Память святого апостола и евангелиста Иоанна Богослова

The honest repose of this holy apostle and evangelist, the confidant, virgin and beloved disciple of Christ John the Theologian, is celebrated on the twenty-sixth day of September; Under this number his life is placed. On this day, the remembrance of his honorable ashes, which emanated from his tomb in celibacy, takes place. When Saint John the Theologian lived to be a hundred years old, having worked hard in the gospel of Christ, he, together with his seven disciples, left the city of Ephesus 3032 and ordered them to dig a cross-shaped grave for him, in which he prepared to die, lying down in it while still alive (as it is related in his life). Christians who lived in the city of Ephesus, after the death of the apostle, dug up his grave, however, they did not find the body of the apostle; Having mourned his honorable death, they returned to the city and then often came to the grave of the apostle and there offered fervent prayers to God, calling upon St. John the Theologian for help and intercession before God. Moreover, every year on this day and month, a kind of fine dust emanated from the tomb of the apostle, working healing 3033. Believers collected these ashes and used them to heal various ailments and illnesses. Therefore, it has become a custom among believers on this day, as well as in the month of September, to praise and please with hymns this great saint of God, beloved by God more than all other holy saints 3034. Through his prayers, may the Lord grant us healing in our mental and physical ailments, and may we also be worthy to be pleasing and beloved to Christ our God. Ephesus stood on the shores of the Aegean Sea, in Asia Minor; was famous for its extensive trade and was one of the main centers of science and art in ancient times. Currently, only ruins remain of this once famous city. The blessed one speaks about this ashes or manna. Augustine and Gregory of Tours. A Russian pilgrim of the 12th century also mentions the discovery of dust from the tomb of John the Theologian. Abbot Daniel. In the Sinai Gospels this holiday is called ροδισμος, i.e. rose garden; they think that the very manna that came from the tomb of John the Theologian was called ροδις - pink ointment, pink powder; but it is more correct to understand by “rose garden” the celebration by using roses, just as we use flowers on Trinity Day. You might be interested in: