Daily Commemorations for November 2008

DAY/DATE OF OCTOBER:

Thursday - October 16, 2008

LITURGY

Ephesians 5:33-6:9

33 Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself: and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband. 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; 6 Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatever good thing any man doeth, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Luke 9:7-11

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John had risen from the dead; 8 And by some, that Elias had appeared; and by others, that one of the ancient prophets had risen again. 9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. 10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 And the people, when they knew [it], followed him: and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

The Apostate Julian had no power over thee, O Father Eloff,/ in that killing thy body he unwittingly guaranteed the salvation of thy soul./ Seeing that, in these times, we may also become victims of a tyrant,/ pray O holy Martyr, that we may be faithful, even unto death,/ that our souls may be saved.

Troparion of St Gall Tone 8

As a Companion of the great Columban,/ thou didst travel throughout the lands of the Franks, O Father Gall,/ thy ascetic life contrasting with that of the worldly prelates whom thou didst encounter./ Open to us, we pray thee, the treasures of sacrifice and struggle,/ that we too may attain the joy of eternal salvation.

Kontakion of St Longinus Tone 4

Today the Church rejoices/ in memory of the glorious Athlete Longinus,/ crying: Thou art my strength and my stronghold, O Christ.

11 - 17

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE 7th ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

Troparion Tone 8

Glorious art Thou, O Christ our God/ Who hast established our holy fathers as stars on earth./ Through them Thou dost guide us to the True Faith./ O Most Merciful One, glory to Thee.

Kontakion Tone 8

The preaching of the Apostles and the doctrine of the Fathers confirmed the one faith in the Church./ In the garment of truth woven from theology on high she rightly divides and glorifies true piety.

Another Kontakion Tone 2

The Son Who shone from the Father/ was ineffably born in two natures of a woman./ We do not deny the image of His form/ but depict it piously and revere it./ For this cause the Church, holding the true Faith,/ kisses the icon of Christ's Incarnation.

MONK EUTHYMIOS THE NEW, OF SOLUNEIA (THESSALONIKA) (+ 889).

MONKMARTYR LUCIAN, PRESBYTER OF ANTIOCH (+ 312).

SAINTED JOHN, BISHOP OF SUZDAL' (+ 1373).

MARTYRS SARBILOS AND BEBEA (II).

SAINTED SABINUS, BISHOP OF CATANIA (+ 760).

ICON OF MOTHER OF GOD NAMED "PROSPERESS OF LOAVES" ("SPORITEL'NITSA KLEBOV").

The Monk Euthymios the New, of Soluneia (Thessalonika), in the world was named Nikita, and he was a native of the city of Ancyra in Galatia. His parents, Epiphanios and Anna, led virtuous Christian lives, and their son was from childhood meek, pious and obedient. At age seven he was left fatherless and he soon became the sole support of his mother in all matters. Having entered military service, Nikita married, on the insistence of his mother. After the birth of a daughter he secretly left home, in order to enter a monastery. And for 15 years the Monk Euthymios asceticised on Mount Olympus, where he learned monastic deeds from the elders.

The monk then resettled to Holy Mount Athos. Along the way, having learned that his mother and wife were in good health, he informed them that he had become a monk, and he sent them a cross, calling on them to follow his example. On Athos the monk accepted the great schema and lived for three years in a cave, in total silence, struggling with temptations. And for a long time Saint Euthymios asceticised upon a pillar, not far from Soluneia, instructing those coming to him for advice and healing the sick. The monk so very much cleansed his mind and heart, that he was vouchsafed Divine visions and revelations. At the command of the Lord, Saint Euthymios founded two monasteries in 863 on Mount Peristeros, not far from Soluneia, which he guided for 14 years, with the dignity of deacon. In one of these his wife and mother accepted monastic tonsure. Before death the monk settled on an islet of Athos, where he reposed in 889. His remains were transferred to Soluneia. The Monk Euthymios is termed the "New" in distinction from the Monk Euthymios the Great (Comm. 20 January).

The MonkMartyr Lucian, Presbyter of Antioch, was born in the Syrian city of Samosata. At 12 years of age he was left orphaned. Lucian distributed his possessions to the poor, and went to the city of Edessa to the confessor Makarios, under the guidance of whom he diligently read Holy Scripture and learned the ascetic life. For his pious and zealous spreading of Christianity amongst the Jews and pagans, Lucian was made presbyter. At Antioch Saint Lucian opened a school, where there gathered many students whom he instructed in book wisdom. Saint Lucian occupied himself with teaching work, and he corrected the text of Holy Scripture, having been corrupted by copyists and heretics. (The entire Greek text of the Bible corrected by him was hidden away in a wall during the time of his confessor's deed, and it was found during the time of Saint Constantine the Great). During the persecution of Diocletian, Saint Lucian was arrested, having been informed on by heretics, and he was dispatched to prison in Nicomedia, where over the course of 9 years he encouraged Christians together with him in the confessor's deed, urging them not to fear tortures and death.

Saint Lucian died in prison from many terrible tortures and hunger. Before death, wanting to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ on the feast of Theophany, the priestmartyr -- bound by chains to a box, was compelled to offer the Bloodless Sacrifice upon his chest, and all the Christians situated there in prisoned communed. The body of the holy martyr was thrown into the sea, but after 30 days dolphins brought it to shore. Believers with reverence buried the body of the much-suffering Saint Lucian.

Sainted John, Bishop of Suzdal', entered one of the monasteries of Suzdal' in his youthful years. For his virtuous and humble life, the saint was made the first bishop of Suzdal' and Nizhegorod in 1350. Bishop John merited a great mercy of God: during the time of Divine Liturgy the Suzdal' prince Boris Konstantinovich saw, how an Angel of God attended the saint. Saint John was known for his love towards the destitute and the sick; for the poor he interceded before the princes about an amelioration of taxes, and for the sick he built poor-houses and hospices. The saint was much concerned about enlightening the pagan Mordvians with the Christian faith. After the annexation of Suzdal' to the Moscow metropolitanate, Saint John took the monastic schema and withdrew to the Bogoliubsk monastery. He lived there in seclusion and died peacefully. Numerous miracles were witnessed to at the grave of the saint.

The Holy Martyrs Sarbilos and Bebea -- were brother and sister by birth, suffering in the II Century under the emperor Trajan for confessing Christianity. The Martyr Sarbilos was an idolous priest at Edessa, but having been converted to Christ by a certain bishop, he accepted Baptism with his sister. Pagans tortured the saints for a long while, and then beheaded them.

Sainted Sabinus, Bishop of the city of Catania in Sicily, fervently wanting to serve the Lord, withdrew into the wilderness. Here he led a strict ascetic life and received from the Lord gifts of wonderworking and perspicacity.

The Icon of the Mother of God, named "Prosperess of Loaves" ("Sporitel'nitsa Khlebov"), was written at the blessing of the starets-elder of the Visitation Optina wilderness monastery, the priest-schemamonk Amvrosii (Ambrosii) (23/XI/1812 - 10/X/1891). Father Amvrosii, a great Russian ascetic of the XIX Century, was ardent with a childlike faith towards the Mother of God. He in particular revered all the feastdays of the Mother of God and on these days he redoubled his prayer. With the icon, "Prosperess of Loaves", Father Amvrosii blessed the Shamordinsk women's monastery established in honour of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and founded by him not far from the Optina monastery.

On this icon the Mother of God is depicted sitting upon the clouds, and Her hands are extended in blessing. Beneathe -- is a compressed field, and on it amidst the grass and flowers stand and lay sheaves of rye. Starets Amvrosii himself decreed the day of celebration -- 15 October, and called the image "Prosperess of Loaves", indicating by this, that the MostHoly Mother of God -- "is an Helper for people in their labours for the acquiring of their daily bread". Before his blessed death, Father Amvrosii ordered a large quantity of photo-replicas of this icon and distributed and sent them off to his spiritual children. For the singing of an akathist before the holy image, the starets composed a particular response: "Hail, Thou Full-of-Grace, the Lord is with Thee! Grant unto us unworthy ones the dew of Thy grace and the showing forth of Thine mercy!"

The day of burial of Father Amvrosii happened on 15 October -- the feastday of the icon. The first miracle from the holy icon was witnessed in 1891, when throughout Russia was a famine because of crop-failure, but in the Kaluzh district and on the fields of the Shamordinsk monastery grain was produced. In 1892, already after the death of Father Amvrosii, his attendant Ivan Feodorovich Cherepanov sent a copy from the icon to the Pyatnitsk women's monastery in Voronezh district. In this locale there was a drought and famine threatened, but soon after a molieben served before the icon, "Prosperess of Loaves", it rained and ended the drought.

FRIDAY - October 17, 2008

LITURGY

Ephesians 6:18-24

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an embassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, [and] how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that ye may know our affairs, and [that] he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Luke 9:12-18

12 And when the day began to decline, then came the twelve, and said to him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country around, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said to them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy provisions for all this people. 14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they ate, and were all satisfied: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them, twelve baskets. 18 And it came to pass, as he was in retirement praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Who say the people that I am?

HOLY PROPHET HOSEA

HOLY HIEROMARTYR ANDREW IN 'THE JUDGMENT'

ST COLMAN OF KILROOT, HIERARCH

ST LOUTHIERN, HIERARCH

Troparion of the Prophet Hosea Tone 3

Thou wast a mirror of the Comforter, O Prophet Hosea,/ and hast received the light of grace./ Thou dost shine on the world with the knowledge of things to come./ Intercede with Christ our God/ to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Andrew Tone 4

Thou wast trained in asceticism on the mountain/ and didst then destroy the hosts of evil spirits with the weapon of the Cross./ Thou didst courageously destroy Copronymus with the sword of faith./ As monk and martyr thou wast crowned by God,/ O righteous and glorious Andrew.

Troparion of St Colman of Kilroot Tone 1

Thou hast shown thyself to be a teacher of the Faith,/ guide of monastics and bright star of the Church, O Hierarch Colman./ Wherefore we cry to thee to intercede with Christ our God/ that He will save our souls.

Troparion of St Louthiern Tone 1

Both in Ireland and in Cornwall thou didst win many souls for Christ/ by preaching and witness, O Father Louthiern./ Wherefore as we seek to emulate thy holy example, O Saint,/ beseech Christ our God that he both bless us and grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion of the Prophet Hosea Tone 8

O Seer enlightened by God, thou wast found worthy of the gift of prophecy/ and didst proclaim the promise of grace./ Thou art a dwelling-place of glory;/ save from all misfortune those who cry to thee:/ Rejoice, Hosea, vessel of prophecy.

Kontakion of St Andrew Tone 3

The Church is celebrating the glorious feast/ of thine illustrious memory/ and is inviting all the faithful./ She rejoices to hold the treasure of thy much-afflicted body,/ O Andrew, light of Orthodoxy.

11 - 17

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE 7th ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

Troparion Tone 8

Glorious art Thou, O Christ our God/ Who hast established our holy fathers as stars on earth./ Through them Thou dost guide us to the True Faith./ O Most Merciful One, glory to Thee.

Kontakion Tone 8

The preaching of the Apostles and the doctrine of the Fathers confirmed the one faith in the Church./ In the garment of truth woven from theology on high she rightly divides and glorifies true piety.

The Son Who shone from the Father/ was ineffably born in two natures of a woman./ We do not deny the image of His form/ but depict it piously and revere it./ For this cause the Church, holding the true Faith,/ kisses the icon of Christ's Incarnation.

PROPHET HOSEA (+ 820 B.C.).

MONKMARTYR ANDREW OF CRETE (+ 767).

MONK ANTONII (ANTHONY) OF LEOKHNOVSK, NOVGOROD (+ 1611).

MARTYRS THE UNMERCENARIES COSMAS AND DAMIAN OF ARABIA, WITH THEIR BROTHERS THE MARTYRS LEONTIOS, ANTHYMOS AND EUTROPIOS (+ 287 OR 303).

TRANSFER OF RELICS OF RIGHTEOUS LAZARUS OF THE FOUR-DAYS, BISHOP OF KITEIA (898).

ICONS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, NAMED "BEFORE BIRTH AND AFTER BIRTH THE VIRGIN" (1827) AND "DELIVERESS".

The Holy Prophet Hosea was descended from the tribe of Issachar. He lived during the IX Century before the Birth of Christ, and he lived in the Israelite kingdom. He was a contemporary of the holy Prophets Isaiah, Micah (Mikhei) and Amos. During this time many of his fellow Israelites, having forgotten the True God, worshipped idols. The holy Prophet Hosea by his wise guidances attempted to turn them again to the ancient piety. Denouncing the iniquities of the people of Israel [i.e. the northern kingdom Israel], the prophet proclaimed to them great misfortunes from a foreign people and their removal into captivity by Assyria. Almost a thousand years before the coming of the Saviour, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the prophet foretold the cessation of the Old Testament sacrificial offering and of the priesthood of Aaron (Hos. 3: 4-5), and that through all the earth would spread knowledge of the True God (Hos. 2: 20-23). Hosea spoke also about Christ, that He would return from out of Egypt (Hos. 11: 1; compare Mt. 2: 15), that He would be resurrected on the third day (Hos. 6 and especially Hos. 6: 2; compare with 1 Cor. 15: 4), and that He would conquer death (Hos. 13-14, especially Hos. 13: 14; compare 1 Cor. 15: 54-55). The prophesies of Saint Hosea are included in the books of Holy Scripture, in the Book of Hosea. The prophetic service of Saint Hosea continued for more than 60 years. The God-inspired prophet died in extreme old age, having devoted all his life to fulfilling the Will of God.

The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete lived during the reign of the iconoclast emperor Constantine Kopronymos (741-775), who under penalty of death ordered Christians to throw out the holy icons from their churches and homes. Believers, who fearlessly resisted the impious iconoclast, and cleaving firmly to the tradition of the holy fathers, -- were locked up into prison. When the Monk Andrew heard, that the emperor was throwing into prison not the thieves and robbers, but virtuous and pious Christians instead, he went to Constantinople and in front of everyone, in the church of the holy Martyr Mamant, he denounced the heretic for persecuting the true faith. In justifying himself the emperor said, that it is folly to bestow veneration on wood and paint. To this the monk answered, that whosoever suffers for holy icons suffers for Christ, but whosoever reviles the icon upon which Christ is imaged, offers insult to Christ Himself. The enraged iconoclast gave orders to torture Saint Andrew without mercy. Along the way to the place of execution the martyr expired to the Lord. An hundred years later a canon was written to the saint by the Monk Joseph the Melodist. Through the prayers to the saint are healed seizures.

The Monk Antonii (Anthony) of Leokhnovsk, Novgorod, was from the Tver lineage of the Veniaminov boyar-nobles. The monk lived as an hermit not far from Novgorod, in the Rublev wilderness, at the River Perekhoda. In about the year 1556 he resettled with the wilderness-dweller Tarasii, who lived beyond Lake Il'men at Leokhnovo, not far from Stara Rus', and from him received monastic tonsure. Thus began the wilderness monastery in honour of the Transfiguration of the Lord, afterwards called the Leokhnovsk or Ivetsk-Antoniev monastery. The Monk Antonii lived into old age, having acquired the gift of perspicacity.

In the year 1611, when the Swedes had laid waste the surroundings of Novgorod, the monk on the invitation of metropolitan Isidor resettled to Novgorod. He died on 14 September 1611 at age 85 and was buried nearby the church of the holy Evangelist Luke, on the side towards the Saint Sophia church. Before his death and in the presence of many the monk said, that his body would rest in his wilderness-monastery. A disciple of the monk, named Gregory, having returned to the place of the monastery laid waste and burnt by the Swedes, made a cell there with a chapel and remained there to live. The Monk Antonii thrice appeared to him in a dream and said: "Brother Grigorii, go to Novgorod, tell metropolitan Kiprian and the elders of the city, that they should put me in the place of my monastery". After the report of Gregory, the metropolitan made a church procession to the grave of the Monk Antonii. The uncovered incorrupt relics were transferred to the Leokhnovsk monastery on 13 July 1620. At the uncovering of the relics, a blind man named Iosif gained his sight, and many other miracles occurred.

There is an especial order of commemorations, celebrated by the churches in the name of the Monk Antonii of Leokhnovsk, both in the village of Leokhnovo (not far from Stara Rus") and in the Rublevsk wilderness-monastery. On the Second Friday after the feast of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul (29 June) is remembered the Uncovering and Transfer of the Relics of the Relics of the Monk Antonii from Novgorod to the Leokhnovsk monastery. On the Ascension of the Lord is remembered the coming of the Monk Antonii from the Rublev wilderness to Leokhnovo. On 17 October -- is the memory of the Repose of the Saint, who died on the feast of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross, on the 9th hour of the evening. At the Rublevsk wilderness monastery was celebrated likewise the memory of the Consecration of the church in the name of the Monk Antonii -- on 30 August (1873).

The Holy Martyrs and UnMercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Arabia walked through the cities and the villages, preaching Christ and healing the sick by the power of Christ. The saints would not take any sort of payment for the help they rendered. In Cilicia pagans seized hold of the holy physicians and led them before the governor named Lysias. For their refusal to renounce the Christian faith, the governor gave orders for the saints to be brutally beaten, and then to drown them in the sea. But an Angel of God conveyed them from the deeps to shore. The pagans then beheaded the saints. Together with the holy physicians were martyred also their brothers Leontios, Anthymos and Eutropios. (The UnMercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Arabia ought not to be confused with UnMercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia Minor -- Comm. 1 November, or the Unmercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Rome -- Comm. 1 July).

The Transfer of the Relics of Righteous Lazarus of the Four-Days, Bishop of Kiteia, was made in the IX Century. Righteous Saint Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary (Magdalene), lived in the village of Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. During His earthly life the Lord Jesus Christ often visited the house of Lazarus, whom He much loved and called His friend (Jn. 11: 3, 11), and when Lazarus had died and lain four days already in the grave, the Lord resurrected ("voskresenie") him from the dead (Jn. 11: 1-44). (The Resuscitation ("voskreshenie") of Lazarus is remembered by the Church on Saturday of the Sixth Week of Great Lent -- "Lazarus Saturday".) Many of the Jews in hearing about this themselves came to Bethany, and being persuaded in the reality of this most remarkable wonder, became followers of Christ. And because of this the high-priests wanted also to kill Lazarus. Righteous Lazarus is mentioned in the Holy Gospel yet one more time: when the Lord had come again to Bethany 6 days before the Passover, and the resuscitated Lazarus was again also there (Jn. 12: 1-2, 9-11). After his resuscitation Saint Lazarus lived yet another 30 years, as a bishop on the island of Cyprus, where he spread Christianity and peacefully reposed.

The holy relics of Saint Lazarus were discovered in Kiteia. They were within a marble coffin, upon which was inscribed: "Lazarus of the Four-Days, the friend of Christ". The Byzantine emperor Leo the Wise (886-911) gave orders in the year 898 to transfer the relics of Saint Lazarus to Constantinople and place them within the church of Righteous Lazarus.

The Icon of the Mother of God, named "Before Birth and After Birth the Virgin", was transferred to the Nikolaev Peshkovsk monastery of Moscow diocese by the Moscow merchant Aleksei Grigor'evich Mokeev. In about the year 1780 Aleksei joined the brethren of the monastery. He had given all his wealth to the monastery to its monastic head, archimandrite Makarii, and the holy icon remained in his cell. After the death of Aleksei, the icon was brought to the archimandrite, who observed that the icon was written in oil on canvas and not according as proscribed, and he installed it over the exit door to the chapel of the Monk Methodii, which was situated on a street not far from the monastery.

The glorification of the holy icon began in 1827, when captain Platon Osipovich Shabashev, going by night past the chapel, saw that from the icon of the MostHoly Mother of God issued forth an extraordinary light. Another time he had a vision of the icon during a period circumstances during his life. In a dream Platon beheld the radiant icon of the Mother of God amidst the clouds over the Methodiev chapel and heard a voice: "If thou dost wish to be delivered from temptation, pray before this icon". Platon obeyed the guidance of the Mother of God, and the sorrow passed him by.

The pious Platon told about the miracles to the monastery head, who transferred the holy image into the monastery. When they went to encase the icon in ornament, it then transpired, that the image of the MostHoly Virgin, written on canvas-linen, was stiffened taunt upon a board, on which was concealed a depiction of the Mother of God of finest quality. Especially numerous were the miracles from this icon in 1848 during a time of cholera, when many praying before it were healed.

The Icon of the Mother of God "Deliveress", before being brought to the Novo-Athonsk Simono-Kananitsk monastery in the Caucasus, was situated on Holy Mount Athos with a resident of the Russian Panteleimonov monastery, schemamonk Martinian (+ 1884). The pious schemamonk had received this icon from the ascetic, Theodoul. The holy icon was glorified by miracles from times of old. Through prayer before this icon in 1841 the inhabitants of Sparta (in Greece) were delivered from locusts. From the Panteleimonov monastery, upon the final wishes of schemamonk Makarii, on 20 July 1889 this icon was given over to the Novo-Athonsk monastery, and the festal celebration in honour of it established under 17 October. When the feastday in honour of this icon was first made at the Simono-Kananitsk monastery, a storm cast up on shore at the monastery more than a ton of fish. On the icon the Most Holy Mother of God holds on Her right arm the God-Infant, Who blesses with His right hand.

SATURDAY - October 18, 2008

LITURGY

1 Corinthians 15:39-45

39 All flesh [is] not the same flesh; but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of fowls. 40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another. 41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory. 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam [was made] a vivifying spirit.

Luke 6:1-10

1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through corn-fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and ate, rubbing [them] in [their] hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath-days? 3 And Jesus answering them, said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was hungry, and they who were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and took and ate the show-bread, and gave also to them that were with him, which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said to them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. 6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue, and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered: 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, [to see] whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, Rise, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose, and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus to them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath-days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy [it]? 10 And looking around upon them all, he said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE

ST GWEN, MARTYR

ST WENNA, MARTYR

SS BROTHEN AND GWENDOLEN

ST MONON, MARTYR

Troparion of St Luke Tone 3

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke,/ intercede with our merciful God,/ that He may grant to our souls/ the forgiveness of our sins.

Troparion of St Gwen Tone 4

Faithfulness was thy virtue, O pious Gwen,/ for no greater sacrifice than life itself can be made for our saving faith./ Wherefore, holy Martyr, pray to God for us/ that we too may be faithful, even unto death,/ that our souls may be saved.

Troparion of St Wenna Tone 4

O Brychan's jewel and holy daughter, most pious Wenna,/ thou didst deify the heathen Saxons, thereby winning a martyr's crown./ Being, therefore, numbered among the saints,/ intercede for us before the Throne of Grace,/ that we may be granted great mercy.

Troparion of Ss Brothen and Gwendolen Tone 1

As in your native Wales you won souls for Christ by your witness,/ O Righteous Brothen and Gwendolen,/ so now in heaven intercede for us/ that our souls may be saved.

Troparion of St Monon Tone 4

Thou hast revealed to us the treasures of solitude, O Father Monon,/ and, fearing nothing, thou didst rebuke the lawless men for their ungodliness./ Wherefore, pray to God for us that we may have the courage to confront evil,/ even though like thee we thereby receive the crown of martyrdom,/ that we may be found worthy of eternal salvation.

Kontakion of St Luke Tone 2

Let us praise holy Luke, the star of the Church,/ herald of piety and proclaimer of mysteries;/ for the Word Who alone knows the secrets of hearts/ has chosen him with Paul/ as a teacher of the nations.

DISCIPLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE (I).

MONK JOSEPH OF VOLOTSK.

MARTYR MARIN (IV).

MONK JULIAN (IV).

MONK DAVID OF SERPUKHOV (+ 1520).

The Holy Disciple and Evangelist Luke, was a native of Syrian Antioch, a Disciple from amongst the Seventy, a companion of the holy Apostle Paul (Phil. 1: 24, 2 Tim. 4: 10-11), and a physician enlightened in the Greek medical arts. Hearing about Christ, Luke arrived in Palestine and here he fervently accepted the preaching of salvation from the Lord Himself. Included amidst the number of the Seventy Disciples, Saint Luke was sent by the Lord with the others for the first preaching about the Kingdom of Heaven while yet during the earthly life of the Saviour (Lk. 10: 1-3). After the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saints Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus.

The Disciple Luke took part in the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, and from that time they were inseparable. At a point when all his co-workers had left the Apostle Paul, the Disciple Luke stayed on with him to tackle all the toiling of pious deeds (2 Tim. 4: 10-11). After the martyr's death of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul, Saint Luke left Rome to preach in Achaeia, Libya, Egypt and the Thebaid. In the city of Thebes he finished his life in martyrdom.

Tradition ascribes to him the writing of the first icons of the Mother of God. "Let the grace of He born of Me and My mercy be with these icons", -- said the All-Pure Virgin in beholding the icons. Saint Luke wrote likewise icons of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul. His Gospel was written by Saint Luke in the years 62-63 at Rome, under the guidance of the Apostle Paul. Saint Luke in the preliminary verses (1: 3) spells out exactly the aim of his work: he recorded in greater detail the chronological course of events in the framework of everything known by Christians about Jesus Christ and His teachings, and by doing so he provided a firmer historical basis of Christian hope (1: 4). He carefully investigated the facts, and made generous use of the oral tradition of the Church and of what the All-Pure Virgin Mary Herself had told him (2: 19, 51).

In the theological content of the Gospel of Luke there stands out first of all the teaching about the universal salvation effected by the Lord Jesus Christ, and about the universal significance of the preaching of the Gospel [Lat. "evangelum" with Grk. root "eu-angelos" both mean "good-news"].

The holy disciple likewise wrote in the years 62-63 at Rome, the Book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles. The Acts, which is a continuation of the Four Gospels, speaks about the works and effects of the holy Apostles after the Ascension of the Saviour. At the centre of the narrative -- is the Council of the holy Apostles at Jerusalem (year 51 A.D.), a Church event of great critical significance, with a dogmatic basis for the distancing of Christianity from Judaism and its independent dispersion into the world (Acts 15: 6-29). The theological objective of the Book of Acts is that of the Dispensation-Economy of the Holy Spirit, actualised in the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, from the time of the Ascension and Pentecost to the Second Coming of Christ.

The Monk Joseph of Volotsk, in the world John (Ioann) Sanin, was born on 14 November 1440 (1439 per another source) in the village of Yazvisch-Pokrov, not far from the city of Volokolamsk. He was born into a pious family with his father named Ioann (in monasticism Ioannikii) and Mother Marina (in schema Maria). The seven year old lad John was given over for education to the pious and enlightened starets (elder) of the Volokolamsk Kresto-Vozdvizhensk (Exaltation of the Cross) monastery, Arsenii. Distinguished by rare qualities and extraordinary aptitude for church service, for one year the talented lad studied the Psalter, and the following year -- the entire Holy Scripture. He became a reader and singer in the monastery church. Contemporaries were astonished at his exceptional memory. Often, without having in his cell a single book, he would do the monastic rule, reciting from memory from the Psalter, the Gospel, the Epistles, and all that was properly required.

Even before becoming a monk, John lived a monastic lifestyle. Thanks to his reading and studying of Holy Scripture and the works of the holy fathers, he dwelt constantly in thought about God. As his biographer notes, he "from his boyhood years much disdained obscene and blasphemous talk and endless mirth".

At twenty years of age John chose the path of monastic striving and, leaving from his parental home, he went off into the wilderness nigh to the Tver Savvin monastery, to the reknown starets and strict ascetic, Varsonophii. But the monastic rule seemed to the young ascetic insufficiently strict. With the blessing of Starets Varsonophii, he set off to Borovsk to the Monk Paphnutii of Borovsk, who had been a novice of the starets Nikita of the Vysotsk monastery, who in turn was a disciple of the Monks Sergei of Radonezh and Athanasii (Afanasii) of Vysotsk. The simple life of the holy starets, the tasks which he shared with the brethren, and the strict fulfilling of the monastic rule suited the state of soul of John. The Monk Paphnutii lovingly accepted the young ascetic who had come to him, and on 13 February 1460 he tonsured him into monasticism with the name Joseph (Iosif), thus realising John's greatest wish. With love and with zeal the young monk shouldered the heavy obediences imposed upon him -- in the kitchen, the bakery, the infirmary -- this latter obedience the Monk Joseph fulfilled with especial care, "giving food and drink to the sick, taking up and arranging the bedding, so very anxious and concerned with everything, working, as though attending to Christ Himself". The great spiritual abilities of the young monk were evidenced in the Church reading and singing. He was musically talented and possessed a voice such that "in the church singing and reading it was like that of a swallow and wondrously harmonious, delighting the hearing of listeners, as much as anyone anywhere". The Monk Paphnutii made Joseph "ecclesiarch" (church doorsman) in church, so that he would observe the fulfilling of the Church ustav (rule).

Joseph spent about seventeen years in the monastery of the Monk Paphnutii. The strict efforts of monastic obedience under the direct guidance of the experienced hegumen was for him an excellent spiritual schooling, having educated him into a future tested instructor and guide of monastic life. Towards the end of the life of the Monk Paphnutii (+ 1 May 1477) Joseph was ordained priestmonk and, in accord with the final wishes of the Monk Paphnutii, he was appointed hegumen of the Borovsk monastery.

The Monk Joseph decided to transform the monastic life along strictly coenobitic (life-in-common) principles, following the example of the Kievo-Pechersk, Trinity-Sergiev and Kirillo-Belozersk monasteries. But this met with strong opposition on the side of a majority of the brethren. Only seven pious monks were of the same mind with the hegumen. The Monk Joseph decided to visit at Russian coenobitic monasteries, so as to investigate the best arrangement for monastic life. He arrived together with the starets Gerasim at the Kirillo-Belozersk monastery, which itself presented a model of strict asceticism on the principles of a coenobitic ustav (monastery rule). His acquaintance with the life of these monasteries strengthened the views of the Monk Joseph. But, having returned to Borovsk monastery at the wish of the prince, the Monk Joseph encountered anew the former staunch resistance of the brethren to change from their customary ustav-rule as hermits. Therewith, having resolved to found a new monastery with a strict coenobitic rule, he set off with the seven like-minded monks to Volokolamsk, his native region, to a forest known to him since childhood.

In Volokolamsk at the time the prince was the pious brother of GreatPrince Ivan III, Boris Vasil'evich. Having heard about the virtuous life of the great ascetic Joseph, he gladly received him and allowed him to settle on the outskirts of his principality, at the confluence of the Rivers Struga and Sestra. The selection of this spot was accompanied by a remarkable occurrence: a storm whipping up blew down the trees before the eyes of the astonished travellers, as though clearing the place for the future monastery. And right here it was that the ascetics in June 1479 erected a cross and sited a wooden church in honour of the Uspenie (Dormition) of the Mother of God, consecrated on 15 August 1479. This day and year stand in history as the date of the founding of the monastery of the Uspenie of the MostHoly Mother of God as "volok' lamsk" ("broken-up peninsula"), later named after its founder. The monastery was built quite quickly. Much of the work in the construction of the monastery was taken on by the founder himself. "He was skilled in every human craft: he felled trees, carried logs, he chopped and he sawed". By day he toiled with everyone at the monastery construction, nights he spent in solitary cell prayer, remembering always, that "the carnal desires of the lazy can kill" (Prov. 21: 25). Good reports about the new ascetic attracted students to him. The number of monks soon increased to an hundred men, and Abba Joseph strove in everything to be a good example for his monks. Preaching temperance and spiritual sobriety in everything, he was in no way externally distinct from the others -- his simple, cold-weather tatters were his constant clothing, and bast-shoes served as his footwear. He was the first of anyone to appear in church, he read and sang in the choir alongside the others, he spoke an instruction and was the last to leave church. At nights the holy hegumen walked round the monastery and the cells, safeguarding the peace and prayerful sobriety of the brethren entrusted him by God; if he changed to hear a frivolous conversation, he rapped on the door and unassumingly withdrew.

The Monk Joseph devoted great attention to the inner ordering of the life of the monks. He himself led a strict common-form life in accord with the "ustav" ("rule") compiled by him, to which all the services and obediences of the monks were subordinated, and it governed their whole life: "whether in their comings or goings, their words or their deeds". At the core of the Ustav was total non-covetousness, detachment from one's own will together with constant work. The brethren possessed everything in common: clothing, footwear, food and other things. Without the blessing of the hegumen, none of the brethren could take anything into their cell, not even a book or an icon. Part of the refectory meal of the monks through general consent was given away to the poor. Work, prayer, spiritual efforts filled the life of the brethren. The Jesus Prayer never vanished from their lips. Festivity was viewed by Abba Joseph as a chief weapon for demonic seduction. The Monk Joseph invariably imposed upon himself quite burdensome obediences. The monastery was much occupied with copyist transcription of Divine-service books and those of the holy fathers, such that the Volokolamsk book collection soon became one of the finest of Russian monastic libraries.

With each passing year the monastery of the Monk Joseph flourished all the more. In the years 1484-1485 a stone church of the Uspenie of the Mother of God was erected in place of the wooden one. In the Summer of 1485 "artistic masters of the Russian land" painted within it, -- Dionysii the Iconographer with his sons Vladimir and Theodosii. In the icon fresco-painting of the church participated also the Monk Joseph's nephews and disciples -- Dosithei and Vassian Toporkov. In 1504 was set up an heated refectory church in honour of the Holy Theophany, then a bell-tower was erected and by it -- a temple in the name of the Hodegetria MostHoly Mother of God.

The Monk Joseph trained a whole school of reknown monks. Certain of them gained reknown in the arena of church-historical activity -- they were "good pastors", while yet others gained fame with works of enlightenment, some left after them a devout memory and were a worthy example to be imitated with their pious monastic efforts. History has preserved for us the names of many disciples and co-ascetics of the holy Volokolamsk hegumen, who afterwards continued to develope his ideas.

Among the disciples and followers of the Monk Joseph were: the Metropolitans of Moscow and All Rus' -- Daniel (+ 1539) and Makarii (+ 1563), the Archbishop of Rostov Vassian (+ 1515), the Bishops of Suzdal' -- Simeon (+ 1515), Dosithei of Krutitsk (+ 1544), Savva of Krutitsk termed the Swarthy, Akakii of Tver, Vassian of Kolometsk, and many others. Monastics of the Iosifo-Volokolamsk monastery preeminently occupied the most important archbishop cathedra-chairs of the Russian Church: Sainted-Hierarchs of Kazan -- Gurii (+ 1563, Comm. 5 December) and German (+ 1567, Comm. 6 November), and Sainted Varsonophii, Bishop of Tver (+ 1576, Comm. 11 April).

The activity and influence of the Monk Joseph were not limited to the monastery. Many a layperson went to him to receive advice. With a pure spiritual insight he penetrated into the deep secrets of the souls of questioners and perspicaciously revealed to them the will of God. Everyone living around the monastery considered him their spiritual father and protector. Eminent boyar-nobles and princes took him as god-father for their children, they revealed to him their souls in confession, they besought written letters of guidance for fulfilling his directives.

The common folk found at the monastery of the monk the means for sustaining their existence on occasions of extreme need. The number of those fed through monastery resources sometimes approached 700 people. "All the Volotsk land towards good doth wend, enjoying indeed peace and quiet. And the name Joseph, as something sacred, is carried about on the lips of all".

The monastery was famed not only for its piety and help for the suffering, but also for its manifestations of the grace of God. The righteous monk Vissarion once beheld at the Matins-service of great Saturday [i.e. Friday evening] the Holy Spirit in the form of a white dove, sitting upon the Plaschanitsa, which was being carried by the Monk Abba Joseph. The hegumen, bidding the monk to keep silent about the vision, himself rejoiced in spirit, hoping that God would not forsake the monastery. This monk had seen the souls of dying brethren, white like snow, issuing forth from their mouths. To him himself was revealed the day of his end, and he reposed with joy, having communed the Holy Mysteries and assuming the schema.

The saintly life of Abba Joseph was neither easy nor placid. In these difficult times for the Russian Church, the Lord raised him up as a zealous protagonist for Orthodoxy in the struggle with heresies and churchly disputes. The Monk Joseph exerted quite a great effort in denunciation of the Judaisers, who tried to poison and distort the foundations of Russian spiritual life. Just as the holy fathers and teachers of the OEcumenical Church had elaborated on the dogmas of Orthodoxy in responding against the ancient heresies (which contended against the Spirit, Christ, or icons), so also Saint Joseph was summoned forth by God to oppose the false teachings of the Judaisers and therein compile the first codex of Russian Orthodox theology -- his large book "The Enlightener" ("Prosvetitel'"). Already even far earlier preachers from among the Khozars had come to the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir (Comm. 15 July), trying to convert him to Judaism. But the great Baptiser of Rus' repudiated the pretensions of the rabbis. After this, the Monk Joseph writes, "the Great Russian land dwelt for five centuries in the Orthodox faith, until the enemy of salvation the devil, shouldst bring the cunning Jew to Great Novgorod". With the retinue of the Lithuanian prince Mikail Olel'kovich came to Novgorod in 1470 the Jewish preacher Skhariya (Zakhariya). Playing upon the inadequacies of faith and of learning on the part of certain of the clergy, Skhariya and his accomplices sowed distrust among the petty-minded towards the church hierarchy, they inclined them towards a revolt against the spiritual authorities, they tempted them with the idea of "self-authority", i.e. a personal capricious self-determination of each in matters of faith and salvation. Those they tempted gradually pushed towards a full break with Mother Church, they disdained holy icons, and repudiated veneration of the Saints, -- basic elements of Orthodox popular morality. Ultimately, they led the religiously blind and deluded to a denial of the saving Sacramental-Mysteries and the fundamental dogmas of Orthodoxy, outside of which there is no knowing of God -- the dogma of the MostHoly Trinity and the dogma of the Incarnation of the God-man our Lord Jesus Christ. If decisive measures were not taken -- "it would be the doom for all Orthodox Christianity from heretical teachings". Thus was posited the question by history. GreatPrince Ivan III, enticed by the Judaisers, invited them to Moscow; he had two of the most prominent of the heretics made archpriests -- one at the Uspensky, the other at the Arkhangelsky cathedrals of the Kremlin, and he summoned to Moscow even the arch-heretic Skhariya himself. All those close to the prince, beginning with the clerk heading the government, Theodore (Feodor) Kuritsyn -- whose brother became a ringleader of the heretics, were led astray by the heresy. Even the in-law of the great prince, Elena Voloshanka, accepted the Judaisers. And finally, upon the cathedra-chair of the great Moscow Sainted-hierarchs Peter, Alexei and Jona, was installed the heretical metropolitan Zosima.

