[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Thu Aug 30 05:00:17 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Thu Aug 30 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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2 Corinthians 13:3-13  (Wednesday)
3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak
toward you, but mighty in you.
4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power
of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the
power of God toward you.
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test
yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in
you?-unless indeed you are disqualified.
6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear
approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem
disqualified.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also
we pray, that you may be made complete.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I
should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has
given me for edification and not for destruction.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort,
be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be
with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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Galatians 1:1-10, 20-2:5
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus
Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this
present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you
in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to
pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to
you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any
other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For
if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before
God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in
Christ.
23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now
preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."
24 And they glorified God in me.
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel
which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of
reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to
be circumcised.
4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who
came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ
Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),
5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth
of the gospel might continue with you.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 4:35-41  (Wednesday)
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us
cross over to the other side."
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the
boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so
that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and
said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be
still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you
have no faith?"
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this
be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Mark 5:1-20
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the
Gadarenes.
2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out
of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not
even with chains,
4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the
chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in
pieces; neither could anyone tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs,
crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.
7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with
You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do
not torment me."
8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"
9 Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My
name is Legion; for we are many."
10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the
country.
11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.
12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that
we may enter them."
13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits
went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and
the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned
in the sea.
14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and
in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had
happened.
15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been
demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his
right mind. And they were afraid.
16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been
demon-possessed, and about the swine.
17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed
begged Him that he might be with Him.
19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to
your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for
you, and how He has had compassion on you."
20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus
had done for him; and all marveled.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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St Alexander the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saints Alexander, John and Paul, Patriarchs of Constantinople, lived
at different times, but each of them happened to clash with the
activities of heretics who sought to distort the teachings of the
Church. St Alexander (325-340) was a vicar bishop during the time of
St Metrophanes (June 4), the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
Because of the patriarch's extreme age, Alexander substituted for him
at the First Ecumenical Synod at Nicea (325). Upon his death, St
Metrophanes left instructions in his will to elect his vicar to the
throne of Constantinople. During these times His Holiness Patriarch
Alexander had to contend with the Arians and with pagans. Once, in a
dispute with a pagan philosopher the saint said to him, "In the Name
of our Lord Jesus Christ I command you to be quiet!" and the pagan
suddenly became mute. When he gestured with signs to acknowledge his
errors and affirm the correctness of the Christian teaching, then his
speech returned to him and he believed in Christ together with many
other pagan philosophers. The faithful rejoiced at this, glorifying
God Who had given such power to His saint.
The heretic Arius was punished through the prayer of St Alexander.
Arius had apparantly agreed to enter into communion with the Orthodox.
When the Emperor asked him if he believed as the Fathers of Nicea
taught, he placed his hand upon his breast (where he had cunningly
concealed beneath his clothes a document with his own false creed
written upon it) and said, "This is what I believe!" St Constantine
(May 21), unaware of the deceitful wickedness of Arius, set a day for
receiving him into the Church. All night long St Alexander prayed,
imploring the Lord not to permit this heretic to be received into
communion with the Church.
In the morning, Arius set out triumphantly for the church, surrounded
by imperial counselors and soldiers, but divine judgment overtook him.
Stopping to take care of a physical necessity, his bowels burst forth
and he perished in his own blood and filth, as did Judas (Acts 1:18).
His Holiness Patriarch Alexander, having toiled much, died in the year
340 at the age of 98. St Gregory the Theologian (January 25) mentioned
him afterwards in an encomium to the people of Constantinople.
The Service to St Alexander was printed in Venice in 1771. According
to some ancient manuscripts, St Alexander ought to be commemorated on
June 2. Today he is remembered together with the holy Patriarchs John
the Faster (September 2) and Paul the New (eighth century).
