Martyrdom of the Greatmartyr George of Georgia

Commemorated on November 10

Celebrated by the whole Christian world, Great-martyr George was slain by Emperor Diocletian in the year 303.

The holy martyr is appropriately considered the intercessor for all Christians and the patron saint of many. He is regarded with special reverence among the Georgian people, since he is believed to be the special protector of their nation. Historical accounts often describe how St. George appeared among the Georgian soldiers in the midst of battles.

The majority of Georgian churches (in villages especially) were built in his honor and, as a result, every day there is a feast of the great-martyr George somewhere in Georgia. The various daily commemorations are connected to one of the churches erected in his name or an icon or a particular miracle he performed.

November 10 marks the day on which St. George was tortured on the wheel. According to tradition, this day of commemoration was established by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia. St. Nino was a relative of St. George the Trophy-bearer.

She revered him deeply and directed the people she had converted to Christianity to cherish him as their special protector.



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Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear"

Commemorated on November 9

The Icon of the Mother of God, "Quick to Hear" an ancient wonderworking icon, is located on Holy Mount Athos at the Docheiariou monastery. The monastery tradition suggests that it was painted in the tenth century, in the time of the igumen St Neophytus (November 9). In the year 1664 the cook Nilus, came to the kitchen at night with a burning torch. He heard a voice from the icon of the Mother of God which hung over the door, warning him in future not to walk here with a torch and not to darken the icon with soot. The monk thought that this was a prank of one of the brethren, so he disregarded the warning and continued to walk into the kitchen with the sooty torch.

Suddenly he fell blind. With fervent repentance Nilus prayed before the icon of the Mother of God, begging forgiveness. When the brethren heard what had happened, they placed a lamp before the icon, and censed it every night. Again he heard the wondrous voice saying that he had been forgiven, and that his sight would return. The All-Pure One commanded him to announce to all the brethren that She was the protector and guardian of the monastery."Let them and all Orthodox Christians come to Me in their necessities, and I shall not forsake them. All their petitions will be granted by My Son, because of My intercession with Him. My icon shall be called "She who is Quick to Hear, for I shall speedily fulfill the petitions of those who hasten to it." The Most Holy Theotokos then fulfilled and continues to fulfill Her promise of quick help and consolation for all those who come to Her with faith.

In Russia, copies of the wonderworking Athonite image "She who is Quick to Hear" were always venerated with great love and fervent prayer. Many of them were glorified by miracles. In particular, there were cases of healing from the plague and from demonic possession.

In 1938, the Docheiariou monastery presented a copy of the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" to the Russian Spiritual Mission at Jerusalem.
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Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

Commemorated on November 8

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

The name Michael means "Who is like God?"

The Archangel Gabriel whose name means "the strength (power) of God," is the herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God.

On icons the Archangels are depicted in according to the character of their service:

Gabriel appears with a branch from Paradise, presented by him to the Most Holy Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his right hand and with a mirror made of jasper in his left.

The Archangel Raphael, whose name means "the healing of God," is the curer of human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15)

Raphael holds a vessel with healing medications in his left hand, and with his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a fish for healing (Tobit 5-8).

The Archangel Uriel, whose name means" the fire or light of God" (2 Ezdras 4:1, 5:20, 10:28). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds.

Uriel in his raised right hand holds a naked sword at the level of his chest, and in his lowered left hand "a fiery flame."

The Archangel Selaphiel, whose name means "the prayer of God, impelling to prayer" (3 Ezdras 5:16). He prays to God for mankind.

Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing downwards, hands folded on the chest.

The Archangel Jehudiel, whose name means "one who glorifies God," encourages us to strive for the glory of the Lord, and intercedes for our efforts to be rewarded.

Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, in his left, a whip of three red (or black) thongs.

The Archangel Barachiel, whose name means "the blessing of God," entreats the mercy of God for people.

Barachiel is shown with a white rose on his breast.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! "

Kontakion in the Second Tone

 

Chief Commanders of God; ministers of divine glory; guides for men and leadership of the Incorporeal; as Chief Commanders of the Incorporeal, plead for our welfare and for great mercy.

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Icon of the Mother of God "the Joyful"

Commemorated on November 7

The "Joyful" (Vzigranie) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared near Moscow on November 7, 1795 . Nothing is known of the history of the icon, except that many miracles have taken place before it.

