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Memory of the Venerable Mary of Egypt Mary of the desert is a model of equal-angelic life 1. In one of the Palestinian monasteries, the monk Zosima was famous for his strict life, under Emperor Justin the Elder (518–526), ​​in the vicinity of Caesarea. He was even known for his miracles and the gift of clairvoyance 2. He lived for 50 years in his desert solitude and yet wanted to see examples of a higher life for his edification. At one time, the man of God said to him: “to see what other ways of salvation there are, go to the Jordan monastery.” Zosima went to the indicated monastery. “I have come for edification,” he said to the monk-gatekeeper. “Let everyone pay attention to himself,” he answered, and do things with a sober sense, with the help of God; but just as your love wanted to see us humble, live with us.” Zosima soon became convinced of the strict life of the elders of the monastery. They were constantly busy either with psalmody or handicrafts; no idle word came from their mouth; they cared neither about income nor about the comforts of life; they cared only about killing the body; teaching in the word of God was the most pleasant food for them. For a long time, the following rule was observed in the monastery: before the onset of Great Lent, “on Sunday, the sacrament was performed as usual, and everyone partook of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Having taken some food, everyone gathered in the church and, after kneeling prayer, the monks said goodbye to one another, and each, falling in front of the abbot, asked to pray for him. The gates were opened and people came out singing the verses: “The Lord is my enlightenment and my Savior, whom will I fear?” One or two remained to guard the monastery (however, there was nothing for the thieves to steal), and to actually perform the service. Everyone supported themselves as they wanted or could. One carried a loaf of bread, another carried dates, another carried soaked beans, and the other had nothing but clothes. They ate, when the needs of nature required, desert herbs. The rule was not to meet one another. Having crossed the Jordan, they walked away from each other... Everyone lived for themselves and God, constantly singing psalms and eating food at certain times. This is how we spent the entire period of fasting; and before the bright day of “the Resurrection of Christ, they returned to the monastery to celebrate the holiday of Vaii with Vaii according to the order of the Church” 3. According to the rules of the monastery, Zosima also went out into the desert for his post. He walked for 20 days in the Trans-Jordanian desert, with a secret presentiment of something special. One day, at noon, he was praying earnestly with his face turned to the east and suddenly saw someone flash past him like a ghost. Fearing seduction, he protected himself with the sign of the cross and continued his prayer. Having finished it, he turned and saw someone quietly walking past him. This naked body was burned by the sun; her hair is short and white as snow. Convinced that he was seeing one of the holy inhabitants of the desert, from whom he could learn spiritual perfection, Zosima burned with a desire to know the life of the wondrous hermit. Forgetting his years, he ran after the one who had appeared; he tried to get away from the elder and ran across the dry river bed. Zosima shouted: “Whoever you are, servant of God, take pity on the frail old man who wants to ask for your prayers and blessings. Why are you running away from me, poor sinner? Remember that God Himself, Whom you serve, does not reject anyone.” At the edge of the riverbed, Zosima heard the answer: “I beg you by God, blessed Zosima, do not come closer to me anymore; if you want to talk to me, throw me your cloak; Having covered my nakedness, I will ask you to bless the sinner.” Surprised that he was called by name by a woman completely unknown to him, Zosima realized that she knew him by revelation. He threw his cloak with holes to her and turned away. Then the stranger, covered with a cloak, crossed to his bank and fell at his feet asking for his blessing. Delighted with joy and with feelings of respect, Zosima also bowed and asked for blessings. In this touching struggle of the saints’ humility, the hermit defended her desire by saying that she was a sinner wife. Zosima also pointed out his unworthiness. “You have the sacred right to bless me and call upon me grace, you are a presbyter,” said the one who appeared. She also knows that I am a presbyter, thought Zosima, and he became even more convinced that this is an extraordinary man of God. “I see, blessed mother,” said Zosima, that the Spirit of God rests on you, and that, having killed yourself for the world, you have risen to the level of the All-Merciful by your piety: didn’t He Himself reveal to you my name and my dignity? The abundance of grace living in you is higher than my rank, which without piety is condemnation for me. Therefore, I beg you with the love of our Savior, bless me and pray for the sinner who needs your prayers.” The hermit, after listening, said: “Merciful God, guardian of our souls and bodies, may he be blessed forever.” “Amen,” answered Zosima. They stood up. “Why did you come to the sinner? No, not you, but God brought you to give me spiritual alms. Tell me, St. Father, what is the state of Christianity? How is the Church of God