Venerable Leo of Catania, Bishop

Song 1.

Irmos: Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israeli cried out: Let us drink to the Deliverer and our God.

The Church has acquired the light of your divine lamp, Leo the wise, and is richly enlightened by your virtues through the brilliance and miracles.

From infancy you entrusted yourself to the Lord of all, and through the killing of sweets you were alive to this sacrifice, slaying yourself without blood, blessed one.

Your life shines, adorned with virtues and enriched with sparkles of miracles, God-bearer, you have manifested yourself to all.

Theotokos: Temple You were God, the Undefiled Youth, Who is more than the mind in You, the Mother of God, and drove away flattery from the souls of men.

Song 3.

Irmos: Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, Lord, and Creator of the Church, Thou hast confirmed me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the One Lover of Mankind.

Savior, father, and pious, keeping the teachings of Orthodoxy harmless, you fed the flock into life-giving pastures and brought them into the heavenly enclosure.

Having ascended to the height of virtues, O Reverend, you sacredly received the anointing and praised the Most High One with the highest seat, serving the grace of Him like an angel.

Having endured adversity for Christ’s sake, O Reverend, you partook of immortality in deification; the myrrh constantly flowing fragrantly, sanctifying those who flow to you through faith.

Theotokos: The coal of the Divine and the luminous tick, the bush, without being scorched by the fire of the Divinity, my boastful ones fell into passion and fire to snatch up the eternal.

Sedalen, voice 3.

Great sun, you have shone more universally than your radiance of virtues, and enlightened the cathedrals of the faithful with miracles of light, and having driven away the darkness of passions, O Reverend Leo, pray to Christ God for the gift You have great mercy on us.

Glory, even now, to the Mother of God: The Divine nature shall not depart, the flesh being in Thy womb, but God, having become man, shall remain, Even after the Nativity, the Mother of Thy Virgin, as before the Nativity, preserve To the All-blameless One, the only Lord: pray diligently to Him to grant us great mercy.

Theotokos of the Cross: The undefiled Lamb of the Word, the imperishable Virgin Mother, hanged on the Cross visually from Ney, freezing from illness, weeping motherly, crying out: woe is Me, My Child! How do you want to suffer, even if you want to save man from the passions of dishonor?

Song 4.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the sight of Your sacrament, I have understood Your works and glorified Your Divinity.

Having cultivated the field of your mind, a hundredfold class brought you, O rich man, divine virtues and healings.

Thy holy, more glorious, holy oil flows from the crayfish, sanctifying the souls that flow to you by faith.

Cleanser of ailments, driver of evil demons, saint, you were also a refuge for faithful people.

Theotokos: Uncontainable to all, Most Pure One, fits in Your womb, saving me with grace, immersed in many sins.

Song 5.

Irmos: Thou hast cast me away from Thy presence, O everlasting Light, and the alien darkness of the accursed one has covered me? But turn me, and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.

With the purest mind of all, looking at the Guilty One, from Him you received the gift of the dawn, God-inspired healing of the holy light, in the image of which you resolve the darkness of passions.

By the charms of demons, you delivered all those who believe in Christ to the fiery judgment, righteously, blessedly, and you delivered souls from this all-destroying harm, as the shepherd is true and saving .

The fire that flared up in the midst of you became, unburnt, more glorious: the Divine dew of the Holy Spirit surrounded you, like a sacred mystery, like a servant of the Divine glory, like the highest lordship of the sacrament Nick.

Theotokos: Having seen the most divine of old, the most divine, the honest prophets of the sacrament, the indescribable depth of your honest Nativity, the Most Pure One, in various images, as if containing, She proclaimed this.

Song 6.

Irmos: I will pour out my prayer to the Lord and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil and my life is drawing near to hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up ́.

Blinded by your prayers, Father, you have received insight, God-wise: for you have Christ as a co-worker, and having acquired your souls towards Him, you have richly received petitions.

You were the king, wonderful, terrible, you always went into his courtyards, you wore burning coals in your clothes: for God glorified you, Who through your life, O Lion, you glorified.

The reliquary of your relics smells fragrant and flows forth ever, O all-blessed, like a pure and fragrant spring, the oil of the Divine, through which sickness is driven away from the faithful and health is granted to those who need it.

Theotokos: Sanctify my soul, O Virgin, who gave birth to the Holy Word, truly in the saints, as our One God rests most pure, and grant me, as I am merciful, a cloud of tenderness, O All-Nepor full-time.

Kontakion, tone 8.

Like a great lamp, the Church is, blessed to you, more than the shining sun, preserved by your prayers, blessed, invincible, and unshakable from all heresies and unfiltered oh, like the ever-memorable one.

Song 7.

Irmos: The youths of the Jews in the cave boldly asked for the flame and turned the fire into the dew, crying out: Blessed are you, O Lord God, forever.

