Ο Ευαγγελισμός (για βημόθυρα) - Τhe Annunciation (Icons for the Royal Doors)

 38x25,5cm /15x10inch.
Egg tempera and gold leaf 23k

2024.

Άγιος Τύχων Πατριάρχης Μόσχας - Saint Tikhon of Moscow

 6.2x9inch

16x22cm

Egg tempera with gold leaf 22k on background

2024.

+ Ο Άγιος Τύχων (Βασίλειος Ιβάνοβιτς Μπελλάβιν) γεννήθηκε στις 19 Ιανουαρίου 1865 μ.Χ. στην πόλη Τοροπιέτς της επαρχίας Πσκωβ. Σε ηλικία δεκατριών ετών παρακολουθεί το εκκλησιαστικό σεμινάριο του Πσκωφ και μετά από έξι χρόνια εγγράφεται στην θεολογική ακαδημία της Αγίας Πετρουπόλεως. Σε ηλικία είκοσι έξι ετών ακολούθησε τον μοναχικό βίο και γίνεται μοναχός. Η κουρά του έγινε στο παρεκκλήσι της εκκλησιαστικής σχολής του Πσκωβ, όπου ήταν καθηγητής. Ως μοναχός απέκτησε το όνομα Τύχων, προς τιμήν του Αγίου της Ρωσίας, που έζησε κατά τον 18ο αιώνα μ.Χ., του Αγίου Τύχωνος του Ζαντόσκ (τιμάται 13 Αυγούστου).

Το 1898 μ.Χ. εκλέγεται Επίσκοπος της Μητροπόλεως του Χομσκ και ένα χρόνο αργότερα Επίσκοπος των Αλεουτιανών Νήσων της Αλάσκας. Το 1905 μ.Χ. προάγεται σε Αρχιεπίσκοπο της πόλεως Ιεροσλάβ.

Το 1914 μ.Χ. ξεσπά ο Α' παγκόσμιος πόλεμος. Ο Άγιος Τύχων στάθηκε στο πλευρό της πατρίδος του και του ποιμνίου του. Η προσφορά του ήταν μεγάλη. Γι' αυτό, δύο χρόνια αργότερα, μετά τον θάνατο του Μητροπολίτη Μόσχας Μακαρίου, εκλέγεται Μητροπολίτης Μόσχας. Ο λαός υποδέχεται θριαμβευτικά τον νέο ποιμενάρχη του.

Το έτος 1917 μ.Χ. γίνεται ανατροπή του καθεστώτος από τους Μπολσεβίκους και τα πράγματα αλλάζουν. Ο Άγιος Τύχων καλεί Σύνοδο, για να μελετήσει την κατάσταση και να εξετάσει το θέμα σχέσεων Εκκλησίας και κράτους. Στις 28 Οκτωβρίου 1917 μ.Χ., μπροστά στην θαυματουργή εικόνα της Παναγίας του Βλαντιμίρ έγινε η κλήρωση για την ανάδειξη του νέου Πατριάρχη Μόσχας. Ο κλήρος, τον οποίο τράβηξε ο ερημίτης Γέροντας Αλέξιος, έπεσε στον Άγιο Τύχωνα.

Το καθεστώς επέφερε χωρισμό Εκκλησίας και κράτους, κατήργησε όλα τα εκκλησιαστικά προνόμια, επέβαλε τον πολιτικό γάμο, οργάνωσε την αντιχριστιανική προπαγάνδα, δήμευσε την εκκλησιαστική περιουσία, εξόρισε και δολοφόνησε χιλιάδες Χριστιανών, έκλεισε τους ναούς, εξαφάνισε ιερά λείψανα Αγίων. Στο σφοδρό διωγμό φονεύθηκαν πάνω από 3.500 Επίσκοποι και ιερείς, περί τις 2.000 μοναχοί και περί τις 3.000 μοναχές. Ο Άγιος Τύχων επιτιμά το καθεστώς και γι' αυτό καταδικάζεται σε θάνατο. Το Μάιο του 1922 μ.Χ. συλλαμβάνεται και φυλακίζεται. Μετά από ένα χρόνο ελευθερώνεται, αλλά και πάλι περιορίζεται στη μονή Ντονσκόι όπου ζούσε ως ελεύθερος πολιορκημένος. Η ασθένειά του τον καταβάλλει. Το 1925 μ.Χ. ο Άγιος Πατριάρχης ένιωσε ότι το τέλος πλησιάζει. Έκανε ευλαβικά τον σταυρό του, είπε «Δόξα σοι, Κύριε» και παρέδωσε την αγία ψυχή του στον Θεό.

