St. LukeDiocese Orthodox Christian Church of the South, Orthodox Church in America The Rev. Father Basil Henry, Priest 1415 Woodstock Ave. • Anniston, Alabama • www.stlukeanniston.org/ basilncana@yahoo.com • (256) 235-3893
July 10, 2011 • 4th Sunday after Pentecost
Ven. Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Founder of Monasticism in Russia (1073). Holy 45 Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia. including Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Anicetus, Sisinius, Meneus, Verelad, and Timothy (319). Martyr Apollonius of Sardis (3rd c.). Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus of Pisidia (4th c.). 10,000 Fathers ofthe desert and caves of Scetis martyred by the impious Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria (398). St. Silouan of the Far Caves in Kiev (13th-14th c.). The Placing of the Precious Robe of the Lord at Moscow (1625). New Hieromartyr Joseph, arcbpriest of Damascus, and companions (1860). Sts. Parthenius (1905) and Eumenius (1920), restorers of Koudouma Monastety on Crete. Synaxis of All Saints of Vatopedi. Mt. Athos. (Gt. Cal.: St. Gregory, bishop of Assos near Ephesus [1150].) “Konevits” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Announcements
We now have a bin in the dining room for those who wish to donate for the hungry. Fr. Basil’s class on Corinthians continues Wednesday evening at 4 o’clock.
The icon on the front is by the hand of by Alla Melnichenko, of Mzyk, Belarus (www.redbubble.com/people/allamel)
Mon, 7/11
This Week’s Scripture, Service and Fasting Schedule Tues, 7/12 Wed, 7/13 Thurs, 7/14 Fri, 7/15 Sat, 7/16
Sun, 7/17
No Services
Matins 8 a.m.
Bible Study 4 p.m.
Matins 8 a.m.
Matins 8 a.m.
Great Vespers Divine Liturgy 4 p.m. 10 a.m.
Romans 12:4-5,15-21
Romans 14:9-18
Romans 15:7-16
Romans 15:17-29
Romans 16:1-16
Romans 8:14-21
Romans 10:1-10
Matthew 12:9-13
Matthew 11:16-20
Matthew 12:38-45
Matthew 12:46-13:3
Matthew 13:4-9
Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew 8:28-9:1
Galatians 1:11-19
Hebrews 13:7-16
(St. Vladimir)
(Holy Fathers)
John 10:1-9
John 17:1-13
(St. Vladimir)
St. Olga, Princess of Russia
St. Veronica
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
St. Nicodemus the Hagiorite
St. Vladimir the Great
(Holy Fathers)
St. Julia of Carthage
Holy Fathers of the First Six Councils
Service times are subject to change. Please check with Fr. Basil if in any doubt.
Great Vespers “Lord, I Call”
From the morning watch even to the night, let Israel hope in the Lord!
Sunday (Tone 3)
When thou didst receive divine love in thy heart, O By Thy Cross, O Christ our Savior, death’s dominion has father, thou didst enter a dark cave as though it were been shattered; the devil’s delusion destroyed. The race an all-splendid bridal chamber, and there thou wast enriched with the understanding of ineffable things, of man, being saved by faith, always offers Thee a song. to behold the things of the future as though they were The righteous await me, till Thou shalt reward me. present, which thou then didst explain to all. Entreat All has been enlightened by Thy Resurrection, O Christ, Whom thou hast served from thy youth, that Lord. Paradise has been opened again. All creation, He save and enlighten our souls! praising Thee, always offers Thee a song. Lead forth my soul from prison, that I may confess Thy name!
Venerable
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice!
Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 5)
For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
I glorify the power of the Father and the Son. I praise O venerable Father Anthony, thou didst illumine thy the authority of the Holy Spirit. The undivided, un- mind with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and with forecreated Godhead, the consubstantial Trinity which sight thou didst prophetically predict the wrath of reigns forever. God that would fall upon the Orthodox. Therefore, Let Thine ears give heed to the voice of my prayer! thou didst entrust to Simon the defense against the We bow down in worship before Thy precious Cross, enemies, and before the construction of the church O Christ, and we glorify and praise Thy Resurrection. thou didst foretell that he would be laid to rest therein. For by Thy wounds we have all been healed. Therefore, we praise thee as a mediator of good things for all, and ask that through thee we may receive great Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 4) mercy from God. If Thou observest transgression, Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee is propitiation.
When divine desire fell upon thee, O venerable one, thou didst consider passionate attachments to the world to be harmful; therefore, thou didst forsake thy homeland and arrive on the Holy Mountain. There, in the midst of the fathers, O Anthony, thou didst shine forth in virtue like a beacon. Entreat Christ, Whom thou hast served from thy youth, that He save and enlighten our souls! For Thy name’s sake have I waited upon Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, all ye people!
O venerable Father Anthony, thou didst fulfill the commandments of Christ, the true Shepherd and Teacher, and show forth love even after thy departure. By thy prayers thou didst transform the deadly illness of the slothful Erasmus, giving him time for repentance, and guiding others to chastity. Entreat Christ that our souls may be saved! For His mercy hath been confirmed upon us and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.
O venerable Father Anthony, with God’s help thou When thou wast set afire by the love of Christ, O ven- didst steer the ship of thy mind with chastity, and erable one, thou didst despise the wisdom and glory of didst safely sail across the passion-laden deep of the this world as things that pass away. Therefore, thou sea of this life. Thou didst attain the calm haven of didst make a cave for thyself, and in it thou didst Paradise, where the saints dwell and the righteous rest. struggle like an incorporeal being. As a result thou We beseech thee to pray with them that we may also wast granted from on high the honors of the bodiless obtain rest therein. ones. Standing with them before the throne of Christ, pray that He save and enlighten our souls! ~3~
Venerable
Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 6)
The Wisdom of Solomon (5:15-6:3)
The righteous live for ever, and their reward is with Thy way of life and thy labors for God were difficult, as the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therethe fathers of the Holy Mountain learned. Therefore, in fore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful accordance with God’s providence, they sent thee back diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his to thy homeland, saying: “Go, child, that through you right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he God may be known there by those who did not know will shield them. The Lord will take his zeal as his Him!” When thou didst arrive, thou didst enlighten whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enthy native land and became a leader, bringing a multi- emies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, tude of monastics to Christ. Therefore, pray that we and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take who celebrate thy falling-asleep may be preserved un- holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern harmed by the Enemy, and that our souls may be saved! wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen. Shafts of lightning will fly Dogmatikon (Tone 3) Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. with true aim, and will leap to the target as from a How can we not wonder at thy mystical childbearing, well-drawn bow of clouds, and hailstones full of wrath O exalted Mother, for, without receiving the touch of will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea man, thou gavest birth to a Son in the flesh, O im- will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly maculate Virgin. The Son born of the Father before overwhelm them; a mighty wind will rise against eternity was born of thee at the fullness of time, O them, and like a tempest it will winnow them away. honored Lady. He underwent no mingling, no change, Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and evilno division, but preserved the fullness of each nature. doing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Entreat Him to save the souls, O Lady and Virgin and Mother, of those who confess thee in the Orthodox Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule manner, to be the Theotokos. over multitudes, and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovOld Testament Readings Venerable of the Kiev Caves ereignty from the Most High, who will search out Anthony The Wisdom of Solomon (3:1-9) your works and inquire into your plans. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and The Wisdom of Solomon (4:7-15) no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the fool- For old age is not honored for length of time, nor meaish they seemed to have died, and their departure was sured by number of years; but understanding is gray thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is while living among sinners he was taken up. He was full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile they will receive great good, because God tested them deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness oband found them worthy of himself; like gold in the fur- scures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering nocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, he fulhe accepted them. In the time of their visitation they filled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickstubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, edness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who nor take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are ones. upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
~4~
Aposticha
Theotokion (Tone 6)
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sunday (Tone 3)
The sun was darkened by Thy Passion, O Christ, but My Maker and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, was born all creation was enlightened by the light of Thy Resur- of thee, O most pure Virgin. By accepting my nature, He freed Adam from his ancient curse. Unceasingly rection. Accept our evening song, O Lover of man! we magnify thee as the Mother of God! Rejoice, O The Lord hath become King; with beauty hath He clothed celestial Joy! Rejoice, O Lady: the Protection, InterHimself. Thy life-bearing Resurrection, O Lord, enlightened cession and Salvation of our souls! the whole universe, recalling Thy creation. Delivered from Adam’s curse, we sing: “O Almighty Lord, glory to Thee!”