governed?” said the desert woman. “By the goodness of Jesus Christ, God gave lasting peace,” 4, answered Zosima and asked the servant of God to pray for the whole world. Yielding to this new, insistent, like the previous, request, the one who appeared turned to the east, raised her hands to the sky and began to pray so quietly that Zosima could not hear her words. The prayer flowed to the sky for quite a long time. Zosima sees with amazement that the one praying has risen from the ground into the air more than an elbow. The amazed and frightened old man fell to the ground and repeated the words: “Lord Jesus Christ! have mercy on me, a sinner.” She finished the prayer and, approaching Zosima, said: “Why, blessed one, are you falling into this confusion? I am not a spirit, as you suspect; I am the body and bones; I am a sinner, but I am honored with St. baptism." Then she protected her forehead, eyes, lips and chest with the sign of the cross and said: “May the Lord deliver us from the temptations of the demon by the power of St. cross." Zosima, confident that he saw the chosen servant of God, threw himself at her feet and begged her to tell her who she was, how long she had lived in the desert and what kind of life she led? He imagined that it was not idle curiosity that asked her about this, but a sincere desire to find out for himself and others what was necessary for the salvation of the soul. “I come from Egypt,” said the desert woman; I was no more than 12 years old when, preferring criminal freedom to the duty of supporting my parents, I went to Alexandria... Without horror I cannot remember what kind of life I led there. For almost 17 years I indulged in the most terrible debauchery, and not in order to receive money, but only in order to satisfy lusts; I did not ask my lovers for money, as long as they served me. Living like this, in the year 29, I saw on a summer day many people from Egypt and Libya who were heading to the sea in crowds. I asked someone: what does this mean? They answered me that these people were sailing to Palestine to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in Jerusalem. I decided to go with them. I had nothing to pay for moving and food, but I was sure that my crimes would provide me with everything I needed. With the impudence of a shameless libertine, I became attached to the young people and entered the ship with them. On the way I drowned in abominations and did the same in Jerusalem. When the holiday came, I went to church with others. But when I reached the door, an invisible hand forcefully threw me away from the entrance. Everyone entered, and no one stopped anyone. Three and four times I tried to enter the church, and each time an invisible hand threw me back into the square. Full of embarrassment and shame, I stood in the corner of the porch and thought about the reason for the extraordinary circumstance. She explained herself to me, only I glanced at the abomination of my life. Grace penetrated my heart, and I burst into hot tears, beat my chest silently and was tormented. Sobbing and groaning, I raised my eyes and saw that I was standing in front of the icon of the Mother of God. I turned to her with a prayer to have mercy on the sinner, to open her entrance to St. church. I prayed for a long time and with some hope I went to the church doors. I was overcome with trepidation before entering, but I entered the church. I entered and, together with others, bowed to the Life-Giving Cross 5. Prostrate before Him, I was amazed in awe that He would allow such a criminal to approach Him. Returning to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, I poured out gratitude for her mercy and begged Her with hot tears to show me the path of repentance. Then I heard a voice from afar: “cross the Jordan and there you will find peace” 6 . I felt that this applied to me and with hot tears I exclaimed: “Mistress, Lady! don't leave me! Then I decided to follow the voice. When leaving, someone handed me three coins, with the words: accept, Nonna 7! I bought three loaves of bread with them and, having learned the way beyond the Jordan, set off. I walked all day, shedding tears, and at sunset I reached the Church of John the Baptist on the Jordan 8. Having prayed, I washed my face and hands in the waters of the sacred river 9 and returned to the church, where I was present at the Divine service. Having eaten half of one of the three loaves, I fell asleep on the ground, and in the morning I crossed the Jordan in a shuttle. So I reached the desert, and since then, alone, estranged from people, I have lived here in anticipation of God’s mercy, strengthening with His grace those who repent and sincerely convert.” The hermit woman brought confession to Zosima about her sinful life, but did not say anything about how she lived in the desert. Therefore, Zosima again asked her to reveal how long she had been in the desert, what she ate and what she experienced? “About forty-seven years have passed,” she answered, since I left Jerusalem into the desert. I had two and a half loaves left when I crossed the Jordan; I ate them little by little and then ate grass. My struggle lasted 17 years. She was such that even now I shudder. On the one hand, I suffered unspeakably from hunger and thirst. The torment was intensified by the memory of delicious food and wine from the days of my debauchery. The evil spirit resurrected in my thoughts with all vividness the