Topic: Post Chalcedon Oriental Orthodox saints.

[minasoliman]

Tomorrow the Coptic Church will commemorate the martyrdom of the deacon St. Sidhom Bishay, brutally murdered by a mob of Islamists at his time.  His body is preserved until today, and it is well known that he is the grand uncle of Metropolitan Bishoy of Demiatta, the same village where St. Sidhom grew up in and was martyred.

On this day also the church commemorates the martyrdom of Sedhom Bishay in Domiat on the 17th. of Baramhat year 1565 A.D. (March 25th., 1844 A.D.). He endured the torture for the Name of the Lord Christ and his martyrdom made the rising of the Cross during the Christian funeral processions openly, for it was forbidden before.

This martyr was a clerical employee in the government of the port of Domiat during the days of Mohammed Ali Basha the Governor of Egypt. A revolt of mobs in the port arose, they seized Sidhom Bishay and accused him falsely that he cursed Islam and witnessed against him before the religious judge a low uncivilized person and a donkey driver. The judge decided either he would forsake his faith or be killed, he whipped him and then sent him to the Governor of the city. After the Governor had examined his case he issued the same judgement against him as the judge did. Sidhom was steadfast in his Christian faith, not caring to be killed. They whipped, dragged him on his face down the stairs in the Governor palace, then they put him on a buffalo facing the tail and went around with him in the streets of the city insulting and degrading him. The Christians in the city became afraid and locked themselves in their houses.

The mob continued to insult him and tortured him in different ways until he was about to deliver his soul; so they brought him to the door of his house and left him there. His family went out and brought him inside and five days later he departed to heaven.

His departure was a great martyrdom, and the Christians counted him among the holy martyrs. They gathered regardless of their denomination and joined in his funeral in a celebration that there was nothing like it before. The Christians carried their arms and the priest put on their vestments headed by the Archpriest Yousef Michael who was the head of the Coptic congregation in Domiat and accompanied by the priests of the other denominations. They marched in his funeral in the streets of the city and in front of him the deacons carrying the banners of the Cross, and they arrived to the church where they prayed the funeral rites. The people went on objecting this reprehensible and painful incident and talking about the patience and endurance of the different kinds of torture in silence and the steadfastness of Sidhom the martyr.

The prominent people of the Christian community in Domiat deliberated as how to avoid these incidents in the future. They decided to ask the consuls of the foreign countries to mediate with the ruler of the country and the Pope the Patriarch of the Copts and sent to them detailed reports. Mr Michail Sorour the official representative of seven countries in Domiat was in charge of this mediation.

The ruler of Egypt was concerned about this incident and sent two official representatives to examine the case. So they reopened the inquiry and they realized the injustice and the ill-treatment that befell the great martyr and convicted the judge and the governor for their wrong doing, stripped them from their honor then exiled them. They asked, as a good will and to comfort the people, to allow the raising of the Cross publicly before the Christian funerals, and the ruler allowed that in Domiat. This was allowed later on all over the country during the Papacy of Pope Kyrellos IV.

The blessings of this great martyr be with us and glory be to God forever. Amen.

May his prayers be with all!  Amen!

[minasoliman]

And today the Coptic Church commemorates the departure of the 45th successor to St. Mark, Pope St. Mikhail I (also known as St. Khail).  Many reasons to celebrate the memory of this man.  I particularly enjoy the fact that they recorded the binding and enforcing of the monk to become the Pope of Alexandria, as being a Pope at this turbulent time was actually quite an unneeded and frightening vocation for anyone to be in.  That fear would be actualized, as he would later be considered a confessor, who was imprisoned and tortured by the Ummayid Muslims of the time, and many Copts were giving up the faith that they may enjoy rights under the Islamic rule.  It wasn't until the OO King of Nubia at the time came to save the day for the Church and force the Islamic government to back off for some time.

The Synexarium is quite interesting, as it claims historically that in a OO/EO debate, he won over the EO Pope Cosmas of Alexandria to his side.  The story may be disputed but it's worth quoting the Synexarium for this:

On this day of the year 483 A.M. (March 12th, 767 A.D.) the holy father Anba Khail (Mikhail), the forty six Pope of the See Of St. Mark, departed. This father was a monk in the monastery of St. Macarius and he was knowledgeable and ascetic. When Pope Theodorus the forty fifth Patriarch, his predecessor, departed the bishops of Lower Egypt (Delta) and the priests of Alexandria gathered in the church of Anba Shenouda in Cairo.

