Feast Day: January 21st
The Life of Saint Maximos: In prison the Elder wrote a Canon to the Holy Spirit in charcoal upon a wall, which even at present is read in the Church: “Just as Israel was nourished with manna in the wilderness of old, so Master, fill my soul with the All-Holy Spirit, that through Him I may serve Thee always…”
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Prayers
Troparion – Tone 8: Having been made resplendent by the Glory of the Spirit, you were deemed worthy of the wisdom of those who speak with eloquence, and the knowledge of things Divine. Having illumined the hearts of men who were in the darkness of ignorance with the light of piety, you appeared as a great luminary of Orthodoxy, O Venerable Maximos. And after leaving your country out of Divine zeal, you became a settler in the Russian lands, where the right hand of the Most High Crowned you as you endured fetters and prison, and Glorified you with Miracles. Intercede unceasingly for us who, with love, honour your Memory.
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“The Just Judge, Who desires that all men be saved, Who has permitted me to undergo these afflictions on account of my many great sins, and not for heresy or blasphemy…”
“While I was locked in prison and grieving, I consoled and strengthened myself with patience.”
“Neither grieve, nor be sad, beloved Soul, that you have suffered unjustly, for it behooves you to accept all for your benefit.”
The Holy Angel, who appeared to him, said: “Maximos, be patient in these sufferings, that you might escape the sufferings of eternal chastisement.”
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“But I tell you in this regard that you have [unjustly] condemned me for heresy and prohibited me from partaking of the Divine Mysteries. As for my other many and innumerable sins, I am not able to open my mouth. I must not despair, however, but rather hope in God’s immeasurable Mercy…”
After 17 years of imploring the Clergy to be permitted to partake of the Divine Mysteries, Saint Maximos received the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ from an Angel.
Following this Miracle, Saint Maximos composed and wrote with charcoal on the prison wall an Ode to the Holy Spirit, which even at present is read in the Church: “Just as Israel was nourished with manna in the wilderness of old, so Master, fill my Soul with the All-Holy Spirit, that through Him I may serve Thee always…”
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