Icons

Orthodox icon of Saint Arsenius, Arsenios the Cappadocian (2).

Commemorated November 10.

The most-righteous Arsenios of Cappadocia was born around 1840 in Farasa or Varasio, in Kephalochori, one of the six Christian villages of the region of Farasa of Cappadocia. His parents were rich in virtues and good deeds. They had two boys, Vlasios and Theodore (St. Arsenios).From a young age they remained an orphan and was cared for by their aunt, the sister of their mother. Young Theodore was miraculously saved in his youth by St. George. This had a great effect in the lives of the children: Vlasios glorified God in his own way later in life by becoming a teacher of Byzantine Music, while Theodore later became a monk.Continuing to grow, Theodore moved to Nigde and after to Smyrna to continue his studies.

When he was about 20 years old he went to the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner Flavianon, and later he was tonsured a Monk and took the name Arsenios. Unfortunately he did not have much time for hesychia, because at that time there was a great need for teachers, and Metropolitan Paisios II ordained him Deacon and sent him to Farasa for teach letters to the neglected children. This naturally was done in secret, with two thousand precautions, so that the Turks wouldnu2019t learn what they were doing.

At the age of 30 he was ordained a priest in Caesarea with the title of Archimandrite and the blessing to be a spiritual father.Thus began his spiritual endeavor to grow and extend. With the bounty of Divine Grace which was bestowed on him God healed the souls and bodies of the suffering people. He had much love towards God and towards His icon, man, and not for himself, for, when he saw much pain and repression by the Turks, his love left outside of himself and outside of his village and embraced the surrounding villages. He healed indiscriminately the human pain of those he met, whether they were Christians or Turks.

To the Saint it didn't make a difference, because he saw each person, as the icon of God fashioned with much love. Countless are the miracles with the Saint worked with the Grace of God. Pregnant women bore children, after he read a prayer and gave them a phylacto which was a piece of paper written with some prayer that he wrote himself. The Saint read the Gospel [over the sick] in serious circumstances, such as for the blind, mute, lame, paralytics, demon-possessed, and they became better, as soon as he finished the reading.

Many Christians and Turks had been healed, after taking soil from the doorstep to his cell and mixing it with some water and drinking it, believing that they would be healed, and their faith they had in the Saint, worked the miracle. He naturally never accepted money or even a hand. He would say continually our faith is not for sale His cell, small, unadorned, was located in the world. He lived in the world, but at the same time established to live outside the world. In this, and for his divine feats, he was much aided by the two days (Wednesday and Friday) when he remained locked in his cell, in prayer. These bore more fruit spiritually, because they blessed the work of the other days. For hours he remained on his knees praying to God for His people, which he had entrusted to His servant Arsenios. The great sensitivity of the Holy Father did not allow him to do any harm to creation. Especially to animals.

He never rode on an animal to tire it, that he might rest himself. He always preferred to travel as a pedestrian, and he did so barefoot. He had before him Christ Who never sat on an animal except for one time and as he characteristically said: I whom am worse than the donkey, how could I sit on it? To hide his virtues from the eyes of men and to flee from their praises, he took refuge in certain eccentricities . He appeared strict, angry, irritable, snubbing different women, who from love towards him and gratitude tried to help him, in various ways, to cook for him or to send him food. He characteristically said however to his faithful friend and chanter Prodromos the following: I had wished to be served by women, I would have become a married priest and my wife would serve me.

The monk who is served by women, is not a monk. The inhabitants of Farasa would say in our Homeland we did not know of any doctor, we ran to Hatzefendis [what the people would call St. Arsenios]. In Greece we learned about doctors, but when we tell that to others, it appears strange to them. Among his other gifts he had the gift of prophecy. He had learned from God that they would be leaving for Greece and this took place on August 14th 1924 with the exchange of populations.

He learned previously about his death and that it would occur on an island [Before the departure St. Arsenios hastened to baptize all the unbaptized children. One of these he asked the parents to name Arsenios instead of Christos, the name of the child's grandfather. He said characteristically with the prophetic knowledge: "You want to leave a child at the grandfather's foot, don't I want to leave a monk at my foot?" Thus, as Elder Paisios mentioned in his book on St. Arsenios, he either foresaw that he would become a monk someday or he bestowed a spiritual inheritance on this young child. Either case indicate a holy person.]Three months before his repose the Panagia came to him, and took him around to all of Mount Athos, to the Churches which he so much wished to see but was not able to, and said that in three days he would be presented to the Lord, Whom he loved so much and have the whole of himself.He reposed on November 10th 1924. On February 11th 1986 he was acknowledged a Saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Reference:  www.synaxaristis.com

Orthodox icon of Saint Arsenios, Arsenius, Arseny the Cappadocian (3).

