November 16 - Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 16th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE LIFE AND PASSION OF THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST MATTHEW

When He Who is God and the Only Sinless Son of God, Who came in the likeness of man to save the sinful human race, was leaving Capernaum, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his custom-booth, and said to him, "Follow Me." Hearing these words not only with his bodily ears but with those of his soul as well, the publican forsook everything and followed after Christ. Christ visited his home, and Matthew set a meal before the Lord; and Matthew's neighbors, friends, and many of his acquaintances, publicans and sinners, came to dine with Jesus and His Disciples. Seeing that the Lord did not shun these people but sat at table with them, the Pharisees and Scribes said to His Disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"

Hearing this, Jesus said, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  

Saint Matthew, who was the brother of James, son of Alphaeus, became a Disciple and emulator of Christ and was deemed worthy to be numbered among the Twelve Apostle. So that the honor of the Apostolic rank might not suffer, the other Evangelist refer to him not as Matthew, son of Alphaeus, but by his other name, Levi, thus concealing his former occupation of publican, since he was known to very few as Levi. Because of his great humility, however, Saint Matthew in his own Gospel speaks of himself using the name Matthew. Thus he acknowledges, as it were, his former sinful way of life before the whole world and offers other sinners an example of humble repentance, assisting them to turn to the Lord and not be ashamed to confess their sins.

It was Saint Matthew who, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, was to write the first of the Gospels. He wrote his Gospel in the Hebrew tongue eight years after the Lord's Ascension, for those among the Jews, who had come to believe. Then he preached the Gospel in various countries, notably Parthia and Media, and also traveled through Ethiopia, which had fallen to him by lot, illuminating that land with the light of understanding of the Holy Gospel. Finally, guided by the Holy Spirit, he went to a country inhabited by black, savage cannibals, entering a city known as Mirmena. There he gained a number of souls for the Lord. He appointed as their Bishop Plato, his companion, and built a little church for them. Then he ascended a nearby mountain, upon which he made his dwelling. He fasted and prayed fervently to God for the conversion of the unbelieving people, and the Lord appeared to him in the guise of a comely youth, holding in His right hand a staff. Christ bestowed His peace on the Apostle and then stretched out His arm to give him the staff, commanding Saint Matthew to descend from the mountain and to plant the staff before the doors of the church he had built. "This staff." said the Lord, "shall take root and by My power grow into a lofty tree. The tree shall bring forth abundant fruit, surpassing all other fruits in beauty and sweetness. A spring of pure water shall flow forth from its root, and the appearance of the cannibals who drink the water shall be changed. They shall lay aside their savage ways, becoming meek and good."

Taking the staff, Saint Matthew came down from the mount and entered the city as commanded. On the way, the Apostle was met by the wife and son of Fulvian, the Prince that ruled the city. They were tormented by demons and cried out with wild, threatening voices, "Who was it that sent you here with that staff to destroy us?"

The Saint rebuked the unclean spirits and expelled them, and the healed mother and son fell down before the holy Apostle and humbly began to follow him. Bishop Plato learned of Matthew's coming, and taking his clergy, went out to meet him. The Saint went to the church and planted the staff, and straightway, in the presence of all, it grew into a lofty tree which spread forth leafy branches. Upon it appeared beautiful fruit, very large and delicious, and a spring of water flowed from its roots. Everyone who beheld this was filled with wonder. The entire city came to see the miracle, to partake of the sweet fruit, and to drink the pure water. The holy Apostle Matthew, standing on a high place, preached the word of God in the language of the people, and they immediately believed in the Lord and were baptized by the Apostle in the miraculous spring. First Matthew baptized the Prince's wife and her son, who had been afflicted by evil spirits, then all the people who believed in Christ. Those who were baptized emerged from the waters comely and radiant: having put off the old man, darkened by sin, and arrayed themselves in the new man, which is in Christ, they were granted bodily cleansing and purification and adornment of their souls as well.

When the Prince learned of the healing of his wife and son, he rejoiced at first, but then, prompted by the devil, became angry with the Apostle since the entire city was following him and forsaking the pagan gods. He decided to put the Saint to death. That night, the Savior appeared to the Apostle and commanded him to take courage, promising to remain with him during the tribulations to come.

