Feast of St Symeon the New Theologian
Categories: feast-days
Date: 12 March 2009 00:25:00
Troparion:
Having received the divine radiance in your soul, Father Symeon,
you showed yourself a most brilliant luminary in the world.
You scattered its dark madness
and convinced all men to seek what they lost,
the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Beseech Christ our God that He may grant unto to us His great mercy.
Kontakion:
You become a Theologian of the Transcendent and Incomprehensible Trinity,
and shined with the Triune Light, O inspired one.
You were endowed from on high with wise speech,
and poured forth streams of Theology.
Drinking from them, we cry to you,
"Rejoice, righteous, godly-minded Symeon".
Today is the Feast Day of St Symeon the New Theologian, one of only three Saints in the Orthodox Church to be given the title Theologian [the other two are St John the Apostle and St Gregory of Nazianzus]. St Symeon wrote in poetic form, and believed that the Christian life should be a personal experience and encounter with Christ. Here is a quote from his work Hymn 27 [lines 125-132]:
Do not say that it is impossible to receive the Spirit of God. Do not say that it is possible to be made whole without Him. Do not say that one can possess Him without knowing it. Do not say that God does not manifest Himself to man. Do not say that men cannot perceive the divine light, or that it is impossible in this age! Never is it found to be impossible, my friends. On the contrary, it is entirely possible when one desires it."
Through the prayers of our holy Father St Symeon the New Theologian, may the Lord have mercy on us and save us.