I will be traveling for the next eleven days and be away from a computer, so there will not be any further posts until my return. Till then I have posted the daily Saints and Feasts for daily reading. Below also is a portion of an interview I did about a year and a half ago, the rest of which I may post at a later time. The interviewer, who is a friend of mine from seminary, wanted me to publish it on my site to familiarize my readers a little bit more about me and this ministry. It was never published because I thought more important things needed to be published, but since I promised the interviewer I would do it, here it is. Enjoy.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
Saints and Feasts of March 9
On the ninth the legs of the forty men were broken.
Holy Forty Great Martyrs of Sebaste
Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste Resource Page
Holy Martyr Urpasianos
Synaxarion of the Holy Martyr Urpasianos
Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus,
Brother of Gregory the Theologian
Brother of Gregory the Theologian
Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus, Brother of Gregory the Theologian
Holy Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother
and Two Children Martyrs
and Two Children Martyrs
Venerable Vitalis of Castronovo in Sicily
Holy Forty-Two Martyrs of Momisici
Forty-Two Martyrs of Momisici Canonized
Holy New Martyrs Christos the Priest and Panagos
Holy New Martyrs Christos the Priest and Panagos (+ 1716)
Saints and Feasts of March 8
On the eighth Theophylaktos went near to God.
Venerable Theophylaktos, Bishop of Nicomedia
Saint Theophylaktos, Bishop of Nicomedia (+ c. 840)
Saint Theophylaktos of Nicomedia as a Model for our Lives
Venerable Paul the Confessor, Bishop of Prusia
Saint Paul the Confessor, Bishop of Prusia
Holy Apostle Hermas of the Seventy
Holy Apostle Hermas of the Seventy
Holy Martyr Dion
Holy Martyr Dion
Venerable Dometios
Venerable Dometios
Saint Pontius of Carthage
Saint Felix, Bishop of Dunwich
Venerable Lazarus of Murom
Commemoration of the Miracle of the Kursk-Root Icon
of the Mother of God in 1898
Saints and Feasts of March 7
On the seventh the seven fathers were carried off in death.
Holy Seven Hieromartyrs of Chersonesos,
the Bishops Ephraim, Basil, Eugenios, Agathodoros,
Elpidios, Aitherios and Kapiton
the Bishops Ephraim, Basil, Eugenios, Agathodoros,
Elpidios, Aitherios and Kapiton
Synaxarion of the Holy Seven Hieromartyrs of Chersonesos
Saints Arkadios and Nestor,
Bishops of Tremithus in Cyprus
Bishops of Tremithus in Cyprus
Saints Arkadios and Nestor, Bishops of Tremithus in Cyprus
Venerable Paul the Simple
Saint Ephraim, Patriarch of Antioch
Synaxarion of Saint Ephraim, Patriarch of Antioch (+ 545)
Venerable Laurentios of Megara,
Founder of the Sacred Monastery
Founder of the Sacred Monastery
of Phaneromenis in Salamina
Saint Laurentios of Megara, Founder of the Sacred Monastery of Phaneromenis in Salamina
The Wonderworking Icon of the Venerable Laurentios in Nea Ionia
Saint Aimilianos the Roman
with his Companions James and Marianos
Saint Aimilianos the Roman
Holy Martyr and Confessor Johannes of Ilomantsi
Holy Martyr and Confessor Johannes of Ilomantsi (+ 1918)
Two New Saints from Finland Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Synaxis of All Saints of the Dodecanese
Synaxis of All Saints of the Dodecanese
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Saints and Feasts of March 6
On the sixth the heads of the forty-two were cut off together.
