll contact Euphrosynos Cafe to get them in on it! "

So please visit him often!

I will also add his blog in my sidebar under Orthodox Sites.

Martyr Desan the Bishop and 272 others in Persia

Commemorated on April 9

The Holy Martyrs Bishop Desan, Presbyter Mariabus, Abdiesus, and 270 Others were put to death under the Persian emperor Sapor II. Imprisoned, they refused to turn away from the Christian Faith. In their number also was the Martyr Ia, who is commemorated also on September 11.

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St Niphon the Bishop of Novgorod

Commemorated on April 8

Saint Niphon was a monk of the Kiev Caves Monastry, where he struggled in asceticism. In imitation of the Holy Fathers, he uprooted the passions through fasting, vigil, and prayer, and adorned himself with every virtue. He was chosen as Bishop of Novgorod when Bishop John retired to a monastery after twenty-five years of episcopal service. St Niphon was consecrated bishop in Kiev by Metropolitan Michael and other hierarchs.

St Niphon embraced his archpastoral duties with great zeal, strengthening his flock in the Orthodox Faith, and striving to prevent them from becoming separated from the Church, which is the same as being separated from Christ Himself.

The saint was also zealous in building and repairing churches. He built a new stone church in the center of Novgorod, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos. He repaired the roof of the church of Holy Wisdom (Christ, the Wisdom of God), and adorned the interior with icons.

When war broke out between Novgorod and Kiev, St Niphon showed himself to be a peacemaker. Meeting with the leaders of both sides, he was able to pacify them and avert the war. In the same way, he always tried to settle arguments and to reconcile those who were at enmity.

He instructed his flock in the law of God, preaching to them, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting them patiently and with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2) so that they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:10).

When the people of Novgorod drove away their prince, Vsevolod, they invited Prince Svyatslav to govern them. The new prince wanted to enter into a marriage which was against the Church canons. Not only did St Niphon refuse to perform the ceremony, he also told his clergy to regard this betrothal as unlawful. Prince Svyatoslav brought priests in from elsewhere to perform the wedding, and the holy hierarch was not afraid to denounce his behavior.

After the death of Metropolitan Michael of Kiev, the Great Prince Isaiaslav wished to have the schemamonk Clement succeed him. However, he wanted to have Clement consecrated without the blessing of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

At a council of bishops, St Niphon declared that he would not approve the consecration without the permission of the Patriarch of Constantinople. He reminded the other bishops that this was contrary to the tradition of the Russian Church, for Russia had received the Orthodox Faith from Constantinople. Starting in 1448, however, the Russian Church began to elect its own primate without seeking confirmation from Constantinople.

The uncanonical consecration took place despite the objections of St Niphon. Metropolitan Clement tried to force the saint to serve the Divine Liturgy with him, but he refused. He called Clement a wolf rather than a shepherd, for he had unjustly assumed an office which he did not deserve. St Niphon refused to serve with Clement, or to commemorate him during the services.

In his fury, Clement would not permit St Niphon to return to Novgorod. Instead, he had the saint held under house arrest at the Kiev Caves Monastery. When Isaiaslav was defeated by Prince George, St Niphon returned to Novgorod, where the people welcomed him with great joy.

The Patriarch of Constantinople sent a letter praising St Niphon for his steadfast defense of church teachings. He also sent Metropolitan Constantine to Rus in order to depose Metropolitan Clement, and to assume the see of Kiev himself. St Niphon prepared to journey to Kiev to meet Metropolitan Clement.

St Niphon again took up residence in the Kiev Caves Monastery, where he became ill. Thirteen days before his death, he revealed to the brethren that he had had a wondrous dream. St Theodosius (May 3) appeared to him and announced his imminet departure from this world.

St Niphon reposed in peace on April 8, 1156. Now he stands before the throne of God, interceding for us before the All-Holy Trinity, to Whom be all glory, honor, and worship forever.

