CHRIST IS RISEN! Thursday May 2/15 ns 2025 † Translation of the relics of St. Athanásios the Great~ Saint: Heb. 13:7-16; St. Matt. 5:14-19 ~ ADAM'S LAMENT Excerpt from the Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist

C H R I S T

I S

R I S E N!

Translation of the Relics

of Saint Athanásios the Great

Thursday May 2 / 15 ns 2025

Athanasius was born in Alexandria in the year 296 A.D. and from his early childhood had an inclination to the spiritual life. He was a deacon to Archbishop Alexander and accompanied him to the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea, 325 A.D.]. It was at this Council that Athanasius became renowned for his learning, devotion to and zeal for Orthodoxy. He contributed greatly to destroy the heresy of Arius and to strengthen Orthodoxy. He wrote the Symbol of Faith [The Creed] which was adopted at the Council. Following the death of Alexander, Athanasius was elected Archbishop of Alexandria. In his calling as Archbishop of Alexandria, he remained for forty years, although not for the entire time on the archepiscopal throne of the archbishopric. With few exceptions, throughout his life he was persecuted by heretics. Of the emperors, he was persecuted mostly by Constantius, Julian and Valens; of the bishops, by Eusebius of Nicomedia and many others; and by the heretic Arius and his followers. Athanasius was forced to hide from his persecutors, even in a well, in a grave, in private homes and in the deserts. Twice he was forced to flee to Rome. Only before his death, did he live peacefully for a while as the good shepherd among his good flock who truly loved him. Few are the saints who were so mercilessly slandered and so criminally persecuted as St. Athanasius. His great soul patiently endured all for the love of Christ and, in the end, emerged victorious from this entire, terrible and long-lasting struggle. For counsel, for comfort and for moral support, Athanasius often visited St. Anthony, whom he respected as his spiritual father. For a man who formulated the greatest truth, Athanasius had much to suffer for that truth until in the year 373 A.D., the Lord gave him repose in His kingdom as His faithful servant.

HEBREWS 13:7-16

King James Version

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.


SAINT MATTHEW 5:14-19
King James Version

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

ADAM'S LAMENT

Excerpt from the Kontakion

of St. Romanos the Melodist

 

The Guide of wisdom, Leader of prudence, Chastener of the senseless, and the Defender of the poor: fortify, grant understanding to my heart, O Master. Give me a word, O Word of the Father, for behold, I do not hold back my lips from crying out to Thee: O Merciful, have mercy on the fallen.

Adam sat and wept across from the delight of Paradise, and beating his eyes with his hands, he said: "O Merciful, have mercy on the fallen."

When Adam beheld the Angel turning him back, and closing the gate of the divine garden, he groaned greatly, and said: "O Merciful, have mercy on the fallen."

O Paradise, bear pain together with your master, who has been impoverished of you, and through the sound of your leaves, entreat the Fashioner to not close you. "O Merciful, have mercy on the fallen."

O Paradise full of virtue, all-holy, all-joyous, which was planted for Adam and was shut from Eve, entreat God for the fallen. "O Merciful, have mercy on the fallen."
 

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