Venerable Poemen the Great Resource Page

Venerable Poemen the Great (Feast Day - August 27)

 

Verses

As from the open mouth of a wolf Poemen snatches,

The lives of the sheep of the exceedingly great Shepherd.

On the twenty-seventh Poemen is mourned as a great shepherd.

 

Life and Sayings of Holy Abba Poemen the Great

 

August: Day 27: Venerable Poemen the Great 

 

Homily One on Venerable Abba Poemen, the Shepherd of Souls (Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos) 

 

Homily Two on Venerable Abba Poemen, the Shepherd of Souls (Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

 

The Teaching on Weeping of Venerable Poemen the Great 

 

On Those Who Do Not Accept Our Forgiveness (Abba Poemen)

 

Seven Precepts For An Assured Salvation 

 

Prologue in Sermons: February 16 

 

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

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

August: Day 31: Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos

August: Day 31:
Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos
 
(On the Prayers That Are Not Pleasing to the Mother of God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today the Church commemorates the Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos, which took place in the year 408. Besides Her robe, the Most Holy Theotokos also left the faithful Her honorable zoni (girdle); it was passed on among the faithful, just as the robe was, by succession from one to another in Jerusalem. The Emperor Arcadius, son of Theodosius the Great, having received the zoni from Jerusalem, placed it in Constantinople. In time, due to public calamities, the zoni was taken from Constantinople to the city of Zila, in Cappadocia, but under the Emperor Justin it was again brought to Constantinople. Many miracles occurred from it through prayer to the Mother of God, if these prayers were pleasing to the Lord and were acceptable to the Mother of God. Part of the zoni is on Athos, in the Vatopaidi Monastery, in a cross, the other part is in the Trier Monastery, in the west.

Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

By Metropolitan Panteleimon of Beroia, Naousa and Kampania

(Delivered on August 30th 2025 in the Church of Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople, in Alexandreia of Imathia)

"You were seen, O all-glorious, as the performer of secret rites to the Most Divine Trinity on high, worshiping them with purity and singing unceasingly, O Hierarch Alexander."

Today our Church celebrates the memory of three Holy Archbishops of Constantinople, among whom is Saint Alexander, to whom this beautiful church of our city is dedicated. And we especially honor Saint Alexander this year, as this year we celebrate the anniversary of the completion of 1700 years since the convening of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea, in which our Saint also participated.

Saint Phantinos, the Bear and Saint Athanasios of Athonite

By Spyros Symeon

If we knew what the synaxaria hide, then we would become rich. So rich that nothing would touch us.

Yes, yes, rich, perhaps not in material goods, but in spiritual goods, because no matter how many material goods a person has, they are not what will give him the happiness and peace that the human heart seeks.

The synaxaria are the verification of the New Testament of Christ.

It is there we see in practice the application of the Law of God, and indeed through many aspects, since it is not always the path we follow that will determine our destination, but desire will determine the conquest of our destination.

August: Day 30: Teaching 5: Venerable Alexander of Svir

August: Day 30: Teaching 5:
Venerable Alexander of Svir
 
(Against Those Who Do Not Honor Their Parents)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today we celebrate the memory of Saint Alexander of Svir. This great ascetic was born in a village in the Olonetsk province. From early childhood and adolescence he showed great piety, loved fasting and prayer, later avoided marriage, and with all his soul strove for the hermit's life. When he was 26 years old, the Saint went to the islands of Valaam and there took monastic vows. He spent 13 years in a monastery, following not his own will but being obedient to all, and constantly engaged in labor and prayer. Afterward, he received permission to live in solitude; and having arranged a small hut six versts from the Svir River, he lived there for seven years in complete isolation. Then, laborers began to gather around him. Initially, hermits lived in separate cells; but as the number of brothers increased, the Venerable One began to build a monastery with a stone church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. "Where shall we find the means?" the brothers said: "This undertaking is unreasonable." But the Venerable Alexander replied: "Indeed, we can do nothing if the Lord does not help; but He assists those who trust in Him." The church was constructed and consecrated in 1526 with the blessing of Archbishop Macarius.

