Science of the Saints, 1-VIII-2018 (19 Jul.), St Macrina the Younger

The Holy Nun Macrina, Sister of the Sainted Hierarchs Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, was born in Cappadocia at the beginning of the Fourth Century. Her mother, Emilia, saw in a dream an Angel, naming her yet unborn one Thekla, in honour of the holy First-Martyress Thekla. Saint Emilia fulfilled the will of God and named her daughter Thekla. Another daughter that was born they named Macrina, in honour of a grandmother, who suffered during the time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius.

Besides Macrina, in her family were nine other children. Saint Emilia herself guided the upbringing and education of her elder daughter. She taught her reading and writing in the Scriptural books and Psalms of David, selecting those examples from the Sacred books, which instructed of a pious and God-pleasing life. Saint Emilia trained her daughter to attend church services and make private prayers. Macrina was likewise taught the proper knowledge of domestic governance and various handicrafts. She was never left idle and did not participate in childish games or amusements.

When Macrina grew up, her parents betrothed her to a certain pious youth, but the bridegroom soon died. Many young men sought marriage with her, but Macrina refused them all, having chosen the life of a virgin and not wanting to be unfaithful to the memory of her dead fiancee. The Monastic Macrina lived in the home of her parents, helping them fulfill the household tasks as an overseer together with the servants, and she carefully followed after the upbringing of her younger brothers and sisters. After the death of her father she became the chief support for the family.

When all the children grew up and left the parental home, Saint Macrina convinced her mother, Saint Emilia, to leave the world, to set their slaves free, and to settle in a women's monastery. Several of their servants followed their example. Having taken monastic vows, they lived together as one family, they prayed together, they worked together, they possessed everything in common, and in this manner of life nothing distinguished one from another.

After the death of her mother, Saint Macrina guided the sisters of the monastery. She enjoyed the deep respect of all who knew her. Strictness towards herself and temperance in everything were characteristic of the saint over the course of all her life. She slept on boards and had no possessions. Saint Macrina was granted a gift of wonderworking. There was an instance (told by the sisters of the monastery to Saint Gregory of Nyssa after the death of Saint Macrina), when she healed a girl of an eye affliction. Through the prayers of the saint, at her monastery in times of famine there was no shortage of wheat, necessary for the use of the sisters.

Saint Macrina died in the year 380, after a final sigh of exalting prayers of thanks to the Lord for having received of Him blessings over all the course of her life. She was buried in the same grave with her parents.

Science of the Saints, 31-VII-2018, St Pambo

The Monk Pambo asceticised in the Nitreian wilderness in Egypt. The Monk Anthony the Great said that the Monk Pambo by the fear of God inspired within himself the Holy Spirit. And the Monk Pimen the Great said: "We beheld three things in Father Pambo: hunger every day, silence, and handcrafts." The Monk Theodore the Studite termed Saint Pambo "exalted in deed and in word."

At the beginning of his monasticism, Saint Pambo heard the verses from the 38th Psalm of David: "preserve mine path, that I sin not by my tongue." These words sank deep into his soul, and he attempted to follow them always. Thus, when they asked him about something, he answered only after a long pondering and a prayer, risking to say something that he afterwards might regret. Saint Pambo was a model of a lover of work for his disciples. Each day he worked until exhausted, and by the bread acquired by his own toil.

The disciples of the Monk Pambo became great ascetics: Dioscorus, afterwards Bishop of Hermopolis, and also Ammonius, Eusebius, and Eythymius - mentioned in the life of Saint John Chrysostom. One time the Nun Melania the Roman brought Saint Pambo a large amount of silver for the needs of the monastery, but he did not leave off from his work nor even glance at the money that was brought. Only after the incessant requests of Saint Melania did he permit her to give the alms to a certain monastic brother for distribution to the needs of the monastery. Saint Pambo was distinguished by his humility, but together with this he highly esteemed the vocation of monk and he taught the laypeople to be respectful of monastics, who often converse with God. 

The monk died at age seventy. Telling the brethren that stood about his deathbed concerning the virtues he strove for during his life, Saint Pambo said: "For I do expire to the Lord such, as that I am but begun to live a God-pleasing monastic."

Science of the Saints, 30-VII-2018, Holy Great Martyress Marina (Margaret)

The Holy Great Martyress Marina, also known as Margaret, was of the city of Antioch, daughter of Theodosius, patriarch of the idols of paynims. And she was delivered to a nurse for to be kept. And when she came to a perfect age she was baptized, wherefore she was in great hate of her father.

On a certain day when she was fifteen years of age, and kept the sheep of her nurse with other maidens, the provost Olybrius passed by the way whereas she was and considered in her so great beauty and fairness that anon he burned in her love and sent his servants and bade them take her and bring her to him. "For if she be free, I shall take her unto my wife and if she be bond I shall make her my concubine."

And when she was presented before him, he demanded her of her lineage, name and religion. And she answered that she was of noble lineage, and her name Margaret and Christian in religion. To whom the provost said: "The two first things be convenient to you, that is that you are noble and are called Margaret which is a most fair name. But the third appertains nothing to you that so fair a maid and so noble should worship a God crucified." To whom she said: "How do you know that Christ was crucified?" He answered: "By the books of Christian men." To whom Margaret said: "O what shame it is to you when you read the pain of Christ and the glory, and believe one thing and deny the other." And she said and affirmed Him to be crucified by His will for our redemption and now lives ever in bliss. And then the provost being wroth commanded her to be put in prison.

