My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 10th of February, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy and Glorious Hieromartyr HARALAMBOS of Magnesia.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone
An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ art thou, an ever-
resplendent lamp, O Haralambos most wise, which shineth
throughout the earth; in martyr 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 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 contest, O Martyr of sacred fame,
Saint Haralambos, 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. Magnesia is the name that was given to three ancient cities: one in Thessaly of Greece and two in Asia Minor. He set himself aside for Christ from his youth, desiring only to follow Him. He served the Church and the flock for 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.
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; 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 of the world, together 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 (PEOPLE); 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.
Such a glorious champion and vanquisher do we commemorate today. The valiant warrior of Christ whom we honor is Hieromartyr Haralambos the Great-Martyr. As we said, he was first a priest lawfully ordained for the Magnesian Diocese. While he was serving the flocks of Christ, the profane Severus in Rome assigned the rough, hard, and cruel Lucian to Magnesia. The governor tortured many Christians in an attempt to have them renounce piety and venerate the inanimate idols. It was during those tumultuous times 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 nought 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. The report of these activities angered the pagan officials. Lucian dispatched soldiers to bring to him the priest who would incite disobedience. After this order was carried out, Lucian began the interrogation, asking the man of God, “Why dost thou despise the idols and the imperial decrees?” The Saint answered, “I obey the just and saving commands of the Heavenly King, Christ…Our Christ is able to heal every incurable disease and infirmity for those who call upon Him with faith.” The governor retorted, “Leave off all this talk, old man, and act prudently and do what is in thine interest. Worship the gods, lest I should put thee to the rest by means of harsh tortures. The holy man replied, “If we do not suffer troubles in this temporal life, we shall not inherit those everlasting good things.”
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 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.” The torturers said, “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. Forthwith, two of the officers, Porphyrios and Vaptos, were beheaded for their confession of Christ as God. The cruel military commander who attempted to torture the priest and the governor himself suffered greatly for their barbarism and savagery to the elderly presbyter. Then a voice was heard from out of heaven, saying, “Rejoice, athlete Haralambos, thou companion of Angels and sharer of the life of the Apostles! I have heard thine entreaty and shall grant healing to the impious.” Instantly, those who had been punished were cured. The military commander Lucius believed and was baptized and Lucian the governor halted the persecution against Christians until the events could be reported to the emperor.
The unholy emperor Severus hearing the testimony of his governor, found the news insupportable. He dispatched three hundred soldiers with the orders to take custody of the presbyter Haralambos and insert nails down his spine. Then they were instructed to drag the Christian priest from Magnesia to Antioch. The soldiers carried out their commission. The savage soldiers pitilessly executed this torture. However, Severus was not satisfied and 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 his spirit. After the spit was thrust into his chest, they burned him for a long time. Glory be to God! Saint Haralambos was again unharmed by this horrific torture. The Saint appeared to have revived and stood forth as a fragrant rose. There were many other tortures inflicted upon the Saint and still he was untouched by them.
Emperor Severus pronounced judgment, the last sentencing, upon the holy priest. He charged his executioners to seize Haralambos and conduct him to the execution site and there to be beheaded. Upon arriving at the spot, the Saint raised his hands and eyes heavenward, and he began to pray. After he had prayed in this manner, the heavens opened. The Lord, with a multitude of His Angels, came down. It was a spectacle full of wonder. 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. As of Me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreaty.” Then the blessed hieromartyr of the Christ, answered, “To whomsoever should read the account of my martyrdom, and invoke my name, I supplicate for his salvation and that his soul not suffer evil…Do thou also, O Lord, pardon the sins of the faithful ones…” The Lord then said to His Saint, “Let it be according to what thou hast 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 head by the executioner.
The holy, glorious, and most august relics of the Saint, Hieromartyr Haralambos, have been distributed, for the sake of reverence, everywhere to Orthodox Christians. The holy relics of Saint Haralambos are able to help, defend, and keep off dreadful circumstances. They have proved to be an excellent remedy of every infirmity. His most holy precious skull is now found at the Monastery of Saint Stefanos, a women’s monastery, under the Bishop of Stagi.
Let us therefore acclaim Saint Haralambos, Great among Martyrs, who is crowned with a double crown of the PRIESTHOOD and MARTYRDOM. He cast down the tormentors, crushed the feeble audacity of the demons, and emerged as victor. He showed himself a temple of the Holy Spirit, and a pillar of endurance. In the midst of sufferings, he was shown to be an eminent tree, sheltering those who needed deliverance from the scorning heat of sin. He has left us his holy relics as a source of healing from life-threatening diseases. Do thou, O Saint Haralambos, intercede for us who love and honor thee! [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]
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“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 