Today's Saint: Honor to Whom Honor Is Due

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Monday, June 7, 2004 we celebrate:

2nd Monday after Pentecost: Apostles Fast Begins Today

Theodotos, Holy Martyr and Bishop of Ankyra

Our Righteous Father Panage (Basia)

Tarasios & John the Martyrs

Through the intercessions of our Holy Hieromartyr Theodotos, our Holy Martyrs Tarasios and John, and our Righteous Father Panage, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Theodotos, Holy Martyr and Bishop of Ankyra

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Reading:

This Martyr contested in Ancyra during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Theotecnus was Proconsul. After the martyrdom of the virgin Tecusa and her seven companions (the virgins Alexandria, Claudia, Phaeina, Euphrasia, Matrona, Julia, and Theodota; they are celebrated on May 18), Saint Theodotus recovered their holy relics and buried them. For this, he was seized by Theotecnus, tormented, and beheaded.

Apolytikion and Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Tuesday, June 8, 2004 we celebrate:

Removal of the Relics of Theodore the Commander
Kalliope the Martyr
Melania the Righteous

Through the intercessions of our Holy Martyrs Theodore and Kalliope, and our Righteous Melanie, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Removal of the Relics of Theodore the Commander

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore. With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

As Christ the Saviour's mighty athlete and victor, and a provider of the gifts come from Heaven, thou always swiftly helpest with thy prayers to God all those who seek refuge in thy divinely-graced temple and who flee with fervent faith to thy holy protection. Wherefore we cry to thee: Deliver us from every danger, O thrice-blessed Theodore.

Melania the Righteous

Apolytikion: Plagal of the First Tone (tone 5)

Scorning riches that perish and worldly dignity, thou soughtest heavenly glory through self-denial and toils, making noble rank more noble by humility; and thou didst build a holy house in Jerusalem, where thou didst guide souls unto salvation. And now, O Mother Melania, grant us the alms of thy rich prayers to God.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Thou didst use thine earthly wealth, O wise Melania, to console and help the poor; and with the riches of thy mind, thou leddest many of noble rank with joy to be poor in spirit for Jesus' sake.

Reading:

Saint Melania was a lady of noble birth, most wealthy and renowned, a descendant of Roman consuls, and of Spanish origin. When her husband and two of her children died, she departed for Egypt to visit the monks living at Mount Nitria. She distributed her wealth to those that were in need there, as well as to the confessors of the Faith who were being persecuted by the Arians. In three days alone, she fed some 5,000. Then, when these Orthodox Christians were exiled to Palestine, she also went to Jerusalem. There, at her own expense, she built a convent for virgins, and reposed therein in holiness about the year 410. Her granddaughter Melania the Younger is celebrated on December 31.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Wednesday, June 9, 2004 we celebrate:

2nd Wednesday after Pentecost

Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria
3 Virgin-martyrs of Chios
5 Nuns beheaded in Persia: Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, & Enmatha

Through the intercessions of our Holy Father Cyril, our Holy Virgin Martyrs of Chios, and our Holy Monastic Martyrs Thecia, Mariamme, Martha, Mary, and Enmatha, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Thou with the power of Christ Saviour's divine words didst rend asunder all the webs of the heresies and didst enrich the Church by cutting down the tares of profane Nestorius, O our blest Father Cyril; wherefore, in Christ's presence now with the choirs of the Angels thou intercedest fervently with Him to grant forgiveness of failings to all of us.

Reading:

On this day we commemorate Saint Cyril's falling asleep. On January 18 we commemorate the occasion of the Saint's restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had suffered a brief exile because of the machinations of the Nestorians. Shortly thereafter the Third Ecumenical Council was convoked in Ephesus and the blasphemous doctrine of Nestorius was condemned. See January 18 for Saint Cyril's life and works.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Thursday, June 10, 2004 we celebrate:

2nd Thursday after Pentecost

Alexander & Antonina the Martyrs
Timothy, Bishop of Proussa
Our Holy Father Gregory, Bishop of Assos

Through the intercessions of our Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina, and our Holy Fathers Timothy and Gregory, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Alexander & Antonina the Martyrs

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Second Tone

Let us bless godly-minded Alexander and Antonina, the spiritual kinsmen in Christ, who were of one mind in the paths of godliness; for in His good pleasure, He that glorified them hath received their struggles and wounds as fragrant myrrh.

