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{"21": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Habib, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Hieromartyr Habib"}}, "24": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy 7 Maccabean Martyrs: Habim, Antonios, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebonus, Hadim and Marcellus, their mother Solomonia and their teacher Eleazar (\u2020 166 BC)", "short": "Martyrs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs: Habim, Antonin, Guriah, Eleazar, Eusebon, Hadim (Halim) and Marcellus, their mother Solomonia and their teacher Eleazar suffered in the year 166 before the Birth of Christ under the impious Syrian emperor Antiochos Epiphanos. Adhering to an Hellenistic cult, Antiochos Epiphanos introduced pagan customs at Jerusalem and throughout all Judea. He desecrated the Temple of the Lord, putting there in a statue of the pagan god Zeus, and forcing the Jews to worship it. Many of them then fell away from the True God. But there were also those, who were deeply sorrowed by the downfall of the people of God and who continued to believe in the coming arrival of the Saviour. A ninety year old elder\u2014the law-teacher Eleazar, was brought to trial for his adherence to the Mosaic Law, and he steadfastly underwent tortures and died at Jerusalem. Bravery was likewise shown by the disciples of Saint Eleazar\u2014the Seven Maccabean Brothers and their mother Solomonia. They were brought to trial in Antioch by the emperor Antiochos Epiphanos. They fearlessly acknowledged themselves as followers of the True God, and refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. The eldest of the lads, having been first to answer the emperor in the name of all seven brothers, was given over to fierce tortures in sight of his remaining brothers and their mother. The next five brothers one after the other underwent these tortures. There remained the seventh brother, the very youngest. Antiochos suggested to Saint Solomonia to urge the lad into renunciation, so that at least this final son would remain for her. But the brave mother encouraged him also in the confession of the True God. The lad resolutely ignored the entreaty of the emperor and likewise firmly underwent the tortures, just like his older brothers. After the death of all her seven children, Saint Solomonia, standing over their bodies, raised up her hands in prayer to God and died. The Martyrs Act of the holy Seven Maccabean Brothers inspired Judas Maccabee, and he led the revolt against Antiochos Epiphanos with the help of God gaining the victory, and then purifying the Jerusalem Temple of idols. All these events are related in the Book of Second Maccabees, which is included within the Bible. Sermons of laudation to the holy Maccabean Martyrs were offered by various fathers of the Church\u2014Saint Cyprian of Carthage, Saint Ambrose of Mediolanum (Milan), Saint Gregory Nazianzus and Saint John Chrysostomos.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>By the pangs of the saints, * which they suffered for Thee, O Lord, * be Thou entreated, and heal Thou all our infirmities, ** we pray Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O ye seven pillars of the wisdom of God, * seven-branched lamp of the divine Light, * O most wise Maccabees * who before the martyrs were martyrs most great: * with them entreat ye the God of all, ** that we who honor you may be saved!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "200": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Martinian and Galaction of Belozersk (\u2020 1483)", "short": "Venerable Martinian and Galaction"}}, "202": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Peter Apselamus of Palestine (\u2020 309-310)", "short": "Martyr Peter"}}, "203": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Eupraxia of Tabenna, in Egypt (\u2020 393)", "short": "Venerable Eupraxia"}}, "205": {"name": {"nominative": "The \u201cMilkgiver\u201d Icon of the Mother of God", "short": "The \u201cMilkgiver\u201d"}}, "209": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable and Godbearing Father Anthony the Great (\u2020 356)", "short": "St Anthony"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Anthony, a very great ascetic, the founder of wilderness-monastery life and as such the father of monasticism, is entitled \u201cthe Great\u201d by Holy Church. He was born in Egypt in the village of Coma, near the Thebaid wilderness, in the year 251. His parents were pious Christians of illustrious lineage. From his youth Anthony was always serious and given over to concentration. He loved to visit church services and he hearkened to the Holy Scripture with such deep attention, that he remembered what he heard all his entire life. The commandments of the Lord guided him from the time of his very youth. When Saint Anthony was about twenty years old, he lost his parents, but in his care remained his sister, a minor in age. Visiting the church services, the youth was pierced through by a reverent feeling towards those Christians who, as it relates in the Acts of the Apostles, sold off their possessions and the proceeds thereof they applied in following after the Apostles. He heard in church the Gospel passage of Christ, spoken to the rich young man: \u201cIf thou wouldst be perfect, sell what thou hast and give it to the poor; and thou wilt have treasure in heaven; and come follow after Me\u201d (Mt. 19: 21). Anthony understood this as spoken to him personally. He sold off his property that remained to him after the death of his parents, he distributed the money to the poor, he left his sister in the care of pious virgins in a monastic setting, he left his parental home, and having settled not far from his village in a wretched hut, he began his ascetic life. He earned his livelihood by working with his hands, and alms also for the poor. Sometimes the holy youth also visited other ascetics living in the surrounding areas, and from each he sought to receive direction and benefit. And to a particular one of these ascetics he turned for guidance in the spiritual life.</p><p>In this period of his life the Monk Anthony was subjected to terrible temptations by the devil. The enemy of the race of man troubled the young ascetic with thoughts, and with doubts about his chosen path, with anguish over his sister, and he attempted to incline Anthony towards fleshly sin. But the monk preserved his firm faith, he incessantly made prayer and intensified his efforts. Anthony prayed that the Lord would point out to him the path of salvation. And he was granted a vision. The ascetic beheld a man, who by turns alternately finished a prayer, and then began to work\u2014this was an Angel, which the Lord had sent to instruct His chosen one. The monk thereupon set up a strict schedule for his life. He partook of food only once in the entire day, and sometimes only once every second or third day; he spent all night at prayer, giving himself over to a short sleep only on the third or fourth night after unbroken vigil. But the devil would not desist with his tricks, and trying to scare the monk, he appeared under the guise of monstrous phantoms. The saint however with steadfast faith protected himself with the Life-Creating Cross. Finally the enemy appeared to him in the guise of a frightful looking black lad, and hypocritically declaring himself beaten, he reckoned to sway the saint into vanity and pride. But the monk expelled the enemy with prayer. </p><p>For yet greater solitude, the saint re-settled farther away from the village, in a graveyard. On designated days his friend brought him a scant bit of food. And here the devils, pouncing upon the saint with the intent to kill him, inflicted upon him terrible beatings. But the Lord would not allow the death of Anthony. The friend of the saint, on schedule taking him his food, saw him as though dead laying upon the ground, and he took him away back to the village. They thought the saint was dead and began to prepare for his burial. But the monk in the deep of night regained consciousness and besought his friend to take him back to the graveyard. The staunchness of Saint Anthony was greater than the wile of the enemy. Taking the form of ferocious beasts, the devils again tried to force the saint to forsake the place chosen by him, but he again expelled them by the power of the Life-Creating Cross. The Lord strengthened the power of His saint: in the heat of the struggle with the dark powers the monk saw coming down to him from the sky a luminous ray of light, and he cried out: \u201cWhere hast Thou been, O Merciful Jesus?.. Why hast Thou not healed my wounds at the very start?\u201d The Lord replied: \u201cAnthony! I was here, but did wait, wanting to see thine valour; and now after this, since thou hast firmly withstood the struggle, I shalt always aid thee and glorify thee throughout all the world.\u201d After this vision the Monk Anthony was healed of his wounds and ready for renewed efforts. He was then 35 years of age. </p><p>Having gained spiritual experience in the struggle with the devil, the Monk Anthony pondered going into the deeps of the Thebaid wilderness, and in full solitude there to serve the Lord by deed and by prayer. He besought the ascetic elder (to whom he had turned at the beginning of his monastic journey) to go off together with him into the wilderness, but the elder, while blessing him in the then as yet unheard of exploit of being suchlike an hermit, decided against accompanying him because of the infirmity of age. The Monk Anthony went off into the wilderness alone. The devil tried to stop him, throwing in front of the monk precious gems and stones, but the saint paid them no attention and passed them on by. Having reached a certain hilly spot, the monk caught sight of an abandoned enclosed structure and he settled within it, securing the entrance with stones. His faithful friend brought him bread twice a year, and water he had inside the enclosure. In complete silence the monk partook of the food brought him. The Monk Anthony dwelt for 20 years in complete isolation and incessant struggle with the devils, and he finally found tranquillity of spirit and peace in his mind. When it became appropriate, the Lord revealed to people about His great ascetic. The saint had to instruct many layfolk and monastics. The people gathering at the enclosure of the monk removed the stones sealing his entrance way, and they went to Saint Anthony and besought him to take them under his guidance. Soon the heights on which Saint Anthony asceticised was encircled by a whole belt of monastic communities, and the monk fondly directed their inhabitants, teaching about the spiritual life to everyone who came into the wilderness to be saved. He taught first of all the need to take up spiritual efforts, to unremittingly strive to please the Lord, to have a willing and unselfish attitude towards types of work shunned earlier. He urged them not to be afraid of demonic assaults and to repel the enemy by the power of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord.</p><p>In the year 311 the Church was beset by a trial\u2014a fierce persecution against Christians, set in motion by the emperor Maximian. Wanting to suffer together with the holy martyrs, the Monk Anthony left the wilderness and arrived in Alexandria. He openly rendered aid to the imprisoned martyrs, he was present at the trial and interrogations, but the torturers would not even bother with him! It pleased the Lord to preserve him for the benefit of Christians. With the close of the persecution, the monk returned to the wilderness and continued his exploits. The Lord bestowed upon His saint a gift of wonderworking: the monk cast out devils and healed the sick by the power of his prayer. The multitude of people coming to him disrupted his solitude, and the monk went off still farther, into the so-called \u201cinteriour of the wilderness,\u201d and he settled atop an high elevation. But the brethren of the wilderness monasteries searched out the monk and besought him at least often to pay visits to their communities.</p><p>Another time the Monk Anthony left the wilderness and arrived amidst the Christians in Alexandria, to defend the Orthodox faith against the Manich\u00e6an and Arian heresies. Knowing that the name of the Monk Anthony was venerated by all the Church, the Arians circulated a lie about him\u2014that he allegedly adhered to their heretical teaching. But actually being present in Alexandria, the Monk Anthony in front of everyone and in the presence of the bishop openly denounced Arianism. During the time of his brief stay at Alexandria he converted to Christ a great multitude of pagans. Pagan philosophers came to the monk, wanting by their speculations to test his firm faith, but by his simple and convincing words he reduced them to silence. The Equal-to-the-Apostles emperor Constantine the Great (\u2020 337, Comm. 21 May) and his sons deeply esteemed the Monk Anthony and besought him to visit them at the capital, but the monk did not want to forsake his wilderness brethren. In reply to the letter, he urged the emperor not to be overcome with pride by his lofty position, but rather to remember, that even over him was the Impartial Judge\u2014the Lord God. </p><p>The Monk Anthony spent 85 years of his life in the solitary wilderness. Shortly before his death, the monk told the brethren, that soon he would be taken from them. Time and again he instructed them to preserve the Orthodox faith in its purity, to shun any association with heretics, and not to weaken in their monastic efforts. \u201cStrive the yet more to dwell ever in unity amongst ye, and most of all with the Lord, and then with the saints, so that upon death they should bring ye into eternity by their blood, as friends and acquaintances,\u201d\u2014thus were the death-bed words of the monk passed on in his Vita (Life). The monk bid two of his disciples, who had been together with him the final 15 years of his life, to bury him in the wilderness and not arrange any solemn burial of his remains in Alexandria. Of his two monastic mantles, the monk left one to Saint Athanasias of Alexandria (Comm. 18 January), the other to Saint Serapion of Tmunta. The Monk Anthony died peacefully in the year 356, at age 105, and he was buried by his disciples at a treasured spot glorified by him in the wilderness. </p><p>The Vita (Life) of the famed ascetic the Monk Anthony the Great was written in detail by a father of the Church, Saint Athanasias of Alexandria. This work of Saint Athanasias is the first memorial of Orthodox hagiography, and is considered one of the finest of his writings; Saint John Chrysostom says, that this Vita should be read by every Christian. \u201cThese narratives be significantly small in comparison with the virtues of Anthony,\u2014writes Saint Athanasias,\u2014but from them ye can conclude, what the man of God Anthony was like. From his youth into his mature years observing an equal zeal for asceticism, not being seduced by the avenues of filth, and not as regards infirmity of body altering his garb, nor the any worse for it in suffering harm. His eyes were healthy and unfailing and he saw well. Not one tooth fell out for him, and they only weakened at the gums from the advanced years of age. He was healthy of hand and of foot (\u2026). And what they said about him everywhere, all being amazed at him, whereof even those that did not see him loved him\u2014this serves as evidence of his virtue and love for God in soul.\u201d </p><p>Of the works of the Monk Anthony himself, there have come down to us: 1) his Discourses, 20 in number, treating of the virtues, primarily monastic, 2) Seven Letters to monasteries\u2014about striving for moral perfection and regarding the spiritual struggle, and 3) a Rule of life and consolation for monastics.</p><p>In the year 544 the relics of the Monk Anthony the great were transferred from the wilderness to Alexandria, and later on with the conquest of Egypt by the Saracens in the VII Century, they were transferred to Constantinople. The holy relics were transferred from Constantinople in the X-XI Centuries to a diocese outside Vienna, and in the XV Century\u2014to Arles (in France), into the church of Saint Julian. </p>"}, "rank": 5, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Emulating the demeanor of the zealous Elijah, and following the Baptist with forthright steps, O father Anthony, thou wast a dweller in the desert, and hast made the whole world steadfast by thy supplications. Wherefore, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Having cast off the tumults of life, thou didst live a life of stillness to the end, emulating the Baptist in every way, O all-venerable one. Wherefore, we honor thee with him, O Anthony, first among the fathers.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "210": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Irenarchus, Recluse of Rostov (\u2020 1616)", "short": "Venerable Irenarchus"}}, "211": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Eleazar of Anzersk Island in Solovki (\u2020 1656)", "short": "Venerable Eleazar"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Eleazar of Anzersk was born in the city of Kozel\u2019sk into the merchant family Sevriukin. With the blessing of his parents he went off to the Solovetsk monastery, where he took monastic vows from the hegumen Saint Irinarch (\u2020 1628, Comm. 17 July). At the monastery he displayed an astonishing artistic gift: he learned carving imagery on wood and he took part of the embellishing of the Transfiguration cathedral. With the blessing of the hegumen, he went off in 1612 to the island of Anzersk, where he became an hermit and dwelt constantly in prayer and meditation on God. In order to obtain subsistence for himself on the island wilderness, the Monk Eleazar carved wooden goblets, which he left at the landing place. In the year 1616 the Monk Eleazar was elevated to schema-monk. Monastics, having gathered round the monk, organised a skete with a strict rule of monastic life along the ancient form. Monastic cells were built far away from one another. The hermits gathered together only for Saturday and Sunday Divine-services. Among the disciples of the Monk Eleazar was the priest-monk Nikita\u2014the future Patriarch Nikon. Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich (1613-1645), learning about the ascetic life of the saint, summoned him to Moscow. The Monk Eleazar there predicted for him the birth of a son, and in return the tsar generously gave him help to build on the island a stone church in the Name of the Holy Trinity and a monastery. The Monk Eleazar was interested in the writing of books. He composed and copied out three books\u2014\u201dFlower-beds,\u201d in which he relates ancient accounts. There belongs to him also a commentary on the order of the rule on monastic cell life. The Monk Eleazar died in extreme old age. </p>"}}, "212": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint James, Bishop of Nisibus (\u2020 350)", "short": "Saint James"}}, "214": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anatoly of Leokhnovo", "short": "Venerable Anatoly"}}, "215": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodoulus, son of the Venerable Nilus of Sinai (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Theodoulus"}}, "217": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Joseph Analytinus of Raithu (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Joseph"}}, "218": {"name": {"nominative": "Monk Antonii (Anthony) of Kiev Caves"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "The Monk Antonii (Anthony) of Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 not far from Chernigov, at the locale of Liubech. Possessing the fear of God from his youthful years, he desired to be clothed in the monastic form. Attaining maturity of age, he set off wandering, and having reached Athos, he burned with the desire to emulate the deeds of its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure and in everything the young monk pleased God in his asceticising upon the path of virtue; he throve especially in humility and obedience, such that all the monks did rejoice to look upon his holy life.</p><p>The hegumen foresaw within Saint Antonii the great future ascetic, and on an inspiration from God, he sent him off back to his native land, saying: \u201cAntonii! It is time for thee to guide others also into an holy life. Return to thine own Russian Land, and be thou upon thee the blessing of Holy Mount Athos, so that from thee shalt come a multitude of monks.\u201d</p><p>Having returned to Rus,\u2019 Antonii began to make the rounds of the monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life, which had drawn him to Athos.</p><p>Through the Providence of God, on one of the hills of Kiev at a steep bank of the River Dneipr, reminiscent for him of the beloved Athos, in a forested area near the village of Berestovo, he espied a cave, dug out by the Priest Ilarion (who afterwards became Metropolitan of Kiev, Comm. 21 October). He began to asceticise there in prayer, fasting, vigil and work, eating over the course of a day but a bit of food, and sometimes he did not eat throughout the week. People began to come to the ascetic for blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain thereafter with the saint. Among the first disciples of the Monk Antonii was Saint Nikon, who in the year 1032 tonsured at the monastery the similarly arrived Monk Theodosii (Feodosii) of Kiev Caves (\u2020 1074, Comm. 3 May).</p><p>The holy life of the Monk Antonii brightened all the Russian Land with the beauty of monastic striving. Saint Antonii received with love those yearning for monasticism. After instructions on how one ought to follow Christ, he bid Blessed Nikon to tonsure those willing. When 12 men had gathered about the Monk Antonii, the brethren together dug out a large cave and within it was built a church and cells for the monks. Saint Antonii, having appointed Blessed Varlaam as hegumen over the brethren, himself withdrew from the monastery, and having dug out for himself a new cave, he secluded himself within it. But there also, around the place of his seclusion, monks soon began to settle. Thus were formed the Nearer and Farther Cave monasteries. Afterwards over the Farther Caves was built by the monk a small wooden church in honour of the Uspenie-Dormition of the Mother of God. </p><p>At the insistence of prince Izyaslav, the hegumen Varlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of the Monk Antonii and with the general agreement of the brethren , there was chosen as hegumen the meek and humble Theodosii. During this time the number of brethren had already reached an hundred men. The Kiev Great-prince Izyaslav (\u2020 1078) gifted to the monks the hill, on which was built the large church and cells, and around it was built a palisade wall. Thus was established the reknown monastery, which was called the Kiev Caves, foundationed over the caves. Giving the account of this, the chronicler remarks, that many a monastery exists built by rich emperors and nobility, they however cannot compare with those, which are built up by the prayers of saints, and by their tears, fasting and vigil. And thus though the Monk Antonii possessed not gold, he raised up by his efforts a monastery, incomparable with others, which became the first spiritual centre of Rus\u2032.</p><p>For his holiness of life, God glorified the Monk Antonii with the gift of foresight and wonderworking. In an especial instance this occurred during their construction of the Great Kiev Caves church. The Most Holy Mother of God Herself stood before him and the Monk Theodosii in the Blachern\u00e6 church (in Byzantium), whither they had been miraculously transported and enraptured, without having left their Kiev Caves monastery (Vide account of this under 3 May, regarding the Kievo-Kiev Caves Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God). Having received gold from the Mother of God, the saints commissioned master-architects, who on the command of the Queen of Heaven set off (from Byzantium) to the Russian Land for building the church at the Kiev Caves monastery. During this appearance the Mother of God foretold the impending death of the Monk Antonii, which occurred at age 90 on 7 May 1073. The relics of the Monk Antonii, through Divine Providence, remain concealed.</p><p>The Monk Siluan, Kievo-Kiev Caves SchemaMonk, was a zealous preserver of purity both of soul and body, he beset his flesh with fasting and vigil, and he cleansed his soul with prayer and meditation on God. He was granted by the Lord an abundance of spiritual gifts: an especial prayerful boldness towards God, constant joy in the Lord, perspicacity and wonderworking. The monk lived at the end-XIII to beginning-XIV Centuries. His relics rest in the Theodosiev Caves."}}, "219": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Stephen, Abbot of the Chenolakkos Monastery near Chalcedon (8<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Stephen"}}, "221": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Paul of Thebes (\u2020 341)", "short": "Venerable Paul"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Paul of Thebes was born in Egypt, in the Thebaid city. Left orphaned, he suffered many things from a greedy kinsman over a parental inheritance. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Paul learned of the insidious plan to deliver him into the hands of the persecutors, and so he fled the city and set out into the wilderness. </p><p>Settling into a cave at the bottom of an hill, and known there to no one, the Monk Paul dwelt in it for 91 years, praying incessantly to God both day and night. He sustained himself on dates and bread, which a raven brought him, and he sheltered himself from cold and frost with a garb made of palm leaves. Through the foresight of God, shortly before the end of the Monk Paul, the Lord revealed about him to the Monk Anthony the Great (Comm. 17 January), who also asceticised in the Thebaid wilderness. One time a thought came to Saint Anthony, that scarcely was there another so great a wilderness dweller as he, and then he heard a voice: \u201cAnthony, there is a servant of God more accomplished than thee, and he hath settled here in this wilderness before thee. Go further into the remote area and there find him.\u201d Anthony went and came to the cave of Saint Paul. A lesson in humility having been taught Anthony, the Monk Paul came out towards him. The elders greeted each other by name, and having hugged they entered into lengthy discussion. During the time of the conversation the raven flew by and brought them both bread. The Monk Paul disclosed to Saint Anthony that his end time was approaching and gave him instruction to bury him. The Monk Paul then expired during the time of prayer, upright on his knees. The Monk Anthony then beheld, how his soul, amidst Angels and prophets and apostles, ascended up to God. Two lions ran out from the wilderness and with their claws dug out the grave. The Monk Anthony buried the holy elder, and having taken his garb of palm leaves, he set out to his own monastery. The Monk Anthony kept this garb as a great holy reminder and put it out only twice a year\u2014on Pascha and Pentecost. The Monk Paul of Thebes died in the year 341, when he was 113 years old. He did not establish a single monastery, but soon after his end there appeared many imitators of his life and they filled the wilderness with monasteries. The Monk Paul is considered a father of Orthodox monasticism. </p><p>In the XII Century the body of Saint Paul, on orders of the emperor Manuel (1143-1180), was transferred to Constantinople and placed in the Peribleptoi monastery of the Mother of God. Afterwards it was taken to Venice, and finally to Hungary, at Ofa. Part of his head is situated in Rome.</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O God of our fathers, * deal with us ever according to Thy meekness. * Deprive us not of Thy mercy, * but through their supplications ** direct our life in peace.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Assembling today let us praise in hymns the never-failing lamp of the n\u0153tic Sun; * for thou didst shine forth upon those in the darkness of ignorance, * leading all to the divine heights, * O venerable Paul, adornment of the Thebans, ** steadfast foundation of the fathers and the venerable.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "222": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony of Cherny Lake (16<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}}, "224": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Martyr Pansophius of Alexandria (\u2020 c. 249-251)", "short": "Venerable Martyr Pansophius"}}, "225": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Prochorus, hermit near the Pchinja River (Vranje, Serbia) (10<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Prochorus"}}, "226": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Gabriel, founder of the Lesnovo Monastery in Bulgaria (11th C)", "short": "Venerable Gabriel"}}, "229": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus and their Grandmother Leonilla, together with Neon, Turbo, and the woman Jonilla (Jovilla) in Cappadocia (161-180)", "short": "Martyr Speusippus and companions"}}, "231": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Danax the Reader in Macedonia (2<sup>nd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyr Danax"}}, "253": {"name": {"nominative": "Virgin-martyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia (\u2020 303)", "short": "Virgin-martyr Euphrasia"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyress Euphrasia the Virgin was born at Nikomedia into an illustrious family. She was a christian and noted for her beauty. During the time of the Maximian persecution against christians, the governor of the city tried to compel Euphrasia to offer sacrifice to idols; when she refused, he gave orders for her to be beaten, and then given over to a soldier for desecration. The saint prayed tearfully to the Lord that He would preserve her virginity, and God heard her prayer. Saint Euphrasia suggested to the soldier that he help her find an herb, which would protect him from enemy weapons and death. But this herb, she explained, held its power only when received from a virgin and not from a woman. The soldier believed Saint Euphrasia and went with her into the garden. The holy virgin gathered the herb, which lay underfoot, and suggested to the soldier that he try its power on her. She placed the herb to her neck and ordered the soldier to strike forcefully with his sword. Thus her prayer was answered, and the wise virgin offered her soul to God, having preserved her pure virginity (\u2020 303).</p>"}}, "255": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Arsenius, Archbishop of Kerkyra (8<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Saint Arsenius"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Arsenios, Archbishop of Kerkira, (Island of Korfu), was a native of Palestine and lived in the VIII Century. He led a strict ascetic life, and was an highly educated man and reknown spiritual writer. He was glorified by wisdom and by the constant defending of his flock from the unrighteous wrath of the emperor Constantine Porphyrigenitos (780-797). He composed: the Kanon on Anointing with Oil, a Panegyric on the Apostle Andrew, and a Discourse on the Suffering of the Great Martyress Barbara.</p>"}}, "256": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Hierarch Mark, Archbishop of Ephesus (\u2020 c. 1444)", "short": "Holy Hierarch"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Mark Eugenikes, Archbishop of Ephesus, was a reknown defender of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence. Nothing was able to sway him towards Uniatism. Secretly slipping away from Florence, Saint Mark zealously urged the inhabitants of Constantinople to repudiate the dishonourable concordat. He died in the year 1457.</p>"}}, "257": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Arkady of Noviy Torg", "short": "Venerable Arkady"}}, "260": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Euthymius the Great (\u2020 473)", "short": "Venerable Euthymius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Euthymios the Great came from the city of Meletina in Armenia, near the River Euphrates. His parents, Paul and Dionysia, were illustrious people and pious christians. For a long time they did not have children, and finally through fervent prayer a son was born to them, whose appearance into the light of day was preceded by a Divine apparition foretelling a great future for the child.</p><p>The father of the Monk Euthymios soon died, and his mother\u2014fulfilling a vow to dedicate her son to God\u2014gave him over for educating to her brother, the Monk Eudoxios. He presented the lad to the bishop of the Meletina Church, Otreos, who with love took upon himself caring for him. Seeing his good conduct, the bishop soon made him a reader. Saint Euthymios later accepted monasticism and was ordained to the dignity of presbyter. At the same time, he was entrusted with the stewardship of all the city monasteries. The Monk Euthymios often visited the monastery of saint Polieuktos, and during the days of Great Lent he withdrew into the wilderness. The position of steward of the monasteries weighed heavily upon the ascetic seeking quietude, and in his 30<sup>th</sup> year of life he secretly left the city and headed to Jerusalem where, having prostrated himself before the holy places, he withdrew into the Tharan Lavra. Having found outside the monastery a solitary empty abode, he settled into it, securing his subsistence by weaving baskets. Nearby, the Monk Theoktistos pursued asceticism. They had both one striving for God, one will, one purpose. Usually after the feast of Theophany, they withdrew into the Kutilleia wilderness (not far from Jericho). One day though they left there, having chosen a place in the mountains difficult of access, and settled into a cave. The Lord however soon revealed their solitary place for the benefit of many people: shepherds driving their flocks came upon the cave and told about it in the village. People seeking spiritual benefit began to throng to the hermits. Gradually a monastic community grew up\u2014several monks came from the Tharan monastery, among them Marin and Luke. The Monk Euthymios entrusted the running of the growing monastery to his friend Theoktistos, and himself became a spiritual brother. He exhorted the brethren: \u201cKnow, that one desiring to lead a monastic life ought not to have his own will, he is always to be found in obedience and humility and to be mindful of the thought of death, to fear the Judgement and the eternal fire and to desire the Heavenly Kingdom.\u201d</p><p>The monk commanded young monastics to tackle bodily labour with an inner thought of God. \u201cIf laymen,\u2014he said,\u2014work much, in order to feed themselves and their families, and besides this, they give alms and offer sacrifice to God, then all the moreso ought we as monks to work, so as to avoid idleness and not be nourished by the work of strangers.\u201d The abba demanded, that the monks keep silence in church during Divine-services and at meals. He did not allow young monks, wishing to fast more than others of the brethren, to follow their own will, but urged them to partake of all the food at meals with temperance, not having over-eaten.</p><p>In these years the Monk Euthymios converted and baptised many Arabs, among whom was the military-head Aspevet and his son Terevon, whom the Monk Euthymios healed from sickness. Aspevet received the name Peter in Baptism and afterwards he was a bishop amongst the Arabs.</p><p>The fame of the miracles accomplished by the Monk Euthymios spread quickly. People began to throng from everywhere; brought with sickness, they received healing. Unable to bear human fame and glory, the monk secretly left the monastery,\u2014taking with him only his closest student Dometian. He withdrew into the Ruv wilderness and settled on the high mountain of Mardes, around about the Dead Sea. In the quests for solitude the monk explored the Zeph wilderness and settled in the cave, where formerly holy king David hid from the pursuit of king Saul. The Monk Euthymios founded there a monastery, and at the cave of David he established a church. During this time the Monk Euthymios converted many monks in the wilderness from the Manich\u00e6an heresy, he worked miracles, healed the sick and cast out devils. </p><p>Visitors to the saint disturbed the tranquillity of the wilderness; loving silence, he decided to return to the monastery of Saint Theoktistos that he had forsaken. Along the way the monk took a fancy to a solitary place on a mountain and he remained on it. There afterwards his holy body was buried. </p><p>Blessed Theoktistos went out with his brethren to the Monk Euthymios and requested him to return to the monastery, but the monk did not comply. However, he promised to come to the monastery on Sundays for community Divine-services.</p><p>The Monk Euthymios did not wish to have anyone nearby, nor to organise a general monastery or lavra, but in a vision the Lord commanded him not to drive away those who were come to him for the salvation of their souls. After some time brethren again gathered around him, and he organised a Lavra, on the pattern of the Tharan Lavra. In the year 429, when the monk Euthymios was 52 years old, the Jerusalem Patriarch Juvenalios consecrated the lavra church and supplied it with presbyters and deacons.</p><p>The lavra was at first poor, but the monk steadfastly trusted on God to send down all the necessities for people. Once there came to the lavra about 400 male pilgrims\u2014Armenians from Jerusalem who were starving. Viewing this, the Monk Euthymios summoned the steward and ordered him to feed the wanderers. The steward answered that there was no such quantity of food in the monastery. The monk, however, persisted. Going to the room where the bread was kept, the steward found there a large quantity of bread. With this came forth wine and oil. The wanderers ate to the glory of God: they ate their fill and after this there remained a three-month supply of food for the brethren. Thus the Lord wrought a miracle through the faith of Saint Euthymios. </p><p>Once one of the monastics refused to carry out an obedience assigned to him. Despite the fact that the monk having summoned him urged him to comply, the monastic remained obstinate. The monk then shouted loudly: \u201cThou wilt see what the reward for disobedience is.\u201d The monastic fell to the ground in a fit of raving. The brethren began to make entreaty to the abba for him, and then the Monk Euthymios healed the insubordinate one who, having come to himself, asked forgiveness and promised to improve himself. \u201cObedience,\u2014said Saint Euthymios,\u2014is a great virtue. The Lord loves obedience more than sacrifice, but disobedience leads to death.\u201d </p><p>Two of the brethren in the monastery of Saint Euthymios became overwhelmed by the austere form of life and they resolved to flee. Foreseeing in spirit their intent, the monk summoned them and for a long time he urged them to give up their destructive intention. He said: \u201cHeed not that state of mind, of having sorrow and hatred for the place in which we live, and being prompted to go off to another place. Let a monk not imagine that, having gone to another place he arrives at something better, since good deeds are realised not by a place, but by a firm will and by faith. Whence the tree, which often they transplant to another place, does not bear fruit.\u201d</p><p>In the year 431 was convened in Ephesus the Third \u0152cumenical Council, directed against the Nestorian heresy. The Monk Euthymios rejoiced over the affirmation of Orthodoxy but was grieved about the archbishop of Antioch John who, being orthodox, defended Nestorios.</p><p>In the year 451 was convened at Chalcedon the Fourth \u0152cumenical Council against the heresy of Dioskoros who, in contrast to Nestorios, asserted that in the Lord Jesus Christ there is only one nature\u2014the Divine, having in the Incarnation swallowed up the human nature (thus the heresy was called Monophysite).</p><p>The Monk Euthymios accepted the confession of the Chalcedon and he acknowledged it as Orthodox. News about this spread quickly among the monks and hermits and many of them, having previously believed wrongly, through the example of Saint Euthymios accepted the confession of the Chalcedon Council.</p><p>For his ascetic life and firm confession of the Orthodox faith Saint Euthymios received the title \u201cthe Great.\u201d Having become wearied by intercourse with the world, the holy abba settled for a time into an inner wilderness. After his return to the lavra some of the brethren saw that, when he celebrated the Divine Liturgy, fire descended from Heaven and encircled the saint. The monk himself revealed to several of the monastics, that often he saw an Angel celebrating the Holy Liturgy together with him. The monk had a gift of perspicacity\u2014he saw the innder workings of the spirit and he discerned human inclinations. When monastics received the Holy Mysteries, it was revealed to the monk\u2014who approached worthily, and who unto condemnation of self.</p><p>When the Monk Euthymios was 82 years old, there came to him blessed Sava (the future Sava the Sanctified, Comm. 5 December), who was then still a youth. The elder received him with love and sent him off to the monastery of the Monk Theoktistos. He foretold, that the Monk Sava would shine in the monastic life.</p><p>When the saint had become 90 years of age, his companion and fellow Monk Theoktistos became grievously ill. The Monk Euthymios came to visit his friend and remained at the monastery; he took his leave of him and was present at the end. Having consigned the body to the grave, he returned to the lavra.</p><p>The time of his death was revealed to the Monk Euthymios through a particular mercy of God. On the day of memory of the Monk Anthony the Great, 17 January, the Monk Euthymios gave blessing to make the all-night vigil and, summoning the presbyters to the Altar, he told them that he would no more celebrate with them another vigil, because the Lord was summoning him from earthly life. All were filled with great sadness, but the monk commanded the brethren to gather together with him in the morning. He began to instruct the brethren: \u201cIf ye love me, observe my precepts, acquire love, which is an uniting of perfection. No virtuousness is possible without love and humility. The Lord Himself on account of His Love for us humbled Himself and became Man, as are we. We need therefore unceasingly to offer up praise to Him, particularly we, who have renounced the passions of the world. Never leave from church services, observe tradition and monastic rules carefully. If anyone of the brethren struggleth with unclean thoughts,\u2014unceasingly guide and instruct him, so that the devil does not carry off the brother into the pit.\u201d</p><p>\u201dI add likewise another command: let the gates of the monastery never be bolted to wanderers and everything that you have, offer to the needy, for the poor in their misfortune do what you can to help.\u201d Afterwards, having given instruction for the guidance of the brethren, the monk promised to remain in spirit with all who desired to bear asceticism in his monastery until the end of the ages.</p><p>Having dismissed all, the Monk Euthymios kept about him only his one disciple Dometian and, remaining with him inside the Altar for three days, he died on 20 January in the year 473 at the age of 97 years.</p><p>At the burial of the holy abba there immediately thronged a multitude of monks from the monasteries and from the wilderness, among whom was Saint Gerasimos. The Patriarch Anastasios came also with clergy, the Nitreian monks Martyrios and Elias, who later became Jerusalem Patriarchs\u2014about which the Monk Euthymios had foretold them.</p><p>Blessed Dometian did not leave the grave of his preceptor for 6 days. On the 7<sup>th</sup> day, he saw the holy abba, joyously having returned with love for his student: \u201cI am come, my child, in preparation for thee in peace, wherefore I prayed the Lord Jesus Christ, that thou be with me.\u201d Having told the brethren about the vision, Saint Dometian went to church and in joy offered his spirit to God. He was buried alongside Saint Euthymios. The relics of the Monk Euthymios were situated at his monastery in Palestine: the Russian pilgrim hegumen Daniel saw them in the XII Century.</p>"}, "rank": 5, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Rejoice, O desert who hast not given birth! * Be of good cheer, thou who hast not felt the pangs of travail! * For the man of spiritual desires hath multiplied children for thee, planting them with piety * and nurturing them with abstinence unto the perfection of the virtues. ** By his prayers, O Christ God, bring peace to our life.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Creation found joy in thine honored nativity and in thy divine memory, O venerable one, * receiving the good cheer of thy many miracles. * Give richly of them to our souls, and wash away the defilement of our sins, ** that we may chant: Alleluia!