A Dispute arose among them about who was fit, and finally they called Anba Mousa, Bishop of Ouseem, and Anba Petros, Bishop of Mariout. When they arrived, Anba Mousa found the priests of Alexandria obstinate, he rebuked them for that, and dismissed them that night so their minds and souls might calm down. When they met the next day he mentioned to them the name of the priest Khail the monk in the monastery of St. Macarius. They unanimously agreed to his choice and obtained a decree from the Governor of Egypt to the elders of the wilderness of Sheahat (Wadi El-Natroun) to bring him from the monastery. On their way, when they arrived to Geza they found father Khail coming along with some elders to fulfill a certain task connected with the monastery. They seized him, bound him, and took him to Alexandria where they ordained him Patriarch on the 17th day of Tute, year 460 A.M. (September 14th., year 743 A.D.).

It Happened that there was a drought in the city of Alexandria for two years, and on that day the rain fell heavily for three days and the people of Alexandria considered that a good omen.

During the reign of Marawan the last of the Khalifas of the Umayyad rule and during the governorship of Hefs Ebn El-Walid and during the days of this father many great tribulations fell upon the believers.

A large number of the believers fled from Egypt and the number of those who denied Christ was twenty-four thousand, and because of that the Patriarch was in great sorrow until God perished those were responsible for that. This father endured many difficulties from Abdel Malek Ebn-Marawan the new governor. He imprisoned, beaten, chained, and tortured him with many other ways of painful tortures, then he released him. The Patriarch went to Upper Egypt to collect alms and when he came back, the Governor took the money from him and threw him back in prison.

When Keriakos king of Nuba knew that, he was extremely enraged, he prepared one hundred thousand soldiers and marched down to Egypt. Going threw Upper Egypt he slew all the Muslims that he met, until he reached El Fostat (Cairo), he camped around the city threatening to destroy it. When Abdel Malek the Governor saw the army surrounding the city and that all this had taken place for the sake of the Patriarch, he became terrified, so he released him from prison with great honor. The Governor entreated the Patriarch to mediate peace between him and the king of Nuba. The Patriarch agreed to his request, so he went with some of the clergy to meet the king and asked him to accept the peace from abdel Malek which the king accepted and returned back.

Abdel Malek respected the Christians and lifted up all his retribution. When the father the Patriarch prayed for the sake of the Governor's daughter, who was possessed with an unclean spirit, and with his prayers the unclean spirit left her, the Governor increased his respect for the Christians.

This father debated with Cosmas the Melchite Patriarch concerning the Hypostatic Union. Pope Khail wrote him a letter, signed it along with his bishops, which said in it: "It is not right to say that in Christ two distinct Natures or two distinct Persons after the Hypostatic Union." Cosmas was convinced with that and asked to become a bishop under the authority of Anba Khail. When Anba Khail completed his strife, he departed to the Lord whom he loved after he had spent on the Chair of St. Mark twenty-three and half years.

May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.

St. Khail was also known for the famous "canon of Khail" concerning the choice of the episcopate/patiarchate, and opposed even the sister Syriac Church at the time for the choice of a diocesan bishop to become the patriarch of Antioch.  HG Bishop Serapion recounts the story here:

I. Pope Mikhail (Khail) I, the 46th Patriarch (744-767)

This saint survived a difficult era of persecution in the history of the Church, which saw the end of the Ummayad and the beginning of the Abbasid dynasties. He suffered tremendous persecutions from ruthless governors and was thrown in jail several times. Nonetheless, he stood firm and courageous in defending the Orthodox faith and shepherding his people with dedication, purity, and righteousness. We may read the whole history of this saint in Volume II of Iris Habib El Masry’s The Story of the Copts. Before the end of that era, a crucially important incident occurred that immortalized the name of Pope Mikhail I in the history of the Church with fame and glory.

