[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Jul 28 2007

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Romans 14:6-9
6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does
not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats,
eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to
the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the
Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might
be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2


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Matthew 15:32-39
32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have
compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me
three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them
away hungry, lest they faint on the way."
33 Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in
the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"
34 Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said,
"Seven, and a few little fish."
35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke
them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the
multitude.
37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large
baskets full of the fragments that were left.
38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and
children.
39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the
region of Magdala.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2



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Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy
Saints Nicanor, Prochorus, Timon, and Parmenas, Apostles of the
Seventy were among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.
In the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6:1-6) it is said that the twelve
Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and
appointed them to serve as deacons.
They are commemorated together on July 28, although they died at
various times and in various places.
Although St Nicanor suffered on the same day that the holy Protomartyr
Stephen (December 27) and many other Christians were killed by
stoning, he is commemorated on December 28.
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Apostle Prochorus the Deacon of the Seventy
Saints Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas, Apostles of the Seventy
were among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.
In the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6:1-6) it is said that the twelve
Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and
appointed them to serve as deacons.
They are commemorated together on July 28, although they died at
various times and in various places.
At first, St Prochorus accompanied the holy Apostle Peter, who made
him bishop in the city of Nicomedia. After the Dormition of the Most
Holy Theotokos, Prochorus was a companion and coworker of the holy
Apostle John the Theologian and was banished with him to the island of
Patmos. There he wrote down the Book of Revelation concerning the
final fate of the world. Upon returning to Nicomedia, St Prochorus
converted pagans to Christ in the city of Antioch, where he suffered
martyrdom.
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Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy
Saints Timon, Prochorus, Nicanor, and Parmenas, Apostles of the
Seventy were among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.
In the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6:1-6) it is said that the twelve
Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and
appointed them to serve as deacons.
They are commemorated together on July 28, although they died at
various times and in various places.
St Timon was later appointed by the Apostles as bishop of the city of
Bostra in Arabia and suffered from the Jews and pagans for preaching
the Gospel. He was thrown into a furnace, but by the power of God he
came out of it unharmed. The tradition of the Roman Church says that
St Timon died by crucifixion.
St Timon of the Seventy is also commemorated on December 30.
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Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy
Saints Parmenas, Prochorus, Nicanor, and Timon, Apostles of the
Seventy were among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.
In the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6:1-6) it is said that the twelve
Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and
appointed them to serve as deacons.
They are commemorated together on July 28, although they died at
various times and in various places.
St Parmenas zealously preached Christ in Macedonia. He died after
being afflicted with an illness. Some say that St Parmenas suffered
martyrdom under Trajan (98-117) in the final year of his reign.
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St Pitirim the Bishop of Tambov
Saint Pitirim, Bishop of Tambov, in the world Procopius, was born 27
February 1645 (or 1644) in the city of Vyazma. From his youth, the
Lord prepared Procopius for high spiritual service. While still a
child, he learned reading and writing, attended church services, and
acquired the habit of prayer. Procopius loved to read the writings of
the holy Fathers and the Lives of the Saints. This furthered the
future hierarch's spiritual growth. The boy was remarkable for his
overall love of work, broad knowledge and mature judgment. He was
endowed with artistic talent, and he successfully occupied himself
with the painting of icons and church singing. A sublime spiritual
disposition led Procopius onto the pathway of monastic life. Having
resolved to dedicate himself completely to God, he entered into the
Vyazma's monastery of St John the Baptist, known for its strict rule.
When he was twenty-one, he was tonsured with the name of Pitirim.
The young monk earned the respect of his brethren by his ascetic life,
and was chosen igumen. In 1684 he was raised to the dignity of
archimandrite. St Pitirim, following the decree of the Tsar and the
Patriarch, was diligent in removing "poorly executed," westernized
icons from churches, and from private use. During a procession he
confiscated such an icon painted by an unskilled iconographer. Those
who had brought the icon grumbled and cursed, and many people were
stirred up against the saint. The affair became known to Patriarch
Joachim, who praised the courage and zeal of Archimandrite Pitirim and
approved of his actions, and summoned him to Moscow for higher service
to the Church.
On September 1, 1684 St Pitirim was nominated to be a bishop, and on
February 15, 1685 Patriarch Joachim consecrated him Bishop of Tambov.
St Pitirim did not leave immediately, but remained in Moscow for a
year to prepare himself for his new responsibilities.
organized in 1682, the Tambov diocese suffered from the frontier
poverty and the illiteracy of its inhabitants. Pagans comprised the
greater part of the settlers: the Mordovians, the Cheremysi, the
Mereschi. On the territory of the diocese lived also many Moslem
Tatars, bitter opponents of Christianity. Among the Christian settlers
of the diocese were many schismatics, fugitives from justice, or
banished criminals.
