[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri May 2 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Acts 3:1-8  (Epistle)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of
prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask
alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for
alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from
them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have
I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and
walk."
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately
his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with
them-walking, leaping, and praising God.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4


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Philippians 2:5-11  (Epistle, Theotokos)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be
equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and
became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4


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John 2:12-22  (Gospel)
12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers,
and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves,
and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the
temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers'
money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do
not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your
house has eaten Me up."
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us,
since You do these things?"
19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up."
20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this
temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples
remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the
Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4


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Luke 10:38-42;11:27-28  (Gospel, Theotokos)
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and
a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and
heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him
and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve
alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are
worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which
will not be taken away from her.
27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman
from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb
that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!"
28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word
of God and keep it!"
Scripture Reading 4 of 4



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Bright Friday The Life Giving Spring of the Mother of God
Today we commemorate the Life-Giving Spring of the Most Holy
Theotokos.
There once was a beautiful church in Constantinople dedicated to the
Mother of God, which had been built in the fifth century by the holy
Emperor Leo the Great (January 20) in the Seven Towers district.
Before becoming emperor, Leo was walking in a wooded area where he met
a blind man who was thirsty and asked Leo to help him find water.
Though he agreed to search for water, he was unable to find any.
Suddenly, he heard a voice telling him that there was water nearby. He
looked again, but still could not find the water. Then he heard the
voice saying "Emperor Leo, go into the deepest part of the woods, and
you will find water there. Take some of the cloudy water in your hands
and give it to the blind man to drink.Then take the clay and put it on
his eyes. Then you shall know who I am." Leo obeyed these
instructions, and the blind man regained his sight. Later, St Leo
became emperor, just as the Theotokos had prophesied.
Leo built a church over the site at his own expense, and the water
continued to work miraculous cures. Therefore, it was called "The
Life-Giving Spring."
After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the church was torn down by
the Moslems, and the stones were used to build a mosque. Only a small
chapel remained at the site of the church. Twenty-five steps led down
into the chapel, which had a window in the roof to let the light in.
The holy Spring was still there, surrounded by a railing.
After the Greek Revolution in 1821, even this little chapel was
destroyed and the Spring was buried under the rubble. Christians later
obtained permission to rebuild the chapel, and work began in July of
1833. While workmen were clearing the ground, they uncovered the
foundations of the earlier church. The Sultan allowed them to build
not just a chapel, but a new and beautiful church on the foundations
of the old one.
Construction began on September 14, 1833, and was completed on
December 30, 1834. Patriarch Constantine II consecrated the church on
February 2, 1835, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Turks desecrated and destroyed the church again on September 6,
1955. A smaller church now stands on the site, and the waters of the
Life-Giving Spring continue to work miracles.
There is also a Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos
which is commemorated on April 4.
KONTAKION Tone 8
O most favored by God, you confer on me the healing of your grace from
your inexhaustible Spring. Therefore, since you gave birth
incomprehensibly to the Word, I implore you to refresh me with the dew
of your grace that I might cry to you: Hail, O Water of salvation.
_________________________________________________________________
St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria
Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria, was a great
Father of the Church and a pillar of Orthodoxy. He was born around the
year 297 in the city of Alexandria into a family of pious Christians.
He received a fine secular education, but he acquired more knowledge
by diligent study of the Holy Scripture. In his childhood, the future
hierarch Athanasius became known to St Alexander the Patriarch of
Alexandria (May 29). A group of children, which included Athanasius,
was playing at the seashore. The Christian children decided to baptize
their pagan playmates.
The young Athanasius, whom the children designated as "bishop",
performed the Baptism, precisely repeating the words he heard in
church during this sacrament. Patriarch Alexander observed all this
from a window. He then commanded that the children and their parents
be brought to him. He conversed with them for a long while, and
determined that the Baptism performed by the children was done
according to the Church order. He acknowledged the Baptism as real and
sealed it with the sacrament of Chrismation. From this moment, the
Patriarch looked after the spiritual upbringing of Athanasius and in
time brought him into the clergy, at first as a reader, and then he
ordained him as a deacon.
It was as a deacon that St Athanasius accompanied Patriarch Alexander
to the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in the year 325. At the
Council, St Athanasius refuted of the heresy of Arius. His speech met
with the approval of the Orthodox Fathers of the Council, but the
Arians, those openly and those secretly so, came to hate Athanasius
and persecuted him for the rest of his life.