Morning found the holy Apostle with the faithful in the church chanting God's praises. The Prince sent out four warriors to seize Matthew, but when they reached the church, darkness enveloped them, and it was only with difficulty that they succeeded in returning to the Prince. When asked why they had not brought back Matthew, they replied, "We heard his voice when he spoke, but could neither see nor lay hold of him." (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 15 - Holy Nativity Fast Begins

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 15th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH BEGINS THE 40 DAY-NATIVITY FAST OBSERVED BY ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE

The Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Orthodox Christians, in preparation for the Divine Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (December 25th). The holy fast runs 40 days and focuses on the proclamation and glorification of the Incarnation of God.

Sometimes the fast is called Saint Philip's Fast as it traditionally begins on the day following the Feast of Saint Philip the Holy Apostle (+ November 14th).

In our Holy Orthodox Christian Church, the fast entails fasting from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays, and olive oil and wine allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The fasting rules permit fish, wine and olive oil on certain feast days that occur during the course of the fast: the feast-days of Saint Matthew (Nov. 16), Saint Andrew (Nov. 30th), Great-Martyr Saint Barbara (Dec. 4th), Saint Nicholas (Dec. 6th), Saint Spyridon and Saint Herman of Alaska (Dec. 12th), etc.

As is always the case with Orthodox fasting rules, persons who are ill, the very young or elderly, and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting. Each Orthodox Christian should confer with their father confessor regarding an exemption from the fasting rules, rules, but should never place themselves in physical danger.

There has been some ambiguity about the restriction of fish, whether it means the allowance of invertebrate fish or all fish. Often, even on days when fish is not allowed, shellfish may be eaten.

The Eve of Nativity (Dec. 24th) is a strict fast day, called in Greek Paramony (lit. a day of "preparation"). If Paramony falls on Saturday or Sunday, the day is not observed as a strict fast, but a meal with wine and olive oil is permitted following the Divine Liturgy, which would be celebrated in the morning.

On December 25th, the Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ begins. From that day to January 4th (the day before Theophany Eve) is a fast-free period. The Eve of the Theophany (January 5th) is another strict fast day (Paramony).

During the course of the fast, a number of feast days celebrate those Old Testament Prophets who prophesied the Divine Incarnation; for instance: Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Daniel and the Three Holy Youths. These last are significant not only because of their perseverance in fasting, but too because their preservation unharmed in the midst of the fiery furnace is interpreted as being symbolic of the Incarnation--the Ever-Virgin Mary conceived God the Logos/Word in her womb without being consumed by the fire of the Godhead.

As is true of all the Four Orthodox Fasts, a Great Feast falls during the course of the fast; in this case, the Entry of the Theotokos (Nov. 21st). After the Apodosis (Leave-taking) of that feast, hymns of the Holy Nativity are chanted on Sundays and higher-ranking feast days.

It is wise for all Orthodox Christians to know and understand that abstinence from food stuffs is important, however, what is even more significant is implementing the Divine Commandments of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ, i.e., abstaining from sin, repenting of all our transgressions, loving our neighbor, forgiving our enemies and praying for their salvation, living a virtues life to the best of our ability, abstaining from gossip and slander, removing pride from our hearts, avoiding evil thoughts through prayer and fasting, and strengthening our alms (charity) to those in need, studying the Holy Scripture and the holy writings of the Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church, living a virtues life, becoming more humble and meek, the New Life according to our Lord. (Source: Wikipedia)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 14 - Holy Apostle Philip

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 14th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY APOSTLE PHILIP

