Saint Agatha the Virgin Martyr

St. Agatha the Martyr (Feast Day - February 5)

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Agatha, this glorious virgin and martyr for Christ, was born in the Sicilian town of Palermo of noble and wealthy parents. When Emperor Decius began a persecution against Christians, St. Agatha was arrested and brought to trial before Judge Quintian. The judge, seeing Agatha beautiful in countenance, desired to have her for his wife. When he suggested this, Agatha answered that she is the bride of Christ and cannot be unfaithful to her Betrothed. Quintian subjected her to cruel tortures. Agatha was ridiculed, whipped, bound to a tree and flogged until blood flowed. After that, the judge again tried to persuade her to deny Christ and to avoid any further torture and suffering. To that the bride of Christ replied: "These tortures are very beneficial for me; just as wheat cannot arrive at the granary before it is cleansed from the chaff, so my soul cannot enter into Paradise if my body, beforehand, is not humbled by tortures." Then, the torturer ordered that her breasts be cut off and that she be cast into prison. St. Peter appeared to Agatha in prison and restored her to health and wholeness of body. Again, Agatha was led out for torture and again, cast into prison where she gave up her soul to God in the year 251 A.D. in the town of Catania during the reign of Emperor Decius. After her death, the torturer Quintian departed for Palermo to usurp her estate. However, along the way, his horse and the horses of his soldiers became wild with rage. Quintian was bitten on the face, thrown to the ground and trampled to death. Swift was the punishment of God that reached out for this savage crime perpetrated against St. Agatha.

HYMN OF PRAISE: SAINT AGATHA

Dark is the dungeon; radiant is the martyr,
In the darkness, Saint Agatha glows,
Over the courtyard of the dungeon, drenched with light,
There the tormentor lives, covered with shame,
Thinking up new tortures for the virgin Agatha,
Torments himself and contemplates, darkened in the midst of light,
Who is wedded to Christ, the dungeon is bright,
The palace, a place of despair, to the enemy of justice!

Miracle of St. Agatha

Etna is the largest volcano in Europe, the highest mountain in Italy, and located in Catania, Sicily. St. Gregory the Dialogist once commented, figuratively, that Etna was one of the mouths of Hades.

One year after the repose of St. Agatha, Etna erupted and gushed forth lava as a fiery river. As it approached Catania it burned and destroyed all that lay in its path. Both pagans and Christians, in fear, ran to the tomb of St. Agatha (Sant' Agata). The silk mantle that draped her tomb was placed on a pole, and everyone, clergy and laity, left. Then the wonder occurred, when the grace emanating from the mantle caused the lava to cease in its path and turn back towards the mountain.

As a result of this miracle the esteem of St. Agatha grew among both pagans and Christians. In fact, many pagans became Christians as a result.

The virgin-martyr is also invoked against any outbreak of fire.

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

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Let the Church be clad today with royal purple in a splendid covering dyed in the chaste and hallowed blood of Martyr Agatha, and let it now cry: Rejoice, O thou boast of Catania.

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Video: 1947 Footage of Panagia of Tinos Feastday

Click on photo to see video.

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Romania to Start Building Balkans' Biggest Church

February 4, 2011
Balkan Insight

Romanian Orthodox Church plan to erect a 120-metre-high cathedral in Bucharest draws criticism for alleged extravagance.

Work on the Cathedral of the Redeemer is to start this year in the capital, Bucharest, at an estimated cost of around 400 million euro.

The future cathedral will be the tallest in southeast Europe. Currently, the tallest is St Peter and Paul, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is 107.20 metres high.

The Orthodox Church plans to borrow half the money from banks and the loan is to be guaranteed by the Church's forests, churches and other properties. Money will be reimbursed also from collection plates and private donations.

But the Church has drawn criticism for also seeking help from the cash-strapped state. By law, the state has to provide support for church construction and dilapidation.

Last December, the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, asked the government to stump up 20 million lei [4.7 million euro] this year alone for building the cathedral.

Critics see the demand as inappropriate at a time of economic hardship. "This project is too much extravagant and a new cathedral is not a priority for Romania," journalist Laurentiu Mihu said.

“Instead, the Church should do something real for the redemption and development of society by putting these enormous sums into a huge nationwide social projects," he added.

More than 85 percent of Romania's 21.5 million population belong to the Orthodox church. Many politicians court Church initiatives as a way of attracting sympathy from the electorate.

But some criticize the Orthodox Church for having taken an ambivalent stance towards the former Communist regime, when many bishops adopted a servile attitude, lauding former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, supporting his policies and applauding his ideas about peace.

The construction of the future cathedral is scheduled for completion in 2013. Bucharest already hosts the second-largest building after the Washington Pentagon, the largest hotel and the largest shopping mall in Southeast Europe.

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South Russian Region Seeks To End Valentine's Day and Halloween

February 4, 2011
RIA Novosti

Authorities in the Belgorod Region of Southern Russia have canceled public celebrations of St. Valentine's Day due to its negative influence on young people, a regional government spokesman said on Friday.

Deputy Governor Oleg Polukhin last year signed an order on measures to "ensure spiritual security in the Belgorod Region," the spokesman said.

Under the decree, which was blessed by the Orthodox archbishop of Belgorod, local authorities should not allow celebrations of St. Valentine's Day and Halloween at educational, cultural and other institutions.

"The atmosphere of these holidays does not help young people to develop spiritual and moral values," the spokesman said. "Their celebration is first of all beneficial to commercial organizations."

He added that these instructions were not a direct ban but a recommendation.

"If a school principal organized a disco or a contest on February 14, nobody will fire or rebuke him but we hope that people will consciously give up celebrations of this holiday," the spokesman said.

However, local media were ordered to explain to their audience that Halloween and St. Valentine's Day contradict traditional Russian values and many organizations, including the Belgorod zoo and even night clubs, canceled themed events.

Belgorod University decided to replace the western holiday with a day of Orthodox youth, which will be marked on February 15 with a classical music concert, competitions and even a ball.

In 2008, Russia, which is a secular state under the constitution, introduced an alternative to St. Valentine's in a move to revive a pre-revolutionary tradition. The Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness, also known as the Day of Sts. Peter and Fevronia, the Orthodox patrons of marriage, is marked on July 8 with a daisy being its symbol instead of a red heart.

Meanwhile, this is not the first attempt of the Belgorod authorities to impose restrictions on social activities.