Troparia
Sunday (Tone 3)
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the For He hath established the world, which shall not be moved. Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has tramThou art the changeless God, Who, suffering in the pled down death by death! He has become the firstflesh, was changed. Creation could not endure seeing born of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths Thee on the Cross. It was filled with fear while prais- of hell and has granted the world great mercy. ing Thy patience. By descending to hell and rising on Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 4) the third day, Thou hast granted to the world life and Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit… great mercy. Having left the turmoil of the world, you renounced Holiness belongeth to Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days! the world to follow Christ in accordance with the Thou didst endure death, O Christ, to deliver the race Gospel. Living a life equal to the Angels, you reached of man from death. Thou didst rise from the dead on the quiet haven of the Holy Mountain of Athos. With the third day, raising with Thyself those who knew the blessing of the Athonite fathers, you came to the Thee as God and enlightening the world. Glory to hills of Kiev, where you labored with love and illuThee! mined your homeland. There you led a multitude of Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 6) monastics to Christ showing them the path that leads Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit… to the Kingdom of Heaven. Venerable Anthony, pray Wondrous is the influence and great the faith that to Him that our souls may be saved! thou hast acquired, O venerable Anthony, emulating the Prophet Elijah; for he drew down fire from heaven Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion (Tone 4) Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. to consume the sacrifice, while thou didst draw down The mystery of all eternity, unknown even by Angels, fire from heaven by thy supplications, to consume and through thee, Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth: cleanse the place where thou didst desire to build the God incarnate by union without confusion. He volunall-glorious temple of the Sovereign Lady and Theototarily accepted the Cross for us, by which He resurkos. Therefore, blessing thee as one who dwells with rected the first-created man, saving our souls from the venerable and emulates the Prophets, we pray that death. thou dost entreat Christ that our souls be saved.
“
Reading the psalms beautifies the souls. It drives away the demons, shatters the darkness, makes everything holy, puts the devil to shame, reveals God
”
Kiev Caves Paterikon
~5~
Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Beatitude Verses
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord is with thee, O most pure one! As it was well sunday pleasing to Him, to be with thee O Maiden, so by Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. O Christ, Thou hast cast out of Paradise Adam, the thine intercessions He hath delivered us all from the forefather, who had set aside Thy commandment. reign of the deceitful one; wherefore from generation And in Thy compassion, Thou hast made to dwell to generation we dutifully call thee blessed. therein the thief confessing Thee upon the cross and Troparia crying; Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom.
sunday (Tone 3)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the O Giver of life and Lord, Thou hast condemned us Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has tramhaving sinned to the curse of death. And suffering in pled down death by death! He has become the firstThy sinless body Thou hast made mortal men live born of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths crying: Remember us also in Thy kingdom. of hell and has granted the world great mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Anthony (Tone 4) O Lord, risen from the dead, Thou hast raised us from Having left the turmoil of the world, you renounced passions by Thy resurrection. And Thou hast dethe world to follow Christ in accordance with the Gosstroyed all the might of death. Therefore we cry with pel. Living a life equal to the Angels, you reached the faith to Thee: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom.’ quiet haven of the Holy Mountain of Athos. With the Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, blessing of the Athonite fathers, you came to the hills for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. of Kiev, where you labored with love and illumined By Thy three days’ burial hast Thou, making them live, your homeland. There you led a multitude of monasraised those lying dead in hell. And Thou as good hast tics to Christ showing them the path that leads to the poured forth incorruption upon us who at all times Kingdom of Heaven. Venerable Anthony, pray to Him cry with faith: ‘Remember us also in Thy kingdom.’ that our souls may be saved! Venerable
Anthony of the Kiev Caves
Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
By thy sacred prayers, O God-blessed one, the cunning serpent is slain and the malice of those who demanded of thee a sign is destroyed, for thou art God’s favorite, radiating with light, and in thy faithfulness, unshakable. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
Venerable
Kontakia
of the Kiev Caves
sunday (Tone 3)
On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults and Eve rejoices. With the prophets and patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy Power.
