1st Century Apostolic Traditionalist wrote:
>Good Day everyone.
>
>[another day's readings are snipped]
>
> Jeff Hickling.
> Comments and suggestions are welcome.
> =20
>
My suggestions are several:
1. To post the time honored centureis and centuries honored readings=20
that we Orthodox employ.
2. To employ whatever readings you feel like putting in our Orthodox=20
netgrou is a bit like dumping on us. Our forefathers knew what they=20
were doing when the readings were assigned for each service every day. =20
The readings often illumine us in a special way and go along with what=20
we are celebrating that day. For example, today is Friday of Bright=20
Week. Bright week is what we call the week after Pascha, our Lord's=20
Resurrection on the third day from the dead, granting us eternal life. =20
This is immensely im****tant and the Church celebrates this all week with =
wonderful services and beautiful readings. So by posting our Orthodox=20
readings, you would honor two millenia plus of Christians.
3. If you yourself learn to do the readings of the Bible at home and at =
Church, you will see how it all comes together.
There is a richness in real Orthodox Christianity that is missing in=20
do-it-yourself Protestantism. You might want to know about our Bright=20
Week. It is yours, too, it is in fact for everyone. Even at funerals=20
on Bright Week, we sing Christ is risen, and we open all the doors=20
beofre the altar and proceed with absolute joy. Here is an article you=20
can read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Week
Today, the liturgy at our church was especially lovely as it was the=20
officiating priest, Father George's birthday. After the service, we=20
sang a funeral service, which itself was bright, with everyone singing=20
Christ is Risen from the Dead" during the service and at the coffin=20
being carried out. What a joyous time to fall asleep in the Lord!
WE sing special verses this week called the Paschal Hours. A link to=20
this short service is here: =20
http://www.orthodox.net/pascha/paschalhours.html
and an explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_Hours
This morning's Gospel readings were Acts 3.1-8 and John 2.12-22
There are more of course, depending on how many services you attend or=20
whether you just simpl;y do the readings.
We Orthodox do not forget our own. For example, we celebrate a guy=20
tomorrow who died in the year 400 and wore sheepskin and prayed a lot=20
called Theodore. Here are only SOME of the people we celebrate as great =
Christians today:
*Bright Friday.
Bright Week. Fast-free*
*St. John of the Ancient Cave =97*
**"Life- giving Spring" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (/movable=20
holiday on the Friday of the Bright Week/).
Commemoration of the renewal (sanctification) of the Holy Theotokos=20
temple near the Life-giving Spring in Constantinople (5th c.) (/movable=20
holiday on the Friday of the Bright Week/).
"Pochaev"=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/Epiphany/p+05-03.htm>=20
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (/movable holiday on the Friday of the=20
Bright Week/).
St. John=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-01.htm>
of the =
Ancient Caves in Palestine (8th c.).
New Hieromartyr Victor, bishop of Glazov (1934).
New Hieromartyr Demetrius priest (1942).
St. Matrona the Blind of Moscow (1952).
Martyrs Christopher, Theonas=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-02.htm>,
and=20
Antoninus=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-02.htm>
in=20
Nicomedia (303).
Hieromartyr Paphnutius=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-05.htm>
of=20
Jerusalem.
St. George=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-06.htm>
the=20
Confessor, bishop of Antioch in Pisidia (813-820).
St. Tryphon=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-07.htm>,=20
patriarch of Constantinople (933).
St. Nicephorus=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-03.htm>,
abbot =
of Katabad.
St. Symeon=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-04.htm>
the=20
Barefoot of Philotheou Monastery, Mt. Athos.
Finding ofthe relics (1621) of St. Joachim, abbot of Opochka (Pskov) (151=
5).
Venerable Joasaph (Bolotov) of Alaska.
Hieromartyr Alphege, archbishop of Canterbury (1012) (/Celtic & British/)=
=2E
New Martyr Agathangelus=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/19-08.htm>
of=20
Esphigmenou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1819) (/Greek/).
Martyrs Theodore, his mother Philippa and two soldiers, Socrates and=20
Dionysius at Perge in Pamphylia (2nd c.).
*The Scripture Readings*
Acts 3:1-8=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/reading/p/p005-01.htm>
**
*Acts 3:1-8*
^1
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of=20
prayer, the ninth hour.
