1 marzo feste santi e memorie
Sainte EUDOCIE, Samaritaine de nation,
prostituée repentie, martyre à Héliopolis dans l'actuel Liban sous Adrien.
(Office traduit en français par le père Denis Guillaume au tome I des
Ménées. Office complet plus récent traduit en français par le père Denis
Guillaume au tome III du Supplément aux Ménées.)
Le 1er mars, nous célébrons la mémoire de la Sainte Martyre EUDOCIE la SAMARITAINE
D'origine
samaritaine, la Sainte Martyre du Christ Eudocie vivait à Héliopolis,
en Phénicie du Liban, sous le règne de Trajan (96-116). Comme elle était
dépourvue de toute connaissance de Dieu, elle s'était laissée entraîner
à la débauche et avait livré à la prostitution son corps que le
Créateur avait orné d'une rare beauté. Nombreux étaient
ceux qui venaient de loin et offraient de fortes sommes d'argent pour
jouir de ses charmes, si bien qu'elle avait acquis par ce honteux
commerce une immense fortune et elle vécut dans l'insouciance jusqu'au
jour où un moine, nommé Germain, qui était arrivé en ville pour affaire,
vint loger dans la maison voisine. Le soir, après avoir chanté l'Office
dans sa chambre à l'heure prescrite, comme s'il se trouvait dans son
monastère, Germain se mit à lire à haute voix un livre qui décrivait le
Jugement dernier, les châtiments des pécheurs et les récompenses des
justes. En entendant ces terribles paroles, Eudocie fut tout ébranlée,
sa conscience s'éveilla de la torpeur dans laquelle l'avaient plongée de
si longues années passées dans le péché et elle versa pendant toute la
nuit des torrents de larmes.Au matin, elle se précipita vers Germain et, tombant à ses pieds. elle l'implora avec larmes de lui indiquer la voie du salut. Après l'avoir dûment catéchisée, en père spirituel prudent, celui-ci la renvoya chez elle, pour qu'elle éprouve sa résolution pendant une semaine de retraite et de prière. Comme elle priait de nuit en versant quantité de larmes sur sa vie passée, Eudocie vit soudain une grande lumière et l'Archange Michel descendit pour la conduire au ciel où l'assemblée des élus l'accueillit avec joie, alors qu'à l'extérieur le diable, sous la forme d'un être gigantesque, noir et répugnant, accusait Dieu d'injustice pour avoir accepté si rapidement le repentir de cette femme débauchée. Une voix très douce se fit alors entendre du haut du ciel, qui disait : « Tel est le bon plaisir (eudokia) de Dieu : recevoir avec compassion les hommes qui se repentent. » Et, sur l'ordre de Dieu, l'Archange ramena Eudocie dans sa demeure, en lui promettant l'assistance de la Grâce pour les combats qu'elle aurait dès lors à mener contre le péché.
Pleine de joie et de confiance en la miséricorde du Seigneur, Eudocie fut baptisée par l'Evêque de la cité, Théodote, et, suivant scrupuleusement les instructions de son père spirituel, elle remit avec empressement sa fortune acquise dans l'iniquité à un Prêtre, afin qu'il la distribue aux nécessiteux, puis, ainsi délivrée de l'attachement au monde et de tout souci, elle alla rejoindre Germain qui la fit admettre dans un monastère féminin situé non loin du sien.
Dès son entrée dans le stade de la vertu, la Bienheureuse montra un zèle ardent pour effacer par l'ascèse et par les larmes du repentir toutes traces de ses anciennes passions. Elle portait constamment, sans jamais la changer, la tunique dont elle avait été revêtue à son baptême; elle apprit le Psautier par coeur et faisait de la prière et de la méditation de la Parole de Dieu sa nourriture, de préférence à tout autre aliment terrestre. Par cette conduite admirable et cette belle transformation, elle reçut du Seigneur le pouvoir d'accomplir des miracles et, à la mort de la supérieure, elle fut élue par la fraternité pour lui succéder.
En ce temps-là, ayant appris que la belle Eudocie avait rejeté les plaisirs de cette vie et le culte des idoles pour tourmenter son corps par amour du Christ, certains de ses anciens amants la dénoncèrent auprès de l'empereur, l'accusant d'utiliser sa fortune pour construire, dans le désert, des refuges pour les Chrétiens rebelles à son autorité et à la religion de l'Empire. Lorsque le dignitaire envoyé par l'empereur et les trois cents soldats de son escorte voulurent pénétrer dans le monastère de la Sainte, ils en furent empêchés par une force divine et, après avoir tourné autour de l'enceinte pendant trois jours, en cherchant vainement l'entrée, ils furent frappés de mort, à l'exception du magistrat et de trois soldats.
