Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
In considering the Annunciation, we need not review the exterior setting; a single detail will fix our attention: the angel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary, “Hail, full of grace!” At her entrance into the world, Mary is filled with a plenitude of grace so great that we are lost in trying to conceive a proper idea […]
There she was one quiet morning, perhaps pondering the way of the Lord, and along comes a caller. She hasn't seen him yet, although she may sense something. The Angel Gabriel is coming down the path to tell her the Good News that God is proposing to bring to the world through her. She will be startled, but only for a moment. The sun is to the south; the agnel comes from the east. She is in a tranquil place at home. He is about to call out, "Hail Mary, full of Grace!" It is in that precise moment when the world changed forever. We love the Annunciation for that reason. Here, the painter Vittorio Matteo Corcos has made some brilliant, unusual choices. The customary way to pain this scene is for Mary to be at home, in a chair or on her bed, wearing blue, usually reading. What a gorgeous, unusual setting Corcos dreamed up! Vittorio Matteo Corcos (1859–1933) was an Italian painter, a Catholic convert born to Jewish parents in Tuscany. After studying art in Florence, he later went to Paris, as did all artists at the time who wanted to be terrific. After some years, he returned home where he converted. He made his living doing art, which is hard to do in any age. He painted portraits of many of the famous and powerful people of Italy and Germany, including Emperor William II. We are on the lookout for other Catholic paintings of his. ** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt. – Acid-free paper – Archival pigments, rated to last for generations. – Cardboard backer – Above story of the art – Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag. Thanks for your interest! Thanks! Sue & John You might also enjoy original Catholic Art and Jewerly by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/TreeOfHeaven Also, check out our Catholic Quote shop, where we are pairing authentic quotes from Saints with Art: www.Etsy.com/shop/CatholicQuote “In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.” ~ St. Pope John Paul II Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson – CatholicArtAndJewelry.
Our Morning Offering – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord The Angelus V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.Hail Mary, full…
Our Lady, full of Grace, has conquered the Serpent ...
I place my blog under the patronage of Ste. Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus. I also prefer the TLM. All that I post reflects my personal interests and beliefs.
St. Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles - Commemorated on July 22, and with the Holy Myrrhbearers on the Second Sun...
On Monday, I wrote a post about Charlotte Mason's picture study technique for homeschool art appreciation. Today, I thought I would further the resources on this topic and do some of the art finding and
Religious symbols are, next to fast-food logos, generally regarded as the most universal symbols we have -- which means that poking fun at them opens artists up to a potential world of feedback and backlash.
St. Mary of Egypt, the Righteous, and a true Icon of Repentance - Commemorated on April 1, and on the 5th Sunday of Great Lent (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367009.jpg) St Zosimas (April 4) was a monk at a certain Palestinian monastery on the outskirts of Caesarea. Having dwelt at the monastery since his childhood, he lived there in asceticism until he reached the age of fifty-three. Then he was disturbed by the thought that he had attained perfection, and needed no one to instruct him. "Is there a monk anywhere who can show me some form of asceticism that I have not attained? Is there anyone who has surpassed me in spiritual sobriety and deeds?" Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Zosimas, you have struggled valiantly, as far as this is in the power of man. However, there is no one who is righteous (Rom 3:10). So that you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land, like Abraham from the house of his father (Gen 12:1), and go to the monastery by the Jordan." Abba Zosimas immediately left the monastery, and following the angel, he went to the Jordan monastery and settled in it. Here he met Elders who were adept in contemplation, and also in their struggles. Never did anyone utter an idle word. Instead, they sang constantly, and prayed all night long. Abba Zosimas began to imitate the spiritual activity of the holy monks. Thus much time passed, and the holy Forty Day Fast approached. There was a certain custom at the monastery, which was why God had led St