 |
| St. Eumenios (Evmenios, Eumenes) the Wonderworker (Feast Day - September 18) |
Verses
Eumenios the gentle eye of Gortyna,
Has looked upon the Lord’s all-kindly eye.
On the eighteenth Eumenios the great-hearted died.
From his early years, Saint Eumenios gave himself entirely to a life along the narrow path of austere ascesis and extreme renunciation, that he fittingly combined with deep humility and all the virtues. His countenance was always bathed in tears and no one ever heard him find fault with anyone, or give so much as a hearing to gossip. Seeing that he fulfilled all righteousness, the people of Gortyna constrained him to become their Bishop in 668. As the sixth Bishop of Gortyna, he accomplished everything that belongs to that office wisely, in all things obedient to the Holy Spirit, working many miracles by his prayers and shepherding his flock with great care and love.
In the service composed by Joseph the Hymnographer in his honor, he says: "Fittingly with Orthodox teachings, Father, you vanquished all the dark heresies." This was the time when the heresy of the Monothelites flourished, teaching that after the union of the two natures of Christ, there is only one will and one energy, thus only the divine will existed in Christ, abolishing the human will. After its condemnation at the Sixth Ecumenical Synod in 680-681, this heresy continued and was centered in Lebanon at the Monastery of Saint Maron, which established the Maronite Church.
Joseph the Hymnographer also informs us that Saint Eumenios reconciled the co-emperors Constantine IV Pognatos, Heraclius and Tiberius at Constantinople.
Yielding to the divine will, he illumined Rome with godly teaching and miracles. He then journeyed to the Thebaid where, without intending a miracle, he put an end to a time of drought by his prayer. It was in the Thebaid that he fell asleep in the Lord, and the faithful who dwelt there sent his holy body to be buried in Rhaxos in his homeland, where the body of his predecessor Saint Cyril (June 4) already lay.
Apolytikion in Plagal of the First Tone
Wise Eumenios, Hierarch of the Lord, offspring of the island of Crete, renowned Hierarch and truly fervent defender of piety.Fountain and source of miracles, deliver us, who always honor your revered memory, from all dangers, Father, by your zealous intercessions before God.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
We have thee as a friend and helper, O gracious advocate Eumenios, for thou didst flow with compassion and dost pour healing upon the Church. Protect those who honor thee.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
You are considered the secure wealth of the Church, springing forth abundant gifts of miracles to all the faithful. Therefore we all revere you, miracle-bearer Eumenios.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Radiant with divine Light, blessed Hierarch Eumenios, thou dost illumine those who hymn thy glorious passing. For thou dost pray unceasingly for us all.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, Gortyna's guide and vigilant eye of all Crete. Rejoice, inexhaustible torrent of miracles and help of the faithful, thrice-blessed Eumenios.