Reading:

The holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina were from the town of Cardamon (or Crodamon). Antonina was arrested by Festus the Governor and, because she refused to deny Christ, he had her placed in a brothel. But Alexander, sent by divine providence, came in unto her and gave her his cloak; with her head covered, she escaped without having been defiled. When Alexander was discovered, he was taken before Festus, and with Antonina was tortured and burned to death.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

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On Friday, June 11, 2004 we celebrate:

2nd Friday after Pentecost

Bartholomew and Barnabas the Holy Apostles
Revelation of the Hymn Axion Estin to a monk on Mt. Athos by the Archangel Gabriel
Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion

Through the intercessions of our Holy Apostles and Martyrs Bartholomew and Barnabas, and of the Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Bartholomew and Barnabas the Holy Apostles

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

To the Church thou hast appeared as a great daystar; with thy teachings as thy rays and beams of awesome miracles, thou hast enlightened those praising thee, the Lord's Apostle, O sacred Bartholomew.

To thy Lord, O Barnabas, thou wast a genuine servant; and among the Seventy Apostles, thou wast the foremost; and with Paul, thou shonest brightly in thy wise preaching, making known unto all men Christ Jesus, the Saviour. For this cause, we celebrate thy divine memorial with hymns and spiritual songs.

Reading:

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and had Galilee as his homeland; this is all that is known of him for certain according to the history of the Gospels. Concerning his apostolic work, certain say that he preached in Arabia and Persia, and especially in India, bringing to them the Gospel written by Saint Matthew, which had been written originally in Hebrew, and which was found there one hundred years later by Pantaenus, formerly a stoic philosopher and later an illustrious teacher of the Christian school in Alexandria (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., 5: 10). Other accounts say that he went to Armenia. According to some, he ended his life by being crucified, or by being flayed alive, in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis) of Armenia. This also confirms an ancient tradition preserved by the Armenians. According to some, Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because the Evangelists who mention Bartholomew do not mention Nathanael; and John, who alone mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, says nothing of Bartholomew. Indeed, Bartholomew is a patronymic, "son of Talmai," which means "bold, spirited" (see also Jesus of Navi 15:14; II Kings 3:3), and Nathanael could have had this as a surname. According to the Synaxarion of the Menaion on April 22, however, it is Simon the Zealot and Nathanael who are the same; the Evangelists who mention Simon the Zealot (or "the Cananite") do not mention Nathanael.

Saint Barnabas, one of the Seventy, was from Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi, and a fellow disciple with Paul under Gamaliel. He was called Joses, but was renamed Barnabas, which means "son of consolation," perhaps to distinguish him from the Joses called Barsabas and surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23). Saint Barnabas had a field, which he sold and brought the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). Before the conversion of Saul to Paul, it was Barnabas who was the leader of the Seventy Apostles, the first in preaching and chief spokesman. After Saul's vision on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas who joined him to the Apostles when the others, because of Saul's reputation as a persecutor of the Church, still feared him (Acts 9:26-27); again it was Saint Barnabas who conscripted Paul as a preacher, bringing him from Tarsus to Antioch after the stoning of Stephen, to assist in spreading the Gospel (Acts 11:25-26). Saint Barnabas preached the Gospel in many places, traveled together with Paul, and finally was stoned to death by the Jews in his native Cyprus. During the reign of Zeno, in the year 478, his sacred relics were found, having on his chest the Gospel according to Matthew written in Greek by Barnabas' own hand. This Gospel was brought to Zeno. Because of this the Church of Cyprus received the right of autonomy, and its archbishop was given the privilege, like the emperor, of signing his decrees and encyclicals in vermilion.

Revelation of the Hymn Axion Estin to a monk on Mt. Athos by the Archangel Gabriel

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Ye hosts of the Fathers of Mount Athos, gather today, and shout with a voice of jubilation, leaping for joy, and faithfully keeping feast: For, behold, the praise of the most pure Theotokos wondrously and awesome is sung by the Angel; and therefore, as the Mother of God, we glorify her name.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

All of Athos keepeth feast this day in gladness; for it wondrously received from an Archangel's holy hand the hymn whereby thou hast ever been praised as the Mother of God, as is truly meet.

Reading:

The Synaxis of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated today for the following reason: In 980, during the reign of Emperor Basil II, when Nicholas Chrysoberges was Ecumenical Patriarch, the holy Archangel Gabriel appeared in the guise of a monk to the disciple of a certain elder living in a hermitage belonging to the Monastery of Pantocrator on the Holy Mountain. During Matins, after the monk had chanted the customary hymn, "More honorable than the Cherubim . . . ," composed by Saint Cosmas the Hymnographer, the Angel chanted the same hymn, but with the following prelude: "It is truly meet to call thee blest, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate and Mother of our God." Marveling at the hymn's beauty, the monk asked his visitor - who appeared also to be a monk - to record this new text in writing, which the Angel did by miraculously inscribing the words on a piece of slate, using only his finger, and straightway he vanished from sight. This slate was brought to the Church of the Protaton, and from thence to Constantinople, to the imperial court and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as evidence of the miracle. Henceforth, this version of the hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos began to be chanted in the Divine Liturgy in all the churches. The place where the miracle took place is now called Adein, from the Greek word which means "to sing." The icon itself, before which this hymn was first chanted, is called "the icon of the Axion estin" ("It is truly meet") and it is kept in the sanctuary of the Church of the Protaton on the Holy Mountain.