The saint zealously devoted himself to the tasks set before him. On
the site of the old wooden church at Tambov he began to build a
two-story stone cathedral in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord
with a chapel named for St Nicholas. St Pitirim not only supervised
the construction of the temple, but even participated in the building
work himself. The saint devoted great effort to the spiritual
enlightenment of his flock. He built a special school for clergy,
where worthy Church pastors were trained under his guidance. In his
home the saint had collected a library of spiritual literature (in the
inventory of the Moscow's Dormition cathedral there are mentioned "two
books of Dionysius the Areopagite, leather bound, one in red, the
other in black, with gilt edges," belonging to St Pitirim). The saint
continually instructed his flock, preaching the Word of God. He often
made trips throughout the diocese, in order to familiarize himself
with the needs of the communities.
The holy archpastor was constantly concerned with the return of
schismatics and dissenters to the Orthodox Church. His deep piety,
active compassion towards neighbor, and wise patience in conversations
with the schismatics and dissenters disposed them to trust his word.
By the fine example of his holy life and by the power of grace-filled
discourse, the saint led many to the true Faith. The saint's sister,
Katherine, became the first abbess of the Ascension women's monastery,
which he founded in 1690.
Being a bold man of prayer and intercessor before God, St Pitirim
never lost his Christian humility. Not relying on his own human
strength, the archpastor shielded the city of Tambov entrusted him by
God with icons of the Savior and the Kazan Mother of God, placing them
at the two chief gates.
St Pitirim prayed much and taught his flock about prayer. He was
present at divine services every day and often served them himself. On
those days when the saint did not serve, he sang in the kliros
(choir), teaching the choir proper church singing and reading. In his
cell the saint very often prayed before icons of the Devpeteruv Mother
of God (February 29) and St Nicholas.
St Pitirim loved the beauty of nature in his land, which roused in him
a feeling of prayerful thanksgiving to the All-Holy Trinity for the
visible world. In the forest, near the place where he went for
solitary prayer, he built the Tregulaev monastery of St John the
Baptist. He founded it together with his spiritual friend, St
Metrophanes of Voronezh (November 23 and August 7). There the saint
set up a large wooden cross with an image of the Savior.
Like the great ascetics, St Pitirim allotted much time to physical
work. The wells he dug with his own hands at the Tregulaev Monastery
of St John the Baptist, near the Tambov Cathedral, and in the forest
thicket where he withdrew for silence and prayer, are evidence of
this.
St Pitirim died in 1698 at age fifty-three. The body of the saint was
buried in the lower level of the Tambov Savior-Transfiguration
cathedral, at the south wall of the right side chapel dedicated to St
Nicholas.
The death of St Pitirim did not dissolve his spiritual ties with his
flock. People came to his tomb to seek his intercession, and soon
obtained healing from God. With each year the number of pilgrims grew.
On July 28, the anniversary of the saint's blessed repose, they would
attend services at the Tambov cathedral. Each new sign of God's mercy,
obtained by prayers to St Pitirim, inspired assurance for the people
that the bishop they venerated was truly a man of God. From the year
1819 a record of miracles and personal testimonies began to be kept,
and the veneration of St Pitirim extended far beyond the Tambov
diocese. On July 28, 1914 the holy wonderworker Pitirim, Bishop of
Tambov, was numbered among the saints.
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Venerable Moses the Wonderworker of the Kiev Caves
Saint Moses of the Kiev Caves pursued asceticism at the Kiev Caves
Lavra in the Far Caves. He wore chains and a heavy copper cross. The
monk possessed the gift of wonderworking.
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Martyr Julian of Dalmatia
The Holy Martyr Julian suffered during the reign of Antoninus Pius
(138-161) in the Italian province of Campagna. The governor Flavian
gave orders to search out and bring Christians to him for trial.
During this time the young Christian Julian arrived in Campagna from
Dalmatia. Having met with soldiers of the governor, he greeted them
with the words: "Peace, brothers!" The soldiers began to interrogate
him, asking where he was from and what faith he confessed. Julian,
willing to suffer and die for Christ, bravely declared that he was a
Christian. The soldiers were amazed at the courage of the youth, but
obeying their orders, they bound him and led him to the governor. "We
shall see," they said, "how true your words are, whether you are
willing to die for the Crucified One."
Having undergone a beating, the saint prayed that the Lord would grant
him the strength to endure the torture to the end. His prayer was
heard, and he heard a Voice: "Fear not, Julian, I am with you and
shall give you strength and courage." The holy youth was locked up in
a prison, called "the Cold Pit," in which they held him for seven days
without food or water. An angel of God brought food and heartened the
confessor.