Saint Philip was born in Bethsaida near the Sea of Galilee, as were Saints Peter and Andrew. Instructed in the Holy Scripture (Old Testament) from his youth, Philip immediately responded to the call of Christ and followed Him (John 1:43). After the descent of God the Holy Spirit, Philip preached the Gospel with zeal in many regions of Asia Minor and in Greece, where the Jews sought to kill him but the Lord saved him by the might His wonders. The Jewish leaders, whose aim it was to kill Philip, were suddenly blinded, and found themselves in total darkness. There was a great earthquake, and the earth opened and swallowed up Philip's evil persecutors. Many other wonders (θαυματα) or (miracles) were wrought, especially the healing of the sick, by which many of the pagans came to faith in Christ. In the Phrygian town of Hierapolis, Saint Philip worked for the Gospel with Saint John the Theologian, his own sister Mariamni and the Apostle Bartholomew. There was in that place a dangerous snake, which the pagans fed with care and worshipped as a god. God's Apostle destroyed the snake with prayer as though with a spear. This called forth the fury of the benighted people, and the evil pagans seized Philip and crucified him upside-down on a tree, and then crucified Bartholomew also. At this, the earth opened and swallowed up the judge and many others with him. The terrified people ran to take the crucified Apostles down, but they succeeded only in taking Bartholomew down alive; Saint Philip had already breathed his last. Saint Bartholomew made Stachys bishop for those baptized in the city. Stachys had been cured of blindness and baptized by the holy Apostle Philip, having been blind for forty years. Saint Philip's holy relics were later taken to Rome. This wonderful holy Apostle suffered in the year 86 A.D., in the time of the pagan Roman emperor Domitian. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 13 - Our Holy Father John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (Part III)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 13th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES OUR HOLY FATHER AND TEACHER SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (Part III)

There lived in Constantinople a good, God-fearing nobleman name Theognostos. Theognostos was slandered to Emperor Theophilos by a certain envious official, a heretic, who said that the pious nobleman had cursed and reviled the Emperor, accusing Arcadius of having an insatiable lust for gold. For this reason, the Emperor condemned Theognostos and sent him to be imprisoned in Salonika. All his wealth and property were confiscated, save a single vineyard, which was situated outside the city. This the Emperor permitted to remain in Theognostos' possession, for the support of his wife and children. On the way to Salonika, Theognostos fell ill from grief and died. His wife was cast into deep sorrow, both on account of her husband's death and because of the loss of their possessions, so she went tearfully to Saint John and told him all her woes. He permitted her to receive food for herself and her children every day at the Church's hostels for the poor and began to look for a convenient opportunity to intercede with the Emperor on behalf of the widow so that the possessions belonging to her would be returned. But the Empress' malice prevented this, and Evdoxia brought great misfortune not only upon the widow but upon the blessed John as well.

When the time of the grape harvest drew near, all the people went out to their vineyards, and the Empress also went to see the imperial vineyards. On her way, she passed Theognostos' vineyard and saw that it was truly beautiful. She entered it, picked some of the grapes from the vines with her own hands, and ate them. In those days there was a law which deprived the landowner of possession should the Emperor or Empress enter his vineyard and remove grapes. After this the vineyard was to be counted as the Emperor's vineyard but the owner was either to be paid for it or receive another vineyard from the Emperor in exchange. In accordance with this law, the Empress ordered that Theognostos' vineyard be numbered among those belonging to the Emperor. She did this for two reasons. On the one hand, she wished to do evil for Theognostos' widow and her children, since she was angry with her for having gone to John and told him of her woes; and on the other, she hoped to find an excuse to drive John out of the Church. She knew that if John learned what she had done, he would not remain silent but would rise to the defense of the offended widow. From this, Evdoxia reasoned, dissension would arise, which would allow her to accomplish her purpose; and, indeed, the matter ended as she hoped.

Saint John Chrysostom immediately sent his archdeacon, Eftychios, to the Empress with a letter which he hoped would incline her to show mercy. He begged her to return the vineyard to the poor widow and striving to awaken in her the fear of the Lord and to frighten her soul with the remembrance of the Dread Judgment of God, but the Empress refused to heed his admonitions. Moreover, she declared that she would no longer endue such insults...

"...When the feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross arrived and the people had assembled in the church, the Emperor came also with his nobles and the Empress with all the members of her court. When the porters caught sight of the Empress approaching, they shut the doors of the church before her, and in accordance with the command of the Patriarch, forbade her entrance. When her servants cried out, "Open for our lady the Empress!" the porters replied, "The Patriarch has forbidden it!"

The Empress was filled with shame and anger, and exclaimed, "See, O people, how this stubborn man insults me! All are permitted to enter the church unhindered except for me. Shall I not take revenge on him and remove him from his throne?"