And the next day following, he commanded that she should be brought to him and then said to her: "O good maid, have pity on your beauty and worship our gods that it may be well." To whom she said: "I worship Him that makes the earth to tremble, whom the sea dreads, and the winds and the creatures obey." To whom the provost said: "But if you consent to me, I shall make your body to be all to torn." Then Saint Margaret said: "Christ gave Himself over to the death for me, and I desire gladly to die for Christ." Then the provost commanded her to be hanged on an instrument to be tormented of the people, and to be cruelly first beaten with rods and then with iron combs to rent, in somuch that the blood ran out of her body, like as a stream runs out of a fresh springing well. They that were there wept and said: "O Margaret, verily we be sorry for you, which see your body so foul and cruelly torn and rent. O how your most beauty have you lost for your incredulity and misbelief. Now believe and you shall live." The provost covered his face with his mantle, for he might not see so much effusion of blood, and then commanded that she should be taken down and to shut her in fast prison.

And there was seen a marvellous brightness in the prison by the keepers. And whiles she was in prison she prayed her Lord that he would visibly show unto her the fiend that had fought with her. And there appeared an horrible dragon and assailed her and would have devoured her. But she made the sign of the Cross and anon he vanished away. In another place it is said that he swallowed her in his belly, she making the sign of the Cross, and the belly brake asunder and so she issued out all whole and sound. 

After this the devil appeared to her in likeness of a man for to deceive her. And when she saw him she went to prayer. And after she arose and the fiend came to her and took her by the hand and said: "That which you have done suffices to you; but now cease as to my person." She caught him by the head and threw him to the ground, and set her right foot on his neck, saying: "Lie still, you fiend, under the foot of a woman." The devil then cried: "O blessed Margaret, I am overcome. If a young man had overcome me I had not recked, but alas I am overcome of a tender virgin, wherefore I make the more sorrow."

Then she constrained that fiend to tell why he came to her. And he answered that he came to her to counsel her for to obey the desire and request of the provost. Then she constrained him to say wherefore he tempted so much and so oft Christian people. To whom he answered that naturally he hated virtuous men. "And though we be oft put aback from them, yet our desire is much to exclude them from the felicity that we have fell from. For we may never obtain nor recover our bliss that we have lost." And then she demanded what he was. And he answered: "I am named Veltis, one of them whom Solomon closed in a vessel of brass. And after his death it happed that they of Babylon found this vessel and supposed to have founden great treasure therein. And they brake the vessel and then a great multitude of us devils flew out and filled full the air, alway awaiting and espying where we may assail rightful men." And when he had said thus, she took off her foot and said to him: "Flee hence, you wretched fiend." And anon the earth opened and the fiend sank in.

Then the next day following when all the people were assembled, she was presented tofore the judge. And she not doing sacrifice to the idols was cast into the fire and her body broiled with burning brands, in such wise that all the people marvelled that so tender a maid might suffer so many torments. And after that they put her fast bounden in a great vessel full of water, that by changing of the torments the sorrow and feeling of the pain might be the more. But suddenly the earth trembled, and the blessed virgin without any hurt issued out of the water, saying to our Lord: "I beseech you, My Lord, that this water may be to me the fount of Baptism in to everlasting life." And anon there was heard great thunder, and a dove descended from heaven, and set a golden crown on her head. Then five thousand men believed on our Lord, and for Christ's love they all were beheaded by the commandment of the provost Olybrius. Then Olybrius, seeing the faith of the holy Margaret immoveable, and also fearing that others should be converted to the Christian faith by her, gave sentence and commanded that she should be beheaded.

Then she prayed to one Malchus that should behead her that she might have space to pray. And that gotten, she prayed to our Lord, saying: "Father Almighty, I yield to you thankings that You have suffered me to come to this glory, beseeching You to pardon them that pursue me. And I beseech You, good Lord, of your abundant grace, You will grant unto all them that write my passion, read it, or hear, and to them that remember me, that they may deserve to have plain remission and forgiveness of all their sins. And also, good Lord, if any woman with child travailing call on me, that You will keep her from peril, and that the child may be delivered without any hurt." And when she had finished her prayer, there was a voice heard from heaven saying that her prayers were heard and granted, and that the gates of heaven were open and abode for her; and bade her come into the country of everlasting rest. Then she, thanking our Lord, rose up, and bade the hangman accomplish the commandment of the provost. To whom the hangman said: "God forbid that I should slay the virgin of Christ." To whom she said: "If you do it not you may have no part with me." Then he being afeard and trembling smote off her head, and falling down at her feet gave up the ghost.

Then Theotinus took up the holy body, and bare it into Antioch and buried it in the house of a noble woman and widow named Synclecia. And thus this blessed and holy virgin, Saint Margaret, suffered death and received the crown of martyrdom the xiiith kalends of August, as is found in her story: and it is read in another place that it was the iii ides of July.

Science of the Saints, 29-VII-2018, St Athenogenes of Heracleopolis

The Hieromartyr Athenogenes and his Ten Disciples suffered for Christ during the time of persecution against Christians in the city of Sebasteia. The governor Philomarchus made a large festival in honour of the pagan gods and summoned the Sebasteia citizenry to offer sacrifice to the idols. But the inhabitants of Sebasteia, Christian in the majority, refused to participate in the impious celebration with its offering of sacrifice to idols. Soldiers were ordered to kill people, and many Christians then accepted a martyr's crown.

It came to the governor's attention, that Christianity was being widely spread about by the graced preaching of Bishop Athenogenes. Orders were issued to seek out the elder and arrest him. Saint Athenogenes and ten of his disciples lived not far from the city in a small monastery. But not finding the bishop there, the soldiers arrested his disciples. The governor gave orders to slap them into chains and throw them in prison.

