St. Photini the Samaritan Woman

One day about noon called "the sixth hour" in Biblical times our Lord Jesus Christ stopped to rest quietly beside an old well in the desert at the foot of a mountain. He was very tired and very likely thirsty. The Lord Jesus and his followers were on their way to Galilee and had to go through the town

of Samaria to reach their destination. It was this city of Samaria, which the disciples were sent to buy food leaving the Lord Jesus alone resting at the well outside the city.
The well where our Lord was resting was known as "Jacob's well" (shown right). It was a very old and deep well. There was not many wells along the path the Lord Jesus was traveling so it was indeed a welcome site and one frequently visited by those who lived nearby and needed water.
A woman of Samaria came to well where the Lord Jesus was resting with her water jar to draw water. As the Samaritan woman approached the well, the Lord Give Me a drink" (John 4:10). The woman from Samaria obviously noting the Lord was a Jew, questioned the Lord's asking her for a drink of water. The Samaritans were a mixed race of people unlike the Jews and it was generally accepted that the Samaritans and Jews did not like each other and often were enemies whom fought one another.
The Samaritan woman was a very sinful woman whom had had many husbands and was openly living with a man outside of marriage when she met the Lord Jesus Christ. She did not have any remorse at all about her shameful life in which she chose to live. The Lord Jesus knew of her sinful ways, told her this lifestyle was wrong, and to confess, repent, and be converted to the Christian faith. She was very amazed and astounded at the all knowing of the Lord Jesus Christ about her life having never seen Him nor Him her.
The Lord Jesus Christ told the Samaritan woman about water that "lived" not that flowed from a stream or ran down the side of a mountain. "Living water" meant the grace of the Holy Spirit giving those who believe in our Lord Jesus and obey Him--eternal life that is they will go to Heaven.
First, the Samaritan woman thought our Lord was a great prophet or leader like Jacob whom the well was named after. She thought this because the Lord told her all the many sins she had committed. When the Samaritan woman left the well and went back to the city she told everyone, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29).
The townspeople people followed the Samaritan woman back to Jacob's well. They asked the Lord to come to their town where they stayed with the Lord and listened to His teachings for two entire days. They did not ask "how much longer was the sermon" or "when will this be over so I can have something to eat and drink". They listened very carefully to all that the Lord Jesus Christ had to say.
This was also earmarked as a great Biblical event as it was the first time our Lord Jesus admitted to being a messenger from God our Father.
On the day of Pentecost, the Samaritan woman and her five sisters (Anatolia, Phota, Photida, Paraskeva and Kyriake) were baptized. When the Samaritan woman was baptized on the day of Pentecost she took the name "Photini" which means the enlightened one. St. Photini helped to spread the Good News about the Lord. Following her baptism, she became a missionary and was known for her brave Christian teachings. She went to Carthage to spread the gospel. She would give her life and that of her children for the Lord Jesus Christ by refusing to deny the Lord Jesus and His teachings. While there, her and her family (including her two sons Victor and Josiah) were arrested, taken to Rome under Nero, imprisoned and later martyred for Christ by being thrown into a well.

The holy, incorrupt foot of St. Photini the Great Martyr is treasured by the Monastery of Iveron in Mount Athos, Greece.

Read the chapter on Saint Photini in "Christina’s True Heroes" by Maria C. Khoury

 

One craft we found from Illumination Learning was to make water bottles in honor of St. Photini's service to Jesus Christ

 We found a nice craft kit with the lesson of the Samaritan woman here:

Use a glass of water for a visual so the children can see the "living water" that flows through Christ our True God! 

 

St. Genevieve of Paris

Saint Genevieve was born of wealthy parents in Gaul (modern France) in the village of Nanterre, near Paris, around 422. Her father’s name was Severus, and her mother was called Gerontia. According to the custom of the time, she often tended her father’s flocks on Mt. Valerien.

When she was about seven years old, St. Germanus of Auxerre (July 31) noticed her as he was

St. Germanus of Auxerre

passing through Nanterre. The bishop kissed her on the head and told her parents that she would become great in the sight of God, and would lead many to salvation. After Genevieve told him that she wished to dedicate herself to Christ, he gave her a brass medal with the image of the Cross upon it. She promised to wear it around her neck, and to avoid wearing any other ornaments around her neck or on her fingers.

When it was reported that Attila the Hun was approaching Paris, Genevieve and the other nuns prayed and fasted, entreating God to spare the city. Suddenly, the barbarians turned away from Paris and went off in another direction.

