Seven Precepts For An Assured Salvation

Abba Moses gave the following seven precepts to Abba Poemenius, which if followed will lead to salvation by anybody whether they be in the cenobium, or in solitude or in the world:

1. In the first place, as it is written, love God with all your heart and with all your mind.

2. Love your neighbour as yourself.

3. Bring to death all evil in you.

4. Do not judge your brother in any dispute.

5. Do no evil to another person.

6. Before departing this life cleanse yourself of every fault of mind or body.

7. Always be of a humble and contrite heart.

These things can be achieved by anyone who thinks of his own sins and not his neighbour's, and trusts in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen

From The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

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Abba Pambo on Monastic Solitude vs. Public Works

St. Pambo together with Sts. Paisius and Isaiah (Feast Day - July 18)

by St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Which is more pleasing to God: a life of mortification in the wilderness or works of mercy?

Men of prayer in the wilderness think that many among men, no matter how many good works they perform, will find it difficult to safeguard the purity of the heart and to direct the mind toward God.

Benefactors of men say that the man in the wilderness is totally occupied with his own salvation and does not help in the salvation of others.

Two Egyptian brothers, Paisius and Isaiah, inherited a great estate from their parents, sold the estate and each took their share of the money. One of them immediately distributed his money to the poor, became a monk and withdrew into the wilderness to lead a strict life of asceticism that through patience, fasting, prayer and purifying the mind from all evil thoughts in order to save his soul. The other brother likewise became a monk, but did not want to enter the wilderness, rather he built a small monastery near the town, a hospital for the sick, a public refectory [dining room] for the needy and a resting place for the sorrowful. He dedicated himself completely to the service of his fellow men.

When both brothers died, a dispute ensued among the monks of Egypt: which of the two fulfilled the law of Christ? Unable to agree among themselves they came to St. Pambo and questioned him about this. St. Pambo replied: "Both are perfect before God; the hospitable one is similar to the hospitable Abraham and the ascetical one is similar to Elijah the Prophet, both of whom equally pleased God." But not all the monks were satisfied with this response. Then St. Pambo prayed to God to reveal the truth to him. After praying for several days, St. Pambo said to the monks: "Before God I tell you that I saw both brothers Paisius and Isaiah together in Paradise." With this, the dispute was settled and all were satisfied.

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Bukovina: Romania's Centre of Spirituality

The northern province of Moldova - known as Bukovina, is an ethnological and religious enclave intended to symbolize Christianity's triumph against paganism. Many of the Bukovina monasteries were built by the Moldavian voivodes as a token of gratitude to God after each victory in battles against the Turks. The unique beauty of their external frescos, which attract thousands of tourists, prompted the UN to enter seven of them on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1993.


Built in 1532 by voivode Petru Rares, the Moldovita Monastery has the appearance of a fortress because of the six-metre-tall stone walls that surround the compound and four defense towers. The monasteries, centres of sixteenth century education and culture, were often targets for invading Tartars and Ottomans. The church, painted on the outside in a dominant red-brown chromatic with many yellow inlays, has the best-kept frescos of all the monasteries in the region. After the First World War, and almost two centuries of Austrian occupation, Moldovita again became a monastery for the nuns, many of whom now are guides for the flocks of tourists.


The former treasury of the monastery is a museum exhibiting old embroideries, wooden icons, various archaeological findings and religious books. The monastery was a genuine centre for the copying of books and manuscripts. Tourists, who can find accommodation at numerous pensions in the neighborhood, can buy religious souvenirs from the gift shop or traditional artifacts from the craftsmen stalls at the gates.


Historians, noting the different styles in evidence, say the church of the monastery was painted by numerous painters at different times. The historical and religious scenes depicted on the outside walls -- such as the Last Judgment, Moses and the burning bush, and the Siege of Constantinople -- have an apparent narrative continuity mixed with Byzantine and local elements. The scenes on the southern facade tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, with all the related Biblical episodes, from the Annunciation to Jesus' presentation at the temple.


The only painted monastery not built by a ruling voivode, Sucevita was built in 1584 by the Movilesti, an influential aristocratic family. Locally known as boyars, they later gave Moldova a ruler and pre-eminent ecclesiastic figures, whose graves are on view inside the church. As in Moldovita, the monastery is surrounded by high stone walls and watch towers, one of them also being the bell tower. The painters of Sucevita were historically identified as brothers Ion and Sofronie, who painted the church between 1594 and 1595. The siblings had great skills as miniaturists and highlighted contrasts with strong, vivid colors.


A unique theme can be seen on the outside walls of the church -- the all Saints' prayer, along with the Stair of Virtues -- an anti-thesis between good and evil. Since Sucevita was the last of Bukovina's painted monasteries to be built, its outside painting, in a dominant green chromatic, is the best preserved. Local legend says that a small portion of Sucevita church's walls remained unpainted after the scaffolding collapsed, killing the painter.