After the death of holy Patriarch Alexander, St Athanasius was
unanimously chosen as his successor in the See of Alexandria. He
refused, accounting himself unworthy, but at the insistence of all the
Orthodox populace that it was in agreement, he was consecrated bishop
when he was twenty-eight, and installed as the archpastor of the
Alexandrian Church. St Athanasius guided the Church for forty-seven
years, and during this time he endured persecution and grief from his
antagonists. Several times he was expelled from Alexandria and hid
himself from the Arians in desolate places, since they repeatedly
tried to kill him. St Athanasius spent more than twenty years in
exile, returned to his flock, and then was banished again.
There was a time when he remained as the only Orthodox bishop in the
area, a moment when all the other bishops had fallen into heresy. At
the false councils of Arian bishops he was deposed as bishop. Despite
being persecuted for many years, the saint continued to defend the
purity of the Orthodox Faith, and he wrote countless letters and
tracts against the Arian heresy.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) began a persecution against
Christians, his wrath first fell upon St Athanasius, whom he
considered a great pillar of Orthodoxy. Julian intended to kill the
saint in order to strike Christianity a grievous blow, but he soon
perished himself. Mortally wounded by an arrow during a battle, he
cried out with despair: "You have conquered, O Galilean." After
Julian's death, St Athanasius guided the Alexandrian Church for seven
years and died in 373, at the age of seventy-six.
Numerous works of St Athanasius have been preserved; four Orations
against the Arian heresy; also an Epistle to Epictetus, bishop of the
Church of Corinth, on the divine and human natures in Jesus Christ;
four Epistles to Serapion, Bishop of Thmuis, about the Holy Spirit and
His Equality with the Father and the Son, directed against the heresy
of Macedonius.
Other apologetic works in defense of Orthodoxy have been preserved,
among which is the Letter to the emperor Constantius. St Athanasius
wrote commentaries on Holy Scripture, and books of a moral and
didactic character, as well as a biography of St Anthony the Great
(January 17), with whom St Athanasius was very close. St John
Chrysostom advised every Orthodox Christian to read this Life.
The memory of St Athanasius is celebrated also on January 18 with St
Cyril of Alexandria.
_________________________________________________________________
Translation of the relics of the Holy Passionbearer Boris, in
Holy Baptism Roman
The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb.
St Boris (July 24) was a brother of the Great Prince of Kiev Yaroslav
the Wise (1019-1054), and was baptized with the name Roman. The
murdered Prince Boris was buried at the church of St Basil the Great
at Vyshgorod near Kiev.
Metropolitan John I of Kiev (1008-1035) and his clergy solemnly met
the incorrupt relics of the holy passion-bearer Gleb and placed them
in the church where the relics of St Boris rested. Soon the burial
place was glorified by miracles. Then the relics of the holy brothers
Boris and Gleb were removed from the ground and placed in a specially
constructed chapel. On July 24, 1026 a church of five cupolas built by
Yaroslav the Wise was consecrated in honor of the holy martyrs.
In later years, the Vyshgorod Sts Boris and Gleb church containing the
relics of the holy Passion-Bearers became the family church of the
Yaroslavichi, their sanctuary of brotherly love and service to the
nation. The symbol of their unity was the celebration of the Transfer
of the Relics of Boris and Gleb, observed on May 2. The history of the
establishing of this Feast is bound up with the preceding events of
Russian history. On May 2, 1069 the Great Prince Izyaslav, who had
been expelled from the princedom for seven months (i.e. from September
1068) because of an uprising of the Kievan people, entered into Kiev.
In gratitude for God's help in establishing peace in the Russian land,
the prince built a new church to replace an older structure. Two
Metropolitans, George of Kiev and Neophytus of Chernigov, participated
in its consecration with other bishops, igumens, and clergy. The
transfer of the relics, in which all three of the Yaroslavichi
(Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod) participated, was set for May 2, and
it was designated as an annual celebration.
Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, Prince of Kiev during 1073-1076, made an
effort to transform the Sts Boris and Gleb temple into a stone church,
but he was able to build the walls only eight cubits high. Later
Vsevolod (+ 1093) finished the church construction, but it collapsed
by night.
The veneration of Sts Boris and Gleb developed during the time of
Yaroslav's grandsons, often producing a peculiar pious competition
among them. Izyaslav's son Svyatopolk (+ 1113), built silver
reliquaries for the saints. In 1102 Vsevolod's son Vladimir Monomakh
(+ 1125), sent master craftsmen by night and secretly adorned the
silver reliquaries with gold leaf. Svyatoslav's son Oleg (+ 1115)
outdid them. He was called "Gorislavich", and was mentioned in the
"Tale of Igor's Campaign." He "intended to raise up the collapsed
stone (church) and hired some builders." He provided everything that
was necessary.