Zosimas there. On the First Sunday of Great Lent the igumen served the Divine Liturgy, everyone received the All-Pure Body and Blood of Christ. Afterwards, they went to the trapeza for a small repast, and then assembled once more in church. The monks prayed and made prostrations, asking forgiveness one of another. Then they made a prostration before the igumen and asked his blessing for the struggle that lay before them. During the Psalm "The Lord is my Light and my Savior, whom shall I fear? The Lord is defender of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 26/27:1), they opened the monastery gate and went off into the wilderness. Each took with him as much food as he needed, and went into the desert. When their food ran out, they ate roots and desert plants. The monks crossed the Jordan and scattered in various directions, so that no one might see how another fasted or how they spent their time. The monks returned to the monastery on Palm Sunday, each having his own conscience as a witness of his ascetic struggles. It was a rule of the monastery that no one asked how anyone else had toiled in the desert. Abba Zosimas, according to the custom of the monastery, went deep into the desert hoping to find someone living there who could benefit him. He walked into the wilderness for twenty days and then, when he sang the Psalms of the Sixth Hour and made the usual prayers. Suddenly, to the right of the hill where he stood, he saw a human form. He was afraid, thinking that it might be a demonic apparition. Then he guarded himself with the Sign of the Cross, which removed his fear. He turned to the right and saw a form walking southward. The body was black from the blazing sunlight, and the faded short hair was white like a sheep's fleece. Abba Zosimas rejoiced, since he had not seen any living thing for many days. The desert-dweller saw Zosimas approaching, and attempted to flee from him. Abba Zosimas, forgetting his age and fatigue, quickened his pace. When he was close enough to be heard, he called out, "Why do you flee from me, a sinful old man? Wait for me, for the love of God." The stranger said to him, "Forgive me, Abba Zosimas, but I cannot turn and show my face to you. I am a woman, and as you see, I am naked. If you would grant the request of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so I might cover my body, and then I can ask for your blessing." St. Zosimas meeting St. Mary of Egypt, and giving her the Holy Mysteries (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367005.jpg) Then Abba Zosimas was terrified, realizing that she could not have called him by name unless she possessed spiritual insight. Covered by the cloak, the ascetic turned to Zosimas: "Why do you want to speak with me, a sinful woman? What did you wish to learn from me, you who have not shrunk from such great labors?" Abba Zosimas fell to the ground and asked for her blessing. She also bowed down before him, and for a long time they remained on the ground each asking the other to bless. Finally, the woman ascetic said: "Abba Zosimas, you must bless and pray, since you are honored with the grace of the priesthood. For many years you have stood before the holy altar, offering the Holy Gifts to the Lord." These words frightened St Zosimas even more. With tears he said to her, "O Mother! It is clear that you live with God and are dead to this world. You have called me by name and recognized me as a priest, though you have never seen me before. The grace granted you is apparent, therefore bless me, for the Lord's sake." Yielding finally to his entreaties, she said, "Blessed is God, Who cares for the salvation of men." Abba Zosimas replied, "Amen." Then they rose to their feet. The woman ascetic again said to the Elder, "Why have you come, Father, to me who am a sinner, bereft of every virtue? Apparently, the grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to do me a service. But tell me first, Abba, how do the Christians live, how is the Church guided?" Abba Zosimas answered her, "By your holy prayers God has granted the Church and us all a lasting peace. But fulfill my unworthy request, Mother, and pray for the whole world and for me a sinner, that my wanderings in the desert may not be useless." The holy ascetic replied, "You, Abba Zosimas, as a priest, ought to pray for me and for all, for you are called to do this. However, since we must be obedient, I will do as you ask. The saint turned toward the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. She prayed so softly that Abba Zosimas could not hear her words. After a long time, the Elder looked up and saw her standing in the air more than a foot above the ground. Seeing this, Zosimas threw himself down on the ground, weeping and repeating, "Lord, have mercy!" Then he was tempted by a thought. He wondered if she might not be a spirit, and if her prayer could be insincere. At that