November 30 / November 17

1. Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neo-Caesarea

This man of God and powerful wonderworker was called a second Moses. Gregory was born of pagan, but eminent and wealthy, parents. He studied Hellenic and Egyptian philosophy and became aware of the meagerness and insufficiency of pagan philosophy. He then turned to Chris- tian teachers, particularly Origen of Alexandria, with whom he studied for several years and from whom he received baptism. Pure in body and soul, he wanted to dedicate himself solely to Christ God, for which reason he withdrew to the wilderness, where he spent much time in rigorous asceticism. His fame spread everywhere. Bishop Phaedimus of Amasea wanted to consecrate him Bishop of Neocaesarea. The clairvoyant Gregory per- received Phaedimus’s intention and hid from the bishop’s emissaries in the wilderness. Finally, Phaedimus consecrated him in a strange way, and Gregory had to ac- accept the office of bishop. The Most-holy The- otokos and St. John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision, and St. John, at the command of the Theotokos, gave him the Symbol of Faith that is known by Gregory’s name. Who can enumerate all the miracles of this second Moses? He had power over evil spirits, and over mountains and waters, healed every pain and infirmity, could become invisible to his persecutors, and clairvoyantly perceived distant events and men’s thoughts. He ended his earthly life in the year 270, in great old age. When he arrived in Neocaesarea as bishop, he found only seventeen Christians in that pagan city. When he departed this life, he left the city Christian, with only seventeen pagans, and received the wreath of glory from his Lord in the Heavenly Kingdom.

2.  The Venerable Nikon of Radonezh

Nikon was a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and his successor as abbot. When barbarians attacked Russia, Nikon prayed to God to remove this misfortune from the Russian people. Then St. Sergius appeared to him with St. Peter and St. Alexis (the reposed Metropolitans of Moscow) and told him not to grieve, for the assault was by God’s permission and was for their good, but would pass and peace would reign once more. Nikon renovated the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and served as an example to many of asceticism. He entered into rest on November 17, 1426.

3. The Venerable Gennadius of Vatopedi

Gennadius was a monk of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, and had the obedience of being steward. During his time as steward, an empty barrel was miraculously filled with oil. This miracle is ascribed to the Most-holy Theotokos, to whom the monastery is dedicated, and especially to her icon, which was nearby.

• Hieromartyr Basil, bishop of Hamah (ca. 282).
• Martyrs Zachariah the Cobbler and his wife Mary (3rd ).
• Martyrs Gregory, Victor, and Geminus, of Heracleon in Thrace (304).
• 150 philosophers converted by Catherine and martyred at Alexandria (305).
• Longinus of Egypt (4th c.).
• Maximus (Maximian), archbishop of Constantinople (434).
• Vulfolaic, stylite, of Trier (6th c.).
• Gregory, bishop of Tours (594).
• Hilda, abbess of Whitby (680).
• John the Cobbler, of Olumba, Cairo, and Sinai (7th c.).
• Lazarus the Iconographer, of Constantinople (857).
• Martyrs Gobron and 133 soldiers, of Georgia (914).
• Sebastian of Jackson and San Francisco, archimandrite and missionary (1940).

HYMN OF PRAISE

Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea

St. Gregory, holy and glorious,

A shining light of the Church and an Orthodox hero,
Raised himself up to God by a very narrow path:
Through suffering and tears, he attained holiness.
He saved himself, and helped many.
By his exemplary life, words and miracles,
He helped the unbelievers to belief,
And believers to be pure and true to the Faith.
The heavens were open to him,
And he clearly penetrated the secrets of men.
He received mystical teachings from heaven;
As the heart of that teaching, he taught the Holy Trinity—
The Divine Trinity, one in Essence,
And Christ, the life-giving food and drink.
Just as pure dewdrops are full of sunlight,
Pure hearts are the dwelling place of the heavens.
With God’s help, holy Gregory
Overcame the moonless night of idolatry,
And baptized pagans by the thousands;
Then he departed in peace, to stand with his King!
Holy Gregory, implore God
That the Orthodox Church overcome the adversary!

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