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<div>[[Image:Aidan of Lindisfarne.jpg|right|frame|St. Aidan]]<br />
Our father among the saints '''Aidan of Lindisfarne''', Enlightener of Northumbria (?-651), was the founder and first [[bishop]] of the [[monastery]] on the island of [[Lindisfarne]] off the northeast coast of England. A Christian missionary, he is credited with restoring Christianity to Northumbria (Northern England). His [[feast day]] is [[August 31]].<br />
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== Life ==<br />
An Irishman, possibly born in Connaught, Aidan was a [[monk]] at the [[monastery]] on the island of [[Iona]] in Scotland.<br />
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The [[Roman Empire]] had spread Christianity into England, but due to its decline, [[paganism]] was seeing a resurgence in Northern England. St. [[Oswald of Northumbria]] had been living at the Iona monastery as a king in exile since 616 A.D. There he converted to Christianity and was [[baptism|baptized]]. In 634 he gained the crown of Northumbria, and was determined to bring Christianity to the mostly pagan people there.<br />
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Due to his past at Iona, he requested missionaries from that monastery instead of the Roman-backed monasteries in England. At first the monastery sent a new bishop named Corman, but he returned to Iona and reported that the Northumbrians were too stubborn to be converted. Aidan criticised Corman's methods, and was soon sent as a replacement in 635.<br />
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Aidan chose the island of [[Lindisfarne]], close to the royal castle at Bamburgh, as his [[diocese]]. King Oswald, who spoke Irish Gaelic, often had to translate for Aidan and his monks, who did not speak English at first. When Oswald died in 642, he received continued support from King St. [[Oswin of Deira]], and the two became close friends.<br />
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[[Image:Aidan_Statue.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Statue of St. Aidan erected in his honor on [[Lindisfarne]]]]<br />
An inspired missionary, St. Aidan would walk from one village to another, politely conversing with the people he saw, slowly interesting them in Christianity. According the legend, the king gave Aidan a horse so that he wouldn't have to walk, but Aidan gave the horse to a beggar. By patiently talking to the people on their own level, Aidan and his monks slowly restored Christianity to the Northumbrian communities. Aidan also took in twelve English boys to train at the monastery, to ensure that the area's future religious leadership would be English.<br />
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In 651 a pagan army attacked Bamburgh and attempted to set its walls ablaze. According to legend, Aidan prayed for the city, after which the winds turned and blew the smoke and fire toward the enemy, repulsing them.<br />
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Aidan's friend St. Oswin of Deira was murdered in 651. Twelve days later Aidan died, on [[August 31]], in the 17th year of his [[bishop|episcopacy]]. He had become ill while at the Bamburgh castle, and died leaning against the wall of the local church.<br />
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St. Aidan's expression of the Orthodox Christian faith was more from the native Celtic strand rather than the Roman/Latin variety growing in the south of England, but his character and energy in missionary work won him the respect of Popes Honorius I and Felix I.<br />
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The monastery he founded grew and helped found churches and other monasteries throughout the area. It also became a center of learning and a storehouse of scholarly knowledge. The Venerable [[Bede]] would later write Aidan's hagiography and describe the miracles attributed to him. <br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/people/saints/aidan.shtm Irelandseye.com biography of St. Aidan]<br />
*[http://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/general/aidan.htm Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne]<br />
*[http://www.britannia.com/bios/saints/aidan.html Britannia biography of Saint Aidan]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/a/inp158.htm Saint Aidan of Lindesfarne Icon and Story]<br />
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[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Anthony_of_the_Kiev_Caves&diff=54078Anthony of the Kiev Caves2007-07-18T19:55:06Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev Caves.jpg|right|frame|Ss. Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves]]<br />
Our venerable father '''Anthony of the Kiev Caves''' was one of the founders of the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves]]. His [[feast day]] is on [[September 2]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Anthony was born in 983 in Liubech, near Chernigov. He was named Antipas by his parents. In his youth he possessed a fear of God and dressed in [[monasticism|monastic]] attire. As he matured he set off on a journey to [[Mount Athos]], where he took to the monastic life. He received a monastic [[tonsure]] with the name Anthony, and set his life on a course of pleasing God and living an [[asceticism|ascetic]] life on the path to [[virtues|virtue]]. He became known for his [[humility]] and [[obedience]].<br />
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In time, the [[igumen]] recognized in him a great future ascetic. Inspired by God, the igumen directed that Anthony should return to his homeland where many monks would come to him. Returning to the Russian lands, Anthony visited many monasteries near Kiev, but was not able to find the strict life that drew him to Mount Athos. In time, he came upon a cave that had been dug by the priest Hilarion (later to be Metropolitan of Kiev), near the village of Berestovo. Here he began his struggle in prayer, vigil, work, and fasting, eating only a morsel a day and sometimes not eating for week.<br />
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In his ascetic life, people began to come to him for his blessing and counsel. Some who came decided to stay with him. Anthony's renown spread throughout the land, inspiring many to the monastic life. After twelve men had gathered with Anthony, the brethren dug a bigger cave, and within it made a church and cells for the monks. As the community became larger, Anthony appointed Barlaam as [[abbot]] of the monastery and then withdrew to another place to dig a new cave where he secluded himself. Nevertheless, monks began to settle around his new cave of seclusion. Thus were formed the Near and Far Caves monasteries. Later, a small wooden church, dedicated to the [[Dormition]] of the [[Theotokos]], was built over the Far Caves.<br />
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After the great Prince Izyaslav of Kiev convinced the igumen Barlaam to move to the Dimitriev monastery, the brethren, with Anthony's blessing, chose the meek and humble [[Theodosius of the Kiev Caves|Theodosius]], as igumen. The community of the Near and Far Caves continued to grow, reaching a population of hundred. Then, Prince Izyaslav gave the community of monks the hill where a large church and cells were built, around which a palisade was built. Thus, the renowned Monastery of the Kiev Caves came into being, the first spiritual center in the land of the Rus', raised up through the efforts of St. Anthony, without gold but on the prayers of [[saint]]s and by their tears, vigil, and fasting. <br />
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Many miraculous happening have been recorded associated with St. Anthony, including the appearance of the Mother of God before Ss. Anthony and Theodosius in the Blachernae church in Constantinople, without their leaving their own monastery, at which the Mother of God foretold the death of Anthony. He died on [[May 7]], 1073, and his [[relics]], through divine providence, remain concealed.<br />
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[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Chad_of_Lichfield&diff=54077Chad of Lichfield2007-07-18T19:54:32Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>'''Saint Chad of Lichfield and Mercia''' (+672) also called ''St. Caedda'' was a [[missionary]], [[bishop]], [[healer]], and [[wonderworker]] who spread the Orthodox Catholic Faith throughout the British Isles. His feast day is commemorated on [[March 2]].<br />
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==Saint Chad the Wonderworker of Lichfield and Mercia==<br />
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===The Simple Monastic===<br />
Everything we know of this great hierarch comes from the writings of St [[Bede]] "Ecclesiastical History", written in 731.<br />
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St. Chad, the youngest of four brothers, was born into a humble Northumbrian family near the beginning of the seventh century. His brothers, St. [[Cedd]], St. [[Cynebil]] and righteous [[Caelin]] all became monks. A family of saints, these four men studied under the great sainted-hierarch and monk, [[Aidan of Lindisfarne]]. Saint Aidan was a great source of spiritual insight to these four men, all four became priests of the holy Church. They were sent to Ireland under the great [[geronda]] (elder) and saint, [[Egbert]], at the monastery of Rathmelsige (Melfont), for advanced study and training in the monastic life.<br />
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Chad worked tirelessly with his brother Cedd (who had been made bishop of London), they established the monastery of Laestingaeu, now [[Lastingham]] in Yorkshire. Upon the death of his brother Cedd in 664, Chad succeeded him as abbot. <br />
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===The Humble Bishop===<br />
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St. [[Wilfrid]] was chosen to become bishop of [[Lindisfarne]] after the death of bishop +Tudi. He travelled to Gaul for consecration and remained so long absent that King Oswiu (ruler of Northumbria) demanded a bishop. Having learned of the missionary exploits and great humility of Chad, called for his election as Bishop of York, to which place the [[See]] of Lindisfarne had been transferred. <br />
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St. Chad was [[consecrate]]d ([[uncanonical]]ly) by Bishop +[[Wini]] of [[Worchestor]] and two [[schismatic]] british bishops to the See of York. <br />
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Saint Chad was hesitant to be bishop, he wanted no part of it, but ultimately he was obedient. As bishop of York, he was much beloved by his flock, travelling great distances on foot to care for his "little sheep." When St. Wilfrid returned to York and found out his See was given away, he made no objection and retired to a monastery in peace. Saint Chad, a Celtic Bishop, played a huge role in unifying the Church in 664 by accepting and recommending to his fellow bishops the adoption of the Orthodox Nicaean calendar.<br />
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In the year 668, Saint [[Theodore of Tarsus]] assumed the central [[Cathedra]] and became [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] and immediately sought about reforming the churches in England and Ireland. Up until this time, the Church in the Isles was not following proper canonical order set down by the Ecumenical Councils. St. Theodore of Tarsus was sent by the Pope of Rome to restore order in the British and Irish churches. Saint Theodore was a wise bishop and a deeply spiritual monastic. While travelling to York he was shocked to find that St. Wilfrid was not the [[canonical]] bishop of York. The consecration of St. Chad was uncanonical due to three points made by St. Theodore:<br />
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'''1.''' The british bishops refused to acknowledge the canonical (Julian) Church calendar established by the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (of which Rome and the four Eastern Patriarchates adhered to)<br> <br />
'''2.''' The bishops were out of communion with the Universal Church. <br> <br />
'''3.''' An improperly performed consecration ceremony. <br />
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St. Theodore decided that in good church order, St. Chad must give up the See of York to it's rightfully elected bishop, St. Wilfrid. St. Chad in astounding humility responded, "If you decide that I have not rightly received the episcopal character, I willingly lay down the office; for I have never thought myself worthy of it, but under obedience, I, though unworthy, consented to undertake it." Seeing in him a true bishop, a man of such humble and angelic character, St. Theodore pleaded with Chad to continue in his archpastoral ministry. St. Theodore provided what was lacking from St. Chad's consecration ''("ipse ordinationem ejus denuo catholica ratione consummavit" - Bede, Hist. Eccl. IV, 2) '' and completed the rite according to the Orthodox Roman [[Rubricon]]. St. Wilfrid remained as bishop of York and St. Chad returned to his monastery in Lastingham.<br />
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===The Missionary===<br />
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In 669, King Wulfere demanded a bishop for his people in Mercia. St. Chad was called on by St. Theodore of Tarsus to be archpastor of the Mercian people. Mercia was a land of deeply rooted pagan beliefs, and a large area at that. St. Chad considered this to be his true work, bringing the Mercian people to Christ. He soon discovered that a great persecution occured on the plains of Lichfield, deep within the Mercian lands. The Roman emperor [[Diocletian]] had exterminated 1000 martyrs on the plains of Lichfield in the year 303A.D, they are know as the [[Martyrs of Lichfield]]. St. Chad considering this to be a holy place moved the See of Mercia from [[Wikipedia:Repton|Repton]] to the exact spot of the massacre in Lichfield, where his new diocesan Cathedral and Monastery were to built. St. Chad is considered the first [[bishop of Lichfield]].<br />
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As [[Bishop of Lichfield]], Chad carried out his missionary and pastoral work with zeal. The kingdom of Mercia was huge, and Chad spent much of his time travelling by foot. In accordance with the Celtic tradition, in which he had been brought up, he at first insisted on making all journeys on foot, following the example of the apostles. However, St. Theodore insisted that Chad used a horse for long journeys. St. Chad, unwilling to do anything that he felt would put him above the common man, refused, but Theodore, St. Bede tells us, "lifted Chad bodily onto the horse himself."<br />
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===The Wonderworker===<br />
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His exploits were known throughout all Mercia, St. Chad was known to have retired, from time to time, to the bottom of a smalll well where he could contemplate and "pray without ceasing." The people would say that they knew when St. Chad was in his well, "a light like that of the sun, would shine from the bottom of the well." St. Chad was seen in the uncreated light by countless many. His humble prayers could easily cure illnesses and demonic possession. A gifted man of prayer he was also a source of forgiveness even to those who would seek his destruction. <br />
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King Wulfere, was a pagan, but also a good statesman. He used Christianity to control his subjects, he secretly dispised the Faith. One day, the sons of Wulfere, Princes Wulfade and Ruffin were out hunting a dear near the saint's cell, when they appraoched the saint and asked about "the One called Jesus". So struck by the holy elder's words they both asked to be immediately baptised into Christ's holy Church. Wulfere, so enraged by the actions of his sons, killed them with his own hands. Afterwords, filled with such remorse the King suffered in both body and spirit by the loss of his children. He was counselled by his queen to ask the [[holy elder]] to forgive him and to hear his confession. As he appraoched the holy hierarch's cell he was witness to a great sight, the [[uncreated light]] of [[Tabor]] that shown upon the saint's visage. The king fell down in prostrate and begged his forgiveness and to '''truly''' bring him into the Orthodox Christian faith. As a penance for the murder of his children, the saint told him to build churches and monasteries in the name of Jesus Christ. He did so, and up until the end of the saint's earthly life, King Wulfere remained a humble servant of the holy elder.<br />
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===The Seer of Angels===<br />
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Owini, a novice monk under St. Chad's care, was working alone in the fields near Chad's residence. When he heard the sound of singing apparently descending from the sky to the rectory where the saint was praying. The angelic [[chanting]] could be heard for half an hour before returning heavenwards. Chad then summoned his monks and, after urging them to live good Christian lives and to continue in keeping the rules of monastic discipline, announced that he would soon die. When the other fathers had gone away, Owini returned to Chad and begged to know what the singing had been that he had heard. St. Chad replied that he had been visited by angelic hosts summoning him to heaven and that the angels would return in seven days to take him to heaven. He then commanded the young monk to tell no one of this until after his death.<br />
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St. Chad was quickly taken ill ''(probably by the plague)'' and on the seventh day (March 2, 672), ''"his holy soul was released from the prison-house of the body and, one may rightly believe, was taken by the angels to the joys of heaven"''. St. Chad was bishop of Lichfield and Mercia for just three years, his emulation of Christ ended as it began.<br />
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Bede goes on to tell us that he was called "saint" immediately after his death. Miracles and cures of all ailments occured at the place of his death, his reliquary, his well and anywhere his holy relics travelled.<br />
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His holy relics are preserved in the Roman Catholic Cathedral that bears his name in Birmingham, England.<br />
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----<br />
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'''Holy Hierarch of Christ Chad, Intercede for us sinners!'''<br />
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----<br />
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{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=[[Paulinus|Paulinus of York]]|<br />
title=Bishop of York|<br />
years=664-669|<br />
after=[[Wilfrid|St. Wilfrid]]}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=[[Jaruman]]|<br />
title=Bishop of Lichfield|<br />
years=669-672|<br />
after=[[Winfred]]}}<br />
{{end box}}<br />
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==Liturgics==<br />
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* [http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/servchad.htm The Divine Service to St. Chad of Lichfield] ''by Reader Isaac Lambertson''<br />
* [http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/akatchad.htm The Akathist Hymn to St. Chad the Wonderworker] ''by Reader Nectarios Chad Yangson''<br />
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==Sources and External links==<br />
<br />
-Orthodox-<br />
*Icons of St. Chad [http://www.dur.ac.uk/StChads/icon.html 1] [http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/chad.htm 2] [http://www.aidanharticons.com/saints/western_saints_large/St%20Chad.jpg 3]<br />
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*[http://www.aqwf12.dsl.pipex.com/church/stchad.html The Life of St. Chad] by Fr. Athanasios (Ledwich)<br />
*[http://www.roman-britain.org/chase/_bede_st_chad.htm Life of St. Chad] ''from St. Bede's "The Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation"''<br />
*[http://home.clara.net/orthodox/chadkirk.htm Pilgrimage to St. Chad's well]<br />
*[http://www.antiochian-orthodox.co.uk/lichfield98.htm Pilgrimage to Lichfield Cathedral]<br />
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-Heterodox-<br />
*[http://www.britannia.com/bios/saints/chad1.html Life of St. Chad from the Britannia Biographies]<br />
*[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc24.htm The Roman Catholic Patron Saints Index]<br />
*[http://www.saintchads.org.uk/stchad.htm Life of St. Chad from the Anglican Cathedral in Lichfield]<br />
*[http://www.dur.ac.uk/StChads/chad.html A short life of St. Chad of Mercia]<br />
*[http://www.stchadscathedral.org.uk/relics.php The relics of St. Chad]<br />
*[http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/briefing/9606/s006.htm An examination of the relics of St. Chad]<br />
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==Orthodox Churches Dedicated to Saint Chad==<br />
*[http://www.ascensionchurch.org.uk The Orthodox Community of St. Chad (Rugby, Warwickshire)]<br />
*[http://www.nottinghamorthodox.org.uk Parish of Ss. Aidan and Chad (Nottingham)]<br />
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[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Missionaries]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Haralampus_of_Magnesia&diff=54075Haralampus of Magnesia2007-07-18T19:53:09Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Haralampos.jpg|right|frame|Icon of Saint Charalampus at Skete.com]]The holy, glorious, right-victorious [[martyr]] '''Charalampus''' (or '''Haralambos''') was a [[priest]] in the city of Magnesia in Thessaly during the late second and early third century. He was martyred, having openly preached the [[Gospel]] during persecutions during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. His feast is commemorated on [[February 10]]. <br />
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==Life==<br />
Haralambos is a most wonderful saint who lived to a very old age. He was 113 when he was tortured and later martyred. The emperor was Severus and he had appointed Lucian as the governor of the territory of Magnesia where Haralambos was a priest. Lucian was upset that Haralambos was converting so many pagans. He had him arrested and commanded him to honor the stone gods. Well, he could not do this so Lucian began to torture him. They used a tool that would flay the skin and they cut his skin to shreds. All the while, Haralambos is giving thanks to our Lord. His strength amazed the executioners and they were converted. Th military commander, Lucius, was angry had his two officers Porphyrios and Vaptos beheaded. There were three other women who were also converted and they were also killed. Then miraculously the generals hands were severed at the elbow and he saw them hanging from the the martyr's body. Fear spread throughout the city. People began to beg mercy from the God Haralambos professed. The general begged for mercy from Haralambos. The Lord's voice was heard and instantly all those injured were healed. The General was converted and baptized. The Governor Lucian stopped persecuting the Christians until he could report back to emperor. Meanwhile Haralambos was performing many miracles, healing the sick, curing the blind, and even raising some from the dead. The whole region came to believe in Jesus Christ. <br />
Severus, when he heard about this from Lucian, was outraged and sent in three hundred troops to arrest Haralambos and drive spikes into his spine. They were to drag him from Magnesia to a nearby town. But after they had dragged him about a mile and a half, two of the soldiers horses began talking to the soldiers in a great voice calling them minions of the devil. The horse said to free Haralambos least they be harmed. This frightened them and they stopped the torture.<br />
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The devil, in the guise of an old man, came to Severus and told him that Haralambos was a magician and had captured his whole army. At this time Haralambos was brought to Severus. He ordered that a skewer be made to pierce his chest so they could hang him over a fire. There were two witnesses to this torture by fire. One was the emperor's concubine and the other her sister. They assisted with the torture. The sister could not tolerate this torture of such a good man and begged for Haralambos to receive her as a Christian. The fire died out and Haralambos was untouched by it. <br />
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The emperor was frustrated and brought Haralambos in for his questioning. He brought a person who had been tormented by a demon for thirty six years to see if Haralambos could exorcise this demon. This he did. Severus was amazed and exclaimed "Truly, great is the God of the Christians." The emperor then brought before him a lad who had been dead for three days and the lad was resurrected by the prayers of Haralambos. All gathered were converted. Severus' prefect Crispus was angered and asked that the emperor put Haralambos to death. Again Haralambos refused the demands of Severus to honor his gods and the emperor ordered that his face be crushed with stones. Once they bashed his face with stones, they were to apply torches to burn his beard and face. When they applied the fire, the flames leapt forth and spread, burning those present instead. The emperor remembered the words of the wise old man who had told him that Haralambos was a sorcerer. Severus asked his deputies about who is the Christ. Aristtarchos stepped up to tell the truth about Jesus Christ. The emperor angered, declared war on heaven challenging Christ to come down from heaven so he could fight him. He exclaimed, "Come down O christ to earth, that we might fight. Behold, my army will war against Thee, If thou will not come down, I will pull down the firmament and extinguish the sun!!" At this moment there was a great earthquake. In some way, Severus and Crispus were suspended in midair.<br />
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The emperor's daughter, Galeenee, enters the picture. She begs her father to believe in Christ and ask that Christ deliver him from punishment. She then venerated the saint and asked that the punishment of Severus be stopped and it did. The two retreated to their palace for three days. Meanwhile his daughter had a vision of paradise and that the guardian carried her and set her down next to a cedar tree. Haralambos explained to here that this was the Paradise promised by Christ and the one who had placed her next to the tree was Jesus Christ and that she had this vision because of her belief in Christ.<br />
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After thirty days, the emperor again summoned the priest, asking him again to honor the commands of the emperor, and he again refused. This time Severus had his men place a hoses bit in Haralambos' mouth as if he was an irrational beast. His daughter Galeenee begged her father to stop this torture. But he did not listen to her and Haralambos was paraded through the streets as a beast of burden. Galeenee was relentless and the emperor turned to her and asked her if she worshiped the gods. She told him that she did. Hearing this he released Haralambos elated that his daughter had forsaken the God of Haralambos.<br />
Galeenee then took Haralambos to the temple. He was silent. She them challenged the gods and mocked their impotence. She took hold of the statue of Apollo and pulled him to the ground along with thirty-four other stone statues of gods. Severus was dismayed and ordered that they be rebuilt that very night so the Galileans would not mock him. He told the workers to tell them that they had risen from the dead. Galeenee again destroyed them. <br />
This time Severus went into a rage and chastised her but could not bring himself to any punishment. He returned to harass Haralambos by assigning his to a widow. Thinking that this woman would corrupt Haralambos, instead many miracles were worked by him and she was converted.<br />
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This time Crispus demanded that Haralambos be beheaded. The emperor pronounced the sentence. The saint chanted holy hymns on the way to his execution. The event is describes as follows:<br />
He began to pray thus: " I ever give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, for thou are merciful and the Lover of mankind. Thou, O Almighty, hast cast down our enemy, the evil, and taken Hades captive, and put death to death, thus delivering the race of man. Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom." After he had prayed in this manner, the heavens opened. The Lord, with a multitude of His angels, came down. It was a spectacle full of wonder. The Lord was seen to be sitting on a throne of pearl. He said to His holy priest and martyr, "Come, my pleasing and beloved one who, for My name's sake, suffered such ill-treatment and hardships. Ask of Me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreaty."<br />
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Haralambos answered, "That Thou hast, by Thy grace, vouchsafed me, the lest person, to behold the awesome glory of Thy presence, this is, in itself, a tremendous gift. But if it please thy goodness to command me to ask a gift of Thee, I beseech thy majesty and dominion to grant this favor: to whomever should find of possess a portion of my relics, and in whichsoever land he may be celebrating the memory of my martyrdom, may he never suffer from hunger or plague of pestilence or an untimely death or destruction from an evil man, or injury to crops. I pray that he be in firm peace, salvation of soul, and health of body. I entreat that he enjoy plenty of wheat, oil and wine, together with an abundance of livestock and other good and useful possessions. And to whosoever should read the account of my martyrdom, and invoke my name, I supplicate for his salvation and that he should not suffer evil. Since thou knowest that men are but flesh and blood, and that they are in the Thine immaculate hands, I beseech Thee for the forgiveness of their sins. Do Thou pardon the sins of such faithful ones, as Thou are good and the Lover of mankind. Do Thou also, O Lord, keep the oxen of such in health, and all their animals and livestock, that they may cultivate the earth and abundantly enjoy her fruits, to the glory of thy name." Haralambos then surrender his soul to the Lord. Severus in awe did not punish his daughter seeing that the God of the Christians was with her.<br />
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==External link==<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100475 OCA biography]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Martyrs]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Gerasimos_of_the_Jordan&diff=54074Gerasimos of the Jordan2007-07-18T19:52:39Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Gerasimos of the Jordan.jpg|right|frame|Venerable Gerasimos the Righteous of the Jordan]]<br />
Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Gerasimos of the Jordan''' (also ''Gerasimus'') was a [[monk]] who lived during the fifth century. He attended the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] at Chalcedon in 451 AD. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[March 4]].<br />
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==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] - Tone 1<br />
:O dweller of the desert and [[angel]] in the body,<br />
:You appeared to us a [[Wonder-worker|wonderworker]].<br />
:O God-bearing Father Gerasimus<br />
:By [[fast]]ing, [[vigil]] and [[prayer]], you received heavenly gifts;<br />
:Healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith:<br />
:Glory to Him who gave you strength!<br />
:Glory to Him who gave you a [[crown]]!<br />
:Glory to Him who through you gives healing to all! <sup>[http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=100649]</sup><br />
<br />
[[Kontakion]] - Tone 4<br />
:O Father, you burned with heavenly love,<br />
:Preferring the harshness of the Jordan desert to all the delights of the world!<br />
:Therefore a wild beast submitted to you even to your death.<br />
:He died in obedience and grief on your grave.<br />
:Thus our God glorified you.<br />
:Now, as you stand before him, O Father Gerasimus,<br />
:Ever be mindful of us! <sup>[http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=100649]</sup><br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100649 Venerable Gerasimus of the Jordan] ([[OCA]])<br />
* [http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/gerasimos.html St Gerasimos the Righteous of Jordan] ([[GOAA]])<br />
* [http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=449 Gerasimos the Righteous of Jordan] ([[GOARCH]])<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/g/pdg08.htm Arabic Icon of St. Gerasimos of the Jordan]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/g/ati04.htm Icon and Story of St. Gerasimos of the Jordan] "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art<br />
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[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Gregory_the_Wonderworker&diff=54073Gregory the Wonderworker2007-07-18T19:52:18Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>Saint '''Gregory the Wonderworker''', also known as Gregory Thaumaturgus or '''Gregory of Neocaesarea''', (ca. 213 – ca. 270 AD) was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. He is commemorated by the Church on [[November 17]]<br />
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{{stub}}<br />
(Note - This is not theVenerable Gregory the Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves<br />
==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 8)<br />
:You became worthy of your name through your way of life:<br />
:Through your vigilance in prayer and your constant constant works of mercy.<br />
:Therefore, O Father Gregory, beseech Christ God to enlighten our minds,<br />
:That we may not sleep in sin, which leads to death!<br />
<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)<br />
:You received the power to perform miracles,<br />
:Frightening the devils and healing the sick through your wonderworking. <br />
:All-wise Father Gregory,<br />
:Your deeds truly entitle you to be called "Wonderworker"!<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*[http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/gregoryww.html Life of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker]<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Thaumaturgus From Wikipedia]<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103315 St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea]<br />
(Note - There is also the venerable [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100115 Gregory the Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves]- [[January 8]])<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
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<div>[[Image:Herman of Alaska.jpg|right|frame|St. Herman of Alaska]]<br />
Our venerable father '''Herman of Alaska''' (1756 - [[December 13]], 1837) was an 18th century missionary to Alaska. He is also the first [[saint]] to be [[Glorification|glorified]] by the [[Orthodox Church in America]].<br />
<br />
Herman of Alaska was a Russian Orthodox [[monk]] from [[Valaam Monastery]] in Russia who traveled with eight other monks in 1793 to bring the [[Gospel]] to the native Aleuts and Eskimos in the Aleutian Islands. As part of the Russian colonization of the Americas, Russians had been exploring and trading there since at least 1740. Thus, he marks the first arrival of Orthodox Christian missionaries in North America. He built a school for the Aleutians, and he often defended them from the injustices and exploitation of the Russian traders. He was known to them as ''Apa'' which means "Grandfather." He lived most of his life as the sole resident of Spruce Island, a tiny wooded island near Kodiak Island.<br />
{{orthodoxyinamerica}}<br />
[[St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kodiak, Alaska)]] is named in his honor. A portion of his [[relics]] are enshrined at the St. Ignatius Chapel at the [[Antiochian Village]], where he is regarded as one of their [[patron saint]]s.<br />
==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 7)<br />
<br />
:Joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,<br />
:Guiding all people to the Heavenly Kingdom;<br />
:Teacher and apostle of the True Faith;<br />
:Intercessor and defender of the oppressed;<br />
:Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America:<br />
:Blessed Father Herman of Alaska,<br />
:Pray to our Lord Jesus Christ<br />
:For the salvation of our souls!<br />
<br />
Troparion (Tone 4)<br />
<br />
:O blessed Father Herman of Alaska,<br />
:North star of Christ's holy Church,<br />
:The light of your holy life and great deeds<br />
:Guides those who follow the Orthodox way.<br />
:Together we lift high the Holy Cross<br />
:You planted firmly in America.<br />
:Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ,<br />
:Singing his holy Resurrection.<br />
<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)<br />
<br />
:The eternal light of Christ our Savior<br />
:guided you, blessed Father Herman,<br />
:on your evangelical your evangelical journey to America<br />
:to proclaim the Gospel of peace.<br />
:Now you stand before the throne of glory;<br />
:intercede for your land and its people:<br />
:Peace for the world and salvation for our souls!<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [http://oca.org/FS.NA-Saint.asp?SID=4&Saint=Herman St. Herman of Alaska Wonderworker of All America]<br />
<br />
* [http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/carthusian/Akathist/herman.html St. Herman of Alaska] Life and [[Akathist]]<br />
* [http://dioceseofalaska.org/pdf/liturgical/StHermanAkathist-FullPage.pdf The Akathist Hymn to St. Herman of Alaska] (PDF)<br />
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=== Icons ===<br />
* [http://images.google.com/ Google Image Search] of St. [http://images.google.com/images?q=Herman%20of%20Alaska%20icon Herman of Alaska icons]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/h/cap38.htm Icon and Story of St. Herman of Valaam Wonderworker of Alaska]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/h/saintsh.htm#phm20 Several Wonderful Icons by American Iconographers]<br />
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[[Category:American Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=John_(Maximovitch)_the_Wonderworker&diff=54063John (Maximovitch) the Wonderworker2007-07-18T12:44:41Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:John Maximovitch.jpg|right|frame|St. John Maximovitch]]<br />
Our father among the saints '''John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco''' (1896-1966), was a [[diocese|diocesan]] [[bishop]] of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] (ROCOR) who served widely from China to France to the United States. <br />
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He departed this life on [[June 19]] ([[Julian Calendar|O.S.]]) or [[July 2]] ([[Revised Julian Calendar|N.S.]]), 1966, and was officially [[glorification|glorified]] by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad on [[July 2]], 1994.<br />
<br />
==Life==<br />
The future St. John was born on [[June 4]], 1896, in the southern Russian village of Adamovka in Kharkov province to pious aristocrats, Boris and Glafira Maximovitch. He was given the [[baptism]]al name of Michael. In his youth, Michael was sickly and had a poor appetite, but he displayed an intense religious interest. He was educated at the Poltava Military School (1907-14), Kharkov Imperial University, from which he received a law degree (in 1918), and the University of Belgrade (where he completed his theological education in 1925). <br />
<br />
He and his family fled their country as the Bolshevik revolutionaries descended on the country, emigrating to Yugoslavia. There, he enrolled in the Department of Theology of the University of Belgrade. He was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] in 1926 by [[Metropolitan]] [[Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of Kiev|Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of Kharkov]] (later the first [[primate]] of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia). Metr. Anthony later in 1926 [[ordination|ordained]] him hierodeacon. Bishop Gabriel of Chelyabinsk ordained him [[hieromonk]] on [[November 21]], 1926. Subsequent to his ordination he began an active life of teaching in a Serbian high school and serving, at the request of local Greeks and Macedonians, in the Greek language. With the growth of his popularity, the [[bishop]]s of the Russian Church Aboard resolved to elevate him to the [[bishop|episcopate]].<br />
<br />
[[Image:John_mx.jpg|right|thumb|Photo of St. John]]Hieromonk John was [[Consecration of a bishop|consecrate]]d [[bishop]] on [[May 28]], 1934, with Metr. Anthony serving as principal consecrator, after which he was assigned to the Diocese of Shanghai. Twelve years later he was named Archbishop of China. Upon his arrival in Shanghai, Bp. John began working to restore unity among the various Orthodox nationalities. In time, he worked to build a large [[cathedral]] [[church]] that was dedicated to ''Surety of Sinners [[Icon]] to the [[Mother of God]]'', with a bell tower and large [[parish]] house. Additionally, he inspired many activities: building of churches, hospitals, and orphanages among the Orthodox and Russians of Shanghai. He was intensely active, constantly praying and serving the daily cycle of services, while also visiting the sick with the [[Holy Gifts]]. He often would walk barefooted even in the coldest days. Yet to avoid the appearance of secular glory, he would pretend to act the fool. <br />
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With the end of World War II and the coming to power of the Communists in China, Bp. John led the exodus of his community from Shanghai in 1949. Initially, he helped some 5,000 refugees to a camp on the island of Tubabao in the Philippines, while he travelled successfully to Washington, D.C., to lobby to amending the law to allow these refugees to enter the United States. It was while on this trip that Bp. John took time to establish a [[parish]] in Washington dedicated to St. [[John the Forerunner]]. <br />
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In 1951, Abp. John was assigned to the Archdiocese of Western Europe with his [[cathedra]] in Paris. During his time there, he also served as archpastor of the [[Orthodox Church of France]], whose restored [[Gallican Rite|Gallican liturgy]] he studied and then celebrated. He was the principal consecrator of the Orthodox Church of France's first modern bishop, [[Jean-Nectaire (Kovalevsky) of Saint-Denis]], and ordained to the priesthood the man who would become its second bishop, [[Germain (Bertrand-Hardy) of Saint-Denis]]. <br />
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In 1962, Abp. John was assigned to the Diocese of San Francisco, succeeding his long time friend Abp. Tikhon. Abp. John's days in San Francisco were to prove sorrowful as he attempted to heal the great disunity in his community. He was able to bring peace such that the new cathedral, dedicated to the ''Joy of all Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God'', was completed. <br />
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He reposed during a visit to Seattle on [[July 2]], 1966, while accompanying a tour of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God. He was laid to rest in a crypt [[chapel]] under the main altar of the new cathedral.<br />
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[[Image:JOhn in Monterey.jpg|right|200px|thumb|St. John in California]]<br />
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{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=[[Victor (Svjatin) of Shanghai|Victor (Svjatin)]]|<br />
title=Bishop of Shanghai|<br />
years=1934-1949|<br />
after=[[Symeon (Du) of Shanghai|Symeon (Du)]]}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=Nathanael (Lvov)|<br />
title=Bishop of Western Europe<br>(ROCOR)|<br />
years=1951-1962|<br />
after=Anthony (Bartosevich)}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=[[Tikhon (Troitsky) of San Francisco|Tikhon (Troitsky)]]|<br />
title=Archbishop of San Francisco<br>(ROCOR)|<br />
years=1962-1966|<br />
after=[[Anthony (Medvedev) of San Francisco|Anthony (Medvedev)]]}}<br />
{{end box}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/johnmx1.htm Life and miracles of St. John Maximovich - By Bishop Alexander (Mileant)]<br />
* [http://www.zeitun-eg.net/stcyril6/stjohnmaximovitch.exe St. John Maximovich: e-book for Windows® with Internet Explorer]<br />
* [http://saintjohnwonderworker.org/ Saint John Maximovitch Eastern Orthodox Web Page]<br />
* [http://www.serfes.org/lives/stjohn.htm Life of St. John Maximovitch the Wonderworker - Compiled by Fr Demetrios Serfes]<br />
* [http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/library/st_john_maximovich/on_veneration_of_the_theotokos.htm ''Orthodox Veneration of Mary, the Mother of God''], written by St. John the Wonderworker himself, published with a foreword by [[Seraphim Rose]].<br />
* [http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/library/st%5Fjohn%5Fmaximovich/ Homilies and Other Writings of Saint John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco].<br />
* [http://orthodox.cn/saints/johnmaximovitch_en.htm St John the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Shanghai]<br />
* [http://www.saintjohnwonderworker.org/akathist.htm Akathist to our Holy Hierarch John]<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/108/108e.htm Remembering Vladika John, By Hieromonk Peter Loukianoff] <br />
* [http://saintjohnwonderworker.org/trial1.htm A Saint's Final Golgotha: The Trial of St. John Maximovitch in Public Court (1963)]<br />
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[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:American Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Serbian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Orthodoxy in China]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=John_of_Kronstadt&diff=54062John of Kronstadt2007-07-18T12:44:26Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[image:Johnkronstadt.jpg|thumb|right|An icon of St. John of Kronstadt]] Our righteous father '''John of Kronstadt''' ([[October 19]], 1829 in Sura - [[December 20]], 1908 in Kronstadt) was an archpriest of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]].<br />
<br />
