#Cathedral of St. Lazare

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Three Magi Asleep Gislebertus, 1120-30 A.D. Cathedral of St. Lazare in Atun, France.

* * * *

Where refugees seek deliverance that never comes, And the heart consumes itself, if it would live, Where little children age before their time, And life wears down the edges of the mind, Where the old man sits with mind grown cold, While bones and sinew, blood and cell, go slowly down to death, Where fear companions each day’s life, And Perfect Love seems long delayed. Christmas is waiting to be born: In you, in me, in all of humankind.

from The Mood Of Christmas & Other Celebrations

Howard Thurman

[alive on all channels]

[spiritsdancinginthenight]

Three Magi Asleep Gislebertus, 1120-30 A.D. Cathedral of St. Lazare in Atun, France.

[lostfunzones]

Back in the 12th century, French sculptor Gislebertus carved this angel as (s)he appears to the three Magi as they dream, & wakes one with the delicate touch of a finger (Cathedral of St Lazare at Autun).

[the-mandolorian]

It’s the season

Gilbertus Dream of the Magi; 1120-30 Cathedral of St. Lazare, Autun France

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: saturday, February18, 2023

february_18_february_5

POLYEUCTUS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE (970)

He was called a second Chrysostom for his great mind, his zeal for the Faith, and his power of oratory. The Russian Princess Olga came to Constantinople in the time of Patriarch Polyeuctus and Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, and was baptized there in 957. The Patriarch baptized her, and the Emperor stood as godfather. St Polyeuctus prophesied: 'Blessed art thou among Russian women, for thou hast, desired the light and cast away the darkness; the sons of Russia will bless thee to the last generation.' From being a simple monk, Polyeuctus was raised to the Patriarchate in 946 and remained on the patriarchal throne until he died in 970.

Source: The Prologue From Ochrid by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich ©1985 Lazarica Press, Birmingham UK

SAINT THEODOSIUS (FEODOSI), ARCHBISHOP OF CHERNIGOV (1696)

Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov, was born in the seventeenth century at the beginning of the decade of the thirties in Podolsk governance. He was descended from a noble family, the Polonitsky-Uglitskys. His parents were the priest Nikḗtas and Maria. The saint was taught Christian piety in his parent’s home, and this piety remained with him throughout his life.

From childhood, he was distinguished by a fervent love for God and zeal for the Church. The innate abilities of the youth came to light in the Kiev Brotherhood school at Kiev’s Theophany monastery. The school flourished at the end of the 1640s when its rectors were Archimandrite Innocent (Gizel), and Igumen Lazar (Baranovich), who later became Archbishop of Chernigov. Among its instructors were: Hieromonk Epiphanius (Slavinetsky), Hieromonk Arsenius (Satanovsky), Bishop Theodosius (Baevsky) of Belorus, Igumen Theodosius (Saphonovich) and Meletius Dzik. These were the enlightened men of those days. The comrades of Saint Theodosius at the school would become future outstanding pastors: Simeon Polotsky, Joannicius Golyatovsky, Anthony Radivillovsky, Barlaam Yasninsky. The Kiev Brotherhood Theophany school was the chief center in the struggle of Orthodoxy against the assaults of Catholic clergy, particularly the Jesuits.

Saint Theodosius grew to spiritual maturity near the relics of Saints Anthony and Theodosius and other God-pleasers of the Kiev Caves, and he tried to imitate their holy life as much as possible. He devoted all his free time to prayer, meditation on God, and the reading of the Holy Scripture.

It might be surmised that the saint did not finish the full course of studies, since the school ceased its activity for several years following the devastation of Podolia by the Poles. All his life the saint had a deep regard for the Kiev Brotherhood monastery where he was educated. In the Synodikon of the Kiev-Vydubitsk monastery is the following comment about Saint Theodosius: “He was a man of fine intellect, and generous to the Kiev Brotherhood monastery.”

Upon receiving his education, the future hierarch received monastic tonsure at the Kiev Caves Lavra with the name Theodosius, in honor of Saint Theodosius of the Caves (May 3).

Metropolitan Dionysius (Balaban) of Kiev made him archdeacon of Kiev’s cathedral of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) , and then appointed him steward of the episcopal household. Soon he left Kiev and went to the distant Krupitsky monastery near Baturino (in the Chernigov diocese), which was famed for its strict monastic life. There he was ordained to the holy priesthood but remained there only a short time.

