συνοδικός
December 22 / December 9
2018 (7527)
The Conception by St Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos
PROPHETESS ANNA (HANNAH) (1100 B.C.), MOTHER OF THE PROPHET SAMUEL. SAINT SOPHRONIOS, ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS (6TH C). VEN STEPHEN THE “NEW LIGHT” OF CONSTANTINOPLE (912)
Nativity (St Philip's) Fast
• 至圣诞神女降孕于圣安纳之圣胎 The Conception (14 B.C.) of the Most Holy Theotokos by Saint ANNA (Hannah, Ann, Ana or Anne) 安纳 (5 B.C.)
Σύλληψις Ἁγίας Ἄννης
According to the teaching of many of the Church Fathers, Our Lord, wishing to prepare as His dwelling a living temple and a holy habitation, sent His angel to Saints Joachim and Ann to whom would be born, according to His design, His Mother according to the flesh. The angel announced to them that she who was sterile would conceive, wishing to signify to them in that way the birth of the Holy Virgin. Mary was then conceived more honorable than the Cherubim and more holy than any other creature, spiritual or corporeal.
The righteous Joachim and Anna were childless for fifty years of their married life. In their old age the Archangel Gabriel appeared to each one of them separately, telling them that God had heard their prayers and that they would give birth to a daughter, Mary. Then St Anna conceived by her husband and after 9 months bore a daughter blessed by God and by all generations of men: the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the Theotokos. Down the icon, along its sides, Saints Joakim and Anna are depicted usually with upraised hands prayerfully folded; their eyes also are directed upward and hey contemplate the Mother of God, Who as it were soars in the air with outstretched hands; under Her feet is portrayed an orb wound round with a serpent symbolising the devil, which in the face of fallen forefathers strives to conquer with its power all the universe. There also exist icons, upon which Saint Anna holds on her left arm the Most Holy Virgin at an infant age. Upon the face of Saint Anna is portrayed a special reverence.
Only our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived and born without the union of a husband and without seed, by the Holy Virgin Mary in an amazing and unexplained way which He alone knows. And because He was perfect God, for this reason His entire economy in the flesh was perfect. Even human nature in the beginning He created and fashioned perfect. Such a day we celebrate today. Because we remember the divine oracle and joyful message given by the Angel to the righteous Grandparents of God, regarding the conception of the pure Mother of God. To them was fulfilled all that was spoken in the oracles of the Angel, by Him Who brings all things into being from nothing, allowing the barren and old womb of Anna to bear fruit. She who passed her life without a child, in a strange manner became a child-bearing mother today. And He grants to the righteous ones worthy fruit by their entreaties. He was pleased to have born to these chaste parents a daughter who before the ages was predestined and chosen from all generations, from whom He was destined to be born. Their Synaxis is celebrated in the revered house of the Theotokos, which is within Euoranois near the most holy and great Church.
And from ancient times this feast was especially venerated by pregnant women.
Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, your distress and reproach were overcome by the Almighty God, and thereby the Savior of the world came into the world through your holy daughter, Mary. Your prayers were abundantly answered by our merciful God Who rewards patience, humility and compunction. We praise you for your faith and for your commitment to prayer, and we implore your compassion upon our lack of fruitfulness in the Christian virtues. Holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, teach us to be living temples of the grace of God, so that we also may devote ourselves to holiness and bring forth treasures which are pleasing to Him. Growing older with each passing day, we ask your guidance that we might reach a peaceful end on this earth and thereby be united with you forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
• The Holy Icon of the Mother of God, named "UNEXPECTED JOY" 意外之喜乐 (1838)
The Icon of the Mother of God, named "Unexpected Joy" (Nechayannaya Radost'), is written thus: in a room, upwards is an icon of the Mother of God, and beneathe it a youth kneeling at prayer. The tradition about the healing of some youth from a bodily affliction through this holy icon is recorded in the book of Saint Dimitrii of Rostov, "The Fleece of Prayer" ("Runo Oroshennoe") [for the significance of the "Dew‑Moistened Fleece" vide Judges 6: 36-40]. The youth out of habit was praying before the image of the All-Pure Virgin and suddenly he saw, that the image was alive, the wounds of the Lord Jesus exposed and bloody. In horror he exclaimed: "O Lady, who is it that hath done this?" To this he Mother of God replied: "Thou and other sinners by their sins do crucify My Son anew". Then only became apparent before him the abyss of his sinfulness, and for a long time in tears he prayed to the Mother of God and the Saviour for mercy. Finally, the unexpected joy of answer to his prayer and forgiveness of sins was given him.