He was born as '''Ivan Ilyich Sergiyev''' in 1829. From 1855, he worked as a priest in Saint Andrew's [[cathedral]] in Kronstadt. Here, he greatly committed himself to charity, especially for those who were remote from the [[church]], and traveled extensively throughout the Russian empire. He was a member of the right extremist movement [[w:Black Hundred|Sojuz Russkogo Naroda]] (Alliance of the Russian people) but did not commit himself politically. He was already greatly [[veneration|venerated]] at the time he died. He was [[Glorification|glorified]] by the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]] in 1964 and by the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] in 1990. The second largest [[monastery]] in St. Petersburg (by community size) is dedicated to St. John of Kronstadt.<br />
<br />
[[Feast day]]: [[December 20]] (January 2 [[Old Calendar]]).<br />
<br />
==Quotes==<br />
"When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God, and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thither also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means."<br />
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"There is nothing impossible unto those who believe; lively and unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the twinkling of an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles are accomplished, such as the miracles of the sacraments; for God's Mystery is always accomplished, even though we were incredulous or unbelieving at the time of its celebration. "Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Rom. 3:3). Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, nor our infirmity God's omnipotence." -- ''My Life in Christ''<br />
<br />
"Oh, what great happiness and bliss, what exaltation it is to address oneself to the Eternal Father. Always, without fail, value this joy which has been accorded to you by God's infinite grace and do not forget it during your prayers; God, the angels and God's holy men listen to you."<br />
<br />
"The enemy of our salvation especially strives to draw our heart and mind away from God when we are about to serve Him, and endeavours to adulterously attach our heart to something irrelevant. Be always, every moment, with God, especially when you pray to Him. If you are inconstant, you will fall away from life, and will cast yourself into sorrow and straitness."<br />
<br />
"Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him, by struggling against the subtlety of the serpent, and to be wounded for Him at every hour; for had you not lived piously, and endeavored to become united to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you."<br />
<br />
==Sources and further details==<br />
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioann_of_Kronstadt<br />
* Articles at FatherAlexander.org: [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/johnkr_e.htm], [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/johnkr2_e.htm], [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/john_kronstadt.htm], [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/johnkr_on_church_ext.htm], [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/john_kronstadt_k_zaitzev.htm]<br />
* [http://www.serfes.org/poetry/PoetrybyStJohn.htm Orthodox Poetry By St. John Of Kronstadt]<br />
* Photos and icons: [http://images.google.com/images?q=John+Kronstadt+site%3Aorthodoxphotos.com], [http://images.google.com/images?q=John+Kronstadt]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/inp84.htm Beautiful Icon of St. John of Kronstadt]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Priests]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=John_of_Rila&diff=54061John of Rila2007-07-18T12:44:13Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>St. John, [[Wonderworker]] of Rila, established and guided the Rila Monastery in the 10th century, which became a spiritual and creative center of Bulgaria to this day. <br />
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==External link==<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/64/64h.htm Life of Saint John of Rila]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
[[Category:Bulgarian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Serbian Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Cosmas_of_Aetolia&diff=54060Cosmas of Aetolia2007-07-18T12:43:54Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:StCosmas_Aitolos.jpg|thumb|right|St. Kosmas Aitolos (1714-1779)]]The holy, glorious and right-victorious New [[Hieromartyr]] and [[Equal-to-the-Apostles]] '''Kosmas Aitolos''' (also known as '''Cosmas Aitolos''') was born in 1714 in Aitolia, Greece, to a father who was a weaver and a devout mother. He attended public schools, but was tutored by an [[archdeacon]]. He taught and then attended a school on Mt. [[Athos]]. He became a [[monk]] and later a [[priest]] at [[Philotheou Monastery (Athos)|Philotheou]] [[Monastery]] there. After a time, he felt a calling to do [[missionary]] work in Greece, especially in the remote areas where there was a lack of [[Church|churches]] and priests for the many [[Baptism|unbaptized]] adults. As an aftermath of four centuries of Turkish oppression in Greece, Kosmas received the [[Patriarch|patriarchal]] blessing to travel wherever needed, for however long, with complete independence, to breathe life back into Christianity in Greece. Kosmas sojourned to Greece, its islands, and Albania for 25 years, founding over 200 schools, as well as charities and rural churches. He planted [[cross]]es wherever he went. The [[Islam|Muslims]] tried him on charges of conspiracy and sentenced him to hang in August 1779 in Albania. However, one account reports that he [[prayer|prayed]] and gave up his spirit before this could occur. St. Kosmas received from God the gift of [[prophecy]], and was known to have prophesied of the telephone, airplanes, and aerial bombings. Patriarch [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople|Athenagoras]] [[Glorification|glorified]] him in 1961. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[August 24]].<br />
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==Source==<br />
* [http://calendar.goarch.org/august/August_24.html Kosmas Aitolos, Equal to the Apostles and Euteches the Hieromartyr] ([[GOARCH]])<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/aug2403.htm "St. Cosmas Aitolos"] in ''The Orthodox Messenger'', Vol. II, No. 34 – Sunday, August 24, 2003)<br />
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=581 Kosmas the New Hieromartyr & Equal-to-the Apostles of Aetolia] (GOARCH)<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102390 Repose of the New-Hieromartyr Cosmas of Aitolia, Equal of the Apostles] ([[OCA]])<br />
* [http://www.serfes.org/writtings/stcosmas.htm "Writings of Saint Cosmas of Aitolos: Selected Passages from the Teachings of St. Cosmas] compiled by Fr. Demetrios Serfes<br />
* [http://nektarios.home.att.net/1527.html "Prophecies by St. Cosmas Aitolos"] excerpted from [http://members.cox.net/orthodoxheritage/St.%20Kosmas.htm "Prophecies by St. Kosmas Aitolos (Concerning wars in Greece / Balkans)"] from the on-line monthly newsletter of the St. Poimen Greek Orthodox Brotherhood<br />
* [http://clairebrandenburgartist.com/Kosmas.html ''To Plant a Cross: The Story of Saint Kosmas Aitolos Who Fought a War with Words''] by Angeline Eliakopoulos<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/c/phn56.htm Icon of St. Cosmas of Aetolia]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/peace.htm Prayer for Peace] St. Cosmas is known to have used economic non-violence to seek peace. <br />
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[[Category:Martyrs]]<br />
[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Menas_of_Egypt&diff=54059Menas of Egypt2007-07-18T12:43:40Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>{{oriental}}<br />
[[Image:StMina.gif|frame|Coptic icon of St Menas the Wonder-worker]] '''St. Menas''' (or Mina - 285-309 A.D.), the [[Martyr]] and [[Wonder-worker]], is one of the most well know Egyptian saints in the East and the West, due to the many miracles that are performed through his intercession and prayers for us. His feast day is celebrated every year on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Month_of_Hathor Hathor] 15 ([[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic]] month = [[November 11]] (West) or [[November 24]]).<br />
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<br />
==The Saint's Story==<br />
Saint Menas was born in Egypt in 285 A.D., in the city of Niceous (Nakiyos or Nikiu), which lies in the vicinity of Memphis. His parents were real ascetic Christians; his father's name was Audexios (or Eudoxius) and his mother's name was Aufimia (or Euphemia). On the feast of [[Virgin Mary|St. Mary]], the mother who did not have any children was praying in front of the icon of the Virgin with tears that God may give her a blessed son. A sound came to her ears saying "Amen", and thus she called her son Menas.<br />
<br />
His father, a ruler of one of the administrative divisions of Egypt, died when Menas was fourteen years old. At the age of fifteen Menas joined the army. He was given a high rank because of his father's reputation and was appointed in Algeria. Three years later he left the army longing to devote his whole life to Christ. He headed towards the desert to live a different kind of life.<br />
<br />
After spending five years as a hermit, he saw in a revelation the [[angels]] coronating the martyrs with glamorous crowns, and longed to join those martyrs. While he was thinking about it, he heard a voice saying: "Blessed are you Abba Menas because you have been called for the pious life from your childhood. You shall be granted three immortal crowns; one because of your celibacy, the second because of your asceticism, and the third for your martyrdom."<br />
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Immediately he felt as if the earth under him was vanishing, and he was overwhelmed with great eagerness to be carried away to heavens. In a mood of valor he hurried to the ruler, declaring his Christian faith. His endless sufferings and the tortures that he went through, have attracted many of the pagans, not only to Christianity, but also to martyrdom.<br />
<br />
===The Saint's Body===<br />
The saint's assassins tried to burn his relics but failed. The saint's body remained in the fire for three days and three nights, and was not harmed. His sister came and gave the soldiers a lot of money and they let her take the body. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships heading to Alexandria, where they placed the saint's body in the church there.<br />
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When the time of persecution ended, during the papacy of the Coptic Pope Athanasius of Alexandria, the believers loaded the saint's body on a camel and headed towards the western desert (after an angel appeared to the Patriarch informing him to do so). At the spot that the Lord had designated, the camel stopped and wouldn't move again. Right there, near a water well, they buried the saint's body (that place is the same as where [[Saint Mina Monastery in Mariut|the saint's present-day Coptic Orthodox monastery]] is located at the end of Lake Mariut, not far from Alexandria, Egypt).<br />
<br />
Later on, the Berbers of Pentapolis rose against the cities around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Berbers, and the governor decided to take the body of St. Menas with him to be his deliverer and his strong protector. He took the body secretly and through the saint's blessings, he overcame the Berbers and returned victorious.<br />
<br />
The governor decided not to return St. Menas' body to its original place (in Mariut) and wanted to take it to Alexandria. On the way back, they passed by Lake Mariut, St. Menas' original place. The camel carrying the body knelt down and would not move in spite of frequent beatings. They moved the body over another camel, but again this second camel did not move from its place. The governor finally realized that this was the Lord's command. He made a coffin from decay-resistant wood and placed the silver coffin in it. He then returned it to its place and invoked St. Menas' blessings before returning to his city.<br />
<br />
===The Discovery of His Body===<br />
When the Lord wanted to disclose the location of St. Menas' body, He did it in the following manner. It happened that while a shepherd was feeding his sheep in that area, a sick lamb fell on the ground. As it struggled to get on its feet again, its scab was cured. The story spread quickly and the sick who came to this spot recovered from whatever illnesses they had just by laying on the ground.<br />
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During that time, the daughter of Zinon, the Christ-lover Emperor at Constantinople, was leprous. His advisors suggested that she should try that place, and she did. At night St. Menas appeared to the girl and informed her that his body is buried in that place. The following morning, she bathed in the well and was healed. She related her vision about St. Menas to her servants and that he cured her.<br />
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===St. Menas in Mariut===<br />
Immediately, Zinon ordered the saint's body to be dug out, and a church to be built there. Not only that, but when Arcadius and Honorius reigned they also ordered that [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/abu_mena.htm a large city to be built there and named after the saint]. Sick people from all over the world, used to visit that city and were healed by the intercession of St. Menas, the Miracle-maker. That is evident from the numerous little clay bottles on which his name and picture are engraved. These were discovered by archeologists in diverse countries around the Mediterranean world, such as Heidleburg in Germany, Milan in Italy, Dalmata in Yugoslavia, Marceille in France, Dengela in Sudan, and Jerusalem. Visitors from these cities and others would buy these bottles, usually containing oil or water for blessing, and take them back to their relatives.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Edith L. Butcher (a historian) recorded that destruction started to take place in the city, and its inhabitants were degraded after the Arab conquest. During the period after Haroun El-Rasheed ([[Islam|Muslim]] ruler), the Berbers attacked the city and burned a large portion of it. At the time of El-Mamoun (Muslim ruler) he ordered to put the entire city down, and then he used its numerous marble pillars to build his palace and mosques. It is only in the twentieth century that international missions began to search for the city and the church (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The remainders of it, no doubt, demonstrates the glory of the Coptic past.<br />
<br />
===The New Cathedral of St. Menas===<br />
As soon as Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril (Kyrillos) the Sixth]] was installed on St. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]]'s Throne, he began to put the foundations of a great [[Saint Mina Monastery in Mariut|monastery]] close to the remains of the old city. Thus, in his blessed days, God's will had permitted the old monastery of St. Menas to be resurrected, and the Copts to visit it once again and to be blessed by the saint. What is even more interesting is that Pope Kyrillos VI stated in his will that his body should not be buried in the new famous Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, but in the monastery of his personal friend and intercessor, St. Menas the Miracle-maker!<br />
<br />
==Source and Further Biographical Details==<br />
* http://www.stmina-monastery.org/stmina.htm<br />
* http://www.stmina-monastery.org/inotherchurches.htm<br />
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==External link==<br />
* [http://www.stmina-monastery.org/ St. Mina Monastery in Mariut on the Web]<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/m/inp09.htm Icon of St. Menas of Egypt]<br />
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[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Martyrs]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
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[[ar:مارمينا العجائبي]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Naum_of_Preslav&diff=54058Naum of Preslav2007-07-18T12:43:23Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:SaintNaum.jpg|thumb|right|Icon of Saint Naum]] Our holy and [[God-bearer|God-bearing]] father '''Naum of Preslav''' (or Naum the Miracle-worker of Ohrid) was a preacher who enlightened [[Bulgaria]] with the faith of [[Christ]]. His [[feastday]] is celebrated on [[December 23]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
[[Saint]] Naum flourished during the reign of Michael the king of the Romans, son of Theophilos the [[Iconoclasm|iconoclast]], in 842. At this time Sts. [[Cyril and Methodius]] and Clement lived in Bulgaria, where they struggled to enlighten the deceived nation of the Bulgarians with the faith of Christ and [[Orthodox Church|orthodoxy]]. Naum followed his illustrious predecessors in everything. He preached the faith while being beaten, mocked, and suffering persecutions and scourges from the unbelievers and enemies of Christ. <br />
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Because the aforementioned fathers, i.e. holy Cyril and Methodius and Clement the [[Equal-to-the-Apostles|equals of the apostles]], wanted to translate the [[Scripture]]s from Greek to Bulgarian using the letters and words which they had devised to be understood by Bulgarians, they thought it reasonable to submit this work to [[Pope]] Hadrian of Rome so that it might receive authority and approval from him as well.<br />
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Thus Naum went to Rome with them, and Pope Hadrian accepted them with honour and courtesy. God produced many [[miracle]]s in Rome through His servants. Sick men that hastened to them were cured in a wonderful way: as soon as they looked the saints in the eyes they were freed from their diseases. Due to these miracles (and from other revelations) the Pope came to know that this work of translation was from God. Indeed, he compared the Greek text of the Scriptures with the Bulgarian one and found that they agreed in everything. So, he approved of and authorized the translation.<br />
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Afterwards, St. Cyril, the initiator of the translation stayed in Rome, where he eventually reposed in the Lord, while holy Methodius took his disciples with him. Naum was one of these who decided to return again to Bulgaria. On his return he went to the land of Allamans (i.e. Germans), where various [[Heresy|heresies]] were widespread, including [[Apollinarism]], [[Arianism]], and the [[filioque]]. There holy Methodius, together with Naum, struggled to bring the heretics back to Orthodoxy. In return the barbarians punished the saints with beatings and other tortures and finally put them in prison.<br />
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While the saints were praying in prison, there was a great earthquake which shook the whole area. Many houses belonging to the impious men collapsed, the saints' bonds fell loose, and the doors of the prison opened. Thus, the saints came out and started walking on the street joyfully, as the holy [[Apostles]] had done, because they were deemed worthy to be disgraced for the sake of the Holy Spirit. When they returned to Bulgaria, they were received by Michael, the leader of the Bulgarians, who sent them to neighbouring countries to preach the name of Christ and distribute the Bulgarian translation of the Holy Scriptures. Naum went along with St. Clement, walking with him all over Bulgaria, especially to Diabya, Moesia and Panonia (Hungary), all the while preaching the message of piety. St. Naum did not part from his company till he breathed his last, helping him as Aaron had helped [[Moses]]. So, after St. Naum had moved around the aforementioned Diabya and lived for some time in a holy and God-pleasing way, he departed to the Lord, leaving his holy [[relics]] as an endless treasure of miracles for those who would hasten to him in faith.<br />
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==Sources and further reading==<br />
*''Lives of the Saints for the Whole Year'' by St. [[Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain]] (18th century) <br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naum_of_Preslav Saint Naum (Wikipedia entry)]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bulgarian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Nectarios_of_Pentapolis&diff=54057Nectarios of Pentapolis2007-07-18T12:42:55Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>'''St. Nectarios''' (1846-1920), [[Metropolitan]] of Pentapolis and [[Wonderworker]] of Aegina, was officially recognized as a [[saint]] by the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] of Constantinople in 1961. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[November 9]]. He is often referred to as '''Nectarios of Pentapolis''' or '''Nectarios of Aegina''', and his name is sometimes spelled ''Nektarios''.<br />
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== Life ==<br />
[[Image:Saint_nektarios.jpg|thumb|St. Nectarios of Aegina (1846-1920)]]<br />
St. Nectarios was born on [[October 1]], 1846, in Selymbria in Thrace to a poor family. His given name was Anastasios Cephalas. At the age of 14 he moved to Constantinople (Istanbul) to work and further his education. In 1866 he left to the island of Chios to take a teaching post. He then became a [[monk]] at the age of thirty.<br />
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Three years after becoming a monk he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]], taking the name Nectarios. He graduated from the University of Athens in 1885. During his years as a student of the University of Athens he wrote many books, pamphlets, and [[Bible]] commentaries. <br />
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Following his graduation he went to Alexandria, Egypt, where he was ordained a [[priest]] and served the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo with great distinction. In recognition of his piety and brilliance as a preacher, as well as his administrative ability, he was consecrated Bishop/Metropolitan of Pentapolis (an ancient [[diocese]] in Cyrenaica, in what is now Libya) by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Sophronios in 1889. <br />
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He served as a bishop in Cairo for one year, but was then unjustly removed from his post. This was a result of lies made up by jealous clerics who envied his popularity with the people. Patriarch Sophronios refused to listen to St. Nectarios, who was sent away from Egypt without trial or explanation and was never given an opportunity to defend himself. <br />
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After his dismissal, he returned to Greece in 1891 and spent several years as a preacher (1891-1894). He was then appointed director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School for the education of priests in Athens, where his service was exemplary for fifteen years. He developed many courses of study and wrote numerous books, all while preaching widely throughout Athens. <br />
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In 1904 at the request of several [[nun]]s, he established a [[monastery]] for them on the island of Aegina. The monastery was named Holy Trinity Monastery.<br />
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In December of 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nectarios resigned from his post as school director and withdrew to the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina, where he lived out the rest of his life as a monk. He wrote, published, preached, and heard [[confession]]s from those who came from near and far to seek out his spiritual guidance.<br />
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While at the monastery, he also tended the gardens, carried stones, and helped with the construction of the monastery buildings that were built with his own funds. He was also the Metropolitan of the island of Aegina.<br />
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St. Nectarios died on the evening of [[November 9]], 1920, at the age of 74, following hospitalization for prostate cancer. His body was taken to the Holy Trinity Convent, where he was buried by a Priest-Monk named [[Sava the New|Savas]], who later painted the first [[icon]] of St. Nectarios. The funeral of St. Nectarios was attended by multitudes of people from all parts of Greece and Egypt. <br />
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[[image:Nektariosicon.jpg|thumb|right|An icon of St. Nectarios of Aegina]]Many people regarded St. Nectarios as a saint during his lifetime because of his prayerful life, his [[humility]], his purity and other virtues, and his writings, as well as the miracles he performed. St. Nectarios also had the gift of prescience. <br />
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The [[relics]] of St. Nectarios were removed from the grave on [[September 2]], 1953, and gave out a beautiful fragrance. Official recognition of Nectarios as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople took place on [[April 20]], 1961. Thousands of [[miracle]]s have been attributed to his intercession, particularly cases of cancer or other serious illnesses being cured. <br />
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==Decision of the Church of Alexandria==<br />
''Alexandria 15th September 1998''<br />
<br />
''The Holy Spirit has enlightened the gathered members of the [[Holy Synod]] of the [[Patriarchate]] of Alexandria and all Africa, under the leadership of [[Petros VII (Papapetrou) of Alexandria|H.B. Petros VII]], [[Pope]] and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, more than a century since Saint Nektarios, the great Teacher and Father of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Church was expelled from the [[Church of Alexandria]], to reach the following decision:''<br />
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''Taking into account the resolution of the Church to rank Saint Nektarios amongst the saints because of his innumerable miracles and his acceptance within the religious conscience of Orthodox Christians throughout the world, we appeal to the mercy of the ever-charitable God.''<br />
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''We hereby restore the ecclesiastical order of the Saint of our Century, Saint Nektarios, and grant to him all due credits and honors. We beseech Saint Nektarios to forgive both us, unworthy as we are, and our predecessors, our brothers of the Throne of Alexandria, for opposition to the Saint and for all which, due to human weakness or error, our Holy Father, Bishop of Pentapolis, Saint Nektarios, suffered.''<br />
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''PETROS VII''<br><br />
''By the Grace of God''<br><br />
''Pope and Patriarch''<br><br />
''of Alexandria and All Africa.''<sup>[http://www.greekorthodox-alexandria.org/History/st_nect.htm]</sup><br />
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==Hymn==<br />
[[Apolytikion]] in the First Tone: O faithful, let us honor Nectarios, divine servant of Christ, offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was manifested as the true friend of virtue. All manner of healing wells forth for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who, through you, wrought wonders; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all."<br />
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== External links ==<br />
*[http://www.serfes.org/spiritual/november2000.htm A Brief Account Of The Life Of St. Nectarios, Metropolitan of Aegina] by Fr. Nektarios (Demetrios) Serfes<br />
*[http://www.st-seraphim.com/nectarios.htm In Honor of St. Nectarios]<br />
*[http://tserkovnost.org/articles/nectarios.html A Lamp Lighted by God - St. Nectarios of Aegina]<br />
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saint_nektarios_egina_e.htm Saint Nektarios of Egina] (Life and Writings)<br />
*[http://www.serfes.org/writtings/stnectarios.htm Writings Of Saint Nectarios Of Aegina: Selected Passages From The Writings Of Orthodox Saints]<br />
*[http://www.sprint.net.au/~corners/Nov98/StNectarios.htm Some Miracles of St Nectarios Metropolitan of Pentapolis]<br />
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/23759 Visiting Aghios Nectarios, Aegina island, Greece (departing from Athens) - With photos]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/n/rbp05.htm Icon of St. Nectarios of Aegina]<br />
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[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
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[[ro:Nectarie din Eghina]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Nicholas_of_Myra&diff=54056Nicholas of Myra2007-07-18T12:42:34Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Nicholas.jpg|thumb|right|200pxl|St Nicholas of Myra]]<br />
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Nicholas of Myra''', [[Wonder-worker]], was the [[archbishop]] of Myra in southern Asia Minor in the fourth century. While widely honored and [[veneration|venerated]], not only in the Orthodox Church, but throughout most Christian groups, little is known historically of the life of Nicholas. He is known to have been archbishop of Myra and he may have participated in the [[First Ecumenical Council|Council of Nicaea]] in 325. In addition to being honored as the [[patron saint]] of many countries, notably Greece and Russia, and of cities, he is the patron of many occupational groups, most notably of sea-farers. St Nicholas is commemorated by the Church on [[December 6]], and also on [[May 9]] (The transfer of his relics) and on [[July 29]] (his nativity).<br />
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==Life and tradition==<br />
By tradition, Nicholas born in the province of Lycia in the southern part of Asia Minor in the city of Patara to well-to-do parents. The date of his birth is not known. Having inherited his parents' estate, he became known for his generous gifts to those in need. As a youth, he made pilgrimages to Palestine and Egypt. He was subsequently [[consecration|consecrated]] Archbishop of Myra as the fourth century began. He was imprisoned during the persecutions of [[Diocletian]] and released by [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] after his ascension to emperor. Nicholas was noted for his defense of Orthodoxy against the [[Arianism|Arians]]. He is reputed to have been present at the Council of Nicaea, but his name does not appear among any documents from that era. He died in Myra on [[December 6]] in a year uncertain, but between 342 and 352. <br />
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[[Image:Nicholas the Wonderworker.jpg|thumb|left|200pxl|St Nicholas the Wonderworker]]<br />
Many of the details of his life that we have appeared during medieval times. St. [[Methodius I of Constantinople|Methodius]], [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], in the middle of the ninth century produced a life of Nicholas in which he noted that the life of Nicholas was unknown to most of the Christians of the time, thus indicating his composition was probably based mainly on legend. Methodius noted that Nicholas was raised well by pious and well-to-do parents and related how Nicholas contributed from his inheritance the dowry for three daughters of a citizen of Patara who had lost all his money.<br />
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His [[feast]] was being celebrated by the time of St. Justinian two centuries after his death. After Methodius' life of Nicholas became available, Nicholas was acclaimed and honored throughout Europe and especially in Italy. When Myra was captured by the Saracens in 1034, many Italian cities planned to "rescue" his [[relics]]. In 1087, forces from Bari, Italy, attacked Myra and carried away his relics from the lawful Greek guardians in Myra to Bari where they were enshrined in a new [[church]]. His fame increased. The story of his rescue of sailors in the Aegean Sea during his lifetime established him as the patron of mariners. His popularity in Russia rose to the point that almost all churches had some sort of [[shrine]] honoring St. Nicholas.<br />
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==Secular fame==<br />
In time his fame in northern Europe as a saintly [[bishop]] began changing to that of a giver of gifts to children, usually done on December 6. As immigrants from the Germanic and Nordic lands settled in the United States the image of St. Nicholas, or "Sinterklaas," as he is known among the Dutch, slowly changed to that of "Santa Claus" with little tie to the spirituality of Christianity.<br />
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==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)<br />
<br />
:In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,<br />
:an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;<br />
:your humility exalted you;<br />
:your poverty enriched you.<br />
:Hierarch Father Nicholas,<br />
:entreat Christ our God<br />
:that our souls may be saved.<br />
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[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)<br />
<br />
:You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest,<br />
:For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ<br />
:By giving up your soul for your people,<br />
:And saving the innocent from death.<br />
:Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103484 St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia] (OCA site)<br />
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=325 Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra] ([[GOARCH]])<br />
*[http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7175/stnich-page.html Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker]<br />
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063b.htm Nicholas of Myra] [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Encyclopedia<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/n/cap39.htm Icon of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
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[[es:Nicolás de Myra]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Nino_of_Cappadocia&diff=54055Nino of Cappadocia2007-07-18T12:41:57Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>Saint '''Nino (Nina) of Cappadocia''', [[Enlightener]] of [[Church of Georgia|Georgia]] and [[Equal of the Apostles]], was born around the year 280 in the city of Kolastra in Cappadocia. Her father St Zabulon was related to the holy Great Martyr [[George]] ([[April 23]]). He came from an illustrious family and pious parents, and he was highly regarded by the Emperor Maximian (284-305). Zabulon, a Christian, served in the military under the emperor, and he took part in the liberation of Christian captives from Gaul (modern France). St Nino's mother, St Susanna [[May 20]], was a sister of the patriarch of Jerusalem. St Nino is commemorated on [[January 14]].<br />
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===External link===<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/n/klv03.htm Icon of St. Nina with scenes of her life]<br />
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[[Category:Missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:Georgian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Paraskeve_the_New&diff=54054Paraskeve the New2007-07-18T12:41:37Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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'''PARASKEVE (rom. Parascheva, hbs. Petka) also called 'the New' or 'the Young'''', Saint, celebrated on the 14/27th of October.<br />
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Particularly venerated today in the historical region of Moldavia (in Romania), Serbia, Bulgaria, but also generally in the Balkans. Considered as protector of Moldavia.<br />
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== Earthly Life ==<br />
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Born in Epivat (Thrace – Byzantium, near Constantinople) in 11th century, Paraskeve was of noble origin. She heard in her childhood the words of the Gospel that said that everyone who wants to follow Lord Jesus must give up anything for it; therefore, in her first youth, she gave up the world for the "desert". She is especially beloved by the Orthodox peoples of Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.<br />
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''to be continued...''<br />
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[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/133/133g.htm Life of St. Petka] from Orthodox America<br />
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/saints/stpetka.html Life of St. Petka] from the Serbian Diocese of Western America</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Paraskevi&diff=54053Paraskevi2007-07-18T12:41:23Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[image:Paraskevi.jpg|right|thumb|Holy Virgin-Martyr St. Paraskevi]]The [[Martyr|Virgin-Martyr]] [[Saint]] '''Paraskevi''' (also ''Paraskeva'') was arrested during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (r. A.D. 138-161) under the penalty of refusing to worship idols and adhering to the state pagan religion. After enduring many tortures, she was eventually released by the emperor, continuing to profess [[Christ]]. She was eventually tortured and beheaded by the Roman governor Tarasius in the year 180. The Church commemorates her on [[July 26]].<br />
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== Life ==<br />
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St. Paraskevi was born in a village near Rome to pious [[Christian]] parents, Agatho and Politea. Her parents prayed fervently for a child, and [[God]] finally blessed their piety. They gave great honor to Friday, the day of Our Lord's suffering. Being born on this day, her parents named her Paraskevi ("Friday" in Greek, but literally "preparation"). <br />
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Strong in faith, learning, and eloquence, Paraskevi spoke persuasively to her fellow Roman citizens, leading them from idolatry to faith in Christ. The rumor of her successes eventually fell upon the ears of the Emperor Antoninus Pius. Summoning her to the Imperial Palace, he attempted to dissuade her from believing in Jesus Christ. Refusing to deprecate her own beliefs, Paraskevi was submitted to gruesome tortures, yet to no avail on the part of the emperor. Finally, she was lowered in a kettle of boiling oil and pitch. But the emperor saw her standing in the vat as if in cool water, unharmed. He asked if Paraskevi had bewitched the pot through some form of magic. In response, Paraskevi scooped up a bit of the boiling liquid, and tossed it toward the emperor, urging him to test it for himself. Some of the oil and pitch splashed into his eyes, blinding him. Screaming in pain, the emperor begged the young woman to heal him. She called upon the name of the Lord, and instantly the emperor regained his sight. Astonished by the miracle, Antoninus released Paraskevi. He also ceased persecuting Christians throughout the Roman Empire; however, this period was brief. After Antoninus' death in 161, a plague broke out throughout the empire. Romans took it as a sign from their gods that that they were angered by the tolerance of Christianity. Under Antoninus' successor, Marcus Aurelius, Christian persecution resumed. <br />
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Despite these dangers, Paraskevi persevered in her missionary endeavors, spreading the [[Gospel]] wherever she traveled. In one city, the governor Asclepius threw her into a pit with a poisonous serpent, convinced the snake would kill her. Instead, Paraskevi made the [[Sign of the Cross]] over the serpent, and he stiffened and split in two. As a result, Asclepius and his court were all converted.<br />
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Eventually, Paraskevi was brought to trial in one city under the governance of Tarasius. Once again the tortures under which she was subjected did not persuade her to deny Christ. Consequently, Tarasius in his anger ordered her beheading. Her remains were eventually taken to [[Constantinople]], where they are venerated by the faithful to this very day. Among many Orthodox Christians she is venerated as a healer of the blind and those with eye ailments. <br />
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== External links ==<br />
* [http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=496 Saint Paraskevi] ([[GOARCH]])<br />
* [http://www.antiochian.org/martyr_paraskeva Martyr Paraskevi ]([[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]])<br />
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102096 Saint Paraskevi] ([[OCA]])<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/phn61.htm Icon and Troparion of St. Paraskevi]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/peace.htm Prayer for Peace] St. Paraskevi practiced peacemaking by making an enemy her brother.<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Martyrs]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Patrick_of_Ireland&diff=54052Patrick of Ireland2007-07-18T12:40:46Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Patrick of Ireland.jpg|right|frame|St. Patrick of Ireland]]<br />
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Patrick of Ireland''', [[Bishop]] of Armagh and [[Enlightener]] of Ireland, was born a Briton. Captured and brought to Ireland as a slave, he escaped and returned home. Later, he returned to Ireland, bringing Christianity to its people. His feast day is [[March 17]].<br />
<br />
==Life==<br />
Saint Patrick was born around 390 (likely in 387), at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland. His name is from the Latin ''Patricius'', meaning ''high-born''. His parents were part of the Christian minority of Britain; his father, Calpurnius, was a [[deacon]]. Around the age of fourteen, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At age 20 he escaped and returned to England, where he received clerical training. He was ordained by St. [[Germanus of Auxerre|Germanus]], bishop of Auxerre. Around 430 he was ordained a bishop, after which he returned to Ireland. There, he preached the [[Gospels|Gospel]], reaching tribal chieftains, gaining their permission to teach their subjects also. He established an episcopal administration and led a [[monasticism|monastic]] lifestyle. St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, March 17, 461.<br />
<br />
==Works attributed to Patrick==<br />
===''Confessio''===<br />
<sup>[[#External links and Sources|1]]</sup> Saint Patrick wrote this semi-autobiography as a labor for God, explaining the story of his life to inspire others to believe and turn their lives to God. Additionally, he wished to address concerns his fellow clergy had about his holding the office of bishop.<br />
<br />
===''Epistola''===<br />
<sup>[[#External links and Sources|2]]</sup> Saint Patrick wrote this letter to the soldiers of King Coroticus to chastize them for capturing Christians of Patrick's flock as slaves.<br />
<br />
===Explanation of the Trinity===<br />
Saint Patrick is most often recognized for likening the [[Trinity]] to a shamrock, illustrating that the shamrock has three parts, and yet is one; in a similar way, the Trinity has three persons, and is still one God. (cf. the [[OCA]]'s icon<sup>[[#External links and Sources|3]]</sup>)<br />
<br />
===Lorica of Saint Patrick===<br />
<sup>[[#External links and Sources|4]]</sup> ''Lorica'' means ''breastplate'' in Latin. The story of this prayer is that Patrick and his followers used this most beautiful prayer to protect themselves from the people who wanted to kill them as they travelled across Ireland. It is also called the ''Deer's Cry'' (''Fáed Fíada'') because their enemies saw, not men, but deer. It may not have been written by Patrick, but is considered to reflect his theological focus on the Trinity.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through a mighty strength,<br />
:the invocation of the Trinity,<br />
:through belief in the Threeness,<br />
:through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through the strength of [[Christ]] with His [[Baptism]],<br />
:through the strength of His [[Crucifixion]] with His Burial,<br />
:through the strength of His [[Resurrection]] with His Ascension,<br />
:through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through the strength of the love of [[Cherubim]],<br />
:in obedience of [[Angels]], in the service of the [[Archangels]],<br />
:in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,<br />
:in prayers of [[Patriarch]]s, in predictions of [[Prophet]]s,<br />
:in preachings of [[Apostles]], in faiths of [[Confessor]]s,<br />
:in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through the strength of Heaven:<br />
:light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,<br />
:speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,<br />
:stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through God's strength to pilot me:<br />
:God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,<br />
:God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,<br />
:God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,<br />
:God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,<br />
:God's host to secure me:<br />
:against snares of devils,<br />
:against temptations of vices,<br />
:against inclinations of nature,<br />
:against everyone who shall wish me ill,<br />
:afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.<br />
<br />
:I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):<br />
:against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul,<br />
:against incantations of false prophets,<br />
:against black laws of heathenry,<br />
:against false laws of [[heresy|heretics]],<br />
:against craft of idolatry,<br />
:against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,<br />
:against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.<br />
:Christ to protect me today<br />
:against poison, against burning,<br />
:against drowning, against wounding,<br />
:so that there may come abundance of reward.<br />
<br />
:Christ with me, Christ before me,<br />
:Christ behind me, Christ in me,<br />
:Christ beneath me, Christ above me,<br />
:Christ on my right, Christ on my left,<br />
:Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height,<br />
:Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,<br />
:Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,<br />
:Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.<br />
<br />
:I arise today<br />
:through a mighty strength,<br />
:the invocation of the Trinity,<br />
:through belief in the Threeness,<br />
:through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.<br />
<br />
:Salvation is of the Lord.<br />
:Salvation is of the Lord.<br />
:Salvation is of Christ.<br />
:May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.<br />
<br />
==Works about Patrick==<br />
*Muirchu's ''Life of Saint Patrick'', written c. 683 (two centuries after Patrick's death), is the oldest existing, known work about Saint Patrick.<sup>[[#External links and Sources|5]]</sup><br />
<br />
==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 3)<br />
<br />
:Holy Bishop Patrick,<br />
:Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,<br />
