Which saints bore the name Maxim
Most of the saints named Maximus happened to live during times of persecution of Christians. They showed incredible dedication in defending the True Faith, despising all torment and thereby showing an example of true fidelity to Christ's teaching. Here are the names of these holy martyrs: Maximus of Adrianople, Maximus of Marcianopolis (Misian), Maximus of Asia, Maximus of Antioch, Maximus of Africa.
Particularly noteworthy are two saints who made a huge contribution to the struggle for the purity of Christ’s teaching and its dissemination: Maxim the Confessor and Maxim the Greek. Both of them were canonized as saints, and to this day the icon “Maxim the Confessor” and the icon “Maxim the Greek” are revered by the Orthodox.
Days on which the commemoration of two righteous people falls
There are metropolitans, philosophers, writers and translators here, but the overwhelming majority are the great martyrs and passion-bearers. This speaks of the strength of the human spirit, of love for the Lord, and of the fact that having such a heavenly patron is not bad at all. Therefore, the question arises about a guardian angel, about what they can mean to you. Maxim (or “the greatest”) can tell a lot about himself. There are dates on which the days of remembrance of two saints fall: February 3 and 12, April 23, August 26. This means that Maxim, who was baptized on this day, receives two heavenly patrons.
St. Reverend Maximus the Confessor
Saint Maximus was born in Constantinople in the 7th century. Thanks to his brilliant education and personal qualities, he took the position of first secretary under the emperor, but his rejection of the hustle and bustle of court life prompted him to take monastic vows.
Having become a monk, Maxim amazed everyone with his humility and wisdom, for which the monastic brethren elected him abbot of the Chrysopolis monastery. However, even here he did not become proud, but continued to remain as modest and pious as before.
At that time, Monothelitism was widespread, a heretical movement in Christianity that recognized Jesus Christ as having only one Divine nature. Monothelitism undermined the unity of the Eastern Church and contributed to discord between peoples.
It was in the fight against this heresy that Maximus the Preacher’s loyalty to the true teaching of the Savior was manifested. He read sermons, talked with high-ranking and ordinary believers, wrote many works interpreting the Holy Scriptures in order to debunk monothelitism, thereby gaining enormous popularity and respect among the laity, rulers and clergy.
But then Constance II, who adhered to the Monothelite heresy, ascended the imperial throne. In 649, the Lateran Council was held in Rome to discuss this issue. The most important role in the condemnation and anathematization of monothelitism, which was the result of the council, belongs to the Greek monks led by Maximus the Confessor.
Having received the papal encyclical recognizing the doctrine he professed as heresy, Emperor Constance in a rage threw the Monk Maximus into prison as a traitor. He was subjected to terrible torture, as a result of which he could no longer speak or write, but the Lord did not abandon the righteous man, and he regained these abilities again.
The Monk Maxim predicted in advance the day of his death - August 13, 662. Many miraculous healings took place at his grave, and the icon of St. Maximus the Confessor is revered by all zealots of the True Faith. According to tradition, the icon of Maxim the Confessor shows the image of a stern old man in monastic vestments with a scroll in his hands.
Character traits
Maxim's name day is a festive date for all owners of this beautiful name. It is common for such people to be eloquent and persuasive. Considering that women love compliments, Maxims will do an excellent job with this task. The ability to be diplomatic will help such a person reach an agreement in any situation, no matter how difficult it may be. These guys can be persuasive.
They also have very well developed intuition. This feature helps guys successfully cope with work tasks and succeed in this activity.
Reverend Maxim the Greek
Maxim the Greek was born in the 15th century into a wealthy Greek family. He received an excellent education, traveled a lot, studying science in various European countries, but chose to retire from the world to a monastery. After taking monastic vows on Mount Athos, becoming a monk, he did not abandon his academic studies and studied Greek manuscripts.
It was Maxim’s scholarship that became the reason why he was sent to distant Muscovy to translate Greek manuscripts into Slavic at the request of Grand Duke Vasily III. Maxim, who received the nickname the Greek in Rus', made a huge contribution to the spiritual enlightenment of Orthodox Rus'. He is the author of translations of many liturgical books and a number of his own works.
However, Maxim, faithful to Christian teaching, had a conflict with local churchmen because of their “acquisitiveness” and violation of the Savior’s covenants, which especially aggravated when Grand Duke Vasily decided to divorce his wife. In 1525, at the Local Council, he was accused of heresy, as well as relations with the Turks, and was imprisoned in the Joseph-Volotsky Monastery, where he was kept in very harsh conditions.
