May 23, St. Leo the Great

Saint Leo the Great

By Margaret Alexander

Pope Leo I stands out as the resolute champion of the faith and his courage lifted the prestige of the Holy See High. It also earned for him the title of “the Great” and he is honored by the church with the title of Doctor because of his expositions of Christian doctrine.

There are no reliable records of his birth or his early years. What is acknowledged is that he was already a deacon in Rome under Pope Celestine I and Pope Sixtus III in the 400s. He must have achieved eminence early because of his correspondence with Archbishop Cyril, who dedicated to him his treatise against Nestorius, (a bishop who was teaching falsely the doctrine that God the Divine Son and Jesus the Man were two distinct persons and that Mary was only the mother of the human person Jesus but not of the divine person Jesus with a human nature).

In 440 Pope Sixtus III died and Leo was elected to the chair of St. Peter. His consecration took place in September. He at once began to show great energy in his papal duties and set out to make the Roman Catholic Church a pattern for other Churches.  Of the 96 sermons we still have, he gave he always stressed upon the virtues of almsgiving, fasting and prayer. He also expounded the Catholic doctrine with clarity, in particular the dogma of the Incarnation, wanting to shield his flock from heresy. When a certain group started spreading the false teachings of Nestorius, Leo burned their books and banished them from Rome. He strongly preached against such errors and wrote letters of warnings to other bishops. The 143 letters he wrote illustrate his extraordinary vigilance over the church.

Once again the heresy that bishop Nestorius started continued to circulate and favored among the clergy, Leo continued to write against this and described the measures he would take if not stopped. In 448 there was another heresy starting by an abbot named Eutyches, denying the full human nature of Christ. St. Flavian wanted him excommunicated from the church and sent Leo a report. Leo wrote a letter to St. Flavian, (which is now known as Leo’s Tome), to be read at the abbot’s trial. But the council at the trial consisted of the abbot’s friends so the letter was not allowed to be read and the abbot was not condemned, but St. Flavian was.

When Pope Leo heard what had happened he declared the decisions at the trial null and void, but for St. Flavian it was too late. He was subjected to such physical violence that it caused his death. Leo wrote another letter, this time to the Emperor calling him leave to the bishops the liberty of defending the faith; neither worldly power nor terror would ever succeed in destroying it. He called him to protect the church and seek to preserve its peace that Christ in this turn may protect your Empire.

In 451 a great council of 600 bishops was held under a new Emperor. St. Flavian’s memory was vindicated and the letter Leo wrote was now read. In it he defined in no uncertain terms the Catholic Doctrine of the Incarnation and the two-fold natures of Christ, which is now accepted as the Church’s official teaching.

During this time there was another and more serious crisis happening. Attila and his Huns were raiding Greece and Germany. After that they entered Italy burning and pillaging their way to the capital. Without hesitation Leo gathered his priests and set out to confront Attila face to face. After a long exchange of words Leo somehow got them to stop their destruction and turn back.

Immediately Leo started repairing the damage and sent his priests to assist and administer alms, his trust in God never wavering. On November 10, 461 St. Leo the Great died and was laid to rest in the Vatican Basilica where his relics still remain.

The heresies of today are immense. Faith and trust in God are floundering. Whatever St. Leo was born with, we definitely need someone like him again. His courage, strength and energy of trying to right the wrongs and protecting the churches and its people from the evils of false teachings is just one of the reasons we need him today. His ability not to let despair overtake him, even in the worst of times, should be our inheritance from him. To keep fighting the good fight and keep asking God to help us when we falter in our steps. He would continue preaching the true doctrines of the church, and finding a remedy for the evils in the world. In the 21 years as Pope, St. Leo won the love and honor of the rich and poor, emperors and barbarians, clergy and lay folk alike. To say he was extraordinary is an understatement!

