Akathist to St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr of Jacob's Well

St. Philoumenos the Cypriot, the New Hieromartyr of Jacob's Well (source)

  
Akathist to the glorious New Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot of Jacob's Well
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. O Champion General.
Let us praise the newly-shining star of the Church of Christ, who dawned with the rays of martyrdom and the light of wonders in the latter days as a newly-revealed and sacred Champion, whose body the Most-High preserved incorrupt, as we cry out with fervor: Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.

You now dance together in Heaven with the Angels, as one angelic in mind, O Philoumenos, (3) and you ever partake of the beauty of Christ God, and you fulfill all the righteous entreaties, O Saint, for those who cry out to you these things in faith:
Rejoice, the friend of the Giver-of-Life,
Rejoice, sword against the ancient evil one.
Rejoice, pinnacle of godly priests,
Rejoice, example of newly-struggling men.
Rejoice, most-fragrant flower of mystical fragrance,
Rejoice, vessel greatly shining full of the pure way.
Rejoice, for you were lawlessly put to death in church,
Rejoice, for you lawfully were crowned for your struggle.
Rejoice, new adornment of faith,
Rejoice, terrible deposer of the faithless.
Rejoice, through whom the pious faithful are strengthened,
Rejoice, through whom the enemies are conquered.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
You were the beautiful and adorned offspring of Orountos, and the fragrance of your chaste way of life filled your island of Cyprus from the years of your youth, O Father, the boast of Champions, which has been sensed by the faithful, who are roused to properly cry out: Alleluia.
  
Your island of Cyprus boasts in your sacred swaddling clothes, O Philomenos, and steadfast new martyr, and the Monastery of Stavrovouni, which nourished you to seek the life to come, is compelled to cry out to you with melodious songs these things:
Rejoice, instrument of asceticism,
Rejoice, divine lyre of counsel.
Rejoice, you who were zealous for the feats of the Venerable Fathers,
Rejoice, for you denied every worldly thing mindfully.
Rejoice, for you proceeded to Heaven in a wondrous manner,
Rejoice, for you were made pleasing to God through proper asceticism.
Rejoice, for through your struggle you are praised as is proper.
Rejoice,  for you put to rest the racing of the flesh,
Rejoice, for you lifted up your nous to your Lover.
Rejoice, deposer of the delusion of the enemy.
Rejoice, O blessed Philomenos.

You received power from heaven and were numbered among the choirs of the Virgins, and appeared as the adornment of obedience and wisdom of God, radiant from your youth throughout your life, while you ceaselessly chanted to the Lord: Alleluia

You shown among the ranks of the Brotherhood of the All-Holy Tomb of Christ, in a venerable way pleasing Him, O Father, condensing virtues and struggles, O Philoumenos, and therefore we cry out to you in faith:
Rejoice, lamp of meekness,
Rejoice, type of chastity.
Rejoice, you who gladdened the ranks of the faithful,
Rejoice, you who trampled upon the boldness of the faithless.
Rejoice, for your life was seal with deeds of struggle,
Rejoice, for your very blood was spilled in your Monastery.
Rejoice, for you were put to death at the hands of the lawless,
Rejoice, for you endured the mania of barbarians.
Rejoice, lamp-lighter of the godly life,
Rejoice, vessel of greater love.
Rejoice, joy and pride of Samaria,
Rejoice, he who Belial curses at and rages against.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.

Having fervent desire to be joined with Christ your King unto eternity, you were lifted up above everything corrupt and vain, O Father, and image of virtue, O Philoumenos, ever zealously desiring the things of Eden, crying out: Alleluia.
  

St. Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

  
O Philoumenos, through your godly asceticism, you deposed Belial, serving in Samaria at the sacred Monastery of Jacob's Well in these latter days, and from God you drew the waters of strength. Therefore, we are made bold to cry out to you:
Rejoice, Levite of Samaria,
Rejoice, mystic of the Church.
Rejoice, you who lived a life equal to Heaven,
Rejoice, you who partook of the fruit of incorruption.
Rejoice, golden woven crown of the Well of Jacob,
Rejoice, ever-verdant tree that blossomed in Sion.
Rejoice, you who lived with soul-nourishing virtue,
Rejoice, you who loved Christ with all your heart.
Rejoice, you who partook of the water of salvation,
Rejoice, sweet flower of love.
Rejoice, you who gladden the ranks of the faithful,
Rejoice, you who support our faith.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
O divine healer of the Creator, you beheld the Uncreated Light, O Philoumenos, as a zealous one among Venerable Men, and you became a new and unassailable treasure of the Martyrs. Therefore, we who honor your memory, cry out to the God of all: Alleluia.
  
You were shown to be equal to the Martyrs who had shown forth in ancient times, O New Martyr Philoumenos, as you were put to death by lawless hands in these latter days, showing that Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever, as we are compelled to cry out:
Rejoice, you who destroy him who corrupts everything,
Rejoice, deliverance of the people of the Lord.
Rejoice, fellow cause of heavenly joy,
Rejoice, fellow bearer of godly wisdom.
Rejoice, for you mystically sanctify those who call upon you,
Rejoice, for you ceaselessly bless those who hymn you.
Rejoice, newly-founded tower of the Church,
Rejoice, newly-planted tree of chastity.
Rejoice, namesake of friendship with Christ,
Rejoice, worm that afflicts the terribly dangerous enemy.
Rejoice, divine lamb of the faith,
Rejoice, new lamp of love.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
O Philoumenos, you were offered to Christ as a new and spotless burnt sacrifice among the New Martyrs, and from Him you received the golden crown of the incorrupt life, O Saint, and you ever chant unto Him together with the Angels: Alleluia.
  