Holy Forty-Two Great Martyrs of Ammoria
Holy Forty-Two Martyrs of Ammoria in Phrygia (+ 845)
The Holy 42 Martyrs of Amorium as Models for our Lives
Venerable Arkadios of Cyprus
Venerable Arkadios of Cyprus with the Holy Martyrs Julian and Euboulos
Holy Martyrs Julian and Euboulos
Venerable Arkadios of Cyprus with the Holy Martyrs Julian and Euboulos
Venerable Hesychios the Wonderworker
Synaxarion of our Venerable Father Hesychios the Wonderworker
Holy Venerable Martyr Maximos
Holy Venerable Martyr Maximos
Holy Martyr Euphrosynos
Holy Martyr Euphrosynos
Venerable Job (in schema Joshua) of Anzersk
Saint Job (in schema Joshua) of Anzersk (+ 1720)
Commemoration of the Finding of the Honorable Cross
and Nails by Saint Helen
Commemoration of the Finding of the Honorable Cross and Nails by Saint Helen
The Forgotten Feast and Hidden Mysteries of the Cross
Finding of the Miraculous Icon
of Jesus Christ at Agia Moni
of Jesus Christ at Agia Moni
The Miraculous Icon of Jesus Christ at Agia Moni
Saints and Feasts of March 5
On the fifth Conon released his stout-hearted soul.
Holy Venerable Martyr Conon of Isauria
Holy Martyr Nestor,
Father of Saint Conon of Isauria
Synaxarion of the Holy Venerable Martyr Conon of Isauria
Holy Martyr Conon the Gardner
Holy Martyr Conon the Gardener
Venerable Mark the Ascetic and Wonderworker
Venerable Mark the Hermit of Athens
Saint Mark the Anchorite of Athens
Venerable Mark the Hermit
Holy Martyr Eulogios of Palestine
Holy Martyr Eulogios of Palestine
Holy Martyr Eulampios of Palestine
Holy Martyr Eulampios of Palestine
Holy Martyr Archelaos and the
One Hundred and Fifty-Two Martyrs With Him
One Hundred and Fifty-Two Martyrs With Him
Holy Martyr Archelaos and the One Hundred and Fifty-Two Martyrs With Him
Holy Venerable Martyr Adrian of Poshekhonye
and his fellow-ascetic Venerable Leonid
and his fellow-ascetic Venerable Leonid
Holy New Martyr John of Bulgaria
Holy New Martyr John of Bulgaria (+ 1784)
Holy New Hieromartyr Parthenios Partheniades
Holy New Martyr George of Rapsani
Saint Nikolai Velimirovich,
Bishop of Ochrid and Zhicha
Bishop of Ochrid and Zhicha
Saint Nikolai Velimirovich, the Serbian Chrysostom (+ 1956)
Saint Nikolai Velimirovich, Bishop of Ochrid and Zhicha
Response To Slanders Against St. Nikolai Velimirovich and St. Justin Popovich
Uncovering of the Relics of the Holy Prince
Theodore of Smolensk and his Children
Theodore of Smolensk and his Children
Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas Resource Page
Verses
The fountain of light leadeth unto the unwaning light,
The radiant herald of the light and the truly great mind.
Second Sunday of Great Lent, or the
Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas
Labels:
Great Lent,
St. Gregory Palamas
Saints and Feasts of March 4
On the fourth Gerasimos departed life.
Venerable Gerasimos of Jordan
Saint Gerasimos of Jordan Resource Page
Holy Martyrs Paul and Juliana
Holy Martyrs Paul and Juliana of Ptolemais
Holy Martyrs Kodratos, Akakios and Stratonikos
Holy Martyrs Paul and Juliana of Ptolemais
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Assos
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Assos, and the Discovery of His Relics in 1935
Venerable Gerasimus of Vologda
Saint Gerasimus of Vologda (+ 1178)
Holy Right-Believing Prince Basil of Rostov
Holy Right-Believing Prince Basil of Rostov (+ 1238)
Holy Hieromartyrs Joasaph of Snetogorsk
and Basil of Mirozh
Holy Hieromartyrs Joasaph of Snetogorsk and Basil of Mirozh (+ 1299)
Holy Right-Believing Prince Daniel of Moscow
Labels:
Saints of March
Saints and Feasts of March 3
On the third Eutropios contended for the prize
on the wood of the cross.
on the wood of the cross.
