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Lydia of Thyatira

2021-05-21T02:01:47Z

BALawrence: Corrected commemoration dates, added OCA page to sources

[[Image:Saint Lydia of Thyatira (Lydia of Philippi).jpg|right|thumb|250px|Icon of St. Lydia of Thyatira.]]
As recorded in the [[Acts of the Apostles]], '''Lydia of Thyatira''' was the [[Apostle Paul]]’s first convert to Christianity in Europe. Her conversion came after hearing Paul’s words in Philippi proclaiming the [[Gospel]] of Christ during his second mission journey. She is commemorated on [[March 23]] (Slavic usage) and on [[May 20]] (Greek usage). She was glorified by the Church of Constantinople on May 23, 1972.

==Life==
As described in the Acts, Lydia was a “seller of purple”, a person who traded in purple dyes and fabrics for which the city of Thyatira was noted. Purple goods were part of a high value industry and were used by emperors, high government officials, and priests of the pagan religions.

Tradition relates that she and her husband may have been involved in this business. At some point Lydia and her household moved from Asia Minor to the city of Philippi in Macedonia. The reasons she moved may have been business related as Philippi was a Roman colony on the major east-west trade route, the Egnation Highway, between Rome and Asia. Also, she may have been a Jewish convert who no longer could worship in the custom of the Thyatirans.

The words of The Acts quoted below describe Lydia’s meeting with the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey about the year 50. Paul and his companions started their journey visiting the established churches in western Asia Minor when he answered a vision in which he saw a man dressed in a Macedonian manner calling upon him to “Come over to Macedonia and help us.“

Paul’s custom was to find local [[synagogue]]s in which he would preach. But, apparently the Jewish population in Philippi was not sufficient to allow holding Sabbath Services for the Jewish men. Thus, Paul’s party walked out of the city following the Gangites River (now called the Angista River) when they came upon a group of women [[prayer|praying]] in the manner of Jews, along flowing water. After greeting the women, Paul and his companions sat down and shared the good news of Christ’s salvation with them. Lydia, among the women, had listened attentively and took the message to heart. She and her family were then [[baptism|baptized]] in the Gangites River along which they had been praying. Thus, Lydia became the first person in Europe to become a follower of Christ.

As Acts notes, Paul and his companions were well received by Lydia as they stay at her house after their release from the Philippi prison. Surely, during their imprisonment, Lydia and those who assembled in her home spent the night in prayer for the release of Paul and Silas, making her home the first Christian Church in Europe. When Paul departed from Philippi he left Luke behind to preach the Gospel and to establish firmly the church in Philippi, using as its core Lydia, the jailer, and their households.

Paul speaks fondly, in his letter to the Philippians, of the brethren who were members of the church of Philippi, calling them ”…my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown…”. (Philippians 4:1)

== Acts==
Chapter 16 (KJV):
*''8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.''
*''9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.''
*''10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.''
*''11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neopolis.''
*''12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.''
*''13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.''
*''14 And a certain women named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatria, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul.''
*''15 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:''
*''17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried saying, These men are servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.''
*''18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.''
*''19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market place unto the rulers.''
*''20 And they brought them to the magistrates, saying. These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city.''
*''21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.''
*''22 And the multitudes rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.''
*''23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.''
*''24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.''
*''25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.''
*''26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.''
*''27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing the prisoners had been fled.''
*''28 But Paul cried out with a strong voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.''
*''29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas.''
*''30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?''
*''31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.''
*''32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.''
*''33 And he took the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightaway.''
*''34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.''
*''35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sargeants, saying, Let those men go.''
*''36 And the keep of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.''
*''37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.''
*''38 And the sargaents told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.''
*''39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.''
*''40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.''

==Sources==
*St. Lydia of Thyatira, ''One Thing Needful'', [[Ss. Mary and Martha Monastery (Wagener, South Carolina)|Ss Mary and Martha Orthodox Monastery]], Wagener, SC, April 2008
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_of_Thyatira Wikipedia: Lydia of Thyatira]
*[https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2021/05/20/205364-saint-lydia-of-philippi OCA: Saint Lydia of Philippi]
*[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010516.htm Lydia of Thyatira]
*[http://www.thedcl.org/christia/h/harrisev/lkwoftb/chap10.html Lydia of Thyatira]

[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Lidia din Tiatira]]

Irene of Thessaloniki

2021-05-06T01:29:50Z

BALawrence: /* Sources and external links */ updated external links

[[Image:Irene_the_Great_Martyr.jpg|right|frame|St. Irene of Thessaloniki]]
The holy Great [[Martyr]] '''Irene of Thessaloniki''' was born in the city of Magedon in Persia during the fourth century. She was the daughter of the pagan king Licinius, and her parents named her Penelope. The name ''Irene'' means ''peace''. She is one of the twelve Virgin Martyrs who appeared to St. [[Seraphim of Sarov]] ([[January 2]]) and the Diveyevo [[nun]] Eupraxia on the Feast of the [[Annunciation]] in 1831, and her feast is celebrated on [[May 5]].

==Life==
Penelope was very beautiful, and her father kept her isolated in a high tower from the time she was six so that she would not be exposed to Christianity. He also placed thirteen young maidens in the tower with her. An old tutor by the name of Apellian was assigned to give her the best possible education. Apellian was a Christian, and during her lessons, he told the girl about [[Christ]] the Savior and taught her the Christian Faith and the Christian virtues.

When Penelope reached adolescence, her parents began to think about her [[marriage]]. One day, a dove flew through the window carrying an olive branch in its beak, depositing it upon a table. Then an eagle swooped in with a wreath of flowers in its beak, and also placed it upon the table. Finally, a raven flew in carrying a snake, which it dropped on the table. Penelope was puzzled by these events and wondered what they meant.

Apellian explained that the dove signified her education, and the olive branch stood for the [[grace]] of God which is received in [[Baptism]]. The eagle with the wreath of flowers represented success in her future life. The raven and the snake foretold her future suffering and sorrow.

At the end of the conversation Apellianus said that the Lord wished to betroth her to Himself and that Penelope would undergo much suffering for her heavenly [[Bridegroom]]. After this Penelope refused marriage, was baptized by the [[priest]] Timothy, and she was named Irene (peace). She even urged her own parents to become Christians. Shortly after this, she destroyed all her father's idols.

Since St. Irene had dedicated herself to Christ, she refused to marry any of the suitors her father had chosen for her. When Licinius learned that his daughter refused to worship the pagan gods, he was furious. He attempted to turn her from Christ by having her tortured. She was tied up and thrown beneath the hooves of wild horses so that they might trample her to death, but he horses remained motionless. Instead of harming the saint, one of the horses charged Licinius, seized his right hand and tore it from his arm. Then it knocked Licinius down and began to trample him. They untied the holy virgin, and through her prayers Licinius rose unharmed in the presence of eyewitnesses with his hand intact.

Seeing such a miracle, Licinius and his wife, and many of the people, (about 3000 men) believed in Christ and turned from the pagan gods. Resigning his administrative duties, Licinius devoted himself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. St. Irene lived in the house of her teacher Apellian, and she began to preach Christ among the pagans, [[convert]]ing them to the path of salvation.

When Sedecius, the new governor of the city, heard of this miracle he summoned Apellian and questioned him about Irene's manner of life. Apellian replied that Irene, like other Christians, lived in strict temperance, devoting herself to constant [[prayer]] and reading holy books. Sedecius summoned the [[saint]] to him and urged her to stop preaching about Christ. He also attempted to force her to sacrifice to the idols. St. Irene staunchly confessed her faith before the governor, not fearing his wrath, and prepared to undergo suffering for Christ. By order of Sedecius she was thrown into a pit filled with vipers and serpents. The saint spent ten days in the pit and remained unharmed, for an [[angel]] of the Lord protected her and brought her food. Sedecius ascribed this miracle to sorcery, and he subjected St. Irene to many other tortures, but she remained unharmed. Under the influence of her preaching and miracles even more people were converted to Christ, and turned away from the worship of inanimate idols.

Sedecius was deposed by his son Savorus, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. St. Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Savorus and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, St. Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Savorus refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning.

After this, St. Irene walked into the city and performed many miracles. She returned to the tower built by her father, accompanied by the priest Timothy. Through her teaching, she converted five thousand people to Christ.

Next, the saint went to the city of Callinicus, or Callinicum (possibly on the Euphrates River in Syria). The ruler of that place was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. When she began to teach about Christ, she was arrested and tortured by the pagan authorities. She was placed into three bronze oxen which were heated by fire. She was transferred from one to another, but miraculously she remained uninjured. Thousands of idolaters embraced Christianity as a result of this wondrous event.

Sensing the approach of death, Numerian instructed his eparch Babdonus to continue torturing the saint in order to force her to sacrifice to idols. Once again, the tortures were ineffective, and many people turned to Christ.

Christ's holy martyr then traveled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa. By 330, the Persian king Sapor II (309-379) had heard of St. Irene's great miracles. To prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was arrested, beheaded, and then buried. However, God sent an angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria. After seeing her alive and hearing her preach, the local king was baptized with many of his subjects.

Wishing to convert even more pagans to Christianity, St. Irene went to Ephesus, where she taught the people and performed many miracles. The Lord revealed to her that the end of her life was approaching. Then St. Irene left the city accompanied by six people, including her former teacher Apellian. On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. After making the [[Sign of the Cross]], she went inside, directing her companions to close the entrance to the cave with a large stone, which they did. When Christians visited the cave four days later, they did not find the body of the saint.

Apellian returned after only two days, and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Thus did God glorify St. Irene, who loved Him and devoted her life to serving Him. Although many of these miracles may seem improbable to those who are skeptical, nothing is impossible with God.

St. Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her preaching, and by her example. The Church continues to honor her memory and to seek her heavenly intercession.

The holy, glorious Great Martyr Irene is invoked by those wishing to effect a swift and happy marriage. In Greece, she is also the patron saint of policemen. By her holy prayers, may the Lord have mercy upon us and save us.

==Hymns==
[[Apolytikion]] (Fourth Tone)

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

[[Kontakion]] (Third Tone)

Being fair adorned before with pure and virginal beauty, thou becamest fairer still in thy brave contest, O virgin; for when thou, in thine own spilt blood, wast stained and reddened, O Irene, thou overthrewest ungodly error. Hence, thou hast received the prizes of thy good vict'ry from thy Creator's right hand.

==Sources and external links==
*[http://www.iconograms.org/sig.php?eid=41 Great Martyr Irene]
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=41 Irene the Great Martyr]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101297 Great Martyr Irene: Life]
*[http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101297 Great Martyr Irene: Troparion and Kontakion]
*{Greek} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/3002/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ἡ Ἁγία Εἰρήνη ἡ Μεγαλομάρτυς].'' 5 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Missionaries]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ro:Irina din Tesalonic]]

Flavian the Confessor

2021-04-20T16:03:41Z

BALawrence: /* Life */ linked Pulcheria's name to her article

Our father among the [[saint]]s, '''Flavian the Confessor''' (also ''Phlabianus'') was [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople from 446 to 449. He is commemorated by the Church on [[February 16]] and [[February 18|18]].

==Life==
Saint Flavian became Patriarch after the death of holy Patriarch [[Proclus of Constantinople|Proclus]], during a time of various disturbances and [[heresy|heresies]] that threatened the unity of the [[church]].

In the year 448, St. Flavian convened a local [[Council]] at Constantinople to examine the heresy of the [[archimandrite]] [[Eutyches]], who admitted only one nature (the divine) in the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. Persisting in his error, the [[heretic]] Eutyches was [[excommunication|excommunicated]] from the Church and deprived of dignity. But Eutyches had a powerful patron in the person of Chrysaphios, a eunuch who then served as the chief minister of Emperor [[Theodosius II]]. The scheming eunuch had forced both empresses—the holy [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]], sister of the emperor, and Aelia Eudokia, the emperor's wife—to withdraw from the imperial court, leaving himself in unchallenged authority.

Through intrigue, Chrysaphios brought [[Archbishop]] [[Dioscorus of Alexandria]] over to the side of Eutyches and obtained permission from the emperor to call the council soon to be known as the "[[Robber Council of Ephesus]]." Dioscorus presided at this council, gaining the acquittal of Eutyches and the condemnation of Patriarch Flavian by threats and force. St. Flavian was fiercely beaten during the sessions of this council by impudent [[monk]]s led by a certain Barsauma. Even the impious Dioscorus, took part in these beatings. After this, heavy chains were put upon St. Flavian, and he was sentenced to banishment at [[Ephesus]]. Flavian died shortly afterwards, on [[August 11]], 449, from the injuries he received from this attack. He was buried obscurely.

[[Pope]] [[Leo the Great]], whose legates had been ignored at the council, protested and declared its decisions void.

Soon the many schemings of Chrysaphios came to light, he fell from power, and the emperor's sister [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]] returned to court. The sudden death of Emperor Theodosius on [[July 28]], 450, left Pulcheria in power, along with her new husband, [[Marcian]], who became the new emperor. Through Pulcheria's efforts, the [[relics]] of holy Patriarch Flavian were reverently transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople. The [[Council of Chalcedon]], called in 451, condemned Eutyches, confirmed Pope Leo's Tome and [[glorification|glorified]] Flavian as a [[martyr]].

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100556 St Flavian the Confessor the Patriarch of Constantinople] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=February&day=18 Saint Flavian] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')

{{start box}}
{{succession |
before=[[Proclus of Constantinople|Proclus]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
years=446–449|
after=[[Anatolius of Constantinople|Anatolius]]}}
{{end box}}

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:5th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:5th-century saints]]

[[ro:Flavian Mărturisitorul]]

Flavian the Confessor

2021-04-20T16:00:31Z

BALawrence: /* Life */ minor corrections and improvements to final paragraph

Our father among the [[saint]]s, '''Flavian the Confessor''' (also ''Phlabianus'') was [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople from 446 to 449. He is commemorated by the Church on [[February 16]] and [[February 18|18]].

==Life==
Saint Flavian became Patriarch after the death of holy Patriarch [[Proclus of Constantinople|Proclus]], during a time of various disturbances and [[heresy|heresies]] that threatened the unity of the [[church]].

In the year 448, St. Flavian convened a local [[Council]] at Constantinople to examine the heresy of the [[archimandrite]] [[Eutyches]], who admitted only one nature (the divine) in the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. Persisting in his error, the [[heretic]] Eutyches was [[excommunication|excommunicated]] from the Church and deprived of dignity. But Eutyches had a powerful patron in the person of Chrysaphios, a eunuch who then served as the chief minister of Emperor [[Theodosius II]]. The scheming eunuch had forced both empresses—the holy [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]], sister of the emperor, and Aelia Eudokia, the emperor's wife—to withdraw from the imperial court, leaving himself in unchallenged authority.

Through intrigue, Chrysaphios brought [[Archbishop]] [[Dioscorus of Alexandria]] over to the side of Eutyches and obtained permission from the emperor to call the council soon to be known as the "[[Robber Council of Ephesus]]." Dioscorus presided at this council, gaining the acquittal of Eutyches and the condemnation of Patriarch Flavian by threats and force. St. Flavian was fiercely beaten during the sessions of this council by impudent [[monk]]s led by a certain Barsauma. Even the impious Dioscorus, took part in these beatings. After this, heavy chains were put upon St. Flavian, and he was sentenced to banishment at [[Ephesus]]. Flavian died shortly afterwards, on [[August 11]], 449, from the injuries he received from this attack. He was buried obscurely.

[[Pope]] [[Leo the Great]], whose legates had been ignored at the council, protested and declared its decisions void.

Soon the many schemings of Chrysaphios came to light, he fell from power, and the emperor's sister Pulcheria returned to court. The sudden death of Emperor Theodosius on [[July 28]], 450, left Pulcheria in power, along with her new husband, [[Marcian]], who became the new emperor. Through Pulcheria's efforts, the [[relics]] of holy Patriarch Flavian were reverently transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople. The [[Council of Chalcedon]], called in 451, condemned Eutyches, confirmed Pope Leo's Tome and [[glorification|glorified]] Flavian as a [[martyr]].

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100556 St Flavian the Confessor the Patriarch of Constantinople] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=February&day=18 Saint Flavian] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')

{{start box}}
{{succession |
before=[[Proclus of Constantinople|Proclus]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
years=446–449|
after=[[Anatolius of Constantinople|Anatolius]]}}
{{end box}}

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:5th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:5th-century saints]]

[[ro:Flavian Mărturisitorul]]

Template:December 21

2021-01-02T02:01:51Z

BALawrence: Corrected misspelling of Themistocles

<div style="float:right;margin-left:1em">
[[Image:Nativity.jpg|100px|The Nativity of Christ]]
</div>
[[Forefeast]] of the [[Nativity]] of [[Christ]];
[[Martyr]] Themistocles of Myra in Lycia (251);
[[Virgin-Martyr]] Juliana of Nicomedia, and with her 500 men by the sword, and 130 women by beheading (304);
Venerable Macarius the Faster, Abbot of Khakhuli Monastery (ca.1034);
Saint Honoratus of Toulouse, Bishop of Toulouse in France (3rd c.);
Saint Severinus of Trier, Bishop of Trier in Germany (ca.300);
Martyrs John and Festus, martyrs honoured in Tuscany in Italy;
Saint Baudacarius, a monk at Bobbio Abbey in the north of Italy (650);
Saint Beornwald of Bampton (Bernwald), a righteous priest in Bampton in Oxfordshire in England (10th c.);
Saint John Vincent, a monk at St. Michael in Chiusa, then a hermit on Monte Caprario, finally a Bishop nearby (1012);
Saint [[Peter of Moscow|Peter of Kiev]], [[Metropolitan]] of Kiev and Moscow, [[Wonderworker]] of All Russia (1326);
Saint Juliana, Princess of [[w:Vyazma|Vyazma]] (Novotorzhok) (1406);
Blessed Procopius of Vyatka, [[Fool-for-Christ]] (1627);
Saint Philaret (Theodosius in schema), metropolitan of Kiev (1857);
New Hieromartyr Michael Kiselev, Priest, at Perm (1918);
New Hieromartyr Sergius, Deacon (1937);
New Hieromartyr Nicetas (Pribytkov), Bishop of Belev (Belevsk) (1937);
New Hieromartyr Leontius, Deacon (1940);
'''Other commemorations:'''
Repose of Blessed Peter “the Nose,” of Kama (ca. 1938);
Repose of [[Schemamonk]] Michael of Harbin (1939);
Finding of the [[relics]] (1950) of New Monk-martyr [[Ephraim of Nea Makri]] (1426);
Repose of Mother Stavritsa the Missionary, missionary in Kenya (2000).

<noinclude>
[[Category:Calendar day templates|December 21]]
</noinclude>

Barbara of Heliopolis

2020-12-14T03:01:18Z

BALawrence: Fixed a typo and a misspelling

[[Image:BarbaraHeliopolisClassic.jpg|right|thumbnail|Saint Barbara of Heliopolis]]
[[Image:St Barbara of Heliopolis.jpg|right|thumbnail|Saint Barbara of Heliopolis]]
The holy and glorious Great-martyr '''Barbara of Heliopolis'''<ref>Heliopolis is today known as ''Baalbek''. It was a well known Syrian city located between Lebanon and the mountain ranges of anti-Lebanon. In 1924, it became part of Lebanon and was named Baalbek.</ref> lived during the reign of the impious tyrant Maximian (286-305). Her [[feast]] day is commemorated by the church [[December 4]].

==History==
The Holy Great [[Martyr]] Barbara lived and suffered during the reign of the emperor Maximian (305-311). Her father, the pagan Dioscorus, was a rich and illustrious man in the Syrian city of Heliopolis. After the death of his wife, he devoted himself to his only daughter.

Seeing Barbara's extraordinary beauty, Dioscorus decided to hide her from the eyes of strangers. Therefore, he built a tower for Barbara, where only her pagan teachers were allowed to see her. From the tower there was a view of hills stretching into the distance. By day she was able to gaze upon the wooded hills, the swiftly flowing rivers, and the meadows covered with a mottled blanket of flowers; by night the harmonious and majestic vault of the heavens twinkled and provided a spectacle of inexpressible beauty. Soon the virgin began to ask herself questions about the First Cause and Creator of so harmonious and splendid a world.

Gradually, she became convinced that the soulless idols were merely the work of human hands. Although her father and teachers offered them worship, she realized that the idols could not have made the surrounding world. The desire to know the true God so consumed her soul that Barbara decided to devote all her life to this goal, and to spend her life in virginity.

The fame of her beauty spread throughout the city, and many sought her hand in marriage. But despite the entreaties of her father, she refused all of them. Barbara warned her father that his persistence might end tragically and separate them forever. Dioscorus decided that the temperament of his daughter had been affected by her life of seclusion. He therefore permitted her to leave the tower and gave her full freedom in her choice of friends and acquaintances. Thus Barbara met young Christian maidens in the city, and they taught her about the Creator of the world, about the Trinity, and about the Divine Logos. Through the Providence of God, a [[priest]] arrived in Heliopolis from Alexandria disguised as a merchant. After instructing her in the mysteries of the Christian Faith, he [[baptism|baptized]] Barbara, then returned to his own country.

During this time a luxurious bathhouse was being built at the house of Dioscorus. By his orders the workers prepared to put two windows on the south side. But Barbara, taking advantage of her father's absence, asked them to make a third window, thereby forming a Trinity of light. On one of the walls of the bath-house Barbara traced a cross with her finger. The cross was deeply etched into the marble, as if by an iron instrument. Later, her footprints were imprinted on the stone steps of the bathhouse. The water of the bathhouse had great healing power. St. Simeon Metaphrastes (November 9) compared the bathhouse to the stream of Jordan and the Pool of Siloam, because by God's power, many miracles took place there.

When Dioscorus returned and expressed dissatisfaction about the change in his building plans, his daughter told him about how she had come to know the Triune God, about the saving power of the Son of God, and about the futility of worshipping idols. Dioscorus went into a rage, grabbed a sword and was on the point of striking her with it. The holy virgin fled from her father, and he rushed after her in pursuit. His way became blocked by a hill, which opened up and concealed the [[saint]] in a crevice. On the other side of the crevice was an entrance leading upwards. St Barbara managed then to conceal herself in a cave on the opposite slope of the hill.

After a long and fruitless search for his daughter, Dioscorus saw two shepherds on the hill. One of them showed him the cave where the saint had hidden. Dioscorus beat his daughter terribly, and then placed her under guard and tried to wear her down with hunger. Finally he handed her over to the prefect of the city, named Martianus. They beat St. Barbara fiercely: they struck her with rawhide, and rubbed her wounds with a hair cloth to increase her pain. By night St Barbara prayed fervently to her Heavenly Bridegroom, and the Savior Himself appeared and healed her wounds. Then they subjected the saint to new, and even more frightful torments.

In the crowd where the martyr was tortured was the virtuous Christian woman [[Juliana of Heliopolis|Juliana]], an inhabitant of Heliopolis. Her heart was filled with sympathy for the voluntary martyrdom of the beautiful and illustrious maiden. Juliana also wanted to suffer for Christ. She began to denounce the torturers in a loud voice, and they seized her.

Both martyrs were tortured for a long time. Their bodies were raked and wounded with hooks, and then they were led naked through the city amidst derision and jeers. Through the prayers of St. Barbara the Lord sent an [[angel]] who covered the nakedness of the holy martyrs with a splendid robe. Then the steadfast confessors of Christ, Ss. Barbara and Juliana, were beheaded. Dioscorus himself executed St Barbara. The wrath of God was not slow to punish both torturers, Martianus and Dioscorus. They were killed after being struck by lightning.

In the sixth century the [[relics]] of the holy Great Martyr Barbara were transferred to Constantinople. Six hundred years later, they were transferred to Kiev ([[July 11]]) by Barbara, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenos, who married the Russian prince Michael Izyaslavich. They rest even now at Kiev's St Vladimir cathedral, where an [[Akathist]] to the saint is served each Tuesday.

Many pious Orthodox Christians are in the habit of chanting the [[troparion]] of St. Barbara each day, recalling the Savior's promise to her that those who remembered her and her sufferings would be preserved from a sudden, unexpected death, and would not depart this life without benefit of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

==Source==
The above information was taken from the [[OCA]] website's directory of Feasts and Saints Lives [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103472]

==Hymns==
;Troparion, Tone 4

Let us praise holy Barbara who has broken the snares of the enemy. By the help of the weapon of the Cross, she has escaped as a bird and flown Godwards.

;Kontakion, Tone 4

Great Martyr Barbara, thou didst follow Him Who is praised in Trinity, having abandoned the idols' shrines. Thou didst strive in the midst of the arena, not shrinking from the tyrants' threats. Thou didst cry out in a strong voice: I worship the Trinity, the One Divinity.

==See also==
* [[Juliana of Nicomedia]] ([[December 4]] and [[December 21]]?)