At the following interrogation the governor harassed the youth,
saying, that it was shameful for such a handsome youth to worship the
Crucified One, and urged him to offer sacrifice to idols. St Julian
replied that he was prepared to die for the true Faith. The governor
gave orders to tie the youth to a tree and beat him. The martyr began
to pray and again heard a Voice: "Fear not, Julian, remain brave." St
Julian turned to the crowd standing about, and said, "Listen, accursed
ones, do not trust your gods, which you have made with your hands.
Know, rather, the God Who out of nothing, has created Heaven and
earth."
After his speech more than 30 men were converted to Christ, and they
again led off the saint to prison. In the morning, when new tortures
began, they announced that the temple of the pagan god Serapis and the
idols standing in it were destroyed. Everyone arrived in shock and was
terrified, but the Christians were heartened and glorified Christ God.
The pagans attributed this destruction to magical power, and they
demanded his immediate execution.
They decided to kill the holy youth at the site of a ruined pagan
temple. Before execution, St Julian knelt and prayed, thanking the
Lord for granting him to endure death for His Holy Name. A third time
he heard the Voice, summoning him to the Kingdom of Heaven. They
beheaded the holy martyr with a sword, and he departed to the Lord,
Whom he loved more than earthly life.
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Martyr Eustathius (Eustace) of Apamea
The Holy Martyr Eustathius was a soldier. He was arrested and brought
before the head of the city of Ancyra for confessing the Christian
Faith. At the interrogation, the saint firmly and bravely confessed
himself a Christian and was sentenced to tortures. They beat him
without mercy, they bore into the heels and, having tied him with
rope, they dragged him in the city to the River Sagka (Sangara).
At the bank of the river they put the martyr into a wooden chest and
threw it in the water, but an angel of God brought the chest to shore.
The saint, in the chest, was singing the 90th (91st) Psalm: "He who
dwelleth in the help of the Most High..." Beholding the miracle and
sensing himself disgraced, the governor drew his sword and killed
himself. The holy martyr, having received Communion from the hand of
an angel, gave up his soul to God. His holy relics were buried in the
city of Ancyra.
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Venerable Paul the Founder of the Xeropotamou Monastery On Mt
Athos
Saint Paul of Xeropotamou, in the world Procopius, was the son of the
Byzanatine Emperor Michael Kuropalatos, who later resigned the
imperial office and became a monk in a monastery he built. Having
received the finest education, Procopius became one of the most
learned men of his time. His "Discourse on the Entrance of the Most
Holy Theotokos into the Temple," the "Canon to the Forty Martyrs", the
"Canon to the Venerable Cross" and other works gained him great
renown. But worldly knowledge and honors did not interest him. He
exchanged his fine garb for beggar's rags, and he went to the Holy
Mountain [Athos], to Xeropotamou. He built a cell there at the ruins
of an old monastery founded by the empress Pulcheria in honor of the
Forty Martyrs (March 9). From Cosmas, a hermit, he received monastic
tonsure with the name Paul.
Out of humility the saint did not reveal his erudition to anyone. The
fame of Paul's strict life quickly spread throughout the Holy
Mountain. He became called Paul of Xeropotamou, and the monastery
where he pursued monasticism, to the present day bears the name
Xeropotamou ("dry river").
At that time the emperor Romanus, a relative of Paul, ascended the
throne. Through the Protos of the Holy Mountain he requested the saint
to come to Constantinople and planned a splendid reception for him.
The humble Paul, not betraying his monastic duty, appeared with a
cross and in torn robes amid the courtly splendor and magnificence. St
Paul confirmed his fame as a chosen one of God, miraculously healing
the grievously ill Romanus by placing his hand on him. But the vanity
of courtly life, promised by the gratitude of the emperor, did not
interest the saint; he returned to the Holy Mountain, having asked one
favor of the emperor: to restore the Xeropotamou monastery.
In the holy altar in the consecrated cathedral church of the restored
monastery, was put a piece of the Venerable Wood of the Life-Creating
Cross of the Lord, given to St Paul by the emperor Romanus.
Soon the Xeropotamou monastery was filled by a throng of monks,
wanting to put themselves under the guidance of the holy ascetic, but
St Paul, having entrusted the rule of the monastery to one of the
brethren, moved off to the remote wilderness. His quiet was again
disturbed by disciples, not wanting to leave their Elder. Then the
monk requested of the emperor the means for the building of a new
monastery. Thus the saint founded a monastery in the name of the holy
Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer St George. The first head of the new
monastery was St Paul himself, who also brought a piece of the
Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord there.