Icons of this name are found in the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow, and in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mt Athos. In appearance, the "Joyful" Icon resembles the "Pelagonitissa" Icon, a variant of the Glykophylousa ("Sweet-Kissing") or Eleousa type.

The Icon is sometimes called "Child Leaping for Joy."


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St Herman the Archbishop of Kazan

Commemorated on November 6
Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan, lived during the sixteenth century. He was born in the city of Staritsa, and was descended from the old boyar nobility of the Polevi. In his youth Gregory (his baptismal name) was tonsured at the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery under Igumen Gurias, who later became Archbishop of Kazan (December 5). (St Gurias was head of the monastery from 1542 to 1551).

At the monastery St Herman occupied himself with copying books, and he was a close friend of St Maximus the Greek (January 21), who was living there in confinement. In 1551 the brethren of the Staritsa Dormition monastery, seeing his piety, chose him as their archimandrite.

Taking up the governance of this monastery with a pastoral zeal, St Herman concerned himself with its internal and external order, for he himself was a model of humility and meekness. He exhorted all to observe their monastic commitment strictly, and he introduced into his monastery the Rule of St Joseph of Volokolamsk (October 18).

But after two and a half years Archimandrite Herman left the Staritsa monastery, leaving its direction to the hieromonk Job (June 19), who afterwards was to become the first Patriarch of Moscow, and was an ascetic and sufferer for the Russian Land.

St Herman's love for solitary struggles brought him to return to his original Volokolamsk monastery, where he strove toward salvation as a simple monk. However, when the new heretic Matthew Bashkin (who refused to acknowledge the Holy Mysteries and denied faith in the Holy Trinity) appeared at Moscow, St Herman and his own father (who had received tonsure at the Volokolamsk monastery with the name Philotheus) were summoned to the Moscow Council of 1553. The Council censured the heretic Bashkin and resolved to send him for correction to St Herman at the Volokolamsk monastery, since St Herman was known for his holy life and zeal for the faith in Christ.

In 1555, after the taking of Kazan, an archepiscopal See was established there. St Gurias, the former igumen of Volokolamsk monastery, was chosen as archbishop. He was entrusted with building the Dormition monastery in the city of Sviyazhsk for missionary purposes. By decree of St Gurias, St Herman was appointed as head of this new monastery in Sviyazhsk. A stone cathedral was built with a belltower and monastic cells. The igumen of monastery he lived very frugally in a cramped cell beneath the cathedral belltower. St Herman particularly concerned himself with acquiring a library for the monastery.

Soon his monastery became famous for its good works, and it became a center of enlightenment for the Kazan region.

On March 12, 1564, after the repose of St Gurias, St Herman was consecrated Bishop of Kazan. The short duration of his tenure there was marked nonetheless by his efforts to build churches and to enlighten the people of the region with the light of Christ.

In 1566, Ivan the Terrible summoned St Herman to Moscow and ordered that he be elected to the Metropolitan cathedra. At first, St Herman refused to have this burden imposed upon him. The Tsar would not tolerate any objection, however, and the saint was obliged to settle into the Metropolitan's quarters until his elevation to the position of Metropolitan.

Seeing injustice among those of the Tsar's inner circle, St Herman, true to his pastoral duty, attempted to admonish the Tsar. "You are not yet elevated to Metropolitan, and already you place constraints upon my freedom," the Tsar told him through his aides. He ordered St Herman expelled from the Metropolitan's quarters and that he be kept under surveillance.

The saint lived in disgrace for about two years, and died on November 6, 1567. They buried him in the church of St Nicholas the Hospitable. In 1595, at the request of the inhabitants of Sviyazhsk, the relics of the saint were transferred from Moscow to the Sviyazhsk Dormition monastery. St Hermogenes, then Metropolitan of Kazan, visited his grave.



St Herman is also commemorated on September 25 (first translation of his relics in 1595) and June 23 (second translation of his relics in 1714).
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St Gregory the Archbishop of Alexandria

Commemorated on November 5

Saint Gregory the Archbishop of Alexandria lived in the ninth century. He was flogged and thrown into prison in the reign of Leo the iconoclast. He was left in prison without food until he died.
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Saints John, Steven, and Isaiah the Georgians

Commemorated on November 4
Among the multitude of saints we remember those Christians who dedicated their earthly lives to glorifying God and serving others. In a single lifetime they performed all the spiritual feats of the venerable and devout fathers, confessors, and martyrs.