dissolute songs that I sang, and the vile, lustful pictures of my innumerable crimes. On the other hand, the clothes in which I went out completely fell apart, and I was exposed to all the changes, all the cruelties of the seasons: now the sun burned with hot rays, now the cold embraced me. Then, falling to the ground, burned or frozen, I felt that I was dying, and thousands of temptations attacked with demonic force.” “In this inexplicably cruel state, the Most Holy Theotokos was a refuge. I sobbed bitterly and, hitting myself on the chest, prostrated myself on the ground and prayed to the Lady not to deprive me of help. After sobbing and pleading, light illuminated my soul and peace returned to my heart. The merciful Queen did not refuse me Her help.” Remembering, the hermit continued, what evils the Lord delivered me from, I feed on incorruptible food, the hope of salvation, I feed and cover myself with the word of God, who contains everything (Deut. 8). Man does not live by bread alone (Matthew 3rd chapter).” When Zosima heard that the hermit was pronouncing the words of the Holy Scripture, he asked her: how does she know the Holy Scripture? She smiled and said that she had never studied in the world, nor in the desert had she heard anyone read books to her; “The voice of God, living and active, resounding in the heart, alone is my mentor. But enough, enough about me; I fulfilled your wish." Falling at the feet of Zosima, she asked to bless her. He said with tears: “Blessed be God, who performs miracles!” May He be blessed and merciful to me.” The hermit stood up and, holding back Zosima, who was ready to fall at her feet, said: “I beg you in the name of the Savior not to say anything about me to anyone until I die. Next year you should not leave the monastery with others at the beginning of Lent, and it will be impossible to leave; On Maundy Thursday, come to the shores of the Jordan and bring a vessel with the Body and Blood of Christ, so that I may be worthy to partake of St. Tain. Let me know about. John the abbot to look after his flock - there is much in it that needs correction. But you will talk about this after you involve me.” The following year, Zosima lay sick when the brethren went out into the desert at the beginning of Lent. “He then remembered the words of the hermit. On Maundy Thursday he went with St. gifts to the Jordan. In the evening he sees a saint on the other side. She made the cross over the water and walked on the water as if on dry land. She asked to read the Creed and the Lord's Prayer: Our Father. When she partook of the Body and Blood of the Lord, she raised her hands to heaven and said: “Now You are releasing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word in peace; my eyes have seen the salvation of my soul.” Then, turning to the elder, she said: “And you, Father Zosima, create love for me, do not refuse to come in the next Lent to the place where you and I spoke for the first time.” Zosima offered her the fruits and lentils he had brought. She took only three grains of lentils and set off across the river as she had come, by water as by land 10. The following year Zosima came to the place where he first saw the hermit. Here he saw the dead body of the righteous woman and watered her feet with tears. He began to sing psalms, but hesitated, where to bury her? The face of the deceased was turned to the east, and near her head he sees the words in the sand: “Abba Zosima! bury the body of poor Mary here and, having committed the earth to the earth, pray for her who goes to the Lord after communion of the holy supper.” Zosima buried the Saint's body in a hole dug by a lion who came to the service of the righteous woman. The death of Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary followed in April 522, 7 days 11. Zosimas, returning to Cenobia, retold everything he saw and heard about Mary, to the glory of God 12. † Repose of Rev. Euthymius of Suzdal Blessed Euthymius was born and raised in Nizhny Novgorod 13. Here he learned to read and write and studied diligently - he did not like to engage in children's pranks, he was meek and obedient to his parents. “When he came to adolescence, he went to the church of God, where he stood in the corner so as not to be distracted by the movements of people during prayer. - Near Nizhny, on the banks of the Volga, in a cave, blessed Dionysius, later Archbishop of Suzdal, asceticised with his disciples. – The exploits of God’s prayer books aroused in Euphemia zeal for the ascetic life. In the church he heard the words of the Savior: “What good is it if a man gains the whole world, but loses his soul?” Animated by both, blessed one. came to the cave to Dionysius and fell in tears at his feet, asking him to be accepted as one of his disciples. Abba, having given him instructions, clothed him in monastic robes. Euthymius began to live monastically: during the day he worked around the monastery, but with a psalm on his lips, at night he went into cave solitude and here spent time of rest in prayer; He ate little food, and quenched his thirst with water, and then in moderation. He asked the Rev. Dionysius permission to eat food after two and three days; but the prudent Abba forbade him such a feat as disproportionate to his spiritual age, and ordered him to eat food with his brothers, but not to the point of satiety. By the will of the Abba, Euthymius carried water and chopped wood in the bakery; a glance at the