Homily Two on the Dormition of the Theotokos (Archimandrite George Kapsanis)

By Archimandrite George Kapsanis

(Delivered in 1981)

We all have joy because today is the real Mother's Day. Only the Lady Theotokos is our true mother, because she transmits to us our true Life, which is our Christ. And today all mothers should celebrate Mother's Day in an Orthodox manner, because every mother is recognized as a mother only if she aspires to be like and if she receives the blessing and grace of the Mother of God, the Most Holy Theotokos.

But the world with the worldly spirit, with secularization, which advances and erodes the soul and the heart and the mind of our people, has begun to artificially replace the feasts of Orthodoxy with secular holidays, such as the Mother's Day, Children's Day and others like it, such as birthdays, which people celebrate, while we should celebrate the memories of the Saints, whose names we bear. And all this is an attempt to alter the God-anthropocentric mindset of our people, and for our people to become anthropocentric and not have Christ as the center of their lives. Not to live an ecclesiastical life, but to live a life far from the Church and from our God-man Christ.

Saint Eleutherios, Patron Saint of Pregnant Women

You granted pregnant women freedom who had come to your temple, Father, and helped them to deliver their children with ease; and to those who entreated you intently, you granted smooth sailing. Even now you dispense good health to those who are sick, being renowned for your miracles.

We chant this hymn during Vespers on the feast of Saint Eleutherios on December 15th. The name Eleutherios means "one who is free" or "one who gives freedom", and is therefore the patron saint of those who seek to be free of something, whether it be free from prison, free from oppression, or free from disease.

Couple Fulfills Vow to Saint Nikephoros the Leper for Saving the Life of Their Child

This past week Metropolitan Joseph of the Princes' Islands, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, visited the Pilgrimage Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, which is located at the place the Saint was born and raised in Sirikari, Kissamos. He went their to fulfill his own personal vow to the Saint and celebrated the Divine Liturgy as a priest. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos introduced a young family for whom Saint Nikephoros performed a miracle and they came to the shrine to fulfill their vow to the Saint. He shared the following:

Second Homily for the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women (St. Luke of Simferopol)

By St. Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea

In the last three and a half years of the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He preached the gospel of righteousness and performed innumerable miracles, the holy apostles and the myrrhbearing women were always with Him.

The apostles He chose were more than the myrrhbearers. Only the apostles were sent by the Lord to preach the gospel. Only the apostles were given the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. The myrrhbearers, although the Lord did not love them less than the apostles, did not receive such gifts from Him.

We need to think about the reasons why our Lord Jesus Christ had a different attitude toward men and a different attitude toward women, these two sexes of the human race. The first thing to think about is whether or not women with their weaker powers could bear the burden of the apostolic work, persecution, and the suffering suffered by the apostles of Christ. There are many testimonies on this subject both in Holy Scripture and in the lives of the apostles.

Elder Simon Arvanitis and the Greek-American Woman Who Had Trouble Giving Birth

On the left is Monk Zosimas (+2010) with Elder Simon (+1988) on his deathbed blessing the child of a spiritual child of his.

By Monk Zosimas,
A Disciple of Elder Simon Arvanitis

A woman who lived in the United States, and who was a spiritual child of Elder Simon Arvanitis, was pregnant.

When the time came for her to give birth, the child was unable to come out, and she in her pain cried out to her Elder [who was in Greece at the time]:

"Father Simon, Father Simon, I can't give birth! I'm suffering and in a lot of pain!"

Portrait of a Philanthropist (Elder Ambrose of Lazaris)

Without my asking, Elder Ambrose (Lazaris) told me at one point: "Stavros, your mother is in Paradise."

I was shocked. It had been fifteen days since I slept. To learn from this life that my mother is up there - I was sure, almost sure, about my mother. My mother was an ascetic in her life. Always smiling.

In the last thirty years of her life she never left her house.

She had seven children.

She treated her father-in-law, who reposed at the age of 94, as if he was her own father.

She was very merciful.

She would steal money from my father's pants and would secretly give it to the poor.

She hosted beggars at home almost every day and made a table for them. Then she would pack food for them in a bag.

She shined with joy.

Seventeen years after her death, we her children found out, by chance, that she was awarded by the Metropolis of Demitriados and Almyros for her philanthropic work when she was younger.

She was anxious to give hospitality to others and only by force would she sit at the table to eat herself.

We have a farm of fifteen acres. During the German occupation it was full of fruit trees. From the 100 chickens we had in those days, without reservation she would take fifty eggs a day and together with fruit she would distribute them to the poor. She would also constantly give to her relatives in Volos. It made her happy to give.

May the Lord grant her soul rest.

This is what I learned from Elder Ambrose. Let us not forget the souls. They ask for our help. 

 

Source: Translation by John Sanidopoulos.