May 22, St. John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom

By Kate White

Saint John Chrysostom was born at Antioch around the year 347. He wasn’t born as John Chrysostom, but given his latter name years later in the “Constitution” of Pope Vigilius. The name Chrysostom comes from the Greek word chrysostomos, which means “golden mouthed.” This is a name that fits his life and gift perfectly.

His father was in the Syrian army and when he passed away, he left behind a wife of only twenty years old to raise John and his sister. His mother was a determined woman who wanted nothing but the best for her children and persevered through hardships and sent John to the best school of Antioch. John began his foundation here, learning under some of the most brilliant philosophers and orators of that time. 

A turning point in John’s life came around the year 367, when he met the Bishop Meletius. The mild, faithful example of the good Bishop captivated John in strong a manner that he started to devote himself to a religious life. After studying scripture and attending many sermons John received the Sacrament of Baptism and was commissioned a lector. But the young John yearned for more. He made prayer, manual labor and studying Sacred Scripture his focus and his occupations. It is believed that this is when his early writings began.

He then was either sent to the caves or went willingly to study, but remained there for two years and used this time to fast, pray, and study. He returned from the caves to Antioch only because his health had severely declined, after returning he resumed his task of lector in the church.

The timeline is unclear, but John was ordained a deacon by his Bishop mentor, Meletius. A few years later John was ordained a Priest and that is when John’s great gift of speaking came into full fruition. His writings and homilies spoke to the people and they listened and were greatly convicted. John could speak in a manner that the people understood and made them crave more. He spoke truth and imparted wisdom and light. His passion in his writings shined through the ages and still speaks greatly to us today. This is why he is one of the earliest Doctors of the Church.

As word spread of John’s ecclesiastical life, his name became known. The position of Patriarch of Constantinople had opened and much to John’s surprise he was nominated for that position. Worried about an uproar from the townspeople over their love for John and missing his great example, John was taken to Constantinople under the cover of night and made Bishop.

John began immediately to make great changes to the lavish lifestyles of the people. It is said that it was like John “began sweeping the stairs from the top.” He put a stop to the frequent banquets; he brought conviction and structure to the clergy, monks, and others who had committed to live a life married to Christ.

He then moved on to his “flock.” Some were displeased by John’s discipline and were offended, but for those few there were hundreds more who loved John and often his sermons were finished by great applauding from the crowds. John was well liked and honored by all classes of people. In his first year he was able to build a great hospital for the poor with money given and saved by his spreading conviction of selflessness. As the people revered John and great people respected him; a handful of leaders grew very, very jealous. After much debating, some evil underhanded behavior by some of his enemies, and two failed attempts on John’s life, his enemies succeeded in getting him exiled because he refused to worship a person as a false god. Even in a horrible exile John never gave up hope for his return. As people gave their lives in order to bring John out of exile, his enemies got nervous and moved him further. The soldiers who came to move him caused him great pain and suffering. Long marches in harsh weather, severe beatings and abuse made John take a turn for the worse. When John passed his last words were, “Glory be to God for all things.”

Saint John Chrysostom’s words and teachings live on. They have been divided into three parts, the “opuscula,” the “homilies,” and the “letters.” Saint John could be quoted all day long. His teachings on Scripture could be taught for years. To write a short essay on him is difficult because his brilliance, teachings, quotes, and passion have surpassed through the ages. His strong personal convictions should be an example of a life we are all called to live as followers of Christ and as the children of God.

The light he shined to a dark land and evil people that brought change should be an eye opener to all of us who simply blend-in with the times and go around acting like the people around us instead of changing their lives for the better and leading them to a knowledge of the one true God. If each of us could only example a small percentage of the selfless, convicted life Saint John Chrysostom lived we would bring much needed change to our homes, families, towns, cities, states and so forth.

We should be seeking the intercession of Saint John Chrysostom whenever we are in a secular place that needs the conviction of the Holy Spirit; before we go to work, school, and even church. We should live lives that encourage one another toward sanctity. 