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[el:Βαρβάρα, Αγία]]
[[ro:Varvara din Heliopolis]]

Martin of Tours

2020-11-18T02:23:38Z

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[[Image:Martin of Tours.jpg|right|thumb|St. Martin of Tours.]]
Our father among the saints '''Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours''' (Latin: Martinus), was a [[bishop]] of Tours in the fourth century; he is called the Merciful because of his generosity and [[care for the poor]]. The saint showed interest in Christianity at an early age. After service in the Roman army, he was [[baptize]]d and became a [[disciple]] of St. [[Hilary of Poitiers]] who was prominent in the trinitarian disputes with the [[Arianism|Arian]]s. He was acclaimed bishop of Tours in 371. He founded the [[monastery]] Marmoutier where he led a austere life with cave-dwelling [[cenobitic|cenobite]]s. [[Veneration]] of Martin was very popular in western Europe during the middle ages. After his death he was buried in Tours where, in time, a large [[basilica]] was built as the shrine of St. Martin of Tours. His [[hagiographer]] Sulpitius Severus, a contemporary, recorded the events in his life.

==Life==
Martin was born in 316 or 317 in Sabaria, Pannonia, in present day Hungary, into a military family. His father was a tribune in the Imperial Horse Guard and was stationed in Ticinum, Cisapline Gaul, which is modern day Pavia, Italy. He was named after the Roman god Mars. Against his parents' wishes, young Martin began attending church at the age of ten, becoming a [[catechumen]]. At the age of fifteen, and being the son of a Roman officer, he was required to join the cavalry. In the course of his duties in 334 he was stationed at Samarobriva, Gaul, modern day Amiens, France.
[[File:Saint Martin of Tours and the episode of the cloak.jpg|left|thumb|250px|St. Martin and the cloak]]
It was while in Amiens that he experienced a vision that became a memorialized event in his life. He had met at the gates of the city of Amiens a scantily dressed beggar for whom Martin cut in half his military cloak to share it with the beggar. That night he dreamed of [[Jesus]] wearing the half cloak that Martin had given away and heard Jesus telling the [[angels]]: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who was not baptized. He has clad me." Confirmed in his intent by this vision, Martin was baptized and after serving two more years left the army. He then traveled to Tours, to become a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers.

St. Hilary was a chief proponent of Trinitarian Christianity and opposed the [[Arianism]] of the Visigothic nobility. Martin returned to Italy after Hilary was exiled. In Italy, he confronted the Arian Auxentius, [[Archbishop]] of Milan, who expelled Martin from the city. Martin then found refuge and lived the life of a hermit on an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Martin rejoined Hilary when Hilary returned to Poitiers in 361. Here, Martin established a monastery that in time became the Bendictine [[Abbey]] of Liguge. From his monastery, Martin traveled and preached throughout western Gaul, the memory of which is remembered in many local legends.

In 371, Martin was acclaimed bishop of Tours. As bishop of Tours he greatly impressed the city's inhabitants with his demeanor and zeal in destroying the pagan temples. Sulpicius Severus recorded in the ''Vita'' of St. Martin many of the events of this period. Sulpicius further recorded Martin's withdrawal from the tensions of the city to the monastery, Marmoutier, that he founded across the Loire river from Tours. Here Martin led a austere life among the cave-dwelling cenobites who had gathered around him.

St. Martin of Tours died on [[November 8]], 397, at Candes.

==His Memory==
The basilica built over his grave as a shrine to St. Martin of Tours was a major stopping point on pilgrimages during the middle ages. During the Wars of Religion in 1562, the Huguenots sacked the shrine and, it was completely destroyed during the French Revolution. Two streets were built over the site to ensure it could not be re-built.

St. Martin of Tours continues to be remembered in many parts of western Europe through annual processions and the giving of presents to children on his feast day in the Western churches, [[November 11]], instead of [[December 6]] (St. [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas]]) or [[December 25]] ([[Christmas]]). His day also was traditionally the final day before the [[Nativity Fast]] began in the West.

In the East, his [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[November 12]].

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103285]

:In signs and in miracles you were renowned throughout Gaul.
:By grace and adoption you are a light for the world, O Martin, blessed of God.
:Almsdeeds and compassion filled your life with their splendors,
:Teaching and wise counsel were your riches and treasures,
:Which you dispense freely to those who honor you.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103285]
:As a devoted man of God, you proclaimed His mysteries,
:And as a seer of the Trinity, you shed your blessings on the Occident.
:By your prayers and entreaties, O adornment of Tours and glory of all the Church,
:Preserve us, O Saint Martin, and save all who praise your memory.

==See also==
*[[Philanthropy]]
*[[Almsgiving]]

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103285 St. Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=2369 Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/33/33h.htm St. Martin of Tours] ([[ROCA]]) from ''Orthodox America'', issue 33, v. IV, no. 3, September, 1983
*[[w:Martin of Tours|''Martin of Tours'' at Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:French Saints]]
[[Category:Pre-Schism Western Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ro:Martin de Tours]]

Rastislav of Moravia

2020-05-16T19:53:20Z

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[[Image:Prince Rastislav.JPG|right|thumb|Saint Rastislav of Moravia.]]
[[Image:11 may rostislav prince of great moravia.jpg|right|thumb|Saint Rastislav of Moravia.]]
Our father among the saints and [[confessor]] '''Rastislav''' ("Rastic", in modern Czech ''Rostislav'') of Moravia was the second prince of Great Moravia between 846 and 870. He was [[glorification|canonized]] in October 1994 by the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia|Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church]]. His [[feast day]] is [[May 11]] /24.

==Life==
After Mojmír's death in 846 Rastislav was designated by Eastern Francia king Louis the German to become the head of Great Moravia. He assumed that Rastislav will cooperate with him just as his predecessor had. After internal consolidation Rastislav tried to restrict polititical influence of Eastern Francia. In 855 Great Moravia was attacked by Louis' army. However, the attack was not successful.

Eastern Francia was spreading it's influence through Frankish [[priest]]s, who preached in Latin so in 862 Rastislav asked Byzantine emperor Michael III to send a [[bishop]] and [[teachers]], who would bring the [[Gospel]] to the Slavic peoples in their own language. The emperor decided to send two wise men, the brothers [[Cyril and Methodius|Cyril]] and [[Cyril and Methodius|Methodius]] who laid the foundation of the Slavonic script (Glagolitic alphabet), and thus of Slavonic literature.

In 864 Louis the German again attacked Rastislav. This time successfully. Rastislav was forced to recognize the supremacy of the Eastern Frankish Realm over his kingdom.

In 870 after a growing disagreement between Rastislav and his nephew Svatopluk, the latter made a deal with Carloman of Bavaria (Louis' son) to exchange Rastislav for the promise that he will rule Great Moravia. Louis the German blinded Rastislav and jailed him in one of Bavarian monasteries, where he died in that same year.

==The origin of his name==
The form of his name ("rast-") is evidence for the fact that he was born somewhere in what is today central [[Slovakia]].

==Source==

[[Wikipedia:Rastislav]]

==External Link==

{{stub}}

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Carpatho Russian Saints]]
[[Category:Rulers]]
[[Category:9th-century saints]]

Apostle Ananias

2019-10-07T01:22:15Z

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The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Ananias''' is numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. He was [[bishop]] in Damascus and [[baptism|baptized]] the [[Apostle Paul]]. Because of his fearless [[preaching]] he was stoned to death in the city of Eleutheropolis. His [[relics]] were returned to Damascus, then later translated to Constantinople. The Church remembers St. Ananias on [[October 1]]. Scriptural references: [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 9:10-17.

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102825 Apostle Ananias of the Seventy] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=224 Ananias, Apostle of the 70] ([[GOARCH]])
*[[w:House of Saint Ananias|House of Saint Ananias]]

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Ananias]]
[[Category:Bishops|Ananias]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Ananias]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Ananias]]
[[Category:Saints|Ananias]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles]]
[[Category: 1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Anania]]

Apostle Crescens

2019-07-30T21:53:01Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Cresecens''' is numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. He was a companion of the [[Apostle Paul]] ([[I Timothy]] 4:10), and later was [[Bishop]] of Galatia. He was also a [[missionary]] in Gaul. It was there that he was [[martyr]]ed under Emperor Trajan, with Apostles [[Apostle Silas|Silas]], [[Apostle Silvan|Silvanus]] (Silouan), [[Apostle Epenetus|Epenetus]], and [[Apostle Andronicus|Andronicus]]. The Church remembers St. Crescens on [[January 4]] among the Seventy, and on [[July 30]].

== Source ==
St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100041 Apostle Crescens of the Seventy], January 4 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102133 Apostle Crescens of the Seventy], July 30 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=147 Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus the Apostles of the 70] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Crescens]]
[[Category:Bishops|Crescens]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Crescens]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Crescens]]
[[Category:Missionaries|Crescens]]
[[Category:Saints|Crescens]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Crescens]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Crescens]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Crescent]]

Alexandra the Empress

2019-07-21T02:54:06Z

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The holy, glorious and right-believing [[Martyr]] '''Alexandra the Empress''' (also known as ''Prisca'') was married to Emperor [[Diocletian]] in the late third and early fourth centuries. She is honored with [[feast day]]s on [[April 21]] and [[April 23]] (the latter being St. [[George the Trophy-bearer|George]]'s day).

She was so impressed with the courage of St. George during his martyrdom in the early fourth century that she became a Christian herself. As a consequence, she came under the same persecution that had resulted in St. George's death. Under the rule of Emperor Licinius, she was condemned and sentenced to beheading. According to one account, when she arrived at the place of her execution, she asked to be allowed to sit down. After her request was granted, she sat down and died quietly before the executioners could complete their task. Another account says that she was in fact beheaded along with her daughter Valeria, whom she had raised in Christian piety, before both their bodies were cast into the sea.

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101185 Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=2447 Alexandra the Martyr] ([[GOARCH]])
*[[w:Prisca (empress)|Wikipedia: Prisca (empress)]]

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Rulers]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ro:Alexandra (împărăteasă)]]

Monica of Hippo

2019-04-13T01:29:05Z

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Our venerable Mother '''Monica of Hippo''' was the mother of St. [[Augustine of Hippo |Augustine]]. Born in a Christian family, she quietly and patiently nurtured her son while he was enamored with pagan and heretical sects until through the influence of St. [[Ambrose of Milan |Ambrose]] Augustine was baptized. She is commemorated on [[May 4]].

==Life==
Monica was born about the year 322 in Tagaste in North Africa, near the present day Souk Ahras in Algeria. Her parents were Christians of Berber descent who raised Monica as a devout Christian. She was married to Patricius an older pagan man who, while a man of kindness, had a violent temper and was prone to adultery. Yet, he did not beat her, a common practice of the time. Initially, her mother-in-law did not like her but through Monica’s gentle disposition and patience, she was able to win her mother-in-law’s respect. She attended church regularly and admonished women who were beaten to restrain their tongues around their husbands rather than proudly standing up to them. Through her prayers and gentle and understanding demeanor Monica was able to bring her husband and mother-in-law to Christ before their deaths.

Monica and her husband had three children: Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua who were not [[baptism|baptized]] due her husband’s objections. While Augustine showed early talents as a scholar and teacher, at the same time he lived a life of debauchery - living with a mistress and subscribing to the [[heresy]] of Manichaeism. In pursuit of his career as a orator and teacher, Augustine left Africa and moved first to Rome and then to Milan where he met and learned about Christianity from Ambrose. After the death of her husband, Monica followed Augustine to Milan where in 387 her son was baptized on the eve of Pascha, to her great joy.

Shortly after Augustine’s conversion and baptism, Monica was returning to Africa with her sons, Augustine and Navigius. At Ostia, the port city of Rome, she became ill and died in 387, at the age of fifty six. She was first buried at Ostia before her saintly [[relics]] were transferred in the sixth century to the [[crypt]] of a local [[church]]. In the fifteenth century, her relics were translated to the Church of St. Augustine in Rome.

==Sources==
*[https://oca.org/saints/lives/2019/05/04/148979-st-monica OCA: St. Monica]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_of_Hippo Wikipedia: Monica (Christian saint)]
*{Greek} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/2888/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ἡ Ἁγία Μόνικα μητέρα τοῦ Ἁγίου Αὐγουστίνου].'' 4 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category:Pre-Schism Western Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ro:Monica]]

Dismas the thief

2019-03-26T02:54:46Z

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[[Image:Goodthief.jpg|thumb|right|200px|St. Dismas (Moscow school, XVIth century)]]
Saint '''Dismas''' (sometimes spelled ''Dysmas'' or only ''Dimas'', or even ''Dumas''), also known as the '''Good Thief''' or the ''Penitent Thief'', is the "good thief" described in the Gospel of Luke. This unnamed thief, is crucified alongside [[Christ]] repenting of his sins, and asking Jesus Christ to remember him in his kingdom. The name Dismas for this thief dates back to the 12th century, and various traditions have assigned him other names. The church has never canonised Dismas, though he is regarded as a saint by virtue of Christ informing him that he would be the first in Paradise. Commemorated [[March 25]].

==Life==
According to the [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]], [[Christ]] crucified along with two others yet none of the gospel's actually name them. The [[Gospel of Luke]] describes one of these thiefs as "penitent", who was later assigned the name '''Dismas''' in the [[Gospel of Nicodemus]]. The name of "Dismas" was adapted from a Greek word meaning "sunset" or "death." The other thief's name is given as Gestas. The apocryphal Arabic Infancy Gospel calls the two thieves "Titus and Dumachus", and adds a tale about how Titus (the good one) prevented the other thieves in his company from robbing Mary and Joseph during their Flight into Egypt. In the Russian tradition the Good Thief's name is ''Rakh''.

Patriarch [[Theophilus of Alexandria]] (385-412) wrote a Homily on the Crucifixion and the Good Thief, which is classic Coptic literature. In the Eastern Orthodox Church one of the hymns of Good Friday, commemorating the Crucifixion of [[Jesus Christ]] and his death at [[Golgotha]], is entitled, The Good Thief (or The Wise Thief, Church Slavonic: ''Razboinika blagorazumnago''), and speaks of how Christ granted Dismas Paradise. There are also several moving compositions of this hymn which are used by the [[Church of Russia|Russians]] and form one of the highlights of the Matins service on Good Friday.

==Hymns==
:''"The Wise Thief didst Thou make worthy of Paradise, in a single moment, O Lord. By the wood of thy Cross illumine me as well, and save me."''

==Further reading==
*[http://fatherjohn.blogspot.com/2007/04/wise-thief.html The Wise Thief] -hymn, posted Friday, April 20, 2007 by Fr. John Whiteford.

==External links==
*[https://skete.com/product/st-dismas-the-good-thief-s365/ Icon of St. Dismas the Good Thief], 20th c. (late), St. Paraskeva Church, Vladimir Region, Russia - Hosted on Skete.com, Product #S365.
*[[w:Saint Dismas]]

[[Category:saints]]
[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Dismas]]

Chrysanthus

2019-03-20T21:32:00Z

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[[Image:Chrysanthus.jpg|frame|Right|St. Chrysanthus of Rome, Martyr]]
The holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyr '''Chrysanthus''' (or ''Chrysanthos'') is a [[hieromartyr]] who was killed around AD 283. He is commemorated on [[March 19]] along with his wife St. [[Daria]].

== Life ==
Chrysanthus was the only child of an Alexandrian nobleman living in Rome. He was given the best education one could get at that time, and, after reading pagan books which spoke of Christianity, he decided to learn about the new religion himself. He was given a copy of the Four [[Gospels]] and the [[Acts of the Apostles]]. He quickly finished them and converted to Christianity. His father, upon learning of his son's conversion, tried to tempt Chrysanthus with several prostitutes. Chrysanthus chased them all off and maintained his chastity. His father, in exasperation, finally arranged for him a [[marriage]] to a virgin-priestess of Athena, named Daria. Chrysanthus agreed to the marriage but told Daria that he intended on living in chastity. Daria also wished to continue her virginal status and was converted to Christianity on their wedding day. The Emperor Numerian, feeling threatened by the large number of people that Daria and Chrysanthus converted, decided to have Chrysanthus tortured. Both Chrysanthus and Daria were [[martyr]]ed by being put in a large earthen pit, which was then covered by stones, slowly crushing them to death, in the year AD 283.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 1)
:Let us honor the like-minded pair of martyrs
:Chrysánthus, scion of purity, and supremely modest Daria.
:United in holiness of faith,
:They shone forth as communicants of God the Word.
:They fought lawfully for Him and now save those who sing:
:"Glory to Him who has strengthened you!
:Glory to Him who has crowned you!
:Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!"

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 1)
:In the sweet fragrance of holiness, O Chrysánthus,
:you drew Daria to saving knowledge.
:Together in contest you routed the serpent,
:The author of all evil,
:And were worthily taken up to the heavenly realms.

== Source ==
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/chrisanthus_daria.htm Lives of Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria]

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100830 Martyr Chrysanthus and those with him at Rome] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=465 The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus & Daria] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:3rd-century saints]]

[[ro:Hrisant]]

Ephrem the Syrian

2019-02-05T05:13:08Z

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Our Righteous Father '''Ephrem the Syrian''' was a prolific Syriac language [[hymn]] writer and theologian of the 4th century. He is venerated by Christians throughout the world, but especially among Syriac Christians, as a [[saint]]. His [[feast day]] in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[January 28]].
[[Image:Ephrem the Syrian.jpg|right|frame|St. Ephrem the Syrian]]

== Name ==
Ephrem is also variously known as Ephraim (Hebrew and Greek), Ephraem (Latin), Aphrem and Afrem (both Syriac). However, "Ephrem" is the generally preferred spelling.
:Syriac — <big> ܡܪܝ ܐܦܪܝܡ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ</big> — ''Mâr Aphrêm Sûryâyâ''.
:Greek — Ὅσιος Ἐφραίμ ὁ Σῦρος; — ''Hosios Ephraim ho Syros''.
:Latin — Sanctus Ephraem Syrus
:English — Saint Ephrem the Syrian
:Arabic — أفرام السرياني — ''Afram as-Suryani''

== Life ==
Ephrem was born around the year 306, in the city of Nisibis (the modern Turkish town of Nusaybin, on the border with Syria). Internal evidence from Ephrem's hymnody suggests that both his parents were part of the growing Christian community in the city, although later hagiographers wrote that his father was a pagan priest. Numerous languages were spoken in the Nisibis of Ephrem's day, mostly dialects of [[Aramaic]]. The Christian community used the Syriac dialect. Various pagan religions, [[Judaism]] and early Christian sects vied with one another for the hearts and minds of the populace. It was a time of great religious and political tension. The Roman Emperor [[Diocletian]] had signed a treaty with his Persian counterpart, Nerses in 298 that transferred Nisibis into Roman hands. The savage persecution and [[martyr]]dom of Christians under Diocletian were an important part of Nisibene church heritage as Ephrem grew up.

St. [[Jacob of Nisibis|James]] (Mar Jacob), the first [[bishop]] of Nisibis, was appointed in 308, and Ephrem grew up under his leadership of the community. St. James is recorded as a signatory at the [[First Ecumenical Council]] in 325. Ephrem was [[baptism|baptized]] as a youth, and James appointed him as a teacher (Syriac ''malpânâ'', a title that still carries great respect for Syriac Christians). He was [[ordination|ordained]] as a [[deacon]] either at this time or later. He began to compose hymns and write biblical commentaries as part of his educational office. In his hymns, he sometimes refers to himself as a "herdsman" (''`allânâ''), to his [[bishop]] as the "shepherd" (''râ`yâ'') and his community as a "fold" (''dayrâ''). Ephrem is popularly credited as the founder of the School of Nisibis, which in later centuries was the centre of learning of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] (i.e., the [[Nestorianism|Nestorians]]).

In 337, emperor [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]], who had established Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire, died. Seizing on this opportunity, Shapur II of Persia began a series of attacks into Roman North Mesopotamia. Nisibis was besieged in 338, 346 and 350. During the first siege, Ephrem credits Bishop James as defending the city with his prayers. Ephrem's beloved bishop died soon after the event, and Babu led the church through the turbulent times of border skirmishes. In the third siege, of 350, Shapur rerouted the River Mygdonius to undermine the walls of Nisibis. The Nisibenes quickly repaired the walls while the Persian elephant cavalry became bogged down in the wet ground. Ephrem celebrated the miraculous salvation of the city in a hymn as being like Noah's Ark floating to safety on the flood.

One important physical link to Ephrem's lifetime is the [[baptistry]] of Nisibis. The inscription tells that it was constructed under Bishop Vologeses in 359. That was the year that Shapur began to harry the region once again. The cities around Nisibis were destroyed one by one, and their citizens killed or deported. The Roman Empire was preoccupied in the west, and [[Constantius]] and [[Julian the Apostate]] struggled for overall control. Eventually, with Constantius dead, Julian began his march into Mesopotamia. He brought with him his increasingly stringent persecutions on Christians. Julian began a foolhardy march against the Persian capital Ctesiphon, where, overstretched and outnumbered, he began an immediate retreat back along the same road. Julian was killed defending his retreat, and the army elected Jovian as the new emperor. Unlike his predecessor, Jovian was a Nicene Christian. He was forced by circumstances to ask for terms from Shapur, and conceded Nisibis to Persia, with the rule that the city's Christian community would leave. Bishop Abraham, the successor to Vologeses, led his people into exile.

Ephrem found himself among a large group of refugees that fled west, first to Amida (Diyarbakir), and eventually settling in Edessa (modern Sanli Urfa) in 363. Ephrem, in his late fifties, applied himself to ministry in his new church, and seems to have continued his work as a teacher (perhaps in the School of Edessa). Edessa had always been at the heart of the Syriac-speaking world, and the city was full of rival philosophies and religions. Ephrem comments that Orthodox Nicene Christians were simply called "Palutians" in Edessa, after a former bishop. [[Arianism|Arians]], [[Marcionism|Marcionites]], [[Manichaeism|Manichees]], [[Bardaisan]]ites and various [[Gnosticism|Gnostic sects]] proclaimed themselves as the true Church. In this confusion, Ephrem wrote a great number of hymns defending Orthodoxy. A later Syriac writer, [[Jacob of Serugh]], wrote that Ephrem rehearsed all female choirs to sing his hymns set to Syriac folk tunes in the forum of Edessa.

After a ten-year residency in Edessa, in his sixties, Ephrem reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.

== Writings ==
Over four hundred hymns composed by Ephrem still exist. Granted that some have been lost to us, Ephrem's productivity is not in doubt. The church historian [[Sozomen]] credits Ephrem with having written over three million lines. Ephrem combines in his writing a threefold heritage: he draws on the models and methods of early Rabbinic [[Judaism]], he engages wonderfully with Greek science and philosophy, and he delights in the Mesopotamian/Persian tradition of mystery symbolism.

The most important of his works are his lyric hymns (''madrâšê''). These hymns are full of rich imagery drawn from biblical sources, folk tradition, and other religions and philosophies. The madrâšê are written in stanzas of syllabic verse, and employ over fifty different metrical schemes. Each madrâšê has its ''qâlâ'', a traditional tune identified by its opening line. All of these qâlê are now lost. It seems that [[Bardaisan]] and [[Mani]] composed madrâšê, and Ephrem felt that the medium was a suitable tool to use against their claims. The madrâšê are gathered into various hymn cycles. Each group has a title — ''Carmina Nisibena'', ''On Faith'', ''On Paradise'', ''On Virginity'', ''Against Heresies''—but some of these titles do not do justice to the entirety of the collection (for instance, only the first half of the ''Carmina Nisibena'' is about Nisibis). Each madrâšâ usually had a refrain (''`unîtâ''), which was repeated after each stanza. Later writers have suggested that the madrâšê were sung by all women choirs with an accompanying lyre.

Ephrem also wrote verse [[homily|homilies]] (''mêmrê''). These sermons in poetry are far fewer in number than the madrâšê. The mêmrê are written in a heptosyllabic couplets (pairs of lines of seven syllables each).

The third category of Ephrem's writings is his prose work. He wrote biblical commentaries on [[Tatian]]'s [[Diatessaron]] (the single gospel harmony of the early Syriac church), on [[Genesis]] and [[Exodus]], and on the [[Acts of the Apostles]] and [[Pauline Epistles]]. He also wrote refutations against [[Bardaisan]], [[Mani]], [[Marcion]] and others.

Ephrem wrote exclusively in the Syriac language, but translations of his writings exist in Armenian, Coptic, Greek and other languages. Some of his works are extant only in translation (particularly in Armenian). Syriac churches still use many of Ephrem's hymns as part of the annual cycle of worship. However, most of these liturgical hymns are edited and conflated versions of the originals.

The most complete, critical text of authentic Ephrem was compiled between 1955 and 1979 by Dom Edmund Beck, OSB as part of the ''Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium''.

=="Greek Ephrem"==
Ephrem's artful meditations on the symbols of Christian faith and his stand against heresy made him a popular source of inspiration throughout the church. This occurred to the extent that there is a huge corpus of Ephrem [[pseudepigraphy]] and legendary [[hagiography]]. Some of these compositions are in verse, often a version of Ephrem's heptosyllabic couplets. Most of these works are considerably later compositions in Greek. Students of Ephrem often refer to this corpus as having a single, imaginary author called Greek Ephrem or Ephraem Graecus (as opposed to the real Ephrem the Syrian). This is not to say that all texts ascribed to Ephrem in Greek are false, but many are. Although Greek compositions are the main source of pseudepigraphal material, there are also works in Latin, Slavonic and Arabic. There has been very little critical examination of these works, and many are still treasured by churches as authentic.

The most well known of these writings is the ''[[Prayer of Saint Ephraim|Prayer of Saint Ephrem]]'' that is a part of most days of fasting in Eastern Christianity:
:O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk.
:But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
:Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
:O God, be gracious to me, a sinner.