The Monk Joseph and Sainted Gennadii, Bishop of Novgorod (+ 1505, Comm. 4 December), called for a struggle against the spread of the heresy. The Monk Joseph wrote his first missive "Concerning the Mystery of the MostHoly Trinity" while still a monk at the Paphnut'ev Borovsk monastery -- in the year 1477. The Uspensk Volokolamsk monastery became from the very beginning a bulwark of Orthodoxy in the struggle with the heresy. Here it was that Saint Joseph wrote his chief works, here emerged "The Enlightener", here were engendered his fiery anti-heretical missives, or as the monk himself unassumingly called them, "Book-exercises". The works of the Monk Joseph and holy Archbishop Gennadii were crowned with success. In 1494 the heretic Zosima was deposed from the hierarch's cathedra, and in the years 1502-1504 at a conciliar gathering were condemned the malicious and unrepentant Judaisers, who blasphemed against the Holy Trinity, Christ the Saviour, the MostHoly Mother of God and the Church.

Saint Joseph had many another trial and tribulation sent him -- but the Lord each time tried him in the measure of his spiritual strength. The saint angered the GreatPrince Ivan III, who only towards the end of his life reconciled with the saint and repented of his former weakness for the Judaisers. The saint angered also the Volotsk appenage prince Theodore, on whose lands Joseph's monastery was situated. In 1508 the monk suffered wrongful interdiction from Sainted Serapion, Archbishop of Novgorod (Comm. 16 March), with whom however he apparently soon reconciled. In 1503 a Sobor (Council) at Moscow under the auspices of the Monk Joseph and his disciples adopted a "Conciliar Answer" concerning the indissolubility of church properties: "wherefore all church-acquired property -- is essentially the acquired property of God, pledged, entrusted and given to God". The legacy of canonic works of the Volotsk hegumen is notably in "The Nomocanon Codex" -- a vast codex of canonical rules of the Orthodox Church, initiated by the Monk Joseph and completed by Metropolitan Makarii.

Views exist about the differences of outlook and discord between the two great pedagogues of Russian monasticism at the end-XV beginning XVI Centuries -- the Monk Joseph of Volotsk and the Monk Nil of Sorgsk (+ 1508, Comm. 7 May). In the historical literature these views usually present them as proclaiming two "contrary in position" currents within Russian spiritual life -- external action and inner contemplation. This is profoundly incorrect. The Monk Joseph in his "Ustav" gave synthesis to these two aspects in the Russian monastic tradition, proceeding without interruption from the Athonite blessing given to the Monk Antonii of Pechersk, through the Monk Sergei and down to our own day. The "Ustav" presupposes the need for a full inward regeneration of man, submitting one's whole life to the task of salvation and "deification" ("obozhenie", Grk. "theosis") not only for each individual monastic, but also the collective salvation of the whole human race. A great emphasis in the "Ustav" is put on the demand to monastics for constant work in conjuction with inward and churchly prayer: "the monk should never be on holiday". Work, as "a collective deed", comprised for Joseph the very essence of church life -- faith, embodied in good works, is the realisation of prayer. On the other side, the Monk Nil Sorsky had himself asceticised for a number of years on Athos, and he brought from there the teaching about the contemplative life and "Mental Prayer" [i.e. the Jesus Prayer] as a means of an hesychiast service of monks to the world, as a constant spiritual activity, in conjuction with the physical work necessary for sustaining one's life. But spiritual work and physical work -- are two sides of the one selfsame Christian vocation: a vital continuation of the creative activity of God in the world, encompassing as much the ideal as well as material spheres. In this regard the Monks Joseph and Nil -- are spiritual brothers, varied in continuing the Church tradition of the holy fathers, and heirs to the precepts of the Monk Sergei of Radonezh. The Monk Joseph highly esteemed the spiritual experience of the Monk Nil and dispatched his own disciples to him for study of the experience of inner prayer.

The Monk Joseph was an active social activist and proponent of a strong centralised Moscow realm. He was one of the instigators of the teaching about the Russian Church as the recipient and bearer of the ancient OEcumenical piety: "the Russian land now in piety hath surpassed all". The ideas of the Monk Joseph, possessing tremendous historical significance, were later on further developed by his students and followers. And from them came forth, with his own teaching about Moscow as Third Rome, the Pskov Spaso-Eleazarov monastery elder Philothei, declaring: "For two Romes art fallen, and the third doth stand, and a fourth there shalt not be".

These views of the Josephites on the significance of monastery possession of land-properties for church building, and the participation of the Church in social life, were set amidst the conditions of the struggle for centralised power by the Moscow prince. His opponents were separatists who tried to disparage these views for their own political ends, using surreptitiously the teaching of the Monk Nil Sorsky about "non-acquisitiveness" -- the cutting off of the monastic from worldly matters and possessions. This supposed opposition engendered a false view on the hostility between the trends of the Monks Joseph and Nil. In actuality both trends legitimately co-existed within the Russian monastic tradition, complementing each other. As is evidenced from the "Ustav" of Saint Joseph, complete non-acquisitiveness, renunciation of the very concepts "thine-mine" was posited in its basis.

The years passed. The monastery flourished with the construction work and efforts of the Monk Joseph, and as he got old he prepared himself for passing on into life eternal. Before his end he communed the Holy Mysteries, then convened all the brethren, he gave them his peace and blessing, and reposed blessedly on 9 October 1515.

The funeral oration to the Monk Joseph was compiled by his nephew and student, the monk Dosithei Toporkov.

The first "Vita" ("Life") of the saint was written in the decade of the 40's of the XVI Century by a disciple of the Monk Joseph -- the Krutitsk bishop Savva the Black, with the blessing of Makarii, Metropolitan of Moscow and all Rus' (+ 1564). It entered into the "Great Menaion-Readings" ("Velikie Minei-Chet'i") compiled by Makarii. A second redaction of the "Vita" is from the pen of the Russified Bulgarian writer Lev the Philolog with the assist of the monk Zinovii of Otensk (+ 1568).

Local celebration of the Monk Joseph was established at the Iosifo-Volokolamsk monastery in December of 1578, on the hundred year anniversary of the founding of the monastery. On 1 June 1591 was established the general church celebration of his memory, under Patriarch Job. Sainted Job, a student of the Volokolamsk tonsured Saint German of Kazan, was a great admirer of the Monk Joseph and was author of the service to him, which was entered into the Menaion. Another student of Saints German and Varsonophii was likewise the companion and successor to Patriarch Job -- the Patriarch PriestMartyr Ermogen (+ 1612, Comm. 17 February), a spiritual leader of the Russian people in the struggle for liberation under the Polish incursion.

The theological works of the Monk Joseph comprise an undeniable contribution within the treasury of the Orthodox tradition. As with all church writings, inspired by the grace of the Holy Spirit, they continue to be a source of spiritual life and knowledge, and they have their own theological significance and pertinence.

The chief book of the Monk Joseph was written in sections. Its original form, completed in the time period of the 1503-1504 councils, included 11 Sections. In the final redaction, compiled after the death of the saint and involving a tremendous quantity of scrolls, -- "The Book against the Heretics" or "The Enlightener" is in 16 Sections, prefaced by way of an introduction by "An Account of the Newly-Appeared Heresies". The first section expounds the Church teaching about the dogma of the MostHoly Trinity; the second -- about Jesus Christ, the True Messiah; the third -- about the significance within the Church of the prophesies of the Old Testament; the fourth -- about the Incarnation of God; the fifth through seventh -- about icon veneration. In the eighth through tenth sections, the Monk Joseph expounds on the fundamentals of Christian eschatology. The eleventh section is devoted to monasticism. In the twelfth is demonstrated the ineffectualness of the anathemas and sanctions, imposed by heretics. The final four sections consider methods of the struggle of the Church with the heretics, and the means for their rectification and repentance.

[Trans. Note: the enterprising English reader may do well, and perhaps should, access G. Fedotov's classic work "The Russian Religious Mind" for an alternate perspective of the Josephite legacy in the Church and alleged amicable confluence with the Saint Nil Sorsky current, in contrast to this somewhat glossed-over and strained synthesis offered here].

The Holy Martyr Marin was from Cilicia (Asia Minor). For his confession of faith in Christ the elder was subjected to fierce beatings, and then killed on the orders of Lysias, governor of Tarsus, during the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-305).

The Monk Julian asceticised in fasting and prayer in Mesopotamia (near the River Euphrates).

Once during the time of prayer the monk heard a voice, announcing that the emperor Julian the Apostate would soon perish. Soon the prophesy was fulfilled. Through the efforts of the monk on Mount Sinai was erected a church in memory of the Obtaining by the holy Prophet Moses of the Tablets of the Law.

The Monk David of Serpukhov, a student of the Monk Paphnutii of Borovsk (Comm. 1 May), lived as an hermit at the River Lopasna, 23 versts from Serpukhov. In 1515 on the right bank of the river he built a church in memory of the Ascension, and set in place the foundations of the Davidov wilderness monastery.

SUNDAY - October 19, 2008

18th Sunday after Pentecost

MATINS (VII)

John 20:1-10

1 The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. 5 And he stooping down, saw the linen cloths lying; yet he went not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen cloths lying; 7 And the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple who came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own home.

LITURGY

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

6 But this [I say], He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or by constraint: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Luke 8:5-15

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundred-fold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What doth this parable mean? 10 And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side, are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock [are they], who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with

ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT

HOLY PROPHET JOEL

HOLY MARTYR VARUS

ST ETHBIN, MONK

Troparion of St John of Kronstadt Tone 4

With the Apostles thy message has gone out to the ends of the world,/ and with the Confessors thou didst suffer for Christ;/ thou art like the Hierarchs through thy preaching of the Word;/ with the Righteous thou art radiant with God's grace./ The Lord has exalted thy humility above the heavens/ and given us thy name as a source of miracles./ O wonderworker living in Christ forever,/ have mercy on those in trouble/ and hear us when we call to thee with faith, O our beloved shepherd John.

Another Troparion of St John of Kronstadt (composed by Archbishop Maximovich of San Francisco) Tone 4

O Wonderworker living in Christ forever,/ with love have mercy on those in danger;/ hear thy children who call upon thee with faith;/ be compassionate to those who hope for aid from thee,/ O Father John of Kronstadt, our beloved shepherd.

Troparion of the Prophet Joel Tone 4

Thou wast revealed as a treasure of sacred virtues;/ God's Prophet by the grace of the Spirit./ Thou didst foretell the outpouring of the fountain of godliness from the House of the Lord/ for us who lovingly honour thee,/ O holy Prophet Joel.

Troparion of St Varus the Martyr Tone 5

Thou didst follow in the steps of the martyrs/ and contend for the glory of Christ./ Thou wast tied to a beam and restored by the Tree of Life,/ and thine intercessions gladden our souls.

Troparion of St Ethbin Tone 8

As a disciple of our Father Samson,/ thou wast radiant in thy asceticism, O Father Ethbin,/ and having been driven out of Tantac by the unruly Franks/ thou didst seek refuge in the remoteness of Erin's green desert./ Wherefore, O Saint, pray for us that we may not be swayed from our course,/ despite all difficulties, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St John of Kronstadt Tone 4

Thou wast chosen by God in infancy/ and in childhood received the gift of learning./ Thou wast called to the priesthood in a vision during sleep/ and didst become a wonderful shepherd of Christ's Church./ Pray to Christ our God/ that we may all be with thee in the Kingdom of heaven,/ O Father John, namesake of grace.

Kontakion of the Prophet Joel Tone 1

Thou didst behold God's glory/ and receive knowledge of things to come./ For the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh/ that believed on Him Who appeared on earth and made Thee wonderful, O holy Prophet Joel.

Kontakion of St Varus Tone 4

Thou hast followed Christ and drunk His chalice;/ thou didst receive the crown of martyrdom, O holy Varus./ Thou art rejoicing with the Angels: pray unceasingly for our souls.

TRANSFER OF THE RELICS OF THE MONK JOHN OF RYLA (1238).

PROPHET JOEL (800 B.C.).

MARTYR UAROS AND TOGETHER WITH HIM 7 TEACHERS OF CHRISTIANS (+ C. 307).

BLESSED CLEOPATRA AND HER SON JOHN (+ 327).

PRIESTMARTYR SADOK, BISHOP OF PERSIA, AND WITH HIM 128 MARTYRS (+ 342).

The Transfer of the Relics of the Monk John of Ryla from the city of Sredets (Sofia) to the then capital of the Bulgarian realm -- the city Tirnovo, took place in the year 1238. The account about the monk is located under 18 August.

The Holy Prophet Joel lived 800 years before the Birth of Christ. He made prediction about the desolation of Jerusalem. He likewise prophesied, that upon all flesh would be poured out the Holy Spirit through the Saviour of the world (Joel 2: 28-32).

The Holy Martyr Uaros and Seven Teachers of Christians, lived in Egypt during the period of several persecutions against Christians (late III to early IV Century). Uaros was a military commander and secretly a Christian. He gave assistance to many of the persecuted and imprisoned Christians, visiting the prison by night he brought food to the prisoners, he dressed up wounds, and gave encouragement.

One time he conversed the whole night through with seven Christian teachers condemned to death, who before had been beaten and held in starvation. In the morning, when they led the condemned to execution, Uaros marched together with them. The judge, seeing the particularly strong faith of Uaros, gave orders to subject him to fierce beatings, during the time of which the holy martyr died. The Christian teachers were then beheaded. This occurred in the year 307.

Blessed Cleopatra came from the village of Edra near Mount Tabor in Palestine. She was a contemporary of the holy Martyr Uaros and beheld his voluntary suffering. After the execution, blessed Cleopatra transferred the body of the holy martyr to her own country and buried him with reverence. Cleopatra had but a single and beloved son, John, who had attained the honourable rank of officer. To the great sorrow of his mother, John suddenly died. Cleopatra with tears of grief turned to the relics of the holy Martyr Uaros, beseeching him for the resuscitation of her son.

When Uaros and her son appeared to Cleopatra in a dream, radiant in bright attire with crowns upon their heads, -- she perceived, that the Lord had received her son into the heavenly host, and was comforted. After this blessed Cleopatra started to live by a church, built by her over the relics of the holy Martyr Uaros and her son John, and she strove to acquire the grace of God by good deeds. She distributed her property to the poor and spent her time in prayer and fasting. After seven years of righteous life the blessed saint reposed (c. 327).

The PriestMartyr Sadok (+ first half IV Century) was bishop of a Persian district. When the Persian emperor Sapor learned that Sadok was preaching faith in Christ, he gave orders to arrest and imprison him together with 128 Christian believers. For several months they attempted to persuade the righteous to repudiate the holy faith, but not accomplishing this, they executed them.

MONDAY - October 20, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 1:1-7

1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Luke 9:18-22

18 And it came to pass, as he was in retirement praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Who say the people that I am? 19 They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the ancient prophets is risen again. 20 He said to them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answering, said, Christ of God. 21 And he strictly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing, 22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the presbyters, and chief priests, and scribes, and be put to death, and be raised the third day.

HOLY AND GREAT MARTYR ARTEMIUS

OUR HOLY AND GOD-BEARING FATHER GERASIMUS THE NEW ASCETIC

Troparion of St Artemius Tone 5

O victorious Artemius, thou wast a noble athlete./ Now like a shining lamp/ thy miracles enlighten the world/ for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion of St Gerasimus Tone 1

Let us praise divine Gerasimus the protector and champion of Orthodoxy,/ an angel in the flesh and a God-inspired wonderworker./ He received from God the gift of healing/ and grants cures to those who venerate him.

Kontakion of St Artemius Tone 2

Let us come together to praise Artemius,/ great among martyrs and rich bestower of miracles./ He raised trophies of victory over the enemies/ and now intercedes with the Lord for us all.

Kontakion of St Gerasimus Tone 3

Today the Island of Cephalonia/ calls upon multitudes of Orthodox/ to praise divine Gerasimus,/ boast of Orthodoxy and its defender and champion.

GREATMARTYR ARTEMIOS (+ 362).

RIGHTEOUS LAD ARTEMII OF VERKOL'SK (+ 1545).

MONK GERASIMOS OF ATHOS (+ 1579).

The Holy GreatMartyr Artemios was a prominent military leader during the reign of the Equal-to-the-Apostles emperor Constantine the Great (306-337, Comm. 21 May), and later -- also of his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemios held many awards for distinguished service and courage, and he was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt. The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism carried on an implacable struggle with Christianity, sending hundreds to their death.At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian faith. During this time Saint Artemios arrived in the city and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures, after which they threw the Great-martyr Artemios into prison. During the time of prayer which the saint offered to the Lord, Christ Himself appeared to him surrounded by angels and said: "Take courage, Artemios! I am with thee and wilt preserve thee from every hurt which the tormentors may inflict upon thee, and already have I preared thy crown of glory. Wherefore as thou hast confessed Me before the people on earth, so also shalt I confess thee before Mine Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, -- thou shalt be with Me in Mine Kingdom". Hearing this of the Lord Himself, Artemios rejoiced and began fervently to offer up glory and thanksgiving to Him.

On the following day Julian demanded that the Great-martyr Artemios honour the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to torture. The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint then predicted to Julian that he would soon receive just recompense for the evil done by him to Christians. Julian became furious and resorted to even more fiercesome tortures, but they did not break the will of the saint, and finally the Great-martyr Artemios was beheaded (+ 362).

His remains were buried by Christians.

And after the death of the holy Great-martyr Artemios, his prophecy about the impending perishing of Julian the Apostate came true.

Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon he came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian's army. But the old man deceived Julian and led his army into an impassable place in the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Worn down by hunger and thirst, the Graeco-Roman army of Julian had to do battle against fresh Persian forces.

Divine retribution caught up here with Julian the Apostate. At the time of battle he was mortally wounded by an unseen hand and an unseen weapon. Julian groaned deeply, and dying, he said: "Thou hast conquered, Gallileian!" After the perishing of the apostate-emperor, the relics of the Great-martyr Artemios were transferred with honour from Antioch to Constantinople.

The Righteous Lad Artemii of Verkol'sk (+ 1545). The account about him is located under 23 June.

The Monk Gerasimos was born in the village of Trikala in the Peloponessus. Upon reaching maturity he withdrew to the island of Zakina for a monastic life. On the Holy Mountain he became a schema-monk and studied with the ascetics of Athos. Having received blessing from the elders, the monk set off to Jerusalem to worship at the Lifebearing Grave of the Saviour. Having made the rounds of the holy places, visiting Mount Sinai, Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria and Egypt, he returned to Jerusalem where he became a a candle-lighter at the Sepulchre of the Lord. The monk was ordained by the blessed Patriarch of Jerusalem, Germanos (1534-1579), to the diaconate, and then to the priesthood. The Monk Gerasimos did not slacken in deeds of prayer. For quietude he withdrew to Jordan, where he spent 40 days without respite. Having received the Patriarch's blessing for a life of silence, the monk Gerasimos withdrew Zakinthos. He dwelt there in solitude for 5 years, nourishing himself on vegetation. At an inspiration from above he went to the island of Cephalonia and on to Omal, and having restored a church he founded a women's monastery at which he dwelt for 30 years in constant toil, vigil, and prayer on bended knee stretched out upon the earth.For his exalted life he was vouchsafed of God a miraculous gift -- to heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits. The Monk Gerasimos, aware of his impending end for several days, gave his blessing to the nuns and peacefully expired to the Lord on 15 August 1579, at 71 years of age. When his grave was opened two years later, his holy relics were found undecayed and exuding fragrance, and were curative.

TUESDAY - October 21, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 1:8-14

8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places]; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Luke 9:23-27

23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in that of his] Father, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you in truth, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.

ST CHRISTODULUS OF PATMOS

ST HILARION THE GREAT

ST FINTAN, MONK

Troparion of St Christodulus Tone 2

Thou didst quench the heat of the passions/ by the flow thy tears, O Father Christodulus./ We pray with faith:/ deliver us from passions and evils,/ for thou art interceding unceasingly for us.

Troparion of St Hilarion Tone 1

Illumined in mind by the light of abstinence,/ thou wast radiant with miracles, O Father Hilarion./ Thou didst become a shining pillar of godliness/ and enlighten the of faithful who came to thee./ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Fintan Tone 8

As a disciple of Iona's founder,/ thou wast rooted firmly in the Faith and the monastic disciplines,/ O Founder of Taghmon's Monastery, holy Father Fintan,/ Righteous Ascetic and Champion of our Church./ As thou didst defend the tradition of our Fathers in the Faith,/ defend us, O Saint, from soul-destroying innovations,/ that we stray not from the way of salvation.

Kontakion of St Christodulus Tone 4

Rejoicing at the return of thy precious relics,/ thy flock cries to thee with faith:/ Thou hast come, thou hast appeared,/ my guardian and deliverer,/ O holy Christodulus.

Kontakion of St Hilarion Tone 3

We gather today and praise thee with hymns/ as a light of the spiritual sun./ For thou didst illumine those in the darkness of ignorance/ and raise all to divine heights./ And so we cry to thee:/ Rejoice, Hilarion, summit of ascetics.

MONK ILARION (HILARY) THE GREAT (+ 371-372).

TRANSFER OF RELICS OF SAINTED ILARION, BISHOP OF MEGLINA (1206).

SAINTED ILARION, METROPOLITAN OF KIEV (XI).

MONK ILARION, SCHEMA-MONK OF PECHERSK, IN FARTHER CAVES (XI).

MONK ILARION OF PSKOVOEZERSK, GDOVSK.

MONKS THEOPHIL AND IAKOV (JAMES) OF OMUCHA (C. 1412).

MARTYRS DASIAS, CAIUS AND ZOTICUS (303).

MONK PHILOTHEOS OF ATHOS.

The Monk Ilarion the Great was born in the year 291 in the Palestinian village of Tabath. He was sent for study to Alexandria, where he became acquainted with Christianity and accepted holy Baptism. Hearing an account of the angelic life of the Monk Anthony the Great (Comm. 17 January), Ilarion set out to him, in order to study that which is pleasing to God. Ilarion soon returned to his native-land. His parents had already died. Having distributed his familial inheritance to the poor, Ilarion set out into the wilderness surrounding he city of Maium. The monk struggled intensely with impure thoughts, vexations of the mind and the burning of the flesh, defeating them with heavy toil, fasting and fervent prayer. The devil sought to terrorise the saint with phantoms and apparitions. During times of prayer Saint Ilarion heard children crying, women wailing, and the growling of lions and other wild beasts. The monk perceived that it was the demons causing these terrors, in order to drive him away from the wilderness, and therefore he overcame his fear with the help of fervent prayer.

One time robbers fell upon the Monk Ilarion, and he by the power of his words persuaded them to forsake the life of crime.

Soon all Palestine learned about the holy ascetic. The Lord vouchsafed to the Monk Ilarion the power to cast out unclean spirits. With this graced gift he loosed the bounds of many of the afflicted. The sick came for healing, and the monk cured them free of charge, saying, that the grace of God is not for sale. By means of smell the saint learned with which passion this or that man was afflicted. And they came to the Monk Ilarion wanting to save their soul under his guidance. With the blessing of the Monk Ilarion, monasteries began to spring up throughout all of Palestine. Going from one monastery to another, he set in them a strict ascetic manner of life. About seven years before his death (+ 371-372) the Monk Ilarion resettled to Cyprus, where he asceticised in a solitary place, until the Lord summoned him to Himself.

The Transfer of the Relics of Sainted Ilarion, Bishop of Meglina, to the Bulgarian city of Tirnovo, occurred in the year 1206. Prior to this event the body of the saint rested in the city of Meglina.

Saint Ilarion had received a fine Christian upbringing. In his 18th year of life he left the world and withdrew to a monastery, which he was soon chosen to head because of his virtuous and strict life. Concerning himself over the salvation of the souls entrusted to him, he unceasingly exhorted the monks not to waste the precious time intended for salvation. With a particular persistence Ilarion eradicated drunkenness. In the year 1134 he was ordained bishop of Meglina. At this time the Bogomil heresy was spreading through Bulgaria. The heretics followed a false teaching, in which good and evil manifest themselves of independent principles, and between which ensues a struggle. With an apostolic zeal and fervent prayer Saint Ilarion rose up in struggle against the heretical pseudo-teaching. He untiringly unmasked the heresy of the Bogomils, snatching from them their hypocritical guise of piety. In refuting the teaching of the heretics, Saint Ilarion said: "Ye be not Christians at all, since ye are hostile to the Cross of Christ the Saviour, ye acknowledge not the One God, ye slander the ancient Revelation (Old Testament), venerated by Christians. Ye do deceive simple people by hypocritical meekness, whilst full of pride. True piety is not possible in those, who see not in themselves corruption of heart, nor beseech the grace of God by prayer and humility. Evil thoughts, envy, vanity, greed, lie -- are not the deed of some evil thing within man and to be conquered by mere fasting. These vices -- are the fruit of self-love which therefore demands rooting-out by spiritual efforts".

After the saint's exhortations many of the heretics abandoned their pseudo-teaching and returned to the bosom of Holy Church. Saint Ilarion the same way also untiringly and successfully struggled against the rise in Bulgaria of the Armenian Monophysite heretics, who acknowledged in Christ only the Divine nature. The saint reposed in the year 1164.

Sainted Ilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, lived during the era of the Great-prince Yaroslav the Wise (+ 1054), son of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir. In the history of the Russian Church he enters in as the first of its Russian representatives, installed as Metropolitan by a Sobor-Council of Russian bishops.

The Russian Church up to that time had been a metropolitan see, under the Constantinople patriarchate. Russia's first metropolitans were Greeks, and their appointment was made at Tsar'grad. Saint Ilarion, priest of the prince's village of Berestovo, nigh to Kiev, was the spiritual father and a companion of prince Yaroslav. "God-loving prince Yaroslav loved Berestovo, and put there the church of the Holy Apostles and many priests he did honour and maintain, -- relates the Monk Nestor the Chronicler. -- Amongst them was the presbyter by name Ilarion, a man of virtue, and book-learned, and given to fasting. He made his way from Berestovo to the Dniepr, where is now the old Pechersk monastery, and here he made his prayer in the deep forest. Having dug out a shallow two-sashen (14 foot) cave, and having come from Berestovo, he intoned here the hours and did pray in solitude to God...".

Saint Ilarion, as attest his works, was not simply a "man of books", but was endowed with great spiritual gifts, and profound theological knowledge. He devoted all is efforts to the service of the Russian Church. When metropolitan Theopemptos died, Rus' was in a state of war against Byzantium. By decision of a Sobor-Council of Russian hierarchs of the Russian Church, resolution was made to establish a metropolitan at Kiev, not subject to Tsar'grad. Saint Ilarion was famed amongst the Russian clergy for his heightened spiritual life and gift for preaching. A short while before this, he had uttered in the Desyatin-Tithe church an eulogy to holy Prince Vladimir with his acclaimed "Discourse concerning Law and Grace", in which he provided a theological explanation of the place of the Russian Church in the history of the Divine Economy of Salvation.

The choice of the Sobor-Council hierarchs was dear to the heart of Yaroslav the Wise. The ascetic was installed as Metropolitan at Saint Sophia in the year 1051. Saint Ilarion was later affirmed by the Constantinople patriarch. But he was not the primate of the Russian Church for long. The chronicle does not mention the year of his death, but the saint was already not at the death of prince Yaroslav the Wise (+ 20 February 1054), and in the year 1055 a new metropolitan had arrived at Kiev. Evidently, Saint Ilarion had expired to the Lord in 1053.

His spiritual legacy lives on in the Russian Church. And foremost, a fine work of old-Russian churchly literature -- the "Discourse concerning Law and Grace". Its content is profound and many-sided. At the centre of the "Discourse" -- is the teaching concerning salvation and grace. Great attention is devoted to the question about the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. This theme was essential at these times for Kievan Rus': the Jews had approached Saint Vladimir, hoping to convert him to their faith, and the Monk Theodosii of Pechersk (+ 1074) went also to the "Jewish Quarter" in Kiev with the preaching of Christ Crucified. It is known likewise, that the Jews had attempted to convert to Judaism Sainted-hierarch Nikita the Hermit, when he was still a monk of the Pechersk monastery (1088). Saint Simon relates about this in the "Kievo-Pechersk Paterikon". Hence therefore the attention, which Saint Ilarion devotes to the question "about the law, given to Moses, and about grace and truth, through the coming of Jesus Christ". And finally, the third theme, the occasion of the uttering of the "Discourse" -- was to the glorification of the apostolic work of holy Prince Vladimir.

The kingdom of nature, the kingdom of grace and the future Kingdom of Glory are perceived in the spiritual experience of the Church as coalesced inseparably. The law -- is but the forerunner and servant of grace and truth. Truth and grace -- are but servants of the future age and true life. Saint Ilarion teaches thus about the superiority of the Church: "Moses and the prophets did foretell the Coming of Christ, whereas Christ and His Apostles -- did witness about the Resurrection and about the future age".

From the moment, when the Saviour was come into he world, the Old (preliminary) Covenant of man with God ceased to be in effect. With the theological symbols of the Old and New Covenant-Testaments the saint employs images borrowed from the holy Apostle Paul relating to the two wives of Abraham: the freeborn Sarah and the maid-servant Agar. "Agar was cast out, a slave, together with her son Ishmael, and Isaac, the free son, was heir to Abraham. Thus also were the Jews cast out and dispersed through the lands, whereas the sons of grace, the Christians, are become heirs to God the Father. As the light of the moon doth fade amidst the shining forth of the sun, so also the law -- doth fade amidst the shining forth of grace; the cold of night doth vanish from the warmth of the sun, heating the earth, -- and mankind be no longer bent over under the burden of the law, but instead in grace walketh freely".

The joy of Christ fills the holy preacher, when he speaks about the entry of his native Rus' into the host of Christian peoples. "The grace of Christ hath filled all the earth", and foremost, the youthfully alive peoples, to which also is regarded the Russian people. "It becometh grace and truth to shine forth in new peoples. They do not, in the words of the Lord, pour new wine -- this being the teaching of grace -- into old wine-skins, referring to the Jews, but the rather put the new teaching, into new wine-skins, into new peoples". Thus the graced faith "throughout all the earth hath spread and reached our Russian tongue. Here now we too with all Christians do glorify the Holy Trinity, and the Jews be silent; pagans be accepted, but Jews -- art spurned".

Russian Orthodox at present "be not termed idolators, but rather Christians, no longer do we build heathen temples, but rather the churches of Christ; no longer do we sacrifice others to the demons (vide Comm. Varangian Martyrs, 12 July), but Christ for us instead hath been slain in sacrifice to God and Father. The Blessed God hath had mercy on all lands -- and us too hath not despised, for He did desire likewise to save us and bring us to our senses in truth". The great apostolic exploit of the enlightening of the Russian Land was made by holy Prince Vladimir (Comm. 15 July), "like to holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine", who "did command throughout all his land that they be baptised in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and clearly and loudly in voice in all the cities to glorify the Holy Trinity and to all be Christians -- the small and great, slave and free, young and old, rich and poor". Saint Ilarion speaks with pride about his native land: "Saint Vladimir did not exercise sovereignty in a bad or ignorant land, but the rather in Russia, which is known and heard of by all the ends of the earth".

The "Discourse concerning Law and Grace" -- is the first work of its time in the Russian Church in which the holy Baptiser of Rus' is acclaimed blessed amongst the rank of the equal-to-the-Apostles. "Rejoice thou midst sovereigns, O apostle, not in having dead bodies resurrected, but our deadened souls resurrecting: for by thee hath we been made alive in God and given to know life in Christ". Suchlike is the content of this remarkable memorial of ancient Russian theology. Among the other works of Saint Ilarion is known his archbishopal "Confession", having become the model for a bishop's vow in the Russian Church. And to the "Discourse concerning Law and Grace" in the manuscripts is usually appended the "Prayer of Saint Ilarion". This work of the saint likewise possesses a long history within the tradition of his native church. In the year 1555, upon his sending off to he newly-formed Kazan diocese, Saint Gurii ordered that there be read to him the prayer, "The Work of Metropolitan Ilarion the Russia", at Moscow and in the other cities, through which he was to travel.

Saint Ilarion was buried in the Kiev caves. In the inscribed titles to his works, in the manuscripts of saintly literature and lists of sainted-hierarchs, Saint Ilarion is invariable termed a saint and predicated as a wonderworker. His assured literary veneration as a saint is evidenced in the services to the Kievo-Pechersk Monastics. Both in the service to the Sobor-Assembly of Fathers of the Nearer Caves (Comm. 28 September), and likewise in the service to all the Kievo-Pechersk Saints (2nd Sunday of Great Lent), Saint Ilarion is enumerated together with other saintly hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Monk Ilarion, Schema-monk of Pechersk, a strict ascetic, was a student and co-ascetic with the Monk Theodosii (+ 1074, Comm. 3 May). Copying the example of his teacher, the Monk Ilarion day and night prayed to God with tears, amidst the observing of a strict fast. His contemporaries knew him as a book-copyist, who day and night toiled over the copying of books in the cell of the Monk Theodosii. During this time his teacher intoned psalms and spun wool. The Monk Ilarion asceticised during the XI Century. His memory is made both on 28 August and on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Monk Ilarion of Pskovoezersk, Gdovsk: The account about him is located under 28 March.

The Monks Theophil and Iakov (James) of Omucha asceticised on the island of Konevetsa together with the Monk Arsenii (Comm. 12 June). In the year 1396 in Pskov diocese at the River Omucha, not far from the city of Porkhov, Saints Theophil and Iakov established a wilderness monastery in honour of the Uspenie-Dormition of the MostHoly Mother o God. Their demise occurred later in about the year 1412.

The Holy Martyrs Dasias, Caius and Zoticus accepted a martyr's end in the year 303, under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), for the destruction of an idolous temple. After tortures the martyred were drowned in the sea.

The Monk Philotheos of Athos was a native of Elateia. Fearing the Turks, his parents moved away to Chrysopolis in Macedonia, where soon his father died. The child Philotheos together with his brother, snatched by the Turks and thrown into prison, were delivered in a miraculous manner by the Mother of God Herself. She appeared to the children in the image of their mother and led them to the monastery of the MostHoly Mother of God in the city of Neapolis in Asia Minor. At this monastery the brothers accepted monastic tonsure and progressing through the obediences assigned by the hegumen they attained the position of ecclesiarchs (church key-holders). Meanwhile the mother of Philotheos, Eudocia, through mysterious guidance of Divine Providence, had herself settled into a women's monastery in this selfsame city, and for many years knew absolutely nothing about the fate of her children. During the time of a temple feastday, being together with several other nuns at the men's monastery, Eudocia recognised her sons. To her question as to how they chanced to be there, they answered: "Thou thyself best dost know, for did not thou, in freeing us from the Turks, lead us hither?" And thus Eudocia became convinced of the graced intercession of the Mother of God, in prayers to Whom she alone had found consolation. At this joyous encounter of the mother and children gathered round all the brethren, and having learned about the miraculous event, all glorified the Lord. Upon the repose of his mother, the Monk Philotheos set off to the Holy Mountain, where at first he entered in with the brethren of the Dionysiatikos monastery, and then withdrew into complete solitude. Devoting himself to deeds of prayer, the Monk Philotheos attained high spiritual perfection and was vouchsafed the gift of perspicacity. At the age of eighty-four the monk peacefully expired to the Lord, having bid his students not to bury his body, but rather to cast it dishonourably into the forest for devouring by beasts and birds. His students fulfilled the wish of their monastic elder, but the Lord glorified he relics of the saint with a wondrous radiance, after which his relics were returned to the monastery.

WEDNESDAY - October 22, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 1:12-20

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places]; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will. 16 The one preach Christ from contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

Luke 9:44-50

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him concerning that saying. 46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us, is for us.

KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

ABERCIUS THE WONDER WORKER, EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES AND BISHOP OF HIEROPOLIS

Troparion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Tone 4

O fervent intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High,/ thou dost pray to thy Son Christ our God and savest all who seek thy protection./ O Sovereign Lady and Queen,/ help and defend all of us who in trouble and trials,/ in pain and burdened with sins,/ stand in thy presence before thine icon,/ and who pray with compunction, contrition and tears/ and with unflagging hope in thee./ Grant what is good for us, deliverance from evil,/ and save us all, O Virgin Mother of God,/ for thou art a divine protection to thy servants.

Troparion of St Abercius the Wonderworker Tone 5

Thou didst emulate the zeal of the Apostles/ and shine forth like a morning star,/ and thy works showed thy God-given power:/ Thou didst guide the erring to God, O Hierarch Abercius.

Kontakion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Tone 8

O peoples, let us run to that quiet good haven,/ to the speedy helper, the warm salvation, to the Virgin's protection./ Let us speed to prayer and hasten to repentance./ For the Mother of God pours out her mercy, anticipates needs and averts disasters/ for her patient and God-fearing servants.

Kontakion of St Abercius the Wonderworker Tone 8

The whole Church honours thee as a great Hierarch and as a companion to the Apostles./ By thy prayers keep the Church unconquered and unshaken by heresy, O glorious Abercius.

KAZAN ICON OF THE MOSTHOLY MOTHER OF GOD (1612).

EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES AUERKIOS THE WONDERWORKER, BISHOP OF HIEROPOLIS (+ C. 167).

MONKS THEODORE (FEODOR) AND PAUL OF ROSTOV (XV).

SEVEN HOLY YOUTHS OF EPHESUS: MAXIMILIAN, IAMBLICHUS, MARTINIAN, DIONYSIUS, ANTONINUS, CONSTANTINE (HEXAKUSTODIANOS) AND JOHN (+ C. 250).

MARTYRS BISHOP ALEXANDER, SOLDIER HERACLES, AND WOMEN-MARTYRS ANNA, ELIZABETH, THEODOTIA AND GLYCERIA.

ANDRONIKOV ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

The Celebration of the MostHoly Mother of God, in honour of Her "Kazansk" Icon, was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all Russia from the incursion of the Polish in 1612. The period of the end of the XVI and beginning XVII Centuries is known in the history of Russia as "the Time of Troubles" ("Smutnoe Vremya"). The country suffered the onslaught of Polish armies, which scoffed at the Orthodox faith, in plundering and burning churches, cities and villages. By way of deceit they succeeded in taking Moscow. To the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Ermogen (Comm. 12 May), the Russian nation rose up in defense of its native-land. To the militia forces headed by prince Dimitrii Mikhailovich Pozharsky was sent from Kazan the wonderworking image of the Mother of God.

Sainted Dimitrii of Rostov (Comm. 21 September), in his "Discourse on the Day of Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God at Kazan" (Icon feastday 8 July), said: "The Mother of God doth deliver from misfortune and woe not only the righteous, but also sinners, but which sinners? Those, which do turn themselves to the Heavenly Father like the Prodigal Son, they make lamentation beating their bosom, like the Publican, they weep at the feet of Christ, like the Sinful Woman washing His feet with her tears, and they offer forth confession of Him, like the Thief upon the Cross. Upon suchlike sinners is it that the All-Pure Mother of God doth heed and hasten to their aid, and from great misfortunes and woe doth deliver".

Knowing that the misfortunes were in sufferance for their sins, the whole nation and the militia imposed upon themselves a three-day fast and with prayer they turned to the Lord and His All-Pure Mother for Heavenly help. The prayer was heard. Situated in captivity under the Polish, from Sainted Arsenii (afterwards Bishop of Suzdal') came an announcement, that in a vision to him had been revealed a shifting in the Judgement of God towards mercy, through the intercession of the MostHoly Virgin. Emboldened by the news, Russian forces on 22 October 1612 liberated Moscow from the Polish usurpers. Celebration in honour of the Kazan Icon of the MostHoly Mother of God was established in 1649. And down to our own day this icon is especially revered by the Russian Orthodox nation.

The Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Auerkios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Hieropolis, was glorified in the II Century in Phrygia. The city of Hieropolis back then basically was inhabited by pagans. The saint prayed the Lord for the salvation of their souls and their conversion to the True Light. An Angel appeared and bid Saint Auerkios to destroy the idols in the pagan temple. With zeal he fulfilled the command of God. Upon hearing that the idol-worshippers wanted to kill him, the saint went out to the place where the people had gathered and openly he denounced the failings of the pagans. The pagans tried to seize hold of the saint. At this moment in the crowd cried out three demon-possessed youths. The people became dumbfounded, as the saint by his prayer expelled the devils from them. Seeing the youths restored to normal, the Hieropolis people besought Saint Auerkios to instruct them in the Christian faith, and then they accepted Holy Baptism. After this the saint set off to surrounding cities and villages, healing the sick and preaching the Kingdom of God. With his preaching he made the rounds of Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, he visited Rome and everywhere he converted multitudes of people to Christ. Saint Auerkios because of his great works is termed "Equal-to-the-Apostles". For many years he guarded the Church against heretics, he affirmed Christians in the faith, he set the prodigal upon the righteous path, he healed the sick and propagated the glory of Christ.

The Monks Theodore (Feodor) and Paul of Rostov in the XIV Century founded at the River Ust', not far from Rostov, a monastery in honour of the holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb (+ 1015, Comm. 2 May).The Monk Theodore came first to the place of the future monastery, from the Novgorod region. The Monk Paul came three years later for ascetic exploits.

In 1363 the Monk Sergei of Radonezh (Comm. 25 September and 5 July) came to Rostov, his native region. Learning of this, the Monks Theodore and Paul set off thither and came to the great ascetic for spiritual counsel. The Monk Sergei visited their wilderness monastery, and having pointed out the place, he gave blessing to build there a church in the name of the holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb. Already during the time of construction of this first church, monks began gathering to the ascetics. The hegumen, the Monk Theodore, joyfully accepted all that came. Soon a second temple was built, in honour of the Annunciation of the MostHoly Mother of God.

Having set in order the Borisoglebsk monastery, the Monk Theodore entrusted its direction to the Monk Paul, and then he himself with several disciples withdrew into the Vologda forest. Here at Beloe-Ozero (White-Lake), nigh to the confluence of the River Kouzha into it, he founded a monastery and asceticised there for several years. Having built a church in the name of Saint Nicholas and setting in order the monastery, he established an hegumen for it. And having received a revelation about his impending end, he returned to the Borisoglebsk monastery, where he died on 22 October 1409. The Monk Paul directed the two monasteries for a certain while, and he died at this same monastery.

The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus -- Maximilan, Iamblichus, Martinian, Dionysius, Antoninus, Constantine (Hexakustodianos) and John: the account about them is located under 4 August.

The Holy Martyrs Bishop Alexander, the Soldier Heracles, and the Women-Martyrs Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glyceria were killed during the III Century at Adrianopolis for their confession of Christ. This century was noted as a time of the dissemination of Christianity amongst the pagans. Despite the persecutions undertaken against the Christians, Bishop Alexander fearlessly converted to the holy salvific faith and baptised many a pagan. The governor of the region where the saint lived ordered his soldiers to use torture to gain Bishop Alexander's renunciation of Christ. The saint patiently endured terrible tortures. Struck by this, the Soldier Heracles believed in Christ, for Whom the saint suffered. And after him confessing themselves Christian were the Women-Martyrs Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glyceria.

The Andronikov Icon of the Mother of God was a family icon of the Greek emperor Andronikos III. In 1347 he gifted the icon to the Monembasa monastery at Moreia. From here the image was sent in 1839 to Russia. In 1877 the holy icon was placed in a temple of the Kazansk women's monastery, near Vyshnii Volochek.

THURSDAY - October 23, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 1:20-27

20 According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your manner of life be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Luke 9:49-56

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us, is for us. 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village.

HOLY APOSTLE JAMES THE BROTHER OF THE LORD, FIRST BISHOP OF JERUSALEM

Troparion Tone 4

Thou hast received the Gospel as a disciple,/ thou art invincible as a martyr,/ and bold as the Lord's brother,/ thou dost intercede as a hierarch./ O righteous James, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion Tone 4

God the Word, only-begotten of the Father,/ came to us in the last days./ He has made thee first shepherd and teacher of Jerusalem/ and a steward of spiritual mysteries./ we honour thee, O Apostle James.

APOSTLE JAMES, BROTHER OF THE LORD AFTER THE FLESH (+ C. 63).

RIGHTEOUS IAKOV (JAMES) OF BOROVICH, NOVGOROD WONDERWORKER (+ C. 1540).

SAINTED IGNATIOS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE (+ 877-878).

The Apostle James, Brother of the Lord -- was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Comm. 26 December). From his early years James was a Nazorite, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazorites gave a vow to preserve virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazorites symbolised a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. When the Saviour began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. For his God-leasing life he was chosen first bishop in the Church at Jerusalem. Saint James presided over the Council of the Apostles at Jerusalem, and his word was decisive (Acts 15). In his thirty years as bishop the Apostle James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. Having led the saint up on the roof of the Jerusalem Temple, they demanded that he renounce the Saviour of the world. But the holy Apostle James instead began to bear witness, that Christ is the True Messiah. Then the Jewish teachers shoved him off downwards. The saint did not die immediately, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies, who at this while were stoning him. The martyr's death of Saint James occurred in about the year 63.

The holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which has formed the basis of the liturgies, composed by Saints Bail the Great and John Chrysostomos. The Church has preserved an Epistle of the Apostle James, which under his name is included among the books of the New Testament of Holy Scripture. In the year 1853 the Alexandria Patriarch Hierotheos sent to Moscow a portion of the relics of the holy Apostle James. The Church makes a distinction between the holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, from James the son of Zebedee (Comm. 30 April) and James Alphaeus (Comm. 9 October).

Righteous Iakov (James) Borovich, Novgorod Wonderworker, in his youth took upon himself the ardous task of fool-for-Christ. Most of the details of his life are unknown. The Lord glorified him after death. In the year 1540, on the third day of Pascha, a large block of ice floated up against the current along the River Msta to the village of Borovich (in Novgorod district), and on this block of ice stood the coffin (an oaken log) without cover, upon which lay the body of the youth. Shunning their responsibility, peasants with poles shoved the block of ice to mid-stream, but it returned to the shore. This was repeated three times. By night the youth appeared in a dream to the elders of the village, who had seen him upon the ice-floe, and said: "I too am a Christian just like ye. Push me not away. My name is Iakov, and I received my name in honour of Saint Iakov (James), Brother of the Lord".

The relics of the holy lad were at first placed in a chapel, and in 1544 transferred to the Holy Spirit church. Then was established a festal celebration to him. The Lord, having glorified his God-pleasing one, granted the relics of Saint Iakov a curative power. A feastday with matins was established in 1572. In the Iconographic Originals it says about Saint Iakov: "The likeness of a lad, bare, girded with a piece of cloth". In 1657 Patriarch Nikon dispatched part of the relics to Valdai, to the Iversk monastery.

Sainted Ignatios, Patriarch of Constantinople (847-857; 867-877), in the world Nikita, was of imperial lineage. When his father, the emperor Michael I (811-813), was deposed from the imperial throne by Leo the Armenian (813-820), the 15 year old youth Ignatios was imprisoned in a monastery. Life in the monastery strengthened Saint Ignatios in faith and in piety. Soon he was made hegumen of the monastery, and later on he was chosen Patriarch of Constantinople.

The emperor Michael III (855-867) was still a minor in age, and the country was actually governed by his uncle, Bardas -- a man impious and unchaste. The holy patriarch urged Bardas to forsake his sinful life, and he boldly denounced him in his iniquity. When Bardas attempted to force Saint Ignatios to impose monastic tonsure upon the holy Empress Theodora, -- mother of the emperor, so as to remove her from governance of the realm, holy Patriarch Ignatios did not only not consent to this, but also publicly excommunicated Bardas from Communion. They tortured the holy patriarch for fifteen days to force him to resign, and then they sent him off into exile. When the new emperor came to power, Saint Ignatios was recalled from prison, and was Patriarch for another 10 years. He died in the year 877 in a monastery.

FRIDAY - October 24, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 1:27-2:4

27 Only let your manner of life be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, [and] now hear [to be] in me. 1 If [there is] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. 3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Luke 10:1-15

1 After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city, and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he to them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. 3 Go: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor sack, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8 And into whatever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them, The kingdom of God is come nigh to you. 10 But into whatever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh to you. 12 But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. 13 Woe to thee, Chorazin! woe to thee Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to Hades.

HOLY MARTYR ARETHAS AND HIS 4299 FELLOW MARTYRS

ST CADFARCH, MONK

ST MAELOR, MONK

Troparion of the Icon "Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 4

Let us, sinful and humbled, now earnestly run to the Mother of God,/ and let us fall down in repentance,/ crying from the depths of our soul:/ O Lady, help, have compassion on us./ Make haste, for we perish from the multitude of our sins./ Turn not thy servants empty away,/ for we have thee as our only hope.

Another Troparion of the Icon "Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 2

Thou art the joy of all that sorrow/ and the protectoress of the oppressed,/ feeder of the hungry, consolation of travelers,/ haven for the tempest-tossed, visitation of the sick,/ protection and aid of the infirm, staff of old age,/ O all-pure Mother of the Most High God./ Hasten, we pray, to save thy servants.

Troparion of St Arethas and his fellow Martyrs Tone 1

Thou didst live piously and wast glorified in contest,/ and didst triumph over Christ's enemies./ Thou didst bring Him a company of martyrs,/ O blessed Arethas./ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Cadfarch Tone 8

Brother and companion of saints, O Father Cadfarch,/ thou art truly numbered among the Righteous of the Age of Saints./ Wherefore intercede for us, weak as we are,/ that Christ our God will grant us great mercy.

Troparion of St Maelor Tone 8

At the bidding of our Father Samson thou didst leave thy native Wales/ to serve God in Lammeur's Monastery, O Father Maelor./ Having pleased God with the sweet fragrance of monastic struggle,/ thou didst grace the island of Sark with thy godly repose./ Pray to God for us, O blessed one, that He will spare us/ from sudden and unprepared death and grant salvation to our souls.

Kontakion of the Icon ''Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 6

We have no other help, we have no other hope,/ apart from thee, O Lady:/ help us. we hope in thee and in thee we glory./ Let us not be confounded for we are thy servants.

Kontakion of St Arethas and his fellow Martyrs Tone 4

The radiant feast of the victorious Martyrs/ comes today as an occasion of gladness./ As we celebrate it we glorify the Lord on high.

ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD "JOY OF ALL WHO SORROW" (1688).

MARTYR ARETHA AND WITH HIM 4299 MARTYRS (+ 523).

MONKS ARETHA (XII), SISOI (XIII) AND THEOPHIL (XII-XIII), HERMITS OF PECHERSK, IN NEARER CAVES.

BLESSED ELEZBOI, EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA (+ C. 553-555).

MARTYRESS SYNCLETIA AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS (VI).

SAINTED ATHANASIAS, PATRIARCH OF TSARGRAD-CONSTANTINOPLE (+ POST 1311).

MONK JOHN, HERMIT OF PSKOV (+ 1616).

The Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" was glorified by wonderworking in the year 1688. A sister by birth of patriarch Joakim (1674-1690), Evphymia, who lived at Moscow, for a long time suffered from an incurable illness. One morning during a time of prayer she heard a voice: "Evphymia! Go thou to the temple of the Transfiguration of My Son; an image is there, named "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Have the priest serve a molieben with a blessing of water, and thou wilt receive healing from sickness". Evphymia, having learned that in Moscow was actually such an icon in the church of the Transfiguration on Ordynka, did the bidding of the MostHoly Mother of God, and she was healed. This occurred on 24 October 1688. The account about the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" (with its petty change welded by a bolt of lightning), manifest at Peterburg in 1888, is to be found under 23 July.

The Martyr Aretha and with him 4299 Martyrs suffered for the Lord Jesus Christ in the VI Century. Aretha was governor of the city of Negran in Arabia, the inhabitants of which were Christian. The Arabian (or Omirite) king, Dunaan, who was Jewish, decided to extirpate Christianity from the land, and he issued an edict that all followers of Christ were to be put to death. The inhabitants of Negran remained faithful to the Lord, and Dunaan came with a large army to destroy the city. At the city-walls of Negran the king's heralds announced, that Dunaan would let live only those who renounced the Crucified Galileian and His Cross, as a "sign of malediction". Not daring to assault the Christian city by force, Dunaan resorted to a ruse, swearing an oath that he would not force the Christians into Judaism, but would merely impose a tribute-tax on Negran. The inhabitants of the city would not heed the advice of Saint Aretha [his name in Greek means "virtue", as if here literally to suggest that the people "would not heed the voice of virtue"], and putting their trust in Dunaan, they opened wide the city-gates.

The very next day Dunaan gave orders to start up an immense bon-fire and throw in it all the clergy of the Church of the city, so as to frighten all the rest of the Christians. Thus were burnt 427 men. The governor Aretha and the other chief men were thrown into prison. Then the oppressor sent out through the city his messengers, to convert the Christians to Judaism. And Dunaan himself conversed with those inhabitants brought forth from the prisons, saying: "I do not demand of you that ye should renounce the God of heaven and earth, nor do I want that ye should worship idols, but I want merely that ye do not believe in Jesus Christ, since the Crucified One was a man, and not God". The holy martyrs replied to this, that Jesus -- is God the Word, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Who for the salvation of mankind had become flesh from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. "We shalt not abjure Christ, since that He is for us -- Life, and death for Him -- is the finding of Life", -- declared the sufferers to Dunaan. And more than four thousand Christians -- men, women, both the aged and children -- from the city of Negran and surrounding villages accepted a martyr's death for Christ.

The Monks Aretha, Sisoi and Theophil, Hermits of Pechersk (XII-XIII), pursued asceticism at the Kievo-Pechersk monastery and were buried in the Nearer Caves.

The Monk Aretha was from Polotsk. While living at the monastery, he kept in his cell much wealth. One time robbers made off with it. Grieving over his lost riches, the Monk Aretha began to murmur against God, for which he was stricken with a serious illness. Being at the very brink of death, he saw, how both Angels and devils had come for him and were arguing between them. The devils asserted, that for his avarice and complaints against God he ought to be given over to them, while the Angels in turning to him bewailed: "Thou hapless man, if thou had given thanks to God for the pilfered riches, this would have been accounted in charity for thee". After this vision the Monk Aretha was restored to life. His final days he spent as an hermit, in distress and repentance over his sins, having renounced everything earthly. Saint Aretha died not later than the year 1190. In the Iconographic Originals, the monk is described thus: "In appearance stooped over, beard in length of some Kozmina, monastic robes".

The Monk Sisoi, an hermit, in the general service to the Monks of the Antoniev Caves is called "radiant in fasting".

The Monk Theophil in the same service is called "in miracles resplendid".

The commemoration of all the monks is also on 28 September and on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

Blessed Elezboi, Emperor of Ethiopia, lived during the time when Arabia was ruled by the oppressor of Christians, Dunaan. Pious Elezboi was unable to look on indifferently as believers in Christ were being massacred, and he declared war on Dunaan. But his military campaign was unsuccessful. Wanting to learn the reason for his defeat, Elezboi at the prompting from above turned to a certain hermit, who revealed to the emperor, that he had proceeded unrighteously in deciding to take revenge against Dunaan, since the Lord had said: "Vengeance is Mine, and I shalt mete it forth!" (Heb. 10: 30). The hermit counselled Blessed Elezboi to devote his final days of life to God, so as to flee the wrath of God for his self-willed revenge, and then to defeat Dunaan. Saint Elezboi made a vow to the Lord, and having set off with his army against the enemy, he defeated and captured and executed him. After the victory the saint resigned as emperor, secluded himself within a monastery and for 15 years he dwelt in strict fast and ascetic deeds (+ c. 553-555).

The Holy Martyress Syncletia and her Two Daughters (VI) suffered under the Arabian king Dunaan. Saint Syncletia was descended from an illustrious family. Left widowed while still quite young, she devoted herself to the Christian upbringing of her daughters, and she herself led a life both chaste and virtuous. Dunaan in the meantime had started up a persecution, intending to extirpate Christians from his realm. He summoned Saint Syncletia and her daughters before him, and in urging her to forsake her "folly", he promised as reward to take her into the retinue of his wife. "How canst thou not be afraid, O king, to speak evil of That One Who hath given thee both royal crown and life?" -- replied the holy martyress.

Dunaan gave orders to lead the Martyress Syncletia and her daughters through the city as though they were criminals. Women, looking on at the disgrace of the saint, fell to crying, but she told them that this "shaming" for her was dearer than any earthly honour.

They again brought the martyress before Dunaan, and he said: "If thou wishest to remain alive, renounce Christ". "If I make renunciation, who then wilt deliver me from eternal death?" -- replied the saint. In a rage the tormentor gave orders first to kill the daughters of Saint Syncletia and force their blood on her, and then to behead the mother with a sword.

Sainted Athanasias I, Patriarch of Constantinople (1289-1293; 1303-1311), in the world Alexios, was from Adrianopolis. While still in his youth, thriving upon the knowledge of the wisdom of Christ, he left his home and went to Thessalonika, where he was tonsured in one of the monasteries with the name Akakios. From there he soon withdrew to Holy Mount Athos and entered the brethren of the Esthygmena monastery, where for three years he served in the refectory. In his works and his ascetic deeds he acquired the gift of tears, and by his virtuous acts he won the overall good-will of the brethren. Shunning praise, Akakios in humility left Athos at first for the holy places in Jerusalem, and then to Mount Patra, where for a long time he asceticised as an hermit. From there the ascetic transferred to the Auxention monastery, and then to Mount Galanteia to the monastery of Blessed Lazarus, where he accepted the great angelic form with the name Athanasias, and received the priestly dignity and became ecclesiarch (holder of church keys). And here the saint was granted a Divine revelation: from a crucifix he heard the Voice of the Lord, summoning him to pastoral service.

After 10 years, wanting still more to strengthen his spirit in silence and prayer, Saint Athanasias again settled on Mount Athos. But because of disorders arising there he returned to Mount Galanteia. But here also he was not long to remain in solitude. Many people thronged to him for pastoral guidance, and so he organsied a women's monastery there. During this time the cathedra-chair of the Constantinople Church fell vacant after the disturbances and disorder of the period of the patriarch John Bekkos. At the suggestion of the pious emperor Andronikos Paleologos, the Council of hierarchs and clergy in 1289 unanimously chose Saint Athanasias to the cathedra of the OEcumenical Church.

Patriarch Athanasias began fervently to fulfill his new obedience and did much for strengthening the Church. His strictness of conviction roused the dissatisfaction of influential clergy, and in 1293 he was compelled to resign the cathedra and to retire again to his own monastery, where he asceticised in solitude. In 1303 he was again entrusted the staff of patriarchal service, which he worthily fulfilled for another 7 years. In 1308 Saint Athanasias established as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus' Sainted Peter, Primate of the Russian Church (Comm. 21 December). Again because of some sort of dissatisfaction, and not wanting to be the cause of church discord, Saint Athanasias in 1311 resigned the governance of the Church and departed to his own monastery, devoting himself fully to monastic deeds. Towards the end of his life the saint was again found worthy to behold Christ: the Lord reproached him, that Athanasias had not carried out his pastoral duty to the end. Gushing with tears, the saint repented his cowardice and received from the Lord both forgiveness and the gift of wonderworking. Saint Athanasias died at age 100.

The Monk John, Hermit of Pskov, asceticised during a terrible time of military troubles: in 1592 the Swedes besieged the city of Pskov, and from 1608 for seven years Polish forces made attack under the head of Lisovskii. It was only in the week before the death of the monk, through the intercession of the Pskovo-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God and the Pskov Saints, that Pskov was delivered from the besieging army of the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus. The Monk John, as the chronicle relates, "lived within the city walls for 23 years; rancid was his fish and bread he ate not; he lived within the city as though in a wilderness, in great silence", and he died on 24 October 1616.

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 25, 2008

LITURGY

1 Corinthians 15:58-16:3

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first [day] of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.

Luke 7:1-10

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent to him the presbyters of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof; 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come to thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it]. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned himself about and said to the people that followed him, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well that had been sick.

ST TABITHA THE ALMSGIVER

HOLY MARTYRS MARCIAN THE CHURCH READER AND MARTYRIUS THE SUB-DEACON

Troparion of St Tabitha the Almsgiver Tone 1

With the flow of the many-streamed river of almsgiving/ thou didst water the dry earth of the needy and shower alms on the widows and poor;/ thou didst shine forth with the light of thy works/ and wast radiant with grace, O Tabitha./ Glory to Christ Who loves thee; glory to Christ Who has blessed thee;/ glory to Christ Whom thou didst follow as a true disciple and a spotless lamb.

Troparion of Ss Marcian and Martyrius Tone 3

In holy zeal you dispelled the error of Arius/ and proclaimed the Trinity in one essence./ Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius,/ unshaken bulwarks of Orthodoxy./ Pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion of St Tabitha Tone 2

Thou didst serve the Savior in holiness/ by thy God-fearing works and deeds/ and wast a model of love as His disciple./ O Tabitha, we praise thy memory.

Kontakion of Ss Marcian and Martyrius Tone 4

You fought well from infancy, O wise Martyrs,/ and by preserving the Orthodox Faith inviolate/ you humbled the apostate Arius/ and followed your teacher Paul./ Therefore with him you have found life, as champions of the Trinity.

MARTYRS MARCIAN AND MARTYRIOS (+ C. 355).

MONKS MARTYRII THE DEACON AND MARTYRII THE HERMIT, OF PECHERSK, IN THE FARTHER CAVES (XIII-XIV).

MARTYR ANASTASIUS (III).

RIGHTEOUS TABITHA (I).

The Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader, and Martyrios a sub-deacon. They both likewise performed duty in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for the Patriarch Paul the Confessor (Comm. 6 November).

Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul, and his cathedra-chair was given over to the heretic Macedonios. The heretics attempted to entice Saints Marcian and Martyrios over to their side by flattery, they offered them gold and promised them cathedra-chairs as archbishops. But all the Arian efforts were in vain.

Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the fathers of the Church. Marcian and Martyrios were sentenced to death. Before death, the martyrs raised up to the Lord a fervent prayer: "Lord God, Who hath invisibly created our hearts, and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Thy servants, since we do perish for Thee and art considered as sheep for the slaughter (Ps. 32 [33]: 15; 43 [44]: 23). We do rejoice, that by such a death we shalt depart this life for Thy Name. Grant us to be partakers of life eternal with Thee, the Source of life". After their prayer, the martyrs with quiet rejoicing bent their necks beneathe the sword of the impious (+ c. 335). Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians. Later on, by decree of the holy Bishop John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs were transferred into an especially built church. Believers here were healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the glory of the One Life-Originating Trinity.

The Monk Martyrii, Deacon of Pechersk, in the Farther Caves (XIII-XIV): His holy name is remembered in the 7th ode of the Canon to the Monks of the Farther Caves. Here are glorified his love of toil, justness and ardent purity, and even the gift of expelling demons and healing infirmities. His memory is noted also on 28 August and on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Holy Martyr Anastasius lived during the III Century in the city of Aquileia (northern Italy). Because of his missionary activity in the city of Salona (Dalmatia), he was arrested and brought to trial. Boldly and without wavering, the Martyr Anastasius confessed Christ as the True God and Creator of all. By the decision of the court he was sentenced to death by execution. The pagans threw the body of Saint Anastasius into the sea. A righteous Christian, the rich matron Ascalopia, found the body of the Martyr Anastasius and reverently buried him in her estate church. The relics of the holy martyr were glorified by many miracles.

The Righteous Saint Tabitha (I), a virtuous and kindly woman, belonged to the Christian community in Joppa. Being grievously ill, she happened to be dying. At the time not far from Joppa, the Apostle Peter was preaching at Lydda. Messengers were sent to him with an urgent request for help. When the apostle arrived at Joppa, Tabitha was already dead. On bended knee, the First-Ranked Apostle Peter made a fervent prayer to the Lord. Then he went to the bed and called out: "Tabitha, arise!" She got up completely healed (Acts 9: 36).

SUNDAY - OCTOBER 26, 2008

MATINS (VIII)

John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept she stooped down [to look] into the sepulcher, 12 And seeth two angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say to her, Woman, why weepest thou? she saith to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith to her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith to him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith to her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith to her, Touch me not: for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and [to] my God and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had spoken these things to her.

LITURGY

2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [what] he heareth from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Luke 16:19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried: 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one shall go to them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one shall rise from the dead.

HOLY AND GREAT MARTYR DEMETRIUS OF THESSALONICA

Troparion Tone 3

O victorious Demetrius,/ thou wast a protection for the world and an invincible soldier of Christ./ Thou didst inspire Nestor to humble Lyaios./ Intercede with Christ our God to save us.

Kontakion Tone 2

God has given thee invincible strength, O Demetrius,/ and has dyed the Church with thy blood and kept thy city unharmed,/ for thou art its foundation.

GREATMARTYR DEMETRIOS OF SOLUNEIA (THESSALONIKA) (+ C. 306).

MONK THEOPHIL OF PECHERSK, ARCHBISHOP OF NOVGOROD, IN THE FARTHER CAVES (+ 1482).

MARTYR LUPPOS (+ C. 306).

MONK ATHANASIAS OF MYDICEA (+ C. 814).

MONK DIMITRII OF BASARBOVSK, BULGARIA (+ 1685).

MONK DIMITRII OF TSILIBINSK (XIV).

The Holy GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia was the son of a Roman proconsul in Thessalonika (the present day Salonika, which in the Slavonic is termed Solun', [anglicised as Soluneia]). Three centuries had then already elapsed, and Roman paganism, -- spiritually shattered and defeated by the multitude of martyrs and confessors of the Crucified Saviour, -- intensified its persecutions. Both the father and mother of saint Demetrios were clandestine Christians. In a secret house-church at the home of the proconsul, the child was baptised and raised in the Christian faith. When the father died, and the child had reached the age of maturity, the emperor Galerius Maximian -- having ascended the throne in the year 305 -- summoned him, and confident in his education and military-administrative abilities, appointed him to the position of his father as proconsul of the Thessalonika district. The chief task expected of this young commander consisted in the defence of the city from barbarians, and in the extermination of Christianity. It is interesting, that among the barbarians threatening the Romans our ancestral Slavs occupied an important place, in particular by intentionally settling upon the Thessalonikan peninsula. There exists even the opinion that the parents of Saint Demetrios were of Slavic descent. In regard to Christians the will of the emperor was expressed simply: "Put to death anyone who calls on the name of the Crucified". The emperor did not suspect in appointing Demetrios, how wide a swath of confessors acts he had opened up for the clandestine ascetic.

Accepting the appointment, Demetrios returned to Thessalonika and in front of everyone immediately confessed and glorified our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he openly began to teach the inhabitants of the city the Christian faith and to extirpate pagan customs and idol-worship. The compiler of his life, Metaphrastes, says that in his teaching zeal he became for Thessalonika "a second Apostle Paul", particularly since "the Apostle to the Gentiles" once founded at this city the first community of believers (1 Thes., 2 Thes.). The Lord also destined Saint Demetrios to follow the holy Apostle Paul to a death by martyrdom.

When Maximian learned, that the proconsul newly appointed by him -- was a Christian, and that he had converted to Christianity many Roman subjects who were influenced by his example -- the rage of the emperor know no bounds. Returning from a campaign in the Black Sea region, the emperor decided to lead his army through Thessalonika, filled with the desire to make a massacre of the Soluneia Christians.

Learning of this, Saint Demetrios opportunely ordered his faithful servant Luppos to distribute his wealth to the poor with the words: "Give away the earthly riches amongst them, for we shalt seek for ourselves heavenly riches". And he gave himself over to prayer and fasting, preparing himself for the accepting of a martyr's crown.

When the emperor came into the city, he summoned Demetrios, who boldly confessed himself a Christian and denounced the falsehood and futility of Roman polytheism. Maximian gave orders to lock up the confessor in prison, and an Angel came to him in confinement, comforting and encouraging him for the act. The emperor meanwhile concerned himself with a foul gladiators spectacle, esteeming as his beloved champion a German by the name of Leo, who made a challenge for a Christian to struggle with him on the platform over the spears of the victorious soldiers. A brave youth from the Soluneia Christians, Nestor by name, went to the prison to his advisor Demetrios and requested to be given the blessing for single-combat with the barbarian. With the blessing of Demetrios and through his prayers, Nestor prevailed over the fierce German and hurled him from the dais-platform onto the spears of the soldiers, just as the murderous pagan would have done with the Christian. The enraged commander gave orders to immediately execute the holy Martyr Nestor (Comm. 27 October) and dispatched a guard to the prison -- to run through with spears the one who had blessed this deed, Saint Demetrios.

At dawn on 26 October 306 soldiers appeared in the underground prison of the holy saint and ran him through with spears. His faithful servant, Saint Luppos, gathered up on a towel the bless of Saint Demetrios, and he took from his finger the imperial ring, -- a symbol of his high status, and likewise dipped it also in the blood. With the ring and other holy things sanctified by the blood of Saint Demetrios, Saint Luppos began to heal the infirm. The emperor gave orders to arrest and kill him.

The body of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios was cast out for devouring by wild animals, but the Soluneia Christians took it and secretly committed it to earth. During the reign of holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine (306-337), a church was erected over the grave of Saint Demetrios. An hundred years later, during the construction of a majestic new church on the old spot, the incorrupt relics of the holy martyr were uncovered. From the time of the VII Century beneathe the crypt of the GreatMartyr Demetrios was found a miraculous flowing of fragrant myrh, in regard to which the GreatMartyr Demetrios receives the church title "Myrh-flowing". Several times those venerating the Soluneia wonderworker made attempts at a transfer of his holy relics, or part of them, to Constantinople. But invariably Saint Demetrios secretly made apparent his will to remain the protector and defender of the people of Thessalonika.

Advancing towards the city, pagan Slavs were repeatedly turned by the apparition of a threatening radiant youth, going the round of the walls and inspiring terror in the enemy soldiers. It is therefore perhaps why the name of Saint Demetrios is particularly venerated among the Slavic nations after their enlightenment by the light of the Gospel truth. On the other hand, Greeks regard Saint Demetrios in terms of being a Slavic saint merely an arbitrary preference.

The very first pages of the Russian Primary Chronicle, as foreordained by God, is bound up with the name of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia. Oleg the Wise threatened the Greeks at Constantinople (907), as the Chronicle relates: "The Greeks became terrified and said: this is not Oleg, but rather Saint Demetrios sent upon us from God". Russian soldiers always believed that they were under the special protection of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios. Moreover, in the old Russian barracks the GreatMartyr Demetrios was always depicted as Russian by descent -- thus this image fused with the soul of the Russian nation.

Church veneration of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios in Russia began with the time shortly after the Baptism of Rus'. Towards the beginning of the decade of the 70's of the XI Century belongs the founding of the Dimitriev monastery at Kiev, known afterwards as the Mikhailov-Zlatoverkh monastery. The monastery was built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise, -- GreatPrince Izyaslav, baptised Dimitrii (+ 1078). The mosaic icon of Saint Demetrios of Soluneia from the cathedral of the Dimitriev monastery has been preserved up to the present day, and is located in the State Tret'yakov gallery. In the years 1194-1197 the GreatPrince of Vladimir, Vsevolod III Bol'shoe Gnezdo (Great-Nest), -- baptised Dimitrii, "built at his court a beautiful church of the holy martyr Dimitrii, and adorned it wondrously with icons and writing" (i.e. frescoes). The Dimitriev cathedral also reveals for the present the embellishment of ancient Vladimir. The wonderworking icon of Saint Demetrios of Soluneia from the cathedral iconostas is located even now in Moscow, at the Tret'yakov gallery. It was written upon a plank of wood from the grave of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios, brought in 1197 from Soluneia to Vladimir. One of the most precious depictions of the saint -- a fresco on a column of the Vladimir Uspenie cathedral, is from the brush of the Sainted Iconographer Andrei Rublev.

The veneration of Saint Demetrios continued also in the family of Saint Alexander Nevsky (Comm. 23 November). Saint Alexander named his eldest son in honour of the holy greatmartyr. And his younger son, holy Nobleborn Prince Daniel of Moscow (+ 1303, Comm. 4 March), raised up at Moscow a temple in the name of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios in the 1280's, which was the first stone church in the Moscow Kremlin. Later on in 1326, under Ivan Kalita, it was taken down and in its place was erected the Uspenie (Dormition) cathedral.

The memory of Saint Demetrios of Soluneia from of old was bound up in Rus' with the military, patriotism and the defense of the Fatherland. The saint is depicted on icons in the guise of a soldier in plumed armour, with a spear and sword in hand. On a scroll (in later depictions) is written also a prayer, with which Saint Demetrios turned to God about the salvation of the people of Soluneia: "Lord, let not the city nor the people perish. If Thou do save the city and the people -- with them I shalt be saved, if they perish -- I too perish with them".

In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, veneration of the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia is closely bound up with the memory of the defense the Native-Land and Church by the GreatPrince of Moscow, Dimitrii Donskoi (+ 1389). "An Account of the Life and Repose Great Prince Dimitrii Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia", written in the year 1393, already regards the GreatPrince as a saint, as also do other old Russian histories. GreatPrince Dimitrii was a spiritual son and pupil of the Sainted Metropolitan of Moscow Alexei (+ 1378, Comm. 12 February), and a disciple and associating also with other great figures of prayer in the Russian Land: -- the Monk Sergei Radonezh (+ 1392, Comm. 25 September, Dimitrii of Prilutsk (+ 1392, Comm. 11 February), Sainted Theodore of Rostov (+ 1394, Comm. 28 November). GreatPrince Dimitrii "about the churches of God he worried much, and the territory of the Russian land he held by his bravery: many the enemy risen against us he conquered, and his glorious city Moscow he protected with wondrous walls". From the time of the building of the white-walled Kremlin (1366) by GreatPrince Dimitrii, Moscow was called "Belokamenna" ("White-Stoned"). "The land of Russia prospered during the years of his reign", -- testifies the "Account".

By the prayers of his Heavenly patron the holy warrior Demetrios of Soluneia, GreatPrince Dimitrii gained besides his brilliant military victories also the preordained further prominence of Russia: he repelled the onslaught against Russia by the Lithuanian armies of Ol'gerd (1368, 1373), he routed at the River Vozha the Tatar army of Begich (1378), and he smashed the military might of all the Golden Horde at the Battle of Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field) (8 September 1380, on the day of celebration of the Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of God), set between the Rivers Don and Nepryadva. The Kulikovo Battle, for which the nation calls him Dimitrii Donskoi, became the first all-Russian national deed, rallying round Moscow the spiritual power of the Russian nation. To this auspicious event of Russian history is dedicated the "Zadonschina", an inspiring historic poem, written by the priest Sophronii of Ryazem (1381).

Prince Dimitrii Donskoi was greatly devoted to the holy GreatMartyr Demetrios. In 1380, on the eve of the Kulikovo Battle, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the most holy effect of the Vladimir Dimitriev cathedral -- the icon of the GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia, written on the plank from the grave of the saint. At the Moscow Uspenie Cathedral was built a chapel in the name of the GreatMartyr Demetrios. In memory of the soldiers, fallen in the Kulikovo Battle, was established for all-church remembrance the Demetrios Parental-Ancestors Saturday. The first time this panikhida was held was at the Trinity-Sergiev monastery on 20 October 1380 by the Monk Sergei, Hegumen of Radonezh, in the presence of GreatPrince Dimitrii Donskoi. From that time it is served annually with a solemn remembrance of the heroes of the Kulikovo Battle, in which number are the Schema-monks Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrei (Oslyab).

Sainted Theophil, Archbishop of Novgorod, was chosen by lot after the death of the Sainted-Hierarch Jona (+ 1471, Comm. 5 November) and was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop of Novgorod on 15 December 1472 at Moscow. Until his elevation to the dignity of archbishop, he pursued asceticism in the vestry of the Otensk monastery. An harsh destiny was allotted the saint in the guidance of the Novgorod flock: the "posadnitsa" (mayoress) Martha Boretskaya and her adherents stirred up and agitated the people against the GreatPrince of Moscow, Ivan III; and the monk Pimen, a Boretskaya partisan, roused in the flock enmity against the archbishop. Some of the Novgorod populace were inclined to go over to the side of Lithuania, and unfaithful to the Moscow principality, they were prepared to go into apostasy. Saint Theophil stopped the rebellious Novgorodians: "Do not betray Orthodoxy nor become a flock of apostates; I go back to my humble cell, from whence ye drew me out to the shame of rebellion". This letter of disavowal of the saint is preserved, written in 1479. But the short-sighted people did not heed the words of the pastor: between Moscow and Novgorod was ignited a fratricidal war. The defeated Novgorodians were compelled to beg for mercy, and many of them owed their life to the intercession of the saint. In 1480 Saint Theophil was dispatched by Ivan III to imprisonment in the Moscow Chudov monastery and "he sat there a full three years, and died there". By tradition, when Saint Theophil lay sick at the Chudov monastery, there appeared to him in a dream the Novgorod Saint Nyphont (+ 1156, Comm. 8 April), -- buried in the Caves of the Monk Antonii of Pechersk, and the saint reminded him about a promise to venerate the Pechersk wonderworkers. And by this tradition, the holy archbishop set off to Kiev and just approached the Dniepr as his sickness increased, and he received a revelation that although he would not reach the caves alive, his body would rest in them. This was fulfilled.

His memory is celebrated also with the Sobor (Assemblage) of the Farther Caves on 28 August and on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, with the General Sobor of the Kievo-Pechersk Fathers.

The Holy Martyr Luppos -- the account about him is located under 23 August.

The Monk Athanasias of Mydicea by love for the monastic life secretly left his parental home, but was forcibly returned by his father. But after a certain while Athanasias with the consent of his father entered the Mydicea monastery in Bythnia. He was a companion of the Monk Nikita (Comm. 3 April) and he died about the year 814. On his grave grew up a cypress tree, from which by the grace of God, occurred healings.

The Monk Dimitrii of Basarbovsk pursued asceticism in the wilderness, in Bulgaria, near the city of Ruschuk. He died in 1685. On 8 July 1779 his relics were transferred to Bucharest.

The Monk Dimitrii (XIV Century), founder of the Archangel Tsilibinsk wilderness monastery in Vologda diocese, was a beloved disciple of Sainted Stefan of Perm (+ 1396, Comm. 26 April). The monk built for the newly-converted a church in honour of the Archistratigos Michael. Beneathe this temple he dug out a cave and for a long time lived there in solitude.

