Translate

среда, 7 февраля 2018 г.

• συνοδικός • February 7 / January 25 •

συνοδικός

February 7 / January 25
2018 (7526)
• Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "ASSUAGE MY SORROW" 平息我的痛苦
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Παραμυθίας ἐν Ρωσίᾳ
The icon was brought to Moscow by Cossacks in 1640 during the reign Mikhail Feodorovich (1613-1645) and placed in a temple of Sainted Nicholas at Pupyshakh and Sadovnikakh. The celebration of the wonderworking icon, made annually on 25 January, was established in the year 1760 in memory of the healing of a sick woman, who had been granted a vision of the holy image, and was healed after a molieben service before it on 25 January in the church of Saint Nicholas at Pupyshakh street in Moscow. To this period are attributed the compilation to it of services and an akathist.
• Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "UNEXPECTED JOY" 意外之喜乐 // JAN 25 // MAY 1 //
The sinful youth, who was nevertheless devoted to the Theotokos, was praying one day before the icon of the All Pure Virgin before going out to commit a sin. Suddenly, he saw that wounds appeared on the Lord’s hands, feet, and side, and blood flowed from them. In horror he exclaimed, "O Lady, who has done this?" The Mother of God replied, "You and other sinners, because of your sins, crucify My Son anew." Only then did he realize how great was the depth of his sinfulness. For a long time he prayed with tears to the All Pure Mother of God and the Savior for mercy. Finally, he received the unexpected joy of the forgiveness of his sins.
●

• Holy Martyress FELICITAS 斐利基塔 and her Seven Sons: JANUARIUS 雅努阿利, FELIX 斐利克斯, PHILIP (also Philippus) 腓力, scourged to death; SILVANUS 西尔瓦诺 thrown over a precipice; ALEXANDER 亚历山大, VITALIS 维塔利 and MARTIAL (also Martialis) 玛尔提亚尔, beheaded (164) of Rome
Saint Felicita, seeing the suffering of her sons, besought God, that they would stand firm and enter the Heavenly Kingdom before her. All the sons died as martyrs before the eyes of their mother. After them, Saint Felicita herself underwent a martyr's death.
• Martyress MEDULA (also Medoule) and her entourage Companions martyred in Greece by fire (302)
Ἡ Ἁγία Μεδούλη καὶ ἡ συνοδεία της
• MM JUVENTINUS and MAXIMINUS (363) at Antioch, Syria
• MAURUS and PLACID an early disciples of St Benedict, details of whose lives are related in the second book of The Dialogues of St Gregory the Great
• Venerables PETER and FEVRONIA of Murom (16th c.) the patrons of marriage and family, as well as the symbols of love and fidelity
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• Hosiosmartyress Grand Duchess ELIZABETH Fyodorovna of the Romanovs Family, Princess of Hesse and by Rhine (1864-1918) executed by the Bolsheviks in Alapaevsk // JUL 5 //
Ἡ Ἁγία Ἐλισάβετ ἡ Ὁσιομάρτυς
• New Hieromartyr VLADIMIR 弗拉迪弥尔 (Basil Bogojavlenskij) metropolitain of Kiev and Galicya; protomartyr of the communist yoke (1848-1918) day of death, murdered in Pecherskaja Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) of Kiev, Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Theodosy Far Caves of the Lavra in a Cave Church of Annunciation
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βλαδίμηρος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Μητροπολίτης Κιέβου
• Hosiosmartyress Abbess MARGARET 玛尔伽里塔 (Maria Gunaronulo) of Menzelino (1918) // AUG 22 DAY OF MARTYRDOM //
Ἡ Ἁγία Μαργαρίτα ἡ Ὁσιομάρτυς
• Hieroschemamonk NEKTARIUS Tikhonov, Elder of Optina (1928)
• New Hieromartyr PETR 彼得 (Basil Zverev) archbishop of Voronezh (1876-1929) day of death, by typhus at Golgopha hospital on the Anzer Island, Solovki KZ
• New Hieromartyr BASIL Zelentsov, bishop of Priluky (1870-1930) day of martyrdom, shoted in Moskow
• Hosiosmartyress ATHANASIA 阿塔纳西亚 (Alexandra Lepeshkina) of Zosima Hermitage, Abbess of the Smolensk Hodigitria Convent, near Moscow (1885-1931)
• New Hieromartyr presbiter ALEXANDER Khotovitskij (1937)
• New Hieromartyr STEPHAN Grachov, presbiter, priest (1886-1938) day of death
• Martyr BORIS Zavarin, psalmer (1910-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted in Vologda
• Repose of Archpriest SERGIUS Orlov of Akulovo (1975)
●

• ADWEN (also Athwenna or Advent)
• AEDH (anglicized Hugh) of Lisgoole, on Lough Erne, County Fermanagh
• Martyr ALEXANDER of Rome (150)
• Hieromartyr AMARINUS (676) Abbot of a monastery in the Vosges in France and companion in martyrdom of St Praejectus (St Priest), Bishop of Clermont. The valley of Saint Amarian in Alsace is named after him
• Martyr ANANIAS of Damascus (1st c.)
Ananias was the follower of The Way who was commanded by the Lord to seek out Saul. By laying his hands upon the Pharisee, Ananias restored Saul's eyesight and then he baptized him (Acts 9:10-19). Thus, one act of trust in God brought to Christianity one of its greatest missionaries, Paul. According to tradition, Ananias worked as a missionary in Damascus and Eleutheropolis, and ultimately suffered martyrdom.
• Venerable ANATOLE I (Alexis Zertsalov) the Elder, of Optina (1894)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀνατόλιος τῆς Ὄπτινα
• Venerable Egyptian hermit APOLLO 阿颇罗 of the Thebaid, Abbot of Heliopolis (395)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀπολλώ
• Child Martyr ARTEMAS at Pozzuoli (Puteoli) Italy
• New Martyr AUXENTIUS 阿弗克塞提 of Bellas in Ioannina and of Constantinople (1720)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Αὐξέντιος ὁ Νεομάρτυρας
• Sainted BASIAN II Archbishop of Rostov (1516)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βασιανὸς Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ροστὼβ Ρωσίας
• Sainted BRETANION (Vetranion) 博瑞塔尼翁 bishop of Tomis (380) in Scythia on the Black Sea
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βρετάννιος ὁ Ὁμολογητής
• Sainted CASTINUS (Kastinos, Constantine) 卡斯庭 of Constantinople, bishop of Byzantium (240)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Καστίνος
• CYRILLIAN Bishop of Argyropolis (3rd c.)
• Venerable DIMITRIUS 迪弥特里 Skevophylax (Keeper of the Sacred Vessels) 圣器保管员 of Constantinople (8th c.) member of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Ὁ Ὅσιος Δημήτριος ὁ Σκευοφύλαξ
• Hieromartyr metropolitain DOSITHEUS of Tbilisi (1795) // SEP 12 //
• DWYNWEN (also Donwen, Donwenna, Dwyn or Dunwen) of Anglesey (Llan-Dwyn, Llanddwyn or Ludgvan and Porthd-Dwyn) (460) Patroness of Love and Marriage; through her, God look after all true lovers. She is also the patron saint of sick animals
Dwynwen coined the maxim, "nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness".
Born in Wales, churches dedicated to her are to be found in Wales and Cornwall. Her holy well and shrine at Llanddwyn in Anglesey were once centres of pilgrimage.
Dwynwen is believed to have been a daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog, who lived in the 5th century. Her mother may have been Rigrawst. Dwynwen lived in Anglesey, and her name is still recalled in place names such as Llanddwyn and Porthddwyn in Wales and the church of Sen Adhwynn in Advent, Cornwall. In the tale told of her, Dwynwen falls in love with a young man named Maelon, but rejects his advances. Stories differ substantially on the events that follow but the outcome remains the same. Either she is raped by Maelon and prays for assistance, or she is unable to marry him due to her father's refusal and prays to forget her love for him. An Angel provides her with a potion. Maelon drinks it and turns into ice. Dwynwen then prays for three requests (either given as a result of drinking the potion, or prayed for when she sees what happens to Maelon). These three requests are that Maelon be released; that, through her, God look after all true lovers; and that she remain unmarried. She then retreats to the solitude of Ynys Llanddwyn off the west coast of Anglesey to become a hermit until she dies, in about AD 460.

• EOCHOD (597) of St Columba's 12 companions, he was chosen to enlighten the Picts in Scotland. He is called the Apostle of the Picts of Galloway
• FINCHEALL (also Finche or Finia) of Sliabh-Guaire (Slieve-Gory), County Cavan
• Translation of the Relics of FURSEY of Ireland, Abbot of Burgh Castle and Peronne Monastery, France
• Sainted GABRIEL (Gerasime Kikodze) Bishop of Imereti (1825-1896)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Γαβριὴλ ἐκ Γεωργίας
• Sainted GREGORY 格里高利 the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople (389) born in Nazianzus
Ὁ Ἅγιος Γρηγόριος ὁ Θεολόγος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως
• GREGORY 格里高利 of Golutvin (15th c.)
• Venerable MARES 玛瑞斯 the Singer of Omir at Syria (430) distinguished by external beauty and a sweet-sounding, delicate and pleasing voice Ὁ Ὅσιος Μάρης
• MOCHONNA (also Mocenna or Moconna) of Earnaidhe (Urney)
• Sainted MOSES 摩西 archbishop of Novgorod (1362)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Μωϋσῆς ὁ Θαυματουργός Ἐπίσκοπος Νόβγκοροντ
• Conversion of Apostle PAUL on the Way to Damascus
When God wants to have a soul, he has it.
The accounts by Luke (Acts 9 and 26) and Paul himself (Acts 22) bear witness that it is in thunder and lightning that God takes possession of Saul on his hatred-march to Damascus. He knocks him over, blinds him, and in a heart-rending voice says: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" The reply: "But who are you?" And the mysterious voice which instills both fear and love: "It is I, Jesus, whom you pursue. And you cannot resist my spurs." Saul is hurt. In fact, he cannot resist. Saul says: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" And Jesus replies: "Arise, go into the city and there you will be told what to do."
Paul's conversion was remarkable considering he had been Christianity's bitterest critic and most formidable opponent.
"You have heard of my manner of life," he says, "how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and made havoc of it." Through all his life he must have been haunted by the look in the eyes of the dying Stephen for whose death he had been primarily responsible. Paul gave the infant Church leadership and direction, planned its strategy, dispatched its missionaries across the frontiers, and consolidated the work of our Lord. Confronted with growing numbers and widely scattered and unorganized groups, he gave it shape and coherence, without which its work and witness might never have survived.

• Venerable Abbot POPPO of Stavelot in Belgium (978-1048)
Born in Flanders, after a military career he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome. On his return he became a monk at St Thierry in Rheims in 1006. Two years later he moved to Saint Vannes and then to Vaast in Arras. In 1021 he became Abbot of Stavelot-Malmédy in Belgium and the monastic revival soon spread to other monasteries, among others to Hautmont, Marchiennes, St Maximinus of Trier in Germany and St Vaast in Arras in France.
• Hieromartyr PRAEJECTUS (Priest, Prest, Preils, Prix) of Clermont (676) Bishop of Clermont in Auvergne in France. He encouraged monasticism but was murdered by evildoers at Volvic in the Vosges
• Venerable ascetic PUBLIUS (Poplios) 普博利 of Zeugma, on the Euphrates of Syria (380)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Πούπλιος
• RACHO (Ragnobert) (660) the 1st Frankish bishop of Autun in France
• Hosiosmartyr SIGEBERT (634) The 1st Christian King of East Anglia in England. He introduced Orthodoxy into his kingdom, later himself becoming a monk. He was killed by the pagan King Penda of Mercia and was venerated as a martyr
• THENEVA (Thenu, Enoch, Denw) Virgin of Glasgow, Mother of Saint Kentigern (Mungo)
• Venerable THEODOTOS an Abbot of the Monastery of St Publius
Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεόδοτος
• Virgin THORGYTH (Tortgith, Theoritgitha) (700) Nun at the convent of Barking in England with St Ethelburgh. She is described as a miracle of patience under suffering
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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

понедельник, 5 февраля 2018 г.