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "262": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Bassus, Eusebius, Eutychius and Basilides at Nicomedia (\u2020 303)", "short": "Martyrs Bassus"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyrs Bassos, Eusebios, Eutykhios and Basilides were courtiers of the emperor Diocletian. He sent them as witnesses of the suffering of the Nicomedia bishop Theopemptos (Comm. 5 January) for his faith in Christ. They themselves came to believe and accepted holy Baptism. For this they were subjected to tortures and condemned to death. Saint Bassos they buried in the ground and hacked at him; Saint Eusebios they hung head downwards and cut him in two; Saint Eutykhios they tied hands and legs to a pillar and broke him apart; Saint Basilides they cut in the stomach with a knife. The martyrs suffered in the year 303. </p>"}}, "264": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Arsenius of Komel", "short": "Venerable Arsenius"}}, "265": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Arsenius the Abbot of Konevits (\u2020 1447)", "short": "Venerable Arsenius"}}, "267": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Maximus the Confessor (\u2020 662)", "short": "Venerable Maximus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Maximos the Confessor was born in Constantinople in about the year 580 and raised in a pious Christian family. In his youth he received a very diverse education: he studied philosophy, grammatics, rhetoric, he was well-read in the authors of antiquity and he mastered to perfection theological dialectics. When Saint Maximos entered into government service, the scope of his learning and his conscientiousness enabled him to become first secretary to the emperor Heraclius (611-641). But court life vexed him, and he withdrew to the Chrysopoleia monastery (on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus\u2014now Skutari), where he accepted monastic tonsure. By the humility of his wisdom he soon won the love of the brethren and was chosen hegumen of the monastery, but even in this dignity, in his own words, he \u201cremained a simple monk.\u201d But in 633 at the request of a theologian, the future Jerusalem Patriarch Saint Sophronios (Comm. 11 March), the Monk Maximos left the monastery and set off to Alexandria. </p><p>Saint Sophronios was known in these times as an implacable antagonist against the Monothelite heresy. The Fourth \u0152cumenical Council (year 451) had condemned the Monophysite heresy, which confessed in the Lord Jesus Christ only one nature (the Divine, but not the Human nature, of Christ). Influenced by this erroneous tendency of thought, the Monothelite heretics introduced the concept that in Christ there was only \u201cone Divine will\u201d (\u201cthelema\u201d) and only \u201cone Divine effectuation or energy\u201d (\u201cenergia\u201d),\u2014which sought to lead back by another path to the repudiated Monophysite heresy. Monotheletism found numerous adherents in Armenia, Syria, Egypt. The heresy, fanned also by nationalist animosities, became a serious threat to church unity in the East. The struggle of Orthodoxy with the heresies was particularly complicated by the fact, that in the year 630 three of the Patriarchal thrones in the Orthodox East were occupied by Monothelites: at Constantinople\u2014by Sergios, at Antioch\u2014by Athanasias, and at Alexandria\u2014by Cyrus.</p><p>The path of the Monk Maximos from Constantinople to Alexandria led through Crete, where indeed he began his preaching activity. He clashed there with a bishop, who adhered to the heretical opinions of Severus and Nestorius. At Alexandria and its surroundings the monk spent about 6 years. In 638 the emperor Heraclius, together with the patriarch Sergios, attempted to downplay the discrepancies in the confession of faith, and the issued an edict: the so-called \u201cEcthesis\u201d (\u201cEkthesis tes pisteos\u201d\u2014\u201dExposition of Faith),\u2014which ultimately decreed that there be confessed the teaching about \u201cone will\u201d (\u201cmono-thelema\u201d) operative under the two natures of the Saviour. In defending Orthodoxy against this \u201cEcthesis,\u201d the Monk Maximos recoursed to people of various vocations and positions, and these conversations had success. \u201cNot only the clergy and all the bishops, but also the people, and all the secular officials felt within themselves some sort of invisible attraction to him,\u2014testifies his Vita.</p><p>Towards the end of 638 the patriarch Sergios died, and in 641\u2014the emperor Heraclius also died. The imperial throne came to be occupied by the cruel and coarse Constans II (642-668), an open adherent of the Monothelites. The assaults of the heretics against Orthodoxy intensified. The Monk Maximos went off to Carthage and he preached there and in its surroundings for about 5 years. When the successor of patriarch Sergios, patriarch Pyrrhos, arrived there in forsaking Constantinople because of court intrigues, and being by persuasion a Monothelite,\u2014there occurred between him and the Monk Maximos an open disputation in June 645. The result of this was that Pyrrhos publicly acknowledged his error and even wanted to put into writing to Pope Theodore the repudiation of his error. The Monk Maximos together with Pyrrhos set off to Rome, where Pope Theodore accepted the repentance of the former patriarch and restored him to his dignity.</p><p>In the year 647 the Monk Maximos returned to Africa. And there, at a council of bishops Monotheletism was condemned as an heresy. In the year 648, in place of the \u201cEcthesis,\u201d there was issued a new edict, commissioned by Constans and compiled by the Constantinople patriarch Paul, the \u201cTypus\u201d (\u201cTupos tes pisteos\u201d\u2014\u201dPattern of the Faith\u201d), which overall forbade any further deliberations, whether if be about \u201cone will\u201d or about \u201ctwo wills,\u201d as regarding the acknowledged \u201ctwo natures\u201d of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Monk Maximos thereupon turned to the successor of the Roman Pope Theodore, PopeMartin I (649-654), with a request to examine the question of Monotheletism at a conciliar consideration by all the Church. In October of 649 there was convened the Lateran Council, at which were present 150 Western bishops and 37 representatives of the Orthodox East, amongst which was also the Monk Maximos the Confessor. The Council condemned Monotheletism, and its defenders\u2014the Constantinople patriarchs Sergios, Paul and Pyrrhos, were consigned to anathema. </p><p>When Constans II received the determinations of the Council, he gave orders to arrest both Pope Martin and the Monk Maximos. This summons took 5 years to fulfill, in the year 654. They accused the Monk Maximos of treason to the realm and locked him up in prison. In 656 he was sent off to Thrace, and again later brought back to a Constantinople prison. The monk, together with two of his students, was subjected to the cruellest torments: for each they cut out the tongue and cut off the right hand. Then they were sent off to Colchis. But here the Lord worked an inexplicable miracle: all three of them found the ability to speak and to write. The Monk Maximos indeed foretold his own end (\u2020 13 August 662). On the Greek Saints-Prologue (Calendar), 13 August indicates the Transfer of the Relics of Saint Maximos to Constantinople, but possibly it might apply to the death of the saint. Or otherwise, the establishing of his memory under 21 January may be connected with this\u2014that 13 August celebrates the Leavetaking of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Over the grave of the Monk Maximos shone three miraculously-appearing lights, and there occurred many an healing. </p><p>The Monk Maximos has left to the Church a large theological legacy. His exegetical works contain explanations of difficult places within the Holy Scripture, also Commentary on the Prayer of the Lord and on the 59<sup>th</sup> Psalm, various \u201cscholia\u201d (\u201cmarginalia\u201d or text-margin commentaries) on treatises of the Hieromartyr Dionysios the Areopagite (\u2020 96, Comm. 3 October) and Saint Gregory the Theologian (\u2020 389, Comm. 25 January). To the exegetical works of Saint Maximos belongs likewise his explication of Divine-services, entitled \u201cMystagogia\u201d (\u201cIntroduction concerning the Mystery\u201d).</p><p>To the dogmatic works of the Monk Maximos belong: the Exposition on his dispute with Pyrrhos, and several tracts and letters to various people. In them are contained expositions of the Orthodox teaching of the Divine Essence and about Hypostatic-Persons of the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of God, and about the \u201ctheosis\u201d (\u201cdeification,\u201d \u201cobozhenie\u201d) of human nature.</p><p>\u201dNothing in theosis is the product of human nature,\u2014the Monk Maximos writes in a letter to his friend Thalassios,\u2014since nature cannot comprehend God. It is only but the mercy of God that has the capacity to endow theosis unto the existing\u2026 In theosis man (the image of God) becomes likened to God, he rejoices in all the plenitude that does belong to him by nature, since the grace of the Spirit doth triumph within him and because God doth act within him\u201d (Letter 22). </p><p>To the Monk Maximos belong also works concerning the anthropologic (i.e. concerning man). He deliberates on the nature of the soul and its consciously-personal existence after the death of a man. Among his moral compositions, especially important is his \u201cChapters on Love.\u201d The Monk Maximos the Confessor wrote likewise three hymns in the finest traditions of church hymnography, following the lead of Saint Gregory the Theologian.</p><p>The theology of the Monk Maximos the Confessor, based on the spiritual experience of the knowledge of the great Desert-Fathers, and utilising the skilled art of dialectics worked out by pre-Christian philosophy, was continued and developed upon in the works of the Monk Simeon the New Theologian (\u2020 1021, Comm. 12 March), and Saint Gregory Palamas (\u2020 c. 1360, Comm. 14 November).</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O instructor of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, * beacon for the whole world, divinely inspired adornment of monastics. * O most wise Maximus by thy doctrines thou hast illumined all. ** O harp of the Spirit, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>With fitting hymns, O ye faithful, let us honor the great Maximus, * the lover of the Trinity, who manifestly teacheth us the divine Faith, * to worship Christ in two natures, volitions and activities; ** and let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O preacher of the faith!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/2": {"text": "<p>The thrice-radiant light which abode in thy soul showed thee forth as a chosen vessel, O most blessed one, * revealing things divine to the ends of the earth. * O blessed Maximus, recount understandings of things hard to comprehend ** and manifestly preach to all the transcendent and unoriginate Trinity!</p>", "Type": "2", "Tone": "6"}}}}, "269": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Neophytus of Nic\u00e6a (\u2020 303-305)", "short": "Martyr Neophytus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyr Neophytus, a native of the city of Nic\u00e6a, was raised by his parents in strict Christian piety. For his virtue, temperance and unceasing prayer, it pleased God to glorify Saint Neophytus with the gift of wonderworking, while the saint was yet but a lad! Like unto Moses, the holy lad brought forth water from a stone of the city wall and gave this water to those suffering thirst. In answer to the prayer of the mother of Saint Neophytus, seeking that the Will of God concerning her son might be revealed to her, a white dove miraculously appeared, and announced about the salvific path awaiting him. The saint was led forth from his parental home by this dove and brought to a mountain cave, which served as a sheltering den for a lion. The lad dwelt there until his fifteenth year, leaving it but once to bury his parents and distribute their substance to the poor. </p><p>During the time of the persecution by Diocletian (284-305), he voluntarily appeared in Nic\u00e6a and boldly began to denounce the impiety of the pagan faith. The enraged persecutors suspended the saint on a tree, they whipped him with ox thongs and cut at his body with iron. Then they threw him into a red-hot oven, but the holy martyr remained unharmed, spending 3 days and 3 nights in it. The torturers, not knowing what more to do with him, decided to kill him. One of the pagans thrust a spear into his chest, and the saint expired to the Lord in his 16<sup>th</sup> year of life, somewhere in the years 303-305, at Nic\u00e6a.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>In his suffering, O Lord, * Thy martyr Neophytus received an imperishable crown from Thee our God; * for, possessed of Thy might, * he set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. ** By his supplications save Thou our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "270": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Eugene, Candidus, Valerian and Aquila (3<sup>rd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Eugene"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyrs Eugene, Candidus, Valerian and Aquila suffered for their faith in Christ during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian (284-305), under the regimental commander Licius. Valerian, Candidus and Aquila had hidden themselves away during the time of the persecution in the Granezond hills, preferring life among the wild beasts over living with the pagans. But there also there were soon found and brought to Granezond. For their bold and steadfast confession of faith in Christ the holy martyrs were whipped with ox thongs, cut at with iron, and then had salt poured on their wounds which then were scorched with fire. Several days later Saint Eugene was also arrested, and subjected to the same tortures. After the tortures they threw the four martyrs into a redhot oven; when they emerged from it unharmed, they were beheaded. The saints accepted a martyr\u2019s death towards the end of the III Century.</p>"}}, "274": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Maximus the Greek (\u2020 1556)", "short": "Venerable Maximus"}}, "275": {"name": {"nominative": "Icon of the Mother of God \u201cJoy and Consolation\u201d", "short": "Theotokos"}}, "279": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostle Timothy of the Seventy (\u2020 96)", "short": "Apostle Timothy"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Disciple Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor. Saint Timothy was converted to Christ in the year 52 by the holy Apostle Paul (\u2020 c. 67, Comm. 29 June). When the Apostle Paul and Barnabas first visited the Lycaonian cities, the Apostle Paul at Lystra healed one crippled from birth; many of the inhabitants there then believed in Christ, and among them was the future youthful disciple Timothy, his mother Eunice and grandmother Loida (Lois) (Acts 14: 6-12; 2 Tim. 1: 5). The seed of faith, planted in the soul of Saint Timothy by the Apostle Paul, brought forth abundant fruit. He became a zealous student of the Apostle Paul, and later his constant companion and co-worker in the preaching of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul loved Saint Timothy and in his Epistles called him his beloved son, with gratitude remembering his devotion and fidelity. He wrote to Timothy: \u201cThou hast followed me in teaching, in life, in disposition, faith, magnanimity, love, and patience in afflictions and sufferings\u2026\u201d (2 Tim. 3: 10-11). The Apostle Paul in the year 65 ordained Saint Timothy as bishop of the Ephesus Church, which the saint administered for 15 years. And finally the holy Apostle Paul, situated in prison and knowing, that the act of martyrdom was before him, summoned his faithful student and friend, the Disciple Timothy, for a last farewell (2 Tim. 4: 9). </p><p>Saint Timothy ended his life as a martyr. At Ephesus the pagans made a feastday in honour of their idols and they carried them through the city, accompanied by impious ceremonies and songs. The holy Bishop Timothy, zealous for the glory of God, attempted to halt the procession and reason with the spiritually blind idol-worshipping people, by preaching the true faith in Christ. The pagans dashed angrily upon the holy disciple, they beat him, dragged him along the ground, and finally, they stoned him. The holy Disciple Timothy\u2019s death by martyrdom occurred in the year 80. In the IV Century the holy relics of the Disciple Timothy were transferred to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Holy Apostles. Holy Church venerates Saint Timothy as amongst the number of the Seventy Disciples. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Having learned goodness and been watchful in all things, arrayed as befitteth a priest, in a good conscience, thou didst draw forth ineffable things from the chosen vessel; and, having kept the Faith, thou didst complete a course like unto his. O Apostle Timothy, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O ye faithful, let us all hymn Timothy, the divine disciple and companion of Paul, honoring with him the wise Anastasius, who shone forth from Persia like a star and dispelleth the passions of our souls and our bodily infirmities.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}}}}, "284": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra, and Martyr Agathangelus (\u2020 c. 312)", "short": "Hieromartyrs Clement and Agathangelus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Hieromartyr Clement was born in the Galatian city of Ancyra in the year 258, from a pagan father and a Christian mother. In infancy he lost his father, and at twelve years of age also his mother, who predicted for him a martyr\u2019s death for belief in Christ. A woman adopting him named Sophia raised him in the fear of God. During the time of a terrible famine in Galatia several pagans cast out their own children, not having the wherewithal to feed them, and Sophia gathered up also these hapless ones, she fed and clothed them, and Saint Clement assisted her in this. He taught the children and prepared them for Holy Baptism. Many of them died as martyrs for the faith in Christ.</p><p>For his virtuous life Saint Clement was made a reader, and later a deacon, and at age eighteen he received the dignity of presbyter, and at age twenty he was ordained bishop of Ancyra. Soon afterwards there flared up the persecution against Christians under Diocletian (284-305). Bishop Clement was arrested under denunciation and had also to answer for himself. The governor of Galatia, Dometian, tried to sway the saint to the worship of the pagan gods, but Saint Clement firmly confessed his faith and valiantly endured all the tortures, which the cruel official subjected him to. They suspended him on a tree, and tore at his body such that the bare bones could be seen, they struck him fiercely with clubs and stones, and they turned him about on a wheel and burned at him with a low fire. The Lord preserved His sufferer and healed his lacerated body. Then Dometian dispatched the saint to Rome to the emperor Diocletian himself, with a report that Bishop Clement had been fiercely tortured, but had proven unyielding. Diocletian, seeing the martyr completely healthy, did not believe the report and subjected him to still yet crueler tortures, and then had him locked up in prison.</p><p>Many of the pagans, seeing the bravery of the saint and the miraculous healing of his wounds, believed in Christ. People flocked to Saint Clement in prison for guidance, healing and Baptism, such that the prison was literally transformed into a church.Many of these people, when reported about, were executed by the emperor. Diocletian, struck by the amazing endurance of Saint Clement, sent him off to Nicomedia to his co-emperor Maximian. </p><p>On the ship along the way, the saint was joined by his disciple Agathangelos, who had avoided being executed with the other confessors, and who now wanted to suffer and die for Christ together with Bishop Clement.</p><p>The emperor Maximian in turn sent off Saint Clement and Agathangelos to the governor Agrippina, who subjected them to such inhuman torments, that even among the pagan on-lookers there was felt a sense of pity for the martyrs and they began to pelt the torturers with stones. </p><p>Having been set free, the saints healed an inhabitant of the city with a laying on of hands and they baptised and instructed people, thronging to them in multitudes. Arrested again on orders of Maximian, they were sent off home to the city of Ancyra, where the Ancyra prince Cyrenius had them put to torture, and then dispatched them off to the city of Amasia to the official Dometius, known for his especial cruelty. </p><p>In Amasia the martyrs were thrown into molten lime, they spent a whole day in it and remained unharmed. They flayed their skin, beat them with iron rods, they set them on red-hot beds and poured sulfur. All this failed to harm the saints, and they were sent off to Tarsis for new tortures. In the wilderness along the way Saint Clement in prayer had a revelation, that he would suffer another 28 years for the Name of Christ. And then having endured a multitude of tortures, the saints were locked up in prison. </p><p>After the death of Maximian, Saint Agathangelos was beheaded with the sword. Ancyra Christians set free Saint Clement from prison and they took him to a cave church. There, after celebrating Liturgy, the saint announced to the faithful the soon impending end of the persecution and his own approaching demise. The holy martyr soon actually was killed by soldiers from the city, who stormed the church. They beheaded the saint during the time of his offering the Bloodless Sacrifice (\u2020 c. 312).</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou hast been given to the faithful, O most sacred one, as a branch of holiness and a stem of struggle, a most sacred flower and divinely bestowed and everblossoming fruit. As a fellow sufferer of the martyrs and a fellow-prelate of hierarchs, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou wast a precious scion of Christ the branch, O much-suffering and most lauded Clement, and thou didst cry out with those who suffered: \"Thou art the radiant joy of the martyrs, O Christ!\"</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "287": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Mausimas the Syrian (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Mausimas"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Mausimas the Syrian lived in Syria, near the city of Cyr or Cyrtha. For the salvation of soul he took upon himself voluntary poverty and devoted his life to the service of neighbour. The doors of his hut were always open to anyone who had need of him. In his hut there constantly stood two vessels: one with bread, and the other with oil. Anyone needing it came to him and received the food from his hand. These vessels never became empty. The monk died at the end of the IV Century. </p>"}}, "288": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Salamanes the Silent of the Euphrates (\u2020 c. 400)", "short": "Venerable Salamanes"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Salaman the Silent was a native of the city of Kapersan, near the River Euphrates. Having found at the bank of the river a solitary cave, he became an hermit within it and spent there a life of silence and prayerful deeds. </p><p>And in learning of his lofty life, the bishop of Kapersan wanted to ordain him presbyter, but the man of silence did not answer him even a single word. The ascetic also in other instances of life did not cease his effort of silence, conversing only with the Lord alone. The Orthodox Church venerates him as the first saint to have taken upon himself the deed of silence, which he continued to his very end (\u2020 c. 400).</p>"}}, "289": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Paulinus the Merciful, Bishop of Nola (\u2020 431)", "short": "Saint Paulinus"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Paulinus the Merciful, Bishop of Nolanum, was descended from an aristocratic and rich family of the city of Bordeaux (France). By virtue of his extensive education and upbringing, the twenty year old youth was selected to become a Roman senator, later he became consul and finally, governor of the region of Campagna in Italy. At twenty-five years of age he together with his spouse was converted to Christ and was baptised. After this he completely changed his manner of life: he disposed of all his property and distributed the money at hand to the needy, for which he had to endure the scorn of his friends and servants.</p><p>Not having children of their own, the pious couple adopted poor orphans and raised them in the fear of God. In his searchings for a secluded life, Saint Paulinus went off to the Spanish city of Barcelona. </p><p>News about his ascetic life spread about, and in the year 393 they besought him to accept the dignity of presbyter. Soon he left Spain and went on to the city of Nola (in Latin \u201cNolanum\u201d) in Italy, where he was chosen bishop. </p><p>When Vandal barbarians invaded Italy and carried off many people to Africa in captivity, holy Bishop Paulinus then made use of church funds to ransom the captives. However, not having sufficient means to ransom the son of a certain poor widow, he himself went voluntarily into slavery in place of him. In the attire of a slave, Saint Paulinus began to serve the Vandal prince.</p><p>Soon his secret was revealed, and he not only himself received his freedom, but he obtained it for all the captives, and together with them returned home. His love for mankind and compassion for all the poor and needy comprises a distinctive feature of his character. Saint Paulinus is known both as a builder of churches and as a Christian poet. He died at 78 years of age on 22 June 431. There remains from him several hymns and writings, containing various moral discourses imbued with deep piety. His relics are situated in Rome, in the church of the holy Apostle Bartholomew.</p>"}}, "291": {"name": {"nominative": "Commemoration of Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681)", "short": "Commemoration of"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Sixth \u0152cumenical Council was convened by the emperor Constantine Pogonatos (668-685) at Constantinople in the year 681 concerning the Monothelite heresy. At it were present 171 holy fathers, who affirmed the confession of faith concerning the two wills in Jesus Christ\u2014the Divine and the human. Continuing the work, this Council was followed by another Council in the year 691 in the imperial palaces, called the Council of Trullo. At this Council was made an examination of practical matters as to their canonical propriety, and 102 rule-canons were established. </p>"}}, "293": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Athanasius, Founder of the Great Lavra on Mt Athos, and his 6 disciples (\u2020 1000)", "short": "Venerable Athanasius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Athanasias of Athos, in holy Baptism named Abraham, was born in the city of Trapezund. He was early left orphaned, and being raised by a certain good and pious nun, he copied his adoptive mother in the habits of monastic life, in fasting and in prayer. Doing his lessons came easily and he soon outpaced his peers in study.</p><p>After the death of his adoptive mother, Abraham was taken to Constantinople, to the court of the then Byzantine emperor Romanos the Elder, and was enrolled as a student under the reknown rhetorician Athanasias. In a short while the student attained the mastery of skill of his teacher and he himself became an instructor of youths. Reckoning as the true life that of fasting and vigilance, Abraham led a life strict and abstinent, he slept little and then only sitting upon a stool, and barley bread and water were his nourishment. When his teacher Athanasias through human weakness became jealous of his student, blessed Abraham quit his teaching and went away.</p><p>During these days there had arrived at Constantinople the Monk Michael Maleinos (Comm. 12 July), hegumen of the Kimineia monastery. Abraham told the hegumen about his life, and revealed to him his secret desire to become a monk. The holy elder, discerning in Abraham a chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, became fond of him and taught him much in questions of salvation. One time during their spiritual talks Saint Michael was visited by his nephew, Nicephoros Phokas, a reknown military officer and future emperor. The lofty spirit and profound mind of Abraham impressed Nicephoros, and all his life he regarded the saint with reverent respect and with love. Abraham was consumed by his zeal for the monastic life. Having forsaken everything, he went to the Kimineia monastery and, falling down at the feet of the holy hegumen, he besought to be received into the monastic form. The hegumen fulfilled his request with joy and gave him monastic vows with the name Athanasias.</p><p>With long fasts, vigils, bending of the knees, with works night and day Athanasias soon attained such perfection, that the holy hegumen blessed him for the exploit of silence in a solitary place not far from the monastery. Later on, having left Kimineia, he made the rounds of many a desolate and solitary place, and guided by God, he came to a place called Melanos, at the very extremity of Athos, settling far off from the other monastic dwellings. Here the monk made himself a cell and began to asceticise in works and in prayer, proceeding from exploit to exploit towards higher monastic attainment.</p><p>The enemy of mankind tried to arouse in Saint Athanasias hatred for the place chosen by him, and assaulted him with constant suggestions in thought. The ascetic decided to suffer it out for a year, and then wherever the Lord should direct him, he would go. On the last day of this year\u2019s length of time, when Saint Athanasias set about to prayer, an Heavenly Light suddenly shone upon him, filling him with an indescribable joy, all the thoughts dissipated, and from his eyes welled up graced tears. From that moment Saint Athanasias received the gift of tenderness (\u201cumilenie\u201d), and the place of his solitude he became as strongly fond of as before he had loathed it. During this time Nicephoros Phokas, having had enough of military exploits, remembered his vow to become a monk and from his means he besought the Monk Athanasias to build a monastery, <i>i.e.</i> to build cells for him and the brethren, and a church where the brethren could commune the Divine Mysteries of Christ on Sundays.</p><p>Tending to shun cares and worries, Blessed Athanasias at first would not agree to accept the hateful gold, but seeing the fervent desire and good intent of Nicephoros, and discerning in this the will of God, he set about the building of the monastery. He erected a large church in honour of the holy Prophet and Forerunner of Christ John the Baptist, and another church at the foot of an hill, in the name of the Most Holy Virgin Mother of God. Around the church were the cells, and a wondrous monastery arose on the Holy Mount. In it were arrayed a refectory, an hospice for the sick and for taking in wanderers, and other necessary structures.</p><p>Brethren flocked to the monastery from everywhere, not only from Greece, but also from other lands\u2014simple people and illustrious dignitaries, wilderness-dwellers having asceticised long years in the wilderness, hegumens from many a monastery and hierarchs wanting to become simple monks in the Athos Laura of Saint Athanasias.</p><p>The saint established at the monastery a life-in-common (\u201cc\u0153nobitic\u201d) monastic-rule on the model of the old Palestinian monasteries. Divine-services were made with all strictness, and no one made bold to chatter during the time of service, nor to come late or leave without need from the church.</p><p>The Heavenly Patroness of Athos, the All-Pure Mother of God Herself, was graciously disposed towards the saint. Many a time he was granted to behold Her wondrous eyes. By the sufferance of God there once occurred such an hunger, that the monks one after the other quit the Laura. The saint remained all alone and in a moment of weakness he also considered leaving. Suddenly he beheld a Woman beneath an \u00e6thereal veil, coming to meet him. \u201cWho art thou and whither g\u0153st?\u201d\u2014She asked quietly. Saint Athanasias from an innate deference halted. \u201cI am a monk from here,\u201d\u2014answered Saint Athanasias and told about himself and his worries. \u201cAnd on account of a morsel of dry bread thou would forsake the monastery, which was intended for glory from generation unto generation? Where is thy faith? Turn round, and I shalt help thee.\u201d \u201cWho art Thou?,\u201d\u2014asked Athanasias. \u201cI am the Mother of thy Lord,\u201d\u2014She answered and bid Athanasias to strike his staff upon a stone, such that from the fissure there shot forth a spring of water, which exists even now, in remembrance of this miraculous visitation. </p><p>The brethren grew in number, and the construction work at the Laura continued. The Monk Athanasias, foreseeing the time of his departure to the Lord, prophesied about his impending end and besought the brethren not to be troubled over what he foresaw. \u201cFor Wisdom disposeth otherwise than people do judge.\u201d The brethren were perplexed and pondered over the words of the saint. Having bestown on the brethren his final guidance and comforted all, Saint Athanasias entered his cell, put on his mantle and holy kukol\u2032-headpiece, which he wore only on great feasts, and after prolonged prayer he emerged. Alert and joyful, the holy hegumen went up with six of the brethren to the top of the church to look over the construction. Suddenly, through the imperceptible will of God, the top of the church collapsed. Five of the brethren immediately gave up their spirit to God. The Monk Athanasias and the architect Daniel, thrown upon the stones, remained alive. All heard, as the monk called out to the Lord: \u201cGlory to Thee, O God! Lord, Jesus Christ, help me!\u201d The brethren with great weeping began to dig out their father from amidst the rubble, but they found him already dead.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>The ranks of the angels marvelled at thy life in the flesh: * how in the body thou didst go forth to wrestle with invisible f\u0153s, O ever-glorious one, * and didst wound hordes of the demons. * Hence, O Athanasius, Christ hath bestowed rich gifts upon thee. ** Wherefore, pray that our souls be saved, O father.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy flock, O divinely eloquent one, calleth upon thee as an excellent seer of immaterial beings * and a most true and active interpreter. * Fail not to pray for thy servants, that thou mayest deliver from dangers and assaults ** those who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O father Athanasius!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "294": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Xenia of Rome and her two female slaves (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Xenia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Nun Xenia (V), in the world Eusebia, was the only daughter of an eminent Roman senator. From her youth she yearned for God. In order to evade the marriage set up for her, she secretly left from her parental home together with two servants devoted to her and they set sail upon a ship. Through the Providence of God meeting up with the head of the monastery of the holy Apostle Andrew, which was situated in the city of Milassa, in C\u00e6sarea, she besought him to take her with her companions to Milassa. Having changed her name, she called herself Xenia [which in Greek means \u201cstranger\u201d or foreigner\u201d]. At Milassa she bought land, built a church in the name of Saint Stephen and founded a woman\u2019s monastery. Soon after this the bishop of Milassa, Paul, consecrated Xenia a deaconess, as fully worthy of that calling through virtuous life. The saint rendered aid to all: for the destitute she was a benefactress, for the grief-stricken\u2014a comforter, for sinners\u2014a guide. She possessed deep humility, accounting herself worst and most sinful of all. In her ascetic deeds she was guided by the counsels of the Palestinian ascetic, the Monk Euthymios. By her lofty life Saint Xenia attracted many a soul to salvation. The death of the holy virgin, during a time of prayer, was marked by the Lord with the appearance over the monastery in the heavens of an apparition in the form of a luminous crown with a radiant cross amidst it, which accompanied the body of the saint when it was carried into the city to the people, and it stayed until the moment of burial. Many of the sick, having touched to the remains of the saint, received healing.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>In thee, O mother, that which was created according to the image of God was manifestly saved. * For accepting thy cross thou didst follow after Christ, * and praying thou didst learn to disdain the flesh, * for thou didst transcend it to take care of thine immortal soul. ** Wherefore, with the angels doth thy soul rejoice, O venerable Xenia.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Celebrating thy strange memorial, O Xenia, * we who honor thee with love hymn Christ, * Who giveth thee the power of healing in all things. * To Him do thou ever pray in our behalf.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "295": {"name": {"nominative": "Saints Athanasius the Great (\u2020 373) and Cyril (\u2020 444), Archbishops of Alexandria", "short": "Hierarchs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Athanasias and Cyril, Archbishops of Alexandria, have a conjoined feast established to them in acknowledgement of the profound gratitude of Holy Church for their incessant lengthy labour in affirmation of the dogmas of the Orthodox faith and their zealous defense of such against heretical teachings. </p><p>The account about Saint Athanasias is located under 2 May, and about Saint Cyril\u2014under 9 June.</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O God of our fathers, * deal with us ever according to Thy meekness. * Deprive us not of Thy mercy, * but through their supplications ** direct our life in peace.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "TROPARION/2": {"text": "</p><p>Shining forth with works of Orthodoxy and reducing all heresy to ashes, * ye were victors and conquerors, enriching all with piety; * and, having greatly adorned the Church, * ye have acquired Christ God, as is meet, ** Who granteth us great mercy.", "Type": "2", "Tone": "3"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O sacred primates most great, champions of the Church of Christ, * preserve all who chant: ** Save those who honor Thee with faith, O Compassionate One!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/2": {"text": "<p>Planting Orthodox doctrine, thou didst cut down the tares of heresy, * causing the seed of faith to increase * through the rain of the Spirit, O venerable one. ** Wherefore, we hymn thee, O Athanasius.</p>", "Type": "2", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "297": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Babylas (Vavila) of Sicily and his two disciples: Timothy and Agapius (3<sup>rd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Babylas"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyrs Babyla of Sicily and his two Disciples Timothy and Agapius lived during the III Century on the outskirts of Rome. Saint Babyla was born in the city of Reupolium into a rich family, and he was raised by his parents in the Christian faith. While still in his youth he abandoned the world, secretly going from the house of his parents to a mountain, where he spent all his time in fasting, prayer and silence. Together with him asceticised his two disciples: Timothy and Agapius. Fleeing a persecution by the pagans, he set off with his disciples to the island of Sicily, where they converted many of the unbelieving to Christ. The governor of the island, angered by the enlightening activity of Saint Babyla, gave orders to arrest him together with his disciples, and he then gave them over to fierce tortures. The saints patiently endured the sufferings, and all three died from the sword. Their bodies were thrown into a fire, but the flames did not harm the warriors of Christ. They were buried on the island of Sicily by local Christians.</p>"}}, "298": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Macedonius, the Hermit, of Syria (\u2020 c. 420)", "short": "Saint Macedonius"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Macedonias, a Syrian Hermit, lived during the end-IV early-V Centuries. At the start of his ascetic path he led the life of a wanderer, roving through the cities of Ph\u0153nicia, Cilicia and Syria for 25 years, and then he found a shelter in a deep ditch and lived under the open sky in the Syrian wilderness, shunning human glory. A multitude of people came out to him, seeking spiritual help and guidance. Only in his old age did he accede to the requests of people to live in a narrow cell built for him. Throughout his continuous life Saint Macedonias ate only barley, ground up and mixed with water, for which he was called \u201cKritophagos\u201d (\u201cBarley-Eater\u201d) (Grk. \u2018\u2014\u201dbarley\u201d and \u2018\u2014to eat). Only when he sensed the decline of his powers did he begin to use soft bread. For his ascetic life he was granted of God the gift to cast out demons and to heal the sick. The monk died in about the year 420, having reached his 70<sup>th</sup> year of age.</p>"}}, "2003": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Stephen Nemanja (in monasticism Symeon), Prince of Serbia, the Myrrh-Gusher (\u2020 1200)", "short": "Saint Stephen Nemanja"}}, "2009": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Symeon, Bishop of Tver (\u2020 1289)", "short": "Saint Symeon"}}, "2012": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Simeon Stylites (the Younger) of Wonderful Mountain (\u2020 596)", "short": "Venerable Simeon"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Simeon the Pillar-Dweller was born in the year 521 in Syrian Antioch from the pious parents John and Martha. Saint Martha (Comm. 4 July)from her youthful years prepared herself for an unmarried life and yearned for monasticism, but her parents insisted on her entering into marriage with the youth John. After ardent prayer in a church in the name of Saint John the Forerunner, the future nun was directed in a vision to submit to the will of her parents and enter into marriage. In married life, Saint Martha strove to please God and her husband in everything. She often prayed about granting her a baby and promised to devote him to the service of God. In his appearance to the saint, Saint John the Forerunner revealed to the pious Martha that of her would be born a son, who indeed would serve God. When the infant was born, he was named Simeon and baptised at two years of age.</p><p>When Simeon was six years old, an earthquake occurred in the city of Antioch, during the time of which his father perished. Simeon during the time of the earthquake was in church. Leaving it, he became lost and spent seven days sheltered by a pious woman. Having again appeared to Blessed Martha, John the Baptist indicated where to find the lost boy. The mother of the saint, having found her lost son, settled after the earthquake on the outskirts of Antioch. Already during his childhood the Lord Jesus Christ appeared several times to Saint Simeon, foretelling him his future exploits and the recompense for them.</p><p>The six year old lad Simeon went off into the wilderness, where for a certain time he was situated in complete isolation. During this time a light-bearing Angel guarded and fed him and finally, he arrived at a solitary monastery, the head of which was the hegumen Abba John, pursuing asceticism upon a pillar, and with love he accepted the lad. </p><p>After a certain while Saint Simeon turned with a request to the Elder John to permit him also asceticise upon a pillar. A new pillar was erected by the brethren of the monastery with the blessing of the hegumen, not far from his pillar. Having completed the obedience of the seven year old boy into monasticism, Abba John himself raised him up upon this pillar. The young ascetic, strengthened by the Lord, quickly grew spiritually, in his efforts surpassing even his experienced preceptor. For his stringent efforts, Saint Simeon received from God the gift of healing. The fame about the deeds of the young monk began to spread about beyond the bounds of the monastery, and monks and laypeople began to come to him from various places, wanting to hear his counsel and receive healings from infirmities. The humble ascetic continued to pursue asceticism with instructions from his spiritual mentor Abba John. </p><p>At 11 years of age the lad decided to pursue asceticism upon still higher a pillar, to the top of which was 40 feet. The bishops of Antioch and Seleukos came to the place of the monk\u2019s exploits, and ordained the holy ascetic to the dignity of deacon, and then they permitted him to go up upon the new pillar, on which the Monk Simeon asceticised over the course of 8 years.</p><p>The Monk Simeon prayed ardently for the sending down upon him of the Holy Spirit, and the holy prayer of the ascetic was heard. The Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a blazing light, filling the ascetic with Divine Wisdom. Alongside with spoken precepts, Saint Simeon dispatched written precepts about repentance, monasticism, about the Incarnation of Christ and about the future Judgement.