O blessed Philoumenos, you shine as a new lamp filled with heavenly light, and you enlightened Samaria with the rays of your spotless and steadfast way of life, O glorious one, and they joyously now hymn your struggle with things like these:
Rejoice, moon of righteous pains,
Rejoice, horn of new martyrs.
Rejoice, newly-illumined lamp of virtue,
Rejoice, radiant adornment of the Church.
Rejoice, supporting stone of ascetical struggles,
Rejoice, for you lately were unjustly slaughtered.
Rejoice, for you gloriously were translated to the Lord,
Rejoice, for you grant joy to those who take refuge in you.
Rejoice, you whose feast gladden the faithful,
Rejoice, you whose soul shines forth with manliness,
Rejoice, you ho disperse the mania of the enemy.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
As we celebrate your sacred martyrdom, O Philoumenos, we cry out fervently: Do not neglect to entreat Christ ceaselessly that your entreaters be protected from every mania of the enemy, as they ever cry out to the Redeemer: Alleluia.
     

The Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

  
O new Hieromartyr, your all-sacred Body was kept incorrupt by Christ, and is venerated in your Monastery in Sion with fervor, as we cry out with boldness: O glorious Champion, sanctify your refugees, who cry out to you with melodious hymns:
Rejoice, grape-cluster of good ethos,
Rejoice, dissolver of despondency.
Rejoice, God-given healing for those in afflictions,
Rejoice, speedy deliverer of those trials.
Rejoice, you who pour forth the aroma of grace from God,
Rejoice, body of chastity and love for Jesus.
Rejoice, for you joined the Priesthood with Martyrdom,
Rejoice, for you shown forth with strength and deliverance among the Champions.
Rejoice, cinnamon of spotless ethos,
Rejoice, canon of life equal to the Angels,
Rejoice, harbor of the God-pleasing life.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
You work strange wonders, O God-bearer Philoumenos, for those who take refuge in you and you venerate your sacred Body in Sion, O Saint, pouring forth to all the rivers of healings, to those who cry out: Alleluia.

Wholly radiant with divine beauty, you stand among the Saints of the Holy Lands, and you ever grant your incorrupt grace to the faithful, O all-precious Champion Philoumenos, to those who cry out to you with fervor and contrition:
Rejoice, radiance of Priests,
Rejoice, light of Monastics.
Rejoice, treasure of uncreated magnificence,
Rejoice, pasture of heavenly wisdom.
Rejoice, height of vigilance in nepsis and prayer,
Rejoice, depth of humility, and steadfast in patience.
Rejoice, new slaughterer of murderous spirits,
Rejoice, divine lily of spiritual Champions.
Rejoice, you whose soul radiated manliness,
Rejoice, radiance of sacred struggle.
Rejoice, you who trampled upon the lawless serpent,
Rejoice, you who pour forth a spring of wonders.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
Intercede with the Lord on behalf of all  those who honor you, O Philoumenos, keeping your all-precious memory, and do fulfill our righteous requests of those who in faith venerate your Body, chanting to [Christ] the Gift-giver: Alleluia.
  
With the rivers of your prayers to the Lord, quench the fiery pain of my soul, and grant me divine consolation, O newly-shining Champion of the faith Philoumenos, as I cry out to you full of reverence:
Rejoice, you who bear the glory of the Martyrs,
Rejoice, you who share the full radiance of the Priests.
Rejoice, unsleeping protector of Samaria,
Rejoice, fellow-dweller with the choir of the Angels.
Rejoice, for you strengthen all those suffering unflinchingly,
Rejoice, for you speedily and wondrously console those in trials.
Rejoice, you who dissolve the kingdom of lawlessness,
Rejoice, you who cease every base passion.
Rejoice, cornerstone of many wonders,
Rejoice, precious diadem of the faithful.
Rejoice, adornment of chaste Levites,
Rejoice, icon and radiance of Champions.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
Save from all forms of delusion the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher, and all those who venerate your Body, and blossom for the faithful a wondrous river of healings, O perfect Champion Philoumenos, through your intercessions to the Lord, Whom you behold, crying out: Alleluia.
     

St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (source)

Incline your divine hand and bless all those who are honoring you, O blessed Philoumenos and steadfast new martyr of Christ, and godly vessel of sacred gifts, that they who praise your struggle might loudly cry out:
Rejoice, myrrh vessel of graces,
Rejoice, white flower of wonders.
Rejoice, fragrant cedar of dispassion,
Rejoice, beautifully-smelling cypress of incorruption,
Rejoice, for you offered your sweat to Christ,
Rejoice, for through your divine words who cast down the enemy.
Rejoice, you who work strange wonders after your repose,
Rejoice, divine lily blossoming with healings,
Rejoice, you who soothe the burning of souls,
Rejoice, you who grant us gifts.
Rejoice, our defender in life,
Rejoice, you who ever bestow on us healings.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.
  
