St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America 1415 Woodstock Ave. Anniston, AL 36207 www.stlukeanniston.org The Rev. Father Basil Henry, Priest Contact: (256) 235-3893 or basilncana@yahoo.com
January 19, 2014
Venerable Macarius the Great of Egypt (390) Virgin-Martyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia (303) Saint Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrene (ca.307-323); Venerable Macarius of Alexandria, the Citizen (ca.394); Venerable Macarius, Bishop of Ierissos, on the Chalkidiki peninsula (ca.395-408); Venerable Anthony the Stylite of Martqopi, founder of monasticism in Georgia (6th c.); Martyr Anthony Rawah the Qoraisite (797); Saint Arsenius of Kerkyra, Archbishop of Corfu (953); Martyr Pontian, in Spoleto, Italy under Marcus Aurelius (169); Virgin-martyr Messalina, in Foligno, Italy (251); Martyrs Maris, Martha, Abachum and Audifax, in Rome (270); Martyrs Paul, Gerontius, Januarius, Saturninus, Saccesius, Julius, Catius, Pius and Germanus, in Numidia in North Africa; Saint Firminus, third Bishop of Gévaudan (Gabales); Saint Bassian of Lodi, Bishop of Lodi in Lombardy (413); Saint Contestus (Contentius), Bishop of Bayeux (510); Saint Laumer (Lomer, Laudomarus), Abbot of Corbion Monastery (593); Saint Branwalader (Breward) of Cornwall, Bishop in Jersey in the Channel Islands. (6th c.); Saint Nathalan (Nachlan, Nauchlan), Bishop of Tullicht, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland (678); Saint Remigius of Rouen, Bishop of Rouen in France (772); Saint Arcontius, Bishop of Viviers, killed by a mob for having upheld the rights of the Church (ca.8th c.); Saint Catellus (Castellus), Bishop of Castellamare to the south of Naples (9th c.); Venerable Cosmas, of the Monastery of St. John Chrysostom, at Koutsovendis, Cyprus; Venerable Macarius the Faster and Deacon of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves) (12th c.); Venerable Meletius the Gallesiote, Confessor of Mount Galesion (north of Ephesus), monk (1283); Venerable Macarius, Deacon of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves), Wonderworker (13th14th c.); Blessed Theodore of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ (1392); Saint Mark Evgenikos of Ephesus, Archbishop of Ephesus, who resisted the Roman Catholic heresies (1444); Saint Macarius the Roman of Novgorod, Abbot (1550); New Hieromartyr Peter Skipetrov, Archpriest, of Petrograd (1918); New Hieromartyr Nicholas Vostorgov, Priest (1930); Martyr Theodore (1940).
Announcements
• House Blessings Season has begun! It’s that time of year again where the faithful gather around their home altar and invite the Priest to celebrate the service of House Blessing. Please contact Fr. Basil if you would like to have your home blessed. • Happy Birthday to: Nicholas Beal on January 22. May God grant him many years! This Week’s Fasting, Service and Scripture Schedule Tues, 1/21 Wed, 1/22 Thurs, 1/23 Fri, 1/24 Sat, 1/25
Mon, 1/20 Matins 8 a.m.
Matins 8 a.m.
Hebrews 11:1723, 27-31 Mark 9:42-10:1
Sun, 1/26
No Services
No Services
Matins 8 a.m.
Great Vespers, Divine Liturgy 4 p.m. 10 a.m.
Hebrews 12:2526, 13:22-25
James 1:1-18
James 1:19-27
James 2:1-13
Colossians 1:3-6
1 Timothy 1:15-17
Mark 10:2-12
Mark 10:11-16
Mark 10:17-27
Mark 10:23-32
Luke 16:10-15
Matt. 15:21-28
Heb. 13:17-21
1 Cor. 12:7-11
Luke 6:17-23
John 10:9-16
Service times are subject to change. Please check with Fr. Basil if in any doubt.