The See of Antioch stayed vacant for a while because of the political incidents that accompanied the end of the Umayyad and the beginning of the Abbasid dynasties. It happened that Bishop Isaac of Harran desired to become the Patriarch of Antioch. Since he had an intimate relationship with Caliph Abdullah Abu Gaafar of Harran, Bishop Isaac sought his assistance to help him achieve his goal. However, two Antiochian bishops opposed Bishop Isaac’s wish while reminding him of the Church canons which forbid a diocesan bishop to move to the See of the Patriarch or to seek the assistance of the authorities to acquire a priestly rank. Caliph Abdullah was incensed at the two bishops and murdered them while helping Bishop Isaac sit on the See of Antioch. Wanting to confirm his situation, Bishop Isaac sent a delegation of bishops carrying a Letter of Communion along with both gifts and threats to Pope Mikhail I of Alexandria, who refused to accept Bishop Isaac as the Patriarch of Antioch. Pope Mikhail was summoned by Abdullah in light of the close political relationship between Egypt and Syria at the time. When Bishop Isaac’s messengers reached al-Fistat, they met with the governor of Egypt and informed him about their mission. The governor begged Pope Mikhail to accept the delegation and the Letter of Communion out of fear that Abdullah would harm him. Pope Mikhail asked the governor to give him three days to convene a synod of bishops to discuss the matter and the governor agreed. The synod gathered for an entire month without any interruption from the governor; he did not even remind Pope Mikhail that they had initially agreed on three days only.

After that month passed, the bishops held a meeting at the Church of St. Mary known as El Mu’allaqah (the “Hanging Church”) where Pope Mikhail issued the following decision of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Isaac’s request:

No sword, fire, throwing to the lions or banishment, or all of those things together can scare me. And I will not accept an illegal act. I will not put myself under my anathema which I wrote with my own hand writing and in which I declared that it is not permissible for a bishop to be a patriarch. Our honored fathers considered those who receive the priesthood from authorities are anathema. For the bishops had written to me from Antioch during the days of Yohanna the Patriarch that all the bishops who after him to sit on the throne of the Patriarchate to be anathema. So how am I supposed to accept what I had refused before? And our honored fathers themselves had declared that all who conduct that behavior to be anathema.

Pope Mikhail handed this decision to the bishops sent by Bishop Isaac.

The delegation returned to the governor of Egypt and requested that he command Pope Mikhail to accompany them to Harran. The governor, who cared for Pope Mikhail, again begged him to yield to Caliph Abdullah and Bishop Isaac, but Pope Mikhail thanked him and refused to change his declaration. He told the governor that he was ready to go to Harran. Two other Alexandrian bishops, Abba Moses and Abba Theodosius, both declared that they were ready to accompany Pope Mikhail in his journey to Harran. After the honorable Pope made preparations for his journey, a messenger arrived in al-Fistat declaring the death of Bishop Isaac. When the delegation of bishops heard this, they returned to their country immediately in silence. As for Pope Mikhail and the bishops of Egypt, they thanked God for His support.

We learn from this story the following points:

1. Pope Mikhail I lived a holy life full of courage in front of unjust rulers, like Abdullah, and possessed amazing endurance that helped him preserve the Canons of the Church despite being jailed several times.

2. The declaration issued by Pope Mikhail was not his own personal opinion only, but rather, the result of a Holy Synod of bishops who gathered for a whole month to research the Canons of the Holy Church. In addition, two of these bishops were ready to die with Pope Mikhail in Harran for the sake of defending the Canons.

3. The Canons of the Holy Church forbid a bishop to move from one diocese to another, or to receive the priesthood from the hands of worldly authorities. These Canons are not local canons belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church only, but rather, are universal Canons belonging to the whole Church. As the declaration of the Holy Synod mentioned, the bishops of Antioch wrote to Pope Mikhail during the days of Patriarch Yohanna and said, “Those who may follow him (Patriarch Yohanna) from the metropolitans as Patriarch will be anathema.” Pope Mikhail agreed and signed this declaration with the bishops of Antioch. This is why Pope Mikhail asked, “How can I justify today what I banned yesterday?”

Thus, the anathemas of Pope Mikhail I were not personal ones, but rather, were issued from the Synods of the Church of Antioch and the Church of Alexandria. Two Antiochian bishops were martyred by Caliph Abdullah when they refused to agree to the transfer of Bishop Isaac to the See of Antiochian. In addition, the Pope of Alexandria and two of his bishops were also prepared to become martyrs for the same reason. The declaration of Pope Mikhail became an important historical document in the history of the Church; so much so that it is called the Canon of Pope Mikhail. Our glorious Church applied that Canon until the nineteenth century when the idea of moving a metropolitan or diocesan bishop manifested itself again.

from http://lacopts.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Choosing-The-Patriarch-Lessons-from-the-History-of-the-Church-English.pdf

An interesting life of endurance, strength, and courage, even when considering some of these issues as controversial today.  In the context of its time, it was a testimony to his fidelity to the Church's customs and traditions even in the face of persecution.  May his prayers be with us all.  Amen!