moment she turned around, lifted him from the ground and said, "Why do your thoughts confuse you, Abba Zosimas? I am not an apparition. I am a sinful and unworthy woman, though I am guarded by holy Baptism." Then she made the Sign of the Cross and said, "May God protect us from the Evil One and his schemes, for fierce is his struggle against us." Seeing and hearing this, the Elder fell at her feet with tears saying, "I beseech you by Christ our God, do not conceal from me who you are and how you came into this desert. Tell me everything, so that the wondrous works of God may be revealed." She replied, "It distresses me, Father, to speak to you about my shameless life. When you hear my story, you might flee from me, as if from a poisonous snake. But I shall tell you everything, Father, concealing nothing. However, I exhort you, cease not to pray for me a sinner, that I may find mercy on the Day of Judgment. St. Mary of Egypt, with scenes from her life (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367016.jpg) "I was born in Egypt and when I was twelve years old, I left my parents and went to Alexandria. There I lost my chastity and gave myself to unrestrained and insatiable sensuality. For more than seventeen years I lived like that and I did it all for free. Do not think that I refused the money because I was rich. I lived in poverty and worked at spinning flax. To me, life consisted in the satisfaction of my fleshly lust. "One summer I saw a crowd of people from Libya and Egypt heading toward the sea. They were on their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I also wanted to sail with them. Since I had no food or money, I offered my body in payment for my passage. And so I embarked on the ship. "Now, Father, believe me, I am very amazed, that the sea tolerated my wantonness and fornication, that the earth did not open up its mouth and take me down alive into hell, because I had ensnared so many souls. I think that God was seeking my repentance. He did not desire the death of a sinner, but awaited my conversion. "So I arrived in Jerusalem and spent all the days before the Feast living the same sort of life, and maybe even worse. "When the holy Feast of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross of the Lord arrived, I went about as before, looking for young men. At daybreak I saw that everyone was heading to the church, so I went along with the rest. When the hour of the Holy Elevation drew nigh, I was trying to enter into the church with all the people. With great effort I came almost to the doors, and attempted to squeeze inside. Although I stepped up to the threshold, it was as though some force held me back, preventing me from entering. I was brushed aside by the crowd, and found myself standing alone on the porch. I thought that perhaps this happened because of my womanly weakness. I worked my way into the crowd, and again I attempted to elbow people aside. However hard I tried, I could not enter. Just as my feet touched the church threshold, I was stopped. Others entered the church without difficulty, while I alone was not allowed in. This happened three or four times. Finally my strength was exhausted. I went off and stood in a corner of the church portico. "Then I realized that it was my sins that prevented me from seeing the Life-Creating Wood. The grace of the Lord then touched my heart. I wept and lamented, and I began to beat my breast. Sighing from the depths of my heart, I saw above me an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Turning to Her, I prayed: "O Lady Virgin, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word! I know that I am unworthy to look upon your icon. I rightly inspire hatred and disgust before your purity, but I know also that God became Man in order to call sinners to repentance. Help me, O All-Pure One. Let me enter the church. Allow me to behold the Wood upon which the Lord was crucified in the flesh, shedding His Blood for the redemption of sinners, and also for me. Be my witness before Your Son that I will never defile my body again with the impurity of fornication. As soon as I have seen the Cross of your Son, I will renounce the world, and go wherever you lead me." St. Mary of Egypt, in prayer to Christ (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367019.jpg) "After I had spoken, I felt confidence in the compassion of the Mother of God, and left the spot where I had been praying. I joined those entering the church, and no one pushed me back or prevented me from entering. I went on in fear and trembling, and entered the holy place. "Thus I also saw the Mysteries of God, and how God accepts the penitant. I fell to the holy ground and kissed it. Then I hastened again to stand before the icon of the Mother of God, where I had given my vow. Bending my knees before the Virgin Theotokos, I prayed: "'O Lady, you have not rejected my prayer as