Back in 2004, Governor Yevgeny Savchenko ordered that all DJs should undergo training at the local administration and that special commissions should keep tabs on discos and night clubs. The governor also said no "immoral" music should be played, although no list of banned bands was produced.

In 2010, heavy metal concerts were prohibited at night clubs and restaurants in the Belgorod region.

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The Divnogorsk-Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God

The Divnogorsk-Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God received the first part of its title from where it was enshrined when it was glorified: the Dormition Monastery of Divnogorsk, in the former Ostrogozhsk district in Voronezh governance. Its title of "Sicilian" comes from its place of origin, since by tradition this icon at Diva (i.e. "Wondrous Heights") was brought from Sicily by the pious monastic Elders Xenophon and Joasaph. They suggest that these saints were Orthodox Greeks by birth, and that they had arrived there not earlier than the end of the fifteenth century. Xenophon and Joasaph founded a monastery at a scenic spot above the River Don, near the confluence of the River Tikha Sosna [Quiet Pine River]. The place was called Wondrous Heights by those struck by the form of the chalk columns throughout the hills.

It is said that Xenophon and Joasaph lived in a cave (where later the Church of St John the Forerunner was built), and that they carved out the first church in a chalk column, into which also they put the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God which they had brought with them. Here is where they found their eternal repose.

On the Divnogorsk-Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God, the Theotokos is depicted sitting in the clouds. In Her right hand is a white lily blossom, and with Her left arm She supports the Divine Infant, Who sits upright upon Her knees. The Savior holds a lily blossom in His left hand, and blesses with His right hand. Around the face of the Mother of God are eight angels. The two beneath are shown on bended knee and with hands upraised in prayer. Over the head of the Theotokos is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

The special glorification of the icon began in the year 1831, when cholera was raging. At Korotoyak, 7-8 versts from the monastery, the Most Holy Virgin appeared (as She is depicted in the Divnogorsk Icon) to a certain elderly woman, Ekaterina Kolomenska, in a dream. She commanded that Her icon be brought and a Molieben be served before it. The wonderworking icon was brought to Korotoyak, and after a Molieben before the holy icon, the cholera ceased.

By the intercession of the Mother of God, the city of Ostrogozhsk also was saved from cholera. The people of Korotoyak and Ostrogozhsk were also saved from cholera in 1847 and 1848 through the miraculous intercession of the Mother of God, which occurred after a church procession around these towns with the holy icon.

According to Tradition, the feastday of the wonderworking icon on February 5 was established already at its original habitation by Xenophon and Joasaph.

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Russian Athonite Monastery of St. Panteleimon Currently In Flames

According to Romfea.gr, the building of St. Panteleimon's Monastery on Mount Athos is currently on fire. The report as of a few hours ago stated that fire trucks were on the way to the Monastery.

According to Salonica News, six fire fighters with two trucks were notified. Another four vehicles with twelve firefighters were also notified.

Nothing else is reported at this time.

It should be noted that the Monastery of St. Panteleimon has repeatedly been the victim of fires, most famously in 1307 (when Catalan mercenaries set it aflame) and in 1968.

Read more about the Monastery here.

Two current photos below of the fire were provided by ΑΓΙΟΡΕΙΤΙΚΕΣ ΜΝΗΜΕΣ. This source tells us that the fire is contained and has no danger of harming the katholikon or the Sacred Vessels of the Monastery. The two fire trucks came from the Monasteries of Simonopetra and Xeropotamou which were brought to St. Panteleimon by the ferry named "Saint Anna".

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Vatican Deems Pope's Organs Too Sacred To Save Lives

February 4, 2011
Reuters

Pope Benedict has a soft spot in his heart for organ donations but his body parts can't be donated to save lives after he dies, the Vatican says.

A doctor in Germany had been using the fact that the pope possessed an organ donors' card from a medical association to advocate the practice. The Vatican asked him to stop but he did not.

To settle the matter, the pope's secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, sent a letter to the doctor and the missive was reported in the German program of Vatican Radio.

"It's true that the pope owns an organ donor card ... but contrary to public opinion, the card issued back in the 1970s became de facto invalid with Cardinal Ratzinger's election to the papacy," Vatican Radio quoted from the letter.

In 1999, six years before he was elected to the papacy, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger disclosed that he always carried an organ donor's card with him and encouraged the practice as "an act of love."

Vatican officials say that after a pope dies, his body belongs to the entire Church and must be buried intact. Furthermore, if papal organs were donated, they would become relics in other bodies if he were eventually made a saint.

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Saint Isidore of Pelusium: Life and Writings

St. Isidore of Pelusium (Feast Day - February 4)

Saint Isidore of Pelusium lived during the fourth-fifth centuries. He was a native of Alexandria, and was raised among pious Christians. He was a relative of Theophilus, Archbishop of Alexandria, and of his successor, St Cyril (January 18). While still a youth he quit the world and withdrew to Egypt to Mount Pelusium, which became the site of his monastic efforts.

St Isidore's spiritual wisdom and strict asceticism, combined with his broad learning and innate knowledge of the human soul, enabled him to win the respect and love of his fellow monks in a short time. They chose him as their head and had him ordained a priest (The earliest sources for his life, however, say nothing of him being an igumen).

Following the example of St John Chrysostom, whom he had managed to see and hear during a trip to Constantinople, St Isidore devoted himself primarily to Christian preaching, that "practical wisdom" which, in his own words, is both "the foundation of the edifice and the edifice itself", while logic is "its embellishment, and contemplation its crown."

He was a teacher and a willingly provided counsel for anyone who turned to him for spiritual encouragement, whether it was a simple man, a dignitary, a bishop, the Patriarch of Alexandria, or even the emperor. He left behind about 10,000 letters, of which 2,090 have survived. A large portion of these letters reveal profound theological thought and contain morally edifying interpretations of Holy Scripture. St Photius (February 6) calls Isidore a model of priestly and ascetical life, and also a master of style.

St Isidore's love for St John Chrysostom resulted in his support of St John when he was persecuted by the empress Eudoxia and Archbishop Theophilus. After the death of St John, St Isidore persuaded Theophilus' successor St Cyril to inscribe the name of St John Chrysostom into the Church diptychs as a confessor. Through the initiative of St Isidore the Third Ecumenical Council was convened at Ephesus (431), at which the false teaching of Nestorius concerning the person of Jesus Christ was condemned.