^2
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they=20
laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask=20
alms from those who entered the temple;
^3
who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
^4
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
^5
So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.=
^6
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I=20
give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
^7
And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately=20
his feet and ankle bones received strength.
^8
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with=20
them-walking, leaping, and praising God.
**
Philippians 2:5-11=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/reading/p/p005-02.htm>
**
*Philippians 2:5-11 (Theotokos) *
^5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
^6
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal=20
with God,
^7
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,=20
and coming in the likeness of men.
^8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became=20
obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
^9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which=20
is above every name,
^10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven,=20
and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
^11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the=20
glory of God the Father.
**John 2:12-22=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/reading/p/p005-03.htm>
***ohn 2:12-22*
^12
After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and =
His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
^13
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem=
=2E
^14
And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and =
the money changers doing business.
^15
When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple,=20
with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and=20
overturned the tables.
^16
And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not=20
make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
^17
Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house =
has eaten Me up."
^18
So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us,=20
since You do these things?"
^19
Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three=20
days I will raise it up."
^20
Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, =
and will You raise it up in three days?"
^21
But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
^22
Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered=20
that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the=20
word which Jesus had said.
**Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28=20
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/reading/p/p005-04.htm>
**
*Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 (Theotokos) *
^38
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a=20
certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
^39
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard =
His word.
^40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and =
said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?=20
Therefore tell her to help me."
^41
And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried=20
and troubled about many things.
^42
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will =
not be taken away from her.
^27
And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from=20
the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that=20
bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!"
^28
But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of=20
God and keep it!"
**
<http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/index.php?year=3D2008&today=3D=
2&month=3D5&trp=3D0>=20
*The Bright Resurrection of Christ, Troparion. Tone V =97
*Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on=20
those in the tombs bestowing life.
*Kontakion, Tone VIII =97
*Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst=20
Thou destroy the power of hell, and didst rise again as Conqueror, O=20
Christ our God, saying to the myrrhbearing women, Rejoice! and giving=20
peace to Thine Apostles, and offering to the fallen resurrection.
*Exaposieilarion =97
*Having slept in the flesh as a mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst rise =
on the third day. Thou didst raise up Adam from corruption and abolish=20
death, O Passover of incorruption, Salvation of the world!
No Troparion is given in the Menaion.
*Kontakion =97*
No Kontakion is given in the Menaion,
**One of my suggestions, since you aspire to being an apostolic=20
Christian, is to read about other Christians. Why not start with some=20
of the saints for today? :
* Monk John of the Old-Cave*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The Monk John of the Old-Cave is called such because he=20
asceticised during the VIII Century in the Lavra of the Monk Chariton (+ =
450, Comm. 28 September). This was called the "Old", or ancient one, as=20
among the oldest of Palestinian monasteries. The Lavra was situated not=20
far from Bethlehem, near the Dead Sea. Saint John in his early years=20
left the world, went to venerate at the holy places of Jerusalem and=20
settled at the Lavra, where he attained high spiritual accomplishment.=20
He was ordained to the dignity of presbyter and glorified by his ascetic =
life.
most of these translations =A9 by translator Father. S. Janos.
__note that a Lavra, or Laura, is a=20
monastery________________________________________________
*The Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theon and Antoninus*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theon and Antoninus were=20
spearsmen-soldiers of the emperor Diocletian (284-305). They were=20
present at the sufferings of the GreatMartyr George (Comm. 23 April),=20
they beheld the miracles accomplished by the power of God, and they=20
witnessed the faith and unshakable courage of Saint George. The soldiers =
came to believe in the Saviour, threw down their golden military belts=20
and afront of the emperor declared themselves Christians. They were=20
immediately thrown into prison. The next day the emperor began to urge=20
the former soldiers to renounce Christ, but they firmly confessed their=20
faith and glorified the Saviour as the True God. The emperor gave orders =
to beat the martyrs with iron rods and to lacerate their bodies with=20
hooks. The holy martyrs endured all the torments and remained=20
unyielding. Then Diocletian gave orders to burn them. The martyr's death =
of Saints Christopher, Theon and Antoninus occurred in the year 303.
_________________________________________________________________________=
__
*The PriestMartyr Paphnutios of Jerusalem*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The PriestMartyr Paphnutios of Jerusalem was a bishop. He=20
underwent many sufferings from the pagans and was tortured by fire, by=20
beasts, and finally was beheaded by the sword.