Commemorated November 10.

Orthodox icon of Saint Artemios, Artemis, Great Martyr of Antioch. Copy of an icon of 14 cent. from the Protato, Mount Athos

Commemorated October 20.

He was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great (May 21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for the spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt. He was sent by the emperor Constantius to bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from Patras, and the relics of the holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of Boeotia, to Constantinople.

The holy relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation. The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt. The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism was extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian Faith. During this time, St Artemius arrived in Antioch and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures and threw the Great Martyr Artemius into prison.

While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and said, Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you shall be with Me in My Kingdom. Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up glory and thanksgiving to Him. On the following day, Julian demanded that St Artemius honor the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to further tortures.

The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint told Julian that he would be justly recompensed for his persecution of Christians. Julian became furious and resorted to even more savage tortures, but they did not break the will of the saint. Finally the Great Martyr Artemius was beheaded. His relics were buried by Christians. After the death of St Artemius, his prophecy about Julian the Apostateu2019s impending death came true. St Artemius is invoked by those suffering from hernias.

Reference: O.C.A. 

Orthodox icon of Saint Artemios, Artemis, Artemius, the Great Martyr of Antioch (2).

Commemorated October 20.

Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great and his son and successor Constantius. Artemios was charged with the responsibility of taking the relics of St. Andrew and St. Luke to Constantinople. Recognized as an able military leader, Artemios became the Governor and Ambassador of the Emperor in Egypt. He held these positions for a number of years and protected the Eastern region of the Empire. When Julian the Apostate came to the throne he tried to restore paganism became extremely antagonistic towards Christians, killing hundreds to them.

Artemios was sent to Antioch to defend the area from the invasion of the Persians. Being aware of Julian's persecutions of Christians in the area he publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged emperor had Artemios tortured and threw the Great Martyr Artemios into prison. Christ appeared to him in prison and told him He would protect him.The next day Julian ordered Saint Artemios to honor the pagan gods. After many bouts of torture the Great Martyr Artemius was beheaded. His relics were buried by Christians. After the death of St Artemius, his prophecy about Julian the Apostate's impending death came true.

St Artemius is invoked by those suffering from hernias.

Orthodox icon of Saint Aspasia, one of the The Forty Virgin Martyrs and Their teacher Deacon Ammoun.

Commemorated September 1.

One of the prophesies about the life of virginity, very prevalent in the New Testament, can be found in the 44th Psalm of David. There, Prophet David sees his distant, precious daughter, the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and prophesies: "Virgins shall be brought to the king after her. With joy and gladness they will be led to the temple of the king." The life of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, as a model and fortress of the virgins, propelled many souls to devote themselves to Christ totally.

The Holy Spirit in the epistles of St. Paul, especially in the beginning of 1 Corinthians, exalts the state of virginity: "Now concerning the things which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman." In verse eight, St. Paul continues, "But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am," meaning celibate. A few verses down (v. 32) St. Paul says, "But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares for the things of the world how he may please his wife, or husband."So according to these verses of St. Paul, it is very clear that virginity and celibacy is more conducive to a higher spirituality.

This is not to say that holiness cannot be reached within marriage that is also very, very possible. However, the great life of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Ever-Virgin, and the grace given to us in the New Testament and these great verses of St. Paul, spark a great love in Christians for a life of virginity and total devotion to the Lord.Many young women lived in the homes of their parents. Just like the daughters of the deacon Philip, they lived a life of virginity, prayer, and devotion to the early Church. Although we did not have organized monasticism before the fourth century, all the elements of the ascetically or monastic lifestyle flourished in the life of the Church, and added to the Mother Church millions of martyrs.

On the first day of September, which marks the opening of our ecclesiastical year, the Church opens its golden pages of martyrdom by celebrating the resolve of the forty women virgin ascetic martyrs who put to shame the torture mechanisms of Licinius. The forty women virgin martyrs lived in Adrianoupolis of Thrace, in northeast Greece, and they were disciples of Deacon Ammoun. During that time, around 305 AD, the emperor of the eastern region of the Roman Empire was Licinius, a dreadful persecutor of Christianity. Licinius had instituted a decree for the annihilation of all Christians who refused to sacrifice to idols. The decree of this bloodthirsty tyrant soon reached all cities, towns, and villages.