St Isidore lived into old age and died around the year 436. The Church historian Evagrius (sixth century) writes of St Isidore, "his life seemed to everyone the life of an angel upon the earth." Another historian, Nicephorus Callistus (ninth century), praises St Isidore thus, "He was a vital and inspired pillar of monastic rules and divine vision, and as such he presented a very lofty image of most fervent example and spiritual teaching."

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St. Isidore of Pelusium: On Evil Thoughts

Three Epistles on Monasticism and Virginity

14 Letters of Isidore of Pelusium

The Letters of Isidore of Pelusium: a table of letters and edition numbers


The Writings of Saint Isidore of Pelusium

Saint Isidore wrote many epistles, even to emperors (Theodosius II, 408-450) and those in authority, summoning them to be mindful of their duties. He commented on many books of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. He shredded Jewish arguments and errors of interpretation. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were abundantly present in him. The practical philosophy of the disciples of Christ he upheld. He advocated withdrawal from the world, voluntary poverty, and abstinence. He felt that the soul could not discern God in the bustle of everyday life; only in the utmost emancipation from worldly wants could the soul approach divine freedom. He believed, however, that asceticism and flight from the world did not alone suffice: the garland of the virtues must be woven into the monastic conduct. Although our holy father had retired from the world, still he participated in the current needs and perils of the Orthodox. He did not fail in his duty to support and exhort the flock, wherever he could reach with his written words.

Father Isidore, the ascetic and writer, wrote more than three thousand commentaries on theology, dogma, philosophy, Sacred Scripture, and monasticism. He also was not timid to put in writing the specific abuses of each of the clerical ranks. He was instrumental in bringing forth reforms in the Church. He was revered by his contemporaries as a standard of spiritual perfection. Prelates, including Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria, his kinsman, esteemed him as their father. We have two thousand and twelve of his letters,* which reveal the godly Isidore to be a vessel of the Spirit and of great theological learning. His writings are in such eloquent Greek that some enthusiasts wished to have his writings replace the classics in the study of the Greek language. Saint Photios the Great also commends Isidore's style and erudition. Despite all the acclaim and reverence that surround him during his lifetime, he maintained his prudence and humility. Most of Father Isidore's writings were collected at the Monastery of the Akoimetoi or Unsleeping Ones at Constantinople. Father Isidore also wrote Patriarch Cyril regarding the hypostatic union, and warned him against contemporary tendencies toward Monophysitism. His epistles were also translated into Church Slavonic. In 433, following the condemnation of Nestorius at the Ephesian Synod, Father Isidore noted a sharp manner in Cyril's talks with John, Patriarch of Antioch. Isidore counseled his kinsman to make reasonable allowances for the sake of peace in the Church: "As your father," he wrote, "since you are pleased to address me with this name, or rather as your son, I adjure you to halt the dissension, lest there should result a lasting schism under the pretext of piety." In his epistles - mostly brief notes, but frequently of great length - it is evident that he was a highly esteemed spiritual counselor, thoroughly enlightened by God. He manifested himself a shepherd of souls and a teacher versed in Scripture.

* Over 2,000 of them are preserved in Volume 78 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca (PG 78:177-1646); according to some, he wrote over 3,000 epistles, according to others, 10,000. According to the statements of Nicephorus the historian, St. Isidore wrote more than 10,000 letters to various individuals in which he reproached some, counseled some, and comforted and instructed others. In one letter St. Isidore writes: "It is more important to teach by a life of doing good than to preach in eloquent terms." In another, he says: "If one desires that his virtues appear great, let him consider them small and they will surely manifest themselves as great." The first and basic rule for St. Isidore was this: "First do, then teach according to the example of our Lord Jesus."

From The Great Synaxarion of the Orthodox Church (February), translated by Holy Apostles Convent, pp. 119-120.


Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Isidore, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
O All-Blessed Isidore, the Church hath found thee as another morning star; and with the lightning of thy words she is illumined and crieth out: Rejoice, O ven'rable Father of godly mind.

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Saint Cyril of New Lake

Saint Cyril of New Lake was born into a pious family. The Lord marked him as one of the chosen even before he was born. Cyril's mother was praying in church during the Divine Liturgy, and the infant in her womb cried out, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth!"

From the time of his childhood the saint was fond of solitude and prayer, and he dreamt of monastic life. At fifteen years of age Cyril secretly left his parental home, intending to enter the Pskov Caves monastery. He did not know the way to the monastery, and took nothing from home for the journey. He went his way, putting all his trust in the Lord and His All-Pure Mother. Twenty versts from the city the youth met a magnificent monastic Elder, who led him to the monastery. As he left, he blessed him with the words, "May God bless you, my child, and grant you the angelic schema, and may you be a chosen vessel of the Divine Spirit." Having said this, the Elder became invisible. The boy realized that this had been a messenger from God, and he gave thanks to the Lord.

The igumen St Cornelius (February 20) saw with his clairvoyant eye the grace manifest in the young man. He provided him with much guidance and tonsured him into the monastic schema with the name Cyril. The fifteen-year-old monk astonished the brethren with his efforts. He emaciated the flesh through fasting and prayer, and zealously fulfilled obediences. Day and night he was ready to study the Word of God. Even then he thought to end his days in solitude in the wilderness.

The boy's parents mourned him as one dead, but once an Elder of the monastery of St Cornelius came to them and told them about their son and his life at the monastery. The joyful news confirmed in Cyril's mother her love for God. She spoke with her husband about leaving to the monastery her portion of the inheritance, then left the world and became a nun with the name Elena (Helen). She died in peace a short time later.

The saint's father came to the monastery, and Igumen Cornelius told Cyril to meet with him. The saint was troubled, but not daring to disobey the igumen, he fell down at his father's feet, imploring forgiveness for secretly leaving home. The father forgave his son, and he himself remained at the monastery. St Cornelius tonsured him into monasticism with the name Barsanuphius, and gave him to his son for instruction.

Three years later, he peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His son continued to toil more fervently for the Lord, disdaining his own will, and in was obedient not only to the igumen, but also to the brethren. He thirsted to go about all the Russian land, venerating its holy shrines and to find for himself a wilderness place for a life of silence.

With the blessing of St Cornelius, St Cyril left the monastery in which he had grown strong spiritually, and he went to the coastal regions, roaming through the forests and the wild places, eating tree roots and berries. The saint spent about twenty years in this difficult exploit of wanderer, and he went to the outskirts of Moscow, Novgorod and Pskov, but he never entered any house nor did he accept alms. He wandered about during the day, and spent his nights at prayer on church porches, and he attended the church services.