In 1662, Saint Theodosius was appointed Igumen of the Korsun monastery in Kiev diocese, and in the year 1664, he was made head of the ancient Kiev-Vydubitsky monastery. This monastery had fallen into the hands of the Uniates and Poles at the beginning of the seventeenth century and was in complete ruin. Thanks to the energy and initiative of Saint Theodosius, the Vydubitsky Mikhailovsk monastery was quickly restored.

He was particularly concerned with the order of church services. He formed an excellent choir, which was famed not only in Little Russia but also in Moscow. Saint Theodosius sent his singers to Moscow in 1685 to instruct their choirs in Kievan chant.

As a strict ascetic himself, Saint Theodosius was concerned with the spiritual growth of his monks. He founded a small skete on the island of Mikhailovschina, not far from the monastery, for brethren wishing to live in solitude. He appointed the hieromonk Job (Opalinsky), one of the most zealous monks of his monastery, to organize and administer the skete.

Saint Theodosius had to live through some quite difficult days, enduring many sorrows. He and other Igumens were accused by Bishop Methodius of Mstislav and Orshansk of betraying Russia in a supposed correspondence with the enemies of Russia.

On September 20, 1668, Saint Theodosius explained the matter. The lie was exposed on November 17, 1668, and Saint Theodosius and the other Igumens were vindicated. Archbishop Lazar (Baranovich) esteemed the high spiritual qualities of Saint Theodosius and befriended him. He called him “a sheep of the flock of Christ, teaching by humility,” and he prophetically expressed the wish that the name of Saint Theodosius might be inscribed in Heaven.

When Archbishop Lazar became locum tenens of Kiev’s Metropolitan See in 1689, he appointed Saint Theodosius as his vicar in Kiev, while he remained at Chernigov. In his capacity as vicar of the locum tenens of the Kiev Metropolitan See, Saint Theodosius had an active role in many churchly events. In 1685 he participated with the right of a decisive vote in the election of Bishop Gideon (Chetverinsky) as Metropolitan of Kiev, and he was sent to Moscow with news of this event with Igumen Jerome (Dubin) of Pereyaslavl . In Moscow, both representatives were received with honor and esteem. Indeed, the result of this delegation was the reuniting of the Kiev Metropolitan See with the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 1688 Saint Theodosius was appointed archimandrite of Chernigov’s Eletsy monastery, replacing the deceased Archimandrite Joannicius (Golyatovsky). In appointing Saint Theodosius, Archbishop Lazar told him to spare no effort in placing the Eletsy monastery in good order. This monastery had not yet been set aright after the expulsion of the Jesuits and Dominicans, and it was in great disorder.

Through the efforts of Saint Theodosius, in his two or three years as igumen, the monastery’s revenues and properties increased, the church of the Dormition was repaired, and the Elets Icon (February 5) was enshrined there.

In his new position, the saint also assisted Archbishop Lazar in many important matters. He participated in drafting a conciliar reply to Patriarch Joachim of Moscow in response to his questions about the attitude of the Kiev Metropolitan See to the Council of Florence, and its judgment on the question of the transformation of the Holy Gifts as accepted by this Florentine Council. When the Patriarch proved to be unsatisfied by these answers, the Baturino Igumen Saint Demetrius (the future Metropolitan of Rostov) was sent to him at the beginning of 1689. Saint Theodosius journeyed with him as the representative of Archbishop Lazar. He was entrusted with the delivery of a letter to the Patriarch, and to clear up the misunderstandings.

Because of his poor health, Archbishop Lazar wished to see Saint Theodosius consecrated to the episcopate, seeing in the saint a worthy successor to himself. On September 11, 1692, the election of Saint Theodosius as Archbishop of Chernigov was confirmed, and he was consecrated in the Dormition cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin two days later.

Little information regarding Saint Theodosius’s administration of the Chernigov diocese has been preserved. The saint worked incessantly to raise the level of true Christian piety in his flock. He also focused on maintaining old monasteries and founding new communities.

At the very beginning of his episcopate, the the Pecheniksk women’s monastery was established with his blessing, and he himself consecrated the monastery church in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In 1694, a skete was founded near Liubech. The same year, at the Domnitsky men’s monastery, the saint consecrated a temple in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the summer of 1695, he consecrated a majestic temple in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, on the summit of Boldino Hill, near the ancient monastery of Saint Elias. Under Saint Theodosius there was a special enthusiasm for and strengthening of monasticism in the Chernigov diocese.

