Our Saint - The Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity - The Hospitality of Abraham
The Hospitality of Abraham (also called Trinity) is a Russian icon by Andrei Rublev that shows the three angels that appeared to Abraham at Mamre. Though the three angels are not the three persons of the Trinity, the three angels represent the Trinity. The angel in the middle represents Christ, the Son of God with the chalice used in the Eucharist. Our church celebrates it's Patronal Feast during the celebration of Holy Pentecost.
The saints of the church, who are alive in Christ, are not only models whose lives and devotion to God we should strive to emulate, but also are intercessors to God. Individual faithful and parish communities are called upon to take a patron saint, in the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church. Early churches were built at the site of the graves of many of the Holy Martyrs. These communities were dedicated with the name of the martyr, and he or she was called upon by the community who worshiped there to act as an intercessor and protector for the faithful. Churches today place relics of the saints inside the Altar table as well as in places for veneration in the church in remembrance of these holy men and women in our lives. Inside our Altar we have three martyred saints: St. Panteleimon, Sts. Julitta and Kyrikos, and the Holy Martyrs of Pantokratoros Monastery.
Great Martyr and Healer, St. Panteleimon
This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful."
On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs. His feast day is held on July 27th.
Martyrs Kyrikos and Julitta
The Holy Martyrs Kyrikos and Julitta lived in the city of Iconium in the province of Lykaoneia in Asia Minor. Saint Julitta was a Christian, descended from an illustrious family. Widowed early on, she raised her three-year-old son Kyrikos on her own. In those days men, women, and even young children entered the contest and obtained imperishable crowns from Christ. During Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, Saint Julitta fled the city with her son and two trustworthy handmaidens, leaving behind her home, her property, and her servants.
Concealing her noble rank, she went first to Seleukeίa, and then to Tarsus, where she was recognized, arrested, and brought to trial before the ruler Alexander. Strengthened by the Lord, she answered the judge’s questions, and firmly confessed her faith in Christ. Saint Kyrikos and Julitta were martyred in 304 or 305 AD.
The relics of Saints Kyrikos and Julitta were uncovered during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great. A monastery was built near Constantinople in honor of these holy martyrs, and a church was built not far from Jerusalem.
We pray to Saints Kyrikos and Julitta for family happiness, and for the restoration of sick children to health. Their feast day is held on July 15th.
Holy Fathers martyred in the Monastery of Pantokratoros in Daou Pentelis
Pirates in the year 1680 docked their ship in the nearby port of Rafina in present day Greece during Holy Week. On Holy Pascha after the final "Christ has Risen!" was joyfully chanted by the fathers, the pirates stormed at Pantokratoros Monastary and all 179 monks and hieromonks were martyred.
The monastery remained deserted until the mid 20th century until nuns came to revive it. With renovations brought the discovery of the holy relics which had been lost to time. Many miracles have been attributed to these newly-revealed martyrs after the translation of their relics. Their feast day is held on Bright Tuesday.
