The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by Saint Nikolai Velimirovič for Old Calendar date February 8, and New Calendar date February 21.
1. THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR THEODORE STRATELATES
There are martyrdoms more precious than precious. The preciousness of martyrdom depends upon the greatness of the good which a Christian abandons and in lieu of that, accepts suffering; and still, it depends upon the greatness of the suffering which he endures for Christ's sake. St. Theodore, a Roman commander in the army of Emperor Licinius and mayor of the town of Heraclea, scorned his youth, handsome appearance, military rank and the good graces of the emperor. In place of all that, he accepted horrible tortures for the sake of Christ. At first, Theodore was flogged and received six-hundred lashes on his stomach. After this, he was raised on a cross and was completely pierced with lances. Finally, Theodore was beheaded. Why all of this? Because, St. Theodore loved Christ the Lord above all else in the world. He abhorred the stupid idolatry of the superstitious Emperor Licinius. He smashed the idols of silver and gold and distributed pieces of them to the poor. He converted many to the Faith of Christ and called upon Emperor Licinius himself to reject idolatry and to believe in the One Living God. During the entire time of his tortures, St. Theodore said repeatedly: "Glory to You my God, glory to You! St. Theodore suffered on February 8, 319 A.D., at 3:00 p.m. and entered into the kingdom of Christ. St. Theodore is considered the Protector of Soldiers who call upon him for assistance. His miracle-working relics were translated from Euchaita to Constantinople and interred in the church of Balchernae.
2. THE HOLY PROPHET ZECHARIAH
Zechariah was the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets and together with Haggai, persuaded Prince Zerubbabel to restore the Temple of Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied the solemn entrance of Christ into Jerusalem: "On a colt, the foal of an ass" (Zechariah 9:9). He also prophesied Judas' betrayal for thirty pieces of silver: "And they counted out my wages, thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12) and the abandoning of Christ by the apostles during the time of His passion: "Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed" (Zechariah 13:7).(*) The Prophet Zechariah is called the "sickle-beholder" because he saw in a vision, a sickle coming down from heaven to mow down the unjust; especially thieves and blasphemers of the Name of God. Zechariah died in the latter half of the reign of Darius Hystapes about the year 520 B.C.
(*) St. Matthew 26:31 - St. Mark 14:27
3. SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Sava was the son of King Steven (Stefan) the First-crowned and nephew of Saint Sava I. Before tonsuring, Sava was called Predislav. Following the example of his great uncle [St. Sava] Predislav was tonsured a monk and zealously dedicated himself to a life of asceticism. He was chosen Archbishop of the Serbs, succeeding St. Arsenius under the name of Sava II. He governed the Church with great devotion and love. Sava II died in the year 1268 A.D. His relics repose in the Monastery at Pec.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Predislav stared,
The young Predislav wept,
The Queen Mother asked him,
Where does your gaze roam?
At what are you looking, Predislav?
At Saint Sava, the face of my uncle.
King Stefan, to his son, said:
To marry you off my sweet son,
Time flows and, I am aging,
Whom do you love? Tell me the name!
And Predislav, to his father, listens
And about a wife, does not want to hear.
Predislav fashions himself as a monk
With the words of Christ, he is satisfied
And, Sava the Second, he was called,
Shedding tears and then speaks:
Saint Sava, place me
On the true Evangelical path!
The King and Queen died
And also Patriarch Arsenius,
The Church remained a widow
From honors, Sava hides
Upon him descended dual honors:
He was a bishop and also a saint.
REFLECTION
Saint Seraphim of Sarov writes about despair: "Just as the Lord is concerned about our salvation, so does the devil, the slayer of men, concern himself about bringing the soul of man to despair. Judas the betrayer was faint-hearted and inexperienced in struggle, which is why the devil, seeing him in a state of despair, attacked and persuaded him to hang himself. Peter, the formidable rock, falling into great sin and experienced in struggle, did not despair and did not lose the presence of the spirit, rather he shed bitter tears from a warm heart and, seeing that, the devil fled from him as though burned by fire. Thus, brethren, the Venerable Antiochus teaches that when despair befalls us, we should not succumb to it but, strengthened and enveloped by Holy Faith, say with great bravery to the cunning spirit [the devil]: 'what have you to do with us, O apostate from God, fugitive from heaven and a slave of evil! You are unable to inspire us to do anything; for Christ, the Son of God, has authority over us and over all. And you, O murderer, depart from us! Strengthened by His Honorable Cross, we trample upon your serpent's head.' "
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Commander:
1. As a Commander Who enters into battle against Satan;
2. Who entered into battle against sin in men;
3. Who took up the defense of good against evil in this world;
4. Who defeated Satan, sin and death.
HOMILY
About how a true Christian encounters hatred in the world
"You will be hated for all for My Name's sake" (St. Luke 21:17).
