25 January

SAINT MOSES OF NOVGOROD,

the Builder

(+1362)

Mitrophan was born in a very rich home in the city of Novgorod, Russia. When he was only sixteen, Mitrophan decided that he wanted to give his life to the service of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He left his parents' beautiful home and riches and went to a small, poor monastery.Soon, the abbot and all the monks were impressed by the sincerity and purity of the young novice. He was obedient, and fasted and prayed more than some of the older monks. After three years as a novice, he was tonsured a monk and his name was changed to Moses.Before long, people began to notice Moses' great humility, love and compassion. He was always helping someone, and he tried to teach those who had plenty, to share with those who were poor. The saint was always praying that people would learn to truly love God and their neighbours.Soon, Bishop David of Novgorod made Saint Moses abbot of a large, wealthy monastery called Yuriev. Here, Saint Moses began to teach people. He also used the monastery's wealth C which was not in money, but in wheat from its fields and food from its large garden C to help feed the hungry.Saint Moses was sad because so many people did not understand the Orthodox Faith and they did not really understand what Jesus Christ had done for them. He began to teach them, with love and understanding.

Because of his great love and compassion, and his humility and spiritual struggles, St Moses received the Grace of the Holy Spirit and was able to lead the people to grow in spirit and faith.When Bishop David of Novgorod reposed in the Lord, all the people wanted Saint Moses to be their new shepherd. When the election was held for bishop, they all elected St Moses. He became their bishop in A.D. 1325.As bishop, St Moses gave even more time and energy to educating the people. He helped the poor and those who were in trouble, and also had many new churches built. He wanted the people in every part of his diocese to have a good church, so he built some of the most beautiful churches in North Russia.The saint was also concerned about the icons in his diocese. In many places, the icons were not good, and did not correctly teach the Scripture to the people. St Moses, therefore, led in the founding of a new school for icon painting. This school became known as the Novgorod School. This school soon began to fill the churches and home icon corners with good, scriptural icons.The people did not just learn from St Moses' words, but they learned more from his life and deeds, for he truly lived and served like Christ.When the saint became old and ill, he retired and moved to the monastery to spend his last few days in prayer. St Moses fell asleep in the Lord on 25 January, 1362. He was 87 years old.

14 February

The Holy Martyr SAINT VALENTINE

(+270)

Valentine was born into a highly educated family and as a youth he received an excellent education.When the Emperor Claudius II commanded that everyone worship the idols of Rome, he also made it illegal for anyone to be a Christian, or even to be friends with a Christian.Valentine was a devout Christian and he refused to offer sacrifices to the pagan idols. He was arrested, together with many other Christians, and imprisoned. The saint was in prison for a long time and became friendly with one of the officers of the guard.The officer had a daughter who had been born blind and though she was very bright with a fine, quick mind, she had difficulty learning. The officer was impress­ed with St Valentine's great education and also by the clarity of his speech. He arranged to have his daughter, Julia, come for lessons with the young prisoner.St Valentine taught her history, mathematics and the sciences. He also taught her about our Saviour Jesus Christ.Julia began to see the world through Valentine's eyes, and she trusted his wisdom and found comfort in his quiet strength.Valentine taught Julia to pray. One day, the maiden asked him, "Valentine, does God really hear our prayers?""Yes, my dear one. God hears each and every one of them.""Do you know what I pray for every day?" she continued. "I pray that I might see. I want so very much to see everything that you have told me about.""God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentine said."I do believe in Him," Julia cried. "Let us pray together, very hard, that God will give me my sight." The two of them prayed together for a long time. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light that filled the cell. Julia opened her eyes and looked up. "I can see, Valentine, I can see!"

"Glory to God," Valentine exclaimed. Then they began to pray and thank God.

As the Christians in the prison began being taken for trial, it became difficult, and then impossible, for Valentine and Julia to see each other. They began to write to one another. The two had fallen in love and they shared their love through their letters. St Valentine was brought before the imperial judge and there he boldly confessed Christ. He was sentenced to death and, on the eve of his martyrdom, he wrote a long letter to Julia encouraging her to stay close to Christ and remain strong in the faith. He signed the letter, "From your Valentine."St Valentine was martyred for being a Christian on 14 February, A.D. 270. He was buried in an area where many Christian martyrs were laid to rest. Julia planted a pink flowering almond tree on his grave.St Valentine became a symbol of deep, abiding friendship and love, perhaps be­cause of the beautiful letters he wrote to Julia, which he always signed, "From your Valentine." It is sad that people often forget to celebrate his memory as a holy martyr who gave his life in witness for our Saviour Jesus Christ. Of course, the greatest gift of love that he gave to Julia was a knowl­edge of the Gospel and of Jesus Christ.Through his holy prayers, may we also remember that there is no greater gift we can offer to those whom we love than the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!

