The Holy Relics of St. Demetrios pouring forth myrrh (2020)

The Holy Relics of St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrhstreamer, being moved to the center of his church for the "Holy Week" services in his honor, but pouring forth much myrrh inside and in front of its glass case (source)

The blog author remarks:

"Now that we are in need, the Saint is beside us."

A Fr. Euthemios, whose robes are being drenched from the myrrh coming from the Holy Relics of St. Demetrios as he is helping to carry them (source)

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

"Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessaloniki..."

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrhstreamer (Source)

Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessaloniki, exalt and dance, shining forth with faith, for Demetrios, the all-glorious Champion and Martyr of the truth holds you as a treasure in his bosom, and, beholding the receiving of wondrous healings, and seeing the casting down of the audacity of the Barbarians, give thanks to the Savior, crying out: Glory to You, O Lord.
-Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone, by George Sikeliotos

(source)
   

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrhstreamer (source)

   

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

Metropolitan Avgoustinos: "O God of Demetrios, help us!"

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-streamer (source)

  
Homily of Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes on St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-streamer: “O God of Demetrios, help us!”

Today is the feast of St. Demetrios, and thousands of people celebrate. Many villages and cities celebrate, because the name Demetrios is one of the most common and beloved names in the Orthodox Church.
  

St. Demetrios is honored in all places where there is Orthodoxy. If we were to go to Serbia, we would meet the name of St. Demetrios, and in Bulgaria and Romania and even in Russia, the name of St. Demetrios is loved, honored and venerated.
  

What was St. Demetrios? A monk? Did he get up and leave his house and go into the mountains and crags to live in asceticism? No. What was he? A priest or a bishop? No. He was a layman. He was a soldier. And however, he became holy. What does this mean? That there is no career that hinders one from becoming a Christian and becoming holy. The farmer who works the soil, and the shepherd who keeps sheep, and the artist who directs, and the teacher, and professor, and soldier and general, small and great, all can become holy. We see, in other words, that the Saints come from all careers.
  

Demetrios was therefore a Saint. But what does “Saint” mean? A Saint means to be a hero. Not in the small and humble way that the world perceives. The world calls a hero him who takes up weapons, ascends into the mountains, and fights and kills. These are the heroes that the world perceives and honors. But above those heroes, who are victorious in battles, there are other heroes, who are a rarer kind of hero.
  

Alexander the Great, who conquered the whole world, complained and said: “I, who conquered the whole world, have been conquered by my passions.” Because of this, our ancient forebearers said that “to conquer one's self, that is the highest victory.” Someone could subjugate the whole world, like Alexander the Great, but still, however, be a slave to his passions. A hero, therefore, is he who conquers his weaknesses, conquers his passions, his evil deeds, the sinful world that resides within his heart. A hero is he who conquers, as the Fathers say, “the world, the flesh and the devil”. This is the higher form of heroism.
  

From this perspective, St. Demetrios was a hero. And why was he a Saint? First of all, because he believed in Christ, and he did not hide his faith, he was not a crypto-Christian. Whoever has deep feelings does not hide them, but reveals them, relates them, preaches them. This is what St. Demetrios did. He did not just hide within his heart the name of Christ, but revealed it, preached it everywhere, wherever he went.

  

St. Demetrios preaching the faith (source)

  

Within the city of Thessaloniki, he tried to make other people Christians. He was not at peace until he made the idolaters Christians. Especially, he showed care to children and young people. He tried to win them over for Christ, and he regularly preached to them about Christ. Whereas today a catechist might ring the bell to call the children to Sunday School, something similar we could say was done by St. Demetrios. He was a radiant catechist, a radiant preacher of the truth. Within Thessaloniki, he had gathered children, adolescents and young people, whom he catechized. A special phalax gathered near to St. Demetrios. Besides the soldiers, whom he trained like a general in the barracks, he had another army, a peaceful one, trusting in the name of Christ, and these were the children that he catechized.
  

For this Christian ministry which St. Demetrios undertook, the arms of the idolaters were raised against him. They condemned him, they seized him, they removed his rank, and they threw him in prison.
  

Among those whom St. Demetrios catechized, the brightest, most heroic child was Nestor. In those days, in the great stadium of Thessaloniki, games were occurring. And those games would gather thousands of people to watch them. There were also the kings and rulers and the soldiers. There appeared Lyaios, a huge man, three meters high, a gigantic wrestler. He was a beast, with terrifying power, and he endangered the whole people. He was a barbarian who blasphemed Christ, and no one would dare bother him. Like when a lion escapes from his cage, and everyone begins to tremble and hide out of hear, the same thing happened with Lyaios, who traumatized all of the athletes and no one would dare to go before him.
  

Nestor, however, a 17 year old child, said: “I will go battle with Lyaios, and I will beat him!” Futily they told him: “What are you doing? Do you want your death? He is wholly like a lion. Whom could you take with you?”
  

Nestor went to the cell of his teacher, St. Demetrios, who was bound in prison for his faith of Christ, and knelt before him. He sought for his prayer. St. Demetrios made the sign of the Cross over him, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and told him these famous words: “You will both conquer Lyaios and be martyred for Christ, my child.”

  

St. Nestor receiving St. Demetrios' blessing in prison (source)

     

In reality, Nestor went to the stadium and began the fight. When Lyaios saw him, he laughed... But Nestor, full of boldness, made the sign of the Cross and cried out: “O God of Demetrios, help me.” And like lightning, he fell upon the giant, and threw him down and conquered him. King Maximian became greatly angered at the defeat of Lyaios. He did not want to accept this wondrous result.
  

He ordered them to put Nestor to death. Thus, Nestor was martyred for Christ.
  

And St. Demetrios? His end was also martyrical. As Nestor was martyred, he was martyred as well. Not only with his mouth, but with his blood. This “I believe...” [i.e. the Creed] which we hear in the Divine Liturgy, is not written with ink and pen. This “I believe...” is, my brethren, written with the blood of the martyrs. This “I believe...” St. Demetrios also signed with his blood.
  

They went to the prison where he was, and the soldiers ran him through with spears, like Christ was pierced in His spotless side, when blood and water poured forth. Thus similarly, from the side of St. Demetrios, was poured forth myrrh, eternal myrrh.
  

This in a few words, my beloved, is the life of St. Demetrios, whose name is honored by all of the towns and cities from Dounavi to Crete, from Kerkyra to Cyprus, and from Australia to America and everywhere. A great Saint.
  

There where they buried St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki—this is not a myth—thousands of people would go to his tomb, men and women, widows and orphans, poor and sick people who had lost hope in physicians and medicines of this world. And all of them became well. Thousands of miracles occurred and continue to occur through St. Demetrios. And the greatest miracle occurred in our days.
  