Christians were slaughtered like lambs, refusing to submit to his soul-destroying promises and choosing rather to die for the love of their heavenly bridegroom.During these horrible years, the forty virgin martyrs were apprehended and put to the test along with their deacon Ammoun. The names of these glorious Christian women are as follows:Adamantine, Athena, Akrive, Antigone, Arivea, Aspasia, Aphrodite, Dione, Dodone, Elpinike, Erasmia, Erato, Ermeneia, Evterpe, Thaleia, Theanoe, Theano, Theonymphe, Theophane, Kalliroe, Kalliste, Kleio, Kleonike, Kleopatra, Koralia, Lambro, Margarita, Marianthe, Melpomene, Moscho, Ourania, Pandora, Penelope, Polymnia, Polynike, Sapfo, Terpsichore, Troada, Haido, and Harikleia.

By their daily ascetic struggles, by their prayers, vigils, and fasting, the seed of faith rooted, sprouted, and blossomed in the fertile ground of the virgins' souls. Steadfast faith, precise keeping of Christ's commandments, and obedience to their pious spiritual father Ammoun, made them as pure as lilies. This purity invites and hosts the two theological virtues of humility and love, which further house the Trinity in the Christian heart.The intimidations, threats, and tortures did not sway the virgins. The idolater archon Varos of Adrianoupolis did not sway the unshakable faith of this holy team of virgin martyrs.

They united their godly prayers, and immediately and miraculously the priest of the idols was airborne. He remained suspended and hung in midair, thus punished for many, many hours, and finally he landed on the ground and breathed his last.u00a0Deacon Ammoun was hanged, and had his ribcage opened with knives. After this, a red-hot iron helmet was placed on his head. The above tortures caused no apparent harm to this athlete of Christ, so he was transported to Heraklea of Thrace, to the tyrant Licinius, along with the holy virgins. Licinius ordered to have ten of the virgin martyrs burned by fire, and another eight beheaded, along with deacon Ammoun. Another ten were put to death by the sword, being struck in the mouth or in the heart, thus giving up their spirit.

Of those remaining, six were martyred by being forced to swallow sizzling hot iron marbles, and the last six were cut to pieces by knives. The forty martyred women and the martyr Ammoun exercised their faith, hope, and love toward Christ in an amazing way. They proved to the world that the Christian Gospel is not some ideology, but the source of life and power. They proved indefatigably that the Church of Christ is a divine creation. The fools for Christ defeated the wise.The weak defeated the mighty.. The words of St. John the Chrysostom find their full justification through the centuries: "The Church, under persecution, scores victories.

When insulted, it becomes even more radiant. It receives injuries, but it does not succumb to the wounds. It sails through rough seas, but it does not sink. It fights, but it is never defeated. O man, there is nothing more powerful than the Church."With the unshakable and steadfast faith in the Resurrected Savior, the forty virgin martyrs did not simply show patience and perseverance through these various tortures. They didn't simply display boldness and heroism, but a characteristic element of Christian martyrdom the presence of joy, a joy quite inexplicable to the idolaters, and the cause of many conversions.

Curious bystanders were often the eyewitnesses of a great marvel and profound mysteryPeople heavily injured dismembered, severely beaten, hanging on a cross (or about to be hung), engulfed by flames were full of joy. Instead of mourning,weeping and chest-beating, they were glorifying God. The day of martyrdom was a day of joy. They were rejoicing because they were deemed worthy to confess Christ, the cause of all joy. They irrigated the tree of the Church with their blood.

There is no greater sermon, there is no better way to show to the unbelievers and idolaters that Christ is the true God. The blood of one martyr would bring in dozens of new believers to the Church often thousands. Eusebius, the early church historian, informs us, "They didn't seem to worry when faced with persecution and all kinds of tortures, but they displayed fearless boldness through their faith in the God of all, and they welcomed their final decision of death with joy and laughter and great rejoicing. Therefore they chanted hymns and offered thanksgiving to the God of all, up until their last breath"

(Ecclesiastical History, Volume 8, 9:5). 

Orthodox icon of Saint Asterius, Asterios. Contemporary icon

Commemorated October 30.

Orthodox icon of Saint Athanasios, Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria (1).

Commemorated January 18.

Saint Athanasius took part in the First Ecumenical Council when he was still a deacon. He surpassed everyone there in his zeal to uphold the teaching that Christ is consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father, and not merely a creature, as the Arians proclaimed. This radiant beacon of Orthodoxy spent most of his life in exile from his See, because of the plotting of his enemies. He returned to his flock as he was approaching the end of his life. Like an evening star, he illumined the Orthodox faithful with his words for a little while, then reposed in 373. He is also commemorated on May 2 (the transfer of his holy relics).

Orthodox icon of Saint Athanasios, Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria, Αθανάσιος (2).