Among the saints canonized by the Georgian Church, only four have been called “Righteous.” They are St. Ilia Chavchavadze, well known as the “father” and “uncrowned king” of the Georgian nation, and Sts. John, Steven, and Isaiah the Georgians.

It is believed that Holy John, Steven, and Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and guarded the Tomb of our Lord. It is probable that the Georgian Orthodox Church proclaimed them deserving of exceptional honor in recognition of their dedicated service at the Tomb of the Savior.

For several centuries the Georgian Church has glorified the Righteous John, Steven, and Isaiah and asked for their intercessions before the Lord.
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Venerable Nicholas, Radiant Star of the Georgians

Commemorated on November 3
Saint Nicholas was the author of many church services, but little else about his life is known. He lived in the second half of the 13th century, and the last years of his life coincided with the reign of King Vakhtang III (1298, 1302–1308), the son of the holy king Demetre the Devoted.

St. Nicholas was one of the greatest hymnographers and spiritual figures of his time, but few of his works have been preserved. Catholicos Anton I writes that Nicholas composed numerous canons and services, including a “Canon of Supplication for Rain.” St. Nicholas enriched the spiritual literature of Georgia with his translations as well. Scholars and historians believe that, as the greatest liturgist of his time, he was probably asked to translate many prayers and services from Greek to Georgian.

Among them, they believe, was the “Canon for the Blessing of Holy Water.”

The famous 19th-century historian Platon Ioseliani writes that other church services belonging to the pen of St. Nicholas are included among the manuscripts of the Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos. St. Nicholas reposed peacefully in the year 1308.



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SaintS Acindynus, Pegasias, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus of Persia and 7,000 other Christians

UPPER LEFT: Martyr Pegasias

UPPER RIGHT: Martyr Aphthonius

BOTTOM CENTER: Martyr Elpidephorus

Commemorated on November 2

Saint Pegasias suffered martyrdom in Persia along with Sts Acindynus, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus and 7,000 other Christians at the time of King Sapor II (310-381). These saints were Sapor's courtiers, and were secret Christians. When the king began his persecution against Christians, envious pagans denounced them to him. Summoned to Sapor's presence for trial, the holy martyrs fearlessly confessed their faith in the Holy Trinity. The king ordered them to be beaten with whips.

Sapor told the people that Sts Acindynus, Pegasias, Anempodistus and Elpidephorus would have their heads cut off, and that he would not permit the Christians to bury their bodies.

A tremendous crowd accompanied these saints as they were led outside the city walls for execution, glorifying Christ. On Sapor's orders, soldiers massacred all the Christians in the procession (about 7,000), including St Elpidephorus.

Acindynus, Pegasias, and Anempodistus were burned on the following day with the mother of the emperor. Christians, came secretly by night to the place of execution, found the bodies of the holy martyrs unharmed by the fire, and they buried them with reverence.

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What Is Spiritualism?

From here.
------------------------------

What Is Spiritualism?
(A concise presentation)

Spiritualism (or mediumism): a spiritual movement of “revelations” that consists in the communication of people with “spirits” which are supposedly the souls of people who have previously died. Such communication is achieved through dedicated people called “intermediaries” or “mediums.” A more careful study of the teachings of spiritualism shows that beyond some simple philosophical or ethical teaching, which is based on “para-physical” or “psychic” activity and the revelations and teachings of “spirits,” spiritualism is basically a faith, “revelation” and religion derived from idolatrous oracles, a faith related to magic and necromancy.

Modern spiritualism developed during the 2nd half of the 19th century on, first in the United States of America, soon spreading everywhere (Scotland and England, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, etc). Its spread was sparked by the activity of “spirits playing” with the three daughters of the American family Fox at their home in Hydesville of Wayne County, NY (from 1847 and after).

Spiritualism progressively evolved into a religion with its own theology, anthropology, and ethics, based on the teachings of the so-called “spirits” – teachings which, of course, are light years away from the revealed Truth about God to the Church through Christ. Among their teachings is the characteristic “co-eternity” of God and matter (namely, matter was not created by God but always existed with Him), pantheism (man or even matter is part of the essence of God), the adoption of reincarnation, evolutionism, the supposed appearance in the world of a “global flow” (of an element between spirit and matter) which constitutes man’s “aura,” or generally assumes other forms (electric or magnetic flow, ethereal body, living flow, “soul of the world,” etc). The most notable preachers and apostles of spiritualism were Allan Cardec (pen-name of doctor Léon Rivail), Léon Denis, Cesare Lombroso, et al. Among the Greeks were B. Tsinoukas, A. Tanagras, K. Demaratos, Ar. Papastavros, et al.