Assiduously ploughing the fields of thy soul, and most Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 8) wisely sowing the multi-fruitful seeds of virtues, thou, Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,… O sacred Father, hast harvested the rich bounty of Having loved God above all from your childhood, O abundant healings. venerable one, you surrendered yourself to Him and followed Him with all your soul. Despising the mateGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit… Helped, O holy Father, by the strength of the Spirit, rial things of this world, you made a cave in the earth, thou hast subdued the might and the power of the en- where you fought the good fight against the invisible emy, and in honor of thy victory thou hast been re- Enemy. Like a brilliant sun you illumined all the ends of the earth, and with rejoicing you passed into the warded, O holy one, with the bright gift of miracles. ~6~
heavenly chambers. Now as you stand with the Angels before the Throne of the Master, remember us who honor your memory as we cry to you: “Rejoice, our Father Anthony!”
Steadast protectress (Tone 6)
ance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant Advocate spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. us who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou Alleluia Verses sunday (Tone 3) dost always protect those who honor thee! Vs: In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put Prokeimenon to shame! Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
sunday (Tone 3)
Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to Vs: Be Thou a God of protection for me, a house of refuge, in order to save me! our King, sing praises!
Anthony (Tone 6) Vs: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with Vs: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly loud songs of joy! delights in His commandments. Venerable
Venerable
Anthony of the Kiev Caves (Tone 7)
Vs: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Epistle Reading
Sunday
The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans (6:18-23)
Brethren, being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Venerable
Anthony of the Kiev Caves
The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians (5:22-6:2)
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temper-
Gospel Reading
of the Kiev Caves
Sunday
The Gospel according to St. Matthew (8:5-13)
At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; be it done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
~7~
Venerable
Anthony of the Kiev Caves
The Gospel according to St. Matthew (4:25-5:12)
At that time, great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decap’olis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “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 for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves aint Anthony of the Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 at Liubech, not far from Chernigov, and was named Antipas in Baptism. Possessing the fear of God from his youth, he desired to be clothed in the monastic schema. When he reached a mature age, he wandered until he arrived on Mt. Athos, burning with the desire to emulate the deeds of its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure, and the young monk pleased God in every aspect of his spiritual struggles on the path of virtue. He particularly excelled in humility and obedience, so that all the monks rejoiced to see his holy life. The igumen saw in St Anthony the great future ascetic, and inspired by God, he sent him back to his native land, saying, “Anthony, it is time for you to guide others in holiness. Return to your own Russian land, and be an example for others. May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be with you.
spot, and strengthen me to remain here.” He began to struggle in prayer, fasting, vigil and physical labor. Every other day, or every third day, he would eat only dry bread and a little water. Sometimes he did not eat for a week. People began to come to the ascetic for his blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain with the saint.
Returning to the land of Rus, Anthony began to make the rounds of the monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life which had drawn him to Mt. Athos.
Among Anthony’s first disciples was St Nikon (March 23), who tonsured St Theodosius of the Caves (May 3) at the monastery in the year 1032.
Through the Providence of God, Anthony came to the hills of Kiev by the banks of the River Dniepr. The forested area near the village of Berestovo reminded him of his beloved Athos. There he found a cave which had been dug out by the Priest Hilarion, who later became Metropolitan of Kiev (October 21). Since he liked the spot, Anthony prayed with tears, “Lord, let the blessing of Mt. Athos be upon this
The virtuous life of St Anthony illumined the Russian land with the beauty of monasticism. St Anthony lovingly received those who yearned for the monastic life. After instructing them how to follow Christ, he asked St Nikon to tonsure them. When twelve disciples had gathered about St Anthony, the brethren dug a large cave and built a church and cells for the monks within it.