Commemorated January 18.

Saint Athanasius took part in the First Ecumenical Council when he was still a deacon. He surpassed everyone there in his zeal to uphold the teaching that Christ is consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father, and not merely a creature, as the Arians proclaimed. This radiant beacon of Orthodoxy spent most of his life in exile from his See, because of the plotting of his enemies. He returned to his flock as he was approaching the end of his life. Like an evening star, he illumined the Orthodox faithful with his words for a little while, then reposed in 373. He is also commemorated on May 2 (the transfer of his holy relics).

Orthodox icon of Saint Athanasios, Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Copy of an icon of 14th cent (3)

Commemorated January 18.

Orthodox icon of Saint Athanasios the Founder of the Great Lavra Monastery and Coenobitic Monasticism in Mt. Athos. Copy of an icon of 13 cent. from the Church of Protato, Mount Athos.

Commemorated July 5.

Born in the city of Trebezond, he was orphaned at an early age, and being raised by a certain good and pious nun, he imitated his adoptive mother in the habits of monastic life, in fasting and in prayer. After the death of his adoptive mother, he was taken to Constantinople, to the court of the Byzantine emperor Romanus the Elder, and was enrolled as a student under the renowned rhetorician Athanasius. During these days there had arrived at Constantinople St Michael Maleinos who taught him much in questions of salvation. He went to the Kyminas monastery and, falling down at the feet of the holy igumen, he begged to be received into the monastic life.

The igumen (Abbot) fulfilled his request with joy and tonsured him with the name Athanasius. With long fasts, vigils, bending of the knees, with works night and day Athanasius soon attained such perfection, that the holy igumen blessed him for the exploit of silence in a solitary place not far from the monastery. Later on, having left Kyminas, he made the rounds of many desolate and solitary places, and guided by God, he came to a place called Melanos, at the very extremity of Athos, settling far off from the other monastic dwellings.

Here the monk made himself a cell and began to live an ascetical life in works and in prayer. Emperor Nicephorus sought him tobuild a monastery. He built a large church in honor of the holy Prophet and Forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, and another church at the foot of a hill, in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos. Around the church were the cells, and a wondrous monastery arose on the Holy Mountain. In it were a trapeza (dining area), a hospice for the sick and for taking in wanderers, and other necessary structures.

The saint established at the monastery a cenobitic monastic Rule on the model of the old Palestinian monasteries. Many times he was privileged to see The Most Holy Theotokos with his own eyes. By God's dispensation, there once occurred such a hunger, that the monks one after the other quit the Lavra. The saint remained all alone and, in a moment of weakness, he also considered leaving. Suddenly he beheld a Woman beneath an ethereal veil, coming to meet him. Would you forsake the monastery which was intended for glory from generation unto generation, just for a morsel of dry bread? Where is your faith? Turn around, and I shall help you. "Who are you"? asked Athanasius. "I am the Mother of the Lord" She answered, and bid Athanasius to strike his staff upon a stone.

From the fissure there gushed forth a spring of water, which exists even now, in remembrance of this miraculous visitation. St Athanasius, foreseeing the time of his departure to the Lord, prophesied about his impending end and besought the brethren not to be troubled over what he foresaw. Alert and joyful, the holy igumenos went up with six of the brethren to the top of the church to inspect the construction. Suddenly, through the imperceptible will of God, the top of the church collapsed. Five of the brethren immediately gave up their souls to God. St Athanasius and the architect Daniel, thrown upon the stones, remained alive. All heard the saint call out to the Lord, Glory to Thee, O God! Lord, Jesus Christ, help me! The brethren with great weeping began to dig out their father from the rubble, but they found him already dead.

Reference: O.C.A. 

Orthodox icon of Saints Athanasios, the Founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt. Athos. Icon of 16th cent. Mount Athos (2).

Commemorated July 5.

Born in the city of Trebezond, he was orphaned at an early age, and being raised by a certain good and pious nun, he imitated his adoptive mother in the habits of monastic life, in fasting and in prayer. After the death of his adoptive mother, he was taken to Constantinople, to the court of the Byzantine emperor Romanus the Elder, and was enrolled as a student under the renowned rhetorician Athanasius. During these days there had arrived at Constantinople St Michael Maleinos who taught him much in questions of salvation. He went to the Kyminas monastery and, falling down at the feet of the holy igumen, he begged to be received into the monastic life.

