SAINT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH june 25, 2017

THE third sunday OF matthew he Virgin Martyr Febronia suffered during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). She was raised at a monas- Ttery in the city of Sivapolis (Assyria). The head of the women’s monastery was the abbess Bryaena, the aunt of Febronia. Being concerned about her niece’s salvation, she assigned her a stricter form of life than the other . According to their monastic rule, on Fridays the sisters put aside their other duties and spent the whole day in prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. The abbess usually assigned the reading to Saint Febronia. News of her pious life spread throughout the city. The illustrious young widow Hieria, a pagan, began to visit her, and under the influence of her guidance and prayer she accepted holy Baptism, bringing her parents and kinsfolk to the Christian Faith. Diocletian sent a detachment of soldiers to Assyria under the command of Lysimachus, Selinus and Primus for the destruction of Christians. Selenos, the uncle of Lysimachus, was noted for his fierce attitude against Christians, but Lysimachus was of a different frame of mind from him, since his mother had sought to inspire love for the Christian faith in her son, and she had died a Christian. Lysimachus had discussed with his kinsman Primus how it would be possible to deliver Christians from the hands of the torturer. When the detachment of soldiers approached the convent, its inhabitants hid. There remained only the abbess Bryaena, her helper Thomais and Saint Febronia, who was seriously ill at the time. It grieved the abbess terribly that her niece might fall into the hands of the torturers, who might defile her. She prayed fervently that the Lord would preserve her and strengthen her in the confession of Christ the Savior. Selinus gave orders to bring him all the nuns of the convent. Primus with the detachment of sol- diers found no one, except the two old women and Saint Febronia. He regretted that they had not hidden, and he suggested to the nuns that they flee. But the nuns decided not to leave the place of their labors and they entrusted themselves to the will of the Lord. Primus told Lysimachus about the particular beauty of Saint Febronia and advised him to take her for himself. Lysimachus said that he would not seduce a virgin dedicated to God, and he asked Primus to hide the other nuns somewhere so that they would not fall into the hands of Selinus. One of the soldiers overheard the conversation and told Selinus. They led Saint Febronia off to the military commander with her hands bound and a chain around her neck. Selinus urged her to deny Christ, promising her honors, rewards, and marriage with Lysimachus. The holy virgin firmly and fearlessly answered that she had an Im- mortal Bridegroom, and she would not exchange Him for any mortal man. Selinus subjected her to fierce

1510 audubon drive • columbia, missouri, 65201 • tel. 573.817.0050 / fax 573.449.8452 email: [email protected] • web: www.saintlukecolumbia.org at the small entrance we chant THE READINGS OF THE DAY

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος b. apolytikion. Mode 2. epistle reading gospel reading τε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθά- hen You descended unto death, O Lord who The letter of paul to the Matthew 6:22-33 Ὅνατος, τότε τὸν ᾍδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ Wyourself are immortal Life, then did You morti- romans 5:1-10 τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν fy Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also rethren, being therefore justified by faith, we he Lord said: “The lamp of the body is the καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all have peace with God through our Lord Jesus eye! If therefore your eye is sound, your whole ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον· Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver Christ, through whom we also have our ac- body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. of life, Christ our God, glory be to You. B T your whole body will be full of darkness. If there- Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α´. Apolytikion for the Church. Mode 5. cess by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God! Not only fore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστο- he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who is this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either Λλον, τὸν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην Tacknowledged by the Church of Christ * as the re- that suffering produces perseverance; and perse- he will hate the one and love the other; or else he τῶν Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ corder of the Acts of the Apostles, * and the splendid verance, character; and character, hope. Hope does will be devoted to one and despise the other. You Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως τιμή- author of the Gospel of Christ. * Let us praise with sa- not disappoint us, because God’s love has been cannot serve both God and Mammon. Therefore, I σωμεν ὕμνοις ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρωπίνων cred hymns as a physician, * who heals the infirmities poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit tell you, do not be anxious about your life, wonder- καὶ φυσικῶν ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν καθαίρο- of man, * and the ailments of nature, * who cleanses who was given to us. For while we were still weak, ing what you will eat or drink; or about your body, ντα πληγὰς τοῦ πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως πρε- spiritual wounds, and prays unceasingly for our souls. at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. In- what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and σβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. deed, one will hardly die for someone righteous, the body more than clothing? See the birds of the Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος β´. Kontakion. Mode 2. but perhaps for a righteous person someone would sky: they do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns. ροστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, rotection of Christians unshamable, mediation even dare to die. But God entrusts his own love to- Your heavenly Father feeds them! Are you not of Πμεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ Pwith the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, ward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ much more value than they? Which of you, by be- παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ do not despise the voices of our prayers, but antici- died for us. Even more so then, since we are now ing anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, pate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath Why then are you anxious about clothing? Con- τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to interces- through him! For if while we were enemies we were sider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστα- sion, and hasten to supplication, O who reconciled to God through the death of his Son, not toil or spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon τεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. defend now and ever those who honor you. how much more shall we be saved by his life! in all his glory was not dressed like one of these! But if God clothes the grass of the field which to- day exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, you of little .Abba Poimen said that someone once asked Abba Paisios: Abba Anthony said that obedi- faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying: ‘What “What should I do, since my soul is insensitive and does not will we eat?,’ ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will ence, along with self-restraint, we wear?’ It is the Gentiles who seek after all these fear God?” Abba Paisios answered him: “Go and cleave unto has the power to subdue even things, but your heavenly Father knows that you “ wild beasts. need them all. Seek first the Kingdom of God and a man who fears God; by your association with him, you will “ —from the gerontikon his righteousness, and all these things will be given also learn from him to fear God.”. to you as well.” —from the gerontikon” ” announcements torture. The saint prayed, “My Savior, do not aban- vent gates so that all would be able to come and Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm don me in this terrible hour!” venerate the holy martyr and glorify God Who had They beat the martyr for a long time, and blood given her such endurance in suffering for Christ. flowed from her wounds. In order to intensify the Lysimachus and Primus renounced their idol wor- upcoming church services: suffering of Saint Febronia, they tied her to a tree ship and accepted both Baptism and monasticism. Wednesday, June 28, Great Vespers for Sts. Peter and Paul, 5pm and set a fire under it. The tortures were so inhu- Hieria gave her wealth to the convent and peti- Thursday, June 29, Sts. Peter and Paul, Orthros / Div. Lit. 8:30am man, that the people began to demand an end to tioned Abbess Bryaena to accept her at the convent the torture, since there was no confession of guilt in place of Saint Febronia. Saturday, July 1 Great Vespers, 5pm by the girl. Selinus continued to mock and jeer at Every year, on the day of the martyric death of the martyr, but Saint Febronia became silent. Be- Saint Febronia, a solemn feast was celebrated at the bookstore hospital Visitations cause of weakness she was unable to utter a word. convent. During the time of the all-night Vigil the Visit the Bookstore for your summer reading! Due to privacy issues, please be aware that pastoral In a rage Selinus gave orders to tear out her tongue, nuns always saw Saint Febronia, at her usual place coffee hour visitations (hospital / home) must be scheduled smash her teeth, and finally, to cut off both hands in church. From the of Saint Febronia oc- with Fr. by an immediate family member. and feet. The people were unable to bear such a curred numerous miracles and healings. The Life Are you celebrating a birthday, name day or an- Exceptions can only be made in cases where a per- horrid spectacle and they left the scene of the tor- of Saint Febronia was recorded by the Thom- niversary? Please consider signing up for Coffee son does not have any immediate family and is un- ture, cursing Diocletian and his gods. ais, an eyewitness to her deeds. Hour to honor your loved ones. Celebrations are able to make their own request. Among the crowd was the nun Thomais, who In the year 363 the relics of Saint Febronia were not provided by the parish, but are at the discretion afterwards recorded Saint Febronia’s martyrdom transferred to Constantinople. and delight of each family. church attire in detail, and also her student Hieria. She came Soon after the death of Saint Febronia, Saint altar server robe donations There is no allowance for Church “summer- forth out of the crowd and in the hearing of all re- James the of Nisibis (January 13) built a wear.” An Orthodox Christian should always dress We are requesting donations to cover the costs of proached Selinus for his boundless cruelty. He gave church and transferred into it a portion of the of for Church in modest attire (in every season), so replacing our Altar Server robes. Thus far we have orders to arrest her, but learning that Hieria was the holy martyr’s relics. as not to draw attention to him/herself, becoming of illustrious standing whom he could not read- Holy Prince Peter ( in monasticism) and collected $2600 of the $3000 necessary to pur- a distraction to others. Traditionally women wear ily subject to torture, he said, “By your speech you Holy Princess Febronia (Euphrosyne in monasti- chase 20 robes. If you would like to make a dona- dresses or skirts of at least knee length; dresses, have brought on Febronia even greater torment.” cism), Wonderworkers of Murom. Prince Peter was tion, please see Fr. Michael blouses / tops should, at minimum, include short Finally, they beheaded the holy Martyr Febronia. the second son of the Murom prince Yuri Vladi- give a month towards our future sleeves and cover the shoulder. Women should Departing the place of execution, Lysimachus mirovich. He entered upon the throne of Murom Help offset our additional mortgage payment with not wear lipstick or lip gloss to Church - it leaves wept and withdrew to his quarters. Selinus made in the year 1203. Several years before this Saint Pe- a donation of $640. If you would like to sponsor a residue on the icons and on the Communion ready to eat, but he was not able to take food, and ter had fallen ill with leprosy, from which no one went off to the quiet of his own chambers. Sud- was able to heal him. In a vision it was revealed to one month for 2017, please contact Fr. Michael. spoon. Men should dress in pants and polo or but- ton-down shirts. Shorts should never be worn in denly, he became like one deranged. Looking up to the prince that the daughter of a bee-keeper would Purple barrel Church. Additionally, tight-fitting clothing is not the heavens, he raved and bellowed like a bull, then be able to heal him: the pious maiden Febronia, Don’t forget the the purple barrel next time you are appropriate for women or men. fell down and struck his head on a marble column a peasant of Laskova village in Ryazan gubernia. at the grocery store. Donations are picked up by and died. When Lysimachus learned of this, he sent his emissaries to this village. the local food bank. Thank you! said, “ Great is the God of the Christians, Who has When the prince saw Saint Febronia, he fell in avenged Febronia’s blood, so unrighteously shed!” love with her because of her piety, wisdom and He prepared a coffin, placed the martyr’s body in it, virtue, and vowed to marry her after being healed. and took it to the convent. Saint Febronia healed the prince and became his Abbess Bryaena fell senseless, seeing the muti- wife. The holy couple loved each other through all lated remains of Saint Febronia. Later, she recov- their ordeals. The haughty boyars did not wish to ered her senses and gave orders to open the con- have a princess of common origin, and they urged that the prince leave her. Saint Peter refused, and ber 1908. Except for reading and serving in church, with those who were too old, or too sick to work. ings seemed to grow less severe. He often dictated so they banished the couple. They sailed off on a this became his chief monastic obedience for the Father Nikon was a wise spiritual Father, who was letters to his spiritual children to Father Peter. One boat from their native city along the River Oka, rest of his life. Saint Barsanuphius (April 1) foresaw able to help people overcome their shame and re- day, Father Nikon saw Saint Macarius of Optina and Saint Febronia continued to console Saint that he would become an excellent as well as veal the sins which had troubled them for a long (September 7) in a vision and told Sister Irene to Peter. Soon the wrath of God fell upon the city of a worthy . Nicholas was devoted to the El- time. People would leave Father Nikon feeling pull up a chair for him. She was slow to obey him Murom, and the people begged the prince return der, and followed his will in all matters. Father Bar- cleansed and renewed. so he said, “Forgive her, Father, for she is not very together with Saint Febronia. sanuphius gave him the benefit of his knowledge Father Nikon, Father Cyril, and Father Agapitus experienced.” The holy couple was famous for their piety and and experience, guiding him to ascend the spiritual Taub were arrested and thrown into prison in June On June 25, 1931 Father Nikon was so weak charity. They died on the same day and hour, June ladder of virtues. of 1927. Father Nikon and Father Agapitus were that he could not speak. Archimandrite Nikita was 25, 1228, having received the monastic tonsure Nicholas was tonsured into the Lesser Schema sent to the “Kemperpunkt” camp, where Father called to bring him Communion, and to read the with the names David and Evphrosyne. The bodies on May 24, 1915 with the new name Nikon in hon- Nikon was assigned the duty of guarding the store- Canon for the Departure of the Soul. That night of the were put in the same grave. or of the martyr Saint Nikon (September 28). He houses. the Elder fell asleep in the Lord at the age of forty- Sts Peter and Febronia showed themselves ex- was ordained as a deacon on April 30, 1916, and as Saint Nikon wrote to his spiritual children from three. emplary models of Christian marriage, and are a priest on November 3, 1917. Father Nikon could the camp with cheerful words of encouragement. The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local ven- considered as the patron saints of newly-weds. not help but remember the prophecy of Father Bar- Although he accepted his imprisonment as God’s eration of the Optina Elders on June 13,1996, glo- Saint Nikon was born on September 26, 1888, sanuphius made several years before the Russian will, it was nevertheless difficult for him to endure. rifying them for universal veneration on August 7, the son of Metrophanes and Vera Belyaev, and was Revolution. Saint Barsanuphius foresaw times of When their prison term ended, the two 2000. named Nicholas at his Baptism. His parents, who difficulty for monasteries when Christians would were sent into exile at Archangelsk. Before leaving were both very devout, belonged to one of Mos- be persecuted and suffer martyrdom. He predict- the camp, Father Nikon was examined and found It is necessary for one who wishes to be cow’s merchant families. ed that he himself would be dead before this hap- to have tuberculosis. The doctors advised him to The Belyaev family received a visit from Saint pened, and that Father Nikon would live through request that his place of exile be changed to a place saved to seek the company of virtuous John of Kronstadt when Nicholas was in his first those terrible times. with a more suitable climate. people and, as a thing much benefi- year. He blessed Vera and gave her a signed photo- Father Nikon was arrested and jailed on Sep- He asked the advice of Father Agapitus, who cial, to question them with exceeding graph of himself. tember 18, 1919 without the benefit of a trial, just told him not to make such a request. At Archan- desire and flaming zeal, so as to learn Both Nicholas and his brother John loved go- because he was a monk. He was later released and gels, Father Nikon lodged in the home of an elderly ing to church and reading the Holy Scriptures and permitted to return to Optina, where the monks woman who gave him little rest or peace. Every from them all those things which are other spiritual books. When John and Nicholas de- had formed a farming cooperative. week he had to travel three kilometers to present essential for the salvation of the soul. cided to embrace monasticism, they cut up a list of The Soviets closed the cooperative in 1923, and himself before the authorities in the city of Pinye- from the Evergetinos Russia’s monasteries from an old book, and Nicho- the monastery was turned into a museum. Two ga. las was asked to pick one of the strips after praying monks were allowed to stay and work in the mu- While shoveling snow at the beginning of Great from Abba Mark to God. The strip he selected read, “The Optina seum, while the others were expelled and told to go Lent, Father Nikon’s leg began to hemorrhage, and A man advises his neighbor in accordance with Hermitage of the Entry of the Theotokos into the wherever they wished. Father Nikon was blessed he developed a high fever. His landlady did not feel what his neighbor knows. Correspondingly, God acts Temple, Kozelsk.” Until that moment, neither of by Father to serve in the church dedicated to any pity for him, but told him that he must leave on one who hears Him according to the degree of his them had ever heard of this monastery. the Kazan Icon and to receive visitors. When peo- her house so that the others would not become in- faith. A man of forbearance becomes wise, just as does The brothers traveled to Optina on February ple came to him for advice, he always quoted the fected with tuberculosis. he who is careful to listen to words of wisdom. Do not 24, 1907 with their mother’s blessing, and were words of the Optina Elders. Soon, Father Nikon was visited by Father Peter, refuse to learn, even if you are very wise, for the Provi- accepted into the monastery on December 9, the The last church at Optina was closed early in who had once lived at Optina. He begged Father dence of God avails more than our wisdom. commemoration of the “Unexpected Joy” Icon of 1924, and Father Nikon was obliged to leave in Peter to take him in, which he did. Father Peter He who wishes to take up the Cross and follow the Most Holy Theotokos. June. He went to live at Kozelsk with Father Cyril cared for the Elder to the best of his ability. For the Christ must, before acquiring any other knowledge or learning, attend to the constant examination of his Nicholas was assigned as secretary to Father Zlenko. There he continued to receive visitors and last two months of his life, Father Nikon received thoughts and take care for his soul’s salvation, eagerly Barsanuphius, the Superior of the Skete, in Octo- offer spiritual counsel, sharing money and food Holy Communion almost every day, and his suffer- consulting with those servants of God who are of like and thoughts, so that he does not chance to work and mind and spirit, who fight the same fight, so that he toil without purpose; and from these judges he is as- will not be in danger of walking without a bright lamp sured of the worth of his words. in the darkness, ignorant of where he is going and how he will get there. For he who walks according to his …from the Gerontikon desires, without knowledge of the Gospel and discre- 1. An Elder said: Whoever goes into a perfume tion and without the guidance of another, stumbles shop, even if he buys nothing, will without fail take frequently and falls into the many pits and traps of the upon himself its fragrance. In this manner exactly, one Evil One. The same falls prey to divers deceptions, toil- who visits the Fathers is benefited. If he should wish to ing greatly but falling into various dangers, not know- work, they show him the path of humility, which be- ing what will be his end. comes for him a protective wall repelling the incursion Indeed, many have endured great toils and number- of the demons. less ascetic feats and have suffered much ill treatment 2. Once a brother visited Abba Felix, accompanied and many hardships for God; de spite this, however, by some laymen who were living in the world. He asked their self-styled life, lack of discretion, and neglect of the Abba to tell them a word of benefit to the soul. But what was best for their neighbor have caused all of their the Elder kept silent. Since, however, the brother per- labors to be worthless and, in the end, a waste of effort. sistently continued to question him, Abba Felix said at To avoid this danger, there fore, it is good for a man to last: “Do you want to hear a word?” live with another, or at least to make an ef fort to keep “Yes, Abba,” answered the visitors. the company of knowledgeable people and to try not “Now a ‘word’ no longer exists,” said the Abba, “be- to walk in darkness associating,of necessity,if one lacks cause when the brothers would ask the Elders and ap- the lamp of true knowledge, with someone who pos- ply that which the Elders told them, then God would sesses that lamp. Thus he avoids the danger of falling send a word for the spiritual benefit of those ask ing. into traps and snares or succumbing to spiritual beasts, But now, since the brothers ask, but do not apply what which seek their sustenance in the dark and which grab they hear, God has taken away the gift of words from and tear to pieces those who walk in this darkness with- the Elders, and they cannot find any words to say, since out the intelligible lamp of the Divine Logos. there is no one to actualize virtuous words.” As soon as the visitors heard this, they sighed and …from St. Maximos said: “Abba, pray for us.” Just as parents have a great yearning and love for their children, in the same way the mind, by its nature, …from St. Ephraim considers its thoughts important. And just as those Never refuse the counsel of Holy men, even if you are parents who nurture their children with a sick kind of learned; for this, too, is one of the fruits of knowledge. love see their children as more accomplished and more beautiful than others even if every one else considers …from Abba Isaac the Syrian them the most ignorant and the most ridiculous of Always, and in all matters, believe yourself to be in children so, too, do fools see their own words, even need of learning, and throughout the whole of your life if everyone else considers the words of a foolish man you will be shown to be wise. most ignorant. De spite this, the fool himself sees his words as the most intelligent of all. The same does not apply to the words of the wise man, however. When he seeks to determine if his words are beneficial and true, first of all he does not trust in his own judgement, but appoints other men wise men the judges of his words