Readings courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Icon courtesy of St. Isaac's Skete

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[Reader Nilus]

Today, on the second Sunday after Pentecost, each of the local
churches in the orthodox Church honors the memory of all the
saints who lived and labored on their canonical territory, both
known and unknown. The Church in North America is blessed to know
and honor the following saints who shone in its lands:

Saint Alexander Khotovitsky (1872-1937), presbyter and martyr:
Born in the Russian Empire, he served the Church as a missionary
in New York and the northeast area of North America and as a
parish presbyter in Russia and the Soviet Union, where he died in
a concentration camp as a victim of religious persecution.

Saint Alexis Toth (1854-1909), presbyter: Born in the
Austro-Hungarian Empire, he converted from Uniatism (Byzantine
Rite Roman Catholicism) in the United States and served the Church
as a missionary, leading thousands of Uniates in North America to
orthodox Christianity.

Saint Herman of Alaska (1755-1837), monk and wonderworker: Born in
the Russian Empire, he served the Church as a missionary in
Alaska, where he lived the rest of his life in asceticism, cared
for the local Aleut people and performed many miracles by the
grace of God.

Saint Innocent of Alaska (1797-1879), bishop: Born in the Russian
Empire, he served the Church as a missionary in Alaska (where he
was its first bishop) and Siberia, introducing orthodox
Christianity and native language literacy among their indigenous
peoples, and ending his days as head of the Church in Russia.

Saint Jacob Netsvetov (1802-1864), presbyter: Born in Alaska, he
served the Church as a missionary, introducing orthodox
Christianity and native language literacy among the Eskimos and
Indians of the Yukon River region of North America.

Saint John Kochurov (1871-1917), presbyter: Born in the Russian
Empire, he served the Church as a missionary in Chicago and the
midwest area of North America and as a parish presbyter in Russia,
where he was killed by communist revolutionaries after the fall of
the monarchy.

Saint John of San Francisco (1896-1966), bishop and wonderworker:
Born in the Russian Empire, he grew up in Serbia and served the
Church as a bishop in Europe, Asia and North America and as a
missionary to Russian emigres and heterodox Christian converts,
performing many miracles by the grace of God.

Saint Juvenal of Alaska (1761-1796), presbyter-monk and martyr:
Born in the Russian Empire, he served the Church as a missionary
in Alaska, where he was killed as the first martyr of North
America by indigenous pagans attempting to thwart the spread of
orthodox Christianity among their people.

Saint Nicholas of Zhicha (1880-1956), bishop and confessor: Born
in Serbia, he served the Church as a bishop in Serbia, was
imprisoned and suffered in a Nazi concentration camp after
Germany's invasion of Yugoslavia, and ended his life in the United
States as the head of a seminary in Pennsylvania.

Saint Peter the Aleut (?-1815), martyr: Born in Alaska, he was
killed in his youth by Spanish colonists for refusing to convert
to Roman Catholicism when his hunting party was ambushed, arrested
and held hostage in San Francisco, California.

Saint Raphael of Brooklyn (1860-1907), bishop: Born in the Ottoman
Empire, he served the Church as a missionary to Arab immigrants in
North America, where he was the first bishop consecrated on
American soil.

Saint Tikhon the New Confessor (1865-1925), bishop and confessor:
Born in the Russian Empire, he served the Church as a missionary
in North America (where he was its first archbishop, organized the
local church along the lines of multiethnic unity, and promoted
English-language church life and missionary outreach) and a bishop
in Russia and the Soviet Union, where he died as the first
patriarch of the Church in Russia since the 18th century and a
victim of antireligious persecution under the communist
authorities.

God is wondrous in His saints! All you saints of North America,
pray to God for us!
______________________________________________________
For the ikons of the saints above see:
Ikons of American Saints
Jeff the Finn

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Monday, June 14, 2004 we celebrate:

Elisha the Prophet
Methodios the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople
Cyril, Biship of Gortyna

Through the intercessions of our Holy Prophet Elisha and our Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodios, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Elisha the Prophet

Kontakion: Second Tone

A prophet of God didst thou become when worthily thou hadst been vouchsafed a double portion of God's grace as Elias' true companion, O Elisseus, divinely-blest; and with him, thou unceasingly entreatest Christ God in behalf of us all.