Great Vespers “Lord, I Call”
v. (10) Lead forth my soul from prison, that I may confess Thy name! Tone 5
(for the Resurrection)
By Thy precious Cross, O Christ, Thou hast put the devil to shame. By Thy Resurrection, Thou hast blunted the sting of sin and saved us from the gates of death.// We glorify Thee, the only begotten One. v. (9) The righteous await me, till Thou shalt reward me.
Christ was led as a sheep to the slaughter in order to grant Resurrection to the human race. The princes of hell were frightened by this, for the gates of sorrow were lifted. Christ, the King of glory had entered, saying to those in chains: “Go forth!”// And to those in darkness: “Come to the light!” v. (8) Out of the depths I cry to Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!
O, great wonder! The Creator of the invisible suffered in the flesh in His love for man and rose again immortal. Come, O sons of nations, let us worship Him! Delivered from error by His compassion,// we have learned to sing of one God in three Persons! v. (7) Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
We offer Thee our evening worship, O never setting Light, Who came in these last days to the world in the flesh; Who even descended to hell to dispel its darkness. Who has revealed the light of Resurrection to the nations.// Glory to Thee, O Lord and Giver of light! v. (6) If Thou, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee.
~1~
We glorify the Leader of our salvation; by His Resurrection from the dead, the world was saved from deceit. The assembly of Angels rejoices as the deceit of demons is overthrown.// Fallen Adam rises as the devil falls. v. (5) For Thy name’s sake I have waited for Thee, O Lord, my soul has waited for Thy word; my soul has hoped on the Lord.
The guards were instructed by the lawless ones: Hide the rising of Christ, take money and say: The body was stolen from the tomb while we were asleep.’” But who has heard of a body being stolen, a body embalmed and naked, with its grave clothes left behind in the tomb? Do not be deceived, O Jews, study the words of the Prophets and understand:// Christ is the Redeemer of the world and all powerful! v. (4) From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope on the Lord!
O Lord, Who hast captured hell and trampled on death, Thou hast enlightened the world by Thy precious cross!// O Savior, have mercy on us. v. (3) For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgression. Tone 4
(for the Venerable Macarius)
Desiring blessedness that passes understanding, thou didst take abstinence for luxury, O inspired one, poverty for wealth, lack of possessions as true abundance and humility for glory. As thou didst intend, thou didst reach thy heart’s desire, O Macarius,// and now thou dost dwell in the mansions of the saints. v. (2) O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, all ye people.
Thou didst complete the course of ascetic life without wavering, and thou didst keep the faith, O Father. Thus thou didst gain a crown of righteousness prepared for thee by Christ, Who grants the prizes of victory, and bestows the gifts and rewards of labors.// Pray now, O God-bearer, that we also may run this course! ~2~
v. (1) For His mercy hath been confirmed upon us, and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.
Thou didst deny thyself every pleasure, O divinely-wise one; thou didst pummel thy body and didst embitter thy senses through labors of hardship and abstinence, through long-suffering in temptations and patience in adversities. In their place thou hast received unending joy,// everlasting delight and ineffable glory. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit… Tone 8
(for the Venerable Macarius)
Rejoice, O Egypt! Thou didst bring forth a great protector, Macarius, the blessed, who shone with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, transcending all asceticism with his virtuous way of life. We offer him as mediator, beseeching him// that he may intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Tone 5
(Dogmatikon)
In the Red Sea of old, a type of the Virgin Bride was prefigured. There Moses divided the waters; here Gabriel assisted in the miracle. There Israel crossed the sea without getting wet, here the Virgin gave birth to Christ without seed. After Israel’s passage, the sea remained impassable. After Emmanuel’s birth, the Virgin remained a Virgin. O ever-existing God, Who appeared as Man,// O Lord, have mercy on us!
Aposticha
Tone 5
(for the Resurrection)
We magnify Thee in songs of praise, O incarnate Christ and Savior. By accepting the Cross and death for our sake, as the Lord and Lover of man, Thou didst overthrow the gates of hell,// and didst arise on the third day, saving our souls. v. The Lord hath become King; with beauty hath he clothed himself. ~3~
By being pierced in the side, O Lover of man, Thou hast poured out drops of life and salvation for all. By accepting death in the flesh, Thou hast granted us immortality. Thou hast freed us by being placed in the tomb, and hast resurrected us with Thyself in glory, as God.// Glory to Thee, O Lord and Lover of man! v. For He hath established the world, which shall not be moved.