:You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:<br />
:The mighty strength of the Trinity!<br />
:Now that you stand before the Savior,<br />
:Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!<br />
<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)<br />
<br />
:From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:<br />
:He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.<br />
:You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.<br />
:In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!<br />
:Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,<br />
:Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,<br />
:Holy bishop Patrick!<br />
<br />
==External links and sources==<br />
*<sup>1</sup> [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/patrick/confession.i.html ''Confessio'' of Saint Patrick] (in [http://www.amdg.be/sankt/confess.htm French])<br />
*<sup>2</sup> [http://www.iol.ie/~santing/patrick/CoroticusFrame.htm ''Letter to Coroticus'']<br />
*<sup>3</sup> [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100821 St. Patrick the Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland] from the [[Orthodox Church in America]] website<br />
*<sup>4</sup> [http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Poetry/StPatrick.html Saint Patrick's Lorica]<br />
*<sup>5</sup> [http://www.geocities.com/vortigernstudies/fabio/book4.3.htm Muirchu and his sources] by Fabio P. Barbieri<br />
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=2365 Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland] from the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]] website<br />
*[http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=100821 St. Patrick the Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland: Troparion and Kontakion] from the [[Orthodox Church in America]] website<br />
*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wace/biodict.v.xvi.xviii.html Patricius] from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library<br />
*[http://www.irelandseye.com/paddy2/patrick.html Saint Patrick of Ireland]<br />
*''Declaration'' and ''Letter'' from A.B.E. Hood, ed. and trans., ''St. Patrick: His Writings and Muirchu's Life''. (Totowa, NJ: Rowman and Littlefield, 1978.) ISBN 084766080X<br />
*[http://www.medievalchurch.org.uk/p_patrick.html Patrick]<br />
*[http://www.voskrese.info/spl/fiacc.html ''Hymn of Saint Fiacc''] (in [http://www.amdg.be/sankt/fiacc.html French])<br />
*[http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/text122.html ''Annals of Ulster''] mentioning the relics of St. Patrick, in 552 AD<br />
*[http://celticchristianity.org/library/secund.html ''Audite, omnes amantes Deum''], or ''Hymn of St. Patrick, Teacher of the Irish'', by his nephew Saint Sechnall or Secundinus (in [http://www.amdg.be/sankt/patrick-sechnall.html French])<br />
<br />
*[http://membres.lycos.fr/stmaterne/psomalis/patrick.pdf Byzantine Service (in Greek) to Saint Patrick (PDF)], Apostle of Ireland, by protopsaltis Panagiotis Somalis<br />
*Saint Patrick's ''Life'' in French, with [[icon]]s: [http://www.amdg.be/sankt/patrick-boll.html 1] [http://www.amdg.be/sankt/mar17.html 2]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/mdg01.htm Icon of St. Patrick of Ireland]<br />
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[[Category:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
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<div>Our father among the saint '''Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos''', was born in Constantinople in 855. St. Peter died at the age of 70 and was buried in Argos. Five hundred years later the Venetians and the Franks raided Argos and Greece and took away the saint's relics. To this day, no one knows where they have been taken.<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Sava_of_Serbia&diff=54049Sava of Serbia2007-07-18T12:38:50Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:SvetiSavaMileseva.jpg|thumb|300px|right|St. Sava of Serbia]]<br />
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Sava of Serbia''', also '''Savvas''' and '''Sabbas''', was the first [[Archbishop]] of Serbia and is an important saint on the calendar of the [[Church of Serbia|Serbian Orthodox Church]]. His [[feast day]] is observed on [[January 14]] and [[January 12]].<br />
<br />
==Life==<br />
Sava was born Prince Rastko Nemanjic, the son of [[Stefan Nemanja]], the Serbian ruler and founder of the medieval Serbian state. His brother, Stefan Prvovencani, was the first Serbian king. Rastko Nemanjic was born in either 1175 or 1176.<br />
<br />
In the early 1190s, the young Rastko left home to join the Orthodox [[Monasticism|monastic]] community on [[Mount Athos]]. Taking monastic vows, he was given the name ''Sava'' (Serbian form of ''Sabbas'') in honour of St. [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Sabbas]]. Initially, he joined a Russian [[monastery]], but then moved to the Greek [[Vatopedi Monastery (Athos)|Vatopedi Monastery]]. At the end of 1197, his father, Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, joined him. In 1198, together they moved to and restored the abandoned [[Chilandari Monastery (Athos)|Hilandar]] monastery, which at that time became the center of Serbian Orthodox Christian monastic life.<br />
<br />
St. Sava's father took monastic vows under the name ''Simeon''. He died in the Hilandar Monastery on [[February 13]], 1200. He is also canonized as Saint Simeon.<br />
<br />
After his father's death, Sava retreated to an [[ascetic]] cell in Kareya which he built himself <!-- in the middle of Athos? --> in 1199. He also wrote the Kareya and Hilandar [[Typika]]. The last Kareya typikon is inscribed into the marble board at the ascetic cell. He stayed on Athos until the end of 1207.<br />
<br />
When Sava entered his native land in 1207, he unfortunately found the country just as Simeon had informed him in his dream—in total disarray. The Serbian state was split in two. By secret negotiations with Hungary and Pope Innocent III, Vukan, the eldest of the three brothers, who was bitter over the appointment of his younger brother Stephen as heir to the throne, was able to amass troops and capture Zeta; he then was set to launch a campaign against Raška, Stephen's portion of the divided kingdom. This civil war was only a microcosm of a larger conflict instigated by the West—that is, the hostilities initiated by the Great Crusades of the Latin church. In 1204, the soldiers of the Fourth Crusade captured Constantinople and much of the territory of Byzantium, including the Holy Mountain. In 1205, the Holy Mountain was officially placed under the authority and jurisdiction of a Roman Catholic bishop. It is believed that this occurrence was the most influential factor in Sava's decision to return to Serbia. Hence, the Saint returned home with his work cut out for him.<br />
<br />
When he returned, Sava brought with him the medicine to heal the entire situation: the [[relics]] of his father, the Grand Župan and saint, Stephen Nemanja&mdash;Simeon the Myrrh-flowing and co-founder of Hilandar. Upon entering Studenica Monastery, St. Simeon's foundational monastery, Sava invited his two brothers to a proper and rightful [[memorial service]] for their father. As the casket was opened, before their eyes the body of their father was found to be sweet-smelling, exuding a fragrant oil and [[myrrh]], warm and aglow, looking very much alive, as if he were only restfully sleeping. This act of [[veneration]] of their father was the first step in healing the fraternal schism between Vukan and Grand Prince Stephen. Shortly thereafter, the civil war was halted and a peace agreement was drawn up, once again restoring the kingdom of Serbia as it was under the reign of the great ruler Stephen Nemanja. In discussions with his reunited brothers, Sava also designed plans for an immediate, systematic, and far-reaching [[missionary]] program to save the Orthodox souls of the Serbian people. Studenica Monastery, with St. Simeon's relics making it a national shrine, was chosen as the outreach station for all activities. Sava vas appointed [[Archimandrite]] of Studenica. St. Sava wrote the Monastery's Typikon, which strengthened Studenica's monastic life.<br />
<br />
== Archbishop ==<br />
<br />
St. Sava managed to persuade the [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], who was residing in Nicea since Constantinople was under Latin rule until 1261, to establish the independence of the [[Church of Serbia|Serbian Church]] in the year of 1219. At Patriarch Manuel's request, Sava was selected to be elevated to Archbishop. At first, Sava vehemently refused this offer on the grounds that he was truly unworthy for such a position and calling. He offered several of the monks from Hilandar who were present as potential candidates for the position. In the end, Sava accepted and was [[Consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] in Nicea on the [[Feast]] of St. [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas]], [[December 6]], 1219, becoming the first Archbishop of the newly autocephalous Orthodox Church of Serbia. He was 44 years old at the time. <br />
<br />
The following are the exact words of the Greek text of Patriarch Manuel's decree elevating Sava to Archbishop, thus granting [[autocephaly]] to the Serbian Church:<br />
<br />
:''I, Manuel, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of the City of Consrantinople, New Rome, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, have consecrated Sava, Archbishop of all the Serbian lands, and have given him in God's name the authority to consecrate bishops, priests, and deacons within his country; to bind and loose sins of men, and to teach all and to baptize in rhe name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, all you Orthodox Christians, obey him as you have obeyed me.<br />
<br />
After his consecration, Sava returned to the Holy Mountain in order to say farewell to Hilandar and to receive the blessing and prayers of the entire monastic community of the Holy Mountain. <br />
<br />
The newly consecrated Archbishop Sava then traveled by boat to Thessalonica, where he tarried awhile at Philokalos Monastery. At Philokalos, he, along with a few others, made a translation from Greek into Slavonic of the Byzantine ecclesiastical law book ''[[The Rudder]]'' or ''Nomocanon'' of St. [[Photios the Great]] (9th century). Called ''KormchajaKnjiga'' ("Book of the Pilot") in Slavonic, this translation contained not only the ecclesiastical [[canon]]s—including the dogmatic decrees of the seven [[Ecumenical Councils]]—with commentaries by the best medieval Greek canonists, but also numerous precepts of the [[Church Fathers|Fathers]] of the Church andseveral of the imperial edicts of the great Byzantine Emperor [[Justinian]] (6th century). <br />
<br />
When he arrived in Serbia Sava decided that on the first day of his archepiscopacy in Žiča, the Feast of the [[Ascension]], 1220, he would, as the as the newly consecrated Archbishop of Serbia, crown his brother Stephen as the first Serbian king. In 1228 he crowned his nephew Radoslav as king. Venerable Sava decided to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Thus, in 1229, after ten years of dedicated hard work and fruitful labor in the vineyard of the Lord in his homeland, Sava decided to renew his own spirit by making a [[pilgrimage]] to the cradle of Christianity itself, Jerusalem, where the Lord first brought salvation to the world. When it was time for Sava to leave the Holy Land for Serbia, he decided to go by way of Nicea. There he met with John, the new emperor of Byzantium (1222-1254) now residing in Nicea, who succeeded Theodore Laskaris. He also met Germanus, the new patriarch who succeeded the late Patriarch Manuel. <br />
<br />
In Serbia a new civil war broke out between Radoslav and his brother Vladislav. Unfortunately for Radislav, his military prowess waned as well, for in a fratricidal civil war against his younger brother Vladislav during the summer of 1233, he was defeated and exiled to Durazzo, Albania. Although Sava was unsuccessful in reconciling these brothers—who were both disloyal to their grandfather St. Simeon's call for unity—nevertheless he knew it was better for the country to be ruled by Vladislav. Several years later, as a result of his negotiations with King Vladislav, Sava was able to obtain safe conduct for Radislav, who was allowed to return to Serbia. Unfortunately again for Radislav, his wife had eloped with a French duke during his exile in Albania. Radislav then decided to become a monk, and Sava tonsured him, giving him the name "Jovan (John)"<br />
<br />
== Retirement ==<br />
<br />
Sava abdicated from archepiscopal see in 1233 and appointed his most capable pupil St. Arsenije as Archbisop of Serbia (1233-1263). In the spring of 1234, Archbishop Sava, age 59, only five years after his first trip to the Holy Land, decided to make a second pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, Sava lodged at the St. George Monastery in Akre, a monastery he had purchased from the Latins during his first pilgrimage. Sava visited Patriarch Athanasius of Jerusalem and then went by boat to Alexandria, Egypt, to meet with Pope Nicholas, "Patriarch of [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]] and all Africa." <br />
<br />
He then went to [[St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)|St. Catherine's Monastery]] on Mt. Sinai, where he spent [[Great Lent]] of 1234. This was a most blessed [[Pascha]]l journey for Sava, for he climbed the heights where the great man of God, [[Moses]] the God-seer and Deliverer of his people, had spent many hours speaking to the Lord God face to face as a friend converses with a friend. Sava, too, had been a "Moses" to his people, pastoring, leading and organizing them into a community of God. After the Paschal celebration of 1234, Sava returned to Jerusalem and then traveled to Antioch. After visiting Constantinople, Sava intended to visit the Holy Mountain and Hilandar, but "it did not please the [[Holy Spirit]]." Instead, he left for Trnovo, Bulgaria, the capital of King Ivan Asen II's Bulgarian kingdom and patriarch of Trnovo.<br />
<br />
Participating in a ceremony called Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmo) he developed a cough that progressed into pneumonia. He died from pneumonia in the evening between Saturday and Sunday, [[January 14]], 1235. [http://www.kosovo.com/sava.html] He was buried at the [[Cathedral]] of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Trnovo where his body remained until [[May 6]], 1237, when his [[relics|sacred bones]] were moved to the monastery Mileseva in southern Serbia. 360 years later the Ottoman Turks dug up his relics and burned them in the main square in Belgrade.<br />
<br />
==Legacy==<br />
<br />
There was many miracles on the grave Saint Sava in Mileševa monastery. Venecian diplomate Ramberty who visited Mileševa, 1534 wrote that note onley Turks and Jews also were visiting monastery and asking for healing. Fransh diplomat Jacques de Chenoais , 1547 wrot that he sow uncoruptable relics of Saint Sava, he also said that turks and jews were giving biger donations that Christians them selves. Another pasinger as Venecian Zen, and French Lescalonieur were reporting about similiar events 1550 and 1574. Lescalonieur wrot that hed of saint was coverd, because one Turk who saw it, few decades later died. <br />
<br />
St. Sava is remembered as the founder of the independent Serbian Orthodox Church and is celebrated as the [[patron saint]] of education and medicine among Serbs. Prince Miloš of Serbia January 13, 1830 (in Julian) proclaimed St. Sava the patron saint of Serb schools and schoolchildren. On his feast day, students partake in recitals in church.<br />
<br />
The Temple of St. Sava in Belgrade, whose construction was planned to start in 1939 but actually began in 1985 and completed in 2004, is the largest active Orthodox temple in the world today. It was built on the place where the holy bones were burned.<br />
<br />
==Quotation==<br />
<br />
''At first we were confused. The East thought that we were West, while the West considered us to be East. Some of us misunderstood our place in the clash of currents, so they cried that we belong to neither side, and others that we belong exclusively to one side or the other. But I tell you, Ireneus, we are doomed by fate to be the East in the West and the West in the East, to acknowledge only heavenly Jerusalem beyond us, and here on earth&mdash;no one'' <br />
:&mdash;''St. Sava to Ireneus, 13th century''<br />
<br />
== Hymnography ==<br />
[[Troparion]] - Tone 3<br />
<br />
:Thou wast a guide to the Way of Life, a first Hierarch and a teacher; <br />
:thou didst come and enlighten thy home country, O Sava, <br />
:and give it rebirth by the Holy Spirit. <br />
:Thou hast planted thy children like olive trees in the spiritual Paradise. <br />
:O [[Equal-to-the-Apostles]] and Saints, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy. <sup>[http://www.stsava-milw.org/index_eng.asp]</sup><br />
<br />
[[Kontakion]] - Tone 8 <br />
<br />
:As the first great hierarch and co-worker with the [[Apostles]],<br />
:the Church of thy people magnifies thee;<br />
:and since thou hast found favor with Christ,<br />
:save us by thy prayers from every calamity,<br />
:so that we may proclaim to thee: Rejoice, God-wise Father Sava.<br />
<br />
Troparion - Tone 8 <br />
<br />
:O guide of Orthodoxy and blessed teacher of virtues,<br />
:purifier and [[enlightener]] of thy homeland,<br />
:beauty of monastics,<br />
:most wise Father, Holy Sava,<br />
:by thy teaching thou didst enlighten thy people,<br />
:O flute of the Spirit, pray to Christ God for our souls.<br />
<br />
==Source==<br />
* [[:wikipedia:Saint Sava|''Saint Sava'' on Wikipedia]]<!--<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Hilandar Research Library]]'', Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies, University of Ohio (Columbus)<br />
*[[Temple of Saint Sava]] in [[Belgrade]] ---><br />
<br />
==External links and references==<br />
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100156 St. Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia] ([[OCA]])<br />
* [http://www.kosovo.com/sava.html Life of our Holy Father Sava I: Enlightener and First Archbishop of the Serbs (+1235)]<br />
* [http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/sava.htm St Sava of Serbia] ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]])<br />
* [http://www.slavicnet.com/pls/lib/bib.search Library ''Saint Sava''] - Online Library Cataloging System <br />
* [http://www.rastko.org.yu/knjizevnost/liturgicka/svsava-sabrana/index_c.html Collected works] (in Serbian language)<br />
<br />
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== Succesion ==<br />
<br />
{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=&mdash;|<br />
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Serbia|Archbishop of Serbia]]|<br />
years=1219-1233|<br />
after=St. [[Arsenius I (Sremac) of Pec|Arsenije]]}}<br />
{{end box}}<br />
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<br />
[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Patriarchs of Serbia]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Serbian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
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[[sr:Сава српски]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Seraphim_of_Sarov&diff=54048Seraphim of Sarov2007-07-18T12:38:18Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Seraphim of Sarov.jpg|right|frame|St. Seraphim of Sarov]]<br />
Our venerable father among the saints '''Seraphim of Sarov''' was a Russian [[ascetic]] who lived at the Sarov Monastery in the 18th century, and is considered a [[wonder-worker]]. The Church commemorates St. Seraphim on [[January 2]], and the opening of his [[relics]] on [[July 19]].<br />
<br />
==Life==<br />
St. Seraphim was born on [[July 19]], 1754. His parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, lived in Kursk, Russia; Isidore was a merchant. At the age of 10, Seraphim became seriously ill. During the course of his illness, he saw the [[Mother of God]] in his sleep, who promised to heal him. Several days later there was a religious procession in Kursk with the locally revered [[miracle]]-working [[icon]] of the Mother of God. Due to bad weather, the procession took an abbreviated route past the house of the Moshnin family. After his mother put Seraphim up to the miracle-working image, he recovered rapidly. While at a young age, he needed to help his parents with their shop, but business had little appeal for him. Young Seraphim loved to read the [[hagiography|lives of the saints]], to attend church, and to withdraw into seclusion for [[prayer]].<br />
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At the age of 18, Seraphim firmly decided to become a [[monk]]. His mother blessed him with a large copper [[crucifix]], which he wore over his clothing all his life. After this, he entered the Sarov [[monastery]] as a [[novice]].<br />
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===Monastic Life===<br />
From day one in the monastery, exceptional abstinence from food and slumber were the distinguishing features of his life. He ate once a day, and little. On Wednesdays and Fridays he ate nothing. After asking the blessing of his [[starets]], i.e., a spiritual elder, he began to withdraw often into the forest for prayer and religious contemplation. He became severely ill again soon after, and was forced to spend most of the course of the next three years lying down.<br />
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St. Seraphim was once again healed by the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who appeared to him accompanied by several saints. Pointing to the [[venerable]] Seraphim, the Holy Virgin said to the [[Apostle]] [[John the Theologian]]: "He is of our lineage." Then, by touching his side with her staff, she healed him.<br />
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His taking of the monastic vows occurred in 1786, when he was 27 years old. He was given the name Seraphim, which in Hebrew means "fiery," or "burning." He was soon made a [[hierodeacon]]. He justified his name by his extraordinarily burning prayer. He spent all of his time, save for the very shortest of rests, in church. Through such prayer and the labors of religious services, Seraphim became worthy to see [[angel]]s, both serving and singing in church. During the [[Liturgy]] on [[Holy Week|Holy Thursday]], he saw the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] Himself, in the form of the Son of man, proceeding into the Church with the Heavenly host and blessing those praying. The saint could not speak for a long time after being struck by this vision.<br />
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===Hermit===<br />
In 1793, St. Seraphim was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[hieromonk]], after which he served every day and received [[Eucharist]] for a year. St. Seraphim then began to withdraw into his "farther [[hermitage]]"—the forest wilderness about five km from Sarov Monastery. He achieved great perfection at this time. Wild animals—bears, rabbits, wolves, foxes and others—came to the hut of the ascetic. The staritsa, i.e., eldress, of the Diveevo monastery, Matrona Plescheeva, witnessed how St. Seraphim fed a bear that had come to him out of his hand: "The face of the great starets was particularly miraculous. It was joyous and bright, as that of an angel," she described. While living in this little hermitage of his, St. Seraphim once suffered greatly at the hands of robbers. Although he was physically very strong and was holding an axe at the time, St. Seraphim did not resist them. In answer to their threats and their demands for money, he lay his axe down on the ground, crossed his arms on his chest and obediently gave himself up to them. They began to beat him on the head with the handle of his own axe. Blood began to pour out of his mouth and ears, and he fell unconscious. After that they began to hit him with a log, trampled him under foot, and dragged him along the ground. They stopped beating him only when they had decided that he had died. The only treasure which the robbers found in his cell was the icon of the Mother of God of Deep Emotion (Ymileniye), before which he always prayed. When, after some time, the robbers were caught and brought to justice, the holy monk interceded on their behalf before the judge. After the beating, St. Seraphim remained hunched over for the rest of his life.<br />
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Soon after this began the "[[stylite|pillar]]" period of the life of St. Seraphim, when he spent his days on a rock near his little hermitage, and nights in the thick of the forest. He prayed with his arms raised to heaven, almost without respite. This feat of his continued for a thousand days.<br />
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Because of a special vision of the Mother of God he was given toward the end of his life, St. Seraphim took upon himself the feat of becoming an elder. He began to admit everyone who came to him for advice and direction. Many thousands of people from all walks of life and conditions began to visit the elder now, who enriched them from his spiritual treasures, which he had acquired by many years of efforts. Everyone saw St. Seraphim as meek, joyful, pensively sincere. He greeted all with the words: "My joy!" To many he advised: "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved." No matter who came to him, the starets bowed to the ground before all, and, in blessing, kissed their hands. He did not need the visitors to tell about themselves, as he could see what each had on their soul. He also said, "Cheerfulness is not a sin. It drives away weariness, for from weariness there is sometimes dejection, and there is nothing worse than that."<br />
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"Oh, if you only knew," he once said to a monk, "what joy, what sweetness awaits a righteous soul in [[Heaven]]! You would decide in this mortal life to bear any sorrows, persecutions and slander with gratitude. If this very cell of ours was filled with worms, and these worms were to eat our flesh for our entire life on earth, we should agree to it with total desire, in order not to lose, by any chance, that heavenly joy which God has prepared for those who love Him."<br />
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===Motovilov===<br />
The miraculous transfiguration of the starets' face was described by a close admirer and follower of St. Seraphim: Motovilov. This happened during the winter, on a cloudy day. Motovilov was sitting on a stump in the woods; St. Seraphim was squatting across from him and telling his pupil the meaning of a Christian life, explaining for what we Christians live on earth.<br />
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"It is necessary that the [[Holy Spirit]] enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us," he said.<br />
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"Father," answered Motovilov, "how can I see the grace of the Holy Spirit? How can I know if He is with me or not?"<br />
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St. Seraphim began to give him examples from the lives of the saints and apostles, but Motovilov still did not understand. The elder then firmly took him by the shoulder and said to him, "We are both now, my dear fellow, in the Holy Spirit." It was as if Motovilov's eyes had been opened, for he saw that the face of the elder was brighter than the sun. In his heart Motovilov felt joy and peace, in his body a warmth as if it were summer, and a fragrance began to spread around them. Motovilov was terrified by the unusual change, but especially by the fact that the face of the starets shone like the sun. But St. Seraphim said to him, "Do not fear, dear fellow. You would not even be able to see me if you yourself were not in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Thank the Lord for His mercy toward us."<br />
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Thus Motovilov understood, in mind and heart, what the descent of the Holy Spirit and His transfiguration of a person meant.<br />
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==Quotes==<br />
"The reading of the word of God should be performed in solitude, in order that the whole mind of the reader might be plunged into the truths of the [[Holy Scripture]], and that from this he might receive warmth, which in solitude produces tears; from these a man is wholy warmed and is filled with spiritual gifts, which rejoice the mind and heart more than any word."<br />
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"God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil—for the devil is cold—let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good will flee before the heat of His countenance."<br />
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"The body is a slave, the soul a sovereign, and therefore it is due to Divine mercy when the body is worn out by illness: for thereby the passions are weakened, and a man comes to himself; indeed, bodily illness itself is sometimes caused by the passions." -- ''Spiritual Instructions''.<br />
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"Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practice the remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ, mentally saying: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."<br />
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"When despondency seizes us, let us not give in to it. Rather, fortified and protected by the light of faith, let us with great courage say to the spirit of evil: "What are you to us, you who are cut off from God, a fugitive for Heaven, and a slave of evil? You dare not do anything to us: Christ, the Son of God, has dominion over us and over all. Leave us, you thing of bane. We are made steadfast by the uprightness of His Cross. Serpent, we trample on your head."<br />
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== Hymns ==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)<br />
:Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one,<br />
:and longing to work for Him alone thou didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labor.<br />
:With penitent heart and great love for Christ thou wast favored by the Mother of God.<br />
:Wherefore we cry to thee:<br />
:Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim our [[righteous]] Father.<br />
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[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)<br />
:Having left the beauty of the world and what is corrupt in it, O saint,<br />
:thou didst settle in Sarov Monastery.<br />
:And having lived there an angelic life,<br />
:thou wast for many the way to salvation.<br />
:Wherefore Christ has glorified thee, O Father Seraphim,<br />
:and has enriched thee with the gift of healing and miracles.<br />
:And so we cry to thee:<br />
:Rejoice, O Seraphim, our righteous Father.<br />
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==Source==<br />
*[http://www.russian-orthodox-church.org.uk/WHO%20IS%20ST.%20SERAPHIM.htm St. Seraphim of Sarov: Life and Teachings] by Bishop Alexander (Mileant), translated by Nicholas and Natalia Semyanko<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100008 Repose of the Venerable Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov] ([[OCA]])<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102053 Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov] (OCA)<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102122 Icon of the Mother of God "of Tenderness" from Seraphim-Diveyevo] which belonged to St. Seraphim (OCA)<br />
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=366 Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov] ([[GOARCH]])<br />
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=696 Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov]] (GOARCH)<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/peace.htm Prayer for Peace] St. Seraphim used non-resistance to make peace. <br />
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==Icons==<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/svp01.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/inp100.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Nick Papas<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/phn53.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Nick Papas<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/rbp04.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Robert Brewster<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/mdg02.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Matthew Garrett<br />
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[[Category:Featured Articles]]<br />
[[Category:Monastics]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]<br />
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[[ro:Serafim de Sarov]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Sergius_of_Radonezh&diff=54047Sergius of Radonezh2007-07-18T12:38:00Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Vasnetsov_sergij_radonezh.jpg|thumb|right|[[Icon]] of St. Sergii Radonezhsky written for Abramtsevo [[church]] by Viktor Vasnetsov, 1882.]]<br />
Our venerable father '''Sergius of Radonezh''' was a leading Russian [[monk]] in the fourteenth century who founded the [[Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra|Holy Trinity]] [[monastery]] north of Moscow. He is much revered and has a special place in Russian monasticism and the nation of Russia. An [[ascetic]], he was deeply humble and had a firm faith in God's help. After his glorification the monastery he founded became known as the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.<br />
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==Life==<br />
Sergius Radonezhsky (Russian: ''Сергий Радонежский'') was born into a boyar family near Rostov. The date of his birth is unknown, and three different years are presumed as his birth year (1314, 1319, or 1322). His birthdate is traditionally held on [[May 3]], and he is recognized with the name Bartholomew. To his parents, Kyril and Maria, he was the second of three brothers, Stephen being the eldest and Peter the youngest. Because the family became impoverished when Kyril was dispossessed of his properties under Grand Duke Ivan Danilovich of Moscow, they moved to the village of Radonezh around 1328. As Bartholomew grew up, his ability to learn did not match that of his brothers. Then one day he met an old monk who, after Bartholomew explained his difficulties, gave Bartholomew a small piece of communion bread with the blessing, ''"Take and eat it, this is given to you as a sign of God's grace and for understanding of the Scriptures"''. From that meeting on Bartholomew found his lessons easier.<br />
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In 1334, after the death of his parents, Bartholomew moved to to Khotkovo near Moscow, joining his widowed older brother Stephen. In 1337, he was [[tonsure]]d a monk with the name Sergius and was [[ordination|ordain]]ed to the [[priest]]hood. In seeking a more secluded place, he and his brother found such a place in the deep forest near the Marovets hill and built a small cell and a simple [[chapel]] dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This was 1340. The brothers lived a secluded life in the forest, and in time Stephen found the life of seclusion difficult and left Sergius to live in Epiphany monastery in Moscow. With the departure of his brother Sergius lived alone for a number of years. The wild animals seemed to recognize him as packs of wolves and bears would come to his hut but would not harm him. One bear came to his hut to share Sergius' last piece of bread with him. Gradually people learned of Sergius and approach him for spiritual guidance. Soon, the cell grew to a small hermitage of twelve monks. The hermitage of the Holy Trinity soon became the spiritual center that eventually became the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra (Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra).<br />
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As the monastery grew, a difference of opinions grew among the monks as to whether to continue the hermitage type of life or to introduce a communal life style that Sergius favored. As the differences of opinion grew, Serguis decided to start another monastery near Makrish rather than quarrel over the issue. After his departure the original monastery began to decline, and after four years the monks at Holy Trinity begged Sergius to return. <br />
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As Holy Trinity monastery grew, Sergius began to send his disciples to spread the Gospel to the natives across central and northern Russia during the reign of Dmitri Ivanovich called Donskoy. The number of monasteries founded by these disciples approached 400, established in the most impractical places. These included the monasteries of Borisoglebsky near Rostov, Ferapontov, Kyrillo-Belozersky, Golutvin in Kolomna, and Pokrovsky near Borovsk. All these monasteries formed links of a new country centered around Moscow. As the commerce centering on Holy Trinity monastery increased a settlement was formed at the monastery gates that grew into the town of Sergiev Posad. <br />
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The news of his life and works of wonder spread far and wide. The [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], Philotheus sent him a charter confirming the new rules of community cloister life established by Sergius at the Holy Trinity Monastery. Metr. [[Alexis of Moscow]] honored Sergius as a friend and entrusted him in the tasks of reconciling differences among the princes of Moscow and Russia. He wished to honor Sergius with the award of a gold cross, and even offered in 1378 to make Sergius his successor as [[metropolitan]] of Moscow. But, these honors did not fit with Sergius' [[ascetic]] life, and he refused both.<br />
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In the Russian struggles with the Tatar Khan Mamai, Sergius blessed the Prince Dimitri Ivanovich as he departed for battle in 1380 with the words, ''"Go fearless prince and believe in God's help"''. Dimitri's victory at the Battle of Kulikovo was decisive in the history of Russia. <br />
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In time his monastery became among the most renowned in Russia.<br />
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Sergius died on [[September 25]], 1392. He was glorified as a saint in 1452. He is commemorated by the church on September 25, the date of his death and on [[July 5]], the day his relics were found.<br />
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==Legacy==<br />
Sergius has held a special place in the history of Russian [[monastic]]ism. His community at Holy Trinity served as the model of secluded ascetic life organized as communities outside the limits of towns and cities. He himself was a model of asceticism. While not a learned man nor a great preacher, he was a man committed to poverty and utter sincerity. He was deeply humble and had a staunch faith in God's help. He committed to giving help to all who sought his help with loving attention. He was a true leader who led his monks in work and service by setting an example. He established a number of monastery schools and taught farmers better methods of farming.<br />
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In view of the stature of his place among Russian saints, he has been honored by adding his name to the monastery he founded: Trinity-Sergius Lavra.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Sergius of Radonezh]]<br />
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/sergius_radonezh.htm Venerable Sergius of Radonezh]<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/117/117e.htm Saint Sergius of Radonezh]<br />
*[http://www.chrysostompress.org/collection/0925_sergius_radonezh/ From the Lives of the Saints compiled by St. Dmitri of Rostov]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/rbp03.htm Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Priests]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Spyridon_of_Trimythous&diff=54044Spyridon of Trimythous2007-07-18T12:37:15Z<p>ByzBot: fixing cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Spyridon.jpg|right|frame|St. Spyridon of Trimythous]]<br />
Our father among the saints '''Spyridon of Trimythous''' was born in Trimythous in Cyprus in 270 AD. He had no education. Like his parents, he was a peasant farmer and shepherd, and even after his wife died and he became [[Bishop]] of Trimythous (during the reign of [[Constantine the Great]]), he did little to change his humble way of living.<br />
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==Persecutions and witness to Orthodox Faith==<br />
During the Maximilian persecutions (295 AD) he was arrested and exiled. In 325 AD, he was present at the [[First Ecumenical Council]] of Nicea where he astonished many with his simple explanations of the [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] Faith. Though not well-educated, he surprised everyone at the Council of Nicea by converting a famous philosopher to Orthodoxy from [[Arianism]]. He explained the unity and diversity of the Trinity by holding up a brick, then commonly thought to be a combination of the elements fire, earth and water; as he spoke, fire blazed from the top of the brick while water gushed out underneath. There too, at Nicea, he met St. [[Nicholas of Myra]], with whom he formed a lasting friendship.<br />
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==Miracles==<br />
Through simplicity and deep devotion to God, he worked miracles throughout his life and became known as a great [[wonder-worker]], calling forth rain in the midst of drought, casting out demons with a single word, healing the sick and even raising people from the dead, in addition to having the gift of prescience.<br />
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When he arrived back home from Nicea a woman told him that she had given his daughter, who had died while he was away, some jewelry for safekeeping. Now that his daughter was dead, no one could find where she had put them. Spyridon went to his daughter's grave, spoke to her, and was able to restore the jewelry to its owner. <br />
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Also during a famine Spyridon changed a snake into gold pieces so that a poor man could buy food from a greedy merchant who had cornered the supply. <br />
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One day there was only himself and the deacon and readers in church at vespers, and the responses could be heard beautifully chanted by an unseen choir. The music was so beautiful that others, passing by, heard it and saw through the windows what seemed like a large congregation. Entering the church, however, they found only St. Spyridon and his assistants.<br />
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==Departure and relics==<br />
[[Image:Spyridon slippers.jpg|right|thumb|300px|One of the pairs of St. Spyridon's slippers, housed at the cathedral dedicated to him in Worcester, Massachusetts]]<br />
St. Spyridon lived most of his earthly life in Cyprus, where he also reposed in 348 AD and was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Trimythous.<br />
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When the Saracens took the island, the Cypriots opened his grave in order to remove his sacred bones to Constantinople. They found that his body had remained intact, while from the grave emanated a scent of basil, true signs of the sainthood he had shown during his lifetime. When Constantinople fell in 1453, he was transferred to Serbia, then a Corfiot elder, Georgios Kalohairetis, brought him to the island of Corfu in Greece where he is currently buried.<br />
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To this day St. Spyridon's incorrupt [[relics]] at his shrine in Corfu continue to manifest the power of God, wondrous in His saints. He is called the "walking [[saint]]" because the silk slippers which clothe the feet of his relics wear out each year and are replaced on his [[feast day]]. He is commemorated by the Church on [[December 12]]. His Miracle in Corfu against the Turkish invasion of 1716 is commemorated on [[August 11]].<br />
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==Sources and further details==<br />
* http://www.roca.org/OA/95/95h.htm<br />
* "''St. Spiridon's Cathedral, A Century in Seattle''", ed. Alan Mack, (c) 1995 [http://www.saintspiridon.org St. Spiridon's Cathedral].<br />
* http://www.terrakerkyra.gr/history/en/pisti/<br />
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Spyridon Saint Spyridon (Wikipedia)]<br />
* Icons: [http://www.iconograms.org/sig.php?eid=332], [http://www.iconograms.org/sig.php?eid=705]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/inp123.htm Icon of St. Spyridon]<br />
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[[Category:Bishops]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Fourth_Crusade&diff=53779Fourth Crusade2007-07-09T20:55:21Z<p>ByzBot: various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>The '''Fourth Crusade''' lasted from 1201-1204. Though the Crusades were for the most part an entirely Western phenomenon, this one affected Eastern Church history because the invading Crusaders took Constantinople on [[April 13]], 1204. After defeating the Byzantine Emperor Alexius V (who had usurped the throne from his predecessor Alexius IV, put in power by the Crusaders), they conquered the city and famously looted and desecrated numerous churches, [[iconography|icons]], and [[relics]].{{ref|1}} They then set up the [[w:Latin Empire|Latin Empire]], based in Constantinople; it lasted over 57 years until the Byzantine Michael VIII Palaeologus recaptured Constantinople in 1261. This Crusade is widely regarded as having finalized the [[Great Schism]], as much bitterness towards the West remained even after the restoration of Byzantium.{{stub}}<br />
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==Background History==<br />
''Factors Contributing to the Diversion of the Fourth Crusade''<br />
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1. Papal [[Primacy and Unity in Orthodox Ecclesiology|primacy]] as developed during the Cluniac Reformation (10th-11th c.) and the Gregorian Reform of Pope Gregory VII.<br />
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The [[Monastery]] of Cluny in French Burgundy taught the high doctrine of the power of the Apostolic [[See]]. The Church was to be organized under strict discipline, and [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s, and [[monk]]s had no rights of their own that were not derived from the pope, the unique source of ecclesiastical authority. In 1039 Cluny's [[abbot]] Odilo turned his [[monastery]] into the head of a monastic feudal system whose influence spread all over Europe. In 1055 the Monastery of Cluny captured the papacy. Pope Innocent III (pope during the Fourth Crusade) carried these Cluniac ideas about the position of the pope as the sole and highest authority in the Church.<br />
