March Commemorations and Saints

March Commemorations & Saints

Ash Wednesday

At midnight, the Lenten fast begins.

Remember, man that thou art dust,
and unto dust thou shalt return.

Genesis 3:19

Part of the Western Orthodox tradition of Ash Wednesday is to receive ashes together as a community. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten fast, but not simply a denial of food. During this season, we celebrate the ascetic disciplines of subduing our passions and putting to death ungodly ways.

Stations of the Cross

Also Celebrated as The Way of the Cross

Saint Nicholas Western Antichoian Church of Spokane honors the tradition of the Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice that involves meditating on the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. This tradition is also known as the Way of the Cross.

In our sanctuary, we have pictures (stations) depicting the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. We gather around each picture in prayer and meditation, reading about Christ’s sacrifice from the Scriptures. This Lenten tradition helps us remember our Lord’s suffering and death and prepares us for the great Pascha celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.

STATION I. JESUS is Condemned to Death

STATION II. JESUS Receives the Cross

STATION III. JESUS Falls the First Time

STATION IV. JESUS Meets His Holy Mother

STATION V. The Cross Is Laid on Saint Simon of Cyrene

STATION VI. Saint Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

STATION VII. JESUS Falls the Second Time

STATION VIII. JESUS Meets the Women of Jerusalem

STATION IX. JESUS Falls a Third Time

STATION X. JESUS Is Stripped of His Garments

STATION XI. JESUS Is Nailed to the Cross

STATION XII. JESUS Dies on the Cross

STATION XIII. The Body of JESUS Is Taken Down From the Cross

STATION XIV. The Body of JESUS Is Laid in the Tomb

Saints Perpetua & Felicitas, Martyrs

Christian martyrs of the 3rd century (203 AD),
brutally put to death in Carthage, Africa

Perpetua was a well-educated noblewoman, widow, and mother of an infant son; Felicitas was a slave, pregnant at the time of their imprisonment.

Also imprisoned were Perpetua’s brother, Saturus, and three other servants, Saturninus, Revocatus, and Secundulus; all six were catechumens willing to die for their faith in Christ. Perpetua kept a diary (published after her death) of her experiences.

She suffered physically in prison. Perpetua described how her breasts, engorged with milk, caused her to worry about her infant son. Moreover, she wrote about the darkness of her cell and how hot and filthy the cell was where she and her companions stayed.

However, her conditions improved after two bishops, Tertius and Pomponius, bribed the guards to allow Perpetua to nurse her baby and move all six catechumens to a more tolerable place in the prison.

In her diary, she gave accounts of her imprisonment and trial. She also described her father’s passionate yet fruitless pleas for her to submit to the authorities and to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods. He used her infant son to entice her to renounce her Christian identity but to no avail. Realizing her contest of martyrdom was upon her (They scheduled Perpetua and her companions to die in the arena the next day), she gives her diary to another Christian not imprisoned.

This Christian continued the story and gave details about how pregnant Felicity and her companions prayed that she would give birth so that she would be allowed to die with them. In the account, she does give birth to a baby girl. She and her companions rejoice that Felicity can now die as a martyr with her friends. The law of that time forbade the execution of pregnant women. He also writes about the bravery in the arena when they were attacked by wild beasts and, finally, of Perpetua’s voluntary acceptance of death by the sword when she assisted her executioner by placing his sword on her neck.

You can read Perpetua’s diary entries here.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

(ca. A.D. 335 – after 384)

Saint Gregory was born in 335 A.D. He was the younger brother of St. Basil the Great. Only mildly pious for a time, a dream caused St. Gregory to practice the faith with much more zeal. He spent much of his time in sacred studies and was ordained a reader.

While still in the world, Gregory made his living teaching rhetoric. He married, but he and his wife eventually chose to live together as brother and sister once made bishop.

A few years later, Saint Gregory Nazienzen, through a letter, encouraged Saint Gregory to devote all of his time to the Church. Shortly there after, he was ordained a priest. He then moved to his brother’s (St. Basil’s) monastery.