28 March

THE HOLY CONFESSOR KINOMON AND

THE HOLY MARTYR PRINCE BOYAN

THE BULGARIANS

(+ ca.830)

After the death of King Grubosh‑Krum, his son Krutogan‑Obrity became king. King Krutogan understood the need for education, so he left his youngest son, Prince Boyan, in his capital to study. The king hired a Christian man who was very well educated, to teach the young prince. This teacher was a baptized Bulgarian named Kinomon. Leaving Prince Boyan with his teacher, King Krutogan took his oldest son, Prince Vladimir, and went off to war.St Kinomon taught the young Boyan to read and write. He also taught him Greek and mathematics. The teacher also taught his young student about Jesus Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church.When King Krutogan‑Obrity returned from war, he called for a great ceremony of victory. Everyone was commanded to offer sacrifices to the idols. Of course, St Kinomon refused to do this. The king was furious with the good teacher and demanded, "Why have you not obeyed me? Why did you not bring worship to our idols?""The idols are only lifeless pieces of wood, Your Majesty. They are not gods, but demons and evil spirits dwell in them. I worship the only true God, our Saviour Jesus Christ."Krutogan was very angry at this answer and he had St Kinomon thrown into a dungeon. The saint stayed in this dark, damp prison for five years. He suffered terribly from the cold and from hunger.When King Krutogan was killed in 826, his son Vladimir became king. Prince Boyan begged his brother to release Kinomon from prison. King Vladimir agreed, and the sick and weakened old man was brought out into the sunlight for the first time in five years.

After many long talks with his beloved teacher, Prince Boyan decided to be baptized into Christ's Holy Church. As soon as he was baptized, Prince Boyan began to fast and pray very much. He especially prayed for the conversion of his people, the Bulgarians.Soon after this, St Kinomon reposed in the Lord.When King Vladimir saw the great change in his brother, he asked him, "Have you become a Christian?" "Yes, Your Majesty," replied the prince. "I have become a follower of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the true God and Creator. I beg you to listen to the words of His Gospel also, so that you may turn away from the idols and know the true God."King Vladimir was very angry with his brother. He demanded that he deny Christ at once and stop trying to teach the people about Him.Prince Boyan replied: "I would rather die than turn away from my Saviour Jesus Christ and lose my eternal life.""Then you shall die!" thundered King Vladi­mir.As Prince Boyan was being led to the place of execution, he lifted his eyes toward heaven and, filled with the spirit of prophecy, cried out for all to hear:"Today, I am going to die for the Orthodox Faith but this faith will soon spread throughout the whole Bulgarian nation. You cannot stop the Gospel of Christ by killing me. Soon the sign of the all‑honourable Cross will be seen everywhere in the Bulgarian land, and the idols will vanish. But, you, my brother and king, will perish by the sword this very year. I weep for the loss of your soul."Having said this, the holy martyr bowed his own head and, as he was offering prayer to God, his head was cut off.His prophecies were soon fulfilled. In that very year, A.D. 830, King Vladimir was killed. Within a few years, thousands of Bulgarians began to accept the Gospel and were baptized into the Holy Orthodox Church.

29 April

SAINT BASIL OF OSTROG

(+1671)

In the year of our Lord 1602, the great Serbian enlightener Basil was born in the village of Mirkonyich in Hertsego­vina. At birth, the saint was given the name Stoyan.The people of his area were very pious, and Basil grew up surrounded by people who loved Christ and kept the fasts of the church with great care.While he was still a teenager, Saint Basil entered the Dormition Monastery near Trebinye and follow­ed a life of strict obedience, fasting and prayer. He soon became known for the Grace which God had bestowed upon him and, while he was still a young man, Basil was consecrated bishop. Although he protested and insisted on his own un­worthiness, he was made Bishop of the region of Zahumliye and Albania.Saint Basil built his cathedral in the Tverdosh Monastery in Albania and here he continued his ascetic life. The saint soon became known for his love and care of the poor. Like Saint Nicho­las, he would often secretly leave food or gold coins for the poorest families.

Serbia and Albania were being ruled by the Turkish invaders in those years and life was ex­tremely difficult for the Christian people. The Roman Catholics attempted to take advantage of the people's suffering by trying to deceive the Orthodox Christians of Albania and Serbia with their false teachings. Saint Basil worked tirelessly to teach the people the Gospel and protect them from the heresies of the Latins. As the saint became more and more popular and belov­ed by the peo­ple, the Turks began to fear him. They were con­cerned that he would give the people too much unity and strength, and they might decide to seek freedom. The Turks at­tacked the Tverdosh Monastery and burned it to the ground. They were afraid to harm the saint, however, be­cause of the great rever­ence the peo­ple had for him, but they began to cause much harm and grief to the Albanians and Serbs of his diocese. The saint felt that the people were suf­fering greatly because of him, and so he decided to de­part and live a strict as­cetic life in the moun­tains of Montenegro.