unworthy. Glory be to God, Who accepts the repentance of sinners. It is time for me to fulfill my vow, which you witnessed. Therefore, O Lady, guide me on the path of repentance.'" "Then I heard a voice from on high: 'If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest.' "I immediately believed that this voice was meant for me, and I cried out to the Mother of God: 'O Lady, do not forsake me!' St. Mary of Egypt in prayer before the icon of the Theotokos (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7ezxLWT2orNKcSpcfvcE8vaCw7kPYNrtfR-ftimkn7aKXnuLqnuU8l4pbOVOquXMKMLyzgup2sQRLwP6pqFTo3tu0JJXhH4Cy39nQlYd6FS9yDTyl3RtAyB2GdPpqNcrKcJz5_l90dNw/s800/Os-Maria-me-Eikona-2011.png) "Then I left the church portico and started on my journey. A certain man gave me three coins as I was leaving the church. With them I bought three loaves of bread, and asked the bread merchant the way to the Jordan. "It was nine o'clock when I saw the Cross. At sunset I reached the church of St John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan. After praying in the church, I went down to the Jordan and washed my face and hands in its water. Then in this same temple of St John the Forerunner I received the Life-Creating Mysteries of Christ. Then I ate half of one of my loaves of bread, drank water from the holy Jordan, and slept there that night on the ground. In the morning I found a small boat and crossed the river to the opposite shore. Again I prayed that the Mother of God would lead me where She wished. Then I found myself in this desert." Abba Zosimas asked her, "How many years have passed since you began to live in the desert?" "'I think," she replied, "it is forty-seven years since I came from the Holy City." Abba Zosimas again asked, "What food do you find here, Mother?" And she said, "I had with me two and a half loaves of bread when I crossed the Jordan. Soon they dried out and hardened Eating a little at a time, I finished them after a few years." Again Abba Zosimas asked, "Is it possible you have survived for so many years without sickness, and without suffering in any way from such a complete change?" "Believe me, Abba Zosimas," the woman said, "I spent seventeen years in this wilderness (after she had spent seventeen years in immorality), fighting wild beasts: mad desires and passions. When I began to eat bread, I thought of the meat and fish which I had in abundance in Egypt. I also missed the wine that I loved so much when I was in the world, while here I did not even have water. I suffered from thirst and hunger. I also had a mad desire for lewd songs. I seemed to hear them, disturbing my heart and my hearing. Weeping and striking myself on the breast, I remembered the vow I had made. At last I beheld a radiant Light shining on me from everywhere. After a violent tempest, a lasting calm ensued. "Abba, how shall I tell you of the thoughts that urged me on to fornication? A fire seemed to burn within me, awakening in me the desire for embraces. Then I would throw myself to the ground and water it with my tears. I seemed to see the Most Holy Virgin before me, and She seemed to threaten me for not keeping my vow. I lay face downward day and night upon the ground, and would not get up until that blessed Light encircled me, dispelling the evil thoughts that troubled me. "Thus I lived in this wilderness for the first seventeen years. Darkness after darkness, misery after misery stood about me, a sinner. But from that time until now the Mother of God helps me in everything." St. Mary of Egypt (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367017.jpg) Abba Zosimas again inquired, "How is it that you require neither food, nor clothing?" She answered, "After finishing my bread, I lived on herbs and the things one finds in the desert. The clothes I had when I crossed over the Jordan became torn and fell apart. I suffered both from the summer heat, when the blazing heat fell upon me, and from the winter cold, when I shivered from the frost. Many times I fell down upon the earth, as though dead. I struggled with various afflictions and temptations. But from that time until the present day, the power of God has guarded my sinful soul and humble body. I was fed and clothed by the all-powerful word of God, since man does not live by bread alone, but by every word proceeding from the mouth of God (Dt 8:3, Mt.4:4, Luke 4:4), and those who have put off the old man (Col 3:9) have no refuge, hiding themselves in the clefts of the rocks (Job 24:8, Heb 11:38). When I remember from what evil and from what sins the Lord delivered me, I have imperishible food for salvation." When Abba Zosimas heard that the holy ascetic quoted the Holy Scripture from memory, from the Books of Moses and Job and from the Psalms of David, he then asked the woman, "Mother, have you read the Psalms and other books?" She smiled at hearing this question, and answered, "Believe me, I