• συνοδικός • February 6 / January 24 •

συνοδικός

February 6 / January 24
2018 (7526)
Commemoration of the Seven Venerable Saints of Philotheou Monastery:
• Venerable PHILOTHEUS the Founder and master builder of the Philotheou Monastery of Mt Athos (10th c.)
• THEODOSIUS, Igumen and Metropolitan of Trebizond
• DIONYSIUS and SYMEON
• DOMETIOS the Hesychast
• DAMIANOS
• Hieromartyr COSMAS of Aetolia, Equal to the Apostles
●

• Hieromartyr BABYLAS patriarch of Antioch, URBAN, PRILIDIAN & EPOLONIUS (250)
• Hieromartyr FELICIAN 斐利基安 bishop of Foligno in Italy, tortured, scourged, and died at the age of 94 just outside Foligno while being conveyed to Rome for his execution for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods (250/254) & Virgin Martyress MESSALINA received the veil from Felician, ministered to him so tenderly during his imprisonment that she too was arrested and clubbed to death when she too refused to sacrifice to idols
Born in Foligno in Italy, he was consecrated bishop and cared for his diocese for over fifty years, enlightening the whole of Umbria. He was arrested under Decius and died on his way to martyrdom in Rome.
• Holy Hieromartyr priest and hermit BABYLAS 瓦维拉 of Sicily, suffered for Christ with 2 of his disciples Hosiosmartyrs TIMOTHY 提摩太 and AGAPIUS 阿伽彼 (284)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βαβύλας ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας καὶ οἱ μαθητὲς αὐτοῦ Τιμόθεος καὶ Ἀγάπιος
• Martyrs PAUL 保罗, PAUSIRIUS 帕弗西里 and THEODOTIAN 德奥多提安 of Egypt (303)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Παῦλος, Παυσίριος καὶ Θεοδοτίων οἱ Αὐτάδελφοι Μάρτυρες
• Martyrs MARDONIUS, MUSONIUS, EUGENE & METELLUS (305) burned at the stake somewhere in Asia Minor
• Martyrs HERMOGENES and MENAS (Mamas, Mamatos)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Ἐρμογένης καὶ Μηνᾶς οἱ Μάρτυρες
• HERMOGENES and PHILEMON Bishop of Karpathos
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Ἐρμογένης καὶ Φιλήμων Ἐπίσκοπος Καρπάθου
• Hieromartyr PHILIPPICUS the Presbyter and the Martyr BARSIMAEUS (Barsimos) 瓦尔西迈 of Syria and his 2 brothers beheaded by sword for their confession of faith in Christ
Ὁ Ἅγιος Φιλιππικὸς ὁ Πρεσβύτερος
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βάρσιμος καὶ τὰ δύο ἀδέλφια του
• Venerabless XENIA (Ksenia, Xene, Eksani; in Baptism Eusebia or Evsevia) 克塞尼亚 the Merciful of Rome, Cos and Mylasa in Caria, Asia Minor, deaconess (450/457) and her 2 Maidservants (5th c.)
Ἡ Ἁγία Ξένη
She was the daughter of a noble Christian family in Rome, and was named Eusebia in Baptism. Though she desired to offer up her virginity to Christ, her parents arranged a marriage for her against her wishes. On her wedding night, she secretly fled the city, accompanied by two slaves, and took ship for Alexandria. When she reached the island of Kos, she changed her name to Xenia (Stranger), and prayed to God that, as he had sent the Apostle Paul to St Thecla (see September 24), he would send her a true guide on the path to salvation. Soon a holy Elder named Paul found her and made her his spiritual child. He took her and her two companions to Mylassa in Caria (where he later became Bishop), and established them in a monastery there. Xenia built a small oratory in honor of the protomartyr Saint Stephen and founded a woman’s monastery. Soon after this, Bishop Paul of Milassa made Xenia a deaconess, because of her virtuous life. The saint helped everyone: for the destitute, she was a benefactress; for the grief-stricken, a comforter; for sinners, a guide to repentance. She possessed a deep humility, accounting herself the worst and most sinful of all. And, with her two companions and some other virgins who had joined them, consecrated themselves to the practice of virtues. For many years they lived the Angelic Life very fully, and Xenia reposed in peace at an advanced age. At her funeral, a luminous cross appeared in the sky over the procession, following the burial party and disappearing only when the Saint's body was buried. Many of the sick, having touched to the remains of the saint, received healing.
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• Martyr NICHOLAS Tsykura, steward of bishop's house (1918) day of martyrdom, murdered by shot of revolver
• New Hieromartyr presbiter VLADIMIR Fokin (1919) day of martyrdom, shoted and pierced in selo Lodocnhaya of Krasnojarsk
• Repose of Blessed VALENTINA Sulkovskaja, of Minsk (1888-1966)
• Repose of Bishop NEKTARY Kontzevitch of Seattle (1983)
●

• AMAND of Maastricht (584-675) the Patron Saint of all who produce beer: brewers, innkeepers and bartenders. He is also the patron of vine growers, vintners and merchants, and of Boy Scouts
• Translation (632) of the relics of Hosiosmartyr ANASTASIUS 阿纳斯塔西 the Persian (628) // JAN 22 //
Ἀνακομιδὴ Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίου Ὁσιομάρτυρος Ἀναστασίου τοῦ Πέρσου
After the death of Chozroes, the relics of the Monk Martyr Anastasius were transferred to the Anastasius monastery in Palestine.
• Sainted ARNO (Arn) Archbishop of Salzburg (821)
• Bishop ARTEMIUS (Arthemius) of Clermont (396) an imperial legate who, on his way to Spain, fell sick in Gaul and settled in Clermont in Auvergne in France where eventually he became bishop
• BAODÁN (Batan or Buatan) of Mostrim (Methuis Truim)
• Venerable Abbot BERTRAND (Bertram, Bertran, Ebertram) of Saint Quentin (7th c.) a disciple of St Bertinus, he also helped St Omer enlighten the north of France and Flanders. He later became Abbot of Saint Quentin
• CADOC the Scottish Saint to whom Cambusland is dedicated
• Hieromartyr CADOC (Docus, Cathmael, Cadvael, Codocus) 卡多克 of Wales (580) founder of the monastery of Llancarfan not far from Cardiff in Wales, he later lived as a hermit on an island off the coast of Vannes in Brittany. He returned to Britain and by tradition was martyred by heathen near Weedon in England
Ὁ Ἅγιος Κάντοκ ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας
• VM CHRYSOPLOKE of Patmos (3-4th c.)
Ἡ Ἁγία Χρυσοπλόκη ἡ Μάρτυς
• Venerable DIONYSIUS 迪奥尼西 of Olympus and Mt Athos (1541)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Διονύσιος ὁ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ
• EREMBERT I (1050) Abbot of Kremsmünster Abbey in Austria
• EXUPERANTIUS (5th c.) born in North Africa, he became Bishop of Cingoli near Ancona in Italy
• Hieromartyr GERASIMUS 革拉息默 bishop of Velikopermsk (Great Perm) and Ust'vymsk (1441)
• Bishop GUASACHT of Granard (5th c.) Son of Maelchu, the master under whom St Patrick worked as a slave in Ireland. Guasacht was converted by Patrick, whom he helped as Bishop of Granard in Ireland
• HELLADIOS the Commentarisius (the prison warden) // JAN 18 //
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἑλλάδιος ὁ Κομενταρήσιος
• Martyr JOHN 约翰 of Kazan (1529)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Μάρτυρας ἐκ Καζάν
• Blessed KSENIA (Xenia Grigorievna Petrova) 克塞尼亚 of St Petersburg, Fool for Christ (1803) Russia
Ἡ Ὁσία Ξένη ἡ διὰ Χριστὸν Σαλή
The blessing of God seemed to accompany her wherever she went: when she entered a shop the day's 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. 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. Those who turn to Saint Xenia in prayer receive healing from illness, and deliverance from their afflictions. She is also known for helping people who seek jobs.
• LUPICINUS 卢彼基诺 of Lipidiaco (500)
• MACARIUS
• Venerable presbiter MACEDONIUS 玛其多尼 Kritophagos (i.o. barley-eater) Syrian hermit and Healer (420/430)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακεδόνιος
• MANACH of Lemonaghan (664)
• Venerable NEOPHYTES 奈奥非特 the Recluse of Cyprus (12th c.)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Νεόφυτος ὁ Ἔγκλειστος ὁ ἐν Κύπρῳ ἀσκήσας
• Venerable Sainted PHILON (Philo) 斐洛 of Carpasia, Bishop of Cyprus (5th c.) exegeted the Pentateuch and the Song of Songs
Ὁ Ἅγιος Φίλωνας ὁ Θαυματουργός Ἐπίσκοπος Καρπασίας τῆς Κύπρου
According to the synaxarion of St Philon, the following moving prayer is attributed to him, no doubt as a prayer for the people of his jurisdiction who were immersed in paganism:
Lord Jesus Christ my God, Who for the salvation of humanity came down to earth and put on the flesh of your servants, and suffered many temptations from the world, and You were crucified, buried and rose again, saving humanity. By Your economy do so again now, that these deluded people may be saved, who were deluded by the devil.
• Repose of Blessed Schemaabbess SOPHIA of Shamordino Convent (1888)
• Hosiosmartyr SURANUS of Sora (580) Abbot of a monastery at Sora near Caserta in Italy, who gave away all the goods of the monastery to refugees from the Lombards. When the latter arrived and found that nothing remained to plunder, they martyred Suranus on the spot
He gave all things, even the herbs out of his garden, to the poor. He was martyred by the Lombards, and his relics were famed for miracles.
• ZAMA (268) The 1st Bishop of Bologna in Italy
• ZOSIMA 佐息玛 of Cilicia, bishop of Babylon in Egypt (6th c.)
• Holy Abba ZOSIMAS of Sidon (5-6th c.)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ζωσιμᾶς
His birthplace was the village of Sidon, close to Tyre of Phoenecia. Abba Zosimas began his ascetic life in a monastery of Tyre, and later moved to the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos beside the Jordan River. In his last years, he founded a monastery close to Caesarea of Palestine. The desert elder’s virtue reached such heights that he was indeed granted the grace of foreknowledge and prophecy. He predicted the earthquake which destroyed the city of Antioch on 29 November 528 although he was more than 400 miles away at the time.
He is not to be confused with the priestmonk Abba Zosimas (April 4) who discovered Saint Mary of Egypt living in the desert of Palestine. • Venerable ZOSIMAS an ascetic of the desert
• Monk ZOSIMAS of Sinai
●

• Dedication (5th c.) of the Church of St ZACHARIAS, in Constantinople, founded by St Domnica of Carthage (January 8)
Ἐγκαίνια τοῦ Ναοῦ τοῦ Ἁγίου Ζαχαρία ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλῃ
After praying fervently to the Lord that her monastery be preserved and that God would protect the City, she departed in peace. She continued to work miracles after her repose from her tomb. Once, when the monastery was endangered by fire, Saint Domnica and the Prophet Zechariah were seen driving the flames away from the church.
• Dedication of the Church of the Holy Prophet and Forerunner JOHN the Baptist, near Taurus
Ἐγκαίνεια τοῦ Ναοῦ τοῦ Ἁγίου Προφήτου, Προδρόμου καὶ Βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου πλησίον τοῦ Ταύρου

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise... If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.
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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

• συνοδικός • February 5 / January 23 •

συνοδικός

February 5 / January 23
2018 (7526)
• Synaxis of Panagia DAKRIROOUSA (i.o. tearing) in Kefallonia
●

THE SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL in Constantinople (681)
The Monothelite Controversy
Held in Constantinople in 680. Under Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatos. 170 Bishops were present. Defender of Orthodoxy: St Maximus the Confessor (580-662); St Andrew of Crete (740) participated in the deliberations of the Council; author of the famous "Canon" which is read during Great Lent.
Council concerned the last attempt to compromise with the Monophysites. Although Christ did have two natures (divine and human) He nevertheless, acted as God only. In other words, His divine nature made all the decisions and His human nature only carried and acted them out. Hence, the name: "Monothelitism" ("mono" one and "thelesis" will).