August: Day 30: Teaching 1: Translation of the Relics of the Holy and Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the Ruling City of Saint Petersburg

August: Day 30: Teaching 1:
Translation of the Relics of the Holy and Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the Ruling City of Saint Petersburg
 
(On the Virtue of the Holy and Noble Prince Alexander Nevsky)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. On this day we cannot wish for anyone anything better than the heavenly glory that was acquired by the Saint, now worthily revered and blessed by the Holy Church, the Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky, who lived during the difficult time of the Tatar enslavement of Russia. This purple-born righteous man was marveled at by his contemporaries, his descendants revere him, his honorable relics were glorified by the incorruptibility of the just Rewarder of the righteous, the Holy Church has numbered him among the Saints. How did Saint Alexander Nevsky acquire such glory? Our mother, the Orthodox Church, answers this in one of her hymns in his honor. "Come, all you sons of Russia," she sings, "praise the good leader, the ruler" - "the wise builder, the warrior" - "the valiant warrior, the lover of Orthodoxy" - "the firm confessor of the faith, the voluntary martyr" (Canon of Saint Alexander Nevsky). These are the flowers from which the unfading crown of glory of the Right-Believing Prince, Saint Alexander Nevsky, is woven.

Homily Two on the Beheading of John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord (Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov)

Homily Two on the Beheading of John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord

By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov

(Delivered in 1962)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, today the Church of Christ, and we with it, remember with sorrow a sad event from our sacred history – the beheading of the greatest Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John. This tragic event is conveyed to us by the Gospel read today in the following words: "At that time, Herod the King heard about the fame of Jesus, for his name had become known. He said, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.' For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.' And he vowed to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' And she went out, and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask?' And she said, 'The head of John the baptizer.' And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb" (Mark 6:17–29).

August: Day 29: Teaching 1: The Beheading of John the Baptist

August: Day 29: Teaching 1:
The Beheading of John the Baptist
 
(Why is the Beheading of John the Baptist Remembered So Reverently?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ, who preceded His birth, had to precede His saving death by his own death, so that as on earth he preached the coming of the Lord, proclaiming: "There comes One after me who is mightier than I" (Mark 1:7), so also in hades he might proclaim to the souls contained there that the expected Messiah had already appeared in the world. This is how it was fulfilled: 

Herod, called Antipas, the son of the elder Herod, who killed the children of Bethlehem, was married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia; but, seduced by the beauty of Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother, with her consent, he drove away his first lawful wife and took Herodias. Such lawlessness could not be tolerated by the zealot of God's law, the denouncer of sins and preacher of repentance, Saint John the Baptist. He began to denounce Herod before everyone, saying: "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." But Herod, not tolerating the denunciation, commanded that John be thrown into prison in chains. Herodias, however, was most furious against the holy denouncer. She wanted to kill him immediately, but she could not, because Herod, who knew John as a righteous and holy man, did not want to hand him over to be killed, fearing not so much God as that the people, who revered John as a prophet, would cause an uprising because of his murder. As a result of this, Saint John remained in prison for quite a long time. 

August: Day 28: Teaching 1: Venerable Moses the Ethiopian

August: Day 28: Teaching 1:
Venerable Moses the Ethiopian
 
(The Judgment of God Punishing Murderers)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The life of Venerable Moses, celebrated today, is very instructive. It demonstrates that there are no sins that can overcome the mercy of God. The great robber, who shed human blood and committed various wicked deeds, after his conversion to God, when divine grace touched his soul through his conscience, became a completely different person. Leaving behind the companions of his sinful life and all the treasures he had plundered, he secluded himself in a monastery, where, through the practices of fasting, prayer, humility, courageous and relentless struggle against his passions and desires, and constant tearful repentance, he attained a high degree of holiness. Regarding his former sinful life, let us today, brethren, discuss the sin of murder.

August: Day 27: Venerable Poemen the Great

August: Day 27:
Venerable Poemen the Great
 
(On Non-Condemnation)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Venerable Poemen, an Egyptian by birth, whose memory is celebrated today, was born about the year 340 A.D. While still young, he took a vow of silence and renunciation of the world and began to struggle in a desert skete near Diocles. His brothers also struggled with him: the elder, Anubius, and the younger, unknown by name.

Thus, Venerable Poemen strictly kept his vow of renunciation of the world, that he even refused to meet with his mother when she came one day to visit her children in the skete, and only at the insistent persuasion of the brethren, Poemen, approaching the door behind which his mother stood, said to her: "If you graciously endure this temporary separation from us, then in the life to come you shall see us; thus we hope for God's benevolence!" And comforted by this promise, the mother left the skete, no longer striving to see her children and not distracting them from the feat of the life they had chosen.

August: Day 26: Teaching 2: Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

August: Day 26: Teaching 2:
Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
 
(The History of the Celebrated Event With an Indication of the Power of the Intercession of the Mother of God for the Human Race)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. This day is ever-memorable for the Church and our Fatherland because of the following great historical event.