fire awakened in him tears of contrition for sins, for which eternal fire was ready. The church hymn sings to the monk about his exploits: “With the dew of abstinence you extinguished the youthful flame of passions, with the fire of suffering you scorched the delights of the world, by fasting you revealed a soul brighter than the rays of the sun” 14. Thus, through the exploits of fasting and contrition of heart, the saint matured and matured in spiritual perfection. Euthymius. Pious Prince Boris Konstantinovich Gorodetsky wished to build a monastery of prayer in Suzdal and asked Dionysius to appoint one of his students as abbot of the new monastery. Dionysius appointed Euthymius to Suzdal. “Do not remove me, father, from being with you; It’s hard for me to live with strangers,” Evfimy said with tears. “The earth is the Lord’s; but fear disobedience,” answered Dionysius. The blessed Abba, in agreement with the thoughts of the pious prince, then appointed his other disciples to found abodes of prayer in different places 15. Euthymy, being 36 years old, set out to fulfill the will of his mentor. - On the road to Suzdal, not reaching 5 versts from Gorokhovets, he saw a beautiful place on a lake, in a dense forest, and in accordance with the will of his mentor, he founded a community hermitage here in honor of St. Basil the Great. This hermitage subsequently remained under his supervision, which is why even after his death it was constantly assigned to the Euthymius Monastery. In the church of the former monastery, now a parish, the staff of the blessed traveler is still kept 16. In Suzdal, blessed Bishop John himself indicated to Euthymius and the prince a place for a monastery, near the city, in the north, on the steep bank of the Kamyanka; from the high square there was a wide view of the surrounding area - a beautiful place; the saint consecrated the place for the new monastery; the pious prince began to dig a moat for the church with his own hands; many other hands took up the same work and the stone church was founded. The God-loving prince spared no expense for the church of God, and the church was consecrated by the saint in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord; at the same time Rev. Euthymius was ordained archimandrite of the new monastery 17. The generous prince also provided all the funds for the construction of the monastery buildings 18. But Blessed Euthymius placed warm prayers and deeds at the foundation of the monastery. Spending the day either in the house of prayer or supervising buildings, he spent the night in fervent prayer. “Many brothers soon gathered around the sincere ascetic. With the blessing of the saint, the blessed one also built the Church of St. John the Climacus with a refectory. People gathered here for prayer in winter. since the number of the brethren multiplied, so that it finally increased to 300; then the blessed one also built a wooden church of St. Nicholas with the hospital and here he built another meal with household supplies. His life was a school of piety for the brethren. His heavy chains, still intact in the monastery, serve as a monument to his strict, ascetic life 19 . Even when building the church of the Savior, he prepared a place for his burial and with his own hands he cut the stones for the coffin; and he lived in the monastery for 52 years and for 52 years he prepared himself for the transition to eternity: this is how he humbled his unremitting dreams! From time to time he saw the teacher. Sergius of Radonezh and talked with him about spiritual life. – In church songs he is called “the faster and interlocutor” of St. Sergius 20 . “Like Sergius, he wore the thinnest monastic clothes - a crusty sheepskin sheepskin coat was on his shoulders both in the summer heat and in the winter cold. - But in his monastery all the poor found food for themselves and the sick rested; He paid debts for debtors, and those oppressed in court found protection from him. He tended his flock vigilantly and with spiritual prudence; taught uncomplaining obedience, purity and selflessness. He did not allow anyone to have any property and, if he found anything of his own, he subjected him to penance. He strictly forbade conversations in the church and commanded silence during meals; from the meal to the cell one also had to go in silence and without going to anyone. You were not allowed to be governed by your own wisdom and your own will, but you had to listen to the rules of the monastery and the will of the abbot. “That was the monk’s charter!” In the exploits of St. life of the Rev. Euthymius reached a ripe old age, 78 years old. Before his death, he said goodbye to all the brethren and received Holy Communion. Tain and peacefully gave up his spirit to the Lord, April 1, 1405 21. In his monastery, in addition to his faith, his miter and staves and his copper cross are also preserved. In 1491, under Archimandrite Constantine, the Evfimiev Monastery burned down. Constantine grieved, embarrassed by doubt, are we not angry with him, for that Euthymius, as if for the cause of his negligence about the monastery? The monk, appearing to one brother, said: “Tell, brother, Archimandrite Constantine that I have nothing against him.” Reassured, Constantine, with the help of benefactors, restored the fraternal cells. His successor Kirill, later Archbishop of Rostov, decided to build a new stone church. While digging ditches they found the relics of