High on a cliff above the Zeta River Valley there was a small cavern. To this wild and remote place, the Holy Spirit led Saint Basil. With much effort, the saint reached the narrow ledge before the cave. Here, he built a small cell for himself and began to struggle in prayer and fasting. Daily, he prayed that his flock would be protected from the Roman Catholic errors.

The grace of the Holy Spirit abiding in the saint could not be hidden for long and soon, monks began to seek out the holy abba. So many monks gathered that, in 1665, a monastery was built in the cave and on the narrow ledge before it. Stone, beams and plaster were brought up from the valley far below, and it was only with God's help that this wondrous monastery was completed on the face of the cliff.Ostrog monastery became a centre of learning and it produced many missionaries and great preachers of the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ. There was no place in Serbia and Al­bania that did not receive enlightenment from Saint Basil and his sacred monas­tery.The holy abba Basil continued his God-pleasing struggles and his monas­tery soon became a spiritual beacon-light to all Serbia and Albania. God called the saint to Himself on 29 April, in the year of our Lord 1671. From the moment of his blessed repose, Saint Basil's relics began to emit a sweet, heavenly fragrance. Many miracles were worked by God at the saint's tomb and his relics were placed in a casket in the small church of the caves monastery. Pilgrims came from Albania and all over Serbia to visit the holy Ostrog Caves Monastery and the relics of the great abba, Saint Basil.Today, Orthodox Christians travel from all over the world to visit the relics of Saint Basil and pray in the beautiful chapel of the cave.Through the prayers of Saint Basil of Ostrog, may we ever be preserved from the delusion of the Western heresies, and may the Serbian and Albanian nations become once more beacons of holy Orthodoxy. Amen!

5 MAY

SAINT EPHRAIM OF MOUNT AMOMON

(Helper of Drug Addicts)

(+1426)

The holy martyr Ephraim was born in Trikala, Greece in 1384. When he was fourteen years old, the Turks invaded that part of Greece and came to his town. They were kid­napping young boys, forcing them to turn away from our Saviour Jesus Christ and training them as soldiers. Ephraim heard that the Turks were coming, so he fled into the moun­tains and there prayed to God for help.After several days of wandering, Ephraim came to the remote Monastery of the Annunciation on Mount Amomon.Saint Ephraim was received into the monastery as a ref­ugee, but soon his deep faith and humility endeared him to everyone and he was tonsured a monk. Saint Ephraim strug­gled in the Annunciation Monastery for many years and received permission from the elder to go to a cave hidden deep in the mountains for special fasting and prayer. The saint spent much time in this wild retreat and received much Grace from God.In 1424, the Turks conquered the whole province of Attiki and came upon the monastery. They butchered all the monks and stole whatever they desired. At that time, Saint Ephraim was away at the cave praying. When he returned to the monastery and found the brethren slain, Ephraim was deeply grieved. With loving tears, he buried the fathers and remained in the monastery alone.In the following year, on 14 September, the Turks re­turned and completely occupied the area. Saint Ephraim was arrested and imprisoned in one of the cells. For the next eight and a half months, the Turkish soldiers tortured the saint, attempting to force him to turn away from Jesus Christ. Saint Ephraim, however, preached the Gospel to the Turks even while he was suffering at their hands.

At last, the soldiers gave up and, on 5 May 1426, they hanged Saint Ephraim upside down from a tree in the monas­tery courtyard. A fire was built beneath the saint's head. The Turks pulled a burning log from the fire and forced it through the saints stomach, pushing him back against the tree. Other soldiers nailed his hands to the tree with spikes. The saint loudly glorified our Saviour Jesus Christ and gave up his soul into the hands of God.It is not certain why Saint Ephraim has appeared in our day as a special helper of those addicted to drugs, but recent miracles done by God through the saint have encouraged us to turn to him in prayer for those who are suffering from this af­fliction. The following miracle was related to us recently.

The Saving of a young man from drugs and suicide.

The following miracle took place in Athens in 1988. The young man and his family, who wished to remain anonymous, have related the story.A young Greek student went to study in Eng­land. There he met a girl and married her. Soon afterward, however, he became involved with a drug crowd and developed a dependency­. His wife left him and his drug dependency became a full-fledged addiction. Discouraged, he moved back to Athens. There, he met another girl and lived with her. They had a son together, but because of his drug habit, she left him.The young man lived from day to day and from bar to bar, without any meaning to his life. He thought more and more about suicide. All the while, the man's mother was praying for him fervently, asking God to send help for her ruined son. She regularly prayed to Saint Ephraim for his help.