At the end of the 14th century AD, in the depths of Asia, a brave military leader named Tamerlane managed to unite numerous Tatar tribes under his rule into one huge horde, in order to conquer all the kingdoms with this horde. Indeed, not a single nation that existed at that time could withstand the onslaught of the wild natives of the Asian steppes. Like locusts, the Tatars, led by the fierce Tamerlane, crushed everything that came their way. Thousands of flourishing cities of Asia were reduced to ashes by them, and populous states became deserts. Tamerlane, called the scourge of God by his contemporaries, moved more and more towards Europe and first of all turned his predatory gaze on our fatherland. 

August: Day 26: Teaching 1: Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia

August: Day 26: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia
 
(On Modern Women Raised Without Christian Piety)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia, celebrated today by the Holy Church, were a married couple and were united in marriage for only one year. They lived during the reign of Emperor Maximian, in Bithynia of Nicomedia. This emperor, having raised a persecution of Christians, promised rewards to those who would indicate Christians in hiding or would bring them themselves. Many denunciations were made. At this time, according to a denunciation, 23 Christians were arrested in a cave near Nicomedia. They were tortured, then forced to worship idols. Among others, Adrian was captured. The emperor ordered that he be thrown into prison. One of Adrian's servants reported to Natalia that her husband was imprisoned. Natalia was frightened, but when she learned that Adrian was suffering for Christ, she rejoiced, because she herself was a secret Christian, and hastened to him in prison with words of encouragement: “Blessed are you, my lord, that you have believed in Christ. You are acquiring a great treasure. Do not lament your youth and beauty: our mortal body is food for worms; do not think about wealth: it will not bring benefit on the day of the Dread Judgment. Only good deeds and faith are accepted by God.” Saint Adrian told his wife to go home, and promised to inform her of the time of his execution. 

August: Day 25: Holy Apostle Titus

 

August: Day 25:
Holy Apostle Titus
 
(How to Use the Word of God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Apostle Titus, whose memory is celebrated today, came from Crete, today's Candia, from pagan parents of noble origin. From his youth he loved reading Greek philosophers and poets, thinking to find the truth in them; he led a virtuous and chaste life. When he was a youth of 20, Titus twice heard a voice in a dream saying the words: "Titus! You must leave here and save your soul, for Greek education and pagan wisdom will not save you; read Hebrew books." Then Titus learned Hebrew and began to read the prophetic books, especially the Prophet Isaiah. From them he understood the insignificance of paganism and believed in the true God. 

At this time, rumors of Jesus Christ, His miracles and teachings reached the island of Crete. The ruler of the island, Titus' uncle, sent him to Jerusalem to verify the truth of the rumor. Saint Titus, having seen the Lord, became His disciple. Having been converted to Christ, the Apostle Paul loved Titus very much, and he accompanied the Apostle to preach to the nations in various countries. The Apostle Paul, having visited Crete, made Titus bishop there. From Nicopolis, in Macedonia, he wrote him a letter about the duties of a shepherd.

August: Day 24: Teaching 2: Translation of the Honorable Relics of our Holy Father Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev, and Wonderworker of All Russia

August: Day 24: Teaching 2:
Translation of the Honorable Relics of our Holy Father Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev, and Wonderworker of All Russia
 
(Lessons To Follow From His Holy Life: 
a. Mercy, 
b. Meekness, and 
c. Love for the Fatherland)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, whose memory of the transfer of his holy relics from the former Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos to the present Dormition Cathedral in Moscow is now celebrated, was born in the Volyn of pious parents. Even from birth, his mother had a vision that Saint Peter would shine with virtue in the Russian land. Having begun his studies, Peter, although he studied diligently, did not keep up. He prayed fervently, and then one day he saw in a dream that some Saint approached him and, ordering him to open his lips, touched his tongue with his hand and blessed him. And from that time Peter became a most capable student. 

At the age of 12 he went to a monastery, was soon tonsured and then, for his exemplary life, was ordained a deacon and then a priest. In his free time, Peter loved to paint icons. After many years of exploits in the monastery, with the blessing of the abbot, he retired to solitude, near the river Rati. Soon, many brethren gathered around Peter, and he established a monastery named after the locality of Dvorts, known as Spassky-Dvorts or Novodvorsk. Gentle and uncontentious, he never grew angry with those who erred, but corrected them with kind words. A poor person or a wanderer always found shelter and assistance in his cell. Prince Yuri Lvovich of Volyn and Galicia took a great liking to Peter and asked the Patriarch of Constantinople to appoint him as bishop. The Patriarch designated Peter as the Metropolitan of All Russia. Initially, Peter lived in Kiev, but in 1309 he moved to Vladimir. 