Once while at prayer, St Cyril saw a heavenly light indicating the direction where he should found a monastery. He set off on his way at once, and having reached the Tikhvin monastery, he spent three days and three nights there in ceaseless prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. The Mother of God appeared to him in a dream. Showing Her approval of him, She said, "My servant Cyril, pleaser of the Most Holy Trinity, go to the Eastern region of White Lake, and the Lord My Son will show you the place of rest for your old age."

The saint proceeded to White Lake, weeping copious tears at the miraculous vision. On the lake he saw a small island, from which a pillar of fire rose up to the sky. There, beneath a centuries old spruce tree, St Cyril built a hut, and then set up two cells: one for himself, the other for future brethren. The hermit also constructed two small churches, one in honor of the Resurrection of Christ and the other in honor of the Mother of God Hodigitria. He underwent many temptations from invisible enemies, and from idlers roving about, but he overcame everything by brave endurance and constant prayer. News of his holy life spread everywhere, and brethren gathered around him.

There were many instances of healing through his prayers, and the Lord also granted His saint the gift of foresight. Sensing his impending end, St Cyril summoned the brethren. With tears of humility the saint instructed his spiritual children one last time, until his voice gave out. For a long time then he was silent, but suddenly he cried out with loud sobbing, "I go to the Lord into life eternal, but I entrust you to God the Word and His Grace, bestowing an inheritance and sanctification upon all. May it help you. But I beseech you, do not become lax in fasting and prayers, guard yourself from the snares of the Enemy, and the Lord in His ineffable mercy will not condemn your humility."

Having said this, the saint gave a final kiss to the brethren, received the Holy Mysteries, signed himself with the Sign of the Cross, and with the words "Glory to God for everything!" he gave up his pure soul to the Lord on February 4, 1532.

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Looking at American Christianity in 2011

February 4, 2011
Las Cruces Sun News

The overall focus of American churches shifted dramatically in the last 50 years. I've been in ordained ministry for 45 of those years, and I have experienced these changes in a close, personal and sometimes painful way. Here's how I see it from my perch.

This shift has two parts. I will consider only the first one this week. This is the shift of focus from spiritual growth to social concern. That's a broad stroke, but I think it is accurate. This shift is subtle and tricky to deal with because we are entranced by the idea that the church is in business to "help people." Many friends I had in ministry in the 1960s thought they could better serve God by leaving the church and becoming social workers.

I think this shift is not only wrong, but it has so beguiled the churches that it has now become an uphill battle to oppose it. Once you allow the world to write the agenda for the church everything else becomes a rear-guard action. The world has won; active opposition to the church can end. The so-called "new Atheism" is not needed. Someone tell Sam Harris.

Many churches focus on political or social concerns, not spiritual growth or struggle; social concerns are what you see and hear when you come through the door. People chose churches on the basis of social positions. So long as I agree with the positions of the church, it's OK. If not I'll continue shopping around. Doesn't anyone notice that this means you're making up your own faith agenda as you go along? You're not being challenged to live up to a faith that is hard and edgy and demanding, a faith that precedes any ideas you might bring to it. Once the mask comes off, and you recognize that this is a self-made faith not much remains. It's another form of entertainment, only on a spiritual plane.

Today some churches endorse popular social or political positions and then scramble to invent a theological posture to substantiate the positions. In any sensible world, this would be called pandering. It has also proven a losing strategy. You can't fool all the people all of the time; they see through this ruse.

Perhaps some churches are so fearful of losing members in this era of Christian diminution that they kowtow to positions unthinkable a mere 75 years ago. Look at abortion as a key example. Not one Christian church would have supported an open position on abortion, even 50 years ago. Jesus' path was never easy. It led to a cross, on a rather direct route. After the end of his earthly life, the church followed that pathway as faithfully as it could until recently. No wonder the idea of spiritual struggle was quietly laid aside. It's too difficult, and it's too austere, in a society that has made its peace with materialism and greed covered with a veneer of religiosity. Movements like "the prosperity gospel," for example, are an abomination. Someone tell Joel Osteen.

Don't misunderstand: Christian faith has social implications. No question about it. But the implications grow from the faith; the implications do not determine the faith. Much less do our wishes and fantasies determine our faith. Historically the church's social positions were hammered out of spiritual and theological contemplation. Once it was grounded, the church focused on teaching the faith and becoming a community that would be compelling and inviting so that people would come in, one by one. These dramatically changed persons would, in turn, change society. This is true Christian conservatism.

Fr. Gabriel Rochelle is priest of St. Anthony of the Desert Orthodox Mission. See the web site at http://stanthonylc.org. He also teaches New Testament Studies at St. Sophia Orthodox Seminary, South Bound Brook, N.J.

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Video: A Vision of Holy Russia

Regiment of Cossacks blessed by priest before going into action in the Caucasus in 1916.

To see video, click on photo above.

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Saint Joseph the New Martyr of Aleppo

St. Joseph the New Martyr of Aleppo (Feast Day - February 4)

Τhe holy Νeomartyr Joseph was from the city of Aleppo in Syria. The Saint was slandered by some Turks, claiming that he had said that he would become a Muslim. However, because he didn't want to become a Muslim, the Turks grabbed him in anger and took him to the qadi (Muslim judge), while pushing and beating him up.

In court, the Turks gave false testimony that he had said that he would become Muslim but he refused at the end. As soon as the judge saw him, he said to Joseph: "Come on man become a Muslim and depart from the false Christian religion that you have, and come to the true one. I will keep you near me and you will become a great ruler."

When the Saint heard all these, he replied with great courage: "Behold, what kind of religion is this that you adhere to, and you want others to believe in it? You miserable and wretched people! Where do you find faith and you have even turned it out as being the true one? You miserable people! You don't even know when is your fasting time nor when is your Ramadan. You just sit and wait for the time when you can see the moon in order to begin your fasting, or better, your excessive eating. Then, you sit all night and eat until sunrise and then you fall asleep all day, as if dead in the grave. And when you wake up, you look forward for the time when the sun will go down, so that you can start filling up your stomachs again! Then you again watch out to see the moon, in order to have your Ramadan. And if it happens to be a cloudy night, others have it earlier and others more late, and everybody laughs at you. Is this your faith that you are telling me to believe in? Besides all these, how can I describe your other feeble and unholy beliefs? That God eats and drinks, that in Heaven, as you have imagined, you can enjoy food and drink and make more sexual indulgences than you already do here on earth.