== Veneration as a saint ==
[[Image:Ephrem the Syrian repose.jpg|left|frame|The repose of St. Ephrem]]
Though St. Ephrem was probably not formally a [[monasticism|monk]], he was known to have practiced a severe ascetical life, ever increasing in holiness. In Ephrem's day, [[monasticism]] was in its infancy in the Egypt. He seems to have been a part of a close-knit, urban community of Christians that had "covenanted" themselves to service and refrained from sexual activity. Some of the Syriac terms that Ephrem used to describe his community were later used to describe monastic communities, but the assertion that he was [[monk]] is probably anachronistic.

Ephrem is popularly believed to have taken certain legendary journeys. In one of these he visits St. [[Basil the Great]]. This links the Syrian Ephrem with the [[Cappadocian Fathers]], and is an important theological bridge between the spiritual view of the two, who held much in common.

Ephrem is also supposed to have visited Abba Bishoi (Pisoes) in the monasteries of the Wadi Natrun, Egypt. As with the legendary visit with Basil, this visit is a theological bridge between the origins of monasticism and its spread throughout the church.

The most popular title for Ephrem is ''Harp of the Spirit'' (Syriac Kenârâ d-Rûhâ). He is also referred to as the ''Deacon of Edessa'', the ''Sun of the Syrians'' and a ''Pillar of the Church''.

With the [[Holy Tradition|Tradition of the Church]], Ephrem also shows that poetry is not only a valid vehicle for theology, but in many ways superior to philosophical discourse. He also encourages a way of reading the [[Holy Scripture]] that is rooted in faith more than critical analysis. Ephrem displays a deep sense of the interconnectedness of all created things, which leads some to see him as a "saint of ecology."

== Quotations ==

"Whenever I have meditated upon You I have acquired a veritable treasure from You; whatever aspect of You I have contemplated, a stream has flowed from You; there is no way I can contain it. Your fountain, Lord, is hidden from the person who does not thirst for You" (Faith 32:2-3).

"The hutzpah of our love is pleasing to you, O Lord, just as it pleased you that we should steal from your bounty."

"The hater of mankind, in his shameless impudence, attacks the Holy Church in the person of her servers. O Lord, do not leave Thy holy Church without Thy care, that the promise that Thou didst utter concerning her invincibility may not be shown false."

"Blessed is the person who has consented to become the close friend of faith and of prayer: he lives in single-mindedness and makes prayer and faith stop by with him. Prayer that rises up in someone's heart serves to open up for us the door of heaven: that person stands in converse with the Divinity and gives pleasure to the Son of God. Prayer makes peace with the Lord's anger and with the vehemence of His wrath. In this way too, tears that well up in the eyes can open the door of compassion."

"The Seraph could not touch the fire's coal with his fingers, but just brought it close to Isaiah's mouth: the Seraph did not hold it, Isaiah did not consume it, but us our Lord has allowed to do both."

* (Ephrem is) "The greatest poet of the patristic age and, perhaps, the only theologian-poet to rank beside Dante." — Robert Murray.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)
:By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
:And your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
:By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe.
:O our holy father Ephraim, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:O holy father Ephraim,
:As you meditated constantly on the final judgment,
:You shed abundant tears of sorrow,
:Making your struggles examples that we could follow and imitate,
:And awakening the slothful to repentance:
:You are indeed a father of high renown.

== Sources ==
* Brock, Sebastian P (1985). ''The luminous eye: the spiritual world vision of Saint Ephrem'', Cistercian Publications (ISBN 0-87907-624-0)
* Brock, Sebastian (trans.) (1990). ''Hymns on paradise: St. Ephrem the Syrian''. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, New York (ISBN 0-88141-076-4)
* Griffith, Sidney H (1997). ''Faith adoring the mystery: reading the Bible with St. Ephraem the Syrian''. Marquette University Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (ISBN 0-87462-577-7)
* Matthews, Edward G and Joseph P Amar (trans.), Kathleen McVey (ed.) (1994). ''Saint Ephrem the Syrian: selected prose works''. Catholic University of America Press (ISBN 0-8132-0091-1)
* McVey, Kathleen E (trans.) (1989). ''Ephrem the Syrian: hymns''. Paulist Press. (ISBN 0-8091-3093-9)
*[[Wikipedia:Ephrem the Syrian]]

== External links ==
* [http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/MEphrem/ ''Margonitho'': Mor Ephrem the Syrian]
* [http://tserkovnost.org/stephrem/ ''Saint Ephrem the Syrian Library'']
* [http://www.anastasis.org.uk/ephrem.htm ''Anastasis'' article]

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05498a.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': Saint Ephraem]
* [http://87.1911encyclopedia.org/E/EP/EPHRAEM_SYRUS.htm ''Encyclopaedia Britannica'' 1911: "Ephraem Syrus"]
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=406 Ephraim the Syrian] from the website of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100328 Venerable Ephraim the Syrian] from the website of the [[OCA]]

* [http://www.saintandrew.net/fr_josiah/works/Nativity/Nativity%20Sermon%20from%20Hymns%20of%20St.%20Eprhem%20the%20Syrian.pdf Selections from the Hymns of St. Ephrem the Syrian on the Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ in the Flesh] (PDF) - Arranged responsorially by Fr. Josiah Trenham
* [http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/prayers/ephraim.html Prayer of Saint Ephraim]

[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Hymnographers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Syrian Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ar:أفرام السرياني]]
[[fr:Éphrem le Syrien]]
[[ro:Efrem Sirul]]

Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

2019-02-05T04:40:13Z

BALawrence: /* External link */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:NiceneCreed.jpg|right|frame|The Creed in mosaic at [[Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (New York, New York)]]]]
{{liturgy}}
The '''Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed''' (also called the '''Nicene Creed''', the '''Symbol of Faith''', the '''Pistevo''', or simply the '''Creed''') is that creed formulated at the [[First Ecumenical Council|First]] and [[Second Ecumenical Council|Second]] [[Ecumenical Councils]]. It was defined by the [[Church Fathers|Holy Fathers]] of those first two councils (held in [[Nicea]] and Constantinople, respectively) to combat various [[heresy|heresies]]: notably [[Arianism]], [[Apollinarianism]], [[Macedonianism]] (also called Pneumatomachianism), and [[Chiliasm]].

Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine (the Apostles' Creed), while others regard its more likely origin as being a creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "[[Syrian Creed]]."

The Creed as it now stands was formed in two stages, and the one in use today in the [[Orthodox Church]] reflects the revisions and additions made at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]]. Some centuries later, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] attempted a unilateral revision of the Creed by the addition of the [[Filioque]], thus being one of the causes of the [[Great Schism]] between Rome and the rest of the Church.

The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic church]] has a tradition that the Nicene Creed was authored by St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], whose theology was instrumental at the Nicene council, despite his being only a deacon at the time.

== The Creed of Nicea (325 A.D.) ==
''We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible;''

''And in one [[Lord]] Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down and became incarnate, becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead;''

''And in the Holy Spirit.''

== The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.) ==
'''In English:'''

''We believe in one [[God]], the [[God the Father|Father]] Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;''

''And in one Lord [[Jesus Christ]], the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made:''

''Who for us men and for our [[salvation]] came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]], and was [[Incarnation|made man]];''

''And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;''

''And the third day He [[resurrection|rose]] again, according to the [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]];''

''And [[ascension|ascended]] into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;''

''And He shall come again with glory to [[Sunday of the Last Judgment|judge]] the living and the [[death|dead]], Whose kingdom shall have no end.''

''And we believe in the [[Holy Spirit]], the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is [[Worship|worshipped]] and glorified, Who spoke by the [[Prophet]]s;''

''And we believe in [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church]].''

''We acknowledge one [[Baptism]] for the remission of [[sin]]s.''

''We look for the Resurrection of the dead,''

''And the Life of the age to come. Amen.''

'''In Greek:'''

Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεόν, Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων.

Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων· φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο.

Τὸν δι ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς Παρθένου καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα.

Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα καὶ ταφέντα.

Καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα κατὰ τὰς Γραφάς.

Καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός.

Καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος.

Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν.

Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν.

Ὁμολογῶ ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.

Προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν.

Καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος.

Ἀμήν.

Note: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as it is recited in Orthodox worship today uses the first person ("I believe..."/"{{lang|el|Πιστεύω}}") rather than the first person plural as it was enacted at the councils.

==External link==
*[https://www.goarch.org/-/the-nicene-creed The Official Translation of the Confession of Faith adopted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America] ([[GOARCH]])

{{Orthodoxchristianity/wide}}

[[Category:Church History]]
[[Category:Councils]]
[[Category:Creeds]]
[[Category:Ecumenical Councils]]
[[Category:Texts]]

[[el:Σύμβολο της Πίστης (Νίκαια-Κωνσταντινούπολη)‎]]
[[es:Credo Niceno-Constantinopolitano]]
[[mk:Символ на верата]]
[[ro:Crezul]]

Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

2019-02-03T02:56:18Z

BALawrence: /* The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.) */ punctuation correction

[[Image:NiceneCreed.jpg|right|frame|The Creed in mosaic at [[Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (New York, New York)]]]]
{{liturgy}}
The '''Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed''' (also called the '''Nicene Creed''', the '''Symbol of Faith''', the '''Pistevo''', or simply the '''Creed''') is that creed formulated at the [[First Ecumenical Council|First]] and [[Second Ecumenical Council|Second]] [[Ecumenical Councils]]. It was defined by the [[Church Fathers|Holy Fathers]] of those first two councils (held in [[Nicea]] and Constantinople, respectively) to combat various [[heresy|heresies]]: notably [[Arianism]], [[Apollinarianism]], [[Macedonianism]] (also called Pneumatomachianism), and [[Chiliasm]].

Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine (the Apostles' Creed), while others regard its more likely origin as being a creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "[[Syrian Creed]]."

The Creed as it now stands was formed in two stages, and the one in use today in the [[Orthodox Church]] reflects the revisions and additions made at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]]. Some centuries later, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] attempted a unilateral revision of the Creed by the addition of the [[Filioque]], thus being one of the causes of the [[Great Schism]] between Rome and the rest of the Church.

The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic church]] has a tradition that the Nicene Creed was authored by St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], whose theology was instrumental at the Nicene council, despite his being only a deacon at the time.

== The Creed of Nicea (325 A.D.) ==
''We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible;''

''And in one [[Lord]] Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down and became incarnate, becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead;''

''And in the Holy Spirit.''

== The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.) ==
'''In English:'''

''We believe in one [[God]], the [[God the Father|Father]] Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;''

''And in one Lord [[Jesus Christ]], the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made:''

''Who for us men and for our [[salvation]] came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]], and was [[Incarnation|made man]];''

''And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;''

''And the third day He [[resurrection|rose]] again, according to the [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]];''

''And [[ascension|ascended]] into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;''

''And He shall come again with glory to [[Sunday of the Last Judgment|judge]] the living and the [[death|dead]], Whose kingdom shall have no end.''

''And we believe in the [[Holy Spirit]], the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is [[Worship|worshipped]] and glorified, Who spoke by the [[Prophet]]s;''

''And we believe in [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church]].''

''We acknowledge one [[Baptism]] for the remission of [[sin]]s.''

''We look for the Resurrection of the dead,''

''And the Life of the age to come. Amen.''

'''In Greek:'''

Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεόν, Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων.

Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων· φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο.

Τὸν δι ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς Παρθένου καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα.

Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα καὶ ταφέντα.

Καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα κατὰ τὰς Γραφάς.

Καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός.

Καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος.

Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν.

Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν.

Ὁμολογῶ ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.

Προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν.

Καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος.

Ἀμήν.

Note: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as it is recited in Orthodox worship today uses the first person ("I believe..."/"{{lang|el|Πιστεύω}}") rather than the first person plural as it was enacted at the councils.

==External link==
*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/creed.asp The Official Translation of the Confession of Faith adopted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America] ([[GOARCH]])

{{Orthodoxchristianity/wide}}

[[Category:Church History]]
[[Category:Councils]]
[[Category:Creeds]]
[[Category:Ecumenical Councils]]
[[Category:Texts]]

[[el:Σύμβολο της Πίστης (Νίκαια-Κωνσταντινούπολη)‎]]
[[es:Credo Niceno-Constantinopolitano]]
[[mk:Символ на верата]]
[[ro:Crezul]]

Melania the Younger

2018-12-31T23:55:17Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Melane the Roman.jpg|right|frame|Melane the Roman]]
Our venerable Mother '''Melania the Younger''' (or '''Melane the Roman''' - [[feastday]]: [[December 31]]) lived during the reign of king Honorios, son of [[Theodosius the Great (emperor)|Theodosios the Great]], in 400. She came from a rich and glorious family. Her grandmother is also commemorated as a saint: Melania the Righteous ([[June 8]]). Because she loved the [[Christ|Lord]] with her whole heart, she chose to remain a virgin. But her parents forced her to get married even unwillingly with a man and she became the mother of two children. Then her parents and children died. That is why this blessed woman left the city of Rome and was living at her farm with every [[ascetic]] practice and [[Virtues|virtue]]. She used to take care of the sick, received the foreigners who came to her, and visited the imprisoned and the exiled. Then she sold all her estates and possessions, which were many, and collected 120,000 gold coins, which she distributed to [[church]]es and [[Monastery|monasteries]].

In the beginning she used to eat once every couple of days but later on she used to [[Fasting|fast]] five days per week and she would only eat on Saturdays and Sundays. So, this [[saint]] of blessed memory got used to and was trained in every ascetic practice with a lot of knowledge and discretion. She also used to write with a calligraphic hand in a very nice and artistic way.

Then she went to Africa and, after she had spent seven years there distributing most of her wealth, she went to [[Alexandria]] and from there to [[Jerusalem]]. There she closed herself in a cell and with her example she attracted ninety virgins and [[nun]]s to this same zeal for asceticism. She used to provide for their daily needs unceasingly. Because she was overcome by the pain of the side, she got very sick and, after she had called the [[bishop]] of Eleutheroupolis, she received from him the [[Eucharist]]. Then she bid all the sisters farewell, and lastly uttered these words of [[Job the Long-suffering|Job]]: "As the Lord wishes, so let it be." And in this way she immediately commended her soul to the hands of [[God]].
==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] - (Tone 4) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103701]
:In your fervent desire for the angelic life,
:You renounced the comforts of this earth.
:In watchfulness you practiced sobriety and deep humility.
:Therefore, most wise Melania, you became a pure vessel
:Filled by the Holy Spirit, who adorned you with gifts,
:Attracting all to your divine fervor,
:Leading them to the Master and Savior of our souls.

Troparion (Tone 4)
:You tread to the end of the path of virtue and were betrothed to God the Word.
:You rejoiced in the contest, O Anysia;
:And you, O Melania, shone with the light of dispassion,
:Together, radiant with virtue in the world.
:And now we ask you to implore Christ the Lord that he may be gracious to us!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)
:Your soul radiated light from the One born for us of the Virgin,
:And you shone with virtues, O saint worthy of all praise.
:By giving away your possessions on earth
:You stored up treasures in Heaven,
:Showing a wonderful example of the ascetic life.
:Therefore, O holy Melania, we honor you with love.

Kontakion (Tone 3)
:Like a lamp with two flames you illumine Christ’s Church
:With mystical radiance.
:In your martyr’s contest you brought forth fruits a hundred-fold, O Anysia;
:And you, O Melania, were resplendent in asceticism.
:You were found worthy of the incorruptible life of the blessed!

==Source==
*''Lives of the Saints for the Whole Year'' by St. [[Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain]] (18th century) [http://calendar.goarch.org/December/DEC_31.html]

==External links==
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103701 Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome] ([[OCA]])
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=362 Melania the Younger, Nun of Rome] ([[GOARCH]])
* [http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/december/1231melania.jpg Orthodox icon of St. Melania the Younger (OCA)]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10154a.htm CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Melania (The Younger)]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melania_the_Younger Melania the Younger - Wikipedia]
* [http://www.greek-icons.org/texts-papers/synaxaries-saints-lives/life_melany.htm La vie et la conduite de notre vénérable Mère Mélanie la Romaine] (French)

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:5th-century saints]]

[[ro:Melania Romana]]

Prophet Daniel

2018-12-17T18:41:33Z

BALawrence: Corrected "Israel" to "Judah".

{{cleanup|standardization}}
{{stub}}
The '''Prophet Daniel''' appears in the [[Old Testament]] in the [[Book of Daniel]] as a captive carried away to Babylon by order of Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of the kingdom of Judah during the sixth century before Christ. His ministry as a prophet came late in his life. He is commemorated by the Church on the [[December 17]].

The name Daniel is from the Hebrew and means "God is my Judge" or "God is judging."

While remaining loyal to his faith in the one God, Daniel attained a high position of the court of Nebuchadnezzar and was known for his skill in the interpretation of dreams (Daniel 1:17 and 2:14) and of mysterious handwritings on the wall. He is included in the [[Septuagint]] among the prophets and was referred to by Christ as a prophet in [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 13:14 and in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 24:15. The time and circumstances of Daniel's death are not recorded. By tradition his age at death was near 100 years. A number of places have claimed to be his place of burial, including Susa in present day Iran, Daniel's Tomb in Kirkuk in Iraq, as well as Babylon, Egypt, and Tarsus.

== Historical ==


* ''ca.'' 604 BC to 536 BC - the seventy years of the Babylonian exile of the Jews.
* 559 BC - Cyrus the Persian's reign begins.
* 556 BC
# [Daniel 10:1-3] - Daniel (or Baltasar) commences a three week Passover fast (see Deut. 16:5-6) held in the first month and in Jerusalem.
# [Daniel 10:4-7] - Daniel has a vision on the 24th day of that month.
;;According to St Basil and St Hippolytos, this was of the prefiguration of the Incarnation of Christ. According to St Ephraim the Syrian and St Chrysostom, Daniel beheld a vision of an angel.
* 539 BC - Darius Mede begins his reign over the Chaldean kingdom (Babylon had been taken by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus in the year 539-538).
* 539 BC to 536 BC
# [Daniel 9:1-3] - Daniel prays for the people in supplications, fasts and dons sackcloth.
* 536 BC - Babylonian exile of Jews is completed.
* 530 BC ''(ca.529 BC)'' - Cyrus the Persian dies in August.

== Prophetic content (Summary) ==

* The Vision of the Four Beasts [Dan 7]
* The Son of Man, the Ancient of Days [Dan 7]

==External link==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel Wikipedia: Daniel]

[[Category:Prophets|Daniel]]

[[ro:Proorocul Daniel]]

Paraklesis

2018-12-08T03:39:06Z

BALawrence: /* Texts of supplicatory canons */ updated link to St Edmund Paraklesis

A '''paraklesis''' is a service of supplication specifically for the living (as opposed to a [[Memorial Services|Memorial Service]], which is a supplication for the departed). This service is most often addressed to the [[Theotokos]], but may be used to seek the intercessions of any [[saint]]. The distinguishing feature of a paraklesis is the inclusion of a supplicatory [[canon]] to the saint whose intercessions are being sought. A paraklesis can be served as a stand-alone service or, in a slightly abbreviated form, in conjunction with [[Vespers]]. It is appropriate to be served at any time of need.

In Slavic practice, there is a similar service that is called a [[molieben]]—this service is either served as a stand-alone service or in conjunction with the [[Divine Liturgy]].
{{Services}}
== Dormition Parakleses to the Theotokos ==
During the [[Dormition Fast]] (August 1-14), a paraklesis is appointed to be served each evening, except on Saturday evenings and the eves of the feasts of [[Transfiguration]] ([[August 5]]) and [[Dormition]] ([[August 14]]).

The parakleses of the Dormition Fast use, on alternate days, the [[Small Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos]] (composed by Theosterictus the Monk in the 9th Century) and the [[Great Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos]] (composed by Emperor Theodore I Ducas Lascaris in the 13th century).

The cycle of the Dormition parakleses is determined by two rules of thumb: (a) the cycle begins with the Small Supplicatory Canon whenever [[August 1]] falls on a Monday through Friday; and (b) on Sunday evenings, the Great Supplicatory Canon is always appointed.

== Paraklesis to the Theotokos outside the Dormition Fast ==
Outside the Dormition Fast, a paraklesis directed to the Theotokos is always chanted with the Small Supplicatory Canon.

== Texts of supplicatory canons ==
The texts of various supplicatory canons can be found in many popular prayer books, service books, and [[horologion|horologia]]. Some of these include:

* ''The Great Horologion'', Holy Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405084)
* ''A Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians'', Holy Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405017)

There are also online sources for the texts of supplicatory canons, both as part of the paraklesis service and alone. Some of these include:

* [http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/mikropar.htm Small Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos], website of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]
* [http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/megapara.htm Great Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos], website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
* [http://silouan.narod.ru/texts/suppl_canon.htm Supplicatory Canon to St. Silouan of the Holy Mountain], website dedicated to St. Silouan
* [http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/oe4/the-small-supplicatory-canon-to-the-holy-martyr-edmund-king-of-east-anglia/ Small Supplicatory Canon to the Holy Martyr Edmund, King of East Anglia], website of St. Felix and St. Edmund Orthodox Church
* [http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/booksindex.html Great and Small Supplicatory Canons to the Theotokos], Digital Chant Stand, a website with texts translated by Fr. Seraphim Dedes ''et al.'' of [http://www.agesinitiatives.org AGES Initiatives (Charlotte, NC)]
* [http://www.goarch.org/en/-/learn-to-chant-paraklesis Learn to Chant - Paraklesis], Text with Audio Recording chanted by [[Eikona]]

== Sources and further reading==
* [http://networks-now.net/litresswraoc/SVCParaklesis_Theotokos.htm Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos] Website of the St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America
* [http://www.anastasis.org.uk/lit-parak.htm Anastasis] Website of the Monastery of St. Andrew the First Called
* [http://www.orthodox.net/ustav/paraclesis-service-explained.html Paraklesis Explained] Website of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Dallas, TX

[[Category:Liturgics]]

Apostle Philip (of the Twelve)

2018-11-15T02:31:42Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Philip the Apostle.jpg|right|frame|Apostle Philip]]
The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Philip''' was one of the Twelve [[Apostles]] of [[Jesus Christ]]. The Church remembers St. Philip on [[November 14]]. He was not the St. [[Apostle Philip (of the Seventy)|Philip]] ([[October 11]]) who was one of the Seventy Apostles.

== Life ==
Born in Bethsaida beside the Sea of Galilee, Philip was so well versed in the [[Holy Scripture]]s that he immediately recognized [[Jesus]] as the [[Messiah]] upon seeing him the first time. After [[Pentecost]], St. Philip preached in Asia and Greece. In Greece, the Jews hated him and the high priest even ran at him to club him to death, but miraculously this Jewish priest was blinded and turned completely black. Then the earth opened up and swallowed him. Many of the sick were healed, and many pagans believed.

St. Philip found himself in the company his sister Mariamma, the [[Apostle John]] and the [[Apostle Bartholomew]] while preaching in [[Hierapolis (Turkey)‎|Hieropolis]]. Through prayer he killed a giant snake that the pagans worshipped, which angered the unbaptized so much that they crucified him and St. Bartholomew upside-down. Again, the earth opened and swallowed his judge along with many pagans, and being terribly afraid the people rushed to bring the Apostles down from their torment. But St. Philip had already reposed.

St. Bartholomew then ordained [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]]—whom St. Philip had healed of a forty-year blindness and [[baptism|baptized]]—as [[bishop]] for those who were baptized in that area. Later, St. Philip's [[relics]] were translated to Rome. He is numbered among the [[Apostles|Twelve Great Apostles]].

==Discovery of Tomb==
The tomb of St. Philip was unearthed in a great discovery in the Denizli province of Turkey in 2011. The discovery took place at the Hierapolis (Pamukkale) ancient excavation site of Denizli in western Turkey on Tuesday 26 July 2011. The excavation has been going on in the area for some 32 years led by the Italian Prof. Francesco D’Andria. Prof D’Andria gave the news of the great discovery on Tuesday, saying: [i]"The discovery of the tomb of St Philip, who is a very important figure for Christianity, will make a tremendous impression in the world,"[/i] shortly after the great success of his team.

Up till now, people believed that the tomb of St. Philip was in the back hill of Hierapolis, but Italian Archaeologist Francesco D’Andria and his team discovered a new church ruin near 40 meters of the hill and the real tomb of St. Philip the Apostle is in the church.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 3) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103299]
:Holy Apostle Philip,
:entreat the merciful God
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103299]
:Your disciple, friend and imitator of Your passion,
:the God-preaching Philip, proclaimed You to the universe!
:By his prayers deliver Your Church from her enemies;
:through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!