< The church was ready in the year 1111, and Oleg "pressured and
besought Svyatopolk to transfer the holy relics into it." Svyatopolk
did not want to do this, "because he did not build this church."
The death of Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (+ 1113) brought a new
insurrection to Kiev, which nearly killed Vladimir Monomakh, who had
become Great Prince of that city. He decided to cultivate friendship
with the Svyatoslavichi through the solemn transfer of the relics into
the Oleg church. "Vladimir gathered his sons, and David and Oleg with
their sons. They all arrived at Vyshgorod. All the hierarchs, igumens,
monks and priests came, filling all the town and there was no space
left for the citizenry along the walls."
On the morning of May 2, 1115, the Sunday of the Myrhhbearing Women,
they began to sing Matins at both churches, old and new, and the
transfer of relics began. The three were separated. "First they
brought St Boris in a cart, and with him went Metropolitan Vladimir
and his clergy." On other carts went St Gleb "and David with bishops
and clergy." (Oleg waited for them in the church).
This separation was adhered to in future generations. St Boris was
considered a heavenly protector of the Monomashichi; St Gleb, of the
Ol'govichi and the Davidovichi. When Vladimir Monomakh speaks about
Boris in his "Testament", he does not mention Gleb. In the Ol'govichi
line, none of the princes received the name Boris.
In general the names Boris and Gleb, and so also Roman and David, were
esteemed by many generations of Russian princes. The brothers of Oleg
Gorislavich were named Roman (+ 1079), Gleb (+ 1078), David (+ 1123),
and one of his sons was named Gleb (+ 1138).
>From Monomakh were the sons Roman and Gleb; from Yuri Dolgoruky, Boris
and Gleb; of St Rostislav of Smolensk, Boris and Gleb; of St Andrew
Bogoliubsky, St Gleb (+ 1174); of Vsevolod Big Nest, Boris and Gleb.
Among the sons of Vseslav of Polotsk (+ 1101) was the full range of
"Sts Boris and Gleb" names: Roman, Gleb, David, Boris.
The Vyshgorod sanctuaries were not the only centers for the liturgical
veneration of Sts Boris and Gleb. It was spread throughout the Russian
land. First of all, there were churches and monasteries in specific
places connected with the martyrdom of the saints, and their
miraculous help for people; the temple of Boris and Gleb at
Dorogozhich on the road to Vyshgorod, where St Boris died; the Sts
Boris and Gleb monastery at Tmo near Tver where Gleb's horse injured
its leg; a monastery of the same name at Smyadyno at the place of
Gleb's murder; and at the River Tvertsa near Torzhok (founded in
1030), where the head of St George the Hungarian was preserved [trans.
note: the beloved servant of St Boris was beheaded in order to steal
the gold medallion given him by St Boris]. Churches dedicated to Sts
Boris and Gleb were built at the Alta in memory of the victory of
Yaroslav the Wise over Svyatopolk the Accursed on July 24, 1019; and
also at Gzena near Novgorod where Gleb Svyatoslavich defeated a
sorcerer.
The Ol'govichi and the Monomashichi vied with each other in building
churches dedicated to the holy martyrs. Oleg himself, in addition to
the Vyshgorod church, built the Sts Boris and Gleb cathedral in Old
Ryazan in 1115 (therefore, the diocese was later called Sts Boris and
Gleb). His brother David also built at Chernigov (in 1120). In the
year 1132 Yuri Dolgoruky built a church of Boris and Gleb at Kideksh
at the River Nerla, "where the encampment of St Boris had been." In
1145, St Rostislav of Smolensk "put a stone church at Smyadyno," at
Smolensk. In the following year the first (wooden) Sts Boris and Gleb
church was built in Novgorod. In 1167 a stone foundation replaced the
wood, and it was completed and consecrated in the year 1173. The
Novgorod Chronicles name the legendary Sotko Sytinich as the builder
of the church.
The holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb were the first Russian saints
glorified by the Russian and Byzantine Churches. A service to them was
composed soon after their death, and its author was St John I,
Metropolitan of Kiev (1008-1035), which a MENAION of the twelfth
century corroborates. The innumerable copies of their Life, the
accounts of the relics, the miracles and eulogies in the manuscripts
and printed books of the twelfth-fourteenth centuries bear witness to
the special veneration of the holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb in Russia.