I will leave you with this quote by Saint John Chrysostom and pray that you will be lead to read more about this great Saint God gave us as a holy example: “Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill clad. He who said: ‘This is my body’ is the same who said: ‘You saw me hungry and you gave me no food,’ and ‘Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me.’ What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger? Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the alter as well.”

May 21: St. Lawrence, Martyr

Saint Lawrence, Martyr

By Eduardo Borges 

During one of the worst times of persecution of the Church, St. Lawrence appears as a beacon of courage, faith and ultimate trust in God’s promise of the rewards of eternal life for those who love him and persevere until the end.

St. Lawrence was one of seven deacons of the Roman Church and was a faithful servant of Pope St. Sixtus II, who lived during the time of the Roman emperor Valerian (254-260). Valerian was at first friendly to the Christians but toward the end of his reign, his counselors, driven by jealousy and greed, made him believe that the Church was a powerful organization that had accumulated great wealth.

In 258 AD the emperor issued an edict, ordering bishops, priests and deacons to sacrifice to the gods. Under the same edict all Christians were forbidden to assemble in public or in private and to visit the cemeteries.  One day while celebrating the Mass in secret in the Catacombs of St. Callistus, Pope Sixtus II was surprised by the Roman soldiers and was beheaded on the spot along with six of his deacons. St. Lawrence’s life was spared for the moment.

They had been informed that he was in charge of the treasures of the Church. According to St. Ambrose’s details of his martyrdom, Lawrence was called by the Roman judge to assemble and produce the treasures of the Church. He departed at their command. When he came back, he brought with him a group of poor people replying, “Here is the treasury of the Church.”

He was immediately sentenced to be roasted alive on a gridiron.  Tradition attests that while he was being burned he said to the judge, “I am roasted enough on this side; turn me over.”

His popularity grew so strong that he was venerated as martyr and saint right after his death.

Constantine was the first to build a little oratory over his burial place. Over time it was beautified and in the fifth century Pope Sixtus III (432-40) built on top of his grave a large basilica that stands to this day. St. Lawrence’s feast day is on August 10.

I admire the courage of St. Lawrence. When Pope St. Sixtus II was slaughtered right before his eyes he did not run away from the scene, but rather he ran toward him and crying, exclaimed, “Father! Where are you going without your son? Holy priest, where are you going without your deacon?” This expression reflects with a doubt how much they loved each other, like the love of a true son for his father.  He completely forgot about himself and his total self was concerned about the well-being of his spiritual father, St Sixtus.

This is an example of the love that Jesus expects from us, when he said “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have loved one another” (Jn 13:34-35).

St. Lawrence’s heroic courage compels us to reflect about our fidelity to Christ. Would we have the courage to die for our faith? To make the ultimate sacrifice for the love of Jesus and everything that he stands for?  How many times do we trade Jesus for a little comfort or pleasure, which fades away shortly and leaves us empty as we started? Do we look at death as something so terrible and frightening that any reflections on it shall be avoided as if everything ends there? Or do we anticipate it as St. Lawrence and many other martyrs did as the portal to a life of eternal joy in heaven in communion with Jesus and the saints for all eternity? These are questions that one must ask in order to make sense about the great mystery of suffering and of life and death.

Without the hope of eternal life it is impossible to understand the meaning of suffering and the purpose of life. St. Lawrence knew exactly what this meant and even experienced joy in it. In his short encounter with St. Sixtus before he died, Sixtus prophesied that Lawrence would follow him after three days. During that period he had plenty of time to think. The devil must have tempted him greatly as he did with Jesus at the Mount of Olives before he was to suffer, but like Jesus he endured until the end. This is truly an example to us that those who trust in Jesus, the Father sends the Holy Spirit “the Counselor” to guide our passion just as he did to his Son.

May 20, St. Jerome

Saint Jerome

By Jonathan Hill

Saint Jerome, a Father of the Church, was born in 340 to 342 at Stridon, in the Roman Province of Dalmatia.  It is believed that Stridon was located in present day Slovakia or Croatia.  According to the saint, it was destroyed during his lifetime by invading Goths in 379.