[Salpy]

Website about St. Gregory of Nareg:

http://narekatsi.agnian.com/en

[minasoliman]

Give this image some time to load:



This is a Coptic icon of Abba Abraham of Hermonthis, icon made around 590/600 AD.  It was one of the earliest Coptic icons we have, and the saint it represents is thought to be the bishop of Hermonthis at the time of Pope St. Damian of Alexandria, so late sixth century.

[minasoliman]

Tomorrow the Coptic Church will commemorate the martyrdom of the deacon St. Sidhom ...

I wanted to share this link I read that goes into a bit more detail on the way St. Sidhom was tortured:

http://www.raymondibrahim.com/muslim-persecution-of-christians/christians-burned-alive-for-refusing-islam/

[Tonedawg]

One  of the greatest Coptic saints of the last century (just outside a century by a year, departed in 1914) is the Bishop of Fayoum, the Great Anba Abram, the lover of the poor.

Below is a quote from a book on his life written by Father Tadros Malaty.

"There is a man in Egypt whose name is unknown to the ruling class, and who is yet the most talked of and the most venerated man in all the valley of the Nile. Although he is a Christian bishop he is just as much a saint of heaven to the Moslem as to the Christian; and the Christians who join in the daily throng that seek his spiritual help and blessing include Copts and Greeks and Romans - the latter being by no means confined even to the natives of Egypt. Before I even thought of seeking an audience with this wonderful old man I had heard Catholic people, as far away as France, speaking of the bishop of Fayoum and Gizeh in Egypt as an ascetic in whose powers were confirmed all the signs which our Lord had said should follow them that believe, "In My name they shall cast out devils... they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." This old saint whose power is known all over the Eastern world, is in the direct and unbroken succession of those early Christians...No matter where I had gone in Egypt, I had heard again and again of the bishop of Fayoum; and incredible stories were told to me of his self-denials, his fasting, his mystical wisdom, his power of divination, his faculty to exorcise evil spirits and the cure of all manner of sickness and of the comfort his words gave to the afflicted both in soul and in body; of his unstilted kindness to the poor..." The wife of Late Nassif Mahrous spoke about the effect of their meeting with the bishop. She said, "Some ladies and I, were welcoming Mrs. Leeder, after her visit to the saint and she told us in French, “We had been in the Presence of Christ, we were filled with the Spirit of God."

You can read a short biography here
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/abraam.html#Life%20Story

Accounts of his miracles are here
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/abraam-miracles.html

May his prayers and intercessions be with us.

[minasoliman]

Saturday, November 28th, the Syrian Orthodox and its calendar affiliates celebrated the memory of St. Jacob Baradaeus, one of the most important Church fathers in OO history.  It is because of him why Syrian, Indian, and even Coptic Orthodox in history were called "Jacobite", because he was given authority to ordain clergy of all ranks for Egypt and Assyria.

He is the patron saint of the Coptic blog Return to Orthodoxy, and he is one of my favorite.  A man of exceptional asceticism, he had the physical and spiritual capability of replenishing thousands of clergy (some sources seem to point myriads), including 27 bishops.

May his prayers and blessings be with us!

[minasoliman]

On December 7th (Hator 27), the Coptic Church commemorated the martyrdom of St. James the Persian, "the mangled".  He is a fourth century pre-Chalcedonian saint.  Nevertheless, his connection and popularity increased in post-Chalcedonian times, when St. Peter the Iberian by unfortunate circumstances received the body of the saint from Persia, and then had to take the body to Egypt through more unfortunate circumstances.  His monks received inspiration from the very saint that he wanted to remain buried in Egypt under the care of  Bishop Moses at Oxyrhynchus, an anti-Chalcedonian, the land of a multitude of martyrs.

The Coptic text of the Martyrdom of James the Persian has been translated by Alfred Alcock recently. 

We also celebrate the consecration of the Church in Egypt on December 26th (Kiahk 16) and the translation of his relics on April 8 (Baramhat 30).

May his prayers and the prayers of St. Peter the Iberian be with us!

[minasoliman]

For those who like the name "Barsanuphius", you'll be interested to know that the Coptic Church has a post-Chalcedonian Coptic monk named Barsanuphius who we commemorate today for being martyred for a false accusation of what seems to be insulting the religion and leaders of Islam.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all.