Saint Nicholas and the Deliverance of the Drowned Infant

 

Once, in Kiev, on the feast of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, a multitude of people flocked from all the cities and villages for the feast of the holy martyrs. One Kievan, having great faith in St. Nicholas and in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, took a boat and sailed to Vishegorod, to venerate the tomb of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb taking with him candles, incense, and prosphora - everything necessary for a worthy celebration.* Having venerated the relics of the saints and having rejoiced in spirit, he departed for home. When he sailed on the river Dnieper, his wife, holding her child in her arms, fell asleep and dropped the child into the water, and he drowned. His father began to tear his hair, crying aloud:

Saint Monica as a Model for our Lives

By Protopresbyter George Papavarnavas

Saint Monica lived in the fourth century. She was born and raised in a Christian environment by pious and virtuous parents. Her husband, however, was an idolater, and, unfortunately, a cruel, violent and drunken man, and he ridiculed her for her way of life, which was characterized by love and philanthropy, but, according to her biographer, he never did hit her, which was common at that time, without, of course, meaning that this phenomenon is not observed even in our day. And, as he notes, he did not beat her, perhaps because she did not oppose him. However, she was deemed worthy out of her love and her patience to see her husband baptized, to change his way of life and to have an end that was "Christian", "without shame and peaceful".

Saint Gorgonia as a Model for our Lives

St. Gorgonia (Feast Day - February 23)

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

Saint Gorgonia was from Cappadocia and lived in the fourth century. She was the fruit of holy parents, Gregory the Bishop of Nazianzus and Nonna, as well as the sister of Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint Caesarius. She was a model wife and mother. From her marriage she bore five children, two boys and three girls, whom she raised "in the education and admonition of the Lord." For reasons only God knows she left this vain world prematurely, at the age of thirty-eight. Her brother Saint Gregory the Theologian in his funeral oration describes her God-pleasing life, which although brief, it was worthy of wonder and worthy of imitation. We will offer below some brief excerpts from this wonderful oration:

Synaxarion of the Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla with their Seven Children

On the 28th of this month, we commemorate the Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla who were yoked together, and their children Sarbelos, Nita, Hierakos, Theodoulos, Photios, Bele and Eunike.

Verses

The twofold couple with their seven children,
Were led to the honor of being decapitated by the sword.
On the twenty-eighth Terence endured beatings.

They all lived in the same household, as one family, where they secretly worshiped God. They were accused before the governor and stood before his judgement seat. Because they confessed Christ as the true God, they mocked the idols, and for this they were suspended, where they were lacerated without mercy. On their wounds they were sprinkled with the most bitter vinegar and salt, while underneath they were being burned with a fire. Having suffered these things, the Saints prayed, and with a quiet voice they urged one another on towards martyrdom. The Lord did not overlook their prayers, but invisible Angels were sent to free them from their bonds, and to heal their wounds. When the impious ones saw this, they were together astonished and afraid. The Saints were then cast into prison.

Synaxis of the Panagia Engymonousa in Katerini (Celebrating the Six Month Pregnancy of the Theotokos)

It has been established that on September 25th the Panagia Engymonousa is honored, the protectress and guardian of all child-bearing women and childless families. Engymonousa is translated into English as "the one who is pregnant," and she is called this because in the icon of the Panagia Engymonousa the Mother of God is depicted as being six months pregnant. The reason her six month pregnancy is commemorated today is because it is exactly six months ago, on March 25th, that we celebrated her Annunciation which resulted in her conception, and in exactly three months, on December 25th, we will celebrate the Birth of our Lord.

Saint Martha, Mother of Saint Symeon the Stylite

St. Martha, Mother of Saint Symeon the Stylite (Feast Day - August 1)

Verses

In days of old Martha gave hospitality to Christ on earth,
Now Christ gives hospitality to Martha in the heavens.

Venerable Martha was the mother of Saint Symeon the Stylite, who had him baptized as a child and educated him, meanwhile Symeon worked as a shepherd of his parents flock, until he left home in his teenage years to pursue a life of asceticism. This brought great distress to his mother, of which we read about in the Life of Saint Symeon written by his disciple Anthony, who describes an incident where she came to her son shortly after he ascended his pillar. He writes:

Holy Martyrs Who Were a Father, Mother and Two Children

Holy Father, Mother and Two Children Martyrs (Feast Day - July 29)

Verses

The father is burned and the one who begat and the children,
The father-mother-children family of athletes.

The Holy Martyrs who were a Father, Mother and Two Children met their end by fire.

Holy Mother and Three Children Martyrs

Holy Mother and Three Children Martyrs (Feast Day - June 2)

Verses

A mother with her three beautiful children were decapitated,
Behold, she cried out, I and my children.

The Holy Mother and Three Children Martyrs met their end by a sword.

