St Maximus the Confessor
Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 January 2006 20:33:52
Troparion:
O champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
The enlightener of the universe and the adornment of the hierarchs:
O all-wise Father Maximus,
Your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
Intercede before Christ our God to save our souls!
Kontakion:
Let us the faithful honour Maximus the great with worthy hymns!
He was greatly devoted to the Holy Trinity.
He courageously preached faith in God,
Glorifying Christ in His two natures, wills and operations.
Therefore let us cry out to Him: Rejoice, O preacher of the faith!
The life of St Maximus the Confessor, whose feast day it is today, is a reminder that preaching the truth can lead to some rather severe consequences in this life. After preaching and taking a stand against various heresies, the Emperor, who favoured the heresies, had St Maximus accused of treason and imprisoned and exiled. When he was brought back to prison in Constantinople, St Maximus and two of his disciples had their tongue cut out and their right hand cut off.
St Maximus also left many writings, many of which describe the contemplative life.