Sermon 2 on the Fast of Advent (St. Leo the Great)

By St. Leo the Great

(Sermon 13: On the Fast of The Tenth Month, II)

Why the Fast of the Tenth Month Was Instituted, 

and Praise of Christian Mercy Toward the Poor

Since both the season of the year and the custom of our devotion remind us, we preach to you, most beloved, with pastoral concern, that the fast of the tenth month is to be observed — in which, for the completed gathering of all the fruits, a most fitting offering of self-restraint is made to God, the generous Giver of them all. For what can be more effective than fasting? By its observance we draw near to God, and by resisting the devil, we overcome seductive vices.

Fasting has always been nourishment for virtue. From abstinence arise chaste thoughts, reasonable desires, and healthier counsels. Through voluntary mortifications the flesh dies to its lusts, and the spirit is renewed in virtues.

Synaxarion of our Venerable Father Parthenios of Chios

Synaxarion

By Monk Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis

On the 8th of this month [December], we commemorate Venerable Parthenios of Chios.

Verses

Living in asceticism, Parthenios, in these latter years,
You manifested the grace of the ancient Venerables.
On the eighth the spirit of Parthenios was lifted from the earth.

He was from the island of Chios, born in the year 1815, in a village called Dafnonas, to pious parents named Michael and Antonia, surnamed Frankoskoufis or Menis. His birth and his later progress in Christ were foretold to his parents by Saint Makarios of Corinth, who said this to them while they greatly desired to bear a male child, since they had only daughters.

Saint Patapios of Thebes in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

Venerable Patapios, who came from Thebes in Egypt, chose the monastic life and followed Christ. He practiced asceticism for many years in the desert and then came to Constantinople, where he worked very many miracles: he gave sight to the blind, healed sufferers from dropsy by anointing them with holy oil, cast out demons, and even healed cancer. In the end, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord in peace.

Venerable Patapios may indeed have originated from Egypt, but he is a beloved saint of the Orthodox faithful, and especially of the Greeks. This is because, as is well known, his relic (which was gifted by the Palaiologoi to their cousins, the Notaras family, who had settled in Corinth) is located above Loutraki, in the Geraneia mountains, in the monastery that bears his name — something that was “accidentally” discovered in 1904. Crowds of believers come daily as his pilgrims in order to receive the grace of his blessing and to be helped from various problems and needs. And not without reason. The Saint is a protector of all who are in need, and his relic is truly a source of healings. The hymns of our Church never cease to emphasize this truth, which has been confirmed throughout time.

Prologue in Sermons: December 8

 

To Those Afflicted By the Ill Will of Slanderers

December 8
 
(A Story About a Certain Priest, Slandered By a Bishop, Who Was Locked Up In Prison and Was Delivered By An Angel)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Many suffer harm through slanderers without their fault: they are deprived of a good name, or even lose their freedom, or suffer other punishments, all because of the sheer malice of the wicked. What could be more terrible than this? And where can one find the strength to endure it with fortitude? Slandered brethren! Without the will of God, not a hair of your head will perish. Believe that sooner or later the Lord will reveal your innocence; and reward your reproach with double glory.

Saint Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis as a Model for our Lives

 

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

Saint Gerasimos the Mikragiannanitis was born in Droviani of Epirus in 1903 to pious parents. He was diligent, intelligent, and possessed a strong memory, which helped him progress in his studies and develop his gift for hymnography. He received his basic education in Piraeus and Athens, where he also met Saint Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis.

On August 15, 1923, he went to the Holy Mountain, specifically to the Cell of the Honorable Forerunner (Timiou Prodromou) in Little Saint Anna’s, where he submitted himself to Elder Meletios Ioannidis. On October 20, 1924, he was tonsured a monk. However, after five years his Elder left the Holy Mountain, and he remained alone. At that time, the presence of God became more palpable in his life. His only consolation was prayer and study. After about twenty years, he gained a small brotherhood of good fathers. Of course, during all the years he lived alone, he visited and sought counsel from experienced Elders, especially Elder Kallinikos the Spiritual Father, who lived in Katounakia. To him he showed the first Canon he had composed, and the Elder told him: “The Canon is excellent, but I tell you one thing: humility, humble-mindedness. Be careful, lest the devil wage war against you.”