Thy crucifixion and descent into hell are awesome, O Lover of man. Thou hast captured it, releasing the ancient prisoners. Thou hast opened Paradise and given it to us. Grant us purification of sins, who glorify Thy Resurrection on the third day! Make us worthy of Paradise// and save us, O Lover of man! v. Holiness belongeth to Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days!
For our sake, Thou didst accept death in the flesh, to rise from the dead on the third day. Heal us from our earthly passions, and restore us from our evil transgressions;// and save us, O Lover of man! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit‌ Tone 6
(for the Venerable Macarius)
The sound of thy teachings has gone out into all the earth, O venerable Father. Therefore thou hast found the reward of thy labors in the heavens. Thou didst destroy the hosts of demons and didst reach the ranks of Angels whose life thou didst blamelessly follow. Since thou hast boldness before Christ our God,// entreat peace for our souls! Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Tone 6
(Theotokion)
My Maker and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, was born of thee, O most pure Virgin. By accepting my nature, He freed Adam from his ancient curse. Unceasingly we magnify thee as the Mother of God! Rejoice, O celestial Joy! Rejoice, O Lady:// the Protection, Intercession and Salvation of our souls! ~4~
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 5)
Troparia
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-ëternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit… Troparion for St Macarius of Egypt (Tone 1)
Dweller of the desert and angel in the body You were shown to be a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Macarius. You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer; healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith. Glory to Him Who gave you strength! Glory to Him Who granted you a ^crown!// Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to all! Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion (Tone 1)
When Gabriel announced to thee, O Virgin, Rejoice, with that word the Master of all was incarnate in thee, O holy Ark. As the righteous David said, thy womb became more spacious than the heavens, bearing thy Creator. Glory to Him Who took abode in thee! Glory to Him Who came from thee!// Glory to Him Who freed us by being born of thee!
Souls
that love truth and God, that long with much hope and faith to put on Christ completely, do not need so much to be put in remembrance by others, nor do they endure, even for a while, to be deprived of the heavenly desire and of passionate affection to the Lord; but being wholly and entirely nailed to the cross of Christ, they perceive in themselves day by day a sense of spiritual advance towards the spiritual Bridegroom.” ~St. Macarius ~5~
Divine Liturgy The Beatitudes
In Thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
The thief on the cross believing Thee to be God confessed Thee earnestly from his heart, crying aloud: ‘O Lord, remember me in Thy kingdom.’ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Let us with one accord praise as Savior and creator Him Who made life flower for our kind by the wood of the cross and Who withered the curse coming from the tree. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
By Thy death, O Christ, Thou hast destroyed the might of death and hast raised with Thyself those dead from the ages praising Thee as our true God and Savior. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
The holy women having come to the tomb, O Christ, sought to anoint Thee, giver of life, with myrrh, and an angel appeared to them crying aloud: ‘The Lord is risen!’ Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
Shining with divine light, and welling now with the angels, O father Macarius, by thy supplications save those who celebrate thy most sacred memory and cry out in joy: ‘Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!’ Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.
Treading without wavering, O all-blessed one, thou didst reach the end of the path which leadeth to life, fleeing the tumults, and thou didst put down the uprisings of the demons, crying out with joy: ‘Let us sing unto our God, for he hath been glorified!’ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst forsake all beautiful things, loving the eternal beauty in the house of the Lord, O father, where is the sound of those who keep pure festival, crying out in joy: ‘Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!’ Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having conceived in thy womb the timeless Son of the unoriginate Father, Who became flesh for the sake of us men, thou didst ineffably give birth to Him under time; and, rejoicing, we cry out to Him: ‘Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!’ ~6~
Troparia/Kontakia Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 5)
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-ëternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection. Troparion for St. Luke the Evangelist (Tone 5)
The Holy Apostle, the all-hymned Luke, who is acknowledged by the Church of Christ as the recorder of the Acts of the Apostles and the splendid author of the Gospel of Christ, let us praise with sacred hymns as a Physician who healeth the infirmities of man and the ailments of nature, who cleanseth spiritual wounds// and prayeth unceasingly for our souls. Troparion for St. Macarius of Egypt (Tone 1)
Dweller of the desert and angel in the body You were shown to be a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Macarius. You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer; healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith. Glory to Him Who gave you strength! Glory to Him Who granted you a ^crown!// Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to all! Kontakion for the Resurrection (Tone 5)
Thou didst descended into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man,// and we cry to Thee: “O Lord, save us!” Kontakion to St. Luke the Evangelist (Tone 4)
Thou becamest a disciple of God the Word, with Paul thou didst enlighten all the world, casting out its darkness// by composing the Holy Gospel of Christ. ~7~
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit… Kontakion for the St. Macarius of Egypt (Tone 4)
The Lord truly placed you in the house of abstinence, as a star enlightening the ends of the earth,// Venerable Macarius, Father of Fathers. Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Kontakion of our Steadfast Protectress (Tone 6)
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us,// O Theotokos, for thou dost always protect those who honor thee!
Prokeimenon (for the Resurrection)
Tone 5
Thou, O Lord, shalt protect us and preserve us from this generation forever. v: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any that is godly.
The Epistle Reading Colossians 3:12-16
(for the Resurrection)
Brethren, put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Alleluia
(for the Resurrection)
Tone 5
v: I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy truth from generation to generation. v: For Thou hast said: “Mercy will be established forever; My truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
The Gospel Reading Luke 18:35-43
(for the Resurrection)
At that time as he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing ~8~
by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
The Blind Man at Jericho Luke 18:35-43
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Matthew by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria
35-43. And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should keep silent; but he cried so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when He was come near, He asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. The Lord performed this wayside miracle of the blind man so that even His passage along a road would yield a profitable teaching for His disciples and for us: that we should in all things, at all times, and in every place do what is beneficial and never be idle. The blind man believed that Jesus was the awaited Messiah; having been raised among the Jews, it is certain that he knew that the Christ would be of the seed of David. Therefore he cries out with a great voice, Son of David, have mercy on me. His words have mercy on me show that he understood Jesus to be divine and not merely a man. Marvel at his staunch confession: although rebuked by many, he did not keep silent, but cried out all the more, urged on by the fervent zeal within him. Therefore Jesus summons him as one who is truly worthy to approach Him, and asks him, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? He asks the question, not in ignorance of what the blind man wanted, but so that it would not appear to the others who were present that the Lord gave something different from what the man wanted. Otherwise, some might have said that the Lord, in a vainglorious show of power, healed the mans blindness when the man had only been begging for alms.1 Envy might well have inspired some to slander the Lord with such foolishness as this. Therefore the Lord asked the blind man what he wanted, and when He heard that he wanted his sight, He gave him his sight. “See the absence of vainglory,” the Lord says, Thy faith hath made thee whole. For you have believed with faith that I am the Son of David, the Christ, Who is now revealed, and you have shown such zeal that you did not keep silent even when rebuked.” We may learn from this that when we ask with faith, God does not give something other than what we ask for, but the very same thing. However, when we ask for one thing and receive something else, it is clear that either we did not make a good request or we did not ask with faith.2 See also the power of the Lord: Receive thy sight.3 Which of the prophets ever healed in this manner, with such power? His voice, proceeding from Him Who is the true Light, became light to the blind man. See also the gratitude of the healed man: he followed Jesus, glorifying God, and causing others to do the same. ~9~
1. The Greek word eleos, “mercy,” is also commonly used to mean “alms,” i.e. mercy shown to the poor. 2. James 4:3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss. 3. In the Greek text, the Lord responds with a single word, anablepson, “see [again].”
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Venerable Macarius the Great of Egypt
hen, by decree of Emperor Constantine in 325, the persecution of Christians
largely ceased, there was cause for rejoicing. Official sanction, however, brought its own temptations-laxity and worldliness-inspiring a great exodus into the desert which provided fertile soil for the ascetic exploits of those who thirsted, like the martyrs, to lose their life for Christ. Among the most renowned of these early desert-dwellers was St. Macarius the Great. So lofty was his spiritual attainment that in recording his Life one of his biographers feared it would be regarded as a fabrication.