While at the monastery, Saint Basil appointed many Orthodox bishops in his metropolis to stem the tide of heresy. When the see of the small city of Nyssa came open, Saint Gregory reluctantly took the position of bishop.

Arianism was strong in the area. They deposed Gregory as a response to his pious devotion. False embezzlement charges against him nearly got him arrested, but he escaped the men sent to incarcerate him.

Eventually, he returned to his seat, but only for a short time. Basil died soon after, and his role of champion of Orthodoxy in the East passed on to his little brother, Gregory.

Saint Gregory attended several councils defending the faith, including the 2nd Ecumenical Council in Constantinople. His writings include numerous dogmatic, exegetical, and mystical works. He died in peace. He was about sixty years old.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem,
Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor

Born c. AD 313,
Died AD 386 (aged 73)

Cyril of Jerusalem was a theologian well-read in Christian theology and Greek philosophy. He became Bishop of Jerusalem around 350 AD.

Cyril is known for his writings on the instruction of catechumens. Other writings include the Order of the Liturgy, and the early systematic teachings of the Catholic faith.

He was put in charge of catechizing those preparing for baptism, and wrote the renowned Catecheses. His catechetical lectures, given to catechumens in Jerusalem, are a relied upon source of information on the early Church’s teachings and practices.

His strained relationship with Acacius, Bishop of Caesarea, due to theological differences and Acacius’ jealousy of Jerusalem’s growing importance as a Christian holy place, was a cause of his deposition and exile.

He was banished multiple times for his unwavering stance against Arianism but was eventually acknowledged as Bishop of Jerusalem and praised for his faith. Cyril remained Bishop of Jerusalem until he died in 386 AD.

St. Edward,
King and Martyr

(c. 962 – March 18, 978/979)
Edward succeeded his father
Edgar of England as King of England in 975

St. Raphael exemplified the essence of a dedicated pastor, leaving an indelible mark on the Church through his extensive travels and uplifting ministries. His public endeavors included the founding of twenty-nine parishes, the ongoing publication of Word Magazine, and instrumental contributions to the establishment of St. Tikhon’s Monastery.

However, his pastoral care extended beyond the public sphere to the personal and intimate. On a memorable occasion, he spent a night in a small town along a railway line. Instead of seeking rest in his hotel room, St. Raphael actively sought out Orthodox Christians in the area. Discovering a few young Arabs, he visited them with joyous reception. In an act of profound pastoral care, he heard their confessions, offered encouragement, and shared the entire night in fellowship. Notably, he promised to send them icons and prayer books, recognizing the scarcity of such resources in their location. Swiftly, the next morning, he gathered his belongings at the hotel and departed on the train.

St. Raphael peacefully entered eternal rest in his home, situated next to the Brooklyn Cathedral, on February 27, 1915. His legacy endures as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the spiritual well-being of the Church and its members.

St. Joseph, Spouse of
The Blessed Virgin Mary

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NKJV)

“Whatever good work you begin to do, beg of God with most earnest, pray to perfect it, that He who has now deigned to count us among His sons may not at any time be grieved by our evil deeds.”

St Benedict, Abbot

(Born c. 480 CE, Nursia [Italy]—died c. 547)

Annunciation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke (1:26-39)

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

RESOURCES:

Oxford University Press (1972). The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas.

Orthodox Wiki (May 14, 2020). Gregory of Nyssa.

Encyclopedia Britannica (Feb 26, 2024). Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Christian Bishop

Marians of the Immaculate Conception (n.d.). ‘The Word of God abides’: St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church.

Orthodox Wiki (October 22, 2012). Edward the Martyr.

Fr. John Fenton (n.d.). Orthodox Ash Wednesday.

Michael David Knowles (n.d.). St. Benedict Italian monk.

Lumen (n.d.) The Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue–Chapter 25.

Wikipedia (2024, February 22). Stations of the Cross.

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church