Yurij Maximov

The Question

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:52:35 GMT

May be, someone can to tell me any information on a history and, especially, a modern condition of Orthodoxy and orthodox Christians in such countries: Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua&Barbuda, Afganistan, Argentina? I shall be very grateful if You will help.

A priest and his 3 small kids died in a fire

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:51:11 GMT

In Tver region (Russia, 100 miles north of Moscow) a priest and his three small kids died in a fire in their house in strange circumstances. Local people and priests from neighboring towns think that this was not an accident. Several months ago, a priest Andrey Nikolaev was pleading for help through mass-media. At Oct 19 Moscow newspaper “Izvestia” wrote:
“Fr. Andrey Nikolaev every night is guarding his church with a rifle. Local drunkards several times robbed the church and sold stolen to get money for alcohol. Majority of the villagers are alcoholics and they are exchanging alcohol even for walls of their own houses. The priest despite much hardship saved some of locals and returned them back to normal life but too many in the village hate him for an active struggle with alcoholism. Not long time ago the fires was started at priest’s house but nobody was hurt. The priest is asking for help since he cannot protect himself: “I cannot shoot the person – I’ll shoot in the air but the robber will shoot me”
His pleas for help left unanswered and in the night of Dec 1st he and his three kids had died in a house fire. The body of his wife is still not found.

In Russian:
http://fater-go.livejournal.com/137569.html
http://www.zvezda.ru/web/news1349.htm
Please, pray for Fr. Andrey

http://community.livejournal.com/orthodoxy/379180.html

PETITION - Free Archbishop Jovan from prison in Macedonia

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:09:45 GMT

Make a choice, if you are a person of good will, to whom are important the most basic principles of the free world, and with your signature of this petition, which you can read bellow this text, and in that way you will make your contribution, toward realization of civil rights, or just be a passive observer.

Every your signature is of the priceless value, while a Christian church dignitary at the beginning of the 21 century resides in prison cell, as a defendant of Orthodoxy. And while Archbishop Jovan is praying for whole world, under inhuman conditions in the prison of Idrizovo in Republic of Macedonia, your voice against this crimes is very important now, at this very moment.

"If you do all you can, do it what is needed!"

Click Here to Sign Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/3001sd/petition.html

My interview after visiting Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric in Macedonia

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:32:37 GMT

The previous Macedonian government, under the pressure of the schismatic bishops of the MOC, through politically manipulated court proceedings, incarcerated Archbishop Jovan in the prison “Idrizovo”. How do you, as an Orthodox Christian, look upon this behavior of the state towards Archbishop Jovan and the Church whose head he is?

I received the information of the re-imprisonment of His Beatitude, Archbishop Jovan with a great grief in the heart. No reasoning man can behave calmly in the face of such injustice. As many Orthodox Christians in Russia, I too, pray for the release of Archbishop Jovan. The persecutions managed by the MOc against the Ohrid Archbishopric are the biggest mistake the schismatics could have made. All know that the Apostles, as disciples of Christ, did not oppress anyone, but they themselves were oppressed. The Apostle Paul, who also suffered illicit arrests, had written “emulate me, just as I emulate Christ”. After the arrest of Archbishop Jovan, it is clear who in Macedonia emulates Apostle Paul and who is the true disciple of Christ, and who emulates His persecutors.

The devastating fruits of the schism are clear to all Orthodox Christians in the world, having in this, as an example, the un-Christian behavior of the hierarchs of the MOc. With the persecutions it started, MOc demonstrates its internal weakness, and testifies that the schismatics do not feel strong enough themselves to show conviction that they are right by using calm, Christian means, which is to say – they themselves are not convinced that they are right. Every wave of persecutions against the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric is a blow on MOc itself. And, if they do not repent, they will answer for this at the Last Judgment, when neither the worldly authorities, nor the police will protect them before the face of the Truth.

On several occasions, on the Russian internet pages and in the Russian church magazines you have written about the contemporary persecutions conducted by the schismatics and the Macedonian authorities against Archbishop Jovan and the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric. You came to Macedonia so as to see in person and learn from close about the conditions. What are your impressions?

The reality surpassed all expectations. It needs to be said that most Orthodox Christians in Russia do not have a proper notion of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric. I have been in situations where I have met people who had heard from the Macedonian media that the Ohrid Archbishopric is a virtual church, that its members are two-three people plus the relatives of Archbishop Jovan.