The igumen (Abbot) fulfilled his request with joy and tonsured him with the name Athanasius. With long fasts, vigils, bending of the knees, with works night and day Athanasius soon attained such perfection, that the holy igumen blessed him for the exploit of silence in a solitary place not far from the monastery. Later on, having left Kyminas, he made the rounds of many desolate and solitary places, and guided by God, he came to a place called Melanos, at the very extremity of Athos, settling far off from the other monastic dwellings.

Here the monk made himself a cell and began to live an ascetical life in works and in prayer. Emperor Nicephorus sought him tobuild a monastery. He built a large church in honor of the holy Prophet and Forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, and another church at the foot of a hill, in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos. Around the church were the cells, and a wondrous monastery arose on the Holy Mountain. In it were a trapeza (dining area), a hospice for the sick and for taking in wanderers, and other necessary structures. The saint established at the monastery a cenobitic monastic Rule on the model of the old Palestinian monasteries.

Many times he was privileged to see The Most Holy Theotokos with his own eyes. By God's dispensation, there once occurred such a hunger, that the monks one after the other quit the Lavra. The saint remained all alone and, in a moment of weakness, he also considered leaving. Suddenly he beheld a Woman beneath an ethereal veil, coming to meet him. Would you forsake the monastery which was intended for glory from generation unto generation, just for a morsel of dry bread? Where is your faith? Turn around, and I shall help you. "Who are you"? asked Athanasius. "I am the Mother of the Lord" She answered, and bid Athanasius to strike his staff upon a stone.

From the fissure there gushed forth a spring of water, which exists even now, in remembrance of this miraculous visitation. St Athanasius, foreseeing the time of his departure to the Lord, prophesied about his impending end and besought the brethren not to be troubled over what he foresaw. Alert and joyful, the holy igumenos went up with six of the brethren to the top of the church to inspect the construction. Suddenly, through the imperceptible will of God, the top of the church collapsed. Five of the brethren immediately gave up their souls to God. St Athanasius and the architect Daniel, thrown upon the stones, remained alive.

All heard the saint call out to the Lord, Glory to Thee, O God! Lord, Jesus Christ, help me! The brethren with great weeping began to dig out their father from the rubble, but they found him already dead.

Orthodox icon of Saint Athena.

Commemorated September 1st.

Orthodox icon of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

Commemorated June 15.

Saint Augustine was born in the city of Thagaste in northern Africa. He was raised by his mother, St Monica (May 4), and he received his education at Carthage. In the capacity of professor of rhetoric, Augustine arrived at Milan, Italy where St Ambrose (December 7) was bishop. Under the guidance of St Ambrose, Augustine studied the Holy Scriptures. The Word of God produced in his soul a radical crisis; he accepted holy Baptism, gave all his wealth to the poor and was tonsured as a monk. In the year 391 Valerian, Bishop of Hippo, ordained Saint Augustine a priest, and in 395, appointed him vicar bishop of the see of Hippo.

After the death of Bishop Valerian, St Augustine took his place. During his 35 years as bishop, St Augustine wrote many works devoted to combating the Donatist, Manichaean and Pelagian heresies. St Augustine wrote many works (according to his student and biographer Possidias, the number approached 1030). Of his works the best known are: The City of God (De civitate Dei), The Confessions, 17 Books against the Pelagians and Handbook of Christian Knowledge (The Enchiridion).

St Augustine was concerned above all else that his writings be intelligent and edifying. It is better, he said, for them to condemn our grammar, than for people not to understand. St Augustine died on August 28, 430.

Reference: O.C.A. 

Orthodox icon of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

Commemorated June 15.

Saint Augustine was born in the city of Thagaste in northern Africa. He was raised by his mother, St Monica (May 4), and he received his education at Carthage. In the capacity of professor of rhetoric, Augustine arrived at Milan, Italy where St Ambrose (December 7) was bishop. Under the guidance of St Ambrose, Augustine studied the Holy Scriptures.

The Word of God produced in his soul a radical crisis; he accepted holy Baptism, gave all his wealth to the poor and was tonsured as a monk. In the year 391 Valerian, Bishop of Hippo, ordained Saint Augustine a priest, and in 395, appointed him vicar bishop of the see of Hippo. After the death of Bishop Valerian, St Augustine took his place. During his 35 years as bishop, St Augustine wrote many works devoted to combating the Donatist, Manichaean and Pelagian heresies.

St Augustine wrote many works (according to his student and biographer Possidias, the number approached 1030). Of his works the best known are: The City of God (De civitate Dei), The Confessions, 17 Books against the Pelagians and Handbook of Christian Knowledge (The Enchiridion). St Augustine was concerned above all else that his writings be intelligent and edifying. It is better, he said, for them to condemn our grammar, than for people not to understand. St Augustine died on August 28, 430.

Reference: O.C.A.