Jerome traveled to Rome about 360, where he was baptized.  From there he left for the Roman city of Trier, located in present day Germany, where he engaged in theological studies.  In 373, he traveled east and settled in Antioch, an early center of Christianity, then under Roman control and now located in Turkey.  There, he was influenced by Apollinaris of Laodicea, a prominent biblical scholar of the time, and ordained a priest.  Jerome lived primitively as a desert hermit near Antioch, during which time he perfected his knowledge of Greek and began studying Hebrew, while taking extensive notes on the writings of the early Church Fathers.  Reflection, solitude, and the Word of God provided the ferment for the deepening of his Christian character.  During this period, he came to bitterly regret the sins of his youth.

After traveling to Constantinople in 380-382, where Jerome befriended Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, he traveled to Rome in 382.  By this time, with his reputation for self-discipline, self-denial and scholarship being well established, Pope Damasus engaged him as secretary and counselor.  Pope Damasus encouraged Jerome to begin a new Latin translation of the Bible.  After the Pope’s death Jerome departed Rome, as he had made many enemies who, according to historian Louis Saltet, where trying to "ruin him."  In 386, he travelled to Bethlehem, where he spent his life in asceticism and study, and sometimes in controversies related to his refutation of heresies.  In 419 or 420, he died in his cell in Bethlehem, close to the Grotto of the Nativity. 

Jerome's tremendous scholastic ability enabled him to translate biblical texts from the original Greek and Hebrew, although comparisons with previous translations formed part of his method.  He revised the four Gospels as well as a major part of the Old Testament.  His translation of the Old Testament was accomplished by referencing both the classical Greek version, known as the Septuagint, and earlier Latin translations.  Jerome's great care in translation is not just witnessed by his reliance on early renderings when later versions conflicted, but also by his respect for the order of the words of scripture, which he says are "also a mystery."  With other collaborators, he produced a translation of the bible which became known as the Vulgate, and which was officially decreed by the Council of Trent in 1546 to be the "authentic" scriptures.  According to Pope Benedict XVI, "After the recent revision, [this] continues to be the 'official' Latin text of the Church."

Saint Jerome’s scholarship went beyond translation.  He wrote many commentaries on scripture, which often included multiple opinions, "so that the shrewd reader… may judge which is the most reliable."  He contested heretics, including the Luciferians, Helvidium (who believed that Mary bore children other than Jesus), and Rufinus (a believer in the heresy of Origen).  In the opinion of Louis Saltet, Jerome's writings are "not always accurate in doctrine," and were sometimes influenced by the hastiness of his work and his temperament, which disposed him to harshly criticize his adversaries.  "His commentaries represent a vast amount of work but of very unequal value."

Jerome placed much emphasis on the importance of education, and while in Rome, he taught his scriptural method to members of the Roman aristocracy, including a number of noblewomen who had chosen him as a spiritual mentor.  At least one of these noblewomen followed him to Bethlehem, where male and female monasteries were founded through her patronage.  In contrast with the tendency of his time, Jerome considered "the promotion of women" to be vital, as well as their right to "a complete formation: human, scholastic, religious, professional."  Jerome considered every soul a "very precious gem," and insisted on the need to form every soul into "the temple of the Lord."  He gave detailed exhortations on the raising of children.

A hallmark of Saint Jerome was that he believed reflection on the written word of God is necessary for perfecting our relationship with Jesus.  He famously stated, "Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ."  Jerome understood that the scriptures contain a personal message for all, but he also understood the danger of becoming too individualistic when interpreting them, as the scriptures were written to bring a message that fosters a holy unity and communion of mankind.  Jerome stated that scriptural interpretation always requires "the help of the Holy Spirit," and his interpretation of scripture indicated that the Holy Spirit works through the teaching authority of the apostolic Church.  Jerome would have refuted the 16th century "reformers," as he recognized "with Saint Peter's See. I know that on this rock the Church is built."  He also declared, "I am with whoever is united to the teaching of Saint Peter."  It is instructive that the man who epitomized scriptural scholarship, would have strongly opposed the many distortions that are advanced in the name of "the Bible."