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St John the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saints Alexander, John and Paul, Patriarchs of Constantinople, lived
at different times, but each of them happened to clash with the
activities of heretics who sought to distort the teachings of the
Church. St Alexander (325-340) was a vicar bishop during the time of
St Metrophanes (June 4), the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
Because of the patriarch's extreme age, Alexander substituted for him
at the First Ecumenical Synod at Nicea (325). Upon his death, St
Metrophanes left instructions in his will to elect his vicar to the
throne of Constantinople. During these times His Holiness Patriarch
Alexander had to contend with the Arians and with pagans. Once, in a
dispute with a pagan philosopher the saint said to him, "In the Name
of our Lord Jesus Christ I command you to be quiet!" and the pagan
suddenly became mute. When he gestured with signs to acknowledge his
errors and affirm the correctness of the Christian teaching, then his
speech returned to him and he believed in Christ together with many
other pagan philosophers. The faithful rejoiced at this, glorifying
God Who had given such power to His saint.
The heretic Arius was punished through the prayer of St Alexander.
Arius had apparantly agreed to enter into communion with the Orthodox.
When the Emperor asked him if he believed as the Fathers of Nicea
taught, he placed his hand upon his breast (where he had cunningly
concealed beneath his clothes a document with his own false creed
written upon it) and said, "This is what I believe!" St Constantine
(May 21), unaware of the deceitful wickedness of Arius, set a day for
receiving him into the Church. All night long St Alexander prayed,
imploring the Lord not to permit this heretic to be received into
communion with the Church.
In the morning, Arius set out triumphantly for the church, surrounded
by imperial counselors and soldiers, but divine judgment overtook him.
Stopping to take care of a physical necessity, his bowels burst forth
and he perished in his own blood and filth, as did Judas (Acts 1:18).
His Holiness Patriarch Alexander, having toiled much, died in the year
340 at the age of 98. St Gregory the Theologian (January 25) mentioned
him afterwards in an encomium to the people of Constantinople.
The Service to St Alexander was printed in Venice in 1771. According
to some ancient manuscripts, St Alexander ought to be commemorated on
June 2. Today he is remembered together with the holy Patriarchs John
the Faster (September 2) and Paul the New (eighth century).
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St Paul the New, Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Paul, by birth a Cypriot, became Patriarch of Constantinople
(780-784) during the reign of the Iconoclast Emperor Leo IV the Khazar
(775-780), and was a virtuous and pious, but timid man. Seeing the
martyrdom which the Orthodox endured for the holy icons, the saint
concealed his Orthodoxy and associated with the iconoclasts.
After the death of the emperor Leo, he wanted to restore icon
veneration but was not able to accomplish this, since the iconoclasts
were still quite powerful. The saint realized that it was not in his
power to guide the flock, and so he left the patriarchal throne and
went secretly to the monastery of St Florus, where he took the schema.
He repented of his silence and association with the iconoclasts and
spoke of the necessity for convening the Seventh Ecumenical Council to
condemn the Iconoclast heresy. Upon his advice, St Tarasius (February
25) was chosen to the patriarchal throne. At that time, he was a
prominent imperial counselor. The saint died as a schemamonk in the
year 804.
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Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Svir
Saint Alexander of Svir was born on July 15, 1448, on the feastday of
the Prophet Amos, and was named for him in Baptism. St Alexander was a
beacon of monasticism in the deep forests of the Russian North, living
in asceticism, and he was granted the extraordinary gifts of the Holy
Spirit.
His parents, Stephen and Vassa (Vasilisa) were peasants of the near
Lake Ladoga village of Mandera near Lake Ladoga, at the bank of the
River Oyata, a tributary of the River Svira. They had sons and
daughters who were already grown and lived away from their parents.
Stephen and Vassa wanted to have another son. They prayed fervently
and heard a voice from above: "Rejoice, good man and wife, you shall
bear a son, in whose birth God will give comfort to His Church."
Amos grew up to be a special child. He was always obedient and gentle,
he shunned games, jokes and foul talk, he wore poor clothes and so
weakened himself with fasting, that it caused his mother anxiety. Upon
coming of age, he once met some Valaam monks who had come to the Oyata
to purchase necessities, and for other monastery business.