Η μνήμη του Αγίου Τύχωνα επαναλαμβάνεται στις 9 Οκτωβρίου.

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+ Our father among the saints Tikhon of Moscow (Russian: Святитель Тихон, Патриарх Московский и всея Руси) (1865–1925), Enlightener of North America, was Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1917–1925).

While in America, he established his cathedral in New York City, and presided over a vast archdiocese, encouraging and authorizing many publications in the English language. Among these, he encouraged the translation of the Eastern liturgy into English by Isabel Florence Hapgood, and he wrote an extensive catechism based on the Nicene Creed and the Our Father. His feast day is celebrated on April 7 by New Calendar churches, on March 25 by Old Calendar churches; his glorification is celebrated on September 26, and he is also commemorated on the feast of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, celebrated on the Sunday nearest to January 25, which was the date of the martyrdom of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev, the first Bishop of the new martyrs.

St. Tikhon (né Vasily Ivanovich Bellavin; Russian: Василий Иванович Беллавин) was born on January 19, 1865. His father was Ioann Bellavin, a rural priest of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. "From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility. ... From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the Pskov Theological Seminary. ... His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called 'bishop' and 'patriarch' by his classmates."

"Following graduation from the Pskov Seminary and St. Petersburg Theological Academy, he becomes an instructor first at Pskov Theological Seminary (1888-91), then Kholm Theological Seminary (1891-97), where he quickly became Rector. Just prior to his transfer to Kholm he was tonsured a monk with the name Tikhon and ordained."

One of the first Orthodox bishops to do major work in North America, St. Tikhon went on to establish the "Diocese of the Aleutians and North America" after converting many people on the continent. Deemed an honorary citizen of the United States, he consecrated Orthodox Churches in America during the early 20th Century. The saint was also the primary founder of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania), naming it for his heavenly patron, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

After returning to Russia in 1907, he continued to win the affection of thousands with his humble piety and loving affection. During World War I, he charitably aided displaced citizens, who flocked to him. He was also honored on November 5, 1917 by being elected Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. St. Tikhon had to overcome much disunity within the Church.

When the ungodly Bolshevik regime took control of the country, Church property was confiscated and the Russian Orthodox Church had to endure much repression. St. Tikhon openly condemned the killings of Czar's family in 1918 and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the Church. At this time, he called Russian Orthodox Christians to unite and strengthen their practices. To avoid further persecution, he issued a message that clergy were not to make any political statements.

From 1922 to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in Donskoy Monastery after he openly opposed the government's decree of being able to confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty in an apparent attempt to relieve the harsh pressures on the Church. Despite his declaration of loyalty, he continued to enjoy the trust of the Orthodox community in Russia.

As persecution continued, he began to feel overwhelmed, and his strength and health declined. On Sunday April 5, 1925 he served his last Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, dying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a martyr for the faith.

In 1989, Patriarch Tikhon was glorified by the Church of Russia. This process is generally considered an example of the thaw in Church-Soviet relations in the Glasnost era.

Άγιος Μωυσής ο Αιθίοπας - Saint Moses the Black

 16x20cm

6.2x 7.8cm

Egg tempera and Gold leaf 22k

2024.

+ 

Φήσεις τὸ ῥητὸν καὶ θανών, Μωσῆ μέλα.
«Ἄνθρωπος ὄψιν, καὶ Θεὸς τὴν καρδίαν».
Θάψαν ἐν εἰκάδι Μωσῆν ὀγδόῃ Αἰθιοπῆα.