</p><p>After the death of his elder, Saint Simeon structured his life thus: from the rising of the sun until mid-afternoon he read books and copied Holy Scripture, after which he again rose to prayer and prayed all night. When the new day began, having rested somewhat, he began his usual rule of prayer with the rising of the sun. </p><p>The Monk Simeon concluded his efforts on the second column and by the decree of God settled upon the Wondrous Mount, having become in his monastery an experienced elder for guidance to monks. The ascent onto the Wondrous Mount was marked by a vision of the Lord, standing atop a column. Saint Simeon continued his exploits at this place where he saw the Lord, at first upon a stone, and then upon a pillar again raised up. Future events were revealed to the Monk Simeon, and thus he foretold the death of the archbishop of Antioch, Ephraim, and the illness of the bishop, Domnos, which overtook him in punishment for his lack of pity. And finally, the Monk Simeon predicted an earthquake for the city of Antioch and urged all the inhabitants to repent themselves of their sins. On the Wondrous Mount Saint Simeon established a monastery, the church of which sick people healed by him built, in gratitude for the mercy shown them. For the needs of the monastery the monk petitioned by prayer a spring of water, and once during the time of a shortage of grain, by his prayer to the Lord wheat was multiplied in the granaries of the monastery. In the year 560 by the command of the Lord the holy ascetic at age 39 received the priestly dignity from the bishop of Seleukos, Dionysios. At age 75 the Monk Simeon was forewarned by the Lord about his impending end. He summoned the brethren of the monastery, instructed them in a farewell blessing talk and peacefully expired to God in the year 596, having toiled in the feat of pillar-dwelling for 68 years. </p><p>Just as during life, so also after death the monk worked miracles, healing the blind and lame and leprous, saving many from wild beasts, casting out devils and resuscitating the dead.</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>A desert dweller, an angel in the flesh, * and a wonderworker wast thou shown to be, * O our God-bearing father Symeon, * for having acquired heavenly gifts through fasting, vigilance, and prayer, * thou dost heal the infirm, * and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith. * Glory to Him Who hath given thee strength! * Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee! ** Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Desiring the highest and putting away things here below, * thou didst fashion a pillar like unto heaven. * Thereby thou didst shine forth with the radiance of miracles, O venerable one, ** and prayest unceasingly to Christ, the God of all, in behalf of us all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2013": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Simon, Abbot of Volomsk (\u2020 1641)", "short": "Venerable Simon"}}, "2016": {"name": {"nominative": "St. Simon the Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal (\u2020 1226), Wonderworker of the Caves", "short": "St. Simon"}}, "2017": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Simon of Solvychegodsk", "short": "Venerable Simon"}}, "2029": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Sisoes, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves (13th C)", "short": "Venerable Sisoes"}}, "2038": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Apostles Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, C\u00e6sar and Epaphroditus of the Seventy (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Holy Apostles"}}, "2043": {"name": {"nominative": "St. Sophronius, Archbishop of Irkutsk (\u2020 1771)", "short": "St. Sophronius"}, "rank": 1}, "2045": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Sophronius, Recluse of the Kiev Caves (\u2020 13th century)", "short": "Venerable Sophronius"}}, "2049": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Tremithus (\u2020 c. 348)", "short": "Saint Spyridon"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1999-2008 Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris.", "text": "<p> He was born on the island of Cyprus of simple peasants and in childhoodwas a shepherd. At a mature age he entered matrimony and had children. In his family life he imitated the high example of the Old Testament Patriarchs. After a short time his wife died and he with a lot of eagerness still turned to acts of piety. For his wise humility and Christian simplicity he was elected Bishop of Tremithus. The Lord awarded St. Spiridon the gifts of insight and wonderworking for his virtuous life. Once, during a famine, a poor farmer asked one unmerciful rich man grain for his livelihood, promised to return it with interest after the harvest. The rich man demanded some gold as security for the grain. The poor man told his sorrow to St. Spiridon. The hierarch calmed the poor man and let him go home. But, not having gold, he took a snake, and through prayer turned it into gold, brought it to the poor man who gave it as security so that after the harvest he could redeem the security of this pledge and have it returned to him. When, after the harvest, the farmer redeemed the gold from the rich man and brought it to his hierarch, then the hierarch while in the presence of the farmer through prayer turned this gold back into a snake. St. Spiridon participated in the First Ecumenical Council in which in a simple speech and with wonderworking power countered the insincere words of the lying defenders of Arianism and converted one master of pagan philosophy to the Christian faith. While the hierarch was at the Council, his virgin daughter Irene died. When the hierarch returned home one woman informed him in tears that she gave Irene one valuable thing for protection. The hierarch, not finding this thing anywhere in the house, went to the grave of the dead one and asked her as if she were alive where she hid the protected thing. Irene, as if waking up from a deep sleep told him where she put the protected thing. Then the hierarch \u201cagain spoke to her: sleep more, O Daughter, ultimately the Lord will be with you all in the general resurrection. And fear will be on all the former, for you wondered and were awed about the glorious wonder of this. The Saint discovered the secret place for the hidden thing, and returned it to that woman.\u201d Another time under a tearful request to the hierarch from \u201ca barbarian woman,\u201d he raised up her dead son. But \u201cthat woman died from joy.\u201d Then the hierarch, after a prayer, cried out to the dead one: \u201carise!\u201d \u201cShe rose up as if from sleep.\u201d St. Spiridon died in about the year 348. The relics of St. Spiridon repose on the island of Corfu. His right hand is in Rome. </p>"}, "rank": 3, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>He Who is the truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou didst attain the heights through humility, and riches through poverty. O father Spyridon, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "TROPARION/2": {"text": "<p>Thou wast shown forth as a champion of the first Council * and a wonderworkerr, O Spiridon, our God-bearing father. * Wherefore, thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, * and didst change a serpent into gold. * And, whilst chanting thy holy prayers, thou didst have angels serving with thee, O most sacred one. * Glory to Him that hath given thee strength! * Glory to Him that hath crowned thee! ** Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee!</p>", "Type": "2", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Wounded with love for Christ, * and giving wings to thy mind through the radiance of the Spirit, O most sacred one, * thou didst find thy work in thine active divine vision, * O thou that art pleasing unto God, * being a divine oblation, ** and asking divine illumination for all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2051": {"name": {"nominative": "Transfer from Jerusalem to Constantinople of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (c. 428)", "short": "St Stephen"}, "rank": 2}, "2058": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Stephen, Abbot of Makhrisch (\u2020 1406)", "short": "Venerable Stephen"}}, "2065": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Stephen, Abbot of the Kiev Caves and Bishop of Vladimir in Volynia (\u2020 1094)", "short": "Venerable Stephen"}}, "2076": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Stephen Stiljianovich of Serbia (\u2020 1515)", "short": "Saint Stephen"}}, "2095": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Terence the Bishop of Iconium (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Hieromartyr Terence"}}, "2100": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostle of the 70, Timon the Deacon (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle of"}}, "2110": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Apostle Titus of the 70, Bishop of Crete (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle Titus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Disciple from the 70 Titus was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youthful years he studied attentively at Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. Preoccupied by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Priest-martyr Ignatios the God-bearer (comm. 20 December) testified about him. For such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty in a dream Saint Titus heard a voice, suggesting to him to abandon the Hellenistic wisdom, not providing salvation for his soul, but rather to seek out that which would save him. After this dream Saint Titus waited still another year, since it was not actually like a command, but it guided him to familiarise himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. The first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47<sup>th</sup> Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition. </p><p>When news reached Crete about the appearance in Palestine of a Great Prophet, and about the great miracles worked by Him, the governor of the island of Crete, an uncle of Titus by birth, sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnated of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and having come into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from its oppression of the original sin. At Jerusalem Saint Titus beheld the Lord; he heard His preaching and believed in Him. He was a witness of the suffering on the Cross and death of the Saviour, His glorious Resurrection and Ascent to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future disciple heard, standing in the crowd, how the 12 Apostles,\u2014after the descent upon them of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11). Saint Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, time and again he fulfilled entrusted tasks, was involved in the establishing of new churches, and was with him in Jerusalem. Saint Titus was numbered among the 70 Disciples and was ordained by the Apostle Paul as bishop of Crete. Around the year 65, not long before the second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul dispatched a pastoral epistle to his selected one (Tit. 1-3). When the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before C\u00e6sar, Saint Titus for a time left his flock in Crete and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual father. After the death by martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, the Disciple Titus returned to the chief city of Crete\u2014Gortyn.</p><p>The Disciple Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted by the Lord the gift of wonderworking. During a time of one of the pagan feasts in honour of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a gathered crowd of pagans. When he saw, that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the non-entity of idols. By the prayer of the Disciple Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time the Disciple Titus prayed, that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple under construction raised up to Zeus, and it collapsed. By such miracles the Disciple Titus brought many to faith in Christ. Having enlightened with the light of faith the surrounding regions, the Disciple Titus died peacefully in the extreme old age of 97. At death his face shone like the sun.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O holy apostles * entreat the merciful God ** that He grant to our souls remission of transgressions.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Revealed as a companion of Paul, * O ever-memorable Apostle Titus, * thou recounter of sacred mysteries, * with him thou didst preach to us the words of divine grace. * Wherefore, we cry out to thee. ** Cease thou never to pray for us all!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2113": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Caves (\u2020 after 1196)", "short": "Venerable Titus"}}, "2117": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Tikhon of Lukh and Kostroma (\u2020 1503)", "short": "Venerable Tikhon"}}, "2118": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Tikhon of Medin and Kaluga (\u2020 1492)", "short": "Venerable Tikhon"}}, "2124": {"name": {"nominative": "Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord", "short": "Forefeast"}}, "2125": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka (\u2020 1612)", "short": "Venerable Tryphon"}}, "2127": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Tryphon of Pechenga and Kolsk (\u2020 1583)", "short": "Venerable Tryphon"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1999-2008 Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris.", "text": "<p>In the world called Metrophanes, the son of a priest, who lived near the city of Torzhok within the Novgorod Province, was born in about 1485. Trained by literate parents, he loved to visit God\u2019s temple, and sang and read in it, and, from youth he was brought up in piety, and from time to time liked to leave the vain world to a deserted place to pray alone and to talk with the Lord. Fervently desiring to remain in this deserted place forever, he once while praying heard a wonderful voice: \u201cthis is not your place, an uninhabited and thirsting world is waiting for you.\u201d Having accepted this voice as instruction from above, Trypho decided to devote himself to homiletic works for those not knowing the One God. Having decided this, he went to an unknown country for him and after wandering for a long time in the wilderness, and taught by God, he reached the western part of Lapland occupied by nomadic tribes of pagans, the Lopars. The heaviest work of apostleship among the rough idolaters without human help or protection against rage of pagans stood ahead of the preacher of Christ. But the heart of the preacher burned with love for Christ for their conversion to the faith in Christ, and he for 20 years wandered alone among the dwellings of the Lopars, scattered on various sides of the vast expanse of the tundra, the bogs and the mountains, without means, and sometimes without hope for kind acceptance of him in one dwelling so that he g\u0153s to another to meet the same situation. Quite often the kebuns, pagan priests, subjected the Venerable Trypho to severe tortures and beatings because of his sacred work. The kebuns more than once rose up against the holy preacher to challenge him with pride and hope, \u201cspinning with the preacher of God and raging like beasts and playing dirty tricks on him behind his back, pulling his hair and throwing him to the ground and beating him, and pushing him, calling him an unknown wanderer and fool, shouting at him without limit, and for him to continue to live with them there will bring bitter torments and hating him until his very death.\u201d But the holy adherent of heavenly truth with meekness endured the abuse and beatings, and for a while went to the mountains and caves, and when the rage and the anger of pagans quieted down, he again went there to preach, and the Lord protected His servant. After 20-years of hard work the Venerable Trypho converted the rough idolaters, and a significant number of them accepted the Lord and were ready to receive baptism. But, being a layman with humility, the preacher would not do holy baptism by himself, and meanwhile in all Lapland there was no priest who could baptize the Lopars, and no temple to receive the newly illumined children into the bosom of Church. This forced Trypho to go to Novgorod to Archbishop Macarius to request a sacred charter to build a church and to assign a priest to it. Having received the charter, he led carpenters to the Pechenga River, and carrying wood on his shoulders built a church in 1532, which, however, remained 3 years unconsecrated, and without a priest. Such new difficulty forced Trypho to go to the Kola village, in which he by chance met Hieromonk Elias going there, and whom he invited to go with him to the Pechenga River. The Hieromonk Elias baptized the Lopars, consecrated his church and tonsured Trypho into monasticism. Having taken advantage of the services of the Hieromonk Elias, the Venerable Trypho started the foundation of his church of the holy monastery in the name of the Holy Life-originating Trinity. The Lord obviously blessed the work of the Venerable One: a considerable number of brothers soon gathered near the lonely church, and within 20 years a large monastery with many brothers was founded and services were performed. During this time all the Lopar tribes of western Lapland accepted sacred baptism. In 1556 St. Trypho went to Moscow to the Tsar Ivan the Terrible with a petition for the protection and the security of the monastery in the future. Being graciously accepted by the tsar, he received from him rich gifts for the church and the imperial charter for the possession of the land areas, the necessary streams and the sea bay for eternity. In memory of the imperial generosity, in carrying this out in 1565 he built a temple in the name of the Saints Princes Boris and Gleb for the Lopars on the Pazreke River, which and until now stands as guards on our border with Norway. On a primitive, lonely place of his residence on the Manna Rivulet, which runs into the Pechenga River, the Venerable One constructed a small temple in the name of Dormition of the Mother of God. The extensive, favorable river and sea industry delivered sufficient means for external accomplishment and protection of the monastery, for the special growth in the number of the brothers with postulants. And the holy monastery under the skilled management of the Venerable Trypho blossomed as a garden of belief and piety, as a brightly burning lamp illuminating and recovering all desert areas. The newly illumined children of the Venerable One are the nomadic Lopars who so loved the holy monastery that some began to give it money, some arable land, and others entered the monastery to work for it, and became so strong in the Orthodox faith, that during 300 years there was no instance of anyone converting to another faith or schism among them. Having built his monastery, the Venerable Trypho spent most of his last years in solitude at his favorite place near the Dormition Church. Having lived in Lapland for 70 years and having reached a very old age, the Venerable Trypho became seriously ill. Before his end he taught his brothers consolation and received the Holy Sacraments. He turned over his soul to the Lord on December 15, 1583, being 98 years old, and was buried in a place ordered by him, and his relics rest even up to now in a little hermitage. (See the Archangel Diocese). </p>"}}, "2156": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Thaddeus the Confessor of the Studion Monastery (\u2020 818)", "short": "Venerable Thaddeus"}}, "2180": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Theodore the Varangian, and his son John, of Kiev (\u2020 983)", "short": "Martyrs Theodore"}}, "2181": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Theodore, Prince of Ostrog (\u2020 c. 1483)", "short": "Saint Theodore"}}, "2191": {"name": {"nominative": "Righteous Theodore, Fool-for-Christ, of Novgorod (\u2020 1392)", "short": "Righteous Theodore"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Blessed Feodor of Novgorod was the son of pious parents, rich and noted citizens of Novgorod. Having been raised in strict christian piety, and having reached the age of maturity, he took on himself the ascetic deed of Fool-for-Christ\u2019s-sake: all his possessions he gave away to the poor, and he himself to the end of his life dwelt in extreme poverty, not even having shelter over his head, nor warm clothes freezing days. Having discovered a mutual enmity of the Novgorod citizens of the Torgov quarter with the inhabitants of the Sophia quarter, blessed Feodor pretended to be feuding with Blessed Nikolai Kochanov (\u2020 1392; Comm. 27 July) who was pursuing asceticism on the opposite Sophia side. When blessed Feodor happened to cross over the Volkhov Bridge to the Sophia side, then blessed Nikolai pushed him over to the Torgov side; thus also did Feodor, when Nikolai was chanced upon on the Torgov side. The blessed ones, spiritually in agreement with each other, by their factitious appearance reminded the Novgorod people of their own internecine strife, which often ended in bloody skirmishes. </p><p>The blessed one possessed the gift of perspicacity and, having warned: \u201cTake care of bread,\u201d he predicted an impending famine. At another time with the words: \u201cThis will be bare\u2014it will be fine for sowing turnips\u201d he predicted a fire devastating the streets of the Torgov quarter. Blessed Feofor foresaw his own end and said to the Novgorod people: \u201cFarewell, I go afar.\u201d </p><p>The Novgorod citizenry saw in him while still alive a saint pleasing to God and regarded him highly. After his death in the year 1392 the blessed one was buried at his request in the Torgov quarter, at Lubyanitsa in the church of the holy Great Martyr George, at the porch where the saint usually loved to pass the time in unceasing prayer. Over his relics was built a chapel.</p>"}}, "2192": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodore the Sanctified (\u2020 368)", "short": "Venerable Theodore"}, "rank": 1}, "2196": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Martyrs Theodore and Basil of the Kiev Caves", "short": "Venerable Martyrs"}}, "2197": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of St Theodore, Prince of Smolensk and His Children, Prices David and Constantine, Wonderworkers of Yaroslavl (1463)", "short": "Translation of"}}, "2198": {"name": {"nominative": "Blessed Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov (1394)", "short": "Blessed Theodore"}}, "2200": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Hierarch Theodore the Sykeote, Bishop of Anastasiopolis (\u2020 613)", "short": "Holy Hierarch"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Theodore Sikeotes was born in the mid VI Century in the village of Sikea, not far from the city of Anastasiupolis (Asia Minor), in a pious family. When his mother Maria conceived the saint, she had in a dream a vision, that a bright star had overshadowed her womb. A perspicacious elder, to whom she turned, then explained that this was the grace of God overshadowing the infant conceived in her.</p><p>When the boy reached six years of age, his mother presented him a golden sash, since she intended that her son should become a soldier. But in a dream vision by night there appeared to her the Great Martyr George (Comm. 23 April), and he bid her not think about military service for her son, since the boy was destined to serve God. The saint\u2019s father, Kosma, had served as a messenger of the emperor Justinian the Great (527-565), and he died early. The boy remained in the care of his mother, with whom lived also his grandmother Epidia, his aunt Dispenia and his little sister Vlatta.</p><p>In school, Saint Theodore displayed great talents for his study, chief of which was an unchildlike ability for reasoning and wisdom: he was quiet, mild, he always knew how to calm his comrades, and he did not permit fights or quarrels amongst them. At his mother\u2019s house lived also the pious elder, Stephen. Imitating him, Saint Theodore at age 8 began during Great Lent to eat only a small morsel of bread in the evenings. In order that his mother should not force him to take supper with everyone, the boy returned home from school only towards evening-time, after he had communed the Holy Mysteries together with the elder Stephen. At the request of his mother, the teacher began to send him off to supper at the end of lessons. But Saint Theodore nonetheless skipped off to the church of the Great Martyr George, where the patron saint of the temple appeared to him in the form of a youth and ushered him into the church.</p><p>When Saint Theodore reached age 10, he fell deathly ill. They brought him to the church of Saint John the Baptist and placed him in front of the altar. The boy was healed by two drops of dew, fallen from the face of the Saviour on the dome of the temple. At this time by night the Great Martyr George began appearing to the boy, and also leading him off to his own temple to pray until morning. His mother, fearing the night-time dangers of the forest path, spoke with her son about not going at night. One time, when the boy had already gone, she angrily went after him to the church, and she dragged him out by the hair and tied him to his bed. But that very night in a dream vision the Great Martyr George appeared to her, and threateningly she commanded her not to hinder the lad from going to church. And both Elpidia and Dispenia had the same vision. The women then became persuaded of the special vocation of Saint Theodore and they no more hindered him from his efforts, and even his little sister Vlatta began to imitate him.</p><p>At twelve years of age the saint was granted in a vivid dream to behold Christ on the Throne of the Kingdom of Glory, and Who said to him: \u201cAsceticise, Theodore, so as to obtain perfected reward in the Heavenly Kingdom.\u201d</p><p>From that time Saint Theodore began to toil all the more fervently. Both the First Week and the Cross-Veneration Week of Great Lent he spent in complete silence.</p><p>The devil thought upon how to destroy him. He appeared to the saintly lad in the form of his class-mate Gerontios, and urged him to jump off a precipice, and even showed him in what manner how to. But his protector the Great Martyr George saved the boy.</p><p>One time the boy set off for a blessing to the wilderness elder Glykerios. During this time there was a terrible drought throughout all the land, and the elder said: \u201cChild, on bended knee let us pray to the Lord, that He send rain. And in such manner shalt we learn, whether our prayers be pleasing to the Lord.\u201d The old man and the boy, on bended knee, began to pray\u2014and immediately it began to rain. Then the elder said to Saint Theodore, that upon him was the grace of God, and he blessed him to become a monk, when the time should come.</p><p>At fourteen years of age Saint Theodore left home and lived nearby the church of the Great Martyr George. His mother brought him food, but Saint Theodore left everything on the stones by the church, and he ate over the course of a day only a single prosphora loaf of bread. And even at so young an age, the Monk Theodore was granted the gift of healing: through his prayer a demon-possessed youth was restored to health.</p><p>The Monk Theodore then fled human glory and he withdrew into complete solitude. Under a large boulder not far from the church of the Great Martyr George, he dug out a cave and persuaded a certain deacon to cover over the entrance with ground, leaving only a small opening for air. The deacon brought him bread and water and he told no one, where the monk had hidden himself.</p><p>For two years the Monk Theodore lived in this seclusion and complete quiet. His kinsfolk bewept the saint and they thought, that he had been devoured by wild beasts.</p><p>But the deacon finally revealed the secret, since he was afraid that the Monk Theodore would perish in the narrow cave, and moreover he pitied the weeping mother. They plucked the Monk Theodore out of the cave half-alive.</p><p>The mother wanted to take her son home and restore him back to health, but the saint remained nearby the church of the Great Martyr George, and after several days he was completely well. </p><p>News about the exploits of the youth reached the local bishop Theodosios. And thus in the church of the Great Martyr George he was ordained to the dignity of deacon, and later\u2014to priest, although the monk was only 17 years of age.</p><p>After a certain while the Monk Theodore set off for veneration to the holy places in Jerusalem, and there at the Khozebite Laura near Jordan, he accepted monasticism.</p><p>When he returned to his native land, he again continued to live nearby the church of the Great Martyr George. His grandmother Elpidia, his sister Vlatta and his mother on the advice of the monk withdrew to a monastery, and his aunt died in a good confession.</p><p>The ascetic life of the young priestmonk attracted to him people seeking salvation. The monk tonsured into monasticism the youth Epiphanios, and later on a pious woman, healed of sickness by the saint, brought him her son Philumenos. Then came also the virtuous youth John. Brethren thus gradually gathered around the monk.</p><p>The Monk Theodore continued to bear his burdensome exploits. At his request a blacksmith made for him an iron cage without a roof, and so tight that in it, it was possible only to stand. In this cage in heavy chains the monk stood from Holy Pascha until the Nativity of Christ. From the Baptism of the Lord until Holy Pascha he secluded himself in his cave, from which he emerged only for the making of Divine-services on Saturdays and Sundays. Throughout the whole of the Forty-Day Great Lent the saint ate only greens, and on Saturdays and Sundays spring-grain bread.</p><p>Asceticising in such manner, he received from the Lord the power over wild animals. Bears and wolves came up to him and took food from his hand. Through the prayer of the monk, those afflicted with leprosy were healed, and from whole districts devils were cast out. In the nearby village of Magatia, when locusts threatening the crops appeared, its people turned with a request for help to the Monk Theodore. He sent them off to church. After Divine Liturgy, which he served, the villagers returned home and learned that during this while all the locusts had died.</p><p>When the military-commander Maurice was returning to Constantinople by way of Galatia after a Persian war, the monk predicted to him, that he would become emperor. The prediction came true, and the emperor Maurice (582-602) fulfilled the request of the monk\u2014he sent the monastery bread each year for the multitude of people being fed there.</p><p>The small temple of the Great Martyr George could not accommodate all those that wanted to pray in it. Then through the efforts of the saint a beautiful new church was built. During this while the Anastasiupolis bishop happened to die. The people of the city besought the Ancyra metropolitan Paul to install the Monk Theodore as their bishop.</p><p>So that the saint should not resist, the messengers of the metropolitan and the Anastasiupolis people dragged him out of his cell by force and carried him off to the city.</p><p>Having become bishop, Saint Theodore toiled much for the welfare of the Church. But his soul yearned for the solitary communion with God. After several years he set off to venerate at the holy places in Jerusalem. And there, concealing his identity, he settled at the Laura monastery of the Monk Sava, where he lived in solitude from the Nativity of Christ until Pascha. Then the Great Martyr George led him to return to Anastasiupolis. </p><p>Secret enemies tried to poison the saint, but the Mother of God gave him three small pieces of grain. The saint them and remained unharmed. Saint Theodore felt weighed down with the burden of being a bishop and he besought the Constantinople patriarch Kyriakos (595-606) for a release to return to his own monastery and celebrate Divine-services there.</p><p>The sanctity of the monk was so evident, that during the time of his celebrating the Eucharist, the grace of the Holy Spirit, in a visage of radiant porphyry, overshadowed the Holy Gifts. One time, when the monk lifted the discus with the Divine Lamb and proclaimed \u201cHoly Things unto the Holy,\u201d\u2014the Divine Lamb raised itself up into the air, and then resettled itself again upon the discus.</p><p>All the Orthodox Church venerated the Monk Theodore as a saint, even while he was yet alive.</p><p>In one of the cities of Galatia, a terrible event occurred: during the time of a church procession the wooden crosses being carried began of themselves to strike and chip at one another, with the result that the Constantinople Patriarch Thomas (607-610, Comm. 21 March) summoned to him the Monk Theodore, asking of him the secret of this terrible portent. Having the gift of foresight, the Monk Theodore explained, that this was a sign of coming misfortunes for the Church of God (he was thus prophetically indicating the future heresy of the Iconoclasts). In grief the holy Patriarch Thomas besought the monk to pray for him for a quick death, so that he should not see the coming w\u0153.</p><p>In the year 610 the holy Patriarch Thomas reposed, having besought blessing of the Monk Theodore. And in the year 613 the Monk Theodore Sikeotes also expired to the Lord. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Known to be sanctified from thine earliest infancy, * and shown to be full of grace, * thou didst illumine the world with miracles, * and didst drive away a multitude of the demons, * O sacred minister Theodore: ** wherefore, pray thou to the Lord in our behalf.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Mounting upon the virtues as upon a fiery chariot, * O God-bearer, * thou didst ascend to the heavenly abodes. * Thou didst dwell like an angel with men, * and as a man thou joinest chorus with the angels. * Wherefore, thou hast been shown to be a divine receptacle of miracles, ** O venerable Theodore.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2201": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates \u201cthe General\u201d (\u2020 319)", "short": "Great Martyr Theodore"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p> The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from the city of Euchantum. He was endowed with many talents and a handsome appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the perfective knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier became known to many after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the surroundings of the city of Euchantum. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, holding in terror all the surrounding countryside. Saint Theodore, having armed himself with a sword and a prayer to the Lord, vanquished it, glorifying amongst the people the Name of Christ. For his bravery Saint Theodore was appointed military-commander (stratelatos) in the city of Heracleium, where he as it were carried out a dual obedience, combining his official military service with an apostolic preaching of the Gospel among the pagans subject to him. His ardent persuasion, reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, turned away many from the pernicious \u201cfalse-gods.\u201d Soon nearly all of Heracleium had accepted Christianity.</p><p>During this time the emperor Licinius (307-324) began a fierce persecution against Christians. Wanting to decapitate the new faith, he resorted to making persecution against the enlightened adherents of Christianity, in which not without foundation he saw as the fundamental threat to the dying paganism. Among such was also Saint Theodore. The saint himself invited Licinius to Heracleium, having promised him to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods. To make this splendid ceremony, the saint requested to be gathered up at his house all the gold and silver statues of the gods which they had in Heracleium.</p><p>Blinded by his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the saint. But his expectations were cheated: having seized hold of the statues, Saint Theodore smashed them into pieces which he then distributed to the poor. Thus he shamed the vain faith in soulless idols and literally on the shards of paganism he affirmed the laws of Christian charity. Saint Theodore was arrested and subjected to fierce and refined torture. The witness was the servant of Saint Theodore\u2014Saint Varos, who barely found in himself the strength to write down the incredible torments of his master. Sensing the nearness of death, Saint Theodore yet turned to God with a last prayer, saying: \u201cLord, Thou hast told me formerly, I am with thee, wherefore dost Thou now abandon me? Behold, O Lord, how the wild beasts do tear at me on account of Thee, my eyes are gored out, my flesh lacerated with wounds, the face is smashed and teeth broken, and they have my bared bones on a cross: remember me, O Lord, having suffered a cross on account of Thee, the iron and fire, and being raised up on nails for Thee: wherefore accept my spirit, since my life doth expire.\u201d God however, by His great mercy, willed that the end of Saint Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him as was his life: He healed the bruised body of the saint and brought him down from the cross, on which he had been left all night. In the morning the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed; persuaded in their own eyes of the infinite might of the Christian God, they right there, not far from the place of the unsuccessful execution, accepted holy Baptism. Thus Saint Theodore became \u201clike a day of splendour\u201d for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idol-worship and he enlightened their souls \u201cwith the bright rays of his suffering\u201d. Not wanting to flee a martyr\u2019s death for Christ, Saint Theodore voluntarily gave himself over into the hands of Licinius, preventing the people believing in Christ from rising up against the torturer, with the words: \u201cBeloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cross, held back the Angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man.\u201d Going to execution, the holy martyr with but a word opened up the prison doors and liberated those locked up from their bonds. The people also who touched at his robe were restored of body, healed instantly from sicknesses and freed from demons. By order of the emperor, Saint Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Before the death by execution he told Varos: \u201cNeglect not to write down the day of my death, and put my body in Euchantum.\u201d Together with these words he asked for an annual remembrance. Then, having said \u201camen\u201d, he bent his neck beneath the sword. This occurred on February 8<sup>th</sup>, 319, on a Saturday, at the third hour of the day.lt;/p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "Through true recruitment didst thou become a most worthy general of the heavenly King, O passion-bearer Theodore; for thou didst wisely put on the whole armor of God and, vanquishing legions of demons, thou didst show thyself to be a victorious athlete. Wherefore, with faith do we ever bless thee.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Having put on the whole armor of faith with valor of soul, and taking in hand the word of god as a spear, thou didst conquer the enemy, O theodore, great among the martyrs. With them cease thou never to entreat Christ God in behalf of us all.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2202": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of Venerable Theodore, Abbot of the Studion Monastery (845)", "short": "Translation of"}}, "2203": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit (\u2020 c. 306)", "short": "Great Martyr Theodore"}, "rank": 2}, "2206": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the Holy Seven Virgin-martyrs Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Phaine, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia (\u2020 303)", "short": "Holy Martyr"}, "rank": 1}, "2210": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodosius the Great, Founder of C\u0153nobitic Monasticism (\u2020 529)", "short": "Venerable Theodosius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Theodosios the Great lived during the V-VI Centuries, and was the initiator of common-life (c\u0153nobitic) monasteries. He was born in Cappadocia of pious parents. Endowed with a splendid voice, he zealously toiled at church reading and singing. And the Monk Theodosios prayed fervently, that the Lord would guide him on the way to salvation. In his early years he visited the Holy Land and met with the Monk Simeon the Stylite (\u201cPillar-Dweller,\u201d \u2020 459, Comm. 1 September), who blessed him and predicted future pastoral service for him. Yearning for the solitary life, Saint Theodosios settled in Palestine into a desolate cave,\u2014in which by tradition, the three Magi had spent the night, having come to worship at the Nativity of the Saviour of the world. In it he dwelt for 30 years in great abstinence and unceasing prayer. Steadily there began to throng to the ascetic those wanting to live under his guidance. When the cave could no more hold all the gathered monks, the Monk Theodosios began to pray, that the Lord Himself would point out the place for the monks. Taking with him a censer with cold unlit coals, the monk went into the wilderness. At a certain spot the coals fired up and set the incense smoke to rising. Here also the monk founded the first common-life monastery, or Lavra [Greek \u201cLaura\u201d meaning \u201cbroad\u201d or populous\u201d; in Russia were four such: Trinity-Sergeev, Kievo-Kiev Caves, Alexander-Nevsk and Pochaev], under the ustav-rule of Saint Basil the Great (\u2020 379, Comm. 1 January). Soon the Lavra of the Monk Theodosios became reknown, and up to 700 monks gathered at it. According to the final testament of the Monk Theodosios, the Lavra rendered service to neighbour, giving aid to all the poor and providing shelter for wanderers.</p><p>The Monk Theodosios was extremely compassionate. One time when there was a famine in Palestine and a multitude of people gathered at the monastery, the monk gave orders to allow everyone into the monastery enclosure. His disciples were annoyed, knowing, that the monastery did not have the means to feed all those who had come. But when they went into the bakery, they saw that then through the prayers of the abba, that it was filled with bread. And suchlike a miracle was repeated every time, when the Monk Theodosios wanted to give help to the destitute.</p><p>At the monastery the Monk Theodosios built an home for taking in strangers, separate infirmaries for monks and laymen, and also a shelter for the dying. Seeing that at the Lavra were gathered people from various lands, the monk arranged for Divine-services in the various languages\u2014Greek, Gruzian (Georgian) and Armenian. For communing the Holy Mysteries all gathered in the large church, where Divine-services were done in Greek.</p><p>During the reign of the Constantinople emperor Anastasias (491-518) there arose the heresy of Eutykhios and Severus, which recognised neither the sacraments nor the clergy. The emperor joined in with the false-teaching, and the Orthodox began to suffer persecution. The Monk Theodosios stood firmly in defense of Orthodoxy and on behalf of the wilderness monks wrote a missive to the emperor, in which they denounced him and refuted the condemned heresy with the teachings of the \u0152cumenical Councils. He affirmed moreover, that the wilderness-dwellers and monks would firmly support the Orthodox confession. The emperor showed restraint for a short while, but then he renewed persecution of the Orthodox. The holy elder then manifest great zeal for the truth. Leaving the monastery, he came to Jerusalem and in the \u201cGreat\u201d church, stood at the high place and cried out for all to hear: \u201cWh\u0153ver honoureth not the four \u0152cumenical Councils, let them be anathema!.\u201d For this bold deed the monk was sent to prison, but soon returned after the death of the emperor. </p><p>The Monk Theodosios during his life accomplished many healings and other miracles, coming to the aid of the needy. One time by prayer he destroyed locusts that were devastating the fields in Palestine; also by his intercession, soldiers were kept from perishing, and he saved both those perishing in shipwreck and those lost in the desert. </p><p>One time the monk gave orders to strike the signal, so that the brethren would gather at prayer, and said: \u201cThe wrath of God draweth near the Eastern land.\u201d After several days it became known, that a strong earthquake had destroyed the city of Antioch at that very hour, when the monk had summoned the brethren to prayer. Before his death, the Monk Theodosios summoned to him three beloved bishops and revealed to them, that he would soon expire to the Lord. After three days he died at the age of 105, in the year 529. The body of the saint was buried with reverence in the cave, in which he lived at the beginning of his ascetic deeds. </p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>With the streams of thy tears thou didst irrigate the barren desert, * and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst render thy labors fruitful an hundredfold. * Thou wast a beacon for the whole world, radiating miracles. ** O our father Theodosius, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Planted in the courts of thy Lord, thou didst flourish most beauteously in thy venerable virtues, * and didst increase in number thy children in the desert, * watering them with the torrents of thy tears, O godly chief shepherd of the flocks divine. ** Wherefore, we cry out: Rejoice, O father Theodosius!