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Venerable Daniel the Abbot of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski

Commemorated on April 7

Saint Daniel of Pereslavl (in the world Demetrius) was born around 1460 in the city of Pereslavl-Zalessk. His parents were the pious Constantine and Theodosia (in monasticism Thekla).

From his childhood, Daniel had a love for the pious life and Christian deeds. He became a monk in the monastery of St Paphnutius of Borovsk. He attained spiritual maturity under the guidance of St Leucius of Volokolamsk (August 17).

Afterwards, in his native land, he dedicated himself to love for neighbor. He buried the neglected, the poor, and those without family. The saint founded a monastery on the site of the cemetery.

He died April 7, 1540. He is also commemorated on December 30 and July 28.

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St Eutychius the Patriarch of Constantinople

Commemorated on April 6

Saint Eutychius, Archbishop of Constantinople, was born in a village called "Divine" in the province of Phrygia. His father Alexander was a soldier, and his mother Synesia was the daughter of the priest Hesychius of Augustopolis. St Eutychius received the first rudiments of his education and a Christian upbringing from his grandfather the priest.

Once, while playing a childhood game, the boy wrote his own name with the title of Patriarch. By this he seemed to predict his future service. He was sent to Constantinople at age twelve for further education. The youth persevered in his study of science and realized that human wisdom is nothing in comparison to the study of divine Revelation. Therefore, he decided to dedicate himself to monastic life. St Eutychius withdrew into one of the Amasean monasteries and received the angelic schema. For his strict life he was made archimandrite of all the Amasean monasteries, and in 552 was appointed to the Patriarchal throne.

When the Fifth Ecumenical Council prepared to assemble during the reign of the holy emperor Justinian (527-565), the Metropolitan of Amasea was ill and he sent St Eutychius in his place. At Constantinople the aged Patriarch St Menas (August 25) saw St Eutychius and predicted that he would be the next Patriarch. After the death of the holy Patriarch Menas, the Apostle Peter appeared in a vision to the emperor Justinian and, pointing his hand at Eutychius, said, "Let him be made your bishop."

At the very beginning of his patriarchal service, St Eutychius convened the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553), at which the Fathers condemned the heresies cropping up and anathematized them. However, after several years a new heresy arose in the Church: Aphthartodocetism [asartodoketai] or "imperishability" which taught that the flesh of Christ, before His death on the Cross and Resurrection, was imperishable and not capable of suffering.

St Eutychius vigorously denounced this heresy, but the emperor Justinian himself inclined toward it, and turned his wrath upon the saint. By order of the emperor, soldiers seized the saint in the church, removed his patriarchal vestments, and sent him into exile to an Amasean monastery (565).

The saint bore his banishment with meekness, and lived at the monastery in fasting and prayer, and he worked many miracles and healings.

Thus, through his prayer the wife of a devout man, Androgenes, who had given birth only to dead infants, now gave birth to two sons who lived to maturity. Two deaf-mutes received the gift of speech; and two grievously ill children were restored to health. The saint healed a cancerous ulcer on the hand of an artist. The saint also healed another artist, anointing his diseased hand with oil and making over it the Sign of the Cross.

The saint healed not only bodily, but also spiritual afflictions: he banished the devil out of a girl that had kept her from Holy Communion; he expelled a demon from a youth who had fled from a monastery (after which the youth returned to his monastery); he healed a drunken leper, whostopped drinking after being cleansed of his leprosy.

During the Persian invasion of Amasea and its widespread devastation, they distributed grain to the hungry from the monastery granaries on the saint's orders, and by his prayers, the stores of grain at the monastery were not depleted.

St Eutychius received from God the gift of prophecy. He revealed the names of two of Emperor Justinian's successors: Justin (565-578) and Tiberias (578-582).

After the death of the holy Patriarch John Scholastikos, St Eutychius returned to the cathedra in 577 after his twelve year exile, and he again wisely ruled his flock.

Four and a half years after his return to the Patriarchal throne, St Eutychius gathered together all his clergy on Thomas Sunday 582, blessed them, and peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.