Ο όσιος Μωυσής ήταν αγορασμένος δούλος κάποιου πλούσιου κτηματία. Είχε χαρακτήρα σκληρό και δύστροπο και καθημερινά δημιουργούσε πολλά προβλήματα, ώσπου το αφεντικό του αγανάκτησε και τον πέταξε στον δρόμο. Ο Μωυσής βρήκε καταφύγιο σε μια ληστοσυμμορία και με την τεράστια σωματική του δύναμη δεν άργησε να επιβληθεί και να γίνει ο αρχηγός της.

Κάποτε, κυνηγημένος από τα όργανα της εξουσίας, για τα πολλά του εγκλήματα, πήγε να κρυφτεί βαθειά στην έρημο όπου ζούσαν οι πιο ονομαστοί ασκητές. Η συναναστροφή του με τους αγίους τον έκανε σιγά - σιγά να ημερεύσει. Τον επισκίασε η Χάρη του Θεού, γιατί η μετάνοια είναι ώρα Χάριτος, μαλάκωσε η καρδιά του, μετανόησε πραγματικά και ζήτησε την λύτρωση. Η αλλαγή του ήταν ριζική και σε σύντομο χρονικό διάστημα έφτασε στα μέτρα των μεγάλων Πατέρων της ερήμου. Μετά το βάπτισμα αξιώθηκε να λάβει και την Χάρη της Ιεροσύνης.

Σε ηλικία 75 ετών έφυγε από την πρόσκαιρη αυτή ζωή με τρόπο βίαιο και μαρτυρικό. Ειδωλολάτρες ληστές εισέβαλαν στο σπήλαιο που ασκήτευε και τον σκότωσαν με μαχαίρια. Και στο σημείο αυτό επαληθεύθηκε, για άλλη μια φορά, ο λόγος του Χριστού προς τον Απόστολο Πέτρο: «πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποθανοῦνται» (Ματθ. κστ, 52).

Οι δύο μεγάλες αρετές που τον κοσμούσαν ήταν η αληθινή μετάνοια και η βαθειά ταπείνωση. Μέχρι την τελευταία του αναπνοή «έκλαιε πικρώς» για τις αμαρτίες του και θεωρούσε τον εαυτό του κατώτερο όχι μόνον από τους ανθρώπους, αλλά και από αυτήν την άλογη κτίση. «Η συναίσθησις της αμαρτίας ημών είναι μέγα δώρον του Ουρανού, μεγαλύτερον και της οράσεως των αγγέλων... Η μετάνοια είναι ανεκτίμητον δώρον προς την ανθρωπότητα... Δια της μετανοίας συντελείται η θέωσις ημών. Τούτο είναι γεγονός ασυλλήπτου μεγαλείου» (Αρχιμ. Σωφρονίου, Οψόμεθα τον Θεόν καθώς εστι, σελ. 40 και 46). Ο Μωυσής αξιοποίησε κατά τον καλύτερο τρόπο το ανεκτίμητο αυτό δώρο και έφθασε στην θέωση, στην όραση του Θεού.

Αρκετά περιστατικά από τον βίο και την πολιτεία του φανερώνουν την ριζική αλλαγή του τρόπου της ζωής του. Άλλωστε αυτό σημαίνει μετάνοια. Αλλαγή τρόπου σκέψης και τρόπου ζωής. Αξίζει να αναφέρουμε ένα από αυτά: «Κάποτε, τέσσερεις ληστές, παλιοί σύντροφοί του, μπήκαν στην καλύβα του για να την ληστέψουν, χωρίς να φαντάζονται ποιόν μπορούσαν να βρουν μέσα. Όταν τον είδαν σάστισαν. Εκείνος, με μεγάλη ευκολία, τους έπιασε, τους έδεσε και τους οδήγησε στην συνάθροιση των Γερόντων και τους ερώτησε να του πουν τί πρέπει να κάνει με τους ληστές, λέγοντας συγχρόνως: "Σε μένα δεν αρμόζει πια να τιμωρήσω άνθρωπον"» (Γεροντικόν, Εκδ. Ρηγοπούλου, σελ. 111). Όταν τα άκουσαν αυτά οι ληστές εξομολογήθηκαν, μετανόησαν και έγιναν Μοναχοί.

Άλλο χαρακτηριστικό περιστατικό που φανερώνει την ταπείνωση του Οσίου είναι και το ακόλουθο: «Την ημέρα που τον χειροτονούσε Πρεσβύτερο ο Πατριάρχης Αλεξανδρείας και μάλιστα την ώρα που του φορούσε τα ιερά άμφια του είπε φιλικά ότι έγινε λευκός σαν περιστέρι. Ο Μωυσής ερώτησε ταπεινά τον Πατριάρχη αν κρίνει από το εξωτερικό ή το εσωτερικό, επειδή και τα άμφια ήσαν λευκά. Ο Πατριάρχης θέλοντας να τον δοκιμάσει αν έχει πραγματική ταπείνωση, είπε κρυφά στους κληρικούς να τον διώξουν από το σκευοφυλάκιο. Έτσι, όταν παρουσιάστηκε εκεί μετά την θεία Λειτουργία, τον έδιωξαν βρίζοντας τον. Ο Μωυσής έφυγε αμέσως χωρίς καμιά αντιλογία. Ένας από αυτούς, που τον ακολούθησε κρυφά για να δει αν του κακοφάνηκε, τον άκουσε να μονολογεί μεμφόμενος τον εαυτό του: "Καλά σού κάνανε, σποδόδερμε μελανέ". Αφού δεν είσαι άνθρωπος, τί γυρεύεις με τους ανθρώπους;» (Γεροντικόν, σελ. 252 -253).

Η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία με τον τρόπο ζωής που προσφέρει μεταμορφώνει και μετασκευάζει τα τσακάλια και τους λύκους σε πρόβατα και αρνιά άκακα. Μεταβάλλει τους υπερήφανους σε ταπεινούς, τους πόρνους και μοιχούς σε σώφρονες, τους φονιάδες, τους τρομοκράτες και τους ληστές σε Οσίους.

Σημείωση: Σύμφωνα με τον Συναξαριστή του Άγιου Νικόδημου, ο Όσιος Μωυσής απεβίωσε ειρηνικά.

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+ The Monk Moses Murin the Black lived during the IV Century in Egypt. He was an Ethiopian, and he was black of skin and therefore called "Murin" (meaning "like an Ethiopian"). In his youth he was the slave of an important man, but after he committed a murder, his master banished him, and he joined in with a band of robbers. Because of his mean streak and great physical strength they chose him as their leader. Moses with his band of brigands did many an evil deed — both murders and robberies, so much so that people were afraid even at the mere mention of his name. Moses the brigand spent several years leading suchlike a sinful life, but through the great mercy of God he repented, leaving his band of robbers and going off to one of the wilderness monasteries. And here for a long time he wept, beseeching that they admit him amidst the number of the brethren. The monks were not convinced of the sincerity of his repentance; but the former robber was not to be driven away nor silenced, in demanding that they should accept him. In the monastery the Monk Moses was completely obedient to the hegumen and the brethren, and he poured forth many a tear, bewailing his sinful life. After a certain while the Monk Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he spent the time in prayer and the strictest of fasting in a very austere lifestyle. One time 4 of the robbers of his former band descended upon the cell of the Monk Moses and he, not having lost his great physical strength, he tied them all up and taking them over his shoulder, he brought them to the monastery, where he asked of the elders what to do with them. The elders ordered that they be set free. The robbers, learning that they had chanced upon their former ringleader, and that he had dealt kindly with them, — they themselves followed his example: they repented and became monks. And later, when the rest of the band of robbers heard about the repentance of the Monk Moses, then they too gave up their brigandage and became fervent monks.

The Monk Moses did not quickly become free from the passions. He went often to the monastery hegumen, Abba Isidor, seeking advice on how to be delivered from the passions of profligacy. Being experienced in the spiritual struggle, the elder taught him never to overeat of food, to be partly hungry whilst observing the strictest moderation. But the passions would not cease for the Monk Moses in his dreams. Then Abba Isidor taught him the all-night vigil. The monk stood the whole night at prayer, not being on bended knees so as not to drop off to sleep. From his prolonged struggles the Monk Moses fell into despondency, and when there arose thoughts about leaving his solitary cell, Abba Isidor instead strengthened the resolve of his student. In a vision he showed him many a demon in the west, prepared for battle, and in the East a still greater quantity of holy Angels, likewise readied for fighting. Abba Isidor explained to the Monk Moses, that the power of the Angels would prevail over the power of the demons, and in the long struggle with the passions it was necessary for him to become completely cleansed of his former sins.

 The Monk Moses undertook a new effort. Making the rounds by night of the wilderness cells, he carried water from the well to each brother. He did this especially for the elders, who lived far off from the well and who were not easily able to carry their own water. One time, kneeling over the well, the Monk Moses felt a powerful blow upon his back and he fell down at the well like one dead, laying there in that position until dawn. Thus did the devils take revenge upon the monk for his victory over them. In the morning the brethren carried him to his cell, and he lay there a whole year crippled up. Having recovered, the monk with firm resolve confessed to the hegumen, that he would continue to asceticise. But the Lord Himself put limits to this struggle of many years: Abba Isidor blessed his student and said to him, that the profligate passions had already gone from him. The elder commanded him to commune the Holy Mysteries and in peace to go to his own cell. And from that time the Monk Moses received from the Lord the power over demons.

Accounts about his exploits spread amongst the monks and even beyond the bounds of the wilderness. The governor of the land wanted to see the saint. Having learned about this, the Monk Moses decided to hide away from any visitors and he departed his own cell. Along the way he met up with servants of the governor, who asked him, how to get to the cell of the wilderness-dweller Moses. The monk answered them: "Go on no further to this false and unworthy monk". The servants returned to the monastery, where the governor was waiting, and they conveyed to him the words of the elder they had chanced upon. The brethren, hearing a description of the elder’s appearance, all as one acknowledged that they had come upon the Monk Moses himself.

Having spent many a year at monastic exploits, the Monk Moses was ordained deacon. The bishop attired him in white vesture and said: "Abba Moses is now entirely white". The saint answered: "Vladyka, what makes it purely white — the outer or the inner?" Through humility the saint reckoned himself unworthy to accept the dignity of deacon. One time the bishop decided to test him and he bid the clergy to drive him out of the altar, whilst reviling him for being an unworthy black-Ethiopian. With full humility the monk accepted the abuse. Having put him to the test, the bishop then ordained the monk to be presbyter. And in this dignity the Monk Moses asceticised for 15 years and gathered round himself 75 disciples.

When the monk reached age 75, he forewarned his monks, that soon brigands would descend upon the skete and murder all that were there. The saint blessed his monks to leave in good time, so as to avoid the violent death, His disciples began to beseech the monk to leave together with them, but he replied: "I many a year already have awaited the time, when upon me there should be fulfilled the words which my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, did speak: "All, who take up the sword, shalt perish by the sword" (Mt. 26: 52). After this seven of the brethren remained with the monk, and one of these hid not far off during the coming of the robbers, The robbers killed the Monk Moses and the six monks that remained with him. Their death occurred in about the year 400.

Aug 28 – Sep 10 2009  14th  Thursday after Pentecost

 

Troparion    Tone 5

Thou didst abandon the Egypt of passions/ and fervently ascend the mount of virtues,/ and didst take Christ’s Cross on thy shoulders./ Thou wast glorified in thy works/ and wast a model for monks,/ O Moses summit of the Fathers./ With them pray unceasingly that we may obtain great mercy.

Αγία Μίλιτσα της Σερβίας - Holy Right-believing Princess Militsa of Serbia

15x22 cm

5.9x8.6 inch. 

Egg tempera on linden wood.

2024.

+ Η Μίλιτσα Χρεμπελιάνοβιτς (σερβικά : Милица Хребељановић) (περίπου το 1335 - 11 Νοεμβρίου 1405) ήταν πριγκίπισσα της Σερβίας η σύζυγος του Σέρβου πρίγκιπα Λάζαρ και αγία της Σερβικής ορθόδοξης εκκλησίας.

Καταγόταν από την βασιλική οικογένεια των Νεμάνια. Ο πατέρας της ήταν ο πρίγκιπας Βράτκο, γιος του Βουκάν. Η Μίλιτσα γεννήθηκε περίπου το 1335 και το 1353 παντρεύτηκε τον Λάζαρο Χρεμπελιάνοβιτς. Μετά το τέλος του η Μίλιτσα έγινε ηγεμόνας της Σερβίας του Μοράβα με πρωτεύουσα την Κρούσεβατς. Είχαν αποκτήσει επτά παιδιά.

Όταν ο σύζυγός της το 1389 σκοτώθηκε στη Μάχη του Κοσσυφοπεδίου, η Μίλιτσα ανέλαβε το θρόνο, επειδή οι γιοι της ήταν ακόμη παιδιά. Όταν ο μεγαλύτερος γιος της Στέφαν μεγάλωσε, τού έδωσε την εξουσία. Στη συνέχεια πήγε στη μονή Λγιουμποστίνγια, όπου έγινε μοναχή και πήρε το όνομά "Ευγενία". Στη Μονή αυτή απεβίωσε στις 11 Νοέμβριου 1405 και εκεί βρίσκεται θαμμένη.

Η Σερβική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία την εορτάζει σαν αγία στις 19 Ιουλίου στο εορτολόγιο ή 1 Αυγούστου, σύμφωνα με το νέο Γρηγοριανό ημερολόγιο. Την ίδια ημέρα εορτάζεται με το γιο της, επίσης άγιο, Στέφαν Λαζάρεβιτς.

Η Μίλιτσα ασχολήθηκε με διπλωματική δραστηριότητα: το 1398 πήγε στον σουλτάνο Βαγιαζήτ Α΄ να εκπροσωπήσει τα συμφέροντα του γιου της Στέφαν. Με την ευκαιρία αυτή και με τη βοήθεια της κόρη της και συζύγου τού Βαγιαζήτ Α΄, Ολιβέρας μετέφερε το σκήνωμα της Οσίας Παρασκευής της Επιβατινής στο Βελιγράδι. Ασχολήθηκε με τη λογοτεχνία, γράφοντας δύο έργα: το η προσευχή της μητέρας („Молитва матере“) και το Ο χήρος μου γαμπρός („Удовству мојему женик“).

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+ Saint Militsa (Milica) was born in 1335, the daughter of Prince Vratko Nemanjić. In Holy Baptism she was named Euphrosynē. Later, she married the Holy Prince Lazarus (Lazar), who was killed during the great Battle of Kosovo (June 15, 1389), which was fought to defend the Holy Church against the Moslems. After her husband's death, she ruled Serbia until her son Stephen the Tall came of age. She also composed several prayers and religious poems, including "A Mother's Prayer" (Молитва матере) and a very touching poem of mourning for her husband, "The Bridegroom of my Widowhood" (Удовству мојему женик).

Saint Militsa founded Ljubostinja monastery around 1390, and there in 1393, she was tonsured as a nun with the name Eugenia. She was concerned about beginning her monastic life as a widow and about being accepted by the other nuns, whose husbands had also fallen on the battlefield. This inspired her to build and support many monasteries and churches.

At the end of her life, Mother Eugenia was tonsured into the Great Schema with the name Euphrosynē.

After her repose on November 11, 1405, Saint Militsa worked many miracles, and her myrrh-streaming relics healed many sick people.

The Russian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Militsa on July 19, while the Church of Serbia commemorates her on August 1.

Άγιος Γεώργιος - Saint George

 

15x22cm

5.9x8.6inch.

Egg tempera on well-prepared linden wood.

2024.

Όσιος Ιωσήφ ο Ησυχαστής - Saint Joseph the Hesychast

 22x30cm

Egg tempera
Commemorated day : 16th August

 
2023.

More: Saint Joseph the Hesychast

Αγία Ξένια η δια Χριστόν σαλή - Saint Xenia of Petersburg

Egg tempera
Gold leaf 22k on background
2023

(Commemorated on January 24)





+ Saint Xenia lived during the eighteenth century, but little is known of her life or of her family. She passed most of her life in Petersburg during the reigns of the empresses Elizabeth and Catherine II.

Xenia Grigorievna Petrova was the wife of an army officer, Major Andrew Petrov. After the wedding, the couple lived in Saint Petersburg. Saint Xenia became a widow at the age of twenty-six when her husband suddenly died at a party. She grieved for the loss of her husband, and especially because he died without Confession or Holy Communion.

Once her earthly happiness ended, she did not look for it again. From that time forward, Xenia lost interest in the things of this world, and followed the difficult path of foolishness for the sake of Christ. The basis for this strange way of life is to be found in the first Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:18-24, 1 Cor. 2:14, 1 Cor. 3:18-19). The Lord strengthened her and helped her to bear sorrow and misfortune patiently for the next forty-five years.

She started wearing her husband’s clothing, and insisted that she be addressed as “Andrew Feodorovich.” She told people that it was she, and not her husband, who had died. In a certain sense, this was perfectly true. She abandoned her former way of life and experienced a spiritual rebirth. When she gave away her house and possessions to the poor, her relatives complained to the authorities. After speaking to Xenia, the officials were convinced that she was in her right mind and was entitled to dispose of her property as she saw fit. Soon she had nothing left for herself, so she wandered through the poor section of Petersburg with no place to lay her head. She refused all assistance from her relatives, happy to be free of worldly attachments.

When her late husband’s red and green uniform wore out, she clothed herself in rags of those colors. After a while, Xenia left Petersburg for eight years. It is believed that she visited holy Elders and ascetics throughout Russia seeking instruction in the spiritual life. She may have visited Saint Theodore of Sanaxar (February 19), who had been a military man himself. His life changed dramatically when a young officer died at a drinking party. Perhaps this officer was Saint Xenia’s husband. In any case, she knew Saint Theodore and profited from his instructions.

Saint Xenia eventually returned to the poor section of Petersburg, where she was mocked and insulted because of her strange behavior. When she did accept money from people it was only small amounts, which she used to help the poor. She spent her nights praying without sleep in a field outside the city. Prayer strengthened her, and in her heart’s conversation with the Lord she found the support she needed on her difficult path.

When a new church was being built in the Smolensk cemetery, Saint Xenia brought bricks to the site. She did this in secret, during the night, so that no one would know.

Soon her great virtue and spiritual gifts began to be noticed. She prophesied future events affecting the citizens of Petersburg, and even the royal family. Against her will, she became known as someone pleasing to God, and nearly everyone loved her. They said, “Xenia does not belong to this world, she belongs to God.” People regarded her visits to their homes or shops as a great blessing. Saint Xenia loved children, and mothers rejoiced when the childless widow would stand and pray over a baby’s crib, or kiss a child. They believed that the blessed one’s kiss would bring that child good fortune.

Saint Xenia lived about forty-five years after the death of her husband, and departed to the Lord at the age of seventy-one. The exact date and circumstances of her death are not known, but it probably took place at the end of the eighteenth century. She was buried in the Smolensk cemetery.

By the 1820s, people flocked to her grave to pray for her soul, and to ask her to intercede with God for them. So many visitors took earth from her grave that it had to be replaced every year. Later, a chapel was built over her grave.

Those who turn to Saint Xenia in prayer receive healing from illness, and deliverance from their afflictions. She is also known for helping people who seek jobs.

Troparion

Having lived as a stranger in the world, / you outwitted the deviser of evil / by your pretended foolishness, O Xenia. / You received the grace from God / to foresee and foretell things to come. / Now, as you have been translated from earth to heaven, / you are numbered with the choirs of the angels.

 

Αγία Σοφία η προστάτιδα των ορφανών - St. Sophia the Mother of Orphans (Sophia of Ainos)

 22x15cm
Egg tempera

Gold leaf 22k on background

2023.

Commemoration day:  4 June

Our venerable Mother Sophia was born in the province of Ainos

 in southeastern Thrace , and was the daughter of pious Christian parents.

 When she was of age, her parents arranged for her to be married. 

She and her husband had six children. Though she was occupied with worldly

 cares and responsibilities, she still kept the commandments of God and lived a virtuous life.

 She loved to attend the Church services, and so she progressed in virtue.