[Salpy]

Resource on Armenian saints:


http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/religion/feasts_p2.html

[Salpy]

Great video on St. Santoukhd:

https://breadandsalt.org/2017/05/who-was-the-first-armenian-martyr/

[minasoliman]

+1

Here's an intriguing figure we rarely learn about in the Coptic Church.  Al Wadih ibn Raja, a convert from Islam to Christianity circa 1000 AD:

http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/utils/getdownloaditem/collection/cce/id/1901/filename/1899.pdf/mapsto/pdf

Apparently, his polemic works seem to still exist somewhere!

[Salpy]

A list and description of saints who are on the Armenian Church calendar, as well as other things that are on the calendar:

http://www.stthomasarmenianchurch.com/religious-information/saints-of-the-armenian-orthodox-apostolic-church/

[Mor Ephrem]

http://historyofarmenia.org/2017/05/26/saint-ewostatewos-ethiopia-exile-armenia/

[ayenew]

I wonder if the saint depicted in the icon on this page is St. Tekla, whose story Dn. Amde related to us in reply #12:
http://www.tewahedo.org/videoall.html

It is an impressive icon of an impressive saint.

Yes it is

[ayenew]

St. Tekle Haimanot is an Ethiopian saint known for his preaching the Gospel expanding the church to central and southern Ethiopia, also known as the "Ethiopian Apostle". Let me stop here about him, as others had written about him. And let me add on another 6th century Ethiopian saint, St. Yared. He is a saint deeply loved and venerated by our church and mostly known by his hymns (by the way one of the most beautiful treasures of the EOTC is its songs and its liturgy).


Saint Yared was born on Miazia(April) 5, 525 AD in the city of Axum from his father Abyud (Isaac) and his mother Christina (Tawklia).

His parents were born and raised in Aksum. When Saint Yared was seven years old his father died. His mother gave the young Yared to his uncle Gedeon to raise and take care of him. Gedeon was the Gebez (Treaurer) in Aksum. School was hard for Young Yared. He never understood the Psalms of David. Because of his terrible weakness in school, he was confronted with his angry uncle at home and occasional physical punishment. Young Yared tried to learn and understand the teachings of the church for over seven years, but he always failed. He was tired of the anger and punishment and life was becoming difficult for him.

One day, young Yared ran away. He traveled for the entire day and he came to rest under a tree. He was crying and painfully hungry. In the middle of his anger and frustration, young Yared noticed a small insect trying to climb the tree. The insect tried once, it failed. Tried the second time, it failed again. The insect tried to climb the tree six times and it failed. By the seventh time it succeeded to climb the tree and ate the fruits. Young Yared learnt a great wisdom of God through the little insect.

He went back running to his uncle. He apologized for his behavior. He started school the next day. He finished 150 Psalms of David, the books Prophets, and King Solomon including the translations and the laws of the church. Young Yared became a server of Zion-Axum.

At that time, singing loudly was not allowed. One day, three birds came flying toward young Yared. The first bird was Green, the second bird was yellow, the third bird way red in color. [ Exactly the same as the Ethiopian flag]. The birds exemplified the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The birds also exemplify the melodies named as GeeZ - green bird,Izil - yellow bird and Ararai - red bird. As indicated in Genesis Chapter 22, No 28-31, one of the birds said to Young Yared " Yared the Great one, you are holy, the stomach that carries you is holy". Then the birds disappeared.
Young Yared was deeply contemplating about the heavenly Jerusalem. He heard the angles gathered around God and Begna (Ethiopian Harp).Young Yared learnt the heavenly musical praise. He went back to the city of Axum and entered the church of Zion and stood in front of the Ark of the Covenant ( Tabote Tsion). He started praising the lord by singing in GeeZ loudly

Hale luya le-Ab
Hale luya le-wold
Hale luya le- Menfes qidus
kedamiha le-Tsion Semaye sarere
webedagim arayo le-Muse
Ze-Keme yigebir gebra le-debtera

It is translated as:
Praise be to the Father Praise be to the Son Praise be to the Holy Ghost Prior to Zion God created the Heavens God showed Moses the tent

He called this song the rhythm of Aryam (Zema Aryam). Which means a rhythm that came from the angles or the heavens. This rhythm will never be lost until the end of this world. The Gift of God can never be destroyed by man. Civilizations pass but praising of God in heavenly manner would never cease.
Saint Yared thought us the rhythm of Aryam. While from this world, God chose Saint Yared to hear and learn the songs of the angles in the heavens. He heard something extraordinary, a song for the heart and the soul. He was amazed and mesmerized by that sound from the heavens. He expressed his admiration by singing
Wai Zema ze-sema-Eiku
be-semaiy I-melaIkt qidusan Inze Yiblu
Qidus Qidus Qidus IgeeziAbher
MeliA Semayate We-Medre
Qidisate Sibhatike

This translates as

The Holy of Holy our Lord I heard the angles singing "Your praises saying, Holy Holy o Holy-
a parise that filled the Earth and the Heavens
" What a song it is
What a rhythm it is
What depth it has

Saint Yared served and praised lord. He died on Gunboat (May) 11, 571 AD
God told us to praise him as do the angles following the example of saint Yared. The rhythm and the songs are always new. They never get old. The word Aryam translates as "above all". We can find the word Aryam in several places in the bible. The angles sang "praise be God BeAryam", when Jesus was born from Saint Mary. When Jesus came to Jerusalem on an Ass, the people sang "Hosanna BeAryam".


Saint Yared Musical Notation

Deret: represents the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ
Difat: Jesus came to this world
Zu: Jesus thought us
Qurt: Jesus decided/promised to save Adam from death
Yezet: Jesus was caught and beaten by the Jews
Qinat: Judah has given up Jesus to the Jews
Chiret: Jesus Christ was beaten
Hidet: Jesus was taken to Hanna and to Pilatos
Rikrik: The prophesy told by David was realized on Friday.

[WPM]

I think if you participate in the fire of God it is things eternal.

[minasoliman]

Saturday, November 28th, the Syrian Orthodox and its calendar affiliates celebrated the memory of St. Jacob Baradaeus, one of the most important Church fathers in OO history.  It is because of him why Syrian, Indian, and even Coptic Orthodox in history were called "Jacobite", because he was given authority to ordain clergy of all ranks for Egypt and Assyria.

He is the patron saint of the Coptic blog Return to Orthodoxy, and he is one of my favorite.  A man of exceptional asceticism, he had the physical and spiritual capability of replenishing thousands of clergy (some sources seem to point myriads), including 27 bishops.

May his prayers and blessings be with us!

According to a Syriac calendar I am following, today is also his commemoration.  So blessed feast of St. Jacob Baradaeus!

[minasoliman]

August 20 was the comemoration of St. Habib Girgis:

http://actslibrary.org/remembering-saint-habib-girgis-feast-day/

[jobin219]

December 10th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Philoxenus of Mabbug +523 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Also known as Mor Akhsnoyo, Xenaya was born in Tahal, Persia. He studied in Edessa followed by Tel'ada Antioch, later joining the Qartmin Monastery (aka Dayro d-Mor Gabriel) & entering priesthood. St. Philoxenus was consecrated bishop of Mabbug (Hierapolis) by HH Patriarch Peter II (Peter the Fuller). This was during a time of great turbulence in Christianity, hardly 30 years had passed since the infamous Council of Chalcedon. Philoxenus was a vehement champion of the Orthodox Miaphysite theology.

In AD512 St. Severius the Great Patriarch of Antioch replaced the Chalcedonian Flavius II. Mor Philoxenus became his trusted spokesperson. He was a renowned scholar, among the most learned theologians. He wrote several letters on ascetic life, the perfect Christian life, the Holy Trinity & the incarnation, in addition to three texts of Holy Qurbono, & prayers for different hours. Mor Philoxenus also commissioned Cor-Episcopo Polycarp to produce what is known as the 'Philoxenian Bible' in Syriac which was used in the Miaphysite churches till about the 7th century when it was superceded by the Syriac Peshito (which already existed in the complete form since the 5th century).

