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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-17
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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 408.605.0621
  • Street Address:

  • 9th and Lincoln

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 5808 Carmel by the Sea

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921


Contact Information




Services Schedule

 

Weekend services: the weekend schedule is fixed for most of the year. The services take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at All Saints Church, lower level, 9th and Lincoln.

Saturdays: 5:00pm Vespers

Sundays:   8:30am Matins

                   9:30am Liturgy

Week-day services: during the week we may celebrate the major feast days of the Church either in Carmel or in Salinas. Please check the calendar! The schedule pattern is:

Wednesdays:  6:00pm Paraklesis

Eve of feasts: 6:00pm Vespers

Feast days:    8:30am Matins

                       9:30am Liturgy


Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

Saturday, February 16
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, February 17   Saint Theodore the Tyro,  Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School
Tuesday, February 19
    11:00am  Book Forum - "Father Arseny" p. 173-277
    12:30pm  The 6th Hour Service
    1:00pm  Congregational Chanting
Wednesday, February 20
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Saturday, February 23
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, February 24   Finding of Head of St. John the Baptist /  Sunday of the Prodigal Son
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School
Tuesday, February 26
    11:00am  Book Forum
    12:30pm  The 6th Hour Service
    1:00pm  Congregational Chanting
    6:45pm  Parish Council Get-together
Wednesday, February 27
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Friday, March 1
    6:00pm  Blessing of the Water
    6:30pm  Vespers
Saturday, March 2   Saturday of the Souls
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy + Memorial Service
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, March 3   Meatfare (Judgment) Sunday
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School
    12:30pm  Orthodoxy 301

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Special Services

The Memorial Service this Sunday is for the servant of God Stefania (Tiffany) Yant (40 days), wife of Richard and mother of Savanna. May her memory be eternal!

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Community Calendar

February 17 - Triodion Begins.
March 3 - Apokreatiko/ Meatfare party and Open House.
March 4-5 - Clergy-Laity Assembly.
March 10 - Forgiveness Sunday. Forgiveness Vespers followed by Macaronada.
March 11 - Great and Holy Lent begins.
March 23 - Lenten Retreat led by Father Aris Metrakos
March 25 - Annunciation Festal Potluck Luncheon.
March 31 - Lunch with ASC (the fifth Sunday of the month)
April 20 - Saturday of Lazarus - church decoration, palm cross making and pancake brunch.
April 28 - Great and Holy PASCHA.
May 19 - Parish Assembly.
June 30 - Lunch with ASC (the fifth Sunday of the month).
August 31 - September 2 - The 33rd Monterey Bay Greek Festival.
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Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers the following who are in need.

"Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on your servant (first name)."

Tom (Athanasios) Maheras - discharged this week, now recovering with family in Burlingame.

Eleni Saites - for patience and endurance.

Toula Hubbard - at home for two months of recovery from foot/ ankle infection.

Olga Drumev - recovering after cancer surgery.

Nina and George Kadiev - George going through many serious health trials.

Richard and Savanna Yant - mourning the loss of Tiffany, wife and mother.

And for those who are in prisons:

Constantine, Sergey, Dennis, Theodore.

Father Ion is available for home visits. Please call him directly at 408.605.0621 if you would like to schedule one.

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News & Events

TRIODION BEGINS THIS SUNDAY

The period of time during which many of the liturgical hymns will come from the book of TRIODION begins this Sunday. We will delight in embracing this change starting with the Great Vespers this Saturday as we will step into the Publican and the Pharisee Sunday.

The English text of the TRIODION which so beneficial to all of us can be found in two volumes here.


SATURDAY OF THE SOULS

MARCH 2 is the first Saturday of Souls prior to Great Lent. It will begin with Matins at 8:30am followed by the Liturgy and the special Memorial Service.  All names of the departed family members, relatives and friends will be commemorated at that service.  The next two Saturdays, March 9, Cheesefare Saturday, and March 16, we will also have Saturday of the Souls services to remember and pray for the deceased.  You are encouraged to bring names and Kollyva for these special services.


FORGIVENESS VESPERS - STEPPING INTO LENT

The Great on Holy Lent begins during the Forgiveness Vespers service that will take place on the evening of Sunday, March 10 from 6pm. We will celebrate in Saint Nektarios Chapel, which will be hosting most of our many Lenten services to come. At the end of the service we will have the opportunity to ask forgiveness from one another and to break free from the bond of unforgiving. This is most beautiful and important moment for all of us. It will be followed by the traditional pasta meal, Makaronada.