How many years passed since then? In his holy church, the Turks had built a mosque. The hodja ascended and said the “allah, allah”. For 500 years the Turks were there. But in 1912, on a holy day when the Saint was being celebrated, the Turks fled, and instead of the crescent moon which they had on the mosque, they raised a blue flag, the sign on the Cross.
  

On that holy day, Turkey had no longer any position in the holy city of Thessaloniki. On that holy day, the children of our fatherland, with the voice of Nestor cried out: “O God of Demetrios, help us”, as the new Nestors who believed in God, conquered the Lyaios of the East. Because the Turk was a Lyaios, and continues to be.*
  

And today in the Balkans, Lyaios again has returned. And he is being supported, unfortunately, by powerful people. As for us? O God of Demetrios, help us! We are small and insignificant, disregarded Nestors. But these small and insignificant people, if we are men of God, faithful men, will be granted again by God to conquer the modern Lyaios once again. And then our mountains and crags and the bodies and graves of our forebearers will cry out: “You will conquer Lyaios and be martyred for Christ. Amen”
  

+Bishop Avgoustinos
  

(homily of Metropolitan of Florina Avgoustinos Kantiotes, which was delivered in the holy church of St. Demetrios, K. Kallinikis, Florina, 10/26/1976, source)

  
*Note: Metropolitan Avgoustinos is not at all being racist or implying that every citizen of Turkey is the same. By the term "Turk", he refers to those muslims who worked great oppression and atrocities against Christians for hundreds of years. While we are always called to love and forgive our enemies, God often even in this life, grants us deliverance from our oppressors and the freedom to follow Him.
  

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-streamer (source)

  

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

Video of the Service of the Holy Myrrh of St. Demetrios the Great Martyr, 2014

This is a live video of the 2014 service of the Myrrh of St. Demetrios in the Church where his holy relics are treasured by the city of Thessaloniki. This service, which is the ninth day after his holy feast day (October 26th), serves several purposes. One, this serves as an "Apodosis" or Leave-taking of the Saint's feast, which began one week before his feast, with the so-called "Holy Week" of St. Demetrios. Second, there is an official service, calling upon the Holy Spirit to bless this myrrh, granting it the power to heal the infirmities of body and soul. And finally, it is an opportunity for the clergy and the faithful to open the reliquary of the Saint and gather the fragrant myrrh which still wondrously exudes from the Saint's Relics to this day. As the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki chants at the end of the service: "Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God Who alone works wonders!" May we have the Saint's intercessions and protection, especially for all those who suffer or are in danger throughout the world! Amen!
  

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

The Monastery of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, Griva, Goumenissa, and a "Resurrection" by the Saint

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene the Newly-revealed (source)

   

A “Resurrection” by St. Raphael

On June 21^st 1995, 46 year old Katerina N. T., an inhabitant of Kalamarias, Thessaloniki, after a terrible car accident, was transferred to the Hospital “Papanikolaou” with a serious cranioencephalic condition: her skull on her forehead was traumatized, and her meninges, blood and soil were mixed together on her forehead. After five hours in the operating room, they took her to the ICU. Objectively, the doctors did not give her any hope of living, not even one in a million, and they said that if she would live, she would be a “vegetable”. Her relatives, full of agony regarding her state, but also with deep faith, all night entreated St. Raphael.

The next day they learned that there would be a vigil at the Holy Hesychasterion of the Precious Forerunner, Metamorphosi, Chalkidiki, where they took part and gave her name to be commemorated in the Holy Proskomidi [Oblation]. They left with souls less burdened, full of hope in God, even though the medical state of the sick woman was hopeless.

The next evening, the medical information was disheartening. Some doctor told them that the cranioencephalic damage was so severe that he could not leave them any hope, other than if she could get a “head transplant”! The mother, when she returned to the ICU after a few days, could not recognize her daughter if the nurse had not pointed her out to her!

Sunday June 25^th, they went in the morning to the Monastery of St. Raphael in Griva of Goumenissa. The Metropolitan of Goumenissa, Demetrios, was serving Divine Liturgy, and he told them not to loose hope, but to entreat the Saint, and he will work his miracle, as so many unbelievable miracles had occurred up to that point. They kneeled with tears and prayed in the Paraklesis which they asked to be served after the Divine Liturgy. They took holy oil and water. They then descended to the Holy Monastery of Panagia in Goumenissa, and were received with pain of soul before the wonderworking icon that this miracle might occur.

Daily they served Paraklesis to St. Raphael and to other saints in Thessaloniki. In the daily Divine Liturgies and holy Paraklesis services at the Monastery, they would continuously remember the name of the sick woman.

On July 2^nd and 9^th, both Sundays, at dawn all her relatives again ascended to the Holy Monastery for Divine Liturgy, and gave a prosphoro with the name of the sick woman, praying with deep faith and hope, kneeling with tears in the Paraklesis after the Divine Liturgy.

On July 9^th, there happened to also be a busload of pilgrims from Kozani who also prayed with them fervently, chanting along with them “Lord have mercy” in the Paraklesis.

The next day, after 18 days in the ICU, the sick woman recovered! The miracle had occurred. The objectively negative scientific prognostications were reversed! And while the previous days there was a significant risk of meningitis or stroke, ultimately, the Grace of God prevented these dangers. They transferred her to the Neurosurgical Clinic, from which she was discharged. When she recovered somewhat, they ascended as a family to the Monastery and had Divine Liturgy served.

She entered the Hospital again for plastic surgical repair of the bone of her forehead on September 20^th, and again, on October 10^th for another procedure on her eye and on her jaw. All of the surgeries were successful. After the most recent test, Professor F. confirmed that there was no more problem, despite her near death adventure.

In August, the woman who was healed, one night in her sleep saw that someone was knocking on her door, and opening it, she saw St. Raphael. She entreated him to come into her home to help her, but the Saint told her: “You don't have any more need, you are no longer in danger.” She awoke full of joy for the protection of the Saint.

And her husband was made worthy to see the Saint once in his dream fully alive in their house, for the first time. In the beginning, he did not understand who he was, and he was afraid of this unexpected visitor. The Saint blessed him, telling him to not be afraid, because he came for their good.

The whole family confesses the great miracle which St. Raphael worked for Katerina. They visit the Monastery routinely, to express their deep thanks to this wonderworking Saint of God.

Several times, it happened that the policeman Demetrios T. was also present as a pilgrim together with his family. He was the policeman who first raced with his car to meet the scene of the accident. Seeing her state, he could not believe that she could be saved, and however, with deep faith, he crossed her with holy oil of St. Raphael, which he always keeps with him in his car, and he entreated for his intercessions for her.