Holy Martyr Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos
Saints Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos the Martyrs
Holy Hieromartyr Theodoret, Presbyter of Antioch
Synaxarion of the Holy Hieromartyr Theodoret of Antioch
Saints Zenon and Zoilos
Saints Zenon and Zoilos
Venerable Piamun the Virgin
Holy Amma Piamun the Virgin of Egypt
The Unknown Maiden
The Unknown Maiden
Saint John Chrysostom IV, Catholicos of Georgia
Saint John Chrysostom IV, Catholicos of Georgia (+ 1001) and Saint John Chrysostom V, Catholicos of Georgia (+ 1048)
Saint John Chrysostom V, Catholicos of Georgia
Saint John Chrysostom IV, Catholicos of Georgia (+ 1001) and Saint John Chrysostom V, Catholicos of Georgia (+ 1048)
Synaxis of the Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God
Synaxis of the Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God
Labels:
Saints of March
Saints and Feasts of March 2
On the second Hesychios hastened to ascend to the heavens.
Holy Martyr Hesychios the Senator
Synaxarion of the Holy Martyr Hesychios the Senator
Holy Hieromartyr Theodotos,
Bishop of Kyrenia in Cyprus
Holy Hieromartyr Theodotos, Bishop of Kyrenia in Cyprus (+ 326)
Holy Confessor Kointos the Wonderworker
Synaxarion of the Holy Confessor Kointos the Wonderworker
Holy Martyrs Nestor and Tribimios
Synaxarion of the Holy Martyrs Nestor and Tribimios
Holy Martyr Troadios and Those With Him
Holy Martyr Troadios of Neocaesarea and Those With Him
Holy Martyr and Virgin Euthalia
Holy Virgin and Martyr Euthalia of Sicily
Saint Euthalia as a Model for our Lives
Holy Martyrs Andronikos and Athanasia
Holy Martyrs Andronikos and Athanasia
Holy Four-Hundred and Forty Martyrs
Who Were Killed by the Lombards
The Four-Hundred and Forty Martyrs Who Were Killed by the Lombards
Saint Arsenius, Bishop of Tver
Venerable Sabbatius of Tver
Saint Sabbatius of Tver (+ 1434)
Venerable Joachim of Ithaca
Saint Joachim the Papoulakis Resource Page
Saint Nicholas Planas
Saint Nicholas Planas Resource Page
Synaxis of the Reigning Icon of the Mother of God
Miracle on the Day of the Abdication Of Tsar Nicholas II (March 2, 1917)
The Enthroned (or "Reigning") Mother of God Icon
Labels:
Saints of March
Saints and Feasts of March 1
On the first of March Eudokia endured the sword.
Holy Venerable Martyr Eudokia the Samaritan
Holy Martyr Eudokia the Samaritan of Heliopolis
Saint Eudokia the Samaritan as a Model for our Lives
Venerable Domnina the New
Saint Domnina the New of Syria
Holy Martyr Antonina
Saint Antonina the Martyr of Nicaea
Holy Martyrs Markellos and Anthony
Holy Martyrs Markellos and Anthony
Holy Martyrs Sylvestor and Sophronios
Holy Martyrs Sylvestor and Sophronios
Holy Martyr Nestorianos
Holy Martyr Nestorianos
Holy Martyrs Charisios, Nikephoros and Agapios
Holy Martyrs Charisios, Nikephoros and Agapios
Venerable Agapios of Vatopaidi
Saint Agapios of Vatopaidi
Venerable Synesios of Lysi in Cyprus
Venerable Martyrius of Zelenets
Saint Martyrius of Zelenets (+ 1603)
Holy New Martyr Paraskevas of Trebizond
Venerable Mother Zosima of Ennatsky
Labels:
Saints of March
Sunday of Orthodoxy Resource Page
Verses
I rejoice on seeing the Icons that were unworthily,
Banished being accorded fitting veneration.
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Labels:
Great Lent,
Heresy,
Iconoclasm,
Iconography,
Orthodoxy
Reflection for the Sunday of Orthodoxy (St. Theophan the Recluse)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
The Sunday of Orthodoxy.[1] Do not forget the right word[2] which you spoke to God, renewing your covenant with Him which you broke through your negligence. Remember how and why you broke it and try to avoid being unfaithful again. Pretty words are not glorious; faithfulness is glorious. Is it not glorious to have a covenant with a king? How much more glorious is it to have a covenant with the King of kings! But this glory becomes your disgrace if you are not faithful to this covenant. How many great people have been glorified since the beginning of the world! And all of them have been glorified for their faithfulness, in which they stood firm, regardless of great misfortunes and sorrows as a result of this faithfulness. They had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth…. Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 11:36–38; 12:1–2).