Holy Two Martyrs, a Mother and Daughter

Holy Mother and Daughter the Martyrs (Feast Day - January 28)

Verses

The Mother bent with hers the head of the child,
Together with the Daughter they expired by the sword.

The Holy Two Martyrs, a Mother and Daughter, met their end by the sword.

Holy Mother and Two Children Martyrs

Holy Mother and Two Children Martyrs (Feast Day - January 3)

Verses

The mother was burned, and the children towards the flames,
Run as the children of sparrows.

The Holy Mother and Two Children Martyrs met their end in fire.

Saint Euboula, Mother of Saint Panteleimon

St. Euboula (Feast Day - March 30)

Verses

In heaven you are joined with your athlete child,
O mother of the athlete and beautiful child Euboula.

Saint Euboula lived during the reign of Emperor Maximian (286-305), and was from the city of Nicomedia. She was the wife of a Greek pagan named Eustorgios, while she was from a family of Christians. Saint Panteleimon was born to her, and she raised him to love God. She reposed in peace, and today her marble tomb is located in the Cave of the Magi under the Monastery of Saint Theodosios the Cenobiarch to the east of Bethlehem, along with the tombs of 35 other renowned Saints.

Saint Juliana the Merciful of Lazarevo (+ 1604)

St. Juliana of Lazarevo (Feast Day - January 2)

By St. Dimitri of Rostov

During a moment of ardent supplication to God, the great Christian ascetic Macarius of Egypt heard a voice from heaven, saying: "Macarius! thus far thou hast not attained the spiritual level of two women who live in the town nearby!" The elder straightway took his staff in hand and went to seek out the righteous women of whom the voice from on high had spoken. After a lengthy search, he knocked on the door of a certain house in the town, and two women admitted him with kindness. Macarius said to them: "I have left the desert specifically to meet you, that I might acquaint myself with your works. Tell me of yourselves." "O man of God," the women answered, abashed, "can one expect anything God-pleasing from those who are continually occupied with domestic tasks and must need fulfill the responsibilities of marriage?" But the ascetic persisted, asking the women to disclose to him their manner of life. And they answered him, saying: "We are two sisters-in-law, the wives of brethren. For fifteen years we have lived together, and all throughout that time we have not spoken to each other a single word in vexation. We do not have children, but if the Lord will grant them, we will entreat Him to help us raise them in the faith and in piety. We treat our servants with kindness. Many times we have taken counsel one with another as to whether we ought to enter a community of nuns, but our husbands have declined to give us their permission. And seeing their love for us, we have resolved not to part with them, but to serve them with diligence. Yet to make our life a little like that of the holy desert-dwellers, we have set it in our hearts to avoid loud conversations, to remain at home as much as possible, to take care of the running of our household." To this the venerable Macarius said: "Truly God doth not look to see who is a virgin or who is married, who is a monastic or who is in the lay state, but only looketh for the inclination of the heart toward good deeds. This He accepteth, and in accordance therewith He sendeth the Holy Spirit down upon anyone who desireth to be saved. And the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, directeth the thoughts and will of such a one to the everlasting life of heaven."

Saint Theodote, Mother of the First Pair of Holy Unmercenaries

St. Theodote, Mother of Kosmas and Damian the Unmercenaries (Feast Day - January 2)

Verses

By sickness Theodote passed from life,
Who bore to life healers of sicknesses.

The first of three pairs of saints known as Kosmas and Damian were unmercenaries and wonderworkers from Asia Minor and commemorated on November 1st. They were brothers both in the flesh and in the spirit, born somewhere in Asia Minor of pious and virtue-loving parents. After their father's death, their mother Theodote devoted all her time and effort to educating her sons and raising them as true Christians. God helped her, and her sons matured as sweet fruit and luminaries of the world. They were learned in the art of medicine and ministered to the sick without payment, not so much with medicine as by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were called "unmercenary physicians," that is, unpaid physicians, for they healed freely and thus fulfilled the commandment of Christ: "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8). The brothers died as martyrs, but Saint Theodote reposed in peace after an illness.

How Saint Marina (Margaret) Became a Patron Saint of Pregnant Women and Childbirth

Saint Marina is known as Saint Margaret in the West. Whereas Saint Marina has always been highly esteemed and enjoyed wide popularity among Orthodox Christians of the East, in the West it was not always so. Her Acts were declared apocryphal by Pope Gelasius I in 494, but devotion to her revived in the West with the Crusades. Margaret is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and thus one of the saints who is said to have spoken to Joan of Arc, thus increasing her veneration among the people. According to the Roman Martyrology she is celebrated on July 20, as opposed to July 17 in the East. Pope Paul VI in 1969 removed her from the list of saints because of what was considered the entirely fabulous character of the stories told of her and thus disputing her historical existence.