FROM THE FATHERS “IN THOSE DAYS a decree went out from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled (see Luke 2:1)… The census was a symbol of another census, for the rule of Cæsar over all was a sign of the unique rule of the one true God and King of all. And the census represents the voluntary submission of all, and the census in heaven of all those who desire it (see Luke 10:20). And as the order then went forth to the whole world, so the preaching of Christ went forth in all the earth, and that each one went up to his own city was a symbol of the return of everyone to their original home and citizenship, from which we were cast out and dispersed to various activities and lands. And the tax that all gave to the emperor was a symbol that we are all indebted to offer up to God spiritual fruits through good works and noble deeds and godly thoughts.” Ven. Maximus the Confessor, + 662 A.D.

“LUKE, by contrast [with Saint Matthew], begins [the genealogy of Christ] not with the earliest forebears but the most recent, and working his way back from Joseph the Betrothed, does not stop at Abraham, nor, having included Abraham’s predecessors, does he end with Adam, but lists God among Christ’s human forebears, wishing to show, in my opinion, that from the beginning man was not just a creation of God, but also a son in the Spirit, which was given to him at the same time as his soul, through God’s quickening breath (Gen. 2:7). It was granted to him as a pledge that, if, waiting patiently for it, he kept the com- mandment, he would be able to share through the same Spirit in a more perfect union with God, by which he would live for ever with Him and obtain immortality.” Saint Gregory Palamas, + 1360 A.D.

1 A Mo s t G l orious My s tery –O nt h eNa t ivi t yo fC h r is t

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2 Christian evangelical task, said: "Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim.3:16). Blessed was the night of the Nativity. In the fields of Bethlehem the flocks grazed peacefully. And round about them were the shepherds, "keeping watch over their flocks by night" (Luke2:8). There is a tradition,according towhich these humble and faithful labourers were conversing on that peaceful night about the exact time of the advent of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. And suddenly the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. Man cannot encounter denizens of the world above without experi- encing fear and trembling; and the shepherds"were sore afraid." Yet with what did the celestial herald begin his good tidings? "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10). And this great, this sacred, joy the Church has received, and preserved, and pro- claims to Her faithful children yearly during the radiant days of the Nativity of Christ.

Well nigh two thousand years have passed.[This homily was preached in 1982 - ed.]. For two thousand years the Holy Gospel has been pro- claimed to the world; and therein the Church, yearly, over and over again, announces the glad tidings of the birth of Christ and takes up the angels' doxology: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will among men" (Luke 2:14). But does contemporary humanity pay it any heed? On the night of Christ's birth when Heaven came down to earth and earth became Heaven, in that God appeared on it incarnate, only the lowly shepherds of Bethlehem heard the angelic doxology and worshipped the Newborn, according to the Gospel. All the rest of mankind slept a deep sleep, unaware of what had taken place. In our sorrow-filled and trying days, how many are those who sleep a sound spiritual sleep from which they do not wake, who do not hearken to the good tidings of the Church! They pay no heed to the angels' song; it does not

3 touch them. And if it reaches them in church, it leaves no trace in their souls; they are lost in earthly vanity and are not mindful of heaven. The holy angels sang of peace: "and on earth peace..." Truly it is thus! For He Whom the Prophet called "the Prince of Peace" came to earth: He came Who, when He bade farewell to His beloved disciples, said to them; "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you" (John15:27). Oh, if only mankind, which has lost peace, yet yearns for it and seeks after it, would but listen to these holy words of the Prince of Peace and ponder them! When the faithful Christians see the desperate attempts and efforts of the children and sages of this age to establish peace on earth in our time, they bring to mind the dreadful prophecy of the Prophet: "There isno peace, saith my God, for the wicked" (Esaias 57:21). Nay, nor shall there be! And pathetic are all the attempts of the lovers of peace to attain an external peace! It is not for naught that the Lord, after speaking of the peace which He bestows upon His disciples, added: "Not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27). And the Gospel tells us plainly that the Lord has said of the outward (political) peace for which the learned men of this age are striving: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). Therefore, in vain are the reproaches of those who maintain that Christianity has "failed," that it has promised men peace, but has not delivered it. For the angels chanted on the night of the Saviour's birth, and the Saviour Himself spoke, not of an outward peace, but of a spiritual peace, a peace between God and man, the peace of one's conscience, an inner peace. The Lord never promised an external peace; on the contrary, having foretold wars and rumours of wars, He added: "See that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matt. 24:7). His words show

