St. KalliopeCommemorated June 8
Kalliope lived in the third century during the reign of Decius, an extremely cruel emperor who was especially vicious towards Christians. Back then, being an outspoken Christian was not a smart idea if you wanted to stay alive. Kalliope was twenty-one years old and beautiful; who had many men proposing to her and wanting her for marriage. One man, a pagan, decided to blackmail her into marriage. He threatened to tell the authorities that she was a Christian if she would not marry her. Her answer was simple: she said that she would never marry a man like him, even if he converted to Christianity.
The pagan man had Kalliope arrested and spread nasty rumors around the town about her. He also mad false accusations such as treason against the state and mockery of the pagan faith. The man even paid people to falsely testify against Kalliope in court. Once in court, the man offered to drop all the charges against her if she would marry him, but Kalliope immediately refused to give in to him or the court. She proudly declared that she was a Christian, and that the entire trial was a joke. The judge sentenced her to torture and execution.
In the public square, soldiers brutally whipped and beat Kalliope. They intentionally scarred her beautiful face with branding irons, and then poured salt over the wounds. She was repeatedly asked if she would deny her faith, and each time she summoned what physical strength she had left to answer “NO!” Kalliope was a fearless young woman who had the personal courage to face the temptations of evil and overcome them victoriously by speaking and acting straight from her heart. She found her reward in Heaven on June 8.
Miraculous icon of Axion EstiCommemorated June 11
Within discussions of Orthodoxy, the Holy Mountain of Athos does get mentioned many times. It is an independent state which pledges allegiance only to Almighty God. Mt. Athos which is located on a peninsula 20 miles long and seven miles wide is off the Macedonian Coast. The monasteries there are among the oldest in Christendom; monks, hermits and holy men have lived there since the third century.
During the Byzantine Era, the total population exceeded 50,000. No women have ever been allowed on Mt. Athos, but the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, is the "Patron Saint" of Mt. Athos. In one of the monasteries there is a huge icon of the Virgin Mary which has been titled "Axion Esti", meaning 'it is worthy to bless Thee, the Virgin'. This beautiful icon was painted in the seventh century and has since graced the sacred walls of the Cathedral of Mt. Athos.
On the 11th we commemorate the anniversary of the miracle which took place in front of this icon over 1,000 years ago. During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, we hear the beautiful and inspiring hymn called "Axion Esti" which follows the prayer (as we kneel) called the "Epiklesis". This hymn was written originally in the year 720 AD by St. Cosmas, one of the greatest hymnographers of the Christian Church. The hymn, however, began with the words 'Thee that art more honorable than the Cherubim". It was well over one hundred years later that this hymn was added to the Divine Liturgy, but with an added beginning as the result of the following miraculous event:
On June 11, 980 AD, as a group of monks were conducting an all-night vigil before the icon of the Virgin Mary, they suddenly noticed a monk standing on the right of the icon whom they did not recognize. He was unknown to the monks, and no one could explain his abrupt presence. This unidentified monk began to chant the beautiful hymn written by St. Cosmas, but rather began with the words "Axion Esti os Alethos Makarizin Se Tin Theotokon", which means "It is very meet to bless Thee, Theotokos the ever blessed and most pure Virgin and Mother of God". The monk then explained to the others that he was the Archangel Gabriel and that these words should be added to the hymn. The Archangel then vanished from their sight, leaving the monks amazed at the power of God. Since that day on June 11, 980 AD, the additional words to the hymn of St. Cosmas have been sung by all Orthodox Christians around the world. The icon of the Blessed Mother Axion Esti is still venerated today in the Cathedral of Mt. Athos.
St. Aquilina Commorated June 13
Aquilina, the holy martyr, lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the third and fourth centuries. She was born and raised in Byblos, as the comely daughter of the renowned Evtolmios the magistrate. When Aquilina was fiver years old, she was baptized by the Bishop Evthalios. When she was ten, she instructed her friends of the same age, to keep away from the deception of idols. Loving Christ with all her might and soul, she taught them to take recourse in the Faith of Christ. In 298, by reason of her preaching the Gospel, she was reported Proconsul Volusian by a certain man named Nicodemos.
Therefore, the young maiden of noble soul, was brought before the governor. Upon questioning the young woman, Aquilina bravely confessed the name of Christ. Failing to shake her resolve, the pagans beat her mercilessly and rent asunder her limbs. Then the punctured her ears with flaming iron nails. Though she steadfastly endured the cruel wave of wounding and pangs, this torment caused blood to flow from her nose. Finally, Aquilina, in the prime of her youth, was sentenced to die by the sword. They struck her head off and, thus the blessed and incorrupt bride of Christ laid hold of the trophy of victory and received the unfading crown of martyrdom.