Quand l'empereur apprit ce lamentable échec, il envoya son propre fils pour arrêter la Sainte. Mais celui-ci fut frappé par Dieu et mourut après avoir été jeté à bas de son cheval. Sur le conseil d'un ancien amant d'Eudocie, le souverain éploré écrivit alors à la Sainte pour lui demander d'intercéder afin que son fils revienne à la vie. Eudocie lui répondit avec humilité, protestant de son impuissance à accomplir de tels miracles, et elle fit trois signes de croix sur la lettre en la refermant. Dès que le messager apporta la missive au palais devant le cadavre du prince, celui-ci reprit vie, et l'empereur et toute la cour s'écrièrent : « Grand est le Dieu des Chrétiens, qui accomplit de telles merveilles! » On raconte même que le souverain se fit baptiser avec un grand nombre des siens, et que le prince ressuscité devint par la suite Archevêque de la cité, alors que sa soeur, Gélasia, prenait le voile dans le monastère de Sainte Eudocie.
L'empereur Adrien (l17-138), qui prit la succession, était un farouche adepte de l'idolâtrie. Il envoya à Héliopolis un gouverneur, célèbre pour sa cruauté, nommé Diogène, lequel avait été fiancé à Gélasia et que la fuite de sa promise avait mis dans la plus grande haine à l'égard d'Eudocie. Sitôt installé, il envoya cinquante hommes d'armes pour se saisir de la Sainte. Alors que ceux-ci étaient encore en route, le Christ apparut à Eudocie et lui annonça que l'heure était venue pour elle de remporter la couronne du Martyre. Elle se rendit alors dans l'église, prit sur elle une parcelle de la Sainte Eucharistie et, accueillant les soldats avec calme et dignité, elle les suivit sans offrir de résistance. Sur le chemin, un Ange la précédait, tenant un flambeau allumé, sans que les païens s'en rendent compte.
Après l'avoir laissée pendant quatre jours en prison, sans recevoir ni nourriture ni boisson, on l'amena au tribunal, le visage couvert, et dès qu'on lui retira ce voile une lueur éclatante en resplendit, provoquant un cri de stupeur dans l'assistance. La Sainte répondit avec audace aux questions du gouverneur et l'invita à mettre son dessein à exécution, sans perdre de temps en de vains interrogatoires. On la somma de choisir entre trois solutions pour avoir la vie sauve : adorer les idoles, revenir à son ancien mode de vie ou remettre sa fortune au trésor public. Eudocie déclara qu'il était absolument exclu pour elle de retourner à sa vie passée, maintenant qu'elle avait connu la vérité, et qu'elle n'était plus maîtresse de l'argent qu'elle avait distribué. Sur lordre de Diogène, quatre hommes se saisirent d'elle et l'accablèrent de coups pendant deux heures entières; puis, comme ils tentaient de la dénuder afin de l'attacher au poteau de torture, ils trouvèrent sur elle le coffret contenant la Sainte Communion. Lorsque le gouverneur tenta de l'ouvrir, une flamme s'en dégagea, qui consuma tous ceux qui se trouvaient aux alentours et qui laissa Diogène à demi paralysé. Comme il tombait à genoux en priant le dieu Soleil de le délivrer de ce sortilège, un éclair fendit le ciel et le laissa raide mort sur le sol: Pendant ce temps, un Ange rayonnant descendait du ciel et s'entretenait avec la Sainte, après l'avoir chastement recouverte d'un voile. Un soldat qui avait été témoin de cette scène, saisi de repentir, alla la détacher et la pria d'intercéder pour ceux qui venaient d'être frappés par la colère de Dieu, afin qu'ils recouvrent la vie et puissent se repentir. Prise de compassion, Eudocie se mît en prière et aussitôt les morts ressuscitèrent, provoquant la conversion d'une grande partie de la population.
La Sainte resta en ville quelque temps pour enseigner le peuple, et elle accomplit encore d'autres miracles, jusqu'au jour où, Diogène étant décédé, un nouveau gouverneur, nommé Vincent, s'installa à Héliopolis, avec la ferme décision d'en finir avec la célébrité importune d'Eudocie. Il envoya des soldats dans sa résidence et ceux-ci lui tranchèrent la tête, sans autre forme de procès, lui offrant ainsi la satisfaction de son désir le plus cher : l'union définitive avec son Epoux céleste. Par la suite, les Reliques de Sainte Eudocie accomplirent de nombreux miracles qui témoignèrent pour des générations de Chrétiens de la puissance du repentir.
http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/43450
Saints ADRIEN, VICTOR, SECUNDILLE, matyrs en Afrique.
Saint DONAT, martyr à Carthage.
DEUX CENT SOIXANTE martyrs de la porte Salaria à Rome sous Claude II le Gothique (vers 269).
Saints HERMES, ADRIEN, FELIX, EUNUCULE, JANVIER et VINGT-ET-UN autres, martyrs à Marseille sous Dioclétien (vers 290).
Saint LUPERQUE (LUPERCUS, LUPERCULUS), martyr à Tarbes (?) sous Dioclétien (vers 300).
