Movie "Healing Fear", the Life of St. Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopol in Crimea

Here is a link to the film "Healing Fear", the dramatic retelling of the life of St. Luke of Simferopol the Blessed Surgeon. It is a very poignant movie, and though previously was published online with Russian, Greek and Romanian subtitles, now it is available with English subtitles. May St. Luke help all those who are persecuted for Christ throughout the world, help all those who are sick and suffering, and intercede to heal the pains, wounds and divisions of the people of Ukraine!

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

Elders Ieronymos of Simonopetra and Sophrony of Essex Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate

St. Ieronymos of Simonopetra (source)

  
Elders Ieronymos of Simonopetra and Sophrony of Essex officially Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate
On November 27th, 2019, Elders Ieronymos of Simonopetra (who served as Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Simonpetra, and later as the Steward and Spiritual Father of the Dependency of the Ascension of Christ, Vyrona, Attica)  and Sophrony Sakharov of Essex (Archimandrite from Mount Athos and Founder of the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner, Essex, England) were officially canonized by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
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St. Sophrony of Essex (Source)

  

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

"But you, O Bethlehem..."

The Grotto where Christ was born in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem (source)

 
In that day, says the LORD, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away, and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant; and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and for evermore.  But you, O Bethlehem Eph'rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
-Micah 4:6-7; 5:2-4, read at Great Vespers for the Nativity of Christ

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

St. Iakovos of Evia on Temptations and Marriage

St. Iakovos of Evia (source)

  
"Do not hope in the world. Be careful in your social interactions. Never listen to what the world is telling you. Temptations come; we're human. The devil has many feet, altars and traps. Everything will be faced during marriage with love, meekness and patience. Have faith in God and prayer and everything will go according to the will of God."
-St. Iakovos of Evia

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

 

St. Iakovos of Evia on the Eternal Soul

St. Iakovos of Evia (source)

  
"I have a heart, and I have many afflictions. But "the afflictions of the present time lead to glory in the age to come", and so I don't reckon them as anything. Daily I see my grave, that I am a dead man. But within this dead flesh dwells an eternal soul. I care for my soul which is something eternal. Because of this, my child, you also should care for your soul, near the Fathers of the Church."
-St. Iakovos of Evia

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

 

The Entrance of the Theotokos: The Monastic Feast of Panagia

The Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple, fresco by Manuel Panselinos, Protaton, Mount Athos (source)

  
The Entrance of the Theotokos: The Monastic Feast of Panagia
This feast on Mount Athos, my Fathers named "The Monastic Feast of Panagia".

Elder Gelasios loved it greatly, and said that Papa-Thanasis, his Elder, the holy Abbot of Gregoriou Monastery, honored it greatly. And once, on this day, Elder Gelasios saw him liturgizing with St. Iakovos Adelphotheos. He is the one who is relating this tradition.

Panagia is coming to the Holy of Holies.
Her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna are fulfilling their vow. And many little girls of Jerusalem holding lit candles, and a red carpet is laid out, like the wedding runner which was laid out in the old days at the home of the couple during the hour that the Holy Mystery of Marriage was being celebrated.

How many symbols! And how many centuries was the world waiting for this hour? For an Ever-Virgin to enter into a sanctified place, where the Archpriest men trembled to approach and enter within only once a year.

The nous cannot comprehend this, and many "scientists" deny this feast in particular.
Naturally, they deny because they are living with a mind held only by reason. And wherever the "irrational" thought enters, the Nous that surpasses logic leaves, our Triune God.

And the servant [of this event] is the Archangel of joy [Gabriel], of the Gospel and of hope. What an awesome mystery!

And for the Athonite Fathers, this great feast is very dear, because it resembles monasticism, the mystery of the monastic way of life.

Of course, our place that is the "Holy of Holies", is the place of our deep heart. There, something occurs with the mixing of the created and the uncreated, amidst abundant light.

When the heart is totally empty [of the passions], it is renewed by the Newborn Child, our Lord Jesus Christ, amidst abundant and saving light.

When the Altar of the Temple in Jerusalem was empty, there was the spotless Maria enthroned, the child of Nazareth.

The monk, the monastic, is he who enters into his own Holy Altar which has been forgotten and abandoned. And, what a mystery this is, when one turns around to see a small virgin, enthused by the light and her red robe and shining within with light, being led forward to her sacred Bridal Chamber, the one and only place of her rest, her deep heart, with tears.

The Monastic Feast of the Ever-Virgin. She is led by the Great High Priest and Prophet. Yes, and a prophet, think of how many centuries before him the prophets prophesied of that instant. The preaching of the Prophets, the Lady Theotokos. This is what the hymn speaks of. And the recreation of the faithful. We, therefore, all those who desire to be faithful in faith and to the Church, we, therefore, must be renewed--transformed, therefore, every instant, if we desire it, to become new people--full of His light and believing rightly in the Church.

How much did he love this feast, as an Athonite Father that he was, St. Gregory [Palamas] the Theologian of our Uncreated God? His homily is unmatched. Full of enthusiasm, waves of grace and an ocean of love.

My brother, if you find yourself at Hilandar Monastery, our beloved, and lift up your eyes to the right choir, and join chorus with the monastics, there you will see the little Maria, and her parents and the high priest. And to experience this yourself, even for a short time, within the Holy of Holies in the world, amidst the false rubbish [of the fallen world], the holy Athos, her Garden, the Holy Mountain
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Most-holy Theotokos, save us! Amen!

"Today, the All-Spotless Virgin is led to the Temple..."

The Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple (source)

  
Today, the All-Spotless Virgin is led to the Temple to become the dwelling-place of God, the King of All, Who is the nourishment of our life. Today, the most pure Holy One, as a three year old calf, enters the Holy of Holies. Let us cry out to her like the Angel [Gabriel]: Rejoice, O only blessed one among women.
-Doxastikon of the Praises in the Second Tone, by Leo the Master

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Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

Elder Ephraim of St. Andrew Skete: "God is everywhere present..."

Christ Pantocrator (Source)

  
"God is everywhere present. Wherever God is, there also is His Uncreated Light. The Uncreated Light of our Triune God fills all things. Therefore, no place is a place of darkness. All is all-bright with the Uncreated Light of our Triune God, Who shines with His Light and with his incomparable Divine Love. In other words, God bombards us with incomparable tons of His Divine Love. And woe to him who does not accept this Love, for he will experience it as incomparable hell, as incomparable hate and incomparable darkness in the other life.

"With this teaching, all of the thoughts of modern man are put into order, that say that, if God is incomparable love, how is it possible for us to go to hell for all eternity with so many torments? God neither condemns to hell, nor is hell His creation. God out of love made all things, and whatever He created is wholly light and love. Darkness and punishment were not created by God. We have created them with sin and with death, we have created darkness and hell. Therefore, God, does not condemn us to hell, but we self-condemn ourselves on our own.

"It is like the sun which shines wholly bright, and there are eyes of men who desire to go blind and do not wish to see the light of the sun, even forever. In this eternal self-blinding, one remains in darkness even though he was given the chance to see. Every human being has this pure choice and is free, and God honors this and does not intervene. And man lives his life and works his sins and God does not stand in his way, but unless he turns in repentance and chooses to follow His righteousness, then he can't condemn God for the hell that he will experience in the next life."
-Elder Ephraim of St. Andrew Skete, Mount Athos

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

Recent Repose of Two Contemporary Elders of Greece

Blessed Eldress Styliani (Karatzogianni) of the Holy Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou Penteli (+ October 8th, 2019) (source)

  
Gerontissa (Eldress) Styliani, Abbess of the Holy Monastery of Ntaou Penteli (+ October 8th, 2019)
On October 8th, 2019, the blessed Eldress of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ, Ntaou Penteli, reposed in the Lord.

