συνοδικός
April 13 / March 31
2018 (7526)
Bright Week • Διακαινήσιμος Ἑβδομάς
Bright Friday (2018)
• "LIFE-GIVING SPRING" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
Ζωοδόχος Πηγή
Ζωοδόχου Πηγῆς
Ζωή
The Life-Giving Spring or Life-Giving Font of the Mother of God is a feast day in the Orthodox Church that is associated with a historic church just west of Constantinople in Valoukli, as well as an icon of the Theotokos. The feast day of the Life-Giving Spring is commemorated on Bright Friday of each year (the Friday following Pascha), being the only feast day which may be celebrated during Bright Week, while the commemoration of the Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is observed on April 4.
The traditional account is recorded by Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos, the last of the Greek ecclesiastical historians, who flourished around 1320. This tradition begins with a miracle that occurred involving a soldier named Leo Marcellus, who would later become the Byzantine Emperor Leo I the Thracian (457-474). While Leo was on his way to Constantinople he encountered a blind man near the Golden Gate who was thirsty. Though he agreed to search for water, he was unable to find any. A female voice was then heard who told the future Emperor that there was water nearby. Looking about, he could see no one, and neither could he see any water. Then he heard the voice again: "Emperor Leo, go into the deepest part of the woods, and you will find water there. Take some of the cloudy water in your hands and give it to the blind man to drink. Then take the clay and put it on his eyes. Then you shall know who I am." The same voice added that she had chosen that very place to be worshiped and prophesied that he would one day receive the crown to the empire. Leo followed her order and at once the blind man recovered his eyesight. After his accession to the throne, the Emperor erected a magnificent church on this place, and the water continued to work miraculous cures. Therefore, it was called "The Life-Giving Spring." A second account is given by the prominent Byzantine scholar Procopius of Caesarea (flourishing ca.500-565). In this version, the Emperor Justinian was out hunting when he came upon a small chapel in a beautiful wooded area, surrounded by a large crowd of people and a priest in front of a spring. Inquiring about this site, he was told that this was the “source of miracles”. He at once ordered that a magnificent church be built there, utilizing materials that had remained after the erection of the Hagia Sophia. The church was erected in the last years of his reign, ca.559-560, near the holy spring. After the erection of the sanctuary, the Gate that was situated outside the walls of Theodosius II was named by the Byzantines Gate of the Spring (Greek: Πύλη τῆς Πηγῆς).
The icon representing the Virgin of the Spring shows the Virgin blessing and embracing the Child. She is surrounded by two angels, and is sitting on the more elevated of two basins, presumably representing the "living water" which is Christ. Two angels crown her holding a scroll that reads: "Rejoice, thou who art the King's throne! Rejoice, thou who carriest Him Who carriest all!" Around the fountain are depicted the emperor and many sick with various diseases. They receive the holy water sprinkled on them by the healthy. At the corner is depicted someone emblazoned with fish, since as we said Baloukli means "the place of fish". The living water from the more elevated basin flows into a larger marble basin below, which is in the shape of a cross.
• Commemoration of the renewal (sanctification) of the Holy Theotokos temple near the Life-giving Spring in Constantinople (5th c.) // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
Today we commemorate the Life-Giving Spring of the Most Holy Theotokos. There once was a beautiful church in Constantinople dedicated to the Mother of God, which had been built in the fifth century by the holy Emperor Leo the Great (January 20) in the Seven Towers district.