[trans. note: Neither this account nor those of the individual
feastdays give the details of their martyrdom. Perhaps it is assumed
that the reader is familiar with the story, or perhaps it is too
painful to recount. The saints chose not to take up arms to defend
themselves, or flee to safety. In their final prayers, they refer to
the Lord's voluntary suffering and death, as recorded by the
chroniclers. Since they meekly accepted an unjust death for the sake
of Christ, they are known as "Passion-Bearers."]
_________________________________________________________________
Translation of the relics of the Holy Passionbearer Gleb, in
Holy Baptism David
The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb.
St Gleb (September 5) was a brother of the Great Prince of Kiev
Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054), and was baptized with the name David.
The holy relics of Prince Gleb were found at Smyadyno, near Smolensk,
and from there they were brought to Kiev.
Metropolitan John I of Kiev (1008-1035) and his clergy solemnly met
the incorrupt relics of the holy passion-bearer and placed them in the
church of St Basil the Great at Vyshgorod, where the relics of St
Boris already rested. Soon the burial place was glorified by miracles.
Then the relics of the holy brothers Boris and Gleb were removed from
the ground and placed in a specially constructed chapel. On July 24,
1026 a church of five cupolas built by Yaroslav the Wise was
consecrated in honor of the holy martyrs.
In later years, Vyshgorod's church of Sts Boris and Gleb containing
the relics of the holy Passion-Bearers became the family church of the
Yaroslavichi, their sanctuary of brotherly love and service to the
nation. The symbol of their unity was the celebration of the Transfer
of the Relics of Boris and Gleb, observed on May 2. The history of
this Feast is bound up with the preceding events of Russian history.
On May 2, 1069 the Great Prince Izyaslav, who had been expelled from
the princedom for seven months (i.e. from September 1068) because of
an uprising of the Kievan people, entered into Kiev. In gratitude for
God's help in establishing peace in the Russian land, the prince built
a new church to replace an older structure. Two Metropolitans, George
of Kiev and Neophytus of Chernigov, participated in its consecration
with other bishops, igumens, and clergy. The transfer of the relics,
in which all three of the Yaroslavichi (Izyaslav, Svyatoslav,
Vsevolod) participated, was set for May 2, and it was designated as an
annual celebration.
Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, Prince of Kiev during 1073-1076, made an
effort to transform the Sts Boris and Gleb temple into a stone church,
but he was able to build the walls only eight cubits high. Later
Vsevolod (+ 1093) finished the church construction, but it collapsed
by night.
The veneration of Sts Boris and Gleb developed during the time of
Yaroslav's grandsons, often producing a peculiar pious competition
among them. Izyaslav's son Svyatopolk (+ 1113), built silver
reliquaries for the saints. In 1102 Vsevolod's son Vladimir Monomakh
(+ 1125), sent master craftsmen by night and secretly adorned the
silver reliquaries with gold leaf. Svyatoslav's son Oleg (+ 1115)
outdid them. He was called "Gorislavich", and was mentioned in the
"Tale of Igor's Campaign." He "intended to raise up the collapsed
stone (church) and hired some builders." He provided everything that
was necessary.
< The church was ready in the year 1111, and Oleg "pressured and
besought Svyatopolk to transfer the holy relics into it." Svyatopolk
did not want to do this, "because he did not build this church."
The death of Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (+ 1113) brought a new
insurrection to Kiev, which nearly killed Vladimir Monomakh, who had
become Great Prince of that city. He decided to cultivate friendship
with the Svyatoslavichi through the solemn transfer of the relics into
the Oleg church. "Vladimir gathered his sons, and David and Oleg with
their sons. They all arrived at Vyshgorod. All the hierarchs, igumens,
monks and priests came, filling all the town and there was no space
left for the citizenry along the walls."
On the morning of May 2, 1115, the Sunday of the Myrhhbearing Women,
they began to sing Matins at both churches, old and new, and the
transfer of relics began. The three were separated. "First they
brought St Boris in a cart, and with him went Metropolitan Vladimir
and his clergy." On other carts went St Gleb "and David with bishops
and clergy." (Oleg waited for them in the church).
This separation was adhered to in future generations. St Boris was
considered a heavenly protector of the Monomashichi; St Gleb, of the
Ol'govichi and the Davidovichi. When Vladimir Monomakh speaks about
Boris in his "Testament", he does not mention Gleb. In the Ol'govichi
line, none of the princes received the name Boris.
In general the names Boris and Gleb, and so also Roman and David, were
esteemed by many generations of Russian princes. The brothers of Oleg
Gorislavich were named Roman (+ 1079), Gleb (+ 1078), David (+ 1123),
and one of his sons was named Gleb (+ 1138).
>From Monomakh were the sons Roman and Gleb; from Yuri Dolgoruky, Boris
and Gleb; of St Rostislav of Smolensk, Boris and Gleb; of St Andrew
Bogoliubsky, St Gleb (+ 1174); of Vsevolod Big Nest, Boris and Gleb.
Among the sons of Vseslav of Polotsk (+ 1101) was the full range of
"Sts Boris and Gleb" names: Roman, Gleb, David, Boris.
The Vyshgorod sanctuaries were not the only centers for the liturgical
veneration of Sts Boris and Gleb. It was spread throughout the Russian
land. First of all, there were churches and monasteries in specific
places connected with the martyrdom of the saints, and their
miraculous help for people; the temple of Boris and Gleb at
Dorogozhich on the road to Vyshgorod, where St Boris died; the Sts
Boris and Gleb monastery at Tmo near Tver where Gleb's horse injured
its leg; a monastery of the same name at Smyadyno at the place of
Gleb's murder; and at the River Tvertsa near Torzhok (founded in
1030), where the head of St George the Hungarian was preserved [trans.
note: the beloved servant of St Boris was beheaded in order to steal
the gold medallion given him by St Boris]. Churches dedicated to Sts
Boris and Gleb were built at the Alta in memory of the victory of
Yaroslav the Wise over Svyatopolk the Accursed on July 24, 1019; and
also at Gzena near Novgorod where Gleb Svyatoslavich defeated a
sorcerer.
The Ol'govichi and the Monomashichi vied with each other in building
churches dedicated to the holy martyrs. Oleg himself, in addition to
the Vyshgorod church, built the Sts Boris and Gleb cathedral in Old
Ryazan in 1115 (therefore, the diocese was later called Sts Boris and
Gleb). His brother David also built at Chernigov (in 1120). In the
year 1132 Yuri Dolgoruky built a church of Boris and Gleb at Kideksh
at the River Nerla, "where the encampment of St Boris had been." In
1145, St Rostislav of Smolensk "put a stone church at Smyadyno," at
Smolensk. In the following year the first (wooden) Sts Boris and Gleb
church was built in Novgorod. In 1167 a stone foundation replaced the
wood, and it was completed and consecrated in the year 1173. The
Novgorod Chronicles name the legendary Sotko Sytinich as the builder
of the church.
The holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb were the first Russian saints
glorified by the Russian and Byzantine Churches. A service to them was
composed soon after their death, and its author was St John I,
Metropolitan of Kiev (1008-1035), which a MENAION of the twelfth
century corroborates. The innumerable copies of their Life, the
accounts of the relics, the miracles and eulogies in the manuscripts
and printed books of the twelfth-fourteenth centuries bear witness to
the special veneration of the holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb in Russia.
[trans. note: Neither this account nor those of the individual
feastdays give the details of their martyrdom. Perhaps it is assumed
that the reader is familiar with the story, or perhaps it is too
painful to recount. The saints chose not to take up arms to defend
themselves, or flee to safety. In their final prayers, they refer to
the Lord's voluntary suffering and death, as recorded by the
chroniclers. Since they meekly accepted an unjust death for the sake
of Christ, they are known as "Passion-Bearers."]
_________________________________________________________________
St Athanasius of Lubensk the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Athanasius III Patelarios, Patriarch of Constantinople,
Wonderworker of Lubensk, in the world Alexis, was born in 1560 on the
island of Crete, into the pious Greek family Patelarios. Despite his
education and position in society, Alexis was attracted by the life of
Christian ascetics. After his father's death, he became a novice in
one of the monasteries of Thessalonica with the name Ananias. From
there, he he later went to the monastery of Esphimenou on Mt. Athos,
where he fulfilled his obedience in the trapeza (dining area).
>From Athos he journeyed to the Palestinian monasteries, and he was
tonsured with the name Athanasius. Upon his return to Thessalonica he
was ordained presbyter and spread the Gospel of Christ among the
Vlachs and the Moldovians, for whom he translated the PSALTER from the
Greek. Sometimes, the saint went to Mt. Athos for solitude, and to ask
God's blessing on his pastoral work. The holiness of his life
attracted many Christians who wished to see a true preacher of the
Orthodox Faith.
By his remarkable abilities and spiritual gifts he attracted the
attention of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Cyril I (Lukaris)
(1621-1623). Summoning the ascetic, Patriarch Cyril appointed him a
preacher of the Patriarchal throne. Soon St Athanasius was consecrated
bishop and became Metropolitan of Thessalonica.