Sainte ANTONINE, martyre à Nicée sous Dioclétien et Maximien (vers 305). The Holy Martyr Antonina suffered at Nicea during a persecution under the emperor Maximian (284-305). After fierce tortures, St Antonina was thrown into prison, but Maximian could not force the saint to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to idols.
Angels of God appeared to the holy martyr and the executioners took fright. Even when they placed her on a red-hot metal bed, St Antonina remained unharmed, by the power of God. Finally, after long torture they sewed the saint into a sack and sank it in a lake.
Antonina,
cristiana di Nicea in Bitinia, durante la persecuzione di Diocleziano
arrestata per ordine del prefetto Priscilliano, fu battuta con le
verghe, sospesa al cavalletto, dilaniata ai fianchi e infine arsa viva.
Qualche codice del Geronimiano aggiunge che Antonina fu uccisa di spada
Saints MARCEL et ANTOINE, morts par le feu.
Saints SYLVESTRE et SOPHRONE, morts par le feu.
Saint NESTORIEN, mort par le glaive.
Saints martyrs CHARISE, NICEPHORE et AGAPIOS.
Saint SYLVESTRE, patriarche dont la mémoire était célébrée à Jérusalem en ce jour (lieu et époque inconnus).
Saint ALBIN ou GWEN, évêque de Quimper en Bretagne (Vème siècle).
Sainte DOMNINE, pénitente à Cyr en Syrie (vers 450). Secondo lo storico teologo Teodoreto, vescovo di Ciro (393-458), Domnina era di ricca famiglia nella Siria cristiana, da giovane si costruì una capanna nel giardino della casa materna e vi trascorse tutta la vita, pregando e digiunando, al punto da divenire estremamente magra; praticamente una eremita dentro le mura di casa.
Lo stesso storico Teodoreto, scrive nella sua “Historia Religiosaâ€, cap. 30 in ‘Patrologia Graeca’, che la santa aveva raggiunto un tale grado di misticismo, che non poteva pronunziare nemmeno una parola, senza versare lacrime, che gli sgorgavano ispirate dall’ardente amore di Dio.
Saint SIMPLICE (PLICE), évêque de Bourges en Berry (vers 477).
Saint FELIX II, pape et patriarche de Rome (483-492), qui confessa la foi orthodoxe face au monophysitisme (492).
Qualche codice del Geronimiano aggiunge che Antonina fu uccisa di spada
Saints MARCEL et ANTOINE, morts par le feu.
Saints SYLVESTRE et SOPHRONE, morts par le feu.
Saint NESTORIEN, mort par le glaive.
Saints martyrs CHARISE, NICEPHORE et AGAPIOS.
Saint SYLVESTRE, patriarche dont la mémoire était célébrée à Jérusalem en ce jour (lieu et époque inconnus).
Saint ALBIN ou GWEN, évêque de Quimper en Bretagne (Vème siècle).
Sainte DOMNINE, pénitente à Cyr en Syrie (vers 450). Secondo lo storico teologo Teodoreto, vescovo di Ciro (393-458), Domnina era di ricca famiglia nella Siria cristiana, da giovane si costruì una capanna nel giardino della casa materna e vi trascorse tutta la vita, pregando e digiunando, al punto da divenire estremamente magra; praticamente una eremita dentro le mura di casa.
Lo stesso storico Teodoreto, scrive nella sua “Historia Religiosaâ€, cap. 30 in ‘Patrologia Graeca’, che la santa aveva raggiunto un tale grado di misticismo, che non poteva pronunziare nemmeno una parola, senza versare lacrime, che gli sgorgavano ispirate dall’ardente amore di Dio.
Saint SIMPLICE (PLICE), évêque de Bourges en Berry (vers 477).
Saint FELIX II, pape et patriarche de Rome (483-492), qui confessa la foi orthodoxe face au monophysitisme (492).
http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/89048
Saint DENEK, ermite en Bretagne (VIème siècle).
Sainte MELARIE, solitaire en Bretagne (VIème siècle).
Translation des reliques de saint Herculan, évêque de Pérouse et martyr sous Totila (547).
Saint AUBIN, originaire du Vannetais, moine de Cincillac en Anjou, puis évêque d'Angers (549 ou 550).
Nato
verso il 469 a Vannes da nobile famiglia, fu monaco e quindi (504)
abate a Tincillac (o Cincillac), da identificarsi con N. S. di Nantilly a
Samour o a Théhillac, presso Guérande. Per circa venticinque anni
Albino resse santamente l'abbazia, e la fama delle sue virtù ebbe rapida
diffusione tanto che nel 529 fu eletto, per desiderio popolare e
nonostante le sue resistenze, vescovo di Angers. Lottò particolarmente
contro i matrimoni incestuosi, frequenti tra i nobili, partecipando
attivamente ai Concili d'Orléans del 538 e del 541 mentre si fece
rappresentare dall'abate Sapaudo in quello del 549. Il suo energico
atteggiamento gli procurò minacce di morte e contrasti con gli altri
vescovi, ma dall'approvazione di s. Cesario trasse nuova lena per
proseguire nella sua difficile e pericolosa opera moralizzatrice. Morì
il 1° marzo 550 ad Angers e fu sepolto nella chiesa di St. Pierre
d'Angers; ma già nel 556 gli fu dedicata una chiesa
nella cui cripta le sue spoglie vennero traslate.