~8~
After he appointed Abbot Barlaam to guide the brethren, St Anthony withdrew from the monastery. He dug a new cave for himself, then hid himself within it. There too, monks began to settle around him. Afterwards, the saint built a small wooden church in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God over the Far Caves. At the insistence of Prince Izyaslav, the igumen Barlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of St Anthony and with the general agreement of the brethren, the meek and humble Theodosius was chosen
as igumen. By this time, the number of brethren had already reached a hundred men. The Kiev Great Prince Izyaslav (+ 1078) gave the monks the hill on which the large church and cells were built, with a palisade all around. Thus, the renowned monastery over the caves was established. Describing this, the chronicler remarks that while many monasteries were built by emperors and nobles, they could not compare with those which are built with holy prayers and tears, and by fasting and vigil. Although St Anthony had no gold, he built a monastery which became the first spiritual center of Rus.
For his holiness of life, God glorified St Anthony with the gift of clairvoyance and wonderworking. One example of this occurred during the construction of the Great Caves church. The Most Holy Theotokos Herself stood before him and St Theodosius in the Blachernae church in Constantinople, where they had been miraculously transported without leaving their own monastery. Actually, two angels appeared in Constantinople in their forms (See May 3, the account of the Kiev Caves Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). Having received gold from the Mother of God, the saints commissioned master architects, who came from Constantinople to the Russian land on the command of the Queen of Heaven to build the church at the Monastery of the Caves. During this appearance, the Mother of God foretold the impending death of St Anthony, which occurred on July 10, 1073. Through Divine Providence, the relics of St Anthony remain hidden.
St. Olga, Princess of Russia aint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband’s death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969. ~9~
An Interview with Mother Christophora
Abbess of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania by Teva Regule
Teva: First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time Then I discovered that the monastic life really answered for this interview and sharing your thoughts with the read- my desires. I was able to fulfill my yearnings and serve ers of the St. Nina Quarterly. You grew up in the Church God in this way. and for a time worked as a social worker prior to entering T.: Are there any similarities between your work as a social the monastery. How did you choose the monastic life? worker and the work that you do in the monastery? Mother Christophora: I think the monastic life chose M.C.: Many of the things that I learned and did in my me. God makes a calling. To enter a monastery in the profession—certainly, God has asked me to use them country we live in, the society we live in, the culture we here. That is true of other sisters, also. When we become live in, to leave everything behind and come and live a monastic, our parents, family, friends may think that like this—one has to be a little bit “crazy.” That is why I the education that they gave us is going to be wasted. think that God has a lot more to do with it than we do. But I would say quite the contrary. It is like the parWomen have so many opportunities these days in our able of the talents in the Gospel. If God gives us some country. In this time we can do almost anything that talents and asks us to serve Him, the talents are going we want. With that being true and still choosing the to be multiplied in a monastery. I find myself drawing monastic life, it’s something a bit different than what back on the things that I learned in the world and actuwe have seen in the history of the Church before now. ally use them. I was in the field of alcoholism and adLet me explain what I mean by that. In some of the dictions, and many people that come to the monastery European countries or some of the generations before to talk to me have some of this struggle in their lives, in this, women, at a very young age—sixteen or seventheir families. I know a little bit about it. At least I can teen—would have to decide either, “Yes, I am going to direct them to help. get married”—probably to the boy next door or from the same village—or, “I don’t want to be married. I want T.: If someone has never visited a monastery, they might to be a monastic.” It would have been pretty much that wonder what your daily life is like. Would you describe a simple. Now, it is one choice out of one hundred to two typical day? hundred that we can have. All of the sisters here have M.C.: It is probably quite like most people’s day in come from very different backgrounds. I did grow up the home, except that it is punctuated by prayer—both in the Church and I was always close to the Church. formal and private. In our monastery, we start in the That makes me unique in this sisterhood. Many sisters— morning with a service at 6:30 a.m. We have matins and most—have come from non-Orthodox backgrounds. hours, and three days a week we also have a Divine LitSo it is still a mystery why I am here or why another urgy. So each nun rises before 6:30, depending on her sister is here and not anyone else