• Martyrs PETER, SUCCESSUS, BASSIAN, PRIMITIVUS and 20 other companions in North Africa
• Martyrs SOSITHEUS 索西德, NERSES 纳尔西, ISAAC of Persia (553) by the sword
Ὁ Ἅγιος Σωσίθεος ὁ Μάρτυρας
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ναρσὴς ὁ Μάρτυρας ὁ Πέρσης
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰσαὰκ ὁ Μάρτυρας
• Maidens FEIDLIMID (Felima, Fidelma, Feidhealm or Feidelm) and MUGAIN (Mughain) the two suns of the east of Liffey; of Cell ingen n-Ailella (the church of Ailill's daughters), Liffey; daughters of Oilill
• Hieromartyr VLADIMIR Vinogradov, presbiter, priest (1874-1919) day of martyrdom, shoted at Yaroslavl
• Day of Martyrdom of Hieromartyr VLADIMIR Dzhurinsky, presbiter, archpriest (1885-1920) together with his wife Martyress EPHROSINIJA Dzhurinsky (1888-1920) shoted in Alma-Ata
• Martyr IAKOV Polozov (1923)
• Hieromartyr BASIL Jagodin, presbiter, archpriest 1870-1937) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Hieromartyr ALEXANDER Buravtsev, presbiter, priest (1886-1937) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Hieromartyr Priest SERGIUS 塞尔吉 Mechöv of Moscow (1941)
• Hieromartyr Archpriest PAUL Levashov of Gomel
• AUDITOR of Saint-Nectaire, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Missionary sent by Pope Saint Fabian to take the faith into Gaul in the 3rd century, centering his work around the modern Auvergne, France. Worked with Saint Austremonius, Saint Gatianus of Tours, Saint Trophimus of Arles, Saint Paul of Narbonne, Saint Martial of Limoges, Saint Dionysius of Paris, Saint Baudimius, Saint Nectarius of Auvergne and Saint Saturninus of Toulouse; may have been related to Baudimus and/or Nectarius.
• BALDA the 3rd Abbess of Jouarre, Diocese of Meaux in France (7th c.) her relics were enshrined in the church of Nesle-la-Reposte
• BASSA (Vassa) a Patrician and Igumenia of a female monastery in Jerusalem, where she also founded the Monastery of St Menas, whose Abbot was Stephanos the Bishop of Jamnia
Ἡ Ἁγία Βάσσα
• BUDOC (Budeaux) of Dol (7th c.) born in Brittany, he became Abbot of Youghal in Ireland. Returning to Brittany, he succeeded Sts Samson and Maglorius as Bishop of Dol. Several places in Devon and Cornwall in England are named after him
Born a prince, the son of a king of Brittany; his mother was Azenor, princess of Brest, France. Legend says that his mother was set adrift in a cask, and that Budoc was born at sea with Saint Brigid of Ireland in attendance. Educated in a monastery near Waterford, Ireland. Abbot at Youghal, Ireland. Bishop of Dol, Brittany for 26 years. Several places in Devon and Cornwall in England are named after him.
• CAESAR of Korone (1st c.) convert. Spiritual student of Saint Paul the Apostle. One of the 72 disciples sent out to spread the faith at the beginning of the Church. Bishop
• CEPHAS (1st c.) convert. Spiritual student of Saint Paul the Apostle. One of the 72 disciples sent out to spread the faith at the beginning of the Church
• CYPRIAN (586) a monk at Périgueux in France, who ended his life as a hermit on the banks of the Dordogne. St Gregory of Tours wrote the Life of St Cyprian
Sixth century monk at Périgueux, France. In late life he became a hermit on the banks of the River Dordogne. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote a biography of him.
• Martyr EASIOS tortured and beheaded (284-305)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἐάσιος ὁ Μάρτυρας
• ENGUERRAMMUS (Angilram) the Wise (1045) of humble family, he became a monk and Abbot of Saint Riquier in France
• ETHELGIVA (Aethelgifa, Algyva, Aelgytha, Aelfgifu) of Shaftesbury (896) the daughter of King Alfred the Great and Ethelwida who gave her the abbey of Shaftesbury, she became 1st Abbess of Monastery of Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire
Princess, the daughter of King Alfred the Great. Nun. With her father's help, she founded and served as first abbess of Shaftesbury Abbey in Dorset, England.
• Sainted EUCHARIUS First Bishop of Trier in Germany (250)
• GORGONIA of Iconium of Cappadocia, Matr. at Nazianzen, Dcn. (371)
Daughter of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder and Saint Nonna. Sister of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen and Saint Caesarius of Nazianzen. Married, and mother of three. Twice miraculously cured of serious maladies, one of which resulted from being trampled by a team of mules which broke bones and crushed internal organs, and the other whose symptoms included headaches, fever, paralysis, and repeated coma. Each was cured by the strength of her prayer.