Before becoming emperor, Leo was walking in a wooded area where he met a blind man who was thirsty and asked Leo to help him find water. Though he agreed to search for water, he was unable to find any. Suddenly, he heard a voice telling him that there was water nearby. He looked again, but still could not find the water. Then he heard the voice saying “Emperor Leo, go into the deepest part of the woods, and you will find water there. Take some of the cloudy water in your hands and give it to the blind man to drink.Then take the clay and put it on his eyes. Then you shall know who I am.” Leo obeyed these instructions, and the blind man regained his sight. Later, Saint Leo became emperor, just as the Theotokos had prophesied. Leo built a church over the site at his own expense, and the water continued to work miraculous cures. Therefore, it was called “The Life-Giving Spring.” After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the church was torn down by the Moslems, and the stones were used to build a mosque. Only a small chapel remained at the site of the church. Twenty-five steps led down into the chapel, which had a window in the roof to let the light in. The holy Spring was still there, surrounded by a railing. After the Greek Revolution in 1821, even this little chapel was destroyed and the Spring was buried under the rubble. hristians later obtained permission to rebuild the chapel, and work began in July of 1833. While workmen were clearing the ground, they uncovered the foundations of the earlier church. The Sultan allowed them to build not just a chapel, but a new and beautiful church on the foundations of the old one. Construction began on September 14, 1833, and was completed on December 30, 1834. Patriarch Constantine II consecrated the church on February 2, 1835, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos. The Turks desecrated and destroyed the church again on September 6, 1955. A smaller church now stands on the site, and the waters of the Life-Giving Spring continue to work miracles.
There is also a Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos which is commemorated on April 4.
• The Holy Monastery of ZOODOCHOS PEGE in Poros founded in 1720 by the Archbishop of Athens Iakovos II who, after suffering from lithiasis, was miraculously cured after drinking from the holy water springing near the Holy Monastery
On the right of the iconostasis is the household icon of the Panagia of the Zoodochos Pigi (the Life-giving Spring). The old Byzantine icon is dated in 1650. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine art. Around the main figure of the Mother of God, many miracles that Her Grace worked are depicted. In front of the icon there is a silver oil lamp, in which a vigil light is burning as a token of gratitude for the miracle worked by the Mother of God in 1990. After a long period of drought, the Panagia listened to the prayers of monks and priests and it rained.
• The Holy Monastery of the LIFE-GIVING SPRING of Longovarda in Paros // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
• Feast of ZOODOCHOS PEGE, the Holy Monastery of Panagia DOBRA in Beroia // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
• Panagia tis Spilias of the Cave Monastery in Karditsa // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
The Monastery of Panagia tis Spilias (Panagia of the Cave) is located at Ano Argithea (Agrafa Mountains) in the Karditsa perfecture, near Koympoyriana village.
• Panagia TRIPITI of Aigio, the historic shrine of the "Life-Giving Spring" (Zoodochos Pege) // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
By Royal Decree of 8 May 1933 the feast of Panagia Tripiti was established as an official religious holiday of Aigio. On Bright Friday there was to be a solemn procession of the holy icon. Finally, it was recognized as a "Panhellenic Sacred Shrine" and characterized a Public Entity. With the proclamation of Panagia Tripiti as a Panhellenic Sacred Shrine, it formalized the devotion of many devout Christians who flocked there for pilgrimage. The many magnificent wonders of the Virgin Mary over the years reveal this sacred place to be a great spiritual center of Panhellenism. It is very moving to see - on Bright Friday - thousands of Christians from all over Greece - of all ages - to climb the long staircase (150 steps), many on their knees, barefoot, and with tears in their eyes and with gratitude in their hearts as an "offering" to the Virgin, who listened and accepted their plea and released them from any need or illness. Many are the miracles of the Virgin which have become known through testimonies, letters of the faithful, and publications in the daily press. A faithful replica of the holy icon was produced in the year 1991 and is available to those who desire.
• Panagia KEFALARIOTISSAS of Argos // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
The Church of Panagia Kefalariotissas (Life-Giving Spring) is located in the village of Kefalari in Argos. According to tradition it was built after 1634, which is about the time the icon of the Panagia was discovered in the cave. It is located just above the source of the Erasinos River, which springs from the bowels of the mountain Chaon where on the steep slope is built the church and next to the entrance are two outlets of a large cave. Unfortunately, this ancient and historical temple was destroyed on May 18, 1918 after a tremendous explosion of ammunition stored in military depots located near the Cathedral. From this terrible explosion the temple was smoking heap of rubble and only the Holy Altar and the grace of the Panagia were left. The present church was rebuilt and opened in 1928 in place of the destroyed temple by the locals and especially at the expense of the Panargeiakos Association "Danaos" which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The feast of Panagia Kefalariotissas is celebrated on Bright Friday in honor of the Life-Giving Spring.