Some suggest, that the PriestMartyr Paphnutios was an Egyptian=20
bishop and suffered together with many other Egyptians, exiled to the=20
Palestinian mines during the persecution by Diocletian (284-305).
The myrh-flowing relics of the priest-martyr were glorified by=20
miracles. The kanon to him was compiled during the Iconoclast period=20
(pre-842). In the final ode to him is done a petition about the aid of=20
the priest-martyr in putting an end to the heresy disrupting the Church.
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
*Sainted George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidian Antioch*
/Commemorated on April 19/
Sainted George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidian Antioch, lived=20
during the Iconoclast period. In his youth he became a monk, was known=20
for his holiness of life and was made bishop of Pisidian Antioch.
During the time of persecution against holy icons under the=20
emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), Saint George was at Constantinople=20
and at a Council of bishops he denounced the Iconoclast heresy, calling=20
on the emperor to forsake it. When Saint George refused to remove the=20
icons from the church by decree of the emperor, he was exiled to=20
imprisonment (+ c. 813-820).
_________________________________________________________________________=
________
*Sainted Tryphonos, Patriarch of Constantinople*
/Commemorated on April 19/
Sainted Tryphonos, Patriarch of Constantinople, was from his=20
youthful years a monk, distinguished by his meekness, lack of malice,=20
full submission to the will of God, firm faith and love for the Church.=20
At this time in Byzantium ruled the emperor Romanos (919-944), who=20
wanted to raise up onto the patriarchal throne his younger son=20
Theophylaktos. When Patriarch Stephanos (925-928) died, Theophylaktos=20
was only 16 years old. The emperor then suggested to the Monk Tryphonos=20
to be a "lo*** tenens" of the patriarchal throne until the coming of age =
of Theophylaktos.
The Monk Tryphonos meekly accepted upon himself the burden of=20
patriarchal service and over the course of three years he wisely=20
governed the Church. When Theophylaktos turned age twenty (931), the=20
emperor proposed to Saint Tryphonos that he resign the patriarchal=20
throne. But Saint Tryphonos did not consider it proper to hand over the=20
throne to an inexperienced youth and so he refused to do so. The emperor =
could not find pretense to intimidate Saint Tryphonos, since his life=20
was blameless. Then Romanos employed the cunning counsel of the bishop=20
of Caesarea, Theophilos.
The bishop went to Saint Tryphonos and deceitfully began to urge=20
him not to comply with the emperor and not to resign the patriarchal=20
throne. He began to advise Saint Tryphonos to take beforehand a measure=20
of caution and dispel the impression of the emperor about his=20
illiteracy. And to do this bishop Theophilos craftily suggested to Saint =
Tryphonos to write down on a clean sheet of paper his full name and=20
title, and to give it over to the emperor. Not perceiving the fraud, the =
guileless saint at a Council of bishops took a clean sheet of paper and=20
put on it his titled signature: "Tryphonos, by the Mercy of God the=20
ArchBishop of Constantinople, and of New Rome the OE***enical=20
Patriarch". When they presented this paper to the emperor, he gave=20
orders to write atop the signature of the saint: "I resign the position=20
of Patriarch for no other reason than this, that I consider myself=20
unworthy of this dignity". When this fraud was read at a gathering of=20
imperial dignitaries, servants removed Saint Tryphonos from the=20
patriarchal chambers. The Monk Tryphonos patiently endured the deception =
done him, and returned to his own monastery. He lived in it as a modest=20
monk but for a year until his death (+ 933). His body was taken to=20
Constantinople and buried in the burial place of the Patriarchs.
____________________________________________________________
*The Monk Nicephoros*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The Monk Nicephoros was born at Constantinople into a rich and=20
illustrious family. His parents, Andrew and Theodora, raised their son=20
in the Christian faith. After their death, young Nicephoros distributed=20
all his wealth to the poor and set off to Chalcedon. The strict manner=20
of monastic life at the monastery of Saint Andrew appealed to=20
Nicephoros, and he remained amidst the brethren there.
From the very start the monk displayed an unusual fervour in=20
prayer and at work. He had such strength of endurance at asceticism,=20
that soon the hegumen sent the saint to a Phoenician island for=20
preaching faith in Christ, and he was made hegumen of a monastery in=20
honour of the MostHoly Mother of God.
The Monk Nicephoros dwelt on the island for thirty-three years and =
he brought many pagans to Christ. On the place of a pagan-temple on the=20
island was built a church of God.
Sensing the approach of death, the monk gave orders to carry him=20
to a ****p and said to the ****p-captain: "Take care, since I do expire to =
the Lord, but carry off my body to Chalcedon to the monastery of Saint=20
Andrew". With these words he died. The ****p made fine voyage to=20
Chalcedon, and the brethren of the monastery of Saint Andrew reverently=20
buried the body of the holy ascetic
___________________________________________________________________
*The Monk Simeon the Bare-Foot (Bosoi)*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The Monk Simeon the Bare-Foot (Bosoi) was the son of a priest. At=20
15 years of age he came under the spiritual guidance of the bishop of=20
Demetriada (Laryssa diocese), Pakhomios, who gave him monastic vows and=20
ordained him to monk-deacon. In order to better learn strict monastic=20
life, Saint Simeon soon withdrew to a monastery near Mount Olympos, and=20
from there he settled on Holy Mount Athos, at the Laura of Saint=20
Athanasias. By his humility and zealous obedience he there gained the=20
respect of the brethren and was ordained to priest-monk. When the monk=20
transferred to the Philotheon monastery, he intensified his=20
God-pleasing-toil, he became an example for the brethren, gained their=20
overall love and was unanimously chosen as head of this monastery.=20
Afterwards, through the sly cunning of the enemy of good, Saint Simeon=20
had to put up with unjust grumbling on the part of weak-souled monks.=20
Leaving it to the will of God to bring judgement upon the culprits,=20
Saint Simeon quit the monastery and withdrew to Mount Phlamuria. There,=20
in solitude and quiet, without roof nor fire, in old clothing, and=20
almost without food, in constant prayer either standing or on=20
bended-knees, the holy hermit carried on the inner struggle. After three =
years certain God-loving people came upon him, and inspired with=20
reverence for his lifestyle, they besought him to accept them to live=20
with him.
After seven years by the efforts and zeal of Saint Simeon a whole=20
monastery was formed. A church was built in the Name of the MostHoly=20
Trinity, wherein the monk made daily Divine liturgy. When the life of=20
the brethren in the wilderness monastery had been put in order, the wise =
servant left the monastery and began to preach the Word of God in=20
Epirus, Thessaly and Athens. By his instructions and teaching the saint=20
affirmed the wavering in their faith, those in error he set aright on=20
the way to salvation, the strong in their faith he made even stronger,=20
and he taught al to love one another, and to observe Sundays and=20
feastdays with a visit to the churches of God.
The boldness of the holy confessor aroused the wicked malice of=20
the opponents of the Christian faith. In the city of Euripa they=20
slandered the Monk Simeon in front of the city-governor, Ayan, accusing=20
him of making a Turk accept Christianity. The saint was arrested and
sentenced to public burning. But the providence of God did not permit of =
the culmination of the injustice. At the interrogation where the=20
condemned one had been led to in shackles, barefoot (bosoi) and in an=20
old ryasa, Saint Simeon =96 inspired by the Holy Spirit =96 so wisely gav=
e=20
answer to the governor, that Ayan was not able to impose the death=20
sentence. The saint received his freedom and continued with his efforts, =
sealing the preaching of Christianity by healings and miracles. Many=20
followed after the Monk Simeon and entrusted themselves into full=20
obedience to him. Everyone he accepted, he gave blessing for the=20
monastic life and sent them on to his monastery. The work of Saint=20
Simeon finished at Constantinople. He peacefully expired to the Lord and =
was buried reverently by the patriarch himself at Chalkas, in a church=20
in honour of the MostHoly Mother of God. After 2 years, when the monks=20
of the Phlamuria monastery decided to transfer his holy relics to the=20
monastery, and the grave with his body was opened, fragrance wafted=20
forth and here already began healings.
The Vita and the Service to the Monk Simeon were published at=20
Smyrna in the year 1646.
