I have finished my first day of the Apostles' Fast with about 27 days or so to go. I won't lie, it was a little rough. Because I am the only Orthodox in my family (although I am not technically Orthodox yet, I'm one pursuing entry into the Church), I am the only fasting. It was quite disheartening to peer into the fridge to try to find something that was "fast friendly" as I like to call it. But luckily, I went to my local Kroger store and found some ethnic Japanese food which is very "fast friendly." I bought some miso soup, soba noodles, tempura batter and hopefully we will have some sake tomorrow as well, which will be nice after a long day. I guess tomorrow will be Japanese night in my house! Interestingly enough, I found something strange on sale in the organic foods section. Instead of getting soy milk (which apparently isn't the best thing for men to drink), I saw "almond milk." It was $2 for a liter, so I decided to try it. Surprise, surprise, it's actually pretty good. It has a very sweet taste. I suppose I can get used to it until the fast is over and I can return to regular milk. :D
Today is the fest of Saint Nicephoros the Confessor (on the Old Calendar). I have pulled some information about him from the Menologion.
He was born in Constantinople in the second half of the VIII Century. Deep faith and preparation for the deed of confessor were instilled in him by his parents, Theodore and Eudocia. They gave their son a genuine Christian upbringing, reinforced by the example of their own life. His father suffered as a confessor of Orthodoxy under the Iconoclast emperor Constantine Copronymos (740-775). His mother, having shared in all the tribulation with her husband, followed him into exile, and after his death she returned to Constantinople and finished her life in a convent. Saint Nicephoros received a fine secular education, but most of all he studied the Holy Scriptures and he read spiritual books.
During the reign of Leo IV (775-780), Saint Nicephoros received the position of imperial counselor. Situated at the imperial court, he continued to lead a strict and virtuous life, he firmly preserved the purity of his Orthodox faith and zealously defended the veneration of holy icons. After the death of Leo IV, during the reign of Constantine VI (780-797) and his mother Saint Irene, -- at Nicea in the year 787 was convened the VII OEcumenical Council, which condemned the Iconoclast heresy. Being deeply knowledgeable in the Holy Scriptures, Saint Nicephoros in the emperor's name entered into the Council in the defense of Orthodoxy, by which he rendered great assistance to the holy fathers of the Council.
After the Council, Saint Nicephoros remained for several years at court, but the whole life of vanity all more and more became burdensome to the saint. He retired his position and settled in solitude near the Bosphorus, spending his life in scholarly work, and in quietude, fasting and prayer. Saint Nicephoros built a church, founded a monastery, and led a strict monastic life even before taking monastic vows.
During the reign of emperor Nicephorus I (802-811), and after the death of the holy Patriarch Tarasios (784-806), Saint Nicephoros was chosen to his place: he received monastic vows and the priestly dignity and was elevated to the patriarchal throne on 12 April 806, on the day of holy Pascha.
Under the emperor Leo V the Armenian (813-820), -- a passionate adherent of the Iconoclast heresy, there again began for the Church a period of unrest and persecutions. The emperor was not immediately able to begin open persecution against Orthodoxy, since Iconoclasm was condemned at the VII OEcumenical Council. The holy Patriarch continued to serve in the Great church, bolding urging the people to preserve the Orthodox faith, and he led the consequent and unremitting struggle with heresy. The emperor began to recall from exile the bishops and clergy, excommunicated from the Church by the VII OEcumenical Council. Having convened with them an heretical council, the emperor demanded that the Patriarch appear for a dispute about the faith. The Patriarch refused to argue about the faith with heretics, since the teachings of the Iconoclasts were already condemned in the anathema of the VII OEcumenical Council. He endeavoured all the more to bring the emperor and those around him to their senses, he fearlessly explained to the people the teaching about the veneration of holy icons, he wrote admonitions to the empress and to the city-governor Eutykhianos, the closest one to the imperial dignity, attaching at the end the prophetic words about a quick perishing of heretics from "the punishing hands of the Lord". Then the heretical council passed an excommunication of holy Patriarch Nicephoros and his predecessors -- the blessedly-reposing Patriarchs Tarasios and Germanos. Saint Nicephoros was sent at first to a monastery at Chrysopolis, and later -- to the island Prokonnis in the Sea of Marmara. After 13 years of deprivation and sorrow the holy Patriarch Nicephoros died in exile on 2 June 828.
On 13 March 847 the undecayed relics of the holy Patriarch Nicephoros, having lain in the ground for 19 years, were solemnly transferred to Constantinople into the cathedral church of Saint Sophia.
Saint Nicephoros was outstanding as a church activist of his times, "a credit to his era and his chair (cathedra)" and, having much served the Church, he left behind an extensive spiritual legacy -- numerous works of historical, dogmatic and canonical content.
In his homily the other day, my priest was talking about how reading even a little bit of the lives of the Saints can be of inspiration to help us continue "in the race." It certainly reminds me of how little I am and how I must continue to strive in virtue and working out my theosis.
I have a job interview tomorrow, so please pray for me that it will go well and I will get the job. I'm in desperate need of employment, because I cannot pay for college without money. I will do my best to update tomorrow on how things went and obviously on some Orthodoxy (that's what this blog is for, isn't it?). Until then, take care and God bless!
In Christ,
Andrew
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