7-го числа

Saint Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsakis Saint Parthenius, a native of Melitopol, a province of the Hellespont, was the son of a deacon of the local church, raised in the fear of God from a young age. Growing up as a child, he would go to a nearby lake, catch fish, sell it, and use that money to give alms to the poor. At the age of eighteen, by the will of the Bishop of Melitopol, he began to study the books of St. Scripture and, as worthy, he was ordained a presbyter. The Lord also vouchsafed him the grace of miracles. – Metropolitan Achillius of Kizi, hearing about his husband’s virtuous life, made him bishop of the city of Lampsacus. This was during the reign of Constantine the Great, around 325. Parthenius found few Christians in the city; the majority were pagans. Through his teaching life, prayers and miracles of God’s grace, he led citizens to the knowledge of the true God and, in place of idol churches, with the permission of the king and with the king’s support, he created churches of God. Once upon a time to St. A demon-possessed young man was brought to Parthenia by his parents, who asked him to pray for his healing. Parthenius said: “Your son is not worthy of healing; the evil spirit torments him like a parricide, because he often annoyed you, and in the sorrow of your soul you prayed that God would punish him. Let him suffer like this; Punishment is good for him.” But they tearfully asked for prayers and forgiveness for the unfortunate young man. The saint, bowed down by the tears and persistent requests of his parents and having mercy on them, prayed to God for the sick man and healed him. St. Parthenius died peacefully around 350. Venerable Luke of Greece The Monk Luke, a native of Attica, the village of Kastoria, the son of a rich farmer, from the age of twenty labored first in a desert cell on a seaside mountain, where he was tonsured by two monks who were going to Rome on pilgrimage, and seven years later, on the occasion of the invasion of the Bulgarians (about 908), when most of the people fled to fortresses and islands, he sailed to Corinth and, hearing here about one thing Stylite in Patras, went to him and served him for ten years like a son to his father. After this he returned to Hellas and again settled on his mountain. It happened that Metropolitan Corinthian passed by that place on his way to Constantinople, and settled down to rest not far from the monk’s cell. Having learned about this, Luke came to bow to the bishop and brought him gifts from his labors - vegetables and roots. The Metropolitan wanted to look at his cell and, seeing it and the garden, was amazed at the deserted and silent presence. In this regard, the archpastor’s instruction on how to commune with St. Luke himself is worthy of attention. Mystery without a priest, because Luke did not have priestly rank. The vessel with the presanctified gifts must be placed on the altar if the communion is to take place in church, or on a clean table if outside it; Unroll a clean towel and place St. particles and, having lit a candle and incense, sing pictorial psalms (that is, 102 and 145), the Trisagion and I Believe, make three prostrations to the ground and, folding your hands, take with your lips the honorable Body of Christ and our God, saying: Amen; вместо св. Drink blood from a vessel of wine. This means that even in the 10th century, ascetics were given the opportunity to keep St. gifts in cells and partake of them themselves, as was the case in the first centuries. The last place of the saint's exploits was Mount Styrius in Hellas, where the brethren gathered for him and built a monastery, and the governor of Attica built a church in the name of St. Great Martyr Barbara. He died on February 7, 946 and was buried in the cell in which he labored. Six months later, a certain monk Cosmas, who was going from Paphlagonia to Italy, was given in a vision the command of God to go to the place where he had rested, the prop. Face, and remain at his tomb. Kosma came to the tomb of the saint of God, took the ark with the incorruptible relics from the ground and, placing it on top of the earth, fenced it with bars, and made the cell a church. Subsequently, out of fear of the Latins and Turks who owned Attica, the relics of the teacher. The bows are hidden and are now kept under wraps in the monastery of his name. St. Mastridia the Hermit, Mary and others unknown by name When the story of the wondrous Mary of Egypt became known, the lofty exploits of the equal-angel, her wondrous hope in the Lord, which turned out to be so faithful and strong, inspired more than one virgin to undertake more or less difficult exploits. About one ascetic who died during the life of St. Kyriakos, and therefore before 557, when St. Cyriacus, says Cyril in the life of St. Kyriaca 62. John, disciple of St. Father Cyriacus the hermit,” writes Cyril, “told me the following: Several years before this, my friend, brother Paramon, and I went to Father Kiriak. And then in the distance we see a man standing. We, thinking that he was a hermit, hastened to approach him to bow to him. When we approached that place, he disappeared from our eyes. We were frightened at the thought of whether it was an evil spirit. They began to pray and, having prayed, looked around, here and there, and found a cave. Of course, the servant of God is here, we said, he hid from us here. Approaching the cave, we asked that he show himself to us and not deprive us of his instructions and blessings. From the cave we heard the answer: “What benefit do you want from a woman, sinful and simple? Where are you going? “We are going to the hermit Kyriak,” we said, “but reveal to us for God’s sake your name, your life and why did you come here?” She answered: “Go where you are going, and when you return, I will tell you.” We assured her with an oath that we would not leave until we heard about her life. Realizing that we would not leave her, she, without showing herself to us, told us about herself like this: “I am called Mary, I was a reader of psalms at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ; the evil spirit has hurt many people. I came to fear, lest I be guilty of temptation and lest I add sins to my sins. I prayed earnestly to God to deliver me from the misfortune. Once, my soul touched by the fear of God, I went to Siloam, filled a vessel with water, took a basket of soaked beans, left the holy city at night and, entrusting myself to God, went into the desert. God brought me here, and I have been living here for eighteen years; By the grace of God, neither my water ran out nor the beans in my basket diminished. Then I ask you, now go to Father Kyriako and fulfill your service; when you return, visit poor me.” Having heard this, we went to Father Kyriako and told him everything that we had heard from Blessed Mary. Father Kyriakos, marveling, said: “Glory to You, our God, You have hidden holy men and women who secretly serve You. Go, my children,” he added, “to the saint of God, and keep what he tells you.” Returning from Father Kyriakos, we came to the cave of blessed Mary. “Servant of God!” we said, “We came to you at your command.” But there was no answer. Entering the entrance to the cave, we said a prayer, but again there was no answer. Then we entered the cave itself and found the servant of God having died in the Lord. A strong fragrance came from her holy body. We had nothing with us to dress her with. Having hastened to the monastery, we brought everything we needed; Having dressed her, they buried her in a cave and blocked the mouth of the cave with a stone. The great ascetic Silas, who labored in the Arabian cave, in the monastery of Fara, spoke about another Palestinian desert. Several years before this, he told the brethren, a hermit lived near me, whom I loved very much. It was our custom to visit him on great holidays, bring him what he needed and receive his blessing. On Easter, I took some mantle, some beans and some bread and went to the old man according to custom. According to God's providence, I had to get entangled in hills and wastelands; The heat of the day came, I began to exhaust myself from heat and labor. And I turned to the Lord with strong prayer. Exhausted from thirst and heat, I lay there exhausted and fell into a subtle sleep. Someone comes up to me and says: “Be cheerful, Abba, you are not lost, and your work is not in vain.” When I woke up, I didn’t see anyone, but I joyfully thanked God; I prayed - and now I see traces of a man between the hills. I followed the tracks, I see a lot of brushwood and a cave; I began to call: bless me, father; there was no answer. I approached again and saw a young monk sitting in silence. We bowed to one another, and he told me to begin the prayer. “This is your business, you are a presbyter,” he said. I refused, wanting to hide myself. “Why lie, Abba Presbyter?” he said. We sat down, and I was at a loss as to whether it was the wife or the eunuch? “You, Abba, are confused about me, whether I am a wife or a eunuch,” he said. I was confused by these words. “Give me your word not to tell anyone about me until death, and I will tell you about myself,” said the desert man. “God knows,” I answered, “how I wish to know about the exploits,” and gave my word to remain silent. “I am the daughter of the Eparch of Constantinople,” she said; “The senator betrothed me to his son, being a friend to my father. I didn’t want to get married, but I didn’t tell my parents about it. My consolation was to practice prayer, and I prayed to the Lord to fulfill my secret desire. Once my father tells me: “Be ready for marriage, my daughter, the time has come.” “I can’t decide on that,” I answered, before I fulfill my vow.” "Which?" said the father. “I promised to worship the holy places,” I said. He jokingly says: “When you get married, then you will fulfill your promise - together with your husband.” “No,” I said decisively, “I promised to bow to the virgin - and this must be fulfilled; I can’t lie before God, it’s scary.” The parent relented. Many servants, maidservants, and 3,000 gold pieces were sent with me. We arrived by ship in the holy city. Having bowed to the holy places, I went to visit the Egyptian fathers. Near the great monastery of Egypt I saw three great elders; one of them especially seemed like an Angel to me. Upon returning to the holy city, it was necessary to return to Constantinople. I prepared two letters, one to my parents, the other to my younger brother, who was with me. In the last one I wrote that I cannot be married and devote my life to the Lord. When we were leaving the city, I told my brother that I needed to visit Gethsemane. Leaving the letters in my clothes, I went to Gethsemane with one maid. Then, leaving her here, she hurried alone to her great elder. With tears, I asked him to clothe me as a monk and give me the books that I saw with him. He fulfilled my request. Having stayed with him for a day, I said to him: now bless me to go wherever the Lord commands. Having prayed for me with tears, he gave me his books and sent me away in peace. Having placed my hopes in the Lord, I came to this desert and now I have been living in it for 28 years; You’re the first one I see here.” When she finished her story, I asked her to eat with me the food that was with me. “You need to refresh yourself with food, you are tired, but I have other food,” she said. What was amazing for me was that, having lived in the desert for so many years, it had not lost its beauty. I didn’t feel thirsty in her cave, but I thought: something will happen after? She, responding to my thought, said: “Be at peace, Abba, thirst will not torment you until you reach your cell.” Saying goodbye to her, I asked her: “let me come to you for advice.” When I set off, I definitely didn’t feel thirsty. After some time, I went to her, but no longer found her in the cave. For everything, glory be to the Lord 63. About the third hermit, who labored in the same Jordanian desert where Mary, equal to the angels, lived, we read the story of John Moschus 64. We came, says Moschus, to Abba John the Hermit, nicknamed the Fiery One. He told us what he himself heard from Abba John of Moab. “In the holy city (Jerusalem) there was a maiden who dedicated herself to God, very pious and zealous (according to the Prologue, named Mastridia) 65. The devil, envious of the virgin, ignited satanic love for her in one young man. The great maiden, understanding the tricks of the devil and seeing the dangerous situation of the young man, put some soaked beans in a basket and retired into the desert, so that through this she could both save the young man from temptation and find safety for herself in the desert. Quite a bit of time has passed since then. So that her high feat would not remain unknown, according to God’s providence, one hermit of the Jordan desert saw her. "Mother! how did you come here?” asked. he is her. She, wanting to close her hermitage, answers the hermit: “Forgive me, I have lost my way, do me a favor, for God’s sake, father, show me the way.” The hermit, having been informed about her from above, says to her: “Mother! be reliable, you have not gone astray; you don't need another road; Tell me frankly, how did you come here?” Then the maiden answered: “Forgive me, Abba! One young man was tempted by me. Recognizing that it was better to be here than to serve as a temptation, I withdrew into the desert.” The elder continued: “How long have you been here?” She answered: “by the grace of Christ, seventeen years.” “What do you eat?” asked the old man. She, taking out a basket with beans lying in it, said to the hermit: “This basket that you see went with me from the city with this food; but God showed me such mercy that from then on I have been eating the same food and the food has not diminished. Don’t forget, father, that God covered me so much with His mercy that for 17 years no one saw me except you alone, although I saw others.” Hearing this, the hermit glorified God.” Death of St. Mastridia followed no later than 580. Here is another secret, wonderful Palestinian ascetic of the same time. At a distance of about 20 thousand steps (40 versts) from Jerusalem, says Blessed John Mosch, there is a monastery called Sapsas. From this monastery two fathers went to Mount Sinai to worship. Returning to the monastery, they told us the following: “Having bowed on the holy mountain and returning back (this happened to us), we got lost in the desert and rushed through it for a long time, like on the sea. One day, seeing a small cave in the distance, we went to it. Approaching the cave, we saw a small spring, near it some grass and a human footprint; That’s right, we told ourselves that God’s servant lives here. Entering the cave, we did not see anyone, we only heard that someone was crying. Having examined it carefully, we found something like a manger and someone was lying in it. Approaching the servant of God, we asked him to tell us something. But when he didn’t answer, we took him. His body was still warm, but his soul went to the Lord. Then we learned that at the very time we were entering the cave, the servant of God died. Taking his body from the place in which it lay, they dug a grave in the same cave; one of us took off the robe he was wearing, and we began to wrap the body in it; then they found that it was the wife; They glorified God and, having completed the rule over her, buried her” 66. His death probably followed in 596. In order for the examples of zealous ascetics to be more powerful for us, let us repeat for ourselves the following instructions of St. Scriptures: Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts (Gal.6:24). Bear each other's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ (Gal.6:2). Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). Cyril's description of the life of St. Kyriaca in act, Sanet. VIII, 147 5 Analecta sacra. Paris. 1692 p. 100–127. In Chet-Mineya Sept. 29. The story of Mary - in the Combined Patericon under the banner. S. Prefabricated Patericon of Waters Znam. S, ch. 26. Ioann Mosha Spiritual Meadow, pp. 180, 181. M. 1853 John Moschus Meadow spirit. pp. 168, 169. The indication is also placed in the prologue of Oct. 30 days.