_________________________________________________________________________=
____
*The MonkMartyr Agathangelos*
/Commemorated on April 19/
The MonkMartyr Agathangelos, in the world Athanasias, was born in=20
the city of Aena, the Thracian district, and was raised in a strict=20
Orthodox family. After the death of his parents he became a sailor. The=20
Turks decided to convert the skilled and intelligent youth to Islam.=20
They knew, that he would not renounce Christ of his own good will, and=20
in the city of Smyrna they pounced on the saint, inflicted a wound on=20
him and threatening him with death, demanded that he accept Islam. The=20
youth was terrified and promised to call himself a musselman in the hope =
of soon to be free of the bullies and disdain this promise. But for a=20
long time he did not succeed, he was tormented by the stings of=20
conscience and finally he found the op****tunity to quit the city to seek =
refuge on Holy Mount Athos. At the Esthygmena monastery the hegumen,=20
Euthymios, confessed him and gave him blessing to become a novice, which =
Saint Athanasias entered into with great fervour.
But even by his most intense efforts Saint Athanasias considered=20
it insufficient to atone for his sin of apostasy. He sensed, that it=20
would be necessary for him to give up his life for the faith in Christ,=20
and he began fervently to pray concerning this.
On the fourth Sunday of the Great Lent the nineteen year old youth =
took monastic vows with the name Agathangelos.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to the newly-made monk in =
a dream and promised him his help. The hegumen of the monastery saw in=20
this a special sign and gave blessing to Saint Agathangelos to confess=20
his faith in Christ at Smyrna in front of those very ones who forced him =
into renunciation.
In the Ottoman courtroom the confessor told, how by force they had =
compelled him to accept an alien faith, and he publicly renounced Islam=20
and confessed himself a Christian. They began to cajole and admonish=20
Saint Agathangelos. He replied: "I will not give in to you, neither by=20
your threats nor by your promises. Christ only do I love, my Christ only =
do I follow, in my Christ only do I hope to know bliss". The judge began =
to threaten him with death by torture. "I am prepared to endure all for=20
my Christ! I accept every manner of torment with the greatest joy! I ask =
only that thou not tarry in carrying out thy word", =96 answered the sain=
t.
They bound Saint Agathangelos and slapped him in heavy chains,=20
hammered his feet into wooden boots and threw him in prison. Together=20
with him were situated there two other wrongly condemned Christians. One =
of them, Nicholas, after the death of the monkmartyr gave an account of=20
his torture.
On the following day Saint Agathangelos in fetters was again=20
brought before the judge. Bravely enduring all the torments which the=20
Turks had readied for him, he again was sent off to prison. Nicholas=20
re****ted to him, that a certain influential man would intervene before=20
the judge for his release, but Saint Agathangelos in a note to this man=20
asked not to gain him freedom, but rather that he might pray to God that =
he be strengthened for the deed of martyrdom.
The saint readied himself for the final trial. At midnight in a=20
vision it was revealed to him, that they would execute him not later=20
than five o'clock, and he joyfully began to await the appointed hour. At =
about the fourth hour a watch was put over him. Not seeing any=20
possibility to convert the steadfast confessor from his faith in Christ, =
the judges decided to execute him. Absorbed in prayer, the martyr did=20
not take notice the preparations for executions nor the large throng of=20
people. He was beheaded at about the fifth hour of the morning, on 19=20
April 1819. Christians gathered up the holy remains of the martyr and=20
buried them in the city of Smyrna, in the church of the GreatMartyr Georg=
e.
In the year 1844 part of the remains of the MonkMartyr=20
Agathangelos were transferred to Holy Mount Athos to the Esthygmena=20
monastery.
_________________________________________________________________________=
____________________________________
WE not only remember our Orthodox own people who have passed away in=20
the Lord, but sometimes we have special prayers for Orthodox icons,=20
since they are windows into a reality that we hope to attain after this =
lifetime. Today two icons are celebrated, the special communion icon=20
called the Lifegiving Spring which shows Christ in a communion cup and=20
his holy mother, a promise to us all that through communion we partake=20
of the Body and Blood of Christ, and also today the Pochaev icon. Here=20
is about it:
The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God
Commemorated on the Friday of the Bright Week, July 23, September 8
The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is among the most venerable=20
sacred items of the Russian Church. It is reknown throughout all the=20
Slavic world: they venerate it in Russia, in Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria=20
and other places. Christians also of other confessions come for=20
veneration of the wonderworking image of the MostHoly Mother of God,=20
alongside the Orthodox. At the Pochaev Lavra, an ancient rampart of=20
Orthodoxy, the wonderworking icon has resided about 400 years. (The=20
account about the transfer of the icon to the Pochaev monastery is=20
located under 8 September). The miracles, which issued forth from the=20
holy icon, are numerous and are testified to in the monastery books with =
the inscriptions of the faithful, who with prayer have met with=20
deliverance from unclean spirits, liberation from captivity, and sinners =
brought to their senses.
