{"id":145,"date":"2022-11-19T15:01:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-19T20:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordtest\/?page_id=145"},"modified":"2023-08-03T15:47:41","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T20:47:41","slug":"our-patron","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/our-patron\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Patron"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is a Patron Saint?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Particular Orthodox Churches are dedicated to a specific patron, who we commemorate at each service as an example of the living the Christian life and through whom the light of Christ has shined brightly in our world. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sometimes, individual churches will be dedicated to the Holy Trinity (such as Holy Trinity Orthodox Church<\/a> in Ashburn, VA), to Jesus Christ (Christ the Savior Cathedral<\/a> in Miami, FL), or to the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit Orthodox Church<\/a> in Venice, FL), or to a great feast of the Lord (Nativity of the Lord Orthodox Church<\/a> in Shreveport, LA, Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church<\/a> in Raleigh, NC, Holy Ascension Orthodox Church<\/a> in Charleston, SC, or Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church<\/a> in Clinton, MS). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Churches are also named after the many saints produced in all times and all places, from the Prophets <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria (6th Century)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Troparion \u2014 Tone 8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By endurance you gained your reward, venerable Father; \/ you persevered in prayer unceasingly; \/ you loved the poor and provided for them in all things. \/ Blessed John the Merciful, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kontakion \u2014 Tone 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You distributed your wealth to the poor \/ and in return obtained wealth from heaven, John the Merciful. \/ Therefore, we honor you and celebrate your memory, O namesake of mercy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Life of St. John the Merciful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, was born on Cyprus in the seventh century into the family of the illustrious dignitary Epiphanius. At the wish of his parents he entered into marriage and had children. When the wife and the children of the saint died, he became a monk. He was zealous in fasting and prayer, and had great love for those around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His spiritual exploits won him honor among men, and even the emperor revered him. When the Patriarchal throne of Alexandria fell vacant, the emperor Heraclius and all the clergy begged Saint John to occupy the Patriarchal throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The saint worthily assumed his archpastoral service, concerning himself with the moral and dogmatic welfare of his flock. As patriarch he denounced every soul-destroying heresy, and drove out from Alexandria the Monophysite Phyllonos of Antioch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He considered his chief task to be charitable and to give help all those in need. At the beginning of his patriarchal service he ordered his stewards to compile a list of all the poor and downtrodden in Alexandria, which turned out to be over seven thousand men. The saint ordered that all of these unfortunates be provided for each day out of the church\u2019s treasury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twice during the week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, he emerged from the doors of the patriarchal cathedral, and sitting on the church portico, he received everyone in need. He settled quarrels, helped the wronged, and distributed alms. Three times a week he visited the sick-houses, and rendered assistance to the suffering. It was during this period that the emperor Heraclius led a tremendous army against the Persian emperor Chosroes II. The Persians ravaged and burned Jerusalem, taking a multitude of captives. The holy Patriarch John gave a large portion of the church treasury for their ransom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The saint never refused suppliants. One day, when the saint was visiting the sick, he met a beggar and commanded that he be given six silver coins. The beggar changed his clothes, ran on ahead of the Patriarch, and again asked for alms. Saint John gave him six more silver coins. When, however, the beggar sought charity a third time, and the servants began to chase the fellow away, the Patriarch ordered that he be given twelve pieces of silver, saying, \u201cPerhaps he is Christ putting me to the test.\u201d Twice the saint gave money to a merchant that had suffered shipwreck, and a third time gave him a ship belonging to the Patriarchate and filled with grain, with which the merchant had a successful journey and repaid his obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint John the Merciful was known for his gentle attitude towards people. Once, the saint was compelled to excommunicate two clergymen for a certain time because of some offense. One of them repented, but the other fellow became angry with the Patriarch and fell into greater sins. The saint wanted to summon him and calm him with kind words, but it slipped his mind. When he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the saint was suddenly reminded by the words of the Gospel: \u201cIf you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar … first, be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift\u201d (Mt. 5:23-24). The saint came out of the altar, called the offending clergyman to him, and falling down on his knees before him in front of all the people he asked forgiveness. The cleric, filled with remorse, repented of his sin, corrected himself, and afterwards was found worthy to be ordained to the priesthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a time when a certain citizen insulted George, the Patriarch\u2019s nephew. George asked the saint to avenge the wrong. The saint promised to deal with the offender so that all of Alexandria would marvel at what he had done. This calmed George, and Saint John began to instruct him, speaking of the necessity for meekness and humility. Then he summoned the man who insulted George. When Saint John learned that the man lived in a house owned by the church, he declared that he would excuse him from paying rent for an entire year. Alexandria indeed was amazed by such a \u201crevenge,\u201d and George learned from his uncle how to forgive offenses and to bear insults for God\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint John, a strict ascetic and man of prayer, was always mindful of his soul, and of death. He ordered a coffin for himself, but told the craftsmen not to finish it. Instead, he would have them come each feastday and ask if it was time to finish the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint John was persuaded to accompany the governor Nicetas on a visit to the emperor in Constantinople. While on his way to visit the earthly king, he dreamed of a resplendent man who said to him, \u201cThe King of Kings summons you.\u201d He sailed to his native island of Cyprus, and at Amanthos the saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord (616-620).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>: OCA Homepage – Nov 12 – St. John the Merciful<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One Church in all times and all places.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The most popular patron saint for Orthodox Churches is the Virgin Mary<\/strong>, the Mother of God, who we Orthodox call by the Greek name Theotokos<\/a> (\u0398\u03b5\u03bf\u03c4\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2, literally meaning “she who gave birth to God”). In our Diocese of the South, you will find several churches based off of the Feasts of the Theotokos, such as Nativity of the Holy Theotokos Orthodox Church<\/a> in Charlotte, NC or Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Mission<\/a> in Clarkesville, TN. You will also find many churches dedicated to the Apostles and Disciples of Christ<\/strong>, both individually (Such as our mother church St. Stephen the Protomartyr Orthodox Church<\/a> in Longwood, FL, St. Matthew the Apostle Orthodox Mission<\/a> in Baton Rouge, LA, St. Mark Orthodox Church<\/a> in Bradenton, FL, or St. Paul the Apostle Mission<\/a> in Denison, TX) or collectively (Holy Apostles Orthodox Church<\/a> in Columbia, SC). You will also find churches dedicated to the Fathers of the early Church<\/strong> such as St. Athanasius Orthodox Church<\/a> in Lexington, KY, St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church<\/a> in Jacksonville, FL, St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church<\/a> in Greenville, SC, or St. Nicholas Orthodox Church<\/a> in Fort Lauderdale, FL. You’ll also see new churches established with 20th century saints<\/strong> as patrons, such as St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church<\/a> in Inverness, FL, St. Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission<\/a> in Cleveland, TN, or St. Innocent of Alaska Orthodox Church<\/a> in Macon, GA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church<\/a> in Greenville, SC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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St. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Church<\/a>, Pharr, TX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Christ the Savior Orthodox Cathedral<\/a>, Miami FL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Holy Apostles Orthodox Church<\/a>, Columbia, SC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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St. Innocent of Alaska Orthodox Church<\/a> in Macon, GA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The richness of the Church throughout time and space can be seen not only in the ancient hymns and iconography of our worship but also in the way our churches are dedicated to saints all over the world through twenty centuries of undivided Christian witness. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is a Patron Saint? Particular Orthodox Churches are dedicated to a specific patron, who we commemorate at each service as an example of the living the Christian life and through whom the light of Christ has shined brightly in our world. Sometimes, individual churches will be dedicated to the Holy Trinity (such as Holy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-145","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":588,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions\/588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxorlando.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}