have seen no human face but yours from the time that I crossed over the Jordan. I never learned from books. I have never heard anyone read or sing from them. Perhaps the Word of God, which is alive and acting, teaches man knowledge by itself (Col 3:16, 1 Thess 2:13). This is the end of my story. As I asked when I began, I beg you for the sake of the Incarnate Word of God, holy Abba, pray for me, a sinner. "Furthermore, I beg you, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, tell no one what you have heard from me, until God takes me from this earth. Next year, during Great Lent, do not cross the Jordan, as is the custom of your monastery." Again Abba Zosimas was amazed, that the practice of his monastery was known to the holy woman ascetic, although he had not said anything to her about this. "Remain at the monastery," the woman continued. "Even if you try to leave the monastery, you will not be able to do so. On Great and Holy Thursday, the day of the Lord's Last Supper, place the Life-Creating Body and Blood of Christ our God in a holy vessel, and bring it to me. Await me on this side of the Jordan, at the edge of the desert, so that I may receive the Holy Mysteries. And say to Abba John, the igumen of your community, 'Look to yourself and your brothers (1 Tim 4:16), for there is much that needs correction. Do not say this to him now, but when the Lord shall indicate." Asking for his prayers, the woman turned and vanished into the depths of the desert. For a whole year Elder Zosimas remained silent, not daring to reveal to anyone what he had seen, and he prayed that the Lord would grant him to see the holy ascetic once more. When the first week of Great Lent came again, St Zosimas was obliged to remain at the monastery because of sickness. Then he remembered the woman's prophetic words that he would not be able to leave the monastery. After several days went by, St Zosimas was healed of his infirmity, but he remained at the monastery until Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, Abba Zosimas did what he had been ordered to do. He placed some of the Body and Blood of Christ into a chalice, and some food in a small basket. Then he left the monastery and went to the Jordan and waited for the ascetic. The saint seemed tardy, and Abba Zosimas prayed that God would permit him to see the holy woman. St. Mary miraculously crossing the Jordan River to receive the Holy Mysteries from St. Zosimas (http://fdathanasiou.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/maryzosima.jpg) Finally, he saw her standing on the far side of the river. Rejoicing, St Zosimas got up and glorified God. Then he wondered how she could cross the Jordan without a boat. She made the Sign of the Cross over the water, then she walked on the water and crossed the Jordan. Abba Zosimas saw her in the moonlight, walking toward him. When the Elder wanted to make prostration before her, she forbade him, crying out, "What are you doing, Abba? You are a priest and you carry the Holy Mysteries of God." Reaching the shore, she said to Abba Zosimas, "Bless me, Father." He answered her with trembling, astonished at what he had seen. "Truly God did not lie when he promised that those who purify themselves will be like Him. Glory to You, O Christ our God, for showing me through your holy servant, how far I am from perfection." The woman asked him to recite both the Creed and the "Our Father." When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, "Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation." St. Mary of Egypt communing the Holy Mysteries from St. Zosimas (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367006.jpg) The saint turned to the Elder and said, "Please, Abba, fulfill another request. Go now to your monastery, and in a year's time come to the place where we first time spoke." He said, "If only it were possible for me to follow you and always see your holy face!" She replied, "For the Lord's sake, pray for me and remember my wrechedness." Again she made the Sign of the Cross over the Jordan, and walked over the water as before, and disappeared into the desert. Zosimas returned to the monastery with joy and terror, reproaching himself because he had not asked the saint's name. He hoped to do so the following year. A year passed, and Abba Zosimas went into the desert. He reached the place where he first saw the holy woman ascetic. She lay dead, with arms folded on her bosom, and her face was turned to the east. Abba Zosimas washed her feet with his tears and kissed them, not daring to touch anything else. For a long while he wept over her and sang the customary Psalms, and said the funeral prayers. He began to wonder whether the saint would want him to bury her or not. Hardly had he thought this, when he saw something written on the ground near her head: "Abba Zosimas, bury on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return