Modern Miracles of St. Charalambos in Pyrgou

St. Charalambos the Hieromartyr - Commemorated on February 10th (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Modern Miracles of St. Charalambos, patron Saint of Pyrgou of Eleias

The saving of the inhabitants of Pyrgou from the terrible threat of plague in 1860. This sickness was disbanded by St. Charalambos after fervent prayer and supplication towards him. In fact the people of Pyrgou saw an astounding sight. The Saint with a staff drove away a white cloud like cotton into the sky until he threw it into the sea. This was the sickness which the Saint banished. And in other places the presence of St. Charalambos appeared driving away the plague, such as in Thessaly in Savalia and Demetsana, where they renamed the Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos after St. Charalambos because of the wonderworking intervention of the Saint.

To St. Charalambos is attributed the deliverance from the deadly threat of influenza in 1918, from Eleia and in Greece, from which thousands of people were dying for months in Greece.

In 1687 the Turks with their terrible leader Ahmet Efendi, besieged Pyrgou. After supplications of the inhabitants to St. Charalambos, a pestiferous sickness struck the army of the Efendi and many of his soldiers died, with the result being their withdrawal from the siege and the city being saved.

In 1821 the Turks entered the port and besieged Pyrgou in an attempt to head towards Tripolitsa and to clean out the revolutionary soldiers from the area. After they burned part of the city, they tried to head towards the center road with carriages and their weapons. However, outside of the small Church of St. Charalambos a small number of committed Greek soldiers were camped, who, with the help of the Saint, drove away the large number of Turks. Then the Turks would have to take other paths for weeks to reach Tripolitsa. The only pass that remained was the heroic Pousi, where the Greeks had organized, and as a result of the delay of the Turks at Pyrgou and they gave the fatal blow to the enemy.

In the Italian bombing of 1941, a few hours before it occurred, a dense fog covered Pyrgou which resulted in the delay and eventually cancellation of the mission, and the salvation of the city. Before the Germans understood, Pyrgou had prepared for the bombing. However, none of inhabitants suffered anything, because the bombs fell in uninhabited places and many didn't go off.

On March 26th 1993, a great earthquake hit Pyrgou at 14:10, divided into two quakes of 5.5 and 5.8 on the Richter scale, separated by a three minute gap, so the damage was not terrible. This dividing of the quake was a scientific phenomenon of note. For a while before there were small vibrations at night, as a forewarning to the inhabitants to prepare for the time of the earthquake. At the hour of the quake, many small children with innocent eyes saw the “Pappou” ["Grandpa"] as they said holding the homes of Pyrgou with extended hands so that they wouldn't fall. After the earthquake many inhabitants saw St. Charalambos in their sleep relating that with his intervention the great earthquake was separated into two smaller ones, and because of this there was a procession of the icon of the Saint in the city.
(amateur translation of Greek text from: http://orthodox-world.pblogs.gr/2008/02/10-flebarh-eorth-toy-agioy-haralampoy-bios-kai-thaymata.html)

For the life of St. Charalambos, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/02/st-charalambos-hieromartyr-of-magnesia.html.

St. Charalambos the Hieromartyr (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an ever-shining lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry O blessed one. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be saved.

(http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=423)

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

Miracle of St. Charalampos in Filiatra

St. Charalampos the Hieromartyr - Commemorated on February 10th (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Miracle of St. Charalampos in Filiatra
"The miracle took place in the small Peloponnesian town of Filiatra in 1943, during the dark days of the occupation of Greece by the Germans. This miracle has moved and continues to move, to this today, not only the people of Filiatra but also the people of all Greece.

From the German Headquarters in Tripoli, orders were issued to Officer Kondau, in charge in Filiatra, to burn the town, because of a sabotage that the rebels had instigated. The Commandant was ordered to kill a certain number of notable Filiatrians, to take as prisoners the 1,500 other citizens, and to send them to Germany, after which it is was obvious they would never return.
Officer Kondau, feeling no pity, in turn, gave the orders to his soldiers to follow through with implementing the destruction, on the following day at 6:00AM in the morning.
In Tripol, the Priest, Archimandrite Theodore Kotsakis, who was originally from Filiatra, learned of this plan. Grief and worry overcame everyone; no one knew what to do to save Filiatra and its people. So, the priest Theodore found someone who knew German, and together they went to the house of the German Officer in Tripoli. But while they waited outside his office, loud voices, cursing and a great upheaval were heard. A Greek woman pulled on the priest's cassock, urging him to leave, so that they might not be killed there, right on the spot!

Thereby, upon leaving, the Priest notified all the people from Filiatra who were living in Tripoli, to pray that night to Saint Charalambos, who was Patron Saint of Filiatra, asking him to intercede for the town and its people. Then the Priest Theodore closed himself in his room and prayed with much pain and sorrow. And the citizens of Filiatra did the same, as they had caught wind of something going on, themselves.

Saint Charalambos heard their prayers and performed the miracle! The Saint then appeared that night to Officer Kondau while he was sleeping. He appeared to him as a serious, old and dignified man of holy countenance, dressed in priestly robes and having a long white beard. This German conqueror, who was a protestant, had never seen such a face or such an appearance ever before in his life. The solemn Elder then said to him with such sweetness: "Listen, my son, do not carry out the orders you were given."

The dream was so real that it created a great impression on him. He awakened suddenly and then went back to sleep, but, with determination, however, to carry out the order he was given. Then once again the Saint appeared to him in his sleep and said: "That which I have told you to do, do it. Do not execute the order. Do not be afraid. I will make sure that you are not punished." Again, he awakened, and the words spoken to him were whirling around in his mind. But it was impossible for him not to carry out the order, after all the Germans would execute him if he didn't. Once again he fell asleep. And once again the solemn Elder appeared to him for a third time, saying: "I told you not to be afraid. I will see to it that you are not punished. I will protect you and all your men. You will all return to your homes and nothing will happen to you."

At first, the Commandant wanted to ignore the order of Saint Charalambos, in order to appear the giant. But despite all his intransigence, he yielded, because afterwards, as this German Officer himself related, he heard in his sleep shouts and cries, as if coming from people being tortured right in his own courtyard. Then, real life figures appeared like women, many women, who were beating themselves on the heads and chests out of unbearable misfortune and pain.

