Holy Hieromartyr Alexander Tsitseronov, Known as Cicero (+ 1938)

St. Alexander Tsitseronov (Feast Day - December 28)

Alexander Tsitseronov was born on August 15, 1893 in the village of Popadyino, of the Mikhailovsky district, in the Ryazan province, into the family of Deacon Alexander Andreyevich Tsitseronov and his wife Alexandra Petrovna. Three out of ten children of the Deacon became priests, and three daughters married future priests.

At twenty-one, Alexander Tsitseronov graduated from the Ryazan Theological Seminary. During his studies, he met a graduate of the Ryazan Women's Diocesan School, Evgenia Ivanovna Ivankova, the daughter of Archpriest John Pavlovich Ivankov, who blessed the young couple for marriage. Alexander was first a Reader in the church of the village of Pecherniki, of the Mikhailovsky district. Then he was ordained a Deacon and later a Priest, and in 1914 he was assigned to a parish in the village of Polivanovo. In 1915, the couple went to their destination. In addition to Polivanovo, the parish included the villages of Tarakanovka, Savinka, Studenets, Letniki, Bolshaya Khlebenka.

The Bright Example of the Much-Contested Job (Elder Ephraim of Arizona)

By Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Today our Orthodox Church celebrates the holy and much-contested Job, the righteous Job. Why? Because he contested much, he was in many contests. He received many crowns, he brought many victories. Where? In the sea of life. And we see in his biography, that this Saint, in the time he lived, in those years when there was no Orthodox Church, Christ had not come down, God the Word had not incarnated, the world did not see the life of Christ, no one saw God in the flesh, they did not see His miracles, they saw nothing. And yet, with a simple faith in the Creator, in the Maker, he became the Great Atlas of God. With a simple faith, seeing the creation, the operation of creation, he saw the upper world, the stars, the seasons and everything he saw working perfectly, from time immemorial, without anything created going astray from its creation, not in the slightest. How is it possible, he said, for material things to be made with such science and to function with such scientific precision without a Creator? Reason, conscience, made him submit to unwavering faith. With this awareness, of faith in the Creator, he became a great believer. Establishing his faith on these things and hitting rock bottom, he was confronted by the great Dragon, the deceitful Devil.

Miracles in the Lives of a Pious Husband and Wife (From the Life of St. George Karslides)

 

In 1959 a husband and wife embarked on a pilgrimage from their village in Mikromilia to the Monastery of the Ascension in Sipsa, an eight hour journey, in order to visit Saint George Karslides. This couple had seven children and were expecting their eighth. On the way the wife was considering in her thoughts about not allowing the eighth child to live, feeling that she was unable to take care of another child. Very quickly however she banished this thought from her mind and repented.

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.

How Saint Irene Chrysovalantou Saved a Man from Certain Death by Nazi Soldiers

In he year 1944, Nicholas Mavromatakis was a resident in Kifisia of Athens. He was a pious Orthodox Christian who was married and had seven children. His wife was expecting their eighth child. Nicholas and a friend took a position at Ntaou Penteli in Attica, hauling wood and wood charcoal. It was during this time that a member of the Greek Resistance had killed a German garrison commander in Rafina of Attica as well as his driver while in an automobile.

On July 14th the German high command ordered the arrest of all those found in the vicinity of Ntaou Penteli. Approximately forty men were rounded up, including Nicholas Mavromatakis. None of the forty had any connection with the killing of the two Germans. The forty were taken as prisoners and transported to the village of Harvati near the large property of Levides. The men were ordered to strip naked and fall prone to the uneven ground. They were ordered to drag themselves, on their bellies like snakes, across uneven terrain. After the passage of a considerable amount of time, they were all exhausted and bruised. Then they were directed to stand on their feet in rows of three. The German soldiers then began shooting them in their backs with automatic weapons.

Saint Euphrosyne, in the world Eudokia, Grand Duchess of Moscow (+ 1407)

St. Euphrosyne of Moscow (Feast Day - July 7)

The Holy Grand Duchess Eudokia was born in 1353. She was the daughter of the Suzdal prince Demetrius Constantovich (+ 1383) and his wife the princess Anna. From infancy, brought up in the spirit of Christian piety, Eudokia was distinguished by a quiet, meek disposition.

Synaxarion of our Venerable Mother Sophia of Ainos

St, Sophia of Ainos (Feast Day - June 4)

Verses

The world did not hinder you Sophia,
To attain perfection in the virtues.

This Saint was from the city of Ainos, the daughter of pious parents who were well-known in that area. When she attained the proper age, her parents wedded her to a lawful husband, with whom she gave birth to six children. Even though she lived in the midst of the cares and tumults of the world, she showed through her works that the cares and tumults of the world were no hindrance to her pleasing God, who desires that we only accomplish the commandments of the Lord and pursue God-loving actions and virtues. This blessed woman was never absent from the Church of God, and even when she was in her house she would keep vigil all night and abided in prayers.

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.

The Praiseworthy Orthodox Funeral of a Mother of Ten Children

Maria S. lost her life in a car accident a few days ago as she returned home from her job.

The unfortunate mother was a mid-wife by profession and a mother of ten children that ranged in ages from 2 months old to 22 years old.

Last Saturday her funeral was celebrated, with thousands of people present, since she was very much loved in Oropos, where she lived with her family of many children.

Fr. Nicholas Pettas of Patras, the Sanctified Priest (+ 2000)

By Joanna K. Lymperopoulos

This was a contemporary humble and worthy priest, spiritual father, family man and a professor of technical education, who left himself in the hands of Christ to use him as an instrument in the salvation of humanity. And He made him a vessel of His Grace, granting him charisms/gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because as we know, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." My family had a relationship with both him, as well as his presvytera Anthi.

Holy Empress Irene of Constantinople, Who Was Renamed Xene as a Monastic

St. Irene of Constantinople (Feast Day - August 13)

Verses

The Pantocrator gave you a Monastery above,

Having built Him the same Monastery below.

Irene, who was born with the name Piroska, was the beautiful and virtuous daughter of King Ladislas I of Hungary (1040-1095). Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) and his second consort, Irene Doukaina, sought a bride for their son, John II Komnenos (also known as Kalo-John), and found a perfect candidate in Irene of Hungary. Irene was described as having sandy hair that cascaded over her shoulders and framed a serene face. Following her conversion to the Orthodox Church and settlement in Constantinople, Piroska was renamed Irene. Their union was the cause of general delight and rejoicing, and produced eight children, four males and four females.

After a while, Irene understood that the glories of this world are fleeting, and she devoted her time to the worship of God and continuous help of the poor and needy. Whatever she had, she lavishly distributed among those in need, rejoicing in giving more than receiving.

A Priest in Thessaloniki Whose Six out of Eight Children are Monastics

Fr. Evangelos Karakasis, an agronomist and beekeeper, during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday celebrated in Docheiariou Monastery on Mount Athos, attended the tonsure of the monk Onouphrios, one of his eight children. Now six of his eight children have become monastics.

Fr. Nikodemos Bilalis, a Monk and Protector of Multiple Children (+ June 4, 2014)

By Dr. George Tsakalidis

Theologian - Teacher of Religion

Commissioner of the High Confederation of Multiple Children in Greece

Monk Nikodemos Bilalis left us on June 4th and was buried next to the Sacred Monastery of Pantocratoros at Mount Athos. A pure and genuine Greek Orthodox soul, he dedicated himself to the service of families with multiple children. As a theologian and scholar, Fr. Nikodemos composed many theological writings, some of which were used as textbooks in secondary education.