Reading:

The Prophet Elisseus, the son of Saphat, was from the town of Abel-me-oul and had been a husbandman. In the year 908 B.C., at God's command, the Prophet Elias anointed him to be Prophet in his stead. This happened while Elisseus was plowing his land, having twelve oxen under yoke. Straightway, Elisseus slew the oxen and cooked them, using the wooden plough and the other instruments of husbandry as firewood; then he gave the oxen as food to the people. Bidding farewell to his parents, he followed Elias and served him until the latter was taken up as it were into Heaven (see July 20). When Elisseus received his teacher's mantle and the grace of his prophetic spirit twofold, he demonstrated whose disciple he was through the miracles he wrought and through all that is related of him in the Fourth Book of Kings. He departed full of days and was buried in Samaria, about the year 839 B.C. But even after his death God glorified him; for after the passage of a year, when some Israelites were carrying a dead man for burial and suddenly saw a band of Moabites, they cast the dead man on the grave of the Prophet. No sooner had the dead man touched the Prophet's bones, than he came to life and stood on his feet (IV Kings 13:20-21). Mentioning this, Jesus the Son of Sirach says, "He did wonders in his life, and at his death his works were marvelous" (Ecclus. 48:14). It is because of such marvels that the faithful have reverence for the relics of the Saints (see also Jan. 16). His name means "God is savior."

Methodios the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

http://www.goarch.org/images/eImages/June/14_methodio.jpg

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Methodios, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion: Second Tone

Thou didst struggle on earth as one without a body, and didst inherit Heaven, O Methodius; for thou didst set forth the veneration of icons to the ends of the earth. And while living in abundant labours and hardships, thou didst not cease boldly to censure them that set at nought the icon of Christ.

Reading:

As for Saint Methodius, he was born to wealthy parents in Syracuse of Sicily about the end of the eighth century. Being a presbyter, he was sent as an ambassador to Rome in 815 or 816 on behalf of Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople, who had been exiled by Leo the Armenian (see June 2). After Leo's death, he returned to Constantinople; but since he was a zealot for the veneration of the holy icons, he was immediately exiled by Emperor Michael the Stutterer to a fortress near Bithynia. When Michael died, he was freed for a short time; but then, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he was imprisoned again by the Emperor Theophilus in a dark and foul-smelling sepulcher. Since this was not enough for the Emperor's inhumanity, he commanded that two thieves be shut up with Methodius, and when one of them died, that the corpse not be removed. While the Saint was imprisoned there, a certain poor fisherman ministered to his needs. Finally, when the Church received its freedom under Saint Theodora the Empress, the Saint ascended the patriarchal throne of Constantinople in 842. Together with the holy Empress, Methodius restored the holy icons to their proper honor; this is commemorated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. He governed the Church of Constantinople for four years, and reposed in 846.

Readings courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On June 15, 2004, we celebrate the feast days of:

Amos the Prophet
Our Righteous Father Hieronymus
Augustine the Blessed, Bishop of Hippo
Jerome the Righteous
Achikos, Stephanas, & Fortuanatos the Apostles
Father among the Saints Jonas, Metropolitan of Kiev

Through the intercessions of our Holy Prophet Amos, Our Righteous Fathers Hieronymus and Jerome, our Holy Fathers Augustine and Jonas, and the Holy Apostles Achikos, Stephanas, & Fortuanatos the Apostles, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Amos the Prophet

Apolytikion: Second Tone

As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Amos, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

Reading:

The Prophet Amos was from the city of Thekoue of the land of Zabulon. He was an unlearned man, a shepherd of goats and sheep, as he testifies concerning himself (Amos 7:14-15). He began to prophesy two years before the earthquake, which some say took place in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Ozias, King of Judah, about the year 785 B.C. (Amos 1:1). Later, however, Amasias, the false priest of Bethel, brought about his death. His book of prophecy, divided into nine chapters, is ranked third among the minor Prophets. This Amos is different from the Prophet Esaias' father, who also was called Amos. His name means "bearer of burdens.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Father among the Saints Jonas, Metropolitan of Kiev

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Casting thyself wholly upon the Lord from thy youth, in prayers and labours and fasting thou wast an image of virtue. Hence, having beheld thy good volition, God established thee as a hierarch and shepherd of His Church. Wherefore, even after thy repose, thy body was kept whole and incorrupt, O holy Hierarch Jonas. Pray Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Since thou didst serve the Lord from childhood, O wise one, and hadst weighed down thy body with fasting and vigil, thou wast made manifest as a pure vessel and dwelling-place of the Most Holy Spirit. Hence did thy Church establish thee as a hierarch and shepherd, and having tended it well, thou didst depart unto the Lord Whom thou didst love. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remember us who venerate thy holy memory with faith, that we all may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father Jonas, most honoured Hierarch.