"...The imperial decree ordering Saint's John's exile was issued on the feast of Pentecost. At that time a certain nobleman advised St. John to leave the city secretly, less the people rise up against the soldiers who were to take him away. "Otherwise," said he, "you will be guilty of causing much bloodshed, for according to the decree you are to be taken by force. If the people resist, a massacre will result."

Hearing this, Saint John summoned a number of the bishops and clergymen who were devoted to him and also the blessed deaconess Olympia. He exhorted them to stand firm in the Orthodox faith, while they wept bitterly for him. He also began to weep in his sorrow at leaving them. Finally, he bade them farewell, and departing unnoticed by a side door, made his way to the harbor where the soldiers were waiting for him. They placed him in a small boat and sailed to Bithynia, from there setting out on the remainder of their journey.

The blessed John was forced to endure much torment at the hands of the soldiers on the way to imprisonment. They had received orders from the Empress to afflict him in every manner possible during the journey so that he would perish more quickly. Therefore, they sat him on an ass unbroken to the saddle and drove the beast along quickly, covering in a single day a journey which ought to have taken two or three. They gave the Saint no rest or peace whatsoever along the way, compelling him to sleep in common, filthy inns, sometimes in the houses of Jews, and performing many vile acts in his presence. Nowhere was he permitted to enter a church. Moreover, they harassed, reproached, and reviled him, and took from him the money given him to buy food during the journey...They forced the Saint to travel through rain and in burning heat with his head uncovered, forbade him to enter cities or villages, and sought in every way to make grievous the journey to his new place of banishment.

A few days before his repose, while the Saint was standing at prayer by night, according to his custom, the holy Apostles Peter and John, who had appeared to him before, when he was living in the Monastery near Antioch, came to him and said, "Rejoice, good pastor of the rational flock of Christ, O great passion-bearer! We have been sent to you by our common Master, Jesus Christ, to help and comfort you amid the sorrows and tribulations you suffer for the sake of your purity of conscience. Like John the Baptist, you have upbraided rulers who have fallen into sin, boldly reproving them for transgressing the law of God. Therefore, be strong and of good cheer, for a rich reward has been prepared for you in His Kingdom of heaven...

"...After this the holy Apostles gave Saint John something to eat and said, "Take this; from this time forth you shall require no other food. This will suffice until you surrender your soul into God's hands." Saint John took what they offered him, ate it, and was filled with joy. Then the holy Apostles departed.

"...After several days of travel, the exiles reached Comana. Near the city there was a church dedicated to the holy hiero-martyr Vasiliscos, the Bishop of Comana, who had suffered for Christ in Nicomedia. They passed the night at this church. The following day was the feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross, and that night, the holy Martyr Vasiliscos appeared to the blessed John and said, "Take heart, brother John; tomorrow we shall be together!'

The holy Martyr also appeared to one of the priests of his church and said, "Prepare a place for our brother John, for he is coming unto us!"

When the dawn came, Saint John begged the soldiers not to depart until the fifth hour of the day, but they refused, for they wished to on their way immediately. As the journey could only be continued by water, they took ship and within a short time sailed over three miles from the city. By God's Providence, however, they soon touched shore again at the church of Saint Vasiliscos, which caused them great perplexity. Saint John again asked them to remain a short time while he prayed in the church. Realizing that it was the power of God that had prevented them from continuing their journey and that it was His unseen hand which had returned them there, the soldiers agreed to Saint John's request. The Saint entered the church, asked for ecclesiastical vestments of a bright color, and changed all his clothing. He gave his garments to those who had been with him on ship, served the Divine Liturgy in the church, and communed of the Most Pure and Life-Giving Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Body and Blood of Christ. After praying for a long time, he gave a final kiss to those present, lay down, and spoke the words he was accustomed to use on every occasion: "Glory be to God for all things!" Then he signed himself with the Cross and uttered his final word: "Amen."

With this, Saint John Chrysostom surrendered his soul into God's hands. He reposed on the very day of the Elevation of the Precious Holy Cross, as was fitting, since he bore the cross throughout the course of his whole life, crucified with Christ and crucifying himself to the world. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 13 - Our Holy Father John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (Part II)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 15th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF OUR HOLY FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS, JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE (Part II)

The blessed one was elevated to the Patriarchal throne in the year 398 A.D., on the 26th of February. The Emperor and all his princes and nobles went to receive the blessing of the newly-consecrated Patriarch, who prayed for the ruler and the people, blessing them all. The Saint then gave a most edifying homily, exhorting the Emperor to adhere firmly to the Orthodox Christian faith, to shun heretics, to attend the divine services of the Church frequently, and to govern in a righteous and compassionate manner. "May Your Piety know," he said, "that I shall not fail to reprove and correct you when necessary, even as the Prophet Nathan did not hesitate to upbraid King David for his transgressions."

Saint John likewise admonished all the spiritual and secular authorities and their subordinates to fulfill their duties in an honorable way.

The most holy Patriarch John assumed the administration of the Church and began to shepherd Christ's rational flock. He zealously sought to root out evil habits from among those of every station in life but especially among the clergy, striving to do away with incontinence, envy, injustice, and other unseemly deeds. Everywhere he sowed seeds of chastity, love, justice, and mercy, and with the eloquent tongue exhorted all to repent. He had great concern for the salvation of the souls of men, and this care did not end with the inhabitants of the Imperial City of Constantinople but extended to the surrounding cities and other lands. He sent out tried and God-fearing members of his clergy, holy men, to preach the word of God, to confirm the people in Orthodoxy, to do away with impiety and heresy, and to guide the erring back to the path of salvation.

The Saint also had great compassion for the poor and the sick, and he saw that the hungry were fed, the naked clothed, and orphans and widows cared for at the Church's expense. Many were the hospitals that the blessed one erected, where the ailing and strangers could lay their heads. They were given whatever they needed and had servants and physicians to watch over them. Moreover, two God-fearing priests were appointed to care for their spiritual needs.

Saint John guided the Church diligently, strengthening the good in a spirit of love and chastising the wicked. Because of this, he was loved greatly by the virtuous but hated by the evil. He was especially detested by certain of his clergymen whom he condemned for their wicked deeds and excommunicated.

He was especially quick to denounce with his eloquent tongue that sharp sword of the Word of God, he sins of avarice and greed which were rooted in the hearts of the powerful an wealthy, for the mighty were accustomed to defraud the weak and were ever ready to take the possessions they were censured by their consciences but were hardened, and they could endure to hear Saint John's words, harboring as they did much malice against him. They plotted to do him evil and began to spread false rumors about him. The Empress Evdoxia (Eudoxia) became especially angry with him, because she interpreted all that Saint Chrysostom said in his sermons concerning the avaricious and the unjust as pertaining to her. She assumed that his words were intended to reproach or condemn her alone, as she was consumed with an insatiable passion for wealth and had taken the possessions of many by force. Whenever Saint John spoke of avarice as the root of all evil, threatening with God's judgment those who defrauded others, her conscience condemned her, and the Empress laid plans to remove him from the Patriarchal throne.

The Empress continued to resent the blessed John, and day by day the wrath and malice in her heart against God's righteous and guileless favorite grew greater. A short time after this, the Empress sent her servants to Saint John with a message intended both to flatter and to threaten him. It read: "Cease your opposition to us, and do not interfere in matters of state, for we do not concern ourselves with the affairs of the Church but rather permit you to deal with them according to your own judgment. Cease to denounce me and to present me as an example of an evildoer when you speak in church. Until now, I have regarded you as a father and have accorded you due respect, but know that if you do not correct yourself from this time forth and begin to treat me as you ought, I shall suffer you no longer."

When Saint John heard the Empress' message, he was grieved and sighing deeply, told the servants, "The Empress desires that I should be like a corpse, which sees no evil and neither hears the voices of the wronged, their weeping and sighs, nor says anything to accuse those who sin. But since I am a bishop the care of souls has been entrusted to me, I must watch over all with a never-sleeping eye and hear the petitions of all, instructing and upbraiding those who do not wish to repent...In my sermons I do not denounce the iniquitous, but iniquity. I have not spoken directly concerning anyone in particular, nor have I ridiculed anyone, nor have I made mention of the Empress' name to reproach her...If the Empress is not aware that she has committed some evil or offended someone, why is she angry with me for teaching the people to turn away from all unrighteousness? "...But if she is guilty of the sins which I seek to uproot from the hearts of men by my words of instruction, then let her know that it is not I who condemn her and that I have no desire to besmirch her honor. Her own works serve as her condemnation, bringing upon her soul great dishonor. Let the Empress rage if she so wishes, but I will not cease to speak the truth. It is better for me to please God than man, "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians, Chapter 1).