Saint Athenogenes came then to Sebasteia and began reproaching the judge that those thrown into prison were guiltless. He was arrested. In prison, Saint Athenogenes encouraged his spiritual children for their impending deed. Led forth to trial, all the holy martyrs confessed themselves Christians and refused to offer sacrifice to idols. After undergoing fierce tortures, the disciples of the holy bishop were beheaded. And after the execution of the disciples, the executioners were ordered to put the elder to the test of torture. Strengthened by the Lord, Saint Athenogenes underwent the tortures with dignity. His only request was that he be executed in the monastery.

Taken to his own monastery, the saint in prayer gave thanks to God, and he rejoiced in the sufferings that he had undergone for Him. Saint Athenogenes besought of the Lord the forgiveness of sins of all those people, who should remember both him and his disciples.

The Lord granted the saint to hear His Voice before death, announcing the promise given to the penitent thief: "Today with Me thou shalt be in paradise." The hieromartyr himself bent his neck beneath the sword. 

Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Pierre Menard

The Pierre Menard Home itself

The house that Pierre Menard built in Randolph County merits a high place on any list of historic homes in the United States. This sturdy old frame house of French colonial design is attractive to look at; its lens and proportions are pleasing. Moreover, it has remained basically unaltered through the years since it was completed in 1802.

It then stood on the east bank of the Kaskaskia River, looking across the stream toward the ancient town of that name. The Mississippi was seven miles away. Today the house, though it stands unmoved at its original location, faces directly upon the Mississippi, continuing to look toward the spot where the town of Kaskaskia once stood, but its view is now obscured by a high levee. This paradox clears when it becomes known that many years ago the Mississippi, while in flood stage, cut a new channel across a narrow strip of land that separated it from the Kaskaskia a few miles above the town and shifted its current to the latter stream. In making this shift the town of Kaskaskia, once the metropolsi of the Mississippi Valley, was washed away. 

Among the houses that were part of the Kaskaskia scene, only the home that Menard built against the foot of the Garrison Hill bluff remains. It has seen much history and as the years have passed, it has become more and more an object of interest. The house considered alone has its appeal just as does the man who built it. Each alike adds to the legend of the other. Perhaps it would not be improper to say that Pierre Menard and the Menard home occupy a position for Illinois much like that of Washington and Mount Vernon for the nation.

Pierre Menard was born at St. Antoine, near Montreal, Canada, in 1766. He left Canada and went to Vincennes in 1787. This was during the period when many of the French settlers of Indiana and Illinois were moving into Spanish territory west of the Mississippi. At Vincennes young Pierre entered the employ of Col. Francois Vigo, an Indian trader with whom he made at least one trip to Philadelphia to confer with President Washington concerning the defense of the western country. In 1791 Menard came to Kaskaskia and entered a business partnership with Toussaint DuBois. He soon became a prosperous merchant, fur buyer, and Indian trader. Here he twice married into prominent and influential French families.

Soon after coming to Illinois, Menard began to attract favorable attention. He was appointed to command the militia. He was name a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and served ten years in that capacity. He also was appointed to other offices, serving some time as judge in a special orphan's court. His name frequently appears as "next of friend" for someone who otherwise could not gain access to the courts.

Menard served as a memeber of the territorial legislature of Indiana from 1801 until 1809. In the spring of 1810 he was with Andrew Henry at Three Forks on the Missouri, where they established the first organized trapping venture in that region. He was elected to the first Illinois territorial legislature and became president in 1812. Though he had come to Illinois as a youth and had been active in civic and political affairs for about thirty years, it was not until 1816 that he was formally naturalized as a citizen of the United States.

When men were selected to frame a constitution for the new state of Illinois, Menard was one of those chosen for the task. The proposed constitution required that the lieutenant governor be a native-born United States citizen, but since Menard seemed to be the best candidate, the constitution was promptly revised to permit anyone two years a citizen of the country to serve in that office. Menard accordingly was chosen as the first lieutenant governor of the state. After completing his term in that office, he retired to his home beside the Kaskaskia to live a quiet life, to entertain his many visitors, and to attend to wide business interests. 

At different times, he was called upon to help in dealing with the Indians, whom it is said he "instinctively" understood. The Indians respected and trusted him. There is no indication that Menard ever used deceit in negotiating with them. Neither did they betray him. The same apparently was true in his relations with the whites.

Today a county and a town in Illnois are named for him. A bronze statue, the gift from a son of one of his business partners, stands on the capitol grounds at Springfield with the simple inscription "MENARD," carved on the granite base. His name occurs frequently in the territorial records of both Indiana and Illinois and upon the early state records of the latter.

As has already been said, the home he built on the banks of the Kaskaskia still stands. Visitors may wander through the rooms of the old house, go to the kitchen with its shaped-stone sink, built-in oven, and fireplace with crane and pendant, where the meals were prepared to be carried to the dining room across an open porch.

Visitors also go through the sone-brick building designated as the "Slave House" where domestic servants evidently were quartered. Some years ago, very old people told of the ruins of a row of log cabins that once stood against the foot of the cliff south of the present house. Tradition indicated that these vanished cabins were the quarters where Menard's field slaves lived. Provision has been made recently for needed repairs to guarantee the preservation of the building. Such belongings of Menard's as are available are being brought back to the home. Other articles needed to furnish it will be supplied by authentic pieces of that period. Thousands of visitors now come to see the home each year. With proper restoration it could become an even greater mecca for those interested in the early history of the state and for those who wish to learn more about the culture of that period.

"Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois" - John W. Allen

Pierre Menard Home Website:
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnrhistoric/Experience/Sites/Southwest/Pages/Pierre-Menard.aspx

Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Washington Never Slept Here

Every region, doubtless, has its list of interesting individuals around whom stories cluster. Those who travel over the Virginia-Maryland countryside frequently encounter signs like "Washington Slept Here." One man, statistically inclined or wishing to appear humorous, insisted that all such claims could not be true. He contended that their combined total would be greater than that of all the nights which Washington spent away from Mt. Vernon. True or untrue, such signs do indicate a desire to connect a locality with some name great in our history. These local associations intensify the feeling that the men connected with past events were real. 

Washington did not come so far west as Illinois, so we cannot erect a "Washington Slept Here" sign. Nevertheless, this region can claim some rather close associations with the great Virginian. One early contact between Washington and men from southern Illinois occurred when unwelcome visitors from here paid a call upon him in 1754. Among these callers were "100 choice troops" with some Indian allies from present-day Randolph County.

It came about in this way. British and French interests had for many years been in violent conflict in various places over the world. The American part of this conflict is known as the French and Indian Wars. In our country it was a struggle for control of the heart of the North American continent. A common objective of both parties was control of the Ohio Valley. The French were in the region early in force and established Fort Duquesne at the site of present-day Pittsburgh. The British, represented by a force of Virginia militia under the command of George Washington, arrived in the same area soon afterwards, intending to establish a fort and thus control the region. When he found the French already there, Washington built a second fort at Great Meadows, not so far away, and named it Fort Necessity.

The French immediately began to gather forces to drive the Virginians away. It was to this gathering of French forces that Major Makarty, commandant at Fort de Chartres in Randolph County, sent a hundred troops accompanied by Indian allies. Other French troops and Indians were sent from Vincennes to join those coming from posts in Canada. When sufficient French forces had gathered, they attacked Washington and forced him to surrender Fort Necessity at Great Meadows, not Confluence, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1754. The callers from Illinois contributed to Washington's defeat. By a strange coincidence this surrender occurred exactly twenty-one years before the day on which Washington assumed command of the Colonial Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

This sending of troops to attack Fort Necessity does not constitute the only association of Washington with men in our story. A year after the surrender of Fort Necessity, Washington returned to that same vicinity as an aide to General Braddock, commander of British forces sent to occupy that area. The defeat and death of General Braddock and the able services of Washington in rescuing the troops from utter destruction, as well as the part played by the Indian allies of the French, is well known. These Indians, the element that apparently determined the defeat of the British, were directed by Chief Pontiac who later was killed at Cahokia, just south of East St. Louis.

Another man close to Washington came to live at New Haven, in Gallatin County. He had served as Washington's personal baggagemaster during the Revolution and perhaps knew Washington as intimately as it was the privilege of any man to know him. This baggagemaster is buried in a marked grave in the little cemetery about three miles west and two miles north from the Wabash River village.

Another and a better known man associated with Washington ended his days at Shawneetown. This was General Thomas Posey, distinguished alike from his military achievements and as a state and governmental official. 

After all, southern Illinois can claim definite, but tenuous connections with Washington.

"Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois" - John W. Allen

Science of the Saints, 28-VII-2018, Ss Cyricus and Julitta

The Holy Martyrs Cyricus and Julitta lived in Asia Minor in the city of Iconium in the Likaoneia region. Saint Julitta was descended from an illustrious family and was a Christian. Widowed early on, she raised her three year old son Cyricus. During the time of the persecution made against Christians by the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Julitta with her son and two trustworthy servants departed the city, leaving behind her home and property and servants.

Under the guise of being impoverished she hid out first at Seleucia, and then at Tarsis. And it was there in about the year 305 that she was recognised, arrested, and brought to trial before the governor named Alexander. Strengthened by the Lord, she fearlessly gave answer to the questions of the judge and she firmly confessed her faith in Christ. The governor gave orders to beat the saint with canes. During the time of torment Saint Julitta kept repeating, "I am a Christian and will not offer sacrifice to demons."

The little boy Cyricus cried, seeing his mother being tortured, and wanted to go to her. The governor Alexander tried to hug him, but the boy broke free and shouted, "Let me go to my mother, I am a Christian." The governor flung the boy from the high rostrum onto the stone steps, and the boy tumbled downwards striking the sharp edges, and died. The mother, seeing her lacerated son, gave thanks to God that He had vouchsafed the boy a martyr's end. After many cruel tortures they beheaded Saint Julitta with the sword.

The relics of Saints Cyricus and Julitta were discovered during the reign of holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine. In honour of these holy martyrs there was built near Constantinople a monastery, and not far off from Jerusalem was built a church. 

In popular custom, Saints Cyricus and Julitta are prayed to for family happiness and the restoring to health of sick children.

Science of the Saints, 27-VII-2018, St Aquila of the Seventy

Saint Aquila, Disciple from the Seventy. It is possible that he was a disciple of the Apostle Paul, a native of Pontus and a Jew, living in the city of Rome with his wife Priscilla. 

During the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-54) all the Jews were banished from Rome. Saint Aquila and his wife were compelled to leave. They settled in Corinth. A short while afterwards the holy Apostle Paul arrived there from Athens preaching the Gospel. Having made the acquaintance of Aquila, he began to live at his house and laboured together with him over the making of tents.

