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Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and Saint John, Hermit of Pskov · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Saturday, october twenty fourth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember two saints, Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and Saint John, hermit of Pscov.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Athanasius was born Alexius in Adrianopolis.
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  SPEAKER_00: From a young age he sought the wisdom of Christ and left home to pursue a monastic life.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was tonsured with the name Acacius in Thessalonica, and later joined the brotherhood at the Esphigminu Monastery on Mount Athos.
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  SPEAKER_00: There he served humbly in the trapeza or refectory for three years.
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  SPEAKER_00: His ascetic life and virtuous deeds earned him the gift of tears and the respect of his fellow monks.
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  SPEAKER_00: Yet he avoided praise and left Mount Athos to live as a hermit in Jerusalem and then on Mount Patra.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later he moved to the Oxentian monastery and then to the monastery of Blessed Lazarus on Mount Galantia.
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  SPEAKER_00: There he took the great angelic schema and the name Athanasius.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was ordained a priest and became ecclesiarch, responsible for sacred relics and vessels.
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  SPEAKER_00: At this monastery he received a divine revelation.
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  SPEAKER_00: He heard the voice of the Lord from a crucifix calling him to pastoral service.
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  SPEAKER_00: Seeking more silence and prayer, he returned to Mount Athos after ten years, but due to unrest there, he went back to Mount Galantea.
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  SPEAKER_00: His reputation for holiness drew many people seeking guidance, and he established a women's monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the Patriarchate of Constantinople became vacant after a period of disorder, the emperor Andronicus Palaeologos and a council of clergy chose Athanasius as patriarch in 1289.
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  SPEAKER_00: As patriarch, Athanasius worked hard to strengthen the church.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, his strictness caused dissatisfaction among some clergy.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1293, he resigned and returned to monastic life.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1303, he was again made patriarch and served for seven more years.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1308, he appointed Saint Peter as Metropolitan of Kiev and Al Rus.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1311, to avoid causing discord, Athanasius resigned once more and devoted himself to monastic life.
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  SPEAKER_00: Near the end of his life, he had a vision of Christ, who reproached him for not completing his pastoral duties.
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  SPEAKER_00: Filled with repentance, Athanasius received forgiveness and the gift of wonderworking.
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  SPEAKER_00: He died at the age of 100.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Greek tradition, Saint Athanasius is commemorated on October 28th.
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  SPEAKER_00: We also remember Saint John, hermit of Skov, who lived during a time of military conflict.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1592, the city of Skov was besieged by the Swedes.
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  SPEAKER_00: From 1608, Polish forces attacked for seven years.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint John lived within the city walls for 23 years, living simply and in silence.
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  SPEAKER_00: The chronicle says his fish was rancid and he did not eat bread.
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  SPEAKER_00: He lived as if in a wilderness, in great silence.
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  SPEAKER_00: Just before his death in 1616, through the prayers to the Skoff Caves Icon of the Mother of God and the Vscoff Saints, the city was delivered from the Swedish siege.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint John died on October 24, 1616, remembered for his ascetic life and steadfast faith during difficult times.
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  SPEAKER_00: May the examples of Saint Athanasius and Saint John inspire us to live with humility, prayer, and faithfulness.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to follow the example of your saints, who served you with humility and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen our faith and guide us in times of trial.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.