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It naturally followed, therefore, that Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) conceived of his supremacy over the temporal powers as a domination over both the Eastern and Western Empires. This Gregorian Reform stressed, among other things, the primacy of the papacy over the Empire, the infallability of the Church, and the right of popes to depose emperors.<br />
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With this background, and with the experience of the Great Schism in 1054, the papacy's position was that Byzantium was regarded as a rebel, a [[schism|schismatic]] or [[heretic]]al nation which should be brought back to order or eliminated.<br />
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2. Resentment the West had long felt against Eastern Christendom<br />
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The average European, especially those who lived in the northern territories and had no communication or knowledge of the [[Byzantine Empire]], were taught to believe that the Greeks were ungodly, a nation not worthy to bear the name of Christians. Two examples are: <br />
#in the ''[[w:Chronicle of the Morea|Chronicle of the Morea]]'' (a 14th Century text naarating the establishment of western-style feudalism in Frankish Greece), there is a speech recorded which clearly shows the division between the Latins and the Greeks; the papal legate at Zara (1202) stated: "''It is better to brings Christians into agreement and like-mindedness, the Franks and the Greeks, than go to Syria with no hope of success''."(Chronicle of Morea p.82). <br />
#In the acccount of the Second Crusade (1147-49), ''De profectione Ludovici VII in Orientem (On Louis VII's journey to the East)'', written by Odo of Deuil, a chaplain to the French King Louis VII and later abbott of Saint-Denis, Odo explains the failure of the Crusade in terms of human action rather than as the will of God. He blamed the Byzantine Empire under Manuel Comnenus for the downfall of the Crusade. Odo's prejudice against Byzantium led historian Steven Runciman to describe Odo as "hysterically anti-Greek." <br />
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3. Byzantium was regarded by the average Crusader as a traitor to Christendom in that it had consistently been hindering the Crusades, which were viewed by Crusaders as the liberation of the Holy Places from the infidel.<br />
# Emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos|Alexius I Comnenus]] helped the First Crusade but was very cautious, signing an uneasy treaty and alliance with the Crusaders.<br />
# Emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos|Manuel I Comnenus]] promised to help the Second Crusade and signed the same treaty with the Crusaders. However, he could not help because he was engaged in war against the Norman Prince Roger of Sicily, who had invaded Corfu. Manuel had also signed a treaty with the Turks of Iconium; the Crusaders, particularly the Franks, bitterly blamed him for their failure.<br />
# Emperor [[Isaac II Angelos|Isaac II Angelus]] foolishly imprisoned the ambassadors of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (Hohenstauffen), head of the Third Crusade, who were sent to negotiate passage through imperial territory. Issac also had concluded a treaty with the Sultan of Iconium, as he was fearful of Frederick's ambitions. <br />
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The fact is that Constantinople was always suspicious of these Western hordes, sometimes quite unruly, which were passing through its territory full of bigotry and fanaticism against the Islamic nations neighboring the Empire. Besides, the policy of the Byzantine Empire in handling the Moslems and keeping them away was quite opposite to the Crusaders' ideals and blind religious fanaticism. Historian Queller, quoting Runciman, says that "the concept of Christian War appears to be alien to the thought and personality of Jesus, and in fact, it was not looked upon favorably by the Greek Church."<br />
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4. Commercial Rivalries: Venice had the goal of controlling the very important parts of the Empire for the benefit of her trade.<br />
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5. Western Envy<br />
<br />
Envy for the apparent wealth of the Greeks and perhaps the desire to share in some of the precious holy relics and treasure in the churches of the imperial capital was another motivation. The primary sources of the First Crusade speak of the awe the Crusaders felt when they first glanced at the Imperial City and the domes of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]]; the feeling of inferiority is openly discerned as being at work in the Crusaders as a result. <br />
<br />
More to the point, in both of the accounts of Villehardouin and that of the Crusader knight Robert of Clari (4th Crusade), the impression of the Crusaders is recorded. They were stunned by the unbelievable wealth and the treasure of the holy relics of Constantinople. <br />
<br />
6. Bitter Memories<br />
# There were bitter memories of recent Byzantine attacks on Westerners (in Sicily, West Greece(1098), and in Antioch during the First Crusade). <br />
# 1149: The King of France Louis VII supported the suggestion that a European League should launch a new crusade against the emperor who was "Christian Only in Name." The capture of Constantinople should be the crusaders first objective. The Norman Roger of Sicily was in support of the idea, but his ally Pope Eugenius III was hesitant only because he feared the possible increase of Roger's power.<br />
# 1171: Emperor Manuel, having concluded alliances with Pisa and Genoa, decided to strike at Venice by arresting all Venetians in the Empire and confiscating all their ships and goods, symbolizing the degeneration of the Empire's relationship with the West and between Latins and Greeks in Constantinople.<br />
# 1183-85: during the reign of Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus, there was a great massacre of Italians in Constantinople, and all commerical concessions were withdrawn. Andronicus made many enemies and was eventually overthrown by riots in Constantinople.<br />
# 1185: Normans took Thessaloniki and subjected inhabitants to merciless treatment, partly for revenge of the massacre of Latins in 1183.<br />
# 1188: Emperor Isaac II agreed in 1188 to Sultan Saladin's request to build a new mosque (and not just use an existing one) in Constantinople. Its construction is mentioned by Pope Innocent III in a letter of 1210 to the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople, Tommaso Morosini. (Patrologia Latina, CCXVI, col. 354.)<br />
# 1189: The Third Crusade (1189), headed by German King Frederick Barbarossa, an enemy of Byzantium, was almost turned against Constantinople. The folly of Isaac I in imprisoning Frederick's ambassadors enraged the Crusaders. They occupied Philippopolis in Thrace, and Frederick wrote to his son Henry to send a fleet and attack the capital. He also wrote to the pope for his blessing, stating that it was necessary to eliminate the Empire if they were going to have any success in their enterprise against the Moslems. Negotiations by Isaac and a treaty averted the danger at that time. <br />
# 1191: Cyprus taken from Byzantines by English King Richard I "Lion Heart," who sold it in 1198 to Frankish Crusaders from previous Crusades ousted from Jerusalem in 1187 when the Arabs retook Jerusalem after 88 years.<br />
# 1197: Henry VI, son of Frederick Barbarossa, made no secret of his hatred of Byzantium and his ambitions to build a Mediterranean dominion. In 1197 a German expedition landed at Acre in Palestine; it was to be the forerunner of a greater army led by Henry himself. Pope Celestine III made no attempt to dissuade him, but he advised him not to attack Constantinople because he was negotiating with the emperor the ''Union of the Churches''. Henry's sudden death at 32 put an end to this German expedition.<br />
<br />
=='''Chronology of the Fourth Crusade (Diversion of the Fourth Crusade)'''==<br />
<br />
Nov. 1198 - The popular preacher Fulk of Neuilly is commissioned by Pope Innocent III to preach the crusade.<br />
<br />
28 Nov. 1199 - At the tournament in Ecry, many young counts ''take the cross'': Thibald of Champagne (leader), Louis of Blois, Simon de Montfort, Reynald of Montmirail, etc.<br />
<br />
23 Feb. 1200 - Baldwin of Flanders takes the cross.<br />
- shortly thereafter - at a meeting in Soissons, it was decided to delay the Crusade due to lack of support (manpower).<br />
- 2 months later - at Compiegne - it was decided to take the sea route to the East. A group of 6 envoys were sent to Venice to negotiate this. Geoffroy de Villehardouin (author of "''Chronicles of the Crusades''") was one of these.<br />
<br />
Feb. 1201 - Ducal Council of Doge Enrico Dandolo of Venice. It was decided that the fleet was to be ready by 29 June 1202.<br />
<br />
June 1201 - at Soissons, Boniface of Montferrat takes the cross and is made leader of the Crusade.<br />
<br />
c.Sept. 1201 - Alexius IV (son of deposed Emperor Isaac) escapes Constantinople and reaches the West - specifically, Phillip of Swabia's Christmas court in Hagenau Germany.<br />
<br />
Late Summer/Autumn 1201 - Boniface of Montferrat arrives at Hagenau:<br />
<br />
''(Possibility of Phillip of Swabia, Alexius IV, and Boniface of Montferrat discussing a change in direction for the Crusade = diversion of the Fourth Crusade).''<br />
<br />
''Feb. 1202 - Alexius speaks to Pope Innocent III.''<br />
<br />
''March 1202 - Boniface speaks with Pope Innocent III.''<br />
<br />
15 Aug. 1202 - Boniface joins the army in Venice.<br />
<br />
Early Autumn 1202 - too few Crusaders show up; great debt owed to Venice.<br />
<br />
1 Oct. 1202 - Army sets out for the Dalmatian coast, city of Zara.<br />
<br />
After 10 Nov. 1202 - a letter of Pope Innocent III forbids the Crusaders to attack any Christian city, and he names Zara by name, since the king of that city had also taken the cross.<br />
<br />
11-24 Nov. 1202 - Siege of Zara. The city is sacked.<br />
<br />
After 24 Nov.1202 - The pope excomminicates the Crusaders, but shortly thereafter absolves them all (except the Venetians), in order to prevent the breakup of the Crusade.<br />
<br />
Dec. 1202 - Boniface arrives at Zara.<br />
<br />
'''Dec. 1202 - Envoys of Phillip of Swabia arrive in Zara and present the proposal of Alexius IV to the Crusade leaders -- for them to restore Alexius to the throne in exchange for a list of hefty concessions.'''<br />
<br />
24 May 1203 - The Crusaders depart from Corfu after having ratified the proposal of Alexius IV, in Alexius' presence, by oath. Alexius accompanies the Crusaders from here on. <br />
<br />
24 June 1203 - Arrival before the walls of Constantinople.<br />
<br />
18 June 1203 - FIRST SEIGE of Constantinople. The city falls. First fire in the city. Alexius III flees, and then Alexius IV and Isaac are crowned co-emperors.<br />
<br />
August 1203 - Delays in payment by Alexius IV to the Crusaders detain them in Constantinople. They end up wintering in the city instead of leaving for Egypt.<br />
<br />
Dec. 1203 - Jan.1204 - Riots in the city. Second fire in the city.<br />
<br />
28 Jan. 1204 - A coup d'etat by Murtzuphlus, who crowns himself Alexius V.<br />
<br />
8 April, 1204 - SECOND SIEGE of Constantinople begins.<br />
<br />
'''12 April, 1204 - The city falls. A great sack follows. Alexius V flees secretly. Third great fire in the city.'''<br />
<br />
16 May, 1204 - Baldwin of Flanders is crowned the first Latin emperor of the new "Latin Empire of Constantinople (Romania)."<br />
<br />
''((These dates were largely taken from Jonathan Riley-Smith and Niketas Choniates))''<br />
<br />
==The Sack==<br />
<br />
Speros Vryonis in ''Byzantium and Europe'' gives a vivid account of the sack of Constantinople by the Frankish and Venetian Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade:<br />
<br />
:"The Latin soldiery subjected the greatest city in Europe to an indescribable sack. For three days they murdered, raped, looted and destroyed on a scale which even the ancient Vandals and Goths would have found unbelievable. Constantinople had become a veritable museum of ancient and Byzantine art, an emporium of such incredible wealth that the Latins were astounded at the riches they found. Though the Venetians had an appreciation for the art which they discovered (they were themselves semi-Byzantines) and saved much of it, the French and others destroyed indiscriminately, halting to refresh themselves with wine, violation of nuns, and murder of Orthodox clerics. The Crusaders vented their hatred for the Greeks most spectacularly in the desecration of the greatest Church in Christendom. They smashed the silver [[iconostasis]], the icons and the holy books of Hagia Sophia, and seated upon the patriarchal throne a whore who sang coarse songs as they drank wine from the Church's holy vessels. The estrangement of East and West, which had proceeded over the centuries, culminated in the horrible massacre that accompanied the conquest of Constantinople. The Greeks were convinced that even the Turks, had they taken the city, would not have been as cruel as the Latin Christians. The defeat of Byzantium, already in a state of decline, accelerated political degeneration so that the Byzantines eventually became an easy prey to the Turks. The Crusading movement thus resulted, ultimately, in the victory of Islam, a result which was of course the exact opposite of its original intention." (Vryonis, ''Byzantium and Europe'', p.152).<br />
<br />
Sir Edward Gibbon stated that the spoils taken during one week in Constantinople equalled seven times the whole revenue of England at that time (Treece). The four magnificent bronze horses over the portals of San Marco's Basilica in Venice were snatched from the Byzantine hippodrome, standing monuments of one of the greatest acts of brigandage in history.<br />
<br />
Its hard to exaggerate the harm done to European civilization by the sack of Constantinople. The treasures of the city, the books and works of art preserved from distant centuries, were all dispersed and most destroyed. The Empire, the great Eastern bulwark of Christendom, was broken as a power. The conquests of the Ottomans were made possible by the Crusaders' crime(Runciman, p.46).<br />
<br />
A Roman Catholic patriarch was established and attempted to introduce Roman Catholicism by force. The new Venetian Patriarch in Constantinople, Tommaso Morosini, was appointed by the Doge of Venice, Enrico Dandolo (the main person who engineered the diversion of the Fourth Crusade); and according to Gibbon, the Venetians employed every art to perpetuate in their own nation the honors and benefices of the Greek church. Morosini appealed to the Pope for aid, and being unable to serve so many derisive masters, he died a madman. The new papal legate, Pelagius, rode into Constantinople dressed in scarlet from head to foot, like a Greek Emperor himself, and soon asserted that the easy days were over: Thenceforth the Greek clergy must adapt themselves in all religious rites and beliefs to those of the Church of Rome. He was prepared to wade through blood, he quickly showed, should the Orthodox Greeks deny any part of his assertion (Treece, pp.230-231).<br />
<br />
[[Image:Greece_in_1214.JPG|right|thumb|Greece in 1214]]<br />
After the ''Battle of the Olive Grove of Koundouros,'' which took place in the spring of 1205, in Messinia, Peloponnese, between the Franks and the Greeks, all the castles and cities of the Peloponnese fell to the Franks. Meanwhile, the Venetians took possession of Crete in 1211, and retained it until ousted by the Ottoman Turks in 1669, a full 458 years later. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Recovery'''<br />
[[Image:Greece_in_1278.JPG|right|thumb|Greece in 1278]]In September of 1259, the Byzantines defeated the Latin Principality of Achaea at the ''Battle of Pelagonia'', marking the beginning of the Byzantine recovery of Greece.<br />
<br />
In 1261 Emperor Michael Palaeologus reconquered Constantinople for the Byzantines, and control of the city at last passed from the Venetians to the Paleologus Dynasty. Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus made the city of Mystras in the Peloponnese the seat of the new Despotate of Morea, which was to last until 1460.<br />
<br />
==='''Papal Apology to Orthodox Church'''===<br />
May 4, 2001 -- Pope [[John Paul II]] apologizes to Orthodox Church<br />
<br />
The papal visit to Athens, Greece was the first in nearly 1300 Years. Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Christodoulos met at the Aereopagus Hill, where the [[Apostle Paul]] preached to Athenians 2000 years ago.<br />
<br />
Pope John Paul II stated: "For occassions past and present when the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church have sinned by actions and omission against their Orthodox brothers and sisters, may the Lord grant us the forgiveness we beg of Him." Many Orthodox regard this as a 'political' apology for the sacking of Constantinople in 1204, as well as for other issues, but it was clearly not in any way or form a 'religious/doctrinal' apology on the part of the Roman Catholic Church.<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Fourth Crusade]]<br />
* [http://aggreen.net/church_history/1204_sack.html The Sack of Constantinople] - by Nicholas A. Cooke<br />
* {{note|1}} [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/choniates1.html Nicetas Choniates: The Sack of Constantinople (1204)] - from the ''Medieval Sourcebook''<br />
* ''The Cambridge Medieval History: Vol. IV-The Byzantine Empire: Part 1-Byzantium and Its Neighbours''.<br />
<br />
==Sources==<br />
* Riley-Smith, Jonathan. ''The Crusades: A Short History''. Great Britian, 1987.<br />
* Vryonis, Speros. ''Byzantium and Europe''. Harcourt, Brace & World, New York, c1967. <br />
* Runciman, Steven. ''Byzantine Civilization''. Cleveland World Publ. Co. 1965. <br />
* Treece, Henry. ''The Crusades''. London, 1962.<br />
* Miller, William. ''The Latins in the Levant: A History of Frankish Greece 1204-1566''. Cambridge, Speculum Historiale, 1908.<br />
* Atiya, Aziz A. ''Crusade, Commerce and Culture''. Indiana University Press, 1962.<br />
* Hussey, J.M. ''The Impact of East and West 1204-1453: Latin Treachery and Byzantine Diplomacy 1204-1261'', In '''''The Byzantine World''''', 1961.<br />
* Ostrogorsky, George. ''The Byzantine State''. Transl. Joan Hussey. Rutgers, 1969.<br />
* Schmandt, Raymond. ''The Fourth Crusade and the Just War Theory''. (article).<br />
* Gregoire, Henri. ''The Question of the Diversion of the Fourth Crusade''. (article).<br />
* Morris, Colin. ''Geoffrey De Villehardouin and the Conquest of Constantinople''. (article).<br />
* Folda, J. "''The Fourth Crusade 1201-1203: Some Reconsiderations''." in Byzantino-Slavica 26(1965),pp.227-290.<br />
<br />
===Primary Sources===<br />
* Joinville and Villehardouin. ''Chronicles of the Crusades''. Transl, M.R.B. Shaw. Penguin Books, 1963.<br />
* Odo of Deuill. ''De Profectione Ludovici VII in Orientem (The Journey of Louis VII to the East).'' Transl Virginia Gingerick Berry. New York, 1948.<br />
* Niketas Choniates. ''O City of Byzantium, Annals of Niketas Choniates''. Detroit 1984.<br />
* Robert de Clari. ''The Conquest of Constantinople''. Transl. Edgar Holmes McNeal, University of Toronto Press, 1996.<br />
* ''The Chronicle of Morea : a history in political verse, relating to the establishment of feudalism in Greece by the Franks in the thirteenth century''. Ed. John Schmitt (1856-1906). Groningen : Bouma's Bockhuis, 1967<br />
<br />
[[Category:Church History]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Timeline_of_Church_History&diff=53778Timeline of Church History2007-07-09T20:52:27Z<p>ByzBot: various minor cleanups and summarizing; still more to do Ⓣ</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Orthodoxchristianity}}<br />
The '''History of the Church''' is a vital part of the Orthodox Christian faith. Orthodox Christians are defined significantly by their continuity with all those who have gone before, those who first received and preached the truth of [[Jesus Christ]] to the world, those who helped to formulate the expression and worship of our faith, and those who continue to move forward in the unchanging yet ever-dynamic [[Holy Tradition]] of the [[Orthodox Church]].<br />
<br />
<!--- [[Image:A Timeline of Church History Page 1 2.JPG]] ---><br />
<br />
<br />
==Apostolic era (33-100)==<br />
*33 The [[Holy Spirit]] descends on the day of [[Pentecost]], filling the followers of [[Jesus Christ]] with power from on high.<br />
*34 St. [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] founds the See of Antioch.<br />
*37 St. [[Joseph of Arimathea]] travels to Britain and lands in Glastonbury.<br />
*49 Apostolic Council of Jerusalem rules that Gentiles do not have to become Jews before becoming Christians.<br />
*50 The [[Apostle Matthew]] finishes the [[Gospel of Matthew]] in Aramaic.<br />
*62 Martyrdom of [[Apostle James the Just]], the Lord's brother and bishop of Jerusalem.<br />
*63 St. [[Aristobulus]] consecrated as first Bishop of Britain. <br />
*64-67 Persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero.<br />
*64 Martyrdom of the [[Apostle Paul]] in Rome.<br />
*67 Martyrdom of the [[Apostle Peter]] in Rome; [[Apostle Linus]] elected first [[bishop]] of Rome.<br />
*68 Suicide of Emperor Nero.<br />
*69 St. [[Ignatius of Antioch]] consecrated to the [[bishop|episcopacy]] in Antioch.<br />
*70 [[Apostle Mark]] writes his [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel]]; the Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed by the Romans; expulsion of the Christians from the synagogues.<br />
*71 [[Apostle Mark]] introduces Christianity to Egypt.<br />
*75 Judea, Galilea and Samaria are renamed ''Palaestina'' by the Romans.<br />
*80 [[Gospel of Luke]] written by the [[Apostle Luke]]; Jewish historian (and former general) [[Josephus]] writes the ''Antiquities''.<br />
*85 [[Acts of the Apostles]] is composed by the [[Apostle Luke]].<br />
*95 [[Apostle John]] writes the [[Book of Revelation]].<br />
*96-98 Persecution of Christians under Emperor Domitian.<br />
*96 [[Gospel of John]] written by [[Apostle John|that apostle]] as a supplement and further theological illumination of the [[Synoptic Gospels]].<br />
*100 Death of the [[Apostle John]] the Theologian.<br />
<br />
==Ante-Nicene era (100-325)==<br />
*107 Martyrdom of [[Ignatius of Antioch]].<br />
*130 [[Conversion]] of [[Justin Martyr]].<br />
*132 Jews, led by Bar Kochba, whom some identify as the Messiah, revolt against Rome.<br />
*135 [[Christmas]] instituted as a [[feast day|holy day]] in Rome.<br />
*136 Emperor Hadrian crushes the Jewish resistance, forbids Jews from ever entering Jerusalem, and changes the name of the city to ''Aelia Capitolina''; first recorded use of the title ''Pope'' for the bishop of Rome by Pope [[Hyginus of Rome|Hyginus]].<br />
*144 Excommunication of [[Marcion]] for his [[heresy|heretical]] rejection of the [[Old Testament]] and for his semi-[[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] teachings, particularly [[Docetism]].<br />
*150 St. [[Justin Martyr]] describes the [[Divine Liturgy]].<br />
*155 Martyrdom of [[Polycarp of Smyrna]].<br />
*156 Beginning of [[Montanism]].<br />
*165 Martyrdom of [[Justin Martyr|Justin]].<br />
*180 St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] writes ''Against Heresies''.<br />
*190 [[Pantaenus]] founds the [[Alexandrian school|Catechetical School at Alexandria]]. <br />
*197 [[Quartodeciman]] controversy.<br />
*200 Martyrdom of St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]].<br />
*203 Emperor Septimus Severus issues an edict against Christianity and [[Judaism]].<br />
*206 King Abgar IX converts Edessa to Christianity.<br />
*215 Conversion of [[Tertullian]] to [[Montanism]].<br />
*225 Death of [[Tertullian]].<br />
*232 Heraclas becomes Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria on the death of Demetrius.<br />
*246 [[Paul of Thebes]] retreats to the Egyptian desert and becomes the first Christian hermit. <br />
*249-251 Persecution under the Emperor Decius.<br />
*251-253 Persecution under Emperor Gaius.<br />
*253-260 Persecution under Emperor Valerian.<br />
*260 [[Paul of Samosata]] begins his heretical preaching against the divinity of Christ.<br />
*264 Excommunication of [[Paul of Samosata]].<br />
*284 [[Diocletian]] ascends the Roman imperial throne, and begins the most severe persecution against the Christians. During his reign, an estimated 1 million [[martyr]]s are slain for Christ.<br />
*285 St. [[Anthony the Great]] flees to the desert to pursue a life of prayer.<br />
*301 St. [[Gregory the Illuminator]] converts King Tiridates I of Armenia to the Christian faith.<br />
*304 [[Alban]], protomartyr of Britain, killed by Roman authorities.<br />
*310 Armenia becomes the first Christian nation.<br />
*311 Rebellion of the [[Donatism|Donatists]] in Carthage.<br />
*312 Conversion of [[Constantine the Great]], who defeats Maxentius at the [[Battle of Milvian Bridge]] and becomes Emperor of the West.<br />
*313 The [[Edict of Milan]] is issued by St. [[Constantine the Great]] and his co-emperor Licinius, officially declaring religious freedom in the Roman Empire and specifically naming toleration for Christianity.<br />
*314 Condemnation of [[Donatism]] as a heresy.<br />
*318 Publication of "De incarnatione" by St Athanasius. This influenced the condemnation of the teaching of [[Arius]]<br />
*318 St. [[Pachomius the Great]], a disciple of [[Anthony the Great]], organizes a community of ascetics at Tabennis in Egypt, founding [[cenobitic]] [[monasticism]].<br />
*320 Expulsion of [[Arius]] by St. [[Alexander of Alexandria]].<br />
*323 [[Constantine the Great]] builds a church on the site of the martyrdom of St. [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] in Rome.<br />
<br />
==Nicene era (325-451)==<br />
*325 [[First Ecumenical Council]] held in Nicea, condemning [[Arianism]], setting the [[Paschalion]], and issuing the first version of the [[Nicene Creed]].<br />
*326 Discovery of the [[True Cross]] by the Empress St. [[Helen]]a.<br />
*326 King Miraeus of Georgia becomes Christian.<br />
*328 [[Athanasius the Great]] becomes bishop of Alexandria.<br />
*329 St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Athanasius]] ordains St. [[Frumentius]] (Abba Selama) to the [[priest]]hood and commissions him to apostolic work in Ethiopia.<br />
*330 Amoun and [[Macarius the Great]] found monasteries in the Egyptian desert.<br />
*336 St [[Athanasius the Great]] of Alexandria goes into exile in Treves until 338. He told the Europeans about the rule of St [[Pachomius the Great]], thus awakening interest in [[monasticism]] in Europe<br />
*340 Conversion of [[Wulfila]] to [[Arianism]], subsequently missionizing the Goths with his heretical doctrine.<br />
*348 Death of St. [[Pachomius the Great]].<br />
*350 St. [[Ninian]] establishes the church Candida Casa at Whithorn in Galloway, Scotland, beginning the missionary effort to the Picts.<br />
*356 Death of St. [[Anthony the Great]].<br />
*358 [[Basil the Great]] founds the monastery of Annesos in Pontus, the model for Eastern [[monasticism]].<br />
*360 St. [[Martin of Tours]] founds first French monastery at Liguge.<br />
*361 [[Julian the Apostate]] becomes Roman emperor.<br />
*367 St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] writes his [[Pascha]]l letter, listing for the first time the [[canon]] of the [[New Testament]] of the [[Holy Scriptures]].<br />
*373 Death of St [[Athanasius the Great]], Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.<br />
*374 Election of [[Ambrose of Milan|Ambrose]] to the episcopacy of Milan.<br />
*375 St. [[Basil the Great]] writes ''On the Holy Spirit'', confirming the divinity of the [[Holy Spirit]].<br />
*376 Visigoths converted to [[Arianism|Arian]] Christianity.<br />
*380 Christianity established as the official faith of the Roman Empire by Emperor St. [[Theodosius the Great]].<br />
*381 [[Second Ecumenical Council]] held in Constantinople, condemning [[Pneumatomachianism|Macedonianism/Pneumatomachianism]] and [[Appollinarianism]], declaring the divinity of the Holy Spirit, confirming the previous [[Ecumenical Council]], and completing the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]].<br />
*395 St. [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] becomes bishop of Hippo. <br />
*398 St. [[John Chrysostom]] becomes [[Archbishop]] of Constantinople.<br />
*400 Translation of the [[Holy Scriptures]] into Latin as the [[Vulgate]] by St. [[Jerome]].<br />
*401 St. [[Augustine of Hippo]] writes the ''Confessions''.<br />
*403 Abduction of [[Patrick of Ireland|Patrick]] to Ireland to serve as a slave; he escapes a while later and returns to Britain.<br />
*407 Death of [[John Chrysostom]] in exile.<br />
*410 Fall of Rome to the Visigoths. <br />
*411 [[Pelagius]] condemned at a council in Carthage.<br />
*412 St [[Cyril of Alexandria|Cyril]] succeeds his uncle Theophilus as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.<br />
*415 [[Pelagius]] cleared at a [[synod]] in Jerusalem and a provincial synod in Diospolis (Lydda); St. [[John Cassian]] founds convent at Marseilles. <br />
*416 Councils in Carthage and Milevis condemn [[Pelagius]] and convince Pope Innocent I of Rome to excommunicate him.<br />
*418 A council in Carthage anathematizes [[Pelagianism]] by way of endorsing [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustinian]] anthropology.<br />
*426 St. [[Augustine of Hippo]] writes ''The City of God''.<br />
*428 [[Nestorius]] becomes patriarch of Constantinople.<br />
*431 [[Third Ecumenical Council]] held in Ephesus, condemning [[Nestorianism]] and [[Pelagianism]], confirming the use of the term ''[[Theotokos]]'' to refer to the Virgin Mary; the council also grants [[autocephaly]] to the [[Church of Cyprus]]; [[Palladius]] is sent by the Pope of Rome as a missionary bishop to Ireland.<br />
*432 Return of [[Patrick of Ireland|Patrick]] to Ireland to begin missionary work.<br />
*433 The [[Formulary of Peace]] completes the work of the [[Third Ecumenical Council]] by reconciling [[Cyril of Alexandria]] with [[John of Antioch]].<br />
*444 Death of St [[Cyril of Alexandria|Cyril]], Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.<br />
*445 Founding of the monastery at Armagh in northern Ireland.<br />
*449 The "robber synod" of Ephesus. Dioscurus was chairman, with an order from the Emperor to acquit Eutyches.<br />
*450 First monasteries established in Wales.<br />
<br />
==Byzantine era (451-843)==<br />
*451 [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] meets at Chalcedon, condemning [[Eutychianism]] and [[Monophysitism]], affirming that Christ has two natures; this eventually led to a [[schism]], with the [[Church of Alexandria]] being divided into Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian factions, with a similar schism occurring in the [[Church of Antioch]] along with it.<br />
*452 Proterios, who was appointed Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria to replace Dioscuros (who had been deposed at the Council of Chalcedon) convened a synod in Alexandria to try to reconcile the Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian groups.<br />
*459 St [[Symeon the Stylite]] (c.390-459), was a monk living in Syria who was the first [[Stylite]]. <br />
*466 [[Church of Antioch]] elevates the bishop of Mtskheta to the rank of Catholicos of Kartli, thus rendering the [[Church of Georgia]] [[autocephaly|autocephalous]].<br />
*477 Bishop Timothy ("the Wild Cat") of Alexandria, who opposed the Council of Chalcedon, exiled the Orthodox bishops from Egypt.<br />
*484 Founding of the Monastery of St. Sabbas in the Judean wilderness; Synod of Beth Papat in Persia declares the [[Nestorianism|Nestorian doctrine]] as the official theology of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], centered in Edessa.<br />
*488 Death of Peter the Fuller, the non-Chalcedonian Patriarch of Antioch.<br />
*490 St. [[Brigid of Kildaire|Brigid]] founds the monastery of Kildare in Ireland.<br />
*521 St. [[Columba of Iona|Columba]] is born. <br />
*529 The pagan University of Athens is closed, and replaced by a Christian university in Constantinople.<br />
*529 St. [[Benedict of Nursia]] founds the monastery of Monte Cassino and codifies Western [[monasticism]]; [[Council of Orange]] condemns [[Pelagianism]].<br />
*533 Mercurius is elected Pope of Rome and takes the name of [[John II of Rome|John II]], the first pope to change his name upon election.<br />
*533 Foundation of the Diocese of Selefkia in Central Africa by the Emperor Justinian.<br />
*534 Roman Empire destroys the Arian kingdom of the Vandals.<br />
*537 Construction of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] in Constantinople begun by Emperor St. [[Justinian|Justinian the Great]].<br />
*541 [[Jacob Baradeus]], bishop of Edessa, organizes the [[Oriental Orthodox|Non-Chalcedonian Church]] in western Syria (the "Jacobites"), which spreads to Armenia and Egypt (the "Copts").<br />
*544 Founding of the monastery at Clonmacnoise in Ireland by St. [[Ciaran of Clonmacnoise|Ciaran]].<br />
*546 St. [[Columba of Iona|Columba]] founds the monastery of Derry in Ireland.<br />
*553 [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]] held in Constantinople in an attempt to reconcile the Chalcedonians with the non-Chalcedonians&mdash; the ''Three Chapters'' of [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]], [[Theodoret of Cyrrhus]], and [[Ibas of Edessa]] are condemned for their pro-[[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] nature, and [[Origen]] and his writings are also condemned.<br />
*556 St. [[Columba of Iona|Columba]] founds the monastery of Durrow in Ireland.<br />
*563 Consecration of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] in Constantinople; St. [[Columba of Iona|Columba]] arrives on [[Iona]] and establishes his [[monastery]] there.<br />
*569 Final schism between the Chalcedonians and non-Chalcedonians in Egypt. Henceforth there were two Popes and Patriarchs of Alexandria: the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch. The Coptic Patriarch later moved to Cairo. The Chalcedonians (Greek Orthodox) were also called "Melkites".<br />
*570 Birth of Mohammed, founder of [[Islam]].<br />
*580 Monte Cassino is sacked by the Lombards and the monks flee to Rome.<br />
*589 At the [[Council of Toledo]] in Spain, the [[Filioque]] is added to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]] in an attempt to combat [[Arianism]].<br />
*590 Irish missionary St. [[Columbanus]] founds monasteries in France (Luxeuil in Burgundy).<br />
*596 St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]] sends St. [[Augustine of Canterbury|Augustine]] along with forty other monks to southern Britain to convert the pagans.<br />
*601 [[Augustine of Canterbury]] converts King St. [[Ethelbert of Kent]] and establishes the see of Canterbury.<br />
*615 Death of [[Columbanus]] in Italy.<br />
*626 [[Akathist|Akathist Hymn]] is created, an extensive lyric poem of unparalleled beauty, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Hymn was first chanted in the thanksgiving services following the victory of the Byzantine people after the [[w:Sieges of Constantinople|first siege of Constantinople]] by Avars and Sassanid Persians on August 8, 626. <br />
*627 Pope St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]] sends Paulinus to found the see of York and convert King St. [[Edwin of Northumbria]].<br />
*627 The (2nd) [[Elevation of the Holy Cross|Universal Exaltation (Elevation) of the Venerable and Life-giving Cross]]. After the [[w:Battle of Nineveh (627)|Battle of Nineveh in 627]], where the Byzantines decisively defeat Sassanid Persians, [http://www.answers.com/topic/heraclius Emperor Heraclius] recovered Jerusalem and won back the cross of Christ that the Persians had carried off in 614. With great solemnity the Life-creating Cross was transferred to Jerusalem on [[September 14]]. <br />
*635 [[Lindisfarne]] sees the establishment of the monastery that would convert northern England by the missionary saint [[Aidan of Lindisfarne|Aidan]], a monk from [[Iona]]; Cynegils, king of Wessex, converts to Christianity.<br />
*636 Capture of [[Jerusalem]] by the Muslim Arabs. <br />
*638 Arabs allow Jews to return to Jerusalem.<br />
*639 Muslim conquest of Syria.<br />
*641 The capture of the great city of Alexandria by Muslim Arabs.<br />
*642 Muslim conquest of Egypt.<br />
*650 Final defeat of [[Arianism]] as Lombards convert to Orthodox Christianity.<br />
*657 Founding of [[Whitby Abbey]] in Yorkshire, England.<br />
*662 Death of St Maximus the Confessor.<br />
*663 Emperor Constans II is the last Eastern emperor to set foot in Rome.<br />
*664 [[Synod of Whitby]] held in northern England, harmonizing Celtic and Roman liturgical practices in England; [[Iona|Ionian]] monk [[Wilfrid of York|Wilfrid]] appointed as Archbishop of York.<br />
*668 St. [[Theodore of Tarsus]] is appointed as archbishop of Canterbury.<br />
*669-78 [[w:Siege of Constantinople (674)|First Arab siege of Constantinople]], lasts off and on for seven years. By 677 at the [[w:Battle_of_Syllaeum Battle of Syllaeum], the Arab fleet was destroyed through use of "[[w:Greek Fire|Greek Fire]]." This ended the immediate Arab threat to eastern Europe.<br />
*670 Composition of ''Caedmon's Hymn'' by St. [[Caedmon]] of Whitby.<br />
*680-681 [[Sixth Ecumenical Council]] is held in Constantinople, condemning [[Monothelitism]] and affirming the [[Christology]] of St. [[Maximus the Confessor]], affirming that Christ has both a natural (human) will and a divine will. Patriarch [[Sergius of Constantinople]] and Pope [[Honorius of Rome]] are both explicitly [[anathema]]tized for their support of the Monothelite [[heresy]].<br />
*685 First monastics come to [[Mount Athos]].<br />
*687 Destruction of [[Whitby Abbey]] by Danish raiders.<br />
*692 [[Quinisext Council]] (also called the ''Penthekte Council'' or the ''Council in Trullo'') is held in Constantinople, issuing [[canon]]s which are seen as completing the work of the Fifth and Sixth [[Ecumenical Councils]], and declaring the [[Church of Jerusalem]] to be a [[patriarchate]].<br />
*698 Muslim conquest of Carthage.<br />
*710 Pope Constantine (708-715) visited Constantinople in 710, the last time a Pope would visit the city until the visit of Pope Paul VI to Istanbul in 1967. Emperor Justinian II (685-695) kisses the Pope's foot.<br />
*716 Monastery at [[Iona]] conforms to Roman liturgical usage.<br />
*716 St [[Boniface]]'s first missionary journey to Frisia.<br />
*717-18 [[w:Siege of Constantinople (718)|Second Arab siege of Constantinople]]. Emperor Leo III repels the Arabs from Constantinople defending the city for 13 months and destroying their fleet. It is estimated that of the 200,000 muslim soldiers who besieged Constantinople, only around 30,000 made it home.<br />
*726 Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] starts his campaign against the [[iconography|icons]]. Iconoclastic Controversy 726-843.<br />
*731 The Venerable [[Bede]] completes the ''[[Ecclesiastical History of the English People]]''.<br />
*732 Muslim invasion of Europe is stopped by the Franks at the Battle of Tours, on October 10, 732. <br />
*739 Emperor Leo III (717-41) publishes his ECLOGA Law Code, designed to introduce Christian principle into law.<br />
*749 Death of [[John of Damascus]] (c. 676 - December 5, 749).<br />
*750 The "[[w:Donation of Constantine|Donation of Constantine]]" is "discovered" and accepted as a legitimate document, used by Pope Stephen II (752) to "prove" territorial and jurisdictional claims.<br />
*754 [[Iconoclastic Council]] is held in Constantinople under the authority of Emperor [[Constantine V Copronymus]], condemning icons and declaring itself to be the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Emperor Constantine begins the dissolution of the monasteries.<br />
*754 Death of St Boniface, the Apostle of Germany.<br />
*780 Death of St John of Damascus.<br />
*787 [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]] is held in Nicea, condemning [[Iconoclasm]] and affirming the [[veneration]] of the [[iconography|holy icons]], declaring that worship is due to God alone, and that the honor paid to icons passes to its prototype.<br />
*800 [[Charlemagne]] is crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by [[Leo III of Rome]] on [[Christmas]] day. <br />
*800 Ambassadors of Caliph Harunu r-Rashid give keys to the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Holy Sepulcher]] to the Frankish king Charlemagne, thus acknowledging some Frankish control over the interests of Christians in Jerusalem (this is reversed in 1027AD in favour of a Byzantine Protectorate again).<br />
*793 Sack of Lindisfarne. Viking attacks on England begin.<br />
*826 St. [[Ansgar]] arrives in Denmark and begins preaching; King Harald Klak of Denmark converts to Christianity.<br />
*c.829-842 Icon of the Virgin Mary-Portaitissa, which by tradition was painted by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, appeared on the Holy Mountain Athos ("in a pillar of fire" as Athonite tradition recounts) from the sea, close by the Iveron monastery. <br />
*836 Death of St Theodore the Studite.<br />
*843 The [[Triumph of Orthodoxy]] occurs on the first Sunday of [[Great Lent]], restoring the [[iconography|icons]] to the churches.<br />
<br />
==Late Byzantine era (843-1453)==<br />
*846 Muslim raid of Rome.<br />
*852 St. [[Ansgar]] founds the churches at Hedeby and Ribe in Denmark.<br />
*858 St. [[Photius the Great]] becomes patriarch of Constantinople.<br />
*861 Ss. [[Cyril and Methodius]] depart from Constantinople to [[Church_of_Russia#Conversion_of_the_Slavs|missionize the Slavs]]; council presided over by papal legates held in Constantinople which confirms St. [[Photius the Great]] as patriarch.<br />
*862 Ratislav of Moravia converts to Christianity.<br />
*863 First translations of [[Holy Scripture|Biblical]] and liturgical texts into [[Church Slavonic]] by Ss. [[Cyril and Methodius]].<br />
*863 The Venetians steal relics of St Mark from Alexandria.<br />
*864 Prince [[Boris of Bulgaria]] is [[baptism|baptized]].<br />
*867 Council in Constantinople held, presided over by [[Photius the Great|Photius]], which anathematizes Pope [[Nicholas I of Rome]] for his attacks on the work of Greek missionaries in Bulgaria and the use by papal missionaries of the heretical [[Filioque]]; Pope Nicholas dies before hearing the news of his excommunication; [[Basil the Macedonian]] has Emperor [[Michael III]] murdered and usurps the Imperial throne, reinstating Ignatius as patriarch of Constantinople.<br />
*869-870 The [[Robber Council of 869-870]] is held, deposing St. [[Photius the Great]] from the Constantinopolitan see and putting the rival claimant Ignatius on the throne, declaring itself to be the "Eighth Ecumenical Council."<br />
*870 Conversion of Serbia.<br />
*877 Death of St. [[Ignatius I of Constantinople]], who appoints St. [[Photius the Great|Photius]] to succeed him.<br />
*877 Arab Muslims conquer all of Sicily from Byzantium and make Palermo their capital.<br />
*879-880 The [[Eighth Ecumenical Council]] is held in Constantinople, confirming [[Photius the Great|Photius]] as Patriarch of Constantintople, anathematizing additions to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]], and declaring that the prerogatives and jurisdiction of the Roman pope and the Constantinopolitan patriarch are essentially equal; this council is reluctantly accepted by Pope [[John VIII of Rome]].<br />
*883 Muslims burn the monastery of Monte Cassino.<br />
*885 [[Mount Athos]] gains political autonomy.<br />
*885 Death of St Methodius, apostle to the Slavs. <br />
*911 The Holy Protection of the Virgin Mary. On October 1st, 911, during an all night vigil at the Blachernae church of the Mother of God in Constantinople, at 4 o'clock in the morning, the most holy Mother of God appeared above the people with a veil spread over her outstretched hands, as though to protect them with this covering. <br />
*911 Russian envoys visit Constantinople to ratify a treaty, sent by Oleg, Grand Prince of Rus'. <br />
*912 Normans become Christian.<br />
*944 The city of Edessa is recovered by the Byzantine army and the renowned relic of the Holy Mandylion ("Not Made by Hands"), a textile bearing the impression of Christ's face, is conveyed from the city, where it had been kept since the first century, to Constantinople. There the miraculous relic is deposited in the Pharos chapel of the Great Palace of the Byzantine emperors.([http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/waa/ht06waa.htm 1])<br />
*c.950 [http://www.distomo.gr/english/osios_loukas_en.htm Monastery of Hosios Loukas] is founded near ancient Stiris in Greece.<br />
*957 St [[Olga of Kiev|Olga]] is baptised in Constantinople. <br />
*962 Denmark becomes a Christian nation with the [[baptism]] of King Harald Blaatand ("Bluetooth").<br />
*963 St. [[Athanasius of Athos]] establishes the first major monastery on [[Mount Athos]], the [[Great Lavra (Athos)|Great Lavra]].<br />
*968 Rila Monastery founded. The Monastery of [[John of Rila|Saint John of Rila]], better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.<br />
*973. Moravia assigned to the Diocese of Prague, putting the West Slavic tribes under the jurisdiction of the German Church.<br />
*978 [[Edward the Martyr|St Edward the Martyr]], 962-978, King of England.<br />
*988 [[Baptism of Rus']] begins with the conversion of St. [[Vladimir of Kiev]].<br />
*995 St. [[Olaf of Norway]] proclaims Norway to be a Christian kingdom.<br />
*1000 Christianization of Greenland and Iceland.<br />
*1008 Conversion of Sweden.<br />
*1009 Patriarch [[Sergius II of Constantinople]] removes the name of Pope [[Sergius IV of Rome]] from the diptychs of the [[Church of Constantinople]], because the pope had written a letter to the patriarch including the [[Filioque]]. <br />
*1009 The [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in Jerusalem is completely destroyed on October 18, 1009, by the "mad" Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, sixth Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, founder of the [[w:Druze Druze|Druze Druze]] (1021).<br />
*1014 [[Filioque]] used for the first time in Rome by Pope [[Benedict VIII of Rome|Benedict VIII]] at the coronation of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor.<br />
*1015 Death of St [[Vladimir of Kiev]], Prince of Rus', apostle of the Russians and Ruthenians.<br />
*1017 Danish king Canute converts to Christianity.<br />
*1022 Death of St Simeon the New Theologian.<br />
*1027 The Frankish protectorate over Christian interests in Jerusalem is replaced by a Byzantine protectorate. Byzantine leaders begin the reconstruction of the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Holy Sepulchre]] (see AD 800).<br />
*1036 Byzantine [[w:Michael IV the Paphlagonian|Emperor Michael IV]] makes a truce with the Caliph of Egypt in 1036 to allow the rebuilding of the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] by Byzantine Masons. The [[w:Varangian Guard|Varangian Guard]] of the Byzantine Emperor (Eastern Vikings/Rus) were sent there to protect pilgrims, as the [[w:Knights Templar|Knights Templar]] would at a later date. The Church was consecrated in 1048. <br />
