January 09, 2014
January 9 - Memorial Day of the Holy Apostle, First Martyr and Archdeacon Stefan
Today, dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Church celebrates the bright memory of the first martyr for Christ - the holy Archdeacon and Apostle Stephen, stoned for his bold sermon to the Jews.
With what laudatory chants shall we crown St. Stephen, with what wreath of praise shall we weave for him, corresponding to his feat? Human lips are powerless to explain all the valor and glory of the conqueror.
Despite the fact that each of us knows the Divine teaching: do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Matt. 10, 28), attachment to one’s body, fear and trembling before death have led and lead many souls - even the righteous - to crush and fall. But the holy young man Stefan, who loved Christ, despised death: he completely rejected timidity and fear, faith and hope in the Lord gave him the strength to labor gloriously in the feat of martyrdom and defeat the tyrant-devil. The courageous ascetic of Christ, by his victory over the chief of malice, was the first to open the doors of martyrdom and bestow joy on people, and crying on demons. Every age is captivated by his example: elders, and youths, and wives, and children, and maidens, follow the path of suffering and not be afraid of death for Christ, but hasten to the feat, so that it is more convenient and easier to pass from earth to heaven. Therefore, Saint Stephen can rightly be called the leader of those who struggle for Christ, the foundation of those who die for Him, the leader and teacher of the martyr host, the host.
They rushed at him and brought him out of the city, and there, in the valley between Jerusalem and Olivet, they stoned the glorious soldier of Christ, who prayed, saying: Lord Jesus! receive my spirit (Acts 7:60). Bleeding and exhausted, he knelt down and exclaimed: Lord! do not impute this sin to them (Acts 7:60). Here is a marvelous example of love for enemies.
In life, we do not always have to meet the sympathy, respect, goodwill of others, often, on the contrary, we have to see enmity, sometimes very malicious, ready to cause us all sorts of insults and troubles. How revolting is this enmity of every person, especially undeserved one, what indignation it raises in our hearts, what a thirst for revenge often ignites in it. But be afraid, dear brethren and sisters, be afraid to give an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It is prohibited by Christ. He not only forbade revenge on his enemies, but ordered to love them and pray for them. He Himself prayed for His crucifiers when they drove sharp nails into His pure hands and feet. The disciples of Christ fully assimilated this teaching about love for enemies and died in the same way - with prayer for their tormentors. The first martyr for Christ, whose memory we now create, left us the first example of such a prayer. Here is a marvelous example of love for enemies, here is a mentor instructing us on how to respond to the malice of our enemies - not revenge, God have mercy on us! - but by a prayer for them, so that the Lord would not make them sin the evil that they do to us.
And how holy, how instructive examples of prayer for enemies! In the biography of one of our Russian ascetics, it is said: once one of the great people in this world came to confession to a certain spiritual elder. After the usual confessions, he concluded by saying: “I still have something in my heart that I don’t want to get rid of. There are ill-wishers who want to deprive me of the trust of my superiors and the people around me, they slander me in every possible way. I hate them from the bottom of my heart, and this hatred will remain in me.
For a long time and in vain the elder tried to persuade him to give up his malice and, finally, announced that in such state of mind cannot admit him to communion. In the end, he managed to persuade the confessor to calm down on the following: “You cannot sincerely forgive these people yet. But force yourself to such an action. Ask for the prayers of the Church for them, giving prosphora for them. At first it will be very difficult for you, but break yourself. Any particle taken out of the prosphora on proskomedia with pronunciation famous name, marks the soul of this person. When this part is immersed in the Blood of Christ at the end of the Liturgy, there is an invisible contact of this soul with the Divine. At first, an evil soul may become hardened by such a mysterious application to the Divine, but the repetition of this will eventually have a beneficial effect on it. "A year later, this man again stood before the elder and thanked him. He then forced himself to give prosphora for his enemies. At first they seemed to become hardened, but then, gradually, they began to treat him better and better, abandoned their intrigues, and now he could live in peace with them.