The saint also devoted much attention to the clergy, and he tried to choose worthy candidates for the priesthood. He also encouraged the pastoral education of the Chernigov clergy. He invited learned monks from Kiev, among whom was Saint John (Maximovitch), the future Metropolitan of Tobolsk (June 10), and also a helper and successor of Saint Theodosius in organizing the Chernigov clergy school.

Strict uprightness in regard to clergy and flock, deep compassion, concern and Christian love of peace were distinguishing features in the activity of Saint Theodosius. Not only did the Orthodox turn to him for help and advice, but even persons of other confessions.

Saint Theodosius did not remain with his Chernigov flock very long. Sensing the approach of death, he summoned the administrator of the Briansk Svensk monastery, Saint John (Maximovitch), and appointed him Archimandrite of the Chernigov Elets monastery.

Saint Theodosius died on February 5, 1696, and was buried in Chernigov’s Saints Boris and Gleb cathedral church, in a special crypt near the right cleros. His successor Saint John (Maximovitch), who was healed of a grievous illness by Saint Theodosius, later placed a stone plaque over his grave with a poetic inscription in gratitude for the saint’s help. The special grace which Saint Theodosius attained is shown by his ascetic life and his assistance to all who turn to him in prayer.

The glorification of Saint Theodosius occurred on September 9, 1896.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

JOHN 5:24-30 

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

[stickandch0ke]

This reminds me of romanesque tympanums

[optikes]

Giselbertus C12th France

Saint Lazare Cathedral sculptures: 1120 - 1135

1 the Three Magi Capital

2 detail: the Angel Appears to the Three Magi in a Dream

3 The Last Judgement, west tympanum, Autun Cathedral

Giselbertus or Ghiselbertus, sometimes ‘of Autun’, was a French Romanesque sculptor, whose decoration (about 1120-1135) of the Cathedral of Saint Lazare at Autun, France - consisting of numerous doorways, tympanums and capitals - represents some of the most original work of the period. His sculpture is expressive and imaginative: from the terrifying Last Judgment (West Tympanum), with its strikingly elongated figures, to the Eve (North Portal). His influence can be traced to other French church sculpture and his techniques helped pave the way for the Gothic style.

search https://smarthistory.org/last-judgment-tympanum-cathedral-of-st-lazare-autun-france/

[diary-of-a-soulfarer]

St Basil’s cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible in 1555 and has become the centrepiece of Moscow’s Red Square. The nine domes of the church are modelled in the shape of a bonfire rising into the sky, a design which has no parallel in any other Russian building and has puzzled scholars for centuries. 

The cathedral became such an icon of Russia that even the atheist Soviets didn’t dare to destroy it; an urban legend states that when Moscow party boss Lazar Kaganovich picked up a model of the church in the process of envisioning Red Square without it, Stalin sharply responded, ‘Lazar, put it back!’

[theundergroundwoman]

Hey! I'm wondering. Is Olivera Lazarevic or anyone from her family a saint in Serbia?

I’m actually not sure about Princess Olivera, but I think she is portrayed in the Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Belgrade with a halo. Her parents, Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic and Princess Milica Hrebeljanovic, as well as her brother Despot Stefan Lazarevic, have been venerated in the Orthodox Christian Church as saints. Her sister, Princess Jelena Lazarevic, was given the title “Right-Believing”.

[russianicons]

Early 19th-century icon of Old Believer Saints. It depicts the Holy Martyr Protopope Avvakum, St. Paul Bishop of Kolomna, the Holy Martyr Diacone Feodor, the venerable father and great sufferer Epiphanius Solovetsky, and the Holy Martyr Hieromartyr Lazar. This beautiful icon of saints was painted in Guslitsy, Russia and came from an Old Believers family of merchants. Today, the icon is kept at Pokrovsky Cathedral in the Rogozhskaya Sloboda in Moscow.

[orthodoxgladness]

Commemorating the Feast of the Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos (Sept. 13/Aug. 31)

The Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God, which is now divided into three parts, is the only surviving relic of Her earthly life. The Mother of God wore a belt woven from camel wool, and, after Her Dormition, it came into the hands of the Apostle St Thomas. In the first centuries of the Christian era, it was held in Jerusalem. In the 4th century, we know that it was in the Cappadocian town of Zela, and in the same century, Emperor Theodosius the Great once again returned it to Jerusalem. Later on, his son Arkadios took the relic to Constantinople.

The Belt remained in Constantinople until the end of the 12th century. However, one of the consequences of the defeat of Isaac Angelos by the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen was that the Bulgars seized the Belt and took it to Bulgaria. It later fell to the Serbs. Prince Lazar I Hrebeljanović gave the Belt and a piece of the True Cross to Vatopedi Monastery. Since then, the monks have kept it in the sanctuary of the Katholikon of the main cathedral at the Monastery.

There have been countless miracles worked through the intercession of the Holy Belt over the centuries.

For the first time since it came to Vatopedi Monastery, the Holy Belt was taken beyond Greece. Usually, once a year, the reliquary with the Belt visits Greek towns upon request, but it never went outside the country. An exception was made for Russia.

**************

Ever-Virgin Theotokos, protectress of mankind, / you have given your people a powerful legacy: / the robe and sash of your most honored body which remained / incorrupt throughout your seedless childbearing; / for through you time and nature are renewed! / Therefore we implore you: “Grant peace to your people and to our souls great mercy!” (Troparion)

[arthistoryfeed]

Dream of the Magi, 1120-30 The Cathédrale St-Lazare (Cathedral of St. Lazarus), Autun, #France.

[paulasamuels]

The Art of the Saunter

I spent the majority of the day yesterday doing what I enjoy most about European travel: sauntering. I especially enjoy strolling the narrow streets of historic cities, on cobbles worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, past buildings loaded with character and sagging with age. Yesterday I visited the city of Rouen in Normandy on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. I wasn't sure whether there would be any observances of the day in Rouen (there weren't, at least none that I found), but the visit was my own observance. I went to the cathedral and the beautiful & spiritually moving Eglise de Jeanne D'Arc (Joan of Arc church.). The weather was gorgeous, with bright sunshine and temps in the 60's. I walked past half-timbered houses, a "Gross Horlage" (giant clock), and people of every ilk, taking in the lilting sounds of the French language and the tempting aromas coming from the cafes, boulangeries, and brasseries I passed along the way. I found myself walking slowly and in a rhythm I seem to find only when I allow myself to wander without purpose and really enjoy being in the moment. When I returned to Paris, arriving at the Gare St Lazare, I got passed in the station and on the sidewalks by plenty of people who didn't have the luxury of sauntering. I kept my Rouen pace and went a bit out of the way to walk through the lovely Parc Monceau on the way back to the hotel, and the sauntering continued...

[neshamama]

louis fratino, “fratinos,” 2019, terracotta and magnesium oxide wash

gislebertus, “dream of the magi,” c.1120-1135, relief carving of the cathedral of st lazare

[urbanhermit]

Saint Lazarus of Bethany (1st Century) Friend and Disciple of Jesus, raised to life by Jesus after having been in his tomb for 4 days, brother of Sts Martha and Mary of Bethany. Bishop of Marseilles, France, Martyr, Missionary. Died by being beheaded in the 1st century in a cave near Marseilles, France. Also known as - “Eleazar (the Hebrew version - which means God helped),” Lazarus of the Four Days, Lazarus the Resurrected, Lazar. According to a tradition, or rather a series of traditions combined at different epochs, the members of the family at Bethany, the friends of Christ, together with some holy women and others of His disciples, were put out to sea by the Jews hostile to Christianity in a vessel without sails, oars, or helm and after a miraculous voyage landed in Provence, at a place called today the Saintes-Maries. It is related that they separated there to go and preach the Gospel in different parts of the southeast of Gaul. Lazarus went to Marseilles and, having converted a number of its inhabitants to Christianity, became their first Bishop. . During the first persecution under Nero, he hid himself in a crypt, over which the celebrated Abbey of St-Victor was constructed in the fifth century. In this same crypt, he was interred, when he shed his blood for the Faith., during the new persecution of Domitian. He was cast into prison and beheaded in a spot that is believed to be identical to a cave beneath the prison Saint-Lazare. His body was later translated to Autun, and buried in the Cathedral of that Town. But the inhabitants of Marseilles claim to be in possession of his head which they still venerate. The account of Jesus raising Lazarus occurs only in the Gospel of John, the Gospel which most strongly focuses on Jesus as the Son of God. Lazarus served as an instrument for Jesus to provide indisputable proof that he was the Saviour. John 11:1-44 https://www.instagram.com/p/CXk0DtqL73i/?utm_medium=tumblr

[breadcheesewineandtrains-blog]

Day 12: Normandy-Lisieux Fun Fact: French train stations have free pianos for people to play and enjoy. Check out Montparnasse or Saint Lazare. While in Lisieux, one ought to definitely visit the Cathedral of St. Peter. What a hidden gem of the 12 century gothic style, and the custodian is very welcoming.