Troparion (Tone IV)

As the deliverer of captives/ and the protector of the poor,/ as the physician of the feeble and combatant of kings,/ holy champion and great martyr George,/ intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.
 

Kontakion (Tone IV)

Thou wast cultivated by God/ and didst become a most wonderful cultivator of piety,/ and didst harvest for thyself the sheaves of virtue,/ for having sown in tears thou didst reap in joy/ and having withstood death thou art garnered for Christ./ By thy intercessions, O Saint,/ thou dost obtain for us all remission of our sins.
 
 
 
 

The Great Martyr George was the son of wealthy and pious parents, who raised him in the Christian faith. He was born in the city of Beirut (in antiquity - Berytos), at the foot of the Lebanese mountains.

Having entered military service, the Great­martyr George stood out among the other soldiers by virtue of his mind, valor, physical strength, military bearing and beauty. Having quickly attained the rank of millenary [tribunus millenarius, an officer in the Roman army in charge of a thousand or more soldiers - Translator], St. George became a favorite of the Emperor Diocletian.

Diocletian was a talented ruler, but a fanatical adherent of the Roman gods. Having set for himself the goal of reviving dying paganism in the Roman Empire, he went down in history as one of the most cruel persecutors of Christians.

Once, when he heard in a court the inhuman sentence concerning the annihilation of Christians, St. George became inflamed with compassion for them. Foreseeing that sufferings were also awaiting him, George distributed his property to the poor, freed his slaves, appeared before Diocletian and, having revealed himself as a Christian, denounced him for cruelty and injustice. George's speech was full of powerful and convincing objections against the imperial order to persecute Christians.

After futile persuasions to deny Christ, the Emperor ordered that the saint be subjected to various tortures. St. George was confined in a dungeon, where they placed him supine on the ground; his legs they confined in stocks, and on his breast they placed a heavy stone. But St. George manfully endured the sufferings and glorified the Lord. Then George's torturers began to refine their cruelty. They beat the saint with ox­hide whips, subjected him to the wheel, threw him into quicklime and forced him to run in shoes with sharp nails inside. The holy Martyr endured everything patiently. Finally, the Emperor ordered the saint's head to be cut off. Thus, the holy sufferer departed unto Christ in Nicomedia in 303 A.D.

The Great­martyr George, for his valour and his spiritual victory over his torturers, who could not force him to renounce Christianity, and likewise for his wonderworking assistance to people in danger, is additionally called the "Trophy­bearer." The relics of St. George the Trophy­bearer were placed in the Palestinian city of Lydda, in the church that bears his name, while his head was preserved in Rome, in the church that is also dedicated to him.

On icons, the Great­martyr George is depicted sitting on a white horse and smiting a dragon with a spear. This depiction is based on tradition and relates to the posthumous miracles of the holy Great­martyr George. It is said that not far from the place where St. George was born, in the city of Beirut, there lived a dragon in a lake who frequently devoured people of that locale. What kind of beast it was, a python, crocodile or large lizard is not known.

In order to appease the wrath of that dragon, the superstitious inhabitants of that locale began regularly by lot to give a youth or maiden up to it to be eaten. Once the lot fell on the daughter of the ruler of that locale. They took her to the shore of the lake and tied her up where she began to await in terror the appearance of the dragon.

When the beast began to approach her, suddenly a radiant youth appeared on a white horse who smote the dragon with a spear and saved the maiden. This youth was the Great­martyr St. George. By such a miraculous appearance he caused the extermination of youths and maidens to cease in the environs of Beirut and converted to Christ the pagan inhabitants of that country.

One may suppose that St. George's appearance on a horse to defend the inhabitants from a dragon, and likewise the description in his life of the miraculous reviving of a farmer's only ox, served as the cause for honoring St. George as a protector of animal husbandry and as a defender from predatory beasts.

In pre­revolutionary times, on the day of St. George's commemoration, the inhabitants of Russian villages, for the first time after the cold winter, would drive their animals out to pasture, after having performed a moleben (a Te Deum, or, a short service of thanksgiving) to the Holy Great Martyr and sprinkling their homes and animals with holy water.

The Great Martyr George is a protector of the army. The depiction of George the Trophy­bearer on a horse symbolizes victory over the devil [the ancient serpent]: "...behold a great fiery red dragon with seven heads and seven diadems on his heads....he laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan and bound him for a thousand years...." (Rev. 12:3, 20:2). This depiction was included in the ancient coat of arms of the city of Moscow.

Countless miracles that have been performed at his grave; he has also appeared in dreams to those who, thinking on him, have sought his help, from thence until the present day. Consumed by love for Christ, it was not difficult for St. George to leave all for this love - his status, wealth and imperial favor, his friends and the whole world. For this love, the Lord rewarded him with a wreath of unfading glory in heaven and on earth, and with eternal life in His Kingdom. The Lord further endowed him with the power to help in need and distress all who honor him and call on his name.
 
 

Troparion (Tone IV)

The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith,/ a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance./ Therefore thou hast won the heights by humility,/ riches by poverty./ Holy Father Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion (Tone III)

Thou wast a faithful minister of God in Myra,/ O Saint Nicholas./ For having fulfilled the Gospel of Christ,/ thou didst die for the people and save the innocent./ Therefore thou wast sanctified as a great initiator of the grace of God.
 

Saint Nicholas, famed throughout the entire world today, was the only son of his eminent and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nona, citizens of Patara in Lycia. They dedicated to God the only son He gave them. St. Nicholas was instructed in the spiritual life by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara (see below), and became a monk at 'New Sion', a monastery founded by his uncle. On the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed all the property he inherited to the poor and kept nothing back for himself. As a priest in Patara, he was known for his charitable works, fulfilling the Lord's words: 'Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth' (Matt. 6:3). When he embraced a life of solitude and silence, thinking to live in that way until his death, a voice from on high came to him: 'Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from Me.'

Immediately after that, by God's wondrous providence, he was chosen as archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Nicholas was a true shepherd to his flock. He was cast into prison during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian, but even there continued to instruct the people in the Law of God. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325, and, in his zeal, struck Arius with his hand. For this act, he was removed from the Council and from his episcopal duties, until some of the chief hierarchs had a vision of our Lord Christ and His most holy Mother showing their sympathy with Nicholas.

This wonderful saint was a defender of the truth of God, and was ever a spirited champion of justice among the people. On two occasions, he saved three men from undeserved sentences of death. Merciful, trustworthy and loving right, he walked among the people like an angel of God. People considered him a saint even during his lifetime, and invoked his aid when in torment or distress. He would appear both in dreams and in reality to those who called upon him for help, responding speedily to them, whether close at hand or far away. His face would shine with light as Moses' did aforetime, and his mere presence among people would bring solace, peace and goodwill. In old age, he sickened of a slight illness, and went to his rest in the Lord after a life full of labor and fruitful toil. He now enjoys eternal happiness in the Kingdom of heaven, continuing to help the faithful on earth by his miracles, and to spread the glory of God. He entered into rest on December 6th, 343.
 
 

Troparion (Tone I)

Having served the King of kings diligently on earth, O Tamara, queen of great renown, thou didst enter with honor into the heavenly Jerusalem and didst bring to Christ thy glory as a gift; wherefore, celebrating and joining chorus today, with joy we unceasingly cry: Glory to Him Who hath given thee glory!  Glory to Him Who hath crowned the!  Glory to Him Who granteth unto all the fullness of forgiveness by thine intercessions!

Kontakion (Tone IV)

Make ready, O thou heavenly Jerusalem!  Open thy gates, O Eden!  Join chorus together, ye choirs of the righteous!  Ye  people of Iberia keep festival!  And thou, O holy Nina, greet thou the glorious Tamara who arriveth today in the kingdom of heaven to be crowned by the hand of God!
 