The Council's Pronouncement: "Christ had two natures with two activities: as God working miracles, rising from the dead and ascending into heaven; as Man, performing the ordinary acts of daily life. Each nature exercises its own free will. Christ's divine nature had a specific task to perform and so did His human nature. Each nature performed those tasks set forth without being confused, subjected to any change or working against each other. The two distinct natures and related to them activities were mystically united in the one Divine Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
●

Synaxis of All Saints of KOSTROMA including:
Σύναξις πάντων τῶν ἐν Καστρόμᾳ τῆς Ρωσίας διαλαμψάντων Ἁγίων
• Venerable Abbot ABRAMIUS of Galich, or Chukhloma Lake (1375) // JUL 20 //
Ἀβραὰμ τοῦ Κουκχλόμα
• Venerable PACHOMIUS abbot of Nerekhta (1384) // MAR 21 // MAY 15 //
Παχώμιος τοῦ Νερέχτσκιϋ
• Sainted DIONYSIUS Archbishop of Suzdal (1385) // JUN 26 // OCT 15 //
Διονύσιος τοῦ Σουζντάλ
• Holy Nobleborn Great Prince DMITRY of the Don (1389) // MAY 19 //
• Venerable MACARIUS of Pisma Monastery (14th c.) // JAN 10 //
Μακάριος του Πισέμσκιϋ
• Venerable Abbot CYRIL of White Lake (1427) // JUN 9 //
Κύριλλος τοῦ Μπελοζέρο
• Venerable PAUL of Obnora (1429) disciple of St Sergius of Radonezh // JAN 10 // OCT 7 //
Παῦλος τοῦ Ὀμπνόρσκιϋ
• Rightbelieving Prince DMITRY Krasny (i.o. the red) of Galich (1441) // SEP 23 //
• Venerable JAMES the Abbot of Zheleznoborov (1442) disciple of St Sergius of Radonezh // APR 11 // MAY 5 //
Ἰακὼβ τοῦ Ζελεζνομπορόφσκιϋ
• Venerable GREGORY abbot of Pelshme, wonderworker of Vologda (1442) // SEP 30 //
Γρηγόριος τοῦ Πελσέμσκιϋ
• Venerable MACARIUS abbot of Zheltovod and Unzha (1444) // JUL 25 //
Μακάριος του Οὐνζένσκιϋ
• Venerable BARNABAS abbot of Verluga (1445) // JUN 11 //
Βαρνάβας τοῦ ποταμοῦ Βετολούγκα
• Venerable archmandrite PAISIUS abbot of Galich (1460) // MAY 23 //
Παΐσιος τοῦ Γκαλίτς
• Sainted JONAH Metropolitan of Moscow (1461) // MAR 31 // MAY 27 // JUN 15 //
Ἰωνᾶς τῆς Μόσχας
• Venerable JAMES of Brileev (15th c.) // APR 11 // DAY OF HOLY SPIRIT //
Ἰακὼβ τοῦ Μπρυλίνσκιϋ
• Venerable NIKITA of Kostroma (15th c.) // SEP 15 //
• JAMES of Old Torzhok in Galich Monastery (15-16th c.) // APR 4 // MAY 30 //
• Venerable TIKHON of Lukhov, wonderworker of Kostroma (1503) // JUN 16 // JUN 26 //
• Venerable CYRIL of New Lake (1532) // FEB 4 // NOV 7 //
Κύριλλος τοῦ Νοβοεζέρσκιϋ
• Venerable ALEXANDER of Galich, abbot of Voche (16th c.) // MAR 27 // AUG 30 //
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀλέξανδρος ἐκ Ρωσίας
Ἀλέξανδρος τοῦ Βόσκιϋ
• Venerable monk GENNADIUS 艮纳迪 of Kostroma and Liubimograd (1565) received from the Lord the gift of perspicacity and wonderworking // JAN 23 // AUG 19 //
Ὁ Ὅσιος Γεννάδιος ἐκ Λιθουανίας
Γεννάδιος τῆς Κοστρόμα καὶ Λγιουμπίμογκραντ
• Blessed SIMON of Jur’evets, Fool for Christ (1583/1586) // NOV 4 // MAY 10 //
• Venerable THERAPON of Monza (1597) // MAY 27 // DEC 12 //
Θεράπων τοῦ Μονζέσκιϋ
• Venerable GERASIM of Lukhov (16th c.) // JUN 7 //
• Venerable THADDEUS of Lukhov (16th c.) // JUN 7 //
• Venerable THEODOSY of Monza (1602)
• Venerable ADRIAN of Monza (1610) // MAY 5 //
Ἀδριανὸς τοῦ Μονζέσκιϋ
• Sainted THEODORITE of R’azan’ (1617) // SEP 10 //
• Sainted METROPHANES bishop of Voronezh (1703) // AUG 7 // SEP 4 // NOV 23 //
Μητροφάνης τοῦ Βορονέζ
• Venerable monk and desert-dweller Elder TIMON of Nadeyev and Kostroma (1840) // JAN 10 //
Ὁ Ὅσιος Τίμων ἐκ Ρωσίας
• Venerable archmandrite MAKARIOS Glukharev, missionary of Altai, Siberia (1847) // MAY 18 //
• Sainted IGNATIUS Brianchaninov (1807-1867) Bishop of the Church of Russia and Ascetical Writer // APR 30 //
A refined adornment of Orthodox monasticism, Bishop Ignatius taught about the monastic life not only in his ascetical-theological writings, but by his very life which presented a wondrous picture of self-denial and struggle with sins, sorrows, and sicknesses. His numerous written works include "Experiences from the Ascetic Life" (5 Volumes) "Patericon", "A Word an Death" and others. The best known English translation of a work by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov is that on the Jesus Prayer: “On the Prayer of Jesus”. This has gone through and remains available in many editions. The hierarch himself acknowledged: "The source of my writings is to be found in the Fathers; they belong to the Fathers of the Orthodox Church…"
• New Hieromartyrs presbiters JOSEPH Smirnov and VLADIMIR Il’jinskij, deacon IOANN Kastorskij and Martyr IOANN Perebaskin (1918) // FEB 22 //
• Holy Passion Bearers Tsar NICHOLAS II of Russia with the last Imperial Family of Russia of the Romanovs: his wife Tsarina ALEXANDRA, and their 5 children OLGA, TATIANA, MARIA, ANASTASIA, and ALEXEI (1918) // JUL 4 //
• Hosiosmartyress Grand Duchess ELIZABETH Fyodorovna of the Romanovs Family, Princess of Hesse and by Rhine (1864-1918) executed by the Bolsheviks in Alapaevsk // JUL 5 //
• New Hieromartyr priest VASILIJ Razumov (1937) // SEP 9 // • New Hieromartyr DMITRIJ Dobroserdov, archbishop of Mozhajsk (1937) // OCT 8 //
• New Hieromartyr MACARIOS Karmazin, bishop of Dnepropetrovsk (1937) // NOV 20 //
• New Hieromartyr archbishop NIKODIM Krotkov (1938) // AUG 8 //
Νικόδημος τῆς Καστρόμα
• Confessor BASIL (Benjamin Preobrazhenskij) bishop of Kineshma (1876-1945) // JUL 31 //
●

• Great Hieromartyr CLEMENT 克利密斯 Bishop of Ancyra, and hid disciple Martyr AGATHANGELUS 阿伽昙颉罗 the Roman (296/312) and 2 deacons CHRISTOPHER and CHARITON beheaded with Agathangelus
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Κλήμης καὶ Ἀγαθάγγελος οἱ Μάρτυρες
After Saint Clement miraculously survived torture, he was taken to Rome. While in prison there he met, converted, and baptized Saint Agathangelus, then ordained him deacon. He followed the bishop to the East, and both were martyred at Ancyra under Diocletian. After 28 years of suffering, Agathangelus was beheaded; but Clement was briefly paroled and allowed to celebrate the services of Theophany and to give the holy Communion to his fellow-Christians. A few days later, as he was again celebrating the Divine Liturgy, some pagan soldiers burst into the church and beheaded him at the altar.
• Sainted PAULINUS 帕弗利诺 the Merciful (also St Paulinus of Bordeaux or Paulino), a bishop in Nola (431) and his wife Blessed THERASIA (also Tharasia, Tarsicia or Theresia) (5th c.)
St Paulinus deserved to be called the Merciful, for in truth, he was compassionate in the full Christian sense of that word. Once, when the Vandals looted Nola, they seized many men into slavery. A certain widow whose only son the Vandal Prince Rig had taken into slavery, came to her bishop and, weeping, sought money from him to pay the ransom for her son. Not possessing anything, Bishop Paulinus dressed in the clothes of a simple man and asked the widow to take him before the prince and to exchange him for her son. The prince released the widow's son and took Paulinus with him to Africa where Paulinus served as the prince's gardener until, by God's Providence, he was freed and returned to Nola with the other slaves.
Among his many virtues, his love for mankind and his compassion for the poor and needy deserve special mention. Saint Paulinus is known both as a builder of churches and as a Christian poet. There remains from him several hymns and writings, containing various moral discourses imbued with deep piety. As bishop of Nola, Paulinus is traditionally credited with the introduction of the use of bells in church services. One form of medieval handbell was known as the nola and medieval steeple bells were known as campanas from this supposed origin.

• MM SEVERIANUS (also Severian) and his wife AQUILA, at Neocaesarea (i.e. Julia Caesarea in Mauretania), Northwestern Africa
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century • New Hieromartyr ANATOLIUS Grisjuk, Bishop of Odessa (1938)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀνατόλιος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἐπίσκοπος Ὀδησσοῦ
• Hosiosmartyr SERAPHIM (Nicholas Bulashov) Abbot of Holy Transfiguration Guslitsky Monastery in Moskow (1872-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Hosiosmartyress nun EVDOKIA Kuz’minova (1884-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Hosiosmartyress novice EKATERINE Cherksova (1892-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Martyress MILITSA Kuvshynova (1891-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted and graved at Butovo of Moskow
• Glorification (2012) of Anti-Nazi Martyr Passion bearer ALEXANDER 亞歷山大 Schmorell 許墨瑞 (1917-1943) of Munich // JUL 13 // SEP 16 BIRTHDAY // FEB 4/5 GLORIFICATION //
• Repose of Archimandrite JOHN Krestiankin of the Pskov-Caves Monastery (1910-2006)
●