to dust what is dust. Pray to the Lord for me. I reposed on the first day of April, on the very night of the saving Passion of Christ, after partaking of the Mystical Supper." Reading this note, Abba Zosimas was glad to learn her name. He then realized that St Mary, after receiving the Holy Mysteries from his hand, was transported instantaneously to the place where she died, though it had taken him twenty days to travel that distance. St. Zosmias reaching the sacred remains of St. Mary of Egypt (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgQF9qXYfzr76rd8DwrjWz98XvUGNkLVOYkKxCRYysfLhdihUthhJh06jOxgIF25mWThveEChXgsYc540auf0no2s3X10bS1SbTpRCcwDNjdIYERy9y96Brk8SM7oxFkqm4Rtdu9UHdko/s800/os-Maria-Aig-IST2011.png) Glorifying God, Abba Zosimas said to himself, "It is time to do what she asks. But how can I dig a grave, with nothing in my hands?" Then he saw a small piece of wood left by some traveler. He picked it up and began to dig. The ground was hard and dry, and he could not dig it. Looking up, Abba Zosimas saw an enormous lion standing by the saint's body and licking her feet. Fear gripped the Elder, but he guarded himself with the Sign of the Cross, believing that he would remain unharmed through the prayers of the holy woman ascetic. Then the lion came close to the Elder, showing its friendliness with every movement. Abba Zosimas commanded the lion to dig the grave, in order to bury St Mary's body. At his words, the lion dug a hole deep enough to bury the body. Then each went his own way. The lion went into the desert, and Abba Zosimas returned to the monastery, blessing and praising Christ our God. Arriving at the monastery, Abba Zosimas related to the monks and the igumen, what he had seen and heard from St Mary. All were astonished, hearing about the miracles of God. They always remembered St Mary with faith and love on the day of her repose. Abba John, the igumen of the monastery, heeded the words of St Mary, and with the help of God corrected the things that were wrong at the monastery. Abba Zosimas lived a God-pleasing life at the monastery, reaching nearly a hundred years of age. There he finished his temporal life, and passed into life eternal. The monks passed on the life of St Mary of Egypt by word of mouth without writing it down. "I however," says St Sophronius of Jerusalem (March 11), "wrote down the Life of St Mary of Egypt as I heard it from the holy Fathers. I have recorded everything, putting the truth above all else." [See the following link for the full account of St. Mary of Egypt by St. Sophronius of Jerusalem: http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/life.aspx.] "May God, Who works great miracles and bestows gifts on all who turn to Him in faith, reward those who hear or read this account, and those who copy it. May he grant them a blessed portion together with St Mary of Egypt and with all the saints who have pleased God by their pious thoughts and works. Let us give glory to God, the Eternal King, that we may find mercy on the Day of Judgment through our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor, majesty and worship together with the Unoriginate Father, and the Most Holy and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen." (http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=18) St. Mary of Egypt, the Righteous (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1367/s1367010.jpg) Troparion - Tone 8 The image of God was truly preserved in you, O mother, for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away; but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. Therefore your spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoices with the Angels. Kontakion - Tone 3 Having been a sinful woman, you became through repentance a Bride of Christ. Having attained angelic life, you defeated demons with the weapon of the Cross; therefore, O most glorious Mary you are a Bride of the Kingdom! (http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=100963) St. Mary of Egypt (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/cebcceb5ceb3-cebcceb5cf84ceadcf89cf81cebf-cf84cebfceb9cf87-cebaceb1ceb8cebfcebbceb9cebacebfcf8d-16cebfcf82-ceb1ceb9.jpg) Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