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "2211": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodosius the Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves (\u2020 1074)", "short": "Venerable Theodosius"}, "rank": 4}, "2213": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodosius, Abbot of Totma (\u2020 1568)", "short": "Venerable Theodosius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Theodosii (Feodosii) Sumorin of Totemsk was born at Vologda in about the year 1530. In his youth he was raised in a spirit of Christian piety and the fear of God. At the insistence of his parents he married, but family life did not sway him away from God. He went fervently to church and prayed much at home, particularly at night. After the death of both his parents and his spouse, he withdrew to the Prilutsk monastery not far from Vologda. At the monastery Theodosii passed through the various obediences: he carried water, chopped fire-wood, milled flour and baked bread. Having set out on business entrusted him by the hegumen to go to Tot\u2032ma to search out a salt-works for the monastery, he sought the permission of tsar Ivan Vasilevich and the blessing of archbishop Nikandr to found at Tot\u2032ma a monastery. Theodosii was appointed head of this newly-formed Totemsk monastery, which in the grammota-grant of 1554 was declared free of taxation. The monk therefore founded the Totemsk Ephraimov wilderness monastery and brought brethren into it. And eventually the head of two monasteries, Theodosii continued to lead an ascetic life: he wore down his body with chains and hairshirt, and beneath the schemamonk cowl he wore an iron cap. Fond of spiritual reading, he located for the monastery many a book. The monk reposed in the year 1568 and was buried in the monastery founded by him. At his grave miracles occurred. On 2 September 1796 at the time of a reconstruction of the Ascension church his relics were found undecayed, and their glorification was made on 28 January 1798, on the day of his repose. </p>"}, "rank": 1}, "2214": {"name": {"nominative": "Repose of Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov (\u2020 1696)", "short": "Saint Theodosius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Theodosii (Feodosii), Archbishop of Chernigov, was born at the beginning of the decade of the thirties of the XVII Century in Podol\u2019sk governance. He was descended from an old court-nobility lineage, the Polonitsky-Uglitsky\u2019s. His parents were the priest Nikita and Maria. The piety prevailing within the family of the future saint contributed greatly to the spiritual growth of the boy. From childhood he distinguished himself with his gentleness and disposition towards prayer. The innate abilities of the youth came to light in the Kievo-Bratsk college at the Kiev Theophany monastery. This was a time of an extensive flourishing of the college (the end of the 1640\u2019s), when its rectors were the archimandrite Innokentii (Gizel\u2032), and later the hegumen and afterwards archbishop of Chernigov, Lazar (Baranovich). Among its instructors were: the priestmonk Epiphanii (Slavinetsky), the priestmonk Arsenii (Satanovsky), the Belorus bishop Theodosii (B\u00e6vsky), the hegumen Theodosii (Saphonovich) and Meletii Dzik\u2014all these were indeed men of enlightenment for those times. The comrades of Saint Theodosii at the college were themselves to become future outstanding pastors: Simeon Polotsky, Ioannikii Golyatovsky, Antonii Radivillovsky, Varlaam Yasninsky. The Kievo-Bratsk Theophany school was at this time the chief centre in the struggle of Orthodoxy against the assaults of Catholic clergy, and Jesuits and Uniates.</p><p>The vocation of Saint Theodosii to the monastic life ultimately formed during his years of study: he devoted all his free time to prayer, meditation on God and the reading of Sacred Scripture. </p><p>It might be surmised, that the saint did not finish the full course of the college studies, since the school ceased its activity for several years following the devastating of Podolia by the Poles. The saint all his life had deep regard for the Kievo-Bratsk monastery that had educated him. In the Synodikon of the Kievo-Vydubitsk monastery is the following remark about Saint Theodosii: \u201cHe was a man of fine intellect and generous to the Kiev Bratsk monastery.\u201d</p><p>Upon receiving his education, the future hierarch accepted monastic tonsure at the Kievo-Kiev Caves Lavra with the name Theodosii, in honour of the Monk Theodosii (Feodosii) of Kiev Caves (Comm. 3 May) (worldly name unknown).</p><p>The Kiev metropolitan Dionysii (Balaban) made him archdeacon of the Kiev Sophia cathedral, and then appointed him administrator of the metropolitan cathedral house. But soon he left Kiev and resettled at the distant Krutitsk monastery (in Chernigov diocese), near the locale Baturino, which was famed for its strict monastic life. He was consecrated there to the dignity of priestmonk. In the year 1662 Saint Theodosii was appointed hegumen of the Korsunsk monastery in Kiev diocese, and in the year 1664\u2014was made head of the ancient Kievo-Vydubitsk monastery. This monastery shortly before had fallen into the hands of the Uniates and was in complete ruin. But thanks to the energy and initiative of Saint Theodosii, the Vydubitsk Mikhailovsk monastery was quickly restored. He concerned himself in particular about the order of churchly property. He formed an excellent choir, which was famed not only in Little Russia, but also in Moscow, where Saint Theodosii in 1685 sent his singers. And concerning himself over the spiritual growth of the monastery inhabitants, being himself a strict ascetic, in 1680 the holy hegumen made on the island of Mikhailovschina, not far from the monastery, a small skete-monastery for brethren wishing solitude. He appointed there to organise and administrate it one of the most zealous monks of his monastery\u2014the priestmonk Job (Opalinsky). </p><p>In his role as hegumen of the Kievo-Vydubitsk monastery, Saint Theodosii had to live through some quite difficult days. He was accused together with other hegumens by Methodii, bishop of Mstislavsk and Orshansk, of betraying the Russian governance in a supposed correspondence with those treasonous to Russia. On 20 September 1668 Saint Theodosii had occasion to give an explanation in the matter. And on 17 November 1668 the slander unraveled, and Saint Theodosii together with the other hegumens received a pardon. His Grace Lazar (Baranovich) esteemed the high spiritual qualities of Saint Theodosii and befriended him. He called him \u201ca sheep of the flock of Christ, teaching by humility,\u201d and he prophetically expressed the wish, that the name of Saint Theodosii might be inscribed in Heaven. When His Grace Lazar in 1689 became locum tenens of the Kiev metropolitan see, he appointed Saint Theodosii as his vicar in Kiev, while he himself remained at Chernigov. In his capacity as vicar of the locum tenens of the Kiev metropolitan see, Saint Theodosii had an active role in many a churchly event. In 1685 he participated with the right of a decisive vote in the selection of bishop Gedeon (Chetverinsky) as metropolitan of Kiev, and he was sent to Moscow with news of this event together with the Pereyaslavl\u2019 hegumen Ieronim (Jerome) (Dubin). In Moscow both representatives were received with honour and esteem. And indeed, the result of this delegation was the re-uniting of the Kiev metropolitan see with the Russian Orthodox Church.</p><p>In 1688 Saint Theodosii was appointed archimandrite of the Chernigov Eletsk monastery, replacing the deceased archimandrite Ioannikii (Golyatovsky). And from the time all the activity of the saint transferred over from Kiev to Chernigov. This appointment comprised primarily, in accord with the wishes of His Grace Lazar, that Saint Theodosii should spare no little toil over putting back the Eletsk monastery in good order, since this monastery had not yet been set aright after the expulsion of the Jesuits and Dominicans, and it was very much in bad shape and disorder. Through the efforts of Saint Theodosii, good results were achieved over the course of two or three years, which then fully guaranteed its existence. The saint in his new position also rendered all kinds of assistance to His Grace Lazar in all kinds of important matters. He participated in composing a conciliar reply to the Moscow Patriarch Ioakim in response to his letters questioning the attitude of the Kiev metropolitan see to the Council of Florence, and its judgement on the question of the transformation of the Holy Gifts as accepted by this Florentine Council. When the Patriarch proved to be unsatisfied by these answers, there was dispatched to him at the beginning of 1689 the Baturinsk hegumen Saint Dimitrii (Tuptalo) (the future metropolitan of Rostov). Saint Theodosii journeyed with him in the capacity of representative of His Grace Lazar. He was entrusted to present the Patriarch a letter of reply and to clear up the misunderstandings. On 11 September 1692 Saint Theodosii was solemnly ordained an archbishop in the Uspenie (Dormition) cathdral of the Moscow Kremlin.</p><p>Little in the way of an account of the governance by Saint Theodosii of the Chernigov diocese has been preserved. The saint directed special attention to the rousing and increase in the flock of a true Christian piety. With this end in mind he concerned himself with the upkeep of the old and the building of new monasteries and churches. At the very beginning of his episcopate, with his blessing, there was established the Pecheniksk women\u2019s monastery, and he himself consecrated the monastery church in honour of the Uspenie (Dormition) of the Most Holy Mother of God. In 1694, with his blessing, there was founded the Liubetsk skete-monastery, 2 versts from Liubech. In 1694 also the saint consecrated at the Domnitsk men\u2019s monastery a temple in honour of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. And in the Summer of 1695 he consecrated a majestic temple in honour of the Most Holy Mother of God, built on the summit of Boldinsk Hill, near the ancient Il\u2032insk monastery. Under Saint Theodosii may be noted an especial enthusiasm and strengthening of monasticism in the Chernigov diocese. The saint also devoted great attention to the clergy, and he was a strict questioner in the selection of candidates for priesthood. He gave especial patronage to the Chernigov clergy school, he invited learned monks from Kiev, among whom was Saint John (Maksimovich), the future metropolitan of Tobol\u2019sk, but likewise an helper and successor of Saint Theodosii in organising the Chernigov clergy school. Strict uprightness in regard to clergy and flock, deep compassion, concern and Christian love of peace were distinguishing features in the activity of Saint Theodosii. To him often turned not only the Orthodox for aid and advice, but even persons of other confessions.</p><p>But Saint Theodosii could not long sustain the Chernigov flock. Sensing the approach of death, he summoned to him the administrator of the Bryansk Svensk monastery, Saint John (Maksimovich), and elevated him from priestmonk to archimandrite of the Chernigov Eletsk monastery. In this new archimandrite he prepared beforehand his successor. On 6 February 1696 Saint Theodosii died and was buried in the Chernigov Borisoglebsk cathedral church, beyond the right kleros-choir, in a special crypt made for this. His successor Saint John (Maksimovich) later built over his grave a brick arch with an eulogistic inscription in verse, in gratitude for a miraculous healing from a grievous illness. The special granting of grace to which Saint Theodosii attained, is testified to by his ascetic life and his hidden help to all, who recourse to him in prayer.</p><p>The glorification of Saint Theodosii occurred on 9 September 1896.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O holy hierarch Theodosius, most honored among hierarchs, thou wast a beacon to thy flock; then thou didst pass on to the mansions of heaven. Pray thou at the throne of the King of glory, that He deliver us from the evils which assail us and save our souls, O holy one, by thine intercessions.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O holy hierarch Theodosius, for Christ the Chief Shepherd didst thou labor, nurturing thy rational sheep in the spiritual pasture; and from Christ God didst thou receive the gift of healing to cure the spiritual and bodily infirmities of all that with faith have recourse to thy healing relics. Wherefore, pray thou now, O holy one, that all that call upon thy name be saved from the assaults of the enemy, and that our souls find mercy.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2216": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra", "short": "Martyr Theodotus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>See May 18.</p>"}}, "2256": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theophanes, the Confessor and Hymnographer, Bishop of Nic\u00e6a (\u2020 c. 850)", "short": "Venerable Theophanes"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Born in Arabia, together with his brother St. Theodore (see December 27), he was a zealous advocate of iconolatry during the reigns of the Emperors Leo the Armenian, Michael the Stammerer and Theophilus. His suffering for the holy icons continued for 25 years. During the reign of the Emperor Theophilus they after cruel torture cut an inscription into his skin with needles. He died about the year 847. He composed about 145 church Canons. According to the words of the Church, \"with ascetic labors\" and \"with the fervor of abstention \" he withered \"the sweet passions\", and by his speech \"of systematic words\" washed away \"the heretical darkness\" and lightened up \"the heretical haze\". </p>"}}, "2268": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theophilus of the Kiev Caves, Archbishop of Novgorod (\u2020 1482)", "short": "Venerable Theophilus"}}, "2275": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Therapontes the Abbot of White Lake (\u2020 1426)", "short": "Venerable Therapontes"}}, "2277": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Therapont, Abbot of Monza (\u2020 1597)", "short": "Venerable Therapont"}}, "2284": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Hierarch Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (\u2020 1867)", "short": "Holy Hierarch"}, "rank": 4}, "2288": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostles of the 70: Philemon and Archippos, Martyr Apphia, wife of Philemon and Equal-to the-Apostles, and Onesimus, disciple of St Paul (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostles"}}, "2292": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostle Philip, of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle Philip"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>One of the 70 Apostles, he was one of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles and worked together with Archdeacon Stephen. He was born in C\u00e6sarea, Palestine. When persecution was raised against the Church in Jerusalem, Philip was not frightened by the \"lawless fury\", departed to Samaria and preached Christ to them and here converted many to Christ. Among others he baptized Simon Magus and the nobleman eunuch of Candace the Queen of Ethiopia (Acts 8:5-13, 26-39). As a bishop Saint Philip preached Christ in Tralles, Lydia where he destroyed many \"temples of idols\". He died at a very old age. His four virgin daughters were granted the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8-9). One of them, Hermione (see September 4), accepted the martyr\u201ds death and is numbered among the saints. This holy apostle should be distinguished from the Apostle Philip, who is commemorated on November 14.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O holy Apostle Philip, pray to unto the merciful God, that He may grant remission of transgressions unto our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Today Philip, forechosen from among the apostles, grantest a wealth of healing to the world. He is the most wondrous fisherman of the nations, a converser with the disciples of Christ. He protectest those who praise Him from all evil. Therefore we cry out unto him: O, Apostle, save us all by thy prayers. </p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2294": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of Hieromartyr Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow (1652)", "short": "Hieromartyr"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>After the martyr\u2019s death of Saint Philip (\u2020 23 December 1570; the account about him is under 9 January), his body was buried at the Otrocha monastery, in Tver. The monks of the Solovetsk monastery, where formerly he was hegumen, in 1591 requested permission for the transfer of his relics to their monastery. The much-suffered and undecayed body was placed in a grave, prepared by Saint Philip for himself while still alive, beneath the portico of a temple of the Monks Zosima and Savvatii of Solovetsk, nearby the grave of the starets-elder Jona (Shamin), his beloved guide in monastic deeds.</p><p>On 29 April 1649 a grammota by Patriarch Joseph was sent to the hegumen of the Solovetsk monastery, Ilia, concerning the solemn uncovering of the relics of the Saint Wonderworker Philip. On 31 May the relics were transferred into a new reliquary and placed in the Preobrazhenie-Transfiguration cathedral.</p><p>In 1652 Nikon, then still the metropolitan of Novgorod, proposed that there be transferred to Moscow the relics of the three Martyr Saint-hierarchs: Metropolitan Philip, and Patriarchs Job and Ermogen. With the blessing of Patriarch Joseph, Metropolitan Nikon set off in 1652 to Solovetsk for the relics of Saint Philip and solemnly conveyed them to Moscow. Into the hand of the saint was put a document (grammota) of repentance by tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich, in which he besought the forgiveness of sins of his great-grandfather Ivan the Terrible, \u201ctransgressing\u201d his own power afront the power of the Church. On 3 July the holy relics were met in Moscow: \u201ca pastor, innocent and cast out, was returned to his own throne.\u201d In the Uspensky Sobor-cathedral \u201cin his own centre-place he stood for 10 days\u201d and all day from morning til night there were bells, just like on Pascha Sunday. Afterwards the holy relics were placed in the Uspensky Sobor at the south door of the altar.</p><p>At the place where the relics of Saint Philip were met in Moscow by clergy and people, a cross was set up, which gave its name to the Krestov-Cross Tollgate in Moscow</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Needs English translation</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Needs English translation</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2315": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria (2<sup>nd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Martyrs Florus and Laurus were brothers by birth not only in flesh but in spirit. They lived in the II Century at Byzantium, and afterwards they settled in Illyria (now Yugoslavia). By occupation they were stone-masons (their teachers in this craft were the christians Proclus and Maximus, from whom also the brothers learned about life pleasing to God). The governor of Illyria Likaion dispatched the brothers to a nearby district for work on the construction of a pagan temple. The saints toiled at the structure, distributing to the poor the money they earned, while themselves keeping strict fast and praying unceasingly. One time the son of the local pagan-priest Mamertin carelessly approached the structure, and a chip of stone hit him in the eye, severely injuring him. Saints Florus and Laurus assured the upset father, that his son would be healed. They brought the youth to consciousness and told him to have faith in Christ. After this, as the youth confessed Jesus Christ as the True God, the brothers prayed for him, and the eye was healed. In view of such a miracle even the father of the youth believed in Christ. When the construction of the temple was completed, the brothers gathered together the Christians, and having gone through the temple, they smashed the idols and in the eastern part of the temple they set up the holy cross. They spent all night in prayer, illumined with heavenly light. Having learned of this, the head of the district condemned to burning the former pagan-priest Mamertin and his son and 300 Christians. The martyrs Florus and Laurus, having been sent back to the governor Likaion, were thrown down an empty well and covered over with ground. After many years the relics of the holy martyrs were uncovered undecayed, and transferred to Constantinople. In the year 1200 the Novgorod pilgrim Antonii saw them; in about the year 1350, Stefan of Novgorod saw the heads of the martyrs in the Almighty monastery.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O ye faithful, let us praise as is meet the all-blessed Florus and the most honored Laurus, * the all-comely and divinely wise and most radiant twain, * who earnestly and manifestly proclaimed the uncreated Trinity to all. * Wherefore, having suffered even unto the shedding of your blooo * and been crowned with most splendid crowns, ** entreat Christ God, that He save our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>The whole world doth ail-gloriously honor Florus and Laurus today, * as martyrs of piety and divinely wise athletes of Christ, * that we may receive grace and mercy through their prayers, * and may be delivered from tribulations and dangers, ** and from wrath and sorrow on the day of judgment.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "2321": {"name": {"nominative": "Transfer of the relics of Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope (403-404)", "short": "Transfer of"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Transfer of the Relics of the Priest-Martyr Phokas from Sinope to Constantinople occurred on 22 July in either the year 403 or 404. The account about him is located under 22 September.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles * and didst occupy their throne, * thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, * O divinely inspired one. * Wherefore, ordering the word of truth, * thou didst suffer for the Faith even to the shedding of thy blood. ** O hieromartyr Phocas, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Offering up sacrifices as a high priest, O father, * in the end thou didst offer thyself as a living sacrifice, * bearing witness lawfully to Christ God, * accepting death and strengthened by angels, * who cried out to thee: ** Come with us, O Phocas, and no-one will be against us!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "6"}}}}, "2323": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle Thomas"}}, "2325": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Thomas of Mt Maleon (10<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Thomas"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Thomas the Maleian was a military commander before accepting monasticism. Powerful and brave, he had participated in many a battle, and he brought victory to his countrymen, for which he gained glory and esteem. But, striving with all his heart towards God, Thomas left the world with its honours and he took monastic vows.</p><p>With great humility he visited monastic-elders, asking of them guidance in the spiritual life. After several years Thomas received the blessing for solitary wilderness life and, strengthened in particular by a revelation through the holy prophet of God Elias, he settled on Mount Maleia (eastern part of Athos). Dwelling in complete seclusion, Saint Thomas fought with invisible enemies with suchlike a courage, as before he had against the visible enemies of his country.</p><p>The life and deeds of Saint Thomas were not able to be concealed from the surrounding area. People began to flock to him seeking spiritual guidance, and even those suffering from sickness, since he received from God the blessing to heal infirmities. </p><p>Many believers received help through the prayers of the monk and upon his departure to God (X). </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O God of our fathers, * deal with us ever according to Thy meekness. * Deprive us not of Thy mercy, * but through their supplications ** direct our life in peace.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Truly thou didst show forth a great victory! * Wherefore, aflame with divine life, thou didst vanquish the corrupt king and all beautiful things, * making thine abode on Mount Maleum, * from whence thou didst ascend to the King of kings in the heavens. ** O Thomas, pray thou unceasingly for us all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2331": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Photius, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia (\u2020 1431)", "short": "Saint Photius"}}, "2359": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Shio of Mgvimo, Georgia (6<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Shio"}}, "2367": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Martyrs Agape, Irene, and Chione (\u2020 304)", "short": "Holy Martyrs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyresses Agapia, Irene and Chionia were sisters by birth and they lived at the end-III Century to beginning-IV Century, near the Italian city of Aquilea. They were left orphaned at an early age. The young women led a pious Christian life and they turned down many an offer of marriage. Their spiritual guide was the priest Xeno. It was revealed to him in a dream-vision, that at a very soon time he would die, and the holy virgins would suffer martyrdom. Situated also at Aquilea and having a similar vision was the Great Martyress Anastasia (\u2020 c. 304, Comm. 22 December), who is entitled \u201cAlleviatrix-of-Captives\u201d (\u201cUzoreshitel\u2032nitsa\u201d) because that she fearlessly made visit to Christians locked up in prison, encouraging them and helping them. The Great Martyress Anastasia made visit to the sisters and urged them to bravely endure for Christ. Soon what was predicted in the vision came to pass. The priest Xeno died, and the three virgins were arrested and brought to trial before the emperor Diocletian (284-305).</p><p>Seeing the youthful beauty of the sisters, the emperor urged them to recant from Christ and he promised to find them illustrious bridegrooms from his entourage. But the holy sisters answered, that they have only the Heavenly Bridegroom\u2014Christ, for the faith in Whom they were ready to suffer. The emperor demanded they renounce Christ, but neither the elder sisters, nor the youngest of them, would consent. They called the pagan gods mere idols, wrought by human hands, and they preached faith in the True God. </p><p>By order of Diocletian, who was setting off for Macedonia, the holy sisters were also to be conveyed there. And they brought them to the court of the governor Dulcetius.</p><p>When he saw the beauty of the holy martyresses, he was aroused with impure passion. He put the sisters under guard and he informed them, that they would receive their freedom, if they agreed to fulfill his desires. But the holy martyresses replied, that they were prepared to die for their Heavenly Bridegroom\u2014Christ. Then Dulcetius decided secretly by night to have his way by force. When the holy sisters arose at night and were glorifying the Lord in prayer, Dulcetius edged up to the door and wanted to enter. But an invisible force struck him, he lost his senses and staggered away. Unable to find his way out, the torturer on his way fell down in the kitchen amidst the cooking utensils, the pots and pans, and he was covered all over with soot. The servants and the soldiers recognised him only with difficulty. When he saw himself in a mirror, he then realised, that the holy martyresses had made a fool of him, and he decided to take his revenge on them.</p><p>At his court Dulcetius gave orders to strip bare the holy martyresses before him. But the soldiers, no matter how much they tried, were not able to do this: the clothing as it were clung to the bodies of the holy virgins. And during the time of trial Dulcetius suddenly fell asleep, and no one was able to rouse him. But just as they carried him into his house, he immediately awoke.</p><p>When they reported to the emperor Diocletian about everything that had happened, he became angry with Dulcetius and he gave the holy virgins over for trial to Sisinius. This one began his interrogation with the youngest sister, Irene. Having convinced himself of her unyielding, he despatched her to prison and then attempted to sway into renunciation Saints Chionia and Agapia. But these also it was impossible to sway into a renunciation of Christ, and Sisinius gave orders that Saints Agapia and Chionia be burned. The sisters upon hearing the sentence gave up thanks to the Lord for the crowns of martyrdom. And in the fire Agapia and Chionia prayerfully expired to the Lord.</p><p>When the fire went out, everyone saw, that the bodies of the holy martyresses and their clothing had not been scorched by the fire, and their faces were beautiful and peaceful, like people quietly asleep. On the day following Sisinius gave orders to bring Saint Irene to court. He threatened her with the fate of her older sisters and he urged her to renounce Christ, and then he began to threaten to hand her over for defilement in an house of ill repute. But the holy martyress answered: \u201cLet my body be given over for forceful defilement, but my soul will never be defiled by renunciation of Christ.\u201d</p><p>When the soldiers of Sisinius led Saint Irene to the house of ill repute, two luminous soldiers overtook them and said: \u201cYour master Sisinius commands you to take this virgin to an high mountain and leave her there, and then return to him and report to him about fulfilling the command.\u201d And the soldiers did so. When they reported back to Sisinius about this, he flew into a rage, since he had given no such orders. The luminous soldiers were Angels of God, saving the holy martyress from defilement. Sisinius with a detachment of soldiers set off to the mountain and saw Saint Irene on its summit. For a long while they searched for the way to the top, but they could not find it. Then one of the soldiers wounded Saint Irene with an arrow from his bow. The martyress cried out to Sisinius: \u201cI do mock thine impotent malice, and pure and undefiled I do expire to my Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d Having given up thanks to the Lord, she lay down upon the ground and gave up her spirit to God, on the very day of Holy Pascha (\u2020 304).</p><p>The Great Martyress Anastasia learned about the end of the holy sisters and reverently she buried their bodies. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou didst mightily arm thy soul with faith, O Irene, * manifestly putting the evil one to shame, and didst lead to Christ myriad multitudes of men, O blessed ones; * and, wearing a robe empurpled by thy blood, ** thou now rejoicest with the angels.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2369": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily (\u2020 251)", "short": "Martyr Agatha"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyress Agatha was the daughter of rich and respected Christian parents from the city of Palermo (formerly called Panorum) in Sicily. During the time of the persecution under the emperor Decius (249-251), the city governor of Catana, Centianus,\u2014having heard about the wealth and beauty of Agatha, sent his soldiers after her to bring her to trial as a Christian. At Catana they housed the saint with a certain rich woman, who had five daughters. They all attempted to provide temptations for Saint Agatha by means of fine clothes, amusements and entertainment, urging her to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saint would not give in to their tricks, and disdaining all the delights, she prayed the Lord to grant her the strength for the act of martyrdom. At the interrogation under Centianus, the holy martyress was swayed neither by the flattery, nor by the threats, and she was subjected to cruel jeering: they tore at her bosom with iron hooks, and finally, they cut off her breasts. In prison the holy Apostle Peter appeared to her and healed her of her wounds. Led again to torture, Saint Agatha astonished Centianus, in that her bosom was unharmed. They thereupon began to torture her anew. At this moment in the city there began an earthquake, and the earth opened up and swallowed the closest companions of Centianus. The terrified inhabitants rushed to Centianus, demanding that he stop the tortures. Fearing a revolt by the people, Centianus sent Saint Agatha back to prison, where the martyress, in offering up thanks to God, peacefully gave up her soul to the Lord.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy ewe-lamb Agatha crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: * \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: * I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. * As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, * who sacrifice myself with love for Thee ** By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Let the Church be adorned today with a glorious robe of purple * dyed in the pure blood of the martyr Agatha, ** crying out: Rejoice, O boast of Catania!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2372": {"name": {"nominative": "Virgin-martyr Agnes of Rome (\u2020 c. 304)", "short": "Virgin-martyr Agnes"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "The Holy Martyress Agnes was born at Rome during the III Century. Her parents were Christians and they raised her in the precepts of the Christian faith. From her youthful years she devoted herself to God, and decided to dedicate herself to a life of virginity. When she refused to enter into marriage with the son of the city official Symphronius, one of his associates revealed to him that Agnes was a Christian. The wicked governor decided to subject the holy virgin to shame and he gave orders to strip and send her off to an house of harlotry for her insult against the pagan gods. But the Lord would not permit the shaming of the saint\u2014on her head there instantly grew out her long thick hair covering her body from people; later situated in the house of harlotry the saint shone with an Heavenly light, which blinded the sight of anyone approaching her. The son of the governor, himself having come to dishonour the virgin, fell down dead in merely having touched her hand. But through the fervent prayer of Saint Agnes he was restored to life and before the face of his father and many other people he proclaimed: \u201cThere is One God in the heavens and on earth\u2014the Christian God, and the other gods be but dust and ashes!\u201d In seeing this miracle, 160 men believed in God and were baptised, and then in short order accepted a martyr\u2019s death from the pagans.</p><p>Saint Agnes, at the demand of the pagan priests, was given over to torture. They tried to burn her in a bon-fire as a witch, but the saint remained unharmed in the fire, praying to God, and after this they killed her with a strike of the sword to the throat. The holy virgin martyress was buried by her parents not far from the city of Rome (in about the year 304).</p><p>At the grave of Saint Agnes occurred many a miracle. The relics of Saint Agnes rest at Rome in a church on the outskirts, built in honour of her name, along the Via Nomentana."}}, "2379": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian (\u2020 303)", "short": "Martyr Alexandra"}}, "2382": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Anastasia the Roman (3<sup>rd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyr Anastasia"}, "rank": 1}, "2384": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Anastasia, \u201cDeliverer from Bonds\u201d and her teacher, Martyr Chyrsogonus, and with them Martyrs Theodota, Evodias, Eutychianus, and others, who suffered under Diocletian (\u2020 c. 304)", "short": "Great Martyr Anastasia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1999-2008 Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris.", "text": "<p> St. Anastasia was born a Roman and was the spouse of a rich pagan Publius. Instructed in the Christian faith by St. Chrysogonus, she devoted herself to ministering to prisoners and confessors of Christ. Traveling from country to country, she comforted the imprisoned Christians, treated their wounds and with the help from her estate released them from prison. For all this she was called Pharmakolytrias, <i>i.e.</i> Medicine woman. She suffered in Illyria, having been attached to 4 pillars and burned by fire. St. Chrysogonus was for a long time kept in a Roman prison and, finally, was beheaded by the sword in Aquileia. St. Theodota, a rich widow from Nic\u00e6a, receiving into her home St. Anastasia, together with her three children, one of whom was Evodias, suffered for Christ in Nic\u00e6a (see Jul. 29). After torture they were burned. St. Eutychianus and the rest (120 others), who accepted Christ during the torture of St. Anastasia, were beheaded by the sword. In the church hymns of this day only the Great Martyr Anastasia is glorified, and of the other holy martyrs only Martyr Chrysogonus is mentioned.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy ewe-lamb Anastasia crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: * \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: * I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. * As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, * who sacrifice myself with love for Thee ** By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>When they have recourse to thy temple, * those who find themselves in temptations and sorrows * receive precious gifts through the divine grace * which dwelleth within thee, O Anastasia. ** For thou ever pourest forth healings upon the world.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2386": {"name": {"nominative": "Blessed Angelina, Princess of Serbia (16<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Blessed Angelina"}}, "2389": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Anysia at Thessalonica (\u2020 c. 285-305)", "short": "Virginmartyr Anysia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1999-2008 Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris.", "text": "<p> Born in the city of Thessalonica, the daughter of rich and God-fearing parents, she, having devoted her life to the Lord, abided unceasingly in fasting and prayer and used her estate to help the poor, the sick and captives in prisons. Once, walking in the temple, St. Anysia met a pagan warrior, who stopped her and demanded that she should have brought an offering for the solar feast. St. Anysia refused and for this was killed by the warrior (at the end of the third century).</p>"}, "rank": 1}, "2391": {"name": {"nominative": "Righteous Anna of Constantinople (\u2020 826)", "short": "Righteous Anna"}}, "2393": {"name": {"nominative": "Uncovering of the relics (1650) and second glorification (1909) of Righteous Princess Anna of Kashin", "short": "Uncovering of"}}, "2394": {"name": {"nominative": "Dormition of the Righteous Anna, Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos", "short": "Righteous Anna"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "The God-wise, God-blest and Blessed Anna was the daughter of the priest Nathan and his wife Mary, from the tribe of Levi by descent of Aaron. According to tradition, she died peacefully in Jerusalem at age 79, before the Annunciation of the Most Holy Virgin Mary. During the reign of the holy Saint Justinian the Emperor (527-565), a church was built in her honour at Deutera. And emperor Justinian II (685695; 705-711) restored her church, since Righteous Anna had appeared to his pregnant wife. And it was at this time that her body and omaphorion (veil) were transferred to Constantinople. (The account about Righteous Joakim and Anna is located under 9September)."}, "rank": 3, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "O divinely wise Anna, * in thy womb thou didst bear the pure Mother of God, who gave birth unto Life. * Wherefore, rejoicing in glory, * thou hast now been translated to the mansions of heaven, where is the abode of those who rejoice. * * O ever-blessed one, beseech thou cleansing of transgressions for those who honor thee with love.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "We celebrate the memory of the forebears of Christ, * entreating them with \"faith for help, * that from every tribulation all may be delivered who cry: ** Our God is with us, Who hath glorified them, as was His good pleasure!", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2395": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Right-Believing Great Princess Anna of Novgorod (\u2020 1056)", "short": "Holy Right-Believing"}}, "2396": {"name": {"nominative": "Righteous Anna the Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, at the Temple in Jerusalem (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Righteous Anna"}}, "2397": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Prophetess Anna, mother of the Prophet Samuel (1100 BC)", "short": "Holy Prophetess"}}, "2401": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Antonina of Nic\u00e6a, in Bithynia (\u2020 c.284-305)", "short": "Martyr Antonina"}}, "2404": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Anthusa at Rome (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Martyr Anthusa"}}, "2405": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Matrona, Abbess of Constantinople (\u2020 c. 492)", "short": "Venerable Matrona"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>Born in Perga, Pamphilia, and exhausted by the sufferings at the hand of her husband, she hid herself from him and in the clothes of a eunuch was tonsured with the name of Babylus in the men\u201ds monastery of the Blessed Bassian (October 10). Then from here she left for the women\u201ds monastery in Emesa, and was in Jerusalem and on Mount Sinai and, finally, came back to Constantinople where she founded a women\u201ds monastery. After a long and God-pleasing ascetical effort she died in peace in 492. </p>"}}, "2431": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Women Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia in Rome (\u2020 c. 68)", "short": "Holy Women"}}, "2434": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Martyrs Saint Sophia and her Daughters Faith, Hope and Love (\u2020 c. 137)", "short": "Holy Martyrs"}, "rank": 1}, "2445": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea with her Martyr Laodicius the prison guard (\u2020 c. 177)", "short": "Virginmartyr Glyceria"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Saint Glyceria suffered as a martyr for her faith in Christ in the II Century, during the time of a persecution against Christians under the emperor Antoninus (138-161). She was descended from illustrious lineage: her father Macarius was the city-governor of Rome, and afterwards he resettled to the Thracian city of Trojanopolis. But Saint Glyceria early on lost both her father and mother. Falling in with Christians, she converted to the true faith, and daily she visited the church of God. The Trojanopolis governor, Sabinus, having received the imperial edict about compelling Christians to offer sacrifice to the idols, and so he set the inhabitants of the city a day of general worship of the idol Zeus. Saint Glyceria firmly resolved to suffer for Christ, she told the Christians about her intention, and she besought them to pray that the Lord would send her the strength to undergo the sufferings. On the festal day of Zeus Saint Glyceria, having traced on her forehead the Sign of the Cross, went into the pagan temple; the saint stood on a raised spot in the rays of the sun, and snatched from her head the veil, showing all the holy Cross, traced on her forehead. She prayed heatedly to God, that He should bring the pagans to their senses and destroy the stone idol of Zeus. Suddenly thunder was heard, the statue of Zeus crashed to the floor and smashed into little pieces. In a rage, the governor Sabinus and the pagan priests commanded the people to pelt Saint Glyceria with stones, but the stones that were thrown did not touch the saint. They locked up Saint Glyceria in prison, where the Christian priest Philokrates came to her and encouraged the martyress in the deed before her. In the morning, when the tortures had started, suddenly amidst the torturers there appeared an Angel, and they all fell to the ground, overcome with terror. When the vision vanished, then by order of Sabinus, himself hardly able to speak, they again led off the saint to prison. They securely shut the door and sealed it with the personal ring of the governor, so that no one could get in to her. During all her time of being thus locked in, Angels of God brought Saint Glyceria food and drink. Some many days afterwards Sabinus came to the prison and he himself removed the seal. Going in to the saint, he was shaken, seeing her alive and well. Setting off for the city of Heraclium, Sabinus gave orders to bring along there also Saint Glyceria. From this city there came out to meet her the Christians of Heraclium with the bishop Dometius at the head, and in front of everyone he uttered a prayer to the Lord for strengthening the saint in the act of martyrdom. At Heraclium they cast Saint Glyceria into a red-hot furnace, but the fire in it at once extinguished. Then the governor, in a mindless fury, gave orders to strip the skin from the head of Saint Glyceria. Then they threw the bared martyress into prison onto sharp stones, where she prayed incessantly, and at midnight in the prison there appeared an Angel which healed her of her wounds. The prison guard Laodicius, having come in the morning for the saint, at first did not recognise her, and thinking that the martyress had been hidden away he wanted to kill himself in fear of punishment, but Saint Glyceria stopped him. Shaken by the miracle, Laodicius believed in the True God and he besought prayers of the saint, that he also might suffer and die for Christ together with her. \u201cFollow Christ and thou wilt be saved,\u201d\u2014the holy martyress answered him. Laodicius placed upon himself the chains, with which the saint was bound, and at the trial he declared to the governor and everyone present about the miraculous healing of Saint Glyceria by an Angel and he confessed himself a Christian. The newly chosen one of God was immediately beheaded by the sword. Christians, having secretly taken up his remains, reverently gave them burial, but Saint Glyceria was given over for devouring by wild beasts. She went to execution with great joy, but the lioness set loose upon the saint meekly crawled up to her and, curling up, lay at her feet. Finally, the saint turned with a prayer to the Lord, imploring that He take her unto Himself. In answer she heard a Voice from Heaven, summoning her to the Heavenly bliss. At this moment there was set loose upon the saint another lioness, which pounced upon the martyress and killed her, but did not rend her apart. Bishop Dometius and the Heraclium Christians reverently buried the holy Martyress Glyceria. She suffered for Christ in about the year 177. Her holy relics were glorified with a flow of curative myrh.