Troparion - Tone 3

You lived like an angel on earth,
O Eutychius vessel of grace;
Your words and deeds confirmed the divine gift bestowed on you.
By your intercessions
Preserve the Church from all necessity.

Kontakion - Tone 8

Praising Eutychius in faith and godliness
Let us the faithful bless him in love
As a great shepherd, wise teacher, minister and expeller of heresies;
For he prays to the Lord for us all.

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Venerable Publius of Egypt

Commemorated on April 5

Saint Publius lived a life of asceticism in the Egyptian desert during the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Before a military campaign against the Persians, the emperor sent a devil to explore the way for the army to go. The venerable Publius foresaw the intent of the emperor. He stood in prayer with upraised hands, praying day and night, and blocked the path of the devil.

For ten days the evil spirit waited until the monk concluded his prayer. Unable to proceed, he returned to the emperor and reported that he had been thwarted. In a rage against St Publius, Julian the Apostate vowed to avenge himself on the saint upon his return from the campaign. He did not fulfill this oath, since he soon perished.

After the death of Julian, one of his military commanders distributed his effects and received monastic tonsure at the hand of St Publius.

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5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn

Reading:

About the year 626, the Persians, Avars, and Slavs came with a great host and besieged the imperial city of Constantinople while the Emperor Heraclius and the main body of the Byzantine army were absent in the East. Enemy ships filled the sea, especially the Golden Horn, and on land the adversaries were ready for attack with foot-soldiers, horses, and engines of war. Though the citizens courageously withstood them, yet they were few in number and would be unable to repulse the attack of such a great host. Hence, they could not count on any other means of salvation, except the protection of the Theotokos. And truly, suddenly a violent tempest broke up all the ships and submerged them, and the bodies of the invaders were cast out near the Blachernae quarter of the city where the famous Church of the Theotokos stood. Taking courage from this, the people went forth from the city and repulsed the remaining forces, who fled out of fear. In 673, the city was miraculously delivered yet again, this time from an invasion of the Arabs. Then in 717-718, led by the Saracen general Maslamah, the Arab fleet laid siege once more to the city. The numerical superiority of the enemy was so overwhelming that the fall of the Imperial City seemed imminent. But then the Mother of God, together with a multitude of the angelic hosts, appeared suddenly over the city walls. The enemy forces, struck with terror and thrown into a panic at this apparition, fled in disarray. Soon after this, the Arab fleet was utterly destroyed by a terrible storm in the Aegean Sea on the eve of the Annunciation, March 24, 718. Thenceforth, a special "feast of victory and of thanksgiving" was dedicated to celebrate and commemorate these benefactions. In this magnificent service, the Akathist Hymn is prominent and holds the place of honour. It appears that even before the occasion of the enemy assaults mentioned above, the Akathist Hymn was already in use as the prescribed Service for the Feast of the Annunciation, together with the kontakion, "When the bodiless one learned the secret command," which has the Annunciation as its theme. It was only on the occasion of the great miracle wrought for the Christian populace of the Imperial City on the eve of the Annunciation in 718 that the hymn "To thee, the Champion Leader" was composed, most likely by Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Historians have ascribed the Akathist Hymn to Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople (638), to Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidia (818), or even to Saint Photius the Great (891), all of whom lived either at the time of or after the above-mentioned sieges. However, it appears most likely from its language, content, and style that the true composer of the Akathist Hymn is Saint Romanus the Melodist (6th century).

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

When the bodiless one learned the secret command, in haste he came and stood before Joseph's dwelling, and spake unto the Maiden who knew not wedlock: The One Who hath bowed the Heavens by His descent is held and contained unchanging wholly in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a servant in thy womb, I stand in awe and cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded.

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!"

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St Illyricus the Monk of Mt. Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus

Commemorated on April 3

Saint Illyricus the Wonderworker devoted himself to ascetic struggles on Mount Marsion in the Peloponessos. The dates of his birth and death are unknown.