Notes:
[1] The first Sunday of Great Lent is called “The Sunday of Orthodoxy,” and celebrates the restoration of the veneration of Icons and the victory of Orthodoxy over the Iconoclast heresy.
[2] “The right word” is a reference to the meaning of the word “Orthodox” in Russian, which is literally “rightly glorifying.”
Labels:
Great Lent,
St. Theophan the Recluse
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Saints and Feasts of February 28
On the twenty-eighth the image of Basil
was hidden under the earth.
was hidden under the earth.
Venerable Basil the Confessor
Saint Basil the Confessor
Holy Hieromartyr Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria
Holy Hieromartyr Proterios, Patriarch of Alexandria (+ 457)
Venerable Barsos, Bishop of Damascus
Saint Barsos, Bishop of Damascus
Holy Martyr Abrikios
Holy Martyr Abrikios
Holy Martyr Nestor
Holy Hieromartyr Nestor, Bishop of Megydos
Venerable Marana and Kyra
Saints Marana and Kyra, Two Female Ascetics of Syria
Holy Six Martyrs of Egypt
Holy Six Martyrs of Egypt
Holy Apostles Nymphas and Eubulus of the Seventy
Holy Apostles Nymphas and Eubulus of the Seventy
Holy New Martyr Kyranna the Sound-Minded
Saint Kyranna the New Martyr Resource Page
Holy Venerable Martyr Jonah of Leros
Holy Venerable Martyr Jonah of Leros (+ 1561)
Saint Nicholas of Pskov
Holy Martyrs Who Died in the
Great Plague in Alexandria
If it is not a leap year, then the following Saints are celebrated
on February 28th; otherwise they are celebrated on
February 29th.
February 29th.
Venerable Cassian the Roman
Saint John Cassian Resource Page
Venerable Germanus of Dobrogea
Saint Germanus of Dobrogea
Venerable Leo the Cappadocian
Saint Leo the Cappadocian
Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Develtos
Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Develtos
Saint Oswald of Worcester, Archbishop of York
Saint Oswald of Worcester, Archbishop of York (+ 992)
Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Kharkov and Akhtyr
Labels:
Saints of February
Saints and Feasts of February 27
On the twenty-seventh the end of Prokopios was manifested.
Venerable Prokopios the Decapolite and Confessor
Saint Prokopios the Decapolite and Confessor
Holy Martyr Gelasios the Mime
The Baptism and Martyrdom of the Comedic Actor Saint Gelasios
Venerable Thalelaios
Saint Thalelaios the Cilician
The Novel Ascetic Feat of Saint Thalelaios the Cilician
Saint Stephen,
Who Organized a Home for the Elderly in Armatios
Who Organized a Home for the Elderly in Armatios
Saint Stephen, Who Organized a Home for the Elderly in Armatios (+ 614)
Holy Martyr Nesios
Holy Martyr Nesios
Venerable Asklepios and James
Saints Asklepios and James, Hermits of Syria
Venerable Timothy of Caesarea
Venerable Timothy of Caesarea
Venerable Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Caves
Saint Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Caves (+ 1190)
Venerable Titus the Soldier of the Kiev Caves
Saint Titus the Soldier of the Kiev Caves (+ 14th cent.)
Holy New Martyr Elias of Trebizond
Holy New Martyr Elias of Trebizond (+ 1749)
Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny), Bishop of Brooklyn
Venerable Ephraim of Katounakia
Labels:
Saints of February
Saints and Feasts of February 26
On the twenty-sixth the corpse of Porphyrios
was hidden in the earth.
was hidden in the earth.