Among other things, spiritualism also uses hypnotism (“mesmerism”) by a “medium” through whom the “spirits” can talk.

The documentation on the phenomena that take place during the invocation of the “spirits” by mediums are frightful, phenomena that the Church has been aware of since the beginning, even from the early lives and writings of the Holy Fathers. They are demonic, magical and wholly dangerous (movements of articles, changes in weight and temperature of articles and their levitation music and noise from nowhere, haunted places, typology, spiritography, psychometry, materializations, telepathy, incineration, etc).

Such demonic phenomena are also precisely observed, and not by chance, at peoples’ meetings with beings which the New Agers and the UFO believers consider “extraterrestrials.” These phenomena were clearly described as demonic by the blessed Fr. Seraphim Rose in his great work Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, and a sample of such phenomena are also re-ported in Steven Spielberg’s pro-UFO film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1979). Pronounced spreading of Spiritualism to the “masses” in the western world was achieved with the release of the “Ouija board” through which the user receives answers from “spirits” on a special alphabet response board (a form of “alphabetic typology”).

Allan Cardec himself points out the danger of the intermediary (the medium) becoming a victim of “malevolent spirits” and ending up demonically possessed; this demonizing – according to Cardec – is a common occurrence among mediums and can range between 1) simple demonization(“obsession”), 2) paranoia (“fascination”), and 3) enslavement.

There is a strong connection between spiritualism and theosophy, but also (unofficially) with Masonry, on the basis of their common tracing back to “ancient wisdom” of “evolved spirits” of old – which Theosophists and some Masons invoke in front of an audience in spiritual gatherings. (This is documented as happening in Rosicrucian Masonry.) This connection is also apparent in the relativism of these three religions – theological relativism, moral relativism, etc – which suggests that there is no absolute Truth revealed by God, but all theological and ethical values are of relative worth and are subject to exhaustive research, alterations and variations.

Many decades ago, spiritualist Léon Denis characteristically wrote in his book Apres la mort:

“But we already have reached a time in history, where the old religions are being rejected on their own bases and a philosophical and social renovation is being prepared … Salvation, light, and restoration will not come from the Church. She is incapable of renewing the human spirit … The teaching which the dead give us tends to reconcile all the adversarial systems, and from the ashes of the past a new flame will be rekindled. In the philosophy of the spirits we again discover the hidden teaching, which spans across the ages.”

Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries

Commemorated on November 1





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The Holy Apostles of the Seventy: Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles and Aristobulus

Commemorated on October 31

Saint Amplias was a bishop in the city of Diospolis.

Saint Urban, one of the Seventy Apostles, was made a bishop by St Andrew (November 30), and was active in Macedonia. They were killed by Jews and pagan Greeks because of their zeal in preaching the Gospel.

Saint Narcissus, one of the Seventy Apostles, was made Bishop of Athens by the Apostle Philip.

Saint Apelles, one of the Seventy Apostles, was bishop at Heraclion in Trachis.

Saint Aristobulus, one of the Seventy Apostles, was the brother of St Barnabus (June 11) and proclaimed the Gospel in Britain, where he died in peace. He is also commemorated on March 16.

Saint Aristobulus

Troparion - Tone 3

Holy Apostles of the Seventy: Stáchys, Amplías, Úrban, Narcíssus, Apélles, and Aristobúlus,
entreat the merciful God
to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion - Tone 8

Let us thankfully praise the wise Apostles
Stáchys, Amplías, Úrban, Narcíssus, Apélles, and Aristobúlus,
those treasures of the Holy Spirit and rays of the Sun of glory,
who were gathered together by the grace of our God.
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Venerable Dragutin (Theoctistus in Monasticism) of Serbia

Commemorated on October 30

Saint Dragutin was the brother of St Stephen Milutin, the son of King Stephen Urosh I, and the grandson of First-Crowned King St Stephen (September 24). Dragutin, a true Christian, after a short reign, abdicated in favor of his brother Stephen. He withdrew to Srem, secretly living as an ascetic in a grave which he dug with his own hands. During his righteous life, St Dragutin toiled much over converting the Bogomil heretics to the true Faith. He surrendered his soul to God on March 2, 1316.
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Venerable Abramius the Recluse of Mesopotamia and Blessed Maria the Niece of Abramius

Commemorated on October 29

Saint Abramius the Hermit and Blessed Maria, his niece of Mesopotamia, lived the ascetic life in the village of Chidan, near the city of Edessa. They were contemporaries and fellow countrymen of St Ephraim the Syrian (January 28), who afterwards wrote about their life.