Having accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul, Aquila and Priscilla became his devoted and zealous disciples. They accompanied the apostle to Ephesus. The Apostle Paul instructed them to continue the preaching of the Gospel at Ephesus, and he himself set off to Jerusalem, in order to be present there for the feast of Pentecost. At Ephesus Aquila and Priscilla heard the bold preaching of a newcomer from Alexandria, the Jew Apollos, who had been instructed in the fundamentals of the faith, but knew only the baptism of John the Forerunner [i.e. John the Baptist]. They called him over to themselves and explained more precisely about the way of the Lord.

After the death of the emperor Claudius, Jews were permitted to return to Italy, and Aquila and Priscilla then returned to Rome. The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans recollects about his faithful disciples: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who put forth their heads for my soul, whom I do not alone thank, but also all the Church of the Gentiles and the church of their household" (Rom. 16: 3-4). 

Saint Aquila did not long dwell in Rome: the Apostle Paul made him a bishop in Asia. Saint Aquila zealously laboured at preaching the Gospel in Asia, Achaeia, and Heracleia. He converted pagans to Christ, he confirmed newly converted Christians in the faith, he established presbyters and destroyed idols. Saint Priscilla constantly assisted him in the apostolic work. Saint Aquila finished his life a martyr: pagans murdered him. According to the tradition of the Church, Saint Priscilla was killed together with him.

Science of the Saints, 26-VII-2018, St Julian of Cenomanea

Saint Julian, Bishop of Cenomanea, was elevated to bishop by the Apostle Peter. There exists the opinion that he is one and the same person with Simon the Leper (St Mark 14:3), in Baptism receiving the name Julian.

The Apostle Peter sent Saint Julian to preach the Gospel in Gaul.

He arrived in Cenomanea (the region of the River Po in the north of present day Italy) and settled into a small hut out beyond a city (probably Cremona). He began to preach among the pagans. The idol worshippers at first listened to him with distrust, but the preaching of the saint was accompanied by great wonders. By prayer, Saint Julian healed various sick persons.

Gradually there began to flock to him a great multitude of people, asking for help. In healing bodily infirmities, Saint Julian healed also the souls, enlightening those coming to him by the light of faith in Christ.

In order to quench the thirst of his numerous visitors, Saint Julian, having prayed to the Lord, struck his staff on the ground and from that dry place there came forth a spring of water. This wonder converted many pagans to Christianity. One time the Sainted Bishop wanted to see the local prince. At the gate of the prince's dwelling there sat a blind man on whom Saint Julian took pity, and having prayed, gave him his sight. The prince came out towards the Sainted Bishop, and having only just learned that he had worked this miracle, he fell down at the feet of the bishop, requesting Baptism. Having catechised the prince and his family, Saint Julian imposed on them a three-day fast, and then he fulfilled over them the mystery of Baptism.

On the example of the prince, the majority of his subjects also converted to Christ. The prince donated his own home to the bishop for the constructing of a temple in it and he provided the Church with means. Saint Julian fervently concerned himself with the spiritual enlightening of his flock and as before he healed the sick. Deeply affected by the grief of parents, the sainted bishop by his own prayer entreated of God the raising up of their dead children to life. The holy Bishop Julian remained long on his throne, teaching his flock the way to Heaven. The Sainted Bishop died in extreme old age in the first century. To the end of his days he preached about Christ, and he completely eradicated idol worship in the land of Cenomanea.

Science of the Saints, 25-VII-2018, St Michael Maleinos

The Monk Michael Maleinos was born about the year 894 in the Charsian region (Cappadocia) and at Baptism he received the name Manuel. He was of the same lineage with the Byzantine emperor Leo VI the Wise (886-911). At age eighteen Manuel went off to Bithynia, to the Kimineia Monastery under the guidance of the Elder, John Heladites, who vowed him into monasticism with the name Michael. Fulfilling a very difficult obedience in spite of his illustrious lineage, he demonstrated an example of great humility.

After the some time had passed, he was vouchsafed the grace of the priesthood. Constantly studying the Holy Scripture, the Monk Michael showed how the priesthood ought to be properly conjoined with monasticism. He attained to a high degree of dispassion and acquired the gift of perspicacity. He was very compassionate and kindly towards people, he could not let remain without help and consolation those who were in need and in sorrow, and by his ardent prayer he accomplished many miracles.

After much monastic effort under the guidance of the Elder John, the Monk Michael besought of him blessing for a solitary life in a cave. Five days of the week he spent at prayerful concentration and only on Saturday and Sunday did he come to the monastery for participation in Divine Services and Communion of the Holy Mysteries. 

By his example of sublime spiritual life the holy hermit attracted many seeking after salvation. In a desolate place called Dry Lake, the Monk Michael founded a monastery for the brethren gathering to him, and gave to it a strict monastic order. When the monastery was secure, the Monk Michael went to a still more remote place and built there a new monastery. By the efforts of the holy abba, all the Kumineia mountain was covered over by monastic communities, where constantly prayers were raised up for all the world to the Throne of the Most High.

About the year 953, amongst the brethren entered the youth Abraham, flourishing under the guidance of Saint Michael, who gave him the name Athanasius. Later on the Monk Athanasius himself founded the reknowned Athos Laura, the first life-in-common monastery on the Holy Mountain. In the building of the Laura, great help was rendered to the Monk Athanasius by the nephew of the Monk Michael, the later Byzantine emperor Nicephoros Phokas (963-969), who in visiting his uncle met also Athanasius. 

After fifty years of incessant monastic effort the monk Michael Maleinos peacefully expired to the Lord in the year 962.