St. Euphemia: her face was bright and her vestments looked as if they had been worn yesterday. It was June 7, 1507 22. - Rev. From that time on, Euthymius became famous for many miracles 23. Two of them are very edifying. The cellarer Cyprian, out of self-will and arrogance, distributed food to whomever and how he wanted, whereas according to the rules it was offered at the meal. The monk appeared to him in a sleepy vision. Euthymius with a rod in one hand and a burning candle in the other, threatening to punish him for his self-will. The cellarer repented in fear, and then forgot his promise. The monk appeared again and amazed him with the relaxation of his limbs. – The patient received healing from the saint’s shrine when he confessed his sin to everyone. “One villager suffered greatly from fever. His brother, having heard a prayer service in the monastery for the sick man, took kvass for him. On the way, the thought occurred to him: “What is the benefit of this kvass for the patient? It’s better to call a magician.” And, feeling thirsty, he drank kvass. Then someone in white clothes and a miter appeared to him and said menacingly: “How dare you neglect the gift of God? For Euthymius, the Lord wants to heal his brother; come back, venerate the shrine and hurry to your brother.” When this will was fulfilled, the sick man was healed 24. Elder Nikodim’s legs were cramped by illness, and he no longer wanted to be alive. Euthymius, who appeared through prayer, anointed his feet with ointment, and the sick man stood up healthy. Fisherman Patrik lay in a fever; The monk who appeared made the sign of the cross over him, and Patrick went to fish. In the monastery of Euthymius there are several monuments with prayers and praises to the wonderworker Euthymius. The inscription on the silver chalice reads: “7108 (1600) Princess Anna gave to the wonderworker Euthymius the soul of Prince Daniil Nogtev, to the foreign workshop of Euthymius.” On the silver lamp of the book. Shuisky such an inscription: “l. 7143 (1635) made before cancer by Rev. Euphemia the Wonderworker; whoever maintains faith in Euthymia the wonderworker will pour it; and you can’t take it out of the monastery anywhere.” - The famous defender of the fatherland, Prince. Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky gave (October 3, 1644) a Gospel with the inscription: “to the great wonderworker Euthymius”; his wife (March 2, 1644) - a shroud embroidered in gold and silver, “to the house of the wonderworker Euthymius” 25. “Having mortified the movements of the flesh through strong fasting, you have become the abode of the Lord, Saint Euthymius! Pray to Him, that those who come running to you may be delivered from troubles and confusion of passions” 26. St. Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria Avramiy was born in Kama Bulgaria and raised in the Mohammedan faith. He was a man of great means and was engaged in trade, but he was not addicted to the vain pleasures of the world, he loved hospitality, fed the poor, clothed the naked, visited the sick and made up for the poverty of the poor. God, the knower of the heart, looked upon Abramius, just as He once looked upon the virtuous pagan Cornelius the Centurion (Acts X), and by God’s gracious looking, Abramius was convinced of the falsity of Mohammed’s teaching and became a Christian. Sick in spirit about the blindness of his fellow countrymen, who did not know the true God, and therefore were not settled in life, he came to the main city of the country, called Bolgars (now a village in Kazan province), and here, during the fair, he began to preach to his fellow countrymen about Christ the God-man and the salvation of people in His name. The Bulgarians were amazed when they heard a Christian sermon from their fellow tribesman and former co-religionist; and when neither caresses nor threats could shake his faith, then, becoming enraged like animals, they forced him to renounce Christ through many torments and prison languor. The valiant sufferer did not faint, but, strengthened by the grace of God, he was even more confirmed in his love for the Redeemer of the world. Then the fanatics cut off his hands first, then his legs and head. The martyrdom of St. Abraham followed on April 1, 1229. The Christians who were at the fair, probably Murom merchants, reverently buried his body in a Christian cemetery in Bolgars. Noticing the miraculous healings of sick Christians taking place over his tomb, they reported everything to Grand Duke Georgy Vsevolodovich in Vladimir. – At the beginning of 1230, after a six-year war, peace was concluded with the Kama Bolgars and the right to transfer the relics of the saint from the Bolgars to Vladimir was negotiated. In the same year, on March 9th, they were brought to Vladimir, met with a religious procession a mile from the city and laid in the Annunciation Church of the convent, the so-called Knyaginin-Uspensky. In 1712, on May 10, they were transferred to another shrine and transferred to the Assumption Church; from that time on, the monastery celebrates the saint on May 10th and in the fourth week of Easter, since May 10th then fell on this week (from the Brief Biography of the Service of St. Avramius, published 1876, St. Petersburg). Venerable Procopius of Czech Procopius, the son of pious parents of an eminent family who lived in Bohemia (at the end of the 10th and at the beginning of the 11th century), was born in the village of