Having been informed in advance by the Lord of his impending end, the
saint summoned the brethren of the Xeropotamou and the new Georgikos
monasteries and gave them his final instructions. On the day of his
death, St Paul donned the mantle, and read the prayer of St
Joannicius, which he said continually: "My hope is the Father, my
refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit, O Holy Trinity,
glory to Thee," and he received the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
St Paul had instructed in his will to bury his body on the peninsula
of Pongosa (opposite the Holy Mountain). But by the will of God the
ship was driven to the shores of Constantinople, where the Emperor and
Patriarch with the pious took the body of the saint and solemnly
placed it in the Great Church (Hagia Sophia). After the sacking of
Constantinople by the Crusaders, the relics of St Paul were
transferred to Venice.
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Martyr Acacius of Apamea
The Holy Martyr Acacius was brought to trial for his belief in Christ.
Three governors attempted to compel the holy martyr to offer sacrifice
to idols, having subjected him to fierce tortures. Governor Licinius
gave orders to rend the body of St Acacius with instruments of
torture. He then sent him to Governor Terence, who gave orders to
throw Acacius into a cauldron filled with boiling tar and tallow, but
the martyr remained unharmed. Terence went to the cities of Apamea and
Apollonia and gave orders to bring the martyr after him. In one of
these cities St Acacius was led into a pagan temple, but by his prayer
all the idols there fell down.
They beat the saint viciously and gave him over to be eaten by wild
beasts. When they saw that he remained unharmed, they threw him into a
red-hot furnace. The martyr also remained unharmed there. The
governor, wanting to check whether the furnace was sufficiently hot,
went near it and was burned himself. They then took the holy Martyr
Acacius for torture to a certain Posidonius, who put heavy fetters on
the holy martyr and gave orders to take him to the city of Miletus.
There also the saint, by his prayer, destroyed idols. Finally, the
exhausted torturers beheaded St Acacius. A priest by the name of
Leontius buried his body in the city of Synados (Asia Minor).
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Martyr Melitina
No information available at this time.
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St Irene Chrysovolantou
Saint Irene was the daughter of a wealthy family from Cappadocia, and
was born in the ninth century.
After the death of her husband Theophilus, the empress Theodora ruled
the Byzantine Empire as regent for her young son Michael. St Theodora
(February 11) helped to defeat the iconoclast heresy, and to restore
the holy icons. We commemorate this Triumph of Orthodoxy on the first
Sunday of Great Lent.
When Michael was twelve years of age, St Theodora sent messengers
throughout the Empire to find a suitably virtuous and refined girl to
be his wife. St Irene was chosen, and she agreed to the marriage.
While passing Mt. Olympus in Asia Minor, Irene asked to stop so she
could receive the blessing of St Joannicius (November 4), who lived on
the mountain. The saint, who showed himself only to the most worthy
pilgrims, foresaw the arrival of St Irene, and also her future life.
The holy ascetic welcomed her and told her to proceed to
Constantinople, where the women's monastery of Chrysovalantou had need
of her. Amazed at his clairvoyance, Irene fell to the ground and asked
St Joannicius for his blessing. After blessing her and giving her
spiritual counsel, he sent her on her way.
When the party arrived in Constantinople, Irene's relatives met her
with great ceremony. Since "the steps of a man are rightly ordered by
the Lord" (Ps. 36/37:23), God arranged for Michael to marry another
girl a few days before, so that Irene might be free to become a bride
of Christ. Far from being disappointed, Irene rejoiced at this turn of
events.
Remembering the words of St Joannicius, Irene visited the Monastery of
Chrysovalantou. She was so impressed by the nuns and their way of life
that she freed her slaves and distributed her wealth to the poor. She
exchanged her fine clothing for the simple garb of a nun, and served
the sisters with great humility and obedience. The abbess was
impressed with the way that Irene performed the most menial and
disagreeable tasks without complaint.
St Irene often read the Lives of the Saints in her cell, imitating
their virtues to the best of her ability. She often stood in prayer
all night with her hands raised like Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus
17:11-13). St Irene spent the next few years in spiritual struggles
defeating the assaults of the demons, and bringing forth the fruits of
the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
When the abbess sensed the approach of death, she told the other nuns
that they should not accept anyone but Irene as the new abbess. Irene
was not told of the abbess's instructions, and when she died the
community sent representatives to go and seek the advice of the
patriarch, St Methodius (June 14). He asked them whom they wanted as
their superior. They replied that they believed he would be guided by
the Holy Spirit. Without knowing of the late abbess's instructions to
the nuns, he asked if there was a humble nun by the name of Irene in
their monastery. If so, he said, they should choose her. The nuns
rejoiced and gave thanks to God. St Methodius elevated Irene to the
rank of abbess and advised her how to guide those in her charge.
