Showing posts with label St. Phanourios the Great Martyr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Phanourios the Great Martyr. Show all posts

Thursday, August 27, 2020

"You lately appeared to us as a newly-shining star of the Church, O Champion Phanourios..."

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed, depicted at the famous Mandraki on the Island of Rhodes (where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood) (source)
  
You lately appeared to us as a newly-shining star of the Church, O Champion Phanourios, and through your revelation, you truly shine upon all the gifts of your hidden riches. Those who praise your all-famed memory cry out to you together: Rejoice, O soldier of Christ all-wondrous, who worked the struggle of piety as a champion. Rejoice, you who were nourished by the light of the Lord, and according to your name, you reveal the knowledge of things unknown. Rejoice, the adornment of the people Rhodes, the radiance of Martyrs, and the intercessor of all the faithful before the Lord. Entreat Him, we pray, on behalf of our souls.
-Doxastikon of the Stichera for the Feast of St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed

(source)
   
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed, with the scenes from his martyrdom (source)
      
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

"You truly showed your deeds to correspond to the calling of your name, O Great Martyr Phanourios..."

St. Phanourios, holding the Cross and the Phanouropita and Candles (source)
  
You truly showed your deeds to correspond to the calling of your name, O Great Martyr Phanourios*, for you are revealed to us all, you who were formerly hidden, revealing the radiance of your martyric graces, and deeds of wondrous protection, having been glorified as an athlete of Christ. Therefore, we joyously celebrate your blessed struggle, and the finding of your Icon, and we proclaim your benefactions towards us, and together, we cry out to you: Intercede with the Word and Giver-of-crowns, that we might find mercy on the day of judgment.
-Doxastikon of the Litia from the feast of St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed

(source)

*Note: "Phanourios" derives from the Greek word "phanero", which means "to reveal".
 
St. Phanourios entreating Christ, holding the Candle and the Phanouropita (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Sunday, August 27, 2017

"Being true to your name, O Phanourios..."

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
 
Being true to your name, O Phanourios, you radiantly shine with light upon all the Church of Christ, and you dissolve the night of temptations and dangers and trials, through the rays of your all-radiant protection, as our intercessor to the Lord.
-Prosomoion of the Praises from the feast of St. Phanourios the Great Martyr
 
(source)
 
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Saturday, August 27, 2016

St. Phanourios, the mighty Colossus of Rhodes

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
Ye faithful, come let us extol in song the mighty Colossus that rose up in the Isle of Rhodes, who wondrously doth stand astride the ages, alive forever in Christ as a God by grace.
-from the Canon to St. Phanourios the Great Martyr
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed, depicted at the famous port of Mandraki, where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Akathist to St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
   
Note: The following is a translation from the Greek text, offered for the many who love the Saint and who benefit from his speedy help. Also note that the meter of this translation is not set to match the original music.
  
Akathist to St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Wonderworker, the Newly-revealed
written by Nun Isidora Agierotheitissa
  
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
The hoplite of Christ of great name, who manfully deposed the enemies through formerly enduring blows and harsh tortures, and in latter years was wondrously revealed, and who works a multitude of wonders through the power of God, as born witness to by the people who honor him, crying out with odes of praise: Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
The perfect adornment of Christ, the unassailable protecting wall of the Church, the treasure and great pride of Rhodes. As you are the namesake of illumination from heaven, and you show forth divine wonders, we honor you crying out: Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Let all blood that loves God, praise the great hoplite Phanourios (3), for having been arrayed with the armor of the Cross, you glorified the Almighty God through your sacred victories, magnifying His holy and great name. Therefore we chant of his glorious grandeur, and ceaselessly cry out like this:
Rejoice, the Martyr of the truth,
Rejoice, the pillar of steadfastness.
Rejoice, the brave general of the King of all,
Rejoice, the faithful servant of the Master of all.
Rejoice, you who humbled the demonic ranks,
Rejoice, you who conquered the ranks of enemies.
Rejoice, you who dissolved the deep darkness of atheism,
Rejoice, light of Christ for those on the earth.
Rejoice, you who drive away the bitter winter of ignorance,
Rejoice, spring, which brings the knowledge of the all-holy faith.
Rejoice, the all-radiant light of the Church,
Rejoice, the adornment and unassailable haven of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
All the arrows of evil of the ancient foe, you quenched through your steadfastness and manliness, O Champion. Therefore, you ever refresh our souls with the dew of the All-working Spirit, for those who praise you with fervor, and chant unto God: Alleluia.
  
The serpent was stripped naked of his ancient beauty, through giving men guileful counsel. You showed the power of God and the might of the people against him, O Martyr, through your wondrous struggles, and you clearly proclaimed His greatness. Therefore, in fervor we tell of your exquisite wonders, and out of duty with cry out to you from the heart:
Rejoice, the lamp of piety,
Rejoice, you who showed forth manliness.
Rejoice, the radiance of the faith,
Rejoice, the beauty of the Martyrs.
Rejoice, soldier who put his trust in Him Who sets the contests,
Rejoice, the all-magnanimous friend of the Giver of good things.
Rejoice, the precious lamp of the spotless faith,
Rejoice, the honored icon of the love of Christ.
Rejoice, you who endured the fire of the furnace,
Rejoice, you who inherited the joyous rejoicing.
Rejoice, the beautiful laughter of the Angelic ranks,
Rejoice, the glory and uplifted inheritance of the people of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Having continuously the divine thirst for martyrdom, you hastened to the stadium, to confess Christ with boldness, and you endured tortures in your bravely-minded soul. As Paul you cried out: “It is Christ alone that I love, and it is the eternal Kingdom that I thirst for.” Therefore, having struggled perfectly, O famed Phanourios, you call all to hymn the true God, and to chant together with the Angels this new hymn: Alleluia.
  
