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Posts Tagged ‘Calendar’
Synaxis of the Archangels & Heavenly Powers
Angels are everywhere in Scripture. According to Paul they were sent to minister to the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1.14) – going out on a limb I’m going to say that’s us. The Psalmist (91.11-12) says: “God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you lest [...]
St. Mary of Egypt
I’m a bit behind on things – including posts. It’s half way through Lent and I’ve not much to show for it here on site – sorry about that. Yesterday was the fifth Sunday of Lent – St. Mary of Egypt, one of my favourite saints because her story is so interesting. She was a [...]
Exile & Enlightenment
Today we commemorate the expulsion of Adam & Eve from Paradise – in preparation for the beginning of Lent tomorrow (Monday), and Cyril & Methodius Enlighteners of the Slavs. Notice something missing (ha ha ha)? The expulsion from Paradise cannot, must not be seen as “history” in the strictest sense of the word. Rather it [...]
Nicephoros
Nicephoros was the friend of a priest called Sapricius. However, shortly before Sapricius was outed as a Christian during the persecution of Valerian, their friendship failed bitterly. Nicephoros tried to reconcile with his friend both in person, and through intermediaries, but Sapricius would have none of it. Sapricius was seized by the authorities, and was [...]
Theodore
Theodore was a general in the early fourth century during the reign of Licinius. He was renowned for his skill as a strategist and commander of men. However, he was a believer. Licinius wanting to pursuade Theodore to revert to paganism, and through him those who honoured and respected him, went to see the general [...]
Agatha of Sicily
Martyred in AD 251 Agatha was a Virgin from a noble Sicilian family and lived in Catania. She was tortured to death in part because she refused to abandon her asceticism and marry the local governor. Legend says that when she was buried an angel placed a stone inscribed with the words: “A righteous mind, [...]
Symeon & Anna
The story of Symeon & Anna is told in Luke 2. Symeon was an old man, righteous and devout, who recieved the revealation that he would not die before seeing the Messiah (Lk. 2.27). Symeon was in the Temple when Jesus was presented for his circumcision; he took him into his arms and declared: Now, [...]
Translation of Chrysostom’s Relics
Traditionally today commemorates the translation of the remains of John Chrysostom from his original burial place in Armenia to Constantinople. What is interesting about this feast day is the underlying issue of reconciliation, and restoration. Chrysostom was a stormy character, invoking the ire of the imperial court because of his uncompromising attitudes towards among other [...]
Synaxis of the Forerunner
Today is the Synaxis of John the Forerunner – it is a sensible place for a feast commemorating John, prophet, precursor of Christ, and the one who plays a key role in the Theophany event. It is however, curious that John gets at least four feast days in the liturgical cycle three of them are [...]
Theophany
Perhaps the second most important feast in the liturgical cycle (Pascha being the first) today we celebrate the manifestation of the Trinity, and the philanthropy of God. “When you enlightened all things at the time of your manifestation, . . . the Jordan reversed its course, flowing uphill and carrying us to heaven.” Today is [...]
Philaret the Merciful
Philaret lived during the second half of the 8th century. HE WAS A LAYMAN! (huray!). . . . He was well established, and lived comfortably with his family. Throughout he earned a reputation for his generosity – especially to those in need. Due to theft, he lost most of his wealth. Philaret continued to give [...]
St. Marutha the Persian
Saint Marutha was Bishop of Tagrith (Martyropolis), a city which he founded between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. He was famed for his knowledge and his piety, he wrote about the martyrs, and he suffered for his faith in Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. He also left behind other works in the Syrian language, [...]
James the Persian
A nobleman, and Christian from birth, James was an intimate of King Yazdegerd I (reigned 399-425). Under influence from the King James renounced Christianity and became a Zorastrian. James’ family was so upset they threatened to cut off all relations with him because he “ had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love [...]
Catherine of Alexandria
A wealthy, articulate, scholarly woman, Catherine while still a Pagan vowed to marry only the man who could outshine her in wisdom and knowledge. Her mother, a Christian, sent her to an ascetic for advice. He suggested that there was such a man – Christ. Catherine converted, and became a virgin. At that time the [...]
Day 3 Feast of the Presentation & St. Amphilochius
Firstly, my apologies for not consistently posting over the past two weeks I’ve been enduring an intensive French course. The feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple began on Saturday (21 November). It’s a great feast in so far as it openly celebrates the role of legend in our tradition. The presentation [...]
Paul the Confessor
Paul was the secretary, and later (in around AD 337) successor to Alexander Archbishop Constantinople. He came to office at a very turbulent time in the battle between the Arian and “orthodox” parties. This meant that like Athanasius, Paul was elected, deposed, exiled, restored, and deposed again, before being murdered (AD 350) while celebrating liturgy [...]
Hermas of the 70
St. Hermas was one of the 70 sent by the Lord (Lk 10:1-16) to spread the Gospel. He later became a bishop in Philipopoulis. The popular text of Shepherd of Hermas is traditionally attributed to him. Tweet
Nikander & Hermias
Nikander was ordained bishop of Myra by Titus. They brought many people to the faith before being denounced to Libianus, count of the city of Myra. Both men were sealed alive in a tomb for their faith. Tweet
Demetrius
Demetrius was the son of a Christian noble family. The Emperor Maximian took a liking to him and made him a Duke. That was until he discovered that his new protoge was a Christian. Whereupon he had him imprisioned in a bath house during a local festival (presumably to deal with the matter after the [...]
Benjamin the Deacon
A Persian he was among those beaten, and incarcerated during the persecution of Christians in the early 5th century that followed the indiscretion of one Bishop Abbas (who burned down a Fire Temple and refused to replace it) nearly 40 years before. Benjamin was offered his freedom from prison on condition that he never spoke [...]
Andronicus & Athanasia
Husband and wife, they became ascetics late in life moving from Antioch to the Egyptian desert. They died at the beginning of the sixth century. Troparion Tone 1 You made the wilderness your dwelling place, O God Bearing father Andronicus; you became an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker. Through fasts, vigil and prayer, [...]
Pelagia
A wealthy acress from Antioch she lived a life of wreckless luxury. Upon her conversion she retired to Jerusalem where she lived as a recluse – passing herself off as a man called Pelagius. She quickly achieved such transcendence and sanctity that upon her death her tomb became a place of pilgrimage. Pelagia is not [...]
Sergius & Bacchus
High ranking military officials Sergius & Bacchus were inseperable. They went from strength to strength in every thing they put their hand to which caused a great deal of envy among their contemporaries. It was this jealousy that drove one to denounce the two martyrs to the Emperor during a pagan festival. As Christians they [...]
St Thomas
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst [...]