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy ewe-lamb Glyceria crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: * \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: * I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. * As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, * who sacrifice myself with love for Thee ** By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Loving Mary, the Virgin Theotokos, * thou didst preserve thy virginity uncorrupted; and burning with love for the Lord, * thou didst suffer with manly mind even unto death, ** Wherefore, O virgin martyr, Christ God hath crowned thee with a twofold crown.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2446": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Glyceria of Novgorod (\u2020 1522)", "short": "Virginmartyr Glyceria"}}, "2466": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Martyr Eudokia of Heliopolis (\u2020 160-170)", "short": "Venerable Martyr"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Monastic Martyress Eudocia was a Samaritan, a native of the city of Iliopolis in Ph\u0153nician Lebanon. Her pagan impiety took her off the good path, and for a long time she led a sinful life. Her soul was deadened and her heart hardened.</p><p>One time at midnight Eudocia awoke and heard from beyond the wall in the other half of the house, where there lived a Christian, the singing of a molieben and reading of Holy Scripture, in which it spoke about the eternal bliss prepared for the righteous, and about the punishment awaiting sinners. The grace of God touched the heart of Eudocia, and she realised, that these results of her sin lay grievously upon her soul.</p><p>In the morning Eudocia hastened to call on the man, whose rule of prayer she heard by night. This was the elder named Germanos, returning from pilgrimage along the holy places to his own monastery. Eudocia listened for a long time to the guidance of the elder, and her soul as it were came alive and she was filled with joy and love for Christ. She besought the elder Germanos to come to her after several days, during which she secluded herself within the house and gave herself over in repentance to fasting and prayer.</p><p>The elder Germanos summoned a presbyter, and after the testing of being a catechumen Eudocia received holy Baptism from the bishop of Iliopolis, Theodotos. Having given away all her wealth to the poor, she withdrew into a monastery and took upon herself very strict acts of penitence. The Lord granted forgiveness to the penitent sinner and endowed her with graced spiritual gifts.</p><p>One time, when she was already head of the monastery, the young pagan Philostrates appeared at the monastery. Aflame with impious passion, he under the guise of a monk came into the monastery and began to urge the Nun Eudocia to return to Iliopolis, and begin anew her former life. \u201cMay God in revenge stop thee,\u201d\u2014angrily answered Eudocia, and the impostor-monk fell down dead. Fearing that in this she had served as an accomplice to murder, the sisters intensified their prayer and besought the Lord to reveal to them His will. </p><p>The Lord Himself appeared to Saint Eudocia in a dream vision and said: \u201cRise up, Eudocia, and get down on the knees and pray, and thy tempter wilt arise.\u201d And through the prayer of Eudocia, Philostrates revived. Having been restored to life, the pagan besought the nun to forgive him. And having accepted holy Baptism, he withdrew into Iliopolis. And from that time he never forgot the mercy of God shown him, and he started onto the way of repentance.</p><p>A certain while passed, when another situation occurred. Inhabitants of Iliopolis reported to the governor named Aurelian, that in accepting Christianity Eudocia allegedly had concealed her wealth at the monastery. Aurelian sent a detachment of soldiers to confiscate these supposed treasures. But over the course of three days the soldiers tired in vain to get close to the walls of the monastery: an invisible power of God guarded it. Aurelian again sent soldiers to the monastery, this time under the lead of his own son. But on the very first day of the journey the son of Aurelian badly injured his leg and soon died. Then Philostrates counseled Aurelian to write to the Nun Eudocia, imploring her to revive the youth. And the Lord, by His infinite mercy, and through the prayers of Saint Eudocia, restored the youth to life. Having witnessed this great miracle, Aurelian and his close associates believed in Christ and were baptised.</p><p>When persecutions against Christians intensified, they arrested the Nun Eudocia and brought her for torture to the governor Diogenes. The military-commander Diodoros torturing her received news about the sudden death of his wife Firminia. In despair he rushed to Saint Eudocia with a plea to pray for his departed wife. The monastic-martyress, filled with great faith, turned to God with prayer and besought of Him the return of Firminia to life. Becoming convinced as eye-witnesses to the power and grace of the Lord, Diodoros and Diogenes believed in Christ and after a certain while were baptised together with their families. The Nun Eudocia lived for awhile at the house of Diodoros and enlightened the newly-illumined Christians.</p><p>One time the only son of a certain widow, working in the garden, was bitten by a snake and died. The mother bitterly bewailed her dead son. Having learned of her grief, Saint Eudocia said to Diodoros: \u201cThe time is at hand for thee to show faith in the Almighty God, Who heareth the prayers of penitent sinners and by His mercy doth grant them forgiveness.\u201d</p><p>Diodoros was distressed, not considering himself worthy of such boldness before the Lord, but he obeyed Saint Eudocia. He prayed and by the Name of Christ he commanded the dead one to rise, and before the eyes of everyone present the youth revived. </p><p>The Nun Eudocia returned to her monastery, in which she pursued asceticism for 56 years. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Having bound thy soul to the love of Christ with uprightness of mind, * as a disciple of the Word thou didst avoid corrupt, transitory and beautiful things by ignoring them; * and having first mortified the passions by fasting, * thou didst put the enemy to shame by thy suffering. * Wherefore, Christ hath vouchsafed unto thee a twofold crown. ** O glorious Eudocia, venerable sufferer, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Having contended well in thy suffering, O most lauded one, * even after thy death thou dost sanctify with outpourings of wonders * us who with faith have recourse to thy divine church; * and, holding festival, we entreat thee, O venerable martyr Eudocia: ** May we be delivered from spiritual afflictions and draw forth the grace of miracles.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2467": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Euphrosyne, in the world Eudokia, Great Princess of Moscow (\u2020 1407)", "short": "Saint Euphrosyne"}, "rank": 1}, "2468": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Eudokia of Persia (\u2020 c. 362-364)", "short": "Martyr Eudokia"}}, "2470": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Cyrenia and Juliana of Clicia (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Cyrenia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Martyrs Cyriena and Juliana, suffered for Christ during the reign of Maximian in the city of Rosa in Cilicia. After undergoing various abuses these holy Martyrs were burned to death."}}, "2471": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Hermenegild, Prince of the Goths in Spain (\u2020 586)", "short": "Martyr Hermenegild"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "He was the son of the Goth King Leovigild. His father, being an Arian, tried in every possible way to convert St. Hermenegild to Arianism and, not successful in this, imprisoned him. When, on the feast of Pascha, the Arian bishop was sent to the imprisoned son of the king in order to give him communion, St. Hermenegild refused to receive communion from the heretic and for this he was beheaded in the year 586."}}, "2474": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Acyndinos, Pegasias, Aphthonios, Elpidiphoros, Anempodistus and 7,000 suffering with them in Persia (c.341-345)", "short": "Martyrs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>They suffered for Christ in Persia during the reign of Shapur II in about the year 345. Sts. Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus served at the imperial court. After various and horrible torments they were burnt. St. Afton, a warrior, and Elpidephorus, the imperial grandee, who criticized the Shah for the innocent persecution of Christians, were beheaded. Together with these Holy Martyrs up to 7000 Christians were beheaded.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Blessed is the earth that was filled with your blood, O Passion-bearers of the Lord, and holy are the dwelling places that received your bodies. For you triumphed over the enemy in the stadium, and preached Christ with courage. We pray that you beseech Him, since He is Good, that our souls may be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou hast received into the enjoyment of Thy goodness and repose, O only Blessed One, the pious and God-bearing martyrs, Who have abandoned all earthly goods, Acindynus, Pegasius, Anempodistus, together with them, Afton and Elpidephorus, O Only Most Blessed.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2478": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Akepsimos the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Haiphal the Deacon of Persia (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>They suffered for Christ in Persia during the reign of Shapur II in the Fourth Century. St. Acepsimas was Bishop of Naasson where he zealously worked for the spread of the Christian faith. During the persecution, he was seized together with Presbyter Joseph and Deacon Aithalas. He underwent cruel beatings and for three years languished in prison. After this they beheaded him. Sts. Joseph and Aithalas were stoned to death. St. Aithalas is also commemorated on September 1.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O wise one, thou didst celebrate the mysteries blamelessly, and becamest an acceptable sacrifice, O Divinely Blessed One; For thou didst gloriously drink the cup of Christ, Holy Acepsimas, together with thy co-sufferers praying unceasingly for us all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2479": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised (\u2020 304)", "short": "Great Martyr"}}, "2482": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Joannicius the Great (\u2020 846)", "short": "Venerable Joannicius"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>He was born in the village of Marikata (Bithynia), and in his youth was a shepherd. Later he served his country on the battlefield and then left the vanity of the world for Mount Olympus and there practiced asceticism as a hermit for many years in the wildest and most deserted places. Through an unremitting battle with his passions, indefatigable works, vigil and prayer \"having cleansed the passions of darkness\" \"and having destroyed the flesh\", he trampled down \"the nets of the enemy\", achieved sanctity, having become \"a co-participant with angels\". God awarded St. Joannicius the Great wisdom, insight and the gift of wonderworking. He died in 846. Many came to the holy ascetic for edification and intercession of the saints by his prayers and petitions before God and much spiritual compassion flowed from the venerable one. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>With a flood of tears thou madest the desert fertile, and thy longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. By the radiance of miracles thou didst illumine the whole universe! O our holy father Joannicius, pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou wast revealed as a glistening star, enlightening the world, and shining on those who are in the darkness of passions: thou wast revealed a mightiest physician, but as thou received the grace of healing, to those that ask thee grant healing, that we may cry out: Rejoice O Father Joannicius. </p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2483": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and Hermes the Presbyter (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Hieromartyrs Nicander"}, "rank": 1, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Both were disciples of the Holy Apostle Titus from whom they received ordination. During the persecution torturers dragged them over the rocks, pierced them with nails, thrust them into fire and, finally, threw them into the pit and buried them alive."}}, "2488": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Euphrosyne the Abbess of Polotsk (\u2020 1173)", "short": "Venerable Euphrosyne"}}, "2491": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Paul the Confessor, Bishop of Constantinople (\u2020 350)", "short": "Saint Paul"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> He was born in Thessalonica, and was the successor of St. Alexander. He was a \u201cchampion of Orthodoxy, like the Apostle Paul adorned with piety, with courage of soul and endurance in tribulation\u201d. For his zealous refutation of \u201cthe evil opinions of the Arians\u201d he \u201cendured persecution and tribulation\u201d and four times was removed from the patriarchal throne by Emperor Constantius, who was an Arian. Finally, St. Paul was banished to a prison in Cucusa, Armenia where he died as a martyr \u201cfor the Trinity without beginning and one in essence\u201d. The Arians killed him, strangling him during the service with his omophorion in the year 350. In the year 381 his uncorrupted relics were transferred to Constantinople and in 1236 to Venice where they remain until today. </p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "Through thy confession of the divine Faith the Church hath shown thee to be another Paul, * a zealot among her priests; * and Abel crieth out to the Lord with thee, * as doth the righteous blood of Zachariah. ** O venerable father, entreat Christ God, that we be given great mercy.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "O Paul, who shone forth upon the earth like a star of heavenly splendor, * thou dost now enlighten the universal Church * for which thou didst suffer, laying down thy life. * And like that of Zachariah and Abel, ** thy blood crieth out to the Lord.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2492": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Luke of Sicily (\u2020 c. 800-820)", "short": "Venerable Luke"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "He was born in Taormina, Sicily. At the age of 18 he accepted monasticism and practiced asceticism on Mount Etna. He died while on travel in a monastery near Corinth, about 820."}}, "2494": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen in Jerusalem (326)", "short": "Finding of"}}, "2496": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Hieron and the other 32 Martyrs of Melitene: Hieron, Hysichius, Nicander, Athanasius, Mamantus, Barachius, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nikon, Longinus, Theodore, Valerius, Xantheius, Theodulus, Callimachus, Eugene, Theodochus, Ostrichius, Epiphanius, Maximian, Duceitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodotus, Castrichius, Anikita, Themelius, Eutichius, Hilarion, Diodotus, and Amonitus (3<sup>rd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyr Hieron"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>Hieron, Hesychius, Nicander, Athanasius, Mamas, Barachias, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nikon, Longinus, Theodore, Galerius, Xanthius, Theodulus, Callimachus, Eugene, Theodochus, Ostrychius, Epiphanius, Maximian, Ducitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodotus, Castrychius, Anicletus, Theomelius, Eutychius, Hilarion, Diodotus and Amonitus suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in Melitene. St. Hieron was born in Tyana, Cappadocia and was glorified for his courage and strength. Not wishing to enter into the ranks of the warriors as in an army it was impossible to hide his faith. He was seized by force and, for his confession of Christ, they cut off his hands and imprisoned him together with other Christians. After being tortured all the Holy Martyrs were beheaded. All these holy martyrs are mentioned in the services by name. </p>"}}, "2497": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Melasippos and Karina and their son Antoninus, and 40 children converted by their martyrdom at Ancyra (\u2020 363)", "short": "Martyrs Melasippos"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "They suffered for Christ in Ancyra during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate. Sts. Melasippus and Casinia died during torture, and St. Antoninus protected by God during torture was beheaded. Seeing the sufferings of St. Antoninus forty children believed in Christ and who were all beheaded."}}, "2498": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Auctus, Tabrion, and Thessalonicia", "short": "Martyrs Auctus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "They suffered for Christ in Amphipolis, Macedonia. St. Thessalonica, the daughter of a pagan priest, was sent by her father to prison after many tortures and there died from torment. Sts. Auctus and Taurion, reproached her father for this, were beheaded after many tortures."}}, "2499": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the Relics of Venerable Lazarus, who fasted at Mt Galasia", "short": "Translation of"}}, "2500": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth, Nun Barbara, and with them the Princes: John, Igor, Constantine, Sergius, and Vladimir, at Alapayevsk (\u2020 1918)", "short": "Venerable Martyrs"}, "rank": 3}, "2502": {"name": {"nominative": "Virgin-martyrs Ennatha and Valentina and Martyr Paul of Palestine (\u2020 308)", "short": "Virgin-martyr Ennatha and companions"}}, "2503": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Onisiphorus and Porphyrius of Ephesus (3<sup>rd</sup>-4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Onisiphorus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> The Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius suffered for Christ during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. After tortures and burning on an iron pad, they were attached to wild horses and dragged by them until they died. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>In their sufferings, O Lord, * Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God; * for, possessed of Thy might, * they set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. ** By their supplications save Thou our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Having suffered mightily, * the two martyrs cast the arrogance of the enemy down to the ground, * being illumined by the grace of the uncreated Tfinity, * O glorious Onesiphorus and Porphyrius. ** Pray ye unceasingly in behalf of us all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2505": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theoctista of the Isle of Lesbos (\u2020 881)", "short": "Venerable Theoctista"}, "rank": 1, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Born in Methymna (on the island of Lesbos), she in her youth was tonsured into monasticism in the women\u201ds monastery. Captured by pirates who raided the monastery, they took her to the island of Paros. But there she fled from them, saving her virginity. Finding on the island a dilapidated temple, she began to submit to ascetical efforts in it, constantly abiding in prayer and eating only vegetables. In this way the Venerable Theoctiste led her life for 35 years and died in peace in the year 881. The service for the Venerable Theoctiste is sung at Compline."}}, "2506": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Onisiphor the Confessor, of the Kiev Caves (\u2020 1148)", "short": "Venerable Onisiphor"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Venerable Onesiphorus of the Caves, an ascetic in the Kiev Monastery of the Caves in the Twelfth Century. He died in 1148. His relics repose in the St. Anthony Caves."}}, "2508": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Anthony", "short": "Martyr Anthony"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Born in Apamea, Syria, by trade a diamond cutter, being zealous for the glory of God, he destroyed idols in a pagan temple and began to build a temple to the Most Holy Trinity near Apamea, and for this the pagans killed him."}}, "2509": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable John Kolov", "short": "Venerable John Kolov"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Venerable John the Short was tonsured in the Skete desert in Egypt. The name of Venerable John \"the Short\" (in translation into Russian means undersized) means that he \"short in stature\". The Venerable John distinguished himself with unusual obedience, meekness and humility. His spiritual director, St. P\u0153men (see Aug. 27), ordered him to water a dry tree and it yielded fruit, which was why it was called \"the tree of obedience\". After he became the trainer of others (refer to May 8 and 9), the Venerable John cared much for their salvation. He died in first half of the Fifth Century. He left many wise sayings."}}, "2510": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Eustolia and Sosipatra the Queen", "short": "Venerable Eustolia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "The Venerable Eustolia from her youth devoted herself to the service of God in the reign of the Emperor Maurice coming from Rome to Constantinople. Here wishing to become a monastic she met Sosipatra, the daughter of the Emperor Maurice. Both were ascetics, with the assistance of the Emperor, who arranged for a women\u201ds monastery in Constantinople in which they served the Lord up to the end. The Venerable Eustolia died in 610. The Venerable Sosipatra died in 625."}}, "2512": {"name": {"nominative": "Icon of the Mother of God \u201cSkoroposlushnitsa\u201d", "short": "Icon of"}, "rank": 4}, "2514": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostles of the 70: Herastos, Olympos, Rodion, Sosipater, Quartus and Tercias (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostles of"}, "rank": 1}, "2515": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Orestes the Physician of Cappadocia (\u2020 304)", "short": "Martyr Orestes"}}, "2516": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Milios, Bishop of Persia, and two of his disciples, Euores the Presbyter and Seboes the Deacon (\u2020 341)", "short": "Hieromartyr Milios"}}, "2517": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Constantine, Prince of Georgia (\u2020 842)", "short": "Martyr Constantine"}}, "2520": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Menas of Egypt (\u2020 304)", "short": "Great Martyr Menas"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Born in Egypt, a warrior, he during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian left military service and, having gone to the desert, in fasting and prayer he was tonsured there. During one pagan feast he was revealed in the city of Coti\u00e6um (in Phrygia) and began fearlessly to accuse the pagans of their errors. St. Menas was immediately seized and turned over to the cruelest tortures, after which with a sword they beheaded him (in the year 304). In a service for this day together with Menas the martyrs Sts. Victor, Vincent and Stephanida are glorified; but the majority of the church hymns are devoted in honor of the holy Martyr Menas. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>In their sufferings, O Lord, * Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God; * for, possessed of Thy might, * they set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. ** By their supplications save Thou our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Christ our God, the imperishable Crown of martyrs, * took thee, O passionbearer Minas, from a transient army, ** and showed thee forth as a partaker of the incorrupt\u00adible and heavenly.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2521": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Victor at Damascus (2<sup>nd</sup> C) along with the Martyr Stephanida of Spain", "short": "Martyr Victor"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "The Holy Martyr Victor suffered for Christ in the city of Damascus, during the reign of the Emperor Antoninus. St. Victor was born in Italy. For confessing Christ he was thrown into a flaming furnace and boiling oil and, when by the power of God he remained unharmed, they beheaded him with a sword."}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "In their sufferings, O Lord, * Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God; * for, possessed of Thy might, * they set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. ** By their supplications save Thou our souls.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2522": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Vincent of Spain (\u2020 304)", "short": "Martyr Vincent"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Born in Spain, he was a deacon in the city of Augustopolis. During the persecution of Christian under Diocletian he was given over for crucifixion in the city of Valencia. Miraculously saved from death on the cross, St. Vincent then was burnt on an iron grid. His relics today repose in Rome."}}, "2523": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Irene of Thessalonica (1<sup>st</sup>-2<sup>nd</sup> C)", "short": "Great Martyr Irene"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Great Martyress Irene lived during the I Century and until baptism had the name Penelope. She was daughter of the pagan Licinius, governor of the city of Migdonia (in Macedonia, or Thrace). Licinius built for his daughter a separate splendid palace, where she lived with her governess Karia, surrounded by her peers and her servants. Daily there came to Penelope a tutor by the name of Apelian, who taught her the sciences. Apelian was a Christian, and during the time of study he told the maiden about Christ the Saviour and taught her the Christian teaching and the Christian virtues. </p><p>When Penelope became an adolescent, her parents began to think about her marriage. During this period of her life the Lord instructed her in a miraculous manner: to her at the window there flew one after the other of three birds\u2014a dove with an olive twig, an eagle with a garland, and a raven with a snake. Penelope\u2019s teacher Apelian explained to her the meaning of these signs: the Dove, symbolising the virtues of the maiden,\u2014humility, meekness and chasteness,\u2014bearing an olive twig,\u2014the grace of God received in Baptism; the Eagle,\u2014symbol of sublimity of spirit, attained through meditation upon God,\u2014bearing a garland for victory over the invisible enemy as a reward from the Lord. The Raven, however, bearing the snake was a sign that the devil would rise up against her and would cause her grief, sorrow and persecution. At the end of the conversation Apelian said, that the Lord wished to betroth her to Himself and that Penelope would undergo much suffering for her Heavenly Bridegroom. After this Penelope refused marriage, accepted Baptism from the hands of the Disciple Timothy,\u2014who was a disciple of the holy Apostle Paul, and she was named Irene. She began even to urge her own parents to accept the Christian faith. The mother was pleased with the conversion of her daughter to Christ; the father at first did not hinder his daughter, but then he began to demand of her the worship to the pagan gods. When however Saint Irene firmly and decisively refused, the enraged Licinius then gave orders to tie up his daughter and throw her beneath the hooves of frenzied horses. The horses remained motionless. But one of them got loose from its harness, threw itself at Licinius, seized him by the right hand and tore it from his arm, then knocked Licinius down and began to trample him. They then untied the holy maiden, and through her prayer Licinius in the presence of eyewitnesses rose up unharmed, with his hand intact. Seeing such a miracle, Licinius with his wife and many of the people, in number about 3000 men, believed in Christ and refrained from the pagan gods. Resigning the governance of the city, Licinius settled into the palace of his daughter, intending to devote himself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Irene however began to preach the teaching of Christ among the pagans and she converted them to the path of salvation. She lived in the house of her teacher Apelian.</p><p>Having learned of this, Sedecius,\u2014the new governor of the city, summoned Apelian and questioned him about the manner of life of Irene. Apelian answered that Irene, just like other Christians, lived in strict temperance, in constant prayer and reading of holy books. Sedecius summoned the saint to him and began to urge her to cease preaching about Christ and to offer sacrifice to the gods. Saint Irene staunchly confessed her faith before the governor, not fearing his wrath, and prepared to undergo suffering for Christ. By order of Sedecius she was thrown into a pit, filled with vipers and serpents. The saint spent 10 days in the pit and remained unharmed, since an Angel of the Lord protected her and brought her food. Sedecius ascribed this miracle to sorcery and he subjected the saint to a cruel torture: he gave orders to saw her with an iron saw. But the saws broke one after the other and caused no harm to the body of the holy virgin. Finally, a fourth saw reddened the body of the holy martyress with blood. Sedecius with derision said to the martyress: \u201cWhere then is thy God? If He be powerful, let Him help thee!\u201d Suddenly a whirlwind shot up, gave forth a blinding lightning-flash, striking down many of the torturers, thunder crashed, and a strong rain poured down. Beholding such a sign from Heaven, many believed in Christ the Saviour. Sedecius did not understand the obvious display of the power of God and he subjected the saint to new torments, but the Lord preserved her unharmed. Finally the people rebelled having to look upon the sufferings of the innocent virgin, and they rose up against Sedecius and expelled him from the city.</p><p>Having replaced Sedecius as governor, they still subjected Saint Irene to various cruel torments, during which while by the power of God she continued to remain unharmed, and the people under the influence of her preaching and accomplishing of miracles all the more in number were converted to Christ, having turned away from the worship of soul-less idols. Over 10,000 pagans were converted by Saint Irene.</p><p>The saint went from her native city Migdonia to Kallipolis, and there she continued to preach about Christ. The governor of the city by the name of Babadonos subjected the martyress to new punishments, but seeing that the saint remained unharmed, he came to his senses and believed in Christ. A large number of pagans believed together with him, all whom received holy Baptism from the Disciple Timothy.</p><p>After this Saint Irene settled in other cities of Thrace\u2014Konstantinos and then Mesembros, preaching about Christ and working miracles, healing the sick and undergoing suffering for Christ. </p><p>In the city of Ephesus the Lord revealed to her, that the time of her end was approaching. Then Saint Irene in the company of her teacher the elder Apelian and other Christians went out from the city to an hilly cave and, having signed herself with the sign of the cross, she went into it, having directed her companions to close the entrance to the cave with a large stone, which they did. Four days after this, when Christians visited the cave, they did not find the body of the saint in it. Thus reposed the holy Great Martyress Irene.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy ewe-lamb Irene crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: * \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: * I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. * As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, * who sacrifice myself with love for Thee ** By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Adorned with the beauties of virginity, O virgin Irene, through thy suffering thou becamest most beautiful, dyed in thine own flowing blood; and thou didst cast down the falsehood of ungodliness. Wherefore, thou hast received the honors of victory from the hand of thy Creator.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2526": {"name": {"nominative": "Uncovering of the relics (1819) of Righteous Juliana, princess of Vyazemsk, Novotorzhskoy", "short": "Uncovering of"}}, "2527": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Nilus the Faster, of Sinai (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Nilus"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "At first he was an eparch (leader) of Constantinople, but later, caring for his salvation, he left for Mount Sinai and there in a cave he spent his life in strict fasting and prayer. In this way the Venerable Nilus pursued his ascetical efforts for 60 years and died about the year 450."}}, "2528": {"name": {"nominative": "Prophet Ahijah (c \u2020 960 BC)", "short": "Prophet Ahijah"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Born in Shiloh, he prophesied during the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam and Abijam. He predicted that Jeroboam I would reign over 10 tribes of Israel. He died 1000 years before Christ."}}, "2529": {"name": {"nominative": "Uncovering of the relics (1815) of Venerable Nilus the Myrrh-gusher of Mt. Athos", "short": "Uncovering"}}, "2530": {"name": {"nominative": "Icons of the Mother of God \u201cKikkskaya\u201d and \u201cHelper in labor\u201d", "short": "Icons of"}}, "2531": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the relics of the Holy Princess Juliana of Olshansk (16<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Finding of"}}, "2535": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy and All-praised Apostle Philip (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle Philip"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>From among the 12, he was born in Bethsaida. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached the Gospel in Galilee, and then in Greece, Arabia, Ethiopia, Syria and Asia Minor, enlightening \"with the light of wisdom\" and \"with the lightning of preaching to those sitting in the darkness of ignorance\". His preaching was accompanied by many miracles: in Galilee he raised a child from the dead; in Greece one leader together with the people wanted to kill St. Philip for his sermon, but was then struck with blindness and only through the prayer of the apostle received his sight. With the spread of Christianity during the reign of the Emperor Domitian the Holy Apostle Philip together with the Holy Apostle Barnabas (see June 11), on an order of the town mayor, were arrested, dragged through the streets suffering beatings and curses, were then thrown into prison and sentenced to crucifixion. The Holy Apostle Philip, with pierced feet and crucified on the cross with his head down, was hanged high up on a tree in the city of Hierapolis.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O holy apostle Philip * entreat the merciful God ** that He grant to our souls remission of transgressions.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy disciple and friend, the emulator of Thy suffering, * the divinely eloquent Philip, proclaimed Thee to the world as God; ** by his prayers and through the Theotokos, keep Thy Church and every city from most iniquitous enemies, O most Merciful One.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "2536": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Philip, Abbot of Irap near Novgorod (\u2020 1527)", "short": "Saint Philip"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "The Venerable Philip at 12 years of age was tonsured in the Monastery of the Venerable Cornelius of Komel. After living 15 years in the Cornelius Monastery the Venerable Philip, seeking silence, left it and founded a Monastery about 52 versts (34 miles) from Cherepovets, between the Great and Small Irap Rivers (see the Novgorod Diocese). He died in 1527. His relics repose in his Monastery in a hidden place. The Nativity Lent begins after November 14. It anticipates the Feast of the Nativity itself for 40 days and is why it is referred to also as the forty days (see the Typicon (Ustav) Nov. 14). It is also called the St. Philip Lent, or in popular speech, St. Philip\u201ds (Filipovkami) because it begins after November 14, which is the day in memory of the Apostle Phillip. This fast is established by the Church for the worthy preparation of believers for the meeting of the very feast. According to the rules of abstinence it comes closer to Apostle\u201ds Lent (see May 17). Its severity is especially increased from December 20, the days of the Forefeast before the Nativity, and reaches its maximum degree in the so-called \"eve (socheljnik)\". This fast undoubtedly has an ancient origin, although clear mention of it is met only in the IV century. In the V century Leo the Great, mentioning this fast, indicates its ancient establishment and attributes to it the meaning of the offering of gathered fruit. The amount of days of this Lent in antiquity in different churches was not uniform. The uniform order in this respect was established in 1166 in the Constantinople Council that, on the basis of ancient typicons, defined the Nativity Lent of 40 days from November 14."}}, "2537": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Justinian the Emperor (\u2020 565) and his wife Saint Theodora (\u2020 548)", "short": "Saint Justinian"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "St. Justinian was born a Slav. The famous Greek emperor, fortunate in wars with the enemies of the empire, was also zealous in rooting out paganism as a real adherent of Orthodoxy, as a fervent law-giver (under him the code of church - civil laws was made), and as the mediator of church disputes he was both voluntarily and truly a pious person. He built the St. Sophia temple in Constantinople and many other temples and hospitals. He called the Fifth Ecumenical Council and wrote the church hymn \"Only-begotten Son\" in refutation of the Nestorian heresy. He died in 565 and for his service to the Church and devout life he was added to the choir of saints. St. Theodora became a faithful wife of the Emperor from being a sinner and became the defender of Orthodoxy from being the patroness of the Monophysite heresy. She died in 548."}}, "2539": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Mary of Egypt (\u2020 522)", "short": "Venerable Mary"}, "rank": 1}, "2542": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Elpidias, Marcellus and Eustochius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Elpidias"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus and Eustochius, were burned to death for Christ during the reign of the Emperor Julian the Apostate. </p>"}}, "2544": {"name": {"nominative": "Icons of the Mother of God: \u201cKupyatitskaya\u201d, \u201cIpatmenskaya\u201d, and \u201cBlagoukhannyi Tsvet\u201d", "short": "Icons of"}}, "2546": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Fulvianus, Prince of Ethiopia, in Holy Baptism Matthew (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Saint Fulvianus"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> He handed over the Holy Apostle Matthew to fire, but seeing the miracles leading to the death of the Holy Apostle, believed in Christ and zealously preached the Christian faith. Later for his saintly life he became worthy of the rank of bishop. He died in peace. </p>"}}, "2552": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Lazarus the Iconographer, of Constantinople (\u2020 c. 857)", "short": "Venerable Lazarus"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>From his youth he struggled ascetically as a monk and for his efforts he was worthy of the rank of priest. He was engaged in the writing of Holy Icons and for this he suffered during the reign of the Emperor Theophilus who ordered that the fingers of the Saint be burned. He died about the year 857. </p>"}}, "2553": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Gobrones, in Holy Baptism Michael, and 133 Soldiers in Georgia (\u2020 914)", "short": "Martyr Gobrones"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Martyr Gobron (Michael) and the 133 warriors with him who suffered for Christ in Kakheti by the Arab Emir Abdul-Kasim in the year 920. For their refusal to accept Islam all the Holy Martyrs were executed by the sword. </p>"}}, "2555": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Platon of Ancyra (\u2020 302 or 306)", "short": "Martyr Platon"}, "rank": 1}, "2556": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Romanos the Deacon, of C\u00e6sarea and the youth Barulas (\u2020 303)", "short": "Martyr Romanos"}, "rank": 1}, "2557": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Zaccheaus the Deacon and Alph\u00e6us the Reader, of C\u00e6sarea (\u2020 303)", "short": "Martyrs Zaccheaus"}}, "2559": {"name": {"nominative": "Prophet Obadiah (9<sup>th</sup> C BC)", "short": "Prophet Obadiah"}, "rank": 1}, "2560": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Varlaam of C\u00e6sarea in Cappadocia (\u2020 c. 304)", "short": "Martyr Varlaam"}, "rank": 1}, "2561": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Varlaam and Joasaph, Prince of India, and King Abennar, his father (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Saints of India"}}, "2564": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Aza of Isauria and with him 150 Soldiers and others (\u2020 284-305)", "short": "Martyr Aza"}}, "2565": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Iliodorus of Pomphilia", "short": "Martyr Iliodorus"}}, "2566": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Hilarion of Georgia, the Wonderworker", "short": "Venerable Hilarion"}}, "2568": {"name": {"short": "Blessed Xenia", "nominative": "Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg (19<sup>th</sup> C)", "cmd": "nday != -57 && dow != 0"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "She was born about 1730, and as a young woman married an army colonel named Andrei, a handsome and dashing man fond of worldly living. When she was twenty-six years old, her husband died suddenly after drinking with his friends, leaving Xenia a childless widow. Soon afterward, she gave away all her possessions and disappeared from St Petersburg for eight years; it is believed that she spent the time in a hermitage, or even a monastery, learning the ways of the spiritual life. When she returned to St Petersburg, she appeared to have lost her reason: she dressed in her husband\u2019s army overcoat, and would only answer to his name. She lived without a home, wandering the streets of the city, mocked and abused by many. She accepted alms from charitable people, but immediately gave them away to the poor: her only food came from meals that she sometimes accepted from those she knew. At night she withdrew to a field outside the city where she knelt in prayer until morning. Slowly, the people of the city noticed signs of a holiness that underlay her seemingly deranged life: she showed a gift of prophecy, and her very presence almost always proved to be a blessing. The Synaxarion says \u201cThe blessing of God seemed to accompany her wherever she went: when she entered a shop the day\u2019s takings would be noticeably greater; when a cabman gave her a lift he would get plenty of custom; when she embraced a sick child it would soon get better. So compassion, before long, gave way to veneration, and people generally came to regard her as the true guardian angel of the city.\u201d Forty-five years after her husband\u2019s death, St Xenia reposed in peace at the age of seventy-one, sometime around 1800. Her tomb immediately became a place of pilgrimage: so many people took soil from the gravesite as a blessing that new soil had to be supplied regularly; finally a stone slab was placed over the grave, but this too was gradually chipped away by the faithful. Miracles, healings and appearances of St Xenia occur to this day, to those who visit her tomb or who simply ask her intercessions. Her prayers are invoked especially for help in finding employment, a home, or a spouse (all of which she renounced in her own life). A pious custom is to offer a Panachida * Trisagion Service for the repose of her husband Andrei, for whom she prayed fervently throughout her life. Saint Xenia was first officially glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in 1978; then by the Moscow Patriarchate in 1988."}, "rank": 1}, "2569": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Proclos, Archbishop of Constantinople (\u2020 446-447)", "short": "Saint Proclos"}, "rank": 1}, "2572": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum (\u2020 284-305)", "short": "Martyr Dasius"}}, "2573": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Eustathius, Thespisius, and Anatolius", "short": "Martyrs Eustathius"}}, "2574": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyrs John the Bishop and James the Presbyter, of Persia (\u2020 c. 345)", "short": "Hieromartyrs John"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Hieromartyr John, bishop and James, presbyter, for their zealous preaching of Christ, were beheaded in Persia during the reign of Shapur II in the Fourth Century."