One day in February of 1988, the young man came out of a bar in Athens, completely depressed and ready to go and put an end to his life. As he walked out on the street, a dark, thin, bearded man approached him, calling him by name. "Come, I will accompany you wherever you are going." In confusion, the young man went with the stranger, almost mechanically. As they journeyed, the stranger began to dis­cuss with the young man all that he had done in England and after he had returned to Greece. As the young man heard this stranger relating even the secret parts of his life, he began to tremble in fear. "Who is this man, and how does he know all the details of my life?" he thought.Suddenly, the young man realized that, instead of going to the place where he intended to commit suicide, they had come to his parents' home. He turned to speak to the strang­er, but the man was gone. As he came to his senses, the young man realized that he felt different, as if something inside him had changed. "This is from God," he thought.Entering the house, the young man fell down before his parents with tears in his eyes, and asked their forgiveness for the pain he had caused them with his sinful life. When the young man told his parents what had happened, and describ­ed the stranger to them, his mother rushed to her room and brought out the icon of Saint Ephraim. At once the young man recognized the saint. This was the stranger who had guided him safely home and kept him from killing himself. The young man was completely cured of his drug addiction. He glorified our Saviour Jesus Christ Who had saved him through His servant, the Holy Martyr Ephraim.

DISMISSAL TROPARION

(Tone 1)

From the mountain of Amomon, thou didst shine forth like the sun. Having endured the sav­agery of the barbarians, thou didst suffer for the love of Christ. Wherefore, holy martyr Ephraim, thou dost pour forth grace for all those who pious­ly cry out: glory to God Who hath given thee strength, glory to Him Who hath made thee wond­rous, glory to Him Who worketh healing for all through thee.

19 June

HOLY BISHOP MARTYR

GERMOGEN OF TOBOLSK

(+1918)

It is not only the ancient martyrs and those under the Turks who inspire us. We have had many great martyrs in our own time also; the holy bishop Germogen and those with him are among these new martyrs.When the Communists took control of the Russian land, they tried by every means to keep the faithful from worshipping our Saviour. All church proces­sions and bell ringing were forbidden. Saint Germo­gen refused to obey this command. Instead, at the beginning of Holy Week, 1918, he called all the people of Tobolsk together and ordered that a great procession with icons and church banners take place. On the next morning, after the Divine Liturgy, the procession began to move all around the city. All the church bells were rung, and huge crowds of people sang, "Save, O Lord, Thy people." The procession marched up the ramp and along the walls of the Tobolsk fortress. When Saint Germogen came to the highest point on the wall and could look out over the entire city, he raised his cross and blessed the whole town and all the people.On Palm Sunday, the holy martyr preached his last sermon. In this sermon, he told the people that he felt that he would soon be martyred, and he asked the faithful to pray for him.The Communist persecutors waited for a chance to secretly arrest the holy bishop when he was alone. This chance came on Great Holy Friday. Early that morning, soldiers came to Saint Germogen's house and took him away.

The bishop was taken to another city, for the Communist rulers feared that the people would come and try to free him. When the people of Tobolsk learned of this terrible thing, they began to weep and call out to God. A delegation was chosen and sent to the town where St Germogen was imprisoned. They begged the rulers to free their beloved bishop, but instead, the soldiers arrested them also.At this time, the Russian White Army attacked the Communist troops near Tobolsk and tried to free all the prisoners. As the Communists fled on boats, they took the holy bishop and the other prisoners with them. As the boat came near the town of Tiumen, the Communists dragged the prisoners out onto the deck, beat and tortured them. Then, they tied them up and threw them into the river: the names of these holy marters are Fr Ephraim, Fr Makarov and Mr Miniatov.Last of all, the soldiers brought the aged bishop forward. He was praying to God to forgive the torturers and he was blessing them. The Communist soldiers began to curse the saint and they beat him mercilessly. St Germogen continued to pray aloud. Finally, the commissar cried out, "Silence him!" And one of the soldiers struck the bishop in the face so hard that his jaw was broken. Then a huge stone was tied to the bishop and he, too, was cast into the cold waters.Later, when the waters of the Tura River receded, the relics of the holy new martyrs were found near the shore. Their sacred relics were carried to Tobolsk and the people of the city buried them with great reverence. Through the prayers of these holy new martyrs, may our souls be saved.

