συνοδικός
January 8 / December 26
2019 (7527)
Second Day of the Feast of the Nativity. Synaxis of the Theotokos
HIEROMARTYR EUTHYMIUS, BISHOP OF SARDIS (840). ST. CONSTANTINE, MONK, OF SYNNADA (9TH C.). ST. EVARISTUS OF THE STUDION MONASTERY (825)
from 7 January 7th till January 18th is a Fast-free period
• The SYNAXIS of the Most Holy Theotokos
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου
The Holy Virgin Mary is called the Theotokos (Mother of God), and she really is, for she begot the Divine Word according to the flesh. Yesterday's feast celebrated an historic fact. That of today is a notion of a feast, the feast of the divine maternity of the Virgin.
Our Lord Jesus is true God and true man, and in His Unique Person have been united the Divine Nature without change, and the human nature created in its perfect state and marvelously begotten by the action of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. This why Mary is the Mother of Jesus, by the same right that other mothers are for their children, and yet more perfectly. Moreover, Jesus is truly the Word of God, God Himself; Mary is truly the Theotokos. It is a dogma defined solemnly by the Council of Ephesus in 431, but which Elizabeth had already uttered on the day of the Visitation: "How is it given to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43).
• The Commemoration of the FLIGHT INTO EGYPT (1)
Ἡ Φυγὴ Στὴν Αἴγυπτο τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου
When Herod issued a decree to have all the children of Bethlehem killed, an Angel of the Lord appeared in Joseph's dream saying: "Rise up and take the child and His Mother, and flee to Egypt." Therefore the Theotokos fled to Egypt with the Infant for two reasons, to fulfill the words spoken by the Prophet Hosea: "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (11:1), and also to silence the mouths of all heretics. For if the Lord did not flee, He would be captured by Herod and killed, preventing the salvation of men. Or else if not killed in order to complete the economy, He would appear to many that He did not wear human nature in actuality and truthfully, but only as an apparition or fantasy. For if He truly wore flesh, of course He would be cut with the sword. Thus the miserable heretics have dared to say this, that the Lord was born according to fantasy, as is said by the God-slayer Mani and his Manichean followers. How much they would want to say this if they had a reason? Therefore the Lord fled to Egypt for these two reasons. And also to destroy the idols found in Egypt.
• "VILNO-OSTRABRAMA" (1431) Icon of the Mother of God called "Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn"
• Icon of the Mother of God of "THREE JOYS" (1758)
• "MERCIFUL" Eleousa Icon of the Mother of God, received its name "Kykkiotisa" from Mount Kykkos, on the Island of Cyprus (980)
The Icon of the Mother of God, named the "Merciful" ("Kykkiotisa", "Milostivaya"): This icon was written, according to tradition, by the holy Evangelist Luke. It received its name "Kykkiotisa" from Mount Kykkos, on the Island of Cyprus. Here it was situated in an imperial monastery, in a church named after it. Before its coming to the Island of Cyprus, the wonderworking image of the Mother of God long wandered about through the will of God: at first it was situated in one the earliest Christian communities in Egypt, and then it was taken to Constantinople, where it remained during the time of Alexius Comnenius (end-XI to early-XII Century). During these years it was revealed to the hermit-elder Isaiah through a miraculous sign, that by his efforts the wonderworking image written by the Evangelist Luke would come to reside on the Island of Cyprus. The elder exerted much toil into fulfilling the Divine revelation. When the icon of the Mother of God arrived on the island, many a miracle was worked by it. From of old through the present to the monastery of the Mother of God the Merciful there throng those from every side afflicted by every sort of infirmity, and they receive healing through faith. In the miraculous power of the holy icon believe not only Christians, but also those of other faith who hearken to it in misfortune and illness. Inexhaustible is the mercy of the MostHoly Mother of God, Mediatrix for all the suffering, and Her image accurately bears the name, the "Merciful". The wonderworking "Kykkiotisa" Icon of the Mother of God possesses a remarkable peculiarity: from what time-period is unknown, but it is covered by an half shroud from the upper left corner to the lower right, such that the faces of the Mother of God and the Divine Infant no one is able to make bold to see. The depiction of the Mother of God appears to be of the Hodegetria type, as is also the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. The head of the Mother of God is adorned with a crown.