Eldress Nun Styliani was born on September 14th 1933 as Angeliki Karatzogianni, in Neochorion, Mesolongi. She completed elementary school in Neochorion, Masolongi, and Middle School in Nicea. At the age of 21, she became a novice at the Holy Monastery of Ypapanti (the Meeting) of the Lord in Kalamata under the guidance of Blessed Elder Joel Giannakopoulos and in September 1958, she entered the Holy Monastery of St. Patapios in Loutraki. There she became a rasophore nun on Palm Sunday 1950.

On March 9th 1963, through the activities of the then Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens and All Greece, her Eldress, Styliane Gousopoulos, together with five other nuns from the Holy Monastery of St. Patapios, rebuilt the Holy Monastery of Christ Pantocrator Ntaou Penteli in the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.

On the feast of Theophany, 1963, the enthronement of the first Eldress Styliani occurred, but also the tonsure to the great-schema of the later Abbess by the blessed Archbishop Ieronymos I of Greece. The repose of the first Abbess occurred on September 6th, 1974, and on October 15th of the same year, blessed Eldress Styliane Karatzogianni was elected unanimously as the new Abbess of the Monastery. Her enthronement occurred under the blessed Archbishop Seraphim of Athens and All Greece.

During the period of her Abbacy, the Holy Monastery of Christ Pantocrator Ntaou Penteli came to know great spiritual flowering. It gathered a great sisterhood of young nuns, and the Monastery was rebuilt from the foundations.
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See here for more on the Blessed Abbess Styliani's relationship with St. Porphyrios at the Monastery of Ntaou Penteli.
  

Picture of St. Paisios the Athonite (center), together with blessed Elder Gregory (right) and Eldress Euphemia (left), at the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner, Metamorphosi, Halkidiki (source)

  
Elder Gregory (Papasotiriou), spiritual father of the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner, Metamorphosi, Halkidiki (+ November 19th, 2019)
After many years of struggle, Elder Gregory (Papasotiriou), the spiritual father and founder of the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner, Metamorphosi, Halkidiki, reposed in the Lord. He was a spiritual child of St. Paisios the Athonite.

The blessed Elder was ordained a deacon and a priest by the blessed Metropolitan Synesios of Kassandreias (Visvine), and was placed as a preacher of the Holy Metropolis of Kassandreias.

In 1977, with the blessing of Metropolitan Synesios, and through the spiritual guidance of St. Paisios the Athonite, he founded the women's hesychasterion of the Precious Forerunner, in Metamorphosi, Halkidiki, with the first nuns, Eugenia and Maria Choriataki, Sophia Kenanidou from Metamorphosi, Halkidiki, and nuns Tsaprazolou from Vatopedi, Halkidiki.

The blessed Elder Gregory was a spiritual child of St. Paisios the Athonite, and under his spiritual guidance, he received the angelic schema, and under his direction and blessing, he became the spiritual father of the Holy Monastery of the Precious Forerunner, which today includes 50 nuns.
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Elder Gregory (right) (source)

  

May the Lord grant them a blessed repose and a blessed Paradise, and may we have their blessings!

  

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

St. Iakovos of Evia on the Saints

St. Iakovos of Evia holding Holy Relics during a procession (source)

  
"My children, God walks on the earth through His Saints."
-St. Iakovos of Evia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

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

The Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

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

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

St. Philoumenos the New Hieromartyr (source)

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

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

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

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

And the Kontakion again.

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St. Philoumenos the Cypriot (source)

  

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

"He couched, he lay down like a lion..."

Icon of Christ and the Theotokos "O Anapeson", echoing the prophecy that mystically foreshadows the astonishing and paradoxal wonder of God sleeping in the flesh, both in gentleness as a babe, and in death through His Passion (source)

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel encamping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse, and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Be'or, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, how fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brings him out of Egypt; he has as it were the horns of the wild ox, he shall eat up the nations his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed be every one who blesses you, and cursed be every one who curses you." I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be dispossessed, Se'ir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed, while Israel does valiantly.
-Numbers 24:2-3, 5-9, 17-18, read at Great Vespers for the Nativity of Christ
  
(source)
  

Icon of Christ "Anapeson" (source)

  

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

"The serenity of the Athonite world of monks..."