20 July

HOLY NEW MARTYRS

LYDIA OF UFA and with her KYRILL AND ALEXEI

(+1928)

The holy new martyr Lydia was born in the city of Ufa, Russia, on 20 March, 1901. Her father was a presbyter and she grew up with a sincere love for Christ and His Holy Church.

When St Lydia was nineteen years old she married, but soon after, her husband was killed in the Russian Civil War. In 1926 she went to work for the Forestry Service. Here, she was very much loved by all her fellow-workers. Saint Lydia had a radiant, Christian spirit and she sincerely loved everyone. It was noticed that everyone who came into contact with the saint was somehow changed. Arguments stopped in her presence, people felt more calm and peaceful, and no one used foul language near her.St Lydia was a member of the Catacomb Church in Russia. The Catacomb Church was the true Orthodox Church in Russia during the Communist era. St Lydia worked constantly for the salvation of people's souls. At this time, the Communist police were hunting down and murdering true Orthodox Christians. St Lydia used her office typewriter to make copies of prayers, the Scriptures, Lives of Saints and sermons for the faithful. The Soviet police found some copies of the things which St Lydia had typed. They noticed that part of the letter "k" in all these papers was missing. Since the Communist government kept a very strict control typewriter over such things as typewriters, the secret police were able to test every

in the area. At length, they discovered that the copies had been made on the typewriter at St Lydia's desk. She was quickly arrested. This was on 9 July, 1928.

The secret police knew that St Lydia could tell them the names of other members of the Catacomb Church. They also hoped that if someone so loved and admired as St Lydia would renounce Christ, others would lose faith also. For ten days, teams of secret police agents questioned St Lydia.The teams changed often, but the  saint was given no rest at all. The agents threatened her, shouted at the top of their breath, slapped her in the face and burned her with cigarettes.When the Communists saw that they could not break God's holy martyr this way, they decided to take her to their special torture chamber. Here, the secret police performed all manner of demonic and inhuman tortures: victims were beaten, burned, had their eyes gouged out and their joints torn C and worse.As St Lydia was led down the steps to this chamber, she nearly fell from weakness and exhaustion. A young guard, the twenty-three year old Private Kyrill Ataev, reached out and supported her arm. Seeing his compas­sion, St Lydia looked into his eyes and said, "May Christ save you."For over an hour and a half, St Lydia was subjected to all manner of terrible tortures. Her pain was very great, but she called upon the name of our dear Sav­iour, and He gave her peace and strength. At last, the exhausted torturers opened the door and called in the young guard to help them with further tortures. When St Kyrill entered and saw the holy martyr, his soul was suddenly transformed and he immediately began to defend St Lydia, stepping between her and the secret police officers. One of the guards shot St Kyrill and he fell to the floor near St Lydia. He raised himself up and looked into St Lydia's eyes; the light of understanding fully dawned in his soul, and he said, with his dying breath: "Saint of God, take me with you."St Lydia smiled radiantly, "I will take you."

Hearing these words, and having understood their meaning, the demonic torturers flew into a rage of terror. They began to kick and beat the two holy martyrs with an insane fury. Then they shot the victims, firing their revolvers into them until there were no more bullets left. Then the torturers fled from the room in terror. One of them became completely insane, and the other fell ill with a nerve condition. Before he died, he told his friend, Sergeant Alexei Ikonnikov, the details of this martyrdom. Alexei was converted to Christ by this, and by the prayers of the two martyrs. He turned to the Holy Church, and told the details of this wondrous martyrdom to all who would listen; because of this, he himself was arrested and shot.Through the prayers of the three holy martyrs, Saints Lydia, Kyrill and Alexei, may our souls be saved.

30 August

 ST ALEXANDER,

Patriarch of Constantinople

 {+340}

Our holy, Godbearing father Alexander was born in Cappadocia. He was the deputy bishop to St Mitrophan, the first Patriarch of Constantinople (315-325).At the time of the First Ecumenical Council, St Mitrophan was already old and ill, and could not attend. He sent St Alexander in his place. There, St Alexander made a strong defence of the Orthodox Faith against the heretic Arius.Not long after the council, St Mitrophan became even more ill. He announced to everyone that he would not live for more than a few days, and asked that the defender of the faith, Alexander, be chosen in his place as Patriarch of Constantinople. Due to the great reverence that everyone held for St Mitro­phan, Alexander was elected unanimously. He became patriarch in 325, and served until he was 98 years old.During the time of St Alexander, there were many attacks against the Orthodox Faith, but the holy patriarch, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, warded them off. He defended the faith against the follow­ers of Arius and also against  Greek philosophy. At one time a group of  pagan philosophers ^__ very learned men  ^__ came to Constantinople and desired to debate the patriarch. He agreed, and by the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, vanquished them all with great power. Several of the philoso­phers were converted and baptized.St Alexander continued his struggle for the Holy Orthodox Faith all his life. He reposed in peace, in great old age, having served his Master, Jesus Christ, and the flock of the Lord with diligence, love and humility.