It is true that this event was a “resurrection”. Our brother and friend who is a surgeon in that Hospital ICU said clearly: “I remember at that time three 'corpses'; one of them was raised!”

(amateur translation of text from source)

   

The Holy Monastery of St. Raphael, Griva, Goumenissa (source)

  

The Monastery of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, Griva, Goumenissa, Greece

The Holy Monastery of St. Raphael is found on the verdant slope of the Paikou Mountain, at a height of 600 meters, with a view of the valley of Axiou, in the area of Griva, 7km from Goumenissa, Kilkis [about 1 hour from Thessaloniki].

It is a men's monastery. It was founded in 1992 by the Metropolitan of Goumenissa Demetrios and his synodeia, and it is the fruit of a special reverence towards the newly-revealed martyred Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, who appeared during our era (1959-1962), 500 years after their martyrdom.

It celebrates on the Tuesday of Bright Week (Monday evening to Tuesday morning after Pascha), on the day when the Saints were perfected in martyrdom in Thermi of Lesvos, 1463. Furthermore, they also especially celebrate the feasts of the Holy Myrrhbearers, and St. Basil the Great, to whom are offered chapels in their honor in the original building complex of the Monastery.

The Katholikon of the Monastery (source)

   

The main church of the Monastery (the “Katholikon”) is dedicated to Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene. There are also two chapels dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, and to the Apostle Andrew.

Special care was given to the architecture of the church which joins the Athonite form with designs from Constantinople (a central dome, four surrounding domes, a dome above the Holy Altar, choirs, chapels, a dome in the narthex, and an external patio).

Due to the complex and costly construction, the church is still not fully finished. For the completion of the church, donations can be sent to the Ethniki Trapeza 250/601365-19.

In the Monastery are preserved portions of the Holy Relics of: Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, St. Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer, and a small portion of the Precious Cross, given by the Blessed Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem to Metropolitan Demetrios.

The Holy Relics of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene treasured by the Monastery (source)

   

Liturgical program:

Divine Liturgy daily until 9AM, Sundays until 10AM.

Vespers and Paraklesis: 5PM.

Holy Unction: The first Sunday of every month, after Vespers.

Feasts:

St. Raphael: Tuesday after Pascha

St. Basil (Divine Liturgy on January 1^st)

Finding of the Relic of St. Nicholas (Divine Liturgy on June 13^th)

Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles (Divine Liturgy on June 29^th)

The Veneration of the Precious Cross (September 14^th)

St. Andrew the Apostle (Divine Liturgy on November 30^th)

Vigils (8PM-2AM):

The Finding of the Relic of St. Raphael (June 22-23)

St. Mary Magdalene (July 21-22)

The Finding of the icon of the Christ Pantocrator (August 1-2)

St. Catherine (November 24-25)

The Monastery remains open from 7AM until sunset.

Fervent request to pilgrims:

The Monastery is a place of Divine Worship, honor of the Holy Martyrs, and prayer and ascesis of the monks. Because of this, please respect the holiness of the place, and the religious consciences of the other pilgrims.

Do not come to the Monastery with improper clothing (e.g. women with low-necked garments, short skirts, pants, and any provocative outfits, and men with shorts).

The Monastery has many publications (including many miracles of the Saints) and many recordings of services. See the link below for some of the titles.

Address:

The Holy Monastery of St. Raphael,

Griva, 613 00 Goumenissa

Telephone: 23.430-20.270

Fax: 23.430-20.271

Email: agiosrafailgriva [at] gmail.com

(source)

   

Litany with the icon and holy relics of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene (source)

   

Christ is risen from the dead, by dead, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life! Truly the Lord is risen!

A sign at the gathering of the myrrh of St. Demetrios in 2012?

The Sacred Reliquary of the Wonderworking and Myrrhstreaming Relics of St. Demetrios the Great Martyr (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWpw4AH-zqu_vQkWbYzemfJm-jzZKPoOrnkiz2Wx1dWnHFBucRJpKzMgIv4p38S2ZooCgOheM-YWrwse7eESAyoxesipZ8nE83dcHX8dmGw1loUuhPjkSQc9NONyLRKr7ThNwx4enjg/s1600/P8230010.JPG)

 
About a week after the feast of St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrhstreamer, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, the Clergy and the Faithful hasten to the Saint's Church to gather the Myrrh of the Saint to distribute to the world for the healing and sanctification of all.
 
This was written of this service in November 2011:
"This afternoon, the copy of the icon of Panagia Tricherousa left from the Church of St. Demetrios to return to the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, where it belongs. After the Paraklesis to Panagia followed the "sanctification" [more properly "gathering"] of the Holy Myrrh from the reliquary of the Saint. At the time when Metropolitan Anthimos read the prayers and made supplications to the Saint, I saw with my own eyes, along with everyone else, that the reliquary opened by itself, in order that myrrh might overflow and that the fragrance might reach the second floor of the whole church from the myrrh of our Saint. In reality, it was something which I had not experienced before, and once again I wondered at the power of our faith. May the Saint be protection for all of us"

The following was written of the service in 2012:
"Today, November 4th 2012, in the Church of St. Demetrios, we again had the annual "sanctification" of the Myrrh of the Saint.

With one exception.

This year, the reliquary, despite all the prayers that they read, did not open.

They were forced to open it by hand, and the myrrh was a much lesser amount than it previous years.

There are sources which say that in olden days, the Myrrh from the reliquary of the Saint reached the sea shore. In reality, the people couldn't even gather it all. In 2011, the Saint filled roughly a baptismal font with his Holy Myrrh."
(http://www.proskynitis.blogspot.gr/2012/11/blog-post_8046.html)

Here is another source:
"Yesterday afternoon, God made me worthy to be, for the first time, in the Holy Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki, where they were performing the gathering of the holy myrrh. A multitude of people were there from the whole country, however, the reliquary with the bones of the Saint did not open. Even though the priests and the Archbishop [of Thessaloniki] tried, and even though they continued to chant, in the end, they were unable to open it. Some spoke of a "bad sign", others explained it as a technical problem with the lock on the reliquary. The side portions of the reliquary they were able to open and the priests took the holy myrrh, but the center place where the holy relics of the Saint are found, was not able to be opened. Perhaps St. Demetrios wants to send a message of repentance."
(http://www.agiooros.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=17639&sid=ae7a42396f4155c6201ea4dba3e4a10f)
 
I should say that this does not seem to be an official position of the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki. Whether this is something significant or not, I cannot say. But let us take advantage of every opportunity to compel ourselves to repent of our many sins before the All-Merciful God, before it is too late for us to do so.
 