An Athonite service (source)

  
The serenity of the Athonite world of monks, on the slopes of Athos that neighbors Heaven, that is constantly spoken of by the world, continues to reply with silent messages to turn to one's self and reconstitute the spiritual powers of man towards repentance and the sacramental life.
-Elder Prodromos, Abbot of Great Lavra Monastery, Mount Athos

(source)
   

Icon of the Synaxis of the Holy Athonite Fathers (source)

   

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

 

"God loves us more than a father..."

The Nativity of Christ (source)

   
God loves us more than a father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves.
+ St. John Chrysostom

(source)
  

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

Akathist to St. Arsenios of Cappadocia

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (Source)

  
Akathist to our Venerable Father Arsenios of Cappadocia
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
As one who lived a God-pleasing life in asceticism, and was made worthy of the radiance of the Saints, and was adorned with the crown of incorruption, intercede with the Lord, we pray, that we may all be delivered from evils and trials, as we cry out to you: Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.

Oikoi

You appeared as a man of venerable mind in the world, O Venerable Arsenios, and offering of the Venerable Saints, (3), for by your angelic life, you showed forth the radiance of the Paraclete [the Comforter], through Whom you enlighten all who cry out to you things like these:
Rejoice, new one among the Venerable,
Rejoice, equal of the Saints.
Rejoice, sharer of the name of the great Arsenios,
Rejoice, sharer of the ways of the ancient Fathers.
Rejoice, most-pure nous full of divine illuminations,
Rejoice, greatly-flowing river of the graces of God.
Rejoice, for you shown forth in asceticism in our days,
Rejoice, for you appeared as one of heavenly mind in all things.
Rejoice, new star of grace,
Rejoice, new hero against the enemy.
Rejoice, through whom things truly are made to shine,
Rejoice, through whom the Church is made to dance.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
Having abandoned all things of life that pass away, you directed yourself to serve the Lord, and through a life of purity, you followed His commandments, O blessed Arsenios, and to Him you cried out in reverence: Alleluia.
 
You were shown to be a famed offspring of Cappadocia, and your nature was from pious roots, and you offered your whole being to Christ, while from Him you received heavenly grace, through which we are taught, O Saint, to reverently cry out to you:
Rejoice, flower of Cappadocia,
Rejoice, vessel of incorruption.
Rejoice, treasure of Christ,
Rejoice, casting down of the delusion of the enemy.
Rejoice, newly-founded foundation of the Church of Christ,
Rejoice, boast and confirmation of the faithful of godly mind.
Rejoice, for you dissolved the kingdom of Belial,
Rejoice, for you granted strength to the Orthodox.
Rejoice, for you trampled upon the glances of the enemy,
Rejoice, for you bestow godly gifts on the faithful.
Rejoice, for you water the pastures of souls,
Rejoice, for you uproot the tares of passions.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
You received power from heaven at your holy tonsure, O Arsenios, which increased your zeal in soul towards increasing pains and [ascetical] feats, O Father, having been winged by the love of Christ, to Whom you cried out: Alleluia.
  
Having the divine fire within your soul, O all-blessed one, you burned up the thorns of the passions, and were arrayed in the stole of the Priesthood, as one truly shorn with purity of heart, and you therefore struggled ascetically, hearing from all these things:
Rejoice, divine healer of God,
Rejoice, pride of all the faithful.
Rejoice, newly-illumined lamp-lighter of monastics,
Rejoice, canon of priests bestowed by God.
Rejoice, vine of sweetest fruit of [Christ] the vine of life,
Rejoice, tree full of fruit of the sacred way.
Rejoice, for you traveled through life in asceticism,
Rejoice, for you neglected the lesser, earthly things.
Rejoice, for you desired death for Christ,
Rejoice, for you were filled to intoxication with light.
Rejoice, lover immortal life,
Rejoice, partaker of immaculate nourishment.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.