By this time Valaam was already known as a monastery of deep piety and
strict ascetic life. After speaking with the monks, the young man was
fascinated by their account of the skete life (with two or three monks
together) and the solitary life of the hermit. Knowing that his
parents had arranged a marriage for him, the youth went secretly to
Valaam when he was nineteen. In the guise of a traveler, an angel of
God appeared to him, showing him the way to the island.
Amos lived for seven years at the monastery as a novice, leading an
austere life. He spent his days at work, and his nights in vigilance
and prayer. Sometimes he prayed in the forest bare-chested, all
covered by mosquitoes and gnats, to the morning song of the birds.
In the year 1474, Amos received monastic tonsure with the name
Alexander. After several years, his parents eventually learned from
Karelians arriving in Mandera where their son had gone. Following the
example of their son, the parents also went to the monastery and were
tonsured with the names Sergius and Barbara. After their death, St
Alexander, with the blessing of the igumen of the monastery, settled
on a solitary island, where he built a cell in the crevice of a cliff
and continued his spiritual exploits.
The fame of his asceticism spread far. Then in 1485 St Alexander
departed from Valaam and, upon a command from above, chose a place in
the forest on the shore of a beautiful lake, which was afterwards
named Holy. Here the monk built himself a hut and dwelt in solitude
for seven years, eating only what he gathered in the forest (Later at
this place, Holy Lake, 36 versts from the future city of Olonets and 6
versts from the River Svira, St Alexander founded the monastery of the
Life-Creating Trinity, and 130 sazhen (i.e. 910 feet) off from it, at
Lake Roschina, he built himself a hut on the future site of the St
Alexander of Svir monastery).
During this time the saint experienced fierce sufferings from hunger,
frost, sickness and demonic temptations. But the Lord continually
sustained the spiritual and bodily strength of the righteous one. Once
when suffering with terrible infirmities, he not only was unable to
get up from the ground, but was unable to even lift his head. He just
lay there and sang Psalms. Then a glorious man appeared to him.
Placing his hand on the sore spot, he made the Sign of the Cross over
the saint and healed him.
In 1493 while hunting for deer, the adjoining land-owner Andrew
Zavalishin happened to come upon the saint's hut. Andrew spoke to him
of a light he had seen at this place, and he entreated the monk to
tell him about his life. From that point Andrew started to visit St
Alexander often, and finally through the monk's guidance, he went to
Valaam, where he was tonsured with the name Adrian. Later, he founded
the Ondrusov monastery, and led a saintly life (August 26 and May 17).
Andrew Zavalishin was not able to keep silent about the ascetic, in
spite of the promise he had given. News of the righteous one began to
spread widely, and monks started to gather around him. Therefore, St
Alexander withdrew from the brethren and built himself a dwelling
place 130 sazhen from the monastery. There he encountered a multitude
of temptations. The demons took on beastly shapes, they hissed like
snakes, urging him to flee. However, the saint's prayer scorched and
dispersed the devils like a fiery flame.
In 1508, twenty-three years after he came to this secluded spot, the
Life-Creating Trinity appeared to St Alexander. One night he was
praying in his hut. Suddenly, an intense light shone, and the monk saw
Three Men, robed in radiant white garb, approaching him. Radiant with
heavenly Glory, They shone in a pure brightness greater than the sun.
Each of Them held a staff in His hand.
The monk fell down in terror, and coming to his senses, prostrated
himself on the ground. Taking him up by the hand, the Men said: "Have
trust, blessed one, and fear not." The saint was ordered to build a
church and a monastery. He fell to his knees, protesting his own
unworthiness, but the Lord raised him up and ordered him to fulfill
the commands. St Alexander asked in whose name the church ought to be
dedicated. The Lord said: "Beloved, as you see Those speaking with you
in Three Persons, so also construct the church in the Name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity One-in-Essence. I
leave you peace and My peace I give you." And immediately St Alexander
beheld the Lord with out-stretched wings, going as though along the
ground, and He became invisible.