4 that on earth there will never be that outward, political peace for which the propagandists are screaming? The world is blind, has lost its senses, is entangled in its own passions and errors! Oh, if you could now but behold, see the light of knowledge, and understand what promotes peace and your salvation! Yet, alas! this is hidden from your eyes, for over them lies the impenetrable blindfold of vanity and the passions. The light of knowledge of God shines forth from the manger of Bethlehem, yet you do not perceive it. He Whose good pleasure it was to lie in that manger cries out to you: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt.11:28), but you pay no heed to this saving call. You follow after your own wise men, of whom the word of God said long ago that "professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Rom.1:22). And with yet greater and greater clarity,one senses in you the fetid breath of the approach of the one who will rise up before you as the full and dreadful incarnation of evil, sin and opposition to God. Once, in the early days of the spreading of Christianity, the holy Apostle Peter, warning the first Christians, cried out:"Save yourselves from this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40). By "per- verse generation" the Apostle had in mind the implacable foes of Christ among the Jewish nation, as well as the entire pagan world, which to a great extent was depraved and debauched. Prior to the birth of Christ, paganism had already become obsolete and moribund, having completely lost sight of the true meaning and significance of life. Christianity brought the light of understanding to pagan peoples and gave them new powers, and in Christianity pagans were regenerated spiritually. But what we see now in our own times is incomparably worse and more perilous than what took place of old. Now the Christian world has become depraved! Christians have become depraved, those whom the Saviour commanded to be the light of the world, with the awesome warning: "Ye are the salt of the earth,

5 but if the salt have lost its savour, with what shall it be salted?" (Matt.5:13). Is this not taking place in our midst, right before our eyes? Are not today's “Christians'' turning into salt which has lost its taste? Flee this dreadful spiritual destruction, O faithful child of the Church! Save yourself from this perverse generation! Lo! in these radiant days the Church commemorates the Nativity of Christ and glorifies the newborn Saviour of the world. Make haste in your faith to the manger of Bethlehem, following after the simple shepherds, pure of heart, and the wise magi who laid all their wisdom and knowledge down before that manger. Bring your own gifts to the divine Infant, faith in Him, trust in Him, love for Him; and then in your faithful and devoted heart the wondrous doxology of the angels will sound: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men!” ❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

“I THOUGHT I had perfect faith in Thee and imagined that I possessed all that Thou grantest to those that fear Thee. But I had nothing whatsoever, as I later realised! Whence could I have known, O Master, that Thou, Who art invisible and without limit, yet may be seen and contained within us? From whence was I able to think that Thou, the Master Who hast created the universe, unitest Thyself to men whom Thou hast formed, making them bearers of God and Thy sons? I too came to long for this and sought to receive these benefits from Thee. Whence could I have known, O Lord, that I had such a God,such a Master, such a Protector, Father, Brother, King, as Thee Who becamest poor for my sake (2Cor.8:9) and didst take the form of a servant (Phil.2:7)?” Ven. Simeon the New Theologian, + 1022A.D.

6 On Christ's Divine and Human Natures Ven. Ephraim the Syrian, + 379 A.D.

THE EXCERPTbelow is taken from a much longer homily preached by the Saint on thefeastof theSaviour’sTransfiguration. Theportionreproducedbeautifullyexpounds the truth of the Saviour’s Incarnation, which was clearly made manifest at His Nativity in Bethlehem,celebrated this month.

THE EVENTS of His [Christ’s] life and His own divine powers teach those who can learn that He is true God, and His sufferings openly proclaim Him true man. And if this does not convince those who are weak and feeble in understanding, they shall suffer punishment on His dread judgment day. If He were not flesh, for what reason did Mary bring Him forth? And if he were not God, whom did Gabriel call Lord? If He were not flesh, who then lay in the manger? And if He were not God, whom did the Angels come down and glorify? If He were not man, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He were not God, whom did the shepherds worship? If He were not man, whom did Joseph circumcise? And if He werenotGod,inwhosehonourdidthestarappearintheheavens? If He were not man, whom did Mary suckle at the breast? And if He were not God, to whom did the Magi offer gifts? If He were not man, whom did Simeon bear in his arms? And if He were not God,to whom did he say,“Let me depart in peace”? If He were not man, whom did Joseph take and flee into Egypt? And if He were not God, in whom was the prophecy fulfilled; “Out of Egypt I have called My Son”? If He were not man, whom did John baptise? And if He were not God, of whom did the Father from heaven say, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased”?