• Panagia ELEISTRIA in Koroni // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
The beautiful stone-built church is dedicated to the Most-Holy Theotokos and the True Cross and celebrates on the Friday of Zoodochos Pigi (the first friday after Easter) and on January 22nd, which is the anniversary of the discovery of the sacred icon of Panagia Eleistria (as well as March 25 and September 14).
• Synaxis of Panagia of AMPELOKIPOI in Larisa // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
This icon depicts the Most Holy Theotokos with the Lord (the Unfading Rose), and the Bishop called it "Life-Giving Spring", instructing that the icon be kept in the Cathedral until a church is built for it. Later a silver casing or "shirt" was placed over the icon and labelled with the title "Life-Giving Spring."
• Synaxis of Panagia ARGOKOILIOTISSA in Naxos // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
With the name Panagia Argokoiliotissa we refer to a sacred icon that was found in mountainous Naxos, in Argokoili, hence the name of the icon, and a monastery was erected on the spot of its finding, which occupies an area of about 25 acres. In 1835 a resident of the village Koronos in Naxos had a dream, and a similar thing took place in Argokoili, which led to the discovery of two old Byzantine icons there of the Panagia, one of which depicts her as the Life-Giving Spring. Both were eventually transferred to the village of Koronos, and from there to the Metropolis of Paros and Naxos. The following year, on the day of the finding, holy water appeared in a well in front of an opposite cliff from where it was found. When they dug at this point a small cave was revealed in which there was a small crypt, and to the left were carved steps almost vertically leading to the roof of the exit. This entire cave is attributed today as being a Byzantine watchtower outpost and at the base there were probably concealed icons from the period of iconoclasm. The spot where the holy water was found is visible from the sea but not the coast. In a relatively short time at the spot of the finding a small church was erected in the style of a basilica, which with the passage of time has been extended in length. Around 1985 a small church was erected for the holy water with the original well located to the left of the iconostasis in the nave, while the entire left side is the entrance to the disclosed cave. The ascent from the crypt to the exit on the roof is tight and only supported by the walls. Despite this there has never been an accident. Also in the same area was completed the construction of a large church, east of the original dimensions, and is the largest in the Cyclades. Hospitality cells and rooms for the faithful are also located in the area, as well as a big amphitheater.
• The Holy Spring of Saint Paraskevi outside Thessaloniki // BRIGHT FRIDAY //
According to a tradition which should be respected, this was the location where a local Christian girl was killed by her Muslim father. Her father was the bey of the village, named Hasan, and his daughter was a Christian that was baptized in the Church of Saint Paraskevi, and she took the name Paraskevi. When her father learned this, he became a enraged and tried by every means possible to get her to deny Christ. But her faith was so strong, that it was impossible to change her mind. Hunted by her father, she ran away and hid. When he caught up to her, he killed her. From that time, at the spot of her martyrdom, a spring gushed forth and the rocks took on a red color. They say that the white shawl she was wearing became caught on an oak tree. And although a hundred years have passed, young people still come here and place a white ribbon. It is also said that the father repented after he killed his daughter. He built a new church in honor of Saint Paraskevi in the village and left, unable to withstand the loss of his daughter. According to the priest of the village and many of the faithful, many miracles take place here through the prayers of the Saint, especially healings having to do with the eyes, since she is the patron of eye problems. Crowds of people flock there daily, with even groups coming for a pilgrimage. The church celebrates on July 26th, the feast of Saint Paraskevi, and on Bright Friday, when the Life-Giving Spring is celebrated.
• "POCHAEV" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos // BRIGHT FRIDAY // JUL 23 // SEP 8 //
• Appearance of the "IBERIAN" ("Iveron", "Panagia Portaitissa" or "Gate-Keeper") Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (10th c.)
Rejoice, O Blessed Gate-Keeper who opens the gates of Paradise to the righteous.
