The Shepherd, March 2005
THE COMING MONTH
IN THIS ISSUE, we have included quotes from the Fathers on confession, teaching on the significance of Great Lent, and the article above on the lenten services. So, while recognising that Great Lent begins on the first day of March according to the Church calendar, and that the whole month falls with Lent, let us, in the the space we have, just consider the Saints we celebrate in the month.
For us at Brookwood, of course, one of the most important of these is Saint Edward the Martyr, who was slain on 18th March (Julian Calendar), and whose feast on that day, like the one in September, we celebrate with a Vigil, although, as the day falls on a weekday within Lent this year, on it we have a Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts rather than a full Liturgy - see Calendar insert.
Among the many other March Saints, we have:
Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (11th / 24th), was born in Damascus and, such was his parents position in life, that he was given a brilliant education. In his youth, he journeyed around the holy places and visited the monasteries, and finally settled in the Monastery of St Theodosius the Great in Palestine. He contested against the heresies of the Monophysites (non-Chalcedonians, who accept only three Œcumenical Councils) and the Monothelites (those who believed that Christ had two natures but only one will and so was not both perfect God and perfect man). For his zeal for the Faith Saint Sophronius was elected Patriarch of the Holy City in 634 A.D. As Patriarch he wisely tended his flock and continued his contest against the heretics. Two years after his elevation to the Patriarchate, Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslims who greatly oppressed the Christians, on whose behalf the holy one laboured. He fervently prayed to the Lord that his earthly course might come to an end, so that he should not see his fellow Christians suffer so greatly nor see the holy places desecrated. In 644 A.D., his prayer was answered and he peacefully gave his soul into the hands of the Lord. Several of his writings are extant, including a General Epistle, an explanation of the Liturgy, the lives of various saints (including, of course, that of St Mary of Egypt), as well as liturgical works: an order for the Royal Hours at Christmas, that for the Greater Blessing of Waters at Theophany, a number of the three-oded canons used in the lenten period, and various hymns for the Resurrection and Ascension of the Saviour.
The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria (19th March / 1st April): St Chrysanthus was a the son of an eminent Alexandrian, who settled in Rome in the reign of the Emperor Numerian. Through his studies as a youth Chrysanthus converted to Christianity, and this greatly distressed his father, who first promised him riches and pleasures if he would forsake his new-found Faith, and, when that failed, imprisoned him and starved him. Seeing that spiritually he was thus strengthened and used his imprisonment and starvation as an exercise in reclusion and fasting, his father decided that he would tempt him by a life of pleasure. He had him confined in a luxurious apartment with a company of beautiful girls, who were instructed to overwhelm him with their kisses and caresses. However the young saint continued his prayers and resisted temptation. His father realised that he was not going to conquer his resolve with such crude temptations, and instead introduced him to a young and beautiful virgin from Athens, who was personable, intelligent and learned in philosophy (according to some accounts, she was a priestess of the idols). Her name was Daria, but rather than lure Chrysanthus from his Christian convictions she was herself converted by his teachings and admonitions. They resolved to agree to be married to please Chrysanthus’ father, but to live together as brother and sister. Instead they devoted themselves to spreading the Christian Gospel among the young people in Rome. For this they came to the notice of the authorities and were arrested. For refusing to offer sacrifice to the idol of Jupiter, they were handed over to the tribune Claudius and put to torture. However, seeing their steadfastness and the wonders worked through their prayers, Claudius, his wife Hilaria and their sons were converted and died later as martyrs. Chrysanthus was confined to a dungeon and Daria was commanded to serve in a brothel. However, in prison Chrysanthus was comforted by an inexpressible light and fragrance, and the Lord sent a lion to guard Daria from defilement, although the saint persuaded the lion not to seriously harm the shameful men who came to use her. Hearing that she was guarded in this way, the authorities ordered that her apartment be set on fire, and knowing that the lion would be hurt, the saint sent him away and prepared for her final contest. Both saints were again put to torture and finally they were thrown into a pit which was filled with rocks and earth, and so they were buried alive. On the anniversary of their martyrdom, the priest Diodorus, the deacon Marianus and some Christians gathered at this pit to pray and celebrate the memory of the saints. Learning of this, Numerian ordered that the mouth of the cave in which the pit was to be found be sealed up so that they be immured. They continued their festal Liturgy, received the Holy Gifts and consoled themselves as they awaited their death, in which they were joined with Chrysanthus and Daria and the others in the Heavenly Kingdom. 
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