At this time Patriarch Cyril was slandered before the sultan and
imprisoned on the island of Tenedos. St Athanasius assumed the
Patriarchal throne on March 25, 1634, on the day of the Annunciation
of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Patriarch Athanasius led an incessant struggle against heretics,
Jesuits, and Moslems. After only forty days on the Patriarchal throne,
he was deposed through the intrigues of the enemies of Orthodoxy, and
Cyril I was returned.
The saint went to Athos, where for a certain time he pursued
asceticism in solitude. Then he became Patriarch again, but was
deposed after a year. After this, he returned to Thessalonica and
renewed his connections with the Holy Mountain. In view of the
intolerable persecution of Christians by the Moslems, St Athanasius
was repeatedly (from 1633 to 1643) obliged to send petitions to the
Russian tsar Michael (1613-1645) seeking alms for the hapless Church
of Constantinople.
When living at Thessalonica became impossible for the saint, he was
forced to journey to Moldavia under the protection of its sovereign,
Basil Lukulos, and he settled there in the monastery of St Nicholas
near Galats, but he longed for Mount Athos. He visited it often and
hoped to finish his life there, but God ordained something else for
him.
In 1652 after the death of Patriarch Cyril I, St Athanasius was
returned to the patriarchal throne. He remained only fifteen days,
since he was not acceptable to the Moslems and Catholics. During his
final Patriarchal service he preached a sermon in which he denounced
papal pretensions to universal jurisdiction over the whole Church.
Persecuted by the Moslems and Jesuits, physically weakened, he
transferred the administration of the Church of Constantinople to
Metropolitan Paisius of Laureia, and he withdrew to Moldavia, where he
was appointed administrator of the monastery of St Nicholas at Galats.
Knowing the deep faith and responsiveness of the Russian nation, St
Athanasius undertook a journey to Russia. In April 1653 he was met
with great honor in Moscow by Patriarch Nikon (1652-1658) and Tsar
Alexis Mikhailovich. Having received generous alms for the needs of
the monastery, Patriarch Athanasius left for Galats in December 1653.
On the way he fell ill and stayed at the Transfiguration Mgarsk
monastery in the city of Lubno in February 1654.
Sensing his impending death, the saint wrote his last will, and he
fell asleep in the Lord on April 5. Igumen Petronios and the brethren
of the monastery buried the Patriarch. By Greek custom the saint was
buried in a sitting position. On February 1, 1662 St Athanasius was
glorified as a saint and his Feastday was designated as May 2, the
Feast of St Athanasius the Great.
The relics of holy Patriarch Athansios, glorified by numerous miracles
and signs, rest in the city of Kharkov, in the Annunciation cathedral
church.
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Martyr Hesperus with his wife and sons at Attalia
The Holy Martyrs Hesperus, his Wife Zoe, and their Children Cyriacus
and Theodulus suffered for their faith in Christ in the second
century, during the persecution under Hadrian (117-138). They had been
Christians since their childhood, and they also raised their children
in piety. They were all slaves of an illustrious Roman named Catullus,
living in Attalia, Asia Minor. While serving their earthly master, the
saints never defiled themselves with food offered to idols, which
pagans were obliged to use.
Once, Catullus sent Hesperus on business to Tritonia. Sts Cyriacus and
Theodulus decided to run away, unable to endure constant contact with
pagans. St Zoe, however, did not bless her sons to do this. Then they
asked their mother's blessing to confess their faith in Christ openly,
and they received it.
When the brothers explained to Catullus that they were Christian, he
was surprised, but he did not deliver them for torture. Instead, he
sent them with their mother to St Hesperus at Tritonia, hoping that
the parents would persuade their children to deny Christ. At Tritonia,
the saints lived in tranquility for a while, preparing for martyrdom.
All the slaves returned to Attalia for the birthday of Catullus' son,
and a feast was prepared at the house in honor of the pagan goddess
Fortuna. Food was sent to the slaves from the master's table, and this
included meat and wine that had been sacrificed to idols. The saints
would not eat the food. Zoe poured the wine upon the ground and threw
the meat to the dogs. When he learned of this, Catullus gave orders to
torture Zoe's sons, Sts Cyriacus and Theodulus.
The brothers were stripped, suspended from a tree, and raked with iron
implements before the eyes of their parents, who counselled their
children to persevere to the end.
Then the parents, Sts Hesperus and Zoe, were subjected to terrible
tortures. Finally, they threw all four martyrs into a red-hot furnace,
where they surrendered their souls to the Lord. Their bodies were
preserved in the fire unharmed, and angelic singing was heard,
glorifying the confessors of the Lord.
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Martyr Zoe with her husband and sons at Attalia
The Holy Martyr Zoe was the wife of St Hesperus, and they suffered in
the second century, during the persecution under Hadrian (117-138).
They had been Christians since their childhood, and they also raised
their children Cyriacus and Theodulus in piety. They were all slaves
of an illustrious Roman named Catullus, living in Attalia, Asia Minor.
While serving their earthly master, the saints never defiled
themselves with food offered to idols, which pagans were obliged to
use.
Once, Catullus sent Hesperus on business to Tritonia. Sts Cyriacus and
Theodulus decided to run away, unable to endure constant contact with
pagans. St Zoe, however, did not bless her sons to do this. Then they
asked their mother's blessing to confess their faith in Christ openly,
and they received it.
When the brothers explained to Catullus that they were Christian, he
was surprised, but he did not deliver them for torture. Instead, he
sent them with their mother to St Hesperus at Tritonia, hoping that
the parents would persuade their children to deny Christ. At Tritonia,
the saints lived in tranquility for a while, preparing for martyrdom.
All the slaves returned to Attalia for the birthday of Catullus' son,
and a feast was prepared at the house in honor of the pagan goddess
Fortuna. Food was sent to the slaves from the master's table, and this
included meat and wine that had been sacrificed to idols. The saints
would not eat the food. Zoe poured the wine upon the ground and threw
the meat to the dogs. When he learned of this, Catullus gave orders to
torture Zoe's sons, Sts Cyriacus and Theodulus.
The brothers were stripped, suspended from a tree, and raked with iron
implements before the eyes of their parents, who counselled their
children to persevere to the end.
Then the parents, Sts Hesperus and Zoe, were subjected to terrible
tortures. Finally, they threw all four martyrs into a red-hot furnace,
where they surrendered their souls to the Lord. Their bodies were
preserved in the fire unharmed, and angelic singing was heard,
glorifying the confessors of the Lord.
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Martyr Cyriacus at Attalia
The Holy Martyr Cyriacus was the son of Sts Hesperus and Zoe. He, his
parents, and his brother Theodulus suffered martyrdom in the second
century, during the persecution under Hadrian (117-138). Cyriacus and
Zoe had been Christians since their childhood, and they also raised
their children in piety. They were all slaves of an illustrious Roman
named Catullus, living in Attalia, Asia Minor. While serving their
earthly master, the saints never defiled themselves with food offered
to idols, which pagans were obliged to use.
Once, Catullus sent Hesperus on business to Tritonia. Sts Cyriacus and
Theodulus decided to run away, unable to endure constant contact with
pagans. St Zoe, however, did not bless her sons to do this. Then they
asked their mother's blessing to confess their faith in Christ openly,
and they received it.
When the brothers explained to Catullus that they were Christian, he
was surprised, but he did not deliver them for torture. Instead, he
sent them with their mother to St Hesperus at Tritonia, hoping that
the parents would persuade their children to deny Christ. At Tritonia,
the saints lived in tranquility for a while, preparing for martyrdom.
All the slaves returned to Attalia for the birthday of Catullus' son,
and a feast was prepared at the house in honor of the pagan goddess
Fortuna. Food was sent to the slaves from the master's table, and this
included meat and wine that had been sacrificed to idols. The saints
would not eat the food. Zoe poured the wine upon the ground and threw
the meat to the dogs. When he learned of this, Catullus gave orders to
torture Zoe's sons, Sts Cyriacus and Theodulus.
The brothers were stripped, suspended from a tree, and raked with iron
implements before the eyes of their parents, who counselled their
children to persevere to the end.
Then the parents, Sts Hesperus and Zoe, were subjected to terrible
tortures. Finally, they threw all four martyrs into a red-hot furnace,
where they surrendered their souls to the Lord. Their bodies were
preserved in the fire unharmed, and angelic singing was heard,
glorifying the confessors of the Lord.
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Martyr Theodulus at Attalia
The Holy Martyr Theodulus was the son of Sts Hesperus and Zoe. He, his
parents, and his brother Cyriacus suffered martyrdom in the second
century, during the persecution under Hadrian (117-138). Cyriacus and
Zoe had been Christians since their childhood, and they also raised
their children in piety. They were all slaves of an illustrious Roman
named Catullus, living in Attalia, Asia Minor. While serving their
earthly master, the saints never defiled themselves with food offered
to idols, which pagans were obliged to use.
Once, Catullus sent Hesperus on business to Tritonia. Sts Cyriacus and
Theodulus decided to run away, unable to endure constant contact with
pagans. St Zoe, however, did not bless her sons to do this. Then they
asked their mother's blessing to confess their faith in Christ openly,
and they received it.
