Feb 27th (Feb14th)

February 27 February 14 

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1. THE VENERABLE AUXENTIUS
Auxentius was a very prominent aristocrat among the noblemen and courtiers at the court of Emperor Theodosius the Younger in Constantinople. Enflamed with love for Christ, Auxentius was tonsured a monk and remained for a short time in Constantinople. When men began to praise him, he fled from their praise and settled on a mountain called Skopa near Chalcedon, which later was referred to as Auxentius' Mountain. His desire to remain there permanently, hidden from men, was not realized for some shepherds discovered him and make his whereabouts known. They began to bring the sick to him for healing. He healed many. He restored sight to the blind; cleansed lepers anointing them with oil; he also raised the palsied and freed many who were demon possessed. All of this was reason for amazement, but his humbleness was cause for even greater amazement. Whenever he was implored to heal someone he defended himself with the words: "I, also, am a sinful man!" Compelled by many requests, he approached healing in the following manner: he either invited all present to pray to God together with him for the sick person; or he first strengthened the faith in the people and then he told them that God will give to them according to their faith; or he prayed over the head of the sick person: "The Lord Jesus Christ heals you!" He did this so that the act of working miracles would not be attributed to him but rather to God Almighty. He participated at the Fourth Ecumenical Council
[Chalcedon, 451 A.D.] and strongly defended Orthodoxy against the Eutychian and Nestorian heresies. In the year 470 A.D., the Lord took his youthful soul in his old age and his aged body remained in the earth from which it was created.
2. THE VENERABLE ISSAC, RECLUSE OF THE MONASTERY OF THE CAVES IN KIEV
Issac lived during the time of Saints Anthony and Theodosius. He came to the monastery as a wealthy merchant. He left all and distributed everything to the poor and dedicated himself to the most strict form of asceticism in an enclosed cell. St. Anthony himself passed one prosfora(*) through an opening every other day. Deluded by demons who appeared to him in angelic light he bowed down to them and, after that, he bowed down before Satan himself believing that he was Christ. Because of that he became ill, and remained ill for two years after which he regained his health and became a more cautious and a more experienced ascetic. Because of this, before his death, God bestowed upon him abundant Grace. He died in the year 1090 A.D.]
HYMN OF PRAISESAINT AUXENTIUS' VISION OF SAINT SIMEON STYLITE

Auxentius, the adornment of Orthodoxy,
One night in mute silence
With tears, prayed to God,
Was lifting himself up in spirit to heaven,
With flaming wings, as a cherubim.
While the saint turned his gaze
To the swarm of stars in the heavenly firmament;
The elder looked and began to weep.
The priest-monks (hieromonks) asked him,
To tell them, what he saw,
And why did the elder begin to weep?
My children, priest-monks (hieromonks),
The soul of Saint Simeon, I saw,
The great Stylite, Simeon,
A pillar of Orthodoxy, a pillar of faith,
This night, the Stylite died,
His soul is being ascended to heaven,
Brighter than the stars, a glowing flame,
By us, his soul visited,
Me, a sinner, he graciously greeted.
Many nights have passed, since that night,
Until the news arrived about the death of the Stylite,
The truth of the vision, all recognized
That which Saint Auxentius beheld.
REFLECTION Why do men leave one place and settle in another place? Primarily because they hope that they will be more fortunate in the other place. And in truth, from the worldly point of view of life and contentment, places can be different; better or worse. He, who does not hope in a better life after death, seeks a better sensual pasture in this life. But if we listen to the hearts of those men, who were able and capable to live in the so-called best places on the globe of the earth, we will detect dissatisfaction, sorrow and despair. They did not find that which they were seeking. They ate to over satisfaction in every place, and finally, still hungry, they gaze death in the eyes.
But look at the Christian saints! They sought places with the least earthly pastures; places that were "arid, impassible and devoid of water" isolated places and terrible places that attracted the least attention and for which no one competes. They considered every place on earth equally worthless, but they chose those places solely because they wanted to draw nearer in the spirit and mind to their eternal homeland. And, if one were to listen to their hearts, they would sense joy and contentment.
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Parent who weeps for His children in the wilderness calling to them and gathering them:
1. At that time, the children of the nation of Israel;
2. The children of all peoples on earth;
3. The children of all times from creation until the end.
HOMILY About the reversed values in the Kingdom of God
"But many who are first will be last, and the lastwill be first" (St. Matthew 19:30).
"For behold, some are last who will be first andsome are first who will be last" (St. Luke 13:30).
How All-wise is He Who spoke these words! He did not say that all the first will be last and all the last will be first, "but many." There is not one error in the Gospel and nowhere in the Gospel is there any exaggeration.
Why did the Lord put a limit and did not say "all" but rather "many." Experience teaches us that some of those who were first in honor on earth remained first in honor with God. There were emperors who, from their thrones, pleased God and, there were men who were without authority until their death, angered God. There were wealthy men, who by their charity and faith, were saved, and there were the indigent who, because of their evil and unbelief, received condemnation. There were learned men who kept the faith and did good deeds and there were unlearned men who rejected both faith and good deeds. And so, there were some who were first here on earth who remained first there in heaven also and there were some who were last here [on earth] and remained last there [in heaven] also.
But alas, "many" first here became last there. And, O the joy, O the justice of God; how "many" who were last here have become "first" there!
The Lord did not emphasize neither praised one class, or one occupation over all others, but He recruited and even today He recruits an army of light from all classes, from all occupations and professions. For Him the criteria of man is not a crown nor a beggar's pouch, but rather faith - faith and good deeds.
O All-wise Lord, remember us also in Your Kingdom.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
(*) The Prosfora is the bread offered for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy from which the Lamb [Agnec-Amnos] is removed and later consecrated and

Feb 26 (Feb 13)

February 26 February 13 

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1. THE VENERABLE SIMEON [MIROTOCIVI], FROM WHOSE RELICS FLOWED MYRRH - CHRISM
Stefan Nemanja [Nehemiah], the great ruler [Great Zupan] of the Serbian people, the consolidator of Serbian lands, creator of the independent Serbian state, defender of Orthodoxy and exterminator of heresy. At first, he was baptized in the Latin Church but later left this Church and embraced the Orthodox Church. In the beginning, he was dependent on the Greeks with regard to the State, but later he freed himself from this dependence and became completely autonomous. When Stefan consolidated the State and the Orthodox Faith in the State, then, following the example of his son Sava, received the monastic tonsure in Studenica Monastery in the year 1195 A.D., and received the name Simeon. His wife Anna withdrew to a convent, embraced the monastic tonsure and received the name Anastasia. After two years as a monk in Studenica, Simeon traveled to Athos, the Holy Mountain. There he took up residence in the Monastery Vatopedi together with his son Sava. Father and son spend their days and nights in prayer. There, they built six chapels dedicated to: the Savior, The Unmercenary Saints, St. George, St. Theodore, The Forerunner and St. Nicholas. They purchased the ruins of Hilendar and erected a glorious monastery in which Simeon lived only eight months and then died. When Simeon was on his deathbed, Sava, according to his father's wishes, placed him on a simple mat. With eyes directed toward the icon of the Mother of God and the Savior, the blessed elder spoke these last words: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." (Psalm 150:6), and took up habitation with the Lord on February 13, 1200 A.D.
2. THE VENERABLE MARTINIAN
The glorious and most wonderful life of Martinian is worthwhile to read in its entirety. What did he not endure just to fulfill the commandments of the Lord! At age eighteen, Martinian retreated to a mountain in Cappadocia called "The Place of the Ark" where he lived for twenty-five years in fasting, vigils, prayer and struggling with many temptations. When a woman came to tempt him and, he perceiving that he will succumb to sin with her, Martinian leaped into the fire barefooted and remained in the fire until the pain brought tears to his eyes and subdued any lust within himself. When another temptation erupted, Martinian fled to an isolated rock in the sea and there he lived. During a shipwreck a young woman swam to this rock. Martinian jumped into the sea to avoid any further temptation, but a dolphin rescued him on its back and by God's Providence brought him ashore. Martinian then decided never to make any place his permanent home but to continually travel. In two years, Martinian passed through one hundred and sixty-four towns correcting and counseling people. He finally reached Athens where he died in the year 422 A.D.
3. THE FEMALE SAINTS ZOE AND PHOTINA
At first Zoe was a prostitute and a temptress of St. Martinian. When she saw this ascetic leap into the fire in order to subdue in himself all lust, she bitterly repented, retreated to a convent in Bethlehem where, as an ascetic and recluse, heroically lived a life of mortification. Repenting of all her sins, she received from God the gift of working miracles. By the winds of the sea St. Photina was cast on the island where St. Martinian had isolated himself. Martinian immediately fled the island and Photina remained there in fasting and prayer where she died.

HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT ZOE
The monk in the fire, Zoe looked at with horror
How he burns without complaint, fear and sighing!
With horror and with shame, Zoe repented:
Just to save his soul, O what this man does!
Bowed and begged forgiveness, she began to weep,
To resist evil, asked, what to do,
To save the soul, to resist evil in the flesh.
The man of God, from joy, he too began to weep.
To Bethlehem, to the blessed Paula he sent her:
Depart woman, save yourself; go and do not perish,
Blessed Paula, all else will tell you.
Over the turquoise sea, completely humbled, Zoe departed,
Like a little sister, Paula received and instructed her.
Zoe cries, Zoe listens; endures and remains silent.
So twelve summers passed; twelve years,
As an ascetic, Sister Zoe became known.
Bathes her face with tears and before her death asks God,
Has God forgiven her? Did He or did He not?
At that moment, before the door of Zoe, a blind woman was led
That she may see; You pray, pray, pray!
In tears, Zoe prayed and the woman saw;
Zoe recognized, thus recognized that she is forgiven
Through sinners, when they repent, God is glorified,
Then, they on earth, with miracles shine like the stars.

REFLECTION The great Stefan Nemanja, whose authorative words everyone unconditionally heeded to and at whom people and emperors trembled, became a monk and served the monks of the Holy Mountain [Athos] as an ideal example of meekness, humility, goodness and piety. Even his death was the death of a truly godly-man and spiritual director. He became bedridden on February 7. He summoned St. Sava, placed his hands on him and blessed him saying: "My beloved child, the light of my eyes, comfort and protector in my old age! Behold the time of our separation has arrived. Behold the Lord is releasing me in peace. But you, my child, do not mourn because of our separation. For parting is the common cup of all and everyone; here we part from one another but we will meet there where there is no separation." On February 12, St. Simeon asked Sava to clothe him in a burial cassock, to spread a mat on the ground, lay him there and place a stone under his head. He then summoned all the monks and asked their forgiveness. At dawn, on February 13, while the monks were chanting the Office of Matins in church and the voices were reaching the cell of the dying one, St. Simeon, once more his face radiated and he gave up his soul to his God.

CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God:
1. As a Lamb born in the dwelling place of lambs;
2. As a Lamb persecuted by men of lupine temper such as Herod and others;
3. As the Sacrificial Lamb Who patiently endured pain and death;
4. As the Victorious Lamb of God on the Heavenly Throne.

HOMILY About love above every other love
" Whoever loves father ormother more than Me is not worthy of Me" (St. Matthew 10:37).

The entire Gospel teaches that we should leave the lesser for the sake of the greater; the transient for the intransient; the worst for the sake of the best; the less valuable for the sake of the more valuable. If the Good News [Gospel] would not promise greater value, who would leave the lesser? If the Gospel would not reveal the glow of the precious goods, who would leave the less valuable goods? Who would leave honey and milk if he did not find something sweeter? Who would leave father and mother if he did not find someone closer in kinship? Who would leave children and friends if he did not recognize someone more dear? Who would willingly give up his life to suffering and death if he did not perceive immortal life? The Lord Christ is sweeter than honey and milk; He is a closer kin to us than our father and mother; more dear to us than our own children and friends; more precious than all visible treasures; more costly than this life for He gives life eternal. Everything in the world compared to Him [Christ] is inferior, trivial, bitter, weak, less valuable and transitory. Whoever receives Him [Christ] it is easier for him to leave everything; everything, because he has received the best and Him Who is the very best.
O Lord Jesus, the Treasury of all eternal riches, help us to unbind ourselves from everything and to cling to You, our Good and our Life.

Feb 24 (Feb 11)

February 24 February 11 

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1. THE PRIESTLY-MARTYR BLAISE
Blaise was born in the Province of Cappadocia. From his early childhood, he was God-fearing and meek. Because of his great virtues, he was chosen as bishop of the city of Sebastea [in Armenia]. Blaise was a great spiritual and moral beacon in this pagan city. At the time of a grave persecution of Christians, St. Blaise encouraged his flock and visited the martyrs of Christ in prison, especially among them was the eminent and glorious Eustratius. When the city of Sebastea was completely depleted of Christians - some were slain, and others fled - the Elder Blaise withdrew to Mt. Argeos and settled there in a cave. Wild beasts recognized the holy man, gathered around him and he tenderly caressed them. But the persecutors found the saint in this remote place and brought him to trial. Along the way, Blaise cured a young boy who had a bone caught in his throat. To the plea of the poor widow whose pig had been snatched by a wolf, the saint, by the power of his prayer, commanded the wolf to return it. The sinister judges tortured Blaise severely: flogging him and scrapping him with an iron comb. By his steadfastness in the Faith of Christ, Blaise converted many pagans to the Faith. Seven women and two children languished in prison with him. The women were beheaded first and, after that, the wonderful Blaise with these two children was beheaded. He suffered and was glorified in the year 316 A.D. People pray to St. Blaise for the well being of their domestic livestock and for protection against wild beasts. However, in the west, he is also invoked for diseases of the throat.
2. THE HOLY MARTYR GEORGE OF KRATOVO
By origin, George was a Serb from the town of Kratovo. He was a silversmith by trade and, in his heart and soul, was a convinced and a devout Christian. George was eighteen years old when the Turks tried to convert him to Islam. George remained as firm as a diamond in his faith. The Turks tortured him with many cruel tortures and finally burned him at the stake. He suffered for the beautiful Faith of Christ on February 11, 1515 A.D. in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the reign of Sultan Selim and was glorified with unfading glory in the heavens.
2. SAINT THEODORA
Theodora, a Greek empress, was the wife of the nefarious Emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast. After the death of Theophilus, Theodora became the ruling empress and reigned together with her son Michael III. At the Council in Constantinople (842 A.D.), she immediately restored the veneration of icons. On this occasion, the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy was instituted which is still celebrated today on the First Sunday of the Honorable Fast [First Sunday in Lent]. This holy and meritorious woman of the Church gave up her soul to God on February 11, 867 A.D. It was at that time, by the divine and wonderful Providence of God, at the solemn triumph of Orthodoxy over all heresies, that St. Cyril and St. Methodius were sent as Christian missionaries to the Slavs.
HYMN OF PRAISE
THE VENERATION OF ICONS

To what, in such a manner, do you my Christian bow,
When you, O my Christian, venerate the icons?
Before the Living God the Creator, I am bowing down,
With all my soul, heart and mind, I bow down to Him.
Mortal am I and, am unable upon Him to gaze,
Therefore, before His image I bow;
What, my Christian, do you so fervently reverence,
When, the icon O my Christian, you kiss?
Christ the God and Savior, I am kissing,
The choirs of angels, the saints and the Mother of God.
Mortal am I and, therefore am unable them to touch,
But when their images I kiss, my heart is at ease.
REFLECTION Matter is not evil of itself as certain Christian heretics, i.e., the Manicheans and other philosophers taught. Not only is matter not evil, but matter is not the sole conduit of evil, but in as much as matter is a conduit, so also is the spirit a conduit of evil. Every material thing is melancholic and even fearful because of man's sins, but matter is not evil. Matter is corruptible, weak and nothingness in comparison to the immortal spirit, but it is not evil of itself. And, if it were evil, would our Lord Christ have instituted Holy Communion of Bread and Wine and would He call the Bread and the Wine His Body and His Blood? If matter, by itself, is evil, how then, would men be baptized with water? How would the Apostle James have commanded that the sick be anointed with oil? How would Blessed Water [Holy Water] remain beyond spoiling and have miracle-working properties? How would the Cross of Christ have power? How would the garment of Christ transmit the healing power of the Savior by which the woman with the issue of blood was healed? How would the relics of the saints and icons have performed so many miracles and conveyed so much good to people from the kingdom of Grace? Therefore, how then could good come to man through evil? No, no; matter is never evil of itself alone.

CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Good Merchant Who came into this world as to a market to give and to take:
1. To give His labor and to receive the numerous fruits of joy from that labor;
2. To give Himself to be humiliated, to be spat upon, to be smitten, to be bruised, to be pierced, to be crucified in order to usher the army of His faithful into His eternal glory;
3. To give His Body in order to redeem numerous souls from the multitudes.

HOMILY About judging according to the flesh and according to the spirit
"You judge according to the flesh"(St. John 8:15).

Thus spoke the Omniscience Lord to the wicked Jews: "You judge according to the flesh." They had caught a woman in adultery and wanted to stone her because of her fleshly sin. But the Lord perceived the soul of the woman and saw that she could still be saved and changed, brought her to repentance and released her. For even though she committed the act of adultery, nevertheless, her soul was not totally adulterous. However, the Pharisees constantly bore the sin of adultery in their hearts but they skillfully concealed that sin of adultery and they did not condemn adultery in the heart but condemned the act of adultery of the flesh only against those whom they caught in that act.
Spiritual men judge by the spirit and physical men judge by the flesh. Even today, the Jews, punished and dispersed throughout the whole world, were never able to think spiritually and to judge spiritually, but still think and judge only by the flesh and only externally according to the ordinance of the Law written on paper or in nature, but still never according to the spirit. For, if they had learned to judge men and deeds according to the spirit, they would have immediately recognized the Lord Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.
Let us be on guard, O Christians, that we judge not only according to the flesh. Let us be on guard that we not be too quick to judge him who because of his ineptness slips into misdeed, nor to praise the one who adheres skillfully and does not slip before men but, who, with his heart is already completely in the abyss of sin. Let us be on guard from error, that we not judge men and nature according to sensual impressions and to strive to judge everything spiritually, i.e., by the spirit. Behold we are the children of the spirit and light, for we are baptized.
O Lord Jesus teach us and guide us that we do not think nor judge according to the flesh but rather by the spirit.