• "THE BLESSED WOMB" of Barlov (1392) Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God
The second example is similar to the “Milk-Giver” Icon (January 12), which itself is derived from the Greek “Galaktotrophousa” type. This “Blessed Womb” Icon does not have the angels crowning the Mother of God which are found in the Greek icon, and the Virgin is facing in the opposite direction from the “Milk-Giver” Icon. This variant sometimes has an inscription: “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts which Thou hast suckled” (Luke 11:27). The sun and moon appear at the top of the icon, and there are leafy plants in the background. There is a third type which depicts Christ resting on His Mother’s right arm. Two angels crown her, and place a chain around her neck. The fourth example shows the Mother of God with her hands folded above Christ, who is shown in half-length.
• "BAIBUZSK" (1852) Icon of the Mother of God
• Panagia ALEXIOTISSA in Patras, Greece
The name "Alexiotissa" stems from the old verb "alexo" which has origins from the root "alex" which means "to avert". People place their hopes in the Theotokos to avert all evils and destructions that may come their way.
• Synaxis of the Panagia ANTIVOUNIOTISSA in Kerkyra
• The sacred wonderworking BETHLEHEM Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos known as Panagia Bethlehemitissa, in the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem
Παναγίας της Βηθλεεμίτισσας
The Virgin Mary, the Lady of the Holy Land, is the tender mother who obeyed God’s command and brought our Savior and Redeemer into the world; and at the same time she is the mother of us all and an intercessor before her Son in all our appeals. She is our guardian angel. In our moments of difficulty, we turn spontaneously to face her icon and her grace, always invoking her as Our Fervent Protector And Helper. Her Son will come again and He will gather up all those who are close to Him. Let us not dare to distance ourselves from Him, so that we can taste His salvation. Amen.
• Righteous JOSEPH the Betrothed (20), Holy Righteous DAVID the King (965 B.C.), and JAMES the Brother of the Lord (63) a son of the first marriage of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, who accompanied his father Joseph and the Mother of God and the Divine Infant Jesus on the Flight into Egypt // MOVABLE HOLIDAY ON THE SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST //
We know that St Joseph lived at least until Christ's twelfth year (see Luke 2:41-52); the Fathers say that he reposed just before the Lord began his earthly ministry, and that his final words were these: The pains and the fears of death encompass me; but my soul has become calm again since I have heard Thy voice, Jesus my Defended, Jesus my Savior, Jesus my refuge, Jesus whose Name is sweet to my mouth and to the heart of all who love Thee.
NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• Hosiosmartyr 伊撒克 ISAAC II (Ivan Bobrakov) the Younger, archmandite of Optina (1865-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted after prison in Belev and Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Hieromartyr ALEXANDER Volkov, presbiter, priest (1873-1919) day of martyrdom, shoted near Narva of St Peterburg of Russia
• Hieromartyr DMITRIJ Chistoserdov, presbiter, archpriest (1861-1919) day of martyrdom, shoted in Narva of St Peterburg of Russia
• Hieromartyr NICHOLAS Tarbejev, presbiter, archpriest (1875-1931) day of martyrdom, shoted
• Hieromartyr archpriest MICHAEL Chel’tsov (1870-1931) shoted in St Peterburg of Russia
• Hieromartyr NICHOLAS Zalesskij, presbiter, priest 1877-1931) day of death
• Hieromartyr MICHAEL Smirnov, deacon (1880-1931) day of death
• Hieromartyr bishop LEONID (Lavrentij Antoshchenko) (1872-1938) shoted after prison in Joshkar-Ola, Marijsk ASSR
• Hieromartyr ALEXANDER Krylov, presbiter, archpriest (1892-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted in Solovki KZ of special assignments, of Archangelsk
• Hosiosmartyr hieromonk BASIL Mazurenko (1882-1938) day of death
• Hosiosmartyress ANFISA (Alexandra Sysojeva), nun (1868-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted after prison in Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Hosiosmartyress MAKARIA (Praskovja Saprykina), nun (1867-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted after prison in Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Hieromartyr GREGORY Serbarinov, presbiter, archpriest (1881-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted in Leningrad
• Hosiosmartyress AVGUSTA (Lidija Zashchuk), schemanun, founder and manager of the museum "Optina Pustyn" (1871-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted after prison in Belev of Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Hosiosmartyress MARY Laktionova, novice (1884-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted after prison in Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Martyress AGRIPPINA Lesina, novice (1897-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted probably in Tula, graved in common grave on 162nd kilometer Simferopol highway
• Hieromartyr ANDREW Bishop of Ufa, and NM VALENTINA (1937)
• Repose of Elder SERAPHIM Savvaitis, Hegumen of the Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified (2003)
• AMAETHLU (Maethlu) hermit of Anglesey (6th c.)