MONDAY - OCTOBER 27, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 2:12-16

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

Luke 10:22-24

22 All things are delivered to me by my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]. 23 And he turned himself to [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see. 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

HOLY MARTYR NESTOR OF THESSALONICA

ST ABBAN, MONK

ST OTTERAN, MONK

ST COLMAN OF SENBOTH-FOLA

Troarion of St Nestor Tone 5

As friend and companion of Demetrius/ thou wast an invincible athlete of godliness./ By divine help thou didst conquer Lyaios,/ and in being slain became a holy sacrifice to Christ.

Troparion of St Abban Tone 8

In Ireland's fertile soil thou didst plant the seeds of monasticism, O Father Abban,/ and didst nurture a great flowering of God-pleasing virtue./ Continue steadfastly in thy enduring love, to lead mankind to God/ and by thy prayers may we be granted great mercy.

Troparion of St Otteran Tone 8

O Father Otteran, thou wast the first among the saintly Columba's disciples to repose/ and be laid to rest in the blessed soil of Iona./ As in thy life thou didst live only for Christ,/ we pray thee to intercede for us that we may follow thee into the way of salvation.

Troparion of St Colman of Senboth-Fola Tone 8

Through trials and temptations thou didst shepherd/ the monastics of Senboth-Fola, O Father Colman,/ and didst guide many souls on their pilgrimage to Christ./ Wherefore, we pray thee, intercede with Him, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Nestor of Thessalonica Tone 2

Thou hast won thy contest and inherited eternal glory,/ and didst become a soldier of Christ/ through the prayers of Demetrius./ With him, O wise Nestor, unceasingly pray for us.

MARTYR NESTOR OF SOLUNEIA (THESSALONIKA) (+ C. 306).

MONKS NESTOR THE CHRONICLER, OF PECHERSK IN THE NEARER CAVES (+ C. 1114), AND NESTOR THE NONBOOKISH OF PECHERSK, IN THE FARTHER CAVES (XIV).

UNCOVERING OF RELICS OF NOBLEBORN PRINCE ANDREI OF SMOLENSK AT PERESLAVL'-ZALESSK (1539).

The Holy Martyr Nestor suffered in the year 306 in the city of Soluneia together with the GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia (comm. 26 October).

The Monk Nestor the Chronicler was born at Kiev in 1050. He came in his youth to the Monk Theodosii (Feodosii, + 1074, Comm. 3 May) and became a novice. The Monk Nestor took monastic vows under the successor to the Monk Theodosii, the hegumen Stephen, and under him was ordained monk-deacon.

Concerning his lofty spiritual life it says that, amidst the number of other monastic fathers he participated in the casting out of a devil from Nikita the Hermit (afterwards a Novgorod Sainted-hierarch, Comm. 31 January), having become fascinated by the Hebrew wisdom of the Old Testament. The Monk Nestor deeply appreciated true knowledge, conjoined with humility and penitence. "Great is the benefit of book learning, -- said he, -- for books point out and teach us the way to repentance, since from the words of books we discover wisdom and temperance. This is the stream, watering the universe, from which springs wisdom. In books is a boundless depth, by them we are comforted in sorrows, and they are a bridle for moderation. If thou do enter diligently into the books of wisdom, thou then shalt discover great benefit for thy soul. Wherefore that one who readeth books, doth converse with God or the saints".

In the monastery the Monk Nestor had the obedience of being the chronicler. In the 1080's he wrote the "Account about the Life and Perishing of the Blessed PassionBearers Boris and Gleb" in connection with the transfer of the relics of the saints to Vyshgorod in the year 1072 (Comm. 2 May). In the 1080's the Monk Nestor also compiled the Life of the Monk Theodosii of Pechersk. And in 1091 on the eve of the altar-feast of the Pechersk monastery, he was entrusted by the hegumen John to dig up out of the ground, for transfer to the church, the holy relics of the Monk Theodosii (Uncovering Relics, Comm. 14 August).

The chief work in the life of the monk Nestor was the compiling in the years 1112-1113 of the "Tale of Bygone Years" ("Povest' Vremmenykh Let"). "Here is the tale of years gone by, from whence the Russian land came to be, who at Kiev started first to be prince and from whither the Russian land is arrayed" -- so with the very first line the Monk Nestor specifies his purpose. His is an extraordinarily wide circle of sources: of prior Russian chronicle accounts and sayings, monastery records, the Byzantine Chronicles of John Malalos and George Amartolos, various historical collections, the accounts of the boyar-elder Ian Vyshatich and of tradesmen and soldiers, of journeymen and of those who knew -- all set together by him with an unified and strict Church point of view. This permitted the Monk Nestor to write his history of Russia as an inclusive part of world history -- the history of the salvation of the human race.

The monk-patriot expounds the history of the Russian Church in the significant moments of its historical settings. He speaks about the first mentioning of the Russian nation in historical sources -- in the year 866, during the time of the holy Patriarch of Constantinople Photios; he narrates about the creation of the Slavonic alphabet and writing by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius; and about the Baptism of holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Ol'ga at Constantinople. The chronicle of the Monk Nestor has preserved for us an account about the first Orthodox church in Kiev (under the year 945), about the confessors deed of the holy Varangian Martyrs (under the year 983), about the "testing of the faiths" by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir (year 986) and the "Baptism of Rus'" (the year 988). We are indebted to the first Russian Church historian for accounts about the first metropolitans of the Russian Church, about the emergence of the Pechersk monastery, and about its founders and ascetics. The times in which the Monk Nestor lived were not easy for the Russian land and the Russian Church. Rus' lay torn asunder by princely feuds; the steppe Polovetsian nomads laid waste both city and village with plundering raids, they snatched off Russian people into slavery, and burnt churches and monasteries. The Monk Nestor was an eyewitness to the devastation of the Pechersk monastery in the year 1096. In the chronicle is given a theologically thought out patriotic history. The spiritual depth, historical fidelity and patriotism of the "Tale of Bygone Years" [in English otherwise also known as "The Russian Primary Chronicle"] establish it among the ranks of significant creations of world literature.

The Monk Nestor died in about the year 1114, having left to the Pechersk monk-chroniclers the continuation of his great work. His successors in the writing of the chronicles were: the hegumen Syl'vestr, adding on contemporary accounts to the "Tale of Bygone Years"; the hegumen Moisei (Moses) Vydubitsky lengthened it to the year 1200; and finally, the hegumen Lavrentii, having written in the year 1377 the most ancient of our surviving copies that preserve the "Tale" of the Monk Nestor (this copy is known as the "Lavrentian Chronicle"). The hagiographic tradition of the Pechersk ascetics was continued by Sainted Simon, Bishop of Vladimir (+ 1226, Comm. 10 May), the compiler of the "Kievo-Pechersk Paterikon". Narrating the events connected with the lives of the holy saints of God, Saint Simon often quotes, from among other sources, the Chronicles of the Monk Nestor.

The Monk Nestor was buried in the Nearer Caves of the Monk Antonii of Pechersk. The Church also honours his memory together with the Sobor (Assemblage) of the holy Fathers of the Nearer Caves on 28 September and on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent when is celebrated the Sobor of all the Kievo-Pechersk Fathers. His works have many times been published [in English also as "The Russian Primary Chronicle"].

The Monk Nestor the NonBookish, named thus in distinction from the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, asceticised in the Farther Caves. His memory is celebrated 27 October it seems, because of his name in common with the Martyr Nestor of Soluneia (+ 306).

The name of the Monk Nestor the NonBookish is mentioned in the General Service to the Monks of the Farther Caves: "The Word of God, comprehended of man, taught thee not by bookish wisdom, O holy Nestor, but from on high; thou hast beheld it through the prayers of the Angel, and thy end thou did foresee; may we with thee be made partakers, we pray, in honouring thine memory". His memory is celebrated also on 28 August and on the 3rd Sunday of great Lent.

The Uncovering of the Relics of the Holy Nobleborn Prince Andrei of Smolensk occurred in the year 1539 through the involvement of the Monk Daniel of Pereslavl' (+ 1540, Comm. 7 April).

The holy nobleborn Prince Andrei was son of the Smolensk prince Feodor Fominsky. While still in his youthful years he was grieved by the disputes of his brothers, and he left his native city going as a simple wanderer to Pereslavl' Zalessk. In humility and meekness he spent thirty years as church warden at the church of Saint Nicholas, also nearby which he is buried. After his death they discovered an heirloom princely ring, a gold chain and an inscription with the words: "I am Andrei, one of the Smolensk princes".

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 28, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 2:17-23

17 And if I am even offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Luke 11:1-10

1 And it came to pass, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 5 And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves: 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door shall be opened.

HOLY MARTYRS TERENCE, HIS WIFE NEONILLA AND THEIR SEVEN CHILDREN SERBELUS, PHOTUS, THEODULUS, HIERAX, NITUS, BELE AND EUNICE

Troparion Tone 3

Bound together by natural bonds/ and clothed with the might of faith/ you walked the path of martyrdom with your seven children./ O holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla,/ pray that those who honour your contest may receive forgiveness of their sins.

Kontakion Tone 4

Today the memory of the Martyrs/ is bringing gladness to us all./ Let us fervently ask them for healing,/ for they obtained this grace from the Spirit,/ to heal the infirmities and sickness of our souls.

SAINTED DIMITRII, METROPOLITAN OF ROSTOV (+ 1709).

MONK JOB, HEGUMEN OF POCHAEV (+ 1651).

MARTYRESS PARASKEVA, NAMED ALSO PIATNITSA (III).

SAINTED ARSENII, ARCHBISHOP OF SERBIA (+ 1266).

MONK STEPHANOS SAVVAITES, COMPOSER OF CANONS (IX).

PRIESTMARTYR NEOPHYTES, BISHOP OF URBNISSA (VI).

MONK JOHN KHOZEBITES, BISHOP OF CAESAREA (VI).

MARTYRS TERENCE AND NEONILLA AND THEIR CHILDREN: SARBILUS, FOTUS, THEODULUS, HIERAX, NITUS, VILUS AND EUNICIUS (III).

PRIESTMARTYR KYRIAKOS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM (+ 363).

SAINTED ATHANASIAS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Sainted Dimitrii, Metropolitan of Rostov (in the world Daniil Savvich Tuptalo), was born in December 1651 in the locale of Makarovo, not far from Kiev. He was born into a pious family a grew up a deeply believing Christian. In 1662, soon after his parents resettled to Kiev, Daniil was sent to the Kievo-Mogilyansk college, where the gifts and remarkable abilities of the youth were first discovered. He successfully learned the Greek and Latin languages and the whole series of classical sciences. On 9 July 1668 Daniil accepted monasticism with the name Dimitrii, in honour of the GreatMartyr Demetrios of Soluneia (Thessalonika). Prior to the Spring of 1675 he progressed through the monastic obediences at the Kiev Kirillov monastery, where he began his literary and preaching activity. The Chernigov archbishop Lazar (Baranovich) ordained Dimitrii as priestmonk on 23 May 1675. Over the course of several years Priestmonk Dimitrii asceticised and preached the Word of God at various monasteries and churches in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Belorus. For a certain while he as hegumen of the Maksimovsk monastery,and later the Baturinsk Nikol'sk monastery, from where in 1684 he was summoned to the Kievo-Pechersk Lavra. The head of the Lavra, archimandrite Varlaam (Yasinsky), knowing the high spiritual disposition of his former student, his education, his proclivity for scientific work, and also his undoubted literary talent, -- entrusted to the Priestmonk Dimitrii the organising of the Chetii Minei (Lives of the Saints, Meneion) for the whole year.

From this time, all the further life of Saint Dimitrii was devoted to the fulfilling of this ascetic work, grandiose in its scope. The work demanded an enormous exertion of strength, since it necessitated the gathering and analysing of a multitude of various sources and to expound them in a fluent language, worthy of the lofty subject of exposition and at the same time accessible to all believers. Divine assist did not abandon the saint over the course of his twenty year labour. According to the testimony of Saint Dimitrii himself, his soul was filled with impressions of the saints, which strengthened him both in spirit and body, and they encouraged faith in the felicitous completion of his noble task. And at the same time as this, the Monk Dimitrii was head of several monasteries (in succession).

The works of he ascetic brought him to the attention of Patriarch Adrian. In 1701, by ukaz-decree of tsar Peter I, Archimandrite Dimitrii was summoned to Moscow, where on 23 March at the Uspensky-Dormition cathedral of the Kremlin he was ordained Metropolitan to the Siberian cathedra-seat of the city of Tobol'sk. But after a certain while, because of the importance of his scientific work and the frailty of his health, the saint received a new appointment to Rostov-Yaroslavl', whither on 1 March 1702 he arrived in the capacity of Metropolitan of Rostov.

Just as before, he continued to be concerned about the strengthening of the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church, weakened by the Old Ritualist schism.

In his inspired works and preachings many a generation of Russian theologians drew spiritual strength for creativity and prayer. For all Orthodox Christians he remains an example of a saintly, ascetic, non-covetous life. At his death, 28 October 1709, they found with him but few possessions, except for books and manuscripts.

The enumeration of Sainted Dimitrii, Metropolitan of Rostov, to the ranks of the Saints was made on 22 April 1757. Celebration to him is made likewise on 21 September, on the day of the uncovering of relics.

The Monk Job, Hegumen of Pochaev and Wonderworker (in the world named Ivan Zhelezo), was born in the mid XV Century in Pokut'a in Galicia. At age 10 he came to the Transfiguration Ugornitsk monastery, and at age 12 he accepted monasticism. The Monk Job from his youth was known for his great piety and strict ascetic life, and early he was accounted worthy of the priestly dignity. In around the year 1580, at the request of the reknown champion of Orthodoxy prince Konstantin of Ostrozhsk, the Monk Job headed the Cross-Exaltation monastery near the city of Dubno, and for more than 20 years he governed the monastery amidst the setting of the growing persecution of Orthodoxy on the part of the Catholics and Uniates. At the beginning of the XVII Century the Monk Job withdrew to Pochaev hill and settled in a cave not far from the ancient Uspenie-Dormition monastery, famed for its wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God. The holy hermit, beloved by the brethren of the monastery, was chosen as their hegumen. The Monk Job zealously fulfilled his duty as head of the monastery, kind and gentle with the brethren, he himself did much of the work, planting trees in the garden, and strengthening the waterworks at the monastery. And in taking an active part in the defense of Orthodoxy and the Russian people, the Monk Job was present at the 1628 Kiev Sobor-Council, convened against the Unia. After 1642, the Monk Job accepted the great schema with the name Ioann.

Sometimes he completely secluded himself within the cave for three days or even a whole week. The Jesus Prayer was an unceasing doing of his gentle heart. According to the testimony of his student and author of the Vita-Life of the Monk Job, Dosithei, once during the time of prayer the cave of the monk was illumined by an heavenly light. The Monk Job reposed in the year 1651, at over age 100, having directed the Pochaev monastery for more than fifty years. On 8 August 1659 occurred the glorification of the Monk Job.

The Holy Martyress Paraskeva, named also Piatnitsa, lived during the III Century at Iconeum in a rich and pious family. The parents of the saint reverenced especially the day of the Passion of the Lord -- Friday (Piatnitsa), and therefore they called their daughter Paraskeva this name, since she had been born on a Friday-Piatnitsa, and the name Paraskeva in Slavic translation from the Greek means also -- Piatnitsa-Friday.

Young Paraskeva with all her heart loved purity and the lofty morality of the virginal life, and she took a vow of celibacy. She wanted to devote all her life to God and to the enlightenment of pagans with the light of the faith of Christ. Upon this righteous path Saint Paraskeva was brought to judgement, bearing in her own name the memory of the day of the terrible Sufferings of Jesus, and she shared in the Passion of Christ also in her own life through her bodily torments. Because of her confession of the Orthodox faith, the pagans in a frenzy seized hold of her and brought her to the city governor. Here they demanded that she offer unholy sacrifice to the pagan idol. With a steady heart, and trusting on God, the saint refused this demand. For this she underwent great torments: having tied her to a tree, the torturers tore at her pure body with iron nails, and then exhausted by the torture, they threw her into prison, all lacerated to the bone. But God did not forsake the holy sufferer, and miraculously healed her torn body. Not heeding this Divine miracle, the executioners continued with their torture of Saint Paraskeva, and finally, they cut off her head.

Saint Paraskeva-Piatnitsa has always enjoyed an especial love and veneration amongst the Orthodox people. With her memory is associated many a pious custom and observance. In the ancient Russian mesyatseslovs with Saints-Lives, the name of the martyress is inscribed thus: "Saint Paraskeva, also called Piatnitsa". Churches in the name of Saint Paraskeva in antiquity were given the name Piatnitsa. Small wayside chapels received of old in Rus' the name-form Piatnitsa. The simple Russian people called the Martyress Paraskeva variously Piatnitsa, Piatina, Petka. The icons of Saint Paraskeva were especially venerated and embellished by our forefathers. Russian iconographers usually depicted the martyress as an austhere ascetic, tall of stature, with a radiant crown upon her head. Icons of the saint guard over pious and happy households. By Church belief, Saint Paraskeva -- is protectress of fields and cattle. Therefore on the day of her memory it was the custom to bring fruit to church for blessing, which as a blest object was kept until the following year. Moreover, Saint Paraskeva is prayed to for protection of cattle from disease. Saint Paraskeva is likewise an healer of people from grievous illness of both body and soul.

Sainted Arsenii, Archbishop of Serbia, spent a large part of his life as a monk at the Zhich monastery. Because of his strict ascetic life, in 1223 he was ordained Archbishop of Serbia. After thirty-three years of wisely guiding his flock Saint Arsenii expired to the Lord in the year 1266. His relics rest at the Pech monastery.

The Monk Stephanos Savvaites, Composer of Church Canons, asceticised at the Laura of Saint Sava in Palestine in the IX Century. His memory is celebrated also on 13 July.

The PriestMartyr Neophytes, Bishop of Urbnissa, was formerly a Persian military commander named Omar, and he participated in the invasion of Gruzia (Georgia) by sultan Akhmet. Having made his way with an advance company to the Shiomgvim monastery, Omar saw there through Divine Providence a multitude of Angels over the monastery, and in the midst of them a monastic elder -- Saint Zhio. Struck by the beauty of the Shiomgvim monastery, Omar did not touch the monastery, but he carried away with himself the desire to become a monk there. After some while he actually did return to the Shiomgvim monastery, accepted holy Baptism and was tonsured with the name Neophytes, which means "neophyte, newly-converted".

Saint Neophytes began from this time a fervent ascetic life and acquired many a gift of God. He even became head of the monastery, and the fame of his like-angelic life spread throughout all Gruzia. Katholikos Samuel IV (582-591) summoned him from the monastery and elevated him to the Urbnissa cathedra-seat.

The pagans and fire-worshippers, whose false teachings Saint Neophytes was zealous in uprooting, decided to kill him. Bursting into the bishop's residence, where there came upon Saint Neophytes at prayer, the pagans seized hold of him, dragged him out and gave him a martyr's death by stoning, similar to how at one time pagans had murdered the FirstMartyr Stephen by stoning. This happened in the year 587. The body of the saint a certain while later was conveyed to Shiomgvim monastery and put beneathe the altar-table of the cathedral church.

The Gruzinian Church celebrates the memory of the PriestMartyr Neophytes, Bishop of Urbnissa, likewise on 28 October.

The Monk John Khozebites, Bishop of Caesarea: The account about him is located under 3 October.

The Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla and their children: Sarbilus, Fotus, Theodulus, Hierax, Nitus, Vilus and Eunicius suffered a martyr's end during a persecution of Christianity under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get them to renounce the true faith. The holy martyrs finally were beheaded.