• Righteous HANNAH (Anna) 安纳 the Prophetess, Mother of the Prophet Samuel (1100 B.C.)
Ἡ Ἁγία Ἄννα ἡ Προφήτιδα Μητέρα τοῦ Προφήτη Σαμουήλ
One time, when she prayed fervently in the Temple, the priest Elias decided that she was drunk, and he began to reproach her. But the saint poured out her grief, and having received a blessing, she returned home. When her prayers were answered, she brought her child Samuel (which means "Besoughten of God") to live with Eli the High Priest as soon as he was weaned. Her beautiful song of praise and thanks (1 Sam. 2:1-10) has become the third Biblical Ode of the Matins Canon.
• JULIAN of Apamea (3rd c.) bishop of Apamea, Syria. Worked against the Montanist and Kata-Phrygian heresies
• VM LEOCADIA (Legadia or Locaie) at Toledo in Spain, Pat. of Toledo (303) condemned to death and died in prison under Diocletian
Slave. Beaten and imprisoned for refusing to denounce her faith during the Diocletian persecutions. Scheduled for torture and either apostasy or martyrdom, she learned of the abuse being suffered by the 13 year old Saint Eulalia of Merida. Leocadia prayed for God to remove her from a world where such evil occurred; she died soon after, of no particular cause, without being touched by her torturers. Ancient and popular cultus developed in Toledo, Spain.
• LESMO Hermit at Glentamire, Scotland
• Martyr NECTARIUS of Auvergne murdered by the pagan chieftain Bradulus
Missionary sent by Pope Saint Fabian to take the faith into Gaul in the 3rd century, centering his work around the modern Auvergne, France. Worked with Saint Austremonius, Saint Gatianus of Tours, Saint Trophimus of Arles, Saint Paul of Narbonne, Saint Martial of Limoges, Saint Dionysius of Paris, Saint Baudimius, Saint Auditor of Saint-Nectaire and Saint Saturninus of Toulouse; may have been related to Baudimus and/or Auditor. Turned a pagan temple into the new Christian church.
• PROCULUS (320) Bishop of Verona in Italy. He was a confessor during the persecution of Diocletian, but reposed in peace
Bishop of Verona, Italy. Made public confession of his faith during the persecutions of Diocletian, for which he he was harassed, beaten and run out of town. He eventually returned to resume leadership of his flock.
• RESTITUTUS Bishop of Carthage in North Africa
• Sainted SOPHRONIUS Archbishop of Cyprus (735)
• Venerable STEPHEN 斯特梵 the New Light (Neolampes) of Constantinople (912)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Στέφανος ὁ νεολαμπὴς ὁ ἐν τῷ Ἁγίῳ Ἀντίπα κειμένου
While carrying him in her womb, his mother fed only on bread and water, and when the child was born a cross of light shone on his chest. Because of this and because of his pure and God-pleasing life, he is called the "New Light", the "New Radiant".
• SYRUS (3rd c.) 1st Bishop and main Patron Saint of Pavia in Italy
Evangelized and served as first bishop of Pavia, Italy in the 1st century; tradition says that he was appointed by the Apostles, and an old legend says that he was the boy with five loaves who appears in the Gospels. Worked with Saint Juventius of Pavia. Fought Arianism.
• Repose of Archimandrite THEODOSIUS of Tismana and Sophroniev Monasteries (1802) fellow-struggler of St Paisius Velichkovsky
• Virgin Martyress and cephalophore VALERIE 瓦勒里亚 of Acquitaine at Limoges (2nd c.) converted by St Martial of Limoges in France, and beheaded for her faith, and then carried her own head to set before her bishop
Daughter of an imperial Roman senator. Convert. Spiritual student of Saint Martial of Limoges. Betrothed in an arranged marriage, she said that she wanted to devote herself to God; her fiancee refused to believe it, assumed she had another lover, and killed her.
• WOLFEIUS (1000) a hermit at St Benet Hulme in Norfolk in England
• Virgin and Abbess WULFHILDE (990) abbess of Barking, on which house he bestowed many fair possessions. Wulfhilde settled upon it twenty villages of her own patrimony; and founded another monastery at Horton, in Dorsetshire
Ἡ Ἁγία Wulhilda
• Consecration of Church of Sts Cosmas (Kozman) and Damian; their brothers, Anthimus, Londius (Leontius) and Abrabius (Eutropius or Euprepius); and their Mother, Theodata (Theodora)
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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