Remaining as firm as a diamond, you were steadfast amidst the beatings, the scourges of your flesh, and the weight of stones, having ever the Passion of your Master in mind. Ceaselessly entreat Him, O Phanourios, that we be granted power to conquer the corrupting passions and to be crucified together with Him in the flesh, that we might live with Him, and ever cry out together out of need to you:
Rejoice, the arrow against him who wars against us,
Rejoice, the spear against the foreign enemy.
Rejoice, he who clearly showed the strength of our God,
Rejoice, he who laughed in the faces of tyrants.
Rejoice, weapon enriched by the invincible Cross,
Rejoice, you who scared away the army of demons.
Rejoice, you who endured the dark prison,
Rejoice, you who shown forth with your rays throughout the earth.
Rejoice, mighty defender of those who struggle,
Rejoice, the compassionate one who stands beside those in tribulations.
Rejoice, you who adorned the choir of the Martyrs,
Rejoice, you who make radiant the noetic heaven.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You lived, O Martyr, with your waist girded with the strength of God, wearing the whole armor of the faith, and holding in your hands the All-holy Cross, you ultimately trampled upon the ranks of the enemies. Therefore, you gladdened the choirs of the Angels, O Phanourios, as you became their friend and you were seen to converse with them, chanting together with them the thrice-holy hymn: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
The grace of the Comforter dwelt in you, truly quenching all desire for earthly things, and making you worthy to love the good things to come. Therefore, counting all corruptions of the flesh to be senseless, you entered your struggles with steadfastness, O Phanourios, and you received the radiant diadem of victory. Because of this, we weave for you this crown of holy hymns, and without ceasing, with our lips cry out from our souls:
Rejoice, friend of the Giver-of-Life,
Rejoice, lamp of the Giver-of-Light.
Rejoice, the very precious joy of the Sion above,
Rejoice, unstoppable protector of those in dangers.
Rejoice, fragrant rose of the All-working Spirit,
Rejoice, beautiful flower of the perfect faith.
Rejoice, vessel of graces, exceedingly multiplied,
Rejoice, fountain of wonders and ever-flowing spring.
Rejoice, for you ever anticipate those who are in trials,
Rejoice, for you speedily hearken to those who call upon your name.
Rejoice, the most-radiant crown of the Martyrs of Christ,
Rejoice, the protecting wall of the faithful and unbeatable shield.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Taking up the undiminishing shield of piety, and the spear of hope, and the helmet of the faith, and having been arrayed with the breastplate of the love of the Lord, you were not swayed by unbearable pains, O Athlete. But you remained steadfast as a diamond until the end, O Phanourios, hymning the powers of God. To Him you cry out the victory-bearing ode in all things: Alleluia.
  
The rotten covering of error you removed through fire, bringing forth the truth of the Lord, O Athlete, revealing the power of our God to the godless. Therefore we have gathered together in a new dance, praising your great deeds, O Phanourios, and fervently cry out to you these things from the soul:
Rejoice, the tower of the Church,
Rejoice the cornerstone of Holy Sion.
Rejoice, the steadfastness of brass and iron,
Rejoice, more radiant than geodes or gold.
Rejoice, the most-exalted fellow warrior of God,
Rejoice, you who reduced to nothing the ranks of the enemy.
Rejoice, the holy cluster of wheat granted by Christ,
Rejoice, the mystical wine of the trampling of the vineyard.
Rejoice, for you made yourself to be a sanctuary of God,
Rejoice, for you enlighten the hearts of the faithful.
Rejoice, the seed of Christ, and the shoot of the Church,
Rejoice the most-glorious fruit for the whole world.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You became a proclaimer of God openly, and the word of your martyrdom has gone forth to the ends of the earth, and you have called the nations to hymn God, Who is glorified among His Saints, and Who granted the authority for us to trample upon the head of the guileful enemy and upon the strength of the serpent. We all have woven a new praise to God from our heart, praising the Creator of all with the victorious ode: Alleluia.
  
You have adorned the earth with the rays of your lamp of martyrdom, and your struggles have shown upon the choirs of the faithful. Therefore, you fill us with unspeakable light, as we praise the Giver-of-Light, the Beginning that surpassed the beginning, and we honor you with one voice, O famed Phanourios, and with one soul we chant the following to you in an unsatiated manner:
Rejoice, invincible panoply,
Rejoice, all-glorious crown-bearer.
Rejoice, mighty runner of the Lord,
Rejoice, you who shame the foreign enemy.
Rejoice, athlete of honorable struggles,
Rejoice, most-firm worker of godly feats.
Rejoice, for you were granted the eternal rewards,
Rejoice, for you partake of the incorruptible crowns.
Rejoice, most-compassionate healer of those in sicknesses,
Rejoice, the speedy deliver of those in trials,
Rejoice, light that reaches the ends of all creation,
Rejoice, the sanctity and surpassingly-bright star of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You endured pains in your divine members, for you offered yourself up as a sacrifice, and your side was torn and burnt with torches, O Athlete, and you bore a heavy stone with your bravely-minded soul. Therefore, having been purified through these as purified gold, you ever paradoxically shine throughout the earth, O Phanourios, calling all to hymn your perfect deeds openly, and crying out to God the harmonious ode: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
Having fulfilled the law of the Master, Whom you desired from childhood, and Whom you followed as a handsome young man, eagerly desiring to drink the cup of martyrdom. Therefore, He called you to this new table in His heavenly Kingdom, to partake of His goodness unto the ages. And He calls us in glory, to enjoy the telling of your wonders with rejoicing, O Phanourios, and to cry out these fervently, and with one voice:
Rejoice, great one among the Champions,
Rejoice, greatly-suffering one among struggles.
Rejoice, most-faithful friend of the Master,
Rejoice, most-desired sin of the Most-high.
Rejoice, the pearl of the Church, shining like gold,
Rejoice, O awesome one, ever shining throughout the whole world.
Rejoice, for you intercede for us to God with boldness,
Rejoice, for you entreat acceptably on behalf of all.
Rejoice, the defender and deliver of all those held captive,
Rejoice, helper of those in deed, who works wondrous deeds.
Rejoice, the glory of the Martyrs, the beauty of the Athletes,
Rejoice, the pride of the Church, and the all-radiant protection.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
A strange wonder has been seen in the latter days, for on the island of Rhodes, as a divine treasure, your icon was found in the ruined church. Therefore, all of us, being astonished at your vision, chant to you with the honored Archpriest the God-rejoicing hymn, O honored Phanourios, saying from the depths the joyous ode: Alleluia.
  