In a divine manner, disembodied with flesh, resembling the godly wisdom, you served God, constantly chanting: Blessed are you, Lord God, forever.

O all-blessed one, with your prayers you opened deaf ears and clearly gave grace to the lame, - blessed are you, - crying, - Lord God, forever.

By the mania of the Divine Lord, you remained unburnt and entered into the midst of the fire; He who is not involved in this, is scorched by the righteous judgment of Iliodor, by your prayer.

Theotokos: Your womb is not scorched. The Divine Fire, the Virgin Mother, is incarnated from You, the ends watered by the Divine lordship. For your sake, we eat.

Song 8.

Irmos: Conquerors of the tormentor and the flame of Thy grace, let us earnestly obey Thy commandment, O children, crying out: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.

Grace has been poured out, Father, in your mouth, O holy monk, for this sake, O Leo, God of the anointing, the saint, to the people crying: Bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.

To the king, the all-blessed one, the Eternal One, you pleased the earthly Lion, you appeared to the king, carrying coals and this, Father, the terrible thought of miracles, was exceedingly glorious.

Like an olive tree, Father, which was planted and became fruitful in the house of the Lord, bearing fruit after death, from your divine body the divine oil, always driving away every ailment of the faithful, comes to you with love I, wiser, flowing.

Theotokos: By desire you have accomplished everything, the All-blameless, the Blessed One, having desired to dwell in Your womb, and appear in the flesh, and deify me, having decayed before the flatterer with evil advice.

Song 9.

Irmos: Fearful of all hearing the indescribable condescension of God, for the Most High came down to the flesh by the will of a girl, from the virgin’s womb he became Man. Moreover, we magnify the Most Pure Mother of God.

May you be blessed with divine voices, having lived like a saint, and ascended to heaven, and, rejoicing, from passions and sorrows, save us with your prayers, and from circumstances, to the saint and shepherd most wonderfully.

Like the rod of the true grape, Father, you are frozen with virtuous dreams, seeking miracles for sweetness, from them you drink more faithfully, health and joy are received by those who praise you It’s good, Leo to all things.

Your body was the temple of the Holy and Honest, Father, Spirit and now lies inside the Divine Temple, which you created for the glory, Leo, and the honor of Luke the martyr, the miracle is true Rivers of tea for us, who reverence you piously.

Like the sun is radiant, always illuminating the ends with virtuous lights, and now you have passed to the Light that never sets. Moreover, you who celebrate your luminous memory, O rich Leo, deliver from the darkness of all.

Theotokos: I fear Your second coming, O One King, and I am afraid, having sinned immeasurably against You and not being strengthened in my mind; but because this is Good, convert and save me, who gave birth to You, with prayers acceptable to Jesus.

Memorial Day of Saint Leo, Bishop of Catania and the 34 Martyrs of the Valaam Monastery

Saint Leo, Bishop of Catania

Saint Leo was a bishop in the city of Catana, in Sicily.
He was famous for his kindness and mercy, Christian love for the poor and strangers. The Lord honored him with the gift of healing from various diseases and working miracles. During the time of the bishopric of Saint Leo, the sorcerer Iliodorus lived in Catana, who amazed the people with false miracles. He was formerly a Christian, but then he secretly rejected the Savior and became a servant of the devil. Saint Leo often urged Iliodor to give up evil deeds and turn to God, but in vain. Once Iliodor reached such insolence that, entering the temple where the bishop was performing divine services, with his sorcery he created confusion and temptation there, trying to cause outrages. Seeing the people raging under the spell of witchcraft, Saint Leo realized that the time for meek admonitions had passed. He calmly left the altar and, tying his omophorion around the sorcerer’s neck, led him out of the temple into the square. There he forced Iliodor to confess to all the atrocities, ordered a fire to be lit, and without hesitation entered the fire with the sorcerer, holding him with an omophorion. So they stood in the fire until Iliodor was burned, and Saint Leo, by the power of God, remained unharmed. This miracle glorified the Monk Leo during his lifetime.

When the monk died, a bleeding woman was healed at his grave. The body of the saint was laid in the church of the holy martyr Lucia, created by him, and subsequently his relics were transferred to the church of St. Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours (October 12).

Venerable Martyrs of the Valaam Monastery

During its centuries-old history, the Valaam monastery, located near the border of the possessions of Veliky Novgorod with Sweden, was repeatedly ruined by the Swedes. Under King Gustav Vasa (1523-1560), the Reformation was carried out in Sweden. During the reign of his son John III, a military detachment of newly converted Lutherans - who, according to St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), “were still burning with fanatical passion for their newly born faith” - pursuing the Orthodox Korels, crossed the ice from the mainland to the island and attacked monastery. On February 20, 1578, 18 blessed elders and 16 novices were martyred for their firmness in the Orthodox faith. Their names with the note “beaten from the Germans on Valaam elders and servants” were included in the synodikon, which later ended up in the Vasilievsky Monastery: Hieromonk Titus, Schemamonk Tikhon, Monk Gelasius, Monk Serius, Monk Varlaam, Monk Savva, Monk Konon, Monk Sylvester, Monk Cyprian, monk Pimen, monk John, monk Samon, monk Jonah, monk David, monk Cornelius, monk Niphont, monk Athanasius, monk Serapion, monk Varlaam, novices Athanasius, Anthony, Luke, Leonty, Thomas, Dionysius, Philip, Ignatius, Vasily , Pachomius, Basil, Theophilus, John, Theodore, John. The Swedish attacks continued. There is no stone on Valaam that was not sealed with ascetic blood.