Returning to the monastery, Irene prayed that God would help her to
care for those under her, and redoubled her own spiritual efforts. She
displayed great wisdom in leading the nuns, and received many
revelations from God to assist her in carrying out her duties. She
also asked for the gift of clairvoyance so that she would know what
trials awaited her nuns. Thus, she was in a better position to give
them the proper advice. She never used this knowledge to embarrass
others, but only to correct their confessions in a way which let them
know that she possessed certain spiritual gifts.
Although St Irene performed many miracles during her life, let us
mention only one. On great Feasts it was her habit to keep vigil in
the monastery courtyard under the starry skies. Once, a nun who was
unable to sleep left her cell and went into the courtyard. There she
saw Abbess Irene levitating a few feet above the ground, completely
absorbed in prayer. The astonished nun also noticed that two cypress
trees had bowed their heads to the ground, as if in homage. When she
finished praying, Irene blessed the trees and they returned to their
upright position.
Afraid that this might be a temptation from the demons, the nun
returned the next night to see if she had been mistaken. Again she saw
Irene levitating as she prayed, and the cypress trees bowing down. The
nun tied handkerchiefs to the tops of the two trees before they went
back to their places. When the other sisters saw the handkerchiefs
atop the trees, they began to wonder who had put them there. Then the
nun who had witnessed these strange events revealed to the others what
she had seen. When St Irene learned that the nun had witnessed the
miracle and told the others, she was very upset. She warned them not
to speak of it to anyone until after her death.
St Irene observed the Feast of St Basil (January 1) with great
devotion, since he also came from Cappadocia. One year, after
celebrating the feast, St Irene heard a voice during the night telling
her to welcome the sailor who would come to the door the next day. She
was told to rejoice and eat the fruit which the sailor would bring
her. During Matins, a sailor did come to the door and remained in
church until after Liturgy. He told her that he had come from Patmos,
where he boarded a ship. As the ship set sail, he noticed an old man
on the shore calling for them to stop. In spite of a good wind, the
ship came to a sudden halt. Then the old man walked across the water
and entered the ship. He gave the sailor three apples which God was
sending to the patriarch "from His beloved disciple John." Then the
old man gave the sailor three more apples for the abbess of
Chrysovalantou. He told the sailor that if Irene ate the apples, all
that her soul desired would be granted, "for this gift comes from John
in Paradise."
St Irene fasted for a week, giving thanks to God for this wonderful
gift. For forty days, she ate small pieces of the first apple every
day. During this time she had nothing else to eat or drink. On Holy
Thursday, she told the nuns to receive the Holy Mysteries, then gave
each one a piece of the second apple. They noticed an unusual
sweetness, and felt as if their very souls were being nourished.
An angel informed St Irene that she would be called to the Lord on the
day after St Panteleimon's feast. The monastery's feast day fell on
July 26, so St Irene prepared by fasting for a week beforehand. She
took only a little water and small pieces of the third apple sent to
her by St John. The whole monastery was filled with a heavenly
fragrance, and all discord disappeared.
On July 28, St Irene called the nuns together in order to bid them
farewell. She also told them to select Sister Mary as her successor,
for she would keep them on the narrow way which leads to life (Matthew
7:14). After entreating God to protect her flock from the power of the
devil, she smiled when she saw the angels who had been sent to receive
her soul. Then she closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to God.
St Irene was more than 101 years old when she died, yet her face
appeared young and beautiful. A great crowd of people came for her
funeral, and many miracles took place at her tomb.
In some parishes it is customary to bless apples on the feast of St
Irene Chrysovalantou.
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Appearance of the Smolensk "Directress" Icon of the Mother of
God brought from Constantinople
The Smolensk "Hodigitria" Icon of the Theotokos, or "She who leads the
way," was, according to Church Tradition, painted by the holy
Evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The holy hierarch Demetrius of Rostov suggests that this icon was
painted at the request of Theophilus, the prefect of Antioch. From
Antioch the holy image was transferred to Jerusalem. From there the
empress Eudokia, the spouse of Arcadius, gave it at Constantinople to
Pulcheria, the sister of the emperor, who put the holy icon in the
Blachernae church.
In 1046, the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-1054),
gave his daughter Anna in marriage to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the
son of Yaroslav the Wise. He blessed her on her way with this icon.
After the death of Prince Vsevolod the icon went to his son Vladimir
Monomachos, who transferred it at the beginning of the twelfth century
into the Smolensk cathedral church in honor of the Dormition of the
Most Holy Theotokos. From that time, the icon was known as the
Smolensk Hodigitria.