The ranks of heaven were astonished by you, beholding your brave and great struggles, and your endless manliness of soul, O Athlete. Therefore, they place on your precious head a crown from the hand of the Giver-of-Life Who is ever worshiped. And we offer divine and rational veneration, O Phanourios, and cry out harmoniously these things:
Rejoice, invincible one among struggles,
Rejoice, surpassingly bright one in deeds.
Rejoice, joyous rejoicing of the Angels,
Rejoice, the unassailable foundation of the faithful.
Rejoice, for you cast down the uplifted idols,
Rejoice, for you adorn Orthodox churches.
Rejoice, you who fervently anticipate those in need,
Rejoice, you who speedily hearken to those who call upon you.
Rejoice, you who bring the knowledge of the Sun of glory to the ends of the earth,
Rejoice, light that gladly shines upon those in darkness.
Rejoice, for you sprung forth like a rose from the earth,
Rejoice, you who blessed the multitudes of the people of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You have become a tower of strength and power of God, and you fortify the faithful in the true faith. Your heart was therefore founded upon the Rock of life, and your feet were strengthened by His divine commandments, while you radiantly reached your end through a tough and bitter martyrdom, O Phanourios. Therefore, we have woven for you crowns of odes, and we do not cease to offer in truth and fervor to you, the hymn: Alleluia.
  
The honored island of Rhodes rejoices and boasts incalculably in your sacred Church, for from her, as a radiant star, you have shined with your rays upon the whole world. Therefore, as our eyes and hearts are illumined, and radiant with your light, we ever cry out to you these things with one voice and in a fitting manner:
Rejoice, the beauty of the Martyrs,
Rejoice, the adornment of Athletes.
Rejoice, you who calm the seas for those who sail,
Rejoice, vessel led by God for those storm-tossed.
Rejoice, the all-radiant lamp of the Giver-of-Light,
Rejoice, most-bright dwelling-place of the Comforter.
Rejoice, for you enslaved the invisible enemies,
Rejoice, for you freed the enslaved priests.
Rejoice, you who preached the deeds of Mighty God,
Rejoice, you who shines throughout the world with the Giver-of-Light.
Rejoice, you who through your passion bore pains in your flesh,
Rejoice, for through your intercessions, you cease all passions of the soul.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You were seen as a divine moon, and you stand before the throne of the Source of light, you stand together with the armies of the Angels, partaking of divine beauty in the court of Paradise. Do not cease to fervently entreat Him, O Phanourios, on behalf of those who honor your most-holy memory in faith, and cry out to God with joyous soul, he ceaseless ode: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
You have set up trophies of divine victory and fame, as we magnify your radiant and perfect deeds which caused great rejoicing to God, O Trophy-bearing Athlete. And we truly and piously praise your many great deeds, O brave Phanourios, as we say from the heart all of these things wondrously:
Rejoice, all-glorious Champion,
Rejoice, O brave trophy-bearer.
Rejoice, you who were steadfast as bronze amidst wrestling,
Rejoice, the all-holy sanctification of the spotless faith.
Rejoice, for you speedily partook of the rewards of your struggles,
Rejoice, for you gained the heavenly robe of glory.
Rejoice, you who bore pains with bravery in your soul,
Rejoice, for you partook of divine rejoicing as nourishment.
Rejoice, for you adorned the earth through the furrows of your struggles,
Rejoice, for you decorated the heavens through your joyous presence.
Rejoice, the all-radiant lamp of the Source of light,
Rejoice, foundation of the Church, and greatly-radiant temple.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
The waters of piety watered your soul, and therefore you harvested the good things of the faith, and the divine cluster of Martyrdom, O Phanourios, and having thus been filled, you placed them in the treasuries of God. And we who praise the fruits of your pains, are nourished in the heart with the praises of God, and cry out to Him ceaselessly from the lips of our souls: Alleluia.
  
You endured the dark prison cell, having beheld the thrice-radiant Light with your eyes. And you preserved your senses unsoiled by the darkness, and conversed with the Source of light ineffably. Having approached that eternal beauty of heaven, your heart was made into a temple of the living God. And we who ever venerate you and your sacred icon, in your holy church, O Phanourios, ceaselessly cry out these with fervor:
Rejoice, the divine comeliness of Martyrs,
Rejoice, the adornment of all the Saints.
Rejoice, you who partake of the unwaning light,
Rejoice, the divine lens of the Comforter.
Rejoice, for you kept the commandments of the Law in your mind,
Rejoice, for who unflinchingly walked the path of Martyrdom.
Rejoice, for you gaze upon the glory of Christ, the Bestower of crowns,
Rejoice, for you visit the beauty of the mysteries of God.
Rejoice, for you bore on your flesh the marks of Martyrdom,
Rejoice, you who ineffably glorified God in your soul.
Rejoice, you who impart your fervent protection for the faithful,
Rejoice, you who gladden all with your joyous presence.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You passed through the narrow road of struggles while rejoicing, and now dwell in the broad land of Eden, O sacred Phanourios. And you guide us, who have been afflicted by the passions, to be led towards strengthening without delusion through your help, where are the ranks of the Martyrs and the Saints. That we might joyously join in their ways and their chorus, we offer to God the hymn, and joyously cry out: Alleluia.
  