I knew that this was not the truth, but I was really surprised when I saw that here, the canonical Church, is full-blooded and mature Church, with many attendants, monasteries, publication activities. I have not witnessed such a number of active, devout, young adherents.

I have the impression that the entire Orthodox youth in Macedonia has left the MOC. This is a visible testimony for the future of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric. There are no accidental people in your church, no nominal Christians. All who attend the Liturgy know why they are there. In the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric I saw a Church in conditions I have read of in the ancient works of the Holy Fathers to the Edict of Milan of Saint Constantine. A unique experience. During the entire time in Macedonia I cannot leave behind the feeling that the “Edict of Milan” is not far from the Ohrid Archbishopric. The persecutions are going to stop.

I myself have seen that the Ohrid Archbishopric is not any peril to the Macedonian state. To the contrary, many members of the canonical church, both priests and laypeople, are full of will to work for the good of the Macedonian people.

I hope that the government will realize this and will reach the right decisions.

Tell us in short about Orthodoxy in Russia today?

After the mercy of God and after the prayers of all Russian saints, Russia undergoes active rebirth of Orthodoxy. Temples are being opened, old monasteries are being restored, theology is being ascertained, great efforts are being made to enlighten the people and help those in need. The Russian Church is paying visits to the orphanages, hospitals, prisons, the army, is curing drug addicts, fulfilling the mission, obeying the commandments of Christ, our Savior. These activities are giving fruit – millions of people come to Church. Praise to God, we have elders and contemporary ascetics, miracles are happening. Certainly, in the course of these activities there are many difficulties. Some are a consequence of the terrible impact inflicted on Russia by the godless government, and still haven’t been surpassed. We still need many prayers, patience and efforts.

There are many various temptations and scandals, and unfortunately, people are not always strong enough to rise above them.

But, this is the reality of the spiritual life. The spiritual life is a battle. In every battle there are not only winners, but also there are the ones defeated. I witnessed that on account of the sufferings of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, the Lord preserves it from the temptations faced by the believing people of other Orthodox Churches, including the Russian. I think that this mercy needs to be understood and appreciated. The persecutions may cease, yet, the temptations are never going to, they are just going to take another form, as we can see in Russia.

Thus, together with these, obviously according to the choice of those who have eyes and reason, the Russian Orthodox Church, is renewing amazingly, with evident aid from God.

How do you see the future of the relationship between the Orthodox of the Ohrid Archbishopric and the Patriarchate of Moscow?

Until recently, no one in Russia knew of the sufferings of the canonical Church in Macedonia. But now, the situation is being completely changed. Increasingly more Russians learn of it. This is mostly as a result of the actions of the MOc.

Using the language of the world, MOc makes the best marketing propaganda for the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric.

When they incarcerated Archbishop Jovan, all Russian Orthodox news agencies informed. In fact, this is how I found out about the Ohrid Archbishopric. Nowadays, more and more Russians learn about the orthodox confessors of the age we live in. I, myself, was a witness to the heartfelt cry both of the laymen and the clergy, who, during the liturgies, pray for the imprisoned Archbishop Jovan and all believing people in Macedonia. I am convinced that, with God’s help, the spiritual and brotherly relations of the Ohrid Archbishopric and Orthodox Russia will evolve and be confirmed in various directions, proclaiming the fullness of the communications of the churches within the frames of the Ecumenical Orthodoxy.

I would like to use this occasion to address all members of the MOc, who will read this interview:

Dear brothers and sisters, the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric is the only canonical Church in Macedonia. Only it represents the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church here.

If you believe in God, if you love Christ, if you want to reach the eternal life, promised to us in the Holy Gospel – do not fool yourselves, do not get confused, do not miss the chance to accede the true communion with God – which is given to you in the Ohrid Archbishopric. And if you do not accede, be ware that a time might come when you will regret for an eternity. Saints Clement and Nahum of Ohrid, just as all saints, who are nominally prayed to in the MOc, reside in the canonical Church – rush forth to join them!

http://www.poa-info.org/index.php?l=en

The ancient spiritual church songs

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:55:59 GMT

In russian sites i found any interesting examples of spiritual church songs.