Regarding the incarnation, Mor Philoxenus wrote espousing the Miaphysite theology: “The very personality of God the word descended from heaven & became man in the womb of the Virgin, personally without conversion. Thus, He became a man who could be seen, felt, handled, & yet as God He continued to possess the spiritual, invisible, & impalpable character essential to Deity. Neither the deity nor the humanity was absorbed one by the other, nor converted one into the other. Nor again by a combination of the two natures was a third evolved as by chemical transformation”

Sadly, following the death of the faithful Orthodox Emperor Anastasius, Justin I became ruler. He adhered to the Chalcedonian faith, & began a great wave of persecution on the Orthodox Miaphysites. Justin I exiled both St. Severius & St. Philoxenus. While in exile Mor Akhsnoyo was murdered by suffocation of smoke. Thus on December 10th 523AD, he attained the crown of martyrdom. Mor Philoxenus of Mabbug is commemorated every Sunday in the Thubden d-Qadishe (5th Thubden/Dypthic) of the Syriac Orthodox Church Holy Qurbono.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

[Mor Ephrem]

Is this Matthew the Poor the same as this Matthew the Poor? 

[RaphaCam]

Is this Matthew the Poor the same as this Matthew the Poor?

I don't think so.

MATTHEW THE POOR, SAINT, early-eighth-century holy man. Matthew is mentioned in the Arabic SYNAXARION of the Copts, at the day of his feast, 7 Kiyahk. The recension from Lower Egypt gives him a rather small place and puts him at Aswan instead of Asfun, but the recension from Upper Egypt accords him a much longer notice. Numerous Coptic fragments, belonging to three codices, have come down to us (Campagnano, 1978, pp. 223, 229, 233, and 234). He is mentioned also in the Life of ALEXANDER II (705-730; PO 5, pt. 1, p. 79). ABU SALIH THE ARMENIAN speaks of him in several passages. Through confusion of the diacritical marks, he confuses ISNA with Ansina and Askit with Asfun.

According to the HISTORY OF THE PATRIARCHS, Apa Matthew was a native of Asfun, but the Synaxarion makes him a native of Bishnay, a small village in the nome of Qus, now vanished. The History of the Patriarchs and Abu Salih say that he was a fisherman. He is also called an ANCHORITE, but Coptic fragments say that he founded a monastery in the name of Saint PACHOMIUS, without specifying the place. It seems that this was the present monastery of Matthew the Poor at Isna. It is called the Monastery of the Potter, but we cannot explain this name. The History of the Patriarchs, the Synaxarion, and the Coptic fragments recount above all his miracles, but the personality of Matthew shines through them. He seems to have been very severe in making the law of God prevail. The miracles are interesting because they show the Christian mentality at this period.


http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/ref/collection/cce/id/1307

[jobin219]

January 25th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Athanasius Paulose +1953 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He is affectionately known as Valiyathirumeni.

Paulose was born to Mathai Thekkekkara &
Annamma. At the age of 7, as an Altar boy he read the 5th Thubden in the presence of late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV at Ankamaly Church. He studied theology under Mor Coorilos Geevarghese Ambatt who would ordain him as Quroyo on 21st April 1879. He would complete higher studies & become a school teacher.

St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Parumala (assisted by Mor Dionysius V & Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil I) ordained deacon Paulose as Qashisho on 25th November 1898. He would be elevated to the rank of Raban 3 days later. Kochupaulose Raban would be consecrated bishop with the title Athanasius by late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abde d-Aloho II Sattuf on 9th June 1910 at Mor Sabor-Mor Aphroth Church Akaparambu. A year later, Mor Athanasius Paulose participated in the consecration of the Holy Chrism at Mulunthuruthy Church.

Following the autocratic style of functioning & his disobedience of Church laws, Mor Dionysius Geevarghese Vattasseril the Malankara Metropolitan was excommunicated by Patriarch Abdullah. (the excommunication would be later lifted by St. Ignatius Elias III Patriarch). St. Coorilos Paulose Kochuparambil who was Malankara Metropolitan for 6 years passed away in 1917. The Malankara Association held at Thrikunnath Seminary elected Mor Athanasius Paulose as the next Malankara Metropolitan. In 1919 he formed the Malankara Sunday School Association & in 1922 he formed the Mar Gregorios Syrian Vidhyarthi Sangam' (Mar Gregorios Syrian Students Association - M.G.S.S.A). This was the first ever students organization that adopted the name of St. Gregorios of Parumala. The other major spiritual organizations founded by Valiyathirumeni were the ‘Brotherhood of St. Antonios’ & the ‘St. Mary’s Sisterhood’. He nurtured both the organizations with the aim of building a solid foundation for the monastic movement in Malankara. He also encouraged much on the development of a centre for theological studies at Thrikunnath Seminary.

