The Tree on which St. Ephraim was Martyred

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Ephraim being put to death for Christ on a mulberry tree, at the end of his long martyrdom (source)

"It was Good Friday, April 4, 1980. The priest came for the divine service of Holy and Great Friday evening. The orthros divine service started and it was time for the Epitaphios to exit the church. At that time, it was raining heavily and we were walking from the northern small gate. There was a very long lived berry tree that I always respected, even though there were many times I was asked to cut the tree down; the most recent time being the morning of Good Friday. I was told, "You have to cut the tree down. It is impossible for the Epitaphios to go through that area." "You push it aside carefully and we'll go through," I answered.

"When the procession was near the tree, a very bright light came and guided my eyes toward the tree and at the same time, I heard a voice saying, "This is the tree on which the Saint suffered martyrdom. Don't think about anything else."

"I salute the most holy tree that held the Glorious Martyr Efraim, God's Courageous Athlete."
-Blessed Makaria, from Visions and Miracles of the Great Martyr and Miracle-Worker Ephraim Neophanous
 

The Tree on which St. Ephraim of New Makri was martyred, still seen in a special chapel in his monastery (source)

 
You proceeded steadily on the path of the virtues, and put to death the carnal mindset through the pains of self-control, O all-blessed Ephraim, making your soul and most-pure body to be a dwelling-place of the All-Holy Trinity, as full of divine light, and through the Prince of Darkness, the barbarians schemed to sway you, but you swatted them away steadfastly, having been strengthened by Christ, and as hold in the furnace, you were tried by many forms of tortures, and were put to death on a tree of life, having been made worthy of martyrical glory, and you entreat that we all be granted peace, and divine mercy.
-Idiomelon of the Litia in the Second Tone

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St. Ephraim of Nea Makri, before the tree of his martyrdom (source)

 

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

Truly, the Lord is risen!

St. Iakovos of Evia who planted a forest

Photograph of St. Iakovos of Evia before his Monastery of St. David, with the vibrant surrounding forest that he helped plant clearly visible (source)

  
St. Iakovos of Evia said: "When I went to the Monastery, because of the former fires, the mountain around the Monastery was naked and only a few pine trees and olive trees remained from the dires and it was very dry. As I would go on my various errands, I had in my pocket seeds from the cones of pine trees, that I would cast around the whole surrounding area." Thus, slowly, with this prototype care and especially with his prayer, the forest came to life again, little pine trees sprouted and the area around the mountain is covered in green from these fragrant pine trees. "I made a special prayer," St. Iakovos said, "That the forest especially might be protected from fires that occur as a cause of the wrath of the devil, who brings out his weapons in order to destroy the forests."
-from the book, The Monastery of the Venerable David, "A Holy Elder, Blessed Father Iakovos"


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St. Iakovos of Evia (source)

  

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

"What shall we offer to You, O Christ? For You gave us Your Precious Cross..."

The Exaltation of the Precious Cross of Christ (source)

  
What shall we offer to You, O Christ? For You gave us Your Precious Cross to venerate, on which Your All-holy Blood was spilled, and on which Your Flesh was affixed with nails, which we now embrace, giving thanks to You.
  
With hymns, let all of the trees of the forest skip for joy for their fellow tree, beholding the Cross being embraced today, on which Christ lifted up His head, as was foretold by the divine David.
  
You were put to death on the tree that I might find life. O Christ-bearing Cross, my protector unassailable, and mighty strength against the demons, O Cross which we venerate today, we cry out: Sanctify me with your glory.
-from the Matins Canon for the Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross
  
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Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

" Let all the trees of the forest rejoice..."

Christ planting the trees in the Creation of the world (source)

   

Let all the trees of the forest rejoice, for Christ, Who planted them in the beginning, has sanctified their nature by being stretched out upon the tree, which we now see exalted, we worship Him and you we magnify.

-From the 9th Ode of the Canon for the Exaltation of the Precious Cross

   

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Christ the Tree of Life (source)

  

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