Venerable Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza
Synaxarion of our Venerable Father Porphyrios the Bishop of Gaza
Saint Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza (+ 420)
Saint Porphyrios of Gaza and the World of Late Antiquity
The Miraculous Healing of St. Porphyrios of Gaza by the Thief on the Cross
Holy Martyr Photini the Samaritan
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Anatoli, Sister of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Photo, Sister of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Photida, Sister of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
The Holy Water of Saint Photida and the Faith of the Turkish Aga
Holy Martyr Paraskevi, Sister of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Kyriaki, Sister of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Photinos, Son of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Joses, Son of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Sebastian the Military Commander
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Victor the General, Son of Saint Photini
Saint Photini the Samaritan Resource Page
Holy Martyr Theokletos the Sorcerer
Holy Martyr Christodoulos
Holy Martyr Christodoulos
Venerable Sebastian of Poshekhonye
Saint Sebastian of Poshekhonye (+ 1492)
Holy New Martyr John Kalphas
Holy New Martyr John Kalphas (+ 1575)
Commemoration of the Ordination of
Saint John Chrysostom
as Archbishop of Constantinople
Commemoration of the Ordination of Saint John Chrysostom as Archbishop of Constantinople (February 26, 398)
Labels:
Saints of February
Saints and Feasts of February 25
On the twenty-fifth Tarasios flew away from commotion.
Saint Tarasios, Archbishop of Constantinople
Saint Tarasios Resource Page
Holy Martyr Alexander at Drizipara of Thrace
Saint Alexander the Roman, Who Was Martyred in Drizipara of Thrace
Holy Hieromartyr Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos
Holy Hieromartyr Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos (+ 362)
Saint Reginos the Hieromartyr and Wonderworking Patron of Skopelos
Holy Martyr Anthony
Holy Martyr Anthony
Saint Theodore the Fool for Christ
Saint Theodore the Fool for Christ
Saint Markellos, Bishop of Soli in Cyprus
Saint Markellos, Bishop of Soli in Cyprus
Saint Walburga, Abbess of Heidenheim
Saint Walpurga and the Witches of Walpurga's Night
Labels:
Saints of February
Homily for the First Saturday of Great Lent (St. John of Kronstadt)
By St. John of Kronstadt
"Hereafter ye shall see heaven open." (John 1:51)
I congratulate myself and many of you, my beloved brethren, with the ineffable mercy of God, with spiritual renewal, obtained through the feat of spiritual preparation, prayer, fasting and repentance, and particularly through the Communion of the most pure and Life-giving Mysteries of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Even in this short time we were able to experience the benefit of fasting and prayer, let alone the benefit of spiritual preparation, confession and Holy Communion; if, of course, we wholeheartedly made use of that time for our salvation and sincerely abided by the conditions of the fast and carried out the spiritual preparation; if we abstained from the excesses in food and drink, prayed with all sincerity, humbled ourselves before God and before those who are close to us, showed mercy, learned of the multitude of our iniquities and sins and deeply regretted them, having taken a firm resolution to no longer commit them, and, finally, sincerely confessed them and received an absolution for them and their remission, and were deemed worthy to receive the Life-giving Bread.
Labels:
Great Lent,
St. John of Kronstadt
Reflection for Clean Saturday (St. Theophan the Recluse)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
We have approached the chalice of the Lord, we have been at the Supper of the Lord. Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! Now is the great day of the Lord! The most glorious celebration in heaven! There is no city, nor village, nor house, where there are no people receiving Holy Communion. Across the breadth of Russia, throughout the south and east, so many people clothed in the white garments of justification have tasted of the Divine life, and have most sincerely united themselves with the Lord! The Lord’s Body has been renewed — the Body of the Church, and has been clothed in the glory belonging to it, hidden from the eyes of man, but visible to the eyes of angels. The angels worshipped the First-born when He was brought to the world in His power; now they have worshipped Him because the world has been brought again to Him. They have worshipped Him and sung out: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre; Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness" (Ps. 45:6–7).
Saints and Feasts of February 24
On the twenty-fourth the head of the Forerunner
was made manifest.
was made manifest.
First and Second Finding of the Honorable Head
of the Holy and Glorious Prophet,
Forerunner and Baptist John
Forerunner and Baptist John
The First and Second Finding of the Honorable Head of John the Forerunner
Sozomen's Account of the Discovery of the Head of Saint John the Forerunner
The First Location Where the Head of Saint John the Baptist Was Found
Saint John the Baptist Resource Page
Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Caves
Saint Erasmus of the Kiev Caves Monastery (c. 1160)
Labels:
Saints of February
Friday, February 23, 2018
The Veneration of Saint Polycarp in Greece
After the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp in 155 AD, the Christians tried to take the relic of the Saint, but the pagan ruler of Smyrna ordered that they be burnt up in a fire that it may not serve as a source of blessing and veneration. Christians however were able to gather what they could and preserved them as a most-valuable treasure. One of these relics is the right arm of the Saint, which from 1475 was kept at the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Ampelakiotissa of Kozitsa in Nafpaktos. It was covered in silver in 1792 and was a source of blessing and healing grace to the people. In 1945 the name of the monastery changed to the Monastery of Panagia Ampelakiotissa - Saint Polycarp, and the Saint was honored in the wider region, where the parishes of the villages of Mamoulada in Nafpaktos and Malamata in Phocis bear the name of the Saint. Furthermore, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Demetrios in Nafpaktos, Saint Polycarp is annually celebrated on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers.