They were mourning, showing desperation, and cursing, out of agony in anticipation of the slaughter of their children and grandchildren that was to take place. All of these voices then became like a big cloud that ascended on high, into the heavens, without anything falling to the earth.

And furthermore, as he slept, the German Officer saw long black clouds that were coming out of his room, ascending, and casting a shadow upon the sun, with the sun trying to hide from the clouds as if it were a person who in turn was casting shadows on the faces of his soldiers. Some of soldiers were afraid, while others were asking for help as they made the sign of the cross. And still others were running and hiding behind the olive groves.

From his fright he woke up. He tried to speak but couldn't, rather his mouth was agape as he looked at the image in his dream, the old man that he saw three times in his dream who had the appearance of a Saint of the Orthodox church. When he came to his senses, he began thinking of the evil that was about to happen: the slaughter of human beings, like dogs to remain on the streets without burial and of houses burning in seconds which had taken centuries to be built!

These reflections stirred him. But still he said to himself: "I said I was going to burn this town and burn it I will!"

Then he closed his eyes. And the old man, Saint Charalambos, appeared once again before him, in a threatening and persistent manner. In a loud and emphatic voice, the Saint said to him: "Be careful! This town is not going to burn and its people are not going to be captured. They are innocent. Do you hear me?"

The German Officer stood up, steadied himself, as his knees were shaking from fright and he picked up the telephone. With a trembling voice, he called Tripoli to speak to the German Commandant of all Peloponesos. And when this commandant tried to respond to give orders, he faltered. He tried to get fierce so that his orders would be carried out, but he wasn't able to! So what was going on? That same night he also had also seen Saint Charalambos in his sleep, just as the Officer Kondau from Filiatra had described him on the telephone. And finally, the Commandant resolutely told the Officer in Filiatra: "Write this down. I am suspending the destruction of the town. Come immediately to see me tomorrow at noon!"

At daybreak, the decision by the Germans to revoke the order was announced. ''Ôï åóðåñáò áõëéóèçóåôáé êëáõèìïò êáé åéò ôï ðñùé áãáëëéáóéò.''

Everywhere there were shouts of joy to be heard by the townspeople, in the cafes, in the square, in the streets....

One battalion, then, of German soldiers with Officer Kondau and two Orthodox priests in the middle, walked down the street going from Church to Church. They started at Saint John's, then Saint Nicholas', then Saint Athanasios' and finally headed for the Church of the Panagia (The All holy one).

Officer Kondau was searching for the icon of the Saint that he saw in his dream. When they opened for him he door of the Temple of the Panagia, he recognized among the icons, Saint Charalambos, whom he had seen in his dream, who had commanded him. His voice broke. He became ashamed of his pride. He hid his face with his hands. Shortly, he lowered them. And this Protestant, on bended knee, made the sign of the cross. He uttered a few prayers in his own language, of which the priests present were unable to interpret.

Afterwards, he asked the priests to tell him who this geronda (elder) depicted in the icon was. They related to him that it was Saint Charalambos who bore many torments for Christ. Then they told him of the many miracles that the Saint had performed, and still does to this day.

There are no words to describe the joy felt by the people of Filiatra and their gratitude toward the Saint. They glorified God and they thanked Saint Charalambos for the miracle. And just as the Saint had told Officer Kondau, the leader of the garrison, and all his men, after the war was over, they returned safely to Germany and to their homes, without anyone being harmed. The German Officer, thus, preserved vividly the memory of this miracle and showed gratitude to the Saint. He hoped to return from Germany to venerate him. And in fact, after two years, he came with his wife to the town of Filiatra. But, on his first pilgrimage, he didn't quite make it for the Feast Day of the Saint. He came one day later, on February 11th.

When, however, the people of Filiatra saw him, they were so overjoyed that they celebrated the Feast Day all over again. They chanted the doxology; they held receptions and dinners and other festivities. And up until recent times this German Officer with wife and family and other countrymen have come on the 10th of February to the town of Filiatra to venerate and pay homage with faith to this Saint. In their hearts Orthodoxy had blossomed [i.e. they converted to Orthodoxy].

Apolytikion of St. Charalampos the Hieromartyr and Wonderworker

O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an evershining lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry O blessed One. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be saved.

Holy Saint Charalambos Pray to God for Us!"

(Translation by Narthex Press - Translated from the Greek by V.A.C.; http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37400&page=2; see account in Greek here: http://img.pathfinder.gr/clubs/files/46665/93.pdf)

For the life of St. Charalambos, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/02/st-charalambos-hieromartyr-of-magnesia.html.

Procession with the icon of St. Charalampos on his feast in Filiatra (http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7038/505z.jpg)

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

"Agioi Theodoroi" ("Saints Theodore") the Great Martyrs

Saints Theodore Stratelates and Tyron, the Great Martyrs (http://www.orthodoxy-icons.com/uploads/posts/2011-05/1304240231_byzantineiconography0027.jpg)

Recently I have tried to search for additional source material on two great military Saints and martyrs of the Church, Sts. Theodore. It has become clear that some in the West seem to have abandoned the abundant church history and tradition that attests to two great military men named Theodore who suffered for Christ in a similar area of the world. Perhaps this is too much of a coincidence for some, so they conclude that they must have been the same person. However, we are in error if we believe so. In addition, such an approach to the Church I would argue is symptomatic of deeper passions (which I admit are also present within myself too).

In any case, the Orthodox Church has long praised these two great Saints and Wonderworkers of Christ. It is likely that because they share the same name, similar circumstances from their lives, and feasts that are close to each other, they are often honored and depicted together in churches as "Agioi Theodoroi", or "Saints Theodore" the Great Martyrs. I hope to continue to include information below either concerning both of them, or providing links to information about them separately. May they intercede for us and help us!

Icon of Saints Theodore Stratelates and Tyron the Great Martyrs (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

St. Theodore Stratelates ("The Commander"), the Great Martyr - Commemorated on February 8th

-Life of the Saint: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/02/great-martyr-theodore-stratelates.html.

St. Theodore O Tyron ("The Recruit"), the Great Martyr - Commemorated on February 17th, and the First Saturday of Great Lent

-Life of the Saint and the Miracle of the Kollyva: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/03/st-theodore-tyron-and-miracle-of.html.