In the history of the Russian Orthodox Church this appearance is
acknowledged as unique. After this vision the monk began to think
where to build the church. Once, while praying to God, he heard a
voice from above. Gazing up to the heavens, he saw an angel of God in
mantiya and klobuk, such as St Pachomius (May 15) had seen.
The angel, standing in the air with outstretched wings and upraised
hands, proclaimed: "One is Holy, One is the Lord Jesus Christ, to the
Glory of God the Father. Amen." Then he turned to St Alexander saying,
"Build on this spot the church in the Name of the Lord Who has
appeared to you in Three Persons, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, the
Undivided Trinity." After making the Sign of the Cross over the place
three times, the angel became invisible.
In that same year a wooden church of the Life-Creating Trinity was
built (in 1526 a stone church was built here). And at the same time as
the building of the church, the brethren began to urge St Alexander to
accept the priesthood. For a long time he refused, considering himself
unworthy. Then the brethren began to implore St Serapion, Archbishop
of Novgorod (March 16), to convince him to accept the office. And so
in that very year St Alexander journeyed to Novgorod and received
ordination from the holy archbishop. Soon afterwards, the brethren
also asked the saint to be their igumen.
As igumen, the monk became even more humble than before. His clothes
were all in tatters, and he slept on the bare ground. He himself
prepared food, kneaded dough and baked bread. One time there was not
enough firewood and the steward asked the igumen to send any idle
monks for firewood. "I am idle," said the saint, and he began to chop
firewood. Another time, he carried water.
When all were asleep, the saint was often busy grinding wheat with
hand-stones to make more bread. At night he made the round of the
cells, and if he heard vain conversations, he lightly tapped on the
door and departed, but in the morning he admonished the brother,
imposing a penance on him.
Towards the end of his life, St Alexander decided to build a stone
church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. One evening,
after singing an Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, he settled down
to rest in the cell and suddenly said to his cell-attendant
Athanasius, "Child, be sober and alert, because at this hour we will
have a wondrous and astounding visit."
Then came a voice like thunder, "Behold the Lord and His Mother are
coming." The monk hastened to the entrance to the cell, and a great
light illumined it, shining over all the monastery brighter than the
rays of the sun. The saint beheld the All-Pure Mother of God over the
foundation of the Protection church sitting at the site of the altar,
like an empress upon a throne. She held the Infant Christ in Her arms,
and a multitude of angels stood before Her shining with indescribable
brightness.
He fell down, unable to bear the great light. The Mother of God said,
"Arise, chosen one of My Son and God. I have come here to visit you,
My dear one, and to look upon the foundation of My church. I have made
entreaty for your disciples and monastery. From this time on there
will be an abundance; not only during your life, but also after your
death. Everything your monastery requires will be granted in
abundance. Behold and watch carefully how many monks are gathered into
your flock. You must guide them on the way of salvation in the Name of
the Holy Trinity."
The saint arose and saw a multitude of monks. Again the Mother of God
said: "My dear one, if someone carries even one brick for the building
of My church, in the Name of Jesus Christ, My Son and God, his
treasure will not perish." Then She became invisible.
Before his death the saint displayed wondrous humility. He summoned
the brethren and told them: "Bind my sinful body by the legs and drag
it to a swampy thicket and, after covering it with skins, throw it
in." The brethren answered: "No, Father, it is not possible to do
this." Then the holy ascetic ordered that his body not be kept at the
monastery, but in a place of seclusion, the church of the
Transfiguration of the Lord. St Alexander departed to the heavenly
Kingdom on August 30, 1533 at the age of 85.