Presso la chiesa sorse immediatamente un'abbazia (il cui primo abate fu, forse, Sapaudo) e in essa il corpo di Albino trovò definitiva sistemazione nel 1126. Da Gregorio di Tours sappiamo che già ai suoi tempi il culto di s. Albino era oltremodo diffuso; in seguito si estese in Germania, in Inghilterra e in Polonia, facendo di Albino uno dei santi più popolari del Medio Evo. La sua festa cade il 1° marzo.
Presso la chiesa sorse immediatamente un'abbazia (il cui primo abate fu, forse, Sapaudo) e in essa il corpo di Albino trovò definitiva sistemazione nel 1126. Da Gregorio di Tours sappiamo che già ai suoi tempi il culto di s. Albino era oltremodo diffuso; in seguito si estese in Germania, in Inghilterra e in Polonia, facendo di Albino uno dei santi più popolari del Medio Evo. La sua festa cade il 1° marzo.
Saint JEAN Ier, évêque de Nîmes en Languedoc (550).
Saint DAVID (DYFED), évêque et protecteur du pays de Galles (vers 600).
Grande figura di vescovo e monaco, evangelizzatore della Britannia, esimio rappresentante delle Chiese celtiche del Galles.
Visse nel secolo VI e sarebbe morto nel 601; sebbene sia citato in documenti dei secoli VIII una sua biografia fu scritta solo nel secolo XI da un certo Rhygyfarch, essa risulta molto fantasiosa e ricalca quella di s. Benedetto.
David era figlio di Sant e Nonna e nacque nella valle di Rhos; fu educato ed istruito da s. Iltut e poi da Paolino; venne ordinato sacerdote e si ritirò in isola solitaria dove stette per dieci anni, dedito allo studio della Sacra Scrittura.
In seguito abbracciò la vita monastica e prese ad evangelizzare la Britannia, nome latino della Gran Bretagna, abitata ancora da popolazioni celtiche; fondò dodici monasteri, nei quali instaurò una vita comunitaria, austera, densa di studio, lavoro e preghiera.
Scampò ad un tentativo di avvelenamento da parte dei monaci, forse per la troppa austerità (stranamente a quei tempi, si cercava di risolvere così qualche problema di insofferenza, risulta anche qualche altro caso); andò a Gerusalemme, dove fu consacrato vescovo.
Ritornato in patria succedette a s. Dubricio come vescovo di Caerlon, da dove poi si trasferì alla sede di Menevia; fu molto influente sulla vita monastica del Galles, presiedendo a parecchi sinodi, nei quali furono prese delle decisioni disciplinari e teologiche, importanti per le Chiese celtiche.
Anche se è difficile crederci, risulta che David visse 147 anni, il suo sepolcro divenne presto una meta di pellegrinaggi ed a lui furono intestate molte chiese nel Galles, nell Irlanda e Inghilterra.
Quasi quattro secoli dopo la sua morte, nel 966 il suo corpo fu traslato a Glastonbury; nei calendari celtici ed irlandesi e nel Martirologio Geronimiano è celebrato il 1° marzo.
Del monastero e della chiesa, da lui fondati a Menevia, oggi Saint-David, non rimane più nulla; unica opera iconografica dove è raffigurato, sono gli affreschi della chiesa di Saint-Divy di Landerneau, nel miracolo operato quando la terra, dove era poggiato per predicare, si sollevò a formare una collina e la colomba dello Spirito Santo venne a posarsi sulla spalla.
Visse nel secolo VI e sarebbe morto nel 601; sebbene sia citato in documenti dei secoli VIII una sua biografia fu scritta solo nel secolo XI da un certo Rhygyfarch, essa risulta molto fantasiosa e ricalca quella di s. Benedetto.
David era figlio di Sant e Nonna e nacque nella valle di Rhos; fu educato ed istruito da s. Iltut e poi da Paolino; venne ordinato sacerdote e si ritirò in isola solitaria dove stette per dieci anni, dedito allo studio della Sacra Scrittura.
In seguito abbracciò la vita monastica e prese ad evangelizzare la Britannia, nome latino della Gran Bretagna, abitata ancora da popolazioni celtiche; fondò dodici monasteri, nei quali instaurò una vita comunitaria, austera, densa di studio, lavoro e preghiera.
Scampò ad un tentativo di avvelenamento da parte dei monaci, forse per la troppa austerità (stranamente a quei tempi, si cercava di risolvere così qualche problema di insofferenza, risulta anche qualche altro caso); andò a Gerusalemme, dove fu consacrato vescovo.
Ritornato in patria succedette a s. Dubricio come vescovo di Caerlon, da dove poi si trasferì alla sede di Menevia; fu molto influente sulla vita monastica del Galles, presiedendo a parecchi sinodi, nei quali furono prese delle decisioni disciplinari e teologiche, importanti per le Chiese celtiche.
Anche se è difficile crederci, risulta che David visse 147 anni, il suo sepolcro divenne presto una meta di pellegrinaggi ed a lui furono intestate molte chiese nel Galles, nell Irlanda e Inghilterra.
Quasi quattro secoli dopo la sua morte, nel 966 il suo corpo fu traslato a Glastonbury; nei calendari celtici ed irlandesi e nel Martirologio Geronimiano è celebrato il 1° marzo.
Del monastero e della chiesa, da lui fondati a Menevia, oggi Saint-David, non rimane più nulla; unica opera iconografica dove è raffigurato, sono gli affreschi della chiesa di Saint-Divy di Landerneau, nel miracolo operato quando la terra, dove era poggiato per predicare, si sollevò a formare una collina e la colomba dello Spirito Santo venne a posarsi sulla spalla.
Troparion (Tone 1)
Having worked miracles in thy youth, founded monasteries and converted the pagans who had sought to destroy thee, O Father David, Christ our God blessed thee to receive the episcopate at the place of His Resurrection. Intercede for us, that our lives may be blessed and our souls may be saved.
Having worked miracles in thy youth, founded monasteries and converted the pagans who had sought to destroy thee, O Father David, Christ our God blessed thee to receive the episcopate at the place of His Resurrection. Intercede for us, that our lives may be blessed and our souls may be saved.
Kontakion (Tone 6)
The living waters of godly discipline encompassed thee and the saving waters of faith flowed through thy teaching, O Hierarch and Waterman David. Symbolising the baptism of Wales in thy life, thou art worthy of all praise, wherefore we keep festival in thy honour, glorifying thy eternal memory.
The living waters of godly discipline encompassed thee and the saving waters of faith flowed through thy teaching, O Hierarch and Waterman David. Symbolising the baptism of Wales in thy life, thou art worthy of all praise, wherefore we keep festival in thy honour, glorifying thy eternal memory.
Saint SIMPLES, confesseur à Tours (VIIème siècle).
Saint MARNOCK, Irlandais de nation, évêque en Ecosse (vers 625).
Saint ALBIN ou AUBIN, évêque d'Embrun (vers 630).
Saint REMESSAIRE (REMEZAIRE, RAMISSARIUS, REMISSARIUS), évêque de Nîmes en Languedoc (633).
Saint SIVIARD, abbé dans le Maine (687).
Saint ABDALONG, évêque de Marseille (VIIIème siècle).
Saint SUITBERT ou SWITBERT, évêque missionnaire en Frise (713).
S.
Willibrord vescovo missionario, aveva con sé, compagni
nell’apostolato, dodici monaci fra cui Suitberto, monaco della
Northumbria, essi nel 690 andarono in Frisia (fra Germania e Olanda) e
lì si divisero fra le varie zone.
Suitberto predicò con successo nel Brabante, Gelderland e Kleve; nel 693 fu inviato in Inghilterra per ricevere la consacrazione vescovile dalle mani di s. Vilfrido nella Mercia.
Lasciò ben presto la Frisia per diventare apostolo dei Brukterer nella Vestfalia del Sud; ma poi questa regione venne invasa dai pagani sassoni e Suitberto si ritirò nel territorio dei Franchi.
Il re Pipino e sua moglie Plectudre gli donarono isola di Kaiserswerth vicino Dusseldorf ove fondò un monastero, morendovi il 1° marzo 713.
Le sue reliquie nel 1626 furono trovate in un reliquiario argento a Kaiserswerth dove sono tuttora venerate.
Il suo nome è ricordato nel Calendario di Willibrord.
Suitberto predicò con successo nel Brabante, Gelderland e Kleve; nel 693 fu inviato in Inghilterra per ricevere la consacrazione vescovile dalle mani di s. Vilfrido nella Mercia.
Lasciò ben presto la Frisia per diventare apostolo dei Brukterer nella Vestfalia del Sud; ma poi questa regione venne invasa dai pagani sassoni e Suitberto si ritirò nel territorio dei Franchi.
Il re Pipino e sua moglie Plectudre gli donarono isola di Kaiserswerth vicino Dusseldorf ove fondò un monastero, morendovi il 1° marzo 713.
Le sue reliquie nel 1626 furono trovate in un reliquiario argento a Kaiserswerth dove sono tuttora venerate.
Il suo nome è ricordato nel Calendario di Willibrord.
Saint PAUL, moine, martyr (probablement par la main des Iconoclastes).
Saint MONAN, archidiacre, martyr en Ecosse par la main des Vikings païens (874).
Saint LEON de Carentan en Normandie, évêque itinérant, apôtre du Pays basque avec ses frères GERVAIS et PHILIPPE, tous martyrs près de Bayonne (889).
Saint LEON LUC (LEOLUCA), higoumène de Corleone en Sicile (vers 900).
http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/92184
Saint AGAPIOS de Vatopédi, moine athonite qui confessa la foi orthodoxe dans l'esclavage des Turcs.
Saint AGAPIOS de Vatopédi, moine athonite qui confessa la foi orthodoxe dans l'esclavage des Turcs.
Saint MARTYRIUS, fondateur du monastère de l'Île-Verte (Zelenetsk) au nord de l'actuelle Saint-Pétersbourg (1603). (Tropaire et kondakion traduits en français par le père Denis Guillaume au tome XIII du Supplément aux Ménées.)
Saint
Martyrius of Zelenets, in the world Menas, was born in the city of
Veliki Luki (Great Meadow) in the sixteenth century. His parents, Cosmas
and Stephanida, died when he was just ten years old. He was raised by
his spiritual Father, a priest of the city's Annunciation church, and
the child's soul cleaved to God.
The widowed priest Boris became a monk with the name Bogolep at the Trinity-Sergius monastery in Veliki Luki. Menas often visited him at the monastery, and later on he himself received monastic tonsure there taking the name Martyrius. For seven years both teacher and disciple toiled for the Lord unrelentingly in a single cell, encouraging each other in deeds of work and prayer. St Martyrius had the obediences of "kellarios" [cellarer], treasurer, and "ponomar" [or altar server].
It was at this time that the Mother of God first showed Her special solicitude for St Martyrius. At mid-day he dozed off in the bell tower and beheld the Tikhvin (Hodigitria) icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in a fiery column. The monk venerated it, and it was still hot from the fiery column. When he awoke, he still felt this heat on his forehead.
On the spiritual advice of St Martyrius, the grievously ill monk Abramius went to venerate the wonderworking Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, and he received healing. St Martyrius was filled with intense faith in the intercession of the Mother of God. He began to pray that the Heavenly Queen would show him where he might go for the ascetic feat of complete silence, for which his soul yearned.
The monk secretly withdrew into a desolate place situated 60 versts from Veliki Luki. As he himself writes, "in this wilderness I received fearful visitations from demons, but I prayed to God, and the demons were put to shame."
In a letter to Elder Bogolep, St Martyrius asked his blessing to dwell in the wilderness, but the spiritual father advised him to return to the cenobitic life where he would be of use to the brethren. Not daring to disobey his experienced Elder, and not knowing how to proceed, St Martyrius went to Smolensk to venerate the wonderworking Hodigitria [She who leads the way] Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of Sts Abramius and Ephraim (August 21). These saints appeared to St Martyrius in a dream, and they reassured him that he would be permitted to live in the wilderness, "wherever God will bless and the Most Holy Theotokos will guide you."
St Martyrius then went to the Tikhvin monastery, hoping that the Mother of God would resolve his dilemma. The monk Abramius, who remained at this monastery in gratitude to the Mother of God for his healing, told St Martyrius about a secret place, over which he had seen a radiant Cross of stars. This time he received the blessing of the Elder. St Martyrius took with him two small icons: one of the Life-Creating Trinity, and the other of the Tikhvin Mother of God. He then settled in Zelents (the green island), which was a beautiful island in a forested swamp.
Harsh and painful was the life of the monk in the wilderness, but neither cold, nor deprivation, nor wild beasts, nor the wiles of the Enemy were able to shake his resolve. He built a small chapel for the glorification of, and in gratitude to, the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. He was again deemed worthy to see an icon of the Mother of God in a dream. This time it was floating on the sea. To the right of the icon he saw the Archangel Gabriel who told him to venerate the icon. St Martyrius went into the water, and the icon began to sink in the sea. The saint then cried out, and a wave carried him to shore. With that, the icon vanished.
The wilderness was sanctified by the life of the hermit, and many began to arrive, not only to be instructed by the word and example of the monk, but also to settle there with him. The increased number of disciples prompted the monk to build a church dedicated to the Life-Creating Trinity, where he placed his own icons of the Trinity and of the Tikhvin Mother of God. As a sign of the grace of God resting upon the monastery of St Martyrius, his disciple St Gurias was permitted to see a Cross in the heavens, shining over the cross on top of the church.
This was the beginning of the Trinity Zelenets monastery, "the green wilderness monastery of Martyrius." The Lord blessed his labors, and the grace of God shone visibly upon him. The fame of his discernment and gift of healing became known to many. Many eminent people of Novgorod began to send gifts to the monastery. With funds provided by the pious boyar Theodore Syrkov, a heated church was built and consecrated in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the first church at Veliki Luki, from which the saint had begun his path to God.
St Martyrius continued to receive help from the Mother of God. She appeared to him on a bench in the corner where the icons stood. The saint recalled: "I looked upon Her without lowering my eyes... I gazed upon Her holy face, at her eyes filled with tears, ready to trickle down Her all-pure face. I awoke from the dream and was afraid. I lit a candle from the lampada, in order to see whether or not the Most Pure Virgin sat at the place where I saw Her in the dream. I went up to the icon of the Hodigitria and was convinced that in truth the Mother of God had appeared to me as She is depicted on my icon."
Soon after this (about the year 1570) St Martyrius was ordained priest at Novgorod by the archbishop (Alexander or Leonid). He was already an igumen in 1582.
Later, the Lord granted the Zelenets wilderness monastery an even wealthier benefactor. In 1595 at Tver St Martyrius resurrected the son of the former Kasimov ruler Simeon Bekbulatovich, praying in front of his own icons of the Life-Creating Trinity and the Tikhvin Mother of God. He placed both icons upon the chest of the dead child, and he awoke as if from sleep. In gratitude Simeon built a church in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God and of St John Chrysostom, the Heavenly patron saint of the ruler's son John.
In 1595 Tsar Theodore endowed the monastery with a sufficient quantity of land for its support.
Having reached a great old age and preparing for death, St Martyrius dug a grave for himself, and near it he placed a coffin fashioned by his own hands. He often came there to weep. Sensing his imminent departure, the monk assembled the brethren and told his children in the Lord to have steadfast hope in the Most Holy Trinity and to trust the Mother of God, as he himself had always trusted in Her. After receiving the Holy Mysteries of Christ, he gave the brethren his blessing with the words: "Peace to all the Orthodox." With spiritual joy he fell asleep in the Lord on March 1, 1603.
The saint was buried in the grave he dug near the church of the Mother of God. Later, his holy relics rested beneath a crypt in the church of the Most Holy Trinity, beneath the lower temple in honor of St John the Theologian. Cornelius, a former monk of the Zelenets monastery, and later Metropolitan of Kazan and Novgorod (+ 1698), compiled a service and wrote the Life of St Martyrius, making use of personal notes and the saint's testament.
The memory of St Martyrius of Zelenets and Veliki Luki is celebrated also on November 11.
Saint PARASKEVAS, originaire de Trébizonde où il fut martyrisé par la main des Musulmans (1659).
Saint METHODE, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (Russie 1920).
Sainte ANASTASIE ANDREÏEVNA, folle-en-Christ dans le Caucase du nord, martyre par la main des Communistes.
Sainte ANTONINE, abbesse de Kizliar, martyre par la main des Communistes (Russie 1924).
Saint JEAN, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (Russie 1937).
Saints BASILE et PIERRE, prêtres, ANTOINE, moine, ANNE, moniale, et ESPERANCE (NADEJDA), laïque, martyrs par la main des Communistes (Russie 1938).
Saint ALEXANDRE, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (1942
The widowed priest Boris became a monk with the name Bogolep at the Trinity-Sergius monastery in Veliki Luki. Menas often visited him at the monastery, and later on he himself received monastic tonsure there taking the name Martyrius. For seven years both teacher and disciple toiled for the Lord unrelentingly in a single cell, encouraging each other in deeds of work and prayer. St Martyrius had the obediences of "kellarios" [cellarer], treasurer, and "ponomar" [or altar server].
It was at this time that the Mother of God first showed Her special solicitude for St Martyrius. At mid-day he dozed off in the bell tower and beheld the Tikhvin (Hodigitria) icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in a fiery column. The monk venerated it, and it was still hot from the fiery column. When he awoke, he still felt this heat on his forehead.
On the spiritual advice of St Martyrius, the grievously ill monk Abramius went to venerate the wonderworking Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, and he received healing. St Martyrius was filled with intense faith in the intercession of the Mother of God. He began to pray that the Heavenly Queen would show him where he might go for the ascetic feat of complete silence, for which his soul yearned.
The monk secretly withdrew into a desolate place situated 60 versts from Veliki Luki. As he himself writes, "in this wilderness I received fearful visitations from demons, but I prayed to God, and the demons were put to shame."
In a letter to Elder Bogolep, St Martyrius asked his blessing to dwell in the wilderness, but the spiritual father advised him to return to the cenobitic life where he would be of use to the brethren. Not daring to disobey his experienced Elder, and not knowing how to proceed, St Martyrius went to Smolensk to venerate the wonderworking Hodigitria [She who leads the way] Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of Sts Abramius and Ephraim (August 21). These saints appeared to St Martyrius in a dream, and they reassured him that he would be permitted to live in the wilderness, "wherever God will bless and the Most Holy Theotokos will guide you."