SAINT JOHN'S LENTEN RETREAT

 Book the date: Saturday, March 23 from 10am - 2pm. We will be having Father Aris Metrakos as our guest speaker at the Annual Lenten Retreat. Details will follow.


SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School classes will meet this Sunday. After lunch, preschoolers follow Presbytera Ana and Carrie and older kids Jacob and Daniel.


NEW: ANNOUNCING THE 2019 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

The purpose of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is to give children and teenagers an opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their Orthodox faith, church and heritage. This process will enhance their understanding and appreciation of their identity as Orthodox Christians and cultivate spiritual growth and maturity.

Our church will hold its parish Oratorical Festival on Sunday, March 24. There will be 3 age groups: grades 3-6, grades 7-9, and grades 10-12 with different topics and time requirements. Pre-registration is required and help with preparing the speech is available. Please contact Presbytera Ana for more information or to sign up. presbytera.ana@gmail.com. Information on topics can be found at: http://www.stjohn-monterey.org/youth-ministries/oratorical-festival


NEW! FEBRUARY ORTHODOXY 301 - GREAT LENT - LECTURES and DISCUSSIONS

Orthodoxy 301 class:  calling on all levels, from catechumens to the life-time Orthodox: we are beginning a new cycle in the Sunday Adult Education space inspired by Father Alexander Schmemann's book "Great Lent - Journey to Pascha". This is a most excellent, much needed review and explanation of what is ahead of us. It is offered to allow all to prepare and  to engage stronger than the years before with the most blessed time of the year - the Great and Holy Lent.

The presentations are by Father Ion. Participants are encouraged to do the readings privately in preparation for the class. They are not very long. A few copies of the book are available at our bookstore. The book is also available online. The readings for this coming Sunday are posted online as pdf files at our website here. This is to allow those interested more time to buy the book.

The remaining classes are as follows:

  • February 17: The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (Chapter 3)
  • February 24, Triodion begins: The Lenten Journey (Chapter 4)
  • March 3: Lent in our Life (Chapter 5)

BOOK FORUM FOR FEBRUARY 2019

The Book Forum continues with the reading and discussion of the marvelous book Father Arseny - Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. The book can be found at our bookstore or online here.

Brief commentary: It is one of the great mysteries of life that in atmospheres of the harshest cruelty, a certain few not only survive but emerge as beacons of light and life. Father Arseny, former scholar of church art, became Prisoner No. 18736 in the brutal 'special sector' of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the Church, Father Arseny lived by injunction to 'bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2). This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with Father Arseny. Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this book carries a universal impact certain to be felt by readers in the West today.

  • February 12: The Path - p. 99-172
  • February 19: Spiritual Children - p. 175-277

MEATFARE (APOKREATIKO) MEAL AND OPEN HOUSE

The Meatfare Sunday is the last day when meat is allowed before the Great and Holy Lent begins. It is not on a Tuesday and it is not fat either! Just delicious meat - good, healthy stuff...

Our 2019 Meatfare meal (in Greek "Apokreatiko") will take place on Sunday, March 3, after the Divine Liturgy, when we will also be hosting our first OPEN HOUSE organized through the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. Stay tuned for details.


SERVING THESE SUNDAYS

Serving this Sunday in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy:

February 17
   Parish Council member: Kevin Wheeler
   Greeter: Temia Demakopoulos
   Fellowship: Team Orange – always 3rd Sunday of the month.

February 24
   Parish Council member: Brian Balcom
   Greeter: Carrie Wilemon
   Fellowship: Team Green – always 4th Sunday of the month.


STEWARDSHIP 2019

Our 2019 stewardship budget this year is $144,000. We are now up to 48 stewards – double our last month count!! Thank you!! But this is a large gap from the 86 Stewards we had last year! Thank you to:  