Khotish; from childhood he was taught Slavic literacy and then had the opportunity to study sciences taught in the Slavic language. Having completed his studies, at his own request, he entered the clergy and, having received the rank of priest, zealously spread and supported Orthodox Christian teaching. Subsequently, leaving the world, he indulged in hermitic deeds in desert solitude. Here, one day, Duke Ulrich found him in a cave, hunting for animals in a deep forest. The Duke reacted with sympathy to the hermit, entered into a conversation with him and, having learned about Procopius’s desire, that a church be built here in the name of St. John the Baptist, willingly fulfilled the hermit’s wish, and thus the foundation of a monastery was laid on the river. Sozave (around 1012), which - through the efforts of Procopius and the benefits of the Duke - soon came to a prosperous position. Ulrich's successor was King Bryachislav and also patronized this monastery. Despite this, Procopius found it difficult to support Orthodoxy in the fight against the influence of the papists and he had to accept many insults from them. Shortly before his death, Procopius predicted to the brethren that persecution would soon come against them, but that they should not lose heart, since it would not last long. And so it happened. Procopius reposed on April 1, 1053, and in 1055 “The Sozavian monks were showered with various insults; instilling in the prince (Spitignev) various inventions and slander, they told him that heresy was introduced by Slavic writing, and they were completely spoiled by hypocrisy; therefore it is necessary to drive them out and bring in the Latin abbot and his brothers.” And the Orthodox monks were expelled and placed in the monastery of German priests. But King Vratislav in 1061 returned the exiles to their monastery, and even turned to the pope with a request that he approve the Slavic Divine Service with his voice. In response to this, the Pope (Gregory VIII) answered the king: “Your Highness asked that your service be performed in the Slavic language; There is no way we can be favorable to your request. We are convinced that it was not in vain that God wanted some sacred places. the scriptures were hidden and so that it would not be clear and understandable to everyone, so that through this it would not come into disdain or be misunderstood. Therefore, despite your unreasonable demand, we command the authority of blessed Peter and for the glory of God to resist vain insolence 27 with all our might.” However, Vratislav did not pay attention to the will of the pope: the Slavic service continued in the Sosavsky monastery (see other September 16). St. Melito, bishop. Sardinian, in Lydia, Asia Minor To get an idea of ​​the personality of the St. remembered today. The Church of Bishop Melito - wouldn’t it be the closest and most accessible way to get acquainted with his way of thinking, which is expressed, for example, in his letter to the Roman Emperor Antoninus: “Shameless informers,” St. writes among other things. Meliton, - greedy for the property of others, finding a favorable reason for them in the imperial decrees, they obviously commit robbery, robbing innocent people day and night... If this is done at your command, let it be done in order; but it cannot be that a just emperor would want an unjust one. We willingly receive rewards for such a death, but we ask you one thing, so that you yourself recognize in advance the ascetics of such firmness... our philosophy initially flourished among the barbarians; then, during the powerful reign of Augustus, your ancestor, she met with the peoples subject to him and became a good cover for your kingdom.” Having later recalled that Christians were persecuted only by people like Nero and Domitian, he continues: “we do not honor insensitive stones, but we honor the One God, Who is first and above all, and His Christ - the true God, the eternal Word. It is difficult to lead someone onto the path of truth who has been in error for a long time. “But it is possible. Whoever gradually begins to recognize error begins to remember the truth. Some people think that if they are mistaken with others, they do not offend the truth. No, I can't forgive them. If the stupidity of one is great, the stupidity of many is greater. I call it stupidity if a person deviates from the truth and accepts something that does not exist. True reality is what God is. Everything exists by His power; He was not created and did not begin to be, He is from eternity to eternity. He remains unchanged when everything changes, invisible with the eyes, incomprehensible with the mind, indescribable in words... If someone, departing from the light, calls something else God, he recognizes creation as God. What are pagan gods? Dead people. What are idols? Wood or metal. It is a shame for a free mind to serve such a tangible lie. It is a shame not to recognize Him Whom it is so easy to recognize both in your soul and in the whole world. Some say: we honor what our fathers betrayed. Why do the children of the poor or uneducated people gain wealth or education? Why do children of the blind see and children of the lame walk? No, truth does not require that a person follow ancestors who lived poorly; she demands that he retreat from their path so as not to perish like them. If your father walked the straight path, go you too; but if you have walked a bad path, turn away from that path and