 
 
 

St. Tamara (Thamar, 1184-1213), a queen of Georgia, was the daughter of the beautiful Bourduhan and George III. During her mother’s time Christianity had already spread into various parts of Georgia. Tamara left a good impression of herself on the people. Many Georgians venerate Tamara as the healer of infirmities. Georgian narratives extol her meekness, love of peace, wisdom, piety and beauty.

It is also known that St. Tamara was solicitous to the poor, widows, orphans and assisted in the spiritual development of Georgia. Besides this, she was the patroness of poets and writers, she built many churches as well as the sumptuous Vardziskiy palace. For her cares and generous gifts, the church added Tamara to the roster of saints.

St. Tamara called for a Church assembly, which put aside the confusion and replaced the unworthy hierarchs. Due to her successful activity within the government the Georgian kingdom spread and became stronger.
 
 

Troparion (Tone III)

O holy hierarch, beloved of Christ God, thou wast a rule of faith and model of loving-kindness for men; thou didst shine forth like a beacon in vigil, fasting and prayer, and hast been shown forth as glorified by God.  Wherefore, abiding in incorruption in thy body, whilst standing in spirit before the throne of God, thou pourest forth most glorious wonders.  Entreat Christ God that He establish our homeland in Orthodoxy and piety, and save our souls.

Or this Troparion (Tone II)

O Joasaph, most excellent man of prayer from thy childhood, divinely elect and holy hierarch of Christ, by thy pious life thou providest all with a rule of faith and model of loving-kindness, and abundantly pourest forth healings upon those who have recourse to thee with faith.  Entreat Christ God, that He establish the right Faith, peace and piety in our homeland, and save our souls.

Kontakion (Tone VIII)

Who can describe the divers struggles of thy life?  Who can reckon the multifarious mercies of God made manifest through thee?  Knowing well thy boldness before the all-pure Theotokos and our most compassionate God, in compunction of heart we cry out to thee: Deprive us not of thy help and assistance, O Joasaph, holy hierarch of Christ and wonderworker.
 
 
 

Holy Hierarch Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod, was born on September 8, 1705, the feast day of the Nativity of Most Holy Theotokos, in the town of Priluky, Poltava province, to the family of Andrew and Maria Gorlenko. His baptismal name was Joachim. On day, his father had a vision of the Most Holy Mother of God in the sky and own son Joachim praying on his knees at her feet and heard a voice saying: "Your prayer is pleasant to me". At that moment, an angel covered Joachim with a bishop's mantle. The father was stunned, but he soon forgot the vision and recalled it only after his son's death. 

In 1712, when Joachim was seven years old, his parents sent him to study at the Kiev Theological Academy. Frequent visits to the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev evoked in Joachim a desire to become a monk. After seven years of testing and ruminations, he became firm in his intentions and asked his parents' blessing to be tonsured. His father strictly refused and instead sent to Kiev a servant to watch over his son, but in 1725, Joachim secretly took monastic vows as a ryasophor monk (not fully tonsured) with the name of Ilarion in Kiev Mezhigorsk Monastery. His mother and father could not help but reconcile themselves to the fact and sent him their blessing.

On November 21, 1727 after graduation from the Theological Academy, ryasophor monk Ilarion was tonsured "in mantle" (full tonsure) in the Kiev Brothers' Monastery with the name of Joasaph. A year later, Archbishop Varlaam of Kiev ordained him as a hierodeacon (celibate deacon) and appointed him as a teacher in the Kiev Theological Academy.

After His Eminence Varlaam passed away, Archbishop Raphael took over the Kievan diocese. He was very impressed with the extraordinary faculties of the young hierodeacon and appointed him as an examiner in the Kiev Archbishop's Council. In November of 1734, hierodeacon Joasaph was ordained as an hieromonk (celibate priest) and transferred from the Brothers' Monastery to the Kiev-Sophia Archbishop's house. In the same year, he was appointed as a member of the Kiev Theological Consistory.

The years in the Consistory were spiritually and educationally enriching for St. Joasaph: he learned about the needs of the clergy, he combined his duties with the ascetic labors of prayer and fasting and quickly ascended the ladder of spiritual growth. The evidence of this was his writing entitled "A Struggle of Seven Honest Virtues Against Seven Deadly Sins", as well as the words addressed to his sister before his repose (the Holy Hierarch had very frail health): "Dear sister, strict labors at the beginning do not let me live through my lifetime".

On June 24, 1737, hieromonk Joasaph was appointed as Farther Superior (Priest-in-charge) in the Holy-Transfiguration Monastery in the town of Lubna and was promoted to the rank of Abbot. He dedicated all his energy and zeal to establishing and governing the monastery which was a stronghold of the Orthodox faith in the struggle against the "union". One of the monastery churches housed the holy relics of Holy Hierarch Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople and the Wonderworker of Lubna (commemorated on May 2), who appeared to the new Abbot several times in visions to testify to his heavenly sponsorship.

In 1744, Metropolitan Raphael raised Abbot Joasaph to the rank of Archimandrite. At the end of the same year he was invited to Moscow where the Holy Synod appointed him as the head of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra. In the Monastery of the Most Venerable Sergius, Father Joasaph selflessly fulfilled his obedience; it took a lot of energy and strength to restore the Monastery after the fire.

On June 2, 1748, at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Archimandrite Joasaph was consecrated to Bishop of Belgorod. As bishop, Holy Father Joasaph carefully watched over the piety and ethics of his flock, correctness in conducting services and conditions of church buildings. He visited every parish of his diocese once a year.

One time, he saw in his dream that in a vestibule of a certain church, on a garbage pile, there was an icon of God's Most Pure Mother; a voice said: "My image, which is a source of grace, is thrown away with the garbage". Indeed, His Grace found the icon called "Our Lady of Peschanks" in the church of the Ascension not too far away from the town of Izum-Zamostie. He ordered the icon to be placed in the church and prayed before it for a long time.

One time, at a meeting of the clergy, Holy Hierarch Joasaph noticed a very old priest (about 130 years old). From a conversation with him, His Grace learned that the cause of the tormenting longevity was an unrepentant sin; a local landlord was late for Liturgy and forced the priest to serve it again which was against the canonical rules. After the very first exclamation the priest heard a voice: "Don't ! For you will be cursed" Being in a frenzy, the poor priest replied: "It is you who are cursed!"- and continued the service.

Bishop Joasaph, being terrified by the story, said: "Every church has its Guardian Angel on duty. You cursed the Guardian Angel of that place. This is the cause of your painful longevity." His Grace took a mobile church and together with the unlucky priest they went to a field, where years ago stood the church just mentioned. He blessed the priest to serve the Divine Liturgy and prayed fervently during the whole service. At the end of the Liturgy, after the dismissal the Bishop read the Prayer of Saint Simeon, the God- Receiver and blessed the priest, saying, "Your sins are forgiven and remitted". The old priest, comforted by the reconciliation of God and his conscience, prostrated himself by the foot of the Holy Table and passed away.

One day, when entering the room of a certain priest, His Grace in a very strange way felt in awe. He understood the reason for it when he found on a bookshelf, between stuck flowerpots, the pre-sanctified Holy Gifts wrapped in paper. The Holy Hierarch knelt before the Holy Gifts and prayed the whole night, and in the morning he deprived the unworthy priest of his rank. 

Holy Hierarch Joasaph was very reserved about his inward life. He acquired the grace-filled gift of tearful prayer and at every striking of the clock he read a prayer, "Blessed be the day and the hour when Our Lord Jesus Christ was born and crucified, and died for my sake ..". The letters of His Grace Joasaph to his mother show what a loving and gentle heart the archpastor had, although he was known for his strict discipline and keeping his whole diocese in-line. He would buy and chop firewood himself for poor widows and orphans. He secretly gave money to the needy. One time, on Christmas Eve, when his servant was sick, he went himself to distribute money to the needy and was bitten by his own sentry who did not recognize him. His Grace forgave the guard, gave him a gift, but ordered him to keep silent. He would constantly feed the poor and send food to prisons.