Feb 22 (Feb 9)

February 22 February 9 

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1. THE HOLY MARTYR NICEPHORUS
The biography of this martyr Nicephorus clearly demonstrates how God rejects pride and crowns humility and love with glory. There lived in Antioch two close friends, the learned priest Sapricius and the simple ordinary citizen Nicephorus. Somehow, their friendship turned into a terrible hatred for each other. The God-fearing Nicephorus attempted on many occasions to make peace with the priest. However, at no time did Sapricius desire to be reconciled. When the persecution of Christians began, the presbyter Sapricius was condemned to death and brought to the place of execution. The sorrowful Nicephorus followed after Sapricius beseeching him along the way to, at least, forgive him before his death that they might depart in peace.
"I beseech you, O martyr of Christ," said Nicephorus, "forgive me if I have sinned against you!" Sapricius did not even want to look at his opponent but quietly and arrogantly walked toward his death. Upon seeing the hardness of the priest's heart, God did not want to accept the sacrifice of his martyrdom and to crown him with a wreath but He mysteriously withheld His grace. At the last moment, Sapricius denied Christ and declared before the executioners that he would bow down before the idols. So it is with blind hatred! Nicephorus implored Sapricius not to deny Christ saying: "O my beloved brother, do not do that; do not deny our Lord Jesus Christ; do not forfeit the heavenly wreath!" But, all was in vain. Sapricius remained adamant. Then, Nicephorus cried out to the executioners: "I, also, am a Christian; behead me in place of Sapricius!" The executioners informed the judge of this and he ordered the release of Sapricius and, in his place, beheaded Nicephorus. Nicephorus joyfully lowered his head on the block and was beheaded. Thus, he was made worthy of the kingdom and was crowned with the immortal wreath of glory. This occurred in the year 260 A.D. during the reign of Gallienus.
2. THE PRIEST-MARTYR PETER DAMASKIN
Some think that Peter Damaskin lived in the eighth century and others think he lived in the twelfth century. This difference of thought comes from the face that there were two Peter Damaskins. The one about whom we are speaking was a great ascetic. He was unselfish beyond measure. Peter Damaskin did not even possess one book; rather, he borrowed books and read them. He read assiduously, gathering wisdom as a bee gathers honey. For a while, he was a bishop in Damascus but when he spoke out against Islam and the Manichean heresy, the Arabs severed his tongue and banished him into exile deep in Arabia. However, God granted him the power of speech so that, even in exile, he preached the Good News [Gospel] and converted many to the Faith of Christ. He compiled and bequeathed to his posterity a precious book about the spiritual life. He died as a confessor and martyr and took up habitation in the kingdom of Christ.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT PETER DAMASKIN
Damaskin numbers eight types of knowledge
For men of spiritual and divine background:

FIRST
The knowledge of sorrow and all temptations,

SECOND
The knowledge of the sum of one's transgressions,
one's transgressions and God's forgiveness.

THIRD
The knowledge of horror, pain and fear,
Before death, in death and after separation,
when before the righteous judgement, the soul stands.

FOURTH
The knowledge of Christ, the Savior,
His life and all the saints,
Of the saints; their deeds, patience and words,
Which, like a silver bell resounds throughout the ages.

FIFTH
The knowledge of natural attributes,
Of physical phenomenon; variation and change.

SIXTH
The knowledge of forms and things,
Natural phantoms and all sensory beings.

SEVENTH
The knowledge of the world; rational and spiritual
The angelic world and the world of Hades; both good and evil.

EIGHTH
The knowledge of God,
The One, Holy, Mighty and Immortal.
This knowledge is called Theology
To it, few are rarely elevated;
The greatest purity, a theologian needs
For the impure heart, to heaven does not reach,
Damaskin, the seven elementary knowledges appropriates
And to the eighth, to the knowledge of God he reached.
And the eighth is given by God and by God bestowed,
This is neither learned nor deserved.

REFLECTION Saint Peter Damaskin writes about the general and particular gifts of God and says: "The general gifts consist of four elements and all which result from them, as all the wonderful and awesome works of God outlined in Holy Scripture. The particular gifts are those gifts which God bestows upon every man individually whether it be riches for the sake of charity or poverty for the sake of patience with humility; whether it be authority for the sake of justice and the strengthening of virtues or subjugation and slavery for the sake of the expeditious salvation of the soul; be it health for the sake of helping the infirm or illness for the sake of the wreath of patience; be it understanding and skill in gain for the sake of virtue or weakness and lack of skill for the sake of submissive humility. All of this, even though it appears contrary to one another, nevertheless, it is by its purpose very good." In conclusion, St. Peter Damaskin says that we are obligated to give thanks to God for all gifts and with patience and hope to endure all tribulations and evil consequences. For all of that which God gives us or permits to befall us, benefits our salvation.
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as the Source of Joy:
1. In the tribulations of life which only He is able to replace with joy;
2. In the bondage of passions which only He can replace with the joy of freedom;
3. In death, from which he alone can resurrect us.

HOMILY About the word of God which is mightier than death
"Whoever keeps My word willnever taste death" (St. John 8:52).

As long as a candle burns in a room, there will not be darkness as long as the candle burns and emits light. If food is seasoned with salt, it will be preserved from spoiling. If someone keeps the word of Christ in his soul, that one keeps salt and light in his soul and life will abide in him. Such a soul will not become dark in this life neither will it taste decaying death.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ in himself, the word of Christ sustains him from within and feeds him and enlightens him and enlivens him. Whether he is in the body or outside the body, he feels equally alive from the word of Christ, i.e., from the undying eternal life. The death of the body will give to his Life-bearing soul only a freer enthusiasm in embracing Christ, the Beloved Life-giver.
But, what does it mean, brethren, to keep the word of Christ within ourselves? That means; First: to keep the word of Christ in our mind, thinking about it; Second: to keep the word of Christ in our heart, loving it; Third: to keep the word of Christ in our will, fulfilling it in deeds; Fourth: to keep the word of Christ on our tongue, openly confessing it when it is necessary to do so. Thus, to keep the word of Christ means to fill ourselves with it and to fulfill it. Whoever would keep the word of Christ in this manner, truly, he will never taste of death.
O our Lord, Mighty Lord, mightier than death, give us strength and understanding to keep Your holy word to the end; that we do not taste of death and that death does not taste of us; that decay does not touch our soul. O Lord All-merciful be merciful to us.

Feb 21 (Feb 08)

February 21 February 8 

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1. THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR THEODORE STRATELATES
There are martyrdoms more precious than precious. The preciousness of martyrdom depends upon the greatness of the good which a Christian abandons and in lieu of that, accepts suffering; and still, it depends upon the greatness of the suffering which he endures for Christ's sake. St. Theodore, a Roman commander in the army of Emperor Licinius and mayor of the town of Heraclea, scorned his youth, handsome appearance, military rank and the good graces of the emperor. In place of all that, he accepted horrible tortures for the sake of Christ. At first, Theodore was flogged and received six-hundred lashes on his stomach. After this, he was raised on a cross and was completely pierced with lances. Finally, Theodore was beheaded. Why all of this? Because, St. Theodore loved Christ the Lord above all else in the world. He abhorred the stupid idolatry of the superstitious Emperor Licinius. He smashed the idols of silver and gold and distributed pieces of them to the poor. He converted many to the Faith of Christ and called upon Emperor Licinius himself to reject idolatry and to believe in the One Living God. During the entire time of his tortures, St. Theodore said repeatedly: "Glory to You my God, glory to You! St. Theodore suffered on February 8, 319 A.D., at 3:00 p.m. and entered into the kingdom of Christ. St. Theodore is considered the Protector of Soldiers who call upon him for assistance. His miracle-working relics were translated from Euchaita to Constantinople and interred in the church of Balchernae.
2. THE HOLY PROPHET ZECHARIAH
Zechariah was the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets and together with Haggai, persuaded Prince Zerubbabel to restore the Temple of Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied the solemn entrance of Christ into Jerusalem: "On a colt, the foal of an ass" (Zechariah 9:9). He also prophesied Judas' betrayal for thirty pieces of silver: "And they counted out my wages, thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12) and the abandoning of Christ by the apostles during the time of His passion: "Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed" (Zechariah 13:7).(*) The Prophet Zechariah is called the "sickle-beholder" because he saw in a vision, a sickle coming down from heaven to mow down the unjust; especially thieves and blasphemers of the Name of God. Zechariah died in the latter half of the reign of Darius Hystapes about the year 520 B.C.
3. SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Sava was the son of King Steven (Stefan) the First-crowned and nephew of Saint Sava I. Before tonsuring, Sava was called Predislav. Following the example of his great uncle [St. Sava] Predislav was tonsured a monk and zealously dedicated himself to a life of asceticism. He was chosen Archbishop of the Serbs, succeeding St. Arsenius under the name of Sava II. He governed the Church with great devotion and love. Sava II died in the year 1268 A.D. His relics repose in the Monastery at Pec.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Predislav stared,
The young Predislav wept,
The Queen Mother asked him,
Where does your gaze roam?
At what are you looking, Predislav?
At Saint Sava, the face of my uncle.

King Stefan, to his son, said:
To marry you off my sweet son,
Time flows and, I am aging,
Whom do you love? Tell me the name!
And Predislav, to his father, listens
And about a wife, does not want to hear.

Predislav fashions himself as a monk
With the words of Christ, he is satisfied
And, Sava the Second, he was called,
Shedding tears and then speaks:
Saint Sava, place me
On the true Evangelical path!

The King and Queen died
And also Patriarch Arsenius,
The Church remained a widow
From honors, Sava hides
Upon him descended dual honors:
He was a bishop and also a saint.
REFLECTION Saint Seraphim of Sarov writes about despair: "Just as the Lord is concerned about our salvation, so does the devil, the slayer of men, concern himself about bringing the soul of man to despair. Judas the betrayer was faint-hearted and inexperienced in struggle, which is why the devil, seeing him in a state of despair, attacked and persuaded him to hang himself. Peter, the formidable rock, falling into great sin and experienced in struggle, did not despair and did not lose the presence of the spirit, rather he shed bitter tears from a warm heart and, seeing that, the devil fled from him as though burned by fire. Thus, brethren, the Venerable Antiochus teaches that when despair befalls us, we should not succumb to it but, strengthened and enveloped by Holy Faith, say with great bravery to the cunning spirit [the devil]: `what have you to do with us, O apostate from God, fugitive from heaven and a slave of evil! You are unable to inspire us to do anything; for Christ, the Son of God, has authority over us and over all. And you, O murderer, depart from us! Strengthened by His Honorable Cross, we trample upon your serpent's head.' "
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Commander:
1. As a Commander Who enters into battle against Satan;
2. Who entered into battle against sin in men;
3. Who took up the defense of good against evil in this world;
4. Who defeated Satan, sin and death.

HOMILY About how a true Christian encounters hatred in the world
"You will be hated forall for My Name's sake" (St. Luke 21:17).

All those who love themselves more than they love God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love the body more than they love the soul will hate the followers of the Lord Jes
All those who love this world more than they love the eternal kingdom of God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love sin more than they love virtue will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
The number of those who hate the Name of Jesus is sometimes greater and sometimes smaller. However great is their number brethren, do not be afraid for the number of angels and saints is myriad. The number of your kinsmen in the heavens, i.e., those who love the Lord Jesus, exceeds the number of stars in the firmament and the sands by the sea. O do not be afraid, Christ is with you and that means that you are always mightier than those who hate you. When the most Omnipotent One is on your side, you are always more numerous for you are always stronger than any number of your adversaries.
O Lord Jesus, Lord All-powerful always be with us and help us that we may inseparably be with You always and then our fear will vanish.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
(*) St. Matthew 26:31 - St. Mark 14:27

Feb 19 (Feb 2)

February 19 February 6 

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1. SAINT BUCOLUS, BISHOP OF SMYRNA
Bucolus was a disciple of St. John the Theologian, who consecrated him bishop of Smyrna. In Smyrna, there were few that were baptized. In the darkness of paganism, St. Bucolus shown as a bright candle. He distinguished himself with every virtue, especially meekness and humility. Before his death, Bucolus consecrated the glorious Polycarp as his successor to the espicopacy. He died peacefully and took up habitation with the Lord.
2. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR FAUSTA
Fausta was martyred for Christ during the reign of Emperor Maximian between 305 A.D. - 311 A.D. By her heroism, Fausta astonished her persecutors and succeeded to convert them to Christianity: the eighty-year old pagan priest Evilasis and Maximus, the Eparch. When the judge threatened Fausta with more severe tortures, she asked him to make her an icon with the depictions of all those tortures with which he threatened her. When the icon was completed, it was shown to her and St. Fausta said: "As this icon does not feel any pain, so my body does not feel any pain from your punishments, for my soul is secure in the Lord." The judge then threw her into a vat of boiling hot water where this thirteen-year-old girl died with prayer on her lips and her soul entered Paradise.
3. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR DOROTHEA
Dorothea was a prominent and beautiful maiden from Caesarea in Cappadocia. Sapricius, the administrator of the province, turned Dorothea over to the two pagan sisters Christina and Kallista in order to dissuade her from Christ. But, the opposite occurred; Dorothea succeeded to convert both sisters to the Faith of Christ. Enraged, Sapricius ordered the two sisters bound back to back and threw them into a vat of pitch and set it on fire. He then sentenced Dorothea to death. She joyfully heard the sentence and cried out: "I give thanks to You, O Soul-loving Christ, that You are leading me into Your All-holy mansions!" Theophilus, a certain nobleman who was present, laughed at these words and cried out to Dorothea: "Listen, O bride of Christ, send me apples and flowers from the pomegranate tree from the Paradise of your Bridegroom." "Indeed, I will do that," replied the martyr. When Dorothea was at the place of execution, all at once a beautiful young man appeared with three beautiful apples and three red flowers from the pomegranate. That was an angel of God and it was winter. Dorothea asked the angel to bring them to Theophilus and to tell him: "Behold, this is what you desired!" When Theophilus received the message and saw the gift, he was thoroughly frightened. For him, everything turned upside down and he, a confirmed pagan, became a Christian. He was tortured and slain for Christ and his soul entered the Paradise of the Lord Jesus soon after St. Dorothea.
4. SAINT PHOTIUS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Photius was a great beacon of the Church. He was the emperor's relative and a grandson of the glorious Patriarch Tarasius. He was a vigorous protector of the Church from the authority-loving pope and other Roman distortions of the Faith. In six days he went through all the ranks from a layman to patriarch. He was consecrated patriarch on Christmas day, 857 A.D. and died in the Lord in the year 891 A.D.
5. THE VENERABLE BARSANUPHIUS AND THE VENERABLE JOHN
Both Barsanuphius and John were great ascetics, discerners and miracle-workers from Gaza. They left a famous work entitled the "Book of Answers" dealing with many questions about the spiritual life. They lived in the sixth century.
6. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYRS MARTHA AND MARY AND THEIR BROTHER LYCARION
All three were crucified for Christ and then pierced and slain with a lance.

HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINTS MARTHA AND MARY
SAINT LYCARION

Saints Martha and Mary, sisters by birth,
Lycarion their small brother, of little strength;
The aged mother; sweet soul, teaches them very well:
"Love Christ my children, for He suffered for us."
From out of there the commander comes; awesome and powerful,
Ill-tempered man; he slays those faithful to Christ.
Of their home, the sisters opened the door,
Of the ill-tempered man, they are not afraid at all.
"Harken O commander of the Emperor, we are Christians,
Like you, we are not; whom the demon sold to the devil."
On a cross, the ill-tempered commander raised them,
At that moment, the young Lycarion, drew near:
"And I, and I, a Christian am; crucify me also!"
The pains on the Cross are unbearable, the mother horrified,
From leg to leg, to her children, her kisses she imparts;
With a tormented voice from the Cross; the daughters' console her:
"For us, dearest mother, with sorrow, do not be broken up,
Love for Christ, you taught us,
For temporary pains, sweet pleasure will be in Paradise,
In the radiance of Paradise, we will await you mother.
Lycarion, your glorious son and your daughters two
O rejoice in such a fruit of your womb!"
As a fiery pillar, the mother's countenance lighted up:
"My dear children, blessed be you; O blessed be me!"

REFLECTION St. Barsanuphius, who for fifty years lived secluded in a cell and did not allow himself to be seen by any living person, attained exceptionally purity and perceptiveness through his godly-thoughts and prayer. Here are a few thoughts from his "Book of Answers." "Every thought which is not preceded by the silence of humility does not proceed from God. All that is from the devil occurs with confusion and disturbance." "When you pray and God delays to fulfill your request, He does this for your benefit in order to teach you forbearance." "Visible thieves are servants of invisible thieves; imaginary thoughts." "The Lord Jesus Christ endured all things and finally ascended on the Cross, which means the deadening of the body and passion and a holy and perfect rest." "Our Lord wants you to honor every man more than yourself." When they asked the elder whether they should hire a defender [advocate] regarding a dispute between the monastery and certain men, the elder replied: "If you would purchase the defense of men, then God will not defend you."
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Laborer:
1. As a physical Laborer throughout many long years;
2. As a spiritual Laborer who constantly taught man, comforted man and healed man giving the new law to the world;
3. As a tireless Laborer who left the commandment, "I must work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is still day" (St. John 9:4).

HOMILY About the mutual knowledge of the Father and the Son
"I know Him, because I am from Him, andHe sent Me" (St. John 7:29).
No one has ever dared say that they know God. Many have only said that "they believe in God." Only our Lord Jesus Christ spoke the words: "I know Him." And immediately He explained from where He knows Him, saying: "because I am from Him, and He sent Me." The first reason: "I am from Him" testifies to the eternal being of the Son; and the second reason: "And He sent Me," testifies to the manifestation of the Son in time in the physical world as an emissary of the Holy Trinity.
For us, who are Christ-believing, it is not given to know the Father as His Only-begotten Son knows Him but to us it is given and it is commanded that we believe. Our merit is in believing and not in knowing. If all of us knew God by seeing, no one would have any merit. For what kind of merit is there in seeing and recognizing? However, not to see and believe, in this is merit; in this is virtue; in this is our salvation. We are not worthy to see God and by seeing to know, for we are weakened by sin and alienated from God. But, the mercy of God gave us faith in this life which is able to bring us closer to God and to lead us into the eternal kingdom of seeing and knowing in that life. O, my brethren, let us believe in Christ the Lord for He knows. He does not speak by faith but by knowing.
O Merciful Lord, confirm the faith in us. Extend the hem of Your garment that we may hold on to it to the end of our lives.