1 September

 SAINT GILLES

+(c 590)

Born in Athens of a wealthy Greek family, this holy father displayed a Christian love in his early youth. He would often distribute everything that he had to the poor. More than once, the young man would give out whatever money he had and then, being approached by some beggar, give away his cloak or his shoes. Gilles was also a strict faster, and spent much time in prayer and spiritual struggles.When Gilles' parents departed to the Lord, he was still a young man, and he inherited a large fortune. The saint feared that his great wealth would ruin his soul, and so he quick­ly distributed most of it to the poorest citizens of Athens. Soon, however, he found that he was being praised everywhere for his love and generosity, and because of several miracles that had been worked by God through his prayers.The saint now began to fear this praise more than he had feared the corruption of wealth. Since he had heard many stories about the holy monks of Lerins Island, near Marseilles in Gaul (France), he decided to go to those parts, so that he could be­come a simple monk. "There," he thought, "no one will know me, nor will any have heard of the things men praise me for. There, with God's help, I may be able to discover humility and save my soul."God did not lead St Gilles to Lerins, however, but to the city of Arles. The bishop of Arles had long been a renowned defender of the Orthodox Faith. After spending two years with the bishop, St Gilles resolved to go into the forest, find a small cave and live the life of a hermit.No one knows of the great struggles of this man of God ^__ how strictly he fasted, nourishing himself a little on berries and plants; how many prostrations he undertook and how many tears he shed in prayer. Fearing vainglory and pride, he closed himself off from the world of man, while pouring forth fervent prayers for all mankind.

Nevertheless, he found another world in those deep forests: a world of God's creatures, great and small. He discovered that those lovely animals of the woods which we ignorantly call "dumb beasts," were full of love and had a special kind of intelli­gence. St Gilles lived at peace and with a deep love and rever­ence for all of creation. Soon, therefore, he began to be ­befriended by the animals around him. He had a special love for the small deer that roamed in the forests of the Rhone Valley. One deer in particular often came into his cave to sleep.St Gilles lived such a life for many years, "alone" with God and the forest animals. Near the end of his life, however, God chose to reveal St Gilles to the world so that people might be edified by the example of his holy life. Once, a nobleman was hunting in the forest. He spotted a deer and both he and his hounds started to pursue it. The deer ran straight to the cave of St Gilles, and the saint concealed the terrified animal. The nobleman, finding St Gilles, asked who he was and what manner of life he lived. The saint told him very little, but chastised him for slaughtering helpless creatures for "sport." "If you hunt for food from necessity, that is one thing, but when you wish only to slaughter these creatures of God to fulfil your passions, this is an evil thing," the saint instructed the hunter.The nobleman, a Goth by birth, went his way and told the bishop about the curious monk he had discovered in the woods. Soon, the bishop began to hear other stories of a marvellous monk living in the forest who protected animals from sport hunters. Sometimes the saint would conceal the animals while other times he would plead with the hunters for their lives.Once, a deer came bounding through the woods toward the cave of St Gilles. Hearing the baying of hounds, St Gilles rushed out to see what was happening. The deer rushed into the clear­ing with the hunter in hot pursuit. Just as the hunter was about to shoot an arrow into the terrified and exhausted deer, St Gilles leapt to cover the trembling creature. The arrow was loosed, but it struck the saint, who had suddenly placed himself between the hunter and the deer.The hunter was greatly distressed. He rushed back to town to seek help. As soon as the bishop heard what had happened, he followed the hunter back to St Gilles' cave. There, he found the wounded monk, with deer keeping watch over him. The bishop knelt down and removed the arrow. "Come back with me so that we can look after you and care for your wound." "Your Grace, I beseech you: leave me in God's hands for I have com­mitted my life and my soul to Him. I trust God that all things shall be according to His wisdom." The bishop spent some time with St Gilles, and was much edified by his words.

After this, the saint could no longer conceal himself and soon other monks sought him out. A monastery began to grow up around the saint's cave. The saint became renowned every­where, and soon pilgrims arrived from many countries to receive his blessings and be instructed by him.St Gilles had a special compassion for crippled people and also for injured or crippled animals. The animals he treated and bandaged, and he spent many hours praying with crippled people who came to his monastery. Many lame and crippled people were healed at the saint's monastery, but it was not God's will that all should be healed. Nevertheless, everyone who came received spiritual healing, and those who left still lame or crippl­ed, left glorifying God, filled with a sure hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.Our holy father Gilles reposed in peace in deep old age. He was gathered to the Lord near the end of the 500's. St Gilles' humble, compassionate life preached the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ more profoundly than the words of great preachers. His monastery continued to grow and to stand as a beacon light of love and charity for all who drew near to it.