The following is an excerpt from the famed Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist "On the Passion and the Mourning of the Theotokos", the first two strophes of which form the Kontakion and Oikos of the Orthros of Holy Friday. The full Greek text is available here, and the full English translation is available from Fr. Ephraim Lash here. Below is my amateur translation. In the 13th strophe, St. Romanos, in an absolutely beautiful and fascinating metaphor, compares Christ and the instruments of His Passion to a physician with his medical tools. This is a vivid image of how Christ's passion truly is healing for our broken souls and bodies. May He have mercy on us all and save us! Jesus Christ "Extreme Humility", with the Most-holy Theotokos (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission) ιγ´ Μικρὸν οὖν, ὦ μῆτερ, ἀνασχοῦ καὶ βλέπεις, πῶς καθάπερ ἰατρὸς ἀποδύομαι καὶ φθάνω ὅπου κεῖνται, καὶ ἐκείνων τὰς πληγὰς περιοδεύω, τέμνων ἐν τῇ λόγχῃ τὰ πωρώματα αὐτῶν καὶ τὴν σκληρίαν, λαμβάνω καὶ ὄξος, καὶ ἐπιστύφω τὴν πληγήν, τῇ σμίλῃ τῶν ἥλων ἀνευρύνας τὴν τομὴν χλαίνη μοτώσω, καὶ δὴ τὸν σταυρόν μου ὡς νάρθηκα ἔχων τούτῳ χρῶμαι, μῆτερ, ἵνα ψάλλῃς συνετῶς, «πάσχων πάθος ἔλυσεν ὁ υἱὸς καὶ θεός μου». XIII. A short time, O Mother, wait and you will see How as a physician I strip myself and go Where [the sick man] is laid, And examine his wounds, Lancing with the Spear his wounds and callouses, And taking vinegar, I disinfect the wound, Exploring the incision with the probe of the Nails, Applying the [Purple] Robe as a dressing, And having my Cross as a splint. These I make use of, O Mother, that you might chant with understanding, “By suffering the passion, You dissolved the passions, My Son and my God.” Christ as the Good Samaritan, 6th Century Codex Rossanensis (source) Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
Icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos holding her Sacred Belt (Zoni) (taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/agia-zonh.jpg) Because today is the feast of the Deposition of the Precious Belt (or Sash, Cincture, or Girdle, in Greek "Zoni") of the Theotokos (August 31st), the following are just a few (amateur) translated miracles from the myriads recorded by the fathers of Vatopedi Monastery. To see the many pages in Greek, see: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/ and search for "ΘΑΥΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΖΩΝΗΣ". There are 45 pages of miracles posted so far. For more information on the Holy Zoni of the Theotokos, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/06/holy-belt-zoni-of-theotokos-and.html. Picture of the Holy Belt of the Theotokos in its reliquary, treasured at the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos (taken from: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/a-pilgrim%e2%80%99s-guide-to-the-great-and-holy-monastery-of-vatopaidi-8/) 5. Father Daniel Katounakiotis is cured of nephritis In the book of the blessed Archimandrite Cherubim of the series, «Modern Persons from the Holy Mountain», v.4, describes the miraculous cure of Fr. Daniel Katounakioti from a serious attack of nephritis. Here is the description: «He barely had time to reach (the Monastery of Vatopedi) when he suffered a severe attack of nephritis. The «thorn in the flesh» had hit him very painfully this time and he was riveted for weeks to the bed. The leader of the monastery treated him with great love. Moreover however he was showed affection by the great physician of the Holy Mountain, the Theotokos. Father Daniel harbored great devotion to the Lady Theotokos. This is the same devotion, the same confidence and the same honor occurs among all the saints. He begged her with tears and fervor, and was sure of the answer. He knew its promises. Wasn’t she able to fulfill them? Of course. On the day the monastery celebrated the feast of Holy Zoni (31st of August), the patient was suddenly healed and he was totally cured! He never again experienced this terrible sickness, which tortured him for ten whole years». 6. The healing of Fr. Philotheos Zervakos The blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos describes how he was cured of unbearable pains which caused him constant headaches. Hear how he recounts the event. «He came to the Monastery of Vatopedi on the 31st of July. We entered the Archontarikion where we were shown hospitality, but because of my unbearable pains I was unable to endure. After a short time passed, my headache was so painful that it radiated around both sides of my head. We asked the Archontarin to take me to the doctor, until he could give me drugs to stop the headache. Descending from the pharmacy, we passed by the Church which luckily was open. Entering inside in the Holy Bema they opened the holy relics and a Hierodeacon from Iconium venerated them. I came and began to venerate with reverence first the Cross and the icon of the Vimatarissa. Next I venerated a portion of the Precious Cross. Similarly I venerated the Holy Zoni, and I was feeling that I, the wreched and deplorable one was venerating the Precious Zoni which in life embraced the All-Pure Theotokos, and as I embraced the Holy Zoni with fervent reverence and tears, I felt—O the miracle!—that my sickness had left me and I was found totally healed! How great and awesome are your miracles, O All-hymned Lady! Let Your name be greatly-glorified and greatly-hymned, for you do not cease to grant our requests of healing of soul and body…, and exiting the Holy Bema I was in the middle of the church speechless and and said, in itself, before I was and how immediately and completely I was healed». 