He told them much more about their religion. When they heard all these, they began to grind their teeth with anger against him, and the court issued its decision for him to be beheaded. While beating him up, they led him to the place of executions. There, the Saint knelt down and accepted with joy the crown of martyrdom. He became a Martyr on February 4, 1686.

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How Our Orthodox Brethren In Zambia Commune

The above photo is the exterior view of the Church of Saints Basil and Demetrios in Zambia. The video below is an interior view of the church with a picture of how they have incorporated a unique cultural devotional practice as they approach to receive the Precious Body and Divine Blood of Christ.

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Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver

St. Symeon the God-Receiver (Feast Day - February 3)

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

During the reign of the Egyptian Emperor Ptolemy Philadelphus, Symeon was chosen as one of the prominent Seventy to whom was entrusted the task of translating the Bible from the Hebrew language into the Greek language [The Septuagint].

Symeon was performing his task conscientiously, but when he was translating the book of the Prophet Isaiah and came upon the prophecy: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and will give birth to a son" (Isaiah 7:14), he became confused and took a knife to remove the word "virgin" and to replace it with the words, "young woman," and as such to translate it into Greek. At that moment, however, an angel of God appeared to Symeon and restrained him from his intention, explaining to him that the prophecy is true; that the prophecy is correctly written. The messenger of God also said that Symeon would be convinced of it personally for, according to the Will of God, he will not die until he sees the Messiah born of the Virgin. The righteous Symeon rejoiced to hear such a voice from heaven, left the prophecy unchanged and thanked God Who was making him worthy to live and to see the Promised One.

When the young Child Jesus was presented in the Temple in Jerusalem by the Virgin Mary, the Spirit of God appeared to Symeon who was very old and as "white as a swan." Symeon quickly entered the Temple and there recognized both the Virgin and the young Child by the light that shone around their heads as an aureal. The joyful Symeon took Christ into his hands and prayed to God to release him from this life: "Now, Master, You may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation" (Luke 2: 29-30).

Anna the Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, was also there, who recognized the Messiah and proclaimed Him to the people. "And coming forward at that very moment, she gave thanks to God, and spoke about the Child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). At that time, Anna was eighty-four years old.

St. Symeon died shortly after that. This righteous Elder Simeon is considered to be the Protector of young children.

Read also: A Miracle of St. Symeon the God-Receiver

HYMN OF PRAISE: SAINT SYMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER

When winter encounters spring,
The aged Symeon was of good fortune:
He encountered the long-awaited One,
Who, by the prophets, was foretold,
Him, the mine of all heavenly riches -
As naked, he [Symeon] the young child saw,
And in this manner, Symeon prophesied:
"The evening has descended upon my life;
This One, lay down to conquer many
Or to raise many. Thus the spirit speaks."
The Prophecy of old was fulfilled:
Jesus became the measure and the standard,
The source of happiness, peace and joy,
But also the target of disputes and maliciousness.
One He uplifts, the other He overturns
And Paradise and Hades He opens to men.
Let everyone choose whatever their hearts speak,
In Paradise with Christ! Our heart desires.

A PRAYER FOR A SMALL CHILD

O Powerful Lord, have mercy and save,
Do not extinguish this small flame with death!
This child is like the small flame of a candle,
And the winds of the world are terrible, even to the stars;
A weak fire is banked beneath the ashes
And beneath Your hand, the soul of man.
When the water rises and reaches the throat,
And the flame becomes smaller and the fire becomes damp,
O Lord, save, have mercy and alleviate!
Thus, David the Prophet, prayed to You
Even though he was a huge torch.
And a weak child at the base of heaven
And from sinful thoughts his head began to ache.
Every wind of malice weakened him.
It would be extinguished quickly from the tumultuous winds,
If you do not save, O Helper, hurry,
O Lord, have mercy and save us even now,
And this small flame do not extinguish with death!
Through the prayers, O God, of Your favorite Elder,
Holy Saint Symeon, the wonderful receiver of God.

The Relics of Saint Symeon the God-Receiver

The sacred relics of St. Symeon were kept in the Constantinopolitan Church of Saint James the Brother of the Lord, which was raised by Emperor Justin, near Hagia Sophia. In 1273 the relics were being transferred to Venice, but due to a storm in the Adriatic Sea, they were brought to Zadar in Croatia and remained there.

The relics of St. Symeon today also lie in Jerusalem in the Monastery bearing his name in the western part of the new city near the Monastery of the Holy Cross. The Abbot of the Monastery, Fr. Theodoritos, has served there for thirty years and one of his main goals was to acquire the relic of their patron. The relic was previously located in the city of Zadar in Croatia. With much persistence he was able to acquire a portion of the relic. This was approved on 12 January 2010 and the transfer occurred with much celebration on Sunday 4/17 October 2010. It was received by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

More can be read here and here with photos.

Who Really Was St. Symeon the God-Receiver?

By St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite

There are many commentaries on Saint Symeon the God-Receiver. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, in the Orthros Canon for the day, identifies Symeon as a ministering priest: 'O blessed priest, thou didst offer up the sacrifices of the law, the lamb, for ineffable mercy, showing forth beforehand the blood of the Savior; and receiving Him incarnate, O Symeon, thou wast shown to be more glorious than Moses and all the prophets' [Feb. 3rd, Orthros Canon of the Saint, Ode Eight, Mode Four, by Saint Joseph]. Saint Photios, in his Amphilochia, writes that Symeon was not a priest, but higher and more than a priest. Others maintain that the venerable Symeon was one of the Seventy translators of the Old Testament during the time of Ptolemy II. That Symeon lived long beyond the normal life expectancy is mentioned by George Kedrinos [Synopsis], Meletios of Athens, Euthymios Zygadenos or Zygabenos [Commentary on Luke, ch. 2), and others. This means that the Elder Symeon was at least two hundred and seventy years old when he received the Christ Child in his arms. There are scholars of genealogies that believe he was the son of the Hebrew patriarch Hillel, the father of the famous Gamaliel mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. There are others who say he presided in the first place over the assembly of the Jews. The inviolate testimony of Sacred Scripture states: 'Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Symeon, and this man was just and pious, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been divinely revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he should see the Christ of the Lord' [Lk. 2:25, 26].