}}, "2575": {"name": {"nominative": "Entry into the Temple of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary", "short": "Entry of the Theotokos"}}, "2581": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Cecelia and the Martyrs Valerian, Tiburtius and Maximus at Rome (\u2020 c. 230)", "short": "Martyr Cecelia"}}, "2582": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Procopius the Reader", "short": "Martyrs Procopius"}}, "2583": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Meningus", "short": "Martyr Meningus"}}, "2584": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Agabbas of Syria (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Agabbas"}}, "2585": {"name": {"nominative": "Righteous Michael the Soldier, of Bulgaria (\u2020 866)", "short": "Righteous Michael"}}, "2587": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Great Martyr Marina"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Great Martyress Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch, into the family of a pagan priest. In infancy she lost her mother, and her father gave her over into the care of a nursemaid, who raised Marina in the Orthodox faith. Upon learning that his daughter had become a Christian, the father angrily disowned her. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Marina at fifteen years of age was arrested and locked up in prison. With firm trust in the will of God and His help, the young prisoner prepared for her impending fate. The governor Olymbrios, charmed with the beautiful girl, tried to persuade her to renounce the Christian faith and become his wife. But the saint, unswayed, refused his false offers. The vexed governor gave the holy martyress over to torture. Having beaten her fiercely, they fastened the saint with nails to a board and tore at her body with tridents. The governor himself, unable to bear the horror of these tortures, hid his face in his hands. But the holy martyress remained unyielding. Thrown for the night into prison, she was granted Heavenly aid and healed of her wounds. Tied to a tree, they scorched the martyress with fire. Barely alive, the martyress prayed: \u201cLord, Thou hast granted me to go through fire for Thine Name, grant me also to go through the water of holy Baptism.\u201d</p><p>Hearing the word \u201cwater,\u201d the governor gave orders to drown the saint in a large barrel. The martyress besought the Lord, that this manner of execution should become for her holy Baptism. When they plunged her into the water, there suddenly shone a light, and a snow-white dove came down from Heaven, bearing in its beak a golden crown. The fetters put upon Saint Marina of themselves came apart. The martyress stood up in the fount of Baptism glorifying the Holy Trinity\u2014Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Saint Marina emerged from the fount completely healed, without any trace of burns. Amazed at this miracle, the people glorified the True God, and many came to believe. This brought the governor into a rage, and he gave orders to kill anyone, who might confess the Name of Christ. There then perished 15,000 Christians, and the holy Martyress Marina was beheaded. The sufferings of the Great Martyress Marina were described by an eye-witness of the event, named Theotimos.</p><p>Up until the taking of Constantinople by Western crusaders in the year 1204, the relics of the Great Martyress Marina were situated in the Panteponteia monastery. According to other sources, they were located in Antioch until the year 908 and from there transferred to Italy. Her venerable hand was transferred to Athos, to the Batopedeia monastery.</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Thy ewe-lamb Marina crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: * \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: * I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. * As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, * who sacrifice myself with love for Thee ** By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Arrayed in the beauties of virginity, O Virgin Marina, * thou wast crowned with imperishable crowns; * and stained with the blood of thy martyrdom, O martyr, * thou hast received the trophy of victory for thy suffering, ** piously shining forth miracles of healing.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2593": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Mary of Egypt", "short": "Venerable Mary of Egypt"}}, "2598": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Myrrhbearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>On the banks of Lake Genesareth (Galilee), between the cities of Capharnum and Tiberias, was situated the small city of Magdala, the remains of which have survived to our day. Now at this place stands only the small village of Mejhdel.</p><p>In Magdala sometime formerly the woman was born and grew up, whose name has entered forever into the Gospel account. The Gospel tells us nothing about the youthful years of Mary, but tradition informs us, that Mary from Magdala was young and pretty, and led a sinful life. It says in the Gospels, that the Lord expelled seven devils from Mary. From the moment of healing Mary led a new life. She became a true disciple of the Saviour. </p><p>The Gospel relates that Mary followed after the Lord, when He went with the Apostles through the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee preaching about the Kingdom of God. Together with the pious women\u2014Joanna, wife of Khuza (steward of Herod), Susanna and others, she served Him from her own possessions (Lk 8, 1-3) and undoubtedly, shared with the Apostles the evangelic tasks, in common with the other women. The Evangelist Luke, evidently, has her in view together with the other women, stating that at the moment of the Procession of Christ onto Golgotha, when after the Scourging He took on Himself the heavy Cross, collapsing under its weight, the women followed after Him weeping and wailing, but He consoled them. The Gospel relates that Mary Magdalene was present on Golgotha at the moment of the Lord\u2019s Crucifixion. While all the disciples of the Saviour ran away, she remained fearlessly at the Cross together with the Mother of God and the Apostle John.</p><p>The evangelists enumerate among those standing at the Cross moreover also the mother of the Apostle James the Less, and Salome, and other women followers of the Lord from Galilee itself, but all mention first Mary Magdalene; but the Apostle John aside the Mother of God, names only her and Mary Cleopas. This indicates how much she stood out from amidst all the women gathered round the Lord.</p><p>She was faithful to Him not only in the days of His Glory, but also at the moment of His Extreme Humiliation and Insult. As the Evangelist Matthew relates, she was present at the Burial of the Lord. Before her eyes Joseph and Nikodemos went out to the tomb with His lifeless Body; before her eyes they covered over the entrance to the cave with a large stone, behind which went the Sun of Life\u2026</p><p>Faithful to the Law in which she was trained, Mary together with the other women stayed all the following day at rest, because it was the great day of the Sabbath, coinciding in that year with the Feast of Passover. But all the rest of the peaceful day the women succeeded in storing up aromatics, to go at dawn Sunday to the Grave of the Lord and Teacher and according to the custom of the Jews to anoint His Body with funereal aromatics.</p><p>It is necessary to suggest that, having agreed to go on the first day of the week to the Tomb early in the morning, the holy women, having gone separately on Friday evening to their own homes, did not have the possibility to meet together with one another on Saturday, and how only at the break of dawn the following day did they go to the Sepulchre, not all together, but each from their own house.</p><p>The Evangelist Matthew writes, that the women came to the grave at dawn, or as the Evangelist Mark expresses, extremely early before the rising of the sun; the Evangelist John, as it were elaborating upon these, says that Mary came to the grave so early that it was still dark. Obviously, she waited impatiently for the end of night, but it was not daybreak when round about darkness still ruled\u2014she ran there where lay the Body of the Lord.</p><p>Now then, Mary went to the Tomb alone. Seeing the stone pushed away from the cave, she rushed away in fear thither where dwelt the close Apostles of Christ\u2014Peter and John. Hearing the strange message that the Lord was gone from the tomb, both Apostles ran to the tomb and, seeing the shroud and winding cloths, they were amazed. The Apostles went and told no one nothing, but Mary stood about the entrance to the gloomy tomb and wept. Here in this dark tomb still so recently lay her lifeless Lord. Wanting proof that the tomb really was empty, she went down to it\u2014and here a strange light suddenly prevailed upon her. She saw two angels in white garments, the one sitting at the head, the other at the foot, where the Body of Jesus had been placed. She heard the question: \u201cWoman, why weepest thou?\u201d\u2014she answered them with the words which she had said to the Apostles: \u201cThey have taken my Lord, and I do not know, where they have put Him.\u201d Having said this, she turned around, and at this moment saw the Risen Jesus standing about the grave, but she did not recognise Him.</p><p>He asked Mary: \u201cWoman, why weepest thou? Whom dost thou seek?\u201d She answered thinking that she was seeing the gardener: \u201cSir, if thou hast taken him, tell where thou hast put Him, and I will reclaim Him.\u201d </p><p>But at this moment she recognised the Lord\u2019s voice, a voice which was known from the day He healed her. This was the voice in those days and years, when together with the other pious women she followed the Lord through all the cities and places where His preaching was heard. She gave a joyful shout \u201cRabbi\u201d that means Teacher.</p><p>Respect and love, fondness and deep veneration, a feeling of thankfulness and recognition at His Splendour as great Teacher\u2014all came together in this single outcry. She was able to say nothing more and she threw herself down at the feet of her Teacher, to wash them with tears of joy. But the Lord said to her: \u201cTouch me not, for I am still not ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and tell them: \u201cI ascend to My Father and your Father and to My God and to your God.\u201d</p><p>She came to herself and again ran to the Apostles, so as to do the will of Him sending her to preach. Again she ran into the house, where the Apostles stayed still in dismay, and announced to them the joyous message \u201cI have seen the Lord!\u201d This was the first preaching in the world about the Resurrection.</p><p>The Apostles were obliged to proclaim the Glad Tidings to the world, but she proclaimed it to the Apostles themselves\u2026</p><p>Holy Scripture does not tell us about the life of Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection of Christ, but it is impossible to doubt, that if in the terrifying minutes of Christ\u2019s Crucifixion she was the foot of His Cross with His All-Pure Mother and John, undoubtedly, she stayed with them during all the happier time after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Thus in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Saint Luke writes: that all the Apostles with one mind stayed in prayer and supplication, with certain women and Mary the Mother of Jesus and His brethren.</p><p>Holy Tradition testifies, that when the Apostles departed from Jerusalem for preaching to all the ends of the earth, then together with them also went Mary Magdalene to preach. A daring woman, whose heart was full of reminiscence of the Resurrection, she went beyond her native borders and set off to preach in pagan Rome. And everywhere she proclaimed to people about Christ and His Teaching, and when many did not believe that Christ is risen, she repeated to them what she had said to the Apostles on the radiant morning of the Resurrection: \u201cI have seen the Lord!\u201d With this preaching she made the rounds of all Italy.</p><p>Tradition relates, that in Italy Mary Magdalene visited the Emperor Tiberias (14-37 AD) and proclaimed to him about Christ\u2019s Resurrection. According to tradition, she took him a red egg as a symbol of the Resurrection, a symbol of new life with the words: \u201cChrist is Risen!\u201d Then she told the emperor about this, that in his Province of Judea was the innocently condemned Jesus the Galilean, an holy man, a maker or miracles, powerful before God and all mankind, executed on the instigation of the Jewish High-Priests and the sentence affirmed by the procurator named by Tiberias, Pontius Pilate.</p><p>Mary repeated the words of the Apostles, that believing in the Redemption of Christ from the vanity of life is not as with perishable silver or gold, but rather the precious Blood of Christ is like a spotless and pure Lamb.</p><p>Thanks to Mary Magdalene the custom to give each other paschal eggs on the day of the Luminous Resurrection of Christ spread among Christians over all the world. On one ancient hand-written Greek ustav, written on parchment, kept in the monastery library of Saint Athanasias near Thessalonika (Solunea), is an established prayer read on the day of Holy Pascha for the blessing of eggs and cheese, in which it is indicated, that the Hegumen (Abbot) in passing out the blessed eggs says to the brethren: \u201cThus have we received from the holy fathers, who preserved this custom from the very time of the holy apostles, wherefore the holy equal-unto-the-apostles Mary Magdalene first showed believers the example of this joyful offering.\u201d</p><p>Mary Magdalene continued her preaching in Italy and in the city of Rome itself. Evidently, the Apostle Paul has precisely her in view in his Epistle to the Romans (16, 6), where together with other ascetics of evangelic preaching he mentions Mary (Mariam), who as he expresses \u201chas done much for us.\u201d Evidently, she extensively served the Church in its means of subsistence and its difficulties, being exposed to dangers, and sharing with the Apostles the labours of preaching.</p><p>According to Church tradition, she remained in Rome until the arrival of the Apostle Paul, and for two more years still, following his departure from Rome after the first court judgment upon him. From Rome Saint Mary Magdalene, already bent with age, moved to Ephesus where unceasingly laboured the holy Apostle John, who with her wrote the first 20 Chapters of his Gospel. There the saint finished her earthly life and was buried.</p><p>Her holy relics were transferred in the IX Century to the capital of the Byzantine Empire\u2014Constantinople, and placed in the monastery Church of Saint Lazarus. In the era of the Crusader campaigns they were transferred to Italy and placed at Rome under the altar of the Lateran Cathedral. Part of the relics of Mary Magdalene are located in France near Marseilles, where over them at the foot of a steep mountain is erected in her honour a splendid church.</p><p>The Orthodox Church honours the holy memory of Saint Mary Magdalene\u2014the woman, called by the Lord Himself from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.</p><p>Formerly immersed in sin and having received healing, she sincerely and irrevocably began a new life and never wavered from the path. Mary loved the Lord Who called her to a new life. She was faithful to Him not only then\u2014when He having expelled from her the seven demons and surrounded by enthusiastic crowds passed through the cities and villages of Palestine, winning for Himself the glory of a miracle-worker\u2014but also then when all the disciples in fear deserted Him and He, humiliated and crucified, hung in torment upon the Cross. This is why the Lord, knowing her faithfulness, appeared to her first, and esteemed her worthy to be first proclaiming His Resurrection.</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>The honorable Mary Magdalene followed after Christ, * Who for our sake was born of the Virgin, * keeping His precepts and laws. * Wherefore, celebrating thy most holy memory today, ** through thy supplications we receive remission of sins.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Standing before the Cross of the Savior with many others, * suffering with the Mother of the Lord and pouring forth tears, * the all-glorious one made this offering as praise, saying: * \"What is this strange wonder? Is it Thy will to suffer, O Thou Who sustainest all creation? ** Glory to Thy dominion!\"</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2630": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia (\u2020 335)", "short": "Saint Nina"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, Enlightener of Gruzia (Georgia), was born in about the year 280 in the city of Kolastra in Cappadocia, where many of the Gruzian people had gathered. Her father Zabulon happened to be a kinsman to the holy Great Martyr George (Comm. 23 April). He was descended of illustrious lineage and of pious parentage, and he stood in good favour with the emperor, Maximian (284-305). Zabulon, a Christian, served in the military under the emperor, and he took part in the setting free of Christian captives from Gaul (modern France). Saint Nina\u2019s mother, Susanna, was a sister of the Jerusalem Patriarch (some suggest named Juvenalios). </p><p>[trans. addendum: in 1996 the parents of Saint Nina were enumerated to the ranks of the Saints; the commemoration of Saints Zabulon and Susanna is 20 May].</p><p>At twelve years of age Saint Nina went to Jerusalem together with her parents, who had but only this one daughter. By their mutual consent and with the blessing of the Jerusalem Patriarch, Zabulon devoted his life to the service of God at the Jordan, and Susanna was made deaconness in the church of the Sepulchre of the Lord. The upbringing of Saint Nina was entrusted to the pious woman-elder, Nianphora. Saint Nina displayed diligence and obedience over the space of two years: with the help of the grace of God, she got into the firm habit of fulfilling the rule of faith and she read the Holy Scripture zealously. </p><p>One time, while in tears reliving the experience of the Gospel passages describing the Crucifixion of Christ the Saviour, the thought would not leave her mind over the fate of the Chiton (Tunic) of the Lord (Jn. 19: 23-24). To the questioning of Saint Nina as to where the Chiton (Tunic) of the Lord had gone (the account about it may be found under 1 October), the woman-elder Nianphora declared that the undecayed Chiton (Tunic) of the Lord, by tradition, had been carried off by the Mtskheta rabbi Eleazar and taken with him back to a place named Iveria (Gruzia or Georgia), and called the Appanage (i.e. the \u201callotted portion\u201d) of the Mother of God. The All-Pure Virgin Herself during Her earthly lifetime had received the Apostolic allotment for the enlightening of Gruzia, but an Angel of the Lord in appearing to Her foretold, that Gruzia would become Her earthly appanage only afterwards upon Her Repose, and that the Providence of God had prepared for Her Apostolic service too at Athos (likewise called the Appanage of the Mother of God).</p><p>And learning further from the woman-elder Nianphora, that Gruzia had not then yet been enlightened by the light of Christianity, Saint Nina both day and night in prayer besought the Most Holy Mother of God, that She might grant her to see Gruzia converted to Christ, and indeed too might enable her to find the Chiton (Tunic) of the Lord.</p><p>The Queen of Heaven heard the prayer of the young righteous one. One time, when Saint Nina was taking rest after long prayer, the All-Pure Virgin appeared to her in a dream, and entrusting her a cross plaited together of vineyard sprigs, She said: \u201cTake thou this cross, for it wilt be for thee a shield and protection against all enemies both visible and invisible. Go thou to the land of Iveria, proclaim there the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and spread forth His grace: and I wilt be thine Protectress.\u201d</p><p>Awakening, Saint Nina saw in her hand the cross (now preserved in a special reliquary in the Tbilisi Zion cathedral church). Rejoicing in spirit, she went to her uncle, the Jerusalem Patriarch, and told him about her vision. The Jerusalem Patriarch thereupon blessed the young virgin in her deed of Apostolic service.</p><p>On the way to Gruzia, Saint Nina in miraculous manner escaped a martyr\u2019s death under the Armenian emperor Tiridates, which however befell her companions\u2014the emperor\u2019s daughter Ripsimia, her guide Gaiania and 35 virgins (Comm. 30 September), who had fled to Armenia from Rome to escape persecution under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Bolstered in spirit by visions of an Angel of the Lord, appearing the first time holding a incenser, and the second time a scroll in hand, Saint Nina continued on her way and appeared in Gruzia in the year 319. News about her soon spread through the surroundings of Mtskheta, where she asceticised, with numerous signs accompanying her preaching. Thus on the day of the MostGlorious Transfiguration of the Lord, during the time of a pagan sacrificial offering made by pagan priests in the presence of the emperor Mirian and a multitude of the people, through the prayers of Saint Nina were toppled down from an high mountain the idols\u2014Armaz, Gatsi and Gaim. This apparition was accompanied by a strong storm.</p><p>Having entered Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Gruzia, Saint Nina found shelter in the household of a childless imperial official, the wife of whom\u2014Anastasia, was delivered from her infertility through the prayers of Saint Nina, and she came to believe in Christ. </p><p>Saint Nina healed from grievous infirmity the Gruzinian empress Nana, who upon accepting holy Baptism, ceased with her idol-worship and became instead a zealous Christian (Comm. 1 October). In spite of the miraculous healing of his wife, the emperor Mirian (265-342), in heeding the complaints of the pagans, made ready to subject Saint Nina to fierce tortures. \u201cAt that very moment, when they did contrive execution for the holy righteous one, the sun darkened and an impenetrable mist covered the place where the emperor was.\u201d The emperor suddenly fell blind, and seized by terror his retainers began to beseech their pagan idols for a return of the light of day. \u201cBut Armaz, Gaim and Gatsi were deaf, and the darkness did intensify. Then with one voice the terrified cried out to God, Whom Nina did preach. Instantly the darkness dissipated, and the sun shone in all its radiance.\u201d This event occurred on 6 May in the year 319.</p><p>Emperor Mirian, healed from his blindness by Saint Nina, accepted holy Baptism together with all his retainers. Over the course of several years, by 324 Christianity had ultimately consolidated itself in Gruzia. </p><p>The chronicles relate, that through her prayers it was revealed to Saint Nina, where the Chiton (Tunic) of the Lord was hid. And at this place was built the first Christian temple in Gruzia (at first a wooden church, but now the stone cathedral, in honour of the Twelve Holy Apostles, the \u201cSvetitskhoveli\u201d).</p><p>During this period at the request of the emperor Mirian, with the assist of the Byzantine emperor Saint Constantine (306-337), there was dispatched to Gruzia the Antioch bishop Eustathios, with two priests and three deacons. Christianity took an definite hold upon the land. The mountain regions of Gruzia however remained without enlightenment. In the company of the presbyter James and one of the deacons, Saint Nina set off to the upper regions of the Aragva and Iori Rivers, where she preached the Gospel to the pagan hill-people. Many of them came to believe in Christ and accepted holy Baptism. From thence Saint Nina proceeded to Kakhetia (Eastern Gruzia) and settled in the village of Bodbe, in a small tent aside a mountain. Here she led an ascetic life, dwelling in constant prayer, and converting to Christ the surrounding inhabitants. Amidst all these was the empress of Kakhetia, named Sodzha (Sophia), who accepted Baptism with all her court and a multitude of the people. </p><p>Having completed her Apostolic service in Gruzia, Saint Nina perceived from above about her impending end. In a letter to the emperor Mirian, she requested him to send bishop John, so that he might prepare her for her final journey. But it was not only bishop John that came, but also the emperor together with all the clergy set off to Bodbe, where at the deathbed of Saint Nina were occurrences of many an healing. For the edification of the people that had come, and at the request of her students, Saint Nina told about her origin and life. This narration, written down by Solomia of Udzharm, has served as the basis of the Vita of Saint Nina. </p><p>Reverently having communed the Holy Mysteries, Saint Nina gave final instructions that her body be buried at Bodbe, and then she peacefully expired to the Lord in the year 335 (according to other sources, it was in the year 347, at 67 years of age, after 35 years of Apostolic works).</p><p>The emperor, together with the clergy and the people\u2014grieving over the death of Saint Nina, wanted to transfer her remains to the Mtskheta cathedral church, but they were not able to remove the coffin of the ascetic from her chosen place of rest. And on this place in the year 342 emperor Mirian started with the foundations, and his son the emperor Bakur (342-364) completed and dedicated the church in the name of Saint Nina\u2019s kinsman, the holy Great Martyr George. Later on at this place was founded a women\u2019s monastery in the name of Saint Nina. The relics of the saint, at her command concealed beneath a crypt, were glorified by many miracles and healings. The Gruzian (Georgian) Orthodox Church, with the assent of the Antioch Patriarchate, designated Saint Nina the Enlightener of Gruzia as in rank Equal-to-the-Apostles, and having enumerated her to the rank of the Saints, established her memory under 14 January, on the day of her blessed end.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O Holy Nina, equal of the apostles, minister of the word of God, who emulated the first called Andrew and the other apostles in apostolic preaching, enlightener of Iberia and harp of the Holy Spirit: entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved. </p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Come ye all, and let us hymn today the all-praised Nina, the preacher of the Word of God, the equal of the apostles, who was chosen by Christ, the wise evangelist who has led the people of Kartalinia to the path of life and truth, the disciple of the Mother of God, our fervent helper and tireless guardian.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "2634": {"name": {"nominative": "Blessed Olga, Princess of Russia and Equal-to-the-Apostles, in Baptism Helen (\u2020 969)", "short": "Blessed Olga"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga was the spouse of the Kiev GreatPrince Igor. The struggle of Christianity with paganism under Igor and Olga, who reigned after Oleg (\u2020 912), entered into a new phase. The Church of Christ in the years following the reign of Igor (\u2020 945) became a remarkable spiritual and political force in the Russian realm. The preserved text of a treaty of Igor with the Greeks in the year 944 gives indication of this: it was included by the chronicler in the \u201cTale of Bygone Years,\u201d under the entry recording the events of the Biblical year 6453 (945).</p><p>The peace treaty had to be sworn to by both the religious communities of Kiev: \u201cBaptised Rus\u2032,\u201d <i>i.e.</i> the Christian, took place in the cathedral church of the holy Prophet of God Elias (Comm. 20 July); \u201cUnbaptised Rus\u2032,\u201d <i>i.e.</i> the pagans, in turn swore their oath on their weapons in the sanctuary of Perun the Thunderer. The fact, that Christians are included in the document in the first place, indicates their significant spiritual influence in the life of Kievan Rus\u2032.</p><p>Evidently at the moment when the treaty of 944 was being drawn up at Tsar\u2032grad (Constantinople), there were people in power in Kiev sympathetic to Christianity, who recognised the historical inevitability of conjoining Rus\u2019 into the life-creating Christian culture. To this trend possibly belonged even prince Igor himself, whose official position did not permit him personally to go over to the new faith, nor at that time of deciding the issue concerning the Baptism of the whole country with the consequent dispersal throughout it of Orthodox Church hierarchs. The treaty therefore was drawn up in the circumspect manner of expression, which would not hinder the prince to ratify it in either the form of a pagan oath, or in the form of a Christian oath.</p><p>But when the Byzantine emissaries arrived in Kiev, conditions along the River Dneipr had essentially changed. A pagan opposition had clearly emerged, at the head of which stood the Varangian v\u0153voda (military-leader) Svenel\u2032d (or Sveinald) and his son Mstislav (Mtsisha) to whom Igor had given holdings in the Drevlyani lands.</p><p>Strong also at Kiev was the influence of the Khazar Jews, who could not but be displeased with the thought of the triumph of Orthodoxy in the Russian Land.</p><p>Unable to overcome the customary inertia, Igor remained a pagan and he concluded the treaty in the pagan manner\u2014with an oath on his sword. He refused the grace of Baptism and was punished for his unbelief. A year later, in 945, rebellious pagans murdered him in the Drevlyanian land, cut down betwixt two trees. But the days of paganism and the lifestyle of the Slavic tribes basic to it were already numbered. The burden of government fell upon the widow of Igor\u2014the Kiev Great-princess Olga, and her three year old son Svyatoslav. </p><p>The name of the future enlightener of the Russian Land and of her native region is first to be met with in the \u201cTale of Bygone Years,\u201d\u2014in the phrase where it speaks about the marriage of Igor: \u201cand they brought him a wife from Pskov, by the name of Ol\u2032ga.\u201d She belonged, so specifies the Joakimov Chronicle, to the lineage of the Izborsk princes,\u2014one of the obscure ancient-Russian princely dynasties, of which in Rus\u2019 during the X-XI Centuries there numbered no less than twenty, but who were all displaced by the Rurikovichi or merged otherwise with them through marriage. Some of them were of local Slavic descent, others\u2014Varangian new-comers. It is known, that the Scandinavian Viking \u201ck\u0153nigs\u201d (kinglets) called to become princes in the Russian cities\u2014invariably assimilated to the Russian language, and often, they soon became genuinely Russian with Russian names and lifestyle, world-outlook and even physical appearance of attire.</p><p>The spouse of Igor thus also had the Varangian name \u201cHelga,\u201d which in the Russian \u201crendering\u201d of pronunciation, is Ol\u2032ga, Vol\u2032ga. The feminine name Ol\u2032ga corresponds to the masculine name \u201cOleg\u201d (Helgi), which means \u201choly\u201d [from Germanic \u201cheilig\u201d for \u201choly\u201d]. Although the pagan understanding of holiness was quite different from the Christian, it also presupposed within man a particular frame of reference, of chasteness and sobriety, of mind and of insight. It reveals the spiritual significance of names, that people termed Oleg the Wise-Seer (\u201cVeschi\u201d) and Ol\u2032ga\u2014the Wise (\u201cMudra\u201d).</p><p>Rather later traditions regard her a native of a village named Vybuta, several kilometers from Pskov up along the River Velika. They still not so long ago used to point out at the river the Ol\u2032ga Bridge, the ancient fording place, Where Olga was met by Igor. The Pskov geographic features have preserved not a few names, connected with the memory of this great descendent of Pskov: the village of Ol\u2032zhinets and Ol\u2032gino Pole (Ol\u2032gaField); the Ol\u2032ga Gateway\u2014one of the branches of the River Velika; Ol\u2032ga Hill and the Ol\u2032ga Cross\u2014near Lake Pskov; and the Ol\u2032ga Stone\u2014at the village of Vybuta.</p><p>The beginning of the independent rule of Princess Olga is connected in the chronicles with the narrative about her terrible revenge on the Drevlyani, who murdered Igor. Having sworn their oaths on their swords and believing \u201conly in their swords,\u201d the pagans were doomed by the judgement of God to also perish by the sword (Mt. 26: 52). Worshipping fire amongst the other primal elements, they found their own doom in the fire. And the Lord chose Olga to fulfill the fiery chastisement.</p><p>The struggle for the unity of Rus,\u2019 for the subordination to the Kievan centre of mutually divisive and hostile tribes and principalities paved the way towards the ultimate victory of Christianity in the Russian Land. For Olga, though still a pagan, the Kiev Christian Church and its Heavenly patron saint the holy Prophet of God Elias [in icons depicted upon a fiery chariot] stood as a flaming faith and prayer of a fire come down from the heavens, and her victory over the Drevlyani\u2014despite the severe harshness of her victory, was a victory of Christian constructive powers in the Russian realm over the powers of a paganism, dark and destructive.</p><p>The God-wise Olga entered into history as a great builder of the civil life and culture of Kievan Rus\u2032. The chronicles are filled with accounts of her incessant \u201cgoings\u201d throughout the Russian land with the aim of the well-being and improvement of the civil and domestic manner of life of her subjects. Having consolidated the inner strengthening of the might of the Kiev great-princely throne\u2014with the consequent weakening of the influence of the jumbled hodge-podge of petty local princes in Rus,\u2019 Olga centralised the whole of state rule with the help of the system of \u201cpogosti\u201d (administrative trade centres). In the year 946 she went with her son and retinue through the Drevlyani land, \u201cimposing tribute and taxes,\u201d noting the villages, inns and hunting places, liable for inclusion in the Kiev great-princely holdings. The next year she went to Novgorod, establishing administrative centres along the Rivers Msta and Luga, everywhere leaving visible traces of her activity. \u201cHer lovischa (hunting preserves) were throughout all the land, the boundary signs, her places and administrative centres,\u2014wrote the chronicler,\u2014and her sleighs stand at Pskov to this very day, as are her directed places for snaring of birds along the Dneipr and the Desna Rivers; and her village of Ol\u2032zhicha stands to the present day.\u201d</p><p>The \u201cpogosti\u201d established by Olga, as financial-administrative and law-court centres, represented sturdy props of great-princely power in these places.</p><p>Being first of all, and in the actual sense of the word, centres of trade and exchange (the merchant as \u201cguest\u201d) gathered together and became organised around the settlements (and in place of the \u201chumanly arbitrary\u201d gathering of tribute and taxes, there now existed uniformity and order with the \u201cpogosti\u201d system). Olga\u2019s \u201cpogosti\u201d became an important network of the ethnic and cultural unification of the Russian nation. </p><p>Later on, when Olga had become a Christian, they began to erect the first churches at the \u201cpogosti\u201d; from the time of the Baptism of Rus\u2019 the \u201cpogost\u201d and church (parish) became inseparably associated. (It was only afterwards with the existence of cemeteries alongside churches that there developed the current meaning of the Russian word \u201cpogost\u201d to nowadays signify \u201cparish graveyard.\u201d)</p><p>Princess Olga exerted much effort to fortify the defensive might of the land. The cities were built up and strengthened, Vyshgorod (or Detintsa, Kroma) they enclosed with stone and oak walls (battlements), and they bristled them with ramparts and pallisades. Knowing how hostile many were to the idea of strengthening the princely power and the unification of Rus,\u2019 the princess herself lived constantly \u201con the hill\u201d over the Dneipr, behind the trusty battlements of Kievan Vyshgorod (\u201cVerkhna-gorod\u201d or \u201cUpper-city\u201d), surrounded by her faithful retainers. Two thirds of the gathered tribute, as the chroniclers testify, she gave over for the use of the Kiev \u201cveche\u201d (city-council), and the remaining one third went \u201cto Olga, for Vyshgorod\u201d\u2014for the needs of building fortifications. And to the time period of Olga, historians note the establishment of the first state frontiers of Russia\u2014to the west, with Poland. Heroic outposts to the south guarded the peaceful fields of the Kievans from the peoples of the Wild Plains. Foreigners hastened to Gardarika (\u201cthe land of cities\u201d), as they called Rus,\u2019 with merchandise and craftwares. Swedes, Danes, Germans all eagerly entered as mercenaries into the Russian army. The foreign connections of Kiev spread. This furthered the developement of construction with stone in the city, the beginnings of which was initiated under Olga. The first stone edifices of Kiev\u2014the city palace and Olga\u2019s upper enclosure\u2014were discovered by arch\u00e6ologists only but in this century. (The palace, or more properly its foundations and remains of the walls were found in excavations during the years 1971-1972).</p><p>But it was not only the strengthening of the civil realm and the improvement of domestic norms of the manner of life for people that attracted the attention of the wise princess. Even more urgent for her was the fundamental transformation of the religious life of Rus,\u2019 the spiritual transfiguration of the Russian nation. Rus\u2019 had become a great power. Only two European realms could compare with it during these years in significance and might: in Eastern Europe\u2014the ancient Byzantine empire, and in the West\u2014the kingdom of Saxony.</p><p>The experience of both empires, connected with the exaltation in spirit of Christian teaching, with the religious basis of life, showed clearly, that the way to the future greatness of Rus\u2019 lay not through military means, but first of all and primarily through spiritual conquering and attainment. Having entrusted Kiev to her teenage son Svyatoslav, and seeking grace and truth, Great-princess Olga in the Summer of 954 set off with a great fleet to Tsar\u2032grad. This was a peaceful \u201cexpedition,\u201d combining the tasks of religious pilgrimage and diplomatic mission, but the political considerations demanded that it become simultaneously a display of the military might of Rus\u2019 on the Black Sea, which would remind the haughty \u201cromanoi\u201d [Byzantine Greeks] of the victorious campaigns of Askol\u2032d and Oleg, who in the year 907 advanced in their shields \u201cto the very gates of Tsar\u2032grad.\u201d</p><p>The result was attained. The appearance of the Russian fleet in the Bosphorus created the necessary effect for the developing of Russo-Byzantine dialogue. In turn, the southern capital struck the stern daughter of the North with its variety of beauty and grandeur of architecture, and its jumbled mixture of pagans and peoples from all over the world. But an especial impression was produced by the wealth of Christian churches and the holy things preserved in them. Tsar\u2032grad-Constantinople, \u201cthe city of the imperial C\u00e6sar-tsar,\u201d the Byzantine Greek empire, strove in everything to be worthy for its Heavenly Mediatrix. At its very foundation (or more precisely, restoration), the city had been consecrated in the year 330 by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine the Great (Comm. 21 May) to the Most Holy Mother of God (this event occurred in the Greek Church on the date of 11 May and from there passed over into Russian commemoration). The Russian princess was present at Divine-services in the finest churches of Constantinople\u2014Saint Sophia, the Mother of God Blachern\u00e6, and others.</p><p>In her heart the wise Olga found the desire for holy Orthodoxy, and she made the decision to become a Christian. The sacrament of Baptism was made over her by the Constantinople Patriarch Theophylaktos (933-956), and her godfather was the emperor Constantine Porphyrigenitos (912-959). At Baptism there was entrusted to her the name Elena (Helen) in honour of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Helen (Comm. 21 May), the mother of Saint Constantine, and she also had been the discoverer of the Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord. In an edifying word spoken at the conclusion of the sacramental rite, the patriarch said: \u201cBlessed art thou amongst Russian women, in that thou hast forsaken the darkness and hast loved the Light. The Russian people shalt bless thee in all the future generations, from thy grandson and great-grandson to thine furthermost descendants.\u201d He instructed her in the truths of the faith, the churchly rules and the rule of prayer, he explained the commands about fasting, chastity and charity. \u201cShe however,\u2014says the Monk Nestor,\u2014bowed her head and stood, literally like a sponge absorbing water she hearkened to the teaching, and bowing down to the Patriarch, she did say: By thine prayers, Vladyka, let me be preserved from the wiles of enemies.\u201d </p><p>It is precisely thus, with a slightly bowed head, that Saint Olga is depicted on one of the fresc\u0153s of the Kiev Sophia cathedral, and likewise on a Byzantine miniature contemporary to her, in a manuscript portrait of the Chronicles of John Scilitius in the Madrid National Library. The Greek inscription, accompanying the miniature, terms Olga \u201cArchontessa (i.e. ruler) of the Russes,\u201d \u201ca woman, Helga by name, who came to the emperor Constantine and was baptised.\u201d The princess is depicted in special head attire, \u201cas a newly-baptised Christian and venerable deaconess of the Russian Church.\u201d Alongside her in the same attire of the newly-baptised\u2014is Malusha (\u2020 1001), the mother later on of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Vladimir (Comm. 15 July).</p><p>For one who had originally so disliked the Russians as did the emperor Constantine Porphyrigenitos, it was no trivial matter for him to become the godfather to the \u201cArchontessa of Rus\u2032.\u201d In the Russian chronicles are preserved narratives about this, how resolutely and on an equal footing Olga conversed with the emperor, amazing the Greeks by her spiritual depth and wisdom of governance, and displaying that the Russian nation was quite capable of accepting and assimilating the highest attainments of the Greek religious genius, the finest fruition of Byzantine spirituality and culture. And thus by a peaceful path Saint Olga succeeded in \u201ctaking Tsar\u2032grad,\u201d something which no other military leader before her had ever been able to do. According to the witness of the chronicles, the emperor himself had to admit, that Olga \u201chad given him the slip\u201d (had outwitted him), and the popular mind, jumbling together into one the traditions about Oleg the Wise and Olga the Wise, sealed in its memory this spiritual victory in the bylina or folk-legend entitled \u201cConcerning the Taking of Tsar\u2032grad by Princess Olga.\u201d</p><p>In his work \u201cAbout the Ceremonies of the Byzantine Court\u201d\u2014which has survived to the present-day in but one copy, Constantine Porphyrigenitos has left us a detailed description of the ceremony surrounding the stay of Saint Olga at Constantinople. He describes a triumphant reception in the famed Magnaura palace, beneath the singing of bronze birds and the roars of copper lions, where Olga appeared with an impressive retinue of 108 men (not counting the men of Svyatoslav\u2019s company). And there took place negotiations in the narrower confines of the chambers of the empress, and then a state dinner in the hall of Justinian. And here during the course of events, there providentially met together at one table the four \u201cmajestic ladies\u201d: the grandmother and the mother of holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Vladimir (Saint Olga and her companion Malusha), and the grandmother and the mother of Saint Vladimir\u2019s future spouse Anna (the empress Helen and her daughter-in-law Theophano). Slightly more than half a century would pass, and at the Desyatin church of the Most Holy Mother of God at Kiev would stand aside each other the marble tombs of Saint Olga, Saint Vladimir and \u201cBlessed Anna.\u201d</p><p>During the time of one of these receptions,\u2014relates Constantine Porphyrigenitos,\u2014the Russian princess was presented a golden plate inset with jewels. Saint Olga made an offering of it at the vestry of the Sophia cathedral, where at the beginning of the XIII Century it was seen and described by the Russian diplomat Dobrynya Yadeikovich (who afterwards was to become the Novgorod archbishop Antonii): \u201cThe large golden official plate of Ol\u2032ga of Russia, when she took it as tribute, having come to Tsar\u2032grad; upon the plate be precious stones, and upon it is written in these stones the name Xpictoc-Christ.\u201d</p><p>Moreover, the wily emperor, having reported such details as would underscore how \u201cOlga had given him the slip,\u201d likewise presents a difficult riddle for historians of the Russian Church. The matter involves this,\u2014that the Monk Nestor the Chronicler relates in the \u201cTale of Bygone Years\u201d that the Baptism of Olga took place in the Biblical year 6463 (955 or 954), and this corresponds to the account of the Byzantine chronicles of Kedrinos. Another Russian Church writer of the XI Century, Yakov Mnikh,\u2014in his work \u201cEulogy and Laudation to Vladimir\u2026 and how Vladimir\u2019s Grandmother Ol\u2032ga was Baptised,\u201d speaks about the death of the holy princess (\u2020 969) and he notes, that she lived as a Christian for fifteen years, and he places the actual date of Baptism as the year 954, which likewise corresponds within several months to that indicated by Nestor. In contrast to this, describing for us the stay of Olga at Constantinople and providing the precise dates of the receptions given in her honour, Constantine Porphyrigenitos has us to understand in no uncertain terms that all this occurred in the year 957. </p><p>To reconcile the cited chronicles, on the one hand, with the testimony of Constantine on the other hand, Russian Church historians are led to suppose either one of two things: either Saint Olga journeyed a second time to Constantinople in the year 957 to continue negotiations with the emperor, or that either\u2014she was in no wise baptised at Constantinople, having previously been baptised at Kiev in 954, and that she was merely making pilgrimage to Byzantium, being already a Christian. The first supposition is the more credible.</p><p>As for the immediate diplomatic outcome of the negotiations, there were basic matters for Saint Olga that had been left unsettled. She had gained success on questions concerning Russian trade within the territories of the Byzantine empire, and also the reconfirmation of the peace accord with Byzantium, concluded by Igor in the year 944. But she had not been able to sway the emperor on two issues of importance to Rus\u2032: the dynastic marriage of Svyatoslav with a Byzantine princess, and the conditions for restoring an Orthodox metropolitan to Kiev as had existed at the time of Askol\u2032d. The evidently inadequate outcome of her mission is detected in her answer, when she had already returned home, which was given to emissaries sent out by the emperor. To the emperor\u2019s inquiry about promised military aid, Saint Olga through the emissaries curtly replied: \u201cIf thou hadst spend a time with me similarly at Pochaina, as I did at the Court, then would I give the soldiery in aid.\u201d </p><p>Amidst all this, in spite of her failed attempts at establishing the Church hierarchy within Rus,\u2019 Saint Olga in having become a Christian zealously devoted herself to efforts of Christian evangelisation amongst the pagans, and also church construction: \u201cdemanding the distressing of demons and the beginning of life for Christ Jesus.\u201d She erected churches: of Saint Nicholas and Saint Sophia at Kiev, of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God at Vytebsk, and of the Holy Life-Originating Trinity\u2014at Pskov. Pskov from that period has been called in the chronicles the Domicile of the Holy Trinity. The church, built by Olga at the River Velika at a spot pointed out to her from on high,\u2014according to the chronicler,\u2014by a \u201clight-beam of the Thrice-Radiant Divinity,\u201d stood for more than one and an half centuries. In the year 1137 holy Prince Vsevolod-Gabriel (\u2020 1138, Comm. 11February) replaced this wooden temple with one made of stone, which in turn in 1363 was rebuilt and replaced finally with the presently existing Trinity cathedral. </p><p>Another verymost important monument of Russian \u201cMonument Theology,\u201d\u2014a Church architecture frequently is termed,\u2014connected with the name of Saint Olga, is the temple of Sophia Wisdom of God at Kiev, which was started soon after her return from Tsar\u2032grad, and consecrated on 11 May 960. This day was afterwards observed in the Russian Church as a special Church feastday.</p><p>In the Mesyatseslov (calendar supplement)of a parchment Epistle-book from 1307, under 11 May is written: \u201cOn this day was consecration of Saint Sophia at Kiev in the year 6460.\u201d The year-date of memory is indicated in the so-called \u201cAntioch\u201d rather than generally-accepted Constantinople manner of chronology, and it corresponds to the year 960 from the Birth of Christ.</p><p>It was no mere co-incidence that Saint Olga received in Baptism the name of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Helen (Elena), who was the one to find the Venerable Wood of the Cross at Jerusalem. The foremost sacred item in the newly built Kiev Sophia temple was a piece of the Holy Cross, brought by this new Helen from Tsar\u2032grad, and received by her in blessing from the Constantinople Patriarch. The Cross, by tradition, was hewn out from an entire piece of the Life-Creating Wood of the Lord. Upon the Cross-Wood was inscribed: \u201cThe Holy Cross for the Regeneration of the Russian Land, Received by Noble Princess Ol\u2032ga.\u201d</p><p>Saint Olga did much to eternalise the memories of the first Russian confessors of the Name of Christ: over the grave of Askol\u2032d was erected the Nikol\u2019sk (Nicholas) church, where according to certain accounts, she herself was afterwards interred. Over the grave of Dir\u2014was built the afore-mentioned Sophia cathedral, which stood for half a century and burned in the year 1017. On this spot Yaroslav the Wise later on built a church of Saint Irene in 1050, but the sacred items of Olga\u2019s Sophia temple were transferred into a stone church of the same name\u2014standing at present as the Kiev Sophia, started in 1017 and consecrated in about the year 1030. In the Prologue account of the XIII Century, it said about the Olga Cross: \u201cfor It be now at Kiev in Saint Sophia in the altar on the right side.\u201d The plundering of Kiev\u2019s holy things, which after the Mongols was continued by the Lithuanians who captured the city in 1341, did not spare even this. Under Jagiello in the period of the Liublin Unia, which in 1384 united Poland and Lithuania into one state, the Olga Cross was snatched from the Sophia cathedral and carried off by the Catholics to Liublin. Its further fate is unknown.</p><p>But even in Olga\u2019s time there were at Kiev amongst the boyar-nobles and retinue-retainers no few people who, in the words of Solomon, \u201chated Wisdom,\u201d and also Saint Olga, for having built Wisdom\u2019s temple. Zealots of the old paganism became all the more emboldened, viewing with hope the coming of age of Svyatoslav, who decidedly spurned the urgings of his mother to accept Christianity, and even becoming angry with her over this. It was necessary to hurry with the intended matter of the Baptism of Rus\u2032. The deceit of Byzantium, at the time not wanting to promote Christianity in Rus,\u2019 played into the hands of the pagans. In search of a solution, Saint Olga turned her gaze to the west. No contradiction here yet existed. Saint Olga (\u2020 969) belonged still to the undivided Church (i.e. before the Great Schism of 1054), and she had scant possibility to study the theological points involved between the Greek and Latin faith-confessions. The opposition of West and East presented itself to her first of all as a political rivalry\u2014of secondary importance in comparison with her pertinent task\u2014the establishing of the Russian Church and the Christian enlightenment of Rus\u2032.</p><p>Under the year 959, the German chronicler named \u201cthe Continuant of Reginon,\u201d records: \u201cto the king came emissaries of Helen, queen of the Russes, who was baptised in Constantinople, and which did seek for their nation to have bishop and priests.\u201d King Otto, the future founder of the German empire, willingly acceded to the request of Olga, but he bid the matter not be in haste, in quite German the ponderence. It was only on Nativity of the following year 960, that there was established a Russian bishop Libutius, from the monastery brethren of Saint Alban am Mainz. But he soon died (15 March 961). In his place was ordained Adalbert of Trier, whom Otto \u201cgenerously furnishing all needs\u201d dispatched, finally, to Russia. It is difficult to say, what would have happened, had the king not delayed for so long a while, but when in 962 when Adalbert showed up at Kiev, he \u201cdid not succeed in the matter for which he had been sent, and did consider his efforts to be in vain.\u201d Furthermore, on the return journey \u201ccertain of his companions were murdered, and the bishop himself escaped not mortal danger.\u201d </p><p>It turned out that after the passage of years, as Olga indeed had foreseen, matters at Kiev had twisted ultimately in favour of paganism, and Rus\u2032\u2014having become neither Orthodox nor Catholic, had second thoughts altogether about accepting Christianity. The pagan reaction thus produced was so strong, that not only did the German missionaries suffer, but also some of the Kiev Christians who had been baptised with Olga at Tsar\u2032grad. By order of Svyatoslav, Saint Olga\u2019s nephew Gleb was killed and some of the churches built by her were destroyed. It seems reasonable, that this transpired not without Byzantium\u2019s secret diplomacy: given the possibility of a strengthened Rus\u2019 in alliance with Otto, the Greeks would have preferred to support the pagans, with the consequent intrigues against Olga and various disorders.</p><p>The collapse of the mission of Adalbert had providential significance for the future Russian Orthodox Church, escaping papal dominion. Saint Olga was obliged to accede to the humiliation and to withdraw fully into matters of personal piety, handing over the reigns of governance to her pagan-son Svyatoslav. Because of her former role, all the difficult matters were referred over to her in her wisdom of governance. When Svyatoslav absented himself from Kiev on military campaigns and wars, the governance of the realm was again entrusted to his mother. But the question about the Baptism of Rus\u2019 was for the while taken off the agenda, and this was ultimately bitter for Saint Olga, who regards the good-news of the Gospel of Christ the chief matter in her life.</p><p>She meekly endured the sorrow and grief, attempting to help her son in civil and military affairs, and to guide matters with heroic intent. The victories of the Russian army were a consolation for her, particularly the destruction of an old enemy of the Russian state\u2014the Khazar kaganate. Twice, in the years 965 and 969, the armies of Svyatoslav went through the lands of \u201cthe foolish Khazars,\u201d forever shattering the might of the Jewish rulers of Priazovia and lower Povolzhia. A subsequent powerful blow was struck at the Mahometan Volga Bulgars, and then in turn came the Danube Bulgars. Eighteen years were spent on the Danube with the Kiev military forces. Olga was alone and in worry: it was as though, absorbed by military matters in the Balkans, Svyatoslav had forgotten about Kiev.</p><p>In the Spring of 969 the Pechenegs besieged Kiev: \u201cand it was impossible to lead out the horses to water, for the Pechenegs stood at the Lybeda.\u201d The Russian army was far away, at the Danube. Having sent off messengers to her son, Saint Olga herself headed the defense of the capital. When he received the news, Svyatoslav rode quickly to Kiev, and \u201che hugged his mother and his children and was distressed, with what had happened with them from the Pechenegs.\u201d But after routing the nomads, the warrior prince began anew to say to his mother: \u201cIt doth not please me to sit at Kiev, for I do wish to live at Pereslavl\u2019 on the Dunaj (Danube)\u2014since there be the centre of my lands.\u201d Svyatoslav dreamed of creating a vast Russian holding from the Danube to the Volga, which would unite all Rus,\u2019 Bulgaria, Serbia, the Near Black Sea region and Priazovia (Azov region), and extend his borders to those of Tsar\u2032grad itself. Olga the Wise understood however, that all the bravery and daring of the Russian companies could not compare against the ancient empire of the Byzantine Romanoi, and that the venture of Svyatoslav would fail. But the son would not heed the admonitions of his mother. Saint Olga thereupon said: \u201cThou dost behold, that I am ill. Why wishest thou to forsake me? When thou buriest me, then set out whitherso thou dost will.\u201d </p><p>Her days were numbered, and her burdens and sorrows sapped her strength. On 11July 969 Saint Olga died: \u201cand with great lament they bewept her, her son and grandsons and all the people.\u201d The final years, amidst the triumph of paganism, for her as once haughty ruler transpired with having a priest secretly by her, so as to not evoke new outbursts of pagan fanaticism. But before death, having found anew her former firmness and resolve, she forbade them to make over her the pagan celebration of the dead, and she gave final instructions to bury her openly in accord with Orthodox ritual. Presbyter Gregory, who was with her at Constantinople in 957, fulfilled her request exactly.</p><p>Saint Olga lived, died, and was buried as a Christian. \u201cAnd thus having lived and well having glorified God in Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, having worshipped in the blessed faith, she did end her life in the peace of Christ Jesus, our Lord.\u201d As her prophetic testament to succeeding generations, with deep Christian humility she confessed her faith concerning her nation: \u201cGod\u2019s will be done! If God be pleased to have mercy upon my native Russian Land, then shalt they be turned in heart towards God, as for me also wast this gift.\u201d</p><p>God glorified the holy toiler of Orthodoxy, the \u201cinitiator of faith\u201d in the Russian Land, by means of miracles and incorrupt relics. Yakov Mnikh (\u2020 1072), an hundred years after her death, wrote in his work \u201cMemory and Laudation to Vladimir\u201d: \u201cGod hath glorified the body of His servant Olena, and her venerable body be in the grave, incorrupt to this day.\u201d </p><p>Saint Olga glorified God with good deeds in all things, and God glorified her. Under holy Prince Vladimir, ascribed by some as occurring in the year 1007, the relics of Saint Olga were transferred into the Desyatin church of the Uspenie (Dormition) of the Most Holy Mother of God and placed within a special sarcophagus, into suchlike as was customary to enclose the relics of saints in the Orthodox East. \u201cAnd hear ye concerning a certain miracle about her: the grave of stone is small in the church of the Holy Mother of God, this church built by blessed Prince Vladimir, and in the grave is Blessed Ol\u2032ga. And atop the grave was an opening wrought\u2014for to behold the body of Blessed Ol\u2032ga lying there whole.\u201d But not everyone was given to see this miracle of the incorrupt relics of the saint: \u201cFor whos\u0153ver with faith did come, the aperture opened up, and there was beheld the venerable body lying intact, and one would marvel at such a miracle\u2014the body lying there for so many years without decay. Worthy of all praise be this venerable body: in the grave whole, as though sleeping at rest. But for another, who not in faith shouldst approach, the grave aperture would not open up, and they would not catch sight of this venerable body, but only the grave.\u201d</p><p>Thus even after death Saint Olga espoused life eternal and resurrection, filling believers with joy and confounding non-believers. She was, in the words of the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, \u201ca precursor in the Christian land, like the dawn before sunrise or light the twilight before the light.\u201d </p><p>The holy Equal-to-the-Apostles GreatPrince Vladimir, himself giving thanks to God on the day of the Baptism of Rus,\u2019 witnessed before his countrymen concerning Saint Olga with the remarkable words: \u201cThe sons of Rus\u2019 do bless thee, and also the generations of thine ultimate lineage.\u201d</p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Having furnished thy mind with wings of divine knowledge, * thou didst soar far above visible creation; * and seeking God, the Creator of all, and finding Him, * thou didst receive rebirth through baptism; ** and delighting in the Tree of life, O ever-glorious Olga, thou remainest incorrupt forever.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Let us hymn today God the Benefactor of all, * Who glorified the divinely wise Olga in Russia, ** that through her supplications He might give remission of sins to our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2637": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Paraskeva of Serbia (11th C)", "short": "Venerable Paraskeva"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Born in the Serbian village of Epibata (between Silinaurius and Constantinople) she was brought up in a pious family. After the death of her parents and hating \u201cthe vain seductive way of life\u201d she, \u201cas a faithful faster\u201d and \u201can adornment of virgins\u201d, entered monasticism and left for the Jordan valley, where she practiced asceticism up to old age. Here \u201cby works of fasting\u201d, \u201cby true affection and perfect humility\u201d she overcame the \u201cdemon\u2019s hosts\u201d and \u201cbodily passions\u201d and lived a \u201cbodiless life in a material body\u201d. Within two years of her death obeying a call from heaven, she returned to her home country and settled in the temple of the Holy Apostles, where she died peacefully (in first half of the 11th century). In the year 1238 by the order of Tsar John Asen, the relics of Venerable Parasceva were transferred to Trnovo, the capital of Bulgaria; upon the capture of this city by the Sultan Bayazid the relics were transferred to Jassy, the capital of Wallachia. After Wallachia fell to the Turks in 1396 the pious Serbian Prince Militsa begged for the relics of the Venerable Parasceva and they were transferred to Belgrade. In 1521 they were bought by the Turks, who took them from Belgrade and transferred them to Constantinople, and in 1641 to Jassy, where they repose to this day in the cathedral. </p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Having loved the hermetic and silent life, and having longingly run in the footsteps of thy bridegroom Christ, thou didst accept His good yoke in thy tender years. By the sign of the Cross thou courageously fought against the n\u0153tic enemies; through asceticism, fasting, prayer and the shedding of tears, thou didst quench the burning coals of the passions. O Parasceva, worthy of glory: standing now before Christ in the heavenly bridal chamber, together with the wise virgins, pray for us, who honour thy memory.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Holy intercessor of all who are in trouble, let us piously hymn the All-honorable Parasceva: for she rejected the corruptible and accepted the incorruptible way of life forever: therefore she obtained glory, the grace of wonders, by the command of God.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "2640": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Paraskeva of Rome (\u2020 c. 138-161)", "short": "Martyr Paraskeva"}, "rank": 1}, "2641": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Pelagia the Penitent (\u2020 457)", "short": "Venerable Pelagia"}, "rank": 1}, "2643": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Pelagia of Tarsus, in Asia Minor (\u2020 c. 290)", "short": "Virginmartyr Pelagia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p> The Holy Virgin Pelagia lived during the third century in the city of Tarsus in the Cilician district of Asia Minor. She was the daughter of illustrious pagans and when she heard preaching from her Christian acquaintances about Jesus Christ the Son of God, she believed in Him and desired to preserve her chastity, dedicating her whole life to the Lord. The heir of Emperor Diocletian (a youth adopted by him), having seen the maiden Pelagia, was captivated by her beauty and wanted to take her to be his wife. But the holy virgin told the youth, that she was betrothed to the Immortal Bridegroom,\u2014the Son of God, and therefore she had renounced earthly marriage. This answer of Pelagia caused great anger in the imperial youth, but he decided to leave her in peace for awhile, hoping, that she would change her frame of mind. This same while Pelagia convinced her mother to send her off to her nurse who had raised her in childhood\u2014secretly hoping to locate the bishop of Tarsus Klinon, who had fled to a mountain during a time of persecution against Christians, and to accept Holy Baptism from him. In a dream vision there appeared the form of the bishop\u2014Klinon, profoundly impressing itself upon her memory. Saint Pelagia set off to her nurse in a chariot, in rich clothes and accompanied by a whole retinue of servants, as her mother had desired her to. Along the way Saint Pelagia, through some particular ordering of events by God, met bishop Klinon. Pelagia immediately recognised the bishop, whose image had appeared to her in the dream. She fell at his feet, requesting baptism. At the prayer of the bishop there flowed from the ground a spring of water. Bishop Klinon made the sign of the cross over Saint Pelagia, and during the time of the mystery (sacrament) Angels appeared and covered the chosen one of God with a bright mantle. Having communed the pious virgin with the Holy Mysteries, bishop Klinon raised himself up in prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord together with her, and then sent her off to continue her journey. Having returned to the servants awaiting her, Saint Pelagia preached to them about Christ, and many of them were converted and believed. She tried to convert her own mother to faith in Christ, but the obdurate woman sent a message to the imperial youth,\u2014that Pelagia was a Christian and did not wish to be his spouse. The youth comprehended that Pelagia was lost for him, and not wishing to give her over to torture, he fell upon his sword. Pelagia\u2019s mother thereupon became fearful of the wrath of the emperor, tied her daughter and led her to the court of Diocletian as being a Christian and also the probable cause of the death of the heir to the throne. The emperor was captivated by the unusual beauty of the maiden and tried to sway her from her faith in Christ, promising her every earthly blessing and to make her his own wife. But the holy maiden refused the offer of the emperor with contempt and said: \u201cThou art insane, emperor, telling me such a speech. Know, that I wilt not do thine bidding, and I loathe thy vile marriage, since I have a Bridegroom\u2014Christ, the King of Heaven. I desire not thy imperial, worldly, short-durationed crowns, since my Lord in the Heavenly Kingdom has prepared for me three imperishable crowns. The first for faith\u2014since I have believed with all my heart in the True God; the second for purity\u2014because I have entrusted to Him my virginity; the third for martyrdom\u2014since I want to accept for Him every suffering and to offer up my soul because of my love for Him\u201d. Diocletian thereupon sentenced Pelagia to be burnt in a glowing red-hot copper oven. Not permitting the executioners to touch her body, the holy martyress herself\u2014signing herself with the sign of the cross, went with a prayer into the red-hot oven\u2014in which her flesh melted like myrh, filling all the city with fragrance; the bones of Saint Pelagia remained unharmed and were removed by the pagans to outside the city. Four lions then came from out of the wilderness and sat around the bones\u2014letting get at them neither bird nor wild beast. The lions protected the remains of the saint until such time as Bishop Klinon came to that place. He gathered them up and buried them with honour. During the reign of emperor Constantine (306-337), when the persecutions against Christians had stopped, there was built a church at the place of burial of Saint Pelagia.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "Thy ewe-lamb Pelagia crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: \"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, * and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, who sacrifice myself with love for Thee. By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Disdaining transitory things, having become a partaker of the good things of heaven and received a crown for thy suffering, O most honored Pelagia, thou didst bring the torrents of thy blood as a gift to Christ the Master. Pray thou, that He deliver from misfortunes us who honor thy memory.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "2656": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Rhais (Irais) of Alexandria (\u2020 c. 308)", "short": "Virginmartyr Rhais"}}, "2685": {"name": {"nominative": "Blessed Thais of Egypt (5<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Blessed Thais"}}, "2686": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Taisia of Egypt (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Taisia"}}, "2687": {"name": {"nominative": "Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia (\u2020 1213)", "short": "Right-believing Tamara"}}, "2688": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Tatiana of Rome and those who suffered with her (\u2020 226-235)", "short": "Martyr Tatiana"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyress Tatiana was born into an illustrious Roman family\u2014her father was thrice elected consul. He was secretly a christian and raised his daughter devoted to God and the Church. Having reached the age of maturity, Tatiana did not enter into marriage but with all her strength devoted herself to the Church. She was made deaconess in one of the Roman churches and served God, in fasting and prayer tending the sick and helping the needy. By her righteousness Tatiana gained in future to be crowned with the crown of martyrdom.</p><p>When Rome came to be ruled by the sixteen year old Alexander Severus (222235), all power was concentrated in the hands of the evil enemy and persecutor of christians Ulpian. Christian blood flowed like streams. Deaconess Tatiana was also arrested. When they brought her into the temple of Apollo so as to force her to offer sacrifice to the idol, the saint began praying\u2014and suddenly there occurred an earthquake\u2014the idol was smashed into pieces, and part of the temple collapsed and fell down on the pagan priests and many pagans. The demon inhabiting the idol ran out with an howl from that place, in front of which all saw it flying through the air like a ghost. They then began to beat the holy virgin about the eyes, but she bravely endured everything, praying for her tormentors that the Lord would open for them their spiritual eyes. And the Lord heard the prayer of His servant. The executioners came to see, that four Angels encircled the saint and fended off from the blows; they heard a Voice from the heavens addressed to the holy martyress. All of them, eight men, believed in Christ and fell on their knees to Saint Tatiana, begging them to forgive them their wrongs against her. For confessing themselves christians they were subjected to tortures and execution, receiving Baptism by blood. Saint Tatiana was again given over to tortures on another day: they uncovered her and beat her, they cut at her body with razors, and from her wounds then there permeated a fragrance in the air. The torturers became exhausted and said, that someone invisible was beating at them with iron staffs, and nine of them fell dead. They then threw the saint in prison, where she prayed all night and with the Angels sang praise to the Lord. A new morning began, and they again took Saint Tatiana to the court. The torturers beheld with astonishment that after such terrible torments she appeared completely healthy and even more radiant and beautiful than before. They began to urge her to offer sacrifice to the goddess Diana. The saint seemed to appear agreeable, and they took her to the heathen temple. Saint Tatiana made the sign of the cross and began to pray\u2014and suddenly there sounded a crash of deafening thunder, and lightning struck the idol, the sacrificial offerings and the pagan priests. They again fiercely tortured the martyress, and at night they again threw her in prison, and again there appeared Angels and healed her wounds. On the following day they took Saint Tatiana to the circus and let loose at her an hungry lion; the beast did not touch the saint but only lay meekly at her feet. They wanted to pen up the lion back in its cage, and here instead it clawed up one of the torturers. They threw Tatiana into a fire, but the fire did not harm the martyress. The pagans, thinking that she was a sorceress, cut her hair to deprive her of magical powers, and locked her up in the temple of Zeus. But it was impossible to take away the power of God. On the third day pagan priests came with an encircling throng, preparing to offer sacrifice. Opening the temple, they beheld the idol thrown down into the dust and the holy martyress Tatiana joyously invoking the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. All the instruments of torture were worn out, and they carried out a sentence of death: the valiant sufferer was beheaded with a sword. Also executed as a christian together with her was her father, for having shewn her the true faith of Christ. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Thou didst shine forth radiantly in thy suffering, * O passion-bearer, adorned with thy blood, * and like a beautiful turtle-dove thou hast soared aloft * to the heavens, O Tatiana. ** Wherefore, pray thou ever for those who honor thee.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}}}}, "2714": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre (\u2020 307-308) and Martyr Irene", "short": "Virginmartyr Theodosia"}, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Holy Martyress Theodosia of Tyre suffered for Christ in the year 307 or 308, and the account of her life is under 3 April. On 29 May is celebrated the memory of the transfer of her relics to Constantinople and Venice.</p>"}}, "2718": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Theodotia and her 3 children", "short": "Martyr Theodotia"}}, "2748": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Charitina, Princess of Lithuania (\u2020 1281)", "short": "Venerable Charitina"}}, "2812": {"name": {"nominative": "Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God (established in memory of the deliverance of Moscow from the Tatar invasion led by Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girei in 1521)", "short": "Vladimir Icon"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was established in memory of the saving of Moscow in the year 1521 from an invasion of Tatars led by khan Makhmet-Girei. The Tatar hosts approached towards Moscow, burning and destroying Russian cities and villages, and exterminating their inhabitants. Greatprince Vasilii gathered an army against the Tatars, and the Moscow metropolitan Varlaam together with the people of Moscow prayed fervently for deliverance from destruction. During this grim time a certain pious blind nun had a vision: from the Saviour gates of the Kremlin the Moscow sainted-hierarchs were exiting, forsaking the city and bearing with them the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God\u2014the chief holy thing of the city of Moscow,\u2014in the chastisement of God for the sins of its inhabitants. At the Saviour-gates the sainted-hierarchs were met by the Monks Sergei of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutynsk, tearfully imploring them not to quit Moscow. All of them together offered up intense prayer to the Lord about the forgiving of transgressions and the deliverance of Moscow from its enemies. After this prayer the sainted-hierarchs returned to the Kremlin and they carried back the holy Vladimir Icon. There was a similar vision also to a Moscow saint, Blessed Vasilii, to whom it was revealed, that through the intercession of the Mother of God and the prayers of the saints, Moscow would be saved. The Tatar khan likewise had a vision of the Mother of God amidst a fearsome host, contending against his forces. The Tatars fled in fear, and the capital of the Russian realm was saved.</p><p>The celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is made likewise on 23June and 26 August.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Today the most glorious city of Moscow is adorned, having received thy wonder-working icon like the radiance of the sun; and we, hastening to it and entreating thee, O Mistress, do thus cry out: O all-wondrous Mistress Theotokos, entreat Christ our God, Who became incarnate through thee, that He deliver this city, and all cities and lands where Christians dwell, unharmed by all the assaults of the enemy, and save thou our souls, in that thou art compassionate.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>As ones delivered from evils by the arrival of thy precious image, O Mistress Theotokos, do we splendidly chant hymns of victory to thee, the chosen leader, on the feast of thy meeting, and we cry to thee as is our wont: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "2858": {"name": {"nominative": "Iveron Icon of the Mother of God (9<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Iveron Icon"}}, "2865": {"name": {"nominative": "Appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (1579)", "short": "Kazan Icon"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "On 1 October 1552, on the feastday of the Pokrov-Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, at night, tsar Ivan IV in heading the Russian forces made ready for a decisive assault against the Tatar city of Kazan, and suddenly he heard the peeling of the Moscow bells. The tsar realised that this was a sign of the mercy of God: that through the prayers of the mighty commander-in-chief, the Lord deigned that the Kazan people should be converted to Him.</p><p>The surrender of Kazan on the feast of the Pokrov-Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God completed a course of events, initiated way back centuries earlier in the year 1164 by holy Prince Andrei Bogoliubsky (\u2020 1174, Comm. 4 July), against the Moslem Volga Bulgars. With the taking of Kazan, the Volga\u2014the chief waterway route of the land, became finally a Russian river. And from Tatar servitude were liberated 60,000 Russian people. The enlightenment of the Tatars with the light of the Gospel truth was started. There were the first martyrs\u2014Saints Peter and Stephen (Comm. 24 March). The newly established Kazan diocese entered into the complexion of the Russian Church and was soon illustrious in its own archbishops: Saint Gurii (\u2020 1563, Comm. 5December) and Saint German (\u2020 1567, Comm. 6 November).</p><p>But the advance of Orthodoxy was especially enabled amongst the Volga Mahometans by the appearance, on 8 July 1579, of the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Kazan. Preaching the Gospel had been a difficult matter in this conquered kingdom amongst the incorrigible Moslems and pagans. The Most Holy Mother of God, Mediatrix of preachers of the Word of God, Who even during Her earthly life shared in the evangelic work of the holy Apostles,\u2014in looking down upon the efforts of the Russian missionaries, She did not hesitate to send them Heavenly help, manifest through Her wonderworking Icon.</p><p>On 28 June 1579 there occurred a terrible conflagration which had started around the church of Saint Nikolai of Tula. This fire destroyed part of the city and turned to ashes half of the Kazan Kremlin. The adherents of Mahomet gloated, supposing, that God had become angered against the Christians. \u201cThe faith of Christ,\u2014says the chronicler,\u2014is rendered a fable and an outrage.\u201d But the conflagration at Kazan was the foreboding of the ultimate fall of Islam and affirmation of Orthodoxy throughout all the land of the Golden Horde, the future East portion of the Russian realm.</p><p>The city began quickly to rise up from its ruins. Together with others who had been burned out, and not far from where the conflagration had started,\u2014was built the house of the musketeer Daniil Onuchin. The Mother of God appeared in a dream to his nine year old daughter Matrona and commanded her to find Her icon, hidden in the ground by secret confessors of Orthodoxy way back still in the time of Moslem rule. But to the words of a mere girl they paid no attention. Thrice the Mother of God appeared and pointed out the spot, where the wonderworking icon had been concealed. Finally, Matrona with her mother began to dig in the indicated place and they found the sacred icon. To this place of the miraculous discovery there came archbishop Jeremii at the head of his clergy and transported the holy image into a church of Saint Nicholas situated nearby. From there, after a molieben, amidst a church procession they transferred it to the Annunciation cathedral\u2014the first Orthodox temple in the city of Kazan, erected by tsar Ivan the Terrible. During the time of the procession there occurred the healing of two blind men\u2014Iosif and Nikita.</p><p>A copy of the Icon, which had appeared at Kazan, together with an account of the circumstances of its discovery and descriptions of the miracles was dispatched in 1579 to Moscow. Tsar Ivan the Terrible gave orders to build at the place of its appearance a temple in honour of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, to install therein the holy icon, and to found there also a women\u2019s monastery. Matrona and her mother, instrumental in finding the sacred icon, accepted monastic tonsure at this monastery.</p><p>At the Nikol\u2019sk (Nicholas) church, where the first molieben had been made before the Kazan Icon, was serving at this time as priest the future Saint Ermogen, Patriarch of Moscow (\u2020 1612, Comm. 17 February). Fifteen years later, in 1594, now as Metropolitan of Kazan, he compiled a report of the holy events to which he had been an eyewitness and participant: \u201cAccount and Miracles of the MostPure Mother of God from Her Venerable and Gloriously Manifest Image at Kazan.\u201d In this account are descriptions with great factual precision regarding many an instance of healing, from the wonderworking Icon through the prayers of believers. The \u201cAccount\u201d manuscript\u2014written by His Holiness Patriarch Ermogen\u2014was in its entirety reproduced in facsimile edition: \u201cReport about the Wonderworking Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God,\u201d with an introduction by A. I. Sobolevsky, M(oscow) 1912.</p><p>The not-large Icon, discovered by the girl Matrona in the then recently annexed foreign frontier of the Russian realm, soon became a national sacred item, a sign of the Heavenly protection of the Mother of God, manifest for all the Russian Church, since the soul of the Orthodox nation sensed the special participation of the All-Pure Lady Mother of God in the historical destiny of its \u201cRodina\u201d native-land. Not by mere chance was the Kazan Image a copy of the ancient Blachern\u00e6 Icon (Comm. 7 July) written by the holy Evangelist Luke, and considered in its iconographic type to be of icons named \u201cHodegetria\u201d (\u201cPutevoditel\u2032nitsa,\u201d \u201cWay-Guide\u201d). Many a time the \u201cKazan Mother\u201d showed the way to victory for Russian Orthodox soldiers in the fulfilling of their sacred duty for God and Country. </p><p>In the year of its appearance at Kazan (in other sources two years afterwards) there began the remarkable onward march \u201cBeyond Kazan\u201d (beyond the Ural Mountains) envisioned by Blessed German (\u2020 1567, Comm. 6 November), and taken by the Cossack ataman Ermak Timofeevich Povol\u2032sky (\u2020 1584), an effort crowned finally with the annexation of Siberia. With a graced energy and coursing about in miraculous manner it proved sufficient, that for some several decades Russian explorer-missionaries should proceed to the East, \u201c to meet the sun,\u201d going many thousands of kilometers. On the feastday of the Pokrov (Protection, 1 October) in 1639 they sailed out on their first voyage along the Pacific Ocean, preaching salvation to the surrounding peoples.</p><p>Orthodox soldiers and missionaries went east, while apostates fled to the West. Jesuits seemingly attempted to drown Rus\u2019 at the beginning XVII Century with tumultuous waves of sovereign-imposters and \u201crapacious people.\u201d It was indeed through Divine Providence, during the period of the Polish Occupation (1605-1612), which the nation termed the \u201cTime of Troubles,\u201d that the Russian Church was headed by a great confessor of Orthodoxy\u2014the Hieromartyr Ermogen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus,\u2019 who had been among those first to venerate the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, becoming the author of the \u201cAccount\u201d about it and the Service to it.</p><p>During the difficult days when Moscow was occupied by the Polish, and discord and disorder having spread throughout all the land, this resolute sufferer for the Holy Faith and Fatherland was held under guard, and he managed secretly to send off to Nizhni Novgorod an appeal: \u201cWrite to Kazan to metropolitan Emphrem, and let there be sent a document of direction to the regiments for the boyars and to the Cossack forces, that they should rise up in force for the faith, put an end to the plundering and preserve brotherhood, and should vow to pledge their souls for the house of the All-Pure and the wonderworkers and for the faith, let there be done. And in every city\u2026 write thus in my name.\u201d The Nizhni Novgorod people responded to the appeal of the archpastor. Prince Dimitrii Mikhailovich Pozharsky headed the gathered militia.</p><p>The Kazan forces, joining in with the militia, brought with them a copy of the wonderworking Kazan Icon, which they gave to prince Dimitrii at Yaroslavl\u2032. The Most Holy Lady Mother of God took the militia under Her protection, and by Her intercession Russia was saved.</p><p>The Russian forces experienced tremendous difficulties: inward hostilities, and insufficient armament and supplies. In the bad weather of Autumn the Russian army moved on to storm Moscow, situated in the hands of the Polish. </p><p>A three day fast and fervent prayer before the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God inclined the Lord to mercy. Within the besieged Kremlin at this time was held captive the Hellas Archbishop Arsenios (Arsenii, afterwards Suzdal\u2019 archbishop, \u2020 1626, 13 April), who had arrived from Greece and was grievously ill from his journeying and being shaken about. By night the cell of Saint Arsenii was suddenly lit up by a Divine light, and he beheld the Monk Sergei of Radonezh (Comm. 5 July and 25 September), who said: \u201cArsenii, our prayers are heard; through the intercession of the Mother of God the Divine judgement of the Fatherland is changed to mercy; on the morrow Moscow wilt be in the hands of its besiegers and Russia saved.\u201d</p><p>As though in proof of the veracity of this prophecy, the archbishop received healing from his sickness, and then this joyful occurrence became known to the Russian forces. On the following day, 22 October 1612, Russian forces, inspired by the vision, seized a sweeping victory and took the Chinese-quarter, and 2 days later\u2014the Kremlin itself. </p><p>On Sunday, 25 October, Russian forces triumphantly in church procession made entry into the Kremlin, bearing the Kazan Icon. At the Skull-Place (\u201cLobn\u0153 mesto,\u201d <i>i.e.</i> the public execution spot), the church procession was met by Archbishop Arsenii emerging from the Kremlin, bearing the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, saved by him in his captivity. Moved by the effect of the meeting of the two wonderworkings icons of the Mother of God, the people with tears made prayer to the Heavenly Mediatrix.</p><p>With the expulsion of the Polish from Moscow,\u2014according to the Nikonov chronicle, prince Dimitrii Pozharsky had the holy Kazan Icon placed in his own parish church of the Entry in the Temple of the Most Holy Mother of God, at Lubyanka in Moscow. Afterwards, at the expense of the prince-patriot, there was erected the Kazan cathedral on Red Square. The holy icon, which had been with the armies of Pozharsky during the liberation of Moscow, was transferred in 1636 into the newly constructed temple, the Kazan cathedral. At present, this holy image is situated in the Patriarch\u2019s Theophany cathedral in Moscow. </p><p>In commemoration of the liberation of Moscow from the Polish, a special feastday in honour of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was established under 22 October. At first this celebration was made only at Moscow, but from 1649 it became an all-Russian celebration.</p><p>In 1709, before the Poltava Battle, Peter the Great prayed with his soldiery in front an icon of the Kazan Mother of God (that from the village of Kaplunovka). In 1721 Peter transferred one of the copies of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from Moscow to Peterburg, where at first the icon was placed in a chapel, then at the Alexandro-Nevsky Lavra monastery, and from 1737 it was in the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God on Nevsky Prospekt. In 1811, before the Fatherland War, the holy icon of the Heavenly Mediatrix was transferred into the newly constructed Kazan cathedral. </p><p>In 1812 the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God provided blessing for Russian soldiers in repulsing the French invasion. On the feast of the Kazan Icon, 22 October 1812, Russian detachments under the command of Miloradovich and Platov destroyed the Davu rearguard. This was the first outstanding blow against the French after their departure from Moscow, and in which the enemy lost seven thousand men. And on this day snow fell, bitter frosts began, and the army that had subdued Europe began to falter. </p><p>\u2026The Kazan cathedral at Peterburg was built in the years 1801-1811\u2014as though especially for this, to be a commemorative temple of Russian glory in the 1812 Fatherland War. The iconostas of the main altar was an elaborately wrought work, made of an hundred pud-weight [pud = 36 lbs] of silver: of this, forty puds were an offering to the temple by the Don Cossacks, having taken this silver in 1812 from the French. The walls of the cathedral were adorned with trophies, taken from the French in 1812. Buried at the cathedral and with enemy standards draped over his holy tomb was prince Mikhail Kutuzov-Smolensky, saviour of the Fatherland. Bronzen sculptures of Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolli stand before the temple at the end of the colonnades, in the hemisphere circling upon the cathedral square\u2026</p><p>Numerous wonderworking copies of the Kazan Icon in Rus\u2019 glorify the All-Pure Mother of God, Protectress of the Orthodox Russian people. Of the plethora of icons of the Mother of God venerated in the Russian Orthodox Church, none is more widespread in number than the Kazan Icon. For all Orthodox Rus\u2019 it is esteemed as holy, and to it oftenest of all do they turn their gaze in misfortunes and illnesses, crying out: \u201cO fervent Mediatrix, Mother of the Lord MostHigh, for all pray Thine Son Christ our God\u2026 with everything grant benefit and save all, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, and be Thou the Divine protection for Thine servant.