• ACHOLIOS (Ascholios) Bishop of Thessaloniki (383)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀχόλιος Ἐπίσκοπος Θεσσαλονίκης
• Bishop AMASIUS of Teano (356) a Greek, driven from the East by the Arians, he became 1nd Bishop of Teano in central Italy in 346
• ANDREAS
• Martyr ASCLAS of Antinoe (287)
Legend says that Saint Asclas was born in the Thebaid. After his arrest, he is said to have miraculously stranded the governor, Arrian, in the Nile until he would profess the Christian faith. The governor claimed he did and returned to land. Almost immediately he had Asclas martyred by being thrown into the Nile at Antinoe, Egypt.
• BERNARD (Barnard) archbishop of Vienne (778-841)
• BOISIL (Boswell) Abbot of Maelros (Melrose), Scotland
• COLMAN of Lismore (702) Abbot of Lismore in Ireland and also a bishop, succeeded Saint Hierlug (Zailug) as abbot-bishop of Lismore in 698. During his rule the fame of Lismore reached its peak
• Repose of Abbot DAMASCENE of Valaam Monastery (1881)
• DIONYSIUS 迪奥尼西 of Olympus and Mt Athos (1541)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Διονύσιος ὁ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ
• VM EMERENTIANA of Rome, Patroness of Teruel, Spain (305) foster-sister of St Agnes was found by pagans praying at the tomb of the recently martyred Agnes and was stoned to death; invoked against colic and stomach ache
A martyress in Rome. Still only a catechumen, this foster-sister of St Agnes was found by pagans praying at the tomb of the recently martyred Agnes and was stoned to death.
• EUSEBIUS 艾弗塞维 the recluse of Mt Coryphe, of Teleda Monastery in Syria, Abbot between Antioch and Berœa (4th c.) Ὁ Ὅσιος Εὐσέβιος
Eusebius, a Syrian hermit, lived on Mount Coryphe near Antioch, where he ruled a community. He was a very eloquent homilist, and his life preached just as well. He himself ate only once every four days, but he would not allow his monks to fast for more than two days at a time. Although he advocated the benefits of penitential mortification of the senses, he more highly recommended perpetual prayer. He was harsh with himself. His mind wondered as he was listening to his abbatial predecessor read the Scriptures aloud. To punish himself for his inattention to the Word of God, he locked a heavy iron collar around his neck, which was connected by a stiff chain to an iron girdle around his wait. For the rest of his life (more than 40 years) he wore this contraption which prevented him from looking at his feet. Thereafter, he left his cell only to visit the chapel.
• Blessed GREGORIA of Spoleto (6-7th cent.)
• Bishop ILDEPHONSUS (also known as Alphonso, Ildefonsus, Ildephonse) of Toledo (607-667) Nephew of St Eugene of Toledo in Spain. He knew St Isidore of Seville and became a monk and Abbot of Agli on the Tagus near Toledo. He became Archbishop there in 657. He excelled as a writer, especially on the Mother of God
Virgin Mother of God: may I bind myself to God and to you, serve your own Lord and serve you too, obey your own Son and so obey you. May I worship Him as my Maker and you as the mother of my Maker. May I venerate Him as the Lord of Hosts and you as the handmaid of the Lord. May I adore Him as my God and you as the mother of my God.
• Bishop JOHN the Almsgiver (550-619) Patriarch of Alexandria
He recounted a vision he had in his youth of a beautiful woman, brighter than the sun, with an olive garland on her head, whom he understood to be Charity or compassion for the miserable; who said to him: "I am the eldest daughter of the great king. If you enjoy my favour, I will introduce you to the great monarch of the universe. No one has so great an interest with him as myself, who was the occasion of his coming down from heaven to become man for the redemption of mankind."
• LUCÁN (Lucain) of Tamhnach (Tawny)
• Venerabless LUFTHILDIS (also Leuchteldis, Lufthild, Liuthild, Lufthold, Lifthild, Lifthildis, Liuthildis or Leuchtildis) of Bonn, Anchoress at Cologne, Germany (850) persecuted by her stepmother for persistently giving their possessions to the poor
• MAIMBOD (880) born in Ireland, he was martyred by pagans while preaching to peasants near Kaltenbrunn in Alsace, now in France
• MARTYRIUS (Martory) of Valeria (6th c.) a hermit in the Abruzzi in Italy, whom Saint Gregory the Great extols in his Dialogues
• Venerable monk priest MAUSIMAS 玛弗息玛 the Syrian (393)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μαϋσιμᾶς ὁ Σύρος
Saint Mausimas the Syrian lived in Syria, near the city of Cyrrhus. He voluntarily embraced poverty and devoted his life to the service of his neighbor. The doors of his hut were always open to anyone who had need of him. In his hut there were two vessels: one with bread, and the other with oil. Anyone in need came to him and received the food from his hand. These vessels never became empty.
• VM MESSALINA at Foligno in Italy, Protomartyress of Foligno (251)
• MOCELLOC of Telach Olainn
• Abbot ORMOND (Armand) (6th c.) Monk of the monastery of Saint Mairé in France, where he became abbot
• Hieromartyr PARMENAS (98) of the seven original deacons selected by the Holy Spirit at the request of the Apostles, Saint Parmenas ministered to the needs of the Hellenic Jewish converts to Christianity in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). According to tradition, he preached for many years in Asia Minor before being martyred at Philippi, Macedonia, during the persecution of the Christians under Emperor Trajan
• Venerable monk SALAMANES 撒拉玛尼斯 the Silent of the Euphrates (400)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Σαλαμάνης ὁ Ἡσυχαστής
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.
• THEODOR the Stephanite
• Translation (1786) of the relics of Sainted THEOCTISTUS 德奥克提斯特 archbishop of Novgorod (1310)
• Virgin WENDREDA of March, England
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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

воскресенье, 4 февраля 2018 г.

• συνοδικός • February 4 / January 22 •

συνοδικός

February 4 / January 22
2018 (7526)
• Finding of the Holy Icon of PANAGIA ELEISTRIA in Koroni of Messenia, Greece (1897)
Εὕρεσις Ἱερᾶς Εἰκόνας Παναγίας Ἐλεηστρίας Κορώνης
On January 22nd our Holy Church honors the miraculous finding of the Sacred Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Eleistria in Koroni, which was found in 1897 in Koroni of Messenia, Greece. The discovery of the miraculous icon of the Eleistria is based on a vision of a most pious old woman from Koroni named Maria G Stathakis. For fifteen years this woman saw in her sleep a divine vision of the figure of the Theotokos, who indicated to her the location of three icons, one of Christ Crucified, one of the Theotokos and one of the Luke the Evangelist. Below are some of the dreams of this elderly woman:
One night she dreamed she was in the area where now there has been built a church to Panagia Eleistria. There appeared before her a woman dressed in white, who told her: "Tell your townspeople to come and dig in this place and they will find three small icons within a rock crevice. In that place they are to build a church. The foundations of the church should be on this wall that I have protected from earthquakes, wars and natural disasters." She saw this dream every September for three years. Another time during the excavations, before the icons were found, she saw that they would find a tank with a ladder. Of course these divine visions that were seen by this revered woman she declined to announce to the townspeople out of fear of being ridiculed and being considered crazy. But in 1897 the Virgin appeared once again and urgently ordered her to see to the excavations for the holy icons in the place previously indicated to her. With fear the old lady then announced her visions. Thus teams of men and women of every age and class, from Koroni and the surrounding area, began to excavate with reverence and eagerness in the place indicated by the woman. After a few days the tank and ladder were found, but because they could not find the holy icons, they began to relax in their work and eventually all work stopped. Immediately however the Theotokos appeared to the old woman and ordered that they continue their work until the holy icons were found and a church was built. As a sign for those who objected or despised the divine vision, she announced that there would appear in the wrist of her right hand three black seals. Indeed, one morning there appeared on the wrist of her right hand the three seals. When this sign became known to the people of Koroni, it caused great excitement! Immediately many rushed to the holy place and resumed the excavations with greater reverence and eagerness than before. After ten days of continuous work, the Divine Grace of the Theotokos was pleased to bring about success. For in a large fissure of a huge stone block there were found the desired icons on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of January in 1897. On the first day was found the icon of Christ Crucified, on the second the icon of the Theotokos, and on the third day the icon of Saint Luke together with a piece from a priestly stole and part of a pincer. The discovery of the icons brought to the residents of Koroni and the surrounding villages enormous excitement, causing a massive amount of people to come to the place of discovery. With all kinds of offerings and a lot of personal work, the construction of the church was accomplished in a short time, according to the suggestions of the old woman. The inauguration took place on December 26, 1900, a Tuesday, by Metropolitan Gabriel Petroudakis, former Metropolitan of Nikopolis, who was from Leros and had come for this occasion from Athens.

●

• New Martyrs and Confessors of RUSSIAN Church // MOVABLE HOLIDAY ON THE SUNDAY CLOSEST TO JANUARY 25TH //
Today we commemorate the uncounted millions of faithful who suffered and died at the hands of the Soviet atheists. These include the Tsar-martyr NICHOLAS II and the rest of the Russian Royal Family (July 4); Patriarch TIKHON (March 24); Grand Duchess ELIZABETH (July 5); thousands of martyrs, both clergy and laity, whose names are known; but also millions upon millions of simple believers whose names have been lost to history. The number of the New Martyrs of Russia far exceeds all those from the "Age of the Martyrs," the first three centuries of Christianity. May their memory be eternal.
●

Remembrance of ALL THE DEPARTED who suffered in the years of persecution for Faith in Christ
●

• MM VINCENT, ORONTIUS and VICTOR (305)
They preached the Gospel in the Spanish Pyrenees and were martyred with St Victor at Puigeerda near Gerona in Spain. Their relics were later taken to Embrun in France.
• Hieromatyrs MANUEL 埃玛努伊尔 bishop of Adrianopol, bishop GEORGE 格奥尔吉, bishop PETER 彼得, bishop LEONTIUS 莱翁提; SIONIUS 西奥尼, GABRIEL 加百列, JOHN 约翰, LEONTUS 莱翁特, PARODUS 帕若德以, presbyters; and 377 companions of Adrianopol (814/817) Bulgaria
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Μανουὴλ, Γεώργιος, Πέτρος, Λέων, Σιώνιος, Γαβριήλ, Ἰωάννης, Λέων, Πάροδος καὶ ἄλλοι τριακόσιοι ἑβδομήντα ἑπτὰ Μάρτυρες • The Daughters of Comgall: COLMA (also Columba or Colmán), BOGHA (also Boa or Boga) and LASSARA (also Lasara, Laisse or Lasair) of Glenavy, County Antrim
• ANANIAS und AGATHON
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• New Hieromartyr ELIAH Berezovskij, presbiter, priest (1890-1938)
• New Hieromartyr EUTHYMIUS Tikhonravov, presbiter, priest (1938)
• New Hieromartyrs JOHN Dobrokhotov, NICHOLAS Bukharin, JACOB Zjablitskij, PETER Zjablitskij, JOHN Korzhavin, JOHN Rozanov, JOHN Uspenskij Priests in Ivanov (1938)
• Glorification (2012) of Anti-Nazi Martyr Passion bearer ALEXANDER 亞歷山大 Schmorell 許墨瑞 (1917-1943) of Munich // JUL 13 // SEP 16 BIRTHDAY // FEB 4/5 GLORIFICATION //
His friends gave him the nickname "Schurik", a nickname he would be called by his closer friends for the rest of his life.
Alexander Schmorell was sentenced to death on 19 April 1943 at the Volksgerichtshof (People's Court) in the second trial against the White Rose. In the letters he wrote from prison he tried to console his family and assured them that he was at peace with his fate and not fearful of death. On 13 July 1943, at the age of 25, Schmorell was put to death by guillotine at the Munich-Stadelheim Prison. His cause, as a refugee from both the genocide of Soviet Communism and as a victim of the racism of Nazi Paganism, reminds us how all Orthodox in the last century suffered from the post-Christian extremes of Western European ideologies. Only when Europe returns to its Christian roots, of being a Spiritual Europe, will the White Rose’s vision of genuine freedom and honour and a New Europe be realised.

