April 2, 2016

Saint Titus the Wonderworker

St. Titus the Wonderworker (Feast Day - April 2)

Verses

What is this Titus? Why have you left your life behind?
I have left for another place, the glory of the Lord.
On the second the soul of Titus was taken up by intelligences.

Our Holy Father Titus the Wonderworker loved God from his youth and early on displayed zeal for the monastic life. He therefore pursued asceticism in the ninth century at the Studion Monastery near Constantinople. His humility and obedience exceeded not only that of the brethren of the Monastery, but of all the monastics of his time. By his deeds of fasting, purity of life and mild disposition, Titus gained the love of the brethren, and at their request he was ordained priest and abbot.

Fervent of faith, the Saint stood up for the Orthodox veneration of icons during the Iconoclast persecution. Because of his virtuous life, and the purity of his body and soul that he maintained from his youth, God granted him the gift of wonderworking. Saint Titus was translated to the Lord in his old age, after giving to his disciples and fellow ascetics an example of a virtuous and God-pleasing life.


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Dedicated to the Lord from childhood, thou didst live in the world like an Angel and receive grace from God to work miracles. Thou wast a guide of monks and a wise steward, O Titus. Fervently pray to Christ our God for the world.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
You forsook the tumult of life; you lived your life in tranquility, O wise one. You have passed over to God, venerable wonderworker, Titus our father.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Thou didst purify thyself through prayer and abstinence, and shine forth with the brightness of grace and virtues, thus gladdening those who sing to thee: Rejoice, O Titus, adornment of the Father.