My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 10th of February, Our Holy Orthodox Christian Church
Commemorates the Holy and Glorious Hieromartyr
HARALAMBOS of Magnesia.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone
An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ God art thou, an
ever-resplendent lamp, O Haralambos most wise, which shineth
throughout the earth; in martyric contest thou hast shined on the
whole world, and thou hast dispelled the moonless night of the
idols. Now boldly intercede thou with Christ that we may be
all be saved.
Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone
Thou didst rise up in the East, a luminary that enlightened faithful men
with thy bright shafts of miracles. O Haralambos hence we revere thy
godly manner, O Martyr of sacred fame.
Saint Haralmbos, the sacred Hieromartyr, the grace-filled and splendid athlete and sacrificer in his sacerdotal ministry to the Lord, who is the boast of all Greece and the adornment of believers, was from Magnesia. He set himself aside for Christ from his youth, desiring only to follow Him. He served the Church and the flock of many years, abundantly serving every need, until the time of the grossly impious Emperor Severus, when Lucian (Loukianos) was Provincial Governor. The holy priest was arrested by them and subjected to a death by martyrdom on account of his faith in, and love for, the Christ. Now how this came to pass.
The King of All, Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us in the Divine and Sacred Gospel that whosoever is willing to come after Him, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and keep following Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34 and 10:21; Luke 9:23). This was achieved by many Wondrous and holy persons, such as the Ascetics and Hermits who forsook the world and the things with the enjoyments of the flesh, wealth, and glory. They exchanged all for wilderness places and deserts. They were concerned FOR NOTHING SAVE HOW TO PLEASE GOD, THEIR CREATOR, AND FASHIONER.
Such were also the wise teachers of our Church. Each one had the same aim: HOW TO BENEFIT THE SOULS OF MEN; HOW TO CONVERT TO THE RIGHT DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH THOSE WHO WERE DECEIVED AND THOSE LED ASTRAY; AND HOW TO MAKE THE FLOCK STEADFAST IN ORTHODOXY. They did not seek to provide for their own bodily comfort and rest, nor endeavor to acquire wealth and properties for themselves. This IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE MOST HOLY MARTYRS, THOSE BRAVE SOLDIERS OF THE HEAVENLY KING CHRIST, THE GLORIOUSLY TRIUMPHANT VICTORS AGAINST DECEPTION AND IMPIETY BEFORE THE RULER OF THIS WORLD, THE DEVIL. THE MARTYRS NOT ONLY DISDAINED RICHES, ACQUISITIONS, AND HONORS, BUT THEY ALSO DELIVERED UP THEIR BODIES TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PUNISHMENTS AND NOT-TO-BE-IMAGINED TORMENTS. Thou spurned this most sweet life and embraced death. Those who are Martyrs have certainly renounced this world and themselves since they have deprived themselves of this present much-desired life and taken up the cross. THEY ALSO UNDOUBTEDLY MADE FIRM AND GUARDED THE ORTHODOX FAITH AND CONFIRMED THE FLOCK’S ABIDING LOVE OF CHRIST.
Such a glorious champion and vanquisher do we commemorate today. The valiant warrior of Christ whom we honor is Hieromartyr Haralambos the Great-Martyr. He was first a Priest lawfully ordained for the Magnesian Diocese in Thessaly Greece. While he was serving the flock of Christ, the profane Severus in Rome assigned the rough, hard, and cruel Lucian to Magnesia. The Governor had been notified that the blessed Haralambos was arrested by the odious Lucian. The Governor had been notified that Haralambos, as the Priest of the Christians, set at naught the idols and treated them with contempt. The holy Priest was also accused OF BOLDLY AND OPENLY PREACHING TO THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THE CHRIST. The Governor was informed against the Priest: "This fellow cites their Prophets and Apostles as examples to follow. He belittles our idols, saying they are powerless and broker perdition for their followers. He consoles the Christians by saying our religion is diminishing. Lucian dispatched soldiers to bring to him the Priest who would incite CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. After this order was carried out, Lucian began the interrogation, asking the man of God, "Why do you despise the idols and the imperial decrees? The Saint answered, "I obey the just and saving commands of the Heavenly King Christ…" The Governor retorted, "Leave off all this talk, old man, and act prudently and do what is in your interest. Worship the gods, lest I should put you to the test by means of harsh tortures. The holy man replied, "IF WE DO NOT SUFFER TROUBLES HERE IN THIS TEMPORAL LIFE, WE SHALL NOT INHERIT THOSE EVERLASTING GOOD THINS."