follow the straight path, then your children will follow you. Grief that your father was in error - this sorrow can be useful to him. And tell your children: God is the Father of all, God is without beginning and not created, everything is subject to His will. If you learn this, O Emperor Antoninus, and your children with you, you will pass on to them as an inheritance treasures that do not perish, you will save your soul and the souls of your children from what will happen to all the inhabitants of the earth at the righteous judgment.” These few lines characterize the blessed bishop both as a person and as a writer. They express the height of a Christian speaking to a pagan, and the height of a man who can speak the truth to a powerful emperor without partiality. Bishop Meliton, in general, was one of the most remarkable men of the 2nd century - in his extensive education, in his pastoral activities and in his writings, the subject of which was St. Scripture. To study it, so to speak, on the spot, he traveled to Palestine. He himself says: “at the very place where the sermon and events took place, I studied the books of the Old Testament.” Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, bishop. Melito, respected by all the Churches of Asia Minor, took an active and conciliatory part in the disputes about the time of celebrating Easter, which worried the Laodicean Church, after the death of its shepherd, the martyr Sagarius (his memorial is on October 6). He died peacefully in 177 and was buried in Sardis. (See “Teaching about the Father’s Church” by architect Phil. Chernig., Part I, ed. 2, p. 72). Life of St. Mary in Vit. patr. I, 671–690 ed. Migne. Act. Sanet, ad 2 April. I, 67 S. The biographer says: “I decided to tell the event that happened in our family, in the form as it was conveyed by the holy man, who learned to speak and do the truth from his youth” (Zosima). In conclusion: “the monks of that monastery left the news about this Mary unwritten, but, taking one from the other, offered the story to the listeners for the common benefit.” The writer Sophronius, from 633 the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who walked the deserts 576–610 in Chet-Mina, his life in places is shortened. In Slav. Prologue Apr. 1 news is brief, but more extensive than in Basil's Menologue. The Life of Mary does not say when and where Zosima lived, but Evagrius speaks about it. Memory of St. Zosima – Apr. 4. Roman martyrology April 4: “in Palestine the death of St. Zosimas the hermit, who buried the body of St. Mary of Egypt.” Among the Copts Zosima Apr. 9 (4). Ludo lfi, comm. r. 413. The Russian admirer of 1420, Zosima, wrote: “I passed over the Jordan and entered into the tomb where the holy fathers from the Forerunner Monastery were laid, and there with my forehead and kisses the relics of the holy fathers and the holy elder Zosima, who gave communion to Mary of Egypt.” Travels (St. Petersburg, 1749), p. 65. Since according to the life of St. Mary St. Zosima remained in the Jordan monastery until his death, and according to the news, Hierod. Zosima (pr. 143) The relics of St. Zosima rested in the same cave where the elders of the Jordan Baptist Monastery rested, it is clear that the life describes the charter of the Jordan Baptist Monastery. About the Monastery of the Forerunner, after Willibald and Daniel (the life of the Holy Mobility), Hierod. Jonah in 1651: “near St. Jordan to the right is the monastery of St. Forerunner; now it is ruined, except for the walls; and to the left is the monastery of St. Gerasim, ruined.” Arseniy says: “It’s all intact, very little is damaged.” The walls are intact, but there was not a single monk in them. Neither Jonah nor Arseny were either at the site of the Savior’s baptism or at the monastery of the Forerunner: “it’s impossible to go there without the pasha, the Arabs will kill or rob,” notes Arseny. Travels (St. Petersburg, 1849) pp. 116. 210. Blessed Emperor Justin reposed the Church. But his predecessor Anastasius "exiled into exile Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch, and Elijah, Archbishop of Jerusalem, for the Holy Council of the Fathers who were in Chalcedon, namely Elijah to Ail, and Flavian to Petra. One day the patriarchs suddenly write to each other: Anastasius died today, we too will go to sue him. And two days later they departed to the Lord." Spiritual meadow, ch. 34. Roman martyrology for July 4: “memory of the saints - Flavian II, Archbishop of Antioch, and Elijah, Bishop of Jerusalem, who were exiled by the Emperor Anastasius for the Council of Chalcedon, and the victors moved to the Lord.” Anastasius died in agony in 518. Abbot Daniel of the 12th century: “and here the doors are great, and Mary the Egyptian came to those doors and wanted to lead her into the church and kiss the honorable cross of the Lord and did not let her in the power of the Holy Spirit into the church; and then she repented to the holy icon of the Mother of God; and that icon of the holy Mother of God stood in the vestibule, at those great doors nearby; and then it is possible bring into the church and kiss the honorable cross,” p. 34. This is news about St. the icon of the Mother of God was read at the Ecumenical Council (in Act 4) and St. Damascus in the 3rd word about St. icons Hierod. Zosima in 1420: “I saw (in the Church of Sophia) the image of the Most Pure One from Jerusalem, when he was talking to Mary the Egyptian.” Deacon Ignatius in 1391: “We worshiped (in Sofia) the miraculous icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, and from it came a voice to Mary of Egypt.” Travels, according to Sakharov’s publication, pp. 60, 100 (St. Petersburg, 1849). “That icon stood in the vestibule,” says the abbot. Daniel in 1113. Consequently, then she was no longer in that place. Probably, the miraculous image of the Mother of God was transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople during the reign of St. n. Methodius (842–846), if not before. “Nonna” is a respectful name for a nun, used especially in Western languages. Jerome in the preface to the life of St. Hilarion: “the beauty and honor of the virgins of Nonna Azell.” Epist. 