Years later, when she was 15, Genevieve was taken to Paris to enter the monastic life. Through fasting, vigil and prayer, she progressed in

St. Genevieve Calming the Parisians on the
Approach of Attila by Jules-Elie Delaunay.

monasticism, and received from God the gifts of clairvoyance and of working miracles. Gradually, the people of Paris and the surrounding area regarded Genevieve as a holy vessel (2 Tim. 2:21).

St. Genevieve considered the Saturday night Vigil service to be very important, since it symbolizes how our whole life should be. “We must keep vigil in prayer and fasting so that the Lord will find us ready when He comes,” she said. She was on her way to church with her nuns one stormy Saturday night when the wind blew out her lantern. The nuns could not find their way without a light, since it was dark and stormy, and the road was rough and muddy. St Genevieve made the Sign of the Cross over the lantern, and the candle within was lit with a bright flame. In this manner they were able to make their way to the church for the service.

There is a tradition that the church which St. Genevieve suggested that King Clovis build in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul became her own resting place when she fell asleep in the Lord

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

around 512 at the age of 89. Her holy relics were later transferred to the church of St. Etienne du Mont in Paris. Most of her relics, and those of other saints, were destroyed during the French Revolution.

In the Middle Ages, St Genevieve was regarded as the patron saint of wine makers.

The tomb of St. Genevieve located in St. Etienne du Mont in Paris.

 You can also read "St. Genevieve of Paris" by Mary Xenia Fagan to older children or young adults. 

A family activity to do together to honor St. Genevieve would to assist at a food bank or collect food items to give to the poor just like she did!

Finally, bake a loaf of french bread to remember the bread that St. Genevieve gave to the hungry with your family and sing her troparion:

O Shepherdess who guardest the sheep at Nanterre against the horde of wolves and the Scourge of God, / thou dost protect the city of the Parisians. / O St Genevieve, do not forget to guard thy spiritual sheep even now, / from heaven where thou livest after death.

St. Basil the Great of Caesarea

Our father among the St. Basil the Great (ca. 330 - January 1, 379), was bishop of Caesarea, a leading churchman in the 4th century. The Church considers him a saint and one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Saints Gregory the Theologian (Gregory Nazianzus) and John Chrysostom.

Basil, Gregory the Theologian, and Basil's brother Saint Gregory of Nyssa are called the Cappadocian Fathers. The Roman Catholic Church also considers him a saint and calls him a Doctor of the Church.

St. Basil was an authority on the monastic life. He formulated the rules and regulations for the monks of his day, and these rules still prevail in most of the Christian monasteries of the world. St. Basil prepared the Divine Liturgy which we love and know so well. Although the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is used 42 Sundays a year in our Church, it is based on the slightly longer Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. St. John merely shortened the lengthy prayers and made minor alterations in other prayers. The Liturgy of St. Basil is celebrated ten times each year: during the Lenten period, Christmas Eve, and on January 1st, the anniversary of his death.

St. Basil was indeed one of the greatest pillars of the Church. He loved children and always assisted the sick and the homeless. He was the first bishop to establish orphanages and hospitals and old age homes. He first directed the attention of the Church to these unfortunate victims of society.

St. Basil's feast day is celebrated on January 1; he is also remembered on January 30 with the Three Holy Hierarchs.

St Basil is also called “the revealer of heavenly mysteries” (Ouranophantor), a “renowned and bright star,” and “the glory and beauty of the Church.” His honorable head is in the Great Lavra on Mount Athos.

In some countries it is customary to sing special carols today in honor of St. Basil. He is believed to visit the homes of the faithful, and a place is set for him at the table. People visit the homes of friends and relatives, and the mistress of the house gives a small gift to the children in places like Greece. A special bread (Vasilopita) is blessed and distributed after the Liturgy. A silver coin is baked into the bread, and whoever receives the slice with the lucky coin is said to receive the blessing of St Basil for the coming year!

Before cutting the vasilopita we first pray St. Basil’s apolytikion, and then we cross the ‘pita’ with a knife three times saying, “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and “Through the prayers of St. Basil the Great”. Then we cut the first piece for Christ, the second for Panagia (the Mother of God), and the third for St. Basil. 

You can read about the life of St. Basil the great! Take a look the these books:

Vassilopita: St. Basil and the Story of the New Year's Cake by Anna Marini (A podcast of this story can be found here).