After 6 years, he was again summoned to the Council and this time accused of deliberately “damaging” liturgical books. Now the place of his imprisonment was a monastery in Tver, but the local bishop had deep respect for him, and therefore he was not kept so strictly, he had the right to read and write.
Only 20 years later, Maxim the Greek, never broken in spirit, was allowed to settle in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, having lifted all church prohibitions from him. The monk devoted the rest of his life to translating the Psalter. He died in 1556 on the day when the memory of his heavenly patron, the Monk Maximus the Confessor, is celebrated, and was canonized only in 1988.
According to tradition, the icon of Maximus the Greek depicts him with a full beard, a cross in one hand and a scroll in the other.
How to celebrate name days
It is believed that on the day of your patron saint you should go to church, where you need to confess and receive communion.
Previously, name days were celebrated on a grand scale - the table was prepared in the evening, gingerbread was made, beer was brewed. Sometimes name days were celebrated twice. This happened when one saint had two days of veneration - usually the day of the discovery of relics or some event associated with the saint. Such name days were called small. According to the Orthodox calendar, the day of the angel Maxim can also occur twice a year.
Many had an icon with the image of their patron with them. It was believed that the saint protected his namesake from illness and trouble.
Attention, TODAY only!
Every person receives a name at birth. In most cases, it remains unchanged throughout life. Choosing a name is a parent's concern. When to celebrate Maxim’s name day and what is the meaning of this name? This will be discussed further.
Maxim's name day is celebrated several times a year. For a person named Maximus in Latin, the meaning is “greatest.” Such a man has extraordinary thinking, he is original. Maxim's character is distinguished by his friendliness and responsiveness. In difficult times, such a person will always rush to help. Maxim's name day is indicated in the church calendar. These boys are not very determined. Parents have an easy time with their child, as he is obedient and calm. Adults with this name tend to be modest and simple.
How does the icon of Maxim the Greek help?
St. Maximus the Greek is the patron of scientists, theologians, translators, students and seminarians, as well as missionaries, catechists and apologists. If we touch upon the meaning of the icon, then people turn to it to strengthen faith and spirit, especially during persecution for faith and unjust oppression by the authorities. In addition, the icon “St. Maxim the Greek” is capable of healing various diseases, as well as saving from despondency and depression.
Whatever icon of Maxim is present in your life, it will help you remain firm in your faith and resist temptations.
Days of remembrance of St. Maximus the Confessor - January 21, August 13
The days of memory of St. Maxim the Greek are January 21/February 3 and June 21/July 4.
Prayer to St. Maximus the Confessor
Reverend Father Maxima! Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. By your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy. Help all of us, who flow to you with faith, through your intercession to the Lord, and guide us all in peace and repentance, let us end our lives, heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom, may we be with all the righteous, who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from time immemorial, to Him belongs all glory and honor. and worship, with His Beginning Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Importance of Infant Baptism
Every Christian parent strives to baptize their children. Many children raised in a Christian home, perhaps even most of them, practice the faith from a young age. Many parents baptize their baby on the 40th day after his birth.
Baptism is a command of God given to the New Testament church. The rite symbolizes that Jesus was buried and resurrected with Christ and serves as an example of wholehearted faith and acceptance into the local church community. It precedes the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and is the gateway to participation in the life of the church.
Prayer to St. Maxim the Greek
Oh, sacred head, reverend father, most blessed Abvo Maxim, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We do not imagine that you are dead, even though you have passed away from us in body, but even after death you remain alive. Do not give up on us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the devil and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd. Knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we bow down to you and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, from the bitter ordeals of the demons of the air princes and may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
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Celebration date
Maxim’s name day is celebrated in the church style several times. But for a person, the important date is the one closest to his birthday. In Christianity, it is generally accepted that name days are much more important than the day when a child was born.
Previously, it was not the parents who gave names to newborns. They didn't have that right. Only a priest could name the baby. This happened during the baptism ceremony. Hence the variants of fancy names, which are now completely out of use. But the name Maxim does not lose its popularity. After the revolution, parents themselves began to give names to their children. By the end of the last century, the above name became very common. Little Maxes delight parents even today.
According to the church calendar, Maxim’s name day is celebrated depending on the day of veneration of the patron saint.