August: Day 24: Teaching 1: Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches

August: Day 24: Teaching 1:
Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches
 
(On Gratitude and Ingratitude)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Eutyches, commemorated today by the Holy Church, was a contemporary of the Apostles. He came from Sevastopol, or Sebastia, in Palestine. Having heard the preaching about Christ, he became a disciple of John the Theologian, zealously preached the gospel and eradicated paganism. Saint Eutyches had to endure many torments during his preaching: he was tormented by hunger, and his body was scraped with iron claws, and he was thrown into the fire and then cast to be eaten by wild beasts; but the Lord always preserved His Saint. One day they released a lion upon him, and the lion spoke with a human voice. Saint Eutyches died by being beheaded with a sword in his native city.

August: Day 23: Teaching 2: Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons

August: Day 23: Teaching 2:
Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
 
(There Is No Salvation Outside the Church)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, a native of Smyrna, received his higher education in pagan schools, but when he heard the teaching of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, he became his disciple, received Holy Baptism from him and was sent by him to preach in Gaul, where at that time Bishop Pothinus of Lyons, who was also a disciple of Saint Polycarp, was already preaching.

Irenaeus, ordained a priest by Bishop Pothinus, was his zealous assistant in spreading the Christian faith in Gaul, where until that time little was known about the successes of the evangelical preaching. Irenaeus and Pothinus laid the foundations of churches in the cities of Lyons and Vienne. Thus, these churches were firmly established by them, that they did not waver even during the cruel persecution from the pagans, who rose up with fury in defense of their gods; and this persecution was terrible, especially in the year 177, when it was expressed in a whole series of interrogations, tortures and executions. At this time, Bishop Pothinus of Lyons himself died a martyr along with many of his flock.

August: Day 23: Teaching 1: Holy Martyr Louppos

August: Day 23: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyr Louppos
 
(On the Relationship Between Masters and Servants)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Louppos, whose memory is celebrated today by the Holy Church, was a servant of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios. After the death of his master, he soaked his clothes and ring in his blood and performed many miracles with them in Thessaloniki, for which, by order of Maximian, he was beheaded with the sword.

II. The Holy Martyr Louppos, who was a servant of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios, gives all servants an example of Christian attitude towards their masters.

Christian brethren! In the present time, it is not always possible to see good relationships between masters and servants. The masters complain about the servants, citing their unfaithfulness, laziness, rudeness, and other vices. The servants, in turn, complain about the masters, saying that they do not value their hard work, do not reward them as they should, and are too strict and demanding of their employees. Perhaps these complaints — both from the masters and the servants — are justified. But where do they arise from? What is the main root of them? Their root lies in self-love. Each party seeks its own interests, demanding that others fulfill precisely what they are obligated to perform for them, without paying attention to themselves and their behavior towards those from whom they demand so much. If these aspects were considered, there would likely be fewer mutual grievances between masters and servants.  

August: Day 22: Teaching 2: Saint Eulalia the Virgin

August: Day 22: Teaching 2:
Saint Eulalia the Virgin
 
(Let Us Go To Christ!)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Eulalia, whose memory is celebrated today together with the martyrs Agathonikos, Zotikos, and others, was the daughter of pious parents who lived in Spain, in a village near the present city of Barcelona. From her very childhood she was so firmly brought up in the Christian faith that already at the age of fourteen she was ripe for the feat of martyrdom, in order through it to depart to her Heavenly Bridegroom.

In the year 303, when the persecution of Christians took place under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Eulalia heard that the hegemon Dacian had arrived in their city, by whose order Christians who refused to participate in idol sacrifices were being sought out and tortured. Then Eulalia, at night, without even warning her parents, went to the city. Approaching the city gates early in the morning, she heard the voices of messengers calling the people to the spectacle that lay ahead for the faithful confessors of Christ. Swiftly making her way through the crowd of people, she approached the hegemon and said to him: “Unjust judge! You sit in a high place, but do you not fear God, Who is above all! Are you sitting here to destroy innocent people, to shed the innocent blood of Christians?”

August: Day 22: Teaching 1: Holy Martyr Agathonikos

August: Day 22: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyr Agathonikos
 
(Different Kinds of Suffering)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Agathonikos, celebrated today by the Holy Church, was martyred during the reign of Maximilian. Sent to persecute Christians in the southern land of the Black Sea, the commander Eutolmios seized Agathonikos and many others in Nicomedia, such as Zeno, Theoprepios, Akindynos and Severian, and on their way to Thrace he killed them on the road, except Agathonikos, since as a result of torture they were unable to continue their journey. Agathonikos was martyred in Byzantium itself.

II. The Holy Martyr Agathonikos and others with him are sufferers for the truth, for the confession of the Christian faith. And one can meet many sufferers of all kinds in life.