In the year 1238, at the bespeaking of the icon, the self-sacrificing
Orthodox warrior Mercurius went by night into the camp of Batu and
killed many of the enemy, in whose number was their most powerful
warrior. Having accepted a martyr's death in battle, he was included
by the Church in the ranks of the Saints (November 24).
In the fourteenth century, Smolensk came into the possession of the
Lithuanian princes. The daughter of prince Vitovt, Sophia, was given
in marriage to the Moscow Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich (1398-1425).
In 1398, she brought the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God with her
to Moscow. They set the holy image in the Annunciation cathedral of
the Kremlin, on the right side of the Royal Doors.
In 1456, at the request of the inhabitants of Smolensk with Bishop
Misael at the head, the icon was solemnly returned to Smolensk in a
church procession, and at Moscow there remained two copies. One was
put in the Annunciation cathedral, and the other, "a measure for
measure," was put in the Novodevichi monastery, founded in memory of
the return of Smolensk to Russia. The monastery was built on Devichi
Pole (Virgin's Field), where "with many tears" the Muscovites handed
over the holy icon to Smolensk. In 1602 an exact copy was painted from
the wonderworking icon (in 1666 together with the ancient icon they
brought a new copy to Moscow for restoration), which they placed in
the tower of the Smolensk fortress wall over the Dneprovsk Gates,
under a specially constructed cover. Afterwards, in 1727, a wooden
church was built there, and in 1802, a stone church.
The new copy took on the power of the old image, and when the Russian
armies left Smolensk on August 5, 1812, they took the icon with them
for defense from the enemy forces. On the eve of the Battle of
Borodino they carried this icon through the camp, to encourage and
inspire the soldiers to great deeds. The ancient image of the Smolensk
Hodigitria, taken to the Dormition cathedral on the day of the Battle
of Borodino went in procession with the Iveron and Vladimir Icons of
the Mother of God through the Belo and Kitai quarters and the Kremlin
walls, and then they sent it to the sick and wounded at the Lefortovo
palace. After leaving Moscow, the icon was taken to Yaroslavl.
Thus were these sister-icons preserved, and the Mother of God defended
Russia through Her icons. After the victory over the enemy forces the
Hodigitria Icon was returned to Smolensk together with its glorified
copy.
The celebration in honor of this wonderworking icon on July 28 was
established in the year 1525 in memory of the return of Smolensk to
Russia.
There exist many venerated copies of the Smolensk Hodigitria, for
which the celebration is set on this day. There is also a day of
celebration for the Smolensk Icon (November 5), glorified in the
nineteenth century when this image was returned to Smolensk on the
orders of the commander-in-chief of the Russian army M. I. Kutuzov. In
memory of the expulsion of the enemy from Russia, it was decided to
celebrate this day annually at Smolensk.
The holy icon of the Hodigitria Mother of God is one of the chief holy
objects of the Russian Church. Believers have received and do receive
from it an abundant help of grace. The Mother of God through Her holy
icon intercedes for and strengthens us, guiding us on the way to
salvation, and we call out to Her, "Thou art the All-Blessed
Hodigitria for faithful peoples, Thou art the affirmation, the
Praiseworthy of Smolensk and all the Russian land. Rejoice,
Hodigitria, salvation of Christians!"
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Icon of the Mother of God of Greben
The Greben Icon of the Mother of God, glorified by miracles and
located in a church in the city of Greben (on the River Chira, flowing
into the Don), was presented by the inhabitants of the city to Great
Prince Demetrius of the Don upon his return from the Battle of
Kulikovo in 1380.
In 1471, after a successful campaign against Novgorod, Great Prince
Ivan III built the church of the Dormition in Moscow at Lubyanka and
placed in it the Greben icon of the Mother of God, which he had taken
with him on the campaign. He adorned the icon with a silver riza
covered with precious stones, and ordered an Akathist to be written in
honor of the icon. When the church burned in 1617, the icon
miraculously was preserved. The icon, almost a reverse image of the
Iveron icon (February 12, March 31, October 13), is recognized by the
distinctive folds of the Virgin's omaphorion and the position of the
Christ Child's legs.
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Icon of the Mother of God "of Tenderness" from
Seraphim-Diveyevo
The Seraphim-Diveyevo "Tenderness" Icon of the Mother of God belonged
to St Seraphim of Sarov, and was his cell icon. With the oil from the
lampada, which burned before this holy icon, the saint anointed the
sick, who received healing after the anointing. The ascetic died while
at prayer before the icon on January 2, 1833. After the death of St
Seraphim of Sarov the monastery Superior Father Niphon gave the holy
"Tenderness" icon to the sisters of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery.