1) "Blagosloven, Grjadyj" (2,4 Mb) in the singing of brotherhood of the Olympian monastery. Classical Byzantian singing.

3) It is necessary to mention fine church chanting "Agni Partene" (7 Mb) in performance of brotherhood of monastery Симонопетра (St. Mountain Athos). In my opinion, it is quintessence and a wreath of the Byzantian singing tradition.

This tradition found the continuation and reflection in cultures of other orthodox peoples and Churches. I shall allow itself to mention fine "Polichronion". First, pay attention, how its orthodox arabs (1,5 Mb) sing, and the ambassador can compare with Russian singing of the same church chanting (1,4 Mb).

The Christian culture has penetrated Into antiquities much further, than usually think. For example, nestorians, broken away from Orthodox Church in V a century, mostly lived in territory of Persia, and later, Arabian khaliphate, and even in China - for one thousand years before Catholic missionaries there have reached. Now nestorians remained very little. One of traditional church chanting in their performance: The voices of the angels to you sing (3,2 Mb) . In my opinion, it is beautifully.

And, certainly, Catholics. First, it is possible to listen Aurea personet lyra (2,3 Mb). This church chanting of XI century.

And second - remarkable Franciscan Sanctus (1,8 Mb).

St. Athanasios the Neomartyr

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:35:52 GMT

The Holy Martyr Athanasius lived in Smyrna of XVI century. He was a poor and simple man, but was rich in faith. One day he was inadvertently involved in a religious dispute with a Turk. The Turk was educated and adroit with words, but Athanasius strove with all his might to uphold the truth of the Christian faith and its superiority over Islam. And finally they parted.

But on the next day, Athanasius was summoned to trial, and met the Turk as his accuser. When the judge called on Athanasius to repudiate Orthodoxy and accept Islam, as he had given the impression of declaring to his companion of the previous day, Athanasius said: "I would die a thousand deaths before I would deny the Faith of Christ!"

And for this he was condemned to death and beheaded in the year 1700, January 7. His holy relics was buried in the Church of St Paraskeva in Smyrna.

The hagiological nonsense

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:24:54 GMT

One question is interesting to me in view of forthcoming reunion ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate.
In 1981 ROCOR canonized (i.e., has declared as orthodox saints) catholic Aloizij Troupp and luteran Ekaterina Schneider among the servants who were killed with family of St. tsar Nikolay II. And also "have glorified" bishop Andrey Uhtomsky, converted in old-believer's schism.

And I am occupied with a question - if the reunion will take place, how business with these "saints" will be? This canonical, dogmatic and hagiological the nonsense too will be recognized?

Demetrios the Neomartyr

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 08:24:09 GMT

Demetrios the Neomartyr was born in the small village near the city of Tripolis, in Arcadia area. At the early nineteenth century the Turks firmly controlled this land more than three centuries.

Being a teenager, Demetrios was apprenticed to a Turkish contractor, which convinced him to a refuse the Christ and to accept Islam for the good life. Demetrios even change his name, and became Mehmet.

But, fortunately, his father could find Demetrios after several months, and draw the boy away from the muslim environment, and return him to the Christ once again. Young christian had many prayer for forgiveness, after which he went in contrition. Leaving the Tripolis, Demetrios made his way to the island of Chios where he hoped to show his sincere repentance.

At Chios he was admitted to a monastery in which he want to cleanse himself of his shameful act, and to serve the Savior with all his heart and soul. Many monks heard his confessions and were deeply moved by the lad's sincere remorse, so they let him to remain among them. Finally he was tonsured a monk after the proper training. Wishing to console Demetrios, abbot reminded him the story of Peter's denial of Christ, after which apostle Peter repented and became the saint.

Demetrios bore himself in a manner of the highest ascetic rules, but he was troubled by an unfulfilled wish to make an act which would completely expiate his sin. And he thought, the right way is to return to the place of his fall and there to confess his belief in Christ before those who were witnesses of his acceptance of islam. The abbot tried to dissuade him by citing the decision of David to preach the word of God for all his days rather than sacrifice himself in an untimely death. But Demetrios felt in his heart the necessity to faced the Turks of Tripolis.

And he returned to openly avow his fidelity to Jesus and for this he was executed as the turncoat from islam. The holy relix of this brave newmartyr, who gave his life for Christ on April 14 lie in the Church of Saint Demetrios in Tripolis, Greece.