The Iveron Icon is also commemorated on February 12, October 13 (its arrival in Moscow in 1648), and Bright Tuesday (commemorating the appearance of the Icon in a pillar of fire at Mt Athos and its recovery by Saint Gabriel).
• OUR LADY OF SAIDNAYA located in the convent of Saidnaya is an icon of the Holy Mother and Child known as the Shaghurah ("the Illustrious") and reputed to have been painted by Luke the Evangelist which is believed to protect its owners from harm in times of danger
Tradition holds that the monastery was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in 547 AD, following two visions of Mary. One indicated the intended site of the church, while the other outlined its design. Justinian dedicated the finished project on the Feast of Mary's Nativity, and annually thereafter on September 8, both Christian and later Muslim pilgrims arrive at the monastery to honour Our Lady of Saidnaya. The monastery was damaged during the Syrian civil war.
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Μένανδρος καὶ Σαβίνος οἱ Μάρτυρες καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτοῖς τριάντα ὀκτῶ Μάρτυρες
• THEOPHILOS the Martyr, his wife and 2 children, and those with him in Crete Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόφιλος ὁ Μάρτυρας καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ μαρτυρήσα
• Hieromartyrs ABDAS 阿布 Bishop of Hormizd-Ardashir, and the Deacon BENJAMIN 文雅敏 (424) of Persia // MAY 16 // MAR 12 //
阿布达是苏萨市的主教。他于公元418 年为基督的缘故在波斯遭到了耶泽吉尔德王的斩首。阿布达的辅祭圣文雅敏被释放，条件是，他不许再传讲福音。起初他同意了，但是文雅敏在心中却不能承受这些，在人们当中又讲开了基督的真道。由此，文雅敏在圣阿布达被斩首3 年之后遭到了同样的酷刑，即公元421 年。
• Martyrs THEODULUS, ANESIUS, FELIX, CORNELIA and Companions in Proconsular North Africa
• New Hieromartyr JOHN 约翰 Blümovich, presbiter, priest (1888-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted in Crimea
• New Hieromartyr priest EVGENIJ (Eugen) together with 5 Hosiosmartyrs monks
• Hosiosmartyress Righteous nun Mother MARIA 玛利亚 (Elisabeth Pilenko and Kuzmina-Karavajeva, Mary Skobtsova) of Paris, who suffered at Ravensbrück concentration camp, Germany (1891-1945) noblewoman, poet, nun, and member of the French Resistance during World War II
• ARSENY Richynsky the Physician of Volyn, New Confessor and Wonderworker (1956)
• Repose of Archbishop AVERKY (Alexander Taushev) of Syracuse and Holy Trinity Monastery (1906-1976)
May the Lord be merciful to the ever-memorable servant of God, blessed Averky, and give him rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him among the just.
• Repose of Archimandrite THADDEUS (Tomislav Štrbulović) of Vitovnica Monastery, Serbia (1914-2003)
May the Lord be merciful to the ever-memorable servant of God, blessed Thaddeus, and give him rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him among the just.
The 12th-century legend tells that the 9 000-strong army under the leadership of Achatius was about to lose a battle until Angels from Heaven appeared to them and promised victory if they converted to Christianity. This happened so, but Roman legionnaires were now given the order to beat the defeated with thorny branches of the state-mandated faith and then to crucify them. Thousands of these legionaries, however, were also baptized and then suffered the same martyrdom, so that finally ten thousand were murdered for their faith's sake.
• ACACIUS 阿喀基 Agathangelos (also known as Achatius) the Confessor, Bishop of Melitene in Pisidia (251)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀκάκιος ὁ Ὁμολογητής Ἐπίσκοπος Μελιτινῆς
We venerate our God because He made us; we did not make Him. He as our Master loves us, for He is also our Father. Of His goodness He has rescued us from everlasting death.
He is not to be confused with the Akakios Bishop of Melitene who lived in the fifth century and is celebrated on April 18th.
• Translation of holy relics of Bishop ALDHELM (Adhelm, Aldelmus) of Malmesbury (Sherborne) (640-709) // MAY 25 //
• Hieromartyr Sainted AGILOF Archbishop of Köln (751)
• ALDO Abbot of Hasnon Abbey in Belgium (8th c.)