St Alexander of Svir was glorified by wondrous miracles during his
life and upon his death. In 1545, his disciple and successor, Igumen
Herodion, compiled his Life. In 1547 the local celebration of the
saint began and a service was composed for him. On April 17,1641,
during the rebuilding of the Transfiguration church, the incorrupt
relics of St Alexander of Svir were uncovered and his universal Church
celebration was established on two dates: the day of his repose,
August 30, and the day of glorification (and the uncovering of his
relics), April 17.
St Alexander of Svir instructed and raised up a whole multitude of
disciples, as the Mother of God had promised him. They are the Holy
Monks: Ignatius of Ostrov, Leonid of Ostrov, Cornelius of Ostrov,
Dionysius of Ostrov, Athanasius of Ostrov, Theodore of Ostrov, and
Therapon of Ostrov.
Besides these saints, there are disciples and conversers with St
Alexander of Svir, who have separate days of commemortation: St
Athanasius of Syandem (January 18), St Gennadius of Vasheozersk
(February 9), St Macarius of Orodezh (August 9), St Adrian of Ondrosov
(May 17), St Nicephorus of Vasheozersk (February 9), St Gennadius of
Kostroma and Liubimograd (January 23).
All these saints (except St Gennadius of Kostroma) are depicted on the
Icon of the Monastic Fathers who shone forth in the land of Karelia
(icon from the church at the Seminary in Kuopio, Finland). The festal
celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints who shone forth in Karelia is
celebrated by the Finnish Orthodox Church on the Saturday falling
between October 31 and November 6.
The incorrupt relics of the saint were removed from the Svir Monastery
by the Bolsheviks on December 20, 1918 after several unsuccessful
attempts to confiscate them. There was an infamous campaign to
liquidate the relics of the saints which continued from 1919 to 1922.
Many relics of Russsian saints were stolen and subjected to
"scientific examination" or displayed in antireligious museums. Some
were completely destroyed.
Hoping to prove that the relics were fakes, the Soviets conducted many
tests. However, the tests only confirmed that the relics were genuine.
Finally, the holy relics were sent to Petrograd's Military Medical
Academy. There they remained for nearly eighty years.
A second uncovering of St Alexander's relics took place in December
1997.
The relics were found to be incorrupt, just as they were when they
were confiscated. The saint's appearance matched the description in
the records from 1641. Once it was determined that these were in fact
the relics of St Alexander, Metropolitan Vladimir of St Petersburg
permitted them to be taken to the church of St Sophia and her three
daughters Faith, Hope, and Love (September 17) for four months before
their return to the Svir Monastery. As people venerated St Alexander's
relics they noticed a fragrant myrrh flowing from them.
The holy relics were taken to the St Alexander of Svir Monastery in
November 1998, and miraculous healings continue to take place before
them.
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Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky
The Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (in monastic schema Alexis) died on
the return journey from the Horde at Gorodtsa on the Volga, on
November 14, 1263, and on November 23, 1263 he was buried in the
Cathedral Church of the Nativity Monastery in the city of Vladimir
(Where there is a memorial to the holy prince. Another memorial is in
the city of Pereslavl-Zalessk).
Veneration of the Prince began right at his burial, where a remarkable
miracle took place. The saint extended his hand for the prayer of
absolution (a written document placed in the coffin). Great Prince
John (1353-1359), in his spiritual testament written in the year 1356,
left to his son Demetrius (1363-1389), the future victor of the Battle
of Kulikovo, "an icon of St Alexander." The incorrupt relics of the
holy Prince were uncovered, because of a vision, before the Battle of
Kulikovo in the year 1380, and then they were sent forth for a local
celebration.
Russian commanders asked for the intercession of the holy Prince,
glorified by his defense of the Fatherland, in the following times: On
August 30, 1721 Peter I, after a lengthy and exhausting war with the
Swedes, concluded the Nishtad Peace. On this day it was decided to
transfer the relics of the holy Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir
to the new northern capital, Peterburg, on the banks of the Neva.
