Life of a Saint
There are references to the fact that many disciples arrived in Caesarea in Palestine to comprehend Christian truths. The most prominent among them was Theodore. Many associate its change with the rite of baptism. Some scholars believe that this was its first carrier in Christianity, since pagans did not use it.
He belonged to a wealthy family of immigrants from Greece. His parents tried to give him the education that the children of noble nobles received. Initially, he was brought up on pagan aspects. For some time he practiced law. During a trip to Beirut he attended a lecture by Origen. This decided his future life.
After 5 years of studying with the sage, he returned to his native lands. He spent a long period studying the holy scriptures. Participated in the first Antioch Council. He died between 270-275. He is revered by many. He is commemorated on November 17.
The meaning and “sphere of influence” of the icon
How can you briefly express the meaning of the Holy Family icon? Already based on its very name, one can assume that in this Christian (even if not recognized by the Church) picture it is logical to see a symbol - family love and mutual understanding, fidelity and constancy.
Thanks to the miraculous power of this image, all domestic and family problems are resolved. He can be considered a powerful patron of marriage and family. such an icon at home, especially in those families where there is a need to strengthen family ties, get rid of misunderstandings and return love.
How does the Holy Family icon help? They pray before her, if necessary:
Prayer to the image will save your home from quarrels; find the other half; protect from family discord; strengthen relationships between all family members; return seemingly lost love; stop the claims of a homewrecker; ward off a husband/wife from cheating; free yourself from financial dependence, get out of debt; in case of unfair slander, restore your good name by debunking lies and slander about yourself; help convert criminals, prisoners and everyone leading an unworthy life to the righteous path.
This icon is a symbol of the family hearth and the inviolability of marital ties, therefore, in no case should you ask her for help in destroying someone else’s marriage and taking other people’s spouses away from the family. Even the thought of this is sinful. You can receive help and blessing only through a legal, righteous union.
How does the “Three Saints” icon help?
Since these three saints are Ecumenical teachers and were themselves distinguished by outstanding scholarship, they pray in front of the icon of the three saints for good studies (both the students themselves and their parents). Individual prayers are also offered to each of them:
Saint Gregory the Theologian helps to strengthen oneself in the True Faith and convert to it those of other faiths and those who have succumbed to heretical delusions, that is, sectarians and schismatics. Saint Basil the Great helps to achieve success in learning and scientific work, when conducting research and research. He also patronizes those who start their own business. Saint John Chrysostom helps in getting rid of both various physical ailments and mental ailments, especially despair.
In addition, those who are going to build their own house, or before entering a new apartment/house, should definitely pray in front of the icon of the three saints. Prayer in front of this icon will protect you from temptation and persecution from ill-wishers or superiors.
We recommend reading: Four-part icon of the Mother of God
Story
Memorial Day: February 12
Their lives and works occurred during a difficult period in the history of Christianity - the 4th-5th centuries, when an irreconcilable struggle was waged between Christianity as the official religion and the remnants of paganism. These saints also made a huge contribution to it, and they were loved and revered in Byzantium. Over time, they began to be perceived as a single whole, and in the 11th century they even established the Feast of the Three Saints. The three saints were also always depicted together on icons.
Before the story of their feat as religious teachers began, they went through a great school of life, which only strengthened the firmness of their faith. The brilliant education and life experience received by all three allowed them to make judgments about spiritual and secular life, based on Christianity or paganism, and convincingly prove the truth of the Christian doctrine.
However, the Christian faith itself was going through difficult times due to the widespread spread of heretical movements, to the fight against which three saints dedicated their lives: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. As bishops of the Byzantine Empire, in their sermons and theological writings they affirmed the unity of the Holy Trinity, interpreted the Holy Scriptures, denounced heretics and were active in public activities.
They also made a huge contribution to the liturgical canon. John Chrysostom and Basil the Great own the anaphoras that form the central point in the liturgy; they wrote prayers that Orthodox Christians still read daily morning and evening. Their works became a source of images for many subsequent church writers.
By their own example, they proved that the Christian doctrine they defended is a combination of high morality, asceticism and selfless service to the church and people, for whom they began to personify the stronghold of the Christian faith. This is exactly what is captured on the icon of the three saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom.
The role of Gregory the Theologian in Christianity
The Father of the Church, Gregory the Theologian, brought up in Christian traditions, was a friend and like-minded person of St. Basil the Great, and at one time communicated with Julian, who became emperor, an apostate and an ardent persecutor of Christianity.
Saint Gregory the Theologian
At the age of 26, Gregory is baptized, spends a lot of time in the Hermitage of Basil the Great, but at the request of his elderly father he returns home and is ordained as a presbyter. Serving as a priest does not bring satisfaction to the saint. He constantly retires to the Wilderness to study Scripture and communicate with God. There he creates his unique manuscripts, which have not lost their relevance in the 21st century. His sermons are collected by thousands of Christians. Ordained as Archbishop of Constantinople, Gregory the Great wages a fierce fight against the Arians, defending the foundations of the Orthodox faith, for which he suffers persecution and persecution. Being the Archbishop of Constantinople, he abandons the pulpit and retires to a deserted place to write his immortal messages to the world. Important! The Universal Church appreciated the theological messages of Gregory, and named Saint Gregory the Great Theologian.