==Source==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=2 Francesco D'Andria, ''Conversion, Crucifixion and Celebration'', Biblical Archaeology Review, Vol. 37 No. 4, July/August 2011, pp34-46, p70.]
*[http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/tomb-of-apostle-philip-found/ Tomb of Apostle Philip Found]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103299 Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip], November 14 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101848 Apostle Philip of the Twelve], June 30 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=291 Philip the Apostle] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/phi06.htm Icon and Story of St. Philip]

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Philip (of the Twelve)]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Philip (of the Twelve)]]
[[Category:Saints|Philip (of the Twelve)]]
[[Category: 1st-century saints]]

[[ar:فيلبس الرسول]]
[[el:Απόστολος Φίλιππος]]
[[ro:Apostolul Filip]]

Baptism

2018-08-13T15:06:57Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOArch link

{{spirituality}}
Christian '''Baptism''' is the [[Holy Mysteries|mystery]] of starting anew, of dying to an old way of life and being born again into a new way of life, in Christ. In the Orthodox Church, baptism is "for the remission of sins" (cf. the [[Nicene Creed]]) and for entrance into the Church; the person being baptized is cleansed of all sins and is united to Christ; through the waters of baptism he or she is mysteriously crucified and buried with Christ, and is raised with him to newness of life, having "put on" Christ (that is, having been clothed in Christ). The cleansing of sins includes the washing away of the ancestral sin.

==Orthodox teaching on baptism==
"'''We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins'''."

These words, found in the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]], simply and yet boldly declare Orthodox teaching on baptism. The baptismal experience is often considered the fundamental Christian experience.
==Immersion in water==
The word baptize derives from [http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=907 baptizo], the transliterated form of the Greek word βάπτειν or baptivzw. In a historical context, it means "to dip, plunge, or immerse" something entirely, e.g. into water. Although commonly associated with Christian baptism, the word is known to have been used in other contexts. For instance, a 2nd century author named [[Wikipedia:Nicander|Nicander]] wrote down a pickle recipe which illustrates the common use of the word. He first says that the pickle should be dipped (bapto) into boiling water, followed by a complete submersion (baptizo) in a vinegar solution. The word was also used to explain the process of submerging cloth into a colored dye. The Christian ritual of water baptism traces back to Saint [[John the Forerunner]], who the [[Holy Scripture | Bible]] says baptized many, including Jesus. Certain forms of baptism were practiced in the Old Testament. Additionally, baptism was practiced in some pagan religions as a sign of death and rebirth.

==Baptism as a Mystery==

In contrast to a common Protestant viewpoint, baptism is more than just a symbolic act of burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation. Baptism is believed to impart cleansing (remission) of sins and union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Romans%206:3-5;&version=9; Romans 6:3-5]; [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Colossians%202:12,%203:1-4;&version=9; Colossians 2:12, 3:1-4]).

[[Image:Transfiguration_Baptism.jpg|thumb|150px|Full immersion is a hallmark of an Orthodox baptism.]]
Baptism is normally performed by the three-fold immersion of a person in the name of the [[Holy Trinity]]; in other words, a person is immersed "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," with one immersion at the mention of each person of the Holy Trinity. Baptism by pouring of water, instead of by full immersion, is not the norm for baptism in the Orthodox Church as it is in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and in some Protestant churches, except in cases of necessity, where no alternative exists (please see below). Baptism is immediately followed by [[chrismation]] and [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]] at the next [[Divine Liturgy]], regardless of age. Although baptism is a separate mystery (sacrament) from chrismation, normally when it is said that someone "has been baptized" this is understood to include not only baptism but chrismation as well. In some practices, first communion is also administered at once.

===Catechumen===
Adults are baptized after they have completed their time as a [[catechumen]].

===Infant Baptism===
The Orthodox also practice [[infant baptism]] on the basis of various texts (e.g. [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 19:14) which are interpreted to condone full Church membership for children. This is generally based on a confession of faith for a child by his or her [[godparent]]s. The Orthodox Church baptizes infants for the same reasons and with the same results as she baptizes adults.

===Validity of a baptism===
Because the Mystery of Baptism has actual spiritual and salvific effects, certain criteria must be complied with for it to be valid (i.e., to actually have those effects). Baptism in water is assumed. Violation of some rules regarding baptism render the baptism illicit (i.e., a violation of the [[canon law|church's laws]], and a [[sin]] for those who willingly and knowingly participate in it), and yet still valid. For example, if a [[priest]] introduces some unauthorized variation in the ceremony, the baptism is still valid so long as certain key criteria are still met, even though the priest has violated the church's law and thus sinned, and so have the other participants if they know the priest's behaviour is illict.

Normally baptism is by triple immersion, and a licit baptism must be performed by a priest or a [[deacon]]. But in case of necessity, as in clinical or other settings where there is a risk of imminent death and baptism by immersion is impractical, or where a deep pool of water is really unavailable, a person may properly be baptized by an Orthodox Christian clergyman or layman by pouring water three times on the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The proper formula must be recited: "The servant of God [Name] is baptized in the name of the Father [immerse, or pour]. Amen. And of the Son [immerse, or pour]. Amen. And of the Holy Spirit [immerse, or pour]. Amen"; other acceptable forms include "Let this servant of Christ be baptized..." or "This person is baptized by my hands..." Roman Catholics use the form "I baptize you..." However, neither church repeats baptisms performed by the other. The Catholic Church teaches that the use of the verb "baptize" is essential.

Sprinkling, however, is not allowed under any circumstances. There is disagreement about this, however, with some theologians arguing that sprinkling -- even sprinking on a part of the body other than the head -- in an emergency would also be valid.

It is also considered essential that the Trinitarian formula is used. Baptisms from non-Trinitarian churches, such as Oneness Pentecostal, are generally not considered valid. There was an ancient controversy over baptism using the formula that Oneness Pentecostals use, with some ancient authorities holding it to be valid. However, this was motivated by the apparent use of that formula at some places in [[scripture]], not by anti-Trinitarian considerations (which might well invalidate the baptism even if that formula is valid). The most significant part, some [[theologian]]s have argued, is not so much the Trinitarian wording, as the Trinitarian intention, and the recognition that the baptism involves all three Persons.

A person, once baptized, cannot be baptized again. There was an ancient practice in some areas of rebaptizing those who had returned to the church from [[heresy]], but that practice has been universally rejected, except in cases where their previous "baptism" was deficient - for example, they were not baptized in the name of the Trinity.

====Baptism by non-Orthodox====
The Orthodox Church makes no judgment concerning the efficacy or validity of baptisms performed by other denominations, as regards people who are members of those respective denominations. The precise status and significance of such baptisms has not been revealed by God to the Orthodox Church; however, as a practical matter, they are treated as non-efficacious unless and until the person joins the Orthodox Church. Persons coming to Orthodoxy from other denominations, and who had been baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, are generally not received by holy baptism, but instead through holy chrismation, after which their former baptism is deemed to be efficacious. The final decision as to the mode of reception to be used in each case rests with the bishop. When there is doubt as to whether or how the person was previously baptized, a conditional baptism is employed, in which the officiant says something of the form of "if you are not yet baptized, I baptize you..." The need for conditional baptisms is motivated not only by factual uncertainties regarding the original baptism, but also by the uncertainty of some of the baptismal theology regarding the precise conditions for the validity of baptism. (The Church holds that one cannot be certain that opinions which are offered by pious theologians, but on which the Church has not made an authoritative pronouncement, are correct, and even authoritative pronouncements can have multiple interpretations which the Church has neither definitively endorsed or rejected.)

Certain types of non-Orthodox (i.e. heretics, in the language of the Church Fathers) are received into the Orthodox Church through baptism; others through chrismation, and others through profession of faith. These provisions are spelled out in the canons of two of the Ecumenical Councils regarding the reception of heretics.

==Jewish Background==

The ritual of baptism is prefigured in the purification rites of Jewish law and tradition. In the Tanakh and tradition of the teachers of the Torah, a ritual bath for purification from uncleanness used to be required under specified circumstances in order to be restored to a condition of ritual purity. For example, women after menses, and after a number of blood-free days following child-birth, were washed in a ritual bath, called a mikvah. Those who became ritually defiled by contact with something infectious, would also use the mikveh as part of their healing. Washing was also required for converts. Through practices such as these, immersion in the mikveh came to represent purification and restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community (Book of Numbers Chapter 19). Traditional conversion to Judaism also requires a mikvah, so for converts Jewish initiation is in some ways similar to Christian initiation, although the term baptism is not used to describe the Jewish conversion.

Furthermore, the early church often contrasted the rite of baptism to that of circumcision.

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12

"We are circumcised not with a fleshly circumcision but with the circumcision of Christ, that is, we are born again into a new man; for, being buried with Him in His baptism, we must die to the old man, because the regeneration of baptism has the force of resurrection." Hilary of Poitiers, Trinity, 9:9 (A.D. 359).

"And if any one seek for divine authority in this matter, though what is held by the whole Church, and that not as instituted by Councils, but as a matter of invariable custom, is rightly held to have been handed down by apostolical authority, still we can form a true conjecture of the value of the sacrament of baptism in the case of infants, from the parallel of circumcision, which was received by God's earlier people, and before receiving which Abraham was justified, as Cornelius also was enriched with the gift of the Holy Spirit before he was baptized." Augustine, On Baptism against the Donatist, 4:24:31 (A.D. 400).

==Baptism in the Gospels==

===St. John the Forerunner===
A preliminary understanding of baptism starts with St. John the Forerunner, the cousin of [[Jesus]]. John spoke of a baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

:"And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:3-6;&version=9; Luke 3:3-6 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:1-6;&version=9; Matthew 3:1-6], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=mark%201:1-5;&version=9; Mark 1:1-5])

In regards to his relationship to the coming Messiah, John also spoke of another kind of baptism.

:"John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:16-17;&version=9; Luke 3:16-17 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:7-12;&version=9; Matthew 3:7-12], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:6-8;&version=9; Mark 1:6-8])

===Baptism of Christ===
[[Image:Baptism of Christ.jpg|thumb|150px|Baptism of Christ ([[Theophany]])]]
During John's earthly ministry Jesus came to receive baptism from John:

:"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%201:32-34;&version=9; John 1:32-34 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:13-17;&version=9; Matthew 3:13-17], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:9-11;&version=9; Mark 1:9-11])

There also seems to be some reference to Jesus and/or his disciples baptizing individuals, before His death on the cross - although it appears Jesus Himself Baptized no one {John 4:2} - (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%203:22-26;&version=9; John 3:22-26], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%204:1-3;&version=9; John 4:1-3]).

===The Great Commission===
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and spoke to them saying,

:"...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18-20;&version=9; Matthew 28:18-20 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%2016:14-20;&version=9; Mark 16:14-20], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Acts%202:38;&version=9; Acts 2:38])

The commandment of the Lord to baptize "in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" was the practice of the early Church and is still the Orthodox method for baptizing today. (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Acts%202:38;%208:16;%2010:48;%2019:5;&version=9; Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5]).

== [[Church Fathers]] on Baptism ==

<blockquote>"...Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure another for themselves..." (The [[Epistle of Barnabas]], [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-roberts.html Chapter 11], Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water...we indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and trust in Jesus in our spirit." (The Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter 11, Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

<blockquote>"He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water." (The [[Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians]], [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-roberts.html Chapter 18], Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

== Protestants on Baptism ==

Many protestants through the ages have de-emphasized the role of baptism in the Christian faith. In reality, a number of the people involved in the Protestant Reformation came out of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] with a reverence for the [[Holy Mysteries | holy mysteries]] and [[Holy Tradition | apostolic tradition]].

[[Martin Luther]] placed a great importance on baptism. Luther states in ''The Large Catechism'' of 1529 AD,

<blockquote>"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."</blockquote>

==See also==
* [[Infant baptism]]
* [[Chrismation]]
* [[Churching]]
* [[Godparent]]

==External links==
* [http://bible.gospelcom.net/quicksearch/?quicksearch=baptize&qs_version=9 Bible search on baptize]
* [https://www.goarch.org/-/the-service-of-holy-bapti-1 The Service of Holy Baptism] ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]])
* [http://oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=51 Baptism] ''The Orthodox Faith'' by Fr. [[Thomas Hopko]]
* [http://www.tenthousandfilms.com/ The Baptism of Christ - Uncovering Bethany beyond the Jordan - 47 min Documentary; includes interviews with various Eastern Orthodox representatives, incl. Greek Orthodox Bishop Vindictus of Jordan]

===Baptism and Ecumenism===
*[http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/faverg.html Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism]
* Archimandrite Ambrosius (Pogodin). [http://www.holy-trinity.org/ecclesiology/pogodin-reception/reception-ch4.html On the Question of the Order of Reception of Persons into the Orthodox Church, Coming to Her from Other Christian Churches]. Transl. from the Russian by Alvian N. Smirensky. '''Vestnik Russkogo Khristianskogo Dvizheniya (Messenger of the Russian Christian Movement).''' Paris-New York-Moscow, Nos. 173 (I-1996) and 174 (II-1996/I-1997).
[[Category:Sacraments]]

==Further reading==
* Richard E. DeMaris. ''"Corinthian Religion and Baptism for the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:29): Insights from Archaeology and Anthropology."'' '''Journal of Biblical Literature.''' Vol. 114, No. 4 (Winter, 1995), pp.661-682.

[[el:Βάπτισμα]]
[[es:Bautismo]]
[[fr:Baptême]]
[[it:Battesimo]]
[[ro:Botez]]

Mitrophan Yang

2018-05-05T02:59:50Z

BALawrence: /* Life */ general editing

[[Image:MitrophanJiJul1882.jpg|right|thumb|St Mitrophan, first Chinese priest and Martyr of the Boxer Rebellion.]]
[[image:Mitrophan.jpg|right|157px|St Mitrophan, the spiritual father and one of the Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion.]]
Our righteous father, hieromartyr '''Mitrophan Yang''' (Chinese Yang Ji 楊吉, some sources have Yang Jizhong or Yang Jisong) (1856-1900) was the first Chinese [[ordination|ordained]] a [[priest]] in the [[Church of China]]. He was one of the many [[martyr]]s of the Yihetuan Movement (Boxer) Uprising, whose collective [[feast day]] is [[June 11]].

==Life==
Yang Ji, the future Mitrophan, was born, probably in Beijing, on [[January 17]], 1856, into a family of Chinese Orthodox associated with [[Russian Orthodox Mission in China]]. His father died while he was very young, and he was raised by his mother Marina, who was a teacher at a school for girls, and his grandmother Ekaterina. Yang Ji grew to be a humble person who was cautious and quiet. He was peaceful in demeanor and was impassive even when faced with great insults.

In 1864, when [[Archimandrite]] [[Pallady (Kafarov) of Beijing|Pallady]] returned to lead the Russian Orthodox Mission for a second time, he charged Yang Ji’s teacher Juren Long Yuan with taking care of Yang Ji’s education so as to prepare him for ordination. Although urged by both Archimandrite Pallady and his teacher Long Yuan, Mitrophan was reluctant to accept ordination and constantly refused it asking, “How can a person with insufficient abilities and charity dare to accept this great rank?” Archimandrite Pallady’s 1878 successor as the mission leader, Archimandrite Flavian, continued to urge Mitrophan to accept ordination. Obedient to his leader’s urging, Mitrophan finally accepted ordination as a [[priest]]. As there were no [[bishop]]s resident near Beijing, Archimandrite Flavian, Mitrophan, and two others as candidates for [[reader]] journeyed to Tokyo, Japan, in June 1882 to see [[Nicholas of Japan|Bishop Nicholas]] of the Japanese mission.

The delegation arrived the month before the meeting of the All Japan Council of 1882 which Archimandrite Flavian and Fr. Mitrophan attended. Prior to the council Bp. Nicholas ordained Mitrophan [[deacon]] on [[June 20]] and blessed his fellow travelers, Paul and Eumenius, as readers. On [[June 29]], 1882, Bp. Nicholas ordained Mitrophan as the first Chinese priest of the Orthodox Church. The ordination was held in the Tokyo Cross Church, that was, in the church on the second floor of the bishop’s residence on Surigadai Hill in Tokyo.

For the next fifteen years Fr. Mitrophan, in addition to attending to his priestly duties, assisted Archimandrite Flavian in translating and editing books. He served God tirelessly even as he suffered hurts and insults both from his own people and outsiders, eventually causing him a mild breakdown. For the next three years Fr. Mitrophan lived outside the Beijing mission.

On [[June 1]], 1900, an uprising of the anti-foreigner Chinese began against Chinese Christians that came to be known as the Yihetuan Movement (Boxer) Uprising. The Beijing mission buildings were burned. Many of the refugees from the mission came to Fr. Mitrophan’s home, looking for safety. Many of these were former ill-wishers of Fr. Mitrophan, but he did not turn them away. Over the next several days Fr. Mitrophan endeavored to strengthen them in their ordeal. On [[June 11]], a force of Boxers aided by Chinese soldiers descended on his home and began systematically torturing and killing the Christians who had taken haven there. Fr. Mitrophan was martyred sitting in the courtyard of his home where other members of his family were also tortured and died martyrs: his wife Tatiana, and three sons, Isaiah, the priest Sergei, and Ioann.

His body was recovered by Hieromonk Avraamy. In 1903, his body was among the 222 Chinese martyrs placed under the [[altar]] in the memorial Temple of All Holy Martyrs constructed on the grounds of the Russian Orthodox Mission in Beijing. This [[temple]] was destroyed by the Soviets in 1957.

==Source==
*[http://www.orthodox.cn/history/martyrs/1_en.htm#2 Accounts of the Martyrs of the Chinese Orthodox Church who fell victim in Beijing in 1900]
*[http://www.orthodox.cn/history/martyrs/188207jpcouncil_en.htm Beijing delegates at All Japan Council of 1882]

==External link==
*[http://www.orthodox.cn/localchurch/beijing/churchofmartyrs_en.htm Church of All The Holy Martyrs of Beijing]

[[Category: Saints|Mitrophan]]
[[Category: Martyrs|Mitrophan]]
[[Category: Priests|Mitrophan]]
[[Category: Missionaries|Mitrophan]]
[[Category:Orthodoxy in China]]
[[Category:19th-century saints]]

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

2018-05-04T02:32:36Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

Our venerable Mother '''Elizabeth the Wonderworker''' of Constantinople (also called ''Elizabeth the Dragon-slayer'') was an [[abbess]]. Although some sources say she reposed in the year 540, others maintain that dates from the sixth through the ninth century are possible. Her [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[April 24]].

==Life==
From an early age and throughout her life, Elizabeth manifested holiness through strict [[asceticism]]. She became a [[nun]] at the Convent of Ss. Cosmas and Damian in Constantinople.

After her repose, her [[relics]], and even the soil around her grave became known for healing the sick and suffering.

In some [[icon]]s, she is shown having triumphed over a dragon. Her feast day follows that of St. [[George the Trophy-bearer|George the Dragon-slayer]].

==External links==
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=30 Elizabeth the Wonderworker] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=April&day=24 The Venerable Elizabeth] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
*[http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/elizabethwonderworker.html St Elizabeth the Wonderworker]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101199 St Elizabeth the Wonderworker of Constantinople] ([[OCA]])
*[http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101199 St Elizabeth the Wonderworker of Constantinople: Troparion - Tone 8] (OCA)
*[http://users.netmatters.co.uk/davidbryant/C/TropKon/Apr.htm#anchor81156 St. Elizabeth the Wonderworker, Abbess in Constantinople] [[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 5) and [[Kontakion]] (Tone 8)
*[http://www.doaks.org/HolyWomen/talbch5.pdf "Life of St. Elisabeth the Wonderworker"] translated by [[Valerie A. Karras|Valerie Karras]], an extract from ''Holy Women of Byzantium: Ten Saints' Lives in English Translation'', edited by Alice-Mary Talbot
*[http://www.transfigcathedral.org/faith/Bulgakov/0147.pdf "Ven. Elizabeth the Wonderworker" (PDF)] from [[Sergius V. Bulgakov|Bulgakov]]'s ''Handbook for Church Servers'', translated by Fr. Eugene Tarris (OCA)
*[http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/24-03.htm The Nun Elizabeth the Wonderworker]
*[http://users.sisqtel.net/cse/bigpic.html?icons/print/images/st.-elizabeth-const.-.orig.jpg Icon of St. Elizabeth of Constantinople]
*[http://www.elizabethwonderworkerstudio.com/kathy_web_site_010.htm Icon of St. Elizabeth the Wonderworker] (shown with dragon)

==Further reading==
*"The Life and Struggles of Our Holy Mother Among the Saints, Elisabeth of Constantinople, Whose Memory the Holy Church Celebrates on the 24th of April." from ''The Lives of the Spiritual Mothers'', published by Holy Apostles Convent, pp. 136-138.

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:6th-century saints]]

[[ro:Elisabeta din Constantinopol]]

Basil the Confessor

2018-04-23T16:14:03Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:St_Basil_the_Confessor_the_Bishop_of_Parium.JPG|right|frame|St. Basil the Confessor, the Bishop of Parium]]
St '''Basil the Confessor''', [[Bishop]] of Parium, fought valiantly against the [[Iconoclast]] [[heresy]] during the eight century. Due to his stance against the heretics, the saint suffered a lot of persecution and deprivation. St Basil is commemorated on [[April 12]].

Not to be confused with Basil the Confessor, companion of the Venerable Procopius at Decapolis, Commemorated on [[February 28]].

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

:O glorious hierarch Basil,
:Priest of the King of Glory,
:You are a radiant confessor of the faith.
:You opposed the iconoclasts and suffered for the truth.
:Now standing in glory before God, remember those who honor you!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)

:Illumined with the light from on high, O blessed Father,
:You enlighten all who honor your suffering, O Holy hierarch Basil.
:Pray ever to Christ our God for all of us.

{{stub}}
==External links==
* https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=16 ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:8th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:8th-century saints]]

Apostle Philemon

2017-12-08T01:37:10Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ minor corrections to title of GOARCH link

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Philemon''', [[bishop]] of Gaza, is numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. The Church has included a letter he received from the [[Apostle Paul]] in the [[Canon|canon]] of [[Holy Scripture]]. His wife, [[Apostle Apphia|Apphia]], is also numbered among the Seventy, and they, with the [[Apostle Archippus]], ministered to the town of Colossae from its Christian center, Philemon's home. During a pagan feast the Church had gathered in his home for prayer. When the pagans learned of it they raided the home and took Sts. Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus to be killed. They were whipped, buried up to their waists and then stoned. Sts. Philemon and Apphia gave up their souls to God. The Church remembers St. Philemon and his fellow martyrs on [[February 19]] and [[November 22]].

[[Apostle Onesimus]] of the Seventy ([[February 15]]), also mentioned in [[Book of Philemon|Paul's letter to Philemon]], was Philemon's former slave who became a [[disciple]] of St. Paul.

== Source ==
St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=302 Archippus the Apostle, Philemon the Apostle & his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100035 Apostle Philemon of the Seventy: January 4] ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100558 Apostle Philemon the Martyr of the Seventy: February 19] (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103359 Apostle Philemon of the Seventy: November 22] (OCA)

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Philemon]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Philemon]]
[[Category:Bishops|Philemon]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Philemon]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Philemon]]
[[Category:Saints|Philemon]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Philemon]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Filimon]]

Menas of Egypt

2017-11-25T05:49:07Z

BALawrence: /* External links */

{{oriental}}
[[Image:StMina.gif|frame|Coptic icon of St Menas the Wonder-worker]]The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Martyr]] '''Menas''' (or ''Mina''; 285-309 A.D.), the [[Wonder-worker]], is one of the most well known Egyptian saints in the East and the West, due to the many miracles that are performed through his [[intercession]]s. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[November 11]] (or in the [[Coptic]] church on [[Coptic Calendar|Hathor]] 15 ([[November 24]])).

==Life==
Saint Menas was born in Egypt in 285 A.D., in the city of Niceous (Nakiyos or Nikiu), which lies in the vicinity of Memphis. His parents were real [[ascetic]] Christians; his father's name was Audexios (or Eudoxius) and his mother's name was Aufimia (or Euphemia). On the feast of St. [[Theotokos|Mary]], the mother who did not have any children was praying in front of the [[icon]] of the Virgin with tears that God would give her a blessed son. A sound came to her ears saying "Amen," and thus she called her son Menas.

His father, a ruler of one of the administrative divisions of Egypt, died when Menas was 14 years old. At the age of 15, Menas joined the army. He was given a high rank because of his father's reputation and was stationed in Algeria. Three years later he left the army longing to devote his whole life to [[Christ]]. He headed towards the desert to live a different kind of life.

After spending five years as a [[hermit]], he saw in a revelation the [[angels]] crowning the martyrs with glamorous crowns, and longed to join those martyrs. While he was thinking about it, he heard a voice saying: "Blessed are you, Abba Menas, because you have been called for the pious life from your childhood. You shall be granted three immortal crowns; one because of your [[celibacy]], the second because of your asceticism, and the third for your martyrdom."

Immediately he felt as if the earth under him was vanishing, and he was overwhelmed with great eagerness to be carried away to heavens. In a mood of valor he hurried to the ruler, declaring his Christian faith. His sufferings attracted many of the pagans, not only to Christianity, but also to martyrdom.

==Relics==
The saint's assassins tried to burn his [[relics]] but failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and three nights, and was not harmed. His sister came and gave the soldiers money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church there.

When the time of persecution ended, during the papacy of [[Pope]] [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], the believers loaded the saint's body on a camel and headed towards the western desert (after an angel appeared to the Patriarch informing him to do so). At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and refused to move. There, near a water well, they buried the saint's body. That place is the same as where [[St. Mina Monastery (Mariut, Egypt)|the saint's present-day Coptic Orthodox monastery]] is located at the end of Lake Mariut, not far from Alexandria, Egypt.