Count of Ostrevant, he became a monk at the monastery of Hasnon in Belgium, which had been founded by his brother John. Aldo was chosen as second abbot.
• Prophet AMOS 阿摩司 (8th c. BC) of the Twelve Minor Prophets
阿摩司，是以色列人的先知，《聖經•舊約全書•阿摩司書》的作者，十二小先知之一。「阿摩司」在希伯來語的意思为“負荷”或“挑重擔者”。有關阿摩司的生平只在《阿摩司書》內記載：他本身是猶大王國在伯利恆南方的鄉村提哥亞的牧人，又是修理桑樹的農夫（1章：1節，7：14），却奉命到北方以色列王國傳警告。當時，猶大的王是烏西雅，以色列王是耶羅波安二世。
• AMENONIOS
• ANNA
• Venerable APOLLONIUS (Apollo) 阿珀罗尼 of the Thebaid, ascetic (4th c.)
阿珀罗尼是一位非常有声望的埃及修士。从15 岁起，他就离弃了这个世界，隐退到一座山中，在那里生活了40 年的时间，期间只食蔬菜。后来，他修建了一座能容纳500 名修士的修道院。阿珀罗尼于公元395 年安息主怀。
• BALBINA (Balbine or Baluina) of Rome (130)
By tradition the daughter of Quirinus the martyr, she was baptised by Pope Alexander and lived as a virgin in Rome. She was buried on the Appian Way near her father. Later her relics were enshrined in the church dedicated to her on the Aventine. She is invoked against scrofula.
• Venerable BLAISE 弗莱西 of Amorium and Mount Athos (909)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Βλάσιος ὁ ἐξ Ἀμορίου
• COLMAN of Camachadh
• Venerable DAVID of Garedja (6th c.) Georgia
• Hosiosmartyr Abbot GUY (Guido, Guion, Wido, Witen, Wit) of Pomposa (1046)
Born near Ravenna in Italy, Guy became a monk at the monastery of St Severus, where he became abbot. Later he went to the monastery of Pomposa near Ferrara. Towards the end of his life, Guy was fiercely, though unjustly, persecuted by Archbishop Heribert of Ravenna and retired again into solitude. His peace was broken, however, by an summons to Piacenza from Emperor Henry III, who had come to Italy and wished to consult the holy man whose reputation had reached the king's ears. Guy took leave of his brothers, saying that he would not see them again. He became ill at Borgo San Donnino (near Parma) and died within days. After his death, Parma and Pomposa vied for custody of his relics. The emperor settled the dispute by taking his remains to the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Speyer, Germany, which was renamed Saint Guido-Stift.
• Hieromartyr HYPATIUS 伊帕提 the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gangra (326) one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea; died a martyr in Galatia
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ὑπάτιος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἐπίσκοπος Γαγγρῶν
伊帕提出生于西利西亚，是甘格拉的主教。他参加了第一次普世大公会议（公元325 年在尼西亚举行），由于他的虔诚、圣洁的生活，以及他所行的奇迹，使他在这次会议上而享有声望。早在这位圣人在世期间，皇帝康斯坦蒂乌斯就下令为他画了一幅肖像画，并将这幅画放在他的宫殿中，以当作抵挡一切恶势力的武器。有一次在从君士坦丁堡返回的路上，在经过一个狭窄的山谷时，伊帕提遭到了异端诺瓦蒂安人的攻击，并被摔倒在泥泞里。就在那时，这批绑匪中的一名妇女用一块石头击中了他的头部，伊帕提身亡。之后，这名妇女立即就疯了，她用这块石头击打自己。当他们带她到圣伊帕提的墓前时，这位圣人却在上帝面前为她求情。伊帕提用他伟大的同情心医治了这名妇女，并在懊悔和祷告中渡过了她的后半生。圣伊帕提于公元326 年离世，得以进入基督永生的国度。
• Venerable HYPATIUS 伊帕提 Abbot of Rufinus in Chalcedon (446)
• Venerable HYPATIUS 伊帕提 the Healer, of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (1387) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Theodosy Far Caves of the Lavra
The Monk Ipatii, Healer of Pechersk, attained glory in the exploit of severe fasting and constant prayerful vigilance. By night he stood at prayer, slept very little, and ate only bread and water. The monk Ipatii devoted himself entirely to the service of the sick and for his self-denying act received from God the graced gift of miraculous healings. Those sick with various illnesses often hastened to his prayerful intercession. The memory of the monk Ipatii is celebrated also on 28 August, on the Sobor / Assemblage of the Saints of the Farther Caves.