Apolytikion in the First Tone
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.

Kontakion in the First Tone
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

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The Photo of Elder Cleopas Unharmed By Fire

On the evening of 17 April 2004 during Bright Week, a fire in Susana Monastery, which is located in the Romanian county of Prahova, destroyed two monastic cells and some of the warehouses. In the midst of the fire, a picture of Elder Cleopas remained intact.

Sister G., whose cell burned, tells us: "When it caught fire I was away. The firefighters began extinguishing the fires in the cells near the church first and no one tried to extinguish the fire in my cell. Everything burned: my bed, wardrobe, and the roof had just been repaired."

As Sister G. said this, not a trace of sadness could be seen in her eyes. "There was ash in the cell reaching my knees", she continued. "I had never met Elder Cleopas personally, but I had a reverence for him after reading his books. The Elder would say that as the grasshopper jumps, so also does the monastic rush towards salvation. I believe these words of the Elder encouraged me to embrace the monastic life (in 1999). Before Pascha I posted his photograph (it is a laminated photo) above my bed. While looking at it, I said: 'When you are canonized, I will place you on the eastern wall'. After the fire, when I returned to the monastery, I met Sister I. whose cell had burned. 'That's alright sister, such was God's will', I told her. I then asked her: 'Has anything of mine been preserved?' Sister V. then answered me: 'Nothing. You have been left only with Fr. Cleopa.' I didn't understand what she meant at the moment. Later I learned the photograph had been untouched by the fire! The firefighters noticed this also. I cannot explain how he was not burned. It was only a cardboard hanging above the bed. I didn't even have a picture frame for it. The bed had a mattress and a quilt of wool, which burned with the bed. An icon of the Virgin Mary also was not burned, which also was made of cardboard, though this was framed. I later found this among the ashes."

The Abbess was later asked to say a few words about this: "Sister G. has great reverence for Elder Cleopa which is why I believe it is a sign of divine mercy. It could have burned, but God said: 'Do you See?' The evil is not that we should rebuild from the beginning what burned - this is the monastic life - but if there should be a lack of spiritual progress."

Source

Sister G. holding the saved photo in front of her burned cell.

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Greek Academy School In Zimbabwe Celebrates Three Hierarchs

Apostolos Papapostolou
February 2, 2011
Greek Reporter

A Greek Orthodox kindergarten, elementary and high school form the Greek Academy. The school operates in the capital of Zimbabwe, under the responsibility of the Greek Community in Harare and surrounding areas. It is a project which had remained a dream for many years and was realized in the beginning of 2008.

The Greek Academy was launched with three classes for the 1st year of high school, a chemistry and physics laboratory, a computer room and library. For the expansion of the School, the Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodoros, provided the amount of 100,000 dollars, collected through donations from Cyprus.

In all three schools where Greek language is taught by teachers appointed by the Ministry of Education in Greece, 540 children are currently attending, out of which 200 are of Greek and Cypriot decent.

On the occasion of the Three Hierarchs Celebration at the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity, a joint celebration was officiated. At the same time meetings by Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe with presidents and councils of the Greek Community, Diaspora associations and Fraternities, as well as pastoral visits and blessings at Greek schools in Harare took place.

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Video: Nun Porphyria - Stories From A Taxi Cab

Nun Porphyria was born and raised in Piraeus, one of five sisters. Early on she worked with shoes, but later became a taxi driver. She believes becoming a taxi driver was the will of God, which she did for ten years.

She has many stories where the taxi became for her a pulpit from where she was able to do the work of Christ and bring people closer to the Church. For example, she helped a drug addict get off the habit with her comforting and loving words, she would open up the doors of love to unbelievers, and even took in to her home a prostitute and helped her find a job (today she is married and has two children); her preaching was with words and acts of love.

Nun Porphyria became a nun after she was hit hard by a motorcycle while crossing the road. She had prayed to either be taken to heaven by Elder Porphyrios or to live and become a nun. One year later, after her recovery and putting her life in order, on the same date and time of her accident, she entered the monastery.

She has published a book about her stories from the taxi, which her spiritual father urged her to publish. Today she is a nun at Agia Skepi in Palaio Faliro, Athens. She continues her ministry of love there.

One piece of advice she has for the people regards a question she often gets: Why should I go to church when the priest himself doesn't believe the things he preaches? Nun Porphyria answers that we do not go to church for the priest, but for our own soul. The words of the Divine Liturgy ought to penetrate the heart through the mind in order for us to experience its joys. And why should we expect forgiveness within the church and not allow forgiveness for priests? This is an injustice. We do not know what may be going on in the life of the priest. He may have his issues as we have our issues. We must learn to forgive priests and the great value of humble obedience.

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The Apostle Paul On the Island of Lesvos (Mytilene)

"When he [Paul] met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mytilene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios" (Acts 20:14, 15).

The Apostle Paul landed in Mytilene in 52 AD and spent the night there after departing Assos and on his way to Chios. This was his third apostolic journey which went from Corinth to Judaea.

It may be gathered from the circumstances of this voyage that the wind was blowing from the N.W.; and it is worthwhile to notice that in the harbor or in the roadstead of Mytilene the ship would be sheltered from that wind. Moreover, it appears that Paul was there at the time of the dark moon, and this was a sufficient reason for spending the night there before going through the intricate passages to the south (see Conybeare and Howson's Life of Saint Paul, p. 210).

During the Roman occupation the island was used as a place of exile for eminent figures who had fallen into disfavor. It appears there was no Christian church established here in the apostolic age. No mention is made of it in ecclesiastical history until a late period; and in the second century heathenism was so rife in Mytilene that a man was annually sacrificed here to Dionysius. 57 early Christian basilicas have been discovered on the island however, indicating a complete conversion of the island early on. Beginning in the fifth century we have a bishop of Mytilene present at a council.

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6 Orthodox Churches Which Celebrate on February 2nd

1. Panagia Chrysaliniotissa in Nicosia, Cyprus

The small church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissa (or Aliniotissa) is the oldest Orthodox Church which lies within the early Frankish and later Venetian walls of Nicosia in Cyprus. It owes its name to the miraculous finding of the icon of the Theotokos inside dense thorny bushes (alinies). It was built in the mid-15th century AD by the wife of the Frankish king John II, Helen Palaiologina, to serve the spiritual needs of Orthodox residents of the capital, which until then there only existed Catholic churches and monasteries in the area. The church over the years received numerous reconstructions to get the current form. One radical change was during the Ottoman occupation, when a substantial reconstruction towards a Byzantine architecture took place around 1735.