The Governor then bade his officers to disrobe the Christian Priest. The executioners took up hand tools and flayed the holy man from his head to his feet. The Blessed man endured this unbearable torture bravely, as his flesh was dreadfully rent asunder. He had been well taught to bear violence. He began to say, "I GIVE THANKS TO YOU, O BROTHERS, THAT YOU HAVE TORTURED MY BODY, FOR THIS SHALL USHER IN FOR MY SOUL EVERLASTING BLESSEDNESS IN THE FUTURE AGE." After the Saint spoke those words, the torturers marveled and began saying to the Governor and nobility, "This man deems indignities to be honor and the tortures to be rest…Though the talons penetrate the flesh, yet he recovers and abides unharmed and intact!" The Governor could not doubt it the evidence was before his eyes.
The executioners resumed until they were worn out. They declared the power of Christ and glorified Him, together with His servant whom He strengthened, Fothrwith, two of the officers, Porphyrios and Vaptos, were beheaded for their confession of Christ as God. They too suffered Martyrdom.
Severus wasted no time in devising a heinous punishment for the holy Priest. He ordered that a great skewer be made to pierce Haralambos’ chest. Next, he bade his men to fetch wood and then light a fire. He planned to have the Saint burned until he gave up the spirit. After the spit was thrust into his chest, they burned him for a long time. Severus intended it to be so, lest the prisoner should expire quickly. It was observed that the Martyr wa untouched by the flames. The Saint appeared to have revived and stood as a fragrant rose. The Emperor was angry at the athlete of Christ and he commanded his men to shatter with stones the cheeks and sides of the face of the Priest. This was to be followed by applying burning lamps to his face and beard. The fire, as though it possessed a rational power, however, leaped forth and spread and burned those present. The Emperor wondered at this phenomenon.
The Prefect Crispus said, "Command, O Emperor, that this deceiver suffer beheading, lest, by performing other signs and portents, even more, should come to believe in this Christ." The Emperor pronounced judgment, the last sentencing, upon the holy Priest. He charged his executioners to seize Haralambos and conduct him to the execution site. This was carried out. On his way to execution, the Saint chanted the following Psalm: "Of mercy and judgment will I sing to Thee, O Lord. I will chant and have understanding in a blameless path when wilt Thou come to me" (Psalm 100:1). Upon arriving at the spot, the Saint raised his hands and eyes heavenward, and he began to pray thus: "I ever give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, for Thou art merciful and the Lover of mankind. Thou, O Almighty, hast cast down our enemy, the devil, and taken Hades captive, and put death to death, thus delivering the race of man. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom." After he had prayed in this manner, the heavens were opened. The Lord, with a multitude of His Angels, came down. It was a spectacle full of Wonder. The Lord was seen to be sitting on a Throne of pearl. He said to His holy Priest and Martyr, "Come, My pleasing and beloved one who, for My name’s sake, suffered such ill-treatment and hardships. Ask of Me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreaty." The blessed Hieromartyr of the Christ, answered, "That Thou hast, by Thy grace, grant me, the least person, to behold the awesome glory of Thy presence, this is, in itself, a tremendous gift. The Lord then said to His Saint, "Let it be according to what thou asked, My faithful servant!" The Lord then ascended into the heavens. The Saint soon thereafter surrendered his soul in peace, before the severing of his holy head by the executioner. The blessed Galeenee quickly took up the Saint’s sacred relics and wrapped them. It was her blessing to inter the Saint in a gold coffin, after having placed costly myrrh and aromatic spices with his holy relics.
The holy, glorious, and most august relics of the Saint, Hieromartyr Haralambos, have been distributed, for the sake of reverence, everywhere to Orthodox Christians. They have proved to be an excellent remedy of every infirmity. His most holy and precious skull is now found at the Monastery of Saint Stefanos, a Women’s Monastery at Meteora. At the time of his Martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 