As one zealous for all things of the ancient Fathers, you came to imitate their lives in our days through your life, and you were made worthy of equal station of their glory, O Arsenios, inspired by God, and with them you cry out to the Lord: Alleluia.
  

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (source)

Your holy life truly shown forth throughout your own homeland, O God-bearer, and taught all of the people to be marked with the divine blood of Christ, as one who transmitted divine things to those who were therefore compelled to cry out:
Rejoice, mouth of piety,
Rejoice, casting down of lawlessness.
Rejoice, most practical steward of souls,
Rejoice, transmitter of divine things, O inspired by God.
Rejoice, most radiant lamp of the virtuous way,
Rejoice, God-inspired tongue of the teachings of life.
Rejoice, for you received the grace of the Comforter,
Rejoice, for you censured the delusion that opposes God.
Rejoice, for you cleansed the wounds of souls,
Rejoice, for you trampled upon the worms of the passions.
Rejoice, through whom the faithful are guided,
Rejoice, through whom the pious are illumined.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
The Master of all glorified your life with wonders, O Father Arsenios, for He bestowed on you many gifts during your life, and after your repose does the same through your divine Relic, which grants incorruptible grace to those who reverently cry out to God: Alleluia.
  
You were shown to be a God-bearing priest and a worthy vessel and friend of the Savior, and you served as a priest spotlessly, being filled with heavenly radiance, directing towards the things to come those who cry out things like these:
Rejoice, divine moon of the East,
Rejoice, lifter of the horn of the Saints.
Rejoice, servant of the divine mysteries,
Rejoice, teacher of Orthodox dogmas.
Rejoice, for you served as a priest like an Angel of Christ,
Rejoice, for you offered everything to Him.
Rejoice, for you distanced yourself from everything earthly with godly mind,
Rejoice, for you were filled with heavenly radiance.
Rejoice, dwelling-place of the light of God,
Rejoice, holy treasure of a holy life.
Rejoice, healer of incurable passions,
Rejoice, scepter against impure spirits.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
From the East came proclaimers of your many wonders, O all-blessed one, who were made worthy of your gifts, and now, they preach of the grace that ever pours forth from your all-precious Relics, O Father, crying out: Alleluia.
  
Shining in the East as a morning star, was your way of life, O Arsenios, and it lately dawns upon us through the placing of your divine Relics, which dissolve the darkness of passions from those who cry out to you in faith:
Rejoice, you who were enriched with divine glory,
Rejoice, you who crushed the mania of the enemy.
Rejoice, sower of a practical way of life,
Rejoice, chosen one of divine providence.
Rejoice, pillar established by God of the spiritual law,
Rejoice, God-inspired organ of the angelic life.
Rejoice, for you grant divine gifts to the faithful,
Rejoice, for you offer up your exaltations to God.
Rejoice, canon of righteous asceticism,
Rejoice, lamp of holy counsel.
Rejoice, laver purifying souls,
Rejoice, our guide towards things to come.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
You only had the love of Christ within your heart, and therefore proceeded forward in His path, and you had humility in your life, and had no desire for possessions, O Venerable One, as you were lifted high by the divine Spirit, and were united to God, chanting: Alleluia.
  

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia with scenes from his life (source)

  
You appeared as a new star of the Church of Christ, O Arsenios, as you lived in asceticism, and you give the help of your wonders to all who approach your divine Relics, as they are granted sanctification and healings, crying out:
Rejoice, clearly beloved one of Christ,
Rejoice, destroyer of the substance of the passions.
Rejoice, deliverer from the bonds of barrenness,
Rejoice, sure guide towards God.
Rejoice, height of humility and treasure of love,
Rejoice depth of purity as a mystic of Christ.
Rejoice, for you instill in the faithful divine fear,
Rejoice, for you teach the law of the Lord.
Rejoice, you who disperse the ranks of the enemy,
Rejoice, you who teach the words of Christ.
Rejoice, rooter of perfect ethos,
Rejoice, uprooter of evil passions.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
Having been estranged from the things of this world, you drew closer to the Lord, and you shown forth with His goodness to those poor and suffering, O wise one, and in all places leading to the Lord by word and deed, O Arsenios, those who cry out: Alleluia.
  
Your whole mind you made to serve the Lord as a servent, O God-bearer, and within you inherited good things sowed by the divine Spirit, Whom we also receive through you, O Saint, as we cry out in faith:
Rejoice, son of the unsetting light,
Rejoice, hero fighting off the enemy.
Rejoice, most-fragrant pasture of chastity,
Rejoice, most-compassionate father of those in dangers.
Rejoice, unshakable haven of those in the tempest of temptations,
Rejoice, you who dissolve the darkness of soul-corrupting trials.
Rejoice, for you heal the passion of cancer,
Rejoice, for you destroy the kingdom of Belial.
Rejoice, you who tell of the goodness of Christ,
Rejoice, you who lance the evils of the enemy.
Rejoice, deliverer from terrible depression,
Rejoice, founder of rejoicing of the soul.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.

Many women approach your Relics with faith and great reverence, and are granted gifts from God through you, as those who were formerly barren become mothers, and with joy, O Arsenios, they cry out to Him Who glorified you: Alleluia.

To you were granted words of prophecy in the Spirit, O blessed Arsenios, for you foretold your venerable repose on the island of Corfu, from where you hastened to God, from Whom you pour forth grace on those who cry out:
Rejoice, fellow-dweller with the Angels,
Rejoice, you who were crowned with the Saints.
Rejoice, you who finished the beautiful race,
Rejoice, you who received the crown of incorruption.
Rejoice, for you grant children to those barren,
Rejoice, for you hearken to our cries in a divine manner.
Rejoice, you who chasten the hearts of the heedless,
Rejoice, you who shine with the love of the Lord.
Rejoice, deliverer from every passion,
Rejoice, guide towards godly good things.
Rejoice, instrument of the compassion of Christ,
Rejoice, lyre of the blessed life.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
Your sacred body, O God-bearer, was given to the venerable grave, while your blessed soul proceeded to Christ, Whose immaculate beauty you behold, as you chant: Alleluia.
  

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (source)

  
Your holy Monastery has been enriched by your sacred Relics, as with a God-given gift, and those who are granted the gift of your wonders all cry out and proclaim with resounding voice and bless you, O Arsenios, and ever cry out with fervor:
Rejoice, inheritor of the Lord,
Rejoice, godly one and God-bearer.
Rejoice, treasure of the Monastery that bears your name,
Rejoice, new adornment of Monastics.
Rejoice, unassailable support of pious Nuns,
Rejoice, saving boast of pious Christians.
Rejoice, for you grant children to those barren,
Rejoice, for you bestow grace on those who are depressed.
Rejoice, flowering of the life to come,
Rejoice, new crowning of the faithful.
Rejoice, rejoicing of our monastery,
Rejoice, true gladness of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
With holy hymns we praise you, O Father, and the choirs of Monastics with fervor surround the container of your Relics, and the pious hasten to gather from all places at your grace, O Venerable One, crying out to Him Who glorified you: Alleluia.
  
Having received the divine light of the Holy Trinity, together with all the choirs of the Saints, dissolve the darkness of temptations for those who approach your divine Relics, granting them deliverance and health, for those who entreat you, crying out:
Rejoice, dissolver of depression,
Rejoice, boast of the Church.
Rejoice, defender of those in pains and trials,
Rejoice, physician of those sick and suffering.
Rejoice, you who grant divine goodness with compassion,
Rejoice, you who drive away temptations with grace.
Rejoice, for you heal terrible afflictions,
Rejoice, for you grant divine guidance.
Rejoice, divine surrounding wall of the faithful,
Rejoice, our fervent consolation.
Rejoice, newest song of the faithful,
Rejoice, our surpassing gift from God.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
Your Monastery rejoices in your holy joy, O all-blessed one, having found you O Father as a protector and divine defender, and it falls before your Relics, praising you, O Arsenios, and ever chants to the Lord: Alleluia.
  