Reading:
Our holy Father Jonas, Metropolitan of Kiev, was tonsured at the age of twelve in one of the Galician monasteries and later struggled in the Simonov Monastery in Moscow. About 1430, he became Bishop of Ryazan and Murom. In 1432 he was chosen as a candidate for Metropolitan of Kiev. (The Metropolitan's residence had been transferred from Kiev to Vladimir about the year 1280, and then to Moscow in 1328, yet the Metropolitan continued to be called "of Kiev" until Saint Jonas, the last to be so called. After the fall of Constantinople, the successors of Saint Jonas took the title Metropolitan of Moscow. This is why Metropolitans Theognostus, Cyprian, Photius, and Jonas are sometimes called "of Kiev" and sometimes "of Moscow.") Upon arriving in Constantinople to receive consecration, however, Jonas learned that Isidore had been appointed to the see by the Ecumenical Patrarch Joseph, without the knowledge of the Muscovite prince and clergy. In 1438, at the Council of Florence, both Patriarch Joseph and Metropolitan Isidore became Uniates; in 1441, therefore, Isidore was driven from his see, and in 1449 (according to some, 1448), Saint Jonas was made Metropolitan by the Russian bishops. He reposed on March 21, 1461. (See also Oct. 5)

Readings courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, we celebrate the feast days of:

3rd Wednesday after Pentecost

Tychnon the Wonderworker
40 Martyrs of Rome
Mark the Just of Apollonia

Through the intercessions of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Rome, The Holy Tychnon the Wonderworker and the Holy Mark the Just, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Tychnon the Wonderworker

Apolytikion: First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Tichon, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Kontakion: Third Tone

Shining in ascetic toils belov'd of God, O Saint Tikhon, from on high didst thou receive the Holy Comforter's power to destroy the wicked idols of gross delusion and to save imperilled peoples, to cast out demons, and to heal the sick, O blest one; wherefore, we honour thee as a true friend of God.

Reading:

This Saint was born of pious Christian parents and flourished in the fifth century. Because of his piety and purity of life he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Amathus, and later was made Bishop of Amathus by the great Epiphanius (see May 12). He worked many signs and wonders and turned many from the worship of idols unto Christ. Once he planted a vine in the ground and it wondrously sprouted and brought forth ripe grapes. After his death, on his annual feast-day on June 16, it being yet early in the season, that vine would be laden with unripe grapes, as is natural; but as the Divine Liturgy began, the grapes would begin to darken, and by the end of it, they would be fully ripened. The third of the Vespers stichera in the Menaion service to Saint Tikhon alludes to this yearly miracle.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Thursday, June 17, 2004, we celebrate the feast days of

Isaurus the Holy Martyr & his Companions of Athens
Manuel, Sabel, & Ishmael the Martyrs of Persia
Righteous Father Botolph, Abbot of the Monastery of Ikanhoe

Through the intercessions of our Holy Martyrs Isaurus and his Athenian Companions, our Holy Persian Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael, and our Righteous Father Botolph, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Isaurus the Holy Martyr & his Companions of Athens

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Second Tone

Pierced through in your hearts with faith in Christ, O blessed ones, ye drank of His cup with faith, and ye hurled to the ground all the impudence of the Persians and their vaunting idolatry; and ye intercede for us all, ye equal in number to the Trinity.

Reading:

The holy Martyr Isaurus, a deacon, and Basil and Innocent were from Athens. In the reign of Numerian (283-284), they came to Apollonia (most likely, the city in Illyricum); there encountering Felix, Peregrinus, and Hermias hidden in a cave, they strengthened them in their Faith. Betrayed to Tripontius the Proconsul, all but Isaurus and Innocent were beheaded; these last two Tripontius gave over to his son, Apollonius, who tormented them, and then had them beheaded.

Manuel, Sabel, & Ishmael the Martyrs of Persia

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Second Tone

Pierced through in your hearts with faith in Christ, O blessed ones, ye drank of His cup with faith, and ye hurled to the ground all the impudence of the Persians and their vaunting idolatry; and ye intercede for us all, ye equal in number to the Trinity.

Reading:

The holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael, Persians by race and brethren according to the flesh, were sent by the Persian King as ambassadors to Julian the Apostate to negotiate a peace treaty. While with him at a place near Chalcedon, they refused to join him in offering sacrifice to his idols. Scorning the immunity universally accorded ambassadors, he had them slain in the year 362. This was a cause of the war with Persia in which Julian perished miserably the following year.

Righteous Father Botolph, Abbot of the Monastery of Ikanhoe

Apolytikion: Plagal of the First Tone (tone 5)

Neither the desolation of the fens, nor the depth of thy humility could hide the light of thy virtues, whereby thou becamest a lamp unto the faithful, O Botolph our righteous Father. Wherefore, we entreat thee: do thou also enlighten us who venerate thy blessed memory.

Kontakion: First Tone

The glory of the just, the protector of Boston, the man of mighty prayer, our belov'd Father Botolph, entreateth the Saviour that He show mercy to all of us. Let us honour him with thankful praise, O ye faithful; let us imitate his conversation and virtues, that God hear his prayers for us.

Reading:

Saint Botolph was born in Britain about the year 610 and in his youth became a monk in Gaul. The sisters of Ethelmund, King of East Anglia, who were also sent to Gaul to learn the monastic discipline, met Saint Botolph, and learning of his intention to return to Britain, bade their brother the King grant him land on which to found the monastery. Hearing the King's offer, Saint Botolph asked for land not already in any man's possession, not wishing that his gain should come through another's loss, and chose a certain desolate place called Ikanhoe. At his coming, the demons' inhabiting Ikanhoe rose up against him with tumult, threats, and horrible apparitions, but the Saint drove them away with the sign of the Cross and his prayer. Through his monastery he established in England the rule of monastic life that he had learned in Gaul. He worked signs and wonders, had the gift of prophecy, and "was distinguished for his sweetness of disposition and affability." In the last years of his life he bore a certain painful sickness with great patience, giving thanks like Job and continuing to instruct his spiritual children in the rules of the monastic life. He fell asleep in peace about the year 680. His relics were later found incorrupt, and giving off a sweet fragrance. The place where he founded his monastery came to be called "Botolphston" (from either "Botolph's stone" or "Botolph's town") which was later contracted to "Boston.

Readings courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Friday, June 18, 2004, we celebrate the memory of

Leontios, Hypatios, & Theodoulos the Martyrs of Syria
John the Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs Leontios, Hypatios, and Theodoulos, and our Holy Father St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Leontios, Hypatios, & Theodoulos the Martyrs of Syria

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Third Tone

Thou didst wholly put to shame the tyrants' wicked opinions and didst mightily rebuke the Greeks' ungodly religion; with the doctrines of true rev'rence, thou madest shine forth godly knowledge for all men, O wise Leontius, thou most godly-minded Martyr; wherefore with longing we keep thy mem'ry today.

Reading:

This Martyr was from Greece. Being of great bodily stature and strength, he was an illustrious soldier in the Roman legions who had won many victories, and was known for his prudence and sobriety of mind. When it was learned that he gave grain to the poor from the imperial stores, and was moreover a Christian, Hadrian the Governor of Phoenicia sent Hypatius, a tribune, and Theodulus, a soldier, to arrest him. Saint Leontius converted them on the way to Tripolis in Phoenicia, where Hypatius and Theodulus were tormented and beheaded by Hadrian for their confession of Christ. Then Hadrian with many flatteries and many torments strove to turn Leontius from Christ. All his attempts failing, he had Leontius put to such tortures that he died in the midst of them, under Vespasian in the year 73.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=93

On Saturday, June 19, 2004 we celebrate:

Thaddeus (Jude) the Apostle & Brother of Our Lord

Holy Martyr Zosima

Our Righteous Father Zenonus

Thaddeus (Jude) the Apostle & Brother of Our Lord

Apolytikion: First Tone

We know thee as a kinsman of Christ and we laud thee with sacred hymns and songs as a most steadfast Martyr who trampled on error and who courageously kept the Faith. As we celebrate today thy holy remembrance, we receive forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, O Jude, through thy holy prayers.

Kontakion: First Tone

Sprung from a noble root, thou art risen before us, a branch bestowed by God, ever feeding the whole world upon the fruits of thy words, O eyewitness of God the Lord, O thou brother of our God, and Christ's all-wise herald, who hast taught the Lord's pure Orthodox Faith to all men, initiate of His grace.

Reading:

The Apostle Jude was of the choir of the Twelve, and by Luke was called Jude, the brother of James the Brother of God (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), and therefore also a kinsman of the Lord according to His humanity. But by Matthew (10:3), he is called Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddaeus (he is not the Thaddaeus who healed the suffering of Abgar, as Eusebius says in his Eccl. Hist., 1:13; see Aug. 21). Saint Jude preached in Mesopotamia, Arabia, Idumea, and Syria, and, it is said, completed the path of his divine apostleship by martyrdom in Beirut in the year 80. Written after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, his is the last of the Catholic (General) Epistles to the believing Jews in the Diaspora. His name (a variant of Judah) means "Praise."

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA


Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Sunday, June 20, 2004, we celebrate

Methodios the Martyr, Bishop of Olympus
Kallistos I, Patriarch of Constantinople
Nicholas Cabasilas

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyr Methodios, and our Holy Father Kallistos I and our Righteous Father Nicholas Cabasilas, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Methodios the Martyr, Bishop of Olympus

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Methodios. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Reading:

Because of his wisdom and virtue, this Saint was surnamed Eubulus ("of good counsel"). He was an eminent theologian and one of the first to oppose and refute the heretical writings of Origen. According to Jerome (De vir. ill., 83) and Socrates the historian (Eccl. Hist., 6:13), he was bishop, not of Patara (as a sixth century work by Leontius the Byzantine wrongly asserts), but of Olympus in Lycia, and later, of Tyre in Phoenicia. It appears he was called Bishop of Patara by later writers because his famous dialogue concerning the resurrection takes place in that city. He underwent a glorious death as a martyr in Chalkis of Greece in the year 311, under Emperor Maximinus. Among his extant writings is one called Symposium of Virgins.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Monday, June 21, 2004, we celebrate the feast days of

Julian the Martyr of Tarsus
Terentios, Bishop of Iconium
Nikitas the New Martyr of Nisyros

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs Julian and Nikitas, and our Holy Hieromartyr Terentios, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Julian the Martyr of Tarsus

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Reading:

This Martyr, who was born to a pagan father and a Christian mother, was from Cilicia, confessed the Christian Faith before the Proconsul Marcian, and was perfected in martyrdom at the age of eighteen, when he was put into a sack with sand and venomous serpents and cast into the sea. Saint John Chrysostom has a homily in his honour.

Terentios, Bishop of Iconium

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Terence. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikia courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=96

On Tuesday, June 22, 2004 we celebrate:

4th Tuesday after Pentecost

Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
Zenon the Martyr & his servant Zenas of Philadelphia
Anastasios the Serbian

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs Zenon and Zenas, our Holy Father and Hieromartyr Eusebius, and our righteous Father Anastasios, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Eusebius. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Reading:

After the expulsion of Eudoxius from the see of Antioch, the Arians of Antioch, believing that Meletius of Armenia would uphold their doctrines, petitioned the Emperor Constantius to appoint Meletius Bishop of Antioch, while signing a document jointly with the Orthodox of Antioch, unanimously agreeing to Meletius' appointment (see Feb. 12); this document was entrusted to Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata. Meletius, however, after his Orthodoxy became apparent, was banished, and the Arians persuaded Constantius to demand the document back from Eusebius, as it convicted their perfidy. Imperial officers were sent; Eusebius refused to surrender the document without the consent of all who had signed it; the officers returned to the Emperor, who furiously sent them back to Eusebius with threats. But so great a zealot for the true Faith, so staunch an enemy of the Arians, so fearless a man of valor was Saint Eusebius, that when Constantius' officers arrived, threatening to cut off his right hand unless he surrendered the document, Eusebius held out both hands. When Constantius learned of it, he was struck with astonishment and admiration.

This took place in 361, the last year of the reign of Constantius; he was succeeded by Julian the Apostate, who was slain in Persia in 363; Jovian succeeded Julian, and Valentinian succeeded Jovian in 364, making his brother Valens Emperor of the East. Valens, who supported the Arians, exiled Eusebius to Thrace in 374. The bearer of the edict of Eusebius' banishment arrived in the evening; Eusebius bade him keep silence, or else the people, learning why he had come, would drown him: and Eusebius, though an old man, left his house alone on foot by night. After Valens was slain at Adrianopole in 378 (see Saint Isaacius, Aug. 3), the holy Eusebius returned from exile under the Emperor Gratian, and he ordained for the churches of Syria men known for their virtue and Orthodoxy. About the year 380, as he was entering a certain village to enthrone its bishop, whom he had consecrated, an Arian woman threw a clay tile from the roof, and it crushed his head; as he was dying, he bound the bystanders with oaths that they not take the least vengeance. Saint Gregory the Theologian addressed several letters to him (PG 37:87, 91, 126-130); he had such reverence for him, that in one letter to him, commending himself to Saint Eusebius' prayers, he said, "That such a man should deign to be my patron also in his prayers will gain for me, I am persuaded, as much strength as I should have gained through one of the holy martyrs.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[Eusebios]

0 most holy Eusebiu(o)s pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Wednesday, June 23, 2004 we celebrate:

4th Wednesday after Pentecost

Agrippina the Martyr of Rome

Holy Martyrs Aristocleus the Priest, Demetrius the Deacon and Athanasius the Reader

Holy New Martyrs Archpriest of Crete Gerasimus, Knossos Neophyte, Xepponessos Ioachim, Lampe Hierotheus, Seteia Zacharius, Kisamos Melchisadek, Piopoleos Kallinicus and Those Martyred with Them (1821-1822)

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs Agrippina of Rome, Aristocleus the Priest, Demetrius the Deacon and Athanasius the Reader, the Holy New Martyrs Archpriest of Crete Gerasimus, Knossos Neophyte, Xepponessos Ioachim, Lampe Hierotheus, Seteia Zacharius, Kisamos Melchisadek, Piopoleos Kallinicus and Those Martyred with Them, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Agrippina the Martyr of Rome

Apolytikion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

Reading:

This Martyr was from Rome and lived in virginity, having Christ alone as her Bridegroom. Of her own accord she courageously presented herself to the pagans as a Christian, and was tortured to death, according to some, in the reign of Valerian (253-260). Her holy relics were then taken to Sicily, where they immediately became a source of great miracles.