Bukovina is also famous for its ceramics. The village of Marginea, in Suceava County, stands out with its unique black ceramics, a tradition whose beginnings go back to time immemorial. The pottery is admired at many national and international fairs for its color and traditional decorations as well as various shapes and overall symmetry.


Putna, though not painted, carries the greatest religious and symbolical burden of the Bukovina monasteries. It was the first creation of Stephen the Great, probably the most notorious figure in Romanian history, over whose tomb it shelters. Stephen ruled Moldova between 1457 and 1504. In 1459, he finished construction of the monastery, which had unusually large dimensions in those times, probably because Stephen had decided to make it his family's final resting place.


Stephen, now a saint in the Romanian Orthodox Church calendar, built 43 monasteries and churches during his reign. The museum of Putna exhibits several artifacts, including the shroud of Maria of Mangop, the oldest Moldavian style portrait embroidered in natural size. Also housed there are fifteenth-century religious books and the silver incense dispenser given by the ruler to the priests of the monastery after its inauguration.


The former capital of Moldova, the Suceava seat fortress was built late fourteenth century. After a tumultuous three-century history, during which it was besieged, damaged and consolidated countless times, the fortress fell into oblivion. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Austrian architect Karl Romstorfer undertook the first renovation, along with an archaeological exploration. In 2004 -- 500 years after the death of Stephen the Great -- the fortress went through another thorough restoration. It now hosts many exhibitions and fairs.


Voronet, also named the Sistine Chapel of the East, is probably the most known of all the painted monasteries, due to its dominant blue which is commonly referred to as "Voronet blue". The color was obtained from lapis lazuli, but in measures that remain secret. Built at the direction of Stephen the Great in less than four months in 1488, the monastery served as gratitude to God after a notorious 1475 victory against the Ottomans in the battle of Vaslui. One of the most important frescos was painted on the west side of the church and depicts the Last Judgment. The scene contains local elements, such as musical instruments, folk costumes and landscapes.

This text and photographs are courtesy of the Southeast European Times (SET), a web site sponsored by the US Department of Defense in support of UN Resolution 1244, designed to provide an international audience with a portal to a broad range of information about Southeastern Europe. It highlights movement toward greater regional stability and steps governments take toward integration into European institutions. SET also focuses on developments that hinder both terrorist activity and support for terrorism in the region.

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Grand Duchess Elizabeth in the 'New York Times'

Holy New Martyr Elizabeth the Grand Duchess (Feast Day - July 18)

Grand Duchess Elizabeth, a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria of England and elder sister of Empress Alexandra of Russia (see July 4), was one of the most illustrious women of her day, known throughout Europe not only for her high birth and graceful beauty, but also for her modesty and goodness of heart. After marrying Grand Duke Sergius Alexandrovich, she converted to Orthodoxy, although this was not required of her by her position. After the assassination of her husband in 1905, Grand Duchess Elizabeth withdrew from public life, founding the convent of Saints Martha and Mary, of which she became the superior. There she dedicated herself to prayer, fasting, tending the sick, and caring for the poor. After the Bolsheviks seized power, she was exiled to the Urals, where she and those with her were martyred in 1918 when they were cast alive into an abandoned mine. The Novice Barbara followed Saint Elizabeth into exile. When she was separated from the Grand Duchess, Barbara asked to be allowed to join her again; to terrify her, the Bolsheviks told her that she would be allowed to do this, but only if she were prepared for unheard-of torments and a violent death. To their amazement, she consented, and was deemed worthy of martyrdom with the Grand Duchess. Their holy relics were recovered and taken through Russia to China, and came to rest in the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. When their reliquaries were opened in 1981, their bodies were found to be partially incorrupt, and sweet with the odour of sanctity. With them are also commemorated their fellow Martyrs: Grand Duke Sergius Mikhailovich; Princes John, Constantine, and Igor, the brethren; Prince Vladimir Paley; and Theodore Remez.

Below are reports made by the New York Times that reference Grand Duchess Elizabeth from her marriage to her burial:

March 16, 1884, Wednesday - The Russian - English Marriage

November 12, 1894, Wednesday - MOSCOW FULL OF MOURNERS; FUNERAL SERVICES OVER THE REMAINS OF ALEXANDER III. The Great City Draped in Sable and Crowded with Visitors -- The Most Impressive Funeral Procession Ever Witnessed in Russia -- Solemn Mass Said in the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael -- The Dead Emperor Lying in State.

March 27, 1904, Sunday - CZARINA'S MIDNIGHT DRIVE: Empress and Her Sister Fond of Emulating Haroun-al-Raschid

February 18, 1905, Saturday - TERRORIST BOMB SLAYS SERGIUS: Czar's Uncle Blown to Pieces in Moscow. DESCRIBED BY WITNESS Times Correspondent Tells of Tragedy and Causes. MOSCOW PEOPLE ARMING Leading Liberal Tells of Plan to Bring About a Revolution -Vengeance Actuated the Assassin

February 18, 1905, Saturday - ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF CRIME: Deed Committed by Single Man, Member of the "Fighting Group"

February 19, 1905, Sunday - Associated Press Article on the Assasination of Grand Duke Sergius

July 19, 1906, Thursday - Grand Duke Sergius's Body Moved

February 10, 1907, Sunday - ROYAL LADIES of CLEVERNESS and LEARNING: Queens and Princesses highly, and in some cases technically educated, work hard with brain and hand..

October 8, 1908, Thursday - GRAND DUCHESS IN CONVENT: Widow of Sergius, Assassinated at Moscow In 1905, May Take Veil

April 23, 1910, Saturday - GRAND DUCHESS BECOMES NUN: Elizabeth, Sister of Czarina, and Grand Duke Sergius's Widow, Takes Vows

September 10, 1911, Sunday - Associated Press Article Describing How Grand Duchess Elizabeth Forgave Her Husbands Murderer

September 17, 1911, Sunday - THE CZAR'S SISTER-IN-LAW A WOMAN SUFFRAGE LEADER: She's the Widow of Grand Duke Sergius --- Nicholas Sent Her to a Nunnery, But She Turned the Nuns Into Suffragists and He Had to Surrender

January 31, 1912, Wednesday - STORM IN RUSSIAN CHURCH: Bishop Hermogenes and Famous Priest Heliodorus Exiled

August 1, 1920, Sunday - SETTLES DOUBTS OF CZAR'S MURDER: Gen. Diederichs Tells How the Bolsheviki Killed Him and All His Family. BUTCHERED IN A CELLAR Called from Their Beds and Killed by Bullets, Bayonets and Rifle Butts. Empress Remained with Her Son. Prisoners Harshly Treated. SETTLES DOUBTS OF CZAR'S MURDER Butchered in a Cellar. The Bodies Were Burned

February 3, 1921, Thursday - GRAND DUCHESS BURIED: Body of Elizabeth, Late Czarina's Sister, Entombed In Jerusalem

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Emulating the Lord's self-abasement on the earth, thou didst forsake royal mansions to serve the poor and disdained, overflowing with compassion for the suffering. And taking up a martyr's cross, thou in meekness didst perfect the Saviour's image within thee. Wherefore, with Barbara, entreat Him to save us all, O wise Elizabeth.

Kontakion in the Third Tone
In the midst of worldliness, thy mournful heart dwelt in Heaven; in barbaric godlessness, thy valiant soul was not troubled: thou didst long to meet thy Bridegroom as a confessor, and He found thee worthy of thy martyric purpose. O Elizabeth, with Barbara, thy brave companion, pray to thy Bridegroom for us.

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Christ Is Everything For The Christian Soul

by St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Until Christ becomes completely everything for the soul which authentically has a certain permanent and unchanging value, until then, man cannot enter into suffering for Christ. How could St. Marina the fifteen-year-old girl enter into suffering for Christ? For to her, Christ was completely everything! How could Saint Julitta have rejoiced upon seeing her three year old son Kyriacos dead for the Faith of Christ? Again, for her, Christ was completely everything. Behold, how St. Tikhon of Zadonsk speaks in detail of how Christ is everything to man in the form of a conversation between Christ and man:

Do you desire good for yourself?
Every good is in Me.

Do you desire blessedness?
Every blessedness is in Me.

Do you desire beauty?
What is more beautiful than Me?

Do you desire nobleness?
What is more noble than the Son of God and the Holy Virgin?

Do you desire height?
What is higher than the Kingdom of Heaven?

Do you desire riches?
In Me are all riches.

Do you desire wisdom?
I am the Wisdom of God.

Do you desire friendship?
Who is a kinder friend than I Who lay down My life for all?

Do you desire help?
Who can help except Me?

Do you seek joy?
Who will rejoice outside of Me?

Do you seek comfort in misery?
Who will comfort you outside of Me?

Do you seek peace?
I am the peace of the soul.

Do you seek life?
In Me is the source of life.

Do you seek light?
'I am the Light of the world' (John 8:12).

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Bulgarian Orthodox Honor Saint Marina

July 17, 2010
Novinite

The Orthodox world, including the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, mark Saturday the Day of Saint Marina.

According to the Golden Legend, she was a native of Antioch, daughter of a pagan priest named Aedesius. Marina was scorned by her father for her Christian faith, and lived in the country with a foster-mother keeping sheep. Olybrius, the praeses orientis (Governor of the Roman Diocese of the East), offered her marriage at the price of her renunciation of Christianity. Upon her refusal, she was cruelly tortured, during which various miraculous incidents occurred. One of these involved being swallowed by Satan in the shape of a dragon, from which she escaped alive when the cross she carried irritated the dragon's entrails. The Golden Legend, in an atypical moment of skepticism, describes this last incident as "apocryphal and not to be taken seriously" (trans. Ryan, 1.369). Marina was sentenced to death and murdered in A.D. 304.