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Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake
The White Lake Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos resembles the Vladimir
Icon (May 21, June 23, August 26) in appearance. It was originally in
the cell of St Cyril of White Lake (June 9), who often prayed before
it.
One day, while chanting the Akathist before this icon, the Mother of
God appeared to St Cyril and told him to establish a monastery on
White Lake.
The Archangels Michael and Gabriel are seen on either side of the
Virgin's head, and various saints are depicted around the border of
the icon.
The White Lake Icon is also commemorated on June 8.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Kostroma
The Kostroma Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God was painted in 1672
on the wall of the southwest tower of the Kostroma Theophany
monastery. In 1779 a great conflagration occurred at the monastery,
and the tower was all enveloped by flames, but the holy Icon of the
Mother of God did not suffer from the fire. In the year 1824 a church
was built at the tower.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Ustiuzhena
The Ustiuzhena Icon of the Mother of God (1290), glorified by many
miracles, was situated in the city of Ustiuzhna under Novgorod
governance (now Vologda district). At the beginning of the seventeenth
century the inhabitants of Ustiushna, praying for salvation before
this holy icon, were delivered from an invasion of the Swedes and
Polish by the intercession of the Queen of Heaven.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Voroninsk
The Holy Icon of the Voroninsk Mother of God was situated in the
Voroninsk Dormition of the Mother of God hermitage in the Cherepovetsk
district of Novgorod governance. Its appearance occurred in 1524.
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Icon of the Mother of God of "St Christopher"
In 1555, the Icon of the Mother of God "Of St Christopher" was put in
the church of the monastery founded by St Christopher of Solvychegodsk
(July 25), a disciple of St Longinus of Koryazkemsk (February 10).
This icon was glorified by many miracles, and near the monastery a
spring of healing water flows from the earth.
The St Christopher Icon is one of the Hodigitria type.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Suprasl
The Holy Suprasl Icon of the Mother of God was in the Annunciation
women's monastery of Grodnensk governance at the beginning of the
sixteenth century. It was glorified by many miracles and both Orthodox
and Catholics piously reverence it.
The icon is one of the Hodigitria type.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Vydropussk
The Vydropussk Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God in the fifteenth
century was in the church of the Great Martyr George in the village of
Vydropussk, Novgorod governia. During the time of a conflagration of
the church, this holy icon remained undamaged. After the taking of
Novgorod by the Moscow Great Prince Ivan III, his army returned to
Moscow. One of the soldiers, a Murom native, having gone into the
church took from it the icon of the Mother of God, and going to his
own estate put it in a church of Saint Nicholas.
When they served the first service of thanksgiving before the stolen
holy icon, after the reading of the words of the Gospel: "...and
returned to Her own house" (Luke. 1:56) suddenly a whirlwind flew, the
canopy of the temple opened, the Icon of the Mother of God was raised
up in the air and miraculously transported to the church of the
village of Vydropussk.
The guilty thief of the holy icon repented and came on foot to
Vydropussk, beseeching the Mother of God to forgive him. In the
sixteenth century this holy icon was taken to Moscow, and from it an
exact copy was made for the church of the village of Vydropussk, and
the original was put in the temple of the Transfiguration in the city
of Torzhek.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Yuga
The Wonderworking Yuga Icon of the Mother of God appeared at the
beginning of the seventeenth century to the Elder St Dorotheus,
schemamonk of the Pskov Caves monastery. The Mother of God, during an
invasion of the Swedes, commanded him to take Her image to a place She
specified, and to bring the icon to Yaroslav diocese and to start a
monastery there .
The igumen of the monastery would not agree to give up the Icon of the
Mother of God, but She appeared to him in a vision commanding him to
fulfill Her will and let Elder Dorotheus take Her icon. Elder
Dorotheus came to the place specified in the vision, stopped to rest,
and put the holy icon upon a tree.
When he wanted to continue the journey, then some invisible power
prevented him from taking the holy icon from the tree. St Dorotheus
realized that the Queen of Heaven wanted to remain in this place. He
then built a small hut and stayed near the holy icon. News of the
Elder's arrival quickly spread through the surrounding villages.
Pilgrims came to venerate the holy icon, from which many healings took
place. Money was collected by the pious local inhabitants, and
construction of a new monastery began.
St Dorotheus died in the year 1622. Clergy presented accounts of
miracles to Patriarch Philaret. They received his blessing to
establish a monastery at the River Yuga with church dedicated to the
Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. The monastery became known as
the Yuga. In 1654, by the intercession of the Mother of God, a deadly
pestilence was halted in that place.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Igritsa
The Holy Igritsa Icon of the Mother of God appeared in the year 1624
in Igritsa at the River Pesochna not far from the city of Kostroma.