30 October

SAINT MILUTIN

(+1327)

The godly Milutin was the youngest son of King Urosh I and Queen Helen of Serbia. As a youth, Milutin was taught by the blessed Archbishop Daniel, a saintly man, rich in spiritual wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Scripture.When we recall the wisdom and spiritual virtue of his great teacher, it is easy for us to understand the mind and heart of King Milutin. He was meek and gentle, merciful and just and, above all, he loved peace. All peoples, both Serbs and other nations respected Milutin.Not long after Milutin's marriage to Princess Helen, his older brother Dragutin started a rebellion against their father, King Urosh. King Urosh was defeated and locked in a prison by Prince Dragutin. The broken-hearted old king died in this pris­on in the year 1282. Prince Milutin and his wife were sent away into exile. Princess Helen saw the foolishness and vanity of the world with all its greed, ambition and corruption, and she beg­ged her husband to release her so she could become a nun.Soon after the death of the old king, Dragutin fell from his horse and broke his leg. The injury would not heal and it became more and more serious. Dragutin remembered the words of the Scripture that "whoever does evil to his father or mother must die an evil death."Dragutin began to repent with tears for his wickedness. He sent for his younger brother and said to him, "Milutin, I have done evil to our father, and offended God because of my lust and greed for power. I can no longer sit on my father's throne. I have decided to become a monk and spend the rest of my days in repentance. Therefore, I give you the crown of Serb­ia." Dragutin built the Monastery of Racha and was tonsured with the name Theoktist. His wife built the Tronasha women's monastery and entered it as a nun.

The blessed Milutin reigned for forty-two years and built forty-two churches ^__ one during each year of his reign. King Milutin hated war and tried by every means to avoid it, but the treachery of others and the malice of Satan stirred up several wars during his reign. In spite of these battles and the heavy affairs of state, Saint Milutin showed great concern for spiritual matt­ers. He built several hospitals for the poor and special homes for those who were homeless. He took a special interest in these institutions, even going himself to test and make sure that the beds were soft and comfortable. From his own trea­sury, Saint Milutin provided doctors and nurses for the hospitals he had built. Toward the end of his reign, the blessed king built the Church of the Holy Angels in Jerusalem and sent large do­nations to Mt Sinai.The holy King Milutin is remembered above all for his compassion and care for the poor and suffering. From this, he was given the name "Godbearer" by the Serbian people.When King Milutin fell ill in the town of Narod­ine, he understood that he was dying. He received the Holy Mysteries and then called his family and nobles to himself. He looked on all of them and said:"My beloved children, you know that the hour of my pass­ing from you is near. Do not weep, but glorify the Lord with me, that I may receive the reward prepared for those who be­lieve."In this manner, the Christ-loving King Milutin was gather­ed to the Lord and his faithful ances­tors, on 30 October 1327. His sacred relics were placed in the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen in Banya.

15 November

HOLY BISHOP MARTYR

DAMASKENE OF GLUKHOV

(+ 1934)

Our holy father, Bishop Damaskene was born in the city of Kherson. His father was a poor postal clerk. The family was very pious and both Damaskene and his brother, the holy martyr Nicholas, became presbyters.In his early years, Damaskene served as a mission­ary in Peking, China, where there was a very old Christian community. Bishop Damaskene was especi­ally known and loved for his great missionary zeal. He cared about the souls of everyone. In 1919, he was appointed missionary priest in the Kiev Diocese. Here, he joined the Monastery of St Michael and also studied at the Kiev seminary.Fr Damaskene was a beloved preacher and teacher, and he served the faithful without rest. At the same time, he lived a very strict life of prayer and fasting. When the Russian Civil War broke out, the mission­ary went to Crimea, where he became abbot of the Monastery of St George. Not long after this, the Communist soldiers invaded Crimea and Fr Damas­kene was arrested, sent into exile for a long time, and later went to Moscow. The holy martyr, Patri­arch Tikhon, consecrated him as Bishop of Glukhov.

