Feast Day: January 20th
+
Prayers
Troparion – Tone 4: Be glad, O desert which hast not given birth; be of good cheer, you who have not travailed; for a man of desires has multiplied your Spiritual children and planted them in piety, and through abstinence, he brought them unto the perfection of the Virtues. Through his supplications, O Christ Our God, make our life peaceful.
Kontakion – Tone 8: Creation rejoiced at your august birth, and at your Divine Memorial, O Venerable one, and gladly received many of your Miracles; now bestow them abundantly upon our Souls, and wash away the stains of our sins, that we may sing: “Alleluia!”
“Whoever desires to lead the Monastic life should not follow his own will. He should be obedient and humble, and be mindful of the hour of death. He should fear the Judgment and eternal fire, and seek the Heavenly Kingdom.”
“If laymen work in order to feed themselves and their families, and to give alms and offer sacrifice to God, then are not we as Monks obliged to work to sustain ourselves and to avoid idleness? We should not depend on strangers.”
“Obedience is a great virtue. The Lord loves obedience more than sacrifice, but disobedience leads to death.”
“We must never admit evil thoughts that fill us with sorrow and hatred for the place in which we live, and suggest that we go somewhere else. If someone tries to do something good in the place where he lives but fails to complete it, he should not think that he will accomplish it elsewhere. It is not the place that produces success, but faith and a firm will. A tree which is often transplanted does not bear fruit.”
“If you love me, keep my Commandments (John 14:15). Love is the highest virtue, and the bond of perfectness (Col. 3:14). Every virtue is made secure by love and humility. The Lord humbled Himself because of His Love for us and became man. Therefore, we ought to praise Him unceasingly, especially since we Monks have escaped worldly distractions and concerns.”
“Look to yourselves, and preserve your souls and bodies in purity. Do not fail to attend the Church Services, and keep the traditions and rules of our community. If one of the brethren struggles with unclean thoughts, correct, console, and instruct him, so that he does not fall into the devil’s snares. Never refuse hospitality to visitors. Offer a bed to every stranger. Give whatever you can to help the poor in their misfortune.”
+
+
+
An Icon