Chanting the hymn of Martyrdom on the lyre of your soul, without ceasing, you ever praise the greatly-hymned God, Who granted you the power to be martyred for Him. Therefore, the choirs of those who love the Martyrs and who love God, and the ranks and the choirs of the faithful bless Him from the depths, the merciful God, and we ceaselessly cry out to His healer:
Rejoice, the flower of piety,
Rejoice, the rose of truth.
Rejoice, the ray of the unspeakable light,
Rejoice, the surpassingly-bright lightning of the heavenly world.
Rejoice, the all-fitting icon of the perfect,
Rejoice, the exalted lamp of those who struggle well.
Rejoice, the deposer of darkness, and the guide towards the light,
Rejoice, guide towards all godly things.
Rejoice, fittingly strengthens the faithful through your prayers,
Rejoice, you who gladden all with the series of your wonders.
Rejoice, the glory and calm harbor of the people of Rhodes,
Rejoice, wealth of the Church, and dawn without evening.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
O invincible Martyr, bravely-minded Athlete, Phanourios, the hoplite of the Lord (3), you who were wondrous through the strength of God, and through your endurance and steadfastness were granted sacred trophies of victory, make us worthy, who honor you in truth, to trample upon the enemy who greatly wars against us, and to be granted in the age to come, the crown of divine glory. That out of fervor, we might glorify the Lord, and eternally chant from a proper heart unto His holy name, worthily hymning His glory, with joyous voices, and ceaselessly cry out with the Angels: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
 
And again the Kontakion.
Before the end of the service, the following hymn in the Third Tone.
You gladdened creation through the radiance of your struggles, and brought joy to the faithful through the gift of your wonders, and you astonished the army of the Angels, O Phanourios, for in these latter days, you shown forth from the earth as a precious rose, and as an all-radiant star, adorning the island of Rhodes. We cry out to you: Rejoice.
(source)
    
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

"A great protector and defender..."

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr (source)
  
A great protector and defender, you have been shown to be, O Martyr Phanourios, for wherever your sacred name is called upon, you speedily grant the gifts of your good will. Therefore, we joyously celebrate your holy memory, hymning you.
-Troparion of the 9th Ode of the Orthros Canon
  
(Source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Selected hymns to St. Phanourios



Selected hymns to St. Phanourios.

Prosomia of the Stichera in the First Tone
O strange wonder! As a wondrous light, the noble Phanourios, has shown to those on earth, as a foretaste of the age to come. He deposed the unknown enemy through his feats of struggle, and the revealing of his divine church is made known to the ends of the earth. Therefore as we celebrate his holy memory, hymning the Savior, Who radiantly glorified him.

Strange is your steadfastness, O wise one! For you struggled in wrestling beyond nature, and you were shown great among athletes, O Phanourios, and being a newly-revealed sun of the Church of Christ, though you were hidden within the earth, you were radiantly glorified in the highest, and you shine with the rays of wonders on all those who flee to your speedy help, O Martyr.

Your praised struggle, O athlete of the Lord, O glorious Phanourios, which of old you endured for Christ lawfully, was made known to us through the revealing of your divine icon, to the joy of those who cry out to you: hail O boast of champions, support of the Church, and adornment and sanctification of all people of Rhodes.


Apolytikion (Troparion). Tone 4.

A heavenly song of praise is chanted radiantly upon the earth; the company of Angels now joyfully celebrateth an earthly festival, and from on high with hymns they praise thy contests, and from below the Church doth proclaim the Heavenly glory which thou hast found by thy labors and struggles, O glorious Phanourios.

  
Kontakion. Tone 3.
Thou didst save the Priests from an ungodly captivity, and didst break their bonds by Divine power, O godly-minded one; thou didst bravely shame the audacity of the tyrants, and didst gladden the orders of the Angels, O Great Martyr. Wherefore, we honor thee, O divine warrior, glorious Phanourios.
(http://www.orthodox.net/recipes/st-phanourios-story-prayer-to-bread-recipes.html)

 
Oikos
You manfully struggled, O martyr, in unknown years, and you mindfully overlooked the flower of youth, and for the love of Christ endured a multitude of tortures and death bravely. But according to God's judgments, the trophies of your struggle were hidden unknown in the depths. On the famed island of Rhodes, your church was revealed uncovered from the earth, in which was your all-precious icon as a treasure, from which your radiant struggle was made known, and the whole Church having knowledge of your athletic struggles, and your radiant boldness towards Christ, for armed with all things, through your wondrous intecessions, you drive away many forms of dangers and sorrows, and deliver from slavery, O divine warrior, glorious Phanourios.
(amateur translations from the Greek service here: http://analogion.gr/glt/texts/Aug/27b.uni.htm, except as indicated above)



Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Prayers to Christ and St. Phanourios the Great-Martyr

Deisis to Christ with the Most-Holy Theotokos and St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s2032/s2032001.jpg)

