And on 16th / 29th April, we have another Saint Theodora, a Russian Saint. She was of a noble family in Tver and lived in the fourteenth century. Although she desired in her youth to take up the monastic life, her parents made an advantageous match for her and she was given in marriage to Prince Andrew of Suzdal. However, the couple were not blessed with children and after thirteen years, Bassa, as her name was in the world, was widowed. She distributed all her wealth in alms and freed her serfs, and then entered the monastic life, being given the new name of Theodora. She lead an extremely ascetical life, eating only on Saturdays and Sundays, spending all night in prayer. Remembering her noble past and her exalted position in the world, she would voluntarily endure insults so that her heart would be humbled. In time she was appointed Abbess of the convent, and under her direction the sisterhood grew to number 160 nuns.

And there is another St George, the New Martyr of Ptolemais. This George was a young and devout Christian from Cyprus, who found employment with a western diplomat stationed in Ptolemais (Acre) in Palestine. He used, as part of his duties, to buy provisions from a Turkish woman and would stay to chat with her daughter. Other traders, jealous that he always bought from her, falsely accused him of having promised to become a Muslim and wishing to marry the daughter. George protested his innocence but was dragged to the judge, and when neither promises nor threats could persuade him to renounce his Faith, he was sentenced to death. He was dragged out, and as he raised his hands in prayer, the Turks riddled him with bullets and then attacked his fallen body with swords. Thereupon a miracle occurred: the sea became violently agitated as if outraged by the the cruelty inflicted upon the martyr. The waves came to wash his body of its blood. The Turks were overcome with horror and begged the Christians to remove the martyr’s body and bury him without further delay. Often they would leave the bodies of martyrs without burial for days, thinking to dishonour them in this way. Apillar of fire came and stood over St George’s tomb for three days and could be seen throughout the town. He was perfected in martyrdom in the year 1752.

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POINTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE

“We have been told that since your community joined the Synod of Resistance, you will not permit other Orthodox to attend your services. And what about being buried in the cemetery at Saint Edward’s? - A.F., - Croydon.

FORTUNATELY, you have been mis-informed. We have placed no ban on anyone coming to our church and the administration of the Orthodox Cemetery here remains unchanged. The only ban that we know of pertaining to our seeking spiritual refuge with the Synod in Resistance, is the one issued by Archbishop Mark to his followers in this country, but even that does not forbid people from being buried in the cemetery here. And, as a priest visitor from the Sourozh Diocese (MP) recently remarked, his ban applies only to his own people. Sadly, as was probably inevitable, our “change of jurisdiction” has evoked many reactions, and unfortunately, before jumping to conclusions or expressing their opinions, several people seem not to have bothered to check whether those views are in accord with the teachings of the Orthodox Church or even with the facts of the case. Yet sadly, such ill-founded opinions do gain currency. You have shown some good sense in at least checking the situation with us.