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

The wondrous icon of the Theotokos "Axion Estin"

The wondrous icon of the Theotokos "Axion Estin" - Commemorated on June 11 (http://aerapatera.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/p9182958.jpg)

   
The "It is Truly Meet" Icon of the Mother of God is in [veneration stand] of the cathedral church of the Karyes monastery on Mount Athos.

One Saturday night [in the 10th century] an Elder went to Karyes for the all-night Vigil. He left, instructing his disciple to remain behind and read the service in their cell. As it grew dark, the disciple heard a knock on the door. When he opened the door, he saw an unknown monk who called himself Gabriel, and he invited him to come in. They stood before the icon of the Mother of God and read the service together with reverence and compunction.

During the Ninth Ode of the Canon, the disciple began to sing "My soul magnifies the Lord…" with the Irmos of St Cosmas the Hymnographer (October 14), "More honorable than the Cherubim…."

The stranger sang the next verse, "For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden…." Then he chanted something the disciple had never heard before, "It is truly meet to bless Thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God…" Then he continued with, "More honorable than the Cherubim.…" 

The "Axion Estin" icon of the Theotokos, photographed without its riza covering (source)

 
While the hymn was being sung, the icon of the Theotokos shone with a heavenly light. The disciple was moved by the new version of the familiar hymn, and asked his guest to write the words down for him. When the stranger asked for paper and ink, the disciple said that they did not have any.

The stranger took a roof tile and wrote the words of the hymn on its surface with his finger. The disciple knew then that this was no ordinary monk, but the Archangel Gabriel. The angel said, "Sing in this manner, and all the Orthodox as well." Then he disappeared, and the icon of the Mother of God continued to radiate light for some time afterward. 

The Holy Archangel Gabriel appearing to the monk and revealing the hymn: "Axion Estin" (source)

 
The Eleousa Icon of the Mother of God, before which the hymn "It Is Truly Meet" was first sung, was transferred to the katholikon at Karyes. The tile, with the hymn written on it by the Archangel Gabriel, was taken to Constantinople when St Nicholas Chrysoberges (December 16) was Patriarch.

Numerous copies of the "It Is Truly Meet" Icon are revered in Russian churches. At the Galerna Harbor of Peterburg a church with five cupolas was built in honor of the Merciful Mother of God, and into it they put a grace-bearing copy of the "It Is Truly Meet" icon sent from Athos.
(http://oca.org/FSlives.asp)
   
For info on the litany of the "Axion Estin" icon following Pascha, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/04/litany-of-icon-of-axion-estin.html.
   

The magnificent reception of the Holy and Wonderworking icon of the Theotokos "Axion Estin" in the city of Athens in 1963 to celebrate the millenial celebration of the Monasteries of Mount Athos. This was the first time that this holy icon had ever left the Holy Mountain (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZEWKh8XwFSwEtXKlkRFXygEeofIliFwnnjgV5cUgEWspRW7GHsCV8oyvD9LdXIq5YOZ01fLMac-FyIpt8ZLoLNYtlqCMvyn-XsrpYdrdX3kOyRNG8r6l5NW1RshK4nnhdmbBBSA340_0/s1600/271579-17.jpg)

   
The "Axion Estin" icon of the Theotokos in the city of Thessaloniki 2012
On October 13th begins the religious observances for the feast of the Patron Saint of our Thessaloniki, St. Demetrios the Myrrhstreamer, and also the completion of 100 years from the city's liberation.

At 4:30 on the evening of Saturday October 13th, at the area of the White Tower [Leukou Pyrgou], there will take place the reception of the holy "Axion Estin" icon of the Theotokos, which will be brought by the Holy Community of the Holy Mountain by a military boat. The wonderworking icon will be received by the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Ieronymos, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Anthimos, the Clerics, the local government, and the pious people. The "Axion Estin" will be brought in procession to the Holy Church of the Patron St. Demetrios, where there will take place a doxology and Great Vespers with many hierarchs.

All are invited to partake in this meaningful event for our local Church.
(http://www.imth.gr/inst/imth/gallery/nea,anakoinoseis/2012.09.28-deltio-typou-eorton.pdf)
 
The icon most likely will remain in the church of St. Demetrios throughout the feasts of St. Demetrios (http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2011/10/holy-week-services-of-st-demetrios.html, http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2008/10/veneration-of-st-demetrios.html), and will daily be available for veneration by the faithful, together with the Holy and Myrrhstreaming Relics of St. Demetrios, the Great Martyr. I thought to share this info with the Orthodox world, especially as it is rare that this wonderworking icon of the Theotokos ever leaves Mount Athos, and as such, this is an great opportunity for women and children to receive such a blessing from Panagia. May all those who can, take advantage of such an incredible gift!
   

Modern rendition of the "Axion Estin" icon of the Theotokos (source)

   

Άξιον εστίν ως αληθώς μακαρίζειν σε την Θεοτόκον, την αειμακάριστον και παναμώμητον και μητέρα του Θεού ημών. Την τιμιωτέραν των Χερουβείμ και ενδοξοτέραν ασυγκρίτως των Σεραφείμ την αδιαφθόρως Θεόν Λόγον τεκούσαν, την όντως Θεοτόκον, Σε μεγαλύνομεν.

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim. Without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word. The true Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Apolytikion in the Fourth ToneYe hosts of the Fathers of Mount Athos, gather today, and shout with a voice of jubilation, leaping for joy, and faithfully keeping feast: For, behold, the praise of the most pure Theotokos wondrously and awesomely is sung by the Angel; and therefore, as the Mother of God, we glorify her name.

Kontakion in the Fourth ToneAll of Athos keepeth feast this day in gladness; for it wondrously received from an Archangel's holy hand the hymn whereby thou hast ever been praised as the Mother of God, as is truly meet.

(http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2009/06/miracles-of-icon-of-axion-estin.html)

   

Modern rendition of the "Axion Estin" icon of the Theotokos (source)

   

Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

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

St. David of Thessaloniki the Dendrite

St. David of Thessaloniki the Dendrite - Commemorated June 26 (http://findingthewaytotheheart.blogspot.com/search/label/St%20David%20of%20Thessaloniki)

  
"With David of old art thou now united, O new David; for thou didst kill the carnal passions like Goliath. On the twenty-sixth, David passed through the gates of life."

The earliest written chronicle of the life of Saint David comes from his contemporary, Saint John Moschos, in his Leimonarion or Spiritual Meadow. Saint John together with his disciple and companion Sophronios the Sophist travelled to Egypt in order to record the great deeds and wise sayings of the Desert Fathers from the monastic authorities of the desert of the late 6th or early 7th century. He records how he met Abba Palladios in Alexandria and tells us the following:

We went to the same Abba Palladios with this request: "Of your charity, tell us, father, where you came from, and how it came about that you embraced the monastic life". He was from Thessalonika, he said, and then he told us this: "In my home country, about three stadia beyond the city wall, there was a recluse, a native of Mesopotamia whose name was David. He was a man of outstanding virtue, merciful and continent. He spent about twenty years in his place of confinement. Now at this time, because of the barbarians, the walls of the city were patrolled at night by soldiers. One night those who were on guard-duty at that stretch of the city-walls nearest to where the elder's place of confinement was located, saw fire pouring from the windows of the recluse's cell. The soldiers thought the barbarians must have set the elder's cell on fire; but when they went out in the morning, to their amazement, they found the elder unharmed and his cell unburned. Again the following night they saw fire, the same way as before, in the elder's cell - and this went on for a long time. The occurrence became known to all the city and throughout the countryside. Many people would come and keep vigil at the wall all night long in order to see the fire, which continued to appear until the elder died. As this phenomenon did not merely appear once or twice but was often seen, I said to myself: 'If God so glorifies his servants in this world, how much more so in the world to come when He shines upon their face like the sun?' This, my children, is why I embraced the monastic life."

Abba Palladios goes on to speak of another monk from Mesopotamia known as Adolas the Recluse. Saint John writes:

The elder also told us this: that after Abba David, there came to Thessalonika another monk, also from Mesopotamia, whose name was Adolas. He confined himself in a hollow plane tree in another part of the city. He made a little window in the tree through which he could talk with people who came to see him. When the barbarians came and laid waste all the countryside, they happened to pass by that place. One of the barbarians noticed the elder looking down at them. He drew his sword and raised his arm to strike the elder, but he remained there rooted to the spot with his hand stuck up in the air. When the rest of the barbarians saw this, they were amazed and, falling down before him, they besought the elder [to restore their comrad]. The elder offered a prayer and healed him and thus he dismissed them in peace.

  
From what we can tell from all the historical sources, including his biography written by an anonymous author of Thessaloniki between 715-720, Saint David was probably born in Mesopotamia around the year 450 AD and died in Thessaloniki sometime between 535 and 541. We don't know why either David or Adolas traveled from Mesopotamia to Thessaloniki, but both the Synaxarion of Constantinople and the Menologion of Emperor Basil II assure us that he did come from somewhere in the "east".

In Thessaloniki David became a monk at the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurius, otherwise known as Koukouliaton (Κουκουλιατῶν) Monastery, at a young age between the years 465-470. It was known as Koukouliaton because the monks wore cloaks for which it was known and which is depicted in the icons of the Saint. In fact in January of 1944 a marble slab was found in the Jewish cemetery that depicted an icon of Saint David dating back to the 10th century in which he is wearing a cloak with the hood hanging off his shoulders.

We are told that the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurius was next to the walls of the city at the gate known as Aproiton. We are further informed that there was another monastery next to this one known as Aproiton Monastery, though it is possible it could have been another name for the same monastery. The word "Aproiton" probably indicates the austere rule of the monasteries since it implies that the monks were not allowed to leave their monastery. This gate was probably located along the northern wall of the city to the west of the Acropolis which the Turks called during Ottoman times Eski Delik. It is believed that outside this gate along the wall was the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurius where Saint David lived a monastic life. Others say the monastery was northeast of the Acropolis in an area known as the Garden of the Sheep, but this seems implausible since the Aproiton is too far west for this to be considered. However we still are not sure where the gate known as Aproiton was actually located for sure. To complicate matters further in locating the actual place of this monastery, one biography tells us that the monastery could be seen from the beach. If this is true, then the monastery would most likely have to be within the city walls to the west of the Acropolis along the northern wall.

St. David of Thessaloniki, depicted with St. Symeon the Stylite (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0589/s0589001.jpg)

  
At the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurius Saint David lived a life of prayer, fasting, vigils, humility, meditation of the sacred Scripture and the cultivation of all the virtues. When the abbot of the monastery passed away, the monks of the monastery found David alone worthy to replace him due to his spiritual gifts. However David refused this honor, and instead decided to live his ascetic ordeals by climbing up an almond tree to the right of the church (the katholikon of the monastery) and living up there for three years. One source tells us that this tree was in between two churches within the monastery. For three years this Saint endured the most extreme trials like the Stylite Saints (some say he endured more because the tree offered him no rest due to its constant swaying in the high winds), enduring the bitter cold of the winter and the burning heat of the summer and fully exposed to all the elements of the weather.

It should be noted that although Saint David was the first ascetic known as a "dendrite" (one who lives in trees) in Thessaloniki followed by Adolas (for whom there is no other historical source other than John Moschos), this type of asceticism was practiced in places like Syria and Mesopotamia from which both David and Adolas came from (see the life of Saint Maro the Dendrite celebrated February 4th). Interesting studies concerning dendrites can be read here and here. The latest dendrite I know of was Saint Joseph the Hesychast who in the 1920's lived in Athens and would pray sitting in a tree in imitation of the Saints. Furthermore, an interesting comparison of trees was depicted in the Church of Chora in Constantinople in the fourteenth century in which Saint David is shown at the entrance to the funeral chapel, and is positioned equidistant between Christ Calling Zaccheus (who had climbed a tree in order to see Christ as he passed through Jericho) and Moses before the Burning Bush. In each, we witness an encounter with the divine – Old Testament, New Testament, Roman Empire.

When those three difficult years passed, after instruction was given to him by an angel of the Lord to live in silence in a cell and he was foretold by this same angel that he would "accomplish one other act of love" before he died, Saint David came down from the almond tree and entered a cell that had been prepared by his disciples. Saint David entered his cell in the presence of Archbishop Dorotheos of Thessaloniki (c.497-c.520) along with many pious clergy and faithful who gathered to see this momentous event when the news had spread. John Moschos informs us that this cell existed outside the walls of the city "about three stadia beyond the city wall", that is, a little more than 555 meters beyond the wall no doubt very near his monastery. From the fact that Archbishop Dorotheos was present at this event, we can ascertain that Saint David entered his cell sometime within the first two decades of the sixth century.

Living as a recluse in his cell and for his unparalleled ascetic feats, this Saint was considered as an angel of God by the people. Many people came to seek his prayers and many healings of demonic possession, diseases and suffering are reported. We can assume it was during this time that the extraordinary events reported by John Moschos took place.

St. David of Thessaloniki (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0589/s0589004.jpg)

  

One such miracle that is reported bears an amazing resemblance to the account of St. John Moschos. We are told a certain youth had a demon and he came to the cell of the Righteous David crying out: "Release me, O David, thou servant of the eternal God, for fire comes forth from your cell and burns me." Upon hearing this David reached out his hand from his cell through a small window and held the youth, saying: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, commands you to go forth from His creature, O unclean spirit!" After doing the sign of the Cross over the youth, the demon was immediately released and all marvelled glorifying God who glorifies those who please Him with God-pleasing works.

Saint David's silence was interrupted sometime after 520 when Archbishop Dorotheos died. His successor, Archbishop Aristeides, together with a multitude of clergy and faithful came to the Saint's cell pleading that he travel to Constantinople so as to entreat Emperor Justinian (527-565) regarding the establishment of Justiniana Prima as the new capital of the Prefecture of Illyricum replacing Thessaloniki. Archbishop Aristeides was against this, since it would demote the status of Thessaloniki and divide Illyricum. Aristeides could not travel to Constantinople because he did not want to leave the city shepherdless with the impending threats of the barbarians.

From 318-379 Sirmium was capital of the Prefecture of Illyricum which encompassed Pannonia, Noricum, Crete, and the whole Balkan peninsula except Thrace. Since 379 Thessaloniki became the capital of the Prefecture of Illyricum. Justiniana Prima was built in 535 in Serbia at the place of Justinian's birth. Justinian's novel 11 announced the imminent transfer of the Illyrian prefecture to Justiniana Prima and the establishment of an archbishopric there making it the metropolis of Illyricum. Thus Eastern Illyricum was to be divided into two ecclesiastical regions under Justinian's law: the southern part belonged to the Archbishop of Thessaloniki and the northern was given autocephalous status under the Archbishop of Justiniana Prima. This was done in order to better protect the northern territories against the barbarians on the other side of the Danube.

David submitted to the pleadings of the Archbishop and the people of Thessaloniki in order to fulfill the prophesy of the angel that appeared to him while on the tree and out of obedience to the bishop and the love of the people of Thessaloniki. After many years of seclusion he emerged from his cell and saw the sun for the first time in many years. His appearance had changed as well. His hair had grown to his lower back and his beard fell all the way down to his feet. Together with his two disciples, Theodore and Demetrios, they left during the night for Constantinople.

  

St. David censes the Emperor Justinian (http://polemarchos.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/ceb4ceb1cf85ceb9ceb4.gif)

  
When they arrived in Constantinople his fame preceeded him and he was received with much reverence by the people of Byzantium and was especially well received with much respect and reverence by Empress Theodora who had him escorted into the palace and given hospitality as if he was an angel in the flesh. Justinian was occupied with other matters when he arrived, but was awe-struck at his holy appearance when he finally saw him the next day and listened to his case before the Senate. Before David spoke however the following miracle occurred leaving everyone astonished: David took a piece of live coal with incense in his bare hands and together with his disciples censed the Emperor and the entire Senate and his hand did not burn though he was praying and blessing for about an hour. After this David pleaded the case of Archbishop Aristeides, and Justinian submitted to his wishes so that the status of Thessaloniki remained uninterrupted. Though historians mention the fact that this division of Illyricum never actually took place, they tend to leave out the fact that this was because of the great impression Saint David had on Emperor Justinian.

The Saint returned by ship from Constantinople to Thessaloniki. However, when he arrived at Thermes at a place called Emvolos (about 126 stadia from the Saint's cell), he gave up his spirit to the Lord after making his request known to his disciples that he be buried at his monastery. The ship continued on to the port of Thessaloniki, but a strong wind escorted them as if by divine providence and landed at the spot where Sts. Theodoulos and Agathopodus were martyred on the west side of the city. Upon hearing the news of his falling asleep, the Archbishop with a large crowd gathered to pay their last respects and by procession lead him up to the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurius where his relics were enshrined in a wooden coffin according to his wishes.

About 150 years after the Saint's death, in 685-690, the abbot of the monastery Demetrios opened his tomb in order to receive a portion of his relics. In doing so however, the plaque on the tomb fell and broke into many pieces. This was seen by the abbot as a sign that it was not the wishes of Saint David for his relics to be portioned. A monk under Demetrios by the name of Sergius eventually became Archbishop of Thessaloniki. He was present when as a monk they had tried opening the tomb of the Saint. Honoring this occurrence, Sergius opened the tomb which emitted a beautiful fragrance from the incorrupt relics and took care to only remove some hair from the beard and head of the Saint in order to distribute to the faithful to increase their faith and help aid in their salvation.

The tomb of the Saint remained undisturbed until the Fourth Crusade in 1204. In 1236 it was taken by Crusaders to Pavia, Italy and from there transferred to Milan in 1967. Finally on September 16, 1978 through the efforts of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Thessaloniki, the sacred relics of Saint David were triumphantly returned to Thessaloniki and housed in the Basilica of Saint Demetrios the Great Martyr. To celebrate this feast a Service was written by the renowned hymnographer Elder Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis. Eventually the relics were transferred to the katholikon of the Monastery of Saint Theodora in the middle of Thessaloniki in a chapel surrounded by icons of the Saint's life.

  

The Holy Relics of St. David, treasured by the Monastery of St. Theodora, Thessaloniki (http://pravoslavie.ks.ua/rubric/svyatyni-gretsii/article/saloniki)

  

It should be pointed out here that the current Monastery of Hosios David in Thessaloniki has no association with the life of the Saint nor is it the site of the Monastery of Sts. Theodore and Mercurious. This is however the oldest monastery in Thessaloniki (only the katholikon currently exists) and in Roman times was known as the Monastery of the Prophet Ezekiel (some say Zachariah) though more popularly known as Latomou Monastery. The mosaics inside are the oldest in the city dating back to approximately the 5th-6th century, especially magnificent being the depiction of a beardless Christ flanked by the prophets Ezekiel and Hakkakuk along with a vision of Ezekiel of Christ surrounded by the symbols of the four Gospels (the angel, eagle, lion, and bull). This monastery was not named after Saint David until 1921 when it was returned to the Orthodox after serving as a mosque since 1430. Interestingly the faithful had the mosaic of the vision of the Prophet Ezekiel covered in mortar (some say the Turks simply white-washed it) all those centuries so that the Turks would not destroy it as was their custom. During the days of Iconoclasm it was covered in ox-skin to be protected. Its existence was lost to history after 1430 until discovered in 1921.

For more on the Latomou Monastery as well as the sources for the life of Saint David, see here and here (Greek only). For a translation of the life in English, see here. For the 8th century life of Saint David, see A. Vasiliev, ‘Life of David of Thessalonica’, Traditio: Studies in Ancient Medieval History, Thought and Religion 4 [1946], pp. 115-147.

  

St. David the Righteous Dendrite of Thessaloniki (http://www.atelier-st-andre.net/fr/images/haute_resolution/david_thessaloniki.jpg)

  

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy David, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion in the Second Tone

An Angel on earth, and stranger to all earthly things, thou madest a tree thy dwelling like an eagle's nest, whence, O David, thou didst soar up to Heaven, where thou didst find that Tree which in Eden we lost of old. Remember us all, who keep thy memory.

(http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/06/righteous-david-dendrite-of.html)

  

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

Saint Akylina (Angelina) the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Akylina the New Martyr of Thessaloniki (Feast Day - September 27) (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNExKWDn2UXNDoLq5jHBIazpQCYj72C4o47ntl5wWVObfSbtLSJRg3AhM63edcEglruE4KWcMdVeHAQpKodsu0G00EH5MmUvSlFfrqxJSjU0DUi9cR0OEj1vk2PES17mMh4VUE_xrolPo/s1600/akylina+main.jpg) 

   
Akylina (or Angelina***, see below), the holy New Martyr of Christ was from Thessalonica, from the village of Zagliveri situated in the Ardameri Diocese. She was the offspring of a pious mother. Her martyrdom took place from the following set of circumstances.

One day the Saint’s father quarreled and wrestled with a Turkish neighbour (since both Christians and Turks lived side by side in this place). By the Evil One’s collaboration he struck and slew the Hagarene. Whereupon he was arrested by the local authorities, who led him to the pasha of Thessalonica to have him condemned. Now he was terrified of death and sought acquittal, so he offered to become a Muslim. (Alas, his fall!) Therefore, they did not execute him. At that time Akylina was an infant nursing on her mother’s milk. After the passage of some time, the Turks enjoined her father that he must have his daughter become a Muslim. He told them:

"Do not be concerned about my daughter. She is under my authority and I will convert her when I want."

However, Akylina’s mother remained anchored in the Faith of Christ and never ceased every hour to exhort her child to stand firmly in the Faith of Christ and not to ever deny Jesus Christ.

When the maiden reached 18 years of age, the Turks once again spoke with her father concerning the conversion. At this point he summoned Akylina and said:

“My child, other Turks have approached me daily on the matter of your accepting Mohammedanism. Therefore, either now or a little later, you will become a Muslim, only make the decision in a day or two, so the Muslims will not harass me.”

Yet the Saint, who was ignited and enflamed with the love of Christ, with great courage declared:

“Perhaps you think that I have the same little faith as yourself to deny my Maker and Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ Who submitted to the cross and death for our sake? I refuse. I am prepared to undergo the woeful torment, even death, for the love of Christ.”

By these superb and admirable statements she was not the daughter of the thrice-miserable father, but truly the daughter of Christ the Heavenly King!

Observing the Saint’s unswerving belief, the father went before the Turks and divulged to them:

“I am unable to induce my daughter to change her beliefs; you do with her whatever you will."

Upon hearing this they went into a flurry, and immediately dispatched men of the court to apprehend the Martyr. Seeing them approaching, the Saint’s blessed mother took hold of Akylina, and gave her this final instruction:

“Lo, my most beloved child and my sweetest daughter, Akylina. Behold, fruit of my womb, the hour has arrived of which I have warned you. Therefore, my girl, attend and obey my admonition. Display courage in the torments which you will face and do not renounce Christ.”

Likewise, Akylina replied:

“Have no fear, my mother, for I have this intention. The All-kind God will be my help. Pray for me.”

Thus, they bid each other farewell with tears.

The servant of the judge bound the Saint and led her to the tribunal. The compassionate mother followed after her beloved daughter to the place of condemnation, since motherly feelings could not conceive of being separated from her dear child. However those that had taken her intocustody, locked her outside the courtyard. Akylina was taken inside into the presence of the judge, who in a coarse manner blurted out to her:

“Eh! You, become a Muslim.”

The Saint exclaimed:

“No, I will not become one. Never will I forsake my belief and my Master Christ!”

Hearing this, the judge became incensed. Therefore he commanded that the Saint be undressed and be left wearing only her chemise. Then they tied Akylina to a column and two servants beat her with rods for many hours. Notwithstanding, the Martyr underwent this torture bravely.

Afterwards the judge and other Turks had the Martyr brought forward again before them. They began to flatter Akylina and promise her expensive gifts if she would renounce the faith. But the bride of Christ possessed in her heart love towards her sublime Bridegroom Christ and would not even consider their offers. Furthermore, since he was extremely wealthy, he brazenly proposed to her:

“Akylina, become a Muslim and I will make you my son’s bride.”

Christ’s Martyr replied with an immense daring:

“You and your son go to perdition.”

With these words the judge’s wrath was kindled. They tied her again as before and flogged her for many hours. When they unfettered her for a third examination, the judge asked her:

“Hapless one, are you not embarrassed to be beaten naked in front of so many men?”

He said this because from the countless blows her slip was in shreds and she was exposed. The judge continued:

“Either you become a Muslim or have your bones shattered before all.”

In refutation she declared:

“And what attraction does your faith have for me to deny my Christ, or what miracle of your religion shall I believe, since you have filthy and indecent lives?”

O fearless testimony! A noble reply worthy of heavenly praise, not from a gentle and delicate young girl, but from a valiant giant!

All within earshot were disgraced, essentially by the brilliancy of her truthful speech. They were at a loss at how to deal with her. In their rage they scourged the Saint mercilessly a third time, leaving her as dead. The earth was reddened by her blood and her flesh fell in pieces to the ground. Next they untied the Martyr and had her carried by a Christian who was present to her mother’s home. Whereupon the mother embraced her daughter who was breathing her last, and asked:

“My child, what have you done?”

As she came to herself slightly, the Martyr exerted much effort to answer, and opening her eyes, beheld her mother:

“O my mother, what else could I do except that which you instructed me? Behold, according to your command I have preserved my confession of faith inviolate.”

Akylina’s mother raised her arms and eyes towards heaven and glorified God. After conversing with her mother, the Martyr surrended her soul into the hands of God on September 27, 1764 and received the martyr’s crown.

St. Akylina’s most venerable and sacred relics straightaway emitted a marvelous fragrance so divine that all the streets which they traversed with her martyric relics for burial were filled with scent. At night a heavenly light descended upon and illuminated Akylina’s tomb like a shining star. All the Christians who observed this phenomena praised God, to Whom is due glory and power unto endless ages. Amen.
Source: This Life was written by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite and was translated in New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke, Translated by Leonidas J. Papadopoulos, Georgia Lizardos & others St Nectarios Press, Seattle, Washington 1985.