Science of the Saints, 24-VII-2018, The Miracle of St Euphemia at Chaceldon

Remembrance of the Miracle of Saint Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy: The holy Great Martyress Euphemia suffered martyrdom in the city of Chalcedon in the year 304, during the time of the persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian (284-305). One and an half centuries later, at a time when the Christian Church had become victorious within the Roman empire, God deigned that Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy should again be an especial witness and confessor of the purity of the orthodox teaching.

In the year 451 in the city of Chalcedon, in the very church wherein rested the glorified relics of the holy Great Martyress Euphemia there took place the sessions of the Fourth Ecumenical Council. The Council was convened so that there might be determined the precise dogmatic formulae concerning the nature-composition of the God-Man Jesus Christ. 

This had been necessitated because of the widely-dispersed heresy of the Monophysites, who opposed the orthodox teaching about the two natures in Jesus Christ - the Divine and the Human natures. The Monophysites falsely affirmed that within Christ was only one nature - the Divine, causing discord and unrest within the Church. 

At the Council were present 630 representatives from all the Local Christian Churches. On the side of the orthodox in the conciliar deliberations there participated Saint Anatoly, Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Juvenaly, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and representatives of Pope Saint Leo. The Monophysites were present in large numbers, headed by Dioscorus, the Alexandrian patriarch, and the Constantinople archimandrite Eutyches.

After prolonged discussions the two sides could not come to a decisive agreement.

The holy Patriarch of Constantinople Anatoly thereupon proposed that the Council submit the decision of the Church dispute to the Holy Spirit, through His undoubted bearer Saint Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy, whose wonderworking relics had been discovered during the Council's discussions. The orthodox hierarchs and their opponents wrote down their confessions of faith on separate scrolls and sealed them with their seals. They opened the tomb of the holy Great Martyress Euphemia and placed both scrolls upon her bosom. Then, in the presence of the emperor Marcian (450-457), the participants of the Council sealed the tomb, putting on it the imperial seal and setting a guard to watch over it for three days. During these days both sides imposed upon themselves strict fast and made intense prayer. After three days the patriarch and the emperor in the presence of the Council opened the tomb with its relics: the scroll with the orthodox confession was held by Saint Euphemia in her right hand, and the scroll of the heretics lay at her feet. Saint Euphemia, as though alive, raised her hand and gave the scroll to the patriarch. After this miracle many of the hesitant accepted the orthodox confession, while those remaining obstinant in the heresy were consigned to the Council's condemnation and excommunication.

After an invasion by the Persians during the Seventh Century, the relics of Saint Euphemia were transferred from Chalcedon to Constantinople, into a newly built church dedicated in her name.

Many years later, during the period of the heresy of the demon-inspired iconoclasts, the reliquary with the relics of the saint was cast into the sea by order of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian (716-741). The reliquary was rescued from the sea by the ship-owning brothers Sergius and Sergonus, who gave it over to the local bishop. The holy bishop ordered that the relics be preserved in secret, beneathe a crypt, since the iconoclast heresy was continuing to rage. A small church was built over the relics, and over the reliquary was put a board with an inscription stating whose relics rested therein. When the iconoclast heresy was finally condemned at the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council (in the year 787), during the time of Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople (784-806) and the emperor Constantine VI (780-797) and his mother Saint Irene (797-802), the relics of the holy Great Martyress Euphemia were once again solemnly transferred to Constantinople.

Science of the Saints, 23-VII-2018, The Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis.

The Forty-five Martyrs of the Armenian City of Nicopolis suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (307-324), then a co-regent with Constantine the Great. Licinius fiercely persecuted Christians, and in his Eastern districts of the empire he issued an edict to put to death anyone who would not consent to return to paganism. 

When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more than forty of the persecuted of Christ decided to appear voluntarily before their persecutors, to confess openly their faith in the Son of God, and to accept martyrdom. The holy confessors were headed by Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony, and Alexander, and were distinguished by their virtuous life. The procurator of the Armenian district, Licius, before whom the holy confessors presented themselves, was amazed at the directness and bravery of those who voluntarily doomed themselves to torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast. They refuted all the arguments of the governor, pointing out to him all the falseness of faith in the disgusting and vice-filled pagan gods, leading to ruin those that worship them. The procurator gave orders to beat the confessors about the face with stones, and then to shackle and imprison them.

In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the psalms of David. Saint Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren in the faith, readying them to accept new tortures for the true faith, and telling them of the bravery of all those formerly that had suffered for Christ. In the morning, after repeated refusal to offer sacrifice to the idols, the saints were again given over to torture. Saint Leontius, seeing the intense suffering of the martyrs and worrying that certain of them might collapse in spirit and lose faith, prayed to God that he might see a quick end of the matter for all.

When the holy martyrs sang psalms at midnight, an Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The Angel declared to the martyrs, that their deed was near its end, and their names already were inscribed in Heaven. Two of the prison guards, Meneas and Virilades, beheld what was happening and believed in Christ. On the following morning the governor decided to put to death the martyr-witnesses of Christ. After beastly tortures they burned them in a fire, and their bones they threw in a river (+ c. 318). Pious people found them, gathered them up and saved them. Later on, when freedom had been bestown to the Church of Christ, on this spot was built a church in the name of the holy Forty-five Martyrs.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Science of the Saints, 22-VII-2018, St Pancratius of Taormina

Saint Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina, was born when our Lord Jesus Christ yet lived upon the earth.

The parents of Pancratius were natives of Antioch. Hearing about the good news of Jesus Christ, the father of Pancratius took his young son with him and set off to Jerusalem, in order to see for himself personally the great Teacher. 