Labels:
Orthodoxy in Greece,
St. Polycarp
The 12th Century Church of Saint Polycarp in Tanagra of Boeotia
This church dates back to the 12th century, and originally it bore the name of some saint that is unknown to us. For unknown reasons the church suffered destruction, either naturally or from invaders. During the Ottoman occupation the Turkish pasha had a caretaker who was a Christian named Polycarp. Before Polycarp died, he ordered his son to rebuild the fallen church. Obeying his command, Polycarp's son rebuilt the church and dedicated it to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, in honor of his father's patron. It's annual celebration took place on February 23rd.
Labels:
Orthodoxy in Mainland Greece,
St. Polycarp
Life of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna
The anonymous 3rd or early 4th century Greek Life of Polycarp, attributed to Saint Pionius, recounts the life and miracles of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, describing him as a holy man and miracle worker, without referring to his martyrdom. It was written in Smyrna of Asia Minor.
1. Tracing my steps farther back and beginning with the visit of the blessed Paul to Smyrna, as I have found it in ancient copies, I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp.
2. In the days of unleavened bread Paul, coming down from Galatia, arrived in Asia, considering the repose among the faithful in Smyrna to be a great refreshment in Christ Jesus after his severe toil, and intending afterwards to depart to Jerusalem. So in Smyrna he went to visit Strataeas, who had been his hearer in Pamphylia, being a son of Eunice the daughter of Lois. These are they of whom he makes mention when writing to Timothy, saying; Of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice; whence we find that Strataeas was a brother of Timothy. Paul then, entering his house and gathering together the faithful there, speaks to them concerning the Passover and the Pentecost, reminding them of the New Covenant of the offering of bread and the cup; how that they ought most assuredly to celebrate it during the days of unleavened bread, but to hold fast the new mystery of the Passion and Resurrection. For here the Apostle plainly teaches that we ought neither to keep it outside the season of unleavened bread, as the heretics do, especially the Phrygians, nor yet on the other hand of necessity on the fourteenth day: for he said nothing about the fourteenth day, but named the days of unleavened bread, the Passover, and the Pentecost, thus ratifying the Gospel.
Reflection for Clean Friday (St. Theophan the Recluse)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Reflection 1:
"The Lord scorns the scorners, but He gives grace unto the lowly" (Prov. 3:34). Particularly remember these words when you go to confession. Nothing like pride binds your tongue to keep it from saying, “I am a sinner.” Humble yourself before the Lord, do not spare yourself, do not fear the face of man. Reveal your shame for it to be washed; show your wounds for them to be healed; tell of all your unrighteousness that you be justified. The more merciless you will be with yourself, the more compassion the Lord will show towards you, and you will leave with a sweet feeling of forgiveness. This is that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, given from Him to those who humble themselves through sincere confession of their sins.[1]
Saints and Feasts of February 23
On the twenty-third Polycarp was burned in the flames.