Dr. Michael Bachik - Mr. & Mrs. Brian Balcom - Rosina Barou - Father Ion & Presbytera Ana, Alexie & Andrei Coman - Ted Cominos - Marie G. Cominos - Charlotte Conto - Nick and Stephanie Delis - Temia Demakopoulos - Olga Drumev - Nick & Mary Alice Fettis - Ilie Garbacea - Chrisanthi Georgalos - Constantine & Michelle Georgalos - Michael Georgariou - Michael & Maria Hahn - Hussam Ibrahim - Georgette Jabbour - Mike & Mary Kanalakis - Mr. Charles & Maria Leontis - Shirley Manis - Col. Gus & Lt. Col. Lannette Moutos - Stephanie Muntean - Milton & Joanne Pagonis - Fotis Papoulias - George & Barbara Pappas - Nicholas Parsons - Alison & Steve Parsons - Spiro Politis - Ms. Christina Pressas - Elaine Rogers - Euthimios Saites - Paraskevi Saites - Sandy Sanders - Gus & Ann Scourkes - Steve & Kathy Shaw - Jeff Silva - Darold Skerritt - Nabil & Aida Tadros - Frances Vardamis - Athanasios & Greta Vasby - Jacob and Carrie Voyce - Lisa Wespiser - Kevin and Julia Wheeler - Marc  Wilemon - Jamie Wojtal - Richard  Yant - Anne Zavitsanos  

As you know, this commitment helps us to continue on our path to growing in our faith, supporting each other, and reaching out to others. It keeps the lights on and the doors open. Thank you to:

If we don’t have a stewardship card from you for 2019, we are praying it is just an oversight.  You can download one here from our web site. Once completed, either mail it in to the church or leave it in the offering tray on Sunday, with our gratitude.


BLESSING OF HOMES AFTER EPIPHANY

It is the tradition of the Church that during the days following Theophany we receive the visit of the priest at our homes for the short service of the blessing with Holy Water, to renew the presence of the Holy Spirit in our homes, in our families and to bring the Light in our lives. This is also a great opportunity to spend quality time with our priest, Father Ion.

Please contact Father Ion to set up a time for the blessing of your home and indicate the days and the time that would work for you the best. If you have children, plan to do the home blessing when they are present as well.


CONFESSIONS AT SAINT JOHN’S

Father Ion is available to hear confessions after services and also by appointment at other times. If you need to do confession, please contact Father Ion ahead of time.


METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP

Our Metropolis Summer Camp is open to campers ages 8-18 (campers entering 3rd grade in Fall 2019, or will be graduating High School in Spring 2019). Come and experience an incredible summer at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, CA with youth and young adults from across our Metropolis as we have a blast meeting new friends, reuniting with old friends, and learning more about our beautiful Orthodox faith! Monthly payment plans are available, as this will help families spread out the cost for camp over the next 4 months. All payments are due in full by June 1, 2019. To register, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required.

 
 

2019 REGISTRATION FEE: $550 Late Registration (until May 31)

 
2019 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION UPDATE:
Staff Orientation Week: July 1 – 6
Session I: July 7 – 13 (51 spots available)*
Session II: July 14 – 20 (51 spots available)*
Session III: July 21 – 27 (76 spots available)*
*Campers are limited to registering for only one session of camp
 
2019 STAFF APPLICATIONS: If you know of any young adults who would make a great summer camp counselor, please encourage them to apply here.
 

LOVE TO THE END - Saint Maria of Paris documentary movie

Our sister Church of Prophet Elias in Santa Cruz will host on Friday, March 1 from 6pm the premier West Coast screening of the movie: Love to the End. We will have a panel discussion after the movie with Anberin Pasha, who will be with us from Holy Cross Hellenic College in Boston, and few more people who are very familiar with the topic. Presbytera Josefina will be the moderator. Come and learn about the remarkable life of a modern saint. No admission, only free-will donations. View a preview: https://www.lovetotheend.com/


LENTEN RETREAT

Book the date: Saturday, March 23 from 10am - 2pm. We will be having Father Aris Metrakos as our guest speaker at the Annual Lenten Retreat. Details will follow.


3-SISTER CHANT GROUP TO PERFORM

The PAOI and the Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont are very excited to be bringing Eikona to the Bay Area this Spring on April 5, 6, and 7!  

Eikona "is a three-sister ensemble who chant Byzantine-styled Hymns and sing Contemporary Christian Music.  Rooted in the Greek Orthodox Church, their music preserves, shares and promotes centuries’ worth of rich, musical tradition of hymns and psalmody.  Their angelic voices have been heard in services and homes around the world and continue to inspire, encourage, and excite the newest generation of Greek Orthodox and Christian music fans." (Please see www.Eikona.com for more information on the group)

Our preliminary schedule for the weekend is as follows:

FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019 - SALUTATIONS AT HOLY TRINITY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Eikona will sing the Salutations at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco, followed by refreshments and a discussion with the group after the service.  Services will begin at 7pm. 