St Abramius began his difficult exploit of the solitary life in the prime of youth. He left his parents' home and settled in a desolate wilderness place, far from worldly enticements, and he spent his days in unceasing prayer. After the death of his parents, the saint refused his inheritance and requested his relatives to give it away to the poor. By his strict ascetic life, fasting, and love for mankind, Abramius attracted to him many seeking after spiritual enlightenment, prayer and blessing.

Soon his faith was put to a serious test, as he was appointed presbyter in one of the pagan villages of Mesopotamia. For three years, and sparing no efforts, the saint toiled over the enlightenment of the pagans. He tore down a pagan temple and built a church. Humbly enduring derision and even beatings from obstinate idol-worshippers, he entreated the Lord, "Look down, O Master, upon Your servant, hear my prayer. Strengthen me and set Your servants free from diabolical snares, and grant them to know You, the one true God." The zealous pastor was granted the happiness to see the culmination of his righteous efforts: the pagans came to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and St Abramius baptized them himself.

Having fulfilled his priestly duty, Abramius again withdrew into his wilderness, where he continued to glorify God, and doing His holy will. The devil, put to shame by the deeds of St Abramius, tried to entrap him with proud thoughts. Once at midnight, when St Abramius was at prayer in his cell, suddenly a light shone and a voice was heard, "Blessed are you, Abramius, for no other man has done my will as you have!" Confuting the wiles of the enemy, the saint said: "I am a sinful man, but I trust in the help and grace of my God. I do not fear you, and your illusions do not scare me." Then he ordered the devil to depart, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Another time, the devil appeared before the saint in the form of a youth, lit a candle and began to sing Psalm 118/119, "Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Perceiving that this also was a demonic temptation, the Elder crossed himself and asked, "If you know that the blameless are blessed, then why trouble them?"

The temper answered, "I provoke them in order to conquer them and turn them away from every good deed." To this the saint replied, "You gain victory over those who, like yourself, have fallen away from God. You are forced to vanish, like smoke in the wind, from before the face of those who love God." After these words the devil vanished. Thus St Abramius defeated the Enemy, being strengthened by divine grace. After fifty years of ascetic life, he peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.

St Abramius's niece, the Nun Maria, grew up being edified by his spiritual instruction. Her father died when she was seven, and so she was raised by her saintly uncle. But the Enemy of the race of man tried to turn her from the true path. At twenty-seven years of age she fell into sin with a man. Thoroughly ashamed, she left her cell, went to another city and began to live in a brothel. Two years later, when he learned of this, St Abramius clad himself in soldier's garb, so that he should not be recognized, and he went to the city to find his niece. Pretending to be one of her "clients," he revealed his identity once they were alone. With many tears and exhortations, he brought her to repentance and took her back to her cell.

St Maria returned to her cell and spent the rest of her days in prayer and tears of repentance. The Lord forgave her and even granted her the gift of healing the sick. She died five years after St Abramius.

Troparion - Tone 1

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father,
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away
but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore your spirit, venerable Abramius, rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion - Tone 3

You lived in the flesh on earth as an angel,
and through your ascetic life you became like a tree nourished by the waters of abstinence and flourished.
You have washed away stains with the streams of your tears
and so you have been revealed, Abramius, to be a god-like vessel of the Spirit.

Troparion - Tone 1

You abandoned all earthly comforts, O Father Abramius,
Living righteously in hope of things to come and receiving a sacred anointing.
Initiated into divine mysteries, you enlighten those who cry:
Glory to him who has strengthened you!
Glory to him who has granted you a crown!
Glory to him who through you works healing for all!
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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

Repose of the Venerable Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev

Commemorated on October 28
Saint Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (in the world named Ivan Zhelezo), was born around 1551 in Pokutia in Galicia. At age ten he came to the Transfiguration Ugornits monastery, and at age twelve he received monastic tonsure with the name Job. The venerable Job from his youth was known for his great piety and strict ascetic life, and he was accounted worthy of the priestly office.

Around the year 1580, at the request of the renowned champion of Orthodoxy Prince Constantine Ostrozhsky, St Job was appointed the head of the Exaltation of the Cross monastery near the city of Dubno, and for more than twenty years he governed the monastery amidst the growing persecution of Orthodoxy on the part of the Catholics and Uniates.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, St Job withdrew to Pochaev hill and settled in a cave not far from the ancient Dormition monastery, famed for its wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God (July 23). The holy hermit, beloved by the brethren of the monastery, was chosen as their Igumen. St Job zealously fulfilled his duty as head of the monastery, kind and gentle with the brethren, he did much of the work himself, planting trees in the garden, and strengthening the waterworks at the monastery.

St Job was an ardent defender of the Orthodox Faith against the persecution of the Catholics. Following the Union of Brest (1596), many Orthodox living in Poland were deprived of their rights, and attempts were made to force them to convert to Catholicism. Many Orthodox hierarchs became apostates to Uniatism, but St Job and others defended Orthodoxy by copying and disseminating Orthodox books. Prince Ostrozhsky was also responsible for the first printed edition of the Orthodox Bible (1581).

In taking an active part in the defense of Orthodoxy and the Russian people, St Job was present at the 1628 Kiev Council, convened against the Unia. After 1642, he accepted the great schema with the name John.

Sometimes he completely secluded himself within the cave for three days or even a whole week. The Jesus Prayer was an unceasing prayer in gentle heart. According to the testimony of his disciple Dositheus, and author of the Life of St Job, once while praying in his cave, the saint was illumined by a heavenly light. St Job reposed in the year 1651. He was more than 100 years old, and had directed the Pochaev monastery for more than fifty years.

The uncovering of St Job's relics took place on August 28, 1659. There was a second uncovering of the relics on August 27-28, 1833.

Troparion - Tone 4

Having acquired the patience of your Forefather,
and having resembled the Baptist in abstinence,
you shared the divine zeal of both
and were counted worthy to receive their names.
You were a fearless preacher of the True Faith;
in this way you brought a multitude of monastics to Christ.
You strengthened all people in Orthodoxy,
Job, our venerable father;
pray that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion - Tone 4

Podoben: "Today You have shown forth..."
You were a pillar of the True Faith;
a zealot of the commandments of the Gospel;
a denouncer of pride,
and a defender and teacher of the humble.
Therefore, those who honor you pray for the remission of their sins,
and that this, your holy habitation, be kept safe from all harm,
Job, our father, who resembled the long-suffering Patriarch of old.
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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

Icon of the Mother of God of "the Sign"

Commemorated on October 27

The main commemoration of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Of the Sign" is November 27.


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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

St Theophilus of the Kiev Caves and Bishop of Novgorod

Commemorated on October 26

Saint Theophilus of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves and Archbishop of Novgorod, was chosen by lot after the death of the holy hierarch Jonah (November 5). He was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop of Novgorod on December 15, 1472 at Moscow. Until his elevation, he had pursued asceticism in the Otensk monastery.

A harsh destiny was allotted the saint in the guidance of the Novgorod flock. The mayor Martha Boretskaya and her adherents stirred up and agitated the people against the Great Prince of Moscow, Ivan III. The monk Pimen, a Boretskaya partisan, roused enmity against the archbishop in the flock. Some of the Novgorod populace were inclined to go over to the side of Lithuania. Unfaithful to the Moscow principality, they were prepared to fall into apostasy.

St Theophilus stopped the rebellious Novgorodians saying, "Do not betray Orthodoxy nor become a flock of apostates. I'll go back to my humble cell, from which you drew me out to the shame of rebellion." This letter of disavowal of the saint, written in 1479, is preserved. The short-sighted people did not heed the words of the pastor, and a fratricidal war broke out between Moscow and Novgorod. The defeated Novgorodians were compelled to beg for mercy, and many of them owed their life to the intercession of the saint. In 1480, St Theophilus was sent by Ivan III to prison in the Moscow Chudov monastery and "he sat there a full three years, and died there."

By tradition, when St Theophilus lay sick at the Chudov monastery, St Niphon of Novgorod (April 8), who is buried in the Kiev Caves of St Anthony, appeared to him in a dream. The saint reminded him of his promise to venerate the Kievan wonderworkers. It is said that the holy archbishop went to Kiev, and just as he approached the Dniepr his sickness increased. He received a revelation that although he would not reach the Caves alive, his body would rest in them. This was fulfilled.

His memory is celebrated also with the Synaxis of the Saints of the Kiev Far Caves on August 28, and on the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, with the Synaxis of the Kiev Caves Fathers.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

Venerable Martyrius the Deacon

Commemorated on October 25

Saint Martyrius the Deacon and Martyrius the Recluse, of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves His holy name is remembered in the Seventh Ode of the Canon to the Fathers of the Kiev Far Caves. Here his love of toil, justice and ardent purity, and even his gift of expelling demons and healing infirmities are praised. His memory is celebrated also on August 28 and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

4,299 Martyrs with Arethas

Commemorated on October 24

The 4299 Martyrs suffered for the Lord Jesus Christ with St Arethas in the sixth century. Arethas was prefect of the Christian city of Negran in Arabia. The Arabian (or Omirite) king, Dunaan, who was Jewish, decided to eliminate Christianity from the land. He issued an edict that all followers of Christ were to be put to death.

Because the inhabitants of Negran remained faithful to the Lord, Dunaan came with a large army to destroy the city. At the city walls of Negran the king's heralds announced that Dunaan would only spare those who renounced Christ and referred to His Cross as a "sign of malediction."

Not daring to assault the Christian city by force, Dunaan resorted to a ruse. Dunaan swore an oath that he would not force the Christians into Judaism, but would merely collect a tribute from Negran. The inhabitants of the city would not heed the advice of St Arethas, and putting their trust in Dunaan, they opened the city gates.

The very next day Dunaan gave orders to light an immense fire and throw all the clergy of the city into it in order to frighten the rest of the Christians. 427 men were burned. He also threw the prefect Arethas and the other chief men into prison. Then the oppressor sent his messengers through the city to convert the Christians to Judaism. Dunaan himself conversed with those inhabitants brought from the prisons, saying, "I do not demand that you should renounce the God of heaven and earth, nor do I want you to worship idols, I want merely that you do not believe in Jesus Christ, since the Crucified One was a man, and not God."

The holy martyrs replied that Jesus is God the Word, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Who for the salvation of mankind was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. Those suffering said, "We shall not abjure Christ, since He is Life for us. To die for Him is to find Life."

More than four thousand Christians, men, women, both the aged and children, from the city of Negran and surrounding villages suffered martyrdom for Christ.

Troparion - Tone 1

Through the sufferings which Your holy martyrs Arethas and his companions
endured for Your sake, O Lord,
we beseech You, O Lover of mankind:
heal all of our infirmities.

Kontakion - Tone 4

Today the radiant feast of the passion-bearers Arethas and his companions comes to us as a herald of joy;
as we celebrate it we glorify the Lord on high.
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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):

Memorial Saturday of St Demetrius

Commemorated on October 23
In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, veneration of the holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is closely linked with the memory of the defense of the nation and Church by the Great Prince of Moscow, Demetrius of the Don (May 19).

St Demetrius of the Don smashed the military might of the Golden Horde at the Battle of Kulikovo Field on September 8, 1380 (the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos), set between the Rivers Don and Nepryadva. The Battle of Kulikovo, for which the nation calls him Demetrius of the Don, became the first Russian national deed, rallying the spiritual power of the Russian nation around Moscow. The "Zadonschina," an inspiring historic poem written by the priest Sophronius of Ryazem (1381), is devoted to this event.

Prince Demetrius of the Don was greatly devoted to the holy Great Martyr Demetrius. In 1380, on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the most holy object in the Dimitriev cathedral of Vladimir: the icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, painted on a piece of wood from the saint's grave. A chapel in honor of the Great Martyr Demetrius was built at Moscow's Dormition Cathedral.

The St Demetrius Memorial Saturday was established for the churchwide remembrance of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulidovo. This memorial service was held for the first time at the Trinity-St Sergius monastery on October 20, 1380 by St Sergius of Radonezh, in the presence of Great Prince Demetrius of the Don . It is an annual remembrance of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, among whom are the schemamonks Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrew (Oslyab).
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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also and further, 2007's):