Feast Day: October 3rd
The Life of Saint Dionysius: “…The Grace from her overwhelmed my heart and shook my very Spirit. If I did not have in mind your instruction, I should have mistaken her for the very God. It is impossible to stand before greater Blessedness than this which I beheld.”
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Prayers
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone: Since thou hadst been instructed in uprightness thoroughly and wast vigilant in all things, thou wast clothed with a good conscience as befitteth one Holy. Thou didst draw from the Chosen Vessel ineffable Mysteries; and having kept the Faith, thou didst finish a like course, O Hieromartyr Dionysius. Intercede with Christ God that our Souls be Saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: In Spirit, thou dist pass through Heaven’s gates, instructed by the great Apostle who attained to the third Heaven’s heights, and wast made rich in all knowledge of things beyond speech; and then thou, O Dionysius, didst illuminate them that slumbered in the darkness of their ignorance. Hence we all cry out: Rejoice, O Universal Father.
Megalynarion: First of the Hierarchs of Athens, you were also made worthy to be the first of its Martyrs, entreat to God on behalf of all, with your fervent Supplications, O Dionysius.
Hymn of Praise, by Saint Nikolai Velimivorich: Glorious Saint Dionysius, Wondrous Theologian and lucid scribe! His mind, gathered in his heart, he directed to God; He witnessed Heavenly Mysteries and revealed them to us. He perceived the Glory of the Heavenly Orders and described the Hierarchy of Heaven: Principalities, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Wondrous Thrones, Seraphim, Cherubim and Archangels, Golden-winged Angels of God, and the Mother of God – He beheld all with fear, and also that which shines above the dust of the earth: Heavenly Powers of infinite strength, Immortal suns and stars most brilliant! All that he witnessed, Dionysius made clear and told to the Church. Thus he adorned and enriched the Church, and his accomplishments were made golden by his bloody death for his Christ. Now he shines in Heaven; and the Angelic Gosts, blazing with the Glory of God, call Dionysius “Brother.”
Saint Dionysios witnessed the solar eclipse that occurred at the moment of the Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He was Crucified, and he said:
“Either the Creator of all the world now suffers, or this visible world is coming to an end.”
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The Holy Apostle Saint Paul was preaching and Saint Dionysius became a Christian and for three years he remained a companion of Saint Paul in preaching the Resurrected Lord. Then Saint Paul appointed Saint Dionysius as Bishop of Athens.
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Saint Dionysius had journeyed from Athens to Jerusalem to meet the Most Holy Mother of God, and he was present at her Blessed Dormition. He wrote to his teacher Saint Paul the Holy Apostle:
“I witness by God, that besides the very God Himself, there is nothing else filled with such divine power and grace. No one can fully comprehend what I saw. I confess before God: when I was with John, who shone among the Apostles like the sun in the sky, when I was brought before the countenance of the Most Holy Virgin, I experienced an inexpressible sensation. Before me gleamed a sort of Divine radiance which transfixed my spirit. I perceived the fragrance of indescribable aromas and was filled with such delight that my very body became faint, and my Spirit could hardly endure these signs and marks of Eternal Majesty and Heavenly Power. The Grace from her overwhelmed my heart and shook my very Spirit. If I did not have in mind your instruction, I should have mistaken her for the very God. It is impossible to stand before greater Blessedness than this which I beheld.”
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“Those who do not know must be taught, not punished. We do not hit the blind. We lead them by the hand.”
“God is invisible because He is immeasurably manifest.”
“Trinity!! Higher than any being, any divinity, any goodness! Guide of Christians in the wisdom of Heaven! Lead us up beyond unknowing and light, up to the farthest, highest peak of Mystic Scripture, where the Mysteries of God’s Word lie simple, absolute and unchangeable in the brilliant darkness of a hidden silence. Amid the deepest shadow they pour overwhelming Light on what is most manifest. Amid the wholly unsensed and unseen they completely fill our sightless minds with treasures beyond all beauty.”
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Saint Dionysios, accompanied by the Presbyter Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius, Confessed Christ and converted many people in the West. They were thrown into prison during a persecution, and at night Saint Dionysius celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Angels of the Lord. In the morning the Martyrs were beheaded. Saint Dionysius took up his head, proceeded with it to the Church and fell down dead there. A pious woman named Catulla buried the relics of the Saint.
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