-"In Praise of Blessed Theodore, the Great Martyr" by St. Gregory of Nyssa: http://www.sage.edu/faculty/salomd/nyssa/theodore.html.

Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Miracles of (undetermined) St. Theodore
The following miracles are attributed a St. Theodore the Great Martyr, but neither the site editor nor the authors elaborate on which of the Saints Theodore, so I thought to include them here as a result. (http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/theodsrcs.html)

"As for his spirit, it has been privileged with great access to God, the radiance of which I shall try to show by a few examples. There is in the holy city a silversmith, of Damascus by birth, named Romulus, archdeacon of holy Gethsemane. This Romulus told me the following story: "At the time of the death of blessed Sabbas, my shop was burgled and I lost nearly one hundred pounds of silver. Going at once (he continued) to the shrine of St. Theodore, I supplied illumination for the church for five days and stayed there day and night weeping on the sanctuary rails. Around midnight of the fifth day I was rapt in sleep when I saw the holy martyr of Christ Theodore, who said to me, "What is the matter? Why are you in such distress, and weeping?" I replied, "I have lost my own property and that of others, and I have spent days here without gaining anything." The saint said to me, "Believe me, I was not here, but I was ordered to hasten to meet the holy soul of Abba Sabbas and guide it to the place of repose. But now, go to this place and you will find there the thieves and the money." Getting up at this very hour and taking some others with me, I went to the place announced by the saint, and we found it just as had been announced in the vision."
-from Cyril of Scythopolis: The Lives of the Monks of Palestine (6th Century)

Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa_IPB79JXWs1dKt85Lrt4IL0bfiw2A9EgCnE4n6TIlNFXMm4rs5Td-2UgZMy9gm5Qfuox29BAvtJv5sMF2UdNiLfpoEVsBfbgNqF9hjoHXUzifk4XIOzrzdfMcmGBxBsEBW8MW8nHvIN/s1600/ag-Theodoros-Strat-CMYK-nef.png, https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMD8M4eekWD7xa-q9JRYKZX1uX0Gq7X_Gn2z7_ufmyHCn9oh0RgxNKLxn7lgblZkMTdt3fdvFrI4NSbfgyH6CGzu4pQvVmu_DR-twSKHb9ynjTodXvVvReAqUSCnw5niY3-5oJQx5NE2c/s1600/ag-Theodoros-Tiron-CMYK-nef.png)

  
"And the servant of God entered the village called Diolko, and took up lodging in the Church of St. Theodore. And he prayed to God without interruption at all hours, since the Lord Jesus Christ had resurrected the man and brought him back to life, and he stood before him whole. And he spent four days in the Church of St. Theodore. There was a blind man named Anthony, who dwelt in the holy church, unable to see anything at all. And when the servant of God Nicholas saw him, he said to him: "How many years have you been without your sight?" And the blind man said to him: "It is now three years since I saw the sun. And I spent much money on doctors so that they would restore my sight. But it has been all of no avail, though I spent on them all that I had." The servant of God Nicholas said to him: "And why did you not put your faith in the saints? You would have been cured free of charge." And the blind man said to him: "Now that I have been found to be without faith, what should I do?" The servant of God Saint Nicholas said to him: "Will you believe from now on that the saints have the power to cure you?" The blind man said to him: "I put my faith in God and in your holy prayers, that you can persuade God to have mercy on me." Moved with compassion, the servant of God stood praying over him. And he took oil from the lamp of Saint Theodore, and made the sign of the cross upon his eyes, and said to him: "I have faith in God that tomorrow you will see the glory of God with your own eyes." And the following day the eyes of the blind man were opened , and he walked around seeing, and glorified God that he had recovered his sight through the prayer of the servant of God."
-from the Life of St. Nicholas of Sion (6th Century)

The Church of Agioi Theodoroi, Serres (http://www.serrelib.gr/gramatosima.htm)

The Church of Agioi Theodoroi, Serres

Among the many temples, [the church of Agioi Theodoroi] adorns, honours, and makes the city of Serres known to all, no less so than the other temples. It is a holy and sacred place to wonder and marvel at, built in honour of those saints whose name means "Gift of God'".

-Theodoros Pediasimos, Man of Letters and Fourteenth Century Citizen of Serres.

The church of the gloriously martyred soldier saints, Agioi Theodoroi is located in the centre of the old city of Serres. Its large square basilica (internal dimensions 15.6 by 24 metres) is divided into two parts, the portico and the main body of the church, which is itself separated by two lines of columns into three naves. The large amount of early Christian masonry that was reused in the building of the church would indicate that it was built as early as the 6th Century. The exquisite church has been renovated on a number of occasions. No information is available on the history of the monument until the Fifteenth Century. However, the manner in which the church was built, and its final form in particular, are the result of a number of bold, easily distinguished, major alterations made at different periods down the ages. The materials and methods used by the craftsman for each of these alterations have helped most of the reputable scholars who have researched the church's history to draw roughly the same fundamental conclusions as to its architecture and decoration.

Part of the Sacred Skull of St. Theodore Stratelates, treasured in the Church of Agioi Theodoroi, Serres (http://www.rel.gr/photo/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=47)

It was Basil II, the Emperor of Byzantium, who ordered the first alterations to be made to the church in thanks for an unexpected victory over the Bulgarians, won not far from Serres on July 29, 1014. The church's original design - that of a basilica with traverse aisle - was altered. The church was crowned with a dome and the side wings of the traverse aisle were extended to form a three-aisled basilica. Inscriptions bear witness to the fact that the church was dedicated to Saint Theodoros the Victorious - and him alone - during the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries. The church was destroyed, along with the whole of Serres, in 1205 by the Bulgarians under Ioannitsis. Aggelos Komnenos, the Despot of Epirus, captured the city in 1221, and repaired the church in thanks for his great victory over the Franks - led by Robert II, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople - which made his later conquest of Thessaloniki possible. He also beautified the church with magnificent mosaics - adding to the mosaics with which the church had gradually been decorated starting in the last quarter of the Eleventh Century - as an expression of gratitude towards its patron saints.

In 1255, Theodore II Lascaris, the Emperor of Nicaea, gilded the church's icons with gold and silver in repayment for the divine assistance he had received from [St. Theodore Stratelates] during his army's conquest of Meleniko. From then on, small-scale work was periodically done on the church to keep the ravages of time at bay. The church was ransacked by the Turks in 1571, and suffered a great of damage from a fire in 1849. On June 29, 1913, the church was completely destroyed, along with the rest of the city, by the Bulgarians.

Rebuilding started in 1938 under Theodoros Orlando, and was completed by E. Stikas in 1959. The monument's future was under threat from natural decay, but the church was repaired thanks to intervention on the part of the Bishop of Serres and Nigrita, and once more took its place in the spiritual life of the city as a place of worship.
(summary of text from: http://www.serrelib.gr/gramatosima.htm)

Sts. Theodore the Recruit and the Commander, the Great Martyrs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Theodore)

Apolytikion of St. Theodore Stratelates in the Fourth Tone

In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore. With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.

(http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=419)

Apolytikion of St. Thedore the Tyron in the Second Tone

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced; for having been made a whole-burnt offering in the fire, he was offered as sweet bread unto the Trinity. By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

(http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=432)

  

Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (http://www.stjosephmelkitecatholicchurch.org/menaion_for_june/Transfer_of_the_Remains_of_the_Holy_and_Great-martyr_Theodore__General_of_the_Armies__june_-8.jpg)

  

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

Selected Hymns from the Sunday of the Last Judgment

Jesus Christ (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Kontakion

When You come down to the earth, O God, in Your glory, all things will cower tremulous, and a river of fire will draw before Your Judgment Seat; the books shall be opened up, and public knowledge will things hidden be. Rescue me, then, I pray, from unquenchable fire, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, O You, the most righteous Judge.

Oikos

Considering well Your fearsome judgment, exceedingly good Lord, and the Judgment Day, I shudder and am frightened at the accusations of my conscience. When You are seated on Your throne and conduct the examination, no one can deny their sins, accused by the truth and possessed by terror. Great will be the sound of the Gehenna fire, then, and the gnashing of sinners. Therefore, have mercy on me before the end, and pity me, O You, the most righteous Judge.

 

Idiomela of the Praises

Plagal of the Second Tone

I ponder that day and hour, when we all, naked and as convicts, will appear before the Judge we cannot bribe. Then a great trumpet will sound and the foundations of the earth will be shaken, and the dead will be raised from the graves, and all will become of one stature. And all that which is hidden will be presented overtly before You, and they shall mourn and wail who have never repented, and they shall depart into the outer fire. And with joy and exaltation will the lot of the righteous enter into the heavenly chamber.

 

O what an hour and fearful day shall that be, when the Judge shall sit upon His fearsome throne! Books will be opened, deeds will be checked, and the hidden works of darkness will be made public. Angels speed about, gathering all the nations. Come, hearken, kings and rulers, slaves and freemen, sinners and righteous, rich men and paupers, He is coming who is about to judge the whole world; and who shall bear His countenance, when angels are at hand to accuse your acts, your thoughts, your desires, be they of day or night? O what an hour that shall be! But before the end arrives, O soul, make haste to cry, “O God, convert me, save me as You alone are compassionate.”

 

Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Daniel the prophet, a man of goodly desires, considered Godʹs authority, and cried out thus and said, ʺThe Judgment Seat was set up and books were opened.ʺ Look, my soul, are you fasting? Do not neglect your neighbor! Are you abstaining from food? Do not condemn your brother, lest you be sent to the fire that will burn you up as wax. But unimpeded, let Christ lead you into His kingdom.

First Tone

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Let us first cleanse ourselves, O brethren, by the queen of virtues, for behold, she is here, providing us with a wealth of blessings! She suppresses our swelling passions, and reconciles offenders with the Master. Therefore, let us welcome her with a cheerful heart, crying out to Christ our God, “You, who rose from the dead; keep us uncondemned as we glorify You, the only sinless one.”

(http://sgpm.goarch.org/ematins/bilingual/Feb07.pdf)

(http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/02/meatfare-sunday-last-judgment.html)

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

St. Luke the Righteous of Mount Steirion, and his Monastery

St. Luke the Righteous of Mount Steirion (Mosaic from the Monastery of Hosios Loukas) - Commemorated on February 7th (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAzw-2zSC7MY3-sXfoHUOVF4bvwyln_5S1S_V1vTe6z0r52jEgZigKlHOqIKudvMqv4I2TsdcJ35G_G-6wVLD7L2P_Kt8Y7c7XELSBMi8DnDxaziB2xeYYE-ATjkU1xm_H07F1njPvJo/s1600-h/St+Luke+the+Younger.jpg)

Life of the Saint
"Saint Luke of Hellas [also known as Osios Loukas O Steiriotis] was a native of the Greek village of Kastorion. The son of poor farmers, the saint from childhood had toiled much, working in the fields and shepherding the sheep. He was very obedient to his parents and very temperate in eating. He often gave his own food and clothing to the poor, for which he suffered reproach from his parents. He once gave away almost all the seed which was needed for planting in the fields. The Lord rewarded him for his charity, and the harvest gathered was greater than ever before.

As a child, he prayed fervently and often. His mother saw him more than once standing not on the ground, but in the air while he prayed.

After the death of his father, he left his mother and went to Athens, where he entered a monastery. But through the prayers of his mother, who was very concerned about him, the Lord returned him to his parental home in a miraculous manner. He spent four months there, then with his mother's blessing he went to a solitary place on a mountain called Ioannou (or Ioannitsa). Here there was a church dedicated to the holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, where he lived an ascetical life in constant prayer and fasting. He was tonsured there by some Elders who were on pilgrimage. After this, St Luke redoubled his ascetic efforts, for which the Lord granted him the gift of foresight.

After a seven years on Ioannou, the saint moved to Corinth because of an invasion of the Bulgarian armies. Hearing about the exploits of a certain stylite at Patras, he went to see him, and remained for ten years to serve the ascetic with humility and obedience. Afterwards, the saint returned again to his native land and again began to pursue asceticism on Mount Ioannou.