After the Saint had said this and much else to the messengers, he dismissed them. They returned to the Empress Evdoxia and told her everything they had heard, but the Empress became still angrier with the blessed John and began to hate him greatly.

The Empress was not alone in her enmity toward the Saint. There were many others who lived in a sinful manner and without repentance who counted themselves the enemies of the blessed one. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 13 - Our Holy Father John Chrystostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (Part I)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 13th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS, JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Saint John Chrysostom, beacon of the whole world, pillar and confirmation of the Church, and preacher of repentance, was born in the city of Antioch in Syria. His parents were unbelievers and held to the impiety of the Greeks. His father, who was an officer, was named Secundus and his mother Anthusa, and they were persons of wealth and repute.

When John reached the proper age, he was entrusted to the sophist Libanius and the philosopher Andragraphius, who instructed him in the learning of the Greeks. Although but a youth, he surpassed many older men in understanding, for he came to know the One True God, the Creator of All, and to disdain the godless polytheism of the pagans. John was baptized by the Most Holy Patriarch Meltius, who was at that time priest of the church of Antioch. Not long thereafter, it pleased God the most good to illumine John's parents with the holy faith so that they who brought into the world this great luminary might not continue to wander astray in the darkness of unbelief. Secundus departed unto the Lord and a better life soon after receiving Holy Baptism, leaving Anthusa, John's mother, a very young widow. She was little more than twenty years old when her husband died.

When John reached the age of eighteen, he went to Athens, and within a short time surpassed his fellow-students and many of the philosophers there in knowledge. He studied all the teachings and the texts of the schools there and himself became a noted philosopher and eloquent orator.  

John had in Athens a malicious opponent, a philosopher named Anthimius, who was jealous of the high regard in which the Saint was held. Anthimius began to slander the blessed one, but John's wise and divinely inspired words put him to shame before all. Moreover, John led Anthimius and many others to Christ in the following manner. While Anthimius was disputing with John, he began to blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ. Suddenly an unclean spirit gained power over him and began to torment him. Anthimius fell to the ground, beside himself, his eyes agape and foam seething from his mouth. The onlookers were overcome by fear and many fled. Those who remained begged John to have mercy on the possessed man and to heal him, but John replied, "If he does not repent and believe in Christ God, Whom he blasphemed, he cannot be healed."

Anthimius straightway cried out, "I confess that there is no God either in heaven or on earth other than the God of the Christians, in Whom the wise John believes!"

When he had said this, the unclean spirit came forth, and Anthimius stood upon his own feet, restored to health. All the people who beheld this miracle cried, "Great is the God of the Christians, Who alone works wonders!" (thavmata)

Saint John forbade Anthimius to continue to blaspheme the Son of God and instructed him in the teachings of the True faith. Then he sent him to the Bishop of of the city , who baptized Anthimius, and his entire household. Many other citizens of repute came to believe in Christ as well and were baptized. The Bishop learned that that it was John who had brought about the conversion of so many pagans to Christ, so he wished to ordain him and to keep him in Athens. Moreover, he hoped that John would succeed him on the hierarchal throne, for he was very old, but John learned of this and secretly departed from the city, returning to Antioch. There he resolved to forsake all the vain glory and pride of life, to take up the humble life of a monk, and to labor for God in the Angelic Schema. His intention was encouraged by his close friend, whose name was Basil. This man was also born in Antioch and knew John from childhood. The two shared the same teachers and loved one another greatly, being of one mind and soul. Basil, who became a monk first, advised his companion John to take up the Monastic life, and John heeded his good counsel.

