Today our Holy Church honors the memory of the spouses of the holy martyrs Chrysanthus and Darius and through this couple reminds us that on the path to holiness there are no differences and no exceptions, for it has been proven that many of our fellow human beings, whether walking either the monastic path or married life, they have been honored to be included in the liquor of the Saints of the Church. It is enough for man to accept his personal cross with patience, love and humility.
St. Chrysanthus was the son of a pagan counselor and lived in Alexandria during the time of King Numerianus, around 285 AD. The news that he had converted to Christianity infuriated his father, who first tortured him and finally decided to forcibly marry him to a Greek pagan woman, Daria, hoping that she would persuade him to return to his father's religion.
Instead of the desired outcome for the pagan, the grace of the Holy Spirit helped Chrysanthus to lovingly and faithfully divest his wife and lead her to Baptism. Determined to walk the path of abstinence together, they devoted themselves to preaching the word of God and ministering to the poor. This development aroused the anger and envy of the pagans, who subjected the Saints to terrible tortures and martyrdom.
The holiness and awe that should govern the intramarital relationship is comparable to the relationship between Christ and the Church. Spouses are called to practice with by devotion, love, humility and patience, and by the grace of God, one can and should achieve wholeness and sanctification through the marital relationship.
We have already entered the first week of Great Lent and everything is helping us to prepare for Easter. Tonight our Church celebrates the Great Supper. It is a sequence of ancient hymns. Lord of Hosts, with us, create another helper besides Thee who is in sorrow and need.
Bishop Grigoriou of Mesaoria
St. Chrysanthus was the son of a pagan counselor and lived in Alexandria during the time of King Numerianus, around 285 AD. The news that he had converted to Christianity infuriated his father, who first tortured him and finally decided to forcibly marry him to a Greek pagan woman, Daria, hoping that she would persuade him to return to his father's religion.
Instead of the desired outcome for the pagan, the grace of the Holy Spirit helped Chrysanthus to lovingly and faithfully divest his wife and lead her to Baptism. Determined to walk the path of abstinence together, they devoted themselves to preaching the word of God and ministering to the poor. This development aroused the anger and envy of the pagans, who subjected the Saints to terrible tortures and martyrdom.
The holiness and awe that should govern the intramarital relationship is comparable to the relationship between Christ and the Church. Spouses are called to practice with by devotion, love, humility and patience, and by the grace of God, one can and should achieve wholeness and sanctification through the marital relationship.
We have already entered the first week of Great Lent and everything is helping us to prepare for Easter. Tonight our Church celebrates the Great Supper. It is a sequence of ancient hymns. Lord of Hosts, with us, create another helper besides Thee who is in sorrow and need.
Bishop Grigoriou of Mesaoria
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