The throngs of people flocking there disturbed his quietude, so with the blessing of his Elder Theophylactus, St Luke went with his disciple to a still more remote place at Kalamion. After three years, he settled on the desolate and arid island of Ampelon because of an invasion of the Turks. Steiris was another place of his ascetic efforts. Here brethren gathered to the monk, and a small monastery grew up, the church of which was dedicated to the Great Martyr Barbara. Dwelling in the monastery, the saint performed many miracles, healing sicknesses of soul and of body.

Foreseeing his end, the saint confined himself in a cell and for three months prepared for his departure. When asked where he was to be buried, the monk replied, "Throw my body into a ravine to be eaten by wild beasts." When the brethren begged him to change these instructions, he commanded them to bury his body on the spot where he lay. Raising his eyes to heaven, he said, "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit!"

St Luke fell asleep in the Lord on February 7, 946. Later, a church was built over his tomb. Myrrh flowed from his holy relics, and many healings occurred."
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100458)

For another researched, annotated life of the Saint, see: http://logismoitouaaron.blogspot.com/2009/02/his-faith-in-god-shonest-luke-younger.html.

St. Luke the Righteous of Mount Steirion (Icons courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

The Relics of the Saint
"Tradition has it that the Hosios’ holy relics had been removed during the 13th century by the Crusaders and had been taken to the Vatican. They later surfaced in Venice accompanied by the following legend: when the Turks conquered Boeotia in 1460, a group of monks, carrying the Hosios’ relics, found refuge on the island of Lefkada. After the island fell to the Turks, the relics were transported to Bosnia. In July 1463, Bosnia also fell to the turks and Franciscan monks transported the holy relics to Venice. Much confusion had already been caused and it was thought that Hosios Loukas’ relics in fact belonged to St. Luke [the Evangelist] who had also been buried in Thebes [and whose relics had also been taken to an area outside Venice]. On the 16th of December 1464, following numerous talks, it was proved that the relics which had been moved to Italy were in fact those of the monk of the Eastern Church, Loukas Steiriotis.

On the 11th of October 1986, after 526 years and coordinated efforts by the Diocese of Thebes and Levadia and local officials, a delegation headed by the Bishop of Thebes and Levadia Ieronymous [the current Archbishop of Greece], the ex-bishop Nikodemos, the then abbot of the Monastery Nikodemos and the then dean and current abbot, Georgios, collected the holy relics and replaced them in the reliquary of the Katholikon at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, on the 13th of December 1986."
(http://www.osiosloukas.gr/english_xml/index.html)

"The tomb of Hosios Lukas in the crypt. Several other important members of the community are buried here. The church of Hosios Lukas is lower than the church of the Virgin, which forced the monks to build a crypt under the church to elevate the floor of the church to make it even with that of the church of the Virgin and also to support it. When the monks rededicated the first church to the Virgin, they dedicated the crypt to Saint Barbara." (http://www.osiosloukas.gr/english_xml/index.html, http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/hlukas/crypt.htm)

Architecture and Decoration of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas

"The Church of the Theotokos, the oldest in the complex, is the only church known with certainty to have been built in mainland Greece in the tenth century. This centralized parallelogram-shaped building is the oldest example of the cross-in-square type in the country; its plan closely follows that of Fenari Isa Camii [formerly the Church of St. John the Baptist] in Constantinople. The walls are opus mixtum (part brick, part stone, part marble) and display curious pseudo-kufic patterns.

The Church of the Theotokos adjoins a larger cathedral church, or Katholikon, tentatively dated to 1011-12. The Katholikon is the earliest extant domed-octagon church, with eight piers arranged around the perimeter of the naos (nave). The hemispherical dome (without a drum) rests upon four squinches which make a transition from the octagonal base under the dome to the square defined by the walls below. The main cube of the church is surrounded by galleries and chapels on all four sides.

Hosios Loukas is the largest of three monasteries surviving from the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. It differs from the Daphnion and Nea Moni in that it is dedicated to a single military saint. St. Lukes' prophecy about the reconquest of Crete is commemorated by the image of Joshua on the exterior wall of the Panagia church: Joshua was considered a model "warrior of the faith", whose help was especially effective in the wars waged against the Arabs. The Katholikon contains the best preserved complex of mosaics from the period of the Macedonian Renaissance. However, the complex is not complete: the original image of Christ Pantocrator inside the dome is missing, as are the figures of archangels normally placed between the upper windows.

There is evidence that the monastery was reputed all over Byzantium for its lavish decoration, liberally applied to all surfaces. Apart from revetment, carving, gold and silver plate, murals, and mosaics (especially imposing on curving surfaces), the interior featured a choice assortment of icons, chandeliers, silk curtains, and altar cloths. Only a fraction of these items are still in situ, most notably colored marble facings and window grilles. Notwithstanding the losses, the Katholikon "gives the best impression available anywhere today of the character of a church interior in the first centuries after the end of Iconoclasm"."

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosios_Loukas)

The Katholikon (left) and Church of the Panagia (right) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Osiosloukas.JPG)

For the official website of the monastery of Hosios Loukas, and its history, pictures, etc., see: http://www.osiosloukas.gr/english_xml/index.html.

The full service of St. Luke Steiriotis (in Greek) is available here: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2010/02/7.html, and additional canons and engomia of the Saint are available here: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2010/02/7_06.html.

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

St. Luke Steiriotis the Righteous (http://christopherklitou.com/icon_7_feb_luke_steiriotes.htm)

Troparion of St Luke of Mount Stirion Tone 1

Let us firmly honour Luke the Godbearer with hymns and chants, the glory of the faithful, the boast of the righteous, bright light of Stirion and its true inhabitant; he brings near to Christ those who cry out in faith: Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

 

Kontakion of St Luke of Mount Stirion Tone 8

God in ineffable judgment chose thee before thou wast fashioned according to His good pleasure; He took thee from thy mother's womb, He sanctified thee as His servant. As the Lover of mankind, He guided thee to Himself, before Whom thou dost now stand rejoicing, O Luke.

(http://www.stnectarios.org/menologion/feb.pdf)

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

St. Julian (Elian) the Martyr and Unmercenary of Emesa (Homs)

St. Julian (Elian) the Martyr and Unmercenary of Emesa (Homs) (16th Century icon) - Commemorated on February 6th, and in the Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries (http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2004557&journal_code=ECA)

Feast of St. Ellien of Homs, February 6th

By V. Rev. George Alberts
"On February 6th each year we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Ellien of Homs, Syria. St. Ellien accepted the Christian faith even though his father and family were not Christians. Because of this, he and his family were at odds with one another.