ΕΥΧΗ ΕΙΣ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΟΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΑ ΦΑΝΟΥΡΙΟΝ.
(Ὑπο Ἰσιδώρας Μοναχῆς)
Δέσποτα Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ τοῦ φωτὸς ποιητὴς καὶ χορηγὸς ἡ πηγὴ τῆς σοφίας καὶ τῆς γνώσεως, παντός τε ἀγαθοῦ αἴτιος· τὸ τῆς χρηστότητος πλήρωμα καὶ τῆς εὐσπλαγχνίας ἀνεξιχνίαστον πέλαγος· ὁ ποιῶν ἐξαίσια καὶ ἐνεργῶν θαυμαστὰ ἐν τοῖς Ἁγίοις σοῦ, δι᾿ ὧν δοξάζηται τὸ Ὄνομά σου τὸ μεγαλοπρεπὲς καὶ Παναγιον ὁ φανερῶν ἡμῖν ὁδοὺς σωτηρίας διὰ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τῶν ἁγίων ἐντολῶν Σου Ἀγαθὲ καὶ καταυγάζων τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν τῷ ἱλαρῷ φωτί σου καὶ ἀνεσπέρῳ· ὁ θαυμαστῶν τὴν χάριν σου διὰ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων σοῦ, τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν καὶ πιστῶν ταύτης οἰκονόμων, παντὶ τῷ ἐπικαλωμένῳ αὐτοὺς ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ· ὁ διὰ τῆς παντουργικῆς σου δυνάμεως ἐνεργῶν τεράστια ἡμῖν καὶ παράδοξα, ὧν οὐκ ἐστὶν ἀριθμός· ὁ διὰ τοῦ Ἁγίου σοῦ Μεγαλομάρτυρος Φανουρίου τοῦ νεοφανούς, ἀποκαλύπτων τὰ κεκρυμένα ἡμῖν καὶ φανερῶν αὐτὰ ἐν τάχει· ὁ διδάσκων ἡμᾶς τὸ αἰτεῖν πιστῶς ἐν ταπεινώσει, ἵνα πλουσίως δώῃς ὡς φύσει εὔσπλαγχνος καὶ πολυέλεος, ὁ θέλων δὲ πάντας σωθῆναι καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν, ὁ εἰπὼν ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμὶ ἡ ὁδὸς καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια καὶ ἡ ζωή.Αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν, πανάγαθε Βασιλεῦ καὶ Κύριε τῶν ἁπάντων, ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου σοῦ τούτου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Φανουρίου τοῦ θαυματουργοῦ δυσωπούμενος, ἔπιδε ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς τοὺς εὐλαβῶς αὐτὸν τιμῶντας καὶ πρέσβυν αὐτὸν πρὸς Σὲ δυνατὸν προβαλλομένους· καὶ δὸς ἡμῖν τὸν φωτισμὸν τῆς χάριτός σου· ἀξίωσον ἡμᾶς πορεύεσθαι ἐν τῇ τρίβῳ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου, τοῦ ἐπιγνῶναι τὸ θέλημά σου τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ τέλειον, φανέρωσον ἡμῖν ὁδοὺς σωτηρίας· ὑπόδειξον ἡμῖν τρόπους μετανοίας, ἵνα ἐν τούτοις εὐαρεστήσωμέν σοι, τὸ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν συμφέρον ἐργαζόμενοι· ἀποκάλυψον ἡμῖν τοὺς θησαυροὺς τῆς γνώσεώς σου, ἵνα τούτους ζητοῦντες, σοι προσπίπτωμεν ἐν πίστει, τῇ ἀενάῳ πηγῇ τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν· δίδαξον ἡμᾶς τὴν σὴν ἀλήθειαν, τὴν δὲ καρδίαν ἡμῶν ποίησον σκήνωμα φωτεινὸν τοῦ Πνεύματός σου τοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ δοχεῖον καθαρὸν τῆς χάριτός σου· ἵνα σὺν πᾶσι τοῖς ἀπ᾿ αἰώνων Ἁγίοις σου σὲ δοξολογῶμεν Φωτοδότα Κύριε τὸν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐνδοξαζόμενον καὶ σοὶ τὴν τιμὴν καὶ τὴν προσκυνήσιν ἀναπέμπωμεν, σὺν τῷ ἀνάρχῳ σου Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Παναγίῳ καὶ Ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σοῦ Πνεύματι, πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
(taken from: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2009/08/27_25.html; see the link for Engomia, Evlogitaria, and other offerings to the Saint, and see: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2009/08/27.html for the Akathist to the Saint; all of which are in Greek)
Icon of St. Phanourios the Great-Martyr and Newly-revealed of Rhodes - Commemorated on August 27th (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)
  
A Prayer to the Holy Great-martyr Phanourios (amateur translation)
(by Nun Isidora)
Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, the maker of light and source and fount of wisdom and knowledge, the cause of all that is good, the fullness of goodness and the incomprehensible sea of compassion, Who does excellent things and works wonders in His Saints, by whom Your magnificent and All-holy Name is glorified, Who reveals to us the ways of salvation by the knowledge of Your holy commandments, O Good One, and shines upon our souls with Your gladsome and un-waning light, You Whose grace is wondrous through all Your Saints, Your chosen and faithful stewards, to all those who call upon them with their whole heart, who through Your all-working power working awesome and paradoxical wonders, of which there is no number, Who through your Holy Great-martyr Phanourios the newly-revealed, revealed that which was hidden from us and reveals them speedily, Who teaches us to ask faithfully in humility, that richly You may give according to Your compassionate and all-merciful nature, Who wishes that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, Who said that “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life”. Do therefore now, all-good King and Lord of all, by this Your Holy Great-martyr Phanourios the wonderworker whom we entreat, bestow upon us who faithfully honor him, an intercessor towards You armed with Your strength, and grant to us the illumination of Your grace, make us worthy to walk in the paths of Your commandments, to come to the knowledge of Your good and complete will, reveal to us the paths of salvation, show to us the way of repentance, that pleasing You through these, Who works what is beneficial to our souls, reveal to us the treasures of Your knowledge, that to those seeking these, we who entreat You in faith, make our heart the dwelling of Your bright Holy Spirit and a receptacle of Your grace, so that with all Your Saints from the ages we may glorify You O Light-giving Lord, who in these is glorified and to You do we offer up honor and worship, together with Your beginningless Father and Your All-holy and Good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Icon of St. Phanourios (taken from: http://christopherklitou.com/icon_27_aug_phanourius.htm)

Prayer for the Blessing of the Phanouropita
O Lord, Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Bread, the munificent Bestower of the food that abideth unto eternity, the Giver of good things, Who through Elias didst cause miraculous sustenance to gush forth, the Hope of the hopeless, the Help of the helpless, and the Salvation of our souls: Bless these gifts and those who have offered them unto Thee, to Thy glory and in honor of the Great-martyr Phanourios, Grant, O Good One, unto those who have prepared these gifts [names may be inserted here] all Thine earthly and Heavenly good things. Gladden them in joy with Thy countenance, and show them the paths to salvation. Be swift to fulfill the requests of their hearts and their every wish, guiding them to the doing of Thy commandments, that in gladness and rejoicing they may forever hymn and glorify Thy most honorable and majestic Name, by the intercessions of the Most blessed Theotokos, of the holy, glorious Great-martyr Phanourios and of all Thy Saints. Amen.

Icon of St. Phanourios with scenes from his life and martyrdom (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Apolytikion (Troparion) - Tone 4
A heavenly song of praise is chanted radiantly upon the earth; the company of Angels now joyfully celebrateth an earthly festival, and from on high with hymns they praise thy contests, and from below the Church doth proclaim the Heavenly glory which thou hast found by thy labors and struggles, O glorious Phanourios.

Kontakion - Tone 3
Thou didst save the Priests from an ungodly captivity, and didst break their bonds by Divine power, O godly-minded one; thou didst bravely shame the audacity of the tyrants, and didst gladden the orders of the Angels, O Great Martyr. Wherefore, we honor thee, O divine warrior, glorious Phanourios.
(taken from: http://www.orthodox.net/saints/st-phanourios-life-hymns.html; see this link for the life of the Saint)

St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed, holding the Holy Cross, the Candle, and the Phanouropita that is offered out of love in his memory and in thanksgiving for his intercessions to Christ (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Newly-Revealed Saints of the Orthodox Church

This most likely has been said elsewhere, and more eloquently, but one of the most wondrous aspects of the Orthodox Church, is that She is truly alive (as Christ Is Alive, and will be with us always) and is still producing saints. Many of these holy ones had been forgotten by time and by their fellow humans, but Christ continues to be revealed as "wondrous among His saints". In the future I hope to include more details on them in the future, but you can also search online for more info on them. These are all saints that were unknown until they began to appear and work miracles.

Some of the Newly-revealed Saints (previously unknown or forgotten by the Church, listed below in no particular order):
-St. Phanourios the Great Martyr
-Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene (and those martyred with them) of Lesvos
-St. Ephraim of Nea Makri
-The Holy Ten Martyrs of Megara
-"Oi Agioi Fanentes" ("The Holy Revealed Ones") of Kefalonia
-The Holy Righteous Martyrs of the Monastery of Ntaou, Penteli
-St. Jacob of Hamatoura
-The Newly-revealed Martyrs of Romania (Sts. Zoticus, Atallus, Camisius and Philip)
-St. Evdokimos of Vatopedi
-St. Xenia of Kalamata
-St. Nicholas of Ichthys
-St. Vlasios of Sklavaina

More info on some of them are included below, or on other posts.

-Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene (among others) martyred with them in Thermi, Mytilene (Lesvos, Greece) on April 9th 1463 (though their feast is celebrated the Tuesday of Bright Week.

Icon of the Holy Newly-revealed Martyrs of Thermi, Lesvos (Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, Irene, and others) (Icon courtesy of http://www.eikonografos.com/ used with permission)
  
From GOArch.org (Taken from Holy Transfiguration Monastery):
"Reading:
On the island of Mytilene (Lesbos in ancient times), near the village of Therme, the villagers had a custom of ascending a certain hill on this day to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the ruins of a small chapel, although no one knew whence the tradition sprang. In the year 1959, certain villagers began seeing persons who spoke to them, first in dreams, then awake, both by day and by night. Through these wondrous appearances, which were given to many people independently, the holy Martyrs Raphael, Archimandrite of the ancient monastery, and Nicholas, his deacon, together with other Saints who had been martyred on the island, told the villagers the whole account of their martyrdom, which had taken place at the hands of the Moslem Turks ten years after the fall of Constantinople, in 1463. The twelve-year-old Irene had been tortured, then burned alive in a large earthenware jar in the presence of her parents. On Tuesday of Renewal Week, Saint Raphael had been tied to a tree and his head sawn off through his jaws; Saint Nicholas had died at the sight of this. Although the feast is celebrated today because it is the day of their martyrdom, through the appearances of the Saints as living persons five hundred years after their martyrdom, it is also a singular testimony to the Resurrection of Christ.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
On Lesbos, ye strove in contest for the sake of Christ God; ye also have hallowed her with the discovery of your relics, O blessed ones. O God-bearer Raphael, with thee, we all honour Nicholas the deacon and Irene the chaste virgin, as our divine protectors, who now intercede with the Lord.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Ye shone on the world like stars first as ascetics, then as athletes slain for Christ, and were translated to the heights through the great torments that ye endured; and them that praise you, ye keep and protect, O Saints."
(taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=1045&PCode=1PT&D=T&date=4/21/2009)
  
Additional Links:
-St. Ephraim the New Hieromartyr of Nea Makri (Attica, Greece), whose feastday is May 5th (Note: Dates given are in the New Calendar)

Icon of St. Ephraim the New Hieromartyr of Nea Makri (Icon courtesy of http://www.eikonografos.com/ used with permission)
From http://agiosefraim.netfirms.com/, Wikipedia, and http://greecepilgrimage.blogspot.com/2008/06/day-4-st-ephraim-and-island-of-tinos.html:
Saint Efraim was born on 14 September 1384 at Trikala place in Greece. He had 7 brothers and sisters and his official name was Constantine Morfis. At the age of 14, after his mother's advice, to flee the forced military participation from the Turks ( Greece was under Turkish military command), he went to a Greek Orthodox Monastery at Mount Amomos in Attica state, which was called the "Monastery of the Annunciation". He eventually served as a monk and then as a priest. In 1424, the monastery was invaded by Turkish forces, who killed all the monastery priests and monks. St Efraim was out of the monastery at the time at his cave in the mountain praying, and when he returned, he saw his teachers and all the people at the monastery slaughtered. He buried them all, cried deeply and prayed for their souls. On the 14th of September 1425, the barbarians came again and found Saint Efraim at the Monastery. They arrested him and tortured him for 8 1/2 months with great anger, like the same torture which they did to the Saints George, Demetrios, etc. Finally they tied him to an old mullberry tree upside down. They pierced his belly with a big flaming stick, and finally, transfixed his body with iron nails. Saint Efraim, despite the flames which were burning his body, was praying to God. He finally left his last breath on 5th May 1426 at 9 am , killed with force and range by the Turks. He was only 42 years old.
In 1950, St. Ephraim appeared to a nun (Makaria) who had moved to the ruined monastery of Amomos (in order to help rebuild the church). He revealed to her where to dig for his relics, along with the story of his martyrdom. The monastery which currently houses the Saint's relics, along with the mullberry tree where the Saint was martyred, has become a great site of pilgrimage in Greece, and St. Ephraim continues to work many miracles.