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Martyr Amphianus (Apphianus) of Lycia

Commemorated on April 2

The Holy Martyrs Amphianus and Edesius were brothers. They lived in the city of Patara (province of Lycia) in the family of the pagan governor. They went to the city of Beirut to study the pagan sciences. There they became ardent followers of Christ.

The holy brothers left their pagan parents and went to Alexandrian Caesarea, where they found an instructor, St Pamphilius (February 16), and under his guidance they became accomplished in the spiritual life, spending their time in prayer and the study of sacred books.

By decree of the emperor Maximian (305-313), a zealous pagan and cruel persecutor of Christians, all the inhabitants of Caesarea were required to offer public sacrifice. Many Christians, including Sts Amphianus and Edesius, had to hide in order to avoid sacrificing to idols.

When the city prefect of Caesarea was about to offer sacrifice to idols, St Amphianus boldly went into the temple, took the prefect's hand, and urged him to abandon his error and believe in Christ.

By order of the governor, soldiers seized St Amphianus, fiercely beat him and then threw him in prison. Two days later they led him to trial, where they beat him with iron rods and burned his body with bundles of flax soaked in oil.

The brave youth, steadfastly confessing his faith in Christ, was then thrown into the sea with a stone about his neck. Suddenly a storm arose, and the waves carried the martyr's body to shore, where it was buried by Christians.

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Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal

Commemorated on April 1

Saint Euthymius of Suzdal was born in the year 1316 at Nizhni-Novgorod. From early childhood he was taught his letters and received a spiritual upbringing. He received monastic tonsure at the Nizhegorod Caves monastery under its founder, St Dionysius (later the Archbishop of Suzdal, commemorated June 26 and October 15).

The ascetic struggles of St Euthymius were so great that St Dionysius advised him to lessen them. In 1352 Prince Boris of Suzdal sought to establish a men's monastery in his city, and he requested the Nizhegorod Caves monastery to send a monk to establish the monastery. The choice of the saintly igumen fell upon St Euthymius.

After the arrival of St Euthymius in the northern part of the city beyond the Kamenka River, St John of Suzdal (October 15) set up a cross on the site of the future monastery cathedral before a tremendous crowd of people. The prince himself began to dig the ground for the foundation, and St Euthymius made three grave stones for himself, vowing to remain in the new monastery until the very end of his life.

So, the the Savior-Euthymius monastery was founded, where soon more than three hundred monks gathered under the guidance of the saint. The monastery adopted the cenobitic rule. The saint insisted that each of the monks be prepared to fulfill whatever obedience they were given. St Euthymius went often to the Trinity-Sergiev monastery to St Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5). St Euthymius was a strict ascetic and a great man of prayer. He toiled incessantly for the benefit of all the brethren. St Euthymius died on April 1, 1404.

On July 4, 1507 while a foundation trench was being dug for a new cathedral church, his incorrupt relics were uncovered. The saint was glorified at a Council in 1549.

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Repose of St Innocent the Metropolitan of Moscow the Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to the Americas

Commemorated on March 31

St Innocent (Veniaminov), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomensk (August 26, 1797 - March 31, 1879), was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church on October 6, 1977. He was born in the village of Anginsk in the Irkutsk diocese. The Apostle of America and Siberia proclaimed the Gospel "even to the ends of the earth": in the Aleutian islands (from 1823), in the six dialects of the local tribes on the island of Sitka (from 1834), among the Kolosh (Tlingit); in the remotest settlements of the extensive Kamchatka diocese (from 1853); among the Koryak, Chukchei, Tungus in the Yakutsk region (from 1853) and North America (in 1857); in the Amur and the Usuriisk region (from 1860).

Having spent a large part of his life in journeys, St Innocent translated a Catechism and the Gospel into the Aleut language. In 1833, he wrote in this language one of the finest works of Orthodox missionary activity INDICATION OF THE WAY TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

In 1859, the Yakut first heard the Word of God and divine services in their native language. Twice (in 1860 and 1861) St Innocent met with St Nicholas the Apostle to Japan (February 3), sharing with him his spiritual experience.

A remarkable preacher, St Innocent said, "Whoever abounds in faith and love, can have mouth and wisdom, and the heart cannot resist their serving it."

Having begun his apostolic work as a parish priest, St Innocent completed it as Metropolitan of Moscow (January 5, 1868 - March 31, 1879). He obeyed the will of God all his life, and he left behind a theme for the sermon to be preached at his funeral: "The steps of a man are rightly ordered by the Lord" (Ps 36/37:23).

St Innocent is also commemorated on October 5 (Synaxis of the Moscow Hierarchs) and on October 6 (his glorification).

For further information on St Innocent, Apostle to America, see the: Celebration of the Year of St Innocent (1997) in the special features section.

Troparion - Tone 4

O Holy Father Innocent
In obedience to the will of God
You accepted dangers and tribulations
Bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth.
You showed us the way,
Now by your prayers help lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Troparion - Tone 2

You evangelized the northern people of America and Asia,
Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the natives in their own tongues.
O holy hierarch Father Innocent,
Enlightener of Alaska and all America, whose ways were ordered by the Lord,
Pray to Him for the salvation of our souls in His Heavenly Kingdom!

Kontakion - Tone 2

A true celebration of the providence and grace of God
Is your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our land.
In hardships and dangers you toiled for the Gospel's sake
And God delivered and preserved you unharmed.
From obscurity He highly exalted you as an example
That the Lord truly guides a man in the way he should go.

Kontakion - Tone 2

Your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our Land,
Proclaims the dispensation and grace of God!
For laboring in dangers and hardships for the Gospel of Christ
You were kept unharmed and exalted in humility.
Pray that He may guide our steps in the way we should go.

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Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of "the Ladder"

Commemorated on March 30

Saint John of the Ladder is honored by Holy Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER, from which he is also called "of the Ladder" (Climacus).

There is almost no information about St John's origins. One tradition suggests that he was born in Constantinople around the year 570, and was the son of Sts Xenophon and Maria (January 26).

John went to Sinai when he was sixteen, submitting to Abba Martyrius as his instructor and guide. After four years, St John was tonsured as a monk. Abba Strategios, who was present at St John's tonsure, predicted that he would become a great luminary in the Church of Christ.

For nineteen years St John progressed in monasticism in obedience to his spiritual Father. After the death of Abba Martyrius, St John embarked on a solitary life, settling in a wild place called Thola, where he spent forty years laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears of penitence.

It is not by chance that in THE LADDER St John speaks about tears of repentance: "Just as fire burns and destroys the wood, so pure tears wash away every impurity, both external and internal." His holy prayer was strong and efficacious, as may be seen from an example from the life of the God-pleasing saint.

St John had a disciple named Moses. Once, the saint ordered his disciple to bring dung to fertilize the vegetable garden. When he had fulfilled the obedience, Moses lay down to rest under the shade of a large rock, because of the scorching heat of summer. St John was in his cell in a light sleep. Suddenly, a man of remarkable appearance appeared to him and awakened the holy ascetic, reproaching him, "John, why do you sleep so heedlessly, when Moses is in danger?"

St John immediately woke up and began to pray for his disciple. When Moses returned in the evening, St John asked whether any sort of misfortune had befallen him.

The monk replied, "A large rock would have fallen on me as I slept beneath it at noon, but I left that place because I thought I heard you calling me." St John did not tell his disciple of his vision, but gave thanks to God.

St John ate the food which is permitted by the monastic rule, but only in moderation. He did not sleep very much, only enough to keep up his strength, so that he would not ruin his mind by unceasing vigil. "I do not fast excessively," he said of himself, "nor do I give myself over to intense all-night vigil, nor lay upon the ground, but I restrain myself..., and the Lord soon saved me."

The following example of St John's humility is noteworthy. Gifted with discernment, and attaining wisdom through spiritual experience, he lovingly received all who came to him and guided them to salvation. One day some envious monks reproached him for being too talkative, and so St John kept silence for a whole year. The monks realized their error, and they went to the ascetic and begged him not to deprive them of the spiritual profit of his conversation.

Concealing his ascetic deeds from others, St John sometimes withdrew into a cave, but reports of his holiness spread far beyond the vicinity. Visitors from all walks of life came to him, desiring to hear his words of edification and salvation. After forty years of solitary asceticism, he was chosen as igumen of Sinai when he was seventy-five. St John governed the holy monastery for four years. Toward the end of his life, the Lord granted him the gifts of clairvoyance and wonderworking.

At the request of St John, igumen of the Raithu monastery (Commemorated on Cheesefare Saturday), he wrote the incomparable LADDER, a book of instruction for monks who wished to attain spiritual perfection.

Knowing of the wisdom and spiritual gifts of St John of Sinai, the igumen of Raithu requested him to write down whatever was necessary for the salvation of those in the monastic life. Such a book would be "a ladder fixed on the earth" (Gen. 28:12), leading people to the gates of Heaven.

St John felt that such a task was beyond his ability, yet out of obedience he fulfilled the request. The saint called his work THE LADDER, for the book is "a fixed ladder leading from earthly things to the Holy of Holies...." The thirty steps of spiritual perfection correspond to the thirty years of the Lord's age. When we have completed these thirty steps, we will find ourselves with the righteous and will not stumble. THE LADDER begins with renunciation of the world, and ends with God, Who is love (1 John 4:8).

Although the book was written for monks, any Christian living in the world will find it an unerring guide for ascending to God, and a support in the spiritual life. Sts Theodore the Studite (November 11 and January 26), Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5), Joseph of Volokolamsk (September 9 and October 18), and others relied on THE LADDER as an important guide to salvation.

The twenty-second step of THE LADDER deals with various forms of vainglory. St John writes: "When I fast, I am vainglorious; and when I permit myself food in order to conceal my fasting from others I am again vainglorious about my prudence. When I dress in fine clothing, I am vanquished by vanity, and if I put on drab clothing, again I am overcome by vanity. If I speak, vainglory defeats me. If I wish to keep silence, I am again given over to it. Wherever this thorn comes up, it stands with its points upright.

A vain person seems to honor God, but strives to please men rather than God.

People of lofty spirit bear insult placidly and willingly, but only the holy and righteous may hear praise without harm.

When you hear that your neighbor or friend has slandered you behind your back, or even to your face, praise and love him.

It is not the one who reproaches himself who shows humility, for who will not put up with himself? It is the one who is slandered by another, yet continues to show love for him.

Whoever is proud of his natural gifts, intelligence, learning, skill in reading, clear enunciation, and other similar qualities, which are acquired without much labor, will never obtain supernatural gifts. Whoever is not faithful in small things (Luke 16:10), is also unfaithful in large things, and is vainglorous.

It often happens that God humbles the vainglorious, sending a sudden misfortune. If prayer does not destroy a proud thought, we bring to mind the departure of the soul from this life. And if this does not help, let us fear the shame which follows dishonor. "For whoever humbles himself shall be exalted, and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled" (Luke 14:11). When those who praise us, or rather seduce us, start to praise us, let us recall our many sins, then we shall find that we are not worthy of what they say or do to honor us."

In THE LADDER St John describes the ascent toward spiritual perfection, which is essential for anyone who wishes to save his soul. It is a written account of his thoughts, based on the collected wisdom of many wise ascetics, and on his own spiritual experience. The book is a great help on the path to truth and virtue.

The steps of THE LADDER proceed gradually from strength to strength on the path of perfection. The summit is not reached suddenly, but gradually, as the Savior says: "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Mt.11:12).

St John is also commemorated on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent.

Troparion - Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
And by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion - Tone 1

You offered us your teachings as fruits of everlasting freshness,
To sweeten the hearts of those who receive them with attention.
O blessed and wise John, they are the rungs of a ladder,
Leading the souls of those who honor you from earth to Eternal glory in Heaven!

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