• Repose of Sainted INNOCENT 英诺肯提 (in the world John Popov-Veniaminov) Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of Siberia and Alaska (1797-1879) known for his abilities as a scholar, linguist, and administrator, as well as his great zeal for his work // MAR 31 // SEP 23 //
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰννοκέντιος Μητροπολίτης Μόσχας καὶ Ἱεραπόστολος Ἀλάσκας
Sainted Innocent (Innokentii) (Veniaminov), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomensk (26 August 1797 - 31 March 1879), was glorified in canonisation by the Russian Orthodox Church on 6 October 1977. He was born in the village of Anginsk in the Irkutsk diocese. The Apostle of America and Siberia bespoke his good-news "even to the ends of the earth": in the Aleutian islands (from 1823), in the six dialects of the local tribes on the island of Sitka (from 1834), amongst the Kolosh (Tlingit); in the remotest settlements of the extensive Kamchatka diocese (from 1853); amidst the Koryak, Chukchei, Tungus in the Yakutsk region (from 1853) and North America (in 1857); in the Amur and the Usuriisk region (from 1860). Having spent a large part of his life in journeys, Saint Innocent translated into the Aleutian language a Catechism and the Gospel, and in 1833 he wrote in this language one of the finest works of Orthodox missionary activity ― "A Directive of the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven". In 1859 the Yakut first heard the Word of God and Divine-services in their own native language. Twice (in 1860 and 1861) Sainted Innocent met with the Apostle to Japan ― Sainted Nikolai (Comm. 3 February), sharing with him his spiritual experience. A remarkable preacher, Sainted Innocent said: "Exactly that, whosoever aboundeth in faith and love, can have mouth and wisdom, and the heart cannot resist their serving it". Having begun apostolic work as a parish priest, Saint Innocent closed with it upon the cathedra of Moscow First-Hierarchs (5 January 1868 - 31 March 1879). He was devoted to the Will of God during all the course of his life, and he left behind a testimonial of faith to his successors decreed in the words of the prophet: "From the Lord are the footsteps of man directed" (Ps. 36: 23). The memory of Saint Innocent is celebrated twice during the year: on 23 September (6 October) and on 31 March (13 April).