*1051 [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves]] founded.<br />
*1054 Cardinal [[Humbert]] excommunicates [[Michael Cerularius]], Patriarch of Consantinople, a major centerpoint in the formation of the [[Great Schism]] between East and West.<br />
*1059 Errors of Berengar of Tours condemned in Rome. The term "transubstantiation" begins to come in to use, ascribed to Peter Damian (1007-1072).<br />
*1066 Normans invade England flying the banner of the Pope of Rome, defeating King [[Harold of England]] at the Battle of Hastings, beginning the reformation of the church and society there to align with Latin continental ecclesiology and politics.<br />
*1071 [[w:Seljuk Turks|Seljuk Turks]] capture Jerusalem. Seljuk rule is not quite as tolerant as that of the [[w:Fatimid|Fatimids]] and Christian pilgrims begin returning to Europe with tales of persecution and oppression. The Seljuks then defeat the Byzantines at the [[w:Battle_of_manzikert Battle of Manzikert] (1071) in [[w:Anatolia Anatolia]and begin the Islamification of Asia Minor.<br />
*1071 Norman princes led by [[w:Robert Guiscard|Robert Guiscard]] capture Bari, the last Byzantine stronghold in Italy, bringing to an end over five centuries of Byzantine rule in the south.<br />
*1073 Hildebrand becomes Pope [[Grgeory VII of Rome|Gregory VII]] and launches the "Gregorian" reforms (celibacy of the clergy, primacy of the papacy over the empire, right of the Pope to depose emperors).<br />
*1075 The [[w:Dictatus papae|''Dictatus Papae'']] document advances the strongest case for Papal supremacy.<br />
*1088 Founding of monastery of St. [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]] on Patmos.<br />
*1095 Launching of the [[w:First Crusade|First Crusade]].<br />
*1096 Persecution of Jews by Crusaders.<br />
*1098 Anselm of Canterbury completes his "Cur Deus homo", marking a radical divergence of Western theology of the atonement from that of the East. <br />
*1098 Crusaders capture Antioch.<br />
*1099 Crusaders capture Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, founding the "''[[w:Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem|Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem]]''," and other crusader states known collectively as ''"[[w:Outremer|Outremer]],"'' lasting from 1099-1291.<br />
*1119 Order of Knights Templar founded.<br />
*1144 Bernard of Clairvaux calls for a [[w:Second Crusade|Second Crusade]] to rescue the besieged Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, and Louis VII of France and Konrad III of Germany join the Crusaders, but they are defeated by the Muslims. Muslims take Christian stronghold of Edessa.<br />
*1149 Building on the work of Byzantine [[Constantine IX]] in 1048, the crusaders began to renovate the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in a Romanesque style and added a bell tower.<br />
*1180 Last formal, canonical acceptance of Latins to communion at an Eastern altar in Antioch.<br />
*1187 [[w:Saladin|Saladin]] retakes Jerusalem and destroys crusader army at the [[w:Battle of Hattin (1187)|Battle of Hattin]].<br />
*1189 [[w:Third Crusade|Third Crusade]] is led by King Richard the Lion-Hearted of England, King Philip Augustus II of France, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.<br />
*1191 Cyprus is taken from the Byzantines by English King Richard I "Lion Heart", and sold to Frankish crusaders in 1198.<br />
*1204 Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade [[Sacking of Constantinople|sack Constantinople]], laying waste to the city and stealing many holy [[relics]] and other items; [[Great Schism]] generally regarded as having been completed by this act.<br />
*1211 Venetian crusaders conquer Byzantine Crete, retaining it until ousted by the Ottoman Turks in 1669 over four centuries later.<br />
*1235 Death of [[Sava of Serbia|St Sava of Serbia]].<br />
*1237 Golden Horde (Mongols) begin [[Church of_Russia#Mongol Tartars over Russia .281237-1448.29|subjugation of Russia]].<br />
*1240 Mongols sack Kiev. Prince Alexander Yaroslavich (Nevsky) defeats the Swedish army at the Battle of the Neva.<br />
*1242 Prince Alexander Nevsky's Novgorodian force defeats the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of Lake Peipus, a major defeat for the Catholic crusaders. <br />
*1258 [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] seizes the throne of the Nicaean Empire, founding the last Roman (Byzantine) dynasty. He begins the reconquest of the Greek peninusla from the Latins.<br />
*1259 The Byzantines defeat the Latin ''Principality of Achaea'' at the [[w:Battle_of_Pelagonia Battle of Pelagonia] in September of 1259, marking the beginning of the Byzantine recovery of Greece.<br />
*1261 End of Latin occupation of Constantinople. Orthodox Patriarchs are restored to Constantinople. A triumphant parade entering the city is held on [[August 15]], with the emperor following the famous Hodegetria icon of the Virgin into the city. <br />
*1261 Emperor [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] made the city of [[w:Mystras|Mystras]] the seat of the new [[w:Despotate of Morea|Despotate of Morea]].<br />
*1268 Egyptian Mamelukes capture Antioch.<br />
*1275 Patriarch of Constantinople [[John XI Beccus of Constantinople|John XI Beccus]] (1275-1282), was elected to replace Patriarch [[Joseph I Galesiotes of Constantinople|Joseph I Galesiotes]] (1267-1275) who had abdicated early in 1275 due to his opposition to the [[Council of Lyon]] (1274). Patriarch Bekkos was a controversial figure and the chief Greek advocate of the reunion of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.<br />
*1291 Fall of Acre. End of crusading in the Holy Land.<br />
*1302 Papal Bull ''[[w:Unam sanctum|Unam Sanctum]'' issued on November 18, 1302 by Pope Boniface VIII proclaims Papal supremacy.<br />
*1333 [[Gregory Palamas]] (1296-1359) defends the Orthodox practice of [[hesychasm|hesychast spirituality]] and the use of the [[Jesus Prayer]].<br />
*1336 [[Meteora]] in Greece is established as a center of Orthodox [[monasticism]].<br />
*1341-1351 Three sessions of the [[Ninth Ecumenical Council]] held in Constantinople, affirming the [[hesychasm|hesychastic]] theology of St. [[Gregory Palamas]] and condemning the rationalistic philosophy of [[Barlaam of Calabria]].<br />
*1341-47 Byzantine civil war between John VI Cantacuzenus (1347–54) and John V Palaeologus (1341–91). The installation of Cantacuzenus on the throne in 1347 confirmed the victory of the Heyschast movement. Byzantine historian George Ostrogorsy writes that "''after the strong Latin influence in the 12th and 13th centuries the conservative Greek tradition in Byzantium came into its own in the first half of the 14th century, and it was diametrically opposed to Western culture as well as to the Roman Church.''".<br />
*1344 Death of Amda Syon, Emperor of Ethiopia.<br />
*1346 *1349 Prince Stephen Dushan of Serbia assumes the title of Tsar (Caesar).<br />
*1354 Ottoman Turks make first settlement in Europe, at Gallipoli.<br />
*1359 Death of St [[Gregory Palamas]], Athonite monk and Archbishop of Thessalonica. <br />
*1379 Western "Great Schism" ensues, seeing the simultaneous reign of three Popes of Rome.<br />
*1383 St [[Stephen of Perm]], missionary to the Zyrians, consecrated bishop. <br />
*1389 Serbs are defeated by Ottoman Turks of Sultan Murad I at the battle of Kosovo Polje.<br />
*1391-98 Ottoman Turks beseige Constantinople for the first time, unsuccessful seven-year seige.<br />
*1396 First English Bible translated by John Wyclif.<br />
*1417 End of Western "Great Schism" at the Council of Constance.<br />
*1422 [[w:Siege_of_Constantinople_%281422%29 Second unsuccessful Ottoman seige] of Constantinople.<br />
*1439 Ecclesiastical reunion with the West is attempted at the [[Council of Florence]], where only St. [[Mark of Ephesus]] refuses to capitulate to the demands of the delegates from Rome.<br />
*1444 [[Donation of Constantine]] proved forgery.<br />
*1448 [[Church of Russia]] declares its independence from the [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*1452 Unification of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches in Hagia Sophia on December 12, 1452 on the West's terms, when Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos, under pressure from Rome allowed the union to be proclaimed.<br />
*1453 [[Fall of Constantinople|Constantinople falls]] on Tuesday May 29,1453 to the invasion of the Ottoman Turks. End of the Roman Empire in the East. [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] is turned into a mosque.<br />
<br />
==Post-Imperial era (1453-1821)==<br />
*1455 Gutenberg makes the first printed [[Bible]].<br />
*1480 Spanish Inquisition.<br />
*1492 Millennian speculation in Moscow. The Church calendar ended in 1492, and many were convinced that it marked the end of the seventh and last millennium in the world's history.<br />
*1503 Council at which controversy arose between St Nil Sorsky and St Joseph of Volokalamsk about monastic landholding. Joseph's party were known as the Possessors and the Trans-Volga hermits as the [[Church_of_Russia#Non-Possessors|Nonpossessors]]. <br />
*1517 St Maximus the Greek invited to Russia to translate the Greek service books and correct the Russian ones. <br />
*1517 Martin Luther nails his ''Ninety-Five Theses'' to the door at Wittenburg, sparking the Protestant Reformation; Ottomans conquer Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria, when Joakim the Athenian was Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.<br />
*1526 Nonpossessors attack Tsar Vassily (Basil) III for divorcing his wife, and are driven underground. <br />
*1534 King Henry VIII declares himself supreme head of the Church of England.<br />
*1536 Publication of John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian religion".<br />
*1540 Death of Emperor Lebna Dengel of Ethiopia.<br />
*1541 Portuguese expeditionary force arrives in Ethiopia.<br />
*1542 Ethiopians and Portuguese defeat Ahmad ibn Ibrahim Gran of Adal, thus neutralising Adal threat to Ethiopia.<br />
*1547 Council of Trent held to answer the Protestant Reformation.<br />
*1551 Council of the Hundred Chapters in Russia.<br />
*1552 Death of St Basil the blessed, Fool for Christ, critic of Ivan IV Grozny, for whom St Basil's Cathedral in Red Square is named. <br />
*1555 Archbishop Gurian missionary in Kazan (until 1564).<br />
*1564 Jesuits arrive in Poland.<br />
*1569 Martyrdom of St Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, at the hands of Ivan IV Grozny. <br />
*1575 [[Church of Constantinople]] grants [[autonomy]] to [[Church of Sinai]].<br />
*1581 Ostrozhsky Bible printed by Prince Kurbsky and Ivan Fedorov.<br />
*1582 Institution of the Gregorian Calendar by Pope Gregory XIII.<br />
*1589 [[Autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Russia]] recognized; the [[primate]] of the [[Church of Russia]] is styled as "[[patriarch]]."<br />
*1596 At the [[Union of Brest-Litovsk]], several million Ukrainian and Byelorussian Orthodox Christians, living under Polish rule, leave the [[Church of Russia]] and recognize the Pope of Rome, without giving up their Byzantine liturgy and customs, creating the [[Uniate]] church.<br />
*1627 Pope and Patriarch Cyril Lukaris of Alexandria presented the famous "Codex Alexandrinus" to King Charles I of England for "safe keeping".<br />
*1642 The [[Council of Jassy]] (Iaşi) revises [[Peter Mogila|Peter Moghila]]'s confession to remove overtly Roman Catholic theology. Also confirms the canonicity of certain of the deuterocanonical books.<br />
*1652-1658 Patriarch [[Nikon of Moscow]] revises liturgical books to bring them into conformity with the Greek liturgical customes, leading to the excommunication of dissenters, who become known as the [[Old Believers]].<br />
*1647 An Orthodox Church is erected in Tunisia.<br />
*1652 A school and hospital were established in Old Cairo by Patriarch Joannikios.<br />
*1685 Orthodoxy introduced in Beijing, China by the [[Church of Russia]].<br />
*1715 Metropolitan Arsenios of Thebaid sent to England by Pope and Patriarch Samuel of Alexandria to negotiate with non-juror Anglican bishops (those who had refused to take the oath to William and Mary).<br />
*1724 [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Melkite]] schism, many faithful from the [[Church of Antioch]] become [[Uniate]]s.<br />
*1767 A community of Orthodox Greeks establishes itself in New Smyrna, Florida.<br />
*1768 Jews are massacred during riots in Russia-occupied Poland.<br />
*1782 First publication of the ''[[Philokalia]]''; [[autonomy]] of [[Church of Sinai]] confirmed by [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*1794 Missionaries, including St. [[Herman of Alaska]], arrive at Kodiak Island, bringing Orthodoxy to Russian Alaska.<br />
*1811 [[Autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Georgia]] revoked by the Russian imperial state after Georgia's annexation, making it subject to the [[Church of Russia]].<br />
<br />
==Modern era (1821-1991)==<br />
*1821 Greek independence declared on the Day of [[Annunciation]] ([[March 25]]).<br />
*1829 The Treaty of Adrianople ends the Greek War of Independence, culminating in the creation of the modern Greek state.<br />
*1832 [[Church of Serbia]] becomes ''de facto'' [[autocephaly|autocephalous]].<br />
*1833 [[Church of Greece]] declares its [[autocephaly]], making it independent of the [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*1848 ''[[Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs]]'' sent by the primates and synods of the four ancient patriarchates of the Orthodox Church, condemning the [[Filioque]] as heresy, declaring the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to be [[heresy|heretical]], [[schism]]atic, and in [[apostasy]], repudiating [[Ultramontanism]] and referring to the Photian Council of 879-880 as the "[[Eighth Ecumenical Council]]."<br />
*1850 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Greece]].<br />
*1854 [[Immaculate Conception]] declared dogma by [[Roman Catholic Church]].<br />
*1870 [[Papal Infallibility]] declared [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] dogma necessary for salvation by the First Vatican Council.<br />
*1864 First Orthodox [[parish]] established on American soil in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Greeks.<br />
*1865 [[Church of Romania]] declares its [[autocephaly|independence]] from the [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*1871 [[Nicholas of Japan|Nikolai Kasatkin]] establishes Orthodox mission in Japan.<br />
*1872 Council in Jerusalem declares [[phyletism]] to be a [[heresy]]; [[Church of Bulgaria]] gains ''de facto'' [[autocephaly]] by a decree of the Sultan.<br />
*1879 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Serbia]].<br />
*1881 Wave of anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia causes mass migrations of Jews (2.5 million Jews settle in the United States, thousands settle in Palestine).<br />
*1885 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Romania]].<br />
*1898 Last Greek patriarch of [[Church of Antioch|Antioch]] deposed.<br />
*1899 Restoration of Arabs to the [[Church of Antioch|Patriarchal throne of Antioch]].<br />
*1900 [http://www.orthodox.cn/saints/korz_en.htm Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer-Rebellion] in China. Some of the 222 Orthodox martyrs of June 10/23, 1900, were direct descendants of the Russian mission set up at the end of the seventeenth century, after Russia lost its Albazin outpost to Chinese forces. <br />
*1905 Seat of Orthodox bishop in America moved from San Francisco to New York, as immigration from Eastern Europe and the reception of ex-[[Uniate]]s shifts the balance of Orthodox population to eastern North America.<br />
*1905 [[Apostolos Makrakis]] (1831-1905). A charismatic lay theologian, preacher, ethicist and philosopher, and editor of the [[The Rudder|Rudder]], who was an influential leader of the awakening movement in post-revolutionary Greece.<br />
*1907 Archimandrite Eusebius Matthopoulos founds the ''[[Brotherhood of Theologians Zoe|Zoe Brotherhood]],'' thus becoming one of the most influential figures in the twentieth century history of the Church of Greece. <br />
*1908 Fr Nikodemos Sarikas sent to Johannesburg, Transvaal, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the first Orthodox priest there. After a short time he left for German East Africa (later Tanzania) because of the opposition of Johannesburg Greeks to mission among Africans.<br />
*1908 [[John of Kronstadt|St. John of Kronstadt]], 1829-1908. The Wonder-Working Father John Sergiev is another of the great elders and saints who were a part of the spiritual revival started by [[Paisius Velichkovsky|St. Paisius Velichkovsky]].<br />
*1914 The [[Church of Russia]] included, in 1914, more than 50,000 priests, 21,000 monks, and 73,000 nuns. It supported thousands of schools and missions. It cooperated with the Russian government in exercising great influence in Mid-Eastern affairs. <br />
*1917 Battle of Jerusalem (December 8 - December 26) - British forces under General Allenby capture the city of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire.<br />
*1917 [[Church of Georgia]]'s [[autocephaly]] restored ''de facto'' by the political chaos in Russia.<br />
*1917 The [[w:Bolshevik_revolution Bolshevik Revolution] throws the [[Church of Russia]] into chaos, effectively stranding the fledgling Orthodox mission in America; St. [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas Romanov]], Tsar of Russia is martyred together with his wife St. [[Alexandra Romanov|Alexandra]] and children. Communism's "Militant Atheism" becomes official policy, (1917-1991).<br />
*1921 The [[Church of Constantinople]] renounces all claims to jurisdiction in any part of Africa, and the Patriarch of Alexandria is henceforth known as the Pope and Patriarch of [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria and all Africa]]; [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Archdiocese of America]] is formed.<br />
*1922 [[Church of Albania]] declares its [[autocephaly|independence]] from the [[Church of Constantinople]]; formation of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]].<br />
*1922 By the end of the [[w:Greco-Turkish_War_%281919-1922%29 Greco-Turkish War] of 1919-1922, the city of [[w:Great_Fire_of_Smyrna Smyrna in Asia Minor is evacuated], after the Greek army is routed and 30,000 civilians are killed. A million refugees fled to Greece joining half a million Greeks who had fled earlier. <br />
*1922 [[w:Palestine#British_Mandate_.281920.E2.80.931948.29 British Mandate] in the Middle East 1922-1948. Britain rules Palestine and much of the Middle East.<br />
*1923 [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia]] granted [[autonomy]] by the [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*1924 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Poland]].<br />
*1924 Bishop Daniel William Alexander convenes a meeting in Kimberley, South Africa, which decides to secede from the African Church (a Protestant denomination) and affiliate with the African Orthodox Church in New York under George McGuire.<br />
*1925 [[Church of Romania]] becomes a [[patriarchate]].<br />
*1925 First Africans in sub-Saharan Africa baptised in Tanganyika by Fr Nikodemos Sarikas.<br />
*1927 Daniel William Alexander travels from South Africa to America to be consecrated a bishop of the African Orthodox Church. Orthodox Archbishopric of Johannesburg established.<br />
*1931 Reception of the [[Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe]] into the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]], led by Metr. [[Eulogius (Georgievsky) of Paris]].<br />
*1932 Daniel William Alexander travels to Uganda to meet Reuben Spartas, and establish African Orthodox Church there.<br />
*1933 October 12, 1933: [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/masonry.aspx Greek Orthodox Church Bans Freemasonry]. The Holy Synod banned it as it wished "''to bring back after eighteen centuries the manners and customs of the pagans''."<br />
*1934 Daniel William Alexander travels to Kenya, and establishes African Orthodox Church led by Arthur Gathuna.<br />
*1935 The critical edition of the [[Septuagint]], ''"Septuaginta,"'' is published in Gottingen Germany by Alfred Rahlfs at the Septuaginta-Unternehmens Institute. <br />
*1937 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Albania]].<br />
*1938 [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)]] and [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)]] founded.<br />
*1943 [[Church of Russia]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Georgia]]; first constitution of the African Orthodox Church in East Africa signed by Reuben Spartas and Arthur Gathuna.<br />
*1945 [[Church of Bulgaria]]'s [[autocephaly]] generally recognized; library of early Christian texts is discovered at Nag Hammadi in Egypt; Soviet Union annexes Czechoslovakia; [[Church of Russia]] claims jurisdiction over the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia]].<br />
*1945 A library of early Christian texts is discovered at Nag Hammadi in Egypt, in December 1945, known as the [[Gnostic Texts of Nag Hammadi|Nag Hammadi Library]] or the Gnostic Gospels. <br />
*1946 Reuben Spartas of the African Orthodox Church visits Alexandria. The Holy Synod of the [[Church of Alexandria]] officially recognises and accepts the African Greek Orthodox Church in Kenya and Uganda.<br />
*1947 [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] are discovered near Qumran in Egypt.<br />
*1948 Declaration of the Establishment of the [[w:State_of_israel State of Israel] on 14 May 1948, one day before the expiry of the [[w:Palestine#British_Mandate_.281920.E2.80.931948.29 British Mandate] of Palestine. On the same day that Israel declares its independence, the [[w:1948_Arab-Israeli_War 1948 Arab-Israeli war] starts with five Arab countries attacking Israel from all sides: Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq.<br />
*1948 [[Church of Russia]] re-grants [[autocephaly]] to the [[Church of Poland]] (after having revoked it in the aftermath of World War II).<br />
*1948 On Dec. 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the ''Universal Declaration of Human Rights'' . <br />
*1951 [[Church of Russia]] grants [[autocephaly]] to the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia]].<br />
*1957 [[Church of Russia]] grants [[autonomy]] to the [[Church of China]].<br />
*1958 Creation of [[Western Rite Vicariate]] in the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]] with the reception of multiple [[Western Rite]] parishes into Orthodoxy.<br />
*1962-1965 Second Vatican Council held in Rome, initiating major liturgical and theological reforms for the [[Roman Catholic Church]], including the abolition of the ancient [[Tridentine Mass]] and the introduction of the Novus Ordo.<br />
*1961 Archbishop Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), 1877-1961, Archbishop of the Crimea, the Confessor and Doctor was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995, and on March 19, 1996, by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He was one of the most brilliant surgeons of his time. He spent more than a decade in prison and exile during the Soviet era, and is one of the most revered saints in modern-day Greece.<br />
*1964 Historic meeting of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople]] in Jerusalem. <br />
*1965 Pope Paul VI of Rome and Patriarch [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople]] mutually nullify the excommunications of 1054, on December 7, 1965.<br />
*1967 [[Church of Macedonia]] declares its [[autocephaly]], making it independent of the [[Church of Serbia]]. To date, this declaration has not been recognised by any other Orthodox Church.<br />
*1970 Glorification of [[Herman of Alaska|St. Herman of Alaska]] in separate services by the ROCOR and the OCA. <br />
*1970 [[Orthodox Church in America]] reconciles with the [[Church of Russia]] and is granted [[autocephaly]]. The Church of Russia grants autonomy to the [[Church of Japan]].<br />
*1971 The [[Theological School of Halki|Halki Seminary]] Greek Orthodox Theology Patriarchal School on Heybeliada Island near Istanbul is closed to new students under a law that put religious and military training under state control. As a result, the Christian Orthodox Church is unable to train new clergy for eventual leadership in Turkey. <br />
*1975 Division in the Antiochian church in North America overcome by the uniting of the two Antiochian archdioceses into one by Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York]] and Archbishop [[Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo]].<br />
*1979 Pope [[John Paul II]] visits made a historic three-day visit to Turkey in November 1979, for a religious summit with Greek Orthodox [[Demetrius I (Papadopoulos) of Constantinople|Patriarch Demetrios I]], stating a determination to bring to a close what he has called the "''intolerable scandal''" of the divisions within the Christian-professing world. <br />
*1979 The Joint Commission of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches for Theological Dialogue was established in November 1979 by Pope [[John Paul II]] and the [[Demetrius I (Papadopoulos) of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I]]. The sessions of the Committee included: 1) Patmos, 1980; 2) Munich, 1982; 3) Bari,1987; 4) Valamo, Finland, 1988; 5) Moscow, 1990; 6) Balamand, 1993; 7) Baltimore, 2000; and 8) Belgrade, 2006.<br />
*1980 The first plenary session of the International Joint Commission for the Theological Dialogue met in the spring of 1980 at the island of Patmos,Greece. The first theme chosen for study was ecclesiology and its link to the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Trinity. <br />
*1982 In Munich, the second Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue published its first official common document: "''The Mystery of the Church and of the Eucharist in Light of the Mystery of the Holy Trinity''." <br />
*1985 Founding of [[Orthodox Christian Mission Center]] (OCMC) as Greek Archdiocesan Mission Center.<br />
*1987 The third Joint Commission issued the common document "''Faith, Sacraments and the Unity of the Church''" in Bari, Italy.<br />
*1987 Dec. 3, 1987 - Visit by [[Demetrius I (Papadopoulos) of Constantinople|Dimitrios, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]] to the Vatican.<br />
*1988 One thousand (1000) years of Orthodoxy in Russia, as Orthodox Church world-wide maintains fulness of the Apostolic faith.<br />
*1988 The fourth Joint Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church meets in Valamo, Finland and issues: "''The Sacrament of Order in the Sacramental Structure of the Church''." <br />
*1989 Since 1989 [[Ephraim of Philotheou|Archimandrite Ephraim of Philotheou]] (commonly known as Elder Ephraim) founds 17 men's and women's monasteries in North America (7 men's, 10 women's, to date 2007). Before this, there was very little [[Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite]] monastic activity in the Western Hemisphere, despite the growth and prosperity of the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada during the past century. <br />
*1989 [[Church of Constantinople]] recognizes the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Church of Georgia]].<br />
*1989 Glorification in Russia of [[Tikhon of Moscow|St. Tikhon of Moscow]]. <br />
*1990 The fifth Joint Theological Commission session met in Moscow. Work began by the Committee on the next common document in Moscow, "''Ecclesiological and Canonical Consequences of the Sacramental Nature of the Church''", but at the request of the Orthodox Church the discussions were stopped in order to address the question of "Uniatism". <br />
<br />
==Post-Modern era (1991-Present)==<br />
*1991 Soviet Union Collapses, end of Cold War (1945-1991). The end of Communism in Eastern Europe allows the Orthodox churches to re-emerge. Most "Orthodox" Countries, previously suppressed by communistic dictatorships, miraculously were saved from atheistic socialism, regaining their apostolic calling of preaching un-fearfully the Gospel of Christ.<br />
*1992 Civil War Begins in Former Yugoslavia. War of Yugoslav Disintegration 1992-1996. <br />
*1993 The sixth Joint Theological Commission session met in Balamand, Lebanon, and issued the common document on "''Uniatism: Method of Union of the Past, and Present. Search for Full Communion''."<br />
*1993 April 9, 1993, prompted by a petition signed by 11,000 laypeople, the [[Church of Cyprus]] condemned Freemasonry as a religion incompatible with Christianity. <br />
*1994 [[Ligonier Meeting]] in Western Pennsylvania at the [[Antiochian Village]] held by the majority of Orthodox hierarchs in North America votes to do away with the notion of Orthodox Christians in America being a "[[diaspora]]." The 29 Bishops of the [[Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas|SCOBA]] gathered together in their "first attempt" to Establish an American Orthodox Patriarchate in the Western Hemisphere.<br />
*1995 June 27, 1995 - Ecumenical [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis of Constantinople|Patriarch Bartholomew I Archontonis)]] was welcomed to the Vatican. On [[June 29]], 1995 the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Patriarch Bartholomew and the Pope gave homilies in [[w:St_Peter%27s_Basilica Saint Peter's Basilica], and signed a Common Declaration. (Common Declarations were also signed in 2004, & 2006). <br />
*1997 Visit by Ecumenical [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis)]] of Constantinople to US. For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was heralded as a Bridge Builder and Peacemaker and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress in 1997.<br />
*1998 [[Church of Constantinople]], not recognizing Russia's right to issue a [[tomos]] of [[autocephaly]] in 1951, issues its own tomos for the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia]].<br />
*2000 The seventh Joint Theological Commission session met in Baltimore, U.S.A., and discussed a text on "''The Ecclesiological and Canonical Implications of Uniatism''". The theological dialogue between the two sides were suspended after this time due to difficulties. They resumed again in 2006.<br />
*2001 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Fourth_Crusade#Papal_Apology_to_Orthodox_Church Papal Apology to Orthodox Church, May 4th, 2001]. <br />
*2002 Ecumenical [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Patriarch Bartholomew]] and Pope [[John Paul II]] Sign a Declaration on Protecting the Environment, [[June 11]], 2002. <br />
*2003 The [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]] is granted "self-rule" (similar but not identical to [[autonomy]]) by the [[Church of Antioch]].<br />
*2003 April 2003, The [[Church of the Nativity (Bethlehem)|Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem]] barred US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair from ever entering the shrine. The chief priest of the church, Father Panaritus, was quoted as saying ''"They are war criminals and murderers of children. Therefore, the Church of Nativity decided to ban them access into the holy shrine forever."'' <br />
*2004 Pope [[John Paul II]] returns the [[relics]] of Ss. [[John Chrysostom]] and [[Gregory the Theologian]] to the [[Church of Constantinople]].<br />
*2004 His All-Holiness, Ecumenical [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Patriarch Bartholomew]] visited Havana, Cuba to participate in the consecration of the first Orthodox Church to be built in the island nation in four decades. The consecration Liturgy at the newly built St Nicholas Church took place on Sunday, January 25, 2004. <br />
*2004 February 2004 - The Bishop of Sergiyev Posad Feogonst sanctified the first Orthodox church built in Antarctica at a site that can be seen from 30 kilometers away.<br />
*2004 [[June 29]], 2004 - Ecumenical [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Patriarch Bartholomew I]] welcomed to Vatican. Pope [[John Paul II]] & Patriarch [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]] signed a Common Declaration on [[July 1]], 2004, pledging their continued efforts toward reunion of Orthodox and Catholic Churches.<br />
*2005 [[October 28]], 2005 - Tension at the Ecumenical Patriarchate due to the "Grey Wolves" Turkish terrorist group. The Turkish nationalist group "Grey Wolves" staged a rally outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar, where they laid a black wreath, demanding the transfer of the Patriarchate to Greece. <br />
*2006 January 2006 - The first Orthodox Prayer Book in Chinese and Russian. A hardcover bilingual Russian-Chinese prayer book was made available for the first time through the support of the Brotherhood of Sts Peter and Paul of Hong Kong. The prayer book consists of the morning and evening prayers and the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom. <br />
*2006 [[March 2]], 2006 - Pope [[Benedict XVI|Benedict]] drops one of his nine official titles, giving up "''Patriarch of the West''" in a discreet step apparently intended to help promote closer ties with the Orthodox churches of the East. <br />
*2006 August 2006 - North Korea Russian Orthodox Church Opens. North Korea's first ever Russian Orthodox Church conducted its inaugural mass Sunday Aug. 13th., although there was no sign the hardline communist regime had eased its tight controls on religion.<br />
*2006 October 2006 - Pope ends "Doctrine of Limbo," as per the conclusions of a 30-strong Vatican international commission of theologians. The commission's conclusions were formally approved by Pope [[Benedict XVI]] at a mass Friday [[October 6|October 6th]] <br />
*2006 The eighth Joint Theological Commission of the Orthodox and Roman Cathlolic Churches met in Belgrade, Serbia.<br />
*2006 [[November 29]], 2006 - Pope [[Benedict XVI]] visits the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The visits of his predecessors to the Church of Constantinople included Pope Paul VI in 1967, and Pope John Paul II in 1979. The Pope and the Patriarch signed a 7-point common declaration of ecumenical solidarity, on [[November 30]], 2006. <br />
*2006 [[December 14]], 2006 - A milestone in the recent history of the Church of Greece was the official visit of [[Christodoulos (Paraskevaides) of Athens|Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece]] to the Vatican. The visit was carried out with the "''aim of reaffirming the need for both Churches to join forces so that they can ensure that Europe maintain her Christian character and to deal with burning human issues needy of a solution the Church can offer."''<br />
*2007 Restoration of [[full communion]] between [[Moscow Patriarchate]] and [[ROCOR]] took place on the Great Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, [[May 17]], 2007.<br />
<br />
==Notes==<br />
*Some of these dates are necessarily a bit vague, as records for some periods are particularly difficult to piece together accurately.<br />
*The division of Church History into separate eras as we do here will always be to some extent arbitrary, though we have tried to group periods according to major watershed events.<br />
*This timeline is necessarily biased toward the history of the [[Orthodox Church]], though a number of non-Orthodox events are mentioned for their importance in history related to Orthodoxy.<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Timeline of Orthodoxy in America]]<br />
*[[Timeline of Orthodoxy in Australia]]<br />
*[[Timeline of Orthodoxy in New Zealand]]<br />
*[[Timeline of Orthodoxy in Japan]]<br />
<br />
==Published works==<br />
<br />
The following are published writings that provide an overview of Church history:<br />
<br />
'''From an Orthodox perspective'''<br />
<br />
* [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Ware, Timothy]]. ''The Orthodox Church: New Edition''. (ISBN 0140146563)<br />
<br />
'''From a [[Heterodox]] perspective'''<br />
<br />
* Boer, Harry R. ''A Short History of the Early Church''. (ISBN 0802813399)<br />
* Cairns, Earle E. ''Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church''. (ISBN 0310208122)<br />
* Chadwick, Henry. ''The Early Church''. (ISBN 0140231994)<br />
* Collins, Michael, ed.; Price, Matthew Arlen. ''Story of Christianity: A Celebration of 2000 Years of Faith''. (ISBN 0789446057)<br />
* Eusebius Pamphilus; Cruse, C.F. (translator). ''Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History''. (ISBN 1565633717)<br />
* Gonzalez, Justo L. ''A History of Christian Thought, Volume 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon''. (ISBN 0687171822)<br />
* Gonzalez, Justo L. ''A History of Christian Thought, Volume 2: From Augustine to the Eve of the Reformation''. (ISBN 0687171830)<br />
* Gonzalez, Justo L. ''A History of Christian Thought, Volume 3: From the Protestant Reformation to the Twentieth Century''. (ISBN 0687171849)<br />
* Gonzalez, Justo L. ''The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Reformation''. (ISBN 0060633158)<br />
* Gonzalez, Justo L. ''The Story of Christianity, Volume 2: Reformation to the Present Day''. (ISBN 0060633166)<br />
* Hall, Stuart G. ''Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church''. (ISBN 0802806295)<br />
* Hastings, Adrian, ed. ''A World History of Christianity''. (ISBN 0802848753)<br />
* Hussey, J. M. ''The Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire: Oxford History of the Christian Church''. (ISBN 0198264569)<br />
* Jones, Timothy P. ''Christian History Made Easy''. (ISBN 1890947105)<br />
* Noll, Mark A. ''Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity''. (ISBN 080106211X)<br />
* [[Jaroslav Pelikan|Pelikan, Jaroslav]]. ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600)''. (ISBN 0226653714)<br />
* Pelikan, Jaroslav. ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 2: The Spirit of Eastern Christendom (600-1700)''. (ISBN 0226653730)<br />
* Pelikan, Jaroslav. ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 3: The Growth of Medieval Theology (600-1300)''. (ISBN 0226653749)<br />
* Pelikan, Jaroslav. ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 4: Reformation of Church and Dogma (1300-1700)''. (ISBN 0226653773)<br />
* Pelikan, Jaroslav. ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 5: Christian Doctrine and Modern Culture (since 1700)''. (ISBN 0226653803)<br />
* Schaff, Philip. ''History of the Christian Church''. (ISBN 156563196X)<br />
* Wace, Henry; Piercy, William C., ed. ''A Dictionary of Christian Biography: Literature to the End of the Sixth Century A.D. With an Account of the Principal Sects and Heresies''. (ISBN 1565630572)<br />
* Walton, Robert C. ''Chronological and Background Charts of Church History''. (ISBN 0310362814)<br />
<br />
==External link==<br />
<br />
*[http://saintignatiuschurch.org/timeline.html A Timeline of Church History] provided by [http://saintignatiuschurch.org/ St. Ignatius of Antioch Orthodox Christian Church]<br />
<br />
===History of Orthodox Christianity===<br />
A 3-part series by GOTelecom - QuickTime format<br />
<br />
* [http://realserver.goarch.org/en/gotelecom/history_pt1-DSL.mov Part 1: Beginnings] - Journey begins with the founding of the Church, the spread of Christianity to "nations" by the Apostles, the Gospel and the institution of Sacraments<br />
* [http://realserver.goarch.org/en/gotelecom/history_pt2-DSL.mov Part 2: Byzantium] - After the stabilization of the Church, the journey continues through the period of the Nicene Creed, Patristic Scriptures, Divine Liturgy and Icons. During this same period, however, the official division of East and West is witnessed and concludes with a gradual rift in matters of faith, dogma, church customs, politics and culture<br />
* [http://realserver.goarch.org/en/gotelecom/history_pt3-DSL.mov Part 3: A Hidden Treasure] - The Church becomes the only institution perceived by Greeks as the preserver of their national identity during 400 years of Turkish rule. By the end of the 19th century, a worldwide Orthodox community is born and the Church expands its influence to major social and philanthropic concerns<br />
<br />
[[Category:Church History]]<br />
[[Category:Featured Articles]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[bg:Времева линия на църковната история]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Vladimir_of_Kiev&diff=51138Vladimir of Kiev2007-05-11T13:02:32Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Vladimir of Kiev.jpg|right|thumb|200px|St. Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev]]<br />
The holy and right-believing '''Vladimir (Svyatoslavich), Baptizer of Kievan Rus' ''' (958-1015) was the Grand Prince of Kiev when Orthodoxy was introduced into present day Russia and Ukraine. He is also the grandson of [[Olga of Kiev|St. Olga]], and the father of Sts. [[Boris and Gleb]] the [[Passion-bearer|Passion-Bearers]] (and the first saints of the Russian lands). He is commemorated by the Church on [[July 15]].<br />
<br />
==Life==<br />
St. Vladimir was a devout pagan in his early life. He was a great conqueror who had many wives and erected many pagan statues in the lands that he ruled over.<br />
<br />
Upon finding out that other faiths existed beyond his own paganism, he decided to send his envoys out into the world to find out what was true faith on earth.<br />
<br />
His envoys met with Muslims, but felt that there was no joy among them, and that their faith was very mechanical. The envoys also met with Jews and Catholics, but were still unimpressed.<br />
<br />
Everything changed, however, when the envoys arrived in [[Constantinople]]. Upon attending [[Divine Liturgy]] in [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]], the envoys said, "We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth."<br />
<br />
Taking the word of his envoys, St. Vladimir had himself and his nation [[baptism|baptized]] into the [[Orthodox Church]].<br />
<br />
St. Vladimir changed completely after his baptism. He destroyed all the pagan statues that stood in Kievan Rus', and replaced them with churches. He also attempted to live in peace as much as possible with his neighbors and had only one wife.<br />
==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)<br />
:Holy Prince Vladimir,<br />
:you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls.<br />
:By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you :found Christ, the priceless pearl.<br />
:He appointed you to be another Paul,<br />
:washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness.<br />
:We celebrate your memory,<br />
:asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your :spiritual children.<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8)<br />
:Most glorious Vladimir, in your old age you imitated the great apostle Paul:<br />
:he abandoned childish things, while you forsook the idolatry of your youth.<br />
:Together with him you reached the fullness of divine wisdom:<br />
:You were adorned with the purity of holy baptism.<br />
:Now as you stand before Christ our Savior, pray that all Orthodox Christians may be saved.<br />
==External link==<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=102031 Holy Equal of the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, in Holy Baptism Basil, the Enlightener of the Russian Land] - [[OCA]] website.<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/v/ynk14.htm Icon of Vladimir of Kiev]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Stephen_the_Great&diff=51137Stephen the Great2007-05-11T13:02:07Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>The holy and right-believing Prince '''Saint Stephen the Great''' (''Dreptcredinciosul Voievod Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt'' in Romanian) was ruler of Moldova (in modern-day Romania) from 1457 to 1504. He was a great statesman and military tactician as well as being a devout Orthodox Christian. He was responsible for defending Moldova against the Ottoman invasion, building a [[church]] or [[monastery]] in thanks to God after each victory. <br />
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Stephen the Great was officially glorified, along with his spiritual father St. [[Daniel the Hermit]] of [[Voronet Monastery|Voroneţ]] ('''''Sf. Daniil Sihastru de la Voroneţ''''') and many other Romanian saints, by the Synod of the [[Church of Romania]] in 1992. His feast day is [[July 2]].<br />
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==Life== <br />
St. Stephen (also spelled Stefan) is honored as a saint throughout the Orthodox Church. Despite his earthly failings (somewhat comparable to the Psalmist and Patriarch [[David]]), he was a great defender of the True Faith against the onslaught of the Ottoman-[[Islam|Muslim]] Empire during the last half of the fifteenth century. <br />
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St. Stephen defeated Mehmet at a famous and decisive battle in a place called Vasi Lui (not far south of Iasi in the province of Moldova). Had he not done so, little would have stood between Mehmet and the Ukraine -- and the obliteration of the rest of the Orthodox world. Mehmet met his match after shortly after having sacked Constantinople. With the rest of the Balkan penninsula falling to Islam's sword, Mehmet must have seemed unstoppable to Christians everywhere, yet none of the Western powers nor the Western Church would lift a finger against the Ottomans. Thus, Stephen stood more or less alone in defense of Christianity and his homeland. <br />
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Perhaps of equal or greater significance to this great saint's life is that he built many [[church]]es and [[monastery|monasteries]] -- one after each of his 47 successful battles against the Ottomans, including many of the most beautiful monuments to Orthodoxy in the entire world. These monasteries still stand today and despite over 500 tumultuous years, including 50 years of Communist persecution of the Faith, they continue to thrive as a home to thousands of monastics. Stephen's monasteries include the famous "painted" monasteries, referring to the fact that the outsides are frescoed and, remarkably, have survived 500 years of weather - except on the north sides! These include the fabulous painted monasteries of Voronet, Moldovitsa, and Suceavitsa, as well as Putna (where Stephen reposes) and Neamst. At the west end of the south exterior wall of Voronet, interestingly enough, is a vibrantly colored fresco of the siege of Constantinople. Based undoubtedly on his zeal for the Church, he was commonly referred to as ''holy'' even during his life. St. Stephen's son founded the Probota Monastery, a magnificent monument to his own faith, still thriving today as a monastic community for women. Ironically, as depicted in the iconography on the west wall in the [[nave]] of its main church, St. Stephen's grandson – the son of Probota's founder – gave himself to Islam, no doubt preferring the''easier'' life it falsely promised him. <br />
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St. Stephen lost two battles and built nothing after them, probably believing that he did not have God's blessing to do so. And although he did have one son who resulted from an adulterous relationship, that son and his wife founded the painted monastery, Probota.<br />