(His Apolytikion in Greek)
ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙΟ Ἦχος α’ Τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτης
Ἐν ὄρει τῶν Ἀμῶμων ὥσπερ ἥλιος ἐλάμψας καί μαρτυρικῶς, Θεοφόρε, πρός Θεόν ἐξεδήμησας, βαρβάρων ὑποστάς ἐπιδρομάς, Ἐφραίμ Μεγαλομάρτυς τοῦ Χριστοῦ , διά τοῦτο ἀναβλύζεις χάριν ἀεί, τοῖς εὐλαβῶς βοῶσι σοι, δόξα τῷ δεδωκότι σοι ἰσχύν, δόξα τῷ σέ θαυμαστώσαντι, δόξα τῷ ἐνεργοῦντι διά Σοῦ, πᾶσιν ἰάματα.

This icon is apparently the last icon written by Photi Kontouglou. He prayed to St. Ephraim to reveal himself to the iconographer in order to properly depict him. This (as you can see from the icon above) is the prototype for all other icons of St. Ephraim. (taken from: http://greecepilgrimage.blogspot.com/2008/06/day-4-st-ephraim-and-island-of-tinos.html)
  
See the following posts for information on the life of St. Ephraim (http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/05/st-ephraim-great-martyr-of-nea-makri.html) and on the Uncovering of St. Ephraim's Relics (http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/01/uncovering-of-holy-relics-of-st-ephraim.html)
  
-St. Phanourios the Newly-revealed Great-martyr of Rhodes (Greece), whose feastday is August 27th.

Icon of St. Phanourios the Great Martyr with scenes from his life (Icon courtesy of http://www.eikonografos.com/ used with permission)
From http://www.orthodox.net/saints/st-phanourios-life-hymns.html:
Life Of The Great Martyr Phanourios
Newly revealed, of R
hodes
Apolytikion (Troparion). Tone 4.
A heavenly song of praise is chanted radiantly upon the earth; the company of Angels now joyfully celebrateth an earthly festival, and from on high with hymns they praise thy contests, and from below the Church doth proclaim the Heavenly glory which thou hast found by thy labors and struggles, O glorious Phanourios.

Kontakion. Tone 3.Thou didst save the Priests from an ungodly captivity, and didst break their bonds by Divine power, O godly-minded one; thou didst bravely shame the audacity of the tyrants, and didst gladden the orders of the Angels, O Great Martyr. Wherefore, we honor thee, O divine warrior, glorious Phanourios.
  
"Phanourios bestoweth light upon all the faithful, Even though he long lay in the darkness of the earth."
  
From when Phanourios, the splendid athlete of the Lord and invincible martyr, came, and of what parentage he was, and even in what age he lived and under the reign of which emperors he waged his struggle and fought his fight, we have been unable to ascertain; for the account of his life has been lost owing to the vicissitudes of time, as many other things also have been lost or become obscure and unclear.

This only do we know, that when the Hagarenes ruled the renowned isle of Rhodes, having conquered it because of our sins, he that became ruler of the island wished to rebuild the ramparts of the city that past sieges had ravaged. On the outskirts of the fortress were several ruined dwellings, that had been abandoned by reason of their association with the old fortress, which was located a furlong to the south. From the ruins the Hagarenes were wont to gather stones for their construction.

It so happened that, while excavating and reinforcing that place, they discovered a most beautiful church, which was partly buried in ruins. Excavating as far as the floor of the temple, they found many holy icons, all decayed and crumbling, yet the icon of the holy Phanourios was whole and entire; indeed, it seemed as though it had been painted but that very day. And when this all-venerable temple was uncovered, together with its sacred icons, the hierarch of that place, Nilus by name, a man of great sanctity and learning, came and read the inscription of the icon, which said, "The Holy Phanourios."

The saint was depicted upon the icon as follows: He was shown as a young man, arrayed as a soldier, holding a cross in his right hand, and at the upper part of the cross there was a lighted taper. Round about the perimeter of the icon were twelve scenes from the only one's martyrdom, which showed the saint being examined before the magistrate; then in the midst of a multitude of soldiers, who were beating him about the mouth and head with stones; then stretched out upon the ground while the soldiers flogged him; then, stripped naked while they rent his flesh with iron hooks; then incarcerated in a dungeon, and again standing before the tyrant's tribunal; then being burned with candles; then bound to a rack; then cast amidst wild beasts; then crushed with a great rock; then standing before idols holding burning coals in his hands, whilst a demon nearby wept and lamented; and finally he is shown standing erect in the midst of a fiery furnace, his hands, as were, uplifted towards Heaven.

From the twelve scenes depicted upon the icon, the holy hierarch perceived that the saint was a martyr. Then straightway that good and pious man sent deputation's to the rulers of that place, asking that they consign to him that temple for restoration; but this they declined to do.

Therefore, the hierarch traveled to Constantinople alone and there obtained a decree empowering him to rebuild the church; thus it was restored to that state in which it can be seen even to this day, outside the city. And it has become the source of many miracles, of which I shall relate one for the profit of many, that all who love and venerate the saint may rejoice.

At that time the isle of Crete had no Orthodox hierarch, but a Latin bishop, for it was ruled then by the Venetians, who had shrewdly refused to permit an Orthodox hierarch to be consecrated whenever one died. This they did with evil intent, thinking that with time they could thus convert the Orthodox to the papist dogmas. If Orthodox men wished to obtain ordination, they had to go to Cythera.

It came to pass that there went forth from Crete three deacons, traveling to Crythera to be ordained priests by the hierarch there; and when this had been accomplished, and they were returning to their own country, the Hagarenes captured them at sea and brought them to Rhodes, where they sold as slaves to other Hagarenes. The newly consecrated priests lamented their misfortune day and night.

But in Rhodes, they heard tell of the great wonders wrought by the Greatmartyr Phanourios, and straightway they made fervent supplication to the saint, beseeching him with tears to deliver them from their bitter bondage. And this they did each separately, without knowing ought of what the others were doing, for they had each been sold to a different master.

Now, in accordance with the providence of God, however, they were all three permitted by their masters to go and worship at the temple of the saint; and, guided by God, they came all together and fell down before the sacred icon of the saint; and, guided by God, they came all together and fell down before the sacred icon of the saint, watering the ground with the streams of tears, entreating him to deliver them out of the hands of the Hagarenes.

Then they departed, somewhat consoled, each to his own master, hoping that they would obtain mercy, which in fact did come to pass; for the holy one had compassion upon their tears and hearkened unto their supplication. That night he appeared to the Hagarenes who were the masters of the captive priests, and commanded them to permit the servants of God to go and worship in his temple lest he bring dreadful destruction upon them. But the Hagarenes, thinking the matter sorcery, loaded them with chains and made their torments more onerous.
Then the Greatmartyr Phanourios went to them that night and brought them forth from their bonds, and encouraged them, saying that the following day he would, by all means, free them. He then appeared to the Hagarenes and, reproaching them with severity, said: "If by tomorrow ye have not set your servants at liberty, ye shall behold the power of God!" Thus saying, the holy one vanished. And, O, the wonder! As many as inhabited those houses all arose blind and paralyzed, tormented with the most dreadful pangs, the least with the greatest.
But, though bedridden, with the help of their kinfolk they considered what to do, and finally decided to send for the captives. And when the three wretched priests were come, they inquired of them if they were able to heal them; and they answered: "We shall beseech God. Let His will be done."


But the saint appeared again to the Hagarenes on the third night and said to them: "If ye do not send to my house letters of manumission for the priests, ye shall have neither the health, nor the light [of sight] which ye desire." And when they had again conferred with their kinfolk and friends, each one composed a letter of emancipation for his own slave, which were left before the icon of the saint. And O, the wonder!

Even before the messengers sent to the temple returned, those, who before were blind and paralyzed, were healed; and marveling they set the priests free and dispatched them to their homeland amicably. The priests, though, had a copy of the icon of St. Phanourios painted and took it with them to their own country, and each year the memory of the holy one is piously celebrated amongst them. By the prayers of the martyr may Christ God have mercy upon us. Amen!
Orthodox Life., Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, New York., No.4.1982., pp. 11-12 & 20) "
  
-The Holy, Newly-revealed Martyrs of Megara (Greece), whose feastday is August 16th.

Icon of the Holy Ten Martyrs of Megara (taken from: http://www.pigizois.gr/)
See: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2008/10/holy-ten-martyrs-of-megara-greece.html for more information, based on a preliminary translation from http://www.pigizois.gr/.

-The Agioi Fanentes (The Holy Revealed Saints): Sts. Gregory, Theodore and Leon, whose feast is celebrated on the Sunday of All Saints

Icon of the Agioi Fanentes (The Holy Revealed Saints): Sts. Gregory, Theodore and Leon from the Church of the Most-Holy Theotokos, Sami, Kefalonia (taken from: http://axrhstou.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post_12.html)
  
They were soldiers in the 4th Century who finished their lives as monastics on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. Their bodies were left unburied for hundreds of years, when they revealed themselves to a rich man of the island. He then found their incorrupt and fragrant Relics and built a monastery in their honor. See a separate post for more information: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/02/oi-agioi-fanentes-holy-revealed-saints.html.
  
-St. Xenia the Great-Martyr of Kalamata, whose feastday is May 3rd
Icon of St. Xenia the Great Martyr of Kalamata (taken from: http://www.rel.gr/photo/displayimage.php?album=26&pos=90)
"One of the sweetest saints in all of Orthodoxy dwelt in relative obscurity for seventeen centuries until she chose, at the bidding of God, to reveal herself to a humble priest in the bustling city of New York. This priest was Father George Nasis, the priest of the Greek Archdiocese Annunciation Church.


In one of Father Nasis customary periods of meditation and prayer there appeared before him a very lovely girl who announced herself as Xenia, a martyred saint of the Church. Not only did she reveal herself for the first time in 1700 years, but she requested of the good priest that he paint her likeness, and that in the icon her hands appear clasping a cross.

At first Father Nasis kept the incident to himself, not wanting to be ridiculed. Finally, however, he could contain himself no longer. Upon telling his superiors, scholars went in search of St. Xenia’s ancient manuscripts in a vain attempt to find her name mentioned. At long last, St. Xenia’s name was found in an ecclesiastical work where she is described as having long, golden-blond hair, blue eyes, and features which made her outstandingly beautiful. She was born in 291 in the town of Kalamata, in the Peloponnese region of Greece, and was raised with an abiding faith in Jesus Christ. At maturity, the depth of her faith outshone her physical beauty.

The Magistrate Domitianos of Kalamata was taken with Xenia, and offered her a proposal of marriage. Xenia, however, declined this proposal because Domitianos refused to accept Jesus Christ, clinging instead to the idols of the ancient past. In an effort to change Xenia’s mind, Domitianos had her jailed on spurious charges, with the stipulation that she could be released if she accepted his offer. However, when months of incarceration and abuse failed to budge the devout Xenia, she was put to death. Shortly thereafter she was sainted in recognition of the many miracles attributed to her. In the year 318 the Feast Day of May 3 was bestowed upon her.

The icon of St. Xenia still adorns the Annunciation Church and, for more than forty years, has been the site of miracles." (taken from: http://www.evangelismos.org/saint_xenia.html; also see: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2009/05/saint-xenia-of-kalamata-newly-revealed.html)
  
 Icon of St. Xenia of Kalamata (taken from: http://www.evangelismos.org/saint_xenia.html)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!