   

The house of St. Akylina, as it exists today (http://www.saint.gr/2524/saint.aspx)

   

The Shrine and Relics of Saint Akylina...The Turks took her remains and buried them in the Muslim cemetery to inflate their ego by claiming her as their own despite their failed attempts at converting her. But as it says above: "At night a heavenly light descended upon and illuminated Akylina’s tomb like a shining star." When the Christians saw this they took her body and buried it in a secret place. According to tradition, the three men who had the courage to do this were named Tsoplas, Kalimeris and Bouklas, and they promised each other that they would never reveal the location of the remains of St. Akylina so that they never fall into the hands of the Turks again...(See below for the finding of the Saint's Holy Relics)

Since 1957 the memory of St. Akylina is celebrated on September 27th, the day of her martyrdom. Before that her feast was on April 24th. The reason for the transfer of the date of the feast has to do with the decision of the locals of the village of Zagliverion who wanted to combine their two primary feasts, that of St. Akylina and St. George (Apr. 23) - to whom their central church was dedicated -, at the same time. The transfer was made in 1957, but firmly established after 1984 when a large church in St. Akylina's honor was built in the village.

A Service in honor of St. Akylina was discovered in the Church of St. George in 1969. This book was authored by the monk Polycarpos A. Giakoudis of Pantokratoras and contains the Vespers, Matins, Liturgy and Life in honor of the Saint. In September of 1969 the hymnographer Elder Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis wrote a Service in St. Akylina's honor and since then it has been chanted. In 1980 a Salutation and Lamentation Service were added.

The first icon depiction of the Saint dates back to 1858 by Hierodeacon Hierotheos of the Holy Monastery of Loggavardas (Longovarda). The icon depicts all the New Martyrs under the Turkish yoke, and St. Akylina is one of them. Also in the Church of St. George are the three oldest icons of St. Akylina. The first dates to 1903 and depicts the Saint whole-bodied with scenes of her life on her left and right, and Christ blesses her from above. The second is also whole-bodied and has the following dedication: "Polycarpou Athanasiou Giakoudi Zagliverinon Pantocratorino of Mount Athos on 1 September 1904", that is, it was dedicated from the monk who first composed a Service in her honor. The third icon is by Panagioti Anagnostou from 1913 and St. Akylina is depicted with St. Kyranna. All three icons are Athonite in origin.

The home of St. Akylina as well as the site of her martyrdom still exist till this day and can be visited, though they are run down. The feast of St. Akylina is known by the locals as Akylineia.

(http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/09/saint-akylina-new-martyr-of.html)

   

Metropolitan John of Langada venerating the newly-revealed Holy Relics of St. Akylina the New Martyr (http://www.romfea.gr/images/stories/photos/2012/05/chuck/apostoli/russia/lagkada2.JPG)

   
The uncovering of the Holy Relics of St. Akylina the New Martyr (amateur translation/summary)
Amidst a climate of contrition, and with the participation of many priests, monks and a multitude of the faithful of our Metropolis, Tuesday May 22, in the Holy Church of the All-powerful Taxiarchs, Ossa, a vigil was celebrated for the Apodosis of Pascha, headed by Metropolitan John of Lagada, Letes and Retines, who was joined by Bishop Demetrios of Thermon, during which his Eminence officially announced the finding of the Holy Relics of St. Akylina-Angelines...

His Eminence, who was visibly excited, in his homily first offered the life of the Saint, and related the chronology of the events surrounding the finding of the Holy Relics of the Holy Neomartyr Angeline or Akylina, describing all of the wondrous events that followed and brought confirmation of the relics.

He continued to mentioned messages from the martyrdom of the Saint, who with her living presence calls us to remain steadfast in the Orthodox faith, and to give our confession of faith through our participation in the life of our Holy Church.

The all-wise Providence of God, as his Eminence said, chose this instant to reveal His living grace through His Holy Neomartyr Akylina-Angeline and to strengthen our faith.

Closing his homily, he reminded everyone of the prayer of his Eminence Metropolitan Nikodemos of Ieressos, Holy Mountain and Ardameriou, the last time that he had liturgized in the Holy Church of the All-powerful Taxiarchs, as he expressed his wish and his entreaty to the Saint that her relics be found, as those of St. Kyranna were, recently.

Then spoke the Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Ieressos, Holy Mountain and Ardameriou Fr. Chrysostom Maidones, who mentioned the dream and desire of all of the generations of the inhabitants of Zagliveri that the relics of the Saint be found.

The people of Zagliveri, since 1764, have been praying that the relics of the Saint be found. It was, as he noted, the prayer of our bishop, who built a church in the Saint's honor in Zagliveri. Now, as he related, during the hour of trial of the health of the Metropolitan, that the Saint appeared and gave him this joy.

He continued that what occurred here also occurred in Mytilene with the appearance of St. Raphael. Of course, with him we did not have anything, neither biographical, neither historical facts, but at the core were the revelations. A similar thing occurred with the relics of St. Akylina, of whom we did know of her life, however.

Finally, the Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Ieressos noted that until today, many studies had been done to try to find the relics of the Saint. He said that there were eight occasions when definite information was learned that was thought to have pointed to the place of her burial, without any success, however. In contrast, in outside the Holy Bema of the Church of the All-powerful Taxiarchs in Ossa, the Saint herself was revealed and showed the location of her relics.

***It should also be noted that the name of the Saint was most likely Angelina, which St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain wrote as "Akylina" out of simplicity, and due to the fact that it was more of a Greek name....
(http://www.romfea.gr/diafora-ekklisiastika/12649-eyresi-leipsanon-mitropoli-lagkada)
   

St. Akylina the New Martyr (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0gvgNO7vf6AGfUizlG3FETusaIpBPkJDGP1CpYIxmuo2WsiekkGBcZ1leQ3Dq7BXQjK0tGj8ys8G9ccTVx9R3dzrQNYvsGxUC7sxsCKqw8p6V5qQW2aEyQyWB8cG6ThuaX2Z2h-CE0Jb/s1600/akilina+2+main.jpg)

 

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone (amateur translations below)

Let us praise the divine Akylina, whom I behold as a godly-minded girl and Champion of Christ, who watered the faith with her love for Him, and deposed the enemy through her holy struggles, and was granted divine glory. And she entreats Christ the Word that He be merciful to our souls.

Additional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone

Zagliveri rejoices in your struggle, she the village that sprouted you as a fragrant flower, O most-comely virgin of Christ Akylina, for you struggled steadfastly, and received from God the crown of incorruption. Entreat ceaselessly that He be merciful to our souls.

(http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/09/saint-akylina-new-martyr-of.html)

   

Icon depicting Sts. Kyranna and Akylina the New Martyrs, whose Holy Relics the Lord was well-pleased to reveal in our days near the Church of the Holy Taxiarchs, Ossa (source)

  

Sts. Kyranna and Akylina the New Martyrs (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Truly the Lord is risen!