Who was Saint Spaso (Anastasius) of Radovish — prayers and troparia for the feast

On 21 August (8 August on the old calendar) the faithful of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric commemorate several revered teachers, confessors and wonderworkers, chief among them the Macedonian new-martyr Saint Anastasius of Radovish, known locally as Saint Spaso.

Saint Anastasius (Spaso) was born in Radovish in 1774. At about age 20 his parents sent him to Thessaloniki to learn a trade, where he came under pressure to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. He resolutely refused and endured severe tortures for his faith. While being led to the gallows he collapsed under the torment and gave up his soul to the Lord on 11 September 1794 in Thessaloniki. His life was recorded after his death by the venerable Nikodim the Athonite. The litany of those remembered on this day also includes the martyr Triandafil, who suffered for Christ in Constantinople in 1680.

Saint Spaso has special ties to his native town: on 21 August 2008 Metropolitan Ilarion of Bregalnica celebrated an archierarchal Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Radovish. After the service, and following a prayer for the start of the school year, the metropolitan — at the request of the faithful and in the presence of the church founder Risto Gushterov, the mayor of Radovish, the president of the municipal council and the parliamentary deputy from the municipality — proclaimed Saint Spaso Radovishki as patron and protector of the town (the proposal was accepted by local authorities and blessed by Metropolitan Ilarion on that occasion).

Troparion of Saint Anastasius of Radovish (Tone 4)

"Divine fruit of Radovish, great praise of Thessaloniki you have shown yourself to be, new-martyr Spaso, bravely you confessed the Lord and for His sake you shed your blood. Therefore pray to God to grant those who venerate you unceasing peace and great mercy."

Other saints commemorated on this day

Also celebrated today are several important spiritual teachers: Gregory the Sinaite, who was tonsured on Mount Sinai and, around 1330, spread the practice of the Jesus prayer and contemplative life through Mount Athos, Macedonia and the Balkans. Gregory is credited with composing the refrain "Dostoino est" sung at the Paschal midnight office; among his noted disciples was Calistus, Patriarch of Constantinople, who composed his vita. Gregory founded houses where monks practiced the Jesus prayer and left writings included in the Philokalia.

Saint Emilianos the Confessor, bishop of Kyzikos, left an example of steadfastness by refusing to implement imperial edicts ordering the removal of icons during the reign of the iconoclast emperor Leo V the Armenian; for this he spent five years in exile. Saint Myron the Wonderworker, bishop of Crete, is remembered for exceptional kindness and miracles — one story tells how he once helped unknown thieves fill their sacks with grain from his threshing floor so they could flee; his virtues led to his episcopal ordination and many miracles.

Troparia for private devotion

Troparion of Gregory the Sinaite
"Your struggle, holy Gregory, became a calm water that united with the Source; from your earthly life the angels raised a pillar of grace towards Heaven. The heart prepared for Christ could not hide the light of the Spirit, singing unceasingly, without stopping — Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. And now remember us from the place of undying Light."

Troparion of Saint Emilianos the Confessor
"The Savior, because of your ascetic struggle, set you as a guiding star for the Orthodox flock, and a confessor of the holy icon. Through a sea of hardships and persecution, Truth prevailed in you, Emilianos, holy shepherd, and Christ our God led you to the heavenly dwellings, from where now pray for our salvation."

Troparion of Saint Myron the Wonderworker
"Rejoice, holy martyrs, behold Myron worthy of glory raised his hands to Heaven from the earthly Church, in God's glory and your honor. And you, holy bishop, who in the name of Christ showed gracious miracles, remember us before Him Who rewarded your virtuous life and took you into eternity to hear unspeakable words."

Photo: Printskrin\/ Denovi.mk