\u201d</p><p>With blessings of grace are dispersed icons of the All-Pure Mother of God throughout the extent of the Russian land, truly imaging the Heavenly protection, with Her constant intercession sent down by Her Divine Son, having offered Himself in sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. The ancient Vladimir holy Image of the Mother of God preserves and blesses the Northern bounds, the Smolensk and Pochaev Icons guard the West, and in the East, to the ends of the land shine the rays of the inexhaustible grace of the wonderworking Kazan Image of our All-Pure Mother."}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O earnest helper, Mother of the Lord Most High, * thou dpst entreat Christ, thy Son and our God, in behalf of all, * and causest all to be saved who have recourse to thy mighty protection, * O Lady, Queen and Mistress, * help us all who, amid temptations, sorrows and sickness, * are heavy laden with many sins, * who stand before thee and with tears pray to thee with compunctionate soul * and contrite heart before thine all-pure image, * and who have unfailing hope in thee: * grant deliverance from all evils, * and things profitable unto all, O Virgin Theotokos, * and gave us all, for thou art the divine protection ** of thy servants.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>O ye people, let us flee to that calm and good haven, the speedy helper * and ready and fervent salvation, the protection of the Virgin, * and let us make haste to prayer and speed to repentance. * For the all-pure Theotokos poureth forth upon us inexhaustible mercies; * she g\u0153th before to help us and delivereth ,her good-hearted and God-fearing servants ** from great misfortunes and evils.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}}}}, "2875": {"name": {"nominative": "Icon of the Mother of God of Kaluga", "short": "Icon of"}}, "2935": {"name": {"nominative": "Shuyskoy icon of the Mother of God \u201cOdigitriya\u201d", "short": "Shuyskoy icon"}}, "2947": {"name": {"nominative": "Commemoration of the Miraculous Appearance of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, which saved the Monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks (1675)", "short": "Pochaev Icon"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is among the most venerable sacred items of the Russian Church. It is reknown throughout all the Slavic world: they venerate it in Russia, in Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria and other places. Christians also of other confessions come for veneration of the wonderworking image of the Most Holy Mother of God, alongside the Orthodox. At the Pochaev Lavra, an ancient rampart of Orthodoxy, the wonderworking icon has resided about 400 years. (The account about the transfer of the icon to the Pochaev monastery is located under 8 September). The miracles, which issued forth from the holy icon, are numerous and are testified to in the monastery books with the inscriptions of the faithful, who with prayer have met with deliverance from unclean spirits, liberation from captivity, and sinners brought to their senses. </p><p>The celebration in honour of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God on 23 July was established in memory of the deliverance Uspenie-Dormition Lavra monastery from a Turkish siege on 20-23 July 1675.</p><p>In the Summer of 1675 during the time of the Zbarazhsk War with the Turks, during the reign of the Polish king Jan Sobesski (1674-1696), regiments composed of Tatars under the command of khan Nurredin via Vishnevets fell upon the Pochaev monastery, surrounding it on three sides. The weak monastery walls, just like some of the stone buildings of the monastery, did not offer much defense against a siege. The hegumen Iosif Dobromirsky urged the brethren and laypeople to turn themselves to Heavenly intercessors: to the Most Holy Mother of God and the Monk Job of Pochaev (Comm. 28October). The monks and the laypeople prayed fervently, prostrating themselves before the wonderworking image of the Mother of God and the reliquary with the relics of the Monk Job. On the morning of 23 July with the rising of the sun, as the Tatars were holding a final meeting about an assault on the monastery, the hegumen ordered the singing of an akathist to the Mother of God. With the first words, \u201cO Queen of the Heavenly Hosts,\u201d suddenly there appeared over the church the Most Holy Mother of God Herself, in \u201can unfurled gleaming-white omophor,\u201d with heavenly angels holding unsheathed swords. The Monk Job was beside the Mother of God, bowing to Her and beseeching the defense of the monastery. The Tatars took the heavenly army for an apparition, and in confusion they began to shoot arrows at the Most Holy Mother of God and the Monk Job, but the arrows fell backwards and wounded those who shot them. Terror seized the enemy. In a flight of panic and without looking, they trampled upon and killed each other. The defenders of the monastery attempted pursuit and took many prisoner. Some of the prisoners afterwards accepted the Christian faith and remained at the monastery thereafter.</p><p>In the year 1721 Pochaev was occupied by Uniates. But even in this difficult time for the Lavra, the monastery chronicle notes 539 miracles from the glorified Orthodox sacred image. During the time of the Uniate rule in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of the XVIII Century, for example, the Uniate nobleman count Nicholas Pototski became a benefactor of the Pochaev Lavra through the following miraculous circumstance. Having accused his coachman for overturning the carriage with frenzied horses, the count took out a pistol to shoot him. The coachman, turning towards Pochaev Hill, reached his hands upwards and cried out: \u201cMother of God, manifest in the Pochaev Icon, save me!\u201d Pototski several times tried to shoot the pistol, which had never let him down, but the weapon misfired. The coachman remained alive. Pototski then immediately set off to the wonderworking icon and decided to devote himself and all his property to the building-up of the monastery. From his wealth was built the Uspenie-Dormition cathedral and buildings for the brethren.</p><p>The return of Pochaev into the bosom of Orthodoxy in 1832 was marked by the miraculous healing of the blind maiden Anna Akimchukova, who had come on pilgrimage to the holy things together with her 70 year old grandmother, from Kremenets-Podol\u2019sk 200 versts away. In memory of this event, the Volynia archbishop and Lavra archimandrite Innokentii (1832-1840) established weekly on Saturdays the reading of the cathedral akathist before the wonderworking icon. During the time of the rule of the Lavra by archimandrite Agathangel, archbishop of Volynia (1866-1876), there was constructed a separate chapel in the galleries of the Holy Trinity church in memory of the victory over the Tatars, which was dedicated on 23 July 1875.</p>"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>Those who pray before your holy icon, O Lady, * Are vouchsafed healing and receive the knowledge of the true faith, * And they repel the attacks of the Hagarenes. * Therefore entreat remission of sins * For us who fall down before you. * Enlighten our hearts to thoughts of piety, ** And raise a prayer to your Son to save our souls.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "5"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Your icon of Pochaev, O Theotokos, * Is become a source of healing and the confirmation of the Orthodox Faith. * Therefore deliver us who have recourse to you * From calamity and temptation. * Preserve your monastery unharmed. * Confirm Orthodoxy in the surrounding lands, * And forgive the sins of those who pray to you; ** For you can do as you will.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "1"}}}}, "2994": {"name": {"nominative": "The Three-handed Icon of the Mother of God", "short": "The Three-handed"}, "rank": 4, "services": {"0": {}, "1": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}, "2": {"LITURGY/0": {"text": ""}}}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The wonderworking image, before which the Monk John Damascene (Comm. 4 December) received healing of a cut-off hand, was given over by him to the Laura of the Monk Sava the Sanctified. In the XIII Century the icon was situated in Serbia, and afterwards it was miraculously transported to Athos to the Khilendaria monastery. A more detailed account about the icon is located under 28 June. </p>"}}, "2997": {"name": {"nominative": "Revered lists of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the Pskov-Kiev Caves \u201cTenderness\u201d (1524), Zaonikievskaya (1588), Krasnogorskaya or Montenegro (1603), Orange (1634)", "short": "Revered lists"}}, "20001": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the relics of Venerable Martinian, Abbot of Belozersk (1514)", "short": "Finding"}}, "20201": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Peter of Anium, at Hieropolis (309-310)", "short": "Martyr Peter"}}, "20901": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony of Dymi Lake, Novgorod (\u2020 1224)", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}}, "21001": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Anthony, John, and Eustathius of Lithuania (\u2020 1347)", "short": "Martyrs"}, "rank": 1}, "21101": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony the Abbot of Dymsk, Novgorod (\u2020 1224)", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}}, "21501": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Monastic Fathers slain in Sinai and Raithu (4<sup>th</sup>-5<sup>th</sup> C): Isaiah, Sabbas, Moses and his disciple Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, Adam, Sergius, Domnus, Proclus, Hypatius, Isaac, Macarius, Mark, Eusibius, Benjamin, Elias, and others [their service is sung on the 13th]", "short": "Monastic Fathers"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1997 by translator Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monastic Fathers, Murdered at Sinai and Raithu, asceticised at the monasteries and caves of Mount Sinai, where previously the Ten Commandments had been given through Moses; near to it also was the Raipha monastic wilderness (on the shores of the Red Sea). They suffered under the Saracens and under nomadic brigands from among the Arab tribes. The first massacre occurred in about the year 312. It was recorded by Ammon, an Egyptian monk, who witnessed the murder of the 40 holy fathers in Sinai. During this time the Arabs also killed 39 fathers at Raipha. The second period of the massacres occurred nearly an hundred years later, and was likewise recorded by an eye-witness who himself in the process miraculously escaped\u2014the Monk Nilos the Faster (Comm. 12 November).</p><p>The Sinai and Raipha ascetics lived a particularly strict lifestyle: they spent the whole week in their cells at prayer, on Saturday they gathered for the all-night vigil, and on Sunday they communed the Holy Mysteries. Their only food was dates and water. Many of the wilderness ascetics were glorified by wonderworking\u2014the elders Moses, Joseph and others. By name, remembered in the service to these monastic fathers are commemorated: Isaiah, Sava, Moses and his student Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, Adam, Sergios, Domnos, Proklos, Ipatios, Isaac, Makarios, Mark, Benjamin, Eusebios and Elias.</p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>O God of our fathers, * deal with us ever according to Thy meekness. * Deprive us not of Thy mercy, * but through their supplications ** direct our life in peace.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>Ye fled from the tumult of the world * and have found rest in the calm haven, * crowned with the blood of martyrdom * and the labors of asceticism. ** Wherefore, ye have been shown to dwell together with the martyrs and the venerable.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "21502": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint Anthony the Stylite (Pillar-Dweller), of Martqopi, Georgia (6<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Saint Anthony"}}, "21801": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Founder of Monasticism in Russia (\u2020 1073)", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Antony (Anthony) of Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 not far from Chernigov, at the locale of Liubech. Possessing the fear of God from his youthful years, he desired to be clothed in the monastic form. Attaining maturity of age, he set off wandering, and having reached Athos, he burned with the desire to emulate the deeds of its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure and in everything the young monk pleased God in his asceticising upon the path of virtue; he throve especially in humility and obedience, such that all the monks did rejoice to look upon his holy life.</p><p>The hegumen foresaw within Saint Anthony the great future ascetic, and on an inspiration from God, he sent him off back to his native land, saying: \u201cAnthony! It is time for thee to guide others also into an holy life. Return to thine own Russian Land, and be thou upon thee the blessing of Holy Mount Athos, so that from thee shalt come a multitude of monks.\u201d</p><p>Having returned to Rus\u2032, Anthony began to make the rounds of the monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life, which had drawn him to Athos.</p><p>Through the Providence of God, on one of the hills of Kiev at a steep bank of the River Dneipr, reminiscent for him of the beloved Athos, in a forested area near the village of Berestovo, he espied a cave, dug out by the Priest Ilarion (who afterwards became Metropolitan of Kiev, Commemorated October 21<sup>st</sup>). He began to asceticise there in prayer, fasting, vigil and work, eating over the course of a day but a bit of food, and sometimes he did not eat throughout the week. People began to come to the ascetic for blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain thereafter with the saint. Among the first disciples of the Monk Anthony was Saint Nikon, who in the year 1032 tonsured at the monastery the similarly arrived Monk Theodosius (Feodosii) of Kiev Caves (\u2020 1074, Commemorated May 3<sup>rd</sup>).</p><p>The holy life of the Monk Anthony brightened all the Russian Land with the beauty of monastic striving. Saint Anthony received with love those yearning for monasticism. After instructions on how one ought to follow Christ, he bid Blessed Nikon to tonsure those willing. When 12 men had gathered about the Monk Anthony, the brethren together dug out a large cave and within it was built a church and cells for the monks. Saint Anthony, having appointed Blessed Varlaam as hegumen over the brethren, himself withdrew from the monastery, and having dug out for himself a new cave, he secluded himself within it. But there also, around the place of his seclusion, monks soon began to settle. Thus were formed the Nearer and Farther Cave monasteries. Afterwards over the Farther Caves was built by the monk a small wooden church in honour of the Dormition (Uspenie) of the Mother of God. </p><p>At the insistence of prince Izyaslav, the hegumen Varlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of the Monk Anthony and with the general agreement of the brethren , there was chosen as hegumen the meek and humble Theodosius. During this time the number of brethren had already reached an hundred men. The Kiev Great-prince Izyaslav (\u2020 1078) gifted to the monks the hill, on which was built the large church and cells, and around it was built a palisade wall. Thus was established the renowned monastery, which was called the Kiev Caves, built over the caves. Giving the account of this, the chronicler remarks, that many a monastery exists built by rich emperors and nobility, they however cannot compare with those, which are built up by the prayers of saints, and by their tears, fasting and vigil. And thus though the Monk Anthony possessed not gold, he raised up by his efforts a monastery, incomparable with others, which became the first spiritual centre of Rus\u2032.</p><p>For his holiness of life, God glorified the Monk Anthony with the gift of foresight and wonderworking. In an especial instance this occurred during their construction of the Great Kiev Caves church. The Most Holy Mother of God Herself stood before him and the Monk Theodosius in the Blachern\u00e6 church (in Constantinople), whither they had been miraculously transported and enraptured, without having left their Kiev Caves monastery (see the account of this under May 3<sup>rd</sup>, regarding the Kievo-Kiev Caves Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God). Having received gold from the Mother of God, the saints commissioned master-architects, who on the command of the Queen of Heaven set off (from Constantinople) to the Russian Land for building the church at the Kiev Caves monastery. During this appearance the Mother of God foretold the impending death of the Monk Anthony, which occurred at age 90 on May 7<sup>th</sup> 1073. The relics of the Monk Anthony, through Divine Providence, remain concealed.</p>"}, "rank": 3}, "21802": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p>The Monk Antony (Anthony) of Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 not far from Chernigov, at the locale of Liubech. Possessing the fear of God from his youthful years, he desired to be clothed in the monastic form. Attaining maturity of age, he set off wandering, and having reached Athos, he burned with the desire to emulate the deeds of its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure and in everything the young monk pleased God in his asceticising upon the path of virtue; he throve especially in humility and obedience, such that all the monks did rejoice to look upon his holy life.</p><p>The hegumen foresaw within Saint Anthony the great future ascetic, and on an inspiration from God, he sent him off back to his native land, saying: \u201cAnthony! It is time for thee to guide others also into an holy life. Return to thine own Russian Land, and be thou upon thee the blessing of Holy Mount Athos, so that from thee shalt come a multitude of monks.\u201d</p><p>Having returned to Rus\u2032, Anthony began to make the rounds of the monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life, which had drawn him to Athos.</p><p>Through the Providence of God, on one of the hills of Kiev at a steep bank of the River Dneipr, reminiscent for him of the beloved Athos, in a forested area near the village of Berestovo, he espied a cave, dug out by the Priest Ilarion (who afterwards became Metropolitan of Kiev, Commemorated October 21<sup>st</sup>). He began to asceticise there in prayer, fasting, vigil and work, eating over the course of a day but a bit of food, and sometimes he did not eat throughout the week. People began to come to the ascetic for blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain thereafter with the saint. Among the first disciples of the Monk Anthony was Saint Nikon, who in the year 1032 tonsured at the monastery the similarly arrived Monk Theodosius (Feodosii) of Kiev Caves (\u2020 1074, Commemorated May 3<sup>rd</sup>).</p><p>The holy life of the Monk Anthony brightened all the Russian Land with the beauty of monastic striving. Saint Anthony received with love those yearning for monasticism. After instructions on how one ought to follow Christ, he bid Blessed Nikon to tonsure those willing. When 12 men had gathered about the Monk Anthony, the brethren together dug out a large cave and within it was built a church and cells for the monks. Saint Anthony, having appointed Blessed Varlaam as hegumen over the brethren, himself withdrew from the monastery, and having dug out for himself a new cave, he secluded himself within it. But there also, around the place of his seclusion, monks soon began to settle. Thus were formed the Nearer and Farther Cave monasteries. Afterwards over the Farther Caves was built by the monk a small wooden church in honour of the Dormition (Uspenie) of the Mother of God. </p><p>At the insistence of prince Izyaslav, the hegumen Varlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of the Monk Anthony and with the general agreement of the brethren , there was chosen as hegumen the meek and humble Theodosius. During this time the number of brethren had already reached an hundred men. The Kiev Great-prince Izyaslav (\u2020 1078) gifted to the monks the hill, on which was built the large church and cells, and around it was built a palisade wall. Thus was established the renowned monastery, which was called the Kiev Caves, built over the caves. Giving the account of this, the chronicler remarks, that many a monastery exists built by rich emperors and nobility, they however cannot compare with those, which are built up by the prayers of saints, and by their tears, fasting and vigil. And thus though the Monk Anthony possessed not gold, he raised up by his efforts a monastery, incomparable with others, which became the first spiritual centre of Rus\u2032.</p><p>For his holiness of life, God glorified the Monk Anthony with the gift of foresight and wonderworking. In an especial instance this occurred during their construction of the Great Kiev Caves church. The Most Holy Mother of God Herself stood before him and the Monk Theodosius in the Blachern\u00e6 church (in Constantinople), whither they had been miraculously transported and enraptured, without having left their Kiev Caves monastery (see the account of this under May 3<sup>rd</sup>, regarding the Kievo-Kiev Caves Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God). Having received gold from the Mother of God, the saints commissioned master-architects, who on the command of the Queen of Heaven set off (from Constantinople) to the Russian Land for building the church at the Kiev Caves monastery. During this appearance the Mother of God foretold the impending death of the Monk Anthony, which occurred at age 90 on May 7<sup>th</sup> 1073. The relics of the Monk Anthony, through Divine Providence, remain concealed.</p><p>The Monk Siluan, Kievo-Kiev Caves Schema Monk, was a zealous preserver of purity both of soul and body, he beset his flesh with fasting and vigil, and he cleansed his soul with prayer and meditation on God. He was granted by the Lord an abundance of spiritual gifts: an especial prayerful boldness towards God, constant joy in the Lord, perspicacity and wonderworking. The monk lived at the end-XIII to beginning-XIV Centuries. His relics rest in the Theodosiev Caves.</p>"}}, "21901": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anthony the Roman, Abbot and Wonderworker of Novgorod (\u2020 1147)", "short": "Venerable Anthony"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p> The Monk Anthony the Roman was born at Rome in the year 1067 of rich parents, keeping to the Orthodox confession of faith, and he was raised by them in piety. As an orphan having lost his parents at age 17, he took up the study of the fathers in the Greek language. Afterwards he distributed part of his inheritance to the poor, and the other portion he put into a wooden box and threw it into the sea. And then he took monastic vows at one of the wilderness skete-monasteries, where he lived for 20 years. A persecution of the Latins against the Orthodox forced the brethren to separate. The Monk Anthony wandered about, going from place to place, until he came upon a large rock upon the solitary shore of the sea, where he lived for a whole year in fasting and prayer. A terrible storm, happening on September 5<sup>th</sup>, 1105, tore away the stone on which the Monk Anthony was situated, and threw him into the sea. On the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God the stone halted 3.2 km [3 versts] from Novgorod on the banks of the River Volkhov near the village of Volkhovsk. This event is testified to in the Novgorod Chronicles. At this place the monk, with the blessing of Saint Nikita the Hermit (\u2020 1109, Commemorated: May 14<sup>th</sup>), founded a monastery in honour of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. In another year fishermen fished out the box with the inheritance of the Monk Anthony, cast into the sea many years before. Having declared what was in the box, the monk took the box and bought land for the monastery. Spiritual asceticism was combined at the monastery with intense physical work.</p><p>The Monk Anthony was concerned, that from the monastery income help should be rendered for the needy, and for orphans and widows. In the year 1117 the monk began construction with stone at the monastery. Up until our own day there has been preserved a cathedral in honour of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God\u2014built during the lifetime of the monk in the years 1117-1119 by the reknowned Novgorod architect Peter, and with wall-fresc\u0153s in the year 1125. In the year 1131 Saint Niphont of Novgorod made the Monk Anthony hegumen of the monastery. He died on August 3<sup>rd</sup>, 1147 and was buried by Saint Niphont.</p><p>The Monk Anthony was glorified in the year 1597. His memory is noted likewise (in honour of the uncovering of the relics) on the first Friday after the feast day of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29<sup>th</sup>), and on January 17<sup>th</sup>\u2014on the same nameday when the memory of the Monk Anthony the Great is celebrated. The first life of the Monk Anthony the Roman was written soon after his death by his student and successor as hegumen\u2014the hieromonk Andrew. A collected life, with an account about the uncovering of the relics and praiseworthy discourse, was done by a novice of the Antoniev monastery, the monk Niphont, in the year 1598.</p>"}, "rank": 3}, "25501": {"name": {"nominative": "Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain (1<sup>st</sup> C)", "short": "Apostle Aristobulus"}}, "26001": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theoctistus (\u2020 467)", "short": "Venerable Theoctistus"}, "rank": 1}, "26701": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of St. Maximos the Confessor (662)", "short": "Translation"}, "rank": 1}, "26901": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Hierarch Arsenius, Archbishop of Serbia", "short": "Holy Hierarch"}, "rank": 3}, "27401": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the relics of the Venerable Maximus the Greek (1996)", "short": "Finding of"}}, "27402": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Righteous Artemius of Verkola (\u2020 1545)", "short": "Holy Righteous"}}, "29401": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the Relics of Venerable Athanasius, Abbot of Brest", "short": "Finding"}}, "29402": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Athanasius of Brest-Litovsk (\u2020 1648)", "short": "Hieromartyr Athanasius"}}, "29501": {"name": {"nominative": "St. Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria (\u2020 373)", "short": "St. Athanasius"}, "rank": 2}, "204301": {"name": {"nominative": "Glorification of Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Irkutsk and All Siberia (1918)", "short": "Glorification"}}, "205101": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (415)", "short": "Finding"}}, "205102": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (\u2020 c.34)", "short": "Protomartyr"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "Bulgakov Handbook. Copyright 1999-2008 Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris.", "text": "He belonged to the group of seven deacons installed by the apostles to serve meals for the widows (Acts 6) and was called archdeacon because he was the eldest of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit and power, he preached the word of God, confirming it with signs and wonders. During his last sermon about Christ in the Sanhedrin, those sitting there saw his face, \u201cas the face of an Angel.\u201d Upon finishing his sermon, St. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, \u201cgazed into heaven and saw the glory to God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God\u201d (Acts 7:55). He underwent the hatred of the Jews for this sermon, who slandered him for blasphemy of God and Moses and they stoned him (about the year 34). Before his death St. Stephen, \u201cknelt down,\u201d prayed for his murderers, and cried \u201cwith a loud voice: \u2018Lord, do not hold this sin against them\u2032. And when he had said this, he fell asleep\u201d (Acts 7:60). St. Stephen was the first of the Christians who suffered for their faith, according to St. Asterius, being \u201cthe first of the martyrs, teacher of suffering for Christ, the foundation of good confession, because before Stephen nobody poured out blood for the Gospel,\u201d is why he is called Protomartyr. The body of Holy Protomartyr Stephen was honorably buried on the grounds of the Jewish teacher Gamaliel near Jerusalem. Refer to Aug. 2 and Sep. 15. The right hand of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen is kept in a special ark (kivot) in the Serapion vault near the church of the Ven. Nikon in the Trinity - St. Sergius Laura."}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "Thou didst fight the good fight, and, didst denounce the impiety of the tyrants, * O protomartyr and apostle of Christ; * for, stoned at the hands of the iniquitous, * thou hast received from on high a crown from the right hand of the Lord, ** and didst exclaim to God, crying aloud: O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Yesterday the Master came to us in the flesh, * and today his servant departeth from the flesh. * Yesterday He that reigneth over the flesh was born, * and today his servant is slain by stoning. ** For His sake the godly protomartyr Stephen doth meet his end.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "3"}}}}, "219701": {"name": {"nominative": "Holy Prince Theodore of Smolensk (\u2020 1299) his sons David and Constantine, Wonderworkers of Yaroslavl", "short": "Holy Prince"}, "rank": 3}, "220001": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of St Theodore the Sykeote (9<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Translation"}}, "220101": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates (319)", "short": "Great Martyr"}, "rank": 2}, "220201": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Theodore the Confessor, Abbot of the Studion (\u2020 826)", "short": "Venerable Theodore"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "Born in Constantinople, he received his higher education and, having accepted monasticism, he was tonsured in their Saccudion monastery, committing his life to the high principle of good works. During the reign of the Emperors Constantine Copronymus and Leo the Armenian Saint Theodore suffered much as a venerator of icons and underwent imprisonment. In the reign of Irene he founded the Studite Monastery in Constantinople, for which he wrote the rule and in which he was the rector. The venerable Theodore put in the basis of the monastic organization the general rule of St. Basil the Great, for which he was given special respect and with which he knew to perfection, while yet a monk in the Saccudion monastery. Following these rules in his the personal life, he soon became rector, and tried to apply them to the structure of the whole monastery. Owing to the increase in the number of brothers, the venerable Theodore did not have enough time, nor the strength to enter into it himself and personally to keep the rules, that is why he set up the entire order of positions, to help him with the administration and management of the monastery. For the direction of these persons he wrote a manual in iambic verses, where he set forth the duties beginning with the abbot and ending with the least of the brethren. He died in 826 in the little place of Acritos. The Venerable Theodore left many compositions, letters, canons, and church stikhera. The Typikon is indebted to the Venerable Theodore for his significant additions, concerning the structure and cycle of the church services. For the Great Lenten services the Venerable Theodore structured the Three Ode Canon for Matins, and together with his own brother Joseph of Saloni_a was called the author of the Triodion."}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "O instructor of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, * beacon for the whole world, divinely inspired adornment of monastics. * O most wise Theodore by thy doctrines thou hast illumined all. ** O harp of the Spirit, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Thine angelic life of fasting * thou didst adorn with the struggles of suffering, * O divinely blessed Theodore, * and thou hast been shown to abide with the angels. ** With them cease thou never to pray to Christ God for us all.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "220601": {"name": {"nominative": "Repose of Right-believing Prince Theodore Yaroslavich of Novgorod (\u2020 1233), brother of St. Alexander Nevsky", "short": "St. Theodore"}, "rank": 1}, "221101": {"name": {"nominative": "Translation of the relics of the Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves (1091)", "short": "Translation of"}, "rank": 3}, "221401": {"name": {"nominative": "Finding of the relics of St Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov (1896)", "short": "Finding"}, "rank": 1}, "221601": {"name": {"nominative": "Repose (1783) and Second Finding of the Relics (1991) of Saint Tikhon, bishop of Voronezh, Wonderworder of Zadonsk", "short": "Saint Tikhon"}, "rank": 4}, "232101": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope (\u2020 117)", "short": "Hieromartyr"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles and didst occupy their throne, thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, O divinely inspired one. Wherefore, ordering the word of truth, thou didst suffer for the Faith even to the shedding of thy blood. O hieromartyr Phocas, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Offering up sacrifices as a high priest, O father, in the end thou didst offer thyself as a living sacrifice, bearing witness lawfully to Christ God, accepting death and strengthened by angels, who cried out to thee: Come with us, O Phocas, and no-one will be against us!", "Type": "1", "Tone": "6"}}}}, "237201": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Anna of Rome and Cyrilla, of Cyrene in Libya (\u2020 304)", "short": "Martyrs"}}, "238201": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonika", "short": "Martyr Anastasia"}}, "239301": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Anna of Kashin", "short": "Venerable Anna"}}, "239302": {"name": {"nominative": "Repose of Blessed Princess Anna of Kashin (\u2020 1338)", "short": "Anna"}}, "239401": {"name": {"nominative": "Conception by Righteous Anna, of the Most Holy Mother of God", "short": "Conception"}, "rank": 3}, "246701": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Eudoxia, in monasticism Evphrosynia, Grand Duchess of Moscow (\u2020 1407)", "short": "Venerable Eudoxia"}, "rank": 1}, "246801": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyr Ia of Persia and 9000 others (\u2020 c.363)", "short": "Martyr Ia"}}, "247901": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Acepsimas, Hermit of Cyrrhus in Syria (4<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Akepsimos"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>He practiced asceticism as a hermit near Cyrrhus, Syria during the reign of Theodosius the Great. Ven. Acepsimas spent 60 years in a rather narrow cave, committed to fasting and continual prayer, and not seeing anybody, and died in peace.</p>"}}, "248801": {"name": {"nominative": "Martyrs Galaction and his wife Epistimia, at Emesa (3<sup>rd</sup> C)", "short": "Martyrs Galaction"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> They suffered for Christ during the persecution of Decius in the city of Emesa, Ph\u0153nicia. St. Galaction, being a Christian, according to the will of his parents, was betrothed to the pagan Epistime. Having instructed her in the holy faith, St. Galaction convinced her to lead a virgin life, and was himself tonsured as a monk on Mount Publion near Sinai. During the persecution when he was seized for torture, St. Epistime voluntarily joined him to share with him the cup of suffering. After severe tortures both holy martyrs were beheaded. </p>"}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "Thy martyrs, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God. For having Thy strength, they despoiled their adversaries, and shattered the powerless audacity of demons. Through their intercessions, save Thou our souls!", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Thou hast been counted among the ranks of the martyrs of Christ, having fought valiantly, thou brightly struggled, O glorious Galaction, with thine honourable wife and fellow sufferer, Epistime; pray ye unceasingly to the one God for us all.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "249001": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Euphrosene of Suzdal (in the world Theodulia, \u2020 1250)", "short": "Venerable Euphrosene"}}, "249101": {"name": {"nominative": "Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria (\u2020 305-313)", "short": "Great Martyr Catherine"}}, "249901": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Lazarus the Wonderworker of Mt Galiseia near Ephesus (\u2020 1053)", "short": "Venerable Lazarus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "The Ven. Lazarus was born in the village of Magnesia in Asia Minor. From childhood he distinguished himself by gentleness, meekness, compassion and love of the poor, and during his whole life he signed himself with great asceticism. Having traveled to worship in the Jerusalem holy places, he practiced asceticism for ten years as a monk in the Laura of St. Sabbas in Palestine. Being worthy of holiness by his good works, the Ven. Lazarus, upon revelation from above, left for Mount Galesius (near Ephesus) and built on it the Monastery of the Resurrection of Christ, where he practiced asceticism on a pillar. \u201cHaving subdued the flesh to the spirit\u201d, having tamed \u201cits great turmoil\u201d \u201cthrough spiritual armor\u201d, \u201cin the mountains and arid deserts ever learning to ascend to the divine being\u201d, he achieved the gift of prophecy and insight. Pious people began to gather around him, wishing to learn from him the highest asceticism of perfection. He died at age 72, in the middle of the 11th Century, and was buried on a pillar. See July 17."}, "rank": 1, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "<p>With prayerful vigils and outpourings of tears didst thou water thy pillar, * and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst render thy labors fruitful an hun\u00addredfold. * Thou wast a shepherd granting the petitions of all. ** O our father Lazarus, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "<p>With gladness the Church of Christ doth glorify thee in psalms as a luminary most great. * Wherefore, cease thou never to beseech Christ, ** that He grant forgiveness of transgressions unto all.</p>", "Type": "1", "Tone": "4", "Translator": "Aleksandr Andreev"}}}}, "252601": {"name": {"nominative": "Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria (\u2020 612)", "short": "Saint John"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p> Born on the island of Cyprus, son of a prince, he devoted his whole life to prayer and virtue and for his piety he was chosen to be the patriarch. In this post St. John even more cared for the poor, the suffering and the captives, not leaving anyone without bountiful grants. St. John gave alms to everyone who asked. Once among the poor gathering for a handout there were well-dressed girls who approached and asked the hierarch whether they should give alms in the same way. St. John answered: \u201cif you are servants of Christ, give as Christ has enjoined, not looking at the person for we do not give of our own but of Christ\u2019s\u201d. One rich noblewoman, who visited the hierarch and saw on his bed a thin coverlet, sent him a silk one, costing 36 gold coins (zlatnitsa). The hierarch respected her zeal and put on the coverlet presented to him, but in that same night he woke up, and repented and said: \u201cw\u0153 to you, the condemned! You are covered with an expensive blanket, and the brothers in Christ, the poor, freeze in the cold. Let this costly gift cover some of the poor\u201d. In the morning he sent to sell the coverlet and gave the money to the needy. The noblewoman again gave him a coverlet, but the hierarch did not want to take advantage of the gift and turned the noblewoman\u201ds attachment to him into a means of philanthropy. So that no one from the needy would be set aside, St. John on Wednesday and Friday sat all day at the church gate so that all having business with him would not be forbidden to come to him. When they expressed surprise at his patience, the hierarch answered: \u201c if I always have access to my Lord Jesus Christ, in prayer I talk to Him and I ask Him everything that I want: how I can forbid my neighbor to come to me?\u201d And it is true that no urgent business could force St. John to postpone acts of mercy. One widow approached him when he went to church. Accompanying him she listened to his advice after the service. But the hierarch answered: \u201cbut would God listen to me if I do not want to listen to her?\u201d Then he analyzed the situation and satisfied the widow. Being \u201cmeek, the good compassionate one was also gentle\u201d. St. John once for the defense of poor people was deeply offended by one secular leader and on the same day, before sunset, sent a message to his offender: \u201csoon the sun will set: let us reconcile\u201d. The leader was so touched with these words, that he not only reconciled with the peace loving hierarch, but also promised to flee from conflicts with anyone in his life. During an attack of the Persians in Egypt, St. John left for the island of Cyprus where he died in 620. His relics repose in city of Bratislava, Slovakia. </p>"}, "rank": 2, "services": {"LITURGY": {"TROPARION/1": {"text": "In thy patience, O venerable father, thou didst acquire thy reward, * having endured in prayers without ceasing, and loved the poor and provided for them. ** Beseech Christ God, O blessed almsgiver John, that our souls be saved.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "0"}, "KONTAKION/1": {"text": "Thou didst distribute thy wealth to the destitute, * and hast now received heavenly riches, O John most wise. * Wherefore, celebrating thy memory, ** we all honor thee, O namesake of almsgiving.", "Type": "1", "Tone": "2"}}}}, "252901": {"name": {"nominative": "Venerable Nilus the Myrrhstreaming of Mt Athos (17<sup>th</sup> C)", "short": "Venerable Nilus"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "", "text": "<p>Born in the village of Petra (in Morea), he was tonsured as an ascetic on Mount Athos. He died in peace in the 17<sup>th</sup> century. In 1815 the relics of Nilus were discovered uncorrupted and sweet smelling. Today part of them is in the temple constructed on the place of the ascetical efforts of the Venerable Nilus and the rest in the Athonite Laura. </p>"}}, "256801": {"name": {"nominative": "Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg (19<sup>th</sup> C) [transferred to Saturday]", "short": "Blessed Xenia", "cmd": "dow == 0"}}, "257401": {"name": {"nominative": "Hieromartyr Nerses and Joseph his Disciple, with John, Saverios, Isaac and Hypatios, Bishops of Persia", "short": "Hieromartyrs"}}, "257510": {"name": {"nominative": "Forefeast of the Entry of the Theotokos", "short": "Forefeast of"}}, "257511": {"name": {"nominative": "Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos", "short": "Afterfeast of"}}, "257512": {"name": {"nominative": "Apodosis of the Entry of the Theotokos", "short": "Theotokos"}}, "263001": {"name": {"nominative": "Sts. Zabulon and Susanna, parents of Equal to the Apostles Nina (3<sup>rd</sup>-4<sup>th</sup> C.)", "short": "Sts"}}, "271401": {"name": {"nominative": "Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre (\u2020 c.307)", "short": "Virginmartyr Theodosia"}, "life": {"id": "", "copyright": "The Clergyman\u2019s Handbook. Moscow. 1978. English translation Copyright 1997 Fr. S. Janos.", "text": "<p> On 29 May, the memory of the transfer of her relics from Constantinople and Venice is celebrated. See April 3<sup>rd</sup> for her vita</p>"}}, "281201": {"name": {"nominative": "Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God (1395)", "short": "Vladimir Icon"}, "rank": 4}, "285801": {"name": {"nominative": "Iveron Icon of the Mother of God", "short": "Iveron Icon"}, "rank": 4}, "286501": {"name": {"nominative": "Commemoration of the deliverance of Moscow from the Poles by the Kazan Icon (1612)", "short": "Kazan Icon"}, "rank": 4}} |