While Jerome valued the acquisition of scriptural knowledge, he considered conformity with The Word in daily life indispensable.  He exhorted, "May your actions never be unworthy of your words… in the priest of Christ the mind and words must harmonize."  In another case, he wrote, "Even if we possess a splendid doctrine, the person who feels condemned by his own conscience remains disgraced."

Jerome would have decried today's lapse of classical education, as this distances a person from critical sources of knowledge.  The testimony of Canon Law, which specifies that seminary students are to be "well versed in Latin" (canon 249), affirms his outlook.  Nevertheless, St. Jerome's life evokes more than the value of scholarship, but also the importance of keeping busy in doing Our Lord's work; this brief synopsis barely begins to describe his many pious undertakings. 

May 19, St. Joan of Arc

Saint Joan of Arc

By Angella Babineau

Are we willing to live and die for the unique inner voice of our conscience – when it has been properly formed by Christ and His Church – or do we prefer to win in the world by silent complicity with evil? This is a question that all Catholics should be asking themselves on a daily basis. It is this very question that Joan of Arc asked herself and answered with the sacrifice of her own life.

Joan was born into a peasant family in the town of Domrémy, France, on the feast of the Epiphany in 1412. As a young teenager she began to experience supernatural manifestations, which were to lead her through the path of patriotism to death at the stake. At first it was a single voice addressing her, apparently from nearby, accompanied by a blaze of light.  Afterwards, as the voices increased in number, she was able to see her interlocutors whom she identified as St. Michael, St. Catherine, St. Margaret and others. During this time she mentioned the visions to no one, persevering in prayer and growing in wisdom and grace. Only very gradually did they unfold her mission; to lead the king’s army into battle, to make sure the Dauphin was crowned king, and to drive out the English. Aware of her mission, Joan went to the general of the French forces only to be laughed at. She returned home upset telling the voices that she could neither ride nor fight, but they reassured her saying, “It is God who will command the army.” With renewed assurance of God’s Will for her, she approached the general, and convinced of her sincerity, he led Joan to the Dauphin. The Dauphin disguised himself as a servant in a crowd, but by divine inspiration she recognized him although she had never seen him before. This incident opened his eyes to see that it was God leading Joan, so he gave her his full confidence and trust. Through her humble obedience Our Lord opened the way to her mission.

With the removal of what seemed to be her final obstacle Joan was made commander of the French forces. But this was no easy task. She needed to gain the trust of her comrades on the battlefield. These rough and rugged men would have to get used to receiving orders from a young maiden. Again Joan found her strength in prayer. She went to the only One powerful enough to fill her with the wisdom and strength she needed to lead this group of warriors. They soon realized that the physical appearance of their leader was no longer a factor. She was their guide and confidante not only in the matters of war, but also in the matters of spiritual life. She taught them that in order to win any battle they must first be in the state of grace. Their primary commitment would be to pray and go to confession before heading out to the battlefield. Under her leadership the army was able to drive away the English and liberate the city of Orleans.

Now that the victory was won nothing could stand in Joan’s way of having the Dauphin crowned king. During this last phase of her mission she was sold by her own countrymen to the English enemy. Once the English had her in their hands execution was inevitable. Though they could not condemn Joan to death for defeating them on the battlefield, they could sentence her as a witch and a heretic. Joan was a soldier loyal to her country, but she was first of all Christ’s faithful soldier and was willing to surrender all for His glory. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that the voices were from Him and she would not allow herself to be intimidated by her accusers no matter what tortures they threatened her with. If St. Joan of Arc were here today she would be encouraging us never to allow ourselves to fall under the pressure of those trying to push their evil agendas. We, at Confirmation, are also given the same mission: to become “soldiers of Christ” in His Church Militant here on earth. Her message to us today would be to stand up in the face of opposition. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, weak or strong, of higher or lower education – when your conscience is right, it’s RIGHT!