St. Macarius was born in Egypt in 300, of Christian parents. Even as a child he had a sensitive conscience: once he ate a fig which a playmate had stolen and he mourned this sin the rest of his life. Withdrawing to the desert at the age of thirty, he sought out and was discipled by St. Anthony the Great until he reached sufficient maturity for solitary life, whereupon his abba sent him to the remote desert of Scetis. There Macarius’ labors incited the fury of the demons, who attacked him physically and mentally in a variety of guises-as monsters, brigands, angels. The Saint was not deceived. Like the Prophet King, he called upon the name of the Lord and warded them off. The demons themselves admitted defeat. Once, when gathering palm branches in the desert, he encountered a demon who said to him: “I suffer great sorrow in being unable to conquer you. Everything that you do I do also: you fast-I eat nothing at all; you keep vigil—I never sleep. In one thing only do you surpass me-in humility.” Wrapping his mind in God and sternly disciplining his body with vigils and fasting, Macarius rapidly ascended the ladder of perfection, garnering in the process a wealth of spiritual gifts: of healing, discernment, interpretation of Scriptures, prophecy, exorcism of demons, even the power to raise the dead. There soon gathered around him a group of monks, and Macarius was ordained to the priesthood. The community was besieged by people seeking to be cured of various afflictions. The Saint purposely delayed applying his power of healing in order that these people would benefit the more by being detained for a few days in the monastery. To find relief from his numerous visitors he dug a subterranean passageway to a cave where he would retire for solitude. His gift of wonder-working was truly extraordinary. When one of his disciples was in town selling baskets, the Saint saw with his spiritual eyes that the monk was in danger of succumbing to the attraction of a harlot, and had him instantly transported back to his cell. Once a certain heretic by the name of Hierax came to the desert, sowing confusion by mocking the Christian faith in the resurrection of the dead. To prove the power of God, St. Macarius took the heretic to the cemetery and called forth a dead monk from his grave. ~10~
Saint Macarius taught a wonderful simplicity. “Christians,” he said, “should judge no one, neither an open harlot, nor sinners, nor dissolute people, but should look upon all with simplicity of soul and a pure eye. Purity of heart, indeed, consists in seeing sinful and weak men and having compassion for them and being merciful.” On the subject of prayer he counselled, “It is enough if you will often repeat from your whole heart, ‘Lord, as it pleases Thee and as Thou knowest, have mercy on me.’ And if temptation comes upon you: ‘Lord, help me!’ The Lord knows what is profitable for us and has mercy on us.” Saint Macarius reposed at the age of ninety. He is commemorated by the Church on January 19.
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St. Mark of Ephesus, Defender of Orthodoxy
aint Mark Eugenikos, Archbishop of Ephesus, was a stalwart defender of Orthodoxy
at the Council of Florence. He would not agree to a union with Rome which was based on theological compromise and political expediency (the Byzantine Emperor was seeking military assistance from the West against the Moslems who were drawing ever closer to Constantinople). St Mark countered the arguments of his opponents, drawing from the well of pure theology, and the teachings of the holy Fathers. When the members of his own delegation tried to pressure him into accepting the Union he replied, “There can be no compromise in matters of the Orthodox Faith.”
Although the members of the Orthodox delegation signed the Tomos of Union, St Mark was the only one who refused to do so. When he returned from Florence, St Mark urged the inhabitants of Constantinople to repudiate the dishonorable document of union. He died in 1457 at the age of fifty-two, admired and honored by all.
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Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg
t.
Xenia was the wife of Colonel Andrei Feodorovich Petrov, who served as a court chanter. At the age of 26, Xenia was widowed and, appeared to have lost her mind from grief: she distributed her possessions to the poor, dressed herself in the clothes of her reposed husband, and, as if having forgotten her own name, called herself by the name of her reposed husband—Andrei Feodorovich. These eccentricities were not indicative of a loss of reason, however, but signified a complete disdain for earthly goods and human opinion, which places them at the center of existence. Thus, Xenia of Petersburg took upon herself the difficult podvig of foolishness for Christ’s sake. Having come to know the inconstancy of earthly happiness through the death of her beloved husband, Xenia strove toward God with all her heart, and sought protection and comfort only in Him. Earthly, transitory goods ceased to have any value for her. Xenia had a house; but gave it over to an acquaintance under the condition that it be used to shelter paupers. But Xenia herself, not having a refuge, would wander among the paupers of Petersburg. At night she would go out to a field, where she spent the time in ardent prayer. When they began to build a church in the Smolensk Cemetery, Xenia, after the onset of darkness, would ~11~
secretly carry bricks to the top of the construction, and thereby helped the masons erect the walls of the church. Some of Xenia’s relatives wanted to take her in and provide her with all necessities, but the blessed one replied to them: “I do not need anything.” She was glad of her poverty, and when visiting somewhere, would at times remark: “I am all here!” When her reposed husband’s clothing wore out, Xenia clothed herself in the poorest clothing, and wore torn shoes without stockings on her feet. She did not dress warmly and forced her body to suffer from the severe cold. Sensing the greatness of Blessed Xenia’s soul, the inhabitants of Petersburg loved her, because she despised the earthly for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. If Xenia entered anyone’s home, this was considered a good sign. Mothers rejoiced if she kissed their children. Cab drivers would ask permission of the blessed one to drive her a little, since after this the earnings would be guaranteed for the whole day. Merchants in the bazaars would try to give here kalach [cracknel bread] or some food; if Blessed Xenia took something from what was offered, all the wares of the seller were quickly bought up. Xenia had the gift of clairvoyance. On the eve of the Nativity of Christ in 1762, she walked about Petersburg and said, “Bake blini! Tomorrow all Russia will bake blini!” The next day, the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, suddenly died [blini is traditionally made at someone’s death]. A few days before the murder of the royal youth, John VI (Antonovich, the greatgreatgrandson of Tsar Alexis Michailovich), who in infancy had been proclaimed the Russian Emperor, the blessed one wept and repeated, “Blood, blood, blood.” Within a few days after Mirovich’s unsuccessful conspiracy, the young John was killed. Once, Xenia came to a home where there was a grown-up daughter. Turning to the girl, she said, “Here you are drinking coffee, while your husband is burying his wife at Okhta.” After a certain time, this girl married that very widower who at that moment had been burying his first wife at the Okhta Cemetery. Blessed Xenia died at the end of the eighteenth century, but tradition has not preserved either the year or day of her decease. She was buried in the Smolensk Cemetery, where she had helped build the church. Pilgrimages to her grave began shortly after her decease. Blessed Xenia often appeared in visions to people in difficult circumstances, forewarned of dangers and saved them from calamities. The righteous one has not ceased to show compassionate love toward all who with faith have called upon her, and many instances of her help for the suffering and those in desperate situations are known. A civil servant, Nicholas Selivanovich Golovin, had lived in Grodno approximately until 1907. He often experienced unpleasantness at work. He came to Petersburg to put his affairs in order, but they became even more entangled. Golovin was very poor, caring for his elderly mother and two sisters. In despair, he walked along the streets of Petersburg, and, though he was a man of faith, the thought to throw himself into the Neva stole into his soul. At this moment, some unknown woman stood in front of him. He was struck by her appearance, which was reminiscent of a poor nun. “Why are you so sad?” she asked. “Go to the Smolensk Cemetery, serve a panikhida [a requiem service] for Xenia, and everything will be settled.” After these words, the unknown woman ~12~
disappeared. Golovin fulfilled the advice of the mysterious nun, and his affairs were unexpectedly settled in the best manner possible. He joyfully returned home to Grodno. Emperor Alexander III, when he was the heir, became ill with a serious form of typhus. The Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna was very alarmed by her spouse’s illness. One of the valets, seeing her in the corridor, related to her how Blessed Xenia helps the sick, gave her sand from the cherished grave and added that he himself had been healed from illness by the prayer of the righteous one. The Grand Duchess placed the sand under the pillow of the patient. That same night, while sitting at the head of the bed, she had a vision of Blessed Xenia, who told her that the patient would recover and that a daughter would be born in their family. She should be called Xenia. The prediction of the blessed one was fulfilled exactly. In the Pskov province, a relative from Petersburg came to stay for a while with a landowner and recounted how they revere Blessed Xenia in the capital. Under the influence of this account, the pious landowner prayed before sleep for the repose of her soul. At night, she dreamed that Xenia was walking round her house and pouring water on it. In the morning, the hay barn on the country estate caught on fire, but the fire did not spread further and the home remained whole. A colonel’s widow arrived in Petersburg to enroll her two sons into the Cadet Corps. She did not succeed in this. The money borrowed for the trip had come to an end, and the widow walked along the street and wept bitterly. Suddenly, some woman of the common people came up to her and said: “Serve a panikhida for Xenia. She helps in sorrows.” “Who is this Xenia?” asked the colonel’s widow. “The tongue [that asks the way] will lead to Kiev,” she answered, quickly vanishing. Indeed, the colonel’s widow easily learned who this Xenia was. She served a panikhida for her at her grave in the Smolensk Cemetery, and shortly after received the unexpected news that both her sons had been accepted into the Cadet Corps. A multitude of similar instances of Blessed Xenia’s help is known also in our days.