SATURDAY APRIL 6, 2019 - LENTEN RETREAT AT HOLY CROSS IN BELMONT 
Eikona will treat us to an interactive performance with discussion focused on families and people of all ages in the morning, followed by lunch, and then a second interactive performance with discussion focused on adults.  The second performance will also feature faculty from the PAOI and the GTU in Berkeley.  There will also be a separate activity for children during the second performance so that their parents can participate in the afternoon event.  Tentative start time is 10 am, but specific times TBA. 

SUNDAY APRIL 7, 2019 - LITURGY & YOUTH MUSIC WORKSHOP AT HOLY CROSS IN BELMONT 
Eikona will sing the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont in the morning.  In the afternoon they will facilitate a youth music workshop open to youth from all churches in the area.  Orthros begins at 8:45 am and Divine Liturgy starts at 10 am. 


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion of Saint John the Baptist in the 1st Mode

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner; for you have proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, you did rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God has appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Let us flee the Pharisee's * exalted parlance; * let us learn the Publican's * humble demeanor, and with sighs * unto the Savior cry out and say, * To us be gracious, O only forgiving Lord.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
Saint John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
Saint John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

If there is a moral quality almost completely disregarded and even denied today, it is indeed humility. The culture in which we live constantly instills in us the sense of pride, of self-glorification, and of self-righteousness ... Even our churches - are they not imbued with that same spirit of the Pharisee? Do we not want our every contribution, every 'good deed,' all the we do 'for the Church' to be acknowledged, praised, publicized? ... How does one become humble? The answer, for a Christian, is simple: by contemplating Christ..."
Father Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, pp. 19-20., 20th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 17

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


Theotyrn
February 17

Saint Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.


Allsaint
February 18

Saint Leo the Great, Pope of Rome

According to some, this Saint was born in Rome, but according to others in Tyrrenia (Tuscany), and was consecrated to the archiepiscopal throne of Rome in 440. In 448, when Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople, summoned Eutyches, an archimandrite in Constantinople, to give account for his teaching that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation, Eutyches appealed to Saint Leo in Rome. After Saint Leo had carefully examined Eutyches's teachings, he wrote an epistle to Saint Flavian, setting forth the Orthodox teaching of the person of Christ, and His two natures, and also counseling Flavian that, should Eutyches sincerely repent of his error, he should be received back with all good will. At the Council held in Ephesus in 449, which was presided over by Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria (and which Saint Leo, in a letter to the holy Empress Pulcheria in 451, was the first to call "The Robber Council"), Dioscorus, having military might behind him, did not allow Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian to be read, although repeatedly asked to do so; even before the Robber Council was held, Dioscorus had uncanonically received the unrepentant Eutyches back into communion. Because Saint Leo had many cares in Rome owing to the wars of Attila the Hun and other barbarians, in 451 he sent four delegates to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, where 630 Fathers gathered in Chalcedon during the reign of Marcian, to condemn the teachings of Eutyches and those who supported him. Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian was read at the Fourth Council, and was confirmed by the Holy Fathers as the Orthodox teaching on the incarnate person of our Lord; it is also called the "Tome of Leo." The Saint wrote many works in Latin; he reposed in 461. See also Saint Anatolius, July 3.


Allsaint
February 23

Saint Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

This apostolic and prophetic man, and model of faith and truth, was a disciple of John the Evangelist, successor of Bucolus (Feb. 6), and teacher of Irenaeus (Aug. 23). He was an old man and full of days when the fifth persecution was raised against the Christians under Marcus Aurelius. When his pursuers, sent by the ruler, found Polycarp, he commanded that they be given something to eat and drink, then asked them to give him an hour to pray; he stood and prayed, full of grace, for two hours, so that his captors repented that they had come against so venerable a man. He was brought by the Proconsul of Smyrna into the stadium and was commanded, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, 'Away with the atheists.'" By atheists, the Proconsul meant the Christians. But Polycarp, gazing at the heathen in the stadium, waved his hand towards them and said, "Away with the atheists." When the Proconsul urged him to blaspheme against Christ, he said: "I have been serving Christ for eighty-six years, and He has wronged me in nothing; how can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?" But the tyrant became enraged at these words and commanded that he be cast into the fire, and thus he gloriously expired about the year 163. As Eusebius says, "Polycarp everywhere taught what he had also learned from the Apostles, which also the Church has handed down; and this alone is true" (Eccl. Hist., Book IV, ch. 14,15).


Allsaint
February 17

Mariamne, Sister of Apostle Philip


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