Holy Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Resource Page
Venerable John, Moses, Antiochus and Antininus
Our Venerable Fathers John, Moses, Antiochus and Antininus
Venerable Zebinas, Polychronios, Moses and Damian
Our Venerable Fathers Zebinas, Polychronios, Moses and Damian
Saint Gorgonia, Sister of Saint Gregory the Theologian
Holy Martyr Clement
Holy Martyr Clement
Holy Martyr Thea
Holy Martyr Thea
Venerable John the Theristis
Saint John the Theristis (Harvester) of Calabria
Venerable Damian of Esphigmenou
Saint Damian the Myrrhgusher of Esphigmenou (+ 1280)
Holy New Hieromartyr Lazarus of Tripoli
Holy New Hieromartyr Lazarus of Tripoli (+ 1605)
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Great Lent in Fourth Century Jerusalem
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An image thought to portray Egeria |
The Spanish nun Egeria gives a most interesting first-hand account of how Great Lent was kept in Jerusalem in the late fourth century, specifically in the 380's. She writes the following:
Chapter 27. And when the Paschal days come they are observed thus: Just as with us forty days are kept before Pascha,* so here eight weeks are kept before Pascha. And eight weeks are kept because there is no fasting on the Lord's Days, nor on the Sabbaths, except on the one Sabbath on which the Vigil of Pascha falls, in which case the fast is obligatory.** With the exception then of that one day, there is never fasting on any Sabbath here throughout the year. Thus, deducting the eight Lord's Days and the seven Sabbaths (for on the one Sabbath, as I said above, the fast is obligatory) from the eight weeks, there remain forty-one fast days, which they call here Eortae, that is Lent.
Labels:
Fasting,
Great Lent,
Orthodoxy In Holy Land
Saint Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna (+ 556)
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St. Maximianus of Ravenna (Feast Day - February 22) |
Born in the Istrian city of Pola, now Pula in modern Croatia, Maximianus was consecrated Bishop of Ravenna in 546 by Pope Vigilius in Patras, Greece. Maximianus was a forty-eight-year-old deacon from Pola when he became the twenty-sixth Bishop of Ravenna. Ravenna was then the capital of the Roman Byzantine Empire's territories in Italy, and Maximianus's role may have included secular political functions. According to the ninth-century Ravennate priest Andreas Agnellus, Maximianus' flock initially refused his leadership, because he was selected by the emperor Justinian I and was not their initial candidate. To a modern art historian Meyer Shapiro, Maximian was "a poor deacon of Pola who rose to a high position through his political adroitness" as a protegé of Justinian I. He had not been wanted as Bishop by the people of Ravenna, but "by shrewd maneuvers he overcame their opposition, and won their respect by his discretion, generosity, and great enterprises of church building and decoration."
Labels:
Art,
Saints of Italy
Reflection for Clean Thursday (St. Theophan the Recluse)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
"Fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Prov. 3:7). Set this as the goal of your preparation for Holy Communion, so that at the end of this preparation the fear of God will dwell in you, and a firm intention to avoid every evil will take root, even if you should have to lose everything, including your life, in order to do so. Do not limit yourself to an external routine of preparation alone, but focus in particular on yourself, enter within yourself and examine your views, whether they are in agreement in all things with the true word of God. Examine your inclinations and dispositions, whether they are what the Lord demands of you in the Gospels. Examine your whole life, whether it agrees with God’s commandments in every way. Mourn and hate whatever is offensive to God, and set in your mind never to do it again. If you do this, you will be most wise; but you would most unwise not to do this.
Saints and Feasts of February 22
On the twenty-second the revered bones appeared in the earth.
Finding of the Relics of
Apostles and Martyrs at Eugenios
Apostles and Martyrs at Eugenios
Finding of the Relics of Apostles and Martyrs at Eugenios in Constantinople
Venerable Athanasios the Confessor of Paulopetrion
Saint Athanasios the Confessor of Paulopetrion Monastery (+ 826)
Holy Martyr Anthusa and her Twelve Servants
Holy Martyr Anthusa and her Twelve Servants
Holy Martyr Synetus
Holy Martyr Synetus
Venerable Thalassios and Limnaios
Saints Thalassios and Limnaios of Syria
Venerable Baradatos
Saint Baradatos of Antioch
Holy Hieromartyr Telesphorus, Pope of Rome
Holy Hieromartyr Telesphorus, Pope of Rome (+ 138)
Saint Blaise of Rome
Saint Blaise, Pope of Rome?
Saint Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna
Saint Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna (+ 556)
Saint Ariston the Wonderworker,
Bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus
Bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus
Saint Ariston the Wonderworker, Bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus
Holy Nine Child Martyrs of Kola
Nine Righteous Children Martyrs of Kola
Saint Theoktista of Voronezh the Fool for Christ
Saint Theoktista Mikhailovna of Voronezh the Fool for Christ (+ 1940)
Labels:
Saints of February
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