Later on, the Berbers of Pentapolis rose against the cities around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the governor decided to take the body of St. Menas with him to be his deliverer and his strong protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings, he overcame the Berbers and returned victorious.

The governor decided not to return St. Menas' body to its original place (in Mariut) and wanted to take it to Alexandria. On the way back, they passed by Lake Mariut, St. Menas' original place. The camel carrying the body knelt down and would not move in spite of frequent beatings. They moved the body over another camel, but this second camel did not move from its place. The governor finally realized that this was the Lord's command. He made a coffin from decay-resistant wood and placed the silver coffin in it. He then returned it to its place and invoked St. Menas' blessings before returning to his city.

Later, his burial place was revealed when a shepherd was feeding his sheep in that area and a sick lamb fell on the ground. As it struggled to get on its feet again, its scab was cured. The story spread quickly and the sick who came to this spot recovered from whatever illnesses they had just by laying on the ground.

During that time, the daughter of [[Zeno (emperor)|Zinon]], the Christ-loving Emperor at Constantinople (ruled 474-475, 476-491), was leprous. His advisers suggested that she should try that place, and she did. At night St. Menas appeared to the girl and informed her that his body was buried in that place. The following morning, she bathed in the well and was healed. She related her vision about St. Menas to her servants and that he cured her. Immediately, Zinon ordered the saint's body to be dug out, and a church to be built there.

==Historical significance==
===St. Menas in Mariut===
When [[Arcadius]] and [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] reigned (383–408 and 393-423), they also ordered that a large city to be built there and named after the saint.<ref>[http://www.stmina-monastery.org/abu_mena.htm Abu Mena (Abu Mina)]</ref> Sick people from all over the world would visit the city and were healed by the intercession of St. Menas, the Miracle-maker. That is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved. These were discovered by archeologists in diverse countries around the Mediterranean world, such as Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Dalmata, Yugoslavia; Marseille, France; Dengela, Sudan; and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.

The historian Edith L. Butcher recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rasheed ([[Islam|Muslim]] ruler), the Berbers attacked the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun (Muslim ruler), he ordered that the entire city be taken down, and then he used its numerous marble pillars to build his palace and mosques. It is only in the 20th century that international missions began to search for the city and the church (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

===The New Cathedral of St. Menas===
As soon as Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril (Kyrillos) the Sixth]] was installed on St. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]]'s Throne, he began to put the foundations of a great monastery close to the remains of the old city. Thus, the old monastery of St. Menas was resurrected, and the Copts were able to visit it once again and to be blessed by the saint. What is even more interesting is that Pope Kyrillos VI stated in his will that his body should not be buried in the new famous Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, but in the monastery of his personal friend and intercessor, St. Menas the Miracle-maker.

==Reference==
*<references />

==Sources==
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/stmina.htm St. Mina] ([[Coptic]])
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/inotherchurches.htm Beyond the Coptic Orthodox Church] (Coptic)

==External links==
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103277 Martyr Menas of Egypt] ([[OCA]])
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=285 Menas of Egypt] ([[GOARCH]])
* [http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=November&day=11 The Holy Great-martyr Menas] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/ St. Mina Monastery in Mariut on the Web] (Coptic)
* [[w:Saint Mina|Saint Mina]]. Wikipedia.
* Great [[Synaxarion|Synaxaristes]]: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1149/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Μηνᾶς ὁ Μεγαλομάρτυρας «ὁ ἐν τῷ Κοτυαείῳ»].'' 11 Νοεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[el:Μηνάς, Άγιος]]
[[ro:Mina]]
[[ar:مارمينا العجائبي]]

Menas of Egypt

2017-11-25T05:48:03Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ corrected update to GOARCH link

{{oriental}}
[[Image:StMina.gif|frame|Coptic icon of St Menas the Wonder-worker]]The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Martyr]] '''Menas''' (or ''Mina''; 285-309 A.D.), the [[Wonder-worker]], is one of the most well known Egyptian saints in the East and the West, due to the many miracles that are performed through his [[intercession]]s. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[November 11]] (or in the [[Coptic]] church on [[Coptic Calendar|Hathor]] 15 ([[November 24]])).

==Life==
Saint Menas was born in Egypt in 285 A.D., in the city of Niceous (Nakiyos or Nikiu), which lies in the vicinity of Memphis. His parents were real [[ascetic]] Christians; his father's name was Audexios (or Eudoxius) and his mother's name was Aufimia (or Euphemia). On the feast of St. [[Theotokos|Mary]], the mother who did not have any children was praying in front of the [[icon]] of the Virgin with tears that God would give her a blessed son. A sound came to her ears saying "Amen," and thus she called her son Menas.

His father, a ruler of one of the administrative divisions of Egypt, died when Menas was 14 years old. At the age of 15, Menas joined the army. He was given a high rank because of his father's reputation and was stationed in Algeria. Three years later he left the army longing to devote his whole life to [[Christ]]. He headed towards the desert to live a different kind of life.

After spending five years as a [[hermit]], he saw in a revelation the [[angels]] crowning the martyrs with glamorous crowns, and longed to join those martyrs. While he was thinking about it, he heard a voice saying: "Blessed are you, Abba Menas, because you have been called for the pious life from your childhood. You shall be granted three immortal crowns; one because of your [[celibacy]], the second because of your asceticism, and the third for your martyrdom."

Immediately he felt as if the earth under him was vanishing, and he was overwhelmed with great eagerness to be carried away to heavens. In a mood of valor he hurried to the ruler, declaring his Christian faith. His sufferings attracted many of the pagans, not only to Christianity, but also to martyrdom.

==Relics==
The saint's assassins tried to burn his [[relics]] but failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and three nights, and was not harmed. His sister came and gave the soldiers money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church there.

When the time of persecution ended, during the papacy of [[Pope]] [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], the believers loaded the saint's body on a camel and headed towards the western desert (after an angel appeared to the Patriarch informing him to do so). At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and refused to move. There, near a water well, they buried the saint's body. That place is the same as where [[St. Mina Monastery (Mariut, Egypt)|the saint's present-day Coptic Orthodox monastery]] is located at the end of Lake Mariut, not far from Alexandria, Egypt.

Later on, the Berbers of Pentapolis rose against the cities around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the governor decided to take the body of St. Menas with him to be his deliverer and his strong protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings, he overcame the Berbers and returned victorious.

The governor decided not to return St. Menas' body to its original place (in Mariut) and wanted to take it to Alexandria. On the way back, they passed by Lake Mariut, St. Menas' original place. The camel carrying the body knelt down and would not move in spite of frequent beatings. They moved the body over another camel, but this second camel did not move from its place. The governor finally realized that this was the Lord's command. He made a coffin from decay-resistant wood and placed the silver coffin in it. He then returned it to its place and invoked St. Menas' blessings before returning to his city.

Later, his burial place was revealed when a shepherd was feeding his sheep in that area and a sick lamb fell on the ground. As it struggled to get on its feet again, its scab was cured. The story spread quickly and the sick who came to this spot recovered from whatever illnesses they had just by laying on the ground.

During that time, the daughter of [[Zeno (emperor)|Zinon]], the Christ-loving Emperor at Constantinople (ruled 474-475, 476-491), was leprous. His advisers suggested that she should try that place, and she did. At night St. Menas appeared to the girl and informed her that his body was buried in that place. The following morning, she bathed in the well and was healed. She related her vision about St. Menas to her servants and that he cured her. Immediately, Zinon ordered the saint's body to be dug out, and a church to be built there.

==Historical significance==
===St. Menas in Mariut===
When [[Arcadius]] and [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] reigned (383–408 and 393-423), they also ordered that a large city to be built there and named after the saint.<ref>[http://www.stmina-monastery.org/abu_mena.htm Abu Mena (Abu Mina)]</ref> Sick people from all over the world would visit the city and were healed by the intercession of St. Menas, the Miracle-maker. That is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved. These were discovered by archeologists in diverse countries around the Mediterranean world, such as Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Dalmata, Yugoslavia; Marseille, France; Dengela, Sudan; and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.

The historian Edith L. Butcher recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rasheed ([[Islam|Muslim]] ruler), the Berbers attacked the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun (Muslim ruler), he ordered that the entire city be taken down, and then he used its numerous marble pillars to build his palace and mosques. It is only in the 20th century that international missions began to search for the city and the church (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

===The New Cathedral of St. Menas===
As soon as Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril (Kyrillos) the Sixth]] was installed on St. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]]'s Throne, he began to put the foundations of a great monastery close to the remains of the old city. Thus, the old monastery of St. Menas was resurrected, and the Copts were able to visit it once again and to be blessed by the saint. What is even more interesting is that Pope Kyrillos VI stated in his will that his body should not be buried in the new famous Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, but in the monastery of his personal friend and intercessor, St. Menas the Miracle-maker.

==Reference==
*<references />

==Sources==
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/stmina.htm St. Mina] ([[Coptic]])
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/inotherchurches.htm Beyond the Coptic Orthodox Church] (Coptic)

==External links==
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103277 Martyr Menas of Egypt] ([[OCA]])
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=285] Menas of Egypt ([[GOARCH]])
* [http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=November&day=11 The Holy Great-martyr Menas] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/ St. Mina Monastery in Mariut on the Web] (Coptic)
* [[w:Saint Mina|Saint Mina]]. Wikipedia.
* Great [[Synaxarion|Synaxaristes]]: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1149/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Μηνᾶς ὁ Μεγαλομάρτυρας «ὁ ἐν τῷ Κοτυαείῳ»].'' 11 Νοεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[el:Μηνάς, Άγιος]]
[[ro:Mina]]
[[ar:مارمينا العجائبي]]

Menas of Egypt

2017-11-25T05:40:45Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated external links

{{oriental}}
[[Image:StMina.gif|frame|Coptic icon of St Menas the Wonder-worker]]The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Martyr]] '''Menas''' (or ''Mina''; 285-309 A.D.), the [[Wonder-worker]], is one of the most well known Egyptian saints in the East and the West, due to the many miracles that are performed through his [[intercession]]s. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[November 11]] (or in the [[Coptic]] church on [[Coptic Calendar|Hathor]] 15 ([[November 24]])).

==Life==
Saint Menas was born in Egypt in 285 A.D., in the city of Niceous (Nakiyos or Nikiu), which lies in the vicinity of Memphis. His parents were real [[ascetic]] Christians; his father's name was Audexios (or Eudoxius) and his mother's name was Aufimia (or Euphemia). On the feast of St. [[Theotokos|Mary]], the mother who did not have any children was praying in front of the [[icon]] of the Virgin with tears that God would give her a blessed son. A sound came to her ears saying "Amen," and thus she called her son Menas.

His father, a ruler of one of the administrative divisions of Egypt, died when Menas was 14 years old. At the age of 15, Menas joined the army. He was given a high rank because of his father's reputation and was stationed in Algeria. Three years later he left the army longing to devote his whole life to [[Christ]]. He headed towards the desert to live a different kind of life.

After spending five years as a [[hermit]], he saw in a revelation the [[angels]] crowning the martyrs with glamorous crowns, and longed to join those martyrs. While he was thinking about it, he heard a voice saying: "Blessed are you, Abba Menas, because you have been called for the pious life from your childhood. You shall be granted three immortal crowns; one because of your [[celibacy]], the second because of your asceticism, and the third for your martyrdom."

Immediately he felt as if the earth under him was vanishing, and he was overwhelmed with great eagerness to be carried away to heavens. In a mood of valor he hurried to the ruler, declaring his Christian faith. His sufferings attracted many of the pagans, not only to Christianity, but also to martyrdom.

==Relics==
The saint's assassins tried to burn his [[relics]] but failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and three nights, and was not harmed. His sister came and gave the soldiers money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church there.

When the time of persecution ended, during the papacy of [[Pope]] [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], the believers loaded the saint's body on a camel and headed towards the western desert (after an angel appeared to the Patriarch informing him to do so). At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and refused to move. There, near a water well, they buried the saint's body. That place is the same as where [[St. Mina Monastery (Mariut, Egypt)|the saint's present-day Coptic Orthodox monastery]] is located at the end of Lake Mariut, not far from Alexandria, Egypt.

Later on, the Berbers of Pentapolis rose against the cities around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the governor decided to take the body of St. Menas with him to be his deliverer and his strong protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings, he overcame the Berbers and returned victorious.

The governor decided not to return St. Menas' body to its original place (in Mariut) and wanted to take it to Alexandria. On the way back, they passed by Lake Mariut, St. Menas' original place. The camel carrying the body knelt down and would not move in spite of frequent beatings. They moved the body over another camel, but this second camel did not move from its place. The governor finally realized that this was the Lord's command. He made a coffin from decay-resistant wood and placed the silver coffin in it. He then returned it to its place and invoked St. Menas' blessings before returning to his city.

Later, his burial place was revealed when a shepherd was feeding his sheep in that area and a sick lamb fell on the ground. As it struggled to get on its feet again, its scab was cured. The story spread quickly and the sick who came to this spot recovered from whatever illnesses they had just by laying on the ground.

During that time, the daughter of [[Zeno (emperor)|Zinon]], the Christ-loving Emperor at Constantinople (ruled 474-475, 476-491), was leprous. His advisers suggested that she should try that place, and she did. At night St. Menas appeared to the girl and informed her that his body was buried in that place. The following morning, she bathed in the well and was healed. She related her vision about St. Menas to her servants and that he cured her. Immediately, Zinon ordered the saint's body to be dug out, and a church to be built there.

==Historical significance==
===St. Menas in Mariut===
When [[Arcadius]] and [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] reigned (383–408 and 393-423), they also ordered that a large city to be built there and named after the saint.<ref>[http://www.stmina-monastery.org/abu_mena.htm Abu Mena (Abu Mina)]</ref> Sick people from all over the world would visit the city and were healed by the intercession of St. Menas, the Miracle-maker. That is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved. These were discovered by archeologists in diverse countries around the Mediterranean world, such as Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Dalmata, Yugoslavia; Marseille, France; Dengela, Sudan; and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.

The historian Edith L. Butcher recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rasheed ([[Islam|Muslim]] ruler), the Berbers attacked the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun (Muslim ruler), he ordered that the entire city be taken down, and then he used its numerous marble pillars to build his palace and mosques. It is only in the 20th century that international missions began to search for the city and the church (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

===The New Cathedral of St. Menas===
As soon as Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril (Kyrillos) the Sixth]] was installed on St. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]]'s Throne, he began to put the foundations of a great monastery close to the remains of the old city. Thus, the old monastery of St. Menas was resurrected, and the Copts were able to visit it once again and to be blessed by the saint. What is even more interesting is that Pope Kyrillos VI stated in his will that his body should not be buried in the new famous Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, but in the monastery of his personal friend and intercessor, St. Menas the Miracle-maker.

==Reference==
*<references />

==Sources==
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/stmina.htm St. Mina] ([[Coptic]])
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/inotherchurches.htm Beyond the Coptic Orthodox Church] (Coptic)

==External links==
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103277 Martyr Menas of Egypt] ([[OCA]])
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=285] ([[GOARCH]])
* [http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=November&day=11 The Holy Great-martyr Menas] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/ St. Mina Monastery in Mariut on the Web] (Coptic)
* [[w:Saint Mina|Saint Mina]]. Wikipedia.
* Great [[Synaxarion|Synaxaristes]]: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1149/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Μηνᾶς ὁ Μεγαλομάρτυρας «ὁ ἐν τῷ Κοτυαείῳ»].'' 11 Νοεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[el:Μηνάς, Άγιος]]
[[ro:Mina]]
[[ar:مارمينا العجائبي]]

Hosea

2017-10-21T00:02:31Z

BALawrence: /* Sources */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Hosea.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Holy Prophet Hosea (Russian icon, XVIIIth century)]]

The Holy '''Prophet Hosea''' (Hebrew:הוֹשֵׁעַ, Hôšēă, Greek '''Ὠσηέ''' = '''Ōsēe''') was the son of Beeri and a [[prophet]] in Israel in the eighth century before the birth of Christ. He is one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the [[Old Testament]]. He was a contemporary of the Prophets Isaiah, [[Micah]], and Amos.

Little is known about the life or social status of Hosea. According to the [[Book of Hosea]], he married the prostitute Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, at God's command. He was a member of the tribe of Issachar and lived in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the period 740–725 BC. In Hosea 5:8 ff., there is a reference to the wars that led to the capture of the kingdom by the Assyrians (ca. 734–732 BC). It is not certain if he has also experienced the destruction of Samaria, which is foreseen in Hosea 14:1.

The Prophet Hosea strove to bring the many Israelites who had forgotten the true God of their forefathers back to the fold. He denounced the iniquities of the people of the northern kingdom of Israel, proclaiming to them the misfortunes they would suffer at the hands of invading foreigners. He foretold the end of the sacrificial offerings and the the priesthood of Aaron, Hosea 3:4-5. He prophesied about Christ, who would return from Egypt, (Hosea 11;1), would be resurrected on the third day, (Hosea 6:2), and would conquer death, (Hosea 1313-14).
{{OldTestament}}

His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[October 17]]. He is also remembered on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers which is the Sunday before the celebration of the Nativity of the Our Lord.

==Apolytikion in the Second Tone==
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Hosea, O Lord, 
through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

==Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone==
Initiated by divine illumination, 
thou wast deemed worthy of the lofty gift of prophecy 
and foretoldest of the promise of grace, O Prophet. 
O Hosea, since thou dwellest in God's glory now, 
do thou rescue from all manner of adversity us who cry to thee: 
Rejoice, thou vessel of grace divine.

==Sources==
* OCA. [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102983 Prophet Hosea].
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=245 Hosea the Prophet].
'''Wikipedia'''
*[[w:Hosea|Hosea]].

==External links==
* [[w:Ray Stedman|Ray Stedman]] (Peninsula Bible Church). [http://www.pbc.org/messages/3107 Hosea: The Prophet and the Prostitute]. Mar 6 1966. (''.pdf or audio'')
* Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. [http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/237/hosea-the-prophet/ Hosea the Prophet].

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Biblical Saints]]

[[ro:Osea]]
[[el:Ωσηέ]]

Apostle Philip (of the Seventy)

2017-10-18T00:15:14Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Philip (of the Seventy)''', one of the Seven [[Deacon]]s, is commemorated by the Church on [[October 11]]. He was born in Palestine, was married, and had children. He was not the St. [[Apostle Philip (of the Twelve)|Philip]] ([[November 14]]) who was one of the Twelve [[Apostles]].

After the [[Pentecost|Descent of the Holy Spirit]], the Twelve Apostles made Philip, along with six others, a [[deacon]] in the [[Church of Jerusalem]]. They appointed him to deal with the offerings of the faithful and attend to the concerns of the widowed, the orphaned, and the needy. When the persecution of Christians began, and the Jews stoned the [[Protomartyr]] [[Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr|Stephen]], the eldest of the Seven Deacons, the Apostle Philip left Jerusalem and settled in Samaria. There he successfully preached Christianity. Among the disciple's [[convert]]s was the noted magician Simon, who "after being [[baptism|baptized]], continued with Philip." ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 8:9-13)

At the command of an [[angel]] of the [[Lord]], St. Philip set out upon the road connecting Jerusalem with Gaza. There he met an official of the empress of Ethiopia, whom he also converted to Christianity (Acts 8:26-39). The holy disciple Philip tirelessly preached the Word of God in many of the lands of the Near East adjoining Palestine. At Jerusalem the Apostles made him a [[bishop]] and sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where he also baptized many. St. Philip died in old age.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=102936]
:The universe is adorned and Ethiopia rejoices,
:For she is enlightened by you and adorned by your crown.
:O most eloquent Philip she brightly celebrates your memory.
:You accomplished a course worthy of the Gospel,
:For you taught all to believe in Christ.
:Wherefore Ethiopia extends her arms to God,
:Pray to Him, O Philip, that He will grant us great mercy.
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=102936]
:Inspired by the [[Holy Spirit]]
:You enlightened the whole world with your teachings
:And the splendor of your [[miracle]]s
:O Apostle Philip, contemplator of Divine Truths.

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102936 Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons], October 11 (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100028 Apostle Philip the Deacon of the Seventy], January 4 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=236 Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:Bishops|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:Saints|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:Seven Deacons|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Philip (of the Seventy)]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Filip (din cei Şaptezeci)]]

Apostle Aristarchus

2017-09-28T18:25:07Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH links

The holy, glorious and all-laudable '''Apostle Aristarchus''' (also ''Aristarchos'') of the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy]] was chosen by [[Jesus Christ]] to preach the good news contained in the [[Gospel]]. St. Aristarchus is commemorated with the Seventy on [[January 4]], on [[April 14]] or [[April 15|15]] with Ss. [[Apostle Pudens|Pudens]] and [[Apostle Trophimus|Trophimus]], and on [[September 27]] together with Ss. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]] and [[Apostle Zenas|Zenas]].

==Life==
Aristarchus worked with the holy [[Apostle Paul]] in order to enlighten others with the written works of the [[Gospel]]. He was St. Paul's [[disciple]] and later became [[bishop]] of the city of Apamea in Syria.

He gave up his life and became a [[martyr]] under Emperor Nero.

==Scriptural references==
*''And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre,'' ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 19:29)
*''And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus,'' (Acts 20:4)
*''And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.'' (Acts 27:2)
*''Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him),'' ([[Colossians]] 4:10)
*''Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers,'' ([[Book of Philemon|Philemon]] 1:24)

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?&ID=100080]
:Holy Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy
:entreat the merciful
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Troparion (Tone 4) [http://www.byzantines.net/bbs/sample.htm]
:Together let us honor the threefold choir of Christ's Apostles,
:Aristarchus, Pudens and the holy Trophimus.
:Like rivers filled with the [[Holy Wisdom|wisdom]] of God
:They poured out the water of the Word for all the world.
:Through their [[intercession]]s, O Christ our God, have mercy on us!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 1) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?&ID=101083]
:Apostles of Christ and laborers of the Savior,
:You are the light of the world.
:Intercede for us who praise your holy memory,
:And pray that we may be saved.

Kontakion (Tone 4) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?&ID=100080]
:The Church ever sees you as a shining star, O Apostle Aristarchus,
:Your [[miracle]]s have manifested great enlightenment.
:Therefore we cry out to Christ:
:"Save those who with faith honor Your apostle, O Most Merciful One."

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100080 Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy], January 4 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101083 Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy], April 15 (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102737 Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy], September 27 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=18 Aristarchus, Pudens, Trophimos the Apostles of the 70], April 14 ([[GOARCH]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=735 Mark, Aristarchos, and Zenon, Apostles of the 70], September 27 (GOARCH)

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Aristarchus]]
[[Category:Bishops|Aristarchus]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Aristarchus]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Aristarchus]]
[[Category:Saints|Aristarchus]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles]]
[[Category: 1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Aristarh]]

Anicetus and Photius

2017-08-12T01:38:09Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Martyrs]] '''Anicetus and Photius''' (also ''Aniketos'' meaning ''unconquerable'' and ''Photinus'' or ''Photios'' meaning ''light'') of [[Nicomedia]] were murdered with others during the reign of the Emperor [[Diocletian]] in the year 288. Anicetus is honored as one of the [[Unmercenary|Holy Unmercenaries]]. They are commemorated by the [[Church]] on [[August 12]].
==Lives==

Ss. Anikitos and Photios lived in the Nicomedia during the third century. St Anikitos was from a wealth Christian family and was educated as a physician. His nephew Photios was orphaned so Anikitos took him in and trained him as a physician as well.

They adopted an unmercinary (ανάργυροι = anargyroi, meaning without silver i.e. reward) style of practice never taking any money or gifts for their services. God blessed them with healing powers and they cured all that came to them.

In those days the Emperor [[Diocletian]] was a ferocious persecutor of Christians. Diocletian found it entertaining to have his soldiers bring Christians to the Arena and discovered new methods of torture sparing them only if they denounced God and worshipped pagan idols.

When St Anikitos refused to denounce his faith he was beaten until his bones were exposed and thrown to a lion. By God’s intervention the lion was tame as a kitten, wiping the perspiration off St Anikitos with its paw. St Anikitos expressed his gratitude to God with a prayer of thanks for his deliverance. At the end of the prayer a violent earthquake erupted destroying the idol of Hercules after it toppled over.

This provoked the ire of Diocletian who ordered St Anikitos’ immediate persecution. The guards hands became unexplainably frozen and they could not harm St Anikitos. The next torture was to tie him on a wheel and roll him into fire. Although severely burned St Anikitos prayed and all his wounds were healed. While observing the brutal torment of his uncle, Photios approached to comfort him and he too gave witness to Christ in the company of the vicious Diocletian.

The emperor was now enraged and ordered that the guards behead the two Christian men. After several failed attempts to end their lives he ordered that the huge furnace be lit and cast them inside to burn alive. As Ss. Anikitos and Photios approached the furnace they prayed to God to put an end to their torments and to allow them to die in peace. The Holy Unmercenaries Anikitos and Photios gave up their souls on [[August 12]]. Their bodies were stolen by the hidden Christians who were always present at these games. They were secretly buried and a church was built next to their tombs later in time when Christians practiced freely.

==Martyrdom==
Appalled by the treatment of Christians under Diocletian's tyranny, Anicetus presented himself publicly at a Christian, denouncing emperor and idol worship as senseless. He was taken and beaten with rods so forcefully his bones appeared from the wounds in his flesh. While suffering his torments, his nephew Photius comforted him, embracing his uncle. He was put through the tortures with him and subsequently imprisoned for three years. Finally they were both cast into a furnace, where they gave up their spirits, but their bodies were left unharmed by the flames.

==External links==
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=161 The Holy Martyrs Photius and Anicetus of Nicomedia] ([[GOARCH]])
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102279 Martyr Anicetus of Nicomedia] ([[OCA]])

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Unmercenaries]]
[[Category:3rd-century saints]]
[[el:Φώτιος και Ανίκητος οι Ανάργυροι]]

Apostle Matthias

2017-08-11T15:22:14Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The Holy '''Apostle Matthias''' was one of the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy]] before he replaced one of the [[Apostles#The_Twelve|Twelve]]. [[Saint]] Matthias is commemorated on [[August 9]], and on [[June 30]] with the [[Synaxis]] of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ.

==Life==
Apostle Matthias was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God under the guidance of St [[Simeon the God-receiver]].

When the [[Jesus Christ|Lord Jesus Christ]] revealed himself to the world, St Matthias believed in him as the Messiah, followed constantly after him and was numbered among the Seventy Apostles, whom the Lord "sent them two by two before His face" ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 10:1).

After the [[Ascension|Ascension of the Savior]], St Matthias was chosen by lot to replace [[Judas Iscariot]] as one of the Twelve Apostles ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 1:15-26). After the [[Pentecost|Descent of the Holy Spirit]], the Apostle Matthias preached the [[Gospel]] at Jerusalem and in Judea together with the other Apostles (Acts 6:2, 8:14). From Jerusalem he went with the Apostles [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] and [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew]] to Syrian Antioch, and was in the Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope. Here the Apostle Matthias was locked into prison, from which he was miraculously freed by St Andrew the First-Called.

The Apostle Matthias journeyed after this to Amasea, a city on the shore of the sea. During a three year journey of the Apostle Andrew, St Matthias was with him at Edessa and Sebaste. According to Church Tradition, he was preaching at Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him to preach the Gospel.

Once, pagans forced the saint to drink a poison potion. He drank it, and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners who had been blinded by the potion. When St Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them. Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the Apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them.

The Apostle Matthias returned to Judea and did not cease to enlighten his countrymen with the light of Christ's teachings. He worked great miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus and he converted a great many to faith in Christ.

The Jewish High Priest Ananias hated Christ and earlier had commanded the [[Apostle James the Just|Apostle James, Brother of the Lord]], to be flung down from the heights of the Temple, and now he ordered that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought for judgment before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem.

The impious Ananias uttered a speech in which he blasphemously slandered the Lord. Using the prophecies of the [[Old Testament]], the Apostle Matthias demonstrated that Jesus Christ is the True [[God]], the promised Messiah, the Son of God, Consubstantial and Coeternal with God the Father. After these words the Apostle Matthias was sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin and stoned.

When St Matthias was already dead, the Jews, to hide their malefaction, cut off his head as an enemy of Caesar. (According to several historians, the Apostle Matthias was crucified, and indicate that he instead died at Colchis.) The Apostle Matthias received the [[martyr]]'s crown of glory in the year 63.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 3) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=102243]
:O holy Apostle Matthias,
:Pray to the merciful God,
:That He may grant to our souls
:Remission of our transgressions!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=102243]
:O wonder-worker and Apostle Matthias,
:Your words have gone out into all the world,
:Enlightening men as the sun,
:And giving grace to the Church
:Bringing faith to heathen lands!

==Source==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102243 Apostle Matthias of the Seventy], August 9 ([[OCA]])

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101855 Apostle Matthias], June 30 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=158 Matthias, Apostle of the 70] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/01newstucture/pagesen/sermons/stjohnmathias.html "The Church of Christ Shall Not Be Impoverished": Sermon on the feast day of Apostle Matthias] by St. [[John Maximovitch]]
*[[w:Saint Matthias|''Saint Matthias'' at Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Matthias]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Matthias]]
[[Category:Missionaries|Matthias]]
[[Category:Saints|Matthias]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ar:متياس الرسول]]
[[el:Απόστολος Ματθίας]]
[[ro:Apostolul Matia]]

Isaac the Confessor

2017-08-09T02:42:04Z

BALawrence: /* Sources */ updated GOARCH link

[[image:0530isaacdalmatian.jpg|right|thumb]]

Our venerable father '''Isaac the Confessor''' (also known as '''Isaac of Dalmatia''') is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on [[March 22]], [[May 30]], and [[August 3]]. He is known for his struggle against the [[Arianism|Arian]] [[heresy]] during the reigns of the Arian emperor Valens and the Orthodox emperor [[Theodosius the Great (emperor)|Theodosius]].

==Conflict with Emperor Valens==
Although Elder Isaac is believed to have been a Greek-speaking Syrian, this is not certain. What is known is that he was a Greek-speaking eastern [[hermit]] who lived in the wilderness. His [[hagiography|hagiographies]] begin with his appearance before the emperor Valens in the year A.D. 378. Valens had aided the Arians of Constantinople in their persecutions of the Orthodox, which included expelling Orthodox [[bishop]]s and closing certain [[church]]es while giving others to the Arians. At the time of Isaac's visit, Valens and his army were on their way to fight an army of Goths which had marched down from the Danube toward Thrace. Receiving an audience with the emperor, Isaac said to him, "O Emperor, open the churches of the Orthodox, and God will bless your path." Ignoring Isaac's warning, Valens continued his journey to battle.

The next day, Isaac once again ran out to warn the emperor. Valens, moved by Isaac's boldness and sincerity, was almost persuaded to do as he asked. However, one of his advisers (an Arian) convinced him not to do as Isaac requested. On the third day, Isaac's manner became more confrontational. Tradition says that he ran up to the emperor's horse and grabbed it by the reins. Once again, he begged Valens to give the Church its freedom, this time also adding a warning of divine retribution if Valens did not fulfill his request. Valens, offended at Isaac's audacity, had him thrown into a deep pit, filled with mud and thorns. This would not hinder the saint of God, however.

On the fourth day, Isaac again appeared before the emperor. This time, Isaac said, "You wanted to destroy me, but three [[angel]]s pulled me from the mire. Hear me, open up the churches for the Orthodox and you shall defeat the enemy. If, however, you do not heed me, then you will not return. You will be captured and burned alive." Isaac added, "Learn from experience that it is hard to kick against the goads. You will not return, and this expedition will be destroyed." Valens, incredulous and offended, ordered his attendants, Saturninus and Victor, to imprison the [[monk]] until his return.

On [[August 9]], 378, Valens' army engaged the Goths in what would later become known as the Battle of Adrianople. The Goths utterly defeated the Greek army, and Valens fled into the countryside with his generals. Valens and his generals took refuge in a barn filled with straw, which the Goths surrounded and set ablaze, the emperor perishing exactly as Isaac had foretold.

Some of the soldiers that survived the battle came to Isaac's cell and said to him, "Prepare to make your defense before the emperor, who is coming to fulfill what he spoke against you." Isaac calmly answered, "It has already been seven days since I smelled the stench of his bones, which were burned in the fire."

The Orthodox emperor Theodosius succeeded Valens. Having heard of Isaac's [[prophet|prophecy]] and its fulfillment, Theodosius released Isaac from prison and summoned him to appear before him. The emperor prostrated himself before the elderly monk, asking his forgiveness. Theodosius did as Isaac had petitioned Valens, also exiling the Arians from the city for their persecution of the Orthodox.[[Image:0322isaacdalmatia.jpg|left|thumb]]

==[[Monastery]] life==
Having restored peace to the Church in Constantinople, Isaac wanted to return to his life in the wilderness. However, he was persuaded to remain in Constantinople. A wealthy aristocrat named Saturninus built a monastery for Isaac within the city, where he lived in ascetic struggle, working many [[miracle]]s. Isaac is also known for his zealous witness to the Orthodox faith at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]], convened in Constantinople in A.D. 381.

==Isaac's Death==
Isaac is believed by some authorities to have died in A.D. 383, although others place his death around A.D. 396. However, neither of these might be accurate; the life of [[John Chrysostom]] includes mention of St. Isaac living into the fifth century. At least one account says that John, as bishop of Constantinople, disapproved of monks who roamed the streets visiting friends in their private houses, out of his concern that the monastic reputation would be marred. Those who did not approve of Chrysostom's new rules brought their complaints to Isaac, who in turn is said to have voiced them at the Synod of the Oak in A.D. 403. At the end of his life, he entrusted the leadership of his monastery to his closest disciple, Dalmatus (later himself glorified by the Church). Isaac's monastery was later to be named "Dalmatian" after this disciple, hence Isaac's later appellation, "of Dalmatia."

== Hymns ==

'''[[Troparion]] - [[Tone]] 8'''

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

'''[[Kontakion]] - Tone 8'''

As a faithful favorite of God you became enflamed with zeal for the Church of Christ 
and drew in the reins of the emperor Valens, O venerable one; 
you prophetically foretold to him the captivity of the Church and of his own wretched death. 
Therefore, venerable Isaac, ceaselessly pray for us who honor you.

== Sources ==
*''Prologue from Ohrid, May 30''. By Nikolai Velimirovich.
* ''Lives of the Three Hierarchs''. Published by Holy Apostles Convent (Buena Vista, CO)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101566 OCA Feasts and Saints, May 30]
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=71 Isaacius, Abbot of the Monastery of Dalmatus] ([[GOARCH]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=151 Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation Monastery] (GOARCH)

[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[el:Άγιος Ισαάκιος]]

Irene Chrysovalantou

2017-07-31T06:52:35Z

BALawrence: /* External links and sources */ updated GOARCH link

Our venerable mother '''Irene of Chrysovalantou''' was the [[abbess]] of the [[monastery]] of Chrysovalantou during the ninth century. Her [[feast day]] is on [[July 28]].

Originally slated to wed the Emperor Michael, she went to the monastery of Chrysovalantou, and immediately engaged herself in vigils and prayer. She then replaced the Abbess very early on, and increased her spiritual struggles, with great trust in God to guide the community properly. She developed the gifts of foresight and exorcism. Her prayer through the night continued in the courtyard of the monastery, and caused herself to levitate and the cypress trees to bend towards her. She was granted three apples from St. [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]], visions of [[angel]]s, and appeared in a vision to the Emperor to release an unjustly convicted man. After her death at 102 years, she continued to be a wonderworker.

[[Image:St_Irene_Chrysovalantou.jpg|frame|right|Saint Irene, Abbess of the Monastery of Chrysovalantou]]
==The Royal Wedding==
Irene was born in Cappadocia to an aristocratic family. She had a sister who would later marry Empress [[Theodora (9th century empress)|Theodora]]'s brother Vardas.

Empress Theodora, who ruled the empire after the death of Theophilus as regent for her son, re-established Orthodoxy and removed the [[iconoclast]]s. On her son Michael's twelfth birthday, Empress Theodora sent messengers to find a suitably beautiful, virtuous, and refined girl for Michael's wife. Coming across Irene, they offered and she accepted to wed Michael, and they (along with some of Irene's family) set off for Constantinople for the wedding.

During the journey to Constantinople they passed Mt. Olympos, and Irene asked to visit Ioannikos the recluse to receive his blessing. The [[hermit]]'s spiritual insight allowed him to foresee the arrival of the group, and also Irene's future, and he said, "Welcome Irene, Servant of God. Proceed to the Imperial City in joy because the [[convent]] of Chrysovalantou needs you in the community."

Irene, amazed by his [[prophesy|prophetic]] power, [[prostration|prostrated]] and begged his blessing. Ioannikos lifted her up, gave her strength with spiritual thoughts and gave his blessing, and Irene joyfully continued the journey to Constantinople. On her arrival, she was received with great ceremony by relatives, patricians, senators, and poor.

But, the wedding was not to be: Michael had already been married. Irene was not upset, but rather gave thanks to God; turning down many marriage proposals from outstanding men in [[Byzantium]], she set off for the Monastery of Chrysovalantou.

==Sister of Chrysovalantou==
Irene was impressed by the monastery's atmosphere and the sisterhood's way of life, so much so that she freed her slaves, gave her inherited wealth and dowry to the poor and entered the community, wearing a habit of sackcloth. With [[humility]] and [[obedience]] she served the sisterhood, cheerfully and attentively performing the most lowly and despised tasks, and never using worldly sophistries or aristocratic indignation.

The abbess of Chrysovalantou noticed that Irene was following [[Christ]]'s words that "without Me, you can do nothing. Anyone who remains in Me as I remain in him will bear much fruit" ([[Gospel of John|John]] 15:5); and the [[novice]] was admired by all for her obedience, humility, love, and enthusiasm; her community went so far as to say that she had the spirit of a freed slave.

In her [[cell]] she read the lives of the [[saint]]s, learning from St. [[Arsenius the Great|Arsenius]] the night-long prayer. Irene asked for a blessing to embark on this, and the abbess, recognising Irene's humility, granted her request before the end of her first year of the novitiate. Irene was able to stand from morning to night with [[orans|hands raised]], sometimes standing for full days without movement, much to the amazement of the abbess.

Irene would do this for three years, and the evil one was unable to divert her because of Irene's success in subduing earthly thoughts and temptations through [[abstinence]] and obedience. Her food was bread and water, with occasional supplements from herbs or vegetables; her [[habit]] was replaced only every [[Easter]], and she would only clean it to give to the poor during [[Lent]]. Her obedience was cleaning the bathroom. Any wayward thoughts or signs of the evil one's activity were immediately [[confession|confessed]] to the abbess, with Irene's exercises recommenced.

After this, Irene had only to [[Sign of the Cross|cross]] herself as successful defense against the evil one; however, on one occasion she was so shaken with doubt that she fell to the ground, shedding tears of [[prayer]] to the Lord, His holy [[Theotokos|Mother]], all the saints and the [[archangel]]s (to whom the monastery was dedicated).

:"O Blessed Trinity (Father, Son, and [[Holy Spirit]]), everlasting God, at the [[intercession]] of Your most holy Mother and in the presence of the archangels, their armies, the celestial powers and all Your saints, help Your servant. Deliver me from the assaults of the devil."

After many tears in many nights, she was able to overcome these doubts, and in her renewed devotion she appeared transfigured to many people whom she led to the Lord, renewing the faith of rich and poor and causing many unmarried women enter the monastery.

After some time, the abbess became weak and near the time of her repose. The sisterhood was filled with sorrow on realising this, while Irene shed many tears. On her last day, many nuns had gathered in her cell, but Irene was not there; the abbess noted this, and said to them:
:"Do not lament my departure for in my successor you have a leader who is wiser than I. Be obedient to her, this daughter of light, lamb of Christ and vessel of the Holy Spirit. Do not accept anyone but Irene."

Then, with the words "Glory to You, O Lord, in Your mercy," she reposed. Irene was not told of these disclosures for the sake of her humility, but the sisterhood prayed that the Lord's will would be done, and then sought the [[patriarch]]'s advice. Patriarch [[Methodios the Confessor]] was a leader of great courage, and, through the iconoclasts, had the [[stigmata]] of Christ, and also had the gift of foresight. When the [[patriarch]] asked who should be the superior, they responded that the patriarch should decide, guided by the Holy Spirit. Patriarch Methodios asked if there was a humble nun named Irene; and if so, that she was the choice pleasing in the sight of God. The sisterhood was filled with such joy at the workings of the Holy Spirit that Methodios rose and offered [[incense]] as thanks to the Lord, and [[ordination|ordained]] Irene [[deaconess]]. After advising her in the ways of administering and guiding the sisterhood, the patriarch clothed her as abbess and gave the sisterhood his blessing as farewell.

==Abbess of Chrysovalantou==
When the sisterhood arrived at the monastery, they held a great celebration for the friends and spiritual children of the monastery. Irene was joyless because she felt herself to be utterly inadequate for the task, however, the sisterhood reassured her. In her cell she constantly prayed, saying:
:"Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, help Your servant and this, my flock, because we have no power of our own to resist the assaults of the demons. Leave us not without Your grace."

To which she received the reply:
:"Watch and pray without ceasing for from this day you will have the responsibility of the spiritual welfare of many for whom our Lord was incarnate and shed His precious blood, souls that He has committed to your care. Take care that the 'blind do not lead the blind' so that both fall into the ditch."

In receiving this command, Irene redoubled her [[Prayer Rule|spiritual exercises]] and was given great wisdom and revelations in how to lead the flock. With this strength from God, she told her sisterhood:
:"I know, beloved sisters in Christ, that it was not logical that I, your humble, unworthy, and illiterate servant, should be called to teach you, but the ways of God are mysterious. If it is by His grace that I am your superior, then I pray that you will obey me. Surely if we do not obey the laws (promised before God and His angels) of the habit we wear, we achieve nothing. For it is said: 'faith without works is dead' ([[Book of James|James]] 2:17). Why have we left the unreal and temporal world? To disobey His commandments? If so, like the foolish virgins we also will lose the eternal kingdom. (Matthew 25:1-13) The soul cannot be divided so as to have both pride and humility, unrestricted pleasure and abstinence. Therefore let us rid our soul of worldly desire and seek only purity, humility, patience, and love (prayer of St. [[Isaac the Syrian]]) lest we lose not only ourselves but others also."

The more Irene was respected for her judgment, holy way of life, and [[miracle]]s, the more she humbled herself. She identified with the unrepentant thief such that, at the offering of [[Eucharist]], she had to hide her face to prevent people from seeing her tears. Sometimes Irene would remain in prayer and contemplation for as long as a week without ceasing, taking only uncooked vegetables and water for sustenance.

==Wonder-worker of Chrysovalantou==
===Gift of Foresight===
One of Irene's gifts was that of foresight. Irene asked God that she might be given the gift of foresight so that she could have knowledge of the sisters' impending trials so that she would be better able to advise them. A [[guardian angel]] greeted her, saying, "Hail, fruitful servant of God, the Lord has sent me that more might be saved through your guidance. I am to remain at your side and disclose the events of the future." He disappeared, but remained with her, continually revealing the hidden problems of the nuns and all others who sought her advice. Irene was able to use her gift to correct confessions, never to reprimand or humiliate. Giving thanks to God, regardless of how many would seek her advice, she increased in humility.

===Prince Varda's Death===
Irene's sister, wife of Prince Varda, sent her eunuch to see Irene. Irene informed him of a recent revelation that the prince would soon die at the wish of the Emperor Michael, and that the emperor himself would immediately lose his life and kingdom. Even though this disclosure was confidential, Prince Varda was told everything by his wife; however, due to Prince Varda's pride and faithlessness, he dismissed the idea. As the saint predicted, Prince Varda was killed in battle, closely followed by the Emperor. Irene continued to serve the Church in the reign of Basil the Macedonian, the successor to the throne.

===The Magician's Wiles===
A young and beautiful girl came to the monastery of Chrysovalantou and became a novice. To fight this, the evil one incited her ex-fiancé such that he sought the help of a magician in Cappadocia. The magician's spells made the novice lose her mind and threaten to drown herself. Irene lamented her neglect and received the power to defy the evil one in this struggle. Gathering her community together, she explained the situation and ordered a week-long period of [[fast]]ing, daily 100 prostrations, and the continual prayer for an understanding of God's will. On the third night, St. [[Basil the Great|Basil]] appeared to Irene, advising her to take the novice to the convent of [[Panagia Blachernitissa|Vlachernae]], where the Mother of God would heal her. Taking two senior nuns with her, on arrival they fell asleep during their first [[All-Night Vigil|all-night vigil]] from exhaustion.

Irene's vision continued while she slept: a pilgrim procession appeared in white and golden robes, shining with a strange and unearthly light, scattering flowers and incense on the path. Irene asked their purpose, to be told that the Mother of God was coming. The Mother of God arrived at that moment, surrounded by hosts of angels, so radiant that none could look upon her; she visited the sick, then came to Irene, who prostrated in fear. While prostrate, Irene heard the Mother of God tell St. [[Basil the Great|Basil of Caesarea]] to cure the young girl from Caesarea, saying, "My Son and God has given you this power." Irene then awoke with the message, "Return to your convent and within three days your novice will be healed." She disclosed her vision to her companions and they departed with joy, arriving in time for Friday's [[Vespers]].

After Vespers, Irene instructed her sisterhood to lift up their eyes and hands to heaven and cry, "Lord, have mercy;" after many hours and many tears, Sts. Basil and Anastasia said to Irene, "Stretch out your hand, accept the gift, and do not trouble us any more." The gift was the magician's aids, including model idols of the nun and her ex-fiancé.

Giving thanks to God during the all-night vigil, in the morning they sent the novice to Vlachernae with holy bread and all the magician's aids. After the [[Divine Liturgy]] at Vlachernae, the [[priest]] anointed her and solemnly burnt the magician's aids. As the aids were burnt, the suffering novice was released from her bonds, and the idols made sounds like pigs anticipating slaughter. The novice, and all those present, were filled with holy fear and gave thanks to the Lord.

===Destroyer of Demons===
Nicholas was a young man, responsible for the vineyard of the monastery. He fell in love with one of the nuns, such that he lay awake at night listening to the suggestions of the demons to hear how he might satisfy his lust. One night he fell unconscious as a result of this. The following morning Irene heard of this, and said, "Blessed be God who has allowed us to be the objects of the devil's attention," and gave orders for Nicholas to be taken to the Church of St. Anastasia so that Irene would not receive the credit for Nicholas' healing. However, St. Anastasia appeared to Irene and told her not to lay aside the responsibility for healing her own servant.

Irene decided to confine Nicholas in a straightjacket tied to one of the pillars of the church. Once after the [[Great Entrance]], Nicholas was so consumed with fury that he broke the chains, rushed to the [[Holy Doors]] and began to bite the flesh of the priest, so much so that Irene had to leave her stall and order Nicholas to be still; an order so powerful that he was immediately calm. He tried to move back, but he could not move.

After the Liturgy Irene prostrated herself beside Nicholas and prayed to God for his health. After some time, she stood up and ordered the demon to leave Nicholas, who was seized and hurled to the ground, after which Nicholas was cured. He was sent back to work with a strict rule of life, was advised to pray for the protection of the holy angels to avoid such a thing happening in the future, and left praising God.

===Handkerchiefs of the Cypress Trees===
On great [[feast]]s it was the custom of Irene to keep vigil in the courtyard of the monastery, giving thanks for the awesome beauty of creation. During one of these vigils one of the nuns, who was unable to sleep, left her cell and entered the courtyard. The nun was blessed to see Irene motionless, in prayer and levitated a metre off the ground, with two cypress trees bent to the ground before her. After Irene had finished, she blessed the trees and they returned to standing upright.

At first, the nun thought this to be a vision of the evil one. Afterwards, when others of the sisterhood noticed handkerchiefs at the top of those trees, the nun who saw Irene related what she saw. In response to this the whole sisterhood was so excited that Irene rebuked them, focusing on the need for concentration of their own prayer rule and ordering them not to relate any miracles until after Irene's repose.

===Apples of St. Basil===
Irene kept the feast of St. Basil especially holy because they both came from Cappadocia. After the feast day of St. Basil, during the third watch of the night, she heard a voice saying, "Welcome the sailor who brings fruit to you today and eat it with joy; let your soul rejoice;" followed by a similar voice during [[Matins]] saying, "Go to the door and bring in the sailor who is visiting you." She invited the sailor in and greeted one another, and stayed until the end of the Liturgy. After Liturgy, Irene enquired after the sailor's journey, to which he replied,
:"I am a sailor from Patinas and I joined a boat coming to this town for business. As we were passing the coast of that island, we saw a very old man on the shore who called to us to wait for him. We could not because we were near the rocks, so with a good wind behind us we left. He then shouted all the more loudly ordering the boat to stop. This it did at once. Then he came to us walking on the waves and soon entered the boat. Then taking three apples from beneath his cloak, he gave them to me saying, 'When you go to the capital, give these to the patriarch and tell him that the Almighty sends them to him from His beloved [[disciple]], John.' After that he took another three and asked that these be presented to you, the abbess of Chrysovalantou. To you he said, 'Eat these and all that your beautiful soul desires will be granted you because this gift comes to you from John in Paradise.' Having said this he blessed God, wished us well, and disappeared."

Irene offered a prayer of thanksgiving, with tears of joy, for St. [[John the Theologian]], the [[Apostle]], [[Evangelist]], and beloved disciple of Christ. The sailor asked for a blessing and left the monastery. Irene fasted for a week, thanking God for the apples. After this, she ate small pieces of the first apple daily, without any other form of sustenance, for forty days; when she ate, she smelt as if she was exuding [[myrrh]]; during this time, the remaining apples became more beautiful and aromatic. On [[Holy_Week|Holy Thursday]], she directed her sisterhood to receive Communion; after the Liturgy, the second apple was divided between them; when eaten, so sweet was the taste that the sisters felt as if their souls were being fed. The third apple was kept until Irene would know what to do with it.

On [[Holy Week|Holy Friday]], during the singing of the [[hymn]]s of the [[Passion]], Irene had a vision of countless radiant angelic beings entering the church: some with stringed instruments, singing beautiful hymns to God; others with goblets of myrrh, to be poured onto the [[altar]], which filled the monastery with a wonderful fragrance. Among these beings was a particularly majestic man, a face radiant like the sun, who was treated with devotion. He approached the altar and, taking the shroud offered to him by the other beings, covered the now-fragrant altar.

The angel who stood by the altar, with great sadness, cried out to the majestic one, "Until when, O Lord?" to which a voice replied, "Until the second Solomon, when the heights will be united with the depths and all will be one. Then the Lord will be exalted and the memory of Irene will be glorified." Irene took this as confirmation of her teaching that no one, whether herself or another of the sisters, could be glorified until they achieved the Kingdom in death. Irene gathered the community, reiterating the necessity of running from worldly honour to achieve and behold the glory of God.

===The Emperor's Vision===
Irene had a noble relative who was unjustly convicted of conspiracy to kill the emperor, who then sentenced the noble relative to drown at sea. Friends and relatives of the convicted ran to Irene for intervention. She comforted them and told them to return home and to have faith in God. She then went to her cell to intercede for the unjustly condemned man.

God allowed for Irene to appear before the emperor in a dream. Irene threatened the emperor, saying "O King, get up immediately and release the prisoner condemned through jealousy. If you do not listen to me I will request the King of Kings to cause your death and the deliverance of your worthless body to wild animals." The Emperor, angered, asked who threatened him; she responded, "I am the abbess of Chrysovalantou. Irene is my name," and hit him so hard that he awoke and she disappeared. The eemperor demanded from the guards an explanation as to how the woman had escaped. The guards pleaded their ignorance, and he realised that he had received a vision.

The next day, the condemned was questioned and proved his loyalty to the emperor's satisfaction. The emperor asked him if he knew of an Irene of Chrysovalantou. "Of course," was his response. "She is a relative of mine, a most virtuous and God-fearing abbess, so humble that she never leaves her monastery and only rarely receives visitors."

The emperor sent his nobles, along with an artist, to go to Chrysovalantou monastery, so that the artist could paint a portrait of Irene after he had left the monastery; all this was revealed to Irene. After Matins she returned to the church with the sisterhood, telling them to bring the visitors to her immediately. When they arrived to her, she became so radiant that they fell to the floor, unable to behold such a presence. Irene immediately told them, "Do not be afraid. I am also a fallible creature. But why does your skeptical master put you to all this trouble? Tell him to do as I said and release the prisoner, or else all that I prophesied will befall him." The nobles agreed to report this to the emperor, but asked to stay with her, ostensibly to hear more words from her, but also for the artist to be able to paint her likeness.

The artist painted a portrait, but when it was shown to the emperor the whole company was overwhelmed by a great light. Blinded, the emperor said the beginning of [[Psalm]] 50, and to his amazement, his blindness passed. He looked at the portrait and realised that it was the same person he had seen in the vision. The prisoner was released with full honours, and a message of thanks was sent to Irene for intervening. He asked for her presence to bless himself and the empress, but she responded, "Thanks be to God who desires not the death of a sinner but his repentance. Do not thank me, glorify Him," and, "It is neither right for your majesties to enter the convent nor for me to visit you. You do not need the blessing of a sinful woman when you have the holy patriarch and spiritual directors of the great monasteries to advise you. Do as they say and you will rule this empire with wisdom. Please attend to what I say and may the right hand of God watch over you."

After these events, the royal house, as well as the family of the former prisoner, were attentive to the example and teaching of the monastery of Chrysovalantou; in return for this, the monastery received numerous gifts. Among many others, Irene became known for her ability to predict death. Using this gift from God, she was able to strengthen many people in their last hours.

==Repose of the Venerable Irene==
In accordance with angelic prophecy, that Irene would repose on the day after St. [[Panteleimon]]'s feast day, the monastery kept the day before St. Panteleimon as a feast to celebrate the anniversary of the monastery's founding.

Irene spent the whole week prior to that in preparation. She spent all of her days in meditation and fasting, drinking water and eating only small pieces from the last remaining apple, eaten because she felt her time of repose to be near. As soon as she ate the first fragment all enmity disappeared from the monastery, and the monastery was filled with fragrance from the apple. In a moment of doubt Irene cried out with great anguish. The sisterhood ran to her, and Irene recovered her composure, saying,
:"Today, my children, I depart from this world and you will see me no more. For the time has come for me to pass to eternal life. Therefore elect as your superior Sister Mary, for I know that she has already been chosen by God. I know that she will lead you according to His Will and keep you on the narrow path so that you will also attain to the broad avenues of paradise. Hate the world and all that is in it, for as our Lord and Master has said, 'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, there is no love for the Father in him' ([[I John]] 2:15), because all these temporal things are vanity ([[Ecclesiastes]] 1:2). Never follow the will of the flesh but only the Will of God because it is He who gave you all things that you may return them to Him in that day."
And so, after her last instructions and nominating the next abbess of Chrysovalantou, she raised her hands and eyes to the heavens and prayed:
:"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, the Good Shepherd who has saved and fed us with Your own most precious Blood, I deliver in Your Holy Hands this little flock. Hide it under the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 90), protect it from the wiles of the devil for Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory and to You we give thanks for ever and ever."
After she finished this prayer she sat up and smiled at the sight of the angels who greeted her, and her face was radiant. She closed her eyes and fell asleep in the Lord.

===Funeral===
At the all-night vigil, there were so many people—rich and poor—that the monastery gates had to be closed by force. The next day, at the funeral, the even larger congregation was amazed at the beauty of Irene, who was over 102 years old. Throughout the funeral and burial there was an unexplainable and indescribable fragrance filling the monastery.

==St. Irene the Wonder-worker==
Countless miracles surround St. Irene. First of these was the fragrance, the same present at the funeral, which continued at the saint's grave for years. Countless miracles occur at the site, and many prayers for St. Irene's intercessions are continually answered. One such series of miracles is for mothers who are unable to conceive: after asking for St. Irene's intercessions, often a child is born, and the parents will name their child Chrysovalanti or Chrysovalantou.

==Monastery of Chrysovalantou in Attika, Greece==
In 1930, many people witnessed the Saint digging the foundations for the convent that was then built in her memory. It is a fine and beautiful example of Byzantine architecture.

==Hymns==
[[Apolytikion]] in the Plagal of Tone One (Tone 5)

''modeled on 'Ton Synarnarhon Logon (Co-eternal with the Father)' ''
:Not a temporal kingdom on earth didst thou obtain,
:but Christ, thy most comely Bridegroom, vouchsafed thee heavenly crowns,
:and thou reignest as a queen with Him eternally;
:for thou didst dedicate thyself unto Him with all thy soul,
:O Irene, our [[righteous]] Mother,
:thou boast of Chrysovalantou, and mighty help of all the Orthodox.

[[Kontakion]] in Tone Three

''modeled on 'I Parthenou Simeron (Today the Virgin)' ''
:Leaving all the world behind with its impermanent glory,
:thou wast wedded unto Christ, the King immortal and holy,
:bringing Him as precious dowry thy maiden beauty
:and thy trophies won through abstinence over demons.
:O Irene, our righteous Mother, entreat thy Bridegroom to show His mercy to us.

==External links and sources==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102119 St. Irene Chrysovolantou] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.serfes.org/lives/stirene.htm The Life Of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou] translated by Mother Xenia in Jerusalem, compiled by [[Archimandrite]] Nektarios Serfes
*[http://www.stirene.org/StIreneChrysovalantou/StIreneChrysovalantou_index.htm Our Holy Mother Irene, Most Gracious Abbess of the Sacred Monastery of Chrysovalantou]
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=498 Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/i/inp160.htm Icon of St. Irene of Chrysovolantos]
*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8qQGOr57nz8 Απολυτίκιον Αγίας Ειρήνης Χρυσοβαλάντου]

[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:9th-century saints]]

[[ro:Irina (din Hrisovalant)]]

Joachim and Anna

2017-07-27T01:21:37Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ corrected GOARCH link

[[image:Joachimanna.jpg|right|thumb|Ss. Joachim and Anna, grandparents of [[Christ]], with their daughter the Ever-virgin [[Theotokos|Mary]].]]
The holy and [[righteous]] '''Joachim and Anna''' are the parents of the [[Theotokos]], the grandparents of [[Jesus Christ]]. Their [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[September 9]], following the [[Nativity of the Theotokos]]; the dormition of St. Anna is commemorated on [[July 25]].

==Lives==
St. Joachim was of the tribe of [[Judah]], and a descendant of King [[David]]. St. Anna was the daughter of Matthan the priest, of the tribe of Levi as was Aaron the High Priest. Matthan had three daughters: Mary, [[Zoia]], and Anna. Mary was married in [[Bethlehem]] and bore Salome; Zoia was also married in Bethlehem and bore [[Elizabeth]], the mother of St. [[John the Forerunner]]; and Anna was married in [[Nazareth]] to Joachim, and in old age gave birth to the [[Theotokos]].

Sts. Joachim and Anna had been married for fifty years, and were barren. They lived devoutly and quietly, using only a third of their income for themselves and giving a third to the poor and a third to the Temple. Joachim had done this since he was 15-years-old, and God multiplied his flocks, so the couple was well provided for. They longed for a child but remained childless into their old age. When they were in Jerusalem to offer sacrifice to God, the High Priest, Issachar, upbraided Joachim, "You are not worthy to offer sacrifice with those childless hands." Others who had children jostled Joachim, thrusting him back as unworthy. In despair, he consulted the geneological records of the tribes of Israel and discovered every righteous man in the nation had been blessed with children, except him. This caused the aged saint great grief, and he and his wife left with heavy hearts. Then the two of them gave themselves to prayer to God that He would work in them the wonder that He had worked in [[Abraham]] and [[Righteous Sarah|Sarah]], and give them a child to comfort their old age.

St. Joachim took his flocks and went to a high mountain, refusing to return home in shame. Meanwhile, St. Anna prayed in her garden. God sent the [[Archangel Gabriel]] to each of them, who gave them tidings of the birth of "a daughter most blessed, by whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed, and through whom will come the salvation of the world." Each promised to have their child raised in the Temple as a holy vessel of God. The archangel told St. Joachim to return home, where he would find his wife waiting for him in the city gate. St. Anna he told to wait at the gate. When they saw one another, they embraced, and this image is the traditional icon of their feast.

St. Anna conceived shortly thereafter, and in the ninth month gave birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This [[Conception of the Theotokos|Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God]] is celebrated by the Church on [[December 9]] and the [[Nativity of the Theotokos]] is celebrated on [[September 8]].

Sts. Joachim and Anna took Mary, at the age of three, to the temple to be dedicated to the service of the Lord, and presented her to the priest Zechariahs. The parents then, after offering up her sacrifice (according to the custom of the time), left the Virgin with other maidens in the apartments of the temple to be brought up therein. The Church commemorates the [[Presentation of the Theotokos]] on [[November 21]].

==Dormition of the Righteous Anna==
During the next seven years, Righteous Anna and Joachim visited Mary often at the temple until they died, leaving her an orphan at age ten. St. Joachim lived for 80 years and Anna for 79, and they both entered into the kingdom of God before the [[Annunciation]] to the Most Holy Theotokos. The Dormition feast day of St. Anna is celebrated on [[July 25]].

The holy Ancestor-of-God Joachim had himself reposed at 80 years of age, several years after the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (November 21). St Anna, having been left a widow, moved from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and lived near the Temple. At Jerusalem she bought two pieces of property: the first at the gates of Gethsemane, and the second in the valley of Josaphat. At the second locale she built a tomb for the members of her family, and where also she herself was buried with Joachim. It was there in the Garden of Gethsemane that the Savior often prayed with His disciples.

The most-pure body of the Mother of God was buried in the family tomb. Christians honored the sepulchre of the Mother of God, and they built a church on this spot. Within the church was preserved the precious funeral cloth, which covered Her all-pure and fragrant body.

The holy Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem (420-458) testified before the emperor Marcian (450-457) as to the authenticity of the tradition about the miraculous ascent of the Mother of God to Heaven, and he sent to the empress, St Pulcheria (September 10), the grave wrappings of the Mother of God from Her tomb. St Pulcheria then placed these grave-wrappings within the Blachernae church.

==Relics==
During the reign of St [[Justinian]] the Emperor (527-565), a church was built in honor of St Anna at Deutera. And since St Anna had appeared to his pregnant wife, Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) restored her church. It was at this time that her body and maphorion (veil) were transferred to Constantinople.

== Hymns ==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 5)
:Let us sing praises to Joachim and Anna,
:the couple honored by God
:(and they are His kinsmen).
:They have borne for us the Maiden
:who in a manner beyond understanding
:gave birth to Him Who though fleshless,
:became the incarnate to save the world.
:With her they [[intercession|intercede]] for our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:Anna rejoices, released from her barrenness,
:and nurses her most pure child.
:She calls all people to glorify Him
:Who gave the Virgin Mother to mankind from her womb.

===Dormition of the Righteous Anna hymns===
Troparion - Tone 4
:Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure Mother of God, who gave life to our Life.
:Therefore, you are now carried joyfully to the inheritance of heaven,
:To the abode of those who rejoice in glory,
:Where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully honor you, ever blessed one.

Kontakion - Tone 2
:We celebrate the memory of the progenitors of Christ,
:And with faith we ask their help,
:That deliverance from every affliction be granted to those who cry out:
:"Be with us, O God, who in Your good pleasure glorified them."

==Sources==
What the Church knows of the Theotokos’ parents, survives from several sources, primarily the [[Protoevangelion of James]].
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/joachim_anna.htm Saints Joachim and Anna]
*[http://www.gostanna.org/church/life.asp The Life & Dormition of St. Anna]

==External links==
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=201 The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102546 Holy and Righteous Ancestor of God, Joachim], [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102547 Holy and Righteous Ancestor of God, Anna] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=140 Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos] (GOARCH)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102086 Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos] (OCA)
*[http://singerabis.wordpress.com Church in honor of the Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna]
<googlemap lat="46.925245" lon="28.962488" zoom="18">
46.924996, 28.962402, Church in honor of the Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna
</googlemap>

[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[el:Ιωακείμ ο δίκαιος]]
[[el:Άννα, Αγία]]
[[fr:Joachim et Anne]]
[[ro:Ioachim şi Ana]]

Elijah

2017-07-21T03:16:53Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ fixed GOARCH link

[[image:Elias.jpg|thumb|right|The Prophet Elijah (Elias)]]
[[Image:Prophet Elijah - Chariot of Fire.jpg|thumb|right|Prophet Elias ascending into Heaven in the chariot of fire with horses of fire (2 Kings 2:11).]]
The glorious Prophet '''Elijah''' (Hebrew: אליהו), also '''Elias''' ([[New Testament|NT]] Greek Hλίας), is a [[prophet]] of the Hebrew Bible or [[Old Testament]]. His name has been variously translated as "whose God is the Lord," "God the Lord," "the strong Lord," "God of the Lord," "my God is the Lord," "the Lord is my God," and "my God is Jehovah." His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[July 20]].

== Old Testament ==
Elijah is first introduced in [[III Kingdoms|1 Kings]] 17:1 as delivering a message from God to Ahab, king of Israel. He is sometimes known as the "Tishbite," being from the town of Tishbe.

Having delivered his message to Ahab, he retired at the command of God to a hiding-place by the brook Cherith, beyond Jordan, where he was fed by ravens. When the brook dried up God sent him to the widow of Zarephath, a city of Zidon, from whose scanty store he was supported for the space of two years. During this period the widow's son died, and was restored to life by Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-24).

During these two years a famine prevailed in the land. At the close of this period of retirement and of preparation for his work, Elijah met Obadiah, one of Ahab's officers, whom he had sent out to seek for pasturage for the cattle, and bade him go and tell his master that Elijah was there. The king came and met Elijah, and reproached him as the "troubler of Israel." It was then proposed that sacrifices should be publicly offered, for the purpose of determining whether Baal or the Israelite God was the true God. This was done on Mount Carmel; the result was that a [[miracle]] took place convincing those watching that Baal was false and that the Israelite God was real. The prophets of Baal were then put to death by the order of Elijah.

Jezebel, enraged at the fate that had befallen her priests of Baal, threatened to put Elijah to death (1 Kings 19:1-13). He therefore fled in alarm to Beersheba, and went alone into the wilderness, and sat down in despondency under a juniper tree. As he slept, an [[angel]] touched him, and said unto him, "Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." He arose and found a cake and a cruse of water. Having partaken of the provision, he went forward on his way for forty days to Horeb, where he took residence in a cave. Here God appeared to him and said, "What dost thou here, Elijah?" In answer to Elijah's despondent words God manifests to him his glory, and then directs him to return to Damascus and anoint Hazael king over the Arameans (Syria), Jehu king over Israel, and [[Elisha]] to be prophet in his room (1 Kings 19:13-21; compare [[IV Kingdoms|2 Kings]] 8:7-15; 9:1-10).

Some six years after this, he warned Ahab and Jezebel of the violent deaths they would die (1 Kings 21:19-24; 22:38). He also, four years afterwards, warned Ahaziah, who had succeeded his father Ahab, of his approaching death (2 Kings 1:1-16). During these intervals he probably withdrew to some quiet retirement, no one knew where. His interview with Ahaziah's messengers on the way to Ekron, and the account of the destruction of his captains with their fifties, suggest the idea that he may have been in retirement at this time on Mount Carmel. The Carmelites have a tradition that they were founded by Elijah at this time.

The time now drew near when he was to be taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:1-12). He went down to Gilgal, where there was a school of prophets, and where his successor Elisha, whom he had anointed some years before, resided. Elisha was distraught by the thought of his master's leaving him, and refused to be parted from him. The two went on and came to Bethel and Jericho, and crossed the Jordan, the waters of which were "divided hither and thither" when smitten with Elijah's mantle. Upon arriving at the borders of Gilead, which Elijah had left many years before, it "came to pass as they still went on and talked" they were suddenly separated by a chariot and horses of fire; and "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven," Elisha receiving his mantle, which fell from Elijah as he ascended.

Elijah's chosen successor was the prophet Elisha; Elijah designated Elisha as such by leaving his mantle with him (2 Kings 2:13-15), so that his wish for "a double portion" of the older prophet's spirit (2:9), an allusion to the preference shown the first-born son in the division of the father's estate ([[Deuteronomy]] 21:17), had been fulfilled.

== New Testament references ==
Elijah is frequently mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. In [[Gospel of John|John]] 1:25 the priests and Levites said to [[John the Baptist]], "Why [[baptism|baptizest]] thou, if thou be not that [[Christ]], nor Elias?" Paul ([[Romans]] 11:2) refers to an incident in his history to illustrate his argument that God had not cast away his people. (See also [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 4:25; 9:54.)

Elijah was similar to John the Baptist in the sternness and power of his reproofs (Luke 9:8). According to [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 11:11, he was the Elijah that "must first come" (Matt. 11:11, 14). In John the Baptist one can see "the same connection with a wild and wilderness country; the same long retirement in the desert; the same sudden, startling entrance on his work (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 3:2); even the same dress, a hairy garment, and a leather girdle about the loins (2 Kings 1:8; Matt. 3:4)."

Also, Elijah's appearance in glory on Mount Tabor at the [[Transfiguration]] does not seem to have startled the [[disciple]]s. They were "sore afraid," but not apparently surprised.

According to prophecies of the holy Fathers, God will send Elijah and Enoch before coming of the [[Antichrist]] to bear witness for Christ on the earth and to strengthen the faithful.

== Elijah in local traditions ==
Aside from holding a special place in the devotions of Arab Christians, in many Slavic nations Elijah is sometimes referred to as ''Gromovik'' (literally "Thunderer"). This is partially due to local mythology, which compares Elijah's fiery chariot to that of Perun, the defunct Slavic god of storms, snows, and rains.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

:An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets,
:the second forerunner of the coming of Christ,
:Glorious Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha,
:to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers.
:Therefore, he pours forth healings on those who honor him.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)

:Prophet Elijah of great renown,
:seer of the mighty mighty works of God,
:by your command you held back the rain!
:Pray for us to the only Lover of mankind!

== Source ==
*[[Wikipedia:Elijah|''Elijah'' at Wikipedia]]

==External links==
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102060 Holy, Glorious Prophet Elijah] ([[OCA]])
* [https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=135 The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)] ([[GOARCH]])
* [[Augustine of Hippo]]. ''[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.XX.29.html Chapter 29.—Of the Coming of Elias Before the Judgment, that the Jews May Be Converted to Christ by His Preaching and Explanation of Scripture].'' In: '''CITY OF GOD'''. Book XX, Chapter 29. NPNF1-02.

[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:Prophets]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[fr:Élie le Thesbite]]
[[ro:Ilie Tesviteanul]]

Veronica

2017-07-19T04:01:34Z

BALawrence: grammar

[[image:Veronica.jpg|right|thumb|Saint Veronica, who wiped Christ's face as He went to his crucifixion.]]Saint '''Veronica''' (also ''Berenice'') is known as the woman who wiped [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]'s face as He carried His cross towards [[Golgotha]] and as the woman whom Christ cured of the issue of blood, who is also traditionally identified as Herod the Great's niece. The Church celebrates her [[feast day]] on [[July 12]].

==Life==
Few concrete details are known of the life of Saint Veronica, though much folklore has arisen, especially in Western Christendom, concerning her miraculous cloth, or veil, which touched the face of Christ.

Traditionally, Veronica came to believe in Christ when He healed her of an ailment that had afflicted her for twelve years:
:''And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
:''touched the hem of his garment:
:''For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
:''But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.
:''And the woman was made whole from that hour.''{{ref|1}}

The next episode that we hear of in her life is the famous cloth incident during Christ's [[crucifixion]]. When Christ paused in exhaustion, Veronica was able to give the Lord her handkerchief. When she looked at the cloth again, she realized that an image of Christ's face had appeared on it; this is often called the first [[iconography|icon]]. Veronica's name itself is said to be derived from the Latin words meaning ''true (verus) image/icon ''.

No one is certain of what happened to Veronica in her later years, though one story has it that she cured the Roman Emperor Tiberius of some kind of sickness using her iconic cloth. Some sources say that she and her husband, named Zacchaeus, travelled all the way to Southern France confessing the [[Gospel]].
==Hymn==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)
:The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother,
:For you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
:By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away,
:But to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.
:Therefore your spirit, O Holy Mother Veronica, rejoices with the Angels!
==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102006 Saint Veronica] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/v/phn33.htm "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art: Veronica] (Includes short biography and Troparion.)
*[[w:Saint Veronica|Wikipedia account of Veronica]]
*[[w:Veil of Veronica|Wikipedia on Veronica's veil]]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15362a.htm Roman Catholic Encyclopedia on Veronica]
*{{note|1}}[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209;&version=9; Matthew Chapter 9] (King James Version, in public domain, courtesy www.biblegateway.com)

[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

Justin Martyr

2017-06-01T03:48:16Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Justin Martyr.jpg|right|frame|St. Justin]]
The holy, glorious, right-victorious [[martyr]] '''Justin the Philosopher''' (also '''Justin Martyr''') was one of the earliest apologists for the Christian [[faith]]. A [[convert]] to Christianity, he produced a number of works during the middle of the second century, amongst them two ''Apologies'' addressed to the Roman emperors, defending and explaining Christianity as the true philosophy. The power of his arguments was to earn him his [[martyr]]dom. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[June 1]].

==Life==
The dates of Justin Martyr's birth and death are not known. He is believed to have been born between 100 and 114 A.D., and his death is believed to have occurred between 162 and 168. Most of what is known of his life comes from his own writings. He was born in Palestine in Flavia Neapolis, known in [[Old Testament]] times as Shechem, but now as Nablus. He called himself a Samaritan, although his father, Priscos, and grandfather, Baccheios, may have been Greek or Roman. As a child he was raised a [[pagan]] in a family of means and studied philosophy at various schools, including those in Alexandria and Ephesus. He appears to have traveled extensively and eventually settled in Rome.

In his studies he initially leaned toward Stoicism, then toward Pythagoreanism and Platonism before becoming interested in Christianity while in Ephesus. There he recounts his conversion as a semi-mystical experience: while walking along the seashore, there appeared an old man alongside him. He was impressed by this Christian, who explained that [[Jesus]] was the fulfillment of the promises made through the Jewish [[prophet]]s and thus the only true philosophy. He had also been impressed by the steadfastness of the Christian martyrs. His soul inflamed with a love of the prophets and those who were friends of [[Christ]], Justin became a Christian about 130. As a philosophy student he approached Christianity as bringing completeness to the pagan philosophies.

Justin's martyrdom appears to be the result of his bettering the Cynic philosopher Crescens in debates in Rome. Around 165, he was charged, possibly by Crescens, of following an illegal religion. Subsequently the prefect, Rustcus, condemned Justin to death by beheading with six of his companions: Chariton, Charito, Evelpostos, Paeon, Hierax, and Liberianos. ''The Acts of Justin the Martyr'' is believed to be a record of this trial.