"THE LORD OF THE RINGS" AND CHRISTIANITY

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 21:53:17 GMT

The screen version of the famous Tolkien's trilogy has burst the splash of interest to the famous English writer's heritage.

Since not all people who heard about this book have found time to read it let us remind in brief the contents of the work. This book describes one of historic episodes of fantastic "pre-historic world" inhabited by all variety of creatures - elves, wizards, humans, dwarves, hobbits, orcs etc. The Dark Lord - Sauron - is seeking to subjugate himself all the world, by casting it into chaos and violence, destroying all good and beautiful. He is waging a war but for the final victory he needs to get the magic ring kept by chance by hobbit Frodo. Frodo's aim is to prevent getting the ring into Sauron's or somebody else' hands (including himself) as in this case the new owner would also fall under the power of evil and become another Dark Lord. The only thing left is to penetrate into the very den of Sauron and throw the ring into the mouth of mountains (where it was once forged) - in order to destroy it forever.

The world can not be saved without the participation of the world itself - all creatures are involved into the battle but its result depends on success or non-success of Frodo's operation. He gets to the secret mountain together with his fellow-traveller Sam but can not endure the temptation any more, finally by happy coincidence the ring gets into the mouth of the mountain.

"The Lord of the Rings" turned out to be a considerable cultural event of 2nd half of 20th century both with its artistic value and influence on the minds of not a single young generation. It has not escaped the notice of the orthodox readers. Even when the book appeared disputes about its religious meaning arose, opinions were different, even opposite, and after the screenplay after the trilogy was released (1st part was released last spring and 2nd part - in January this year) these disputes came anew.

Taking this into account, by no means having any aspiration to have some new or final opinion in Tolkianity I would like to share some reflections on this book, say, "as an ordinary reader", not more.

It is well known that Tolkien as a thinker and as a writer had a number of ideas doubtful from the point of view of Christianity. But here we are not undertaking to evaluate all works of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien but will talk only about the relation of his main work to Christianity.

What is "The Lord of the Rings'? "Hidden Christian homily" (Maria Kamenkovich, Trojan Horse) or tales "soaked with well hidden paganism and occultism" (Roman Jolud, Talks around Tolkien)?

These both extreme views appear for a Christian reader as two temptations one changing the other during the reading. For each one can find enough grounds in the text but none of them can be accepted without serious reservations.

Therefore to our opinion there is another, more fruitful way: to consider what does exist in the book rather than what there should exist.

And in reality both temptations take place. Well, on the one hand it would be very strange if in the work meticulously being created during years by a person who sincerely considered himself a Christian there would be nothing Christian. On the other hand neither it is worth expecting hundred percent pure dogmatic views from a secular western writer of XX century. Thus in the work of Tolkien there are views close to as well as remote from Christianity. Let us start with the latter.

The first problem is that emotionally in the book evil is presented much more vividly than good and therefore more attractive. In essence, evil in the book looks and is much more significant power. It is almost all-mighty, it can not be escaped from, there is no shelter from it. They say that Tolkien's friend C.Lewis, having finished reading half of "The Lord of the Rings" threw it off with the words: "You can't write so long about evil!" (However, we heard another version, according to which Tolkien himself having read half of "The Screwtape Letters" by Lewis threw it off with the same words). By power and greatness there is no alternative to the personality of Sauron in the world of "The Lord of the Rings". And it is difficult to consider such world-outlook as Christian.

The next problem is that in general life of all Tolkien's creatures (elves, dwarves, humans, hobbits etc.) looks rather senseless. They struggle heroicly, it is described very vividly and breathtakingly but all of them dream of peaceful life, they struggle for it and die. In their struggle there is sense. But the peaceful life as their purpose looks extremely wan and senseless as an old faded picture stuck onto the wall. Creating his world "before Christ", Tolkien created the world "without Christ" and for a Christian it is rather onerous to plunge oneself in this world though not to the extent as other fantasy authors are concerned, for example, Tad Williams, with his open parody for Christianity.

Now passing over to detecting Christian thoughts in "The Lord of the Rings" we will make a remark that we will not consider in general good and positive moments but only those which can be clearly specified as Christian and not
"humanistic".