The church once housed the western-style image of Madonna della Consolazione, which today is found in the Byzantine Museum of Nicosia.



2. Panagia Goumenissa in Goumenissa, Greece

The Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa is in the small town of the same name which is also the seat of the Metropolitan of the newly established Metropolis of Goumenissa, Axioupolis and Polykastron (established in 1991).

The first report with the name Goumenissa comes from the year 1346, during the era of the Palaiologos Dynasty. In an Imperial Act of this year, the region of Goumenissa was granted to the Holy Monastery of Iveron of Mount Athos and it eventually became an important spiritual centre of central Macedonia because of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary. Next to the Monastery existed a settlement that a little later with the union of small agro-pastoral settlements created a dynamic town that was named Goumenissa. Since the Virgin Mary is the Abbess (Igoumenissa) of Athonite monasteries, the name stuck for this monastic dependency and the town. In 1931 the Monastery became independent.

The Monastery has its origins from the various ascetics who had settled on the slopes of Mount Paiko in the 14th century. It is thought that the ruins found at the Church of Saint Paraskevi Pentalofou were once monastic cells. These monastics especially venerated an icon of the Theotokos, which one day vanished from its place and settled 7 km further down where Panagia Goumenissa is found today. When the icon moved they brought it back, but after three times of it miraculously moving away, they realized that it was the will of the Panagia for the icon to settle there.

During the Ottoman occupation (1430-1912), the Monastery acquired great wealth and land because of it spiritual importance in the area. In the 19th century, because the monks resisted the Turks, bandits from Turkey and Albania looted the Monastery and hanged the Abbot in the woods of the Monastery, which is today's central square. It was in memory of his sacrifice that the town acquired the name of the Monastery - Goumenissa. Since then the town and the Monastery have been inextricably tied.

The current katholikon of the Monastery is not the original church, but was built in the end of the 17th century. Many renovations were done in 1802, 1837 and in the middle of the 19th century as well. In 1924 many Greek refugees from Asia Minor settled in the area. In 1931 Iveron Monastery gave over their metochion to the State and the local Church. The sacred vessels and holy relics were returned to Iveron and the Monastery was occupied by the refugees. In 1951 the Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa was re-established (12/17/1951). Because the Monastery lacked monks, Metropolitan Ambrose of Kilkisios and Polyani made it into a shrine while preserving the monastic regime. In 1991 the monastic community revived with the establishment of the new Metropolis as a male monastery.

The Monastery has four feast days:

- February 2 (with vigil)
- First Sunday of March (with procession)
- The third day of Pascha (with procession)
- A three day feast beginning on August 15th






3. Panagia Marouliani in Oia, Santorini

In the village of Finikia next to the village of Oia in Santorini there is a large church called Panagia Marouliani dedicated to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and is celebrated with much festivity annually on February 2nd.

The origin of the name "Marouliani" is rumored to have stemmed from Asia Minor where many years ago (around 1800 AD) in a rural suburb of Smyrna, a Greek farmer found buried in his field under roots of lettuce (μαρουλιών or maroulion) a small wooden icon of the Presentation of Christ. Later, with the establishment of the Greek State, there arrived refugees from Asia Minor in Santorini (ca. 1840 AD) and they built the church that stands today to house the icon.


4. Panagia Thalassitra in Kastro, Milos

Panagia Thalassitra Church, renowned patron of sailors, is located in Kastro, just above Plaka, in one of the most beautiful spots of Milos. The church dates to the thirteenth century. Over its side door are the arms of Giovanni IV Crispo (r. 1517-1564), the last duke of Naxos to rule over the Cyclades before they fell to the Turks. It was reconstructed in 1738, and later on renovated and united with the small chapel of Panagia Eleousa. Thalassitra means "of the sea". The church houses fine icons by Emmanuel Skordilis and his students.



5. Panagia of Holy Obedience in Kostos, Paros

The Church of Panagia of Holy Obedience (oi Agia Ypakoe or η Αγία Υπακοή) is also known by locals as Agia Pakou (Αγία Πακού) or Panagia oi Pakou (Παναγιά η Πακού). It is dedicated to the Presentation of Christ and was formerly a dependency of the Monastery of Chozoviotissa in Amorgos and renovated in 1609 AD. They gave her the nickname "Holy Obedience" honoring the Virgin Mary's obedience to God's will in giving birth to the Son of God, and in accordance with this the people ought to obey the will of God as well.


6. Panagia of the Wicked Bees in Levadi, Kythera

The icon of the Theotokos of the Wicked Bees (Θεοτόκου Κακιάς Μέλισσας) is found in the village of Levadi in Kythera. It received its name because at one time certain pirates invaded the island in order to plunder the monastery. Suddenly there appeared a swarm of bees which attacked the pirates and forced them to retreat.

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Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord In the Temple

The Presentation of Christ In the Temple (Feast Day - February 2)

Today the Church commemorates an important event in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 2:22-40). Forty days after His birth the God-Infant was taken to the Jerusalem Temple, the center of the nation's religious life. According to the Law of Moses (Lev. 12:2-8), a woman who gave birth to a male child was forbidden to enter the Temple of God for forty days. At the end of this time the mother came to the Temple with the child, to offer a young lamb or pigeon to the Lord as a purification sacrifice. The Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, had no need of purification, since she had given birth to the Source of purity and sanctity without defilement. However, she humbly fulfilled the requirements of the Law.

At this time the righteous Elder Symeon (February 3) was living in Jerusalem. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he should behold the promised Messiah. By inspiration from above, St Symeon went to the Temple at the very moment when the Most Holy Theotokos and St Joseph had brought the Infant Jesus to fulfill the Law.

The God-Receiver Symeon took the divine Child in his arms, and giving thanks to God, he spoke the words repeated by the Church each evening at Vespers: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32). St Symeon said to the Most Holy Virgin: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).

At the Temple was the 84-year-old widow Anna the Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel (February 3), "who did not leave the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. She arrived just when St Symeon met the divine Child. She also gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:37-38). In the icon of the Feast she holds a scroll which reads: "This Child has established Heaven and earth."

Before Christ was born, righteous men and women lived by faith in the promised Messiah, and awaited His coming. The Righteous Symeon and the Prophetess Anna, the last righteous people of the Old Testament, were deemed worthy to meet the Savior in the Temple.