==Works==
Justin was a prolific writer. Many of his writings now are known only through excerpts and quotation by other authors of antiquity. Only three of Justin's works of certain authenticity are extant: two versions of his ''Apology'' and one of his ''Dialogue with Trypho''. The latter purports to record conversations that Justin had with a Jewish rabbi named Tryphon, who may have been the rabbi Tarphon mentioned often in the Talmud, in verbal attempts to reconcile Christian and Jewish positions. Among other works attributed to him are:
* ''On the Resurrection''
* ''A Discourse to the Greeks''
* ''Exhortation to the Greeks''
* ''On Monarchy''
* ''Exposition of the Faith''
* ''Letter to Zenas and Serenus''
* ''Answers to the Orthodox''
* ''The Greek's Questions to the Christians''
* ''Refutation of Certain Aristotelean Theses''
* ''The Psalmist''
* ''On the Soul''
==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4)
:O Justin, teacher of divine knowledge,
:You shone with the radiance of true philosophy.
:You were wisely armed against the enemy.
:Confessing the truth you contended alongside the martyrs,
:With them, ever entreat Christ our God to save our souls!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:The whole Church of God is adorned with the wisdom of your divine words, O Justin;
:The world is enlightened by the radiance of your life.
:By the shedding of your blood, you have received a crown.
:As you stand before Christ with the angels, pray unceasingly for us all!
==External links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-44.htm#P3569_611625 Writings of Justin Martyr] at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101570 Martyr Justin the Philosopher and those with him at Rome] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=73 Justin the Philosopher and Martyr and his Companions] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/inp63.htm Icon of Saint Justin Martyr] at "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art by the hand of Nicholas Papas
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: St Justin Martyr]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr Wikipedia: Justin Martyr]
* [http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/175.html Justin Martyr, Apologist, and Martyr]

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:2nd-century saints]]

[[es:Justino Mártir]]
[[el:Ιουστίνος ο Μάρτυς]]
[[fr:Justin Martyr]]
[[ro:Iustin Martirul]]

Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner

2017-05-31T02:15:49Z

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[[Image:John the forerunner head.jpg|frame|right|Head of St. John the Forerunner]]
The '''Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner''' is commemorated on [[May 25]].

==Finding==
The third discovery of the venerable head of the Holy [[Prophet]], [[John the Forerunner| Forerunner and Baptist John]] occurred in about the year 850. The head of St. John the Forerunner was found in the city of Emesia during a time of unrest at Constantinople connected with the exile of St. [[John Chrysostom]].

In about 820 the head was transferred to Komana during the [[Islam|Saracen]] raids, and it was hidden in the ground during a period of [[iconoclasm|iconoclastic]] persecution. When the [[veneration]] of [[icons]] was restored, Patriarch [[Ignatius]] (847-857) saw in a vision the place where the head of St. John was hidden. The [[patriarch]] informed the emperor, who sent the delegation that found the head.

The head was transferred to Constantinople, and on May 25 it was placed in a church at the court. Part of the head is on [[Mount Athos|Mt. Athos]].

The account of the first and second discoveries of the head of St. John the Forerunner are remembered by the Church on [[February 24]].

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101531]
:As a divine treasure hidden in the ground
:Was your head revealed to us by Christ, O prophet and forerunner.
:We have gathered in commemoration of this finding
:With inspired hymns of praise to the Savior,
:Who saves us from corruption through your prayers!

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101531]
:By giving your venerable head to a sinful woman,
:Herod broke the law of God.
:But we behold it and cry out for joy,
:And say to you, O forerunner:
:Pray to the Lord that He may grant mercy to us all!

==Source==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101531 Third Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John] ([[OCA]])

==External links==
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=66 Third Finding of the Precious Head of St. John the Baptist] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=May&day=25 The Third Finding of the Head of John the Baptist] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')

[[Category:Feasts]]

Apostle Alphaeus

2017-05-26T01:38:43Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Alphaeus''' is numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. He was the father of the [[Apostle James (son of Alphaeus)|Apostle James]] and the [[Apostle Matthew]], two of the [[Apostles|Twelve Great Apostles]]. He reposed in peace, and his [[feast day]] is on [[May 26]].

St. Alphaeus is referenced in the [[Gospels]] of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] (10:3), [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] (3:18), and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] (6:15), along with a mention in the [[Acts of the Apostles]] (1:13).

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101536 Apostle Alphaeus of the Seventy] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=67 Carpos and Alphaeus, Apostles of the 70] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Alphaeus]]
[[Category:Saints|Alphaeus]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles]]
[[Category: 1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Alfeu]]

Apostle Simon

2017-05-24T17:49:22Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Simon the Zealot.JPG|right|frame|Apostle Simon the Zealot]]
The holy, glorious and all-laudable '''Apostle Simon the Zealot''' was one of the Twelve [[Apostles]] of [[Jesus Christ]], referenced in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 10:2-4 and other places in [[Holy Scripture]]. His [[feast day]] is [[May 10]].

== Life ==
Simon was born in Cana of Galilee and was one of the [[Apostles|Twelve Great Apostles]]. He was the bridegroom at the wedding feast where [[Christ]] changed the water into wine ([[Gospel of John|John]] 2:1-11). Because of that [[miracle]], St. Simon left his home, parents and bride to follow Christ. After [[Pentecost]], he preached the [[Gospel]] in Mauritania in Africa.

He ended his [[missionary]] work in Georgia. St. Simon was tortured and crucified by the pagans in Abkhazia.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 3)
:O holy apostle Simon,
:entreat the merciful God,
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:Let us all bless the eloquent Simon in praise,
:who sowed the doctrines of wisdom in the hearts of the faithful;
:for he now stands before the throne of glory
:and rejoices with the angels,
:as he prays for us all unceasingly.

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101337 Apostle Simon Zealotes] ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=48 Simon the Zealot & Apostle] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=May&day=10 The Holy Apostle Simon, the Zealot] (''Prologue of Ohrid'')
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/groups/ntp05.htm Icon of Apostle Simon the Zealot]

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Simon]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Simon]]
[[Category:Saints|Simon]]
[[Category: 1st-century saints]]

[[ar:سمعان الرسول]]
[[el:Απόστολος Σίμων]]
[[fr:Simon le Zélote]]
[[ro:Apostolul Simon]]

Apostle Sosipater

2017-04-29T01:46:54Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

[[Image:Jasonsosipater.jpg|frame|thumb|200px|Ss. [[Apostle Jason|Jason]] and Sosipater]]
The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Sosipater''' is numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. St. Sosipater's [[feast day]]s are on [[April 28]] (Slavic tradition), or [[April 29|29]] (Greek tradition) with St. [[Apostle Jason|Jason]]; [[November 10]] with Ss. [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], [[Apostle Herodian|Herodian]], [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]] and [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]]; and [[January 4]] with the Seventy.

==Life==
Born in Achaea, he was [[Bishop]] in Iconium (prior to the [[Apostle Tertius]]) by his relative the [[Apostle Paul]]. With the [[Apostle Jason]] he traveled to the island of Corfu where they built a church in honor of the [[Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr]] and converted many pagans to the Christian faith. Seeing this, the king of Corfu threw them into prison where they [[conversion|converted]] seven other prisoners to the Christian faith: Saturninus, Jakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius. The king had those seven put to death for their faith in boiling pitch.

The king's daughter, the virgin Cercyra, having watched these holy apostles being tortured and turned to the Christian faith, distributed all her jewels to the poor. The king became angry and put her in prison, yet she would not deny Christ. So he had the prison burned, but she remained unharmed. Many people were [[baptism|baptized]] upon seeing this [[miracle]]. He then had her killed with arrows while tied to a tree.

Many believers fled to a nearby island to get away from the enraged king, but as he chased them his boat sank. The new king embraced the Christian faith and in baptism received the name Sebastian. From then on Sts. Sosipater and Jason freely preached the [[Gospel]] and built up the Church in Corfu until a very old age, when they gave up their souls to God.

==Hymns==
===November 10===
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103265]
:Holy Apostles, [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], [[Apostle Herodian|Herodian]], Sosipater, [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]] and [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]],
:entreat the merciful God,
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:Illumined by divine light, O holy apostles,
:you wisely destroyed the works of idolatry.
:When you caught all the pagans you brought them to the Master
:and taught them to glorify the Trinity.
===April 28===
Troparion (Tone 3) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101216]
:O holy Apostles [[Apostle Jason|Jason]] and Sosipater,
:Pray to the merciful God,
:That He may grant to our souls
:Remission of our transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 2)
:O Jason, source of healing,
:And Sosipater, glory of the martyrs of Christ:
:You were enlightened by the preaching of Paul,
:Both becoming a great consolation to the world through your miracles.
:Thrice-holy and God-bearing Apostles and defenders of those who suffer,
:Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

==Source==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103268 Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy], November 10 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101216 Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy and those with him], April 28 ([[OCA]])
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=35 Jason and Sosipater the Apostles of the 70 and their Companions] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=April&day=28 The Holy Apostles Jason, Sosipater and the Virgin Cercyra] (''Prologue of Ohrid'')

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Sosipater]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Sosipater]]
[[Category:Bishops|Sosipater]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Sosipater]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Sosipater]]
[[Category:Saints|Sosipater]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Sosipater]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[el:Άγιοι Σωσίπατρος και Ιάσωνας]]
[[ro:Apostolul Sosipatru]]

Crescens of Myra

2017-04-12T18:29:36Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Martyr]] '''Crescens of Myra''' was born into an illustrious family in Myra of Lycia. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[April 13]] (Slavic tradition) or [[April 15|15]] (Greek tradition).

Of his own accord he confronted the pagans, imploring them to reject their futile [[idol]]s and [[worship]] the One True [[God]] who is worshiped by the [[Christian]]s. St. Crescens was arrested and brought before the authorities where he was questioned about his lineage. To this he replied only that he was a [[Christian]]. St. Crescens was offered freedom if he would offer [[sacrifice]] to the [[idol]]s but he valiantly refused. This infuriated the ruler who ordered that he be hung up, beaten, have his flesh torn and finally thrown into a furnace where he gave up his [[soul]] for the love of [[Christ]] while his earthly body was not harmed by the flames.

==Hymn==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=20]
:Thy Martyr, O Lord in his courageous contest for Thee,
:received the prize of the crowns of incorruption
:and life from Thee O Immortal God
:For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants
:and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumtion.
:O Christ, God, by his prayers, save our souls
:for Thou art merciful.

==External links==
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=20 Crescens the Martyr] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101073 Martyr Crescens of Myra in Lycia] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=April&day=13 The Holy Martyr Crescens] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[ro:Crescent din Mira]]

Apostle Herodian

2017-03-29T08:37:47Z

BALawrence: /* External links */

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Herodian''' (also ''Herodion'' or ''Rodion'') was numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. He was a relative of the [[Apostle Paul]] ([[Romans]] 16:11) and [[bishop]] of Neoparthia, where he suffered greatly at the hands of the Jews. After beating, stoning, and stabbing him, they left him for dead, but St. Herodian arose and continued to serve the Apostles.

He was beheaded with [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]] in Rome while they were serving the [[Apostle Peter]] on the same day that St. Peter was crucified. His [[feast day]]s are celebrated on [[January 4]] among the Seventy, [[April 8]], and [[November 10]].
==Hymns==
===November 10===
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=103265]

:Holy Apostles, [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], Herodian, [[Apostle Sosipater|Sosipater]], [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]] and [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]],
:entreat the merciful God,
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)

:Illumined by divine light, O holy apostles,
:you wisely destroyed the works of [[idolatry]].
:When you caught all the [[pagan]]s you brought them to the Master
:and taught them to glorify the [[Trinity]].

===April 8===
Troparion (Tone 1) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=101024]

:Let us praise in [[hymn]]s the six–fold choir of Apostles:
:Herodion and [[Apostle Agabus|Agabus]],
:[[Apostle Rufus|Rufus]], [[Apostle Asyncritus|Asyncritus]], [[Apostle Phlegon|Phlegon]] and holy [[Apostle Hermes (bishop)|Hermes]].
:They ever entreat the Trinity for our souls!

Kontakion (Tone 2)

:You became the [[disciple]]s of [[Christ]]
:And all-holy Apostles,
:O glorious Herodion, Agabus and Rufus,
:Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes.
:Ever entreat the Lord
:To grant forgiveness of transgressions
:To us who sing your praises.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

:Like stars, O holy Apostles,
:You illumine the way of the faithful with the light of the [[Holy Spirit]].
:You dispel the darkness of error as you gaze on God the Word!

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100051 Apostle Herodion of the Seventy], January 4 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101024 Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him], April 8 (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103267 Apostle Rodion of the Seventy], November 10 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=11 The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Herodian]]
[[Category:Bishops|Herodian]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Herodian]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Herodian]]
[[Category:Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Irodian]]

Apostle Herodian

2017-03-29T08:36:51Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Herodian''' (also ''Herodion'' or ''Rodion'') was numbered among the [[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]]. He was a relative of the [[Apostle Paul]] ([[Romans]] 16:11) and [[bishop]] of Neoparthia, where he suffered greatly at the hands of the Jews. After beating, stoning, and stabbing him, they left him for dead, but St. Herodian arose and continued to serve the Apostles.

He was beheaded with [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]] in Rome while they were serving the [[Apostle Peter]] on the same day that St. Peter was crucified. His [[feast day]]s are celebrated on [[January 4]] among the Seventy, [[April 8]], and [[November 10]].
==Hymns==
===November 10===
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=103265]

:Holy Apostles, [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], Herodian, [[Apostle Sosipater|Sosipater]], [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]] and [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]],
:entreat the merciful God,
:to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)

:Illumined by divine light, O holy apostles,
:you wisely destroyed the works of [[idolatry]].
:When you caught all the [[pagan]]s you brought them to the Master
:and taught them to glorify the [[Trinity]].

===April 8===
Troparion (Tone 1) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=101024]

:Let us praise in [[hymn]]s the six–fold choir of Apostles:
:Herodion and [[Apostle Agabus|Agabus]],
:[[Apostle Rufus|Rufus]], [[Apostle Asyncritus|Asyncritus]], [[Apostle Phlegon|Phlegon]] and holy [[Apostle Hermes (bishop)|Hermes]].
:They ever entreat the Trinity for our souls!

Kontakion (Tone 2)

:You became the [[disciple]]s of [[Christ]]
:And all-holy Apostles,
:O glorious Herodion, Agabus and Rufus,
:Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes.
:Ever entreat the Lord
:To grant forgiveness of transgressions
:To us who sing your praises.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

:Like stars, O holy Apostles,
:You illumine the way of the faithful with the light of the [[Holy Spirit]].
:You dispel the darkness of error as you gaze on God the Word!

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100051 Apostle Herodion of the Seventy], January 4 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101024 Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him], April 8 (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103267 Apostle Rodion of the Seventy], November 10 (OCA)
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=11 The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Herodian]]
[[Category:Bishops|Herodian]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Herodian]]
[[Category:Martyrs|Herodian]]
[[Category:Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Herodian]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]

[[ro:Apostolul Irodian]]

Basil of Ancyra

2017-03-24T21:23:45Z

BALawrence: /* External links */ updated GOARCH link

Hieromartyr '''Basil of Ancyra''', was a [[bishop]] in Ancyra, Galatia, (now Ankara, Turkey) during the fourth century. Originally, a member of the 'moderate' [[Semi-Arianism|Semi-Arian]] party he took a leading part in the [[Council of Seleucia]], but recanted the Semi-Arian formula and defended his orthodoxy against the threats of Emperor [[Julian the Apostate]], and died a [[martyr]]. He is commemorated by the Orthodox church [[January 1]] (and [[March 22]] in the West, see ''Notes on sources'').

==Life==
In 336, Basil was chosen bishop by the members of the Semi-Arian party, succeeding Marcellus of Anycra as Bishop of Anycra. He was [[deposition|deposed]] by the [[Synod]] of Sardica in 343 then reinstated by Emperor Constantius II in 350. With George of Laodicea, Basil rose to the leadership of the homoiousian (Semi-Arian) party during the Arianism controversies and took a leading part in the [[Council of Seleucia]] in 359 that was convened by Constantius II. In 360, he was deposed in the Council of Constantinople of 360 by the [[Arianism|Arian]] Bishop [[Acacius of Caesarea]] and exiled to Illyria.

After [[Julian the Apostate]] became emperor, Basil was caught up in the persecutions of Julian. Firmly defending his Orthodox Christian faith, he was arrested, tortured, and then executed on [[June 29]], 362.<ref>http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/frbasil.html Holy martyr Basil</ref>

==Note on sources==
The various sources (external links) about a Basil of Ancyra point to Basil being any of three persons: one being a former Semi-Arian bishop who recanted to become a martyred Orthodox (as presented in this article), the second a layman, perhaps a physician, who was martyred defending his faith under the persecutions of Julius the Apostate (as noted in the OCA article and remembered on [[January 1]])<ref>http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100004</ref>, and the third, a priest of Ancyra, distinct from the bishop or the layman (celebrated [[March 22]] in the OCA article).<ref>http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100861</ref>

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3)

:Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit you worthily received the anointing of the priesthood, O Basil.
:You offered your martyr's contest
:As a royal sacrifice to the King of the Ages.
:Righteous Father, entreat Christ God to grant us His great mercy.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8)

:Having run the race in righteousness,
:You preserved the faith, O Hieromartyr Basil.
:For this you were made worthy of the crown of martyrdom,
:And You have become an unshakable pillar of the Church,
:Confessing the undivided Trinity: the Son, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.
:Entreat Him to deliver those who honor you from distress,
:That we may cry to you: Rejoice, O divinely wise Basil!

Kontakion (Tone 3)

:As a priest of the King of Glory,
:you also became a holy warrior by your contest.
:You shamed the counsels of the lawless
:And received the enjoyment of the heavenly Kingdom,
:Blessed hieromartyr of Christ, Basil.

==References==
<references/>

==Source==
*[[w:Basil of Ancyra|Wikipedia: Basil of Ancyra]]

==External links==
*[http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/frbasil.html GOAA: Holy martyr Basil, Presbyter of the Church of Ancyra]
*[http://www.serbianorthodoxchurch.net/cgi-bin/saints.cgi?view=745921390511 Hieromartyr Basil, Priest of Ancyra]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100861 Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra] - [[OCA]] website.
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=468 Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra]
*[http://www.abbamoses.com/months/march.html Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra (362)]
*[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/55061/Basil-of-Ancyra Britannia: Basil of Ancyra]
*[http://www.answers.com/topic/council-of-sirmium Council of Sirmium]
*[http://www.answers.com/topic/semi-arian Semi-Arian]
*[http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc01/htm/iii.x.v.htm Basil (Basilas) of Ancyra]

==See also==
[[Basil (disambiguation)]]

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

Cyril of Jerusalem

2017-03-21T02:06:54Z

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[[Image:Saint_Cyril_of_Jerusalem.jpg|thumb|250px|<center>St. Cyril of Jerusalem</center>]]
Our father among the saints '''Cyril of Jerusalem''' (315-386) was a distinguished [[theologian]] and [[archbishop]] of [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] in the early Church. He is celebrated by the [[Orthodox Church]] on [[March 18]], and on [[May 7]] for his role in the apparition of the [[cross]] over Jerusalem in 351.

==Life and character==
Little is known of his life before he became [[bishop]]; the assignment of the year 315 for his birth rests on mere conjecture. He seems to have been [[ordination|ordained]] [[deacon]] by Bishop [[Macarius I of Jerusalem|Macarius of Jerusalem]] about 335, and [[priest]] some ten years later by [[Maximus III of Jerusalem|Maximus]]. Naturally inclined to peace and conciliation, he took at first a rather moderate position, distinctly averse from [[Arianism]], but (like not a few of his undoubtedly orthodox contemporaries) by no means eager to accept the uncompromising term ''[[homoousios]]''.

Separating from his [[metropolitan]], [[Acacius of Caesarea]], a partisan of [[Arius]], Cyril took the side of the Eusebians, the "right wing" of the post-[[First Ecumenical Council|Nicene]] conciliation party, and thus got into difficulties with his superior, which were increased by Acacius's jealousy of the importance assigned to Cyril's see by the [[First Ecumenical Council|First Council of Nicea]]. A council held under Acacius's influence in 358 deposed Cyril and forced him to retire to Tarsus. At that time he was officially charged with selling church property to help the poor, although the actual motivation appears to be that Cyril was teaching Nicene and not Arian doctrine in his catechism. On the other hand, the conciliatory [[Council of Seleucia]] in the following year, at which Cyril was present, deposed Acacias.

In 360 the process was reversed through the metropolitan's court influence, and Cyril suffered another year's exile from Jerusalem, until [[Julian the Apostate]]'s accession allowed him to return. The Arian emperor [[Valens]] banished him once more in 367, after which he remained undisturbed until his death, his [[jurisdiction]] being expressly confirmed by the [[Second Ecumenical Council|First Council of Constantinople]] (381), at which he was present. At that council, he voted for acceptance of the term ''homoousios'', having been finally convinced that there was no better alternative.

==Theological position==
Though his theology was at first somewhat indefinite in phraseology, he undoubtedly gave a thorough adhesion to the Nicene orthodoxy. Even if he does avoid the debatable term ''[[homoousios]]'', he expresses its sense in many passages, which exclude equally [[Patripassianism]], [[Sabellianism]], and the Arian formula "There was a time when the Son was not." In other points he takes the ordinary ground of the Eastern [[Church Fathers|Fathers]], as in the emphasis he lays on the freedom of the will, the ''autexousion'', and his imperfect realization of the factor so much more strongly brought out in the West—[[sin]]. To him sin is the consequence of freedom, not a natural condition. The body is not the cause, but the instrument of sin. The remedy for it is repentance, on which he insists.

Like many of the Eastern Fathers, he has an essentially moralistic conception of Christianity. His doctrine of the [[Resurrection]] is not quite so realistic as that of other Fathers; but his [[ecclesiology|conception of the Church]] is decidedly empirical—the existing catholic Church form is the true one, intended by [[Christ]], the completion of the Church of the [[Old Testament]]. His doctrine on the [[Eucharist]] is noteworthy. If he sometimes seems to approach the symbolical view, at other times he comes very close to a strong realistic doctrine. The bread and wine are not mere elements, but the body and blood of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]].

==Catechetical lectures==
His famous 23 catechetical lectures (in Greek, ''Katecheseis''), which he delivered while still a [[presbyter]] in 347 or 348, contain instructions on the principal topics of Christian faith and practise, in a popular rather than scientific manner, full of a warm pastoral love and care for the [[catechumen]]s to whom they were delivered. Each lecture is based upon a text of [[Scripture]], and there is an abundance of Scriptural quotation throughout. After a general introduction, eighteen lectures follow for the ''competentes'', and the remaining five are addressed to the newly baptized, in preparation for the reception of [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]].

Parallel with the exposition of the creed as it was then received in the church of Jerusalem are vigorous polemics against pagan, Jewish, and heretical errors. They are of great importance for the light which they throw on the method of instruction usual in that age, as well as upon the liturgical practises of the period, of which they give the fullest account extant.

==Quotations==
"O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again, but our imitation was but a figure, while our salvation is in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things have been vouchsafed to us, that we, by imitation communicating in His sufferings, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received the nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and endured anguish; while to me without suffering or toil, by the fellowship of His pain He vouchsafed salvation." —''On the Christian Sacraments''

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 8)
:You were seen in Zion clothed in a robe of godliness
:As an illustrious pillar of the Apostles' faith.
:You became an heir to their grace,
:Setting forth their pious doctrines
:And dispensing their talents of wisdom.
:O Cyril, our Father and hierarch, pray for us.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 1)
:With your lips, O wise Cyril,
:And through divine inspiration
:You enlightened your people
:To the worship of the one Trinity,
:Undivided in essence, yet divided in Hypostases.
:Wherefore rejoicing, we celebrate your all-holy memory,
:Offering you as our intercessor before God.

{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=[[Maximos III of Jerusalem|Maximos III]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Jerusalem|Archbishop of Jerusalem]]|
years=350-386|
after=[[John II of Jerusalem|John II]]}}
{{end box}}

==Sources==
*Initial text from ''Schaff-Herzog Encyc. of Religion''.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cyril_of_Jerusalem&oldid=10344944 Wikipedia: Cyril of Jerusalem]

==External links==
*[https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=464 Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100829 St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem] ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=107787 Commemoration of the Apparition of the Sign of the Precious Cross Over Jerusalem, in 351 AD] (OCA)
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=March&day=18 Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem] (''[[Prologue from Ohrid]]'')
*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207.ii.i.html The Catechetical Lectures Of S. Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem] from ''Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers'', vol. VII (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:4th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Jerusalem]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]

[[ro:Chiril al Ierusalimului]]

Apostle Aristobulus

2017-03-17T23:03:56Z

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The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Aristobulus''' (also ''Aristovoulos'') is numbered among the [[Apostles|Seventy Apostles]]. Along with the Apostles [[Apostle Urban|Urban]], [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]], [[Apostle Narcissus|Narcissus]], [[Apostle Apelles|Apelles]] and [[Apostle Amplias|Amplias]] he assisted the [[Apostle Andrew]]. St. Aristobulus was also the brother of the [[Apostle Barnabas]]. He preached the [[Gospel]] in Britain as its first [[bishop]] and there he reposed peacefully in the Lord. His [[feast day]]s are celebrated on [[March 15]], on [[October 31]] with Amplias, Apelles, Stachys, Urban, and Narcissus, and on [[January 4]] with the Seventy.

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100050 Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy], January 4 ([[OCA]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100816 Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy the Bishop of Britain], March 16 (OCA)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103127 Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy], October 31 (OCA)
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=264 Amplias, Apelles, Stachys, Urban, Aristobulus & Narcissus of the 70] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints|Aristobulus]]
[[Category:Bishops|Aristobulus]]
[[Category:1st-century bishops|Aristobulus]]
[[Category:Saints|Aristobulus]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles]]
[[Category:Saints of the British Isles|Aristobulus]]

[[ro:Apostolul Aristobul]]