Joan gave us the blueprints of what it is to be a believer of the Catholic Faith and to die for it. Once she understood that the voices she heard were from God, Joan bravely obeyed them. We often learn God’s Will for us from the voices of our parents and guardians and through faithful daily prayer. Like St. Joan of Arc, let us always try to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.

May 18, St. Nicholas of Bari

Saint Nicholas of Bari

By Melissa Pimentel

Saint Nicholas was born of Greek heritage in Asia Minor during the third century (around 270 AD) in the city of Patara, which was a port on the Mediterranean Sea.  He lived in Myra, Lycia (part of modern day Turkey) when the region was Greek in its heritage and culture and was part of the Roman diocese of Asia.  He was the only son of wealthy Christian parents named Epiphanius and Johanna according to some accounts and Theophanes and Nonna according to others.  Nicholas was very religious from a young age.  His parents died from an epidemic while he was still young.  They left him well off and he was determined to devote his inheritance to works of charity.  An opportunity soon arose when a citizen of Patara who had three daughters to support lost all of his money.  The daughters couldn’t find husbands due to their poverty so their father was going to give them over to prostitution.  When Nicholas heard of this he took a bag of gold and, undercover, threw it into an open window at the man’s house.  It was a dowry for the eldest girl and she was soon married.  As time went on Nicholas did the same for the second and then the third daughter.  The last time the father was watching.  He recognized Nicholas and was overwhelmed with gratitude.  He kissed his feet and said, “Nicholas, why dost thou conceal thyself from me?  Though art my helper and he who has delivered my soul and my daughters’ from hell.”  

After his parents died his uncle, who was also named Nicholas, raised Saint Nicholas.  His uncle was the bishop of Patara and was the person who ordained him priest and appointed him abbot of a monastery.  St. Nicholas followed the words of our Lord, "lay up treasure for yourself in Heaven," by praying every day, by fasting, and by performing good deeds.  God was so pleased that He worked many miracles through Nicholas.  People began to call him a “wonderworker”.  They were so inspired by his life of service to others that many of them, too, began to lead holy lives filled with good deeds.

He had a reputation for gift giving such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, thus becoming the model for Santa Claus.  A church in Myra had fallen vacant and Saint Nicholas was chosen bishop.  In that station he became famous by his extraordinary piety and many miracles.  He suffered imprisonment of faith and made a glorious confession in the latter part of the persecution.

The clergy and people of the province were in session to elect a new bishop.  St. Nicholas was indicated by God as the man they should choose.  This was at the time of the persecutions at the beginning of the fourth century and, “As he was the chief priest of the Christians of this town and preached the truths of faith with a holy liberty, the divine Nicholas was seized by the magistrates, tortured, then chained and thrown into prison with many other Christians.  When religious Constatine, chosen by God, assumed the imperial diadem of the Romans, the prisoners were released from their bonds and with them Nicholas, who then returned to Myra.”

He was the guardian of his people in temporal affairs as well.  The governor Eustathius had taken a bribe to condemn to death three innocent men.  At the time fixed for their execution Nicholas came to the place, stayed the hands of the executioner, and released the prisoners. Then he turned to Eustathius and did not cease to reproach him until he admitted his crime and expressed his penitence.  There were three imperial officers present who were on their way to duty in Phrygia.  Later, when they were back again in Constantinople, the jealousy of Ablavius caused them to be imprisoned on false charges and an order for their death was procured from the Emperor Constantine.  When the officers heard this they remembered the example they had witnessed of the powerful love of justice of the Bishop of Myra and they prayed to God that through his merits and by his instrumentality they might yet be saved.  That night, St. Nicholas appeared in a dream to Constantine and told him with threats to release the three innocent men.  Ablavius experienced the same thing.  In the morning they compared notes and the condemned men were summoned and questioned. When Constantine heard that they had called on the name of Nicholas of Myra who had appeared to him, Constantine set them free.  He sent them to the Bishop with a letter asking him not to threaten him any more but to pray for the peace of the world.  For a long time this was the most famous miracle of St. Nicholas, and at the time of St. Methodius was the only thing generally known about him.

