Prologue in Sermons: January 4

Against Blasphemy

January 4

(A Story from the Leimonarion, About a Miracle Concerning Children Who Served)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

In the Prologue, in the "A Story from the Leimonarion, About a Miracle Concerning Children Who Served," two truths are revealed with extraordinary clarity: the first is that God cannot be mocked, and the second is that the sin of blasphemy is a terrible sin. To prove both truths, let us turn to a case. 

In one village, children were tending sheep. Children, of course, are children everywhere, and when the opportunity arises, they always try to take advantage of the time to indulge in childish games. This was the case with the aforementioned child shepherds. But games are not all the same, and some games are even beneficial for children, while others can be very harmful to them. The child shepherds indulged in this latter game. They decided to arrange the following: "Let's celebrate the Liturgy and partake of Communion," said one of them, "just as a priest does in church." The proposal was accepted. 

 

April: Day 4: Holy Martyrs Agathopodas and Theodoulos

April: Day 4:*
Holy Martyrs Agathopodas and Theodoulos
 
(Do Not Give What is Holy to Ridicule)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. During the reign of Diocletian and Maximian, there lived in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, or Thessalonica, two clergymen, the elder Agathopodas and a youth named Theodoulos, whose memory the Holy Church celebrates today.

The first of them was a Deacon, the second fulfilled the office of Reader in the Church; and both led an honest, virtuous life, entirely devoted to the Lord. God, in His mercy, granted Theodoulos miraculous power: he helped those suffering from various illnesses and converted many pagans to Christ.

Suddenly a persecution of Christians began. An order was sent to Thessaloniki, as to all the cities that belonged to the Roman Empire, to force everyone to worship idols. Instruments of execution were placed in the city square to intimidate those who disobeyed. Some Christians then secretly left the city and hid from the persecution of the pagans; others could not withstand the fear of torture and renounced their faith; but many remained in Thessaloniki, calmly awaiting their fate. Among them were Agathopodas and Theodoulos. They prayed incessantly in the temple of God. They were seized, thrown into prison, and then, after a few days, brought to the city governor, Faustinus, for interrogation.

February: Day 21: Saint George, Bishop of Amastris

February: Day 21:
Saint George, Bishop of Amastris
 
(The Sin of Sacrilege)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint George, Bishop of Amastris, whose memory is celebrated today, was famous for his exalted life and miracles under the Emperor Constantine IV (780-797). By prayer he calmed a storm on the Black Sea during his voyage and died peacefully in 803. After his death, many miracles occurred at his tomb. Thus one day the Russians (i.e. Russian knights), having attacked the Greek Empire and devastated everything along the coast, captured Amastris (in Paphlagonia) on the Black Sea. Having broken into the church where Saint George was buried, they began to dig up his tomb, thinking that treasures were kept in it; but the plunderers suddenly lost strength in their legs and arms and, as if bound, they stood motionless in a stupor. This miracle terrified the Russians and their leader, calling a captive Christian, began to ask about the treasure hidden in the tomb. The captive Christian explained everything and at the same time communicated the concept of the true God, Who created everything from nothing and Whom no one can resist, and immediately advised to bring Him a sacrifice. When the Russians, on the advice of the captive, brought oil and wax to the true God and returned freedom to the captives, then the plunderers felt the freedom of their hands and feet. After this, the Russians made peace with the Christians and returned to their homeland with the thought of the greatness of the Christian God, and some with full faith in Him.