Feb 18 (Feb 5)

February 18 February 5 

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1. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR AGATHA
Agatha, this glorious virgin and martyr for Christ, was born in the Sicilian town of Palermo of noble and wealthy parents. When Emperor Decius began a persecution against Christians, St. Agatha was arrested and brought to trial before Judge Quintian. The judge, seeing Agatha beautiful in countenance, desired to have her for his wife. When he suggested this, Agatha answered that she is the bride of Christ and cannot be unfaithful to her Betrothed. Quintian subjected her to cruel tortures. Agatha was ridiculed, whipped, bound to a tree and flogged until blood flowed. After that, the judge again tried to persuade her to deny Christ and to avoid any further torture and suffering. To that the bride of Christ replied: "These tortures are very beneficial for me; just as wheat cannot arrive at the granary before it is cleansed from the chaff, so my soul cannot enter into Paradise if my body, beforehand, is not humbled by tortures." Then, the torturer ordered that her breasts be cut off and that she be cast into prison. St. Peter appeared to Agatha in prison and restored her to health and wholeness of body. Again, Agatha was led out for torture and again, cast into prison where she gave up her soul to God in the year 251 A.D. in the town of Catania during the reign of Emperor Decius. After her death, the torturer Quintian departed for Palermo to usurp her estate. However, along the way, his horse and the horses of his soldiers became wild with rage. Quintian was bitten on the face, thrown to the ground and trampled to death. Swift was the punishment of God that reached out for this savage crime perpetrated against St. Agatha.
2. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR THEODULA
Theodula suffered for Christ during the reign of the nefarious Roman Emperor Diocletian. During her torture, Theodula brought one of her torturers, Heladius, to his senses and converted him to the Faith of Christ. When Heladius openly confessed his faith in Christ, he was beheaded. Theodula held up very courageously at her trial at which time the judge referred to her as being "deranged." To that Theodula responded: "You, who have forgotten the One True God and bow down before lifeless stones, are deranged." The judge then subjected Theodula to cruel tortures, which she heroically endured and, by her heroism during this torturing, she astonished many and converted them to Christ. Among those were two distinguished citizens: Macarius and Evgarius. With these two and many others, Theodula was thrown into a fiery furnace where they all honorably died and were made worthy of the kingdom of Christ.
3. SAINT POLYEUCTUS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Because of his great mind, religious zeal and eloquence, Polyeuctus was called "a second Chrysostom." During the time that Patriarch Polyeuctus governed the Church and Emperor Constantine Porphryogenitus ruled the empire, the Russian Princess Olga traveled to Constantinople and was baptized in the year 957 A.D. The patriarch baptized her and the emperor was her godfather. Prophetically, St. Polyeuctus said to her: "Blessed are you among Russian women, for you have loved light and cast off darkness; the sons of Russia will bless you to the last generation." From among the simple monks, Polyeuctus was elevated as patriarch in the year 946 A.D., and remained on the patriarchal throne until his death in 970 A.D.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT AGATHA
Dark is the dungeon; radiant is the martyr,
In the darkness, Saint Agatha glows,
Over the courtyard of the dungeon, drenched with light,
There the tormentor lives, covered with shame,
Thinking up new tortures for the virgin Agatha,
Torments himself and contemplates, darkened in the midst of light,
Who is wedded to Christ, the dungeon is bright,
The palace, a place of despair, to the enemy of justice!
SAINT THEODULA
Dark is the dungeon; radiant is the martyr,
St. Theodula, as soon as she heard of Christ,
After Christ she followed, a pure dove.
Because of Christ, the mob pressed her into darkness,
But joyfully, Theodula stands,
Joyfully stands, not fearing anyone.
While her enemies, with malice filled,
Wretched despair in the midst of the enchanting palace,
Only of evil, think; only of malice, serve
Everything for them is empty and about everything, they complain,
For they do not possess God, for they know not Christ,
All the mysteries of life, erroneously they read!

REFLECTION The monks ask of the great Abba Ischyrion: "What have we done?" "We have fulfilled the commandments of God," Ischyrion replied. "And, what will those do who come after us?" "They will be doing what we are doing, but only half as much." "And those after them?" "Before the end of time, they will not keep the monastic practice [rule] but such misfortunes and temptations will befall them that, through their patience during those assaults and temptations, they will prove themselves greater than us and our fathers in the kingdom of God."
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as the only true Enlightener:
1. As the Enlightener of every individual man;
2. As the Enlightener, consequently, of both society and the entire human race;
3. As the Enlightener Who enlightens the mind, the heart and the will of man with eternal light.
HOMILY About death as sleeping
"Our friend Lazarus isasleep, but I am going to awaken him" (St. John 11:11).
The Lord of life calls death "sleeping." O what an inexpressible comfort that is for us! O what sweet news for the world! Physical death, therefore, does not mean the annihilation of man rather only sleeping from which only He can awaken; He Who awakened the first dust to life by His word.
When the Lord cried out: "Lazarus!" (St. John 11:43), the man awoke and lived. The Lord knows the name of each of us. When Adam knew the names of every creature of God, why would not the Lord know each one of us by name? Not only does He know but He also calls us by name. O, the sweet and life-creating voice of the only Lover of mankind! This voice can create sons of God from stones. Why, then, can He not awaken us out of our sinful sleep?
It is told that a certain man raised a stone to kill his brother. But, at that moment, it seemed to him that he heard the voice of his mother calling him by name. He only heard the voice of his mother and his hand began to quiver. He dropped the stone and was ashamed of his evil intention. The voice of his mother awakened him from committing a deadly sin. If the voice of a mother saves and awakens from death, how much more, then, the voice of the Creator and Life-giver!
Whenever the Lord cried out to someone who was dead in the body [physically dead] all of them awoke and arose. But, everyone did not awaken and arise among those who were dead in the soul [spiritually dead] when the Lord cried out to them. But, for this awakening, for this resurrection, the agreement of the will of the deceased is necessary. Judas! Do you betray with a kiss? "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (St. Luke 23:48). That is how the Life-creating Voice cried out, but the dead man [Judas] remained dead and the sinner did not awaken. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Act of the Apostles 9:4). The same Life-creating Voice cried out and he who was asleep in sin awakened and the dead man became alive. In truth, deeper is the sleep of sin than the sleep of death and the one who is asleep [in sin] does not easily awaken.
O Sweet Lord, awaken us from the sleep of sin; awaken O Lord!

Feb 17 (Feb 4)