You were taken up to the height of dispassion, O Champion Philoumenos, rejoicing to have received an unspeakable multitude of wounds, and the breaking of you jaw, and the plucking out of your eye, and a terrible death, as you simply cried out: Alleluia.
  
Protect the Fathers of the All-Holy Sepulcher, and all the faithful of your homeland of Orounta in Cyprus, O wise one, and deliver them from every mania of the enemy and terrible trial, O all-glorious Philoumenos, that they may cry out with joy:
Rejoice, unapproachable tower of the faithful,
Rejoice, you who trample upon the boldness of enemies.
Rejoice, most steady defender of Samaria,
Rejoice, unsleeping protector of the Church.
Rejoice, God-given foundation of pious Orthodox,
Rejoice, glorious boast of humble pilgrims.
Rejoice, for you bestow grace on those who venerate you,
Rejoice, for you grant strength to those who hymn you.
Rejoice, you who shine with the glory of God,
Rejoice, you who shame the senselessness of the enemy.
Rejoice, sacred hospital of Sion,
Rejoice, you who quench the fires of the passions.
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.

Your incorrupt Body pours forth grace and divine exaltation to all who venerate it with reverence, and our bodies are sanctified, who in faith hymn you and chant unto [Christ] the Giver of Life: Alleluia.

While chanting fervently of your sacred feats, we hymn the grace given to you, and we stand around your sacred Body, which stands as our divine consolation, O Saint, and we cry out to you that you might grant to those who cry out with faith:
Rejoice, divine revealer of sacred things,
Rejoice, new protector of the faithful.
Rejoice, dweller in the heavenly bridal chamber,
Rejoice, you who were filled with divine radiance of the Three-Sun [Trinity].
Rejoice, newly-founded support of your fellow struggler,
Rejoice, unapproachable defender of the pious faithful.
Rejoice, you who loved Christ along with Elpidios [your brother],
Rejoice, you who together with your brother desired Him.
Rejoice, deliverer from dangerous passions,
Rejoice, our refuge in sorrows.
Rejoice, fervent one who stands beside the faithful,
Rejoice, my protector amidst dangers,
Rejoice, O blessed Philoumenos.

O blessed Philoumenos, the newly-shining star of Christ in the all-radiant Church, (3) the rays of your wonders shine everywhere, and do grant the entreaties of those who ever hasten to your grace in faith, and who joyously hymn you, crying out: Alleluia.

And the Kontakion again.

(source)

St. Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

  

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

A wondrous appearance of St. Philoumenos

The vigil service for St. Philoumenos the Hieromartyr (source)

   

A wondrous appearance of St. Philoumenos (amateur translation)

Georgios R...a graduate of the School of Physical Education of Greece (Gymnastics), was around 25 years old, when he came to know Christ and the Church more deeply, and began to live a perceptibly spiritual life. He especially came to love the ascesis of prayer, being present throughout the holy Services, Vigils and Divine Liturgies, and regularly partaking of the Spotless Mysteries.

He was married to Stella K., the daughter of Fr. Konstantinos K...from a village of our Metropolis, with whom he had four children, and they furthermore struggle to make their home a church through their life in Christ. Georgios frequently went on pilgrimage with prayer to the various monasteries on Cyprus, in addition to the Holy Mountain. The Monastery of St. Nicholas Orountes, where St. Philoumenos is especially honored, became a favorite place of prayer.

As is known, from the year 2000, according to the wishes of our holy Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos, it was ordered that every year, on the day of the memory of St. Philoumenos (the evening of November 28 towards the 29th), a vigil should be served in his honor in the church of the Apostle Luke in his home village of Orounta. Last year (2012), Georgios was present at the vigil, who since 2010 was tried by the affliction of cancer, which he faced with much patience and faith. In the center of the church is placed a great icon of St. Philoumenos, along with a portion of his holy relic and one of his stoles, which was given from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to the Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Orounes, with the goal being to build a church in his honor at the Monastery. When they were chanting the Praises during the Orthros, together with the typikon of the vigil service, all of the clergy and the faithful began to venerate the icon and the relic of the Saint, being anointed by the priest with holy oil from his vigil lamp that was lit there.

Then, a wondrous appearance of the Saint occurred. A simple, humble, and faithful person was made worthy to see this supernatural event that occurred during the vigil, and he himself was moved, and related it with faith and fervency to the Metropolitan after the vigil, who was celebrating during this festal vigil service. What occurred? When Georgios went to venerate the icon of the Saint, this pious Christian saw St. Philoumenos come out from his holy icon alive, and embrace the suffering Georgios, and them stand behind him with his hands on his shoulders as he was anointed with holy oil, and holding him, he led him back to his seat, at which point he disappeared! What a wondrous intervention of the Saint was communicated to the Metropolitan, and then to the suffering Georgios, and Fr. Konstantinos, who was also present at the vigil, along with numerous other clergymen. This appearance of the Saint was perceived as a sign, that through his intercessions, the sick Georgios would be healed. However, the path of his health did continue to worsen, and having born terrible, martyrical pains, he departed in the Lord on July 8, 2013.

The martyrical end of this man of God, along with his wondrous faith, endurance and patience, was ultimately perceived as the deep spiritual message of the wondrous appearance of the Hieromartyr Philoumenos. With this was confirmed the favor of the Saint, along with the Lord, towards a pious member of our Church, who bore his cross in Christ until the end, showing a witness to Christ with his virtuous life, and being numbered a martyr of Christ. Because martyrdom is not just the shedding of blood by someone for the love and faith in Christ, but for a Christian to accept with his whole soul, with thanksgiving and the offering of a mindset that gives glory, whatever trial the Lord allows, as he passes through the valley of trials, worries, illnesses, being orphaned, the death of one's beloved, etc. In other words, whatever makes one dead to this world, becomes a Cross, if he accepts it, and it is thus a visitation and a gift of God for the salvation of his immortal soul, making him to be a partaker of the Passion of Christ, but also His Resurrection.

Therefore, St. Philoumenos did not heal the body of Georgios, but he showed something much greater: he strengthened this man, with the martyrical boldness of his prayer, to endure until the end of this passing life, the painful martyrdom of his sickness (the greatly-suffering body of Georgios was truly filled with tumors, internally and externally), and taking him with him into eternity as his fellow martyr, before the throne of God.

Archimandrite Photios Joakim.

immorfou.org.cy.

   

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

A prophetic miracle of St. Philoumenos the New Martyr

St. Philoumenos the New Righteous Hieromartyr of the Well of Jacob - Commemorated November 16/29 (source)

 
A prophetic miracle of St. Philoumenos the New Martyr
Note: the following is an amateur translation / summary of an astonishing story as told by the Metropolitan of Morphou (Cyprus) Neophytos (in Greek) (and additional source):
   
Once, during the period when the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was examining the life of St. Philoumenos before his canonization, a group of Romanian pilgrims was visiting the Church of St. Photini at the Well of Jacob in Nablus (Samaria). When they were venerating the holy, incorrupt Relic of St. Philoumenos, the whole party noticed a strong fragrance that permeated the whole church. At first, they assumed that the fragrance emitted from the Saint's Relic, but soon they, along with Fr. Justin (the current priest of the church and spiritual successor to St. Philoumenos at the Church of the Well of Jacob) acknowledged that it was coming from somewhere else. Following the aroma, Fr. Justin was led to the Skevophylakion of the church, where the church's various Holy Relics are kept. Soon, they realized that the source was a small silver cup.
 
Fr. Justin said "I never brought this to the pilgrimage. In a paradoxical manner it was found there in the Skevophylakion, in a mysterious manner, inscrutably."
 

The wondrous cup that received the blood of St. Philoumenos (source)

 

Elsewhere, Fr. Justin explained more in detail: "I entered the holy altar, and as I was arranging the vestments that I was using, I noticed in one of the cases there was something paradoxical. It was a swab lifted above a very small Holy Cup. I was mystified! No one else other than me had entered the Skevophylakion, the glass cases were all locked, and I held the keys. I opened the case in curiosity, I lifted up the swab and I saw below it a silver cup, on which was written the following:

"Cup with the martyrical blood which was shed on behalf of the house of the Lord, by the Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot, November 16, 1979. The cup which I drink, may you drink."

 
Metropolitan Neophytos goes on to explain how this is an astonishing and moving wonder, and that he feels that St. Philoumenos is a prophetic neomartyr, and that this message was meant for the whole Orthodox world of the modern era. We must all struggle, according to our strength, and give a true Christian witness. For some, this is a confession of faith, for some, this might be the shedding of our blood for Christ.
 

Fr. Justin, holding the fragrant cup holding the Blood of St. Philoumenos (source)

   

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

Two miracles of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr

St. Philoumenos the Cypriot, the New Hieromartyr of Jacob's Well. His scroll above reads the words of Christ: "And do not fear those who kill the body..." (http://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post_7911.html)

  
Two miracles of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (amateur translation/summary)

After a recent radio program from the Station of the Metropolis of Piraeus of the life of St. Philoumenos, the station received many messages with personal miracles of the Saint for the faithful. May this be offered to the glory of Christ and His new Hieromartyr Philoumenos, who celebrates on November 29 (new calendar).

First letter from Xanthi

Regarding the righteous life and martyrdom of St. Philoumenos, I learned of it from the Monastery of St. David in Evia, from a hierodeacon from the Metropolis of Morphou. In reality I was struck by his life, and especially his terrible martyrdom. Later, I found myself in Cyprus for work reasons, where I learned first-hand about the wonders of his earthly life and his heavenly glory. In August 2008 I was in the Holy Land, and I of course visited the Well of Jacob and the newly-built Church of St. Photini, to which was translated the relics of St. Philoumenos from the Patriarchal School. There I entreated the Saint fervently to grant us a child, as we had been married for eight years without having yet conceived a child. In reality, the Saint hearkened to our prayers, and he appeared full of glory to my brother, a hierodeacon, who said: “The children, Apostolos and Elizabeth, should not worry, for the temptation will soon pass and they will soon conceive a child, though they will try to adopt a child.” Thus we continued to try to have a child, but in the summer of 2009, we tried to adopt. Our joy was indescribable! However, our Lord's will was different: suddenly the adoption agency stopped our application, as we had just moved to Greece, and because of this the managers in Cyprus froze the application. As you can see, our saddness was great, as we saw our dream moving away! But besides this, we did not loose our courage, and we continued to pray to St. Philoumenos to grant us a child.

In reality, the same year my wife conceived our little girl, who was born on November 6^th. It is worth noting that her due date was November 16^th, the day of the Saint's martyrdom on the old calendar, as it is celebrated in the Holy Lands. Of course, before our child was born by the will of God, my hierodeacon friend saw a vision in which the Saint appeared full of glory and revealed the birth of our child! He saw the baby crawling to the Well of Jacob, and await there to be born! Our little girl took the Saint's name—through the prayer of naming—and today is 3 weeks old. We unworthy ones are so blessed, through the intercessions of St. Philoumenos to our Lord Jesus Christ, to receive this heavenly blessing.”

A. and E. B. from Xanthi

Second letter, from Moschato

To the glory of God, and St. Philoumenos
I'm glad to have the opportunity to thank St. Philoumenos in this way. Let me share with you how I came to know this Saint.

We call upon him as “The Saint of Parking”, and I'll explain why.

It was the winter of 2008 when I was in my car in the area of Old Phalerou, and tried to find parking. I had a very important business meeting at 7, and I had tried for 20 minutes to find parking, and it was 6:55. On the radio I was listening to the Church of Piraeus talk about some martyr who was killed in Jerusalem, and due to my agony, I did not give care to the name of the new martyr, whether it was Philemon or Philoumenos. Loosing hope, I then said: “O Saint Philoumenos or Philemon, I didn't understand your name, but find me parking, and from now on I will honor you and seek you out.” I did not finish this phrase when miraculously I found a parking spot, and left at that instant for my work. I glorified the Saint, and could not believe my eyes.

Of course this could seem comical, that I connect the Saint with parking, but in Athens especially, the issue of parking is a great difficulty in the lives of people.

From then on my family calls upon the Saint for parking, and unbelievably quickly he works wonders.

Another time I had a rehearsal at the Greek Odeion in Exarcheia, and as I was afraid of that area (this was at the time of a famous murder) my friend and I entreated the Saint to find parking close to the Odeion. We could not believe that we found a spot right outside the door, and my friend was amazed, having never seen anything like this before. I told her about the Saint, and she was amazed, and the next day when we had another practice, she confirmed this. The same thing occurred, and so I said to her: “And what do you have to say now?” Then she began to ask me more about this Saint.

When I told my family about the Saint (I am married in Athens-Moschato, and my parents live in Corfu), all of them believed, with the exception of my father, who doubted until the following incident. It was Holy Friday 2009, and my father had to descend to the city for the Epitaphio to lead the church choir. During this period on Corfu, the area is almost impassible. He left early, but he was looking for 40 minutes for parking, to no avail. At that point he thought, “Why don't call upon that Saint to help me, as I am so worried right now?” And as soon as he finished this thought, he immediately found a spot in front of him! He related this to us with joy.

I will tell you one more incident. I had gone to Corfu to the monastery of St. Athanasios, and I spoke to the sister who was the director of the bookstore about St. Philoumenos, whom she had never heard of. I told her about a book with his life that I had found in Athens, so she would order it for the monastery. Later the same nun related to me: “I had descended to the city with some difficulty by the car of a woman who was helping the monastery. We tried to find parking for a long time, and being without any success, I told the woman: 'let us call upon St. Philoumenos', though we continued to not find a spot. Then I said: 'Help us find this, my Saint, and tomorrow I will go order the book with your life for the monastery's bookstore.' I said these words out loud, and at that instant, we found parking. We were struck by the Saint's speed, and we glorified God.”

So as to not go on and on with similar stories, I will say that there is much to relate. Of course beyond the subject of “parking”, the Saint has helped us many times when we call upon him.

If you decide to distribute some of these stories that I have related, I would rejoice, for thus the world could learn more about this new Saint, who helps us so much in our everyday lives!!

May we all have his blessing.
E.K., age 30, Moschato
(http://opougis.blogspot.com/2010/11/mail.html)
  
For the life of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/09/st-philoumenos-new-hieromartyr-of.html.
  
For the Metropolitan of Morphou discussing numerous miracles of St. Philoumenos (in Greek), see: http://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post_29.html.
  

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

St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr of Jacob's Well

Central photograph of St. Philoumenos the New Righteous Hieromartyr, the Cypriot, at Jacob's Well where Christ spoke with St. Photini. Surrounding are other pictures and icons of St. Philoumenos and associated scenes. He was martyred on November 16th/29th 1979 (taken from: http://www.pigizois.net/agioi/sigxronoi_agioi/filoumenos.jpg; for the center picture larger see: http://misha.pblogs.gr/tags/ag-filoymenos-gr.html)
  

The Life of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr

"The holy martyr of the 20th century, Philoumenos the Cypriot, came from the village of Orounta of the province of Morphou. From a young age, he along with his brother Elpidios apprenticed the sacred letters of Christ near their grandmother. They namely studied the lives of the Saints and hymns of the Church. The Saint at the time, along with his brother left for the Monastery of Stavrovouni and stayed there for five years. Afterwards, they both left for Jerusalem. Saint Philoumenos stayed in Jerusalem for 46 years. The Saint found a martyred death by fanatic Zionist Jews who massacred him in the evening while he was doing vespers at the Well of Jacob where he lived, a loyal guardian of the Holy Places and ways of centuries.
   

Icon of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/agios-ieromartys-filoumenos-parekklision-panagoias-pantanassis-porto-lagos.jpg; more icons of new Saints and Holy Fathers available here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/16103821/)

  

The Church of Cyprus and especially the Holy Metropolis of Morphou today celebrate the memory of the martyr Saint Philoumenos the new, the Cypriot. The neomartyr was born in 1913 and was a child of George and Magdalene Hasapi or Ourountioti , and the twin brother of Archimandrite Elpidios. Even though his parents come from the village of Orounta of the metropolitan area of Morphou, they lived at the parish of St. Savvas in Nicosia, since his father had his own inn and bakery there. Together with his brother Elpidios, they showed a particular enthusiasm for prayer and read the lives of the Saints, particularly they where touched by the life of Saint John the Kalyvitis, who in some way made an impact on them, to the point of wanting to follow the life of monks. Also, apart from their mother, their grandmother Loxantra, had in particular influenced them in learning the ways of the Church and in developing a truly Orthodox conscience. At the age of 14 , the two brothers left for the Monastery of Stafrovouni and then left for Jerusalem, where they attended High School. After they finished High School in 1939, Elpidios served as a priest in different places and died on November 29th 1983. Philoumenos remained in Jerusalem and in 1979 was appointed as care taker of the Monastery of Saint Jacob's Well. While living there, on November 29, 1979 during the time when the Saint was doing vespers, he was murdered by Zionist Jews with an ax.
   

Icon of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (taken from: http://www.allsaintsofamerica.org/martyrs/images/nmphilo1.gif)

  

The week before, a group of fanatical Zionists came to the monastery at Jacob's Well, claiming it as a Jewish holy place and demanding that all crosses and icons be removed. Of course, the Saint pointed out that the floor upon which they were standing had been built by Emperor Constantine before 331 A.D. and had served as an Orthodox Christian holy place for sixteen centuries before the Israeli State was created, and had been in Samaritan hands eight centuries before that, (The rest of the original church had been destroyed by the invasion of the Shah Khosran Parvis in the seventh century, at which time the Jews had massacred all the Christians of Jerusalem.) The group left with threats, insults and obscenities of the kind which local Christians suffer regularly. After a few days, on November 29th, during a torrential downpour, a group broke into the monastery; the saint had already put on his epitrachelion for Vespers. The piecemeal chopping of the three fingers with which he made the Sign of the Cross showed that he was tortured in an attempt to make him deny his Orthodox Christian Faith. His face was cloven in the form of the Cross. The church and holy things were all defiled.The body of the Saint was handed over to the Orthodox six days after his massacre, but retained its flexibility and was buried in the cemetery of Mount Zion.

The Martyrdom of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (http://misha.pblogs.gr/files/f/427281-Filumen_ikon.jpg)

  
After four years, as is customary his body was exhumed. It was found to be substantially incorrupt and had a beautiful scent. Then, the tomb was closed and was reopened during the Christmas of 1984, when the body was found to be partially incorrupt and was placed in a glass shrine in the northern part of the sacred Holy Altar in Mount Zion. Hieromartyr Philoumenos was ranked among the Saints of the Church of Jerusalem on August 30th 2008, and hence then, his incorrupt body was transferred to the pilgrimage of Jacob's Well where he found martyrdom for the love of Christ. His memory is honored on November 29th, especially in the community of Orounta with an all night long church service." (taken from: http://noctoc-noctoc.blogspot.com/2008/11/1979-cypriot-saint-philoumenos-who-was.html)

Another icon of St. Philoumenos, inscribed in many different languages (taken from: http://www.allsaintsofamerica.org/martyrs/nmphilou.html)

  

The transfer of the Sacred Relics of the hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot to Jacob’s Well
By ARISTEIDI VIKETOU

"Twenty-nine years after his death by martyrdom by fanatical Jews, Saint Philoumenos the Hieromartyr the Cypriot «returned» to Jacob’s Well, the holy pilgrimage, where he served as abbot and the guardian. Recently the Metropolitan of Morphou, Neofytos, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, transported the relics of the holy martyr Philoumenos from Holy Zion, in Jerusalem, [where he was buried originally] to the Well of Jacob in the Palestinian town Nablus (Neapoli). The transfer coincided with the consecreation by the Patriarch Theofilos of the sacred church of St. Photini the Samaritan woman. The sacred relic, which remains essentially incorrupt and fragrant, is kept in a wooden reliquary and was placed in the right chapel of the church of St. Photini, which is devoted to the Hieromartyr Philoumenos. The Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos spoke with us with much emotion about the transfer of the relics of the Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos, stressing that it was the most important event for him in the ten years which he has been a bishop. «The Diocese of Morphou contributed to the honor of the Saint», explained Mr Neophytos. The sacred relic is clad with the sacred vestments. The skull of the Hieromartyr remained uncovered to be visible to pilgrims. The martyred St. Philoumenos suffered a terrible death, as men beat him mercilessly with an ax. «They hit him brutally on the head, and they cut his face both horizontally and vertically, so the whole top of the skull has been removed. We have a skull divided in half», said Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos. Before the transfer of the relics the Divine Liturgy was performed in Holy Zion, while the blessing of the holy water service occurred for the altar of St. Philoumenos’ chapel in the church of St. Photini by Neophytos of Morphou, again with blessing of Patriarch Theophilos.
   

The Church of St. Photini at Jacob's Well in Nablus as it appears today. The church has a chapel dedicated to and the holy relic of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr who served there. There is also a chapel dedicated to St. Justin the Martyr, who was from Nablus. (taken from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Church_of_Bir_Ya%27qub.JPG)

  

His righteous life, his martyrical end, and the miracles of the martyr Philoumenos revealed him as a true new Hieromartyr of the faith in the minds of believers. In 1999 at the initiative of Neofytou of Morphou, the service of the Hieromartyr Philoumenos was written by the hymnographer Dr. Charalambos Bousia. Iconography of the martyr is in the katholikon of the monastery of Stafrovounio, and the brotherhood of the monastery of Agios Nikolaos in Orountas compiled the life of the martyr Philoumenos. The blessed Geronda Seraphim of the monastery of St. Sava of Palestine said about the Hieromartyr Philoumenos «He was a holy man. He lived a righteous life, and that is why God made him worthy to become a martyr, giving him with the incorruption and fragrance of his body the grace of healing as an affirmation from above of his being in the land of the Righteous». The Well of Jacob, where St. Philoumenos was martyred is «a historically and spiritually important historical monument for three monotheistic religions», notes the Metropolitan Morphou Neophytos and explains: «because of the well of Jacob it is a sacred place for the Jews, and because of the Samaritan Woman and Christ it is a holy site for Christians, and Muslims consider the site holy, because Jacob is one of the prophets of Islam». The Hieromartyr Philoumenos, as related by his successor, Fr. Justin (who is from Kerkyra) «kept the Christian pilgrimage Christian, and therefore the region of Nablus did not become a Jewish settlement, which is why even Arabs consider Philoumenos as their own martyr», the Metropolitan of Morphou added that the Palestinian Authority gave permission to the inauguration of the church of St. Photini and the chapel of St. Philoumenos. Metropolitan Neophytos notes "It was the most important event for me in the ten years that I have been bishop". There was contrition at the sacred services which took place in an atmosphere of great devotion, as Bishops and priests from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, clerics from the Metropolis of Morphou, the Monks of the Monastery of St. Nicholas Orountas who had written the life of the Holy Hieromartyr, clerics from Greece and a multitude of faithful from Greece and Cyprus all participated…"

© 2001 Ο Φιλελεύθερος Λτδ. © 2001 The Liberal Ltd. - www.phileleftheros.com - Www.phileleftheros.com (amateur translation)
   

St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_QJBWU3lt8Hpvy-Y58uNPZwav7APh3HxoFhpehS4aayxSgnotuM8RPCWR4fkuVDRronmnDhaaLGY8juWTnCQ7f772z8MxHXV4zjVtRXm_fqKoVeOnoXbkJ88wUI2Lr9wQqIl4OHx2M0/s1600-h/philoumenos.jpg)

For more information see: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Philoumenos_(Hasapis)_of_Jacob's_Well.

For the first icon of St. Philoumenos larger, and more pictures from his pilgrimage, see: http://www.freemonks.gr/gallery/ProtiSelida/EikonaAgiouFiloumenou01big.jpg, http://www.freemonks.gr/gallery/ProtiSelida/EikonaAgiouFiloumenou02big.jpg.

The following post has a video from a Salutations service chanted to St. Philoumenos, in which his sacred relic can be seen, along with the Church of St. Photini: http://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_3975.html.

Here is another video with pictures from the Church of St. Photini and St. Philoumenos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSlQTn6LEn4.

For numerous videos from the service of the "Agiokatataxh" ("Numbering-among-the-Saints") at the Church of St. Photini, see: http://anavaseis.blogspot.com/2010/02/29.html.

For the Patriarchal Proclamation of St. Philoumenos' Sainthood (in Greek), see: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/%cf%80%ce%b1%cf%84%cf%81%ce%b9%ce%b1%cf%81%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ae-%cf%80%cf%81%ce%ac%ce%be%ce%b9%cf%82-%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%bf%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%84%ce%ac%cf%84%ce%b1%ce%be%ce%b7%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%bf/.
   
The Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos talks here about the Saint, his life and martyrdom, his canonization, and many of his miracles (in Greek): http://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.com/2012/11/blog-post_29.html.

   

May St. Philoumenos intercede for us all and help us!

Icon of the Holy New Righteous Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot, of the Well of Jacob (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s2162/s2162001.jpg)

 Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος α΄. Της ερήμου πολίτην.
Της Ορούντης τον γόνον, νήσου Κύπρου του βλάστημα * και ιερομάρτυρα νέον Ιακώβ θείου Φρέατος, * Φιλούμενον τιμήσωμεν, πιστοί, ως πρόμαχον της πίστεως ημών, * και αήττητον οπλίτην Χριστού της αληθείας, πόθω κράζοντες * δόξα τω σε δοξάσαντι Χριστώ, * δόξα τω σε αφθαρτίσαντι, * δόξα τω σε ημίν χειραγωγόν προς πόλον δείξαντι!

Κοντάκιο. Ήχος πλ. δ΄. Τη Υπερμάχω.
Τον ανατείλαντα ως άστρον νεαυγέστατον * τη Εκκλησία του Χριστού αρτίως μέλψωμεν, * μαρτυρίου ταις ακτίσι και θαυμασίων * ταις βολαίς νεοφανέντα ιερόαθλον, * ού ηφθάρτισε το σκήνωμα ο Ύψιστος, * πόθω κράζοντες χαίροις, μάκαρ Φιλούμενε.

Μεγαλυνάριο.
Χαίροις, της Ορούντης σεπτός βλαστός, χαίροις, νήσου Κύπρου πολυτίμητος θησαυρός, χαίροις, Εκκλησίας της Μόρφου ωραιότητης, Φιλούμενε, μαρτύρων νέων υπόδειγμα!

(taken from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9195929/-)

  
Σ υ ν α ξ ά ρ ι ο ν

Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρα, ὁ Ἅγιος ἔνδοξος Νέος Ἱερομάρτυς Φιλούμενος ὁ Κύπριος, τοὐπίκλην Χασάπης, τὸ Ἱερὸν Προσκύνημα τοῦ Φρέατος Ἰακώβ διαφυλάσσων εὐλαβῶς καὶ πιστῶς ἐν Ἁγίοις Τόποις, καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα ψυχῶν ἐξ Ἑβραίων τὴν Βάπτισιν τελέσας, ἑβδομηκοντάκις διὰ πελέκεως τὴν κεφαλήν πλήττεται ὑπὸ φανατικοῦ Ἑβραίου καὶ μαρτυρικῶς τελειοῦται, ἐν ἔτει χιλιοστῷ ἐννεακοσιοστῷ ἑβδομηκοστῷ και ἐννάτῳ (1979). Τὸ δὲ ἱερὸν αὐτοῦ σκῆνος ἀνακομισθὲν εὑρέθη ἄφθορον καὶ εὐωδιάζον, διατηρούμενον ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν ἀδιαλώβητον ἐν τῇ Ἁγίᾳ Πόλει.

Στίχοι

Ὄντως Φιλούμενος ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ ἐφιλεῖτο

Καὶ πορφυρίδι περιεβλήθη λαμπρᾷ τοῦ μαρτυρίου.

Φιλούμενος ἄρτι στυγνῶς ἀπεκτάνθη

Ὡς Θεὸν φιλῶν παρ᾿ Ἰακὼβ τὸ Φρέαρ.

(http://akolouthies.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/29noe09.pdf)
  
Apolytikion of St. Philoumenos (amateur translations below)
The offspring of Orountas, and from the root of Cyprus, and new Hieromartyr of the divine Well of Jacob, O faithful let us honor Philoumenos as a defender of our faith, and an eternal soldier of Christ’s truth, we fervently cry out, glory to Christ Who glorified you, glory to Him Who kept you incorrupt, glory to Him who revealed you as our benefactor towards heaven.
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Let us fervently hymn he who shines as a newly-dawning star upon the Church of Christ, with the rays of martyrdom and wonders, the newly-revealed hieromartyr, whose body was kept incorrupt by the Most-high. Let us cry out in fervor: hail, O blessed Philoumenos.

  

Megalynarion

Hail sacred root of Orounta, hail very-precious treasure of the island of Cyprus, hail the beauty of the Church of Morphou, Philoumenos, new exemplar of martyrs!
  

November 16/29 Synaxarion excerpt on St. Philoumenos:

Synaxarion
On this day, we celebrate the Holy glorious New Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot, of the surname Chasapes, who preserved the Holy Pilgrimage of the Well of Jacob reverently and faithfully, and baptized seventy Jewish souls, and whose head was split seventy times with an axe by a fanatical Jew and was perfected in martyrdom, in the year 1979. His holy body was uncovered and found incorrupt and fragrant, and is kept now and ever unharmed in the Holy City.
  
Verses
Philoumenos, being befriended by Christ
Was arrayed in the radiant porphyry or martyrdom.
Philoumenos was recently slaughtered violently
As the friend of God by the Well of Jacob.
  
Additional Troparion, in the Third Tone:
Vanquisher of daemons, dispeller of the powers of darkness, by thy meekness thou hast inherited the earth and reignest in the Heavens; intercede, therefore, with our Merciful God, that our souls may be saved.

(taken from: http://www.allsaintsofamerica.org/martyrs/nmphilou.html; see the link for additional information about St. Philoumenos)

  

For the full service of St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr in Greek, see: http://analogion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14309. (To download, one must register for free on the site)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!