The miracles astonished him, and when he heard the Divine teaching, he then believed in Christ as the Son of God. He became close with the disciples of the Lord, especially with the holy Apostle Peter. And it was during this period that young Pancratius got to know the holy Apostle Peter.

After the Ascension of the Saviour one of the Apostles came to Antioch and baptised the parents of Pancratius together with all their household. When the parents of Pancratius died, he left behind his inherited possessions and went to a Pontine mountain and began to live in a cave, passing his days in prayer and deep spiritual contemplation. 

The holy Apostle Peter, one time passing through these parts, made a visit to Pancratius at Pontus, and took him along to Antioch, and then to Cilicia, where the holy Apostle Paul then was. And there the holy Apostles Peter and Paul ordained Saint Pancratius as bishop of the Sicilian city of Taormina.

Saint Pancratius toiled zealously for the Christian enlightenment of the people. Over the course of a single month he built a church, where he celebrated divine services. The number of believers quickly grew, and soon almost all the people of Taormina and the surrounding cities accepted the Christian faith.

Saint Pancratius governed his flock peacefully for many years. But one time pagans connived against the saint, and seizing an appropriate moment, they fell upon him and stoned him. Thus did Saint Pancratius end his life as a martyr. The relics of the saint rest in the church named for him, at Rome. 

Science of the Saints, 21-VII-2018, St Procopius, Great Martyr

The holy great martyr Procopius at Caesarea in Palestine. Under the emperor
Diocletian, he was taken from the city of Scythopolis to Caesarea and there in return for
the excellent confidence of his answers he was beheaded by the judge Fabianus. (303)

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Science of the Saints, 20-VII-2018, Saint Acacius of Sinai

There was a certain elder who was extremely careless and undisciplined. I say this without passing judgment on him, but simply to state the truth. He obtained, I do not know how, a disciple, a youth called Acacius, simple-hearted but prudent in thought. And he endured so much from this elder that to many people it will perhaps seem incredible. For the elder tormented him daily not only with insults and indignities, but even with blows. But his patience was not mere senseless endurance. And so, seeing him daily in wretched plight like the lowest slave, I would ask him when I met him: "What is the matter, Brother Acacius, how are you today?" And he would at once show me a black eye, or a scarred neck or head. But knowing that he was a worker, I would say to him: "Well done, well done; endure and it will be for your good." 

Having done nine years with this pitiless elder, he departed to the Lord. Five days after his burial in the cemetery of the fathers, Acacius’ master went to a certain elder living there and said to him: "Father, Brother Acacius is dead." As soon as the elder heard this he said: "Believe me, elder, I do not believe it." The other replied: "Come and see." The elder at once rose and went to the cemetery with the master of the blessed ascetic. And he called as to a living person to him who was truly alive in his falling asleep, and said: "Are you dead, Brother Acacius?" And the good doer of obedience, showing his obedience even after his death, replied to the great elder: "How is it possible, Father, for a man who is a doer of obedience to die?" Then the elder who had been Acacius’ master became terrified and fell on his face in tears. Afterwards he asked the abbot of the Laura for a cell near the tomb, and lived in it devoutly, always saying to the fathers: "I have committed murder." - Ladder 4:110

Science of the Saints, 19-VII-2018, St Sisoes the Great

"A brother asked Abba Sisoes, 'What shall I do, Abba, for I have fallen?' The old man said to him, 'Get up again.' The brother said, 'I have got up again, but I have fallen again.' The old man said, 'Get up again and again.' So then the brother said, 'How many times?' The old man said, 'Until you are taken up either in virtue or in sin. For a man presents himself to judgment in the state in which he is found.'"

Science of the Saints, 18-VII-2018, St Sergius of Radonezh

"If you want to serve God, prepare your heart not for food, not for drink, not for rest, not for ease, but for suffering, so that you may endure all temptations, trouble and sorrow. Prepare for severities, fasts, spiritual struggles and many afflictions, for 'by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God;' (Acts 14:22) 'The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.'" (Matt 11:12) - St Sergius of Radonezh

Science of the Saints, 17-VII-2018, Saint Andrew of Crete

Kontakion, Tone 6.

My soul, my soul, Arise!
Why are you sleeping?
The end is drawing near,
and you will be confounded,
awake then and be watchful
that Christ our God may spare you,
Who is everywhere, and fills all things. - From the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete

Science of the Saints, 16-VII-2018, Blessed Martyr Hyacinth

The Holy Martyr Hyacinth, a native of Caesarea Cappadocia, grew up in a Christian family. The Roman emperor Trajan made him his "cubicularius" (bed-chamberlain).

Once during the time of a pagan festival the emperor Trajan was feasting in a pagan-temple together with his companions, eating of the idol-offered food, but the youth Hyacinth, having remained at the palace, shut himself up in a small room and prayed fervently to the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the servants overheard the words of prayer. He made a denunciation to the emperor, that Hyacinth, entrusted with an imperial position, did not honour the Roman gods but was secretly praying to Christ.

They immediately arrested Saint Hyacinth and led him to Trajan. The emperor demanded that he eat of the idol-offered meat, but the saint bravely refused and declared himself a Christian. By order of Trajan, they locked up the holy martyr in prison after fierce tortures, and they exhausted him with hunger and thirst, so as to force him to eat of idolatrous food. On the 38th day, one of the guards, bringing the idol-offering meat, saw Angels alongside the martyr, dressing him in bright attire and placing on his head a crown.

The torturers decided to continue with the trial over the saint, but they found him in prison already dead. The twelve year old Hyacinth died in the year 108 in the city of Rome. They afterwards transferred the relics of the saint to Caesarea.