Possessing the gift of understanding the depth of God's messages and the ability to convey them in truth to the broad masses, Archbishop Gregory became the author of poetic messages that are still used in Liturgies to this day.
Meaning and position in church tradition
The shrine is often brought from Jerusalem and presented in memory of the great pilgrimage. It is suitable for newlyweds who want to strengthen their marriage, as well as for a wedding anniversary.
On the canvas, the viewer sees Christ as a child in front, and his parents are depicted behind. The figures of adults, bowing their heads, serve as a kind of frame for the little Messiah. The Savior makes a blessing gesture with his right hand, and with his left he rushes to the palms of Mary and the “Betrothed” Joseph. For the Orthodox method, such a production is completely atypical: a huge role is given to the relationships of many parts of the canvas, colors and directions. The image bestows real warmth, infallible care and mutual understanding.
The Orthodox icon “Holy Family” has not yet been canonized, because the execution technique and the compositional model itself have been subject to extensive criticism.
The family here is depicted quite brightly and vividly, so it looks like a photograph from a personal album. In the picture, Joseph hugs the Virgin Mary by the shoulders with his right hand, although he is not supposed to be a husband, but a patron. The man's gaze is directed at the Most Pure Virgin, but not at Jesus. The Orthodox tradition rejects such a setting of the plot in a real icon. When the Infant Christ was born, Joseph was about 100 years old. Here he looks much younger. The Virgin Mary and Joseph were not married, but only got engaged. Therefore, marital relations are unacceptable here. Important! In Orthodoxy there is no written canon about the truth of an icon. All rules are traditions that have not been confirmed by the authority of the sages. Most researchers assure: hugs speak of family understanding, and not of sexual attraction. However, as members of the Orthodox Church, we must follow its canons.
Holy Family. Painting by Giorgione
What do they pray to St. George for?
The creation of a miracle is recognized as an important activity of Gregory of Neocaesarea, the Wonderworker, and for which people pray to him. That is why he is often asked about:
healing from various ailments; giving a long-awaited child; strengthening faith; overcoming difficulties and so on.
But you shouldn’t think that simply reading a written text will be a panacea for all your problems. It is worth believing in the Lord and reciting holy texts from a pure heart. If you don’t know special addresses, then you can do it in your own words. The main thing is that everything comes from the heart.
Dear brothers and sisters! We invite you to visit the unique resource https://www.slovo-pomoshi.ru/. With its help, you can convey your aspirations to St. Petersburg churches, chapels, monasteries, and also contact the righteous at the place of their burial. We will write a note ourselves, take it to the temple and send you a photo report by email. Turning to God with the help of prayers has helped many people overcome grief, regain health and the joy of worldly life.
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Among some of the appeals there is also the forbidden prayer of St. Gregory the Wonderworker. This is what she looks like.
“O most honorable and sacred head and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, holy dwelling with the father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, Saint Gregory! Standing at the throne of all the King and enjoying the light of the consubstantial Trinity and cherubically with the angels proclaiming the trisagion hymn, having great and unexplored boldness towards the all-merciful Master, pray for the salvation of Christ's flock people, help our fatherland in battle, and subdue all the enemies that are against us, peaceful and serene Organize our residence: establish the well-being of the holy churches: decorate the bishops with the splendor of holiness: strengthen the monastics with the feat of the good trend: preserve this city and all our cities and countries well, and implore us to maintain the holy, immaculate faith: through your intercession, pacify the whole world, from famine and destruction deliver us, and save us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young, make the foolish wise, have mercy on widows, stand up for the orphans, grow up the babies, bring back the captives, heal the infirm, and everywhere warmly calling you and flowing to you with faith and fervently falling down and praying to you Freedom from all misfortunes and troubles through your intercession. Pray for us to the all-generous and philanthropic Christ our God, so that on the day of his terrible coming he will deliver us from this evil state, and create the joys of the saints as partakers with all the saints forever and ever. Amen."
There are no special words in it. And it is considered forbidden for those who wish to use it to harm another person. Remember, such an act will never go unpunished.
Troparion, kontakion, magnification
Troparion, tone 4
As the apostles of oneness and the universal teacher, pray to the Lord of all to grant greater peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
The sacred and divinely preached preachers, the supreme teachers, O Lord, Thou hast accepted into the delight of Thy good things and repose: for Thou hast accepted their labors and death more than all fruitfulness, Alone, glorifying Thy saints.
Greatness
We magnify you, Saints Basil, Gregory and John, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