February 17 February 4 

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1. THE VENERABLE ISIDORE OF PELUSIUM
Isidore was an Egyptian by birth and the son of a prominent family and kinsman of the Alexandrian Patriarchs Theophilus and Cyril. Having studied all the secular disciplines, he renounced worldly riches and glories and devoted himself completely to the spiritual life for the love of Christ. He was a great and ardent defender and interpreter of the Orthodox Faith. According to the statements of Nicephorus the historian, St. Isidore wrote more than ten-thousand letters to various individuals in which he reproached some, counseled some, and comforted and instructed others. In one letter St. Isidore writes: "It is more important to teach by a life of doing good than to preach in eloquent terms." In another, he says: "If one desires that his virtues appear great, let him consider them small and they will surely manifest themselves as great." The first and basic rule for St. Isidore was this: "First do, then teach according to the example of our Lord Jesus." At the time of the persecution of St. John Chrysostom when the entire population was divided into two camps; one for and one against, St. Isidore, this great pillar of Orthodoxy, sided with St. John Chrysostom. He wrote to Patriarch Theophilus saying what a great light of the Church Chrysostom is and begged him to avoid hatefulness toward him. Isidore lived long and accomplished much, glorifying Christ the God with his life and his writings. Isidore took up habitation in the kingdom of Christ about the year 436 A.D.
2. VENERABLE NICHOLAS, THE CONFESSOR
This saint was from the Island of Crete. He arrived in Constantinople to visit his kinsman, Theodore; the abbot of the Studite Monastery and here he remained and was tonsured a monk. As a monk, Nicholas underwent all mortifications for the sake of the salvation of his soul. During the persecution of the Church by Leo the Armenian, Theodore and Nicholas were cruelly tortured, humiliated and beaten with oxen straps and finally thrown into a dungeon where they were imprisoned for three years. After the death of St. Theodore, Nicholas became abbot of the Studite Monastery. Even during his lifetime, he worked many miracles through the power and grace of God. Nicholas healed Eudocia, the wife of Emperor Basil, as well as Helen, the wife of Manuel, the patrician. To Theophilus Melisenus, a prominent nobleman whose other children did not survive birth, Nicholas blessed the newly born daughter and prophesied that she will live and that she will be very fruitful which occurred, to the joy of the parents. On the very day of his death, Nicholas gathered the monastic brotherhood and asked them what they lacked? "Wheat," answered the monks. Then the dying man said: "He Who fed Israel in the wilderness will send you an ample supply of wheat within three days." And indeed, the third day, a boatload of wheat sent by Emperor Basil sailed below the monastery. Nicholas took up habitation in the heavenly kingdom on February 4, 868 A.D., in the seventy-fifth year of his life.
3. THE HOLY NEO-MARTYR JOSEPH
Joseph was born in Allepo. He was pressured by the Turks to embrace Islam. Joseph not only rejected this but also began to expose the falsehoods of Islam and to praise the Faith of Christ. For that, Joseph was tortured and beheaded in the year 1686 A.D.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SACRIFICE OF GRATITUDE
Render sacrifice to God; a sacrifice of gratitude,
O you wealthy ones; according to God's mercy!
Who is wealthy and with what; with that let him barter,
Everyone with his gift; let him, the Kingdom acquire.
Whoever is wealthy with money; let him money, offer,
Whoever is rich with wheat; wheat let him distribute,
To whom wisdom is given; others, let him teach,
To him whose hands are strong; let him perform service.
Whoever knows a trade; let him honorably uphold it,
Let him conscientiously consider himself as a debtor of God.
Let him, who knows how to sing; praise God,
Only he is small, who does not know God.
Whoever received what; with that let him serve,
With mercy toward men; let him repay God,
Not all are the same, nor do all possess the same,
But a pure heart, everyone could give to God.
O pureness of heart, a sacrifice most miraculous,
For salvation, you are the crucial virtue,
And on your sacrificial altar, your incense ascends,
Arrives before the Lord, faster than anything. REFLECTION Impose upon yourself some form of penance [Epitimija] for the sins of others. If you have judged someone or punished someone, impose upon yourself a form of penance. You should also suffer voluntarily for the sins of sinners. This is pleasing to God. This mystery was known by the saints who condemned themselves for the sins of others. Even non-Christian peoples perceived this mystery. There exists this custom in China: when an executioner beheads a criminal who is sentenced to death, he then approaches the judge and informs him that the verdict was carried out. The judge then reimburses him with a silver coin because he killed the criminal and orders that the executioner be whipped forty lashes because he killed a man. Christian saints profoundly understood the mystery of sin and human injustice. For the saints, all human sin has as long a history, as there is distance from us to Adam.
CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as Joy:
1. As Joy which refreshes the whole spirit of man;
2. As Joy which enlivens and strengthens in man all power toward good;
3. Joy from His Name, Joy from His Words, Joy from His Works and Joy from His Spirit.
HOMILY About the providence of Zacchaeus of little stature
"Today, salvation has come to this house" (St. Luke 19:9).

Thus it was spoken by the One Whose word is life and joy and restoration of the righteous. Just as the bleak forest clothes itself into greenery and flowers from the breath of spring, so does every man, regardless of how arid and darkened by sin, becomes fresh and youthful from the nearness of Christ. For the nearness of Christ is as the nearness of some life-giving and fragrant balsam which restores health, increases life, give fragrance to the soul, to the thoughts and to the words of man. In other words, distance from Christ means decay and death and His nearness means salvation and life.
"Today, salvation has come to this house" said the Lord upon entering the house of Zacchaeus the sinner. Christ was the salvation that came and Zacchaeus was the house into which He entered. Brethren, each one of us is a house in which sin dwells as long as Christ is distant and to which salvation comes when Christ approaches it. Nevertheless, will Christ approach my house and your house? That depends on us. Behold, He did not arbitrarily enter the house of the sinner Zacchaeus, rather He entered as a most desired guest. Zacchaeus of little stature climbed into a tree in order to see the Lord Jesus with his own eyes. Zacchaeus, therefore, sought him; Zacchaeus desired Him. We must also seek Him in order to find Him and desire Him in order that He would draw nearer to us and, with our spirit, to climb high in order to encounter His glance. Then He will visit our house as He visited the house of Zacchaeus and with Him salvation will come.
Draw near to us O Lord, draw near and bring to us Your eternal salvation.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

Feb 11 (Jan 29)

February 11 January 29 

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1. THE HOLY PRIESTLY-MARTYR IGNATIUS THE GOD-BEARER, [THEOPHORUS] The principal feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated in winter on December 20. On this date is commemorated the translation of his relics from Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, to Antioch where earlier he was a bishop. When St. Ignatius was summoned to Rome before Emperor Trajan to account for his faith, he was accompanied on this long journey by several citizens from Antioch who were motivated in this by a great love toward their wonderful Arch-shepherd. Since he would never deny his faith in Christ, this saint of God who abhorred all adulation and promises of Emperor Trajan, was condemned to death and was thrown into the Circus Maximus before wild beasts. The wild beasts tore him apart, and he gave up his soul to God. His companions then gathered his exposed bones and took them to Antioch and honorably buried them. But when the Persians captured Antioch in the sixth century, the relics of St. Ignatius were again translated from Antioch to Rome. 2. THE HOLY MARTYRS ROMANUS, JAMES, PHILOTHEUS, HYPERECHIUS, ABIBUS, JULIAN AND PARAGORIUS They all suffered martyrdom for the Lord Jesus Christ in Samosata during the reign of Emperor Maximilian in the year 297 A.D. Philotheus and Hyperechius were aristocrats and the others were young men of noble birth. The pagans inflicted a terrible death upon them, hammering nails into the heads of each of them,. They suffered martyrdom honorably and entered into eternal joy. 3. VENERABLE LAWRENCE OF THE CAVES IN KIEV Lawrence voluntarily chose the life of a recluse following the examples of earlier recluses Isaac and Nicetas. However, he guarded against diabolical temptations which, in the beginning, befell the other two. With great restraint, prayer and godly-thoughts, Lawrence attained a high state of perfection. He learned from a terrified demon that of one-hundred eighteen monks in the Monastery of the Caves, thirty of them were given by God the authority over evil spirits. Lawrence presented himself to the Lord in the year 1194 A.D. HYMN OF PRAISE SAINT IGNATIUS, [THEOPHORUS] THE GOD-BEARER The bitter death of Christ dulled the stinger of death And drove away for ever the irrational fear of death. A flock of martyrs swarmed after Christ In death - but, without fear, without complaints and without shrieks; And many with rejoicing hurried to death Because, before their deaths, they saw angels and heaven. Saint Ignatius traveled to Rome; Along the way, to the Living God, he prayed As a son would pray to his parents, That the teeth of the beasts grind him, grind him! That for which he prayed to God, God granted him, Behold, but the saint, having been ground, remained alive! Alive and whole; until now, before the Table of Heaven Bread made tender by torture for Christ - Saint Ignatius, the courageous Theophorus, Throughout the ages, he imparts courage to those being tortured. There are two sufferings; there can only be two sufferings: For justice or for sins, this cannot be hidden. Pain for one's sins is pain without hope, But pain for justice is joy without sorrow. As a light through rain that decorates the rainbow Thus, the joy, through tears and through gentle sorrow, On the spiritual heaven, Paradise and God is pictured - That strengthens the souls of the holy martyrs. REFLECTION The more a man advances in spiritual knowledge and in purification of the heart, the more it appears to him that the depth in which he finds himself is even lower and that the height to which he strives is even higher. When one spiritual giant on his death bed heard that his companions were praising him because of his great asceticism, he began to weep and said, "My children, I have not even begun my spiritual life." When St. Ignatius, that God-bearer, lay chained in the dungeon, he wrote to the Ephesians: "I do not command you as though I stand for something. Even though I am in chains for the Name of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, I still have not perfected myself in Him. Now I am beginning to be His disciple, and I speak to you as a collegium of my teachers." CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus on the simplicity of His behavior: 1. How He behaved simply with fishermen as well as with the scribes and princes; 2. How He responds to everyone and enters into the home of everyone who invites Him; 3. How His royal dignity clearly radiates through all the simplicity of His behavior. HOMILY About perfection through the fulfilling of the will of God "Jesus said to them, `Myfood is to do the willof the One Who sent Me andto finish His work' " (St. John 4:34). Here is a saving example given to us by our Savior! He Who had such power, authority and wisdom says that He came into the world, not to do His will but the will of the Father and not to do His work but the work of His Father; but we, even though we are as weak as a cobweb, continuously emphasize our will and some, our work! Although the Son is equal to the Father as He says in another place: "The Father and I are one" (St. John 10:30); nevertheless, the Lord Jesus says that He came into the world to do His Father's will and to accomplish His Father's will. He is saying this not in order show the smallness of His being before the Father's being, for their being is one, but rather to show the greatness of His love toward the Father, and in order to motivate us, out of love toward God, to totally adopt His will. All of our misery in this life comes from the fact that we do not implement the will of Him Who sent us into this world. And we do not implement His will because we do not have love toward Him. For, whoever loves someone, he does so according to his will. The Lord Himself said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (St. John 14:15). By what could the Lord be able to proclaim His love toward the Father, if not by fulfilling the will of the Father? And, by what means can we proclaim our love toward the Lord Jesus crucified for us on the Cross, if not by fulfilling His will? Our will, O my brethren, is as deceitful as a shadow. Let us not follow it so that we do not perish. But let us follow the will of the Lover of Mankind, the Lord, Who alone knows what is best for us. O Humble and Man-loving Lord, teach us to do Your will. To You be glory and thanks always, Amen.