John wished to enter a Monastery immediately and to become a monk but was held back by his mother. Learning of his intention, she pleaded with him, weeping: "My child I did not long enjoy conjugal life with your father, for death, in accordance with God's will, left me a widow and you an orphan. But no sorrow has succeeded in compelling me to marry a second time and to bring another man into your father's house. I have endured the woes and fires of widowhood with God's help because I had the joy of gazing often upon your face which greatly resembles that of your father, I have not squandered your father's wealth in the troubles that have befallen me as a widow, but have preserved it untouched to provide for your needs. Therefore, I beseech you, my child do not force a second widowhood upon me, nor arouse by your departure the sorrow within me which has scarcely abated since the death of your father. Wait until my death, which I expect with each passing day...And thus she persuaded him not to forsake her.

At that time, Zeno the Archbishop of Jerusalem, happened to be in Antioch, and tonsured John a reader. He remained in that rank for three years. Then John's mother died, and after burying her he gave away all his possessions to those who were in need, freeing his servants and bidding farewell to his relatives and friends. He went to a Monastery, where he became a monk and began to labor for the Lord day and night, toiling and struggling greatly. It was there that he wrote the books On the Priesthood, On Contrition of Heart (a most profitable work), and An Epistle to the Fallen Monk Theodore.

John did not cease to toil either for his own salvation or for that of others, laboring fervently himself and arousing others to struggle. The slothful he inspired to strive for heavenly things, to mortify their flesh, and to subject it to the spirit. Moreover, the blessed one worked numerous miracles while living the ascetic life in that Monastery...John remained in the Monastery for four years. Then, desiring a life of silence, he secretly departed into the desert where he found a cave, in which he remained for two years, living only for God.

After this, Saint John fell ill, enfeebled by his indescribable labors. The cold had harmed his legs, and he was no longer able to care for himself because of his infirmity. For this reason he was compelled to leave the wilderness and to return to Antioch. This occurred in accordance with God's Providence for His Church, so that the brilliant lamp would not remain hidden in a desert cave, as though beneath a bushel, but would be placed on the lampstand of the Church to illumine all. Thus John ceased to have his dwelling among wild beasts and began to live amid men and to profit not only himself but others as well.

Upon his arrival in the city of Antioch, the blessed John was received with joy by the Most Holy Patriarch Meletius, who gave him a place to live. A short time thereafter, the Patriarch ordained John to the Deaconate. He remained a Deacon for five years and became the adornment of the Church, both, because of the virtue of his life and on account of the edifying treatises which he wrote at that time.

Upon the death of Saint Meletius he left Antioch and returned to the Monastery where he lived earlier. One night, however, while Flavian occupied the throne of Antioch, an Angel of the Lord appeared to the Patriarch as he stood at prayer. The Angel said, "Go tomorrow to the Monastery where John, the favorite of God, has his dwelling. Bring him back to the city and ordain him presbyter (priest), for he is a chosen vessel and God will turn a multitude of people unto Himself through him."

An Angel also appeared to John at the same time. The Saint was praying in his cell during the night, according to his custom when the Angel came to him and commanded him to return with Flavian to the city and to accept the priesthood. The next day, the Patriarch arrived at the Monastery, and the blessed John and all the monks came out to meet him. They bowed down before him, received his blessing, and then led him to the church with fitting honor.

The next day John was ordained. When the Patriarch placed his hand upon John's head, a shining white dove suddenly appeared, flying above the Saint. Seeing this, the Patriarch Flavian and all those present were amazed and stood there marveling. Word of this miracle spread throughout Antioch, the neighboring cities, and all Syria, and those who heard of it said, "What shall this man become? The glory of the Lord has overshadowed him from the very day of his ordination!"

Once he was made a Presbyter (Priest), John began to care for the salvation of men's souls with still greater zeal. The blessed one often preached without a written text to the faithful in church, causing the people of Antioch to marvel greatly and praise him...Whenever the people learned that Father John was to preach, they hastened with joy to the church.

Once, a woman, who was listening to the Saint speak but could not understand the meaning of what he said, cried out to him, "O spiritual teacher! I would do well to call you John of the golden mouth. The well of your teaching is deep, however, the rope of our minds is short and cannot reach its depths!"

Then many of the people began to say, "God Himself has given you this name through this woman!" And from that time until the present the whole Church has called Saint John by the name "Chrysostomos," which means "golden-mouthed." (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

(To be continued)

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DIVINE SERVICES ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH:

Orthros (Matins) at...............................................9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at .................................................10:00 a.m.

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George