As you chant the thrice-holy hymn together with the Angels to the Holy Trinity, ceaselessly intercede with them, O godly-minded one, on behalf of your children, O Venerable One, that we be delivered from every trial, as we cry out:
Rejoice, beholder of the glory of God,
Rejoice, spring of many healings,
Rejoice, equal to the ancient ascetics,
Rejoice, equal in station to the noetic Armies [of the Angels].
Rejoice, for you shine noetically upon those who call upon you,
Rejoice, for you visit with sympathy those who ask of you.
Rejoice, the intercessor for this Monastery before the Creator,
Rejoice, you who dissolve every sadness of heart.
Rejoice, through whom we are healed of the passions,
Rejoice, through whom we behold the Lord.
Rejoice, intercessor for the faithful towards God,
Rejoice, my deliverance from dangers.
Rejoice, O Father Arsenios.
  
O blessed Arsenios, the citizen of Heaven and communicant with all the Saints, (3) fervently entreat together with them that we be delivered from every trial and that we be granted heavenly grace, for those who cry out: Alleluia.
  
Then, the Kontakion again.
  
(source)
  

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (source)

  

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

"Who would not leap for joy?"

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Pentapolis (source)

  
Who would not leap for joy? Who would not dance in the Spirit at the new festival of the Hierarch Nektarios? For every soul rejoices, beholding him glorified and of equal station with the Saints, and being made known through wonders. Therefore, we bless the radiance of his life, and his assets of righteousness, as we cry out: Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and unto the ages.
-Idiomelon of the Litia for the feast of St. Nektarios the Wonderworker

(source)

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

St. Nikodemos on the Holy Ranks of the Angels

Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (source)

  

"And while, according to the Theologians,

the Thrones judge,

the Seraphim warm us,

the Cherubim make us wise,

the Principalities command,

the Powers work deeds,

the Dominions preserve things,

the Authorities rule the nations,

the Archangels are ministers of the faith,

and the Angels liturgize,

however, Michael and Gabriel,

as the Taxiarchs over all the rest, even more so,

judge, warm us, make us wise, even more so command us, work deeds for us, and preserve us,

even more so rule over nations, minister the faith, and liturgize with us."

-Excerpt on the Holy Angels by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain

(source)

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

"The Taxiarch of the Powers on high..."

The Synaxis of the Holy Angels and Archangels (Source)

  
The Taxiarch of the Powers on high, Michael, the First among the divine ranks, today has gathered us together to celebrate, for he proceeds among us every day, and protects us all from every temptation of the devil. Come, therefore, O lovers of feasts and lovers of Christ, and let us gather the flowers of their virtues, being purified in mind, and steadfast in conscience, and let us honor the Synaxis of the Archangel, for he stands before God without ceasing, and offers up the thrice-holy hymn, interceding for the salvation of our souls.
-Idiomelon of the Litia for the Feast of the Holy Angels, by Arsenios.

(source)

 

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

St. Gabriel of Georgia on Love

 

St. Gabriel the New Confessor of Georgia (source)

  
Faith and love are perceived through sufferings...If you have everything else, but love, you have nothing. If you hate even a single person - you are disgusting before GOD.

Love your enemies – it’s clear. But how to love enemies of Christ? Stop hating and then you will be able to love them. How to love the evil man? Hate the evil, but love those who do evil. Who knows maybe one day they will repent their sins by the powers of prayer, tears and confession and become like an angel. Everything is God's Will. Love everyone; if you can’t, at least show a goodwill.

In the End Days a man will be saved by love, humbleness and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of Heaven; humbleness will lead into the Heaven; a man, whose heart is filled with love, will see the God. This is my last will and testament: raise your prayers for everyone; your prayers will move the mountains. Love each other.
-St. Gabriel the New Confessor of Georgia (+1995)

(source)
  

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