When St. Ellien became a Christian, he took stock of the talents that God had given him.

He heard the Gospel of our Lord concerning the parable of talents and decided to use his talents to benefit others. Saint Ellien is described by his biographers in this way:

“Having set his hopes in Jesus Christ, he was not tempted by the glory of this ephemeral world. He prayed day and night, practiced fasting, visited prisoners and comforted them. He gave out large alms of what remained in excess in his father’s house. Ellien studied and practiced medicine skillfully. He strived to cure the diseases of both the body and soul. He cured sick people by Christ’s grace and the faith of the Apostles, while preaching God’s Word and urging them to follow the path of virtue. ‘It is not’, he says, ‘with medicines that you will be cured of your illness nor thanks to your idols which drive to perdition all those who kneel before them, but by the power of Jesus Christ’s name who has been crucified by the Jews under Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, who has been buried and resuscitated on the third day.’”

St. Julian healing the sick (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzU3RQo6_Le3pKuw5r3vJlzQig_IGMiSngxyGpDqoTWMMidPNCj2QYdPH3G8TO-s7XY46CTYTEXpbaigIfl2mFHopZH0_Z-qWGDBC_n97Kr43ieBiGVlTurn4RscuaFXwIiikSuWCIAU/s1600-h/Saint+Marljan+Homsi+-2.jpg)

  
Because of his mastery of the healing arts and the fact that he not only effectively healed the body, but also the soul, he stirred up jealousy in the hearts of his fellow physicians who were not followers of Christ. There was a great persecution of Christians at that time and they used his Christian faith against him. First they appealed to his father who held a powerful position in the city. They asked him to force his son to stop what he was doing, to give up his practice of medicine and stop healing in the name of Jesus Christ. But St. Ellien refused to listen to these men or his father knowing that he would have to give an account before His Heavenly Master as to what he did with the many talents God had given him. When they found that he would not listen to them or his father, they appealed to the Governor of Homs to imprison St. Ellien along with the Bishop of Homs, Silvanus, the Deacon Luke, and the Reader Mocime.

Saint Ellien felt unworthy and overjoyed to be in their company and he kissed and reverenced the chains that bound them. When these men were about to be put to death, St. Ellien prayed to God and angel appeared to him and said: “Do not be grieved, O Ellien, a crown has been prepared for you. You will conquer your enemies and the devil’s tricks. Do not fear their torture for, I am with you!”

  

St. Julian the Martyr and Unmercenary (http://perlbal.hi-pi.com/blog-images/72616/gd/1267371619/Saint-Elian.jpg)

  
[St. Julian then offered the following prayer to God: أيها الرب إلهي ، مصدر العطف والرأفة يا من أرسلت إبنك الوحيد فادياً ومنقذاً للعالم من عبء العذاب الأبدي . ومع فتحك أحضان محبتك لقبول كل من يأتي إليك سمحت أن يكون طريق الخلود مملوءاً بالأشواك ، لتظهر فضيلة المجاهدين حسناً، ويتعلموا الرجولة الصحيحة .أرجو أن تتعطف على هذا الوليد الذي لم تمنعه حداثة سنه من التشبث بكل قوته في الرجاء الثابت بك . فلا تسمح يا معين الرحمة أن يجد الخوف إلى قلبي سبيلاً . قد سررت يا إلهي أن يكون لك قطيع في هذا البلد الطيب . ولكنك سمحت لحكمة نجهلها أن تخترق الذئاب سياجه ، وتفتك بالراعي نفسه فإعطف بناظرك الرحيم على القطيع المشتت ، وإجمع فلوله تحت كنفك، فلا بمتهنه كل عابر سبيل . أفض اللهم على أهالي هذا البلد الجميل أنوار معرفتك ليستضيؤا بهداك . وأرهم شيئا من جمالك السامي وصفاتك الحسنى ، ليشغلوا بها عما سواك . إن قلوب العباد بيديك كجداول مياه ، فحول ميولهم إلى الخير وأبعدهم عن الشر . واسند بيمينك القادرة ضعف هذا التائق إليك ليرتع أنى شئت في بحبوحة رضاك . ..آمينً ... (http://www.yuliantours.com/ar/aboutsyria/hims_church.php)]
  

Icon of St. Julian of Emesa with scenes from his life and martyrdom (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW8pVV2YGOG1jFvlgv5Q0wuG_-_wVzycH_99wQl_ceeKDJVc4k5PgECtfgoeG0gAwQ99phYZ7tJ21rkMwQQuY2sDVGuyrsxD5V3D42LHM1XFXfPUGVbGKQ2ePKOMGzlDqs3mpL6_9xjk/s1600-h/Saint+Marljan+Homsi.jpg)

  
St. Ellien suffered through many hardships. He suffered imprisonment and tortures, all along preaching and healing those who were sick.

[Then his father had him tied to a horse and dragged through the streets. He was imprisoned and tortured for months, but would not renounce the faith, instead he led all of the tormentors to Christ. (http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/bmp13.htm)]

The Martyrdom of St. Julian, as he received twelve nails driven into his head at the hands of his father according to the flesh (http://www.terezia.org/pic/4b6d87b672cb0.jpg)
  

Finally he was put to death at the hands of his own father who had twelve long nails driven into his head. St. Ellien was left for dead. He did not die there. When his executioners left, he managed to crawl to a cave owned by a potter. When the potter came to the cave and discovered the body of St. Ellien he took it by night to the church of the Apostles and St. Barbara where he was buried at the East of the Altar.