In July 1754, the Holy Hierarch visited his parents' house for the last time. On stepping out of the carriage, he bowed low before his father. When he learned that the church being built by his relatives was not completed, he urged his brother to hurry and complete the side chapel. He ordered that white flour always be used for baking prosphoras. Then he visited the Mgara Monastery and headed back home, but could not make it all way to Belgorod. Exhausted from a severe disease, His Grace stopped at the Archbishop's country estate in the place of Graivoron. When on his deathbed, he foresaw that his servant Basil would not become a priest but a deacon; and it happened as he said.

After the anointing, confession and partaking of the Holy Mysteries, Holy Hierarch Joasaph passed away on December 10, 1754. The holy body of the bishop was brought to Belgorod. During the funeral, people's crying and weeping muffled the choir. Only seventy kopecks of his personal money were found after the bishop's death. The funeral expenses were paid by the House of Bishops.

His Eminence John, Metropolitan of Pereslavl was late for the funeral and could come only in February, and the body of Saint Joasaph was kept in the open casket until the burial with no signs of corruption. The Holy Hierarch was buried in the Trinity Cathedral on February 23. Two years later, his holy relics were discovered uncorrupted. Holy Hierarch Joasaph was glorified as a Saint on September 4, 1911. 
 
 

Glorious Apostle to an age of coldness and unbelief invested with the grace-filled power of the saints of old. Divinely illumined, seer of heavenly mysteries, feeder of orphans and hope of the hopeless. Thou didst enkindle on earth the fire of love for Christ upon the dark eve of the day of judgement. O Holy Hierarch John, pray now that this sacred flame may also rise from our hearts.

Kontakion ( Tone VIII)

Chosen wonderworker and superb servant of Christ/ who pourest out in the latter times/ inexhaustible streams of inspiration and multitude of miracles,/ we praise thee with love and call out to thee:/ Rejoice, holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.
 
 

    "Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous merit the enjoyment of blessedness in the Kingdom of God, but rather such a height of righteousness that men are filled with the grace of God to the extent that it flows from them upon those who associate with them. Great is their blessedness; it proceeds from personal experience of the Glory of God. Being filled also with love for men, which proceeds from love of God, they are responsive to men’s needs, and upon their supplication they appear also as intercessors and defenders for them before God."

    St. John did not isolate himself from the world, but he was not of this world. First and foremost he was a man of prayer. He completely surrendered himself to God, presenting himself as a “living sacrifice” and he became a true vessel of the Holy Spirit. His work as an apostle, missionary and miracle worker continues even now.

    This saint of the latter times was born June 4, 1896 in the province of Kharkov. At baptism he was given the name Michael. As a child he was serious for his years and he later wrote: “From the first days when I began to become aware of myself, I wished to serve righteousness and truth. My parents kindled in me a striving to stand unwaveringly for the truth, and my soul was captivated by the example of those who had given their lives for it.”

    Following the desire of his parents, he entered law school in Kharkov. He was a naturally gifted student but spent more time reading the Lives of Saints than attending academic lectures. “While studying the worldly sciences,” he wrote, “I went all the more deeply into the study of the science of sciences, into the study of the spiritual life.”

    After the Revolution, he was evacuated together with his family to Belgrade where he entered the faculty of theology at the University. In 1926, a year after his graduation, he was tonsured a monk and given the name John, after his own distant relative, St. John of Tobolsk. In November of that same year, he was ordained hieromonk. Soon he became a teacher at the Serbian Seminary of St. John the Theologian at Bitol. More than once the bishop there, St. Nikolai Velimirovich, would say, “If you wish to see a living saint, go to Fr. John.”

Ascetic

    It was his own students who first became aware of Vladika’s great feat of asceticism. At night they noticed that Vladika would stay up, making the rounds of the dormitories and praying over the sleeping students. Finally, it was discovered that he scarcely slept at all, and never in a bed, allowing himself only an hour or two each night of uncomfortable rest in a sitting position, or bent over on the floor, praying before icons. This ascetic feat he continued for the rest of his life.

    At the age of 38 he was elevated to the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and was sent to Shanghai, China. There he restored Church unity, took an active interest in the religious education of youth, encouraged and participated in various charitable organizations founded an orphanage, and himself gathered sick and starving children off the streets. He always wore clothing of the cheapest Chinese fabric and often went barefoot, sometimes having given his sandals away to some poor man. Vladika celebrated Divine Liturgy and received Holy Communion daily, as he did for the rest of his life.

Wonderworker

    In Shanghai it became evident that Vladika was not only a righteous man, but a true ascetic, a man of prayer and a wonderworker. Once in Shanghai Vladika John was asked to the bed of a dying child, whose case had been called hopeless by the physicians. Entering the apartment, Vladika John went straight to the room in which the sick boy lay, although no one had managed yet to show him where this was. Without examining the child. Vladika immediately fell down in front of the icon in the corner, which was very characteristic of him and prayed for a long time. Then, assuring the relatives that the child would recover, he quickly left. And in fact the child became better towards morning and he soon recovered, so that a physician was no longer needed.

    Vladika loved to visit the sick and if the condition of a patient would become critical, he would go to him at any hour of the day or night to pray at his bedside. There were cases when patients would cry out to Vladika in the middle of the night from their hospital beds, and from the other end of the city Vladika would come.

Man of Prayer

    With the coming of the communists, the Russians in China were forced once again to flee, most through the Philippines. At one time 5,000 of the refugees were living in an International Refugee Organization camp on the island of Tubabao, located in the path of the seasonal typhoons.

    When the fear of typhoons was mentioned by one Russian to the Filipinos, they replied that there was no reason to worry, because “your holy man blesses your camp from four directions every night.” They referred to Vladika John, for no typhoon struck the island while he was there.

    In trying to resettle his flock, Vladika went to Washington, and through his intervention, almost the whole camp was miraculously able to come to America - including his orphanage.

    In 1951 Vladika was sent to Western Europe. Here too his reputation for holiness spread - and not only among the Orthodox. In one of the Catholic churches of Paris, a priest strove to inspire his young people with these words: “you demand proofs, you say that now there are neither miracles nor saints. Why should I give you theoretical proofs, when today there walks in the streets of Paris a saint - Saint Jean Nu-Pieds (St. John the Barefoot)”.

    Finally, in 1962, Vladika was sent to San Francisco in response to the urgent request of thousands of Russians who had known him in Shanghai. The Russian community was bitterly divided over the building of a new cathedral. Vladika became embroiled in this dispute and this eventually led to his persecution. But the Truth finally won out and a measure of peace was restored, the paralysis of the community ended, and the cathedral was finished.

Alive after Death

    On June 19/July 2, 1966, during a visit to Seattle with the wonderworking Kursk Icon of the Mother of God, Vladika peacefully gave his soul to the Lord Whom he had served so faithfully during his earthly life. His unembalmed body was flown to San Francisco where for six days it lay in the cathedral in an open coffin, while thousands of the faithful came to say their last farewell to the beloved archpastor. Even after the sixth day it was noticed that there was no sign of decay.

    Archbishop John was laid to rest in a small basement chapel under the altar of the cathedral after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors amended the City law to permit the burial of prelates in their cathedrals. His sepulchre became a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of people in need of his strong intercession before the throne of God. The many cases of answered prayer only confirm Vladika’s words to one of his devoted servants when, after his death, he appeared to her in a dream and said: “Tell the people: although I have died, I am alive!”

    On June 19/July 2, 1994 St. John Maximovitch was canonized in San Francisco and his relics rest today in the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral for all the faithful to venerate.
 
 

Troparion ( Tone IV)

Sitting on the throne of God-protected Kiev,/ thou wast like a merchant seeking goodly pearls, O Vladimir./ Thou didst search and send to the Imperial City/ to know the Orthodox Faith./ Thou didst find Christ the Pearl of great price,/ Who chose thee like Paul and enlightened thy blindness at the Font./ Thy people celebrate thy repose:/ wherefore pray for Russia and all peoples,/ that the Orthodox may be granted peace and great mercy. 

Kontakion ( Tone VIII)

Like the Apostle Paul, O Vladimir, thou didst abandon childish ways/ and in manhood wast royally adorned with Baptism./ Now thou art joyfully standing in the presence of Christ our Savior:/ pray that Orthodox Hierarchs and people, and all creation, may be saved.
 

Vladimir was the son of Prince Svyatoslav, and grandson of Igor and Olga, and was at first completely pagan in faith and life. Learning of the existence of various faiths, he began to examine them, to decide which was best. He therefore sent envoys to Constantinople. When they returned, they told the Prince that they had been at a service in the Orthodox Church of St Sophia, and that they had been 'out of ourselves, not knowing if we were on earth or in heaven'. This inspired Vladimir to be badtised, receiving the name Vasilii, and to baptise his people. The chief idol, Perun, was dragged off the hill of Kiev and thrown into the Dnieper. Embracing the Christian faith, Vladimir utterly changed his way of life and devoted all his labour to the perfect fulfilling of the demands of his faith. He decreed that churches be built throughout the land on the places where the idols had been pulled down, and himself built a beautiful church in Kiev to the most holy Mother of God. This church was built on the selfsame spot where St Theodore and his son John suffered martyrdom for Christ (see July 12th). With the same irresistible force with which Vladimir earlier upheld idolatry, he now spread Christianity. He entered into rest in the Lord in 1015. 
 
 

Troparion  (Tone IV)

Let us praise holy Barbara who has broken the snares of the enemy./ By the help of the weapon of the Cross/ she has escaped as a bird and flown Godwards. 

Kontakion (Tone IV)

Great Martyr Barbara, thou didst  follow Him Who is praised in Trinity,/ having abandoned the idols' shrines./ Thou didst strive in the midst of the arena, not shrinking from the tyrants' threats./ Thou didst cry out in a strong voice:/ I worship the Trinity, the One Divinity.
 
 
 
 

The Holy Great-martyr Barbara lived and sufferedduring the reign of Emperor Maximian (305-311). Her father, a pagan named Dioscoros, was an eminent, wealthy man who lived in the town of Heliopolis in Phoenicia. Widowed early in life, he focused all of his devotion upon his only daughter. Seeing Barbara’s extraordinary beauty, Dioscoros decided to raise her out of the sight of others. To this end, he erected a tower in which only Barbara and her pagan teachers dwelt. Below the tower was spread out the length and breadth of God’s world. During the day, one could view the wooded hills, the fast-flowing rivers, and the plains, carpeted with flowers. At night, a great sea of lights presented sights of inexpressible beauty. Soon the maiden began to ask herself about the Creator and the reason behind such a harmonious and marvelous world. Gradually, she came to the firm conclusion that the lifeless idols which her father and her teachers worshipped were works of human hands, incapable of having so wisely and marvelously ordered the world around her. The desire to know the Truth of God so gripped Barbara’s soul that she decided to devote her life to it, and to spend her life in virginity.

Her beauty gained renown throughout the city, and many sought her hand. However, despite her father’s loving entreaties, she refused to marry. Barbara warned her father that his insistence might result in tragedy, separating them forever. Dioscoros decided that life in isolation had affected his daughter’s character. He allowed her to leave the tower, and allowed her total freedom in choosing her friends and acquaintances. In the city, the maiden met young confessors of the Christian Faith who taught her about the Divine Logos, Creator of the world. Some time later, by God’s Providence, a priest disguised as a merchant came to Heliopolis. He performed the rite of Holy Baptism over Barbara.

At that time, Dioscoros was having a large bathhouse built at his home. He left instructions that two windows be installed on the South side. However, in her father’s absence, Barbara arranged to have the workers install a third window, to create an image of the Triune Light. Over the entrance to the bathhouse, where Barbara described the outline of a Cross, the image became firmly impressed on the stone. A spring burst forth from the place where her footprints had landed on the steps of the bathhouse. Later it manifested great healing powers. 

In his account of the holy martyr’s sufferings, Symeon Metaphrastes compared the spring to the life-giving power of the Jordan and the pool of Siloam. When Dioscoros returned and expressed dissatisfaction with the alterations made to the plan of construction, his daughter related to him her coming to know the Triune God, the salvific power of the Son of God, and the futility of idol worship. Dioscoros became angry, and unsheathed his sword to strike her. The maiden ran from her father, and he followed in pursuit. A fissure in a mountain along the way opened to hide the saint. At its other end, an opening led upward. St. Barbara managed to hide in a cave on the other side of the mountain. After a long and fruitless search for his daughter, Dioscoros saw two shepherds on the mountainside. One of them showed him the cave in which the saint had hidden herself. Dioscoros cruelly beat his daughter, locked her up under guard, and for a long time tortured her with hunger. Finally, he handed her over to Markianos, governor of the city. St. Barbara was cruelly tortured. They flogged her with rawhide whips, and abraded her wounds with a coarse hair cloth. At night, theLord Himself visited the fervently praying saint in prison, and tended to her wounds. Later, the saint was subjected to new, even more cruel trials. 

Juliana, a resident of Heliopolis and a Christian, was standing in the crowd near the place of the saint’s torture. Witnessing the beautiful and renowned maiden’s voluntary martyrdom, her heart overflowed with compassion. Wanting to suffer for Christ as well, she began to loudly denounce the torturers. She was taken. The holy martyrs were subjected to lengthy trials: Their flesh was ripped with iron hooks, their breasts were severed, and they were led naked throughout the city, to be subjected to ridicule and beatings.Heeding St. Barbara’s prayers, the Lord sent an angel, who covered the naked saints with glistening garments. Resolute confessors of the Christian Faith, Sts. Barbara and Juliana were beheaded. Dioscoros himself put Barbara to death. God’s retribution fell quickly upon Markianos and Dioscoros; both were consumed by lightning. 

In the 6th Century, the relics of the Saint were translated to Constantinople. In the 12th Century, Princess Barbara, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexis Comnenos (1081-1118) married the Russian Prince Michael Izyaslavitch, and brought the relics with her to Kiev. They rest in the Cathedral of St. Vladimir to this day. 
 
 

In the night of universal ignorance towards God, * and in the starless, profound gloom bereft of  heavenly light, * thou, O Abraham, wast kindled in the firmament, *  burning  with bright far-shining  faith *  in the Everlasting Light, Who shone forth to us from thy seed. *  Do thou enteat Him with fervour, that He enlighten us and save our souls.
 
 

Kontakion  (Tone II)

The servant wast thou, * a mortal fashioned from the earth; * thy master was God, * creation's Lord and Fashioner; * yet, well-pleased to glorify thy celestial greatness, the Lord of all * called Himself the God of Abraham. * Procure for us mercies from thy merciful Lord.
 
 

Troparion (Tone VIII)

In thee, O Mother, was exactly preserved that which was according to the divine image. For thou didst take the cross and follow Christ, and by thy life didst teach us to ignore the flesh, since it is transitory, but to care for the soul as an immortal thing. Therefore, thy spirit, O holy Mary, rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion (Tone IV)

Having escaped the fog of sin and having illumined thy heart with the light of penitence, O glorious one, thou didst come to Christ and didst offer to Him His immaculate and holy Mother as a merciful intercessor. Hence thou hast found remission of transgressions, and with the Angels thou ever rejoicest.
 

The Life of Our Holy Mother, St Mary of Egypt
By St Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem

"It is good to hide the secret of a king, but it is glorious to reveal and preach the works of God" (Tobit 12:7) So said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit when he performed the wonderful healing of his blindness. Actually, not to keep the secret of a king is perilous and a terrible risk, but to be silent about the works of God is a great loss for the soul. And I (says St. Saphronius), in writing the life of St. Mary of Egypt, am afraid to hide the works of God by silence. Remembering the misfortune threatened to the servant who hid his God-given talent in the earth (Mat. 25:18-25), I am bound to pass on the holy account that has reached me. And let no one think (continues St. Saphronius) that I have had the audacity to write untruth or doubt this great marvel --may I never lie about holy things! If there do happen to be people who, after reading this record, do not believe it, may the Lord have mercy on them because, reflecting on the weakness of human nature, they consider impossible these wonderful things accomplished by holy people. But now we must begin to tell this most amazing story, which has taken place in our generation. 
There was a certain elder in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of the holy life and speech, who from childhood had been brought up in monastic ways and customs. This elder's name was Zosimas. He had been through the whole course of the ascetic life and in everything he adhered to the rule once given to him by his tutors as regard spiritual labours. he had also added a good deal himself whilst labouring to subject his flesh to the will of the spirit. And he had not failed in his aim. He was so renowned for his spiritual life that many came to him from neighboring monasteries and some even from afar. While doing all this, he never ceased to study the Divine Scriptures. Whether resting, standing, working or eating food (if the scraps he nibbled could be called food), he incessantly and constantly had a single aim: always to sing of God, and to practice the teaching of the Divine Scriptures. Zosimas used to relate how, as soon as he was taken from his mother's breast, he was handed over to the monastery where he went through his training as an ascetic till he reached the age of 53. After that, he began to be tormented with the thought that he was perfect in everything and needed no instruction from anyone, saying to himself mentally, "Is there a monk on earth who can be of use to me and show me a kind of asceticism that I have not accomplished? Is there a man to be found in the desert who has surpassed me?"

Thus thought the elder, when suddenly an angel appeared to him and said: 

"Zosimas, valiantly have you struggled, as far as this is within the power of man, valiantly have you gone through the ascetic course. But there is no man who has attained perfection. Before you lie unknown struggles greater than those you have already accomplished. That you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land like the renowned patriarch Abraham and go to the monastery by the River Jordan." 

Zosimas did as he was told. he left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to the River Jordan. At last he reached the community to which God had sent him. Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the monk who was the porter who he was; and the porter told the abbot. On being admitted to the abbot's presence, Zosimas made the usual monastic prostration and prayer. Seeing that he was a monk the abbot asked: 

"Where do you come from, brother, and why have you come to us poor old men?"

Zosimas replied: 

"There is no need to speak about where I have come from, but I have come, father, seeking spiritual profit, for I have heard great things about your skill in leading souls to God." 

"Brother," the abbot said to him, "Only God can heal the infirmity of the soul. May He teach you and us His divine ways and guide us. But as it is the love of Christ that has moved you to visit us poor old men, then stay with us, if that is why you have come. May the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our salvation fill us all with the grace of the Holy Spirit." 

After this, Zosimas bowed to the abbot, asked for his prayers and blessing, and stayed in the monastery. There he saw elders proficient both in action and the contemplation of God, aflame in spirit, working for the Lord. They sang incessantly, they stood in prayer all night, work was ever in their hands and psalms on their lips. Never an idle word was heard among them, they know nothing about acquiring temporal goods or the cares of life. But they had one desire -- to become in body like corpses. Their constant food was the Word of God, and they sustained their bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them Seeing this, Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before him. 

Many days passed and the time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the Divine Passion and Ressurection of Christ. The monastery gates were kept always locked and only opened when one of the community was sent out on some errand. It was a desert place, not only unvisited by people of the world but even unknown to them. 

There was a rule in that monastery which was the reason why God brought Zosimas there. At the beginning of the Great Fast [on Forgiveness Sunday] the priest celebrated the holy Liturgy and all partook of the holy body and blood of Christ. After the Liturgy they went to the refectory and would eat a little lenten food. 

Then all gathered in church, and after praying earnestly with prostrations, the elders kissed one another and asked forgiveness. And each made a prostration to the abbot and asked his blessing and prayers for the struggle that lay before them. After this, the gates of the monastery were thrown open, and singing, "The Lord is my light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 26:1) and the rest of that psalm, all went out into the desert and crossed the River Jordan. Only one or two brothers were left in the monastery, not to guard the property (for there was nothing to rob), but so as not to leave the church without Divine Service. Each took with him as much as he could or wanted in the way of food, according to the needs of his body: one would take a little bread, another some figs, another dates or wheat soaked in water. And some took nothing but their own body covered with rags and fed when nature forced them to it on the plants that grew in the desert. 

After crossing the Jordan, they all scattered far and wide in different directions. And this was the rule of life they had, and which they all observed -- neither to talk to one another, nor to know how each one lived and fasted. If they did happen to catch sight of one another, they went to another part of the country, living alone and always singing to God, and at a definite time eating a very small quantity of food. In this way they spent the whole of the fast and used to return to the monastery a week before the Resurrection of Christ, on Palm Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his labour, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert. Such were rules of the monastery. Everyone of them whilst in the desert struggled with himself before the Judge of the struggle -- God -- not seeking to please men and fast before the eyes of all. For what is done for the sake of men, to win praise and honour, is not only useless to the one who does it but sometimes the cause of great punishment. 

Zosimas did the same as all. And he went far, far into the desert with a secret hope of finding some father who might be living there and who might be able to satisfy his thirst and longing. And he wandered on tireless, as if hurrying on to some definite place. He had already waled for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped and, turning to the East, he began to sing the sixth Hour and recite the customary prayers. He used to break his journey thus at fixed hours of the day to rest a little, to chant psalms standing and to pray on bent knees. 

And as he sang thus without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right of the hillock on which he stood the semblance of a human body. At first he was confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil, and even started with fear. But, having guarded himself with he sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he turned his gaze in that direction and in truth saw some form gliding southwards. It was naked, the skin dark as if burned up by the heat of the sun; the hair on its head was white as a fleece, and not long, falling just below its neck. Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after it in pursuit, but the form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was near enough to be heard, he shouted: 

"Why do you run from an old man and a sinner? Slave of the True God, wait for me, whoever you are, in God's name I tell you, for the love of God for Whose sake you are living in the desert." 

"Forgive me for God's sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba Zosimas. For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But if you would like to fulfil one wish of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so that I can cover my body and can turn to you and ask for your blessing." 

Here terror seized Zosimas, for he heard that she called him by name. But he realized that she could not have done so without knowing anything of him if she had not had the power of spiritual insight. 

He at once did as he was asked. He took off his old, tattered cloak and threw it to her, turning away as he did so. She picked it up and was able to cover at least a part of her body. The she turned to Zosimas and said: 

"Why did you wish, Abba Zosimas, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to hear or learn from me, you who have not shrunk from such great struggles?" 
 
St Mary receives the divine Mysteries from Zosimas 

Zosimas threw himself on the ground and asked for her blessing. She likewise bowed down before him. And thus they lay on the ground prostrate asking for each other's blessing. And one word alone could be heard from both: "Bless me!" After a long while the woman said to Zosimas: 

"Abba Zosimas, it is you who must give blessing and pray. You are dignified by the order of priesthood and for many years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries." 

This flung Zosimas into even greater terror. At length with tears he said to her: 

"O mother, filled with the spirit, by your mode of life it is evident that you live with God and have died to the world. The Grace granted to you is apparent -- for you have called me by name and recognized that I am a priest, though you have never seen me before. Grace is recognized not by one's orders, but by gifts of the Spirit, so give me your blessing for God's sake, for I need your prayers." 

Then, giving way before the wish of the elder, the woman said: 

"Blessed is God Who cares for the salvation of men and their souls." 

Zosimas answered: 

"Amen." 

And both rose to their feet. Then the woman asked the elder: 

"Why have you come, man of God, to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked and devoid of every virtue? Though I know one thing -- the Grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to render me a service in time. Tell me, father, how are the Christian peoples living? And the kings? How is the Church guided?" 

Zosimas said: 

"By your prayers, mother, Christ has granted lasting peace to all. But fulfill the unworthy petition of an old man and pray for the whole world and for me who am a sinner, so that my wanderings in the desert may not be fruitless." 

She answered: 

"You who are a priest, Abba Zosimas, it is you who must pray for me and for all -- for this is your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you ask." 

And with these words she turned to the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. One could not hear separate words, so that Zosimas could not understand anything that she said in her prayers. Meanwhile he stood, according to his own word, all in a flutter, looking at the ground without saying a word. And he swore, calling God to witness, that when at length he thought that her prayer was very long, he took his eyes off the ground and saw that she was raised bout a forearm's distance from the ground and stood praying in the air. When he saw this, even greater terror seized him and he fell on the ground weeping and repeating may times, "Lord have mercy." 

And whilst lying prostrate on the ground he was tempted by a thought: Is it not a spirit, and perhaps her prayer is hypocrisy. But at the very same moment the woman turned round, raised the elder from the ground and said: 

"Why do thoughts confuse you, Abba, and tempt you about me, as if I were a spirit and a dissember in prayer? Know, holy father, that I am only a sinful woman, though I am guarded by Holy baptism. And I am no spirit but earth and ashes, and flesh alone." 

And with these words she guarded herself with the sign of the Cross on her forehead, eyes, mouth and breast, saying: 

"May God defend us from the evil one and from his designs, for fierce is his struggle against us." 

Hearing and seeing this, the elder fell to the ground and, embracing her feet, he said with tears: 

"I beg you, by the Name of Christ our God, Who was born of a Virgin, for Whose sake you have stripped yourself, for Whose sake you have exhausted your flesh, do not hide from your slave, who you are and whence and how you came into this desert. Tell me everything so that the marvellous works of God may become known. A hidden wisdom and a secret treasure -- what profit is there in them? Tell me all, I implore you. for not out of vanity or for self-display will you speak but to reveal the truth to me, an unworthy sinner. I believe in God, for whom you live and whom you serve. I believe that He led me into this desert so as to show me His ways in regard to you. It is not in our power to resist the plans of God. If it were not the will of God that you and your life would be known, He would not have allowed be to see you and would not have strengthened me to undertake this journey, one like me who never before dared to leave his cell." 

Much more said Abba Zosimas. But the woman raised him and said: 

"I am ashamed, Abba, to speak to you of my disgraceful life, forgive me for God's sake! But as you have already seen my naked body I shall likewise lay bare before you my work, so that you may know with what shame and obscenity my soul is filled. I was not running away out of vanity, as you thought, for what have I to be proud of -- I who was the chosen vessel of the devil? But when I start my story you will run from me, as from a snake, for your ears will not be able to bear the vileness of my actions. But I shall tell you all without hiding anything, only imploring you first of all to pray incessantly for me, so that I may find mercy on the day of Judgment." 

The elder wept and the woman began her story. 

"My native land, holy father, was Egypt. Already during the lifetime of my parents, when I was twelve years old, I renounced their love and went to Alexandria. I am ashamed to recall how there I at first ruined my maidenhood and then unrestrainedly and insatiably gave myself up to sensuality. It is more becoming to speak of this briefly, so that you may just know my passion and my lechery. for about seventeen years, forgive me, I lived like that. I was like a fire of public debauch. And it was not for the sake of gain -- here I speak the pure truth. Often when they wished to pay me, I refused the money. I acted in this way so as to make as many men as possible to try to obtain me, doing free of charge what gave me pleasure. do not think that I was rich and that was the reason why I did not take money. I lived by begging, often by spinning flax, but I had an insatiable desire and an irrepressible passion for lying in filth. This was life to me. Every kind of abuse of nature I regarded as life. 

That is how I lived. Then one summer I saw a large crowd of Lybians and Egyptians running towards the sea. I asked one of them, `Where are these men hurrying to?' He replied, `They are all going to Jerusalem for the Exaltation of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross, which takes place in a few days.' I said to him, `Will they take me with them if I wish to go?' `No one will hinder you if you have money to pay for the journey and for food.' And I said to him, `To tell you truth, I have no money, neither have I food. But I shall go with them and shall go aboard. And they shall feed me, whether they want to or not. I have a body -- they shall take it instead of pay for the journey.' I was suddenly filled with a desire to go, Abba, to have more lovers who could satisfy my passion. I told you, Abba Zosimas, not to force me to tell you of my disgrace. God is my witness, I am afraid of defiling you and the very air with my words." 

Zosimas, weeping, replied to her: 

"Speak on for God's sake, mother, speak and do not break the thread of such an edifying tale." 

And, resuming her story, she went on: 

"That youth, on hearing my shameless words, laughed and went off. While I, throwing away my spinning wheel, ran off towards the sea in the direction which everyone seemed to be taking. and, seeing some young men standing on the shore, about ten or more of them, full of vigour and alert in their movements, I decided that they would do for my purpose (it seemed that some of them were waiting for more travellers whilst others had gone ashore). Shamelessly, as usual, I mixed with the crowd, saying, `Take me with you to the place you are going to; you will not find me superfluous.' I also added a few more words calling forth general laughter. Seeing my readiness to be shameless, they readily took me aboard the boat. Those who were expected came also, and we set sail at once. 

How shall I relate to you what happened after this? Whose tongue can tell, whose ears can take in all that took place on the boat during that voyage! And to all this I frequently forced those miserable youths even against their own will. There is no mentionable or unmentionable depravity of which I was not their teacher. I am amazed, Abba, how the sea stood our licentiousness, how the earth did not open its jaws, and how it was that hell did not swallow me alive, when I had entangled in my net so many souls. But I think God was seeking my repentance. For He does not desire the death of a sinner but magnanimously awaits his return to Him. At last we arrived in Jerusalem. I spent the days before the festival in the town, living the same kind of life, perhaps even worse. I was not content with the youths I had seduced at sea and who had helped be to get to Jerusalem; many others -- citizens of the town and foreigners -- I also seduced. 

The holy day of the Exaltation of the Cross dawned while I was still flying about -- hunting for youths. At daybreak I saw that everyone was hurrying to the church, so I ran with the rest. When the hour for the holy elevation approached, I was trying to make my way in with the crowd which was struggling to get through the church doors. I had at last squeezed through with great difficulty almost to the entrance of the temple, from which the lifegiving Tree of the Cross was being shown to the people. But when I trod on the doorstep which everyone passed, I was stopped by some force which prevented my entering. Meanwhile I was brushed aside by the crowd and found myself standing alone in the porch. Thinking that this had happened because of my woman's weakness, I again began to work my way into the crowd, trying to elbow myself forward. But in vain I struggled. Again my feet trod on the doorstep over which others were entering the church without encountering any obstacle. I alone seemed to remain unaccepted by the church. It was as if there was a detachment of soldiers standing there to oppose my entrance. Once again I was excluded by the same mighty force and again I stood in the porch. 

Having repeated my attempt three or four times, at last I felt exhausted and had no more strength to push and to be pushed, so I went aside and stood in a corner of the porch. And only then with great difficulty it began to dawn on me, and I began to understand the reason why I was prevented from being admitted to see the life-giving Cross. The word of salvation gently touched the eyes of my heart and revealed to me that it was my unclean life which barred the entrance to me. I began to weep and lament and beat my breast, and to sigh from the depths of my heart. And so I stood weeping when I saw above me the ikon of the most holy Mother of God. And turning to her my bodily and spiritual eyes I said: 

`O Lady, Mother of God, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honour or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to thy ikon, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly do I inspire hatred and disgust before thy virginal purity. But I have heard that God Who was born of thee became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance. Then help me, for I have no other help. Order the entrance of the church to be opened to me. Allow me to see the venerable Tree on which He Who was born of thee suffered in the flesh and on which He shed His holy Blood for the redemption of sinners and for me, unworthy as I am. Be my faithful witness before thy Son that I will never again defile my body by the impurity of fornication, but as soon as I have seen the Tree of the Cross I will renounce the world and its temptations and will go wherever thou wilt lead me.' 

Thus I spoke and as if acquiring some hope in firm faith and feeling some confidence in the mercy of the Mother of God, I left the place where I stood praying. And I went again and mingled with the crowd that was pushing its way into the temple. And no one seemed to thwart me, no one hindered my entering the church. I was possessed with trembling, and was almost in delirium. Having got as far as the doors which I could not reach before -- as if the same force which had hindered me cleared the way for me -- I now entered without difficulty and found myself within the holy place. And so it was I saw the lifegiving Cross. I saw too the Mysteries of God and how the Lord accepts repentance. Throwing myself on the ground, I worshipped that holy earth and kissed it with trembling. Then I came out of the church and went to her who had promised to be my security, to the place where I had sealed my vow. And bending my knees before the Virgin Mother of God, I addressed to her such words as these: 

`O loving Lady, thou hast shown me thy great love for all men. glory to God Who receives the repentance of sinners through thee. What more can I recollect or say, I who am so sinful? It is time for me, O Lady to fulfil my vow, according to thy witness. Now lead me by the hand along the path of repentance!' And at these words I heard a voice from on high: 

`If you cross the Jordan you will find glorious rest.' 

Hearing this voice and having faith that it was for me, I cried to the Mother of God: 

`O Lady, Lady, do not forsake me!' 

With these words I left the porch of the church and set off on my journey. As I was leaving the church a stranger glanced at me and gave me three coins, saying: 

`Sister, take these.' 

And, taking the money, I bought three loaves and took them with me on my journey, as a blessed gift. I asked the person who sold the bread: `Which is the way to the Jordan?' I was directed to the city gate which led that way. Running on I passed the gates and still weeping went on my journey. Those I met I asked the way, and after walking for the rest of that day (I think it was nine o'clock when I saw the Cross) I at length reached at sunset the Church of St. John the Baptist which stood on the banks of the Jordan. After praying in the temple, I went down to the Jordan and rinsed my face and hands in its holy waters. I partook of the holy and life-giving Mysteries in the Church of the Forerunner and ate half of one of my loaves. Then, after drinking some water from Jordan, I lay down and passed the night on the ground. In the morning I found a small boat and crossed to the opposite bank. I again prayed to Our Lady to lead me whither she wished. Then I found myself in this desert and since then up to this very day I am estranged from all, keeping away from people and running away from everyone. And I live here clinging to my God Who saves all who turn to Him from faintheartedness and storms." 

Zosimas asked her: 

"How many years have gone by since you began to live in this desert?" 

She replied: 

"Forty-seven years have already gone by, I think, since I left the holy city." 

Zosimas asked: 

"But what food do you find?" 

The woman said: 

"I had two and a half loaves when I crossed the Jordan. Soon they dried up and became hard as rock. Eating a little I gradually finished them after a few years." 

Zosimas asked. 

"Can it be that without getting ill you have lived so many years thus, without suffering in any way from such a complete change?" 

The woman answered: 

"You remind me, Zosimas, of what I dare not speak of. For when I recall all the dangers which I overcame, and all the violent thoughts which confused me, I am again afraid that they will take possession of me." 

Zosimas said: 

"Do not hide from me anything; speak to me without concealing anything." 

And she said to him: 

"Believe me, Abba, seventeen years I passed in this desert fighting wild beasts -- mad desires and passions. When I was about to partake of food, I used to begin to regret the meat and fish of which I had so much in Egypt. I regretted also not having wine which I loved so much, for I drank a lot of wine when I lived in the world, while here I had not even water. I used to burn and succumb with thirst. The mad desire for profligate songs also entered me and confused me greatly, edging me on to sing satanic songs which I had learned once. But when such desires entered me I struck myself on the breast and reminded myself of the vow which I had made, when going into the desert. In my thoughts I returned to the ikon of the Mother of God which had received me and to her I cried in prayer. I implored her to chase away the thoughts to which my miserable soul was succumbing. And after weeping for long and beating my breast I used to see light at last which seemed to shine on me from everywhere. And after the violent storm, lasting calm descended. 

And how can I tell you about the thoughts which urged me on to fornication, how can I express them to you, Abba? A fire was kindled in my miserable heart which seemed to burn me up completely and to awake in me a thirst for embraces. As soon as this craving came to me, I flung myself on the earth and watered it with my tears, as if I saw before me my witness, who had appeared to me in my disobedience, and who seemed to threaten punishment for the crime. And I did not rise from the ground (sometimes I lay thus prostrate for a day and a night) until a calm and sweet light descended and enlightened me and chased away the thoughts that possessed me. But always I turned to the eyes of my mind to my Protectress, asking her to extend help to one who was sinking fast in the waves of the desert. And I always had her as my Helper and the Accepter of my repentance. And thus I lived for seventeen years amid constant dangers. And since then even till now the Mother of God helps me in everything and leads me as it were by the hand." 

Zosimas asked: 

"Can it be that you did not need food and clothing?" 

She answered: 

"After finishing the loaves I had, of which I spoke, for seventeen years I have fed on herbs and all that can be found in the desert. The clothes I had when I crossed the Jordan became torn and worn out. I suffered greatly from the cold and greatly from the extreme heat. At times the sun burned me up and at other times I shivered from the frost, and frequently falling to the ground I lay without breath and without motion. I struggled with many afflictions and with terrible temptations. But from that time till now the power of God in numerous ways had guarded my sinful soul and my humble body. When I only reflect on the evils from which Our Lord has delivered me I have imperishable food for hope of salvation. I am fed and clothed by the all-powerful Word of God, the Lord of all. For it is not by bread alone that man lives. And those who have stripped off the rags of sin have no refuge, hiding themselves in the clefts of the rocks (Job 24; Heb. 11:38)." 

Hearing that she cited words of Scripture, from Moses and Job, Zosimas asked her: 

"And so you have read the psalms and other books?" 

She smiled at this and said to the elder: 

"Believe be, I have not seen a human face ever since I crossed the Jordan, except yours today. I have not seen a beast or a living being ever since I came into the desert. I never learned from books. I have never even heard anyone who sang and read from them. But the word of God which is alive and active, by itself teaches a man knowledge. And so this is the end of my tale. But, as I asked you in the beginning, so even now I implore you for the sake of the Incarnate word of God, to pray to the Lord for me who am such a sinner." 

Thus concluding here tale she bowed down before him. And with tears the elder exclaimed: 

"Blessed is God Who creates the great and wondrous, the glorious and marvellous without end. Blessed is God Who has shown me how He rewards those who fear Him. Truly, O Lord, Thou dost not forsake those who seek Thee!" 

And the woman, not allowing the elder to bow down before her, said: 

"I beg you, holy father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our God and Savior, tell no one what you have heard, until God delivers me of this earth. And now depart in peace and again next year you shall see me, and I you, if God will preserve us in His great mercy. But for God's sake, do as I ask you. Next year during Lent do not cross the Jordan, as is your custom in the monastery." 

Zosimas was amazed to hear that she know the rules of the monastery and could only say: 

"Glory to God Who bestows great gifts on those who love Him." 

She continued: 

"Remain, Abba, in the monastery. And even if you wish to depart, you will not be to do so. And at sunset of the holy day of the Last super, put some of the lifegiving Body and Blood of Christ into a holy vessel worthy to hold such Mysteries for me, and bring it. And wait for me on the banks of the Jordan adjoining the inhabited parts of the land, so that I can come and partake of the lifegiving Gifts. For, since the time I communicated in the temple of the Forerunner before crossing the Jordan even to this day I have not approached the Holy Mysteries. And I thirst for them with irrepressible love and longing. And therefore I ask and implore you to grant me my wish, bring me the lifegiving Mysteries at the very hour when Our Lord made His disciples partake of His Divine Supper. Tell John the Abbot of the monastery where you live. Look to yourself and to your brothers, for there is much that needs correction. Only do not say this now, but when God guides you. Pray for me!" 

With these words she vanished in the depths of the desert. And Zosimas, falling down on his knees and bowing down to the ground on which she had stood, sent up glory and thanks to God. And, after wandering thorough the desert, he returned to the monastery on the day all the brothers returned. 

For the whole year he kept silent, not daring to tell anyone of what he had seen. But he prayed to God to give him another chance of seeing the ascetic's dear face. And when at length the first Sunday of the Great Fast came, all went out into the desert with the customary prayers and the singing of psalms. Only Zosimas was held back by illness -- he lay in a fever. And then he remembered what the saint had said to him: "and even if you wish to depart, you will not be able to do so." 

Many days passed and at last recovering from his illness he remained in the monastery. And when attain the monks returned and the day of the Last Supper dawned, he did as he had been ordered, and placing some of the most pure Body and Blood into a small chalice and putting some figs and dates and lentils soaked in water into a small basket, he departed for the desert and reached the banks of the Jordan and sat down to wait for the saint. He waited for a long while and then began to doubt. Then, raising his eyes to heaven, he began to pray: 

"Grant me, O Lord, to behold that which Thou hast allowed me to behold once. Do not let me depart in vain, being the burden of my sins." 

And then another thought struck him: 

"And what if she does come? There is no boat; how will she cross the Jordan to come to me who am so unworthy?" 

And as he was pondering thus he saw the holy woman appear and stand on the other side of the river. Zosimas got up rejoicing and glorifying and thanking God. And again the thought came to him that she could not cross the Jordan. Then he saw that she made the sign of the Cross over the waters of the Jordan (and the night was a moonlight one, as he related afterwards) and then she at once stepped on to the waters and began walking across the surface towards him. And when he wanted to prostrate himself, she cried to him while still walking on the water: 

"What are you doing, Abba, you are a priest and carrying the divine Gifts!" 

He obeyed her and on reaching the shore she said to the elder: 

"Bless, father, bless me!" 

He answered her trembling, for a state of confusion had overcome him at the sight of the miracle: 

"Truly God did not lie when He promised that when we purify ourselves we shall be like Him. Glory to Thee, Christ our God, Who has shown me through this Thy slave how far away I stand from perfection." 

Here the woman asked him to say the Creed and Our Father. He began, she finished the prayer and according to the custom of that time gave him the kiss of peace on the lips. Having partaken of the Holy Mysteries, she raised her hands to heaven and sighed with tears in her eyes, exclaiming: 

"Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation." 

Then she said to the elder: 

"Forgive me, Abba, for asking you, but fulfil another wish of mine. Go now to the monastery and let God's grace guard you, and next year come again to the same place where I first met you. Come for God's sake, for you shall again see me, for such is the will of God." 

He said to her: 

"From this day on I would like to follow you and always see your holy face. But now fulfil the one and only wish of an old man and take a little of the food I have brought for you." 

And he showed her the basket, while she just touched the lentils with the tips of her fingers, and taking three grains said that the Holy spirit guards the substance of the soul unpolluted. Then she said: 

"Pray, for God's sake pray for me and remember a miserable wretch." 

Touching the saint's feet and asking for her prayers for the Church, the kingdom and himself, he let her depart with tears, while he went off sighing and sorrowful, for he could not hope to vanquish the invincible. Meanwhile she again made the sign of the Cross over the Jordan, and stepped on to the waters and crossed over as before. And the elder returned filled with joy and terror, accusing himself of not having asked the saint her name. But he decided to do so next year. 

And when another year had passed, he again went into the desert. He reached the same spot but could see no sign of anyone. So, raising his eyes to heaven as before, he prayed: 

"Show me, O Lord, Thy pure treasure, which Thou hast concealed in the desert. Show me, I pray Thee, the angel in the flesh, of which the world is not worthy." 

Then on the opposite bank of the river, her face turned towards the rising sun, he saw the saint lying dead. Her hands were crossed according to custom and her face was turned to the East. Running up he shed tears over the saint's feet and kissed them, not daring to touch anything else. 

For a long time he wept. Then reciting the appointed psalms, he said the burial prayers and thought to himself: "Must I bury the body of a saint? Or will this be contrary to her wishes?" And then he saw words traced on the ground by her head: 

"Abba Zosimas, bury on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return to dust that which is dust and pray to the Lord for me, who departed in the month of Fermoutin of Egypt, called April by the Romans, on the first day, on the very night of our Lord's Passion, after having partaken of the Divine Mysteries." [St. Mary died in 522 A. D.] 

Reading this the elder was glad to know the saint's name. He understood too that as soon as she had partaken of the Divine Mysteries on the shore of the Jordan she was at once transported to the place where she died. The distance which Zosimas had taken twenty days to cover, Mary had evidently traversed in an hour and had at once surrendered her soul to God. 

Then Zosimas thought: "It is time to do as she wished. But how am I to dig a grave with nothing in my hands?" 

And then he saw nearby a small piece of wood left by some traveller in the desert. Picking it up he began to dig the ground. But the earth was hard and dry and did not yield to the efforts of the elder. He grew tired and covered with sweat. He sighed from the depths of his soul and lifting up his eyes he saw a big lion standing close to the saint's body and licking her feet. At the sight of the lion he trembled with fear, especially when he called to mind Mary's words that she had never seen wild beasts in the desert. But guarding himself with the sign of the cross, the thought came to him that the power of the one lying there would protect him and keep him unharmed. Meanwhile the lion drew nearer to him, expressing affection by every movement. 

Zosimas said to the lion: 
 
A lion aids Zosimas in the burial of the Saint  

"The Great One ordered that her body was to be buried. But I am old and have not the strength to dig the grave, for I have no spade and it would take too long to go and get one. So can you carry out the work with your claws? Then we can commit to the earth the mortal temple of the saint." 

While he was still speaking the lion with his front paws began to dig a hole deep enough to bury the body. 

Again the elder washed the feet of the saint with his tears and calling on her to pray for all, covered the body with earth in the presence of the lion. It was as it had been, naked and uncovered by anything but the tattered cloak which had been given to her by Zosimas and with which Mary, turning away, had managed to cover part of her body. Then both departed. The lion went off into the depth of the desert like a lamb, while Zosimas returned to the monastery glorifying and blessing Christ our Lord. And on reaching the monastery he told all the brothers about everything, and all marvelled on hearing of God's miracles. And with fear and love they kept the memory of the saint. 

Abbot John, as St. Mary had previously told Abba Zosimas, found a number of things wrong in the monastery and got rid of them with God's help. And Saint Zosimas died in the same monastery, almost attaining the age of a hundred, and passed to eternal life. The monks kept this story without writing it down and passed it on by word of mouth to one another. 

But I (adds Sophronius) as soon as I heard it, wrote it down. Perhaps someone else, better informed, has already written the life of the Saint, but as far as I could, I have recorded everything, putting truth above all else. May God Who works amazing miracles and generously bestows gifts on those who turn to Him with faith, reward those who seek light for themselves in this story, who hear, read and are zealous to write it, and may He grant them the lot of blessed Mary together with all who at different times have pleased God by their pious thoughts and labours. 

And let us also give glory to God, the eternal King, that He may grant us too His mercy in the day of judgment for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom belongs all glory, honour, dominion and adoration with the Eternal Father and the Most Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and always, and throughout all ages. Amen.
 

The End, and Glory Be to God!