The celebration in honour of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God =
on 23 July was established in memory of the deliverance=20
Uspenie-Dormition Lavra monastery from a Turkish siege on 20-23 July 1675=
=2E
In the Summer of 1675 during the time of the Zbarazhsk War with=20
the Turks, during the reign of the Polish king Jan Sobesski (1674-1696), =
regiments composed of Tatars under the command of khan Nurredin via=20
Vishnevets fell upon the Pochaev monastery, surrounding it on three=20
sides. The weak monastery walls, just like some of the stone buildings=20
of the monastery, did not offer much defense against a siege. The=20
hegumen Iosif Dobromirsky urged the brethren and laypeople to turn=20
themselves to Heavenly intercessors: to the MostHoly Mother of God and=20
the Monk Job of Pochaev (Comm. 28 October). The monks and the laypeople=20
prayed fervently, prostrating themselves before the wonderworking image=20
of the Mother of God and the reliquary with the relics of the Monk Job.=20
On the morning of 23 July with the rising of the sun, as the Tatars were =
holding a final meeting about an assault on the monastery, the hegumen=20
ordered the singing of an akathist to the Mother of God. With the first=20
words, "O Queen of the Heavenly Hosts", suddenly there appeared over the =
church the MostHoly Mother of God Herself, in "an unfurled=20
gleaming-white omophor", with heavenly angels holding unsheathed swords. =
The Monk Job was beside the Mother of God, bowing to Her and beseeching=20
the defense of the monastery. The Tatars took the heavenly army for an=20
apparition, and in confusion they began to shoot arrows at the MostHoly=20
Mother of God and the Monk Job, but the arrows fell backwards and=20
wounded those who shot them. Terror seized the enemy. In a flight of=20
panic and without looking, they trampled upon and killed each other. The =
defenders of the monastery attempted pursuit and took many prisoner.=20
Some of the prisoners afterwards accepted the Christian faith and=20
remained at the monastery thereafter.
In the year 1721 Pochaev was occupied by Uniates. But even in this =
difficult time for the Lavra, the monastery chronicle notes 539 miracles =
from the glorified Orthodox sacred image. During the time of the Uniate=20
rule in the 2nd half of the XVIII Century, for example, the Uniate=20
nobleman count Nicholas Pototski became a benefactor of the Pochaev=20
Lavra through the following miraculous cir***stance. Having accused his=20
coachman for overturning the carriage with frenzied horses, the count=20
took out a pistol to shoot him. The coachman, turning towards Pochaev=20
Hill, reached his hands upwards and cried out: "Mother of God, manifest=20
in the Pochaev Icon, save me!" Pototski several times tried to shoot the =
pistol, which had never let him down, but the weapon misfired. The=20
coachman remained alive. Pototski then immediately set off to the=20
wonderworking icon and decided to devote himself and all his property to =
the building-up of the monastery. From his wealth was built the=20
Uspenie-Dormition cathedral and buildings for the brethren.
The return of Pochaev into the bosom of Orthodoxy in 1832 was=20
marked by the miraculous healing of the blind maiden Anna Akimchukova,=20
who had come on pilgrimage to the holy things together with her 70 year=20
old grandmother, from Kremenets-Podol'sk 200 versts away. In memory of=20
this event, the Volynia archbishop and Lavra archimandrite Innokentii=20
(1832-1840) established weekly on Saturdays the reading of the cathedral =
akathist before the wonderworking icon. During the time of the rule of=20
the Lavra by archimandrite Agathangel, archbishop of Volynia=20
(1866-1876), there was constructed a separate chapel in the galleries of =
the Holy Trinity church in memory of the victory over the Tatars, which=20
was dedicated on 23 July 1875.
And here is a picture of it. People have written (we don't call it=20
painting since icons are not realistic depictions but IDEAS of reality)=20
many of this icon in copies: =20
http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/Epiphany/p+05-03.jpg
On the icon , the words not in English are Mother of God for Mary and=20
Jesus Christ for Jesus with the other information, The Pochaev=20
Birthgiver of God. Gelow Mary holding Jesus you will see a tiny=20
depiction of Pochaev Monastery in Russia and rocks, showing it is=20
located in a kind of desert meant for prayer.
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