After sickness carried off Sophia's husband and all her children in succession,

 she did not despair, but became even more devoted to God. Within a period of twenty years,

 she adopted one hundred children, and raised them to love God. Because of this,

 she is sometimes called Saint Sophia the Mother of Orphans.

 She sold her property and gave the proceeds to the poor and to widows. 

She led an austere life, eating nothing but bread and water.

 She preferred to do without the necessities of life herself rather than 

allow any poor person to leave her home empty-handed. 

The Psalms of the Prophet-King David were always on her lips, and tears flowed 

continuously from her eyes.

Because of her humility and her love for the poor, God blessed her in the following way.

 In her home there was a container of wine which she reserved for the poor.

 She noticed that no matter how much she took from the container, it remained full. 

However, as soon as she told someone about the miracle and glorified God, the container 

became empty. Saint Sophia became sorrowful, believing that the wine had failed

 because of her unworthiness. Therefore, she increased her ascetical labors until her health

 suffered.

Sensing that the end of her life was near, she received the monastic tonsure.

 From that time, she devoted herself completely to the worship of God. 

Saint Sophia reposed peacefully at the age of fifty-three. It is not known when she lived. 

She died 53 years old.

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / 

and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / 

By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / 

O our holy mother Sophia, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

---------------------------------------

Η Οσία Σοφία καταγόταν από την Αίνο της Θράκης και ήταν θυγατέρα επισήμων και πλουσίων

 γονέων. Παντρεύτηκε και έγινε μητέρα έξι παιδιών, που είχε το θλιβερό ατύχημα να τα χάσει όλα. Βρήκε λοιπόν παρηγοριά στη θλίψη της, προστατεύοντας ορφανά και χήρες. 

Έκανε συνεχείς ελεημοσύνες, προσευχές, νηστείες και κάθε τι που ανακούφιζε τον πλησίον.

 Στα τέλη της ζωής της εκάρη Μοναχή και αφιέρωσε τη ζωή της στη λατρεία του Θεού.

 Απεβίωσε ειρηνικά, σε ηλικία 53 ετών.

Saint Athanasios the Great - Άγιος Αθανάσιος o Μέγας

 22x30cm
Egg tempera 
2023.

Saint Athanasios the Athonite was born in Trabzon around 930 AD. and his original name was Avramios. He was orphaned at a very young age and was raised by a nun, a friend of his mother. He studied in Constantinople and later taught at the school of Athanasios, a wise teacher of the time. When he met Saint Michael Maleinos, he became a monk in the Monastery of Kymina where he took the name Athanasius.

Later he went to the monastery of Zygos on Mount Athos to asceticize. In the year 963 AD, with the encouragement and help of Nikiforos Fokas, he built on Mount Athos the famous Monastery of Megisti Lavra where he remained for forty years. He died tragically when he was crushed by the roof of the Temple of the Monastery. Saint Athanasius the Athonite is the founder of monasticism on Mount Athos. The Orthodox Christian Church commemorates him on January 18 of each year.

Apolytikion of Saint Athanasius of Mount Athos

Third Tone

The Angels' ranks were awed by thy life in the flesh, how, though corporeal, and clad with earthly clay, thou didst set forth with courage to invisible wars and wrestlings and didst boldly smite the hordes of the demons with mortal wounds. Wherefore, Christ rewarded thee with abundant gifts in return. Entreat Him that our souls find salvation, O most renowned Father Athanasius.

Άγιος Σεραφείμ του Σαρώφ - Saint Seraphim of Sarov

 22x15cm
Egg tempera
Gold leaf on background 22k
(Well prepared linden wood)
2023

Our venerable and God-bearing father Seraphim of Sarov was a Russian ascetic who lived at the Sarov Monastery in the 18th century, and is considered a wonder-worker. The Church commemorates St. Seraphim on January 2, and the opening of his relics on July 19.

"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved."

Troparion (Tone 4)

Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one,

and longing to work for Him alone thou didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labor.

With penitent heart and great love for Christ thou wast favored by the Mother of God.

Wherefore we cry to thee:

Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim our righteous Father.