All those who love themselves more than they love God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love the body more than they love the soul will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love this world more than they love the eternal kingdom of God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love sin more than they love virtue will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
The number of those who hate the Name of Jesus is sometimes greater and sometimes smaller. However great is their number brethren, do not be afraid for the number of angels and saints is myriad. The number of your kinsmen in the heavens, i.e., those who love the Lord Jesus, exceeds the number of stars in the firmament and the sands by the sea. O do not be afraid, Christ is with you and that means that you are always mightier than those who hate you. When the most Omnipotent One is on your side, you are always more numerous for you are always stronger than any number of your adversaries.
O Lord Jesus, Lord All-powerful always be with us and help us that we may inseparably be with You always and then our fear will vanish.
With prayers in loving memory of George Georgantas
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
1. THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR THEODORE STRATELATES
There are martyrdoms more precious than precious. The preciousness of martyrdom depends upon the greatness of the good which a Christian abandons and in lieu of that, accepts suffering; and still, it depends upon the greatness of the suffering which he endures for Christ's sake. St. Theodore, a Roman commander in the army of Emperor Licinius and mayor of the town of Heraclea, scorned his youth, handsome appearance, military rank and the good graces of the emperor. In place of all that, he accepted horrible tortures for the sake of Christ. At first, Theodore was flogged and received six-hundred lashes on his stomach. After this, he was raised on a cross and was completely pierced with lances. Finally, Theodore was beheaded. Why all of this? Because, St. Theodore loved Christ the Lord above all else in the world. He abhorred the stupid idolatry of the superstitious Emperor Licinius. He smashed the idols of silver and gold and distributed pieces of them to the poor. He converted many to the Faith of Christ and called upon Emperor Licinius himself to reject idolatry and to believe in the One Living God. During the entire time of his tortures, St. Theodore said repeatedly: "Glory to You my God, glory to You! St. Theodore suffered on February 8, 319 A.D., at 3:00 p.m. and entered into the kingdom of Christ. St. Theodore is considered the Protector of Soldiers who call upon him for assistance. His miracle-working relics were translated from Euchaita to Constantinople and interred in the church of Balchernae.
2. THE HOLY PROPHET ZECHARIAH
Zechariah was the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets and together with Haggai, persuaded Prince Zerubbabel to restore the Temple of Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied the solemn entrance of Christ into Jerusalem: "On a colt, the foal of an ass" (Zechariah 9:9). He also prophesied Judas' betrayal for thirty pieces of silver: "And they counted out my wages, thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12) and the abandoning of Christ by the apostles during the time of His passion: "Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed" (Zechariah 13:7).(*) The Prophet Zechariah is called the "sickle-beholder" because he saw in a vision, a sickle coming down from heaven to mow down the unjust; especially thieves and blasphemers of the Name of God. Zechariah died in the latter half of the reign of Darius Hystapes about the year 520 B.C.
(*) St. Matthew 26:31 - St. Mark 14:27
3. SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Sava was the son of King Steven (Stefan) the First-crowned and nephew of Saint Sava I. Before tonsuring, Sava was called Predislav. Following the example of his great uncle [St. Sava] Predislav was tonsured a monk and zealously dedicated himself to a life of asceticism. He was chosen Archbishop of the Serbs, succeeding St. Arsenius under the name of Sava II. He governed the Church with great devotion and love. Sava II died in the year 1268 A.D. His relics repose in the Monastery at Pec.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT SAVA II, ARCHBISHOP OF THE SERBS
Predislav stared,
The young Predislav wept,
The Queen Mother asked him,
Where does your gaze roam?
At what are you looking, Predislav?
At Saint Sava, the face of my uncle.
King Stefan, to his son, said:
To marry you off my sweet son,
Time flows and, I am aging,
Whom do you love? Tell me the name!
And Predislav, to his father, listens
And about a wife, does not want to hear.
