Encomium to the Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete
(Commemorated on December 23rd)
By St. Andrew, Archbishop of Crete
(Commemorated on December 23rd)
By St. Andrew, Archbishop of Crete
To the holy and victorious Ten Martyrs, when, in a time of harsh winter, he returned from a sea voyage and composed this discourse.
1. Did you, perhaps, long for my return, my friends and brethren and children? I sensed that some were praying to see me again on this kathedra and to be with you on this radiant feast day — this day of the Martyrs and of Christ, the great and only and first sovereign of all, who presides over this glorious celebration — and that others were asking and inquiring, saying things like these: "Where is the father? Where is the shepherd? Where is the one who makes our feasts more radiant and who by his presence brightens the commemorations of the Saints, who especially nourishes us with his words by unfolding the Holy Scriptures, and who basically cries out: ‘My children, it is the last hour, and we must draw near to God with understanding, and all the more as we see the Day approaching,’ as the divine trumpet, Paul the God-bearer, proclaims?
Where, then, is the one who explains the divine and sacred writings to us and intensifies the tone of our zeal by his own example? Has he perhaps, having gone far from his homeland, been lost? Or did some longing remind him of his loving care for his flock, and did that longing overcome the hardships of the road and call him back? Or finally, did some divine power bring him back again — indeed, to the Saints, whom he always honors with great care and fervent zeal? And behold, now with greater eagerness than his strength allows, he has taken care and hastened to this spiritual festival. And quite reasonably so, for it happened that he carried with him the sacred reliquary of their venerable relics, which he bears everywhere he goes, since it makes his journeys very easy; having it as a fellow traveler, he proceeds in safety.”
These, I think, were the thoughts of many during my absence, for thus grateful children behave toward a loving father; and this was their longing — to see me with their own eyes bodily present and to hear my voice teaching them. This, then, you now see coming to pass. I myself am among you with the living word, embracing this sacred assembly here, and as a gift from my absence I offer this discourse both to you and to the Martyrs of Christ. Receive it as though it had not come from a distant journey; and whatever offerings the Martyrs would gladly accept from me, receive them with gentleness, so that you may depart joyfully from the feast, adorned with flowers and having gathered from here rich fruits.
1. Did you, perhaps, long for my return, my friends and brethren and children? I sensed that some were praying to see me again on this kathedra and to be with you on this radiant feast day — this day of the Martyrs and of Christ, the great and only and first sovereign of all, who presides over this glorious celebration — and that others were asking and inquiring, saying things like these: "Where is the father? Where is the shepherd? Where is the one who makes our feasts more radiant and who by his presence brightens the commemorations of the Saints, who especially nourishes us with his words by unfolding the Holy Scriptures, and who basically cries out: ‘My children, it is the last hour, and we must draw near to God with understanding, and all the more as we see the Day approaching,’ as the divine trumpet, Paul the God-bearer, proclaims?
Where, then, is the one who explains the divine and sacred writings to us and intensifies the tone of our zeal by his own example? Has he perhaps, having gone far from his homeland, been lost? Or did some longing remind him of his loving care for his flock, and did that longing overcome the hardships of the road and call him back? Or finally, did some divine power bring him back again — indeed, to the Saints, whom he always honors with great care and fervent zeal? And behold, now with greater eagerness than his strength allows, he has taken care and hastened to this spiritual festival. And quite reasonably so, for it happened that he carried with him the sacred reliquary of their venerable relics, which he bears everywhere he goes, since it makes his journeys very easy; having it as a fellow traveler, he proceeds in safety.”
These, I think, were the thoughts of many during my absence, for thus grateful children behave toward a loving father; and this was their longing — to see me with their own eyes bodily present and to hear my voice teaching them. This, then, you now see coming to pass. I myself am among you with the living word, embracing this sacred assembly here, and as a gift from my absence I offer this discourse both to you and to the Martyrs of Christ. Receive it as though it had not come from a distant journey; and whatever offerings the Martyrs would gladly accept from me, receive them with gentleness, so that you may depart joyfully from the feast, adorned with flowers and having gathered from here rich fruits.
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