Local peasants found the icon in an old half-ruined church, for fifty
years it was left neglected after a deadly plague. The icon stood in
the altar and shone with bright hues, as though newly painted.
After the first service of thanksgiving served in front of this holy
icon, a boyar's (nobleman's) blind son Emilian gained his sight. Then
four devout Christians stayed to live around the desolate church and
took monastic vows. At the place of the appearance of the icon of the
Mother of God there afterwards was built a new church and a monastic
community emerged.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Shui
The Holy Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God, named the Shui,
appeared in the city of Shui of Vladimir diocese at the very height of
a raging deadly epidemic in the years 1654-1655. The inhabitants of
the city fled this misfortune by prayer, and gathered together in the
churches, beseeching mercy of the Lord. A certain pious parishioner of
the Resurrection church discussed with his compatriots to gather
together the means and to commission a copy of the Smolensk Icon of
the Mother of God and place it in the temple, which was done.
The icon was painted in seven days, during which time the inhabitants
of Shui fasted and made fervent prayer to the Mother of God. Having
communed the Holy Mysteries, they with a priest at the head carried
the newly painted icon into the church. And from that time the deadly
pestilence ceased. In 1831 by the intercession of the Mother of God a
cholera epidemic at Shui ceased. From this holy icon the lad James
received healing from demonic possession, and also many of the sick.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Seven Lakes
The Seven Lakes (Sedmiezernaya) Icon of the Mother of God was
glorified by great miracles in the seventeenth century in the area
around the city of Kazan. This holy icon was in the Seven Lakes
hermitage near the city of Kazan. Originally, seven small lakes
surrounded the monastery, but these later merged into one large body
of water.
The wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God was brought from Great
Ustiug near Kazan on October 13, 1615 by the monk Euthymius, founder
of the Seven Lakes monastery. He placed this icon in the temple of the
newly established monastery.
In the middle of the seventeenth century, a deadly plague raged
throughout all Russia, and reached Kazan. There 48,000 men died within
a short time, almost all the inhabitants of the city.
A certain pious monk had a vision in a dream: a radiant man apeared to
him and commanded that the inhabitants of the city should establish a
seven-day fast and go out to meet the icon of the Mother of God which
was coming to them from the Seven Lakes hermitage for their
deliverance.
The monk told the authorities about the vision. The Seven Lakes Icon
was brought through the city gates in procession. After circling the
entire stone city, it was placed in the church of the Annunciation.
After an All Night Vigil and Liturgy the next morning, the icon was
carried to visit homes in the wooden city. After seven days of prayer
and processions, the deadly pestilence began to abate.
When the monks asked to have their icon returned, it was decided to
celebrate an All Night Vigil, then to carry the icon in procession
back to the hermitage. A heavy snow storm came up, however, which
prevented them from leaving the church. This was repeated three times,
so it was decided to let the holy icon remain in Kazan for a time. It
was returned to the Seven Lakes monastery in 1655.
Today's Feast commemorates a second deliverance of Kazan from
pestilence in 1771. Orthodox inhabitants of Kazan and the surrounding
area deeply revere this holy icon, and receive healing from sickness
and help in misfortune from the Mother of God.
The Seven Lakes Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is also commemorated
on October 13 and June 26.
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Icon of the Mother of God of the Trinity-St Sergius Lavra
The Holy Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is located at the Holy
Trinity Sergiev Lavra in the Smolensk church on the left side of the
Royal Doors. From this icon in 1730 there a cantor, whose hands were
bent and rigid to the back, received healing. The Mother of God
appeared to him in a vision and healed him. This occurrence was
attested to by physicians.
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Venerable George of Mt. Athos, the Builder
The venerable George the Builder was the third abbot of the Iveron
Monastery on Mt. Athos. According to some sources, he was a nephew of
St. John, the founder and first abbot of the Iveron Monastery.
George was elevated to the rank of abbot after St. Ekvtime left the
monastery to travel to Jerusalem. Under his leadership, the main
church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was constructed. An
inscription on the wall of the church reads: I established these
columns and they will not be shaken unto the ages. Monk George the
Georgian, Builder.
For most of his life Abbot George was highly respected and even
revered in the imperial court of Byzantium, but he was eventually
slandered, accused of treason, and exiled to the island of Monovatia,
where he reposed in the year 1029.
The exile of Abbot George proved fatal for the Iveron Monastery: his
persecutors followed that act by stealing and desecrating all the
treasures of the monastery, which had been purchased by the blood and
sweat of the holy fathers. (The rightful property of the Iveron
Monastery was later recovered during the reign of the pious Emperor
Michael.)
The Georgian monks translated St. Georges incorrupt relics from the
island of Monovatia to Athos and buried them there in a marble tomb.
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