The focal point of the celebrations in Bulgaria is the second-largest city of Plovdiv and the St. Marina Church in the city where the miracle-making icon of the Virgin Marry arrived from Jerusalem Friday evening. The icon, which will remain in Plovdiv until July 21, was met by hundreds of believers and was blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew.


St. Marina is a very popular and honored Saint by Bulgarians – it is said that she is the patron of health and visits the dreams of people, who believe in her to give them predictions about their future and advice how to avoid illness and bad fortune.

St. Marina is also considered to be the patron of waters and the protector of the Southern Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria. This is why July 17th is also the Day of the southern Black Sea town of Sozopol.

In Bulgaria, July 17 is also the name day of women called Marina and Marinka, and men called Marin and Marincho.

More on the Church of Saint Marina in Plovdiv here.

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The Church of Saint Marina in Thissio

Saint Marina of Thissio (Feast Day - July 17)

The inpressive church of Saint Marina (Agia Marina) in Thissio is situated on the Hill of the Nymphs near the Observatory of Athens. The church's foundations were laid in 1922 based on the architectural drawings of Achilleas Georgiadis on the site of an older, 19th century, church.

In its present form, the church has a cruciform plan with a dome in the middle and four smaller domes on the corners. The interior was decorated by mural paintings during the 1930's, mostly by the painter Graikos and Kandris. This was also when the wooden screen was crafted, designed by the architect Georgios Nomikos. The mural paintings form a rare example of religious painting in Greece, influenced by the Jugendstil of Central Europe.

South-east of the church is a small Byzantine church carved into rock, next to the one the new church was built on. This small church was also dedicated to Saint Marina. It must have been built between the 11th and 12th century. Wall paintings dating back to the 17th and 19th century were found inside. Most of them were removed and placed on the northern part of the new church. The smaller church's side walls still have several 17th century mural paintings.

The location of the church had been associated with the religious practices related to childbirth and child health. Expectant mothers and those with sick babies would come here to pray for a safe labor and the cure of their children. Pregnant women actually used to crawl over a steep cliff in order to make their prayers for a safe labor come to fulfillment. The church holds a major festival on the feast of Saint Marina on July 17th.

Source

On 4 December 1966 the recently discovered holy skull of Saint Marina which was discovered in the Monastery of Saint George at Ilia of Edipsos in Halkida, was brought for the first time to the Church of Saint Marina in Thissio. To commemorate this event, a booklet on the life of Saint Marina was written which also contains pictures. It can be viewed here after downloading the pdf file towards the bottom.

Read also the following study: Pagan Cult to Christian Ritual: The Case of Agia Marina Theseiou






















Read also:

Saint Marina the Great Martyr and Vanquisher of Demons

Astonishing Contemporary Miracles of Saint Marina on the Island of Andros

Saint Marina: The Protectress of Nephrology

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Saint Marina: The Protectress of Nephrology

"Saint Marina: The Protectress of Nephrology"
A.C. Eftychiadis, S.G. Marketos

American Journal of Nephrology, Vol. 19, No. 2, 1999.

Abstract

Saint virgin and martyr Marina (Margarita) of Antioch in Pisidia (255–270) is recognized as the patron saint of kidney sufferers and the protectress of nephrology. Beginning in the 13th century she heals in particular patients suffering from nephropathies, pregnant women having a difficult childbirth, barren women and sickly children. She protects the patients from every side effect and complication. Saint Marina is represented in hagiography as a victor, defeating the dragon satan, holding a hammer or a cross and wearing a belt around her back in the area of kidneys. According to writers, artists and sculptors the belt is the perceivable means of Saint Marina for the miraculous recovery from and healing of kidney diseases. Therefore, kidney sufferers and pregnant women put belts upon her relics for blessing and then wore them. From the Middle Ages and Renaissance and up to the contemporary period Saint Marina (Margarita) was considered the patron saint of kidney sufferers. Justifiably she is recognized by the modern medical world as the protectress of nephrology.

Order the article here.

Read also:

Saint Marina the Great Martyr and Vanquisher of Demons

Astonishing Contemporary Miracles of Saint Marina on the Island of Andros

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Drama In The Serbian Church

There has been much drama going on in the Serbian Church regarding the case of fugitive archimandrite Simeon Vilovski (who is hiding in Greece) and events in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren. The Holy Synod of the Church in Serbia issued the following statement on 8 March 2010 that explains the situation:

Archimandrite Simeon Vilovski (born January 11, 1963) has found himself in the focus of a serious church and financial scandal related to the embezzlement of cash funds intended for assistance to the poor and the restoration of churches in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren (Kosovo). This cleric is also accused of canonical offenses(1). As hegumen of the monastery of St. Stefan (Banjska) and the secretary to His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raška and Prizren, Fr. Simeon is accused by the Church and police authorities for the misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of euros, which he used for his personal benefit, for the rental of office space in Serbia and an apartment in Thessaloniki, as well as for other illegal and anti-canonical activities.