Feb 9th (Jan 27th)

February 09 January 27 

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1. SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, THE GOLDEN TRUMPET OF ORTHODOXY The memory of this illuminary of the Church is celebrated on November 13 and January 30 but, on this date, the Church celebrates the translation of his honorable relics from the Armenian village of Comana, where he died in exile, to Constantinople, where earlier he had governed the Church. Thirty years after his death, Patriarch Proculus delivered a homily in memory of his spiritual father and teacher. He so enflamed the love of the people and Emperor Theodosius the Younger toward this great saint that all of them desired that Chrysostom's relics be translated to Constantinople. It was said that the sarcophagus, containing the relics of St. John Chrysostom, did not allow itself to be moved from its resting place until the emperor wrote a letter to Chrysostom begging him for forgiveness (for Theodosius' mother, Eudoxia, was the culprit responsible for the banishment of this saint) and appealing to him to come to Constantinople, his former residence. When this letter of repentance was placed on the sarcophagus, its weight became extremely light. At the time of the translation of his relics, many who were ill and who touched the sarcophagus were healed. When the relics arrived in the capital, then the emperor in the name of his mother as though she herself was speaking over the relics, again, prayed to the saint for forgiveness. "While I lived in this transient life, I did you malice and, now, when you live the immortal life, be beneficial to my soul. My glory passed away and it helped nothing. Help me, father; in your glory, help me before I am condemned at the Judgment of Christ!" When the saint was brought into the Church of the Twelve Apostles and placed on the patriarchal throne, the masses of people heard the words from St. Chrysostom's mouth saying: "Peace be to you all." The translation of the relics of St. John Chrysostom was accomplished in the year 438 A.D. 2. VENERABLE TITUS OF THE MONASTERY OF THE CAVES IN KIEV At first, Titus was a soldier. When in battle he sustained a head injury, Titus withdrew from the world to the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev where he was healed and then was tonsured a monk. Titus spent his time in unceasing mourning for his earlier sins. Before his death Titus was informed through a heavenly apparition that all of his sins were forgiven. His relics repose in the Caves of Theodosius. HYMN OF PRAISE SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Saint John, a trumpet forged of gold, Heralded to mankind, the mercy of God, Miraculous mercy, which even loves the sinners, Wonderful mercy, that shines through the sun, And with the moon, amazes the earth, In the cradle of the stars, mercy, he is rocking, The awesome mercy from bloody Golgatha, Where God Crucified forgives the crime of the world, Mercy of fear, forgiveness and glory, Mercy which the angels sing, Of which the whole of creation drinks, Which only the saints glorify, Mercy which is a balm to the ill, Joy to the simple, foolishness to the scribes, Antidote for the proud and a punishment for the vain; The mercy of God, which all creation enjoys, Which is poured out like a current of air, Mercy that covers all sins - Such mercy - unknown until Christ, Eternal glow, from Christ radiated. O Teacher of God's mercy, Pray to God that He forgives our sins. REFLECTION Fasting is a great thing but love is even greater. If by fasting demons are cast out, passions tamed, the body pacified, the spirit composed then, by love, God takes up abode in man. The Lord Himself emphasized fasting as necessary but stressed love as the main commandment. In the first half of the last century, Jeladin Bey ruled in Ohrid, a renegade from the Sultan and an independent ruler. At that time, the Church was governed by Metropolitan Kalinikos. Even though of different faiths, Jeladin Bey and Kalinikos were very good friends and often visited one another. It happened that Jeladin Bey condemned twenty-five Christians to be hanged. They were scheduled to be hanged on Great and Holy Friday [Good Friday]. The Metropolitan, totally disturbed because of this incident, went to Jeladin Bey and began to implore him to be more lenient with the punishment. While they were conversing, the time for lunch arrived and the Bey invited the Metropolitan to dine. Lamb was prepared for lunch. The Metropolitan excused himself, saying that because of fasting he could not remain for lunch, and he prepared to leave. The Bey was sorry and said to the Metropolitan: "Choose; either you will dine with me and free twenty-five men from the gallows, or you will not dine and allow them to be hanged." The Metropolitan crossed himself and sat down to eat and Jeladin freed the condemned from the punishment of death. CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as High Priest: 1. Who offers to God as a sacrifice the entire time of His life on earth; 2. Who offers to God as a sacrifice His every word, His every feeling, His every thought, His every labor and His every tear; 3. Who finally offers Himself completely as a man to God for man. HOMILY About the confusion of those of little faith "What sort of man is thisWhom even the winds andthe sea obey?" (St. Matthew 8:27). In these words the apostles, not yet knowing the Lord Jesus and seeing how He calmed the turbulent sea and winds questioned: "What sort of man is this Whom even the winds and the sea obey?" This is He Who created the winds and the sea. Therefore, what kind of miracle is it that His own created things obey Him? Is not the axe an obedient tool in the hands of him who made it? The Lord created everything by His word, that is why all things submit to His word. Brethren, "What sort of man is this?" Who is He? This is the same One Who, before that, raised the winds and quieted them and Who agitated the sea and subdued it. This is the same One Who also does that today . As a man, He stood before men and rebuked the animated wind and unbridled sea in order to dispel the confusion of men as though the winds and the sea are moved and calmed either by blind chance or by some evil power; to reveal the truth for ever that the wise and beneficial power of the Creator directs and commands all the elements according to His Providence. The apostles questioned: "Who is He?" O, Holy Apostles, He is the sinless Son of God Whose Name you will spread throughout the whole world and for Whose Name you will be tortured and slain as lambs by wolves. Who are the wolves? The wolves are those who think that the wind moves on its own and that the sea agitates and calms itself on its own, either only of itself or of the devil. O, Holy Apostles, you who asked and who received a true reply and the whole truth you proclaimed to the whole world, pray for us so that we too may be enlightened by that truth. O Lord, All-Wise and All-Powerful, calm the winds of sin and subdue the storm of our filthy and unworthy passions.

Feb 6th (Jan 25th)