Predislav fashions himself as a monk
With the words of Christ, he is satisfied
And, Sava the Second, he was called,
Shedding tears and then speaks:
Saint Sava, place me
On the true Evangelical path!
The King and Queen died
And also Patriarch Arsenius,
The Church remained a widow
From honors, Sava hides
Upon him descended dual honors:
He was a bishop and also a saint.
REFLECTION
Saint Seraphim of Sarov writes about despair: "Just as the Lord is concerned about our salvation, so does the devil, the slayer of men, concern himself about bringing the soul of man to despair. Judas the betrayer was faint-hearted and inexperienced in struggle, which is why the devil, seeing him in a state of despair, attacked and persuaded him to hang himself. Peter, the formidable rock, falling into great sin and experienced in struggle, did not despair and did not lose the presence of the spirit, rather he shed bitter tears from a warm heart and, seeing that, the devil fled from him as though burned by fire. Thus, brethren, the Venerable Antiochus teaches that when despair befalls us, we should not succumb to it but, strengthened and enveloped by Holy Faith, say with great bravery to the cunning spirit [the devil]: 'what have you to do with us, O apostate from God, fugitive from heaven and a slave of evil! You are unable to inspire us to do anything; for Christ, the Son of God, has authority over us and over all. And you, O murderer, depart from us! Strengthened by His Honorable Cross, we trample upon your serpent's head.' "
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the Lord Jesus as a Commander:
1. As a Commander Who enters into battle against Satan;
2. Who entered into battle against sin in men;
3. Who took up the defense of good against evil in this world;
4. Who defeated Satan, sin and death.
HOMILY
About how a true Christian encounters hatred in the world
"You will be hated for all for My Name's sake" (St. Luke 21:17).
All those who love themselves more than they love God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love the body more than they love the soul will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love this world more than they love the eternal kingdom of God will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
All those who love sin more than they love virtue will hate the followers of the Lord Jesus.
The number of those who hate the Name of Jesus is sometimes greater and sometimes smaller. However great is their number brethren, do not be afraid for the number of angels and saints is myriad. The number of your kinsmen in the heavens, i.e., those who love the Lord Jesus, exceeds the number of stars in the firmament and the sands by the sea. O do not be afraid, Christ is with you and that means that you are always mightier than those who hate you. When the most Omnipotent One is on your side, you are always more numerous for you are always stronger than any number of your adversaries.
O Lord Jesus, Lord All-powerful always be with us and help us that we may inseparably be with You always and then our fear will vanish.
With prayers in loving memory of George Georgantas
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
+ + +
Охридски пролог
Свети Николај Велимировић Жички.
Охридски пролог
Свети Николај Велимировић Жички.
8. ФЕБРУАР (стари) 21.ФЕБРУАР (нови календар)
1 Свети великомученик Теодор Стратилат. Има мучеништва драгоценијег од драгоценог. Драгоценост мучеништва зависи од величине блага, које један хришћанин напусти, и место тога прими страдање; и зависи још од величине страдања, чоје он поднесе Христа ради. Свети Теодор, војвода римски, у војсци цара Ликинија, и градоначелник града Ираклије, презре и своју младост, и лепоту, и чин војводски, и милост царску, и место свега тога прими на се грозне муке Христа ради. Најпре би Теодор шибан, и прими 600 удараца по леђима и 500 по трбуху; по том би на крст дигнут и сав стрелама. изрешетан. Најзад мачем посечен. Зашто све то? За то што Теодор свети љубљаше Христа Господа изнад свега у свету; што презре глупу идолопоклоничку сујеверицу цара Ликинија што скруши идоле од сребра и, злата, и раздаде комађе од њих сиромасима; што обрати многе у веру Христову, и што позва и самога цара Ликинија, да се одрече идола и поверује у јединог живог Бога. За све време мучења свети Теодор је непрестано говорио: „Слава Теби Боже мој, слава Ти!” Пострадада свети Теодор 8. фебруара 319. године у три часа по подне, и пресели се у царство Христово. Он се сматра заштитником војника, који га призивају у помоћ. Чудотворне мошти његове пренете су из Евхаите у Цариград и сахрањене у цркви Влахерни.