Here, Vladika Damaskene again showed his great love and missionary zeal. He constantly visited all the parishes under him, preaching the Gospel and giving strength to the faithful. The holy bishop had time for everyone, and the people flocked to him wherever he went. This great and beloved shepherd of Christ's Church was arrested and tortured many times by the Communists but he never stopped serving his flock. As a result of the tortures, he became too ill and exhausted to stand, and so he celebrated the Divine Services sitting. Once, while serving Vespers, the holy Vladika suffered a heart attack. Even this did not slow him down. The very next morning he celebrated the Divine Liturgy.St Damaskene was too beloved, too strong in the faith and too great a leader to be left alone by the Communists. One day, they came and arrested him and sent him to the North, to the great icy wilderness of the Arctic. Here he found shelter in the cabin of a hunter and his family. There were two other exiled bishops living in the cabin also.In 1928, St Damaskene was so ill and crippled that he could hardly move, and he was allowed to go back to Moscow. A certain bishop, Metropolitan Serge, had betrayed the Holy Church and begun to help the Communists. He was made head of the Russian Church, and the Communists hoped that Bishop Damaskene would now be so weak and weary that he would follow this traitor.If, however, the old bishop was sick and broken in body, it soon became clear that in his spirit, he was radiant with the strength of faith and the power of grace. The holy bishop realized now that the future of the true Church in Russia was to be in the catacombs. He began at once to help build the "underground Church" in Russia for the true believers.In November, 1929, the saint was again arrested. This time, he was sent to the terrible Solovky prison camp. Here, Vladika met many other holy confessors who belonged to the Catacomb Church. The saint suffered in this prison until 1934. He was released and at once began to preach and give strength to the faithful. Everywhere he went, he was followed by the Communist secret police, and soon they arrested him again and sent him to the frozen wilderness of Siberia. Here, he was thrown into a tiny prison cell which had neither windows nor lights. The room was so cold that ice covered the floor and frost hung on the walls. Moreover, the saint was not given food for a long time. Finally, his feet and body became so frost-bitten that he fell ill with gangrene. In all his suffering and pain, the holy martyr glorified God. He reposed in the Lord in this terrible prison late in 1934.

Through his holy prayers, may we all be made worthy to endure to the end!  Amen.

23 December

THE HOLY VIRGIN MARTYRS

VICTORIA AND ANATALIA

(+286)

These holy sisters were born into a pagan family. In her early teens, Anatalia heard about Christ from Christians living near their estate in the Sabine hill country of Italy. She was secretly baptized and, after some years, decided to maintain her virginity and live as a nun.When Anatalia came of age, her parents accepted a wealthy young man named Aurelius as her suitor. When Anata­lia steadfastly refused to marry him, her sister Victoria inquired the reason. St Anatalia then unfolded to her the Gospel of Christ and Victoria, receiving the word of Grace, believed and was baptized.Not long after this, the parents of the two sisters betroth­ed Victoria to a wealthy pagan landowner named Eugenius. They also demanded that Anatalia accept the proposal of Aurel­ius. Anatalia attempted to explain her position to Aurelius, hop­ing for his understanding. "I am a follower of Jesus Christ," she told him, "and I have vowed to keep myself a virgin in order to serve him all my life."When Aurelius heard this, he became angry. It was against the law to be a follower of Christ and Aurelius threaten­ed her, "If you do not marry me and make a sacrifice to our idols, I will have you arrested. You will be tortured and killed."Anatalia replied, "I have given myself as an offering to the Lord. If I must also become a sacrifice to Him, then I am willing to accept this, but I will never violate my vow to Him, nor will I offer sacrifices to your demonic idols."Hearing this, and seeing that he could not prevail against her, Aurelius went to the local governor and denounced Anata­lia as a Christian.Anatalia was brought to trial under Faustus, governor of the province of Piscenum. Having witnessed for Christ boldly before the governor and the court, she was executed with the sword on 9 July. Her executioner, Audax, was converted by her witness and helped the Christians recover her relics.

St Victoria also declared herself a Christian and was taken away, with her parents' permission, to the estate of Eugen­ius, her betrothed, at Tribulano. There she was kept in fetters and starved and beaten for several months in an effort to force her to renounce Christ. When every effort to break her faith failed, Eugenius obtained a warrant for St Victoria's execution. She was pierced through the heart with a sword on 23 Decem­ber, in the year of our Lord, 286.

TROPARION TONE 6 Let us, the faithful, praise the wisdom of the noble virgins, Victoria and Anatalia, for having acccounted suffer­ing for Christ, above all the riches of this world they inherited the glory of everlasting life. Wherefore we cry out, O God­ly-wise virgins, pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

KONDAKION TONE 8 The wise virgins Victoria and Ana­talia contested bold­ly before the unbelieving world, and having filled their lamps with the oil of faith, they did light the path of salvation for those in dark­ness. Having fought the good fight and run their race with patience, they received the crowns of victory, from the Heaven­ly Bridegroom, and everlast­ing life.