When the brothers explained to Catullus that they were Christian, he
was surprised, but he did not deliver them for torture. Instead, he
sent them with their mother to St Hesperus at Tritonia, hoping that
the parents would persuade their children to deny Christ. At Tritonia,
the saints lived in tranquility for a while, preparing for martyrdom.
All the slaves returned to Attalia for the birthday of Catullus' son,
and a feast was prepared at the house in honor of the pagan goddess
Fortuna. Food was sent to the slaves from the master's table, and this
included meat and wine that had been sacrificed to idols. The saints
would not eat the food. Zoe poured the wine upon the ground and threw
the meat to the dogs. When he learned of this, Catullus gave orders to
torture Zoe's sons, Sts Cyriacus and Theodulus.
The brothers were stripped, suspended from a tree, and raked with iron
implements before the eyes of their parents, who counselled their
children to persevere to the end.
Then the parents, Sts Hesperus and Zoe, were subjected to terrible
tortures. Finally, they threw all four martyrs into a red-hot furnace,
where they surrendered their souls to the Lord. Their bodies were
preserved in the fire unharmed, and angelic singing was heard,
glorifying the confessors of the Lord.
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St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles,
Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria
The Holy Equal of the Apostles Tsar Boris, in Holy Baptism Michael:
His apostolic deeds were foretold by an uncle, St Boyan. The first
years of the reign of Tsar Boris were marked by misfortune. The
Bulgarians were frequently at war with surrounding nations, famine and
plague beset the land, and in the year 860 Bulgaria found itself in
dire straits. Tsar Boris saw the salvation of his land, which was
darkened by paganism, in its enlightenment by the faith in Christ.
During one of the battles of the Bulgarians with the Greeks he
captured the illustrious courtier Theodore Kuphares, who had become a
monk. He was the first man to plant the seed of the Gospel in the soul
of the Bulgarian tsar. In one of the campaigns with the Greeks the
young sister of Tsar Boris was taken captive, and was raised in the
Orthodox Faith at the court of the Byzantine Emperor.
When the emperor Theophilus died, Tsar Boris decided to take advantage
of this circumstance to take revenge upon the Greeks for his former
defeats. But the widow of the emperor, Theodora, showed courage and
sent a messenger to the Bulgarian tsar saying that she was prepared to
defend the Empire and humiliate its opponents. Tsar Boris agreed to a
peace alliance, and Theodore Kuphares was exchanged for the Bulgarian
princess, who influenced her brother toward Christianity. A while
later St Methodius was sent into Bulgaria. He and his brother St Cyril
were enlightening the Slavic peoples with the light of Christ. St
Methodius baptized Tsar Boris, his family and many of the nobles.
When the pagan Bulgarians learned of this, they wanted to kill Tsar
Boris, but their plot was frustrated by the tsar. Deprived of their
rebellious leaders, the Bulgarian people voluntarily accepted Baptism.
A peace was concluded between Byzantium and Bulgaria, based on their
unity in faith, which was not broken until the end of the reign of the
noble tsar. The Patriarch Photius (February 6) took great interest in
the spiritual growth of the Bulgarian nation. In 867, preachers from
Rome were sent into Bulgaria. This led to three years of discord
between the Greek and Roman Churches in Bulgaria.
A Council at Constantinople in 869 put an end to the quarrel, and on
March 3, 870 Bulgaria was joined to the Eastern Church, and Orthodoxy
was firmly established there. Bulgaria's holy ascetics: Sts Gorazd
(July 27) and Clement of Ochrid (July 27) were glorified as saints.
Tsar Boris adorned the land with churches and furthered the spread of
piety. Later, a Patriarchal See was established in Bulgaria. In his
declining years, Tsar Boris entered a monastery, leaving the throne to
his sons Vladimir and Simeon.
While in the monastery the saint learned that Vladimir, who succeeded
him, had renounced Christianity. Distressed by this, St Boris again
donned his military garb, punished his disobedient son and threw him
in prison. After giving the throne to his younger son Simeon, St Boris
returned to the monastery. He left it once more to repel a Hungarian
invasion. St Boris, who was named Michael in holy Baptism, reposed on
May 2, 907.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Putivil
The Putivil Icon depicts the Mother of God holding Christ on her left
arm, and with a ladder behind her right hand. Christ is holding an orb
in His left hand, and bestows a blessing with His right.
The Putivil Icon is thought to be a copy of the Abul Icon from Mt Abul
in Serbia.
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