First and foremost such is the main idea of the book. The Ring is the allegory of evil, or sin. And one can defeat it by rejecting it personally. The main idea of the trilogy is Christian without doubts, it contradicts all fantasy traditions after Tolkien. Evil can never be used for good. If you use it you fall under its power and only multiply the overall evil in the world.

And if we follow the contents of the book we will see that Christian is not only the idea but also its development. Frodo could not in the end overcome the desire to possess, to resist the power of the ring, evil. Human has no force to reject sin himself. And good wins as if thanks to a lucky chance. But for a person belonging to the Christian culture (for whom Tolkien wrote his books) it is self-understood that there is no fate, but there is God's Providence. For those who do not understand it is said in the book with the words of Gandalf: "It was prepared for him:" By whom?

Answering this question we should return to the very first lines of the book - its tytle. Who's the Lord of the Rings? Whom is the whole work dedicated to? It is evident that it is not Frodo, nor anybody of the Wise, nor even Sauron - because none of them ever possessed all magic rings. And further reflections give us the only answer: the Master, or, more exactly, the Lord, of the Rings is He Who ever possessed them since He possesses everything being possessed by nothing.

The next, deep Christian thought in the book is the attitude towards the enemies. Orcs, invisible to all, are elves who used to be the most wonderful of all creatures in Tolkien's world, but mutilated by evil. Sowing horror everywhere the orcs used to be the best samples of the human gender worth to become ring-bearers but did not overcome the temptation of evil and were captured by the Dark Lord' power. The fallen Saruman the Elder was one of the Wisest. Tolkien teaches to see the enemy in the light of his personal tragedy and through this way he brings us closer to the ever possible attitude towards the enemy: compassion. In the trilogy the idea that the final victory of good over evil became possible because of the act of mercy done by Bilbo towards his enemy is outlined several times.

But Tolkien does not confine himself to pointing out that the villain has a prehistory of his fall. The enemy may bring repentance and change. The most striking example in the book is Gollum, the same happens to Grima but even more deeply it is expressed in the last talk with Saruman when Frodo preventing his friend from killing the fallen wizard says: "No, Sam! Anyhow we should not kill him. The more so as he lies in the black evil. Once he was great, he's one of those against whom we have no right to lift up the hand. He fell now but it's not for us to judge him: who knows, may be he will be great again:"

And the great Tolkien's merit is that in his book he explained with the artistic language understandable by contemporaries one of the commandments of Christ most difficult for understanding: love towards enemies. And not only explained but disclosed its grandeur and wisdom.

Need help!

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:24:50 GMT

Dear brothers and sisters!

The student of the Moscow theological seminary Kovalenko Sergey is hardly sick. He needs transplantation of a kidney - difficult operation in cost 20000 $ (on all treatment the more sum is necessary).

I am teacher of Seminary and personally I know Sergey.

He is the good, kind and sympathetic person, the pious Christian, aspiring to give all forces on service of Orthodox Church.
Fund raising occurs on blessing the rector of Academy&Seminary, archbishop Eugeny Verejskij.

If you can and wish to help Sergey, please, use this way:

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BENEFICIARY BANK 57 OWHBDEFFXXX
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The information about Sergey on official site of Moscow Theological Seminary&Academy:

http://mpda.ru/ru/school/news/index.php?id=203

And all, please, pray for Sergey!

The Russian Big-Mac :-)

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:33:29 GMT

Have a nice the Dormition Fast! :-)

The Orthodox Sci-Fi Writer Donna Farley

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 23:21:33 GMT

I want told You about Donna Farley. Matushka Donna is a priest's wife, mother, and prolific writer. She is a published poet, science fiction writer, and columnist for "The Handmaiden" (there is her old homepage). Since 1987 she publish science-fiction stories, some with Orthodox themes. I know four stories, peprinted online:

-"Garbage Day at Gehenna"

-"Cold Hands, Warm Heart"

-"The New Curiosity Shoppe"

-Everyday Details in Far-Out Fiction

Maybe, it will be interesting for you to read, if you not yet. I like first of list. In this history all is described incredibly dynamically and deeply. The author consistently builds a picture of a hell as "spiritual garbage" and through it she finds set new, original images.

Offline published novel "The Passing of the Eclipse" is very good also.

Though it is necessary to recognize, sometimes in her texts, Farley addresses with spiritual themes is too free. It is visible, for example, in the story "Father Vadim's Angel" where the angel is represented uncanonically from the orthodox point of view.

I think, it is a characteristic problem.

I frequently hear from Russian writers-Christians words: "The creative plan should not be held down by external dogmas". However I think, that the Christian author is capable to express his ideas without breaking canons.

What do you think about it?

The Solovetsky monastery on a sunset

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:12:17 GMT

The Russian Field

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:12:33 GMT

About Help

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:42:07 GMT

Dear friends! Now I need some help for translation of my short orthodox science fiction stories into English, or to correct (to polish) of my translations. If it is interesting to you and you can help me, I shall be very thankfull! Please, write in this LJ.

«Daring Before the Face of God» (fragment of my sci-fi story, translated from russian)

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 17:40:12 GMT

Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem, gazed out at the sunset from the narrow, arched window of a northern tower on the city wall. Hundreds of flames twinkled alarmingly in the growing darkness, which had already thickened in the low places. A cold wind howled, muffling even the cries of the Saracens which had been clearly heard during the day even through the thick walls of the Holy City. The long, grey beard of the aged patriarch fell far down his black cassock, nearly covering the golden circle of his panagia. Thin, dried elder silently observe, as the sun enveloping for the hills tinctures sky with crimson. The growing calm of the night was broken below the tower window by the clanging sounds of the changing of the guard, the centurion Meletios having agreed on a change in the order of the night patrols. The patriarch was alone in the tower room and none interrupted the measured pace of his reflections.

Soon it would be Christmas. The wondrous day upon which the virginal womb dawned forth the Sun of Truth that illumines mankind was near, that bright day which is the gate to the death of death and to the eternal life with God enjoyed by the shining souls of the righteous…From the height of the heavens the Son of God had condescended to become man, through His life on this earth being rejected by His creations and conquering death so that we might be reconciled with His Father and become capable once again of union with God in faith and love…

In the depth of his meditation the Patriarch struggled to decide what his sermon to the thousands of faithful gathered, as was customary, in the church of the Most Holy Mother of God should be. How could he comfort them in the face of the siege while staring into their frightened eyes, the frightened eyes of the flock entrusted to Him by Christ. And it would also be necessary to intercede for their soldiers on this blessed night, the soldiers who continued to vigilantly keep watch on the city walls, defending the faithful against the enemy Saracens encamped about the Holy City.

It would not be possible this year to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord in the holy cave in Bethlehem, in the place where the immaterial became material. It might be possible to evade the Saracens and reach nearby Bethlehem, but the threat of the cruel barbarians was too great to risk. Indeed, they had been besieging the City for seven months and knew the area well by now. The stink of the sins of the faithful had finally overfilled the cup of the Lord’s patience and now His wrath is poured out upon His unworthy servants and children in the form of the Saracens’ terrible swords. Even as the fiery swords of the seraphim barred Adam and Eve from Eden, so now the swords of the Saracens keep the New Israel from earthly peace.

Such were the thoughts running through the mind of the holy patriarch as the sun dipped below the line of the hills, the darkness soon enveloping even their rugged outline. Recollections from his youth suddenly flooded the old man’s mind as happy, bright memories of his teacher, Father John, and their journeys to monasteries in Palestine, Egypt, and Syria through the waterless deserts and the crocodile-infested River of Egypt to seek out the saintly old monks of those areas, whose lives Father John had recorded in his most remarkable book.

Then the Empire had been stewarded by the pious Emperor Maurice, who had ruled not by bribery, threat, or flattery, but through love and had managed to tame even Persia, the perennial enemy of the Romans. Had it not been a miracle that the Shah of Persia himself, having received aid from his former enemies during difficult times in his empire, had called Maurice “his benefactor, father, and patron” and had pledged himself to an eternal peace between his empire and that of the Romans?