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==Sources and External links==<br />
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=149011 St Stephen at OCA.org]<br />
*[[w:Stephen III of Moldavia|Wikipedia's page on Stephen the Great]]<br />
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[[Category:Romanian Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Stefan_Uros_III_of_Serbia&diff=51136Stefan Uros III of Serbia2007-05-11T13:01:42Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>{{english}}<br />
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Saint King '''Stefan of Dečani''' (in sebian:Свети краљ Стефан Дечански) was Serbian king from 1321 to 1331. Altough his full name was '''Stefan Uroš III''' , (Stefan in honour of St. Stephen Patron Saint of Serbia, Uroš in honour of his grandfather Stefan Uroš I), he is canonised as '''Saint Stefan of Dečani, King of Serbia'''. His feast Day is [[November 11]]/[[November 24|24]].<br />
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== Early life ==<br />
Saint Stefan was born the only son of the saintly King Milutin (Stephen Uros II) and his first wife Jelena, a Serbian noblewoman. Living at the court of his father, the heir-apparent received a good education, his mind was exercised by study of the language and writings of his people, and his heart strengthened by study of the [[Holy Scripture]] and the teachings of the Orthodox Faith. <br />
The good fruit of his upbringing proved itself when King Milutin was forced to send him as hostage to the Tartar chief Nogyi. In spite of the potential dangers, Stephen was obedient to his father's will and did not resist, trusting his life to the Lord. And his hope was not in vain. He eventually made friends with one of the Tartar nobles, who succeeded in assisting his safe return home. <br />
When Stephen came of age, his father arranged that he marry the daughter of the Bulgarian King Smilec, Teodora, and the young couple were given the land of Zeta, where they settled until such a time as Stefan would be called to succeed his father to the throne.<br />
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==Exile==<br />
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King Milutin had remarried, and his new wife, Simonide, plotted in order that one of her brothers would inherit the throne. She convinced Milutin that Stefan wanted to seize the throne prematurely, and the deceived Milutin ordered that his son be captured, that he be blinded to ensure that he never again entertain such treachery, and that he be sent as a prisoner to [[Constantinople]].<br />
The ''young king'' ( his official title) was taken together with his children, Dušan, and Dušica, and when they were passing through Ovče Polje, the guards took red hot pokers and blinded him. That night St. Nicholas appeared to Stefann in a dream: "Be not afraid," he said, "your eyes are in my hands." Comforted not a little by this vision, the sightless Stefan arrived in Constantinople. The Emperor Andronicus pitied the young exile and received him graciously. He was soon settled in the [[Monastery]] of Pantocrator, where he impressed the [[monk]]s by his meekness and his longsuffering acceptance of the bitter trial that had come to him through his own father.<br />
Five years passed. King Milutin was growing old. Hearing good reports about his son, his heart softened, and he called Stefan home to Serbia. Before leaving Constantinople, Stefan had a dream in which St. Nicholas appeared to him a second time, holding in his hand a pair of eyes. When he awoke, his sight was restored. <br />
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==Rule==<br />
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Three years later, his father died, and Stefan, always popular with the people, was crowned King of Serbia by the [[Archbishop]] St. [[Nikodemus I of Pec|Nikodim I]] in Peć Monastery on Theophany [[January 6]], 1322. His official title was Stefan Uroš III King of Serbia and Coastlands. His brother Konstantin, resented this turn of events and raised an army in order to wrest the throne away from Stefan. Desiring to avoid bloodshed, King Stefan addressed a letter brother: <br />
"Put far from thee thy desire to come with a foreign people to make war on thine own countrymen; but let us meet one another, and thou shalt be second in my kingdom, for the land is great enough for me and thee to live. I am not Cain who slew his brother, but Joseph who loved him, and in his words I speak to thee. Fear not, for I am from the Lord. You prepared evil for me, but the Lord has given me good, as you now see."<br />
Konstantin was unmoved and gave orders to attack. In the ensuing battle, his army was defeated and he himself was slain. For the next ten years, King Stefan ruled in relative peace, and the Serbian land prospered. His son Dušan proved to be an able military leader and was successful in battles with the Bulgarians and the Greeks, who were envious of the now powerful Serbian state and rose up against it. Grateful to the Lord for these victories, King Stefan set about with Archbishop St. [[Daniel II of Pec|Danilo II]], Nikodim's successor, to find a place to build a [[church]]. They settled upon a place called Decani, and there, in 1327, King Stefan himself laid the cornerstone for what was to become one of the most magnificent and enduring specimens of Serbian church architecture. Inside it was graced by splendid [[icon]]s, to which more were added in the sixteenth century by the hand of the celebrated Slav iconographer, Longin<br />
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Saint Stefan gave generously to the needy. He also made liberal donations to churches and monasteries on the Holy Mountain, in Jerusalem, Alexandria, and to the monastery of Pantocrator in Constantinople. Nor did he forget his debt to the wonderworker Nicholas: he commissioned a silver altar and sent it together with some icons to the church in Bari, Italy, where the Saint's holy [[relics]] are located.<br />
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Having in a true Christian manner endured the grievous trials and afflictions which he met through the years, the good king deserved to live out the rest of his life in peace. But it was only fitting that he who suffered as a [[martyr]] in life should be granted an opportunity to receive in death a martyr's crown. After he defeated Bulgarians in famous Velbužd battle Stefan did not want to take any Bulgarian teritories.<br />
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==Detronement and Death==<br />
His final trial was the most agonizing. Dušan's successes on the field of battle had given him an appetite for power and glory, and, encouraged by his entourage of nobles, he decided to take the throne. In 1331, St. Stefan was taken prisoner to a fortress in the town of Zvečan and cruelly murdered (by some accounts he was hung, according to another he was strangled). His son did not know that some nobles wanted to kill his father. The guilty were soon killed. <br />
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Almost immediately Dušan was struck by remorse. He earnestly and tearfully repented of his treachery, and the next year, on the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, he had his father's remains transferred from Zvečan to Dečani, where they were placed in a marble tomb. Dušan also finished building his father's foundation. In 1339, the tomb was opened, and his body was found to be incorrupt. That same day saw many miracles of healing. Especially did the holy king prove to heal diseases of the eyes, and at his relics blind people received their sight. Afther this Saint king was canonised. His feast Day is [[November 11]]/[[November 24|24]].<br />
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{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=St. [[Stefan Uros II Milutin|Stefan Uroš II Milutin]]|<br />
title=King of Serbia|<br />
years=1321-1331|<br />
after=Stefan Uroš IV Dušan(emperor from 1346)}}<br />
{{end box}}<br />
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<div>[[Image:Theodora.jpg|right|frame|The Empress St. Theodora, Wife of [[Justinian the Great]]; Mosaic, 6th c., Cathedral of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy]]<br />
The holy and right-believing '''Empress Theodora''' (''c''. 500-548) was empress of the [[Roman Empire]] and the wife of Emperor [[Justinian]] the Great. Along with her husband, she is a [[saint]] in the [[Orthodox Church]], commemorated on [[November 14]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Theodora was born into the lowest class of Byzantine society, the daughter of a bearkeeper for the circus. Much of the information from this earliest part of her life comes from the ''Secret History'' of Procopius, published posthumously. Critics of Procopius&mdash;whose work reveals a man seriously disillusioned regarding his rulers and out to defame them&mdash;have dismissed his work as vitriolic and pornograpic. <br />
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It is believed by some scholars that sometime before meeting Justinian she became an adherent of the [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]] Christianity, which claims Christ was of one nature, remaining their partisan throughout her life. Others instead argue that her association with [[Monophysitism]] is largely because of Justinian's putting her in charge of courting the Monophysites' reunion with the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Chalcedonian]] party in the Church, and so while remaining Chalcedonian herself, she was pastorally favorable toward the non-Chalcedonians.<br />
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In 523 Theodora married Justinian, the ''magister militum praesentalis'' in Constantinople. On his accession to the Roman Imperial throne in 527 as Justinian I, he made her joint ruler of the empire, and appears to have regarded her as a full partner in their rulership. This proved to be a wise decision. A strong-willed woman, she showed a notable talent for governance. In the Nika riots of 532, her advice and leadership for a strong (and militant) response caused the riot to be quelled and probably saved the empire.<br />
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Some scholars believe that Theodora was Byzantium's first noted proponent&mdash;and, according to Procopius, practitioner&mdash;of abortion; she convinced Justinian to change the law that forbade permit noblemen from marrying lower class women (like herself). Theodora also advocated the rights of married women to commit adultery, and the rights of women to be socially serviced, helping to advance protections and "delights" for them; and was also something of a voice for prostitutes and the downtrodden. She also helped to mitigate the breach in Christianity that loomed large over her time; she probably had a large part in Justinian's efforts to reconcile the Monophysites to orthodoxy.<br />
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Other scholars (and those who venerate Theodora as a [[saint]]) instead regard Theodora's achievements for women not as a modern feminist "liberation" to commit abortion or adultery but rather as a truly egalitarian drive to give women the same legal rights as men, such as establishing homes for prostitutes, passing laws prohibiting forced prostitution, granting women more rights in divorce cases, allowing women to own and inherit property, and enacting the death penalty for rape, all of which raised women's status far above that current in the Western portion of the Empire.<br />
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Theodora died of cancer (probably breast cancer) before the age of 50, some 20 years before Justinian died. Her body was buried in the [[Church of the Holy Apostles (Constantinople)|Church of the Holy Apostles]], one of the splendid churches the emperor and empress had built in Constantinople. Both Theodora and Justinian are represented in beautiful mosaics that exist to this day in the [[Church of San Vitale (Ravenna)|Church of San Vitale]] at Ravenna in northern Italy, which was completed a year before her death.<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/justinian/ Justinian, Theodora and Procopius]<br />
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<div>[[Image:Theodora the Iconodule.jpg|thumb|150px|right|St. Theodora the Iconodule]]<br />
The Righteous '''Theodora''' was the wife of Emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast during the middle of the ninth century. She was a strong [[iconodule]] who after the death of her husband overrode his [[iconoclast]]ic policies to finally restore [[veneration]] of [[icon]]s in the Eastern Roman Empire. With her glorification as a [[saint]] the Church remembers her role in this restoration. Her [[feast day]] is [[February 11]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Little is known of her early life. Coming from Paphagonia, Theodora descended from an aristocratic Armenian family. Theophilus' stepmother, Euphrosyne, selected her as his bride and during their marriage they had seven children, five daughters and two sons. The youngest son would succeed his father as Emperor Michael III.<br />
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Theophilus maintained the restored iconoclastic policies initiated by Leo V in 813 after the first period of restoration of veneration under [[Irene of Athens|Empress Irene]] in the late eighth century. Theodora, however, secretly was a strong believer in veneration of icons. Upon the death of Theophilus in 842, Theodora came to power as the regent for her son Michael and ended the iconoclastic policies of her husband in 843 with the backing of a church [[council]]. The proclamation of 843 restoring veneration of icons initiated the feast of the [[Sunday of Orthodoxy|Triumph of Orthodoxy]] that has since been celebrated by the Orthodox Church each year on the first Sunday of [[Lent]]. <br />
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She ably governed the empire, including replenishing the treasury and fending off an attempted invasion by the Bulgarians. As Michael grew older, he came under the influence of his uncle Bardas, who undermined the authority of Theodora. In 855, he finally displaced Theodora from her regency and sent her to the Monastery of St. Euphroyne, where she died around the year 867.<br />
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In 1460, the Turks gave her [[relics]] to the people of Kerkyra (Kephalonia). <br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_%289th_century%29 Theodora the Iconodule]<br />
*[http://www.stirene.org/Archives/February/0211-StTheodoraEmpress.htm Theodora]<br />
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<div>The holy, right-believing '''Pulcheria the Empress''' was the daughter of Arcadius, the emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and his wife Aelia Eudoxia. As regent for her younger brother Theodosius II and empress in her own name, she strongly influenced the direction of the government in its relations with Christianity, especially during the [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] controversies in the fifth century. Her feast day is [[September 10]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Aelia Pulcheria was born on [[January 19]], 399. Aelia Pulcheria should not be confused with her aunt Pulcheria, who was the daughter of [[Theodosius I]] and Aelian Flaccilla and died in 385 at the age of eight. Arcadius, who was the elder son of Theodosius I, died in 408. At the death of his father, and at a very young age, seven years old, Theodosius II became emperor under the tutelage of the eunuch Antiochus.<br />
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Pulcheria was a devout Christian and at an early age she expressed her devotion to the [[Theotokos]] and took a vow of virginity to avoid being forced into marriage. As the elder sister of Theodosius II (her older sister, Flaccilla, died young, probably before 408), she held much of the power when he became emperor. She was involved extensively in the education of her brother even though she was only two years older than him and maintained enormous influence over him for much of his reign. Sources recorded that in 412 at the age of thirteen she dismissed her brother's tutor, Antiochus, and herself assumed the role of her brother's tutor.<br />
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The court quickly assumed a pious and austere atmosphere under her influence, befitting her almost monastic life style. On [[July 4]], 414, the Senate proclaimed her augusta (empress) and made her regent for her brother. When Theodosius became capable of ruling by himself in 416, Pulcheria continued to strongly influence over her brother and of the course of the empire. Through her influence Theodosius removed all pagans from the civil service. Under her influence Theodosius and his wife Aelia Eudoxia, who had been a pagan, became devout Christians. <br />
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Pulcheria used her wealth for the [[Church]]. In doing so she inspired her brother to do likewise. While she appeared to be indifferent to the [[Arianism]] was practiced by the German tribes, she took a firm position on the heretical teaching of [[Nestorius]]. She almost immediately showed her antagonism towards him when he became [[patriarch]] in 428. Whether the downgrading of the status of the Virgin Mary from Theotokos to Christotokos under Nestorianism was involved, Pulcheria greatly influenced her brother's position in the controversies that led up to the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council in Ephesus]] in 431. At first he was a supporter of Nestorius before acceding to his sister's position. In this controversy Patr. [[Cyril of Alexandria]] believed Pulcheria's influence was important in the downfall of his rival.<br />
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In 441, Pulcheria's influence on her brother began to wain as the eunuch Chrysaphius convinced Theodosius to dismiss his sister. But soon the [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]] controversy was raised by the [[archimandrite]] Eutyches and supported by Theodosius as well as by Cyril's successor as [[Patriarchs of Alexandria|patriarch of Alexandria]], [[Pope Saint Dioscorus I of Alexandria (Coptic POV)|Dioscorus]]. When Eutyches' views were validated at the 'Robber Council' of 449 in Ephesus, [[Leo the Great|Pope Leo I of Rome]] included Pulcheria among those he approached for help in reversing the council's decisions. <br />
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On [[July 26]], 450, Theodosius suddenly died, and Pulcheria returned to the court as the wife of the new emperor, Marcian. She agreed to the marriage with the understanding that her vow of chastity would be honored. In 451, the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]], presided over by Marcian, was convened. It condemned both Nestorianism and the [[Robber Council of 449]] that had supported the Monophysite [[heresy]]. The [[heretic]] Eutyches was deposed and exiled.<br />
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Pulcheria died not long afterwards, in July 453. In addition to her defense of Orthodoxy, Pulcheria is remembered for her zeal in promoting other interests of the Church. She had the [[relics]] of St. [[John Chrysostom]] returned from where he had died in exile and buried in the Church of the Apostles in Constantinople on [[January 27]], 438. She had three churches built in Constantinople that honored Mary the Theotokos. She built many hospitals, houses for pilgrims, and bequeathed her wealth to charity.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[[w:Pulcheria|wikipedia:Pulcheria]]<br />
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12561c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Pulcheria]<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/pulcheria.htm Pulcheria]<br />
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<div>[[Image:Olga Equa to the Apostles.jpg |frame|right|Saint Olga Equa-to-the-Apostles]]<br />
The holy, right-believing Empress '''Olga of Kiev''' was the grandmother of Prince [[Vladimir of Kiev]]. A [[convert]] to Orthodox Christianity, she was the main influence on her grandson that resulted in his conversion to Christianity and that of his realm of Kievan Rus. She is considered, with her grandson, as having brought Orthodoxy to Russia. Her feast day is [[July 11]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Olga's origins are not certain. Although she may have come from Pskov, according to the Russian ''Primary Chronicles'' she came from Vyshgorod. She was probably of Varangian heritage. She is believed to have been born about 890. About 903 she married Prince Igor I, who was the son of the founder of Russia, Rurik. Prince Igor succeeded his father Oleg as the ruler of Kiev and its territories that now are parts of a number of present day nations: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland.<br />
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After her husband, Igor, was murdered in 945, Princess Olga became the regent for her son, Svyatoslav, which continued until he came of age in 964. She is remembered in the ''Primary Chronicles'' for her revenge against the Derevlyanins for the murder of her husband. In a tough world the Princess Olga could be tough. She was known as a strong and effective ruler. When she became interested in Christianity is uncertain, although her interest may have started before her visit to Constantinople. <br />
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In 957, she visited Emperor Constantine VII in Constantinople. He admired her looks and intelligence, noting to her that 'You are fit to reign in this city with us.' She agreed to be baptized and thus became a Christian, with name Helen, after the Patriarch Polyeuctus had instructed her in the faith. Before her [[baptism]], Constantine asked her hand in marriage, but Olga deferred claiming that she wanted to be baptised an Orthodox Christian first. Again, after the baptism, Constantine requested her hand in marriage, but the quick-thinking Olga tricked him (since he was her godfather in baptism), noting that he called her his daughter in baptism which she noted was against Christian law. While Constantine commented to Olga about her trickery, he lavish gifts on her when she returned to Kiev. In Kiev she instructed her son, Svyatoslav, and entreated him to be baptized. While he could not bring himself to commit to baptism, he would not forbid others. <br />
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In 968, while Svyatoslav was occupied elsewhere, Pechenegs surrounded Kiev in a siege where Olga was living, caring for her grandsons Yaropolk, Oleg, and Vladimir. As the people became weaker with hunger and lack of water, Olga inspired a lad to escape the siege and bring relief. By this time sickness had come upon the aging Princess Olga. At the same time her son wanted to move his residence to Pereyaslav (which is on the Danube River), leaving Olga in Kiev. Olga restrained Svyatoslav from leaving until after she had died. She died on [[July 11]], 969 and was buried by a [[priest]], having ordered that there would not be a funeral feast.<br />
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==Her legacy==<br />
While Olga was not successful in converting her son or many others to the Christian faith, her example may have been a great influence on her grandson, Vladimir, who in 988 became an Orthodox Christian and led the inhabitants of Kiev and Rus' to follow him in the [[Baptism of Rus']]. For her leadership in bringing Christianity to Russia, she is considered the first [[saint]] of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]].<br />
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==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 1)<br />
:Giving your mind the wings of divine understanding,<br />
:you soared above visible creation seeking God the Creator of all.<br />
:When you had found Him, you received rebirth through baptism.<br />
:As one who enjoys the Tree of Life,<br />
:You remain eternally incorrupt, ever-glorious Olga.<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4<br />
:Today let us praise God the Benefactor of all,<br />
:Who glorified divinely-wise Olga,<br />
:That through her prayers, He may grant our souls remission of sins.<br />
==Source==<br />
* Ed. Tessa Clark, ''The Russian Chronicles'', Thunder Bay Press, 2001 ISBN 1-57145-577-9<br />
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==External link==<br />
*[http://womenshistory.about.com/od/medievalsaints/p/princess_olga.htm Princess Olga of Kiev]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/o/inp96.htm Icon of St. Princess Olga]<br />
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<div>The Righteous '''Irene of Athens''' was the wife of the Byzantine Emperor [[Leo IV the Khazar|Leo IV]] and mother of [[Constantine VI]], both strong [[iconoclast]]s. She ruled jointly with her son, Constantine, after the death of her husband Leo. Irene was a strong [[iconodule]]. She arranged the convening of the [[Seventh Ecumenical Council|Second Council of Nicaea]] in 787 that restored the practice of veneration of icons. She was deposed in 802 and was exiled to Lesbos. Her [[feast day]] is [[August 9]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Irene was born in Athens about the year 752. Her family background is not known. It is believed that she was born of a Greek noble family. She apparently was a beautiful but orphaned girl who at the age of seventeen was brought to Constantinople by the Emperor [[Constantine V]] to be married to his son Leo in November 769. She gave birth to a son, Constantine, on [[January 14]], 771. Leo, however, was a steadfast [[iconoclast]] who, according to tradition, found that Irene possessed icons and thereafter would no longer share their marriage bed.<br />
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Upon the death of Constantine V in 775, Irene's husband Leo ascended to the throne as Leo IV. Being in poor health, Leo died after only five years as emperor, on [[September 8]], 780. With Leo's death, his son became emperor as Constantine VI, but since he was only ten years old his mother Irene was installed with him as co-emperor, and she immediately reversed the iconoclastic policies of her husband. <br />
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Not having a dynastic background, Irene was continually confronted by opposition forces, some of whom used Leo's half-brothers as figureheads. To blunt the threat from the half-brothers, she had them ordained as [[priest]]s, since [[clergy]] could not rule. Then, she had them administer communion at the [[Divine Liturgy]] on the [[Nativity|Feast of the Nativity of our Lord]] to demonstrate that they had rejected politics. Seeking closer relations with the Carolingians, Irene negotiated a marriage between her son and Rotrude, who was a daughter of Charlemagne by his third wife Hildegard. However, Irene broke off the engagement in 788, over her son's objections. Then, through the use of a bride-show, Irene selected Maria of Amnia as Constantine's bride. The couple were married in November 788. By this marriage they had two daughters, Euphrosyne and Irene. Constantine, however, did not like Maria and forced her to become a nun. In the meantime, having taken Theodote, Irene's lady-in-waiting, as mistress, Constantine arranged that Theodote be crowned ''augusta'', a title which Maria was not granted, and then married her. Irene had taken a hands-off attitude with Constantine's handling of his marriage. The marriage, however, was very unpopular with the Church, because its legality was seriously questioned. <br />
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As Constantine matured he became involved in plots to wrestle control from Irene. To forestall threats of disloyalty and to strengthen her position in these feuds, Irene demanded that oaths of fidelity be taken only in her name. In 790, discontent swelled to open resistance when soldiers from the theme of Armeniacs proclaimed Constantine the sole ruler. By 792, the feud between Irene and her son had cooled and Irene's title as empress was confirmed. The rival factions continued their intrigues and, in 797, Constantine found it necessary to flee the palace. Captured by forces friendly to Irene, Constantine was brought back to Constantinople to the Purple Palace, Porphyra, where he was born, and there blinded in mid-August 797, apparently with the foreknowledge of his mother, Irene. He was 26 years old.<br />
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Ruling alone, Irene reigned from 797 to 802, calling herself ''basileus'' (βασιλεύς), "emperor," rather than ''basilissa'' (βασίλισσα), "empress." She showed little interest in finance or diplomacy, but made her mark in the Orthodox Christian world by rejection of [[iconoclasm]]. She sponsored many [[philanthropy|philanthropic]] endeavors, remitting taxes and canceling payments from soldiers' widows, which were required in lieu of the deceased soldiers' military service. Rivalries in court also intensified. Events came to a head when emissaries from Charlemagne and Pope Leo arrived in Constantinople with a proposal of marriage between Irene and Charlemagne. Thus the two halves of the Roman empire would be united. At this time, [[October 31]], 802, the nobles of the empire, having been concerned with her financial incompetency, took action and chose Nikephoros, Irene's finance minister, as emperor. Nikephoros was then crowned by Patriarch Tarasius in [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|St Sophia Cathedral]].<br />
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Irene acceded to the change of events and only asked to continue to live as a private citizen in her palace. However, after she had disclosed the location of the imperial treasures she held Nikephoros banished her to the island of Lesbos, where she supported herself by spinning. She died on [[August 9]], 803. <br />
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==Iconodule==<br />
Irene's place in the Orthodox Christian church is that of a strong defender of the veneration of images. This came at a critical point in history, when the eastern empire was controlled by iconoclasts. With the election of Tarasius as the [[Patriarch]] of [[Constantinople]] on [[December 25]], 784, she was able to convene the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Initially convened in Constantinople on [[August 1]], 786, the council was moved to Nicaea in May 787 because of the instigated opposition in Constantinople of soldiers loyal to the iconoclasts who forced the dissolution of the 786 sessions. Learning from the experience in Constantinople, Irene arranged that the council in 787 would be away from the capital, in Nicaea, which incidentally was the site of [[Constantine the Great]]'s council of 325. This council, in contrast with the [[robber council]] of 754 in Hieria, was attended by the patriarchs or their representatives. The council affirmed the principle of veneration of [[icon]]s and declared iconoclasm a [[heresy]]. <br />
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After her deposition, the forces for iconoclasm returned to power, finally to be defeated under another strong iconodule leader, the Empress Theodora.<br />
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{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before= Constantine VI|<br />
title=Byzantine Empress|<br />
years=797-802|<br />
after=Nikephoros I}}<br />
{{end box}} <br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/irene.htm Empress Irene]<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_%28empress%29 Empress Irene]<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Helen&diff=51130Helen2007-05-11T12:55:33Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Helen.jpg|right|frame|Empress St. Helen]]<br />
Equal to the Apostles Empress Saint '''Helen''' (also ''Helena'' and ''Elena'') (AD c.248 - c.329) was the mother of Emperor Saint [[Constantine the Great]]. She was probably born in Drepanum (afterwards re-named Helenopolis) on the Gulf of [[Nicomedia]] and allegedly the daughter of an innkeeper. Later legend, mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, claimed that she was a daughter of Briton King Coel, who married her off to Constantius Chlorus I to avoid more war between the Britons and [[Rome]]. Monmouth further states that she was brought up in the manner of a queen, as she had no brothers to inherit the throne of Britain. <br />
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Constantius Chlorus divorced her (''circa'' 292) to marry the step-daughter of Maximian, Theodora. Helen's son, [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]], later became emperor of the Roman Empire, and following his elevation she became a presence at the imperial court.<br />
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She is also considered by the Church to be a [[saint]], and she is famed for her piety. [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] records the details of her [[pilgrimage]] to Palestine and other eastern provinces. She is traditionally credited with the finding of [[relics]] of the [[cross]] of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]] (see [[True Cross]] for the story), and finding the remains of the [[Three Wise Men]], which currently reside in the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral. Her feast day is on [[May 21]], together with her son.<br />
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== External links ==<br />
*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=62&lang=EN Ss. Constantine and Helen at goarch.org]<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/helena.htm A more detailed bio of Helen based on historical sources]<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/h/bmp01.htm Icon and Kontakion of St. Helen]<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Stefan_Uros_II_Milutin&diff=51129Stefan Uros II Milutin2007-05-11T12:41:53Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>{{english}}The holy, right-believing King '''Stefan Uroš II Milutin''' (Свети Краљ Стефан II Урош Милутин) ruled Serbia from 1282 to 1322. His feast day is [[October 30]]/[[November 12]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Milutin was the son of King Stefan Uroš I, who is remembered as the Venerable Simeon (Стефан Урош I-Блажени Симеон), and Queen Jelena, who is remembered as the Venerable Jelena of Serbia. He is the brother of King Stefan Dragutin, who is remembered as the Venerable Teoktist of Serbia. His son was the [[saint]]ed King Stefan Uros III of Serbia. <br />
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Milutin fought many battles defending his Faith and his people. He fought against Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus because Palaeologus accepted union with Rome and tried to force the Balkan peoples and the [[monk]]s of [[Mount Athos]] to recognize the pope. He fought against Shishman, King of Bulgaria, and Nogai, King of the Tartars, in order to defend his lands. All his wars were successful, as he constantly prayed to God and trusted in God. He built more than forty [[church]]es. beside those that he built in his own land, including Treskavac, Gračanica, St. George in Nagoričino, the Church of the Holy Theotokos in Skoplje, and Banjska (his memorial foundation), he also built churches outside of his land, in Thessalonica, Sofia, [[Constantinople]], Jerusalem and the Holy Mountain. He entered into rest in the Lord on [[October 29]], 1320. His body was soon shown to be incorrupt and miracle-working. It reposes even today in the Church of the Holy King in Sofia, Bulgaria. [[Holy Synod]]s of [[Church of Serbia|Churches of Serbia]] and Church of Bulgaria| Bulgaria]] announced that part of his sacred [[relics]] will be translated in [[Monastery]] of Banjska in 2007.<br />
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{{start box}}<br />
{{succession|<br />
before=Stefan Dragutin(Venerable Teoktist)|<br />
title=King of Serbia|<br />
years=1282-1321|<br />
after=St.[[Stefan Uros III of Serbia|Stefan Uroš III of Serbia]]}}<br />
{{end box}}<br />
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[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Serbian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Oswald_of_Northumbria&diff=51128Oswald of Northumbria2007-05-11T12:41:18Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>The holy, glorious, right-victorious martyr and right-believing King '''Oswald of Northumbria''' (c. 604-[[August 5]], 641/642) was the king of Northumbria (Northern England) from 633 or 634 until his death. The son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia, King of Northumbria, he is best remembered as a Christian [[martyr]]. His [[feast day]] is [[August 5]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
After his father was defeated and killed by Raedwald of East Anglia, Oswald fled to Dalriada, where he was converted to Christianity by the monks of [[Iona]]. He fought under Connadd Cerr in the Battle of Fid Eoin in Ireland.<br />
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After the king of Gwynedd, Cadwallon ap Cadfan (in alliance with Penda of Mercia), killed King St. [[Edwin of Northumbria]] in battle at Hatfield Chase in 632 (or 633), Northumbria was split between its sub-kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira. St. Oswald's half-brother Eanfrith became king of Bernicia, but he was killed by Cadwallon in 633 (or 634) after attempting to negotiate peace. Oswald then returned from exile with an army and marched against Cadwallon; his ranks were bolstered by Scots sent by the king of Dalriada, Domnal Brecc. The day before the two sides met in battle at Heavenfield, Oswald made his soldiers construct a wooden [[cross]]. He knelt down, holding the cross in position until enough earth had been thrown in the hole to make it stand firm. He then [[prayer|prayed]] and asked his army to join in. In the battle that followed, the Welsh were routed despite their superior numbers and pursued for miles by the Northumbrians; Cadwallon himself was killed.<br />
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Following this victory, Oswald reunited Northumbria. He is considered to have been Bretwalda ("Lord of Britain") for the eight years of his rule (both [[Bede]] and the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' say that Oswald's reign was actually considered to be nine years, the ninth year being accounted for by assigning to Oswald the year preceding his rule, "on account of the heathenism practised by those who had ruled that one year between him and Edwin"), although his authority over the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms seems to have been limited. He did, however, form an alliance with Wessex under Cynegils: Cynegils converted to Christianity and accepted [[baptism]], and Oswald married Cyneburh, the daughter of Cynegils. With her he had a son, Æthelwald.<br />
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Although Edwin had previously converted to Christianity in 627, it was Oswald who did the most to spread the religion in Northumbria. It was he who gave the island of [[Lindisfarne]] to the bishop St. [[Aidan of Lindisfarne|Aidan]], who established a [[monastery]] there.<br />
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Oswald won some successes against the British to the north, but the primary concern of his reign was Northumbria's conflict with the rising power of Mercia under Penda. He was killed by the Mercians at the Battle of Maserfield in 641 or 642, and his body was dismembered by the [[paganism|pagan]] Penda. ([[Bede]] says that Oswald died in the thirty-eighth year of his age.) Oswald's head and limbs were placed on stakes, but according to legend, one of his arms was taken by his pet raven and dropped on a tree. The people quickly came to regard Oswald as a [[martyr]] and [[saint]]: a holy well of healing was said to have sprung up at the spot where the arm had landed, and the site soon became known as [[Oswestry]], or "Oswald's Tree." His holy [[relics]] now reside with those of Ss. Aidan and [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] in the cathedral at Durham, England.<br />
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==Miracles==<br />
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* One Easter he was about to dine with Saint Aidan. A crowd of poor came begging alms. Oswald gave them all the food and the wealth he carried on him, then had his silver table settings broken up and distributed.<br />
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* Saint Aidan was so moved by the king's generosity that he grasped Oswald's right hand and exclaimed, "May this hand never perish!" For years after, the king was considered invincible. The hand has, indeed, survived, as it is enshrined as a relic in the Bamburgh church.<br />
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* Oswald's body was hacked to pieces on the battle field where he fell, and his head and arms stuck on poles in triumph. One arm taken to an ash tree by Oswald's pet raven. Where the arm fell to the ground, a holy well sprang up.<br />
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* Once a horseman was riding near Heavenfield. The horse developed a medical problem, fell to the ground, rolling around in pain. At one point it happened to roll over the spot where Oswald had died, and was immediately cured.<br />
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* The horseman told his story at a nearby inn. The people there took a paralysed girl to the same spot, and she was cured, too.<br />
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* People began to take earth from the spot to put into water for the sick to drink. So much earth was removed that it left a pit large enough for a man to stand in.<br />
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* Oswald's niece wanted to have the king buried at Bardney Abbey, Lincolnshire. The monks were reluctant as they were not on good terms with Northumbrian overlords. However, the coffin admitted a light at night. The monks considered it a sign, and allowed the burial.<br />
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* When the monks washed the bones prior to enshrinement, they poured the water onto the ground nearby. Local people soon learned that the ground had power to heal.<br />
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* A sick man who had led a dissolute life drank water which contained a chip of the stake on which Oswald's head had been spiked. The man was healed, reformed his life.<br />
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* A little boy was cured of a fever by sitting by Oswald's tomb at Bardney.<br />
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* Pieces from the Heavenfield cross were claimed to have healing powers.<br />
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* Healing powers were claimed for moss that grew on the the cross.<br />
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* A plague in Sussex was stopped by Oswald's intercession.<br />
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* Archbishop Willibrord recounted to Saint Wilfrid tales of miracles worked in Germany by Oswald's relics.<br />
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==Readings==<br />
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Represented as a king in crown, carrying sceptre and orb, ciborium, sword, palm-branch, and/or with his raven.<br />
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===From Saint Oswald's Church===<br />
Lord God our King, who by the hand of your servant Oswald lifted up the standard of the cross in the land of Northumbria, that your Gospel might be preached in that land: Plant the standard of the cross in our hearts, and let your grace shine forth in our lives, so that many may be drawn to the knowledge and love of you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. <br />
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Lord God, whose servant Oswald the King sent for preachers to bring the Good News of salvation to the people of his country, and stood beside the preacher Aidan and interpreted his words into the Anglo-Saxon language: Place in our hearts a concern for those who have not heard the message of your love; and where we have not the ability to reach them ourselves, grant us the discernment and the charity to uphold those who do have it, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever. <br />
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Lord God almighty, who so kindled the faith of your servant Oswald with your Spirit that he set up the sign of the passion in his kingdom and turned his people to your light: grant that we, being fired with the same Spirit, may ever be found faithful servants of the gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. <br />
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===Collect prayer from the memorial Mass of King Saint Oswald===<br />
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Lord God almighty, who so kindled the faith of King Oswald with your Spirit that he set up the sign of the cross in his kingdom and turned his people to the light of Christ: grant that we, being fired by the same Spirit, may always bear our cross before the world and be found faithful servants of the gospel; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. <br />
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===Post-Communion prayer from the memorial Mass of King Saint Oswald===<br />
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God, who gave us this holy meal in which we have celebrated the glory of the cross and the victory of your martyr Oswald: by our communion with Christ in his saving death and resurrection, give us with all your saints the courage to conquer evil and so to share the fruit of the tree of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. <br />
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[[Category:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Martyrs]]<br />
[[Category:Missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Olaf_of_Norway&diff=51127Olaf of Norway2007-05-11T12:40:48Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Olaf_of_Norway.jpg|right|St. Olaf, King of Norway]]<br />
The holy, glorious, right-victorious [[martyr]] and right-believing King '''Olaf II of Norway''' (sometimes spelled '''Olav''') is also known as '''Olaf Haraldson''' and was a son of Earl Harald Grenske of Norway. During his lifetime he was also called '''Olaf the Fat'''. He was born in 995 A.D., and ruled Norway from 1015 to 1028, when he was exiled. He died two years later on the field of battle at Stiklestad, killed for his support of the Christian faith and his attempt to unite Norway into one nation. His [[feast day]] is [[July 29]].<br />
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He should not be confused with his predecessor Olaf Tryggvason (King Olaf I of Norway).<br />
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==Life==<br />