St. Julian being buried (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LITcDxMY62FuG5VSwKkVlE6Ldck0BjECCN6dL69BBBU10imV58MoI0mJoVpuuze1jqGDl8TUHq6nvnomSWvwcG34MagCsGFoCS_QgS5Jo-oUOe7V2IPX36fxpd_xCEc7R8BjbAIk3Rk/s1600-h/Saint+Marljan+Homsi-3.jpg)

  

A picture of the Marble Reliquary of St. Julian, in Homs, Syria. This was rediscovered in 1970 following excavations in his church. (http://homsonline.com/EN/Citeis/slides/Homs_MarElianOdChaple.htm, http://acrosssyria.blogspot.com/2006/02/st-elian-of-emesa-day-february-6th.html)

"Homs: Reliquary enshrining the body of Mar Ilyan" (http://www.antiochian.org/node/22212)

Later, a church dedicated to St. Ellien was built on the spot of the cave where he died and his body was put in a marble coffin. Many miracles attributed to St. Ellien’s intercessions occurred after his death and they continue to occur to this day. Prior to his being put to death, St. Ellien himself blessed those who celebrate his Feast Day as he offered this prayer to God:

“O my Lord Jesus Christ, hear my prayer and accept my request on this hour. Give peace to whoever remembers me on the day of my martyrdom and forgive his sins. Protect him from his enemies’ snares and break up the devil’s power. Defend your lambs against the wolves!”

There are only two churches dedicated to this great saint: the original church of St. Elian in Homs, Syria, and the church of St. Ellien in Brownsville, PA. St. Ellien is often also referred to as St. Julian of Homs. Today many bear his name in either of these two forms. St. Ellien is considered a Holy Unmercenary, a physician who did not take money for his cures of both body and soul. Many who are sick continue to ask his intercessions and are often anointed with oil blessed with a special prayer on his feast day.

On his feast day, let us pray the words of his Troparion: O Saint clothed in strife and the healing physician, Ellien, intercede with our merciful God, to grant forgiveness of sins to our souls."
(http://www.antiochian.org/1137097994)

 

St. Julian of Emesa the Martyr and Unmercenary (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Latin_Patriarch_of_Jerusalem2945.JPG)

  
The following journal article discusses the church of St. Julian in Homs and its artwork: "The Wall Paintings in the Church of Mar Elian at Homs: 'Restoration Project' of a Nineteenth-century Palestinian Master", IMMERZEEL, Mat: http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2004557&journal_code=ECA.

St. Julian is numbered with the Holy Unmercenaries, and so he is also celebrated with the Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries. For more information, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2008/10/synaxis-of-holy-unmercenaries.html.

For a video with chanting of the Troparion of St. Julian, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNYUS9Lz5sE.

Part of the Paraklesis to St. Julian can be heard here: http://web.orthodoxonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=721:saint-elian-of-homs&catid=207:saints-akathist&Itemid=253.

May St. Julian intercede for us all and help us! Amen!

St. Julian the Martyr and Unmercenary of Emesa (http://www.conventofsaintelizabeth.org/bigpic.html?byzicons/print/images/stjulian.jpg)

  

Apolytikion of St. Julian in the Third Tone

Julian, saintly champion and healer, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins.

(The apolytikion of St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr, substituted with the name of St. Julian, according to the above source, taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=143)

St. Julian the Martyr and Unmercenary of Emesa (http://www.yuliantours.com/ar/aboutsyria/hims_church.php)

  

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

Blessed Nun Maria, the Tall (+1998) - Part I

Greetings!

I hope that it is blessed to begin a serious of posts discussing this incredible recent spiritual mother of our Church. Blessed Nun Maria was both a shining example of endurance of immense physical suffering, and of awesome spiritual struggle and virtue throughout her life. As mentioned below by Fr. Nephon, she was a physical "giant" (gigantism, I believe associated with a tumor in her head), but was also truly a spiritual giant. January 20th, 2010 was the 12th anniversary of her repose in the Lord. May we emulate her virtue, and may we have her blessing.

Picture of Elder Joseph of Vatopedi, and Nun Maria (10/1/1995) (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/gerontas-iosif-kai-monahi-maria-psili-01-10-1995.jpg)

Blessed Nun Maria, the Tall (+1998) - Part I (Introduction and Excerpts from her Letters)

By Monk Nephon of Vatopedi

When our Jesus met the man born blind “his disciples asked Him saying: Rabbi, who sinned, he or his parents for him to be born blind? Jesus replied, neither he nor his parents sinner, but this occurred that the work of God be revealed through it.”

These words of our Lord are fulfilled in our beloved sister Maria, who passed from this earth life s bright star and lived among us to reveal through her great patience and endurance and her continuous bearing of her great cross, the work which the power and goodness of God works.

Sister Maria was truly tall. As she was in body she was in soul. Whatever she suffered, whatever pain she was in continually, she endured glorifying God, which all saw and wondered at. No one could be able to imagine the greatness and the strength of her pains and tribulations. Her works of love however, her thoughts towards everyone who suffered bodily or spiritually, her care for every one of the monasteries that she knew, her charity, her humility, her missionary works, her spiritual help which she gave to those people who asked of her, from every station and worth of life, but much more so her desire for spiritual progress, her agony that she somehow was not proceeding correctly on the road of salvation! With her spiritual struggles, her great love towards our Christ and her spiritual help which she had from Him, these few know about. Our gift-bestowing Christ knows their number, and until her end He gave her power to become a radiant example for all of us, to continue our struggles for the salvation of our eternal souls, amidst the difficult and apokalyptic times which we live in.

Because I had the special blessing from our Lord, to be among those few who knew our Sister Maria a little bit more, and after the exhortation of our beloved in Christ to write something for eternal memory, I thought that it was unjust to hide that which I know from our struggling brothers about the aforementioned virtues of our sister Maria, especially now that there is no danger of harming her spiritually, as she is reposed among the heavenly abodes and receives her portion for her efforts.

I will not say anything of my own. Later may God help us to write more. Simply I will include excerpts from some of her letters which show the greatness of her soul and the way that she bore her cross, of course with the blessing of my Geronda.

Her great martyrdom and doxology towards God

1.From Boston where she had gone for therapy in a very difficult situation where she was led to a long surgery, she wrote on October 10th, 1985: “From the day when I decided to go for therapy, I believe that the saints will help me. I swear that I will not cease to glorify our Lord and our mother”.

2.“Last year this time I was at death's door, and only the prayers of the fathers saved me. Of course death is with us and doesn't scare us, but we must prepare...Now recently I have very bad tests. The doctor told me: “May God be with you”. I left all to the Lord and because of this I live and speak. My soul is heavy, full of pain and sorrow, but I close it all peacefully with the power of prayer. From the struggle which you (monks) have, I take courage and I also become a new man. (10/9/1986)

3....Now that I am writing to you I am on the bed, and I am suffering terribly from my intestines. It is Theophany and I am in bed. I was thinking how sinful I am to be denied this service. My pains are terrible. I pray that it is something that passes. Glory to God.” (1/6/1987)

4. My news regarding my health is not good. My bones are moved high in my back and my lower left, and I am much more stooped over from the terrible pains. Glory to You O God, let His will be done and I thank Him who remembered that I am very behind [ανεπρόκοπη] on my spiritual duties.” (1990)

5. I with my sins, which appear to be many, will not have repented correctly. I am tortured and endure the greatest. This cortisone which I take removed the calcium and the bones remain hollow and growth hormone extends the bones and breaks them and dismantles them and moves them, and Maria the tall has become Maria the hunchback. My pains are great and my spiritual pain, because I can't move and do my spiritual requirements, is great. Only with the help of the wheelchair [αναπηρικό] do I move. Not at all by myself. If I want to take my plate to the table it's impossible. Glory to You O God for all.” (10/10/1991)

6. Regarding my tonsure it was something that I can't begin to describe to you. My whole heart was burning and I thought that it would break. From joy? From emotion? I can't describe it. Our Geronta in no earthly state, I will not forget it. Like I was found in heaven. I glorify the name of the Lord. I think however with fear that I took the schema, for I am unworthy (as I am) in case I do not keep the vows, may God have mercy on me.”

A small indication of the greatness of sister Maria is that the providence of God made her worthy a few years before her repose of the great and angelic schema which she desired (8/17/1993).

7. Everyone gets sick for a day, a month, a year. I suffered my whole life. My sins are many and my repentance little, and because of this I suffer...” (1994).

8. “I am experiencing difficulties with some pains in my head have passed and my soul is also affected and they feel intolerable. I seek help from all the saints. I place agiasmo of St. Nektarios continually and oil from St. Raphael, Fr. Nephon, and I think that I am such a sinner that I pity [αηδειάζω] myself. I confess but I don't weep my sins, the animal that I am, neither when I go to commune do I weep. However, I pray a lot and prepare for Holy Communion, and if I don't feel within me something beautiful and utter peace, I don't commune. May God have mercy on me the sinner!”

9. “Bless, and may you have a good stadium [i.e. good struggle for Great Lent]. May we all ascend a bit towards Golgotha and witness the holy passion and the resurrection.” (Great Lent 1997).

10. “This life does not have any significance. Hold on as the castaway that we may pass this temporary exile, that we may pass to eternity.”

11. May the grace of St. Gregory Palamas who celebrated yesterday be your help. I love and greatly reverence St. Gregory and I celebrate and greatly love his monastery in Koufalia. Now to help it I said to send me two crates of candles for the Resurrection to sell. From here where I am I want to serve. With the telephone and numerous friends I do many works. I have many monasteries in order that I help. Glory to You O God.”

A small indication of her spiritual struggle and what she believed about herself.

12. I try as much as I can to obey my spiritual father and in the advice of the books that I read from the various Gerontes and from the Acts of the Apostles and naturally from the Gospel, and it is bad if I don't continuously read the Gospel. As I am an animal, I try to bow. All in all from when you knew me I changed my ruined [life] sufficiently towards the good. That's what I think. I ceased argologian, as much that I suffer when I hear others gossip or speak badly of others. My soul weeps for this and I pity myself. Because of this I stay in the house, my fellow men who are suffering I help and speak to them of the Lord” (1986)

“Slowly our Lord helped me and I went and venerated his church. The Descent from the Cross, the All-Holy Tomb [of Christ in the Holy Sepulcher] where tears and great emotion took hold of me. What I thought and think inside me I can't describe. After we went to the Golgotha of the Lord. There I bent and sought the help of our Christ and I cried a lot. I asked him to help me pass my small Golgotha.” (From Jerusalem 1987)

13. “I with my mother live like Nuns, we don't have to say anything to anyone, we help them all...” (1989)

14. “In the morning when I awake I perform the midnight service and after the six psalms and whatever else I can and the noetic prayer...In the evening the vespers, compline and the salutations [to the Theotokos]. I can't do proper prostrations. I do half ones, as I can. The Paraklesis to the Theotokos, and sometimes of St. Raphael, I try to do every day, but now I take many pills and the growth hormone and I can't do as I used to. However I try.”

15. “God hits me two-thousand and two times that I might loose my ego...”

16. “I cried from my emotion to the Lord, Who remembers me still, the lost one and sinner. From my sins and my disobediences, I am embarassed to gaze upon the icon of our Lord in the eyes...”

17. “We here live the good life, all things passing well and our soul is utterly black and it doesn't have a crack to let in a ray of light. May God help us conquer laziness and may we come closer to our Christ. I don't want to embitter our Lord, whatever I can I do, however I try to do more...”

A multitude of young people found consolation near her and related their problems and left happy and at rest. She was found to be a contemporary Amma, and as such many opened their hearts to her, clerics, monks, abbots, abbesses, bishops and political leaders.

Sister Maria attracted the world and her refugee home in Lemeso was a pool of Siloam for tired souls. Many children took her blessing and advice before leaving for monasticism and many Christian families were created through her advice.

Cyprus is poorer with the absence of sister Marai, but much richer because close to the multitude of saints and martyrs is added another martyrical soul. Her last martyrical months that she spent in the intensive care unit of the hospital of Lemeso further purified her as gold in the furnace. It appears that God wished her to shine, as she characteristically said.

Our pain is great because of the loss, but our consolation is equally great, for we know that our worthy-to-be-blessed and ever-to-be-remembered sister in Christ Maria will intercede for us where she is.
(amateur translation of Greek text from: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/%ce%bb%ce%af%ce%b3%ce%b1-%ce%bb%cf%8c%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%ac%cf%80%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%bf-%ce%b2%ce%af%ce%bf-%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%b9-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-%cf%80%cf%81%ce%bf/)
 
For more on the Blessed Nun Maria (in Greek), see: http://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_9730.html, http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/epikeidios-monahis-marias/, http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/viografiko-marias-monahis-psilis/.
 

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