On May 19, 2006 the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church kindly requested His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raška and Prizren to undertake canonical measures in the diocesan ecclesiastical court against protosyngel Simeon and to dismiss him from all administrative church duties in his Diocese. This decision was made on the basis of a detailed investigation conducted by a Special Commission of the Holy Assembly of Bishops, which was appointed by Patriarch Pavle of blessed repose to investigate financial irregularities in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren.

Bishop Artemije also refused to carry out a decision by the Holy Assembly of Bishops to accept and to put into liturgical use churches and parish homes that were destroyed in previous years by Albanians, and that had been renewed and rebuilt in accordance with the decisions of the Holy Assembly of Bishops and the Synod by the International Expert Commission with the participation of Vicar Bishop Teodosije of Raška and Prizren, who was appointed by the Holy Assembly of Bishops. Bishop Artemije also refused to return to his see in Prizren and to serve Liturgy in the Orthodox Cathedral in Prizren and other churches, despite repeated requests to do so by the faithful.

Despite the Holy Assembly of Bishops, His Grace Bishop Artemije failed to carry out this decision and firmly protected his secretary Simeon (still claiming that all the testimony against him was libelous). The Holy Assembly of Bishops repeated this same decision in November 2008 and May 2009, again kindly requesting His Grace Bishop Artemije to undertake measures against Fr. Simeon Vilovski and his associates. The Holy Synod tried again to implement this decision by the Holy Assembly of Bishops by the next annual convocation of the Assembly in 2010. Despite many efforts His Grace Bishop Artemije failed to resolve and clear up the questionable financial activities in his Diocese; furthermore, in the media he openly challenged the decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops regarding the reconstruction of destroyed churches in Kosovo and other decisions. Instead of bringing his cleric before the diocesan ecclesiastical court, Bishop Artemije elevated him to the office of archimandrite and made him his deputy, officially making him the most powerful person in his Diocese. In the meantime, Fr. Simeon severely abused that position.

After the election of the new Serbian Patriarch, His Beatitude Patriarch Irinej, in January 2010, the Holy Synod of Bishops again dealt with this issue, having previously received several complaints from monks and nuns of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren in connection with the situation in the Diocese. After His Grace Bishop Artemije’s decision not to appear at the session of the Holy Synod of Bishops on February 4, 2010, although he had previously been invited to it by the Patriarch himself, the Holy Synod of Bishops sent two of its members, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands and His Grace Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, to visit Bishop Artemije in Gračanica Monastery, together with the Financial Commission of the Holy Synod of Bishops, which was scheduled to continue the task it began in 2006. Bishop Artemije resolutely refused to cooperate with the representatives of the Synod and issued a public statement in which he accused none other than the Patriarch and Synod of working under political pressure from foreign embassies.

Finally, Bishop Artemije was invited again to appear before His Beatitude the Patriarch and the Holy Synod of Bishops on February 11, 2010 in Belgrade in order to discuss a solution to the resulting situation. Bishop Artemije came to the session while a group of his followers and supporters protested in front of the Patriarchate. Since His Grace Bishop Artemije continued to maintain that he did not want to carry out the decisions of the Holy Assembly of Bishops and no agreement was reached, he was placed on temporary leave from administering his Diocese, until the conclusion of canonical proceedings initiated by the Holy Synod of Bishops. The Holy Synod of Bishops has appointed His Grace Bishop Atanasije (Jevtić), the former Bishop of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, temporary administrator of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren.(2)

Meanwhile, archimandrite Simeon, who fled from Kosovo “like a thief in the night”, according to police and customs authorities crossed into FYR Macedonia in a vehicle with FYROM license plates, and then entered Greece in a vehicle with Belgrade license plates. In Greece he has bank accounts since in recent years he paid more than 600,000 U.S. dollars through the National Bank of Greece to a U.S. citizen of Greek origin, Mr. James Jatras. Jatras was supposed to “lobby” for the Serbs, although his activities have not brought any benefits.

An even bigger surprise came when the administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Atanasije, discovered documents according to which archimandrite Simeon at the beginning of January 2010 was accepted into the clerical union of Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus. Neither the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church nor the Synod of the Church of Greece was informed about this event. However, it is indicative that archimandrite Simeon CONTINUED TO PERFORM all church duties in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren after his canonical discharge for the Metropolitanate Piraeus, which represents a serious violation of church canons. There is written evidence that Fr. Simeon used the official seal of the Diocese and organized official meetings with the clergy of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren although he was, in fact, a cleric of the Church of Greece. From this we can deduce that during one period he belonged to both the Serbian and the Greek Church. This whole case remains extremely unclear.

The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued a warrant for Simeon Vilovski based on the official report of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is not known where the fugitive Vilovski is presently hiding but it is not unreasonable to wonder why, if he is innocent, he would not return to Serbia and vindicate himself. In any case, his present location remains unknown. It seems that he has joined the Life-Giving Spring Monastery in the village of P. Kokkinia, which belongs to the Metropolitanate of Piraeus, but he could just as well be located in Thessaloniki.

Based on all that has been said, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus is also a victim of deception because he certainly could not have known that archimandrite Simeon, whom he accepted as a cleric in his Metropolitanate, has been twice condemned by the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church and that there is presently an international warrant out for his arrest. Fr. Simeon's closest associate, Predrag Subotički, who was responsible for financial matters in the Diocese and served as the head of the Diocesan Building Commission, has already been arrested by Serbian police in Belgrade and is in custody, since together with Simeon he inflicted huge material and financial damage to the Diocese, as well as to Orthodox Christians in Kosovo and Metohija.

Events in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren have attracted great attention from Serbian media because Kosovo and Metohija is the most painful wound of the Serbian people. If it is proven, and there is already much evidence and testimony to that effect, that archimandrite Simeon with Subotički committed serious crimes, this can have serious consequences for His Grace Bishop Artemije, who persistently refused to carry out the decisions of the Assembly and correct financial matters in his Diocese. The decisive measures undertaken by the new Patriarch and the Holy Synod of Bishops, which is comprised of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands, Bishop Irinej of Bačka, Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, and Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia are considered to be a highly accountable process whose aim is the preservation of the moral and spiritual authority of the Church instead of sweeping the problem “under the carpet”.

A few days ago on Serbian state television, Bishop Irinej of Bačka explained the above-mentioned efforts of the Holy Synod of Bishops to help Bishop Artemije to alleviate his problems and to send Simeon Vilovski before the ecclesiastical court. He also said that many people in Serbia and abroad, who feel solidarity with the suffering Orthodox Christians in Kosovo, should know that the Church is acting openly and responsibly against abuses in the use of financial contributions by a group of irresponsible clerics and their accomplices.

The final resolution of this problem is expected at the annual convocation of the Holy Assembly of Bishops at the end of April, when the situation in the Diocese of Raška and Prizren and the case of His Grace Bishop Artemije will be discussed. Many expect that a dignified withdrawal from the position of Bishop of Raška and Prizren would be the most responsible action of His Grace Bishop Artemije. Meanwhile, the police of Serbia and Greece are searching for Vilovski, who is expected to be brought to justice soon.

From the office of the Information Service of the
Holy Synod of Bishops

In Belgrade, March 8, 2010

Footnotes:

(1) One of the canonical violations of hieromonk Simeon is that as a student at the Theological Faculty of Thessaloniki in 1992 he served in the chapel of St. Sava on the Chilandar metohion-chapel in Thessaloniki and during the Liturgy mentioned the name of Bishop Artemije instead of mentioning the Ecumenical Patriarch. The Protosyngel of the Metropolitanate of Thessaloniki arrived and removed the Antimension (Fr. Simeon used the Antimension of Bishop Artemije on the canonical territory of another Orthodox Bishop /Transl.) and brought the Antimension of the Ecumenical Patriarch. Bishop Artemije did not punish Fr. Simeon for this canonical violation! The second canonical violation occurred on the feast of St. Nicholas in 2009 in the monastery of Gračanica. Fr. Simeon had donned his vestments but when he saw Bishop Artemije and Auxilliary Bishop Teodosije taking the time to serve together the Liturgy, he told Bishop Artemije he did not want to concelebrate with Bishop Teodosije. He then removed his vestments and left the church, and Bishop Artemije did not sanction this act of “brotherly love”, even though according to Apostolic Canons 8 and 9 he should have been defrocked!

(2) According to His Grace Bishop Irinej of Bačka, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church has decided to initiate preliminary proceedings to determine the canonical responsibility of His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Raška and Prizren (SOC Constitution, article 70, paragraphs 20 and 36) with the obligation that he cooperate during the court process and that he be placed on temporary leave from administering the Diocese of Raška and Prizren until the conclusion of the proceedings and judgment, i.e. until the next annual meeting of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The dramatic events leading up to the happenings in this statement and following this statement can be read here, here and here.

More can be read in the following articles leading up to these events:

Serbian Police Investigate Bishop's Associates (16 February 2010)

Serbia: Orthodox Church Shocked By Corruption Claims (5 March 2010)

A few days after the statement of March 8th, Simeon Vilovski was arrested in Thessaloniki, Greece on March 11. More can be read here.

To read about the struggle for Church unity in Kosovo as a result of this scandal, see this article titled "Kosovo: A Battle For Souls".