Saint Nicholas is said to be just about everyone's saint.  He is surely named the patron saint of more causes than any other saint.  Nicholas has been chosen as the special protector or guardian of a great many classes of people, cities, churches, and even countries.  Patron saints have lived a life that is a worthy example of how to faithfully follow Jesus Christ and, as part of the communion of saints; they intercede on behalf of those who call upon them.

In the West Nicholas is most widely known as the patron saint of children.  Many of his stories tell of children rescued from calamity and returned to the care and keeping of their families.  In France the most familiar story, both told and sung, is of three little children lured into the clutches of an evil butcher and rescued by St. Nicholas.  Other stories, as well, tell of children who disappeared, were kidnapped, fell into a well, or suffered some other disaster all to be delivered through the good offices of St. Nicholas.  These accounts of a child forcibly taken from parents, followed by a time of grieving and despair, then the miraculous return of the child, have profound and universal appeal.  This makes Nicholas the much-valued Guardian of Children.  It is no wonder he is the beloved patron saint of children.

St. Nicholas is one of the most popular and well-known saints in history.  It is the image of St. Nicholas more often than that of any other that is found on Byzantine seals.  In the later middle ages nearly four hundred churches were dedicated in his honor in England alone and he is said to have been represented by Christian artists more frequently than any saint except Our Lady.  St. Nicholas is venerated as the patron saint of several classes of people, especially in the East of sailors, and in the West of children.  The first of these patronages is probably due to the legend that during his lifetime, he appeared to storm tossed mariners who invoked his aid off the coast of Lycia and brought them safely to port.  Sailors in the Aegean and Ionian seas, following a common Eastern custom, had their ‘star of St. Nicholas’ and wished one another a good voyage in the phrase, "May St. Nicholas hold the tiller.”  

Curiously enough the greatest popularity of St. Nicholas is found neither in the eastern Mediterranean nor north-western Europe, great as that was, but in Russia.  Among the Greeks and Italians he is a favorite of sailors, fishermen, ships and sailing.  As such he has become over time the patron saint of several cities maintaining harbors.  In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea.”  In modern Greece, he is still easily among the most recognizable saints and December 6 finds many cities celebrating their patron saint.  He is also the patron saint of all of Greece.

On the eve of his feast day, Albanians will light a candle and abstain from meat, preparing a feast of roasted lamb and pork, to be served to guests after midnight.  Guests will greet each other saying, “Nata e Shen'Kollit ju nihmoftë!” (“May the Night of Saint Nicholas help you!”)  St. Nicholas died on December 6, 343 AD and was buried in his Episcopal city of Myra.  By the time of Justinian there was a basilica built in his honor at Constantinople.  An anonymous Greek wrote in the tenth century, "the West as well as the East acclaims and glorifies him.  Wherever there are people, in the country and the town, in the villages, in the isles, in the furthest parts of the earth, his name is revered and churches are built in his honor.  Images of him are set up, panegyrics preached and festivals celebrated.  All Christians, young and old, men and women, boys and girls, reverence his memory and call upon his protection.  His favors, which know no limit of time and continue from age to age, are poured out over all the earth; the Scythians know them, as do the Indians and the barbarians, the Africans as well as the Italians.”  In 1087 his relics were translated to Bari, in Italy, and for this reason he is also known as Nikolaos of Bari.  The great veneration with which St. Nicholas has been honored for many ages and the number of altars and churches that have been dedicated in his memory everywhere are testimonials to his holiness and of the glory that he enjoys with God.  