• IVAN I Kalita, Prince of Moscow from 1325 and Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1328 (1340)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ πρίγκιπας
• JAKOB
• Repose of Sainted JONAH 约纳 of Moscow, Metropolitan of Kiev, Moscow and all Russia (1461)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωνᾶς Μητροπολίτης Μόσχας καὶ πασῶν τῶν Ρωσιῶν
约纳出生于科斯特罗马省。在12 岁时，他就割发为修士，自此，在莫斯科斯摩诺夫修道院渡过了很长的一段时间。在佛提任都主教期间，约纳担任梁赞的主教。当佛提去世后，约纳被任命为都主教，并被派遣到君士坦丁堡获得批准接任圣职。与此同时，保加利亚裔的伊斯多尔蒙骗了约纳，捷足先登，抢先来到了君士坦丁堡，被封为俄罗斯人的都主教。约纳返回了他所在的梁赞教区。险恶的伊斯多尔也没能坐稳都主教的位子。伊斯多尔于1439 年参加了在佛罗伦萨召开的会议，三年之后，他返回了莫斯科。每个人都攻击他，认为他是东正教的背叛者，并遗弃了他。伊斯多尔的后世如何，无人知晓。善良且智慧的牧者约纳接任了都主教的职位。约纳是一位伟大的奇迹的创造者，具有洞察力，并是一位属灵的导师。当亚格兰人包围了莫斯科时，约纳用祷告击退了他们。在他的晚年生活中，他希望遭受病痛，以便能够忍受痛苦，通过痛苦，在前往另一个世界之前将自己完全地净化。上帝听从了他的愿望，使其脚发生溃疡。祭司雅科弗曾在异象中预见过。圣约纳因此病痛而离世，于公元1461 年3 月31 日进入了基督永生的国度。他的圣髑经常创造奇迹。一个名叫约安的哑巴被带到了约纳的圣骨前。正如约安后来讲述的，他吻了约纳的手，约纳的手却抓住了他的舌头，约安感觉非常疼痛。当约纳的手放开了约安的舌头后，约安返回了曾经带他前去约纳圣骨的那些人的家中，便开始讲话了，就如同他以前从来不是一个哑巴一样。
• Righteous JOSEPH 约熙福 the Fair (the All-Comely, the Handsome) son of Jacob, Patriarch (1700 BC)
約瑟是亞伯拉罕的曾孫、雅各的第十一个兒子。雅各的同父母（以撒和利百加）的孿生兄弟以掃（以東）的姪子。也是雅各所宠爱的拉结所生的两个中的第一個儿子（另一个是便雅悯）。約瑟較為人熟悉的是因為他十七歲時（創世紀三十七章），雅各製給為他著名的彩衣（雖這可能只是對希伯來文「袖」誤譯，或只是一種特別的稀有物料制成的衣物）和他解夢的能力（解夢在古代是代表預知未來的能力、或隱含上帝的旨意）。他之後被同父異母的哥哥们因為嫉恨合謀賣往埃及為奴，後在埃及官員波提乏手下做管家，波提乏对约瑟十分照顾，把全家的家务事都交给了他。后来由于约瑟其长相十分俊美，波提乏的妻子欲勾引约瑟，约瑟不从，反被波提乏妻子陷害，最后入狱。在入獄期間，他亦曾為酒政及廚師解夢，最終三天後酒政被釋放，而廚師則被處死。隨後他繼續被长期监禁，其後他又得到釋放，協助法老解夢後，據《聖經》他三十歲獲法老任命為埃及的長官（聖經的中文譯本常譯為「宰相」或「首相」，實際歷史上可能只是埃及一個高級官員、大內總管或維齊爾）及首席王室顧問。他的解夢能力使埃及能在七年大豐收期間，為之後的七年大饑荒之前做好準備。後來迦南地區也發生饑荒，便雅憫和十名兄長往埃及買糧，在第二次會面之時與約瑟相認和重逢。之後，約瑟就把家人接往埃及生活。約瑟對他們說：『請聽我所做的夢：我們在田裡捆禾稼，我的捆起來站著，你們的捆來圍著我的捆下拜。』他的哥哥們回答說：『難道你真的要做我們王嗎？難道你真的要管轄我們嗎？』他們就因為他的夢和他的話越發恨他。後來他又做了一個夢，也告訴他的哥哥們說：『看哪，我又做了一個夢，夢見太陽、月亮，與十一個星向我下拜。』約瑟將這夢告訴他父親和哥哥們，他父親就責備他說：『你做的這個是什麼夢！難道我和你母親、你的弟兄果然要來俯伏在地，向你下拜嗎？』