With the dismissal of Bishop Artemije, two monasteries who supported him began a rebellion and threatened to abandon their monasteries in June. Read more here.

The office of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren and Kosovo and Prizren-Gracanica, issued the following statement on 3 June 2010 regarding the return to status of layman of Simeon Vilovski. It also outlines his many violations against canonical order.

On 15 June 2010 Bishop Atanasije Jevtic gave an interview for Romfea.gr regarding the various issues involving the Serbian Church, including that of Bishop Artemije and Simeon Vilovski. It can be read here. Vilovski responded and a debate ensued between them until 14 July 2010. The debate can read here, here, here, here, and here.

On 13 July 2010, Greece's Supreme Court rejected Serbia's request for the extradition of Simeon Vilovski. Read more here. Vilovski's lawyer, Branislav Tapuskovic, said on Tuesday (July 13th) that his client has been released. Upon his release, Simeon made the following statement here.

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Saint Nikolai Velimirovich and Mahatma Gandhi

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE PERSON OF GANDHI THE INDIAN?

A Letter of St. Nikolai Velimirovich to British Noble "Charles B."

As a man of faith, you are troubled by the thought — what will Providence do with Gandhi? And what is the meaning of the appearance of this strange person among the statesmen and politicians of our time?

A warning from God. That is surely the meaning of the leader of the great Indian nation. Through that person, Providence is showing politicians and the statesmen of the world, even Christian ones, that there are other methods in politics than skill, wiliness and violence. Gandhi’s political method is very simple and obvious: he does not require anything except the man who cries out and the God Who hearkens. Against weapons, ammunition and army, Gandhi places FASTING; against skill, wiliness and violence, PRAYER; and against political quarrel, SILENCE. How puny and pathetic that looks in the eyes of modern men, right? In modern political textbooks, these three methods are not even mentioned in footnotes. Fasting, prayer and silence! There is hardly a statesman in Europe or America who would not ironically see these three secrets of the Indian statesmen as three dry twigs pointed on the battlefield against a heap of steel, lead, fire and poison. However, Gandhi succeeds with these three “spells” of his; he succeeds to the astonishment of the whole world. And whether they want to or not, political lawmakers in England and other countries will have to add a chapter into their textbooks: “Fasting, Prayer and Silence as Powerful Weapons in Politics.” Imagine, would it not be to the fortune of all mankind if these methods of the unbaptized Gandhi replaced the methods of the baptized Machiavelli in political science?

But it is not the Indian’s method in itself that is such a surprise to the world, as it is the person using the method. The method is Christian, as old as the Christian faith, and yet new in this day and age. The example of fasting, prayer and silence was shown by Christ to His Disciples. They handed it down to the Church, along with their whole example, and the Church hands it to the faithful from generation to generation until this day. Fasting is a sacrifice, silence is inward examination of oneself, prayer is crying out to God. Those are the three sources of great spiritual power which make man victorious in battle and excellent in life. Is there a man who cannot arm himself with these weapons? And which crude force in this world can defeat these weapons? Of course, these three things do not include all of the Christian faith, but are only a part of its rules, its supernatural mysteries. Sadly, in our time, among Christians, many of these principles are disregarded, and many wonder-working mysteries are forgotten. People have started thinking that one wins only by using steel, that the hailing clouds are dispersed only by cannons, that diseases are cured only by pills, and that everything in the world can be explained simply through electricity. Spiritual and moral energies are looked upon almost as working magic. I think that this is the reason why ever-active Providence has chosen Gandhi, an unbaptized man, to serve as a warning to the baptized, especially those baptized people who pile up one misfortune on another upon themselves and their peoples by using ruthless and harsh means. The Gospel also tells us that Providence sometimes uses such warnings for the good of the people. Your Grace will immediately realize that I am alluding to the Roman captain from Capernaum (Matt. ch. 8). On the one hand, you see the Elders of Israel who, as chosen monotheists of the time, boasted of their faith, meanwhile rejecting Christ, and, on the other hand, you see the despised Roman pagan who came to Christ with great faith and humility, asking Him to heal his servant. And when Jesus heard it, He was astonished and said to those who followed Him, “Truly I say to you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this.” The Christian world is the new, baptized Israel. Listen! Is Christ not telling the same words today to the consciences of the Christian Elders by pointing to today’s captain of India?

Peace and health from the Lord to you.

Source: Missionary Letters of Saint Nikolai Velimirovich: Letters 1-100, trans. Hierodeacon Serafim (Baltic), Vol. VI in A Treasury of Serbian Orthodox Spirituality (Grayslake, IL: New Gracanica Monastery, 2008), pp. 171-173.

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The Trials of Faith

by St. Nikolai Velimirovich

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).

Brethren, our faith is tried more often than is the reed rocked by the winds. Trials are like the winds: a weak faith they will uproot and a strong faith will be strengthened even more. Trials are also like the flame in which straw is burned and gold is purified.