2. Свети пророк Захарија. Једанаести од мањих пророка. Заједно с пророком Агејем побуђивао кнеза Зоровавеља, да обнови храм јерусалимски. Прорекао свечани улазак Христов у Јерусалим на магарету, младету магаричину; и Јудино издајство за тридесет сребрника: и измјерише ми цијену, тридесет сребрника; и бежање апостола од Христа у време Његовог страдања: удариће пастира, и овце ће се разбјећи. Пророк Захарија назива се Срповидцем, зато што је у визији видео срп, што силази с неба да покоси неправеднике, нарочито лопове и хулитеље имена Божјег. Упокојио се последње године царовања Дарија Хистаспа, около 520. године пре Христа.
3. Свети Сава ИИ, архиепископ српски. Син краља Стефана Првовенчаног а синовац светог Саве И. Пре монашења звао се Предислав. Следујући пример свог великог стрица Предислав се замонаши и ревносно преда подвигу. Изабран за архиепископа српског после светог Арсенија, под именом. Саве ИИ, он је управљао црквом с великом преданошћу и љубављу. Упокојио се 1268. године. Мошти му леже у манастиру у Пећи.
Предислав се загледао,
Млад Предислав заплакао.
Краљица га мајка пита,
Куд му поглед тако скита?
— У што гледаш Предиславе?
— У лик стрица, светог Саве.
Краљ Стефане сину рече:
— Да те женим, слатки сине,
Ја се старим, време тече,
Коју волиш? Кажи име!
А Предислав оца штује
Алж за жену ни да чује.
Предислав се монах гради,
Христовом се речју слади,
И назва се Сава Втори,
Сузе рони, па говори:
— Настављај ме, свети Саво,
Јеванђелским путем право!
Умре краље и краљица
И патријарх Арсеније,
Оста црква удовица.
Од части се Сава крије,
Алж част двојна на њег слети:
Би владика, и још — свети.
РАСУЂИВАЊЕ
Свети Серафим Саровски пише о очајању: „Као што се Господ брине с нашем спасењу, тако се човекоубица ђаво стара да доведе човека до очајања. Јуда издајник био је малодушан, и неискусан у борби, зато ђаво, видећи га у очајању, напао је на њ и принудио га да се удави. А Петар, тврди камен, павши у велики грех, као искусан у борби, није очајавао и није изгубио присуство духа, но пролио је горке сузе од топла срца, и ђаво видећи то побегао је од њега као огњем опаљен, И тако, братије, учи преподобни Антиох, када очајање нападне на кас, не треба да му се подамо, но укрепљени и ограђени светом вером, с великим мужеством рецимо лукавоме духу: „шта имаш ти с нама, отпадниче од Бога, бегунче с неба и робе лукави? Ти нам не смеш ништа нахудити, Христос Син Божји има власт над нама и над свим. А ти, пагубниче, удаљи се од нас! Укрепљени Његовим часним крстом ми попиремо твоју змијску главу.”
СОЗЕРЦАЊЕ
Да созерцавам Господа Исуса као војводу, и то:
1. као војводу који је изашао у борбу против сатане;
2. који је изашао у борбу против греха у људима;
3. који је узео у одбрану добро од зла у свету;
4. који је победио сатану, грех и смрт.
БЕСЕДА
о томе како прави хришћанин срета мржњусвета
И сви ће омрзнути на вас имена мојега ради (По Луки 21, 17)
Сви који воле себе више него Бога, омрзнуће на следбенике Господа Исуса;
Сви који воле тело више него душу, омрзнуће на следбенике Господа Исуса;
Сви који воле овај свет више него вечно царство Божје омрзнуће на следбенике Господа Исуса;
Сви који воле грех више него врлину, омрзнуће на следбенике Господа Исуса.
Број ових мрзитеља имена Исусовог некад је већи некад мањи. Но ма колики да је њихов број, не бојте се, браћо, јер број ангела и светитеља јесте огроман. Број ваших сродника на небесима, то јест оних, који љубе Господа Исуса, превишава број звезда на небу и песка у мору. О не бојте се, с вама је Христос, а то значи, да сте ви увек надмоћнији од мрзитеља ваших. Кад је Најачи на вашој страни, ви сте увех многобројнији, јер сте увек јачи од свакога броја непријатеља ваших.
О Господе Исусе, Господе свесилни, само Ти увек буди с нама, и помози нам, да ми увек будемо неодступно с Тобом, и страха ће нашег нестати. Теби слава и хвала вавек. Амин.
Свети Николај ВелимировићSaint Nikolai Velimirovič