This is what all of us Christians should do when some enemy appears and begins to revile us, dishonor our good name, slander and spread bad rumors about us. In all these cases, the feeling of indignation, enmity, and even more revenge, should be overcome by a feeling of love for enemies, following the example of the Savior and His Holy First Martyr. Let us thank the Lord, who clothed His glorious warrior Stephen in full armor, with which he defeated the most severe torments, accomplished the feat, kept the faith, took the crown of martyrdom on his head and was honored with eternal rest. May we also imitate this glorious ascetic; let us strengthen our hearts with courage. Saint Stephen cries out: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (see: 1 Cor. 11, 1)". “I followed,” he says, “my Master in word, and life, and death. Imitate all this, it is possible and useful for those who wish. Now I joyfully triumph in heaven and everyone who has endured torment for Christ will see heaven open and together with me will enjoy eternal, incorruptible blessings." Amen.
Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)
According to the calendar, on January 9, the name day is celebrated by those who, at baptism, received such Orthodox male names like Luka and Stepan. Women's names for this day are not presented in this old book.
From the calendar church holidays for 2019, it can be seen that the birthday people on this day and those who were heaped at baptism in honor of the new martyrs Tikhon and Antonina.
Additionally, female names can be found in Catholic calendar, according to which Alice celebrate their name day on this day.
Boys and girls born on this day should be called one of these names so that they are always under the protection of their heavenly patron.
Also on January 9, Fedor's name day is celebrated, since it is today that the Church venerates the memory of their Guardian Angel - St. Theodore the Inscribed, the patron saint of this day.
Therefore, all boys born on this day must be baptized Fedor. Then the name will become a talisman for the child, and will also bring into his character such traits as responsibility, solidity, the ability to rely only on his own strength, and courtesy.
Fedor was born in the 9th century in Jerusalem, but spent most of his life in Egypt, where he acted as an ardent opponent of heretics and a defender of Orthodox icons for which he suffered severe torment.
He grew up as a very calm and diligent child. Being at a very young age, together with his younger brother Feofan, he went to the monastic obedience, where he stood out for his firmness of spirit and striving for the true faith.
Therefore, it was he and his brother who were sent by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to Alexandria, where heretical emperors ascended the throne. There, Fedor openly criticized the iconoclasts, denouncing them in their delusions with his wise speeches.
The offended emperor Leo, whose cruelty really bordered on the bestial, imprisoned the brothers. His followers also sought to win Fyodor over to their side, but each time they were refused.
The brothers continued to be tortured and kept in prison. Once they burned “shameful” inscriptions on their faces with hot needles, incriminating them in the veneration of icons, which is why they were called Inscribed.
Fedor and Feofan became an example of unshakable faith, adherence to their convictions and courage. Fedor wrote many works on the veneration of icons, but only one of his messages has survived to this day. The relics of the monk were recognized as miraculous.
January 9, 2018Saint Stephen, the Apostle of the Seventy, came from Jews who lived abroad, that is, outside the Holy Land. Such Jews were called "Hellenists" as they were heavily influenced by the Greek culture that dominated the Roman Empire. The ministry and martyrdom of Stephen was described by the Evangelist Luke in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, chapters VI-VIII.
Photo: eparhia.ru
After the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the Church began to grow rapidly, and it became necessary to take care of orphans, widows, and the poor in general, who were baptized. The Twelve Apostles invited Christians to allocate seven worthy men to care for the needy. Saints Stephen, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmen, Philip and Nicholas were ordained deacons (which means "helpers", "servants"), becoming the closest helpers of the Apostles from the twelve. Among the deacons, the young Stephen, called the archdeacon, that is, the first deacon, stood out for his strong faith and gift for words. Soon the deacons, in addition to helping the poor, began to take an active part in prayers and Divine services.
Stephen preached the word of God in Jerusalem, backing up the truth of his words with signs and wonders. The success of his preaching was very great, and this aroused against him the hatred of the zealots of the law of Moses - the Pharisees. They grabbed him and dragged him to the Sanhedrin - the highest court among the Jews. Here the Pharisees presented false witnesses who claimed that in his sermons he insulted God and the prophet Moses. In his defense, Saint Stephen presented the story before the Sanhedrin Jewish people, showing with vivid examples how the Jews always resisted God and killed the prophets sent by Him. The members of the Sanhedrin, listening to him, grew more and more angry.