Mor Athanasius led the last rites of St. Osthatheos Sleebo Abakar the delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch following his demise in 1930. When Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III came to Malankara, Mor Athanasius accompanied the Patriarch throughout his stay. The Patriarch visited India to strive for peace in the Malankara Syrian Church. Several meetings were held within this period with the aim of achieving long standing peace & the Patriarch had even withdrawn the excommunication of Mor Dionysius. However the rebellious attitude & unilateral decisions of the schismatics only further divided the Church in Malankara. Sadly, St. Ignatius Elias III passed away before he could complete his mission of bringing about peace to the Church. Mor Athanasius along with the Patriarchal Delegate Mor Yulios Elias Qoro & the bishops of Malankara conducted the last rites at Dayro d-Mor Ignatius Manjinikkara.

The Malankara Suriyani Kristhiani Association meeting held at Karingachira Church in 1935 once again reaffirmed Mor Athanasius Paulose as the Malankara Metropolitan. He would diligently serve the Church, protecting it during one of the most difficult periods in history. After serving the Holy Church faithfully for decades, Mor Athanasius Paulose reposed in the Lord on January 25th 1953 at the age of 84. Thousands of faithful thronged to participate in his last rites. He was entombed according to his will at Thrikunnath Seminary Aluva.

The Malankara Church was fortunate & blessed to have Mor Athanasius Paulose as its Metropolitan for 42 years. Under his able guidance, the Church overcame many adverse situations. Unflinching faith & relentless prayers were his greatest strengths. Known for his piety, integrity, sincerity & unceasing devotion to God, the spiritual father is remembered by the Malankara Church with great veneration. Valiyathirumeni loved his people & defended the faith until his last breath, leaving behind a magnificent saintly legacy.

Like his predecessors, Mor Athanasious too was steadfast in upholding the pledge he gave to the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East at the time of his consecration. In recognition of his great efforts in upholding the true Apostolic faith & traditions of the Holy Church, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum conferred upon Mor Athanasius Paulose the title ‘Defender of the True Faith' (Sathya Viswasa Samrakshakan). Half a century after his repose, in 2004 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. E 218/04; the late Patriarch of Antioch and all the East HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory declared Mor Athanasius Paulose as a saint of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Subsequently, in 2009 the Patriarch permitted the recitation of the name of St. Athanasius Paulose in the 5th Thubden (Thubden d-Qadishe) at all Malankara parishes across the world vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. 152/09.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' and Syriac Christianity website

Oh Mor Athanasius Paulose! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Dedicated Page to St. Athanasius: http://www.syriacchristianity.info/StAthanasious.htm

For full biography: http://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/ValiyaThirumeni.htm

[jobin219]

St. John of Tella +538, commemorated in the Syriac Orthodox calendar on February 6th.

Mor Yuhannon Tella d-mawzlat also known as Yuhannon bar Qursos was born in Callinicum (modern day Al-Raqqa Northern Syria) to a wealthy family. He was well educated in Syriac & Greek. After working in the army for some years, he embraced the life of monasticism by joining Dayro d-Mor Zakkay just outside his hometown. John studied theology & religious sciences following which he was ordained priest. In the year 519 he was ordained bishop of Tella by Mor Yac'ub of Serugh. He was soon appointed by Mor Severus the Great of Antioch as a general representative of the Patriarchate.

Roman Emperor Justin I exiled John because of his staunch adherence to the true Orthodox faith. Like Mor Yac'ub Burd’ono, Mor Yuhannon Tella d-mawzlat ordained thousands of priests & deacons, spending his time propagating the true Orthodox (Miaphysite) doctrine especially in the midst of Chalcedonian oppression. John would travel to Jazira followed by Sinjar where he'd reside for 16 years. In AD 532 he traveled to Constantinople to meet with Chalcedonian bishops, where he defended the Orthodox position. John would travel to Persia where he had been twice before. He was caught while helping build an underground church for the Orthodox in the mountains of Shighar; his persecutors brought him to Antioch. Chalcedonian Patriarch Ephrem of Amid held a council in Ras Ayn to change the mind of John, but it was in vain. Angered, Ephrem detained & persecuted John. Mor Yuhannon would die in captivity at the age of 55. His biography was written by his disciple monk Elijah.

Even in the midst of persecution & constant travels, Mor Yuhannon continued to be a writer. He compiled 48 canons for the monks & 27 canons for clergy along with a commentary of the Trisagion. His most famous work remains his "Profession of Faith"

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

[WPM]

That's pretty good.