7 If He were not man, who fasted and hungered in the wilder- ness? And if He were not God, whom did the Angels come down and serve? If He were not man,who was invited to the wedding in Canaof Galilee? And if He were not God,whoturnedthewaterintowine? If He were not man, in whose hands were the loaves of bread? And if He were not God, who from five loaves and two fishes satisfied the five thousand in the wildernest, not counting the women and children? If He were not man, who fell asleep in the boat? And if He were not God, who rebuked the winds and the sea? If He were not man, with whom did Simon the Pharisee eat? And if He were not God, who forgave the woman her sins? If He were not man, who sat by the well, wearied by the journey? And if He were not God, who gave living water to the woman of Samaria and rebuked her, she that already had five husbands? IfHewerenotofourflesh,whoworethegarmentsofaman? And if He were not God, who then was it that wrought signs and wonders? If He were not man, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if He were not God, who through the clay caused eyes to see? If He were not man, who wept at the tomb of Lazarus? And if He were not God, who by His command alone called forth the four-days dead? If He were not man, who sat on the foal of an ass? And if He were not God, whom did the crowds go out to meet with glory? If He were not man, whom did the Jews arrest? And if He were not God, who told the earth to throw them onto their faces. If He were not man, who was struck with blows? And if He were not God, who healed the ear that had been cut off by Peter and restored it to its place? If He were not man, whose face was spat upon? And if He were not God, who breathed the Holy Spirit upon the faces of his Apostles?

8 If He were not flesh, who stood before Pilate at the judgment seat? And if He were not God, who caused Pilate’s wife to suffer many things in a dream? If He were not man, upon whose garments did the soldiers cast lots and divide among themselves? And if He were not God, for what reason was the sun darkened above the Cross? If He were not man, who was hung on the cross? And if He were not God, who shook the earth from its foundations? If He were not man, whose hands and feet were pierced by the nails? And if He were not God, how was the veil of the temple rent in twain, the rocks rent and the graves opened? If He were not man, who cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”? And if He were not God, who said “Father, forgive them, for them know not what they do”? If He were not man, who was hung on a cross with the thieves? And if He were not God, how did he say to the thief, “Today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise”? If he were not man, to whom did they offer vinegar and gall? And if He were not God, on hearing whose voice did Hades tremble? If He were not man, whose side did the lance pierce, and there came forth blood and water? And if He were not God, who hath broken the gatesof Hades and burst the bars? And at whose command did the dead that slept in their graves come forth? If He were not man, whom did the Apostles see in the upper room? And if He were not God, how did He enter, the doors being closed? If He were not man, in whose hands and side did Thomas feel the wounds of the nails and the lance? And if He were not God, to whom did Thomas cry out, “My Lord and my God”? If He were not man, who ate by the sea of Tiberias? And if He were not God, at whose command was the net filled with fishes? If He were not man, whom did the Apostles and Angels see being taken up into heaven? And if He were not God, to whom were the heavens opened, whom did the Powers worship in fear

9 and trembling, and to whom did the Father say, “Sit at my right hand.” If He were not God and man, our salvation is a false thing, and the words of the Prophets are lies. But the Prophets spoke the truth, and their testimonies are far from falsehood of any kind. For they spoke what they were bidden to speak, and the Holy Spirit spoke through them. ❇❇❇❇❇❇❇ Howtoliveinaccord with the Gospel A translation of a Booklet published by the Synodal Press in in 1905, somewhat adapted to meet the needs of our times. The Important Thing in the Life of a Christian - Love.

Continuation - Our Relationship with Ourselves. LOVE for oneself for the Christian must not consist in love for one’s body, but rather in love for one’s immortal soul. If the salvation of his soul is dear to him, then the Christian must attend to it, so that his soul will be granted to be a communicant of the Kingdom of God. You are aware that a man who has for a long time been in a dark place or one deprived of light cannot immediately look at the sun, and so it is with the soul which has beenlingeringinthegloomofsin. Itisnotinaconditiontobear the brilliance of the Sun of Righteousness in eternity. For this reason, using the earthly life given us, we must train our soul to achieve such a state wherein it will be receptive of the ever-

10 lastingly blessed life. But to achieve this one has to be more and more attentive to the eradication of the vices, the passions and everything that is harmful for the soul. In the company of the saints there can only be holy people, and those whose souls are full of degenerate and sensual desires cannot be included in the company of the pure and of sinless people, if they do not show repentance. But this demands that one seriously engage on the inner work upon himself, and engage in warfare with one’s base inclinations. Naturally this warfare is extremely difficult, but without engaging therein how is it possible to achieve such a high aim as the salvation of the soul and its preparedness for eternal life with God? You know that many people engage in efforts to achieve comparatively limited things and things much inferior to the most worthwhile aims. Here, as an example, we have the renowned Greek orator Demosthenes. He enjoyed the greatest respect among the people. When he spoke in the square before the assembly, crowds, holding their breath, listened to him for hours on end. His strong, clear voice could be heard at the back. The speech poured forth as in a stream; his bearing, the movements of his hands and head were graceful and beautifully complemented the import of his words. But, when Demosthenes came before the crowd for the first time, he seemed to be a disgraceful failure. They told him to be quiet, they dragged him down from his podium where he had been attempting to speak, and with mockery they led him out of the square. Demosthenes went home, in shame covering his head with his cloak. On the way someone he did not know caught up with him.“Dear young man,”said he,“today they mocked you cruelly, and deservedly so. You spoke badly, in the worst possible way. You have a weak voice; you could not be heard more than ten or fifteen paces away. You often hesitated; you often came to a halt just to take breath. You lisped; you mispronounced several words, shrugged your shoulders very oddly, and inappropriately gesticulated. Nonetheless,you do have the makings of an orator. I have heard many speeches and I see that you have a feel for it. You only need to work on yourself. Don’t rush; it is impossible to sit on a fiery horse - it will throw you off. How come that all

11 of a sudden you want to take command of a crowd of a thousand people, to force it to go reined in by you, to do your bidding, when you yourself are not prepared, and have not learned how best to move the people with your words? Every skill, with the exceptionof our in-born abilities,requires practice,and requires working on yourself. Put yourself to this work and from this you will develop to be a great orator.” Demosthenes heeded the good advice. He resolved to work persistently upon himself to be freed from his failings. So that nothing would divert him or disturb his endeavours, he went away to a deserted area on the sea coast, to an isolated shack, and so that he would not be tempted to return to the city too soon he deliberately shaved half his head [so that he could not decently appear in public in that state -transl. ]. He began to strengthen his voice, and built up his weak chest. To accomplish this he tried to race up the mountain without taking breaks and without ceasing to cry out. At the beginning he only managed a small part of the way, and would have to stop to take a breather. But the more often he practised the further he could run, and finally he learned to race up to the very summit while uttering loud cries and without stopping for breath. So as to further strengthen his voice, when there were storms, when the sea was being churned up and with a great tumult was beating against the rocks, he went out onto the shore and tried to shout over the storm. The howling and the roar would drown out Demosthenes, but with every new attempt he strengthened his voice, and in the end he could equal in power the roar of the tempestuous sea. So as to stop lisping, Demosthenes decided to place a pebble under his tongue and roll it in various ways, until the words came out properly. Thus he learned to speak clearly and intelligibly. To stop the shrugging of his shoulders, Demos- thenes devised a simple solution. In his lowly shack he attached daggers to the ceiling, sharp end down, and would stand right under them. Then, imagining that the people were before him, he would begin to expatiate. While he remembered that he should not shrug his shoulders, all would be well; but when animated by his own speech he forgot, and started moving vigorously, he was badly stabbed. Once and again, twenty, thirty times he was stabbed and bled, but then he ceased to shrug his shoulders!

12 He waited half a year for his shaved head to grow again. Demosthenes then returned to the city and made his way to the assembly. Ascending the podium, he began his speech. The people remembered the first attempt and began to chuckle, but with his loud powerful voice Demosthenes put an end to the laughter; the crowd quieted down, and a wise, eloquent speech poured forth, like the overflowing of a broad river. In the furthest corners of the square, the voice was heard clearly. His movements were orderly and beautiful. The people were sad- dened when the speech ended. Demosthenes had become a great orator. Demosthenes continued so long and so arduously to work upon himself, so that he might simply begin to speak well, to become a renowned orator. In order to learn how to live well, how to behave, how to become a good person, it necessary for us to work on ourselves even more, and it is not appropriate for us to be fearful of the undertaking. … to be continued with “The Saviour’s Sermon on the Mount.” ❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

“IN TRUTH, my Master, Who lovest mankind, I knew none of all these things at all. For even if I had looked into the divine Scrip- tures, which the saints edited, and constantly read about these things, I would have received them as though they were about other men and addressed to others. I remained insensitive to all that was written. In fact I was incapable even of the slightest thought about them. When I heard Thy herald Paul proclaim and say,Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (2Cor.2:9), I was sure that it was impossible for anyone who was in the flesh to enter into contemplation of them. I thought that Thou didst show these things to him [Paul] alone out of a special generosity, and I, the wretched one, did not know that Thou doest this to all those that love Thee. From what source or in what manner could I have known that everyone who believes in Thee becomes a member of Thee, and by grace reflects Divinity. Who could believe it? And that he becomes blessed, in that he becomes a member of the Blessed God.” Ven. Simeon the New Theologian, + 1022A.D.

13 THE COMING MONTH AS we have said in previous years, the whole of December is dedicated to the Great Feast of the Saviour’s Nativity at Bethlehem, when the fact of His Incarnation was revealed to mankind. The first twenty-four days fall within the preparatory fast and the last eight days fall within the feast itself. Among the saints celebrated this month we have the holy Great Martyr Barbara (4th/17th), who shares her feast day with the Venerable John Damascene. During the reign of the Emperor Maximian, co-Emperor with Diocletian, there lived in the city of Heliopolis a nobleman by the name of Dioscorus. This man was renowned for his wealth and standing in the community but he was an uncompromising pagan. He was a widower who focused all his attention on his only child, Barbara. He cherished her, as she was virtuous, intelligent and grew more beautiful day by day. His desire to protect her from the presence of common folk was such that Dioscorus built a tower and enclosed her within it. There she lived in great luxury, surrounded by a host of attendants who protected her from the world. Barbara spent much of her time observing the natural world surrounding her tower home. Soon she began to ponder the creation of all she beheld in nature, and deduced that no pagan idol could be responsible for all its beauty. Then one day, the Grace of God illumined her to understand that there is one true God, the unseen and wise Creator of heaven and earth. From that time forward, Barbara was determined to live her life in virginity and devote her life to that true God. By now, Bar- bara’s beauty had become legendary and many noblemen begged Dioscorus for her hand in marriage. But Barbara stead- fastly refused every proposal and warned her over-protective father that she would kill herself if he forced her to marry. Alarmed by her determination, Dioscorus changed his tactics and allowed his daughter the freedom to come and go from the tower at will, thinking she would change her mind about marrying once she mixed with society. Soon after, Barbara’s

14 father departed on a long journey, and left explicit instructions with his household regarding the construction of a bathhouse and the new arrangements concerning his daughter. Barbara was now permitted to venture out and to meet whomever she wished. Before long, she heard the name Jesus Christ from some new acquaintances, and wanted to know more about Him. She sought knowledge about God and faith in Christ from a presbyter, who, during this period of persecution, went about disguised as a merchant. He taught Barbara the mysteries of the Faith and then baptised her. While her father was still away, Barbara visited the bathhouse, and with the fervour of her new- found faith, persuaded the builders to make three windows in the structure in honour of the Holy Trinity, instead of the two her father wanted. Then, she went to admire the marble pool close by, and drew the sign of the cross on the stonework with her finger, leaving an imprint as though it were carved. Barbara was so endued with God’s grace that even her footstep was imprinted in the rock outside the bathhouse, where a healing spring of water sprang forth and continued to flow for hundreds of years. When Dioscorus returned home, he discovered the changes made to the bath-house and rebuked the builders for disobeying his orders before he learned of Barbara’s involve- ment. When he confronted her, she told him that the third window was made in honour of the Holy Trinity which illumines every human heart. She then showed him the cross imprint in the marble and explained it was a sign of how the Son of God suffered freely for the salvation of mankind. When Dioscorus heard this and realised she had become a Christian, he became enraged, and his earlier love for her turned to virulent hatred. He unsheathed his sword to strike her, but she took to flight before he could harm her, and fled. With her father in hot pursuit, she ran into the countryside where a fissure in one of the mountains parted for her escape. There she hid in a cave, while her father continued to search for her. After a long time, he came upon two shepherds; to protect her one denied seeing the girl, the other silently pointed the way to Barbara’s hiding place. When her father apprehended her, he ruthlessly beat her, locked her up under guard and refused her food and drink.

15 Finally, he decided the only way to bring her back to the worship of the idols was to engage the help of the procurator, Marcian. When Barbara was brought in front of Marcian, her exceptional beauty and strong conviction amazed him. So he began by speaking to her gently, complimenting her loveliness and reminding her about her wealthy inheritance if she obeyed her father. But when he heard her reject all earthly treasures and cares for the one True God, Marcian ordered her stripped, tortured and had her wounds rubbed with all manner of sharp and stinging substances. She was thrown into a dungeon barely alive, yet Barbara prayed with tears for God to strengthen her will in bearing her torment. Her prayers were answered, for at midnight Christ appeared to her. He healed her wounds, and filled her heart with such joy, that she was encouraged to endure to the end all that they would inflict upon her. When Barbara came before Marcian a second time, no trace of violence could be found on her body, and she appeared more radiant and beautiful than before. Again the procurator began to entice her, but grew furious when she refused to deny her faith in God. Once more Barbara was subjected to the most cruel torture, which even the strongest of men would not have endured. Among the crowd, gathered to witness Barbara’s torture, was a young Christian woman by the name of Juliana, who also desired to suffer for Christ’s sake. She loudly denounced the procurator’s cruelty, and was taken and tortured with Saint Barbara. The two women were finally led to their place of execution, where Juliana was put to death by a soldier, while Barbara was beheaded by her own father. Dioscorus, however, was not to outlive his daughter by much, for that very day both he and Marcian were struck by lightning and perished. The Saint was perfected in martyrdom in A.D. 306. A pious man, Galentian, recovered the bodies of Barbara and Juliana, buried them and later erected a church in their memory. In A.D.1003, the Byzantine Princess Maria Argyropoula married the son of the Doge of Venice, and a portion of the Saint’s sacred relics were taken to that city. Relics of the Great Martyr were also taken to Kiev in A.D. 1108 by the Byzantine Princess Barbara when she married the Russian Prince Michael Izyaslavich. In

16 her icons, she is often depicted holding a chalice, because the faithful turn to her in prayer, asking that they not be deprived of receiving the Holy Mysteries before their death. On the same day as we celebrate theHoly Prophet Daniel and the Three Youths in the burning Fiery Furnace, we also celebrate our Holy Father Dionysius of Zakynthos (17th/30th December). Saint Dionysios was born on the Ionian island of Zakynthos in A.D. 1547. He was descended from a Norman crusading knight, Segur, and his ancestors settled first in Italy and then on the island of Zakynthos, keeping the sur- name Sigouros in memory of their ancestor. However, over the generations they converted to Holy Orthodoxy and became staunchly faithful. The saint’s parents were distinguished and well-to-do citizens on the island, and their son was given an excellent education. However they reposed when he was about twenty and the saint left everything behind, social status and wealth, and entered the Monastery of the All-holy Theotokos, the Joy of All, which is in Strofadia, two small islands in the Ionian Sea, to the south of Zakynthos. When he had received the monastic and had been ordained , Saint Dionysius set off on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His itinerary led him through Athens, and the then Metropolitan of the city, Nikanor, who saw and esteemed the spirituality and virtues of the Dionysius, kept him at his side and soon selected and consecrated him as of Aegina. The holy one guided his spiritual flock, as the Holy Scriptures say “with knowledge”, that is as a true and good shepherd of the Church. After he had served his flock for some time, Saint Dionysius retired and returned to Zakynthos, where he spent the rest of his life as the abbot of the monastery of the Anafonitria. This shows that a true , even if he reaches the rank of hierarch, would never forget, but always remembers that, first and foremost, he is a monk. In the monastery the saintliness of the man of God shone anew. One day, a man came to his cell, a fugitive who was trembling and seeking protection. He had just murdered Constantine, the brother of Saint Dionysius, not, of course knowing that the spiritual father whom he had fled to confess to was the brother of his victim. When the saint heard

17 this, he naturally wept within himself, but then, having confessed the murderer and given him spiritual counsel, he helped him escape and seek refuge from those pursuing him. When the relatives of the murdered man-and of Saint Dionysius, of course - with the civil authorities, came to the monastery and enquired about the murderer, Saint Dionysius pretended not to know anything. In this way he followed, against the natural instincts of our fallen nature, the words of Christ, when He says “Love your enemies.” Throughout his life he worked many miracles, and is hymned as a Wonderworker. Saint Dionysius reposed in the Lord in A.D.1624, at the age of seventy-seven. In accordance with his wishes, his remains were buried at the monastery of his repentance, on Strofadia, in the Church of Saint George. When, years later, they wanted to translate his holy relics, the body was found to be whole and incorrupt, clad in his episcopal vestments, just as he had been buried, and giving off a spiritual and sanctified fragrance. His relics were later taken to Zakynthos, where they now lie and are reverenced by the faithful in the church to dedicated to his name. In A.D. 1703, after petitions and reports confirming his many miracles and the belief and conviction of the local Church concerning his sanctity had been sent by the clergy and people of Zakynthos, the Holy Synod of the Œcumenical Patriarchate synodically glorified St Dionysius and entered him in the Church calendar. A miracle continues to this day. The incorrupt relics of the Saint are now enshrined in his church on Zakynthos, fully vested. On occasion, the opening his reliquary is found to be impossible. It appears as though this occurs when Dionysius is “out” per- forming miracles and caring for the faithful. Afterwards, when the reliquary can be opened, seaweed and dust are found at his feet and his slippers are found to be worn down. In fact, his slippers need continual replacement because they receive so much wear. The slippers are therefore now replaced twice a year on the December feast, the day of his repose, and 24th August / 6th September, the day of the translation of his sacred relics to Zakynthos. On both occasions they need renewing, and the worn slippers are given as blessings. Through the kindness of an Orthodox friend, who has now reposed, we have one of the