February 6 January 25 

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1. ST GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE Gregory was born in Nazianzus of a Greek father and a Christian mother. Before his baptism, he studied in Athens along with Basil the Great and Julian the Apostate. Gregory often prophesied that Julian would become an apostate and a persecutor of the Church which actually happened. Gregory was especially influenced greatly by his good mother Nonna. When he completed his studies, Gregory was baptized. St. Basil consecrated him as bishop of Sasima, and Emperor Theodosius the Great summoned him to fill the vacant archepiscopal throne of Constantinople. He wrote numerous works of which his most famous are those concerning theology for which he is called The Theologian. Especially known because of its depth is his work: Homilies on The Holy Trinity. Gregory wrote against the heretic Macedonius who erroneously taught that the Holy Spirit is a creation of God and, Gregory also wrote against Appolinarius who erroneously taught that Christ did not have a human soul but that His divinity was in lieu of His soul. Additionally Gregory wrote against Emperor Julian the Apostate, his one-time colleague in school. In 381 A.D., when a debate began regarding his election as archbishop, he withdrew on his own and issued a statement: "Those, who deprive us of our archepiscopal throne cannot deprive us of God." After that, he left Constantinople and went to Nazianzus and there lived a life of solitude and prayer, writing worthwhile books. Even though he was in poor health throughout his entire life, nevertheless, Gregory lived to be eighty years old. His relics were later transferred to Rome. A reliquary containing his head reposes in the Cathedral Church of the Assumption in Moscow. He was, and remains, a great and wonderful light of the Orthodox Church as much by his meekness and purity of character as well as for the unsurpassable depth of his mind. He died in the Lord in the year 390 A.D. 2. THE VENERABLE PUBLIUS At first, Publius was a senator. Recognizing the light of Christ, he left his worldly honors, distributed his possessions to the poor and devoted himself to a life of asceticism in the proximity of his town Zeguma on the Euphrates river. He established two monastic communities and died in the year 380 A.D. 3. THE VENERABLE MARES Mares was distinguished by external beauty and a sweet-sounding voice. He withdrew from the world and lived in a hut for thirty-seven years, in fasting and cleansing the heart of impure thoughts. As a ninety-year old man, Mares died in the Lord in the year 430 A.D. 4. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR FELICITAS AND HER SEVEN SONS As a Christian, Felicitas was condemned to death along with her seven sons during the reign of Emperor Antoninus in the year 164 A.D. She implored God only that she not to be killed before her sons, so that she might be able to encourage them during their torture and death in order that they would not deny Christ. According to God's Providence, it so happened. With joy, this superb mother accompanied her sons one by one until she had witnessed the death of all seven sons. Then, she herself, with gratitude to God, received a martyr's death. She and her sons suffered in Rome where their relics repose. HYMN OF PRAISE SAINT FELICITAS Felicitas prayed to God; "I have a crown of seven pearls, I wish to wrap them in purple, And, in purple, to present them to You; O dear Lord, receive these gifts!" Seven sons; seven pearls, And purplish-red, the blood of the martyrs, The prayer of the mother ascended And as incense reached before God. The Roman emperor sentenced her sons To bitter death and bitter tortures; The mother willingly; all were amazed at her! Felicitas encouraged her sons: "This is why I gave birth to you, my children, This is why I nursed you, my children, So that I can make a gift of you to God. For God gave (gifted) you to me." This, having been said, the executioner began his work: The first fell, the mother bowed; The second fell, the mother bowed twice; The third fell, the mother bowed thrice; With the fourth, four times she bowed; The fifth fell, five times she bowed; The sixth fell, six times she bowed; The seventh fell, seven times she bowed; The mother bowing, gave thanks to God; The eighth time she bowed for herself, And, on the block, she rested her head, The sword glistened; her head decapitated - The mother kissed her children in Paradise. REFLECTION They deceive themselves who speak self-confidently that they know men well enough and that they do not allow themselves to be deceived. Who can know what kind of spirit is in man except only God, Who knows the secrets of the heart? Even the great saints were mistaken about people. For example: for a long time St. Basil considered a certain hypocritical heretic as a holy man and defended him from many attackers until finally, convinced of the heretic's falseness, Basil was bitterly disappointed. St. Gregory the Theologian had baptized a certain philosopher, Maximus by name, and liked him so much that he kept the philosopher in his home, sharing his table with him. However, this Maximus, was as dangerous and cunning as a serpent. After a period of time, through intrigue and bribes, he obtained recognition of some Constantinopolians as patriarch, in place of St. Gregory. When this temptation, after great confusion, was removed, some rebuked Gregory for keeping his greatest enemy with him. The saint replied: "We are not to blame if we do not discern someone's evil. God alone knows the inner secrets of man. And to us is commanded by law, that with fatherly love, to open our hearts to all who come to us." A non-malevolent man cannot easily understand the malice of a malevolent man. CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as King: 1. As the Lord over nature which He tames and places it [nature] in service to Himself; 2. As the Lord over demons, over disease and over death; 3. As the Lord over the immortal kingdom of angels and saints. HOMILY About Who is Christ? "Who do people saythat I am?" (St. Mark 8:27). Brethren, it is almost two-thousand years from that day when our Lord Jesus posed this question to His disciples. From then until today, this question is put to every generation of man, every bright day and every dark night: And every generation of man and every bright day and every dark night had to give an answer to this question. This question is the question of life or death and the answer to it is life-bearing or death-bearing. "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (St. Matthew 16:16), the Apostle Peter responded. And that reply was approved and praised by the Lord Jesus. "Who is Christ?" men say today. Some say, along with the Jews, that He is the destroyer of the Law and the self-styled Messiah. Others say, along with Pilate, that they in general cannot arrive at the truth about this man. The third say, along with the apostles, that He is Christ, the Son of the Living God, Savior, Redeemer of the human race from sin and death, the Resurrected and the Resurrector, the Living-One and the Life-giver. And all of us who are baptized in the Name of the Holy Trinity agree with the apostles and the Holy, Apostolic Church which, with her universal voice, thus confesses Christ the Lord. O Lord, Only-begotten Son of God, help us, that we may, all the days of our life, believe in You in our hearts and confess You with our lips as our God and our Savior "as the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Corinthians 1:24). To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

Feb 5th (Jan 23rd)

February 5 January 23 

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1. THE PRIESTLY-MARTYR CLEMENT, BISHOP OF ANCYRA Clement was born in the year 258 A.D. in the city of Ancyra of a pagan father and a Christian mother. His devout mother Euphrosyne prophesised that her son would die a martyr's death and then she departed this world when Clement was twelve years old. Her friend Sophia took Clement to her home as a son and assisted in rearing him in the Christian spirit. Clement was so famous because of his virtuous living that he was elected bishop of Ancyra at the age of twenty. In his young years, he attained the wisdom of a mature adult, and by great restraint he tamed and conquered his body. Clement fed on bread and vegetables only and did not eat anything butchered or bloody. During the reign of Diocletian, he was tortured so horribly "as no one ever, since the beginning of the world." He spent twenty-eight years in difficulties and in dungeons. Eleven different torturers tormented and tortured him. At one time, when they struck him in the face, spat upon him and broke his teeth, he cried out to Domentian, his torturer: "You do me great honor, O Domentian, for you are not torturing me, because even the mouth of my Lord Jesus Christ was also beaten and struck in the face and behold, I , the unworthy, now became worthy of that!" When Clement was brought to Rome before Emperor Diocletian, the emperor placed various weapons on one side for torture and on the other side gifts, such as decorations [medals], clothing and money; all that the emperor could bestow, and then he told Clement to choose. The martyr of Christ glanced with scorn at all the emperor's gifts and chose the instruments of torture. Clement was indescribably tortured: piece by piece they removed the flesh from his body so that the white bones showed beneath the flesh. Finally, he was beheaded by a soldier in Ancyra while, as bishop, he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in church in the year 312 A.D. The miracles of St. Clement are without number. 2. THE SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL [CONSTANTINOPLE, 680 A.D.] The first session was held in Constantinople in the first half of the year 681 A.D., and the second session was held in the second half of the year 691 A.D. This Council condemned the Monothelite heresy, which erroneously taught that in Christ there was only one divine will and not a human will. Along with this, the Council passed several canons concerning the order and discipline of the clergy. 3. SAINT PAULINUS THE MERCIFUL At first, Paulinus was a Roman senator and afterwards, a bishop in Nola. He followed the example of his friend St. Ambrose and received baptism. Following his baptism, Paulinus withdrew to Spain and into the Pyrenees mountains where he lived a life of asceticism. But as no lighted lamp can be hidden, so also St. Paulinus was discovered and elected as Bishop of Nola. He was a good and merciful shepherd. He died peacefully in the year 431 A.D. His relics repose in the Church of St. Bartholomew in Rome. HYMN OF PRAISE TO THE CREATOR With my soul, I bow before You, O Infinite Creator, When I speak Your Name, I belittle You, And, with my every thought, I belittle You with mine - What is the mind able to think before the open sea of Your spaciousness? What can the tongue say, when it must remain silent Before Your awesome mountains and chasms? Before Your immeasurable height and width, Before Your straight places, slopes, depths and distance And closeness, O God; O yes, even closeness! And still, more miraculous, Your humble lowliness! You, as a man, lowered Yourself into our lowliness, Lowered and constrained Yourself into a mortal valley, That You raise the valley to the heavenly firmament, And worn-out creation to turn into new. Of all the characteristics, Your lowliness Halts my thought, You bind my lips! What can I think, what can I say About the hungry, thirsty and crucified God? What can I say to You, the richest One, That, because of me, You became the poorest One? Let the tongue keep silent; let the tears speak; Save, with Your mercy, what Your thought created. REFLECTION Compassion has always been a characteristic of a true shepherd of Christ's flock. St. John Chrysostom in his glorious homilies did not emphasize or underscore anything more strongly than compassion. St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, wept every day when the opportunity was not given to him to show compassion to someone. St. Paulinus deserved to be called the Merciful, for in truth, he was compassionate in the full Christian sense of that word. Once, when the Vandals looted Nola, they seized many men into slavery. A certain widow whose only son the Vandal Prince Rig had taken into slavery, came to her bishop and, weeping, sought money from him to pay the ransom for her son. Not possessing anything, Bishop Paulinus dressed in the clothes of a simple man and asked the widow to take him before the prince and to exchange him for her son. The prince released the widow's son and took Paulinus with him to Africa where Paulinus served as the prince's gardener until, by God's Providence, he was freed and returned to Nola with the other slaves. CONTEMPLATION To contemplate the Lord Jesus as Healer: 1. As a Healer of bodily infirmities; 2. As an Exorcist of evil spirits from the insane; 3. As a Healer of the human spirit and mind by the light of divine teaching; 4. As my own Healer of all pains and evils. HOMILY About the angelic state of the saints "But those who are deemedworthy to attain the comingage - they can no longerdie, for they are likeangels" (St. Luke 20:35-36). Thus speaks He Who knows, He Who saw and He Who cannot be deceived. Brethren, what have we to doubt anymore? This testimony is clearer than a summer's noon, harder than diamonds and more precious that all the riches of this world; and this is the testimony: Those who are "deemed worthy" of that world and resurrection "can no longer die" but are immortal as angels of God. What are the angels like? Those same angels who appeared at the time of Abraham and assisted men are the same ones [angels] who, today, appear and assist men. They are not dead but alive; they have not grown old, but they are young. They are the same ones [angels] who beheld Adam in Paradise and who will behold the Final Resurrection and the Judgment and the Kingdom of the Saints. The righteous are similar to angels. The apostles, prophets, saints and martyrs live even today and will live always and "no longer can they die." Hundreds and thousands of years pass but they cannot die nor age anymore, rather "they are like angels." That the righteous will be crowned with immortality, that the Lord testified to us in the above words and showed this by His own resurrection and proved through His glorified saints. O, my brethren, let us awaken and labor to become worthy to obtain that blessed world! O, resurrected and immortal Lord, help us to become worthy of Your immortal kingdom in which You reign with Your angels and Your saints throughout the ages of ages! To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.