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On Thursday, June 24, 2004 we celebrate:

Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist
St. Elizabeth, Mother of the Forerunner
Panagiotis the New Martyr

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs John the Forerunner and Panagiotis, and our Holy Mother Elizabeth, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

O Prophet and Forerunner of the presence of Christ, we who fervently honor you cannot worthily praise you. For by your revered and glorious birth the barrenness of your mother and the muteness of your father were unbound, and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world.

Kontakion: Third Tone

She that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ's Forerunner, John, the culmination and the crown of all the Prophets. For when he, in River Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the Word's fore-chosen Prophet, His mighty preacher, and His Forerunner in grace.

Reading:

He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1: 7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." Since the child's father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child's name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God of Israel, Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yah is gracious."

The Mother of the Forerunner, Saint Elizabeth

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press, Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On June 25, we celebrate the feast days of

Leavetaking of the Nativity of the Foreunner John the Baptist
Fevronia the Righteous Martyr
Prokopios the New Martyr
Dionysius & Dometios the Righteous of Mount Athos

Through the intercessions of our Holy Martyrs John the Forerunner, Fevronia and Prokopios, and our Holy, and our Holy Righteous Fathers Dionysius and Dometios, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Leavetaking of the Nativity of the Foreunner John the Baptist

Kontakion: Third Tone

She that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ's Forerunner, John, the culmination and the crown of all the Prophets. For when he, in River Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the Word's fore-chosen Prophet, His mighty preacher, and His Forerunner in grace.

Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Fevronia the Righteous Martyr

Apolytikion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

Kontakion: Third Tone

In ascetic discipline, thou wast made fair as a virgin; then, O famed Febronia, thou shonest forth as a martyr; with thy lamp in hand, thou rannest unto thy Bridegroom, having watched through the night of martyric sufferings. And since thou art crowned in glory, thou intercedest for them that praise thee with faith.

Reading:

This Martyr practiced the ascetic discipline in Nisibis of Mesopotamia; she was of such great beauty that the report of her came to the persecutor Selenus, and every attempt was made to make her deny Christ. After many horrible tortures, she was cruelly dismembered by the executioners, then beheaded, in the year 310 (or, according to some, in 302, during the reign of Diocletian).

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
Icon courtesy of St. Isaac's Skete

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce this copyrighted material here. All texts are reproduced with permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA. The selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

On June 25, the Church honors the holy memory of Saints Peter
and Febronia of Murom, wonderworkers and models of Christian marriage.

Peter and Febronia lived during the 12th and 13th centuries in the
Murom region of Russia. Peter was the second son of Prince George
Vladimirovich of Murom. A few years before Peter inherited his
father's throne in 1203, he fell ill with leprosy, from which no one
was able to heal him. In the course of his illness, he had a vision
that he would receive healing from the daughter of a beekeeper --
Febronia, a peasant maiden from Laskova, a village in the Ryazan
region of Russia. Peter sent his emissaries to this village to find
her.

When Peter met Febronia, he fell in love with her virtue, wisdom and
soulfulness, and vowed to marry her after being healed. Febronia
healed him, and the two of them got married. The holy couple loved
each other and were faithful to each other in all things, good and
bad. The nobility of Murom stirred up trouble for them, thinking it
inappropriate for a commoner to be their prince's consort. They
demanded that Peter leave her. When he refused, they banished the
couple and drove them out of Murom. Peter and Febronia boarded a
boat and set sail along the Oka River into exile. But God's
displeasure fell upon the city of Murom, and its citizens begged them
to come home and reclaim their throne.

Peter and Febronia were famous for their loving marriage, wise rule,
godly way of life, and charity toward the poor and needy. Towards
the end of their lives, they became monastics -- Peter under the name
David, and Febronia under the name Euphrosyne. They both died at the
same day and time on 25 June 1228. In honor of their love for each
other and all they had suffered together, the people buried them in
the same grave, where many prayers were answered and many wonders
worked by God's grace.

Saints Peter and Febronia are considered models of Christian marriage
and patrons of married couples. Long ago in orthodox Christian
Russia, their feast day was celebrated as a special day for those in
love, not unlike Valentines Day in contemporary American culture. By
their example and their heavenly intercessions, they show the real
meaning of true love and help orthodox Christians in their married
life.

God is wondrous in His saints! Saints Peter and Febronia, pray to
God for us!