In the 19th century, one of the Valaam monks near the desert of Abbot Nazarius was honored with a vision of unknown monks: “they marched in two rows from a green grove flooded with sunlight and sang funeral prayers in an ancient znamenny chant. They walked with their hands folded on their chests, their appearance was bright and their eyes had an unspeakable meekness. Only when the procession approached the monk did he see that all the monks were splashed with blood and covered with wounds. Where they passed, the grass was not crushed. They disappeared just as they had appeared, in the green thicket, and the quiet echoes of the funeral chant floated in the air for a long time.”

With the blessing of Hegumen Damascene, on the day of the martyrdom of 34 monks, on February 20 (March 4, n.st.), the Divine Liturgy “for their eternal rest” was celebrated annually in the Valaam monastery, with which the cathedral requiem service was also sung.

Canonized as saints of the Russian Orthodox Church for church-wide veneration at the Jubilee Council of Bishops in August 2000.

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Story

Leo of Catania lived in the 8th century in Catania, Sicily, where he became famous for his kindness, strengthening the Christian faith, and compassion for the poor and beggars. Because he was always ready to help everyone, without exception, at any moment. For this, God granted him such powerful gifts as healing and miracles.

In the same city lived a sorcerer named Iliodor, who constantly deceived all people with his magical rituals. A large number of times the Bishop of Catania asked this man to repent and take the right path. However, all attempts were in vain.

Once, during a service in the cathedral, the sorcerer created a conspiracy of temptation and confusion. For this, the Monk Leo threw an amice on him, forced him to go out into the square and forced him to confess his sins. And after that, he went up with him into a fire that had been made in advance and held it until it burned down. The saint of God himself calmly emerged from the fire, remaining completely unharmed.

When the monk died, while touching the coffin, the woman who was bleeding was completely healed. The body of the saint was first placed in the church of the holy martyr Lucia, and then transferred to the church of St. Martin the Merciful.

Prayers

Troparion to Venerable Leo, Bishop of Catania, tone 4

The rule of faith and the image of meekness,/ the self-control of the teacher/ will show you to your flock/ even the truth of things,/ for this reason you have acquired high humility,/ rich in poverty,/ Father Leo,/ Pray to Christ God // for our souls to be saved.

Translation: The immutable Truth was revealed to your flock by the rule of faith and the image of meekness and self-control. Therefore, through humility you have acquired high things, and through poverty you have acquired riches. Father Leo, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Venerable Leo, Bishop of Catania, tone 8

Like a great lamp, the Church is, all-blessed,/ to you, more than the shining sun,/ with your prayers preserve, O blessed one,/ invincible, and unshakable from all heresies, and not rn,//as if ever-memorable.

Translation: As a great luminary, the Church honors you, O all-blessed one, shining brighter than the sun. Preserve Her with your prayers, O blessed one, invincible and unshakable from all heresy, and undefiled, as always remembered.

Signs

At all times, there have been various signs that people also constantly paid attention to:
In order for the family to constantly be accompanied by prosperity, and so that it never ends, it was necessary to throw out all the bad shoes;
On this day, starting any business was strictly prohibited, as there would be no luck;
A flock of crows flies too high in the sky - it will start snowing soon;
The bird is bathing, which means we must wait for a thaw;
Snow falling on a holiday indicates that the year will not be very fruitful;
If you get sick on this holiday, then there may be various complications and health will not be restored soon;
If the wind changes its direction clockwise, then there will be warming, albeit unstable;
Winter is ending soon, so you need to hurry up and ride your sleigh to your heart's content;
To see a falling star means to bring quick death upon yourself and your family;
If during bad weather in the evening a clear streak appears in the sky on the western side, then all precipitation will quickly stop.

Traditions and rituals

On this day, people tried to sled to their heart's content, so that they would have enough good memories for the whole year, until the new winter. Competitions were also organized when it was necessary to ride a sled further than others. Because they believed that the winner would have a long and successful life.

Even at the blacksmith's, they took hot coals and then laid them on the edge of the field. At the same time, while touching the ground, they always prayed for the future successful work of farmers, as well as warm and sunny weather for fast and good germination of grains. Because coal would be a symbol of fire, connecting tools with the soil, and also always warmed the crop and filled the earth with fertility.