At First Ecumenical Council in 325, Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker (Dec 12) disputed with a Greek philosopher who was defending Arianism. “Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. […] We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason.”
After his conversation with St. Spyridon, the philosopher turned to his companions and said, “Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this Elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them…”
After his conversation with St. Spyridon, the philosopher turned to his companions and said, “Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this Elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them…”
The Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America, was the first canonized American Saint.
Fr. Herman was a simple unordained monk of Russia's Valaam Monastery. He established the Orthodox Church in Kodiak, defended the natives against exploitation and maltreatment by Russian officials, and cared for orphaned children on Spruce Island, where he lived the final 30 years of his life as a hermit.
St. Herman worked countless miracles of healing and protection. Icon Bay, next to Monks Lagoon is so-named because it was on its beach St. Herman placed an Icon of the Mother of God and declared that God would not allow an inbound tidal wave to go past it. His prayers were answered, and the island was saved from a catastrophic flood.
At the moment of his repose on December13, 1836, the face of Saint Herman of was radiant with light. That same night an unusual pillar of light was seen above Spruce Island.
Rejoice, O Father Herman of Alaska, joyful defender of your Church in North America!
Fr. Herman was a simple unordained monk of Russia's Valaam Monastery. He established the Orthodox Church in Kodiak, defended the natives against exploitation and maltreatment by Russian officials, and cared for orphaned children on Spruce Island, where he lived the final 30 years of his life as a hermit.
St. Herman worked countless miracles of healing and protection. Icon Bay, next to Monks Lagoon is so-named because it was on its beach St. Herman placed an Icon of the Mother of God and declared that God would not allow an inbound tidal wave to go past it. His prayers were answered, and the island was saved from a catastrophic flood.
At the moment of his repose on December13, 1836, the face of Saint Herman of was radiant with light. That same night an unusual pillar of light was seen above Spruce Island.
Rejoice, O Father Herman of Alaska, joyful defender of your Church in North America!
She holds the Holy Chalice! The Holy Martyr Barbara of Helilopolis (Dec 4/ Dec 17) is the only female saint to honoured in such a manner in icons.
It is a pious belief that whoever comes to her will be spared from sudden death without the opportunity to repent, make confession and receive communion of the holy mysteries before leaving this life. This was St. Barbara’s prayer at her martyrdom at the hands of her own father.
St. Dimitri of Rostov wrote of many instances in more recent times when, by her intercessions, many were indeed spared sudden death without receiving the holy mysteries.
It is a pious belief that whoever comes to her will be spared from sudden death without the opportunity to repent, make confession and receive communion of the holy mysteries before leaving this life. This was St. Barbara’s prayer at her martyrdom at the hands of her own father.
St. Dimitri of Rostov wrote of many instances in more recent times when, by her intercessions, many were indeed spared sudden death without receiving the holy mysteries.
Saint Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions (Dec 22) is also known as Anastasia the Pharmacologist. For centuries after her martyrdom during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian (284–305), churches throughout the Roman Empire were dedicated to her. In each church were icons showing her holding a medicine bottle.
Anastasia, born into wealth, dedicated her life and wealth to serving poor, imprisoned Christians, and those suffering from illness — physical and mental — or torture.
In the Life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ, who feigned madness in order to imitate the saints he admired. His slave master thought that his favourite slave Andrew had gone insane, so he brought to the Church of Saint Anastasia. He chained him there along with others who were believed insane. St. Anastasia appeared to Andrew, but instead of "curing" him, she encouraged him to preserve in the ascetic life. Thus, Andrew continued in his “madness”, resulting in scorn, even from his fellow street beggars.
Anastasia, born into wealth, dedicated her life and wealth to serving poor, imprisoned Christians, and those suffering from illness — physical and mental — or torture.
In the Life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ, who feigned madness in order to imitate the saints he admired. His slave master thought that his favourite slave Andrew had gone insane, so he brought to the Church of Saint Anastasia. He chained him there along with others who were believed insane. St. Anastasia appeared to Andrew, but instead of "curing" him, she encouraged him to preserve in the ascetic life. Thus, Andrew continued in his “madness”, resulting in scorn, even from his fellow street beggars.
The grotto of the Nativity, Bethlehem, birthplace of our Lord
After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him!
The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
Kontakion for the Nativity of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ
After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him!
The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
Kontakion for the Nativity of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ
What the Magi saw was no ordinary star. St John Chrysostom and St Theophylactus, commenting on St Matthew’s Gospel, say that it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” St Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy'"(Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi).
When the Magi — Melchior, Caspar, and Bathasar (Dec 25) — entered the house where the Holy Infant lay, they “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).
When the Magi — Melchior, Caspar, and Bathasar (Dec 25) — entered the house where the Holy Infant lay, they “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).
“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” + St Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph, the Betrothed (Dec 26/ Jan 8 ) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” + St Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph, the Betrothed (Dec 26/ Jan 8 ) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
Anysia the Righteous Virgin-martyr of Thessaloniki (Dec 30/ Jan 12) knew that to be a Christian is to live in a world hostile to Christ. Yet, Christ remained her first Love until her last breath.
The Co-Emperor Maximian (286-305) issued an edict stating that anyone had the right to kill Christians with no fear of punishment. Once, when Saint Anysia was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she come to the festival of the sun and offer a sacrifice. At first, St. Anysia gently pulled herself away from him, but when the soldier forcefully grabbed her and attempted to tear the veil from her head, she shoved him, spit in his face and declared, “My Lord Jesus Christ forbids you!” Enraged, the soldier ran her through with his sword. She was buried near the city gates. A chapel was built over her grave.
The relics of St. Anysia are contained in the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki.
The Co-Emperor Maximian (286-305) issued an edict stating that anyone had the right to kill Christians with no fear of punishment. Once, when Saint Anysia was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she come to the festival of the sun and offer a sacrifice. At first, St. Anysia gently pulled herself away from him, but when the soldier forcefully grabbed her and attempted to tear the veil from her head, she shoved him, spit in his face and declared, “My Lord Jesus Christ forbids you!” Enraged, the soldier ran her through with his sword. She was buried near the city gates. A chapel was built over her grave.
The relics of St. Anysia are contained in the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki.
Five of her children are commemorated as Saints. The loving zeal for Christ displayed in the life of the holy and righteous Emilia (also Emily or Emmelia) produced Sts. Macrina, Basil the Great, Peter of Sebaste, Gregory of Nyssa, and Theosebia the deaconess.
In addition to giving birth to saints, St. Emilia, was the daughter of a martyr, the wife of St. Basil the Elder, and daughter-in-law of saint Macrina the Elder.
She is commemorated with her son, St. Basil the Great on Jan. 1, as well as on various other days of the year, depending on the Orthodox jurisdiction.
In addition to giving birth to saints, St. Emilia, was the daughter of a martyr, the wife of St. Basil the Elder, and daughter-in-law of saint Macrina the Elder.
She is commemorated with her son, St. Basil the Great on Jan. 1, as well as on various other days of the year, depending on the Orthodox jurisdiction.
The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that his Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics taught. Our Lord also received the name Jesus (Saviour) on this day. In the Lord's Circumcision and Naming (Jan 1/Jan 14), we are reminded that we have entered into a New Covenant with God.
"For in [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ." Col. 2:9-11.
"For in [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ." Col. 2:9-11.