7. The locusts fell into the sea (the following is from the book of sayings of Elder Paisios: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man.) -"Did your spread pesticide?" -"I did spread, Geronda." -"How many nuns and you can’t even kill a caterpillar. During the Occupation [by the Germans in WWII], when the locusts descended, they had brought to Chalkidiki the Holy Zoni from the Monastery of Vatopedi, and the locusts fell in swarms into the sea." 1. Difficult to have children Father Theotimos comes from the Congo. He studied theology in Greece. He had problems with having children, and he so much wanted and asked for the ribbon of the Precious Zoni. The result is described himself. 3/12/1995 Methoni 23, Athens «May the name of the God-man Christ always be glorified and may the name of the Panagia Lady Theotokos be honored, who is the mother of the world. We wore the Holy Zoni in March 1992. In May 1992 my wife became pregnant and gave birth by Caesarean section to a a boy weighing 2,900 grams. We baptized him with the name of Panagia, Marios. The doctors had confirmed that it would be difficult for us to have children. In April 1995 my wife was in her eighth month of pregnancy and there presented a problem. They had to do a caesarean section, to get the child prematurely. My wife wore the Holy Zoni for two days before surgery. The baby, a girl, who was previously 1400 gr. was born double the weight». Fr. Theotimos and Evangelia Tsalas [Note: An incredible number of miracles occur for couples who have trouble bearing children. The tradition alluded to above is that the fathers of Vatopedi take ribbons that have been blessed on the Holy Zoni of the Theotokos and give them to people to wear as a blessing. Many healings, and especially with respect to the bearing of children result for those who then wear these ribbons with reverence, prayer and faith.] 56. Miracles of the Holy Zoni in America Panagiotis Callas who lives in Florida during his visit to our Monastery lodged in writing the following facts. 1. «In September 2001 I was eating with some friends. A man reported that his daughter was sick with a cancerous tumor on the heart and was pregnant. The doctors wanted to remove the tumor, but she would lose the baby. If she would give birth in the ninth month, his daughter could die from the tumor. I gave the man a ribbon from the Holy Zoni, and holy oil from the miraculous icons of Vatopedi Monastery, and an icon of Panagia Pantanassa which heals cancer. This man flew from Miami to New York and visited his daughter. He tied the ribbon around her hand and anointed her with the holy oil on her stomach and placed the icon in the same place. The child was born normally and was healthy. The mother’s tumor had disappeared totally without surgery». 2. «In April 2002 the uncle of my son’s wife was in the hospital with liver cancer. They gave him no hope, and his vital signs were weak [τα ζωτικά του στοιχεία ήταν πεσμένα]. They ask the priest to read the prayers of psychorragounta [the prayers read at the hour of death]. My daughter sent to her uncle a piece of the ribbon Holy Zoni. The ribbon arrived at his house. The person who picked up the mail from his house brought the sealed envelope to the hospital. As soon as the envelope entered his room, immediately he started to feel better. When he opened the envelope, without knowing yet what it contained, immediately he began to feel better. When he touched the blessed ribbon, he became a lot better and was able to go home. The hospital staff who had declared him incurable, could not believe it. Today her uncle lives and no longer has cancer. Another icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos and her Precious Belt, painted in the Monastery of Vatopedi (taken from: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/%ce%bc%ce%af%ce%b1-%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%af%cf%83%ce%ba%ce%b5%cf%88%ce%b7-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf-a%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%bf%ce%b3%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%86%ce%b5%ce%af%ce%bf-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%bc%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%ae%cf%82/) Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body's raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls. Kontakion in the Second Tone Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God-receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and an unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever-virgin Mother. (above two hymns taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=184) The Wondrous Belt of the Theotokos, painted by the Fathers of Vatopedi Monastery (source) Most-Holy Theotokos save us!