This
is the way we should see Christ. He is our friend, our brother; He is whatever is good and beautiful. He is everything. Yet, He is still a friend and He shouts it out, “You’re my friends, don’t you understand that? We’re brothers. I’m not… I don’t hold hell in my hands. I am not threatening you. I love you. I want you to enjoy life together with me.” ~St. Porphyrios 1906-1991 ~13~
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Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
he Monastery of Saint Macarius is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in Wadi
El Natrun, Beheira Governorate, about 92Â km north west of Cairo, and off the highway between Cairo and Alexandria.
Ancient history The monastery was founded in approximately 360 AD by Saint Macarius of Egypt, who was the spiritual father to more than four thousand monks of different nationalities. From its foundation in the 4th century up to the present day, the monastery has been continuously inhabited by monks. Several Christian saints and fathers of the early Church were monks at the Monastery of Saint Macarius, such as Saint Macarius of Alexandria, Saint John the Dwarf, Saint Paphnutius the Ascetic, Saint Isidore, Saint Arsenius, Saint Moses the Black, Saint Poemen, Saint Serapion and many others.
Modern history In 1969, the monastery entered an era of restoration, both spiritually and architecturally, with the arrival of twelve monks under the spiritual leadership of Father Matta El Meskeen. These monks had spent the previous ten years living together entirely isolated from the world, in the desert caves of Wadi El Rayyan, about 50 kilometres south of Fayoum. Pope Cyril VI ordered this group of monks to leave Wadi El Rayyan and go to the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great to restore it. At that time only six aged monks were living in the monastery and its historic buildings were on the verge of collapsing. The new monks were received by the abbot of the monastery, Bishop Michael, Metropolitan of Assiut. Under Pope Shenouda III, who was himself busily engaged in restoring the Monastery of Saint Pishoy and the Paromeos Monastery, and after fourteen years of constant activity both in reconstruction and spiritual renewal, the monastic community in the Monastery of Saint Macarius numbers about one hundred monks. The Monastery of Saint Macarius maintains spiritual, academic and fraternal links with several monasteries abroad, including the monastery of Chevtogne in Belgium, Solesmes Abbey and the Monastery of the Transfiguration in France, Deir El Harf in Lebanon and the Convent of the Incarnation in England. The Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great contains the relics of many saints, such as the Forty Nine Elder Martyrs of Scetes.
The discovery of the relics of Saint John the Baptist and Elisha the Prophet During the restoration of the big Church of Saint Macarius, the crypt of Saint John the Baptist and that of Elisha the Prophet were discovered below the northern wall of the church, in accordance with the site mentioned in manuscripts from the 11th & 16th centuries found in the library of the monastery. This is also confirmed by the ecclesiastical tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The relics were gathered in a special reliquary and placed before the sanctuary of Saint John the Baptist in the church of Saint Macarius. A detailed account of this discovery and an assessment of the authenticity of the relics was published by the monastery.