亞歷山大•許墨瑞,1917年9月16日生於俄羅斯奧倫堡,1943年7月13日於慕尼黑被處決。其為5個於1942年6月到1943年2月間,發起白玫瑰(Weiße Rose)反抗納粹運動的慕尼黑大學學生之一。許墨瑞的父親為一個出生在德國,但在俄羅斯發跡的醫生。而許墨瑞的母親則是一個俄羅斯人,為一名俄羅斯正教會牧師的女兒,許墨瑞便是在俄羅斯正教會受洗。他的母親在他兩歲的時候,因為斑疹傷寒而於俄國內戰期間病逝。1920年時,他的父親便娶了一個一樣是在俄羅斯長大的德國人為第二任妻子。1921年,當許墨瑞只有4歲時,為了逃離布爾什維克,於是他們舉家從俄羅斯遷移到了德國慕尼黑。而他的俄羅斯籍褓母也隨同他們一家搬到了德國,於許墨瑞成長的過程中扮演著他已故母親的角色。也因為這樣的生長環境,所以亞歷山大•許墨瑞同時會說德語和俄羅斯語。他認為他自己同時是德國人和俄羅斯人。在他通過高中畢業會考(Abitur)之後,他被徵召加入帝國勞動隊(Reichsarbeitsdienst),接著進入德意志國防軍(納粹德國的正規部隊)。1938年時,他參與了德奧合併以及德國入侵捷克斯洛伐克的軍事行動,在他服完兵役以後,許墨瑞於1939年在漢堡成為醫學院的學生。1940年秋天時,他回到慕尼黑,在此,他認識了漢斯•索爾和維利•格拉夫,並且和他們一起從事白玫瑰反抗行動,參與了白玫瑰前四封反納粹傳單的製作。且在第二份傳單中,許墨瑞寫了一段文章表達其對於猶太人大屠殺的抗議。1942年6月,許墨瑞做為一個軍醫,和漢斯•索爾、維利•格拉夫一起參加德蘇戰爭的巴巴羅薩作戰,且對於納粹對待敵軍和敵國人們的方式相當不滿。從俄羅斯返國後,於1942到1943年期間,他繼續在慕尼黑當一個醫學院的學生。1942年12月,許墨瑞和漢斯•索爾與庫特•胡伯教授連絡。他們在1943年時一起寫了第5份傳單:「呼籲所有的德國人!」(Aufruf an alle Deutschen!),然後由許墨瑞將傳單發散到奧地利的城鎮中。另外,他也和漢斯•索爾以及維利•格拉夫一起在慕尼黑各個建築的牆上塗鴉「打倒希特勒」(Nieder mit Hitler)和「自由」(Freiheit)的標語。在克里斯多福•波普斯特和漢斯•索爾以及他妹妹蘇菲•索爾遭到逮捕之後,許墨瑞曾經嘗試逃到瑞士,然而他最終仍然在1943年2月24日遭到逮捕,當天是他朋友的喪禮日,他在空襲庇護所中被認了出來。亞歷山大•許墨瑞於1943年4月19日在白玫瑰案的第二次審理程序中,遭到人民法庭(Volksgerichtshof)判處死刑。在他從獄中寫給家人的信裡面,他試著安慰他的家人,向他們表示他的心情感到非常的平靜,而且他將對死亡無所畏懼。1943年7月13日,許墨爾和庫特•胡伯一起被送上了斷頭台,時年25歲。
●

• AMHALGHAIDH (Umhalghaid)
• Hosiosmartyr ANASTASIUS 阿纳斯塔西 the Persian (also known as Magundat) (628)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀναστάσιος ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας ὁ Πέρσης
• Hosiosmartyr hierodeacon ANASTASIUS 阿纳斯塔西 the Deacon of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (1199) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Anthony Near Caves of the Lavra; possessed such steadfastness in God, that he received everything he asked for Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀναστάσιος ὁ Διάκονος
• Righteous BLESILLA (also Blaesilla) of Rome, Matr., Widow (383)
Daughter of St Paula, married and widowed very young she consecrated herself to God, but died in Rome aged 20.
• Bishop BRITHWALD (also known as Berhtwald, Brihtwald) 布里特瓦尔德 of Sarum (1045) a monk at Glastonbury, he became Bishop of Ramsbury in 1005. He was a great benefactor of Malmesbury and Glastonbury, where he was buried
His fame comes not from his long episcopate, but from his prophecy and vision concerning the successor to Saint Edward the Confessor (October 13).
• COLMAN (7-8th c.) Bishop and Abbot of Lismore
• Abbot DOMINIC of Sora (1031) born in Foligno in Italy, he became a monk and founded several monasteries at Scandrilia, Sora, Sangro, and elsewhere near Naples. He died in Sora in Campania at the age of eighty; invoked against fever, hail, mad dogs, and snake-bite
• Sainted bishop EPIPHANIUS of Pavia called the Glory of Italy and Light of Bishops (439-497)
• EUTHYMIUS
• GAUDENTIUS of Novara (417) a priest in Ivrea near Turin in Italy. He succeeded St Laurence as Bishop of Novara, where he was bishop for twenty years
• Abbot GOAR (Guarius, or Guaire Mór) of Aghadowy, County of Londonderry (7-8th c.)
• HABERILLA (also Habrilia), Abs. at Mehrerau on the Lake of Constance (7th c.) Patroness of Children
• Martyress HERENA (also Irene) of Rome, Matr. (3rd c.)
• Bishop IOASAPH (Ioann Bolotov) 约萨夫 Enlightener of Alaska and the American land (1799)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάσαφ Φωτιστὴς τῆς Ἀλάσκας
• Venerable Father JOSEPH 约熙福 Samakos the Sanctified, of Crete (1511)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωσὴφ ὁ Ἡγιασμένος ὁ ἐν Κρήτῃ
• Repose of Venerable hieroschemamonk MACARIUS 玛喀里 abbot of Zhabyn (1623) Wonderworker of Belevsk // JAN 22 // SEP 22 //
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ἐκ Ρωσίας
• MOHRAEEL (also Mohra’yl, Mohra’y or Mohraty) at Insana, Healer (4th c.)
• Righteous THEODELIND (Dietlinde, Dietlind, Theodelinde, Theudelinde) Queen of Langobarden (570-627/628)
• Holy Hieromartyr Apostle 使徒 TIMOTHY 提摩太 Bishop of Ephesus, of the Seventy Apostles (96)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Τιμόθεος ὁ Ἀπόστολος
• Hieroconfessor bishop VALERIUS of Saragossa (315) a Deacon Saint Vincent's bishop with the stammer. He is said to have been arrested under Diocletian and shared Vincent's cruel imprisonment, but then was sent into exile
• VINCENT of Digne (380) born in North Africa, he succeeded St Domninus as Bishop of Digne in France and is the main patron-saint of the town
• Hieromartyr VINCENT the Deacon, of Saragossa, also known as Vincent of Aragon (304) born in Huesca in Spain, he became deacon of St Valerius in Saragossa and was martyred in Valencia under Diocletian. He has always been widely honoured. In some places he is honoured as the Patron of vinedressers, patron of bakers, roof-makers, sailors, schoolgirls, vine-dressers, vintners, tile-makers, and roofers. The Patron of vine-dressers and vintners may be due to the belief that he protects the fields against the frost that often occurs on or near his Feast Day in Burgundy Ὁ Ἅγιος Βικέντιος ὁ Διάκονος
• WENDREDA, Fndr. of Convent, Hermitess of March

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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

суббота, 3 февраля 2018 г.

• συνοδικός • February 3 / January 21 •

συνοδικός

February 3 / January 21
2018 (7526)
• KTITORESS Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (395) with the perpetual candle
• Wonderworking Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of PARAMYTHIA 帕拉弥提亚, Vatopedi, Mt Athos (807) called also Consolation and Solace
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Παραμυθίας
The Vatopedian Icon of the Mother of God is located within the old Vatopedi monastery on Athos, in the church of the Annunciation. It received the appellation of "Batopedeia" from this, that nearby this monastery a young prince named Arkadios fell off a ship into the sea, and by the miraculous intercession of the Mother of God he was carried to shore safe and unharmed. They found him here standing by a bush, not far from the monastery. From this event came the name "Batopedeia" ("batos paidos" – "shrub of the Lord" or "the bush of the child"). The holy Emperor Theodosius the Great in gratitude for the miraculous deliverance of his son embellished and generously endowed the Batopedeia monastery.
On the Batopedeia Icon, the Mother of God is depicted with face turned towards the right shoulder, in memory that in the year 807 on 21 January, She turned Her face towards the hegumen of the monastery, who was standing at prayer near the holy icon, and forewarned him of the intent of robbers to pillage the monastery.
Pirates had secretly landed on the shore of the monastery and were hiding, waiting for the gates to open in the morning in order to launch an attack on the monastery of Vatopedi. The Abbot, who had remained behind after the end of Matins in order to continue his prayer, heard these words from the icon of the Blessed Virgin:
"Do not open the gates of the Monastery today, but go up on the walls and drive away the pirates."
As he turned to look, he saw the Theotokos turned towards her right shoulder and looking at him, while the Holy child was stretching out His hand to cover the mouth of His mother saying,
"No, Mother, do not watch over this sinful flock, let them fall under the swore of the pirates and be punished as they deserve."
But the Blessed Virgin, taking Her Son's hand in Hers and turning Her head a little to free her mouth, repeating the same words. This last arrangement of the figures has remained permanently on the icon and has, thus, and has also earned it the rare iconographer's title of "Achaeropito". The hegumen took measures of precaution, and the monastery was saved. The monks, miraculously saved from the pirates, gave thanks to the Theotokos and named the icon "Paramythia", which means "calming down" or "restrain," words which equally convey the content of the miracle. The icon is a wall-painting and is on the right choir of the chapel named after it. In memory of this miraculous event a perpetual lamp burns in front of the wonderworking icon. Every day a Canon of Supplication is chanted in honour of the icon and on Fridays the Divine Liturgy is celebrated.

• Icon of the Mother of God "THE STABBED" (Greek: "Esphagmeni", Slavonic: "Zaklannaya") (14th c.) in the Vatopedi monastery on Mt. Athos, in a chapel dedicated to Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica
The icon was painted on canvas, and received its name of "The Stabbed" from the following event: A certain ecclesiarch, a deacon of the Vatopedi monastery, was occupied with overseeing the order of a long service. Delayed by his duties, he was late for the meal in the trapeza. The annoyed cook refused to give him any food, and reminded him that he should come on time if he wished to eat. Offended, the deacon flew into a rage and he went to the church again. Standing before the icon of the Mother of God, he said, "How long must I go on serving You? I have toiled, but I have nothing to show for it. You don’t even care whether or not I have anything to eat!" Then he struck Her on the cheek with a knife and pierced right through the canvas. Blood flowed from the wound, and the deacon was struck blind. The terrified transgressor fell down right in front of the icon, trembling all over, like Cain, the murderer of old. The igumen, served the all-night Vigil praying for mercy and the salvation of the hapless one. After three years the All-Holy Virgin appeared to the igumen and said that she had forgiven the deacon, and would restore his health, but his hand which committed the sacrilege would be condemned at the Lord’s Second Coming. The deacon recovered his sight, and deeply repented of his transgression. Settling himself in a stall opposite the icon he stabbed, he spent the rest of his life in repentance before it. Three years after the deacon’s death, his bones were uncovered, according to the Athonite custom. His body had decomposed, but his right hand remained intact and was all black. This hand is preserved at the monastery in memory of the unfathomable love of the Mother of God. It is in rather poor condition, however, because pilgrims would take pieces of it, believing it to be a relic.
• The "XENOPHON HODIGITRIA"示道 Icon of the Mother of God
The "Xenophon Hodigitria" Icon of the Mother of God according to tradition, this wonderworking icon was for many years at the Vatopedi monastery on Mt Athos, in the katholikon in front of a column on the left cliros. In 1730, it mysteriously disappeared not only from the church, but also from the monastery. Since the doors were locked, the monks assumed that thieves had stolen it. Soon they heard that the icon was at the Xenophon monastery, a three hour journey from Vatopedi. Several monks were sent to return their spiritual treasure to the Vatopedi monastery. The icon was restored to its former place, and the Fathers of the monastery took precautions to prevent the icon from being stolen again. However, the icon of the Mother of God left the Vatopedi monastery and appeared at Xenophon a second and third time. Persuaded that this was actually a miraculous occurrence, the brethren of the monastery decided not to oppose the will of the Mother of God, and left the icon at Xenophon. As a sign of their blessing, the brethren provided candles and oil for the icon. The "Hodigitria" Icon at Xenophon is in the katholikon, before a column on the left cliros, the very same place it occupied at the Vatopedi monastery.
●