22 ad Evstochiam: “having experienced the dominance of a spouse, they prefer the freedom of widowhood and therefore are called Nonnas and saints.” Life of John the Merciful § 17: “I ask you, Nonna.” Willibald in 723: "they came to the monastery of St. John the Baptist; there were up to 20 monks; they stayed here one night. From here they walked a mile to the Jordan, where the Lord was baptized; there is now a church standing on stone columns, and under the church there is now dry land, where the Lord was baptized; in this place they still bathe. There is a wooden cross and there is a small accumulation of water; stretched across the Jordan rope“ (Thesaurus monum. ed. Basnagii T. 2. P. 1. p. III). Hegumen Daniel of the 12th century: "from Jerusalem to the Jordan there are 20 versts and 6 great versts. Not having reached the Jordan, near that path, the monastery of St. John the Baptist: there is a place covered with hail. And from the dilapidated monastery of St. John in the distance, as if a good archer would shoot twice, the same church was built great, in the name of St. John Forerunners." Mary was in the Church of the Forerunner, and not in the monastery of the Forerunner. Blazh. Jerome: “Beth-Avara is beyond the Jordan, where John baptized into repentance; therefore, even to this day, many of the brethren, from among the believers, wanting to be reborn, are immersed here in the water of life.” Onomasticon. Igum. Daniel: "And there is a ford across the Jordan into Arabia. On the same font (where Christian wanderers bathe) Mary of Egypt walked across the waters to Father Izosima and received the body of Christ, and again walked across the waters into the desert and reposed there." Daniel's Journey, page 55. St. Petersburg. 1864 Life: “he dies in the month of Farmufa, on the 5th Ides of April (April 7), during the saving suffering.” In Greek Menaia commemorates April 1; among the Abysinians and Copts, too: “Apr. 6 (1) Mary the Egyptian, whom Zosima buried.” In Usuard's martyrology: April. 2 “in Palestine the death of Saint Mary of Egypt.” Moral reflections on the life of St. Mary - in conversations with Archbishop. Filareta, Part 3, 90–96. Black 1863 Life of Rev. Euphemia, described by the monk Gregory, in Undolsky No. 310, in Tsarsky No. 135. 728. Gregory’s description of his life was changed in places by Abbot Varlaam of Makhrishchi, when he, by the will of Met. Macarius, added to it, as well as to the life of Euphrosyne, a description of miracles (clerk Ananias in the time. general history, book. 22, p. 129). Menaion for April. M. 1625 Church monuments about Prince Boris. ancient Nizheg. gub., p. 31. St. Petersburg. 1857. Step. book I, 528. Prologue April 1 Certificates about the Gorokhovsky monastery, assigned to Evfimiev: 1418 in the act. ist. I. No. 25. 1462 – Ibid. I. No. 70 and in the description. music., p. 95. According to the list of the life of the cleric Ananias (Varlaamov), the year of consecration is shown and it is said: “he commanded him (Archim. Euthymius) to perform the sacred act with the club and in the miter and with the ripids” (Temporary General History Book, 22, 26. 27). According to the list from the beginning of the 16th century. there is no year of consecration and it is said: “he commanded him to perform sacred acts with a club and a miter, that is, in a cap.” – There is not a word in this list about the wonderful service of the blessed one. John in the Euthymian monastery and about the construction of a women's monastery. – According to the years of the saint’s life, the church was consecrated in 1354. Donation of a grandson with the commandment to remember the prince’s grandfathers. Boris and Ivan in the Rumyantsev Museum, pp. 92. 76. Zap. Russian archeology I, 93. St. Petersburg. 1851 Nikon. l. 1.313. Russian times 1, 218. Step. book 1.528. Prologue April 1. |East. Hier. 4, 29. 100. Prologue June 4 days. Service by Rev. Euthymia on April 1 at Tsarsky No. 563. Certificate to the Euthymius Monastery in 1525 in a. e. 1. No. 29 – another 1460 in a. And. 1. No. 71. In the Rumyantsev Museum, letters from Archimandrite. Constantine 1495 and 1505 93. 94. In Rumyants. music (description, p. 192) Gospel of 1552, written in the monastery of the “great wonderworker Euthymius.” RKP. life of the Rev. Euphemia with miracles. Notes Russian. archaeol. I, 93. St. Petersburg. 1851 Vladimir collection pp. 51.52. 55. According to the inventory of the 17th century. in the royal prayer house “St. Euthymius of Suzdal, two teeth in a gilded silver ark.” Zabelin “Life of Russian Tsars”, p. 196. M. 1862 Canon Rev. Euthymius in the Menaion for April. M. 1625 That is, the desire of the people that the Divine service be performed in their native Slavic language.