Photo: religions.unian.net
At this time, Stephen saw the sky open above him, and he exclaimed: “I see the heavens open. Hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin went into a great rage. Stopping their ears, they rushed to Stefan and dragged him outside the city. Here, as the law commanded, the witnesses who first accused Stephen were the first to stone him. At the same time, a young man was present, named Saul, who was instructed to guard the clothes of the stoning. He approved of killing Stephen. Far away, on a dais, stood the Mother of God with the holy Apostle John the Theologian and fervently prayed for the martyr. Falling under a hail of stones, Stefan exclaimed: “Lord Jesus! Do not impute this sin to them, and receive my spirit."
So Archdeacon Stefan, at the age of about 30, became the first martyr for Christ at about the age of 34. In 415, the relics of the saints were miraculously found and solemnly transferred from the village of Kafargamala to Jerusalem by Archbishop John, together with the Bishops of Sebaste and Jericho. Since that time, healings began to be performed from the relics. In the churches of the Holy Land, this transfer of relics is commemorated on August 2.
On Stephen in Russia, it was customary to hire shepherds. They were treated and honored in every possible way. In the old days they used to say: "If you hire a shepherd, the whole village will be in your debt."
January 8 was considered the day of hiring workers, so each worker could express his dissatisfaction with the owner and not conclude an agreement with him.
It was customary to take care of the horses. They were fed water passed through a silver sieve.
Rites of protection from the evil eye were performed on Stefan. The peasants on a snow-covered hill put 12 poles or stakes, from which the girl was poured water into the pernicious bowl, as if longing was washed away from her heart. Then the water was thrown into the center of the circle.
To protect the dwelling, it was customary to put aspen stakes in the corners of the courtyard. They believed that not a single witch would be able to enter the courtyard after that.
January 9th was a popular divination for marriage. To tell fortunes, the girls scattered seeds on the table and then counted them. If it came out even number, then this year the fortuneteller will meet her fate and possibly get married. If not, then the year will be unfortunate for romance novels.
- To protect the horses from diseases, they were given silver-plated water to drink. Water was passed through a silver sieve or poured from a bucket containing a silver object. They also believed that after drinking such water, the horse would be quiet and obedient all year.
- If on this day the garden is upholstered with aspen stakes, then no evil spirits will enter it.
- Frost on the trees portends a grain-growing year.
- Snowfall promises a good harvest of mushrooms and berries.
- If the day is sunny and frosty, then the year will be fruitful.
- If crows nest in the snow, it will soon get warmer. But if they gather on the tops of trees in flocks, then a cold snap is coming.
- If there are no small birds on the street, it will snow.
- The horse lies down on the ground - to warmth, behaves restlessly - to a snow storm.
- If the horses' hooves are sweaty, it will soon get warmer.
- Geese paws draw in - to the cold.
- Fog stands over the field - to heat.
- The hare ran to a human dwelling - to severe frosts.
- Red moon - to snow and mild weather.
This name, translated from Greek, means "benevolent", "benevolent".
In the old days, there was also a female form of the name, abbreviated as Fima or Fimka. But now this woman's name you won’t see them anymore, except in films about the times of serfdom.
Yefim is the same stranger from distant lands that almost every woman is waiting for. The air element of the name helps him in everything, he can achieve a lot in life, whatever he wants, but he is interested in the process. When the cherished goal is almost achieved, as they say, is in the hands, Yefim can leave it to pursue a new one. This applies to creativity, career, to moving along the path. In personal matters, Yefim is reliable.
People can call his name "a song in the language", because he helps and helped many in life.
You need to clean the room or relieve stress with the help of incense - sandalwood.
The smoke rushing upward from the incense stick is an act of the divine unity of the elements, the creation of a new reality. Looking at the circles of smoke rising up, Yefim can make a wish or decide what changes in life should come. Wishes must be fulfilled.
Malachite keychain brings good luck, helps to become charming and lucky.