Removed from Vladimir on August 11, 1723, the holy relics were greeted
at Shlisselburg on September 20 of that year and remained there until
1724. On August 30, they were placed in the Trinity Cathedral of the
Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where they now rest in St Petersburg. By an
edict on September 2, 1724 a feastday was established on August 30 (in
1727 the feast was discontinued because of secular matters, which
involved clique struggles at the imperial court. In 1730 the Feast was
again re-established).
Archimandrite Gabriel Buzhinsky (later Bishop of Ryazan, + April 27,
1731) compiled a special service in remembrance of the Nishtad Peace,
combining with it a service to St Alexander Nevsky.
The name of the Defender of the borders of Russia and the Patron of
Soldiers is famous far beyond the borders of Russia. The numerous
temples dedicated to St Alexander Nevsky bear witness to this. The
most famous of them: the Patriarchal Cathedral at Sofia, the Cathedral
church in Talinin, and a church in Tbilisi. These churches are a
pledge of friendship of the Russian National-Liberator with brother
nations.
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Uncovering of the relics of St Daniel the Prince of Moscow
Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, son of the holy Prince Alexander Nevsky,
died on March 4, 1303. On August 30, 1652 his relics were uncovered
incorrupt. See March 4.
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St Christopher of Palestine
Saint Christopher, a Roman, lived during the sixth century. He was
tonsured into monasticism at the monastery of St Theodosius (January
11) in Palestine, near Jerusalem. The accounts of Abba Theodulus about
St Christopher are contained in chapters 105 and 234 of the book THE
SPIRITUAL MEADOW (Limonarion)
Once St Christopher went to Jerusalem to worship at the Holy Sepulchre
of the Lord and at the Life-Creating Cross. At the gateway of the
church he beheld a monk not moving from the spot. Two ravens flew
before his face. St Christopher discerned that these were demons,
which held the monk back from entering the church.
He asked the brother: "Why do you stand at the gate and not enter?"
The brother answered: "Pardon me, Father, but within me struggle two
thoughts. One says: go and venerate the Venerable Cross. The other
says: don't go in, make some excuse, and come to venerate the Cross
another time." Then St Christopher took the brother by the hand and
led him into the church. The ravens immediately disappeared, and the
brother venerated the Cross and the Holy Sepulchre. St Christopher
told this story to someone who was distracted by his duties and
neglected his prayers.
By day St Christopher fulfilled his monastic obedience, and by night
he retired to a cave, where at an earlier time St Theodosius and other
Fathers had prayed. At each of the 18 steps leading into the cave, he
made 100 prostrations, and spent the greater part of the night in
prayer, before the semantron was sounded for Orthros. He spent eleven
years doing this. One time, descending into the cave, he beheld a
multitude of lamps in it. Two radiant youths were tending them.
"Why have you put the lamps here so that I cannot enter in and pray?"
asked the monk.
"These are the lamps of the Fathers," they replied.
"Tell me, does my lamp burn or not?"
They said, "Pray, and we will light it."
"Pray?" he said, "What have I been doing up to now?"
Then the saint said to himself: "Christopher, if you wish to be saved,
greater effort is needed!"
At dawn he went from the monastery to Mount Sinai, taking nothing with
him. The monk toiled there for fifty years at great exploits. Finally,
he heard a voice saying, "Christopher! Go to the monastery where you
struggled earlier, so that you might rest there with your Fathers."
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St Fantinus of Calabria
Saint Fantinus the Wonderworker was born in Calabria (Italy) of
parents George and Vriena. He was given over to a monastery, and from
childhood he was accustomed to ascetic deeds. In his youth he wandered
into the wilderness, remaining often without food or clothes for
twenty days. The monk spent 60 years in such exploits.
Before the end of his life, fleeing before pursuing Saracens, he went
with his disciples Vitalius and Nicephorus to the Peloponnesos
(Greece). Preaching the way of salvation, the monk visited Corinth,
Athens, Larissa and Thessalonica, where he venerated the relics of the
Great Martyr Demetrius (October 26). He died peacefully in extreme old
age at the end of the ninth, and beginning of the tenth century.
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Synaxis of the Serbian Hierarchs
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Archbishop Sava I, January 12; St Archbishop
Arsenius I October 28; St Archbishop Sava II, February 8; St
Archbishop Eustathius I, January 4; St Archbishop Nicodemus, May 11;
St Archbishop Daniel, December 20; St Patriarch Joannicius II,
September 3; St Patriarch Ephraim II, June 15.
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St Sava I, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Sava I is commemorated on January 12.
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St Arsenius I, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Arsenius I is commemorated on October 28.
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St Sava II, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Sava II is commemorated on February 8.
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St Eustathius I, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Eustathius I is commemorated on January 4.
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St James the Serbian Hierarch
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St James' date of commemoration is not known.
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St Nicodemus, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Nicodemus is commemorated on May 11.
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St Daniel, Archbishop of Serbia
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Daniel is commemorated on December 20.
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St Joannicus II the Patriarch
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Joannicius II is commemorated on September 3.
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St Spyridon the Patriarch
Saint Spyridon, Patriarch of Serbia (1382-1388), was much concerned
about the monastic communities during difficult years of civil and
ecclesial unrest. He was consecrated by St Ephraim II, Patriarch of
Serbia (1367-1382), who then withdrew to the Archangelsk monastery of
the Dushan church. St Spyridon termed Church singing "a spiritual
flute," and evidently he wrote church hymns for the Serbian Church.
The saint died at almost the same time as the holy Prince Lazar (June
15), who was killed in the battle with the Turks at Kosovo Pole.
After the death of St Spyridon, the guidance of the Serbian Church was
again placed upon St Ephraim II.
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St Ephraim II the Patriarch
The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs celebrates archpastors of the Serbian
Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries. The majority of them
have individual days of celebration in addition to this general
commemoration. St Ephraim II is commemorated on June 15.
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St Macarius the Patriarch
Saint Macarius, Patriarch of Serbia (1557-1574), toiled in particular
for the spread of education in Serbia. Many church books were printed
in his time. The brother of the saint was vizier under the sultan and
assisted in the restoration of monasteries and churches despoiled by
Moslem fanaticism, and also with the restoration of the patriarch's
monastery.
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St Gabriel I the Patriarch
Saint Gabriel I, Patriarch of Serbia (family name Raicha), occupied
the cathedra in the mid-seventeenth century, a time when the Moslem
fanaticism had become intense. In the urgent need for both cathedral
and country the saint went to collect alms at Walachia, and from there
to Moscow.
In Moscow in 1655, he was present with the Patriarch of Antioch at a
Church Council which sought to correct various aspects of church
service books in accord with the Greek and Old Slavonic texts. The
saint brought several manuscripts and three liturgies printed in the
south as gifts to the Russian Church.
The saint returned to Serbia with generous alms for his Church and
country. His cathedra had been given to another occupant, and
moreover, Austrian Jesuits had slandered him with treason before the
vizier. The saint's innocence was obvious, because the vizier
pretended he would spare his life and grant him an important official
position, if the saint would betray his faith in the Savior.
"I am completely innocent of state crimes," said St Gabriel, "this you
admit yourself. I shall never agree to save my life by betraying the
Christian Faith while I remain of sound mind. Keep your riches and
honors, for I don't need them." After harsh torture, St Gabriel was
hanged in October 1659.
In the general service of the Serblyak (collective services to Serbian
saints) on August 30 are also remembered: St Iakov, Archbishop of
Serbia (February 3, 1292), the holy Bishop Gregory (a descendant of
the renowned Nehemanicha lineage), and also the saints: Archbishop
Sava III (1305-1316), and the Patriarchs Cyril, Nikon, John, Maximus.
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St Gregory the Bishop
No information available at this time.
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