According to Snorri Sturluson (a 12th and 13th century Icelandic historian), he was [[baptize]]d in 998 in Norway, but more probably about 1010 in Rouen, France, by [[Archbishop]] Robert. In his early youth he went as a viking to England, where he took part in many battles and became earnestly interested in Christianity. After many difficulties he was elected King of Norway, and made it his object to extirpate heathenism and make the Christian religion the basis of his kingdom. <br />
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He is the great Norwegian legislator for the Church, and like his predecessor Olaf Tryggvason, made frequent severe attacks on the old faith and customs, demolishing the temples and building Christian [[church]]es in their place. He brought many [[bishop]]s and [[priest]]s from England, as King Canute IV later did to Denmark. Some few are known by name (Grimkel, Sigfrid, Rudolf, Bernhard). He seems on the whole to have taken the Anglo-Saxon conditions as a model for the ecclesiastical organization of his kingdom. <br />
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But at last the exasperation against him got so strong that the mighty clans rose in rebellion against him and applied to King Canute II of Denmark and England for help. This was willingly given, whereupon Olaf was expelled and Canute elected King of Norway. Olaf fled to Kievan Rus, and during the voyage he stayed some time in Sweden in the province of Nerike where, according to local legend, he baptized many locals. <br />
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After two years' exile he returned to Norway with an army. Upon landing in Norway, he met his rebellious subjects led by the Norwegian nobles at Stiklestad, where the celebrated battle took place [[July 29]], 1030. Neither King Canute nor the Danes took part at that battle. King Olaf fought with great courage, but was mortally wounded and fell on the battlefield, praying "God help me."<br />
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It must be remembered that the resentment against Olaf was due not alone to his Christianity, but also in a high degree to his unflinching struggle against the old constitution of shires and for the unity of Norway. He is thus regarded by modern Norwegians as the great champion of national independence.<br />
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== St. Olaf's cultus==<br />
Many miraculous occurrences are related in connection with his death and his disinterment a year later, after belief in his sanctity had spread widely. His friends, [[Bishop]] Grimkel and Earl Einar Tambeskjelver, laid the corpse in a coffin and set it on the high-[[altar]] in the church of St. Clement in Nidaros (now Trondheim). Olaf has since been held as a [[saint]], not only by the people of Norway, whose [[patron saint]] he is, but also by Rome. Orthodox Christians also venerate him as one of the ancient western saints of the Church before the [[Great Schism]].<br />
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In 1075, his incorrupt body was enshrined in what became the cathedral of Nidaros (Trondheim), which replaced the [[chapel]], and became a site of pilgrimage. During the Protestant Reformation his body was removed and reburied. His cultus was aided by the unpopular rule of Swein, Canute's son; Canute's death in 1035 resulted in the flight of many Danes from Norway and the accession of Olaf's son Magnus. Thereafter his cultus spread rapidly. Adam of Bremen (c. 1070) wrote that his feast was celebrated throughout Scandinavia.<br />
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His cult spread widely in the Middle Ages, not only in Norway, but also in Denmark, Sweden, and even as far as England; in London, there is on Hart Street a St. Olave's Church, long dedicated to the [[Glorification|glorified]] King of Norway. In 1856 a fine St. Olave's Church was erected in Christiania, the capital of Norway, where a large [[relics|relic]] of St. Olaf (a donation from the Danish Royal Museum) is preserved and venerated. The arms of Norway are a lion with the battle-axe of St. Olaf in the forepaws.<br />
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The Norwegian order of the Knighthood of Saint Olaf was founded in 1847 by Oscar I, king of Sweden and Norway, in memory of this king. He is called ''Rex Perpetuum Norvegiæ'', eternal King of Norway.<br />
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An interesting and somewhat bizarre episode regarding St. Olaf's relics is recorded regarding St. Olaf's successor, Harald III Haardraade, who was King of Norway 1040-1066 (co-ruler with St. Olaf's son, Magnus the Good, 1040-1047). Thirty-five years after St. Olaf's death, Harald was planning an invasion of northern England in 1066 at the provocation of the exiled Earl Tostig (brother of King [[Harold of England|Harold II of England]]). He visited the shrine of St. Olaf in Trondheim, unlocked the door, cut his hair and nails&mdash;which were still growing, for St. Olaf's [[relics]] were incorrupt&mdash;and then relocked the shrine and threw the key into the neighboring River Nid. Harald was eventually defeated and killed by the army led by King Harold II of England, who later that year was defeated by William the Bastard ("the Conqueror") at the Battle of Hastings.<br />
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Holy King Olaf is also seen as being instrumental in the Christianization of both Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Both countries, under the influence of the Danish monarchy under which the islands were heavily subject until the 20th century (Iceland now independent since 1945 and the Faroe Islands having been granted substantial autonomy), became Lutheran during the Protestant Reformation. Nonetheless, despite centuries of absence from either the Catholic or Orthodox fold, St. Olaf is held in high honour. His feast day of July 29th, called in Faroese Ólafsøka, or ''St. Olaf's Vigil'', is the national holiday of the Faroe Islands.<br />
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==Sources==<br />
This article makes use of material from:<br />
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11234a.htm The 1911 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia]<br />
* [http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0729.htm#tool King Olaf of Norway]<br />
* [[Wikipedia:Olaf II of Norway]]<br />
* ''1066 The Year of the Conquest'' (1977) by David Howarth (ISBN 0880290145)<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Scandinavian Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Nicholas_II_of_Russia&diff=51126Nicholas II of Russia2007-05-11T12:40:15Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:TsStNich.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Icon of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II of Russia (Courtesy Ivanovo Monastery)]]<br />
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The holy and right-believing Emperor Saint '''Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov''' was the last reigning Emperor (commonly called "Tsar") of Russia at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. Together with his wife, [[Alexandra Romanov|Alexandra Fyodoronova]], formerly Alexandra of Hesse-Darmstad, and their children Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexey, and their servants Doctor [[Evgeni Botkin]], cook [[Ivan Kharitonov]], attendant [[Aleksey Trupp]] and attendant [[Anna Demidova]], they are recognized as [[Passion-bearer]]s by the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]]. His feast day is on [[July 4]].<br />
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==Life and death==<br />
Born on 6 [17] May 1868, the day of the Holy [[Job the Long-suffering|Job]] the Long-Suffering, St Nicholas was the eldest son of Crown Prince Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Emperor Alexander III) and Grand Duchess Maria Feodorvna (the future Empress). He received an excellent education under the supervision of his father, speaking fluently Russian, English, French, German, and Italian, and learning Russian and world history, Russian literature, and the art of warfare.<br />
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In 1884, St Nicholas met the future Empress St. [[Alexandra Romanov|Alexandra]], then Princess Alice Victoria Helen Louise Beatrix von Hessen-Darmstadt, at the wedding of the latter's sister, Grand Duches-Martyr St [[Elizabeth the New Martyr|Elizabeth Fyodorovna]] with the Emperor's uncle, Grand Duke Sergey Alexandrovich. Princess Alice was a daughter of Prince Ludwig von Hessen-Darmstadt and Princess Alice and a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria of England. The two became good friends, a friendship that later grew into love. In 1894, St Nicholas received a blessing from his father to wed Princess Alice on the condition that she become Orthodox. On October 20, 1894, Emperor Alexander III died at the imperial palace in Livadia, Crimea. On the next day, Princess Alice was received into the Orthodox faith and given the name Alexandra Feodorovna. The two were married in a low-key ceremony on November 14, 1894.<br />
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In February 1917, during the February Revolution, Nicholas reluctantly abdicated the throne, hoping that doing so might save the nation some violence. After the Bolshevik (October) revolution, he and his family were exiled to Siberia, where they were detained under house-arrest. After several months, the family was lined up in the basement and shot. The bodies were buried in an unmarked grave.<br />
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In 1991, in Yekaterinburg, Sibera, their bodies were exhumed. DNA testing confirmed that they were indeed the Romanovs.<br />
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In 1998, with Boris Yeltsin in attendance, most of the Royal Family was finally laid to rest with proper ceremony. However, neither the Russian Orthodox Church nor the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia formally recognized that the remains found near Yekaterinburg were those of the Royal Family.<br />
[[Image:Tsar-Martyr.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Photograph of St. Nicholas the Tsar-Martyr.]]<br />
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==Glorification==<br />
Nicholas and his family were [[Glorification|glorified]] by the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] in 1981 but this was a hotly debated decision. Both within and outside of Russia there were those who claimed that Nicholas' reign was weak and prone to extravagence and indifference to the plight of Russia's needy. On the other hand, there was widespread popular devotion to Tsar Nicholas among those who claimed that he was called of God to lead his people at a difficult time in history and did so to the best of his abilities. The religious devotion and piety of the family is well documented and not seriously contested.<br />
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In 2000, after some 8 years of study, the council of Bishops of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] voted unanimously to recognize Nicholas, Alexandra and their five children as saints.<br />
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==Hymns==<br />
[[Troparion]] (Tone 1)<br />
:Most noble and sublime was your life and death, O Sovereigns;<br> <br />
:Wise Nicholas and blest Alexandra, we praise you,<br><br />
:Acclaiming your piety, meekness, faith, and humility,<br><br />
:Whereby ye attained to crowns of glory in Christ our God,<br> <br />
:With your five renowned and godly children of blessed fame.<br><br />
:O passion–bearers decked in purple, intercede for us.<br />
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)<br />
:Royalty and martyrdom were joined together, O blessed ones,<br />
:In your death for righteousness and right belief, O wise Sovereigns,<br />
:Nicholas and Alexandra, with your five children.<br />
:Hence, Christ our God counted you worthy of thrones in Heaven;<br />
:And with twofold crowns of glory,<br />
:You reign forever, adorned with grace divine.<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.serfes.org/royal/index.htm The Royal Martyrs of Russia]<br />
* [http://www.tzar.orthodoxy.ru/ Russian site on the Tsar-Martyr]<br />
* [http://www.roca.org/OA/14/14c.htm God's Anointed Sufferer: Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II]<br />
* [http://www.orthodox.net/russiannm/nicholas-ii-tsar-martyr-and-his-family.html Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II and his Family]<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Russian Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Marcian&diff=51125Marcian2007-05-11T12:39:10Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>:'''''Not to be confused with [[Marcion]] the heretic.'''''<br />
<br />
'''Flavius Marcianus''' or '''Marcian''' (''c''. 390&ndash;January 457) was the Emperor of the [[Byzantine Empire]] from 450 until his death.<br />
<br />
Marcian was born in Thrace or Illyria. He spent his early life as an obscure soldier. He subsequently served for nineteen years under Ardaburius and Aspar, and took part in the wars against the Persians and Vandals. In 431, Marcian was taken prisoner by the Vandals in the fighting near Hippo Regius; brought before the Vandal King Geiseric (428&ndash;477), he was released on his oath never to take up arms against the Vandals.<br />
<br />
Through the influence of these generals he became a captain of the guards, and was later raised to the rank of tribune and senator. On the death of [[Theodosius II]] (408&ndash;450) he was chosen as consort by the latter's sister and successor, [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]], and called upon to govern an empire greatly humbled and impoverished by the ravages of the Huns.<br />
<br />
Upon becoming Emperor, Marcian repudiated the embarrassing payments of tribute to [[Attila the Hun]] (434&ndash;453), which the latter had been accustomed to receiving from Theodosius II in order to refrain from attacks on the eastern empire. Aware that he could never capture the eastern capital of [[Constantinople]], Attila turned to the west and waged his famous campaigns in Gaul in 451 and Italy in 452 while leaving Marcian's dominions alone.<br />
<br />
Marcian reformed the finances, checked extravagance, and repopulated the devastated districts. He repelled attacks upon Syria and Egypt in (452), and quelled disturbances on the Armenian frontier in 456). The other notable event of his reign is the [[Council of Chalcedon]] (451), in which Marcian endeavoured to mediate between the rival schools of [[theology]].<br />
<br />
Marcian generally ignored the affairs of the western Roman Empire, leaving that tottering half of the empire to its fate. He did nothing to aid the west during Attila's campaigns, and, living up to his promise, ignored the depredations of Geiseric even when the Vandals sacked Rome in 455. It has recently been argued, however, that Marcian was more actively involved in aiding the western Empire than historians had previously believed and that Marcian's fingerprints can be discerned in the events leading up to, and including, Attila's death. (See Michael A. Babcock, "The Night Attila Died: Solving the Murder of Attila the Hun," Berkley Books, 2005.)<br />
<br />
Shortly before Attila's death in 453, conflict had begun again between him and Marcian. However, the powerful Hun King died before all-out war broke out. In a dream, Marcian claimed he saw Attila's bow broken before him, and a few days later, he got word that his great enemy was dead.<br />
<br />
Marcian died in 457 of disease, possibly gangrene contracted during a long religious journey.<br />
<br />
Despite his short reign and his writing off of the west Marcian is considered one of the best of the early Byzantine emperors. The Orthodox Church recognizes him and his wife Pulcheria as [[saint]]s, with their feast day on [[February 17]].<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcian Wikipedia entry]<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Roman Emperors]]<br />
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<div>{{cleanup}}<br />
This is a list of the Emperors of the late Eastern [[Roman Empire]], called [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] by modern historians. This list does not include numerous coemperors who never attained sole or senior status as rulers.<br />
<br />
The title of all Emperors listed preceding Heraclius was officially [[Augustus]], although various other titles such as [[Dominus]] were used as well. For official purposes, their names were preceded by Imperator Caesar Flavius and followed by Augustus. Following Heraclius, the title commonly became the Greek [[Basileus]] (Gr. Βασιλεύς), which had formerly meant generally "king", "[[Monarch|sovereign]]" but now was used in place of Augustus. Kings were now titled by the neologism Regas (Gr. Ρήγας, from the Lat. "Rex") or by another generic term Archon (Gr. Άρχων, "ruler"). Autokrator (Gr. Αυτοκράτωρ) was also frequently used, along with a plethora of more hyperbolic titles&mdash;with grandiloquence typically in inverse proportion to actual power&mdash;including Kosmokrator (Gr. Κοσμοκράτωρ) ("Master of the Universe") and Chronokrator (Gr. Χρονοκράτωρ) ("Lord of All Time"). The emperors of the 15th century alone were often self-styled as Basileus ton Hellinon, "Emperor of the Greeks," though they still considered themselves "Roman" Emperors.<br />
<br />
[Note: See also ''[[Greek (name)#Byzantines (Βυζαντινοί)|the term "Byzantine"]]'' with regard to the late [[Roman Empire]]. This list begins with [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]] the Great, the first Christian emperor reigning from [[Constantinople]], although [[Diocletian]] before him had ruled from Nicaea and replaced the pseudorepublican trappings of the office with a straightforward autocracy and Heraclius I after him replaced Latin with Greek and began the restructuring of the Empire into themata.]<br />
<br />
==Constantinian dynasty (306-363)==<br />
:1. St. [[Constantine I]] (''Constantinus Pius Felix Invictus Augustus Pontifex Maximus Pater Patriae Proconsul''; 272 - 337; ruled 306 - 337) &ndash; son of [[Constantius Chlorus]], left the empire divided among his heirs, and was canonized by the Orthodox Church. He called the [[First Ecumenical Council]] to settle the problem of [[Arianism]].<br />
:2. [[Constantius II]] (''Flavius Iulius Constantius''; 317 - 361; ruled 337 - 361) &ndash; son of Constantine I<br />
:3. [[Julian the Apostate|Julian]] (''Flavius Claudius Iulianus''; 331 - 363; ruled 361 - 363) &ndash; Pagan son-in-law of Constantine I, brother-in-law and first cousin of Constantius II, grandson of Constantius I<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic===<br />
:4. [[Jovian]] (''Iovianus''; 332 - 364; ruled 363 - 364) &ndash; soldier, restored Christianity<br />
<br />
==Valentinian-Theodosian dynasty (364-457)==<br />
:5. [[Valentinian I]] (''Flavius Valentinianus''; 321 - 375; ruled 364) &ndash; soldier, redivided the empire, taking the West<br />
:6. [[Valens]] (''Flavius Iulius Valens''; 328 - 378; ruled 364 - 378) &ndash; brother of Valentinian I<br />
:7. [[Gratian]] (''Flavius Gratianus''; 359 - 383; ruled 378 - 379) &ndash; son of Valentinian I<br />
:8. [[Theodosius I]] (''Flavius Gratianus''; 346 - 395; ruled 379 - 395) &ndash; soldier, married to Valentinian I's daughter Galla, fought with [[Magnus Maximus]] at the [[Battle of the Save]] in 388<br />
:9. [[Arcadius]] (''Flavius Arcadius''; 377 - 408; ruled 395 - 408) &ndash; son of Theodosius I, brother of [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]]<br />
:10. [[Theodosius II]] (''Flavius Theodosius''; 401 - 450; ruled 408 - 450) &ndash; son of Arcadius<br />
:11. [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]] (''Aelia Purcheria''; 399 – 453; ruled 408 - 441, 450) &ndash; sister of Theodosius II; canonized<br />
:12. [[Marcian]] (''Flavius Marcianus''; 392 - 457; ruled 450 - 457) &ndash; soldier; married Pulcheria after Theodosius's death; canonized by the Orthodox church<br />
<br />
==Leonid dynasty (457-518)==<br />
:13. [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I]] the Thracian (Valerius Leo) (401-474, ruled 457 - 474) &ndash; soldier<br />
:14. [[Leo II (emperor)|Leo II]] (467 - 474, ruled 474) &ndash; grandson of Leo I, son of Zeno<br />
:15. [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] (425 - 491, ruled 474 - 475) &ndash; son-in-law of Leo I; orig. Tarasicodissa, an Isaurian<br />
:16. [[Basiliscus]] ( ? - c. 477, ruled 475 - 476) &ndash; usurper; brother-in-law of Leo I<br />
:*[[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] (ruled 476 - 491) &ndash; restored <br />
:17. [[Anastasius I (emperor)|Anastasius I]] (430 - 518, ruled 491 - 518) &ndash; silentiarius; son-in-law of Leo I, elevated by selection by Zeno's widow Ariadne<br />
<br />
==Justinian dynasty (518-602)==<br />
:18. [[Justin I]] (''Flavius Iustinius''; 450 - 527; ruled 518 - 527) &ndash; commander of the guard<br />
:19. [[Justinian I]] the Great (''Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus''; 482 - 565; ruled 527 - 565) &ndash; nephew and adoptive son of Justin I, canonized by the Orthodox church, built the Hagia Sophia, organized the Roman Laws, took back most of the original-old empire<br />
:20. [[Justin II]] (''Flavius Iustinius Iunior''; 520 - 578; ruled 565 - 578) &ndash; nephew of Justinian I<br />
:21. [[Tiberius II Constantine]] (''Flavius Tiberius Constantinus''; 540 - 582, ruled 574, 578 - 582) &ndash; Comes Excubitris; adopted by Justin II<br />
:22. [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]] (''Flavius Mauricius Tiberius''; 539 - 602, ruled 582 - 602) &ndash; son-in-law of Tiberius II<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic===<br />
:23. [[Phocas]] (''Flavius Phocas''; ? - 610; ruled 602 - 610)<br />
<br />
==Heraclian dynasty (610-695)==<br />
:24. [[Heraclius]] (Ηράκλειος) (575 - 641, ruled 610 - 641) &ndash; usurper; son of the Armenian Exarch of Africa<br />
:25. [[Constantine III (emperor)|Constantine III]] (Heraclius Constantine) (Κωνσταντίνος Γ') (612 - 641, ruled 641) &ndash; son of Heraclius; coemperor with Heraklonas<br />
:26. [[Heracleonas|Heraklonas]] (Constantine Heraclius) (Ηρακλωνάς) (626 - 641?, ruled 641) &ndash; son of Herakleios; mutilated and deposed<br />
:27. [[Constans II]] (Herakleios, later Constantine, called Πωγώνατος, ''the Bearded'') (Κώνστας Β') (630 - 668, ruled 641 - 668) &ndash; son of Constantine III; assassinated by chamberlain<br />
:28. [[Mezezius]] (668 - 669) &ndash; Usurper<br />
:29. [[Constantine IV]] (Κωνσταντίνος Δ') (649 - 685, ruled 668 - 685) &ndash; son of Constans II<br />
:30. [[Justinian II]] the Slit-nosed (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) (668 - 711, ruled 685 - 695) &ndash; son of Constantine IV; mutilated, deposed, and exiled<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic (695-705)===<br />
:31. [[Leontius (emperor)|Leontios]] (Λεόντιος) (ruled 695 - 698) &ndash; Strategos (general); mutilated, deposed, and imprisoned - later executed<br />
:32. [[Tiberius III|Tiberios III]] (Τιβέριος Γ' ο Αψίμαρος) (ruled 698 - 705) &ndash; German orig. named Apsimar; deposed and executed<br />
<br />
==Heraclian dynasty (705-711)==<br />
:*[[Justinian II]] the Slit-nosed (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) (ruled 705 - 711) &ndash; restored; deposed and executed<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic (711-717)===<br />
:33. [[Philippicus|Philippikos]] Bardanes (Φιλιππικός Βαρδάνης) (ruled 711 - 713) &ndash; Armenian soldier; deposed and mutilated<br />
:34. [[Anastasius II (emperor)|Anastasios II]] (Αναστάσιος Β') ( ? - 721, ruled 713 - 715) &ndash; orig. Artemios; secretary of Philippikos; deposed & entered monastery, later revolted & was executed<br />
:35. [[Theodosius III|Theodosios III]] (Θεοδόσιος Γ' ο Αδραμμυττηνός) (ruled 715 - 717) &ndash; tax-collector; abdicated and entered monastery<br />
<br />
==Isaurian dynasty (717-802)==<br />
:36. [[Leo III the Isaurian|Leo III]] the Isaurian (Λέων Γ' ο Ίσαυρος) (675 - 741, ruled 717 - 741) &ndash; Strategos<br />
:37. [[Constantine V]] Kopronymos (the Dung-named) (Κωνσταντίνος Ε' ο Κοπρώνυμος ή Καβαλίνος) (718 - 745, ruled 741) &ndash; son of Leo III; deposed<br />
:38. [[Artabasdus]] the Icon-lover (Αρτάβασδος ο Εικονόφιλος) (ruled 741 - 743) &ndash; Leo III's chamberlain and son-in-law<br />
:*[[Constantine V]] Kopronymos (the Dung-named) (Κωνσταντίνος Ε' ο Κοπρώνυμος ή Καβαλίνος) (ruled 743 - 775) &ndash; restored<br />
:39. [[Leo IV the Khazar|Leo IV]] the Khazar (Λέων Δ' o Χαζάρος) (750 - 780, ruled 775 - 780) &ndash; son of Constantine V<br />
:40. [[Constantine VI]] the Blinded (Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤ') (771 - 797, ruled 780 - 797) &ndash; son of Leo IV; deposed and mutilated by mother<br />
:41. St. [[Irene of Athens]] (Ειρήνη η Αθηναία) (755 - 803, ruled 797 - 802) &ndash; wife of Leo IV, mother of Constantine VI; canonized by the Orthodox church; deposed and exiled to Lesbos Island.<br />
<br />
==Nikephoros' dynasty (802-813)==<br />
:42. [[Nicephorus I|Nikephoros I]] (Νικηφόρος Α') ( ? - 811, ruled 802 - 811) &ndash; Megas Logothetes; died in battle, skull used as wine cup<br />
:43. [[Stauracius|Staurakios]] (Σταυράκιος Φωκάς) ( ? - 812, ruled 811) &ndash; son of Nikephoros I; paralyzed<br />
:44. [[Michael I Rhangabes|Michael I Rangabe]] (Μιχαήλ Α' Ραγκαβής) (ruled 811 - 813) &ndash; son-in-law of Nikephoros I and master of the palace; deposed and entered monastery<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic===<br />
:45. [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]] the Armenian (Λέων Ε' ο Αρμένιος) (775 - 820, ruled 813 - 820) &ndash; Strategos; assassinated<br />
<br />
==Phrygian dynasty (820-867)==<br />
:46. [[Michael II]] the Stammerer or the Amorian (Μιχαήλ Β' ο Τραυλός ή Ψελλός) (770 - 829, ruled 820 - 829) &ndash; Strategos, son-in-law of Constantine VI<br />
:47. [[Theophilus (emperor)|Theophilos]] (Θεόφιλος) (813 - 842, ruled 829 - 842) &ndash; son of Michael II<br />
:48. [[Theodora (9th century empress)|Theodora]] (Θεοδώρα) (ruled 842 - 855) &ndash; wife of Theophilus; empress and regent for Michael III; canonized by the Orthodox church; deposed and entered monastery<br />
:49. [[Michael III]] the Drunkard (Μιχαήλ Γ' ο Μέθυσος) (840 - 867, ruled 842 - 867) &ndash; son of Theophilos; assassinated<br />
<br />
==Macedonian dynasty (867-1056)==<br />
:50. [[Basil I]] the Macedonian (Βασίλειος Α') (811 - 886, ruled 867 - 886) - married Michael III's widow; died in hunting accident<br />
:51. [[Leo VI the Wise]] (Λέων ΣΤ' ο Σοφός) (866 - 912, ruled 886 - 912) &ndash; likely either son of Basil I or Michael III; <br />
:52. [[Alexander III (emperor)|Alexander]] (Αλέξανδρος Γ' του Βυζαντίου) (870 - 913, ruled 912 - 913) &ndash; son of Basil I, regent for nephew<br />
:53. [[Constantine VII]] the Purple-born (Κωνσταντίνος Ζ' ο Πορφυρογέννητος) (905-959, ruled 913 - 959) &ndash; son of Leo VI<br />
:54. [[Romanus I|Romanos I]] Lekapenos (Ρωμανός Α' ο Λεκαπηνός) (870 - 948, ruled 919 - 944) &ndash; father-in-law of Constantine VII; coemperor, deposed by his sons and entered monastery<br />
:55. [[Romanus II|Romanos II]] the Purple-born (Ρωμανός Β' ο Πορφυρογέννητος) (939 - 963, ruled 959 - 963) &ndash; son of Constantine VII<br />
:56. [[Nicephorus II|Nikephoros II]] Phokas (Νικηφόρος Β' Φωκάς) (912 - 969, ruled 963 - 969) &ndash; Strategos; married Romanos II's widow, regent for Basil II; assassinated<br />
:57. [[John I Tzimisces|John I Tzimiskes]] (Ιωάννης Α' Κουρκούας ο Τσιμισκής) (925 - 976, ruled 969 - 976) &ndash; brother-in-law of Romanus II, lover of Nicephorus's wife but banned from marriage, regent for Basil<br />
:58. [[Basil II]] the Bulgar-slayer (Βασίλειος Β' ο Βουλγαροκτόνο) (958 - 1025, ruled 976 - 1025) &ndash; son of Romanos II<br />
:59. [[Constantine VIII]] (Κωνσταντίνος Η')(960-1028, ruled 1025 - 1028) &ndash; son of Romanos II; coemperor with Basil II<br />
:60. [[Zoe (empress)|Zoe]] (Ζωή) ((c. 978 - 1050, ruled 1028 - 1050) &ndash; daughter of Constantine VIII<br />
:61. [[Romanus III|Romanos III]] Argyros (Ρωμανός Γ' ο Αργυρός) (968 - 1034, ruled 1028 - 1034) &ndash; eparch of Constantinople; Zoe's first husband, arranged by Constantine VIII; murdered<br />
:62. [[Michael IV]] the Paphlagonian (Μιχαήλ Δ' ο Παφλαγών) (1010 - 1041, ruled 1034 - 1041) &ndash; Zoe's second husband<br />
:63. [[Michael V]] the Caulker (Μιχαήλ Ε' ο Καλαφάτης) (1015 - 1042, ruled 1041 - 1042) &ndash; Michael IV's nephew, Zoe's adopted son<br />
:64. [[Theodora (11th century)|Theodora]] (Θεοδώρα) (980 - 1056, ruled 1042) &ndash; daughter of Constantine VIII, coempress with Zoe<br />
:65. [[Constantine IX]] Monomachos (Κωνσταντίνος Θ' ο Μονομάχος) (1000 - 1055, ruled 1042 - 1055) &ndash; Zoe's third husband<br />
:*[[Theodora (11th century)|Theodora]] (Θεοδώρα) (ruled 1055 - 1056) &ndash; restored<br />
<br />
===Non-dynastic===<br />
:66. [[Michael VI]] the General (Μιχαήλ ΣΤ' ο Στρατιωτικός) (ruled 1056 - 1057) &ndash; chosen by Theodora; deposed & entered monastery<br />
<br />
==Comnenid dynasty==<br />
:67. [[Isaac I Comnenus|Isaac I Komnenos]] (Ισαάκιος Α' ο Κομνηνός) (c. 1007 - 1060, ruled 1057 - 1059) &ndash; soldier; abdicated in a fit of illness & entered monastery<br />
<br />
==Doukid dynasty (1059-1081)==<br />
:68. [[Constantine X]] Doukas (Κωνσταντίνος Ι' ο Δούκας) (1006 - 1067, ruled 1059 - 1067) &ndash; selected by Michael Psellus the Younger<br />
:69. [[Michael VII]] Doukas Quarter-short (Μιχαήλ Ζ' Δούκας Παραπινάκης) (1050 - 1090, ruled 1067 - 1078) &ndash; son of Constantine X, originally coemperor with two brothers and Romanus; deposed & entered monastery<br />
:70. [[Romanos IV]] Diogenes (Ρωμανός Δ' Διογένης) (1032 - 1072, ruled 1068 - 1071) &ndash; married Constantine X's widow; coemperor, deposed & mutilated to death<br />
:71. [[Nikephoros III]] Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γ' Βοτανειάτης) (1001 - 1081, ruled 1078 - 1081) &ndash; Strategos claiming descent from the [[Fabii]], bigamously married Michael VII's wife; deposed & forced into monastery<br />
<br />
==Comnenid dynasty (restored, 1081-1185)==<br />
:72. [[Alexios I Komnenos]] (Αλέξιος Α' Κομνηνός) (1057 - 1118, ruled 1081 - 1118) &ndash; nephew of Isaac I, married Constantine X's grandniece<br />
:73. [[John II Komnenos]] the Handsome (Ιωάννης Β' Κομνηνός o Καλός) (1087 - 1143, ruled 1118 - 1143) &ndash; son of Alexios I, died of a hunting accident<br />
:74. [[Manuel I Komnenos]] the Great (Μανουήλ Α' Κομνηνός ο Μέγας) (1118 - 1180, ruled 1143 - 1180) &ndash; son of John II<br />
:75. [[Alexios II Komnenos]] (Αλέξιος B' Κομνηνός) (1169 - 1183, ruled 1180 - 1183) &ndash; son of Manuel I; murdered with garrotte<br />
:76. [[Andronikos I Komnenos]] (Ανδρόνικος Α' Κομνηνός) (1118 - 1185, ruled 1183 - 1185) &ndash; nephew of John II; married Alexios II's widow; deposed, tortured, and executed; ancestor of the Komnenian line in Trebizond.<br />
<br />
==Angelid dynasty (1185-1204)==<br />
:77. [[Isaac II Angelos]] (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) (1156 - 1204, ruled 1185 - 1195) &ndash; great-grandson of Alexios I, deposed & blinded<br />
:78. [[Alexios III Angelos]] (Αλέξιος Γ' Άγγελος) (1153 - 1211, ruled 1195 - 1203) &ndash; brother of Isaac II, deposed by [[Fourth Crusade|IV Crusade]] & eventually forced into monastery<br />
:*[[Isaac II Angelos]] (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) (ruled 1203 - 1204) &ndash; largely witless, restored as coemperor with Alexius IV, deposed<br />
:79. [[Alexios IV Angelos]] (Αλέξιος Δ' Άγγελος) (1182 - 1204, ruled 1203 - 1204) &ndash; son of Isaac II, deposed & executed<br />
:80. [[Nikolaos Kanabos]] (usurper proclaimed emperor in Hagia Sophia, ruled 1204)<br />
:81. [[Alexios V]] Doukas the Bushy-eyebrowed (Αλέξιος Ε' Δούκας ο Μούρτζουφλος) (1140 - 1204, ruled 1204) &ndash; son-in-law of Alexios III<br />
<br />
==Laskarid dynasty (in exile, Empire of Nicaea, 1204-1261)== <br />
:82. [[Constantine Laskaris]] (ruled 1204) &ndash; not officially crowned<br />
:83. [[Theodore I Laskaris]] (Θεόδωρος Α' Λάσκαρης) (1174 - 1222, ruled 1204 - 1222) &ndash; son-in-law of Alexios III<br />
:84. [[John III Doukas Vatatzes]] (Ιωάννης Γ' Δούκας Βατάτζης) (1192 - 1254, ruled 1222 - 1254) &ndash; son-in-law of Theodore I; epileptic<br />
:85. [[Theodore II Laskaris|Theodore II Doukas Laskaris]] (Θεόδωρος Β' Δούκας Λάσκαρης) (1221 - 1258, ruled 1254 - 1258) &ndash; son of John III<br />
:86. [[John IV Laskaris|John IV Doukas Laskaris]] (Ιωάννης Δ' Δούκας Λάσκαρης) (1250 - 1305, ruled 1258 - 1261) &ndash; son of Theodore II, deposed, blinded, and imprisoned by Michael VIII<br />
<br />
==Palaiologan Dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1259-1453)==<br />
:87. [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] (Μιχαήλ Η' Παλαιολόγος) (1224 - 1282, ruled 1259 - 1282) &ndash; Strategos, regent for [[John IV Lascaris]]; great-grandson of [[Alexios III Angelos]]<br />
:88. [[Andronikos II Palaiologos]] the Elder (Ανδρόνικος Β' ο Γέρος) (1258 - 1332, ruled 1282 - 1328) &ndash; son of Michael VIII; abdicated<br />
:89. [[Andronikos III Palaiologos]] the Younger (Ανδρόνικος Γ' Παλαιολόγος ο Νέος) (1297 - 1341, ruled 1328 - 1341) &ndash; grandson of Andronikos II<br />
:90. [[John V Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (1332 - 1391, ruled 1341 - 1347) &ndash; son of Andronikos III, deposed by John VI<br />
:91. [[John VI Kantakouzenos]] (Ιωάννης Στ' Καντακουζηνός) (1295 - 1383, ruled outright 1347 - 1354) &ndash; father-in-law of John V; deposed, and entered monastery as Ioasaph Christodoulus<br />
:*[[John V Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1354 - 1376) &ndash; restored, deposed by Andronikos IV<br />
:92. [[Andronikos IV Palaiologos]] (Ανδρόνικος Δ' Παλαιολόγος) (1348 - 1385, ruled 1376 - 1379) &ndash; son of John V, half-blinded following revolt, later succeeded and was deposed, revolted a third time<br />
:*[[John V Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1379 - 1390) &ndash; restored, deposed<br />
:93. [[John VII Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος) (1370 - 1408, ruled 1390) &ndash; son of Andronikos IV<br />
:*[[John V Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1390 - 1391) &ndash; restored<br />
:94. [[Manuel II Palaiologos]] (Μανουήλ Β' Παλαιολόγος) (1350 - 1425, ruled 1391 - 1425) &ndash; son of John V<br />
:*[[John VII Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1399 - 1402) &ndash; restored as regent<br />
:95. [[John VIII Palaiologos]] (Ιωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος) (1392 - 1448, ruled 1425 - 1448) &ndash; son of Manuel II<br />
:96. [[Constantine XI]] Palaiologos Dragases (Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Παλαιολόγος Δραγάσης) (1405 - 1453, ruled 1449 - 1453) &ndash; son of Manuel II, not crowned in Constantinople, died on the walls<br />
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===Ottomans===<br />
In 1453 [[Mehmed II]] overthrew the Byzantine Empire and claimed the title of Kaisar; his successors continued this claim. <br />
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==Palaiologan Dynasty (in exile)==<br />
*[[Thomas Palaeologus|Thomas Palaiologos]] (Θωμάς Παλαιολόγος) (1409 or 10 - 1465) &ndash; brother of Constantine XI; died in exile in Rome<br />
*[[Andreas Palaeologus|Andrew Palaiologos]] (Ανδρέας Παλαιολόγος) (1453 - 1502) &ndash; son of Thomas; created Despot by [[Pope Pius II]], self-styled <small>imperator Constantinopolitanus</small>; sold titles to Charles VIII of France in 1494 and granted the remainder to King Ferdinand II of Aragon of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castille in his will.<br />
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==Source==<br />
* [[w:List of Byzantine Emperors|''List of Byzantine Emperors'' on Wikipedia]]<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Roman Emperors]]<br />
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<div>'''Leo VI''' was co-Emperor of Rome from [[January 6]], 870 until the death of his father [[Basil I]] on [[July 30]], 886, he then ruled as sole Emperor until his death on [[May 11]], 912. Leo VI was very active in codification of Roman law especially in the area of [[Roman marriage law]]. His main "contributions" to Church history were the dismissal of St. [[Photius the Great]] as [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople and instigating the [[Tetragamy schism]].<br />
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<!--- ==Legal codifications==<br />
==Ecclesiastical relations==<br />
==Tetragamy== ---><br />
==References==<br />
* The Cambridge Medieval History, Volume IV Part I. Cambridge: University Press, 1966.<br />
* Runciman Bart., Steven Sir. The Emperor Romanus Lecapenus and his Reign. Cambridge: University Press, 1929.<br />
* Toynbee, Arnold. Constantine Porphyrogenitus and his world. Oxford, 1973.<br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
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<div>Emperor '''Leo IV the Khazar''' was the emperor of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 780 to 785. He was an [[iconoclast]] following in the steps of his father, [[Constantine V]], who was a committed [[iconoclasm|iconoclast]]. His reign, a short five years, was was overshadowed by his wife [[Irene of Athens]], a strong [[iconodule]], who after Leo's death succeeded to power as regent for her son [[Constantine VI]] and as empress.<br />
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==Life==<br />
Leo was born in January 750 to Constantine V's first wife, Irene the Khazar. He was crowned co-emperor by his father in 751. In December 769 he was married in the chapel of St Stephen in the Daphne Palace to Irene of Athens, a member of the Sarandapechys family. Their only son, Constantine, was born on [[January 14]], 771. The choice of Irene as Leo's bride was to prove surprising, as Irene later displayed a reverence for [[icon]]s. <br />
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Leo succeeded to the throne at the age of twenty-five after the death of his father, Constantine, in August 775. He had his five-year-old son, Constantine VI, crowned as co-emperor on [[April 14]], 776, a [[Pascha]] Sunday, after having the army, senate, and people swear that they would accept no other emperor than himself, his son, and their descendants. In spite of this action, conspiracies erupted among Leo's younger brothers. These Leo put down easily, although the conspiring brothers would later reappear in opposition to Irene's regime. <br />
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During the early part of his reign, Leo appeared to take a more moderate position than his father on suppression of veneration of icons and [[monasticism]]. When [[Patriarch]] Nicetas died in 780, Leo appointed as patriarch Paul of Cyprus, who may have had a more moderate iconoclastic position than his predecessors. But soon Leo appeared to renew the persecution of [[iconodule]]s that his father had initiated in the 760s. When Leo found that his wife Irene had icons in her possession, he rebuked her, then turning her aside, no longer had marital relations with her. Many courtiers, iconophile sympathizers whom Irene may have brought to the palace, were arrested, imprisoned, and tortured, and some may have died. Relations between Leo and Irene before these renewed persecutions appeared to have been fine.<br />
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Besides military matters, little is known of Leo's civil activities as emperor. In this area he continued the his father's primarily defensive, yet successful, warfare in Asia Minor against Arab forces. <br />
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Leo died on [[September 8]], 780 while on a campaign against the Bulgarians. His death was described, possibly by Irene's supporters, as having been the result of Leo's addiction to precious stones, many of which he wore in crown of the [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Great Church]], which resulted in his being seized by a violent fever. His reign ended six days short of five years. Leo was buried with other members of the imperial family in the Church of the Holy Apostles.<br />
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The ascendancy of his wife Irene brought on the scene a strong personality. After Leo's [[death]], she reversed the iconoclastic [[heresy]] that had appeared in the Byzantine imperial court. Irene's fortitude resulted in the convening of the [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]], which formally recognized the [[veneration]] of images in the Orthodox Church.<br />
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==External link==<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/leo4.htm Leo IV]<br />
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[[Category:Heretics]]<br />
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<div>[[Image:Justinian.jpg|right|thumb|St Justinian, Emperor of Rome and Byzantium in the sixth century.]]The holy and right-believing Emperor '''Justinian I''' ([[May 11]], 483&ndash;[[November 13]]/14, 565), was Eastern Roman Emperor from [[August 1]], 527, until his death. His wife was the Empress [[Theodora (wife of Justinian)|Theodora]]. Besides being one of the most important rulers of Late Antiquity and a major figure in the history of the Byzantine state, Justinian was also a great champion of Orthodoxy, a builder of [[church]]es and a Church writer. During his reign Byzantium won glory with military victories in Persia, Africa, and Italy, as a result of which paganism was decisively routed among the Germanic Vandals and Visigoth tribes. He is also known as "the last Roman emperor" and was the emperor who reconquered the city of Rome from the Ostrogoths. The Church celebrates his [[feast day]] on [[November 14]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
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Justinian's full name was Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Justinianus. He is said to be of Slavic descent, probably born in a small village called Tauresium in Illyricum, near Scupi (present day Skopje, Macedonia), on [[May 11]], 483, to Vigilantia. His mother Vigilantia was the sister of the highly esteemed General Justin, who rose from the ranks of the army to become emperor. His uncle adopted him and ensured the boy's education. Justinian was superbly well educated in jurisprudence, theology and Roman history. His military career featured rapid advancement, and a great future opened up for him when, in 518, Justin became emperor. Justinian was appointed consul in 521, and later as commander of the army of the east. He was functioning as virtual regent long before Justin made him associate emperor on [[April 1]], 527.<br />
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Four months later, Justinian became the sole sovereign upon Justin I's death. His administration had world-wide impact, constituting a distinct epoch in the history of the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox Church. He was a man of unusual capacity for work (sometimes called the "emperor who never sleeps") and possessed a temperate, affable, and lively character, but he was also unscrupulous and crafty when it served him. He was the last emperor to attempt to restore the Roman Empire to the territories it enjoyed under Theodosius I.<br />
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He surrounded himself with men and women of extraordinary talent, "new men" culled not from the aristocratic ranks, but appointed based on merit. In 523 he married [[Theodora (wife of Justinian)|Theodora]], who was by profession a courtesan (or actress or circus performer, according which source one believes) about 20 years his junior. According to the historian Procopius, notorious for his slanderous dislike of the royal couple, Justinian is said to have met her at a show where she and a trained goose performed ''Leda and the Swan'', a play that managed to mock Greek mythology and Christian morality at the same time. Justinian would have, in earlier times, been unable to marry her because of her class, but his uncle Emperor Justin I had passed a law allowing intermarriage between social classes. Theodora would become very influential in the politics of the empire, and later emperors would follow Justinian's precedent and marry outside of the aristocratic class. The marriage was a source of scandal, but Theodora would prove to be very intelligent, "street smart," a good judge of character, and Justinian's greatest supporter.<br />
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Theodora died in 548; Justinian outlived her for almost twenty years, dying on [[November 13]] or 14, 565.<br />
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==Legal and military accomplishments==<br />
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Justinian achieved lasting influence for his judicial reforms, notably the summation of all Roman law, something that had never been done before. Justinian commissioned quaestor Tribonian to the task, and he issued the first draft of the ''Corpus Juris Civilis'' on [[April 7]], 529, in three parts: ''Digesta'' (or ''Digest'' or ''Pandectae''), ''Institutiones'' (or ''Institutes''), and the ''Codex''. The ''Corpus'' forms the basis of Latin jurisprudence (including ecclesiastical [[Canons of the Orthodox Church|canon law]]: "''ecclesia vivit lege romana''," "the Church lives under Roman law"). It ensured the survival of Roman law, which would pass to the West in the 12th century and later to Eastern Europe, including Russia. It remains influential to this day.<br />
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[[Image:Byzantium550.png|left|thumb|The expanse of the Byzantine Empire in 550 under Justinian.]]As far as military campaigns, Justinian was generally successful; he was the last Byzantine emperor to have control over Rome and parts of the West. Like his Roman predecessors and Byzantine successors, Justinian initially engaged in war against Sassanid Persia in the Roman-Persian Wars. However, his primary military ambitions focused on the western Mediterranean, where his general Belisarius spearheaded the reconquest of parts of the territory of the old Roman Empire. Belisarius gained this task as a reward after successfully putting down the Nika riots in Constantinople, because of which Justinian considered fleeing the capital but remained in the city only on the advice of Theodora (according to Procopius). In 533 Belisarius reconquered North Africa from the Vandals, then advanced into Sicily and Italy, recapturing Rome (536) and the Ostrogothic capital at Ravenna (540) in what has become known as the Gothic War.<br />
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==Justinian and Orthodoxy==<br />
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[[Image:OrthodoxCross.jpg|right|thumb|Justinian was a fervent supporter of Orthodoxy.]]Justinian viewed himself as the new [[Constantine the Great]]. He believed in a Mediterranean-wide Christian order politically, religiously and economically, united and ruled from Constantinople under a single Christian emperor. To this end he directed his great wars and his colossal activity in reconquering the western provinces from the Germanic tribes.<br />