I believe that St. Nicholas teaches us how to be better people and give more to others who are in greater need.  I believe he teaches us the importance of protecting the people who are unable to protect themselves and look out for one another.  He teaches us that if we do what is right and just then others will follow our lead.  He teaches us to always have faith and to always trust in the Lord.

May 17, St. Martin of Tours

Saint Martin of Tours

By Giovanni Depina-Alves

St Martin of Tours was born in 317 in Savaria, Pannonia. He was raised in Northern Italy by both of his parents. When he was 10 he began going to a Christian church against his parent’s wishes.  Christianity had just been made a legal religion a few years before, and his parents had not exactly believed in the religion. Though he was just learning the ways of the church, and even became a candidate for baptism, he wanted to go traveling with his father to Italy with him.

He then grew up in Rome with his father. By the time he was fifteen, he was required to join the Roman Calvary. At first he was a little uneasy because he wasn’t sure he wanted to be a Roman soldier, but at the same time he was not sure what he wanted to be and joined. He was stationed in what we now know as France. During his breaks, Martin would go around and help the poor and tell as many people of Jesus Christ as he could.

One of the most famous stories of St Martin of Tours was the story with the ragged beggar. One night while riding near the city gates, he noticed a ragged beggar cold and shivering beneath a tree. No one had stopped to help him and he felt bad. So since he had nothing to give him, cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. Later that night when Martin was asleep, he had a dream and Jesus was wearing the exact piece of his cloak that he had cut.

He also heard Jesus say to the angels in his dream "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized; he has clad me." Not too long after Martin was baptized at the age of eighteen. After his baptism his time in the Calvary only lasted two more years when the Romans would go to fight against Germany. Due to his faith, he told his superiors that he was a soldier of Christ and that he could not fight. After that he was thrown in jail and charged with cowardice as well as being discharged from the military.

When he was set free, He left to a place called tours and became the disciple of the Trinitarian Christian Hilary of Poitiers. But soon Hilary was exiled from Poitiers and Martin went on his way back to Italy, and became a hermit. In Italy he had even founded a community of monks. As soon as he was all settled he had begun to become famous around that area due to his holiness. The people in the area had begun demanding that martin was to be the bishop of tours even martin himself was against the idea.

He felt as if becoming the bishop would keep him from being united with God. So the people tricked Martin to enter the city, go to the church, and was asked once again to become the bishop. By this time he realized it must be the will of God and said yes. Even though he thought it might have, becoming the bishop didn’t change martin at all. He lived just as simple, and treated himself just the same.

One day while walking, he saw some people mistreating a man with leprosy. So he went up to the sick man, hugged him, and said, “Jesus is suffering in you my friend.” Another time he saw a group of people chained and was waiting to be beheaded the next day because they could not pay the taxes they owed to Count Avititus. Martin soon hurried to the counts palace, but the gates were locked and everyone was asleep because it was night. So he knelt and prayed to God to save the innocent from such cruel death. While asleep Count Avititus and dreamed of an angel telling Avititus to rise and that a servant of our Lord is waiting for you outside the palace.

When he exited the palace he saw Martin there at the gate and Martin told him, “Come and free the poor people you have sentenced to such a cruel death. Forgive their trespasses and God will forgive yours.” The Count gave in and set them all free. When St Martin had died all the cold and gloomy things of November had just disappeared, and for 3 days, everything was as bright and as beautiful as the summer.

Though He was human and made mistakes just as we do, St. Martin of Tours shows us a few things that we should notice. He showed us to have humility, especially to those who are poor, and weak, and cannot fend for themselves. He also showed us not to be ashamed of our religion, and even when others put us down to keep our religion and our head up high and keep moving.

If St. Martin of Tours were to come to tell us something today, I believe that he would say something along the lines of, “Do not be afraid to help others and be humble. Don’t let what others think of you influence your decisions. Finally, do you what you know is right and what God would want you to do, and don’t let the devil tell you otherwise.”