from her peers, her prayer rule and her needs. Some wake up just a short family, or her parish. time before 6:30 because they need more rest. Others That is why I think that it is God that does a lot of wake up earlier and do prayers in their room for a longer the choosing and we have to answer the call. He calls period of time. We all come to church together. After us but we have to answer it. For me, it was a natural the service we have some breakfast and then go on to progression from being in the Church, being raised in do what we call our obediences, which are things that the Church, and liking the Church all my life. I never we are assigned to. The monastery is a family but also left it, although many people leave and hopefully come an institution, so there has to be some organization to back. I did not have that experience. I just wanted more get everything done. We have a rather large facility with of it. Even though I was working professionally, I would a hundred acres. The building where our nuns live and have liked to work full time in the Church, but there where our church and our dining room are, is the size wasn√¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t opportunity to do that as a woman. of a football field, so it is a lot of work to care for that. ~10~
In addition we have three guesthouses, flower gardens to tend and grass to mow. Each sister is assigned to be responsible for different areas of our home and for taking care of the guests. Some sisters clean the guesthouses, some answer the phone and the door. Others are cooking. Others are cleaning. Some work in the office or take care of the library. So each sister goes about her work. Because we are a small community of ten sisters, each sister usually works alone. In larger monasteries they would actually have workshops—fifteen people would be sewing all day. Imagine that. Here it is more likely that one sister is going to be sewing. We come together at noon for our midday meal, our main meal. During that meal there is a spiritual reading, which is customary in monasteries, so that we are thinking about spiritual things. We are feeding our souls as well as our bodies. After lunch all the sisters help to clean up and then go back to work. We can have some quiet time in the afternoon if we need. At 5:00 p.m. there is ninth hour, vespers, and compline. We finish by 6:30 p.m., we have something to eat and spend our evenings in quiet work and prayer. In the summer evenings, the sisters might work in the garden because it is cooler.
Mother Christophora of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
The sisters retire when they need to and start again the might be different, the basic vespers would be the same. next morning. So when children visit the monastery Even if we don’t understand the language, we would unand we tell them what we do, they are somewhat disap- derstand where we are in vespers. . . . pointed—dishes, vacuum, dust—things that they do. But The age of the monastery makes some difference. One each thing that we do is in the house of God. We have thing I was very impressed by while traveling in Romato remember that it is not just boring work, but that it nia—they often have public greeting rooms, large halls is an offering of our labors to God and taking care of where guests are greeted and there are portraits of various His house and being stewards of His house. We live here, abbesses on the wall, as well as a long list on a plaque of but many, many other people visit. As a result, we have the abbess’ name and the dates of her tenure. The plaque to keep the monastery in a special condition so when was several yards long. I just stood there thinking that people come they can refresh themselves and find peace, there is so much history they have behind them. In this harmony, and order. So in the atmosphere here, they can country it is kind of like trail blazing, breaking ground. withdraw from the hassles of their life and be quiet. We can’t move forward without weighing how we want T.: You mentioned monasticism in Europe. You had spent to do something in our monastery; whether it would be some time at Varatec Monastery in Romania, which is a accepted by the neighbors (imagine that!)—a new monlarge monastery, approximately four hundred nuns. It is lo- astery just telling the neighbors who we are and why we cated very close to Agapia, which is another large monastery. dress this way; how the Church would accept this in this How would you compare the monastic experience in Roma- country. These things would not even be a question in Eastern Europe. Monasticism has been there as long as nia to this country? the Church, and people are used to it. Here, we might M.C.: One of the similarities is that an Orthodox nun be asked more frequently to visit a parish and talk about can go into any Orthodox monastery in the world and our lives, whereas in Greece or Romania that probably feel quite at home very quickly. That is a beautiful thing. wouldn’t happen. If people wanted to hear about a monIn Orthodoxy, it is just one monastic life. So we could astery, they would go to a monastery for a visit. travel to any country and feel quite at home. With the To be continued next week Church’s liturgical cycle, although the time of vespers ~11~
Sase Orthodox Monastery, Vlasenica, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, built in the 13th Century
St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church 1415 Woodstock Ave. Anniston, AL 36207