Good luck brings Malachite, which is in dreams. She looks like a girl of extraordinary beauty, dressed in a dress made of rare malachite, reminiscent of flowing silk. And the stone that Malachitnitsa patronizes is malachite. Malachite harmonizes the emotional state of a person.
Translated from the ancient Greek Fedor - "God's gift." He often feels the marks of divine power on his forehead: the gift of God is a rain of lotus flowers falling from the sky, this is light in the soul, this is a continuous stream of grace poured out on others. Fyodor's societies are looking for people who need light. He is ready to help those who are in darkness and see no way out.
Fedor, born on January 9, is not exchanged for casual acquaintances, he has few friends. His attention is usually absent-minded, his eyes wander in search of beautiful women. When one appears nearby, he, like a charmer, enchants the lady with a stream of sweet-tongued phrases.
To get rid of negative magical influences, you need to take nine buds of cloves on the name day, grind them into powder and, burning on coals, inhale the aroma and imagine that black leaves the body and head, negative energy. By the way, in the old days it was believed that the energy exuded by the buds of carnations when ignited has a healing effect.
The mascot of the name is red and white carnation flowers. Carnation is generally considered a flower of selfless devotion, it is often associated with the Bourbon dynasty. Going to the scaffold, the victims of terror carried carnations with them ... Since then, there has been a belief that one who has a carnation as his Talisman will have very devoted friends.
Carnation flowers on name day night portend good luck, and withered carnation flowers on January 9th portend difficulties.
Saint Stephen, among the seven deacons, was chosen to serve poor Christians and widows in providing them with the necessary food. According to his abilities and wisdom, he was placed first of them and therefore was called an archdeacon.
Diligently helping the Apostles in distributing alms to needy Christians and meeting their essential needs, Stefan, full of faith and fortitude, performed great signs and wonders among the people. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, made the lame able to walk. The grace of the Holy Spirit also drew him to the gospel of faith in Christ. He burned with love for the affirmation of faith in the faithful, and he denounced his unfaithful compatriots in unbelief and the murder of the Savior. Scripture tells us that some of the synagogue of the Libertines, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, from Cilicia and Asia, entered into an argument with the holy archdeacon, but could not resist the wisdom and the Spirit with whom he spoke. Then, shamed, they resort to slander: having taught some contemptible people to say that Stephen does not stop uttering blasphemous words against Moses and God, they excite the people and the elders and, seizing the saint, drag him to the Sanhedrin. Passions raged, fury boiled around, but meek Stefan stood imperturbably in the midst of this murderous assembly, and his face shone like the face of an angel. And all who saw him marveled. When, full of faith and power, he proved to the Jews that the Christ crucified by them is the true Messiah, whom the Prophets foretold, they listened to him with indignation and anger. When, in conclusion, he said: Cruel! people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! you always resist the Holy Spirit, just like your fathers, so do you. Which of the prophets was not persecuted by your fathers? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now become traitors and murderers (Acts 7:51-52), then from these words they were torn in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at the saint. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:54-56). They, rushing at him, brought him out of the city, and there, in the valley between Jerusalem and Olivet, they stoned the glorious soldier of Christ, who prayed, saying: Lord Jesus! receive my spirit (Acts 7:59). Bleeding and exhausted, he knelt down and exclaimed: Lord! do not impute this sin to them (Acts 7:60)! In life, we do not always have to meet the sympathy, respect, goodwill of others. Often, on the contrary, one has to see enmity, sometimes very vicious, ready to inflict all sorts of insults and troubles on us. How this enmity infuriates every person, especially undeserved enmity, what indignation it raises in our hearts, what a thirst for revenge often kindles in it!
Troparion to the Apostle the First Martyr Stephen, Tone 4:
You fought a good feat, the first martyr of Christ and the apostle, and you denounced the tormentors of wickedness: you were beaten with a stone from the hands of the lawless, you received a crown from even above the right hand, and you cried out to God, crying out: Lord, do not set this sin on them.
Kontakion, voice 3:
The Lord came to us yesterday in the flesh, and today the servant came out of the flesh: yesterday You were born to reign in the flesh, today the slave is stoned. For this, the first martyr and divine Stefan dies.