The PriestMartyr Kyriakos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was that selfsame Jew, who pointed out to the holy Empress Helen the place where the Life-Creating Cross of Christ lay buried (vide 14 September). Being present at the discovery of the Cross, Kyriakos (before Baptism he had the name Jude) sincerely came to believe in Christ -- the True God, and he became a Christian. Kyriakos later because of his pure and virtuous life was chosen and elevated to be Patriarch of Jerusalem.

During the time of the cruel persecution under Julian the Apostate, in the year 363, Saint Kyriakos accepted suffering for the faith. After prolonged tortures he was killed.

Sainted Athanasias, Patriarch of Constantinople: The account about him is located under 24 October.

WEDNESDAY - OCTOBER 29, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 2:24-30

24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more speedily, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh to death, not regarding his life, to supply the want of your service towards me.

Luke 11:9-13

9 And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he shall ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

ST ANASTASIA OF ROME, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

OUR HOLY FATHER ABRAMIUS THE ANCHORITE AND HIS NIECE MARY

ST KENNERA, VIRGIN

ST COLMAN OF KILMACDUAGH

Troparion of St Anastasia Tone 4

O holy Virgin Anastasia,/ thou didst redden thy robe of purity/ with the blood of thy martyr's contest./ Thou dost illumine the world with the grace of healing/ and intercede with Christ our God for our souls.

Troparion of St Abramius and his Niece Mary Tone 1

Thou didst abandon all earthly comforts, O Father Abramius;/ thou didst live righteously in hope of things to come/ and receive a sacred anointing./ Initiated into divine mysteries thou dost enlighten those who cry:/ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Kennera Tone 8

Bright beacon of purity and Light of Galloway, O holy Kennera,/ as thou didst preserve thyself in virginity for love of Christ,/ pray to Him, that despite our corrupt condition He will grant us great mercy.

Troparion of St Colman of Kilmacduagh Tone 8

Rejecting the nobility of thy birth, O Father Colman,/ thou didst seek God in the solitude of desert places./ Thy virtue like a beacon, drew men unto thee/ and thou didst guide them into the way of salvation./ Guide us also by thy prayers, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Anastasia Tone 3

Purified by the streams of thy virginity/ and crowned by the blood of martyrdom,/ thou dost grant healing to those in sickness,/ and salvation to those who lovingly pray to thee./ For Christ has given thee strength which flows to us as a stream of grace,/ O Virgin Martyr Anastasia.

Kontakion of St Abramius and his Niece Mary Tone 3

Thou didst live on earth as an angel in the flesh/ and flourish as a well planted tree,/ watered by abstinence and tears,/ O Abramius, vessel of the Holy Spirit.

MONK AVRAMII (ABRAHAM), ARCHIMANDRITE OF ROSTOV (1073-1077).

MONASTICMARTYRESS ANASTASIA THE ROMAN (III).

MONK ABRAHAM AND BLESSED MARIA, HIS NIECE (+ C. 360).

MARTYRS CLAUDIUS, ASTERIAS, NEONES AND THEONILLA (+ 285).

NUN ANNA (+ 826).

The Monk Avramii (Abraham), Archimandrite of Rostov, in the world Averkii, in his youth left from his parental home and entered upon the path of Christian asceticism. Having assumed the monastic form, Avramii settled at Rostov on the shore of Lake Nero. In the Rostov lands there were then yet many pagans, and the monk worked intensely at spreading the true faith. Not far off from the cell of the Saint there was a pagan temple, where the pagans worshipped a stone idol of Veles (Volos), which caused fright among the inhabitants of Rostov. In a miraculous vision the Apostle John the Theologian came to stand before Avramii, and gave him a staff crowned with a cross atop, with which the monk destroyed the idol. At the place of the pagan temple, Saint Avramii founded a monastery in honour of the Theophany and became its head. And in memory of the miraculous appearance, the monk erected a church in the name of the Apostle John the Theologian. Many of the pagans were persuaded and baptised by Saint Avramii. Particularly great was his influence with the children: he taught them reading and writing, he instructed them in the law of God, and tonsured monastics from amongst them. Everyone coming to the monastery of the saint was lovingly accepted. His life was a constant work of prayer and toil for the benefit of the brethren: he chopped firewood for the oven, he laundered the monks clothing and carried water for the kitchen. The monk reposed in old age and was buried in the church of the Theophany (+ XI Century). His holy relics were uncovered during the time of Greatprince Vsevolod (1176-1212). In the year 1551 tsar Ivan the Terrible, before his campaign against Kazan, made the rounds of holy places. At the Theophany-Avramiev monastery the showed him that staff, with which the Monk Avramii had destroyed the idol of Veles. The tsar took the staff with him on the campaign, but the cross remained at the monastery. And returning again after the subjugation of the Kazan khanate, Ivan the Terrible gave orders to build at the Avramiev monastery a new stone church in honour of the Theophany, with four chapels, and he sent there books and icons.

The MonasticMartyress Anastasia the Roman in infancy lost her parents, and she was then taken under the care of the head of a women's monastery, named Sophia. The hegumeness raised Anastasia in fervent faith, in the fear of God and obedience. During these times there began the persecution against Christians by the emperor Decius (249-251). The city administrator, Probus, on the orders of the emperor commanded that Anastasia be brought to him. Having been blessed by her eldress-mentor for the deed of suffering for the Name of Christ, the young Martyress Anastasia humbly came out to meet the armed soldiers. Seeing her youth and beauty, Probus at first attempted by false flattery to tempt her and lead her into a renunciation of faith in Christ: "Why waste thine years, deprived of pleasure? What is there to gain in giving thyself over to tortures and death for the Crucified? Worship our gods, get thyself some handsome husband, and live in glory and honour". The saint steadfastly replied: "My Bridegroom, my riches, my life and my happiness -- is my Lord Jesus Christ, and with the threat of torments thou canst not part me from the Lord!" Fiercesome tortures were then begun. The holy martyress bravely endured them, glorifying and praising the Lord. In anger the torturers cut out her tongue. The people, seeing the inhuman and disgusting treatment of the saint, became indignant, and the governor of the city was compelled to bring the torture to a close, by beheading the martyress. The body of Saint Anastasia was thrown out beyond the city for devouring by wild animals, but the Lord did not permit that a mockery should be made with the holy remains. Learning of this through the Lord, the hegumeness Sophia found the torn body of the martyress, and with the help of two Christians she consigned it to earth.

The Monk Abraham the Hermit and Blessed Maria, his niece, asceticised in the village of Chidan, near the city of Edessa. They were contemporaries and of the same country together with the Monk Ephrem the Syrian (Comm. 28 January), who afterwards wrote about their life. The Monk Abraham began his difficult exploit of the solitary life in the prime of youth. He left his parental home and settled in a desolate wilderness place, far off from worldly enticements, and he spent his days in unceasing prayer. After the death of his parents, the saint refused his inheritance and requested his kinsmen to give it away to the poor. By his strict ascetic life, fasting and love for mankind, Abraham attracted to him many, seeking after spiritual light, prayer and blessing. Soon his faith was put to a serious test: he was appointed presbyter in one of the pagan villages of Mesopotamia. For three years, and sparing no efforts, the monk toiled over the enlightenment of the pagans. He tore down a pagan temple and built up a temple of God. Humbly enduring derision and even beating from obstinate idol-worshippers, in prayer he beseeched the Lord: "Look down, O Master, upon Thine servant, hearken unto my prayer, strengthen me and set free Thy servants from diabolical snares and grant them to know Thee, the One True God". The zealous pastor was granted the happiness to see the culmination of his righteous efforts: the pagans came to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the monk himself baptised them. Having fulfilled his priestly duty, Abraham again withdrew into his wilderness, where he continued to glorify God, and doing His holy will. The devil, put to shame by the deeds of the monk, tried to entrap him with proud thoughts. One time at midnight, when Saint Abraham was at prayer in his cell, suddenly there shone a light and a voice was heard: "Blessed art thou, blessed as is no one amongst mankind!" Confuting the wiles of the enemy, the saint said: "I -- am a sinful man, but I trust on the help and grace of my God and I fear thee not". Another time the devil appeared before the saint in the form of a youth, lighted a candle and began to sing the Psalm: "Blessed is the undefiled on the way that walketh in the law of the Lord". Perceiving, that this also was a demonic temptation, the elder crossed himself and asked: "If thou knowest, what be the undefiled blessed, then why troublest thou them?" The temptor answered: "I provoke them in order to conquer them and turn them away from every good deed". To this the saint replied: "Thou gainest victory over those fallen away from God through their will, but for those loving God thou dost vanish, like smoke in the wind". After these words the devil vanished. And thus did Saint Abraham defeat the enemy, strengthened by Divine grace. After fifty years of ascetic life he peacefully expired to the Lord (+ c. 360).

Saint Abraham's Niece, the Nun Maria, grew up being edified by his spiritual instruction. But the enemy of the race of man tried to turn her from the true path. At twenty-seven years of age she left her cell, went to another city and began to live dissolutely. Learning of this, the Monk Abraham donned himself in soldier's garb, so that he should not be recognised, and he set off to the city. He sought out his niece and brought her to repentance. The Nun Maria returned to her cell and spent all the rest of her days in prayer and tears of repentance. The Lord vouchsafed her the gift of healing the sick. She died five years after the Monk Abraham.

The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Asterias, Neones and Theonilla suffered for Christ in the year 285 in Cilicia, during the reign of the emperor Diocletian. After their father's death, the step-mother, not wanting to give the inheritance over to the children, betrayed them to the persecutors of Christians. The governor of Cilicia named Lysias at length urged the martyrs to renounce Christ and instead worship idols, and employing various means of torture. They crucified the unyielding brothers, and the sister after torture was thrown into the sea.

The Nun Anna asceticised under the name Euphymian. The account about her is located under 13 June.

THURSDAY - OCTOBER 30, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 3:1-8

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed [is] not grievous, but for you [it is] safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath reason to trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; with respect to the righteousness which is by the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things [to be] loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [to be] dung, that I may win Christ,

Luke 11:14-23

14 And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb. And it came to pass when the demon was gone out, the dumb spoke; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out demons through Beelzebub, the chief of the demons. 16 And others tempting [him], sought from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

HOLY MARTYRS ZENOBIUS BISHOP OF AEGEA AND HIS SISTER ZENOBIA

Troparion Tone 4

As brother and sister united in goodness/ you contested together, Zenobius and Zenobia./ You received incorruptible crowns/ and unending glory,/ and shine forth with the grace of healing upon those in the world.

Kontakion Tone 8

Let us sing praises to the brother and sister, witnesses of truth and preachers of piety/ who together received martyrs' crowns, Holy Zenobius and Zenobia.

MARTYRS ZENOBIOS, BISHOP OF EGEIA, AND HIS SISTER ZENOBIA (+ 285).

DISCIPLES FROM THE SEVENTY: TERTIUS (TERCIAS), MARK, JUSTUS AND ARTEMIS (I).

PRIESTMARTYR MARCIAN, BISHOP OF SYRACUSE (II).

MARTYRESS EUTROPIA (+ C. 250).

SAINT STEFAN MILIUTIN, KING OF SERBIA, HIS BROTHER DRAGUTIN AND THEIR MOTHER ELENA (HELEN).

The PriestMartyr Zenobios, Bishop of Egeia, and his sister Zenobia suffered a martyr's death in the year 285 in Cilicia. From childhood they were raised in the holy Christian faith by their parents, and they led pious and chaste lives. In their mature years, shunning the love of money, they distributed away their wealth, an inheritance, giving it to the poor. For his beneficence and holy life the Lord rewarded Zenobios with the gift of healing various maladies. And he was chosen bishop of a Christian community in Cilicia.

In the dignity of bishop, Saint Zenobios zealously spread the Christian faith among the pagans. When the emperor Diocletian (284-305) began a persecution against Christians, Bishop Zenobios was the first one arrested and brought to trial to the governor Licius. "I shalt speak with thee but briefly, -- said Licius to the saint, -- for I propose to thee: life -- if thou worshipest our gods, or death -- if thou dost not". The saint answered: "This present life without Christ is death; better I prepare to endure the present torment for my Creator, and then with Him live eternally, than to renounce Him because of the present life, and then be tormented eternally in hades".

By order of Licius, they nailed him to a cross and began the torture. The sister of the bishop, seeing the suffering of her brother, wanted then to stop it with him. She bravely confessed her own faith in Christ afront the governor, for which she also was given over to torture.

By the power of the Lord they remained alive after torture on a red-hot cot and in a boiling kettle. The saints were then beheaded. Presbyter Hermogenes secretly buried the bodies of the martyrs.

The Holy Disciples from the Seventy: Tertius (Tercias), Mark, Justus and Artemis. Saint Tertius was the second bishop in succession (after the holy Disciple Sosipater) in Iconium, where he converted many pagans to Christ, and here he ended his life as a martyr. The Apostle Paul makes mention of him in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom. 16: 22). Saint Mark, he that was John, (Acts 12: 12), a nephew of the Disciple Barnabas, was bishop of Apolloniada (Col. 4: 10). It was in the house of his mother Maria that the persecuted disciples found shelter after the Ascension of the Lord. Saint Justus, called Barsaba, a son of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, was chosen in place of Judas, together with Matthias. He was a bishop and died a martyr's death at Eleutheropolis.

Saint Artemis was bishop of the Lycian city of Lystra, and he died peacefully.

The Holy PriestMartyr Marcian, Bishop of Syracuse, a disciple of the Apostle Peter, was sent to Sicily. Here he settled into a cave near the city of Syracuse and successfully spread the faith in Christ. He died a martyr. His relics are situated in the Italian city of Gaeta. (The PriestMartyr Marcian is the same person as Saint Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, whose memory is 9 February).

The Martyress Eutropia suffered for Christ in Alexandria in about the year 250. Often visiting Christians locked up in prison, she encouraged them to the patient endurance of suffering. For this the saint was arrested. At her trial she firmly confessed her faith in Christ and she died after grievous tortures.

Saint Stefan (Stephen) Miliutin, King of Serbia, his brother Dragutin, and their mother Elena (Helen): Saint Stefan was the younger son of king Stefan Urosh I, and grandson of First-Crowned King Saint Stefan (Comm. 24 September). He ruled Serbia from 1275 to 1320. Stefan Miliutin received the throne from his elder brother Dragutin, a true Christian, who after a short reign transferred power over to his brother, and he himself in loving solitude withdrew to Srem, where he did secret ascetic deeds in a grave-pit, dug by his own hand. During his righteous life, Saint Dragutin toiled much over converting the heretic Bogomils to the true faith. His death occurred on 2 March 1316.

Saint Stefan Miliutin, having become king, bravely by both word and by deed, defended the Orthodox Serbs and other same-faith peoples from numerous enemies. Pious Stefan did not forget to thank the Lord for His beneficence. More than 40 churches were built by him, as also many monastery and vagrant hostels. The saint particularly concerned himself with the Athonite monasteries.

When the Serbian kingdom fell, the monasteries remained centres of national culture and Orthodoxy for the Serb nation. Saint Stefan died on 29 October 1320 and was buried at the Bansk monastery. After two years his undecayed relics were uncovered.

Saint Elena, the pious mother to her sainted sons, after the death of her husband devoted her whole life to pious deeds: she built a shelter for the impoverished, and constructed a monastery for those wanting to live in purity and virginity. Near the city of Spich she erected the Rechesk monastery and endowed it with the necessities. Before her death, Saint Elena accepted monasticism and expired to the Lord on 8 February 1306.

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 31, 2008

LITURGY

Philippians 3:8-19

8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things [to be] loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [to be] dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death; 11 If by any means I may attain to the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I pursue, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, 14 I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye are otherwise minded, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Luke 11:23-26

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest: and finding none, he saith, I will return to my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished. 26 Then he goeth and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.

HOLY APOSTLES STACHYS, APELLES, AMPLIAS, URBAN, NARCISSUS AND ARISTOBULUS OF THE SEVENTY

HOLY MARTYR EPIMACHUS OF ALEXANDRIA

ST HERYGH

HOLY MARTYR FOILLAN

Troparion of the Apostles Tone 5

Let us acclaim Stachys,/ Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus and Aristobulus/ as a six-stringed harp of the Spirit/ that sings of God's marvelous gifts to mankind./ As divine Apostles they pray for us.

Troparion of St Epimachus Tone 1

O Epimachus, thou didst wrestle as Christ's warrior/ and put the enemy to flight./ Thou didst suffer many torments, and we honour thee as a companion of God the Word./ Therefore we cry to thee:/ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Herygh Tone 8

For four score years and ten thou didst grace the Cornish land/ with thy godly presence, O Father Herygh./ Therefore pray to God for us that we may devote every year of our lives to His service,/ that at the end we may be found worthy of eternal salvation.

Troparion of St Foillan Tone 8

Pagan robbers bestowed upon thee the crown of martyrdom, O righteous Foillan,/ for thy life was a reproach to the impious and cruel men./ Having laboured with thy holy brother, our Father Fursey,/ in East Anglia and later in the Netherlands,/ pray to God for us, we beseech thee, that both in word and deed/ our lives may be a missionary witness,/ that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.

Kontakion of the Apostles Tone 8

Let us thankfully praise the wise Apostles/ Stachys, Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus and Aristobulus,/ those treasures of the Holy Spirit and rays of the Sun of glory,/ who were brought together by the grace of our God.

Kontakion of St Epimachus Tone 3

O Epimachus, of thine own accord/ thou didst take up the martyr's struggle./ Thou didst cry to the lawless:/ I have come to fight for truth and to revile the graven images./ Thou hast received a crown of righteousness.

DISCIPLES FROM THE SEVENTY: STAKHIAS, AMPLIAS, URBAN, NARCISSOS, APELLIAS AND ARISTOBOULOS (I).

MARTYR EPIMAKHOS (+ C. 250).

MONKS SPIRIDON AND NIKODIM, PROSPHORA-MAKERS OF PECHERSK, IN THE NEARER CAVES (XII).

NUN MAURA (V).

The Holy Disciples from the Seventy: Stakhios, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos (I). The holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called ordained Stakhias to the dignity of bishop of Byzantium, where he was bishop for sixteen years, zealously preaching the Gospel of Christ and converting pagans to the true faith. Saint Amplias was bishop in the city of Diospolis; Saint Urban -- in Macedonia. They also were bishops by the consecration of the holy Apostle Andrew. For preaching the Gospel they were put to a martyr's death by Jews and pagan Greeks. Saint Narcissos was bishop in the city of Athens. Saint Apellias was bishop at Heraclium. About Saint Aristoboulos the account is situated under 16 March.

The Holy Martyr Epimakhos was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mount Peleusis. During the time of a persecution against Christians at Alexandria (about the year 250), Saint Epimakhos in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed the teaching of Christ. For this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman with infirmity of the eyes; a droplet of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. After fierce tortures the saint was beheaded by the sword.

The Monks Spiridon and Nikodim, Prosphora-Makers of Pechersk (XII), for 30 years fulfilled their obedience -- they baked prophora. The Monk Spiridon came to the monastery during the time of the hegumen Pimen (1132-1141), already no longer young a man. The ascetic combined his work with unceasing prayer and the singing of psalms. Even during his life the Monk Spiridon was glorified by miracles. An instance is known, when he extinguished his mantle which had caught fire from the oven -- the fire was put out, but the mantle remained whole. Saint Nikodim toiled together with the Monk Spiridon and led a very strict life. Their relics are located in the Antoniev Cave. The fingers of the right hand of the Monk Spiridon are positioned together three-fingered. Their memory is also 28 September and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Nun Maura pursued asceticism at Tsargrad, where she founded a monastery, and at which she died in the V Century.

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