But then tragedy was wrought through the willfulness and faithlessness of the people, so like the Israelites of old in the wilderness. The legions of the Danube rose in revolt under Foch and moved against defenseless Constantinople and its rightful emperor, the godly Maurice, who received his downfall with Christian courage. When Foch, desired to increase Maurice’s suffering by having each of his five sons killed before him, the deposed autocrat only said, “You are just, O my God, and are just Your judgements”. The nurse of his youngest son, desiring to save the youngest of the virtuous emperor’s sons, brought forth her own yearling child. But Maurice did not allow this, instead finding his true son and then accepting death himself…

The new emperor was worthy of his people, who had approved of the overthrow and murder of Maurice. The external deformity of Foch was only a reflection of his internal deformity and lewdness, binges, and violence soon came to characterize the imperial court in Constantinople. And the Shah Khosrau, enraged by the murder of his father-in-law the godly Maurice, launched a brutal war against the Empire. The drunkard enthroned in Constantinople could do nothing in the face of his defeats at the hands of Khosrau except execute his detractors. At that time the young Monk Sophronios and his teacher, Father John, were in Cellias with a godly and holy monk, whose holy life had given him great daring before the face of God. This monk mourned before the Most High, asking “Why have You sent us this predatory wolf?” And the Lord answered him, saying “I sought for one worse than Fochs with which to punish this willful, stubborn generation, but there was none worse. Henceforth you shall not tempt Me or rebel against My will.”

Having moved on, the young Sophronios heard of the fall of Jerusalem to the Persians while in Italy. The Jews living in the Holy City had opened its gates to the armies of the Shah and streams of blood had flowed in the streets. Sixty thousand Christians were cut down in the sack and another thirty-five thousand were sold into slavery and went into exile with the Holy Cross of their Lord, which was taken by the Persians into Mesopotamia. The Jews committed even more atrocities than the Persians, all the churches of the City being destroyed and burnt.

By this time the tyrant Foch had been overthrown by the General Heraklios. When this soldier, native to distant Karfagenia, angrily demanded of the enchained Foch “How could you, damnable one, so badly lead the Empire entrusted to you by God?” the impious ex-autocrat, smiling, scornfully replied, “Do you think you will rule it any better?” As this was happening the Persians approached Constantinople itself, yet the new emperor despite his limited resources was able to rally the Romans and utterly defeat the Persians, even regaining the life-giving Cross from them. It was now twenty-five years ago that the victorious emperor had passed by the same tower in which Sophronios now stood with the Holy Cross to restore it to its place in the Holy City.

Only the glow of the sun remained in the evening sky as the pale moon began to brighten in the sky. The Patriarch stood motionlessly, contemplating the flight of a black bird above the flickering fires of the encamped enemy. Heraklios had been victorious, yet he had been a heretic…And now the Patriarch was a decrepit old man and the besieging Saracens had twice defeated the reinforcements sent to Jerusalem by Constantinople.

Suddenly steps from below were heard in the room and Sophronios frowned, remembering anew all the details of his responsibilities as the City’s Patriarch and sole leader. His dignity and age mismatch the heavy burden of command by the defense of city, which entrusted to him with circumstances. With great nostalgy Sophronius returned mentally to those times, when they with the teacher rub along to any inaccessible monastery under the burning intense heat in the killing deserts.

The steps stopped at the door as their cause examined the Patriarch in the light of his torch. Knocking impatiently on the lintel, the dark-complexioned Saracen bent [in homage?] and then entered the room, his curved sword and bag on his person.

“Greetings, Your Beatitude!” the barbarian croaked.

“Greetings, Khasan.”

“There is bad news,” the barbarian said, his unreadable face making his reaction impossible to truly know, “the tamimithes intercepted our messenger.”

The Saracen’s right hand reached into the bag and pulled out the head of the messenger. Looking into the dead eyes of the young soldier who only yesterday had received his blessing, the Patriarch crossed himself and impassively said, “Take the head of the Servant of God Ignatios to Father Aristarchos for the burial service and then have it buried.”

The Saracen nodded and returned the remnant of what had been Ignatios back to his bag. He did not, however, depart. This mysterious, incomprehensible, aged leader of the Romans and their Church prompted within him respect. In the silence the crackle of the torch and the howl of the wind outside nearly blocked the sound of shouting from below the tower window as the soldiers called to one another.

“What do you desire?” the Patriarch flatly, tiredly asked the barbarian, whose features were shrouded in the shadows cast by the fading light and the torch.

“Why do you not submit to the tamimithes, as Damascus did? You share one Faith with them.”

“No, Khasan, not one,” the grey-bearded sadly remarked, “We do not share one Faith. Coming from the deserts you in your ignorance think the heretic Monophysites to be Christians, for their heresy has been present in Arabia for nearly a hundred years now…”

Further translation is unpolished, if someone can help me to polish it, I shall be very grateful.