他哥哥們就嫉妒他，他父親卻把這話存在心裡。後來這夢就應驗了，就在約瑟被賣到埃及後，當上了埃及宰相，一人之下萬人之上，他的哥哥們都向他下拜。酒政便將他的夢告訴約瑟說、我夢見在我面前有一棵葡萄樹、 樹上有三根枝子、好像發了芽、開了花、上頭的葡萄都成熟了。 法老的杯在我手中、我就拿葡萄擠在法老的杯裡、將杯遞在他手中。約瑟對他說、他所作的夢是這樣解、三根枝子就是三天． 三天之內、法老必提你出監、叫你官復原職、你仍要遞杯在法老的手中、和先前作他的酒政一樣。但你得好處的時候、求你記念我、施恩與我、在法老面前提說我、救我出這監牢。我實在是從希伯來人之地被拐來的、我在這裡也沒有作過甚麼、叫他們把我下在監裡。膳長見夢解得好、就對約瑟說、我在夢中見我頭上頂著三筐白餅．極上的筐子裡、有為法老烤的各樣食物、有飛鳥來喫我頭上筐子裡的食物。約瑟說、你的夢是這樣解、三個筐子就是三天．三天之內、法老必斬斷你的頭、把你挂在木頭上、必有飛鳥來喫你身上的肉。到了第三天、是法老的生日、他為眾臣僕設擺筵席、把酒政和膳長提出監來．使酒政官復原職、他仍舊遞杯在法老手中。但把膳長挂起來、正如約瑟向他們所解的話。酒政卻不記念約瑟、竟忘了他。法老對約瑟說、我作了一夢沒有人能解、我聽見人說、你聽了夢就能解。 約瑟回答法老說、這不在乎我、 神必將平安的話回答法老。 法老對約瑟說、我夢見我站在河邊．有七隻母牛從河裡上來、又肥壯、又美好、在蘆荻中喫草。隨後又有七隻母牛上來、又軟弱、又醜陋、又乾瘦、在埃及遍地、我沒有見過這樣不好的。這又乾瘦、又醜陋的母牛、喫盡了那以先的七隻肥母牛。喫了以後、卻看不出是喫了、那醜陋的樣子仍舊和先前一樣．我就醒了。我又夢見一棵麥子、長了七個穗子、又飽滿、又佳美．隨後又長了七個穗子、枯槁細弱、被東風吹焦了。這些細弱的穗子、吞了那七個佳美的穗子．我將這夢告訴了術士、卻沒有人能給我解說。約瑟對法老說、法老的夢乃是一個、 神已將所要作的事指示法老了。七隻好母牛是七年．七個好穗子也是七年．這夢乃是一個。那隨後上來的七隻又乾瘦、又醜陋的母牛是七年、那七個虛空被東風吹焦的穗子也是七年．都是七個荒年。這就是我對法老所說、 神已將所要作的事顯明給法老了。埃及遍地必來七個大豊年．隨後又要來七個荒年、甚至埃及地都忘了先前的豊收、全地必被饑荒所滅。因那以後的饑荒甚大、便不覺得先前的豊收了。至於法老兩回作夢、是因 神命定這事、而且必速速成就。埃及地的七個豐年一完、七個荒年就來了、正如約瑟所說的．各地都有饑荒、惟獨埃及全地有糧食。及至埃及全地有了饑荒、眾民向法老哀求糧食、法老對他們說、你們往約瑟那裡去、凡他所說的你們都要作。當時饑荒遍滿天下、約瑟開了各處的倉、糶糧給埃及人．在埃及地饑荒甚大。各地的人都往埃及去、到約瑟那裡糴糧、因為天下的饑荒甚大。
約瑟在埃及地和雅各重逄前，生了兩個兒子，瑪拿西和以法蓮，兩人日後在聖經中被當作兩個支派分別列出，這是因為雅各臨終前給了約瑟長子名分。按照托拉長子能得到兩分產業。所以約瑟能得到兩個支派繼承土地的權利。這正好因利未支派不能繼承地土（他們須在聖殿事奉），因此最後仍有十二個支派。惟最終大衛王是由猶大支派所出。
• MELLA Abbess of Doire-Melle, County of Leitrim (8th c.)
• PHILARET Abbot of Glinsk Hermitage (1841)
• RENOVATUS Abbot of Cauliana in Lusitania, then Bishop of Merida in Spain for 22 years (633)
A convert from Arianism, he became monk and then Abbot of Cauliana in Lusitania. Finally he became Bishop of Merida in Spain for twenty-two years.
• Venerable STEPHEN the Wonderworker, ascetic
Ὁ Ὅσιος Στέφανος ὁ Θαυματουργός
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
愿上帝怜恤我罪人
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
for the sake of the prayers
of Thy most pure Mother,
our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us.
Amen.
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Blessed be God.
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