The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is among the most ancient feasts of the Christian Church. We have sermons on the Feast by the holy bishops Methodius of Patara (+ 312), Cyril of Jerusalem (+ 360), Gregory the Theologian (+ 389), Amphilocius of Iconium (+ 394), Gregory of Nyssa (+ 400), and John Chrysostom (+ 407). Despite its early origin, this Feast was not celebrated so splendidly until the sixth century.

In 528, during the reign of Justinian, an earthquake killed many people in Antioch. Other misfortunes followed this one. In 541 a terrible plague broke out in Constantinople, carrying off several thousand people each day. During this time of widespread suffering, a solemn prayer service (Litia) for deliverence from evils was celebrated on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, and the plague ceased. In thanksgiving to God, the Church established a more solemn celebration of this Feast.

Church hymnographers have adorned this Feast with their hymns: St Andrew of Crete in the seventh century; St Cosmas Bishop of Maium, St John of Damascus, and St Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople in the eighth century; and St Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonica in the ninth century.

On this day we also commemorate the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos known as "the Softening of Evil Hearts" or "Symeon's Prophecy." The Mother of God is depicted without Her Child, with seven swords piercing her breast: three from the left side, three from the right, and one from below.

A similar icon, "Of the Seven Swords" (August 13) shows three swords on the left side and four from the right.

The icon "Symeon's Prophecy" symbolizes the fulfillment of the prophecy of the righteous Elder Symeon: "a sword shall pierce through your own soul" (Luke 2:35).

Source


Related Links:

Origins of the Feast of the Presentation of Christ

St. Sophronius of Jerusalem's Candlemas Sermon

Megalynaria of the Presentation of Christ

Does the Pure One Have Need of Purification?

The Ritual Purification of Women in Leviticus and Its Relevance for Orthodox Women Today

The Pierced Soul of the Theotokos

Discovery of the Panagia Ypapanti Icon in Kalamata

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Kalamata

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

The fortieth day after His birth, the All-Holy Virgin brought her Divine Son into the Temple of Jerusalem, in accordance with the Law, to dedicate Him to God and to purify herself.

"Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites both of man and beast, for it belongs to me" (Exodus 13:2).

"Tell the Israelites: when a woman has conceived and gives birth to a boy, she shall be unclean for seven days, with the same uncleanness as at her menstrual period. On the eighth day, the flesh of the boy's foreskin shall be circumcised, and then she shall spend thirty-three days more in becoming purified of her blood; she shall not touch anything sacred nor enter the sanctuary till the days of her purification are fulfilled. If she gives birth to a girl, for fourteen days she shall be as unclean as at her menstruation, after which she shall spend sixty-six days in becoming purified of her blood. When the days of her purification for a son or for a daughter are fulfilled, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the meeting tent a yearling lamb for a holocaust and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. The priest shall offer them up before the Lord to make atonement for her, and thus she will be clean again after her flow of blood. Such is the law for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl child" (Leviticus 12:2-7).

Even though neither the one nor the other was necessary, nevertheless the Lawgiver did not, in anyway, want to transgress His own Law which He had given through Moses, His servant and prophet.

At that time, the high-priest Zacharias, the father of John the Forerunner, was on duty in the Temple ["serving as a priest before God in the order of his division" Luke 1:8]. Zacharias placed the Virgin, not in the temple area reserved for women but rather in the area reserved for virgins.

On this occasion, two unusual persons appeared in the Temple: the Elder Symeon and Anna, the daughter of Phanuel. The righteous Symeon took the Messiah in his arms and said: "Now, Master, You may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation" (Luke 2: 29-30). Symeon also spoke the following words about the Christ-child: "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel" (Luke 2:34). Then Anna, who from her youth served God in the Temple by fasting and prayers, recognized the Messiah and glorified God and proclaimed to the inhabitants of Jerusalem about the coming of the long-awaited One.

The Pharisees present in the Temple, who having seen and heard all, became angry with Zacharias because he placed the Virgin Mary in the area reserved for virgins and reported this to King Herod. Convinced that this is the new king about whom the Magi from the east spoke, Herod immediately sent his soldiers to kill Jesus. In the meantime the Holy Family had already left the city and set out for Egypt under the guidance of an angel of God.

The Feast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple was celebrated from earliest times but the solemn celebration of this day was established in the year 544 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Justinian.

Apolytikion in the First Tone
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.

Kontakion in the First Tone
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

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Byzantine Church Found In Israel May Be Tomb of Prophet Zechariah

Matti Friedman
February 2, 2011
Associated Press

Israeli archaeologists presented a newly uncovered 1,500-year-old church in the Judean hills on Wednesday, including an unusually well-preserved mosaic floor with images of lions, foxes, fish and peacocks.

The Byzantine church located southwest of Jerusalem, excavated over the last two months, will be visible only for another week before archaeologists cover it again with soil for its own protection.

The small basilica with an exquisitely decorated floor was active between the fifth and seventh centuries A.D., said the dig's leader, Amir Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority. He said the floor was "one of the most beautiful mosaics to be uncovered in Israel in recent years."

"It is unique in its craftsmanship and level of preservation," he said.

Archaeologists began digging at the site, known as Hirbet Madras, in December. The Antiquities Authority discovered several months earlier that antiquities thieves had begun plundering the ruins, which sit on an uninhabited hill not far from an Israeli farming community.

Though an initial survey suggested the building was a synagogue, the excavation revealed stones carved with crosses, identifying it as a church. The building had been built atop another structure around 500 years older, dating to Roman times, when scholars believe the settlement was inhabited by Jews.

Hewn into the rock underneath that structure is a network of tunnels that archaeologists believe were used by Jewish rebels fighting Roman armies in the second century A.D.

Stone steps lead down from the floor of church to a small burial cave, which scholars suggest might have been venerated as the burial place of the Old Testament prophet Zachariah.

Ganor said the church would remain covered until funding was obtained to open it as a tourist site.

Israel boasts an exceptionally high concentration of archaeological sites, including Crusader, Islamic, Byzantine, Roman, ancient Jewish and prehistoric ruins.

Related posts:

Video of the Possible Tomb of Zechariah the Prophet

Church Unearthed May Hold Zechariah Tomb

Antiquities Theft Leads Archaelogists To Discovery of Ancient Church and Tunnels

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