Man's intellectual pursuits and suppositions also try our faith. These are very strong and bitter winds. But we can overcome them if we are willing to adhere to the words of God and if, in opposition to those intellectual pursuits, we are able to emphasize the teachings of the Faith of Christ.

Our faith is further tried by fear and shame: fear of men who persecute the Faith and shame of men who arrogantly despise the Faith. These also are strong winds which we must resist if we wish to remain alive. How will we resist them? By the fear of God which should always be greater in our soul than the fear of men and of shame before the apostles, saints and martyrs who were not ashamed of their faith before emperors, princes and sages of this world.

Our faith is further tried by suffering and misery. This is the fire in which our faith either has to be burned like straw or to be tempered as pure gold. We will resist these trials if we would but remember Christ crucified on the Cross for us and so many thousands of martyrs for the Faith who, in their patience, conquered all and emerged from the flames as gold and who for centuries glow among the angels and among men.

Our faith is also tried by death, the death of our relatives and friends and the death of mankind in general. This is the bitter fire in which the faith of many have been burned. Is death the end of everything? It is not, but rather believe that it is the beginning of everything; it is the beginning of a new and just life. Believe in the Resurrection of Christ, believe in life beyond the grave and believe in the general resurrection and the Dreadful Judgment.

O Good Lord, strengthen the faith in us and have mercy on us. To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

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Arming Ourselves Against Temptations

by St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Christians must arm themselves against the abominations of this world. They must be armed against every attack and against all temptations, so that every evil rebounds from them. Armor is not made in a day, nor in two days but is diligently and laboriously wielded by long-lasting exercise. Of what value is all our virtue if we succumb to the first abomination?

Speaking of this, Saint Gregory of Nyssa cites an example with a monkey in Alexandria. He says: "An animal trainer in Alexandria taught a monkey to skillfully impersonate a female dancer on stage. The spectators at the theatre praised the monkey who was dressed as a female dancer and danced to the beat of the music. But while the viewers were occupied observing such a novel spectacle, a comedian wanted to show everyone that a monkey is nothing more than a monkey. While they all shouted and applauded at the skill of the monkey, the comedian tossed sweets on the stage, sweets that monkeys particularly like. As soon as the monkey saw the sweets, he forgot the dance, the applause, the expensive clothing and jumped with his paws for the sweets but as his dress interfered, he began to tear it apart with his nails attempting to remove it. Instead of praise and amazement, laughter commenced among the viewers." For through the torn mask of the "dancer," a monkey was revealed.

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Saint Mark the Deaf

St. Mark the Deaf (Feast Day - January 2)

We know very little of Saint Mark the Deaf (some calendars have him as Mark the Deaf Mute) other than what is written in the Synaxarion probably from the 13th century on his feast day of January 2nd:

"Saint Mark the Deaf was an ascetic that lived a righteous life and died in peace."

The following stanza is written as well:

"Mark did not hear an earthly word, and before he left the earth, his earthly ears were extracted."

In Rethymno, Crete there exists the only church dedicated to Saint Mark the Deaf not only in all of Greece, but in the entire world. It is located on the grounds of the Holy Monastery of Saint George Arsaniou. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited this chapel in 2003 and served here a Divine Liturgy, praising the fact that the Divine Liturgy was done in sign language.

Though Orthodoxy has many deaf saints, Saint Mark the Deaf has become the patron saint of the deaf. Among other saints who were deaf, there is St. Cadoc (Cadfan) Llankarvansky (+580), St. Drogo (Drew) (+12th cent.), St. Meriadoc (Meredith) (7th cent.), and St Owen Ruensky (Eugene) (+684). Other Orthodox churches in Greece and throughout the world also have services in sign language as well, especially in Russia. Among them is Simonov Monastery in Moscow.

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Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos on Nikos Kazantzakis

The final resting place of Nikos Kazantzakis (1883 - 1957)

Question: Some say that Kazantzakis was religious. That he had spiritual concerns and inquiries...

Answer: And what of of that? What resulted? Do you know what he himself wanted written on his grave? "I have ceased to hope, I have ceased to fear, I am free!" And of course, it was written. Go to the cemeteries and read what is written on the graves of faithful people: "I await the resurrection of the dead" or "The dead are raised and have arisen from the tombs" or "Christ has arisen from the dead, first among those who sleep", and other such things.

Do you know what the last words of Kazantzakis were? "I'm thirsty". Fr. Theoklitos Dionysiatis has written very brilliantly in one of his writings: "Perhaps before his soul departed he tasted of the torturous flames of the furnace of fire like the rich man, and he wanted someone to refresh his tongue."

Read also:

The Ascetic Makarios and Nikos Kazantzakis

Nikos Kazantzakis : The Last Temptation Of Christ : Always Thirsty

Kazantzakis: Prophet of Non-Hope

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