Here is a good video of the life of St. Basil the Great given by Sr. Vassa

St. Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours

Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.

At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.

Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. St. Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.

He traveled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with St Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Matrin an exorcist. After several years of the ascetic life, St Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, St Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels, and had visions of Sts. Peter and Paul and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.

Candes

Tomb of St. Martin in the new Basilique Saint-Martin 

After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast) at Tours. 

In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of St Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during

the French Revolution, together with the relics of St Martin and St Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of St Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of St Gregory’s relics.

THE LIFE OF SAINT MARTIN (of Tours) written by Verena Smith and illustrated by Emile Probst

St. Martin is the patron saint of beggars (because of his sharing his cloak), wool-weavers and tailors (also because of his cloak), soldiers (or some emphasize infantrymen), geese (some say because they gave his hiding place away when he tried to avoid being chosen as bishop, others because their migration coincides with his feast), vintners and innkeepers (because his feast falls just after the late grape harvest), and France.

Holy Archangel Michael

The Holy Archangel Michael is one of the most celebrated of the Angels and bodiless powers; he is called the Archistrategos, or chief commander, of all the bodiless powers. According to Holy Scripture and Tradition, he has interceded for humanity multiple times and continues to serve as the Defender of the Faith. St Michael is most often invoked for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil war, and for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He is celebrated primarily on November 8, the Synaxis of Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven; September 6 also marks the miracle of the Archangel at Colossae.

Perhaps his most famous miracle is the salvation of the church at Colossae. Here a number of pagans tried to destroy this church by diverting the flow of two rivers directly into its path. However, the Archangel appeared amongst the waters, and, carrying a cross, channeled the rivers underground so that the ground the church stood on would not be destroyed. The spring which came forth after this event is said to have special healing powers.

Michael also has been associated with healing in other cases, as well as his primary role as leader of the Church Militant. He has been said to appear to Emperor Constantine the Great (d. 337) at Constantinople, to have intervened in assorted battles, and appeared, sword in hand, over the mausoleum of Hadrian, in apparent answer to the prayers of Pope St. Gregory I the Great (r. 590-604) that a plague in Rome should cease.

In Ireland, it is custom to make a "Michaelmas" pie on the feast of the Archangel Michael.

Archangel Michael is also the patron saint of police officers, military, grocers, mariners, paratroopers, and sickness.

St. Lucian the Martyr of Antioch

Saint Lucian of Antioch (c. 240 – January 7, 312), known as Lucian the Martyr, was a Christian presbyter, theologian and martyr. He was noted for both his scholarship and ascetic piety. 

At 12 years of age he was left orphaned. Lucian distributed his possessions to the poor, and went to the city of Edessa to the confessor Macarius, under the guidance of whom he diligently read Holy Scripture and learned the ascetic life. For his pious and zealous spreading of Christianity among the Jews and pagans, Lucian was made a presbyter.

In Antioch St Lucian opened a school where many students gathered. He taught them how to understand the Holy Scriptures, and how to live a virtuous life. St Lucian occupied himself with teaching, and he corrected the Greek text of the Septuagint, which had been corrupted in many places by copyists and by heretics who deliberately distorted it in order to support their false teachings. The entire Greek text of the Bible which he corrected was hidden in a wall at the time of his confession of Christ, and it was found during the lifetime of St Constantine the Great.

During the persecution of Diocletian, St Lucian was arrested and was sent to prison in Nicomedia, where for nine years he encouraged other Christians with him to remain steadfast in their confession of Christ, urging them not to fear tortures or death.

St Lucian died in prison from many terrible tortures and hunger. Before his death, he wished to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ on the Feast of Theophany. Certain Christians who visited him brought bread and wine for the Eucharist. The hieromartyr, bound by chains and lying on a bed of sharp potsherds, was compelled to offer the Bloodless Sacrifice upon his chest, and all the Christians there in prison received Communion. The next day the emperor sent people to see if 

the saint was still alive. St Lucian said three times, “I am a Christian,” then surrendered his soul to God. The body of the holy martyr was thrown into the sea, but after thirty days dolphins brought it to shore. Believers reverently buried the body of the much-suffering St Lucian.

His October feast date may be associated with the dedication of a church which was built in Antioch by St. Helena (May 21) over St Lucian’s holy relics.

St. Ciarán of Clonmacnois

Saint Ciaran (c. 516 – c. 544), also known as Kieran, who has been described as a lamp shining with the light of knowledge, was born in 512 and raised in Connacht, Ireland. His father was a builder of chariots, a carpenter. He was one of eight children, at least two of whom also embraced the religious life.Ciarán was born in around 516 in County Roscommon, Connacht, in Ireland. He had a special affinity for animals, and even had a fox for a pet. The future saint left home as a boy, driving a cow before him to pay for his keep. He went to study with St. Finnian of Clonard (December 12), and became one of the “twelve apostles to Ireland.”One story tells that he lent his copy of the Gospel of St Matthew to fellow-student St Ninnidh. When Finnian tested the class, Ciaran knew only the first half of the Gospel. The other students laughed and called him “Ciaran half-Matthew.” St Finnian silenced them and said, “Not Ciaran half-Matthew, but Ciaran half-Ireland, for he will have half the country and the rest of us will have the other half.”Stories & Legends of St. Ciarán Kieran & A Fortunate FoxOne day as Kieran was watching the cattle some distance from the home of deacon Justus, Kieran realized he was able to hear his tutor’s instruction as closely as if he were in Justus’ house. On another occasion, while

Kieran was out in the cattle pasture, a fox emerged from the forest and approached him. He treated the animal gently, so that it returned quite often. Kieran asked the fox to do him the favor of carrying his text of the Psalms back and forth between him and Justus. One day, however, the fox was overcome by hunger, and began to eat the leather straps that covered the book. While the fox was eating, a hunting party with a pack of hounds attacked him. The dogs were relentless in their pursuit, and the fox could not find shelter in any place except the cowl of Kieran’s robe. God was thus glorified twice – by the book being saved from the fox, and by the fox being saved from the hounds.

The Dun-Cow of KieranWhen it was time for Kieran to leave home for the monastery of Clonard, he asked his parents for a cow to take with him as a contribution to the community. His mother refused this request, so Kieran blessed a cow of

the herd, and the cow followed him to Clonard, accompanied by her calf. Not wishing to take both the cow and the calf, Kieran used his staff to draw a line on the ground between the animals. After that, neither the cow nor the calf would cross this line, and the calf returned home. The milk provided by Kieran’s cow was reputed to amply supply all in the monastery, as well as their guests.

Kieran Helps in a Time of FamineDuring a time of famine, when it was Kieran’s turn to carry a sack of oats to the mill in order to provide a little food for the monks, he prayed that the oats would become fine wheat. While Kieran was singing the Psalms with pure heart and mind, the single sack of oats was miraculously transformed into four sacks of the

best wheat. Kieran returned home and baked bread with this wheat, which the older monks said was the best they had ever tasted. These loaves not only satisfied their hunger, they were said to heal every sick person in the monastery who ate them.

The Vision of the Great TreeWhile in the Aran Islands with St. Enda, both monks saw the same vision of a great and fruitful tree growing on the banks of a stream in central Ireland. This tree sheltered the entire island, its fruit crossed the sea surrounding Ireland, and birds came to carry off some of that fruit to the rest of the world. Enda interpreted this vision for his friend by saying, “The great tree is you, Kieran, for you are great in the eyes of God and all

people. All of Ireland will be sheltered by the grace in you, and many will be nourished by your fasting and prayers. Go to the center of Ireland, and found your church on the banks of a stream.

A Cow Comes to Kieran’s AidA careless monk dropped Kieran’s text of the Gospels into the lake surrounding Hare Island, where it remained underwater for a long time. On a summer day when the cattle went into the lake, the strap of Kieran’s book stuck to the foot of one of the cows. When the book was retrieved, it was dry, with not a letter blurred or a page destroyed.

St Ciaran founded another monastery at Clonmacnoise on the banks of the River Shannon. Within seven months, he became ill and asked to be taken outside and laid on the ground. He looked up at the heavens and said something about the way being steep and difficult. He departed to the Lord at the young age of 33.The monastery at Clonmacnoise became one of the most important centers of learning and religious life in Ireland. Unusually, the title of abbot – which included the title "Comarba of Saint Ciarán" – at the community was not hereditary, which reflected the humble origins of its founder. It managed to survive the plunderings of the Viking raids and the Anglo-Norman wars, and was only destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in 1552. The ruins still exist, and remain a centre of civic and religious activity to this day.

The treasures of St. Ciarán's shrine were dispersed throughout the Medieval era; although the Clonmacnoise Crozier still exists and is stored in the National Museum of Ireland. 

For young children, read "Saint Ciaran: The Tale of a Saint of Ireland" by Gary D. Schmidt