His body is preserved and venerated in the abbey church of the former Cistercian Abbey of Fürstenfeld in Bavaria, of which the church is the only surviving structure.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Science of the Saints, Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God at Blachernae, 15-VII-2018.

During the years of the reign of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Great the Macedonian (457-474), the brothers Galbius and Candidus, associates of the emperor, set out from Constantinople to Palestine to venerate at the holy places. 

In a small settlement near Nazareth they stopped for overnight lodging with a certain quite aged Hebrew woman. In her house the burning of candles and smoking incense caught the attention of the pilgrims. To their questions as to what sort of sacred thing there was in her house, the pious woman for a long time did not want to give an answer, but after persistent requests she replied that she had a very precious sacred item - the Robe of the Mother of God, from which had occurred many miracles and healings. 

The Most Holy Virgin before the time of her Dormition bequeathed one of her garments to a pious Jewish maiden from the family lineage of this house, having instructed her to hand it on after death to another virgin. Thus, from generation to generation, the Robe of the Mother of God was preserved in this family.

The jewelled chest containing the sacred Robe was transferred to Constantinople. Saint Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople, and the emperor Leo, having learned of the sacred find, convinced themselves of the incorruptness of the holy Robe and with trembling they certified its authenticity. 

At Blachernae, near the seacoast, there was erected a new church in honour of the Mother of God. On 2 June 458 Saint Gennadios with appropriate solemnity transferred the sacred Robe into the Blachernae church, placing it within a new reliquary.

Science of the Saints, Ss Comas and Damian, 14-VII-2018

At Rome, the saints were at first locked up in prison, and then were taken for trial. The saints openly confessed before the Roman emperor and the judge their faith in Christ God, having come into the world to save mankind and redeem the world from sin, and they resolutely refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. They said: "We have caused evil for no one, we have not involved ourselves with the magic or sorcery, of which you accuse us. We doctor the infirm by the power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and we do not take any sort of recompense for rendering aid to the sick, because our Lord commanded His disciples: 'Freely ye have received, freely give.'" (Mt. 10: 8)

Sayings from the Fathers, 13-VII-2018.

"Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours; and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience." - Epistle of St Clement to the Corinthians

Sayings from the Fathers, 12-VII-2018.

"Suppose there arise a dispute relative to some important question among us, should we not have recourse to the most ancient Churches with which the apostles held constant intercourse, and learn from them what is certain and clear in regard to the present question? For how should it be if the apostles themselves had not left us writings? Would it not be necessary, [in that case,] to follow the course of the tradition which they handed down to those to whom they did commit the Churches?" - St. Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, Bk. III, Ch. 4.

Sayings from the Fathers, 11-VII-2018.

"And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation; as also our most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, hath written to you: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15-16.

Sayings from the Fathers, 10-VII-2018.

"It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality: as some indeed give one the title of bishop, but do all things without him. Now such persons seem to me to be not possessed of a good conscience, seeing they are not stedfastly gathered together according to the commandment." - Epistle of Saint Ignatius of Antioch to the Magnesians

Sayings from the Fathers, 9-VII-2018.

"God does not desire such an empty fasting. For fasting to God in this way you will do nothing for a righteous life; but offer to God a fasting of the following kind: Do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart: keep His commandments, walking in His precepts, and let no evil desire arise in your heart; and believe in God. If you do these things, and fear Him, and abstain from every evil thing, you will live unto God; and if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, and one acceptable before God." - The Shepherd of Hermas.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Sayings from the Fathers, 8-VII-2018.

On the Lord's Day of the Lord come together, break bread and hold Eucharist, after confessing your transgressions that your offering may be pure; But let none who has a quarrel with his fellow join in your meeting until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice be not defiled. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord, "In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great king," saith the Lord, "and my name is wonderful among the heathen." - Didache XIV

Sayings from the Fathers, 7-VII-2018.

"He (Macarius of Egypt) made in the course of time a tunnel running under the ground from his cell for half a stade and finished it off at the end with a cave. And if ever a crowd of people troubled him, he would leave his cell secretly and go away to the cave and no one would find him. Now one of his zealous disciples told us this, and said that he used to pray twenty-four prayers on his way to the cave and twenty-four as he returned." - The Lausiac History

Sayings from the Fathers, 6-VII-2018.

"And reprove one another not in wrath but in peace as you find in the Gospel, and let none speak with any who has done wrong to his neighbour, nor let him hear a word from you until he repents. But your prayers and alms and all your acts perform as ye find in the Gospel of our Lord." - Didache XV

Sayings from the Fathers, 5-VII-2018.

"But every true prophet who wishes to settle among you is "worthy of his food." Likewise a true teacher is himself worthy, like the workman, of his food. Therefore thou shalt take the firstfruit of the produce of the winepress and of the threshing floor and of oxen and sheep, and shalt give them as the firstfruits to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have not a prophet, give to the poor." - Didache XIII

Sayings from the Fathers, 4-VII-2018.

From the Counsels to Lausus: 
XVI. The believing mind is a temple of God which it is meet for a man to adorn daily and to burn incense therein, inasmuch as it is God Who dwelleth there.

Sayings from the Fathers, 3-VII-2018.

From the Counsels to Lausus: 
XV. Know thou that not even much time will bring oblivion upon one act which thou wouldst hide.

Sayings from the Fathers, 2-VII-2018.

From the Counsels to Lausus: 
XIV. Wine maketh warm the body, and the word of God warmeth the soul.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost