Church of Saint Longinus the Centurion and the Holy New Martyr Triantaphyllos in Dryovouno

A unique church dedicated to Saint Longinus can be found in the village of Dryovouno, of the regional unit in Kozani of Northern Greece, which was built at the initiative of the rector Stephanos Tsantiris from Volos in 1977, on a nearby hill, which was called "Golgotha." Thus church, which is also dedicated to the Holy New Martyr Triantaphyllos of Zagora, is unique because it is the first church dedicated to Saint Longinus in modern Greece. It was consecrated by Metropolitan Antonios. Next to the church, buildings were built for the accommodation of pilgrims.

Saint Longinus the Centurion in the Hymns of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

It is not surprising that the Holy Hymnographer Joseph refers almost entirely to what happened to Saint Longinus below the Cross of the Lord: his terrible shock that led him from an unbeliever to become a believer, even to the extent of later giving his life for Him. The Crucifixion of the incarnate God, the blood and water that gushed from His spear-pierced side, the darkening of the sun, as well as all the supernatural things that occurred at that time, were those that led him to confess Him as God and Lord, and even, according to the Hymnographer, to understand that His Passion was voluntary and the fruit of His infinite love. "After you saw the Lord become man and ascend the Cross, darken the brightness of the sun and gushed forth from His side the saving forgiveness of sins...you confessed Him as God and Master, who endured the Passion voluntarily because of His immeasurable mercy" (Vespers sticheron). "Seeing the mountains and the earth that shook on the day of the Passion, you were shaken by the stance of unbelief" (Ode 6).

Prologue in Sermons: October 16

 

Against Hypocrisy

October 16

(Concerning the Hypocritical Monk)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Very often, one encounters people who fully deserve the name hypocrites or sanctimonious. These are those who, for worldly gain, make every effort to outwardly appear pious, fasting, prayerful, and merciful, while inwardly they have completely denied the power of piety (2 Tim. 3:5). Such people, in the words of the Lord, can be likened to whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all corruption (Matt. 23:27). Woe to them if they do not come to their senses in time and abandon their pretense!

Saint Magdalena of Mălainița (+ 1962)

Saint Mandălina was born in 1895, on November 22/December 5th, the day after the feast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple according to the old calendar, into a family of believers from the village of Șciubic.

Her father, Milenko Ilić, was of Serbian descent, and her mother, Milca, was a Romanian from the old Cătălinici family from Transylvania. At her baptism, performed on December 3/16, she received the name Mandălina (Magdalena), a sign of her calling to a life of humility and service.

From early childhood, she showed a love for prayer and the Church. Although in those days girls were not encouraged to study, she learned to read, receiving from God the gift of wisdom and unwavering faith.

Prologue in Sermons: October 15

  

How Should One Begin Reading or Listening to the Word of God or the Lives of the Saints and How to Read Them?

October 15*

(Saint John Chrysostom on How to Listen to the Readings of the Holy Books With Diligence, Honor and Attention)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Why is it, brethren, that when we read or listen to the word of God or the lives of the saints, we sometimes derive little benefit from reading or listening to them? Because we don't know how to approach reading or listening to them, or how to read or listen to them. To truly benefit the soul from the word of God or the lives of the saints, we must know what to do before we begin reading or listening to them, and know how to read or listen to them. Only then will we benefit. But you, of course, will ask: how then should we approach reading or listening to them, or how should we read or listen to them? We will be happy to answer this, but, for your greater conviction, not in our own words, but in the words of the ecumenical teacher, Saint John Chrysostom.