18 worn slippers at Saint Edward’s Church. It is venerated to the right of the shrine of the sacred relics of Saint Edward. Our Venerable Father Winebald (18th / 31st) was one of the three saintly children of Saint Richard of Wessex, an impor- tant nobleman in eighth century England, who (it seems only post-mortem) is commemorated as a king. Saint Richard took his two sons, Willibald and Winebald, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but he died on the way in Lucca, Italy. Willibald went on to the Holy Land, the first Englishman in recorded historyto go there. Winebald did not have his brother's stamina. He was ill by the time they reached Rome. He decided to stay there and study. In Rome he received the monastic tonsure and returned to England, but he twice made further pilgrimages to Rome. He was there in A.D. 739 when his kinsman, Saint Boniface of Crediton, arrived. Although Winebald was still sick, Boniface persuaded him to join his mission to the Germans. It was dangerous work, but Winebald soon arrived in Thuringia and was ordained priest. In spite of his ill-health, he took over the care of seven churches. The German pagans continually tried to hamper his work, but he pressed on into Bavaria, working there for several years until, like yesterday’s Saint Dionysius, he desired to retire to live simply as a monk. Hethen joined his brother Willibald. Willibald was at this time Bishop of Eichstätt, and he detailed Saint Winebald to found a monas- tery for men in his diocese, while he called their sister, Saint Walburga, who was still in England, to found a community for nuns. Winebald went to a remote spot near Heidenheim, and established his monastery, which became an important centre for the education of the clergy. Walburga came to join their en- deavours and became the spiritual guide of a community of sisters. Heidenheim thus became a centre for evangelization, as well as for prayer. This missionary witness angered the pagans in the neighbourhood, and the Saint only narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. His last three years were spent as an invalid in great pain. Sometimes he could not even leave his cell to worship in church. Yet he bore his infirmities patiently. And when he died, his siblings Saints Willibald and Walburga were at his side. Miracles were recorded at his tomb.

19 POINTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE

“I THINK this (Mark 6:3) is one of the verses people use to argue that the Theotokos had other children than the Saviour. But looking at it - if you read ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ literally, she would have had to have at least seven children (who survived to adulthood), possibly more. This is surely unlikely. More likely is that those referred to are step-children, or perhaps cousins or other relatives.” - J.M., Woking. YES, you are right there, but the fact that people use that verse to suggest the Theotokos was not Ever-Virgin only demonstrates that they ignore Church tradition, and even many other Biblical references. This seems to be a course that the "Bible-based" Protestants avidly embrace, and of course it is useful to unbelievers too. They select verses out of context, and despite the Scriptural teaching that "no prophecy of the Scrip- ture is of any private interpretation"(2 Ptr 1:20), interpret those verses according to their private convictions, and leave anything that might even appear to contradict this "truth" unconsidered. It is simplistic; it is self-assuring, and therefore it satisfies such people, but it is not true. They also, as you hint, do not see that words can be used with different connotations in differing circumstances, and so, as you say, the word "brothers" can have a range of meanings. I can call my blood-brother Philip, my brother; I can call you, as a fellow member of the Church, my brother; I can call the man delivering our post brother, because he is a fellow Englishman; indeed I can and should call anyone in the world my brother, because we are all, irrespective of race, religion, class, disposi- tion, or anything else you can think of, creatures of the one God. In fact our Saviour Himself in Matthew 5:22-24 certainly does not limit the use of the word "brother" simply to biological blood-brothers!

20 With regard to that one particular verse, the Orthodox Church (to which the very people referred to in that verse belonged!) says that the brothers and sisters mentioned there were the children of Joseph by his previous marriage. So they were not blood-brothers and sisters, although as Joseph and the Theotokos were both of the "house of David" they most certainly had a more distant blood relationship. In fact, you had already got there, but I thought it might help others to reply more fully. ❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

NEWSfrom the Richmond Diocese of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece

VISIT OF BISHOP ANTONIE FROM ROMANIA ON the fifteenth anniversary of his to the episcopate, the feast day of Saint Ioannicius the Great, Sunday 4th/17th November, Bishop Antonie celebrated the parish’s Divine Liturgy at Saint Edward’s Church. He came to England accompanied byHierodeacon Glicherie, who served with him, and he was assisted by Archimandrite Daniel, Father Borislav Popov, Fr Nicolae Capitanu, and Hieromonk Sabbas. The service was conducted in English, Romanian and Greek with a little Slavonic, and at the end the Bishop preached in Romanian, the church then being filled with many of their community. Thenuns Jevfronia and Ilaria, visiting from Romania, also joined us for the festal occasion. They are from the Buda Monastery in Rasca Suceava. On the following Thurs- day, the feast of the Holy Angels, His Grace and Fr Glicherie joined us again at the Divine Liturgy, although on this occasion they simply prayed within the and did not serve. Fr Sabbas and Fr Nicolae concelebrated on that day.