Llanfaethlu, a church founded by him in Anglesey in Wales, is named after him.
• ARCHELAUS 阿尔赫拉 bishop of Kaskhara in Mesopotamia (3rd c.)
Bishop of Chacar (Kashkar; Cascus; Charchar) Mesopotamia. Fought Manichaeism. His writings on the heresy were valued by Saint Jerome.
• Repose of Abbot BARLAAM of Valaam and Optina Monasteries (1849)
• Venerable CONSTANTINE 君士坦丁 of Synnada (889)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ ἐξ Ἰουδαίων
Constantine was a Jew who converted to Christianity. He was baptised with the name Constantine and took monastic tonsure. When they brought him the holy cross, he kissed it with love and placed it to his head. The image of the holy cross impressed itself upon him throughout all his life.
• New Hieromartyr CONSTANTIUS 君士坦提 the Russian, at Constantinople (1743) of Lavra on Mt Athos
Ὁ Ἅγιος Κωνστάντιος ὁ Νέος Ἱερομάρτυρας ὁ Ρῶσος
By his intercessions, may we also be granted those everlasting good things. Amen. • DIONYSIUS (268) a priest chosen as Pope of Rome in 259, he restored the Roman Church after the persecution of Valerian, opposed Sabellius and condemned Paul of Samosata
• Venerable EVARESTUS 埃瓦里斯特 of the Studion Monastery (825)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Εὐάρεστος
• EUTHYMIUS Bishop of Madytus, confessor
• Hieromartyr EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 the Confessor, Bishop of Sardis (840) // DEC 26 // MAR 8 //
Ὁ Ἅγιος Εὐθύμιος ὁ Ὁμολογητής
Monk. Bishop of Sardis, Lydia. Active in the Second Council of Nice in 787. When he opposed the Iconoclasts, Euthymmius was exiled by Emperor Nicephorus. Over the next 29 years he was occassionally recalled and offered a chance to return if he would accept the iconoclast heresy; he always declined. Martyred in the iconoclast persecutions of Emperor Theophilus.
• Repose of Archimandrite IRENARCHUS Rosetti, of Mt Tabor (1859)
• Irish nobility JARLATH of Tuam (445-540) 1st Bishop of Tuam in Ireland, a Connaughtman, of the family of Cormac // DEC 26 // JUN 6 TR REL //
• Martyr MARINUS (283) the son of a senator in Rome, he was martyred by beheading under Numerian
Son of an imperial Roman senator; served as senator himself. For being a Christian during the persecutions of emperor Numerian and the prefect Marcian, he was stripped of office, arrested, stripped of title, property and freedom, made a slave, tortured and executed. He miraculously survived torture chambers, wild beasts, fire, and water in the persecutions of Numerian, but was eventually Martyred. His story may be pious fiction.
• NICODEMUS the Serbian
• Venerable NICODEMUS 尼科迪默 of Tismana, Romania (1406)
• STEPHEN the First Martyr
First Christian martyr. Deacon. Preacher. All we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the Gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. In the crowd, on the side of the mob, was a man who would later be known as Saint Paul the Apostle.
• TATHAI (Tathan, Tathaeus, Athaeus) of Wales (6th c.) a hermit who settled in Glamorgan in Wales where he founded a monastery called St Athan's
Nephew of Saint Samson of Dol. Hermit in Glamorgan, Wales. Founded the monastery at Llantathan (Saint Athan), Gwent. Founded the monastery school at Caerwent. Reputed miracle worker, he was noted gentleness, love of the country, for his generosity to travellers and the poor.
• THEODORE the Sacrist (6th c.) a holy man and contemporary of St Gregory the Great in Rome
• ZENON 兹农 bishop of Maiuma (the port of Gaza) in Palestine (4th c.)
Cousin of Saint Eusebius and Saint Nestabus. Monk. Survived the persecutions of Julian the Apostate. Bishop of Maïouma in Palestine where he continued to live as close as he could to the monastic rules, including doing manual labour.
• ZOSIMUS (418) a Greek Pope of Rome
Little is known about Zosimus' life before his election as Pope. May have been Jewish by birth, and his father may have been named Abram. He tried to expand the power of the pontificate, but allowed his personality, and his personality clashes with local bishops, to enter into the matter. A number of his letters survive, as well as a Decree ordering priests to stay out of taverns. Fought Pelagianism and Pelagius himself.
• Nephew of St Sampson of Dol, Brittany
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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