Synaxis of ALL THE MARTYRED SAINTS, from Protomartyr Stephen and Thekla up to the present
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Πάντες Μάρτυρες ἀπὸ τοῦ Πρωτομάρτυρα Στέφανου μέχρι σήμερα
The Martyrs of Christ are the greatest resisters in the history of mankind. They resisted violence, authoritarianism and delusion with the power of their sacrificial love that gives life, and not by the power, or we should rather say weakness, of hatred which kills. The Holy Martyrs, free of the tyranny of the passions and demonic falsehood ("the idols of the nations are demons"), experienced the truth as reality in the person of the Word of God ("I am the Truth") and freedom as the subjugation of the flesh, or carnal mind, to the spirit. Because they experienced God's presence sensibly in the regeneration of their existence by the Holy Spirit, this is why they endured to the end without bending even to the most inhumane tortures. They sacrificed themselves, like Christ, that others may live, and did not sacrifice others that they may live. The various ideologies, as constructs of passionate people, are unable to offer life. Rather, they can even cause death, pain and suffering. In the name of a pharisaical or rather demonic justice they reduce human lives to better, as they claim, human societies, removing them from the elements which, in their opinion, prevent their progress. That is, they try with violence and killing to regenerate humanity and kill others that they may live. The saints endured all forms of martyrdoms, silently and prayerfully, but they did not achieve this on their own and it was not due to strong will or strong character, rather it was the work of the uncreated Grace of God that encompassed their entire existence, their soul and body, and it empowered them, strengthened them and consoled them. When a person, by the Grace of God and their personal struggle, conquers their passions and is sovereign over them, then the Grace of God overshadows them and dwells in their entire existence, and then a person acquires perfect love and all the other virtues. This is why they selflessly love others, as well as all of creation. They fervently desire martyrdom, since perfect love by nature is martyric, sacrificial and a cross. Also, it gives a fragrance to their entire existence, their words and actions, their soul and their body, which still continues to be fragrant after the departure of the soul. The myrrh-scented relics of the saints are a seal of their authenticity and holiness, and they also confirm the teaching of the Church in regards to the resurrection of the dead and about eternal life.
●

• Hieromartyrs FRUCTUOSUS Bishop of Tarragoña in Spain, and his deacons AUGURIUS and EULOGIUS (259) burnt at the stake under Valerian. When the fire had burnt through their bonds, they stretched out their arms in the form of a cross and died
• The Martyrdom of St DEMIANA (also Demyana or Dimiana), Nun, and entire monastery (3-4th c.)
• The Holy 4 Martyrs of Tyre, by the sword (302)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Τέσσερις Μάρτυρες
• Martyrs EUGENE 艾弗吉尼, CANDIDUS 坎迪德, VALERIAN 瓦莱里安 and AQUILA 阿桂拉 at Trebizond (303)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Εὐγένιος, Οὐαλεριανός, Κάνδιδος καὶ Ἀκύλας οἱ Μάρτυρες
• Martyrs GABRIEL and ZIONIOS, and companions, under the Bulgarian ruler Omurtag (814-831)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Γαβριὴλ καὶ Σιώνιος οἱ Μάρτυρες
• JOHN and THEODOSIUS
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• New Hieromartyr ELIAS Berezovskij, presbiter, Priest of Alma-Ata (1890-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted
• New Hieromartyr priest JAMES (1938)
• New Hieromartyrs JOHN Dobrokhotov, NICHOLAS Bukharin, JACOB Zjablitskij, PETER Zjablitskij, JOHN Korzhavin, JOHN Rozanov, JOHN Uspenskij Priests in Ivanov (1938)
• Archimandrites GEORGE John Mkheidze (1960) and JOHN (Basil Maisuradze) (1957) of Georgia, been lovingly deemed one soul in two bodies
●

• Holy Virgin Martyress AGNES (Anna, Agne, Agneta, Agnella, Agnia or Inez) 阿格尼斯 of Rome (304) patroness of virginal innocence, betrothed couples, gardeners, and maidens. She is invoked for chastity
Ἡ Ἁγία Ἁγνὴ ἡ Μάρτυς
• Hosiosmartyr ANASTASIUS 阿纳斯塔西 of Rome and Constantinople (662) disciple of St Maximus the Confessor
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀναστάσιος ὁ Μάρτυρας
The Holy Martyr Anastasias was a student of the Monk Maximos the Confessor, and together with him suffered persecution under the Monothelites. He penned the Vita of his teacher. He died in the year 662.
• Venerable APOLLONIOS of the Thebaid, ascetic (4th c.)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀπολλώνιος
• BRIGID (also Brighis or Briga) known as St Brigid of Kilbride, venerated around Lismore in Ireland (5-6th c.)
• EGLIONNA (also Eghlionna or Eglina) of Cluain-Caoi, Cashel, County Tipperary
• Sainted bishop EPIPHANIUS of Pavia called the "glory of Italy" and "light of bishops" (439-497) born in Pavia in Italy, he became bishop there in 467. During his episcopate Odoacer destroyed Pavia and Epiphanius was largely responsible for rebuilding the city. While paying the ransom of some of his flock, he caught a fever of which he died
Epiphanius is supposed to be portrayed as a bishop going to his martyrdom with three maidens: Luminosa, Speciosa, and Liberata.
• FAINCHE (also Fuinche or Finnia) of Clúain cain in Eoghanacht Casil, County Tipperary (520)
• Bishop FLANN of Finglas, County of Dublin
• LAWDOG (6th c.) Four churches are dedicated to him near St David's in Wales
• Abbot MACCALLIN (Malcallan, Maolcalain) of Waulsort (978) born in Ireland, he went to St Fursey's shrine in Péronne in France and entered the monastery of Gorze. Later he became a hermit and then Abbot of St Michael's monastery at Thiérache and Waulsort near Dinant in Belgium
• Venerable MAXIMUS 玛克西默 the Confessor (662)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μάξιμος ὁ Ὁμολογητής
• Blessed Venerable MAXIMUS (Michael Tivolis) 玛克西默 the Greek (1470-1556)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μάξιμος ὁ Γραικός
St Maximos the Greek was imprisoned in Russia, banished to the Monastery of Volokolamsk, where he suffered from hunger, bitter cold and all kinds of torments. There he was bereft of everything, even being deprived of Holy Communion and books, yet prayer alone sustained him. The Lord did not abandon him, but one day an Angel appeared to him and said "Have patience: You will be delivered from eternal torment by sufferings here below." In thanks for this divine comfort, St Maximus wrote a canon to the Holy Spirit on the walls of his cell in charcoal, since he was denied the use of paper and pen. THE PARACLETE: This Canon is sung on Pentecost Monday in some Monasteries.
"Wherefore with manna having sustained Israel in the wilderness of old, and my soul, O Lord-Vladyka, is filled of the All-Holy Spirit, through Which vouchsafe that I shalt serve Thee always..."
• Hosiosmartyr MEINRAD also known as Maynard, Meginrat) the Hermit, of Einsiedeln and Reichenau (861) murdered by robbers
Of the noble family of Hohenzollern, he became a monk at the monastery of Reichenau on the Rhine in Germany. Later he became a hermit in Switzerland, and this later became the monastery of Einsiedeln, meaning in German "the Hermitage". He lived as a hermit for twenty-five years, was murdered by robbers and is venerated as a martyr.
• Holy Hieromartyr NEOPHYTUS 奈奥斐特 of Nicaea (303-305) departed to the Lord at the age of 16
Ὁ Ἅγιος Νεόφυτος ὁ Μάρτυρας
• Venerable NEOPHYTES the Prosmonarios (the keeper of a church, one who waits for and receives those who come to worship) of Vatopedi on Mt Athos (1339)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Νεόφυτος
• Martyr PATROCLUS of Troyes (259/275) a very wealthy and exceedingly charitable Orthodox in Troyes in France, who was martyred there. His relics were translated to Soest in Germany in 960; invoked against demons and fever
Ὁ Ἅγιος Πάτροκλος ὁ Μάρτυρας
• Hieromartyr PUBLIUS of Malta, Bishop of Athens (112)
Tradition identifies this saint with Publius, "chief man of the island of Malta" who befriended St Paul after his shipwreck (Acts 28:7-10). He became the first Bishop of Malta and later Bishop of Athens, being martyred under Trajan.
Publius later became the first bishop of Malta, though another tradition has him bishop of Athens and suffering martyrdom there during the reign of Emperor Trajan (Benedictines, Delaney).

• SEIGHIN of Cill-Seighin (5th c.)
• Venerable monk and desert-dweller Elder TIMON of Nadeyev and Kostroma (1840)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Τίμων ἐκ Ρωσίας
• VIMIN (Vivian, Wynnin, Gwynnin) (6th c.) a bishop in Scotland, said to have founded the monastery of Holywood (called in Latin Sacrum Boscum)
• ZOSIMAS 佐息玛 bishop of Syracuse (662)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ζώσιμος
The blessed Zosimos also gives an account of a certain woman, who came from a noble family, and who was shameless in her mind and impure. Because she had been beaten harshly by her husband, she went to the Monastery of Saint Lucy, first in order to flee the sufferings bestowed upon her by her enraged husband, and also to be healed of the beating she received. When night came, Saint Lucy yelled out with such a voice, that it entered the ears of Zosimos who was sleeping, and she said, "Remove the unclean woman from the Monastery," and she said this while pointing with her hand. With much fear Zosimos got up, and said to the servants of that woman: "Quickly rouse your mistress from here, and take her outside with her bed." The servants then approached the bed, and they found their mistress dead.
Having worked many miracles, and conducting himself as an ascetic, he departed to the Lord. Many sick people were healed of their various ailments both before he was buried and after he was buried. The demonized were liberated, and the blind were able to see again. One Christian had a wife with an issue of blood, and taking a piece of the garment of the Saint, he gave it to his wife, and she became a recipient of healing for her suffering, with the flow of blood immediately ceasing.

●

• Synaxis of the Church of Holy Peace (Saint Irene) by the Sea in Constantinople
Μνήμη Ἐγκαινίων ναοῦ τῆς Ἁγίας Εἰρήνης
PRAYER TO THE ALL-HOLY SPIRIT
O Master, all-good Paraclete, Who art One of the holy and worshipful, consubstantial and indivisible Trinity, accept this poor entreaty which Thou hast allowed to be offered unto Thee by a man sinful and condemned; and forgive me mine offenses, voluntary and involuntary. Cleanse me of my hidden [sins], and take pity on Thy servant [in the face of the sins] of others. Extend Thy favor to me, the sinful and unworthy, visit the infirmity of my soul with Thy grace, and heal its broken state.
Have mercy on me, O Master, Paraclete and God! Have mercy on me, sanctify my soul and body, enlighten my mind and reason, and cleanse the conscience of my soul from all defilement. And from impure thoughts, from the plottings of the wicked and the intentions of the bad, from all vainglory, pride and self-aggrandizement, from arrogance and audacity, from satanic insolence, and from all pharisaical hypocrisy and mine every evil habit, do Thou utterly deliver me for the sake of the glory of Thy name. And grant me sincere repentance, contrition and humility of heart, meekness and serenity, and all Christian reverence, understanding and spiritual skill, with all nobility, thankfulness and perfect patience. Yea, O God, for the sake of the glory of Thy name hearken unto me, the sinful one who prayeth to Thee, and vouchsafe that for the remainder of my wretched life I may sincerely repent of mine iniquities with all humbleness of mind, chastity and true temperance, having put away all doubt, double-mindedness and insensitivity; and fully preserve me in a pious and Orthodox confession of the Christian Faith, O Master, that I may be vouchsafed all the days of my life to hymn thee without doubting, to bless and glorify Thee, and to say: O holy God, unoriginate Father! O holy Mighty One, His Son Who is equally without beginning! O holy Immortal One, Holy Spirit Who proceedest from the Father and abidest and restest in the Son! O most Holy Trinity, glory be to Thee! Glory to Thee, O Holy Trinity, Who art consubstantial, life-creating and indivisible! Glory to Thee for all things!
Glory to thee, O Mother of God, refuge of the faithful, deliverance for those beset by evils, and divine consolation of my soul! O thou who art full of the grace of God, my most wretched soul, which hast been wounded by the arrows of the enemy, do I entrust to thine almighty intercession; and protect and save it unharmed by the wiles of the demons, that I may cry out to thee: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

четверг, 1 февраля 2018 г.