21 FOUR BAPTISMS AT BROOKWOOD ON Saturday,3rd /16th November, Ariadna, the daughter ofMihai and Maria Savu of Bushey was baptised, her god- parents being Alexandru and Tatiana Petrea. Ariadna is named after the holy Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia; feast day: 5th / 18th September. ON the same day, Antonio, the son ofSorin Otlocan and Elena Mocanu of Bicester was baptised here. Antonio’s godfather is Iulian Deleanu, and he is named for Saint Antony the Great; feast day: 17th/30th January. ON Sunday, 4th /17th November, immediately after the Hier- archal Liturgy, Teodor, the son ofDaniel and Cristina Isachi of Witney, Oxfordshire, was baptised. His god- parents areStefan and Irina Astefani,and his name saint, St Theodore Gavra; feast day: 2nd /15th October. ON Saturday, 10th / 23rd November, Maria, the daughter of Mihai and Paula-Alexandra Cojocariu, of Edmonton, Enfield, was baptised and named for the All-Holy Theotokos, celebrating her name day on the feast of the Virgin’s Nativity. Her godparents areCornel and Maria Ciofu. All four mys- teria were celebrated byFr Nicolae Capitanu.

CHURCH PURCHASE COMPLETED Thanks be to God, our Christian brothers and sisters in the Faith have, after some delay, managed to complete the purchase of the former Methodist chapel and hall inNaphill, High Wycombe, for the Romanian-speaking Traditionalist Orthodox community. They were given the keys on the feast of the holy Great Martyr Demetrius, 26th October / 8th November. Work is now underway to furnish the church for the celebration of thefirst Divine Liturgy there, which will, D.V., be cele- brated byHis Grace Bishop Sofronie of Suceava, on Sunday, 25th November / 8th December, the feast day of the holy Great Martyr Catherine.

22 NEW CATECHUMEN ON SUNDAY, 11th / 24th November, the Feast of the Holy Martyrs Menas, Victor and Vincent, and the day on which we chanted the service to Saint Philaret the New Confessor of New York, Lucie Brazil, was made a catechumen at the end of the Liturgy. She is named after the Virgin Martyr Lucy of Syracuse; feast day: 13th /26th December.

BURIAL IN SAINT EDWARD’S CEMETERY ON Wednesday 13th November, the funeral service for Tamara Topham of Longlands, Bexley, who reposed on 21st September, was held at theRussian Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in West London, and served by Archpriest Serapinas.Fr Vitaly then accompanied the mourners to Brookwood, where Tamara was laid to rest in our cemetery. After the interment, they were offered refresh- ments by the Brotherhood.

VISITORS ON Thursday 7th November,Bishop Sozomenos from Birminghampaid us a visit accompanied by their Synod’s Bishop Matthew from Kenya,a priest Matthew from Ari- zona, two and a layman. They venerated the relics of Saint Edward and viewed the church and exhibition room, and were offered hospitality in the old Mortuary.

MEDIA MATTERS AN ARTICLE was carried in the 14th November issue of the Woking News & Mail, reporting the silver accolade that has been awardedBrookwood Cemetery at the national Ceme- tery of the Year Awards.This was awarded in recognition of the ongoing transformationof the cemetery,a Grade1 listed park and garden. The article was accompanied by a picture of the cemetery manager,Avril Kirby, with the well-deserved award.

23 PRACTICAL TIP THE GREATER PART of December falls within the Nativity Fast,a time when Orthodox Christians should particularly make preparation and come to confession. One aspect of confession, which is extremely simple and is fundamental, is often in practice almost completely forgotten. One should come pre- pared and resolved to change! It is the mysterion of repen- tance, and repentance presupposes a change of life. However, very often we come treating it as if it were a spiritual shower. We come, step in, get cleaned off, step out and go about our lives exactly as we did previously. This might be to some benefit, but probably little, and may be unto condemnation. Of course, so that we might come prepared to change our way of life, before- hand we have to reflect and take measures that will help us to do this. So, a little earlier than the rest of the world, we have to make resolutions, and then, unlike most people in secular society, we have to endeavour to keep them. ❇❇❇❇❇❇❇ “THE GOLD, incense and myrrh we may interpret in yet another way. For by gold wisdom is symbolised, as Solomon testifies: Desirable treasure lies in the mouth of wisdom (Prov. 21:10). By incense, which is burnt in honour of God, we signify the power of prayer, as the Psalmist testifies who says:Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee (Ps.140:2). By myrrh is symbolised the mortification of our flesh; whence it is that Holy Church says of her workers who have laboured for God until death: My hands dripped with myrrh (Song of Songs 5:5). To the newborn King we offergold,if we shine before Him in the brightness of heavenly wisdom. We offer Him incense, if we consume the thoughts of the flesh upon the altar of the heart, so that in our heavenly desires we send up to God an odour of sweetness. We offer Him myrrh when we mortify through abstinence the vices of our flesh.” Saint Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome,+603 A.D.

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