St Martyrius then went to the Tikhvin monastery, hoping that the Mother of God would resolve his dilemma. The monk Abramius, who remained at this monastery in gratitude to the Mother of God for his healing, told St Martyrius about a secret place, over which he had seen a radiant Cross of stars. This time he received the blessing of the Elder. St Martyrius took with him two small icons: one of the Life-Creating Trinity, and the other of the Tikhvin Mother of God. He then settled in Zelents (the green island), which was a beautiful island in a forested swamp.
Harsh and painful was the life of the monk in the wilderness, but neither cold, nor deprivation, nor wild beasts, nor the wiles of the Enemy were able to shake his resolve. He built a small chapel for the glorification of, and in gratitude to, the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. He was again deemed worthy to see an icon of the Mother of God in a dream. This time it was floating on the sea. To the right of the icon he saw the Archangel Gabriel who told him to venerate the icon. St Martyrius went into the water, and the icon began to sink in the sea. The saint then cried out, and a wave carried him to shore. With that, the icon vanished.
The wilderness was sanctified by the life of the hermit, and many began to arrive, not only to be instructed by the word and example of the monk, but also to settle there with him. The increased number of disciples prompted the monk to build a church dedicated to the Life-Creating Trinity, where he placed his own icons of the Trinity and of the Tikhvin Mother of God. As a sign of the grace of God resting upon the monastery of St Martyrius, his disciple St Gurias was permitted to see a Cross in the heavens, shining over the cross on top of the church.
This was the beginning of the Trinity Zelenets monastery, "the green wilderness monastery of Martyrius." The Lord blessed his labors, and the grace of God shone visibly upon him. The fame of his discernment and gift of healing became known to many. Many eminent people of Novgorod began to send gifts to the monastery. With funds provided by the pious boyar Theodore Syrkov, a heated church was built and consecrated in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the first church at Veliki Luki, from which the saint had begun his path to God.
St Martyrius continued to receive help from the Mother of God. She appeared to him on a bench in the corner where the icons stood. The saint recalled: "I looked upon Her without lowering my eyes... I gazed upon Her holy face, at her eyes filled with tears, ready to trickle down Her all-pure face. I awoke from the dream and was afraid. I lit a candle from the lampada, in order to see whether or not the Most Pure Virgin sat at the place where I saw Her in the dream. I went up to the icon of the Hodigitria and was convinced that in truth the Mother of God had appeared to me as She is depicted on my icon."
Soon after this (about the year 1570) St Martyrius was ordained priest at Novgorod by the archbishop (Alexander or Leonid). He was already an igumen in 1582.
Later, the Lord granted the Zelenets wilderness monastery an even wealthier benefactor. In 1595 at Tver St Martyrius resurrected the son of the former Kasimov ruler Simeon Bekbulatovich, praying in front of his own icons of the Life-Creating Trinity and the Tikhvin Mother of God. He placed both icons upon the chest of the dead child, and he awoke as if from sleep. In gratitude Simeon built a church in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God and of St John Chrysostom, the Heavenly patron saint of the ruler's son John.
In 1595 Tsar Theodore endowed the monastery with a sufficient quantity of land for its support.
Having reached a great old age and preparing for death, St Martyrius dug a grave for himself, and near it he placed a coffin fashioned by his own hands. He often came there to weep. Sensing his imminent departure, the monk assembled the brethren and told his children in the Lord to have steadfast hope in the Most Holy Trinity and to trust the Mother of God, as he himself had always trusted in Her. After receiving the Holy Mysteries of Christ, he gave the brethren his blessing with the words: "Peace to all the Orthodox." With spiritual joy he fell asleep in the Lord on March 1, 1603.
The saint was buried in the grave he dug near the church of the Mother of God. Later, his holy relics rested beneath a crypt in the church of the Most Holy Trinity, beneath the lower temple in honor of St John the Theologian. Cornelius, a former monk of the Zelenets monastery, and later Metropolitan of Kazan and Novgorod (+ 1698), compiled a service and wrote the Life of St Martyrius, making use of personal notes and the saint's testament.
The memory of St Martyrius of Zelenets and Veliki Luki is celebrated also on November 11.
Saint PARASKEVAS, originaire de Trébizonde où il fut martyrisé par la main des Musulmans (1659).
Saint METHODE, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (Russie 1920).
Sainte ANASTASIE ANDREÏEVNA, folle-en-Christ dans le Caucase du nord, martyre par la main des Communistes.
Sainte ANTONINE, abbesse de Kizliar, martyre par la main des Communistes (Russie 1924).
Saint JEAN, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (Russie 1937).
Saints BASILE et PIERRE, prêtres, ANTOINE, moine, ANNE, moniale, et ESPERANCE (NADEJDA), laïque, martyrs par la main des Communistes (Russie 1938).
Saint ALEXANDRE, prêtre, martyr par la main des Communistes (1942
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