• συνοδικός • February 2 / January 20 •

συνοδικός

February 2 / January 20
2018 (7526)
• M SEBASTIAN, together MM ZOE and her husband NICOSTRATUS; MARCELLINUS and others at Rome (287)
Sebastian is one of the most renowned of all the martyrs of Rome. According to his Life, he was an officer in the imperial army and a favourite of Diocletian. Nevertheless, when he was discovered to be Orthodox no mercy was shown him. Tied to a tree, his body was made a target for Roman archers and he was finally martyred with clubs. His church is one of the seven main churches in Rome. As one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, Saint Sebastian is patron of many: archers, armorers, athletes, bookbinders, burial societies, arrowsmiths, corn-chandlers, gardeners, ironmongers, lead-founders, municipal police, needle-makers, neighborhood watch operations, physicians, potters, racquet-makers, soldiers, and stone masons. He is invoked against cattlepest, epilepsy, enemies of religion, the plague, and by the dying.
• Martyrs BASSUS 瓦索, EUSEBIUS 艾弗塞维, EUTYCHIUS 艾弗提希 and BASILIDES 瓦西里迪 the Roman senator (303) at Nicomedia
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Βάσσος, Εὐσέβιος, Εὐτύχιος καὶ Βασιλείδης οἱ Μάρτυρες
They came to Faith in Christ, and received holy Baptism, after seeing Bishop Theopemptos of Nicomedia (Jan 5) bravely endure the torments of the faithless, and working miracles by the power of Christ. Having been denounced to the emperor and standing before him, they first had their belts removed, a sign of their exalted office, then each received a different end to their life. Saint Bassus was cast inside a pit up to his thighs, and after his hands were cut off as well as his entire body, he came to an end. Saint Eusebius was suspended upside down, and being cut to pieces with an axe, he came to end. Saint Eutyches was violently stretched out to four stakes, and after being cut into three parts, he had a blessed end. Saint Basilides had his stomach ripped open with a knife, and his life came to an end. In this way all four received crowns of martyrdom.
• Holy Martyrs INNAS 英纳, PINNAS 平纳 and RIMMAS (Nirras) 林玛 in Scythia, the first martyrs in the lands that are now inhabited by the Slavic people (350) disciples of St Andrew the Apostle the first missionary to the lands north of the Black Sea
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Ἰννᾶς, Πιννᾶς, Ριμμᾶς οἱ Μάρτυρες
They taught about the Name of Christ and they baptised many barbarians converted to the true faith. For this there were seized by the local prince, but they would not recant from Christ nor would they offer sacrifice to idols. A fierce winter then prevailed; the rivers were so solid with frost, that on the ice there travelled not only people, but also horses with carts. The prince gave orders to put large timbers on the ice and bind the saints to them, gradually lowering them into the freezing water. When the ice reached the necks of the saints they, worn out by the terrible cold, offered to the Lord their blessed souls.
• Martyrs THERSES and AGNIA
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Θύρσος καὶ Ἁγνὴ οἱ Μάρτυρες
• MM ELPIDIUS, DANAX and HELEN (also Helena)
• MM LEONTIUS, CYRIACUS, VITUS, CENDEUS, URSUS, FLORUS and FELIX and VMM MARCIA and CHELEDONIA (also Chelidonia) at Nicomedia (Ismid) in Asia Minor
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• New Hieromartyr PETR 彼得 Skipetrov, presbiter, archpriest (1863-1918) cruelly murdered by Bolsheviks, at St Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Petrograd
• New Hieromartyr NICHOLAS Vostorgov, presbiter, priest (1875-1930) died in central hospital of prison in Solovki KZ of Archangelsk
• Martyr THEODOR Gusev, member of church council of St Nicholas church in Sidorovskoje of Zvenigorod of Moskow (1874-1940) died in Jugvostoklag KZ in Blagoveshchensk of Amur
• New Hieromartyr PAVEL Dobromyslov, presbiter, archpriest (1940)
• New Hieromartyr Presbyter IOAN Pettai, of Estonia
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας
• Venerable Hieroconfessor Abbot EUTHYMIUS (Ekvtime) 艾科弗提玫 Kereselidze the Confessor, of Georgia (1865-1944)
The ancient school of Georgian chant is preserved up to this day primarily as a result of Abbot Ekvtime’s fearless labors. Saint Ekvtime Kereselidze, like Saint Ekvtime of Mt Athos for whom he was named, dedicated his life to the enrichment of his mother Church. Like Saint Ekvtime Taqaishvili, the Man of God, he gave his talents and energies to the preservation of Georgia’s unique spiritual heritage. He was a monk-ascetic and a scholar who prayed fervently. Several of his theological treatises are preserved at Samtavro. From his youth Saint Ekvtime was for others an example of virginity, humility and patience. The Synod called him Ekvtime the Confessor, thereby recognizing his confession of the Faith and his vital role in the preservation of the rich tradition of national liturgical song.
●

• AGATHO (681) Pope of Rome from 678 to 681. A Sicilian from Palermo, he called for the holding of the Sixth Oecumenical Council in Constantinople in 680 against Monothelitism
• Martyress ANNA at Rome (302)
Ἡ Ἁγία Ἄννα ἡ Μάρτυς
• Martyr EUSEBIUS (298)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Εὐσέβιος ὁ Μάρτυρας
• Venerable schemamonk EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 the Great (473)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Εὐθύμιος ὁ Μέγας
• Bishop EUTHYMIUS of Pereyaslav (1149)
• Venerable hieroschemamonk EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 the Silent of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (1319) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Theodosy Far Caves of the Lavra
Ὁ Ἅγιος Εὐθύμιος
He imposed upon himself a vow of silence, opening his mouth only for Divine Services and for prayer. The silent schemamonk priest ate only herbs.
• Patriarch EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 of Turnovo (1400) Bulgaria
Ὁ Ἅγιος Εὐθύμιος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Τυρνόβου
• Venerable abbot EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 of Syanzhemsk and Vlolgda (1465)
• Venerable EUTHYMIUS 艾弗提弥 of Archangelsk and Karelia (1523)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Εὐθύμιος ἐκ Ρωσίας
• Hieromartyr FABIAN (250) succeeded St Antherus as Pope of Rome in 236 and was martyred in 250 under Decius. St Cyprian described him as an "incomparable man" and added that the glory of his death matched the purity and goodness of his life; the Patron of lead-founders and potters
• Abbot FÉCHÍN (also known as Vigean, Virgin) 斐金 of Fobhar (Fore) (665) born in Connaught in Ireland, he founded several monasteries. His name is connected with Fobhar (Fore) in Westmeath. Ecclefechan and St Vigean's near Arbroath in Scotland are also called after him
• GENNADIUS the Abbot of Monastery Vatopedi, Mt Athos (14th c.)
• Repose of Elder GERASIM the founder of Ascension Monastery, Irkutsk (1676)
• Venerable LAURENCE 劳伦提 the Recluse of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (1291) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Theodosy Far Caves of the Lavra
Ὁ Ἅγιος Λαυρέντιος
• LEO (Leo Marcellus) 莱 the Great, Confessor and Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (474) also called "Makellis" and "the Thracian"
Ὁ Ἅγιος Λέων Μακέλλης ὁ Μέγας
Leo's coronation as emperor on 7 February 457, was the first known to involve the Patriarch of Constantinople. Leo I made an alliance with the Isaurians and was thus able to eliminate Aspar. The price of the alliance was the marriage of Leo's daughter to Tarasicodissa, leader of the Isaurians who, as Zeno, became emperor in 474. In 469, Aspar attempted to assassinate Zeno and very nearly succeeded. Finally, in 471, Aspar's son Ardabur was implicated in a plot against Leo and Ardabur was killed by palace eunuchs acting on Leo's orders. After this, Leo acquired the nickname "Makellis", derived from the Latin word for "butcher" and resembling his original name "Marcellus".
• MAURUS of Cesena (946) became monk and Abbot of Classe in Ravenna in Italy (926), and finally Bishop of Cesena. He built for himself a cell on a hill near the city, where he spent part of his time in prayer. After his repose the cell grew into the monastery of Santa Maria del Monte • Abbot MOLAGGA (also known as Laicin, Molacca) of Fermoy (655) born in Ireland, he was a disciple of St David in Wales. He founded a monastery in Fulachmhin (Fermoy) in Ireland
• Martyr NEOPHYTUS of Nicaea (310) was a youth, less than 15years old, who was martyred at Nicaea under Galerius
• NEOPHYTUS 奈奥斐特 of Vatopedi, Mt Athos (14th c.)
• Blessed PETER 彼得 the Merciful, the former Customs Inspector (the Tax Collector) of Constantinople (6th c.)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Πέτρος ὁ Τελώνης
• THEODORE 德奥多若 Kuzmich of Tomsk (1864)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Δίκαιος ἐκ Ρωσίας
• Righteous UTA of Uttenweiler (722)
• New Martyr ZACHARIAS 匝哈利亚 in Patrai in Morea (1782)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ζαχαρίας ὁ Νεομάρτυρας
He renounced Christ to become a Moslem, then went to ancient Patras and worked there as a furrier. He had a book, THE SALVATION OF SINNERS, which he often read. Αμαρτωλών σωτηρία: A devotional work composed by Agapios Landos (1600-1671), an Athonite monk from Crete. It was greatly appreciated throughout the dark period of the Turkish occupation, and is still widely read in Greece. The book moved him to repentence, and he wept bitterly for the great evil he had done. After some time Elder blessed Zachariah to go back to the Moslems and declare his faith in Christ. On his way, the saint asked forgiveness from each Christian he met. The holy martyr went to the judge’s house and said that he had been deceived when he accepted their religion, but now he had come to his senses and returned to Christ. Saint Zachariah was thrown into prison, where he was beaten three times a day. Finally, the saint died by being stretched out on a rack. Christians asked for his body so they might bury it, but the Moslems refused. They said, "He is neither one of you, nor one of us, for he denied both religions. Therefore, he is unworthy of burial." His body was dragged through the streets and thrown into a dry well, landing on its knees in an upright position. Christians saw a radiant light over the well the next night, and hastened to venerate the saint. The Turks filled the well with dirt and debris to prevent such gatherings in the future. By shedding his blood, the holy New Martyr Zachariah washed away the sin of his denial of Christ and received an unfading crown of glory.
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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

• συνοδικός • February 1 / January 19 •

συνοδικός

February 1 / January 19
2018 (7526)
• Martyrs PAUL, GERONTIUS, JANUARIUS, SATURNINUS, SUCCESSUS, JULIUS, CATUS, PIA and GERMANA (2nd c.) in Numidia in North Africa
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Παῦλος, Γερόντιος, Ἰανουάριος, Σατουρνῖνος, Σακκέσιος, Ἰούλιος, Κάτιος, Πῖος καὶ Γερμανὸς οἱ Μάρτυρες
• MM MARINUS (also Maris or Marius) a Persian nobleman beheaded; his wife MARTHA drowned; and their children AUDIFAX and ABBACUM (also Abachum or Habakkuk) beheaded; and those with them at Rome (260/270)
A rich Persian family - husband, wife, and two children - who were converted to the faith and distributed their possessions to the poor. They decided to visit Rome to venerate the tombs of the martyrs even though the Emperor Claudius was persecuting Christians. Claudius ordered his legions to gather Christians in the amphitheater, where they were killed and their bodies burned. The Persian family gathered together the ashes and buried them. For this, the governor Marcian apprehended and tortured the whole family before putting them to death. The three men were beheaded and Martha was drowned 13 miles from Rome at a place now called Santa Ninfa (Nympha). Reverent Christians honored the bodies of these martyrs with respect: They were buried on the Via Cornelia. Thirteen centuries later (1590) their bones were discovered and now lie honored in churches as far apart as Rome, Cremona, and Seligenstaedt in Germany. In art this group generally is represented as a Persian noble family visiting prisoners. Sometimes they may be shown burying Christian martyrs in Rome or being executed with an axe.
• MM GEORGE and Deaconess MERCURIA
• Martyresses PIA and PICARIA together with 38 Christian Martyrs (300) in Karthago
• Hieromartyr BLAITHMAIC (also known as Blaithmac, Blathmac, Blaithmale) of Iona, son of an Irish king, and abbot in the isle of Hij, in Scotland (823) an Irish abbot, who, desiring martyrdom, crossed over to England, which was then prey to the heathen Danes; hacked to pieces by the Danish pirates on the altar steps of the abbey church, to whom he refused to betray the treasures of the church; and Other Monks Martyred with Him by the Danes
●

NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS in the 20th century
• New Hieromartyr PETR 彼得 Skipetrov, presbiter, archpriest (1863-1918) day of martyrdom, cruelly murdered by Bolsheviks, at St Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Petrograd
• New Hieromartyr NICHOLAS Vostorgov, presbiter, priest (1875-1930) day of death in central hospital of prison in Solovki KZ of Archangelsk
• Martyr THEODOR Gusev, member of church council of St Nicholas church in Sidorovskoje of Zvenigorod of Moskow (1874-1940) day of death in Jugvostoklag KZ in Blagoveshchensk of Amur
• Repose of Blessed Schemamun ANATOLIA of Diveyevo (1949)
• Venerable Hieroconfessor Abbot EUTHYMIUS Kereselidze (20th c.) Georgia
●

• Sainted AGRITIUS Patriarch of Antiochia and Bishop of Trier (330)
• ALBERT archbishop of Cashel (7th c.) Ireland; by race an Angle, in speech an angel
• Venerable Monk ANTHONY 安托尼 the Stylite of Martkop, of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers, Hermit, monastery founder (6th c.) Georgia
• Martyr ANTHONY 安托尼 Rawah the Qpraisite (799) Damask
• Hieromartyr Bishop ARCONTIUS of Viviers (8-9th c.) killed by a mob for having upheld the rights of the Church
• Sainted Archbishop ARSENIUS 阿尔塞尼 of Kerkyra, Corfu (953) a Jewish convert who became the first bishop of the church of Corfu; augmented and structured the Rite of the Sacrament of Holy Unction (Anointing with Oil) to its present form
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀρσένιος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κερκύρας
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.
• BASSIAN of Lodi (413) born in Sicily, he became Bishop of Lodi in Lombardy in Italy
He was much esteemed by St Ambrose of Milan, with whom he attended the Council of Aquilia (381) and at whose repose he was present (390).
• BLATH (also Bláthnait or Flora) of Kildare (5th c.)
• Translation (935) of the Relics of Bishop BRANWALADER (also known as Branwalader, Branwalator, Brelade, Breward) 布兰瓦拉德尔 in Jersey and of Cornwall and the Channel Islands (6th c.) to Milton Abbey in Dorset, England
King Athelstan, who founded the monastery of Milton in Dorset in England translated relics of the saint there in 935.
• CATELLUS (9th c.) Bishop of Castellamare to the south of Naples in Italy. He is venerated as the main patron-saint of the town
• Martyr CLAUDIUS
• CONTESTUS (510) Bishop of Bayeux in France from 480 on
• Venerable COSMAS of the Monastery of St John Chrysostom, at Koutsovendis, Cyprus
Ὁ Ὅσιος Κοσμᾶς ὁ Χρυσοστόματος
• Holy anchorite DUNCHADH Ua Brain of Clonmacnoise (10th c.)
• VM EUPHRASIA (also Evphrasia) 艾弗福拉西亚 of Nicomedia in Bithynia, Asia Minor (303)
Ἡ Ἁγία Εὐφρασία ἡ Μάρτυς
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.
• Abbot FILLAN (also known as Foelan, Foellan, Foilan, Foillan, Fulan) of Strathfillan (8th c.) son of Saint Kentigerna Hermitess of Loch Lomond // JAN 8 //
• FIRMINUS the 3rd Bishop of Gabales (Gévaudan) in France
• Martyr GERMANICUS of Smyrna (156) a mere youth when he was thrown to the wild beasts in the amphitheater at Smyrna during the public games • Translation of the relics (950) of St GREGORY 格里高利 the Theologian (389)
Ἀνακομιδὴ Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίου Γρηγορίου Θεολόγου
• Martyr HYPATIUS
• Martyr JANUARIUS
• Abbot LOMER (Launomarus, Laudomarus) (593) a shepherd boy near Chartres in France and then priest, he became a hermit. Disciples came and he founded the monastery of Corbion near Chartres. He lived to be over a hundred
• Our Blessed Venerable Father presbiter MACARIUS 玛喀里 the Great (390) an Egyptian and one of the younger contemporaries of Anthony the Great
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ Ἀναχωρητὴς
He lived ninety years, of which he spent sixty in the desert of Skete, where he retired when thirty years old. He commanded the attention of all to such an extent that he was called 'the young old man.' He progressed so rapidly in perfection that at the age of forty he received the grace of expelling demons and of predicting the future. He was also judged worthy of the priesthood.
• Venerable hieromonk MACARIUS 玛喀里 the New, of Alexandria (393/395) together with Macarius the Great, was a disciple of St Anthony
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς
He wrote a Discourse on the Origin of the Soul included in the text of the Annotated Psalter.
• Venerable Bishop MACARIUS of Ierissos, on the Chalkidiki peninsula (395-408)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος Ἐπίσκοπος Ἱερισσοῦ
• Venerable MACARIUS 玛喀里 the Faster of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (1179) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Anthony Near Caves of the Lavra
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Νηστευτὴς ἐκ Ρωσίας
• Venerable MACARIUS 玛喀里 the Deacon of Kiev Caves, from the Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kiev (13-14th c.) Ukraine. The Relics are kept at St Theodosy Far Caves of the Lavra
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Διάκονος ἐκ Ρωσίας
He was distinguished by his lack of covetousness, that he possessed great fervour for the temple of God and he continuously exerted himself in the reading of Holy Scripture and in fasting. According to tradition, he was frequently ill in childhood, and his parents gave a vow to God to offer their son to the Pechersk monastery, if he were made healthy. By his mildness and humility he earned the love of the brethren, who taught him to read and to write. For his piety of life he was raised to the dignity of deacon, and during his life he possessed a gift of wonderworking.
• Venerable MACARIUS 玛喀里 the Roman of Novgorod (1550) // AUG 15 //
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Ρωμαῖος
• Hierodeacon MAKARIOS 玛喀里 of Kalogeras, of Patmos (1737) the Teacher of the Nation
• Sainted Archbishop MARK 马可 Eugenikos, Metropolitan of Ephesus and Confessor of the Orthodox Faith (1444)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Μᾶρκος ὁ Εὐγενικὸς Ἐπίσκοπος Ἐφέσου
• Venerable monk MELETIUS 麦勒提 the Gallesiote, the Confessor of Mt Galesion (1286)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Μελέτιος ὁ Ὁμολογητής ὁ Γαλησιώτης
• VM MESSALINA at Foligno in Italy, Protomartyress of Foligno (251)
A holy virgin in Foligno in Italy. She visited Bishop Felician of Foligno in prison, was denounced as a Christian and clubbed to death.
• NATHALAN of Aberdeen (678) born of a wealthy family in Scotland, he became a hermit and was praised for earning his living by tilling the soil, which comes closest to divine contemplation. He became a bishop and lived in Tullicht, Scotland
• PETER the Wonderworker of Argos (925)
• Martyr PONTIAN (169) in Spoleto in Italy under Marcus Aurelius
• REMIGIUS (772) archbishop of Rouen in France from 755 on, worked successfully for the introduction of the Roman rite and chant into Gaul
• Opening (1652) of the relics of Venerable Abbot SABBAS 萨瓦 of Storozhev or Zvenigorod (1407)
• Blessed THEODORE 德奥多若 Fool for Christ from Novgorod (1392)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ διὰ Χριστὸν Σαλός τοῦ Νόβγκοροντ
• THEODOTUS Bishop of Cyrene (307-323)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδοτος Ἐπίσκοπος Κυρήνειας
●

• Commemoration of the miracle wrought by St BASIL the Great at Nicaea, when by his prayer he opened the gates of the Universal (Catholic) church and entrusted it to the Orthodox (370)
Μνήμη Θαύματος Μεγάλου Βασιλείου
While the wicked Emperor Valens was in Nicaea, prominent Arians approached him requesting that he drive the Orthodox from the cathedral and give it to them. The ruler, himself a heretic, forcibly removed the faithful and allowed the dissenters to occupy the building, after which he left for the Imperial City. The entire community of the Orthodox, which was of considerable size, was griefstricken. While matters were in this state, the great helper and protector of all the churches, Saint Basil, arrived in Nicaea. Weeping and lamenting, the flock of true believers informed him of what the Emperor had done. The blessed one comforted them and hurried to Constantinople, where he presented himself to Valens and said, "It is written, 'The King's honour loveth judgment', and Wisdom tells us that 'the King's judgment is righteous'. Why, then, O Emperor, have you pronounced an unjust sentence, expelling the Orthodox from their holy church and giving it to misbelievers?"
The Emperor replied, "Have you come to insult me, Basil? It does not behoove you to speak thus."
"It would certainly behoove me to die for the truth," retorted Basil.
The chief cook of the palace, whose name was Demosthenes, was standing nearby, and wishing to abet the Arian cause, interjected and crudely reviled the saint. "Behold," laughed Basil, "a new Demosthenes, this one an illiterate!" The humiliated cook muttered something, to which the blessed one responded, "Your business is pots and pans, not the dogmas of the Church."
Furious with Basil, but knowing that he had acted wrongly, the Emperor commanded, "Return to Nicaea and judge between the factions, but do not show favoritism to your party."
"If I judge wrongly, send me to prison, expel my co-believers, and give the church to the Arians," said the man of God.
Basil went back to Nicaea with an imperial decree, assembled the Arians, and announced, "The Emperor has given me authority to decide whether you or the Orthodox should have the church you took by force."
The Arians replied, "Judge, then, but as the Emperor would."
"Come, Arians and Orthodox," exclaimed Basil; "we will lock the church! Both sides will affix their seals and set strong guards of men they trust. Then pray for three days and nights, you Arians, and return. If you can open the doors by your supplications, the church will be yours in perpetuity. If you cannot, we shall pray for a single night and go to the church, chanting a Litia. We shall have permanent control of the building if the doors open for us; otherwise, it will be yours again." This proposal pleased the Arians, but the Orthodox were vexed with the saint, protesting that he gave the heretics an unfair advantage out of fear of the Emperor. Nevertheless, both sides agreed, locked the church, sealed it, and set guards. The Arians prayed for three days and nights, but their prayers achieved nothing; so they continued to entreat God's mercy until noon of the fourth day, crying, "Lord have mercy!" When the doors failed to open, they dispersed, hanging their heads in shame. Meanwhile, the great Basil assembled the Orthodox men, women, and children, and led them to the Church of the Holy Martyr Diomedes, outside the city. He celebrated an All-Night Vigil there, then proceeded with the crowd to the cathedral, chanting, "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us." Halting before the portals, he commanded the people, "Raise your hands to heaven and cry with heartfelt ardor, 'Lord have mercy!'" After they had prayed, the saint ordered that there be silence. He made the sign of the Cross over the doors thrice and shouted, "Blessed is the God of the Christians, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages." The people answered, "Amen." Suddenly the earth quaked, the locks broke apart, the bars fell to the floor, the seals split, and the doors flew open, slamming against the wall as though a mighty wind were blowing or a fierce tempest raging. Chanting, "Lift up your gates, 0 ye princes; and be lifted up, ye everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter", Basil hurried into the building with the whole congregation of the Orthodox. After celebrating the divine service, he joyfully dismissed the faithful. Many Arians (who had returned in great numbers to see how matters would end) renounced impiety and joined themselves to the true believers. When the Emperor learned of Basil's judicious handling of affairs and the glorious miracle, he marveled greatly and denounced vile Arianism; nevertheless, blinded by malice, he did not turn to Orthodoxy. Later, he perished miserably. Defeated and wounded in a battle in Thrace, he fled and cowered in a barn full of straw. His pursuers surrounded the building and set it on fire. The Emperor was burned alive, and his soul departed to everlasting flames. The tyrant's demise took place after the death of our holy father Basil, but in the same year.

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.
•
•
•
Blessed be God.

• 2022 • September 15 / September 2 • 7531 #συνοδικός since #2018

συνοδικός FORGIVENESS IS BETTER THAN REVENGE NO ONE HEALS HIMSELF BY WOUNDING ANOTHER 15.9.2022 oo:oo 83\204 #συνοδικός #s...