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Perhaps the most noteworthy event occurred in 529 when the Academy in Athens (famous for being founded centuries earlier by Plato) was placed under state control by order of Justinian, effectively strangling this training school for Hellenism. [[Paganism]] was actively suppressed. The worship of Ammon at Augila in the Libyan desert was abolished, and so were the remnants of the worship of Isis on the island of Philae, in Egypt, and unrepentant Manicheans were executed in Constantinople. Justinian frequently sent out [[missionary|missionaries]] and [[convert]]ed numerous tribes. In Asia Minor alone, John, [[Bishop]] of Ephesus, converted 70,000 pagans.<br />
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Justinian also took a very firm stance in his support of Orthodoxy; he fought different [[heresy|heresies]] throughout his rule. At the beginning of his reign, he promulgated by law belief in the [[Holy Trinity]] and the [[Incarnation]], and subsequently declared that he would deprive all disturbers of orthodoxy due process of law. He made the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]] the sole symbol of the Church and accorded legal force to the canons of the four [[Ecumenical Councils]]. At the command of the sovereign, the [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]] was convened in the year 553, censuring the teachings of Origen and affirming the definitions of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] at Chalcedon. He also attempted to secure religious unity within the Empire through his (unsuccessful) dialogues with the non-Chalcedonians. He appointed Theodora, a convert from [[Monophysitism]], as his special envoy to deal with those who rejected Chalcedon. Besides Monophysitism, other ecclesiastical tensions had begun to emerge between the East and the West; the "Three Chapters" controversy brought all of these to a head (cf. external links).<br />
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[[Image:Hagia Sophia BW.jpg|right|thumb|The Hagia Sophia as it was meant, without minarets.]]The Emperor was instrumental in the building of numerous churches. He gave orders to build 90 churches for the newly-converted and generously supported church construction within the Empire. The finest structures of the time are considered to be the [[St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)|monastery at Sinai]], and the [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] in Constantinople. Under St. Justinian many churches were built dedicated to the [[Theotokos]]. Since he had received a broad education, St. Justinian assiduously concerned himself with the education of [[clergy]] and [[monk]]s, ordering them to be instructed in rhetoric, philosophy, and theology. He neglected no opportunity for securing the rights of the Church and clergy, for protecting and extending [[monasticism]]: his law codes contain many enactments regarding donations, foundations, and the administration of ecclesiastical property; election and rights of bishops, priests, and abbots; monastic life, residential obligations of the clergy, conduct of divine service, and episcopal jurisdiction. <br />
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Justinian's standardization of the [[Divine Liturgy]] included introducing the [[Cherubic Hymn]], and two oft-used troparia of the Church, ''Only Begotten Son'' and ''[[Phos Hilaron|O Gladsome Light]]'' are traditionally accredited to him.<br />
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In his personal life, St. Justinian was strictly pious, and he fasted often. During Great Lent he would not eat bread nor drink wine, but lived on only water and vegetables. He is also remembered for promoting the idea of "symphony" between church and state.<br />
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However, Justinian is often criticized by secular sources as a despot. Even some dissent occurs in Orthodox [[Holy Tradition]]. For example, the [[hagiography]] of St. [[Eutychius of Constantinople|Eutychius]] paints a more complicated portrait of the Emperor: <br />
:"After the death of the holy [[Patriarch]] Menas, the [[Apostle Peter]] appeared in a vision to the emperor Justinian and, pointing his hand at Eutychius, said, 'Let him be made your [[bishop]].' At the very beginning of his patriarchal service, St Eutychius [not Justinian himself] convened the [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]] (553), at which the [[Church Fathers|Fathers]] condemned the heresies cropping up and anathematized them. However, after several years a new heresy arose in the Church: Aphthartodocetism [asartodoketai] or "imperishability" which taught that the flesh of Christ...[was] not capable of suffering. St Eutychius vigorously denounced this heresy, but the emperor ''Justinian'' himself inclined toward it, and turned his wrath upon the saint. By order of the emperor, soldiers seized the saint in the church, removed his patriarchal vestments, and sent him into exile to an Amasean monastery (565)."<sup>[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101008]</sup><br />
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However, Father Asterios Gerostergios in his book ''Justinian the Great: The Emperor and Saint'', refutes the assertion that Justinian succumbed in his last years to the heresy of aphthartodocetism. It is commonly accepted that, after a lengthy reign in which Justinian spared no effort to try to bring the Monophysites back into the fold of the Orthodox Church, people were weary of the aged emperor. Thus, it is commonly asserted that Justinian adhered to the aphthartodocetist heresy, which was essentially an extreme form of Monophysitism, and deposed Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople for his supposed refusal to conform to this teaching. <br />
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Justinian's supposed decree imposing aphthartodocetism was not preserved, and the only contemporary source that refers to it is the testimony of the historian Evagrius. Most historians have accepted the information of Evagrius as true, reasoning that Justinian had either converted to the heresy at the end of his life or had succumbed to senility. These scholars thus relate the decree to the depositions of both Eutychius and Anastasius, patriarch of Antioch. Father Gerostergios states:<br />
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: That they were deposed because of their refusal to accept the edict we do not believe to be true because of the following reasons:<br />
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: 1. The bishop of Northern Africa, Victor, an enemy of the Emperor, mentions the deposition of Eutychius in his ''Chronicle'', but does not give any reasons for the deposition. If he really knew anything about a new edict, and if, further, he knew of Justinian's acceptance of the aphthartodocetistic heresy, not only would he certainly have mentioned it, but he would also have emphasized the event, in order to defame Justinian's exiling and imprisoning him. <br />
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: 2. If Eutychius had been deposed for this reason, his successor, John the Scholastic, would have had to accept such a decree. We have absolutely no information concerning his acceptance of the edict, nor any testimony that he accepted aphthartodocetism. On the contrary, Pope [Saint] Gregory the Great, who was then the papal representative in Constantinople, praises the new patriarch, John, for his holiness and Orthodoxy.<br />
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: 3. The same Pope Gregory praises Justinian for his Orthodoxy and he makes no mention of the edict. He says that Patriarch Eutychius was an Origenist. For this reason, W. H. Hutton and A. Knecht have stated: this was the cause for Eutychius' deposition. <br />
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: 4. When Patriarch Eutychius returned to the throne of Constantinople in 577, he did not mention the reasons for his dethronement. <br />
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: 5. Bishop John of Ephesus, contrary to Evagrius, makes no mention of what transpired in Antioch concerning the deposition of Anastasius. …<br />
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: For all the above reasons, we can only conclude that Justinian never issued or planned to issue an edict imposing aphthartodocetism. Such an act would have been in antithesis to his whole previous theological work, and it is clear that it would not have helped the overall purpose of unification. Moreover, such a complete change at such an advanced age, we believe to be a totally unnatural thing. With regard to the deposition of the two mentioned Patriarchs, we believe that it was not related to such an edict, because there is no basis for such a conclusion from the contemporary sources. We are of the opinion that their deposition was due to other reasons, probably to their failure to obey the old Emperor. <sup>[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ibmgs/lives.html]</sup><br />
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==Sources and external links==<br />
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* [[w:Justinian I|''Justinian I'' at Wikipedia]]<br />
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103301 St Justinian the Emperor] ([[OCA]])<br />
* [[w:The Three-Chapter Controversy|''The Three-Chapter Controversy'' at Wikipedia]]<br />
* [http://www.ku.edu/kansas/medieval/108/lectures/justinian.html University of Kansas Medieval History: Reign of Justinian, 527-565]<br />
* [http://www.roca.org/OA/42/42m.htm Orthodox America: Justinian the Great, Emperor and Saint] ([[ROCOR]])<br />
* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/justinia.htm Roman Emperors: Justinian] (A very detailed history.)<br />
* [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/procop-anec1.html Medieval Sourcebook: Excerpts from Procopius' ''Secret History'' of Justinian and his Court] (Here Procopius slanders both Justinian and Theodora with vicious abandon.)<br />
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/pdg12.htm Come and See Icons: Justinian]<br />
* [http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/justinian.php earlychurch.org: Justinian I] (Very pro-Justinian and the Church.)<br />
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<div>[[Image:JulianApostate.jpg|right|thumb|Julian the Apostate, pagan Emperor of Rome.]]'''Julian the Apostate''' was the Roman emperor from 361 to 363. During his reign he attempted to revert the Roman empire from Christianity back to [[paganism]], thus the appellation ''Apostate''. Through his edict of tolerance of 362 he reopened pagan temples, provided for restitution of alienated temple properties, and called for the return of [[bishop]]s who had been exiled. His reign was cut short by his death during the Battle of Ctesiphon in Persia in June of 363.<br />
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==Life==<br />
Born '''Flavius Claudius Julianus''' in either 331 or 332 A.D. to Julius Constantinus and his second wife Basilina, Julian was the nephew of St. [[Constantine the Great]] (Constantine I) through his father, who was himself a half-brother of Constantine I. Julian was raised within the imperial household and thus witnessed its intrigues; such intrigues eventually resulted in the murder by his uncle Constantius II of several members of his family, including his half-brother Constantius Gallus. In 355, Julian was made Caesar of the West. In the following years he led the defense of the Roman Empire along the Rhine River against the intruding Germanic tribes. His successes included recovering Colonia Agrippina (Cologne) and securing the frontier on the Rhine for the next 50 years. With the death of Constantius II on [[November 3]], 361, Julian became emperor, being recognized in Constantius' will as his rightful successor.<br />
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Julian, who had become skeptical of Christianity due to the intrigues and murders under Constantius, restablished the persecution of Christians upon his ascent to the imperial throne. One of these was a 362 edict of tolerance that suppressed the on-going persecution of pagans and destruction of their temples. His actions sought to undermine Christian efforts to resist reestablishment of paganism in the empire. His edict for schools prohibited Christian teachers from using the pagan sources that formed the core of Roman education. Thus, he was attempting to alienate Christian students from Roman society by depriving them of the knowledge needed for worldly success. By recalling exiled [[bishop]]s, Julian encouraged dissension among the Christians, who were already fighting the [[heresy]] of [[Arianism|Arius]].<br />
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Though he encouraged the restoration of pagan temples, Julian appeared not to practice the civic paganism of the pre-Constantine empire, but rather associated himself with a magical approach to the classical philosophies called ''theurgy'' or ''neoplatonism''. In any event, his practices were not Christian. He believed himself to be Alexander the Great in another body through the transmigration of souls, as taught by Plato and Pythagoras. He wrote a number of controversial works, some of which have survived, including philosophical treatises, hymns, and of course satires or critiques of Christianity and [[Constantine the Great]].<br />
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In 362, Julian began a campaign against the Persians in the east. There, on [[June 26]], 363, Julian received a fatal wound during the Battle of Ctesiphon, a victorious but inconclusive battle. He had not worn any armor, either through confidence of a victory or through haste or forgetfulness. With his death the last formal opposition to Christianity ended, and, in February 380, Theodosius I (Theodosius the Great) published the edict that all his subjects should profess Christianity.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Julian the Apostate]]<br />
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08558b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Julian the Apostate]<br />
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[[Category:Heretics]]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
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<div>King '''Harold II of England''' (ca. 1022 - [[October 14]], 1066) was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England. He was the son of Earl Godwin of Wessex, succeeded St. [[Edward the Confessor]] to the throne of England, but served as its king for less than a year, dying on the field of battle at Hastings in southern England in 1066, when England was invaded by William the Bastard ("the Conqueror"), Duke of Normandy. He ruled from [[January 5]], 1066 to [[October 14]], the day of his death. He is regarded by many Orthodox Christians as a [[passion-bearer]] or even [[martyr]] and as the last Orthodox king of England.<br />
[[Image:Harold.jpg|right|frame|Harold II Godwinson of England<br>(Bayeux Tapestry)]]<br />
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==Life==<br />
===Early years===<br />
Harold's father was Godwin, the powerful Earl of Wessex. Godwin was himself a son to Wulfnoth Cild, Thane of Sussex, and had married twice. His first marriage was to Thyra Sveinsdóttir (994 - 1018), a daughter of Sweyn I who was king of Denmark, Norway, and England. His second wife was Gytha Thorkelsdóttir who was a granddaughter to the legendary Swedish viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway, father of Sweyn I. This second marriage resulted in the birth of two sons, Harold and Tostig Godwinson, and a sister, Edith of Wessex (1020 - 1075) who was Queen consort of St. [[Edward the Confessor]].<br />
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Created Earl of East Anglia in 1045, Harold accompanied Godwin into exile in 1051 but helped him to regain his position a year later. When Godwin died in 1053, Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex (a province at that time covering the southernmost third of England). This made him the second most powerful figure in England after the king.<br />
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In 1058 Harold also became Earl of Hereford, and he replaced his late father as the focus of opposition to growing Norman influence in England under the restored Saxon monarchy (1042 - 1066) of [[Edward the Confessor]], who had spent more than a quarter of a century in exile in Normandy. <br />
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He gained glory in a series of campaigns (1062 - 1063) against the ruler of Gwynedd, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, who had conquered all of Wales; this conflict ended with Gruffydd's defeat (and death at the hands of his own troops) in 1063. About 1064, Harold married Edith, daughter of the Earl of Mercia, and former wife of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. By Harold, Edith had two sons - possibly twins - named Harold and Ulf, both of whom survived into adulthood and probably ended their lives in exile. Harold also had several illegitimate children by his famous mistress (or wife, according to Danish law), Ealdgyth Swan-neck (or "Edith Swan-neck" or "Edith Swanneck").<br />
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===1066===<br />
In 1065 Harold supported Northumbrian rebels against his brother Tostig who replaced him with Morcar. This strengthened his acceptability as Edward's successor, but fatally divided his own family, driving Tostig into alliance with King Harald Hardrada ("Hard Reign") of Norway. <br />
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Upon Edward the Confessor's death ([[January 5]], 1066), Harold claimed that Edward had promised him the crown on his deathbed, and the Witenagemot (the assembly of the kingdom's leading notables) approved him for coronation as king, which took place the following day, [[January 6]].<br />
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However, the country was invaded, by both Harald of Norway and William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, who claimed that he had been promised the English crown by both Edward (probably in 1052) and Harold, who had been shipwrecked in Ponthieu, Normandy in 1064 or 1065. It was alleged that, on the latter occasion, William forced Harold to swear to support his claim to the throne, only revealing after the event that the box on which he had made his oath contained holy [[relics]]. After Harold's death, Normans were quick to point out that in accepting the crown of England, Harold had perjured himself of this oath.<br />
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Invading what is now Yorkshire in September, 1066, Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeated the English earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria at the Battle of Fulford near York ([[September 20]]), but were in turn defeated and slain by Harold's army five days later at the Battle of Stamford Bridge ([[September 25]]).<br />
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Harold now forced his army to march 240 miles to intercept William, who had landed perhaps 7000 men in Sussex, southern England three days later on [[September 28]]. Harold established his army in hastily built earthworks near Hastings. The two armies clashed near Hastings on [[October 14]], where after a hard fight Harold was killed and his forces routed. According to tradition, and as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye. Whether he did, indeed, die in this manner (a death associated in the middle ages with perjurers), or was killed by the sword, will never be known. Harold's wife, Edith Swanneck, was called to identify the body, which she did by some private mark (the face being destroyed) known only to herself. Although one Norman account claims that Harold's body was buried in a grave overlooking the Saxon shore, it is more likely that he was buried in his church of Waltham Holy Cross in Essex. <br />
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After the Conquest, some of Harold's family fled to Kievan Rus', where his illegitimate daughter Gytha of Wessex married Vladimir Monomakh, Grand Duke of Kievan Rus', and is ancestor to dynasties of Galicia, Smolensk and Yaroslavl, whose scions include Modest Mussorgsky and Peter Kropotkin. Consequently, the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] allegedly recently recognized Harold as a [[martyr]] with [[October 14]] as his [[feast day]].<br />
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==Legacy==<br />
A cult of hero worship rose around Harold and by the 12th century legend says that Harold had indeed survived the battle, had spent two years in Winchester after the battle recovering from his wounds, and then traveled to Germany where he spent years wandering as a pilgrim. As an old man he returned to England and lived as a hermit in a cave near Dover. As he lay dying, he confessed that although he went by the name of Christian, he had been born Harold Godwineson. Various versions of this story persisted throughout the Middle Ages, and have little claim to fact.<br />
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Literary interest in Harold revived in the 19th century with the play ''Harold'' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1876) and the novel ''Last of the Saxon Kings'' by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1848). Rudyard Kipling wrote a story, ''The tree of justice'' (1910), describing how an old man who turns out to be Harold is brought before Henry I of England. E. A. Freeman wrote a serious history in ''History of the Norman Conquest of England'' (1870-1879) in which Harold is seen as a great English hero. By the 21st century Harold's reputation remains tied, as it has always been, with subjective views of the rightness or wrongness of the Norman conquest.<br />
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==Saint Harold?==<br />
===The Basis for Sainthood===<br />
The question of Harold's sanctity is a bit complex. History records that he led a moral life and was an honest and dutiful ruler for the English people. There probably is not, however, enough evidence of his personal sanctity based on the general conduct of his life in order for him to be numbered publicly among the saints.<br />
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Another question with regard to many western [[saint]]s is the period in which they lived. That is, do they count as Orthodox saints of the old western Church based on living before the [[Great Schism]]? Regarding the British Isles, what is known about the state of the Church there at that time is that subsequent to the Norman Invasion in 1066, church life was radically altered. Native clergy were replaced, liturgical reform enacted, and a strong emphasis on papal church control was propagated. As such, it is probably safe to say that, prior to 1066, the church of the British Isles was Orthodox, and the Normans brought the effects of the Great Schism to British soil. As such, it is probably proper to regard Harold as having been an Orthodox Christian.<br />
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The principle question regarding Harold's sanctity is whether he died as a [[passion-bearer]] (one who faces his death in a Christ-like manner) or even a [[martyr]] at Hastings. The defense of England was certainly being undertaken for political and nationalistic reasons&mdash;Englishmen had no desire to be ruled over by a foreign king (having experienced it before), so they gladly followed their native monarch in defense of their homeland. Yet did they also die for their faith?<br />
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===Papist Invaders versus Orthodox Christian Natives===<br />
Before he set out from Normandy, William had had a difficult time in getting his own Norman barons to follow him in his quest to gain the English crown. Most considered it suicide, if only because of the difficulty in making the crossing over the English Channel in the relatively primitive boats that they used. Thus, William had a problem in terms of gaining military assistance in his campaign. The solution to that problem was presented by one of his advisers, Lanfranc, a Lombard abbot and monastic teacher who had previously helped gain papal approval of William's uncanonical marriage to his wife, Matilda.<br />
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Lanfranc's solution (for which he was eventually awarded the position of Archbishop of Canterbury after the Conquest) came in the form of casting the invasion as a crusade to bring the English church into submission to the [[papacy]]. David Howarth, in his ''1066 The Year of the Conquest'', explains:<br />
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:The invasion should not be seen as a merely secular conquest; its highest aim should be, or appear to be, the reformation of the English church. It should become a crusade, a holy war to bring back an errant church to Rome. Lanfranc himself, or the Norman church as a body, was willing to bring accusations against the church of England (p. 100).<br />
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Whether the English church was indeed errant can be debated. As with much of the Church at the time, corruption was certainly present, but that was by no means unique to England or therefore deserving of military invasion. Indeed, even considering how remote England's church was from Rome, it had for nearly 200 years collected and sent to Rome the offering known as ''Peter's Pence'', and it had always encouraged pilgrimage to Rome by English Christians. As such, the church in England had been remarkably loyal to Rome. Howarth continues:<br />
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:Perhaps its principal sin was merely to be different: much of its scholarship and all of its pastoral work were in English instead of Latin, and it was easy for other churchmen to suspect that schisms and heresies were hidden by such a barbarous language. But finally, whatever was said against it, the fact remained that the English then were a devoutly religious people and were satisfied on the whole that their church provided for their spiritual needs (ibid.).<br />
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===Norman Conspiracy with the Pope===<br />
Despite the rather shaky grounds on which accusations of English ecclesiastical disloyalty were founded, this was the reason for the invasion which was submitted to the Pope. It was probably something of an afterthought for William's plan, and certainly neither William nor Lanfranc were in a position to judge the English church. Yet the excuse was precisely what the invaders&mdash;and the Pope&mdash;needed to further their cause, as Howarth says:<br />
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:To William, it gave a chance of solving the problem of raising an army: he could promise land and booty to men who took part, but in a holy war the church could promise something more&mdash;salvation. To Lanfranc, it gave a chance to offer the Holy See an expansion of power it had been seeking in vain... Lanfranc could therefore ask for papal blessing of William's invasion and offer something in return: William's claim could be submitted to the judgement of the Pope. This would be the first time a pope had been asked to adjudicate a disputed royal succession, and would create a precedent of enormous importance to [Cardinal] Hildebrand... And the present Pope, as it happened, had once been [Lanfranc's] student at [the monastic college of] Bec (p. 101).<br />
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Hildebrand had previously been at the head of efforts to disentangle the election of popes from secular politics, thus bolstering the power and solidity of the papacy. (He was eventually elected pope himself, styled Pope Gregory VII, and is a saint in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].) Such an opportunity as Lanfranc's proposal presented to increase the papacy's influence over secular politics could not be missed. Being the most skilful politician at the Vatican, he saw to it that a papal court was held in Rome ("without the slightest reference to the facts," says Howarth on p. 102) at which Harold was entirely unrepresented. As Howarth says:<br />
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:It is not recorded whether he was invited to send an advocate, but it is very unlikely. To ride from Rome to Bosham [where Harold was in England] and back again to Rome suggests a month on the road, and nobody was prepared to waste as much time as that. If he had been invited, he and the witan would certainly have answered, quite correctly, that the choice of a King of England had nothing to do with the Pope (p. 102).<br />
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The court ruled against Harold, and the Pope<br />
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:accepted that William's purpose was to reform the church, he sent his blessing on this holy endeavour, a papal banner to carry into battle, and a ring for William to wear on the expedition which contained a relic of St Peter himself. There was one condition: it was understood that William would hold England as a vassal of the Pope. William had not the least intention in the world of doing anything of the sort; but he accepted the ring and the banner and said nothing. And those, as things turned out, were the most powerful weapons he took to England (ibid.).<br />
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===''Harold Rex Interfectus Est'': Harold's Defeat at Hastings===<br />
[[Image:Harold_dies.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Harold Rex Interfectus Est''<br>"King Harold is killed"<br>(Bayeux Tapestry)]]<br />
After Harold had returned from his brilliant defeat of Harald of Norway in the north of England, he learned quickly of the Norman invasion. He'd been suspecting it for some time, but it fell hard on the heels of victory at Stamford Bridge that he would have to defend his country in the south, as well.<br />
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Upon his return to southern England, he soon received word from William's forces that he had been excommunicated by the Pope and that the Normans carried papal blessing to invade England. All evidence suggests that this news utterly demoralized King Harold. While he had been a powerful commander against the Norsemen, upon hearing news of the alleged excommunication, he declared, "May the Lord now decide between William and me" (Howarth, p. 164), and before going to battle, "the terrible rumour was starting to spread that the King was excommunicated and the same fate hung over any man who fought for him" (ibid., 165).<br />
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Records of how the battle actually went suggest that instead of the dynamic fighting force Harold had inspired just days before, the English mainly stood in one place and were slaughtered. Harold had been transformed by his betrayal by the Pope, and his defeat by William (which from a purely military standpoint was by no means assured) marked the end of the ecclesial distinctiveness of the English church and its subsequent capitulation to Rome under Norman rule. Lanfranc himself, as Archbishop of Canterbury, led the Latinization and Normanization of the English church, while William brutalized the English people.<br />
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===Harold's Cultus===<br />
Although history's record of Harold's defeat can be interpreted to suggest that King Harold and his men died in defense of the Orthodox Christian faith, aside from the undocumented allegation that the [[Church of Russia]] has glorified him, there is no record of a [[cultus]] developing around Harold. This fact is not necessarily evidence against his place among the saints, especially since the Norman domination of the English church would have utterly squelched the liturgical veneration of the fallen Saxon king.<br />
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In our own day, however, some Orthodox Christians&mdash;especially those who venerate the saints of the British Isles&mdash;have begun to regard Harold as being truly a saint, that he and his men died defending their land from invasion by a foreign faith. Perhaps we may someday see a service written to him and popular veneration grow in the Orthodox Church, especially among English-speaking Orthodox Christians.<br />
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==Sources==<br />
* ''1066 The Year of the Conquest'' (1977) by David Howarth (ISBN 0880290145)<br />
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*[[Wikipedia:Harold II of England]]<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Lanfranc]]<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Norman Conquest]]<br />
*[[Wikipedia:William I of England]]<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.orthodoxengland.btinternet.co.uk/ocet55.htm Excerpt from: Orthodox Christianity and the English Tradition]<br />
*[http://uk.geocities.com/guildfordian2002/AngloSaxon/FallOrthodoxEngland.htm The Fall of Orthodox England] by Vladimir Moss<br />
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[[Category:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
[[Category:Saints]]<br />
[[Category:Featured Articles]]</div>ByzBothttps://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Edward_the_Martyr&diff=51118Edward the Martyr2007-05-11T12:34:10Z<p>ByzBot: merging cat, various minor cleanups Ⓣ</p>
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<div>[[Image:Edward the Martyr.jpg|right|frame|St. Edward the Martyr]]<br />
The holy and right-believing '''King Edward the Martyr''' (c. 962 &ndash; [[March 18]], 978/979) succeeded his father Edgar of England as King of England in 975, but was murdered after a reign of only a few years. As the murder was attributed to "irreligious" opponents, whereas Edward himself was considered a good Christian, he was [[glorification|glorified]] as ''[[Saint]] Edward the [[Martyr]]'' in 1001; he may also be considered a [[passion-bearer]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[March 18]], the uncovering of his [[relics]] is commemorated on [[February 13]], and the elevation of his relics on [[June 20]]. The translation of his relics is commemorated on [[September 3]].<br />
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== Motive and details of his murder ==<br />
Edward's accession to the throne was contested by a party headed by his stepmother, Queen Elfrida, who wished her son, Ethelred the Unready, to become king instead. However, Edward's claim had more support—including that of St. [[Dunstan of Canterbury|Dunstan]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]—and was confirmed by the Witan. <br />
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King Edward "was a young man of great devotion and excellent conduct. He was completely Orthodox, good and of holy life. Moreover, he loved God and the Church above all things. He was generous to the poor, a haven to the good, a champion of the Faith of Christ, a vessel full of every virtuous [[grace]]." <br />
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On King Edward's accession to the throne a great famine was raging through the land and violent attacks were stirred up against [[monastery|monasteries]] by prominent noblemen who coveted the lands that his father King Edgar had endowed to them. Many of these monasteries were destroyed, and the [[monk]]s forced to flee. The king, however, stood firm together with [[Archbishop]] Dunstan in defense of the Church and the monasteries. For this, some of the nobles decided to remove him and replace him with his younger brother Ethelred. <br />
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On [[March 18]], 978, the king was hunting with dogs and horsemen near Wareham in Dorset. During the hunt the king decided to visit his younger brother Ethelred who was being brought up in the house of his mother Elfrida at Corfe Castle, near Wareham. Separating from his retinue, the King arrived alone at the castle. While still on his horse in the lower part of the castle Elfrida offered Edward a glass of mead. While he was drinking it, Edward was stabbed in the back by one of the queen's party. Ethelred himself was then only ten years old, and so was not implicated in the murder.<br />
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== History of his relics ==<br />
The stories of the relics of St. Edward began at the moment of his death (martyrdom). Immediately following the murder, the body of the murdered king slipped from the saddle of his horse and was dragged with one foot in the stirrup until the body fell into a stream at the base of the hill upon which Corfe Castle stands (the stream was found thereafter to have healing properties—particularly for the blind). The queen then ordered that body be hurriedly hidden in a hut nearby. Within the hut, however, lived a woman who was blind from birth, and whom the queen supported out of charity. During the night, a wonderful light appeared and filled the whole hut. Struck with awe, the woman cried out: "Lord, have mercy!" and suddenly received her sight. At this she discovered the dead body of the king. The church of St. Edward at Corfe Castle now stands on the site of this [[miracle]]. At dawn the queen learned of the miracle and was troubled. Again she ordered disposal of the body, this time by burying it in a marshy place near Wareham. A year after the murder, however, a pillar of fire was seen over the place where the body was hidden, lighting up the whole area. This was seen by some of the inhabitants of Wareham, who raised the body. Immediately, a clear spring of healing water sprang up in that place. Accompanied by what was now a huge crowd of mourners, the body was taken to the church of the Most Holy [[Mother of God]] in Wareham and buried at the east end of the church. This took place on [[February 13]], 980. <br />
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On the account of a series of subsequent miracles, the relics were translated to the [[abbey]] at Shaftesbury. When the relics were taken up from the grave, they were found to be whole and incorrupt. The translation of the relics occurred in great procession on [[February 13]], 981, and arrived at Shaftesbury seven days later. There the relics were received by the [[nun]]s of Shaftesbury Abbey and were buried with full royal honors on the north side of the [[altar]]. On the way from Wareham to Shaftesbury, a further miracle had taken place; two crippled men were brought close to the bier, and those carrying it lowered the body to their level, whereupon the cripples were immediately restored to full health. This procession and these events were re-enacted in 1000 years later in 1981. In 1001, the tomb in which the saint lay was observed to regularly rise from the ground. King Ethelred was filled with joy at this and instructed the [[bishop]]s to raise his brother's tomb from the ground and place it into a more fitting place. As the tomb was opened a wonderful fragrance issued from it, such that all present "thought that they were standing in [[Paradise]]". The bishops then bore away the sacred relics from the tomb and placed them in a casket in the holy place of the saints together with other holy relics. This elevation of the relics of St. Edward took place on [[June 20]], 1001. <br />
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St. Edward was officially glorified by the All-English Council of 1008, presided over by St. [[Alphege]], Archbishop of Canterbury (who was later also martyred by the Danes in 1012). King Ethelred ordered that the saint's three feast days (March 18, February 13, and June 20) should be celebrated throughout England. Shaftesbury Abbey was rededicated to the Mother of God and St. Edward. Shaftesbury was apparently renamed "Edwardstowe," only reverting to its original name after the Reformation. Many miracles were recorded at the tomb of St. Edward including the healing of lepers and the blind.<br />
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During the sixteenth century, under King Henry VIII of England, monasteries were dissolved and many holy places were demolished, but St. Edward's remains were hidden so as to avoid desecration. In 1931, the relics were recovered by Mr. Wilson-Claridge during an archaelogical excavation; their identity was confirmed by Dr. T.E.A. Stowell, an osteologist. In about 1982, Mr. Wilson-Claridge donated the relics to the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]], which placed them in a church in Brookwood Cemetery, in Woking, Surrey. The [[St. Edward the Martyr Orthodox Brotherhood (Surrey, England)|St. Edward Brotherhood]] of monks was organized there as well. The church is now named St. Edward the Martyr Orthodox Church.<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[St. Edward the Martyr Orthodox Brotherhood (Surrey, England)]]<br />
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==Source==<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_the_Martyr Edward the Martyr] on Wikipedia<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.saintedwardbrotherhood.org/edward.html King Edward the Martyr] on the website of the St. Edward Brotherhood<br />
*[http://www.tbcs.org.uk/edward.htm St Edward the Martyr] from the Brookwood Cemetery Society<br />
*[http://www.serfes.org/lives/stedward.htm The Life Of Among The Saints Edward The Martyr, King Of England], compiled by Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes.<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/57/57f.htm Bones of Contention - St. Edward the Martyr] from ''Orthodox America'' Issue 57, Vol. VI, No. 7. February, 1986.<br />
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/42/42g.htm Bishops silence controversy over Relics] from ''Orthodox America'', Issue 42, Vol. 5, No. 7. August, 1984.<br />
*[http://www.orthodox.net/western-saints/edward.html St. Edward the Martyr, King of England] by Vladimir Moss from the website of the parish of Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in Dallas, TX ([[ROCOR]])<br />
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/e/sgp03.htm Icon and Troparion of St. Edward]<br />
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<div>[[Saint]] '''Edred of England''' (c. 923 - [[November 23]], 955) was King of England from 946 until his death. His [[feast day]] is [[November 23]]. He referred to himself as "King of the Anglo-Saxons and Emperor of the whole of Britain." Edred was an extremely religious man, but suffered from poor health. He never married and had no heirs. He was succeeded to the throne by his nephew, Edwy.<br />
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==Sources==<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edred_of_England Edred of England] on Wikipedia<br />
*[http://www.romanitas.ru/eng/THE%20FALL%20OF%20ORTHODOX%20ENGLAND%205X8.htm "The Fall of Orthodox England"] by Vladimir Moss<br />
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<div>'''Diocletian''' was Emperor of Rome from 240 - 311, when he abdicated due to illness. As Emperor he was known as Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus but was born with the name Diocles, near Spalatum (modern Split) in Dalmatia. His father was the scribe for a wealthy senator and may have been a freed slave.<br />
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Diocletian rose through the ranks of the Roman military, eventually becoming Emperor along with a junior co-ruler Maximian. His importance as a figure in Church history is as the instigator of a particularly harsh persecution of Christians which produced many [[martyr]]s. He increased the cult of the Emperor, calling himself the son of Jove, and tried to revive the worship of the Roman gods.<br />
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In about 297 an edict was made that all soldiers and Imperial officials must sacrifice to the gods - failure to do so resulted in dismissal. <br />
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In 303 Diocletian ordered the destruction of all [[church]]es and and the burning of all Christian Scriptures. Further edicts in the same year ordered that all Christian [[clergy]] be imprisoned and tortured until they agreed to sacrifice to the Roman gods. <br />
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In 304 Diocletian made his final order for the persecution of Christians. All Christians, both lay and clergy, who refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods were to be executed. <br />
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[[Category:Rulers]]<br />
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<div>The holy and right-believing Emperor '''Constantine the New''' was also known as '''Constantine Pogonatus''' or '''Constantine IV''' (649-685), Byzantine emperor from 668-685. He had been named a co-emperor with his father Constans II in 654, and became emperor when Constans was assassinated in 668. The [[Orthodox Church]] commemorates him on [[September 3]].<br />
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==Life==<br />
Eldest son of Emperor Constans II and Fausta, he married Anastasia and had two sons, Justinian II (who later succeeded his father) and Heraclius.<br />
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Constantine called the [[Sixth Ecumenical Council]] (also known as the Third Council of Constantinople) that met from November of 680 until September of 681. During its 18 sittings, 12 of which were actually led by Constantine himself, the council attempted to bring about a reconciliation between the [[Church of Rome|Western Church in Rome]] and the Orthodox Church in Constantinople. The council decreed that Christ had both a divine and human will that matched his two natures, reaffirming the doctrines of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] in 451. This solved the controversy over [[monothelitism]]. The council's actions helped to promote a feeling of unity between the two churches and bring them closer together than they had been in recent years.<br />
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He was buried at the [[Church of the Holy Apostles (Constantinople)|Church of the Holy Apostles]] in Constantinople.<br />
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==Sources and external links==<br />
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/const3.html Sixth Ecumenical Council: Constantinople III, 680-681] from the Medieval Sourcebook<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_IV Constantine IV] from Wikipedia<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/Constiv.htm Constantine IV (668 -685 A.D.)] by R. Scott Moore of Ohio State University<br />
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/anastii.htm Anastasia (Wife of Constantine IV)] by Lynda Garland of the University of New England, New South Wales<br />
*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8069.asp The Sixth Ecumenical Council] from the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]] website<br />
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