The Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Valletta has been embellished with the latest artistic works by the young, but much-talented Serbian sculptor Mr Darko Djordjevich. These consist of two icon stands adorned with traditional Byzantine religious motifs and a frame for the icon of the Nativity above the Altar of Preparation (prothesis). Mr Djordjevich started working on these artistic works at the Church itself during the second half of 2015. The icon stands were placed in the Church just in time for the visit of H.E. the President of Malta, Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, and of her Consort, Mr Edgar Preca, on February 28th 2016. The frame for the icon of the Nativity has been installed a few days ago. Many people who have visited the Church during Holy Week expressed their admiration for the beautiful sculpture of Mr Djordjevich. The young sculptor hails from Serbia and is now resident in Malta.
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The Saint of the day 13 April† Hieromartyr Artemon, presbyter of Laodicea in Syria (303)
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_13_artemon_pc.mp3"
At the time of Diocletian's persecutions, he was a very old man, having served as a reader for sixteen years, then a deacon for twenty-eight years, and finally as a priest for thirty years, for a total of seventy-four years. The pagan judge put him in the Temple of Aesculapius, where large snakes were kept and worshiped as gods. Though the judge meant for Artemon to be attacked by the snakes, the holy priest immobilized them with the sign of the Cross, brought them out of the temple and, in front of the pagan priests, breathed on the snakes, which died instantly. The chief priest, Vitalis, fell to his knees and cried 'Great is the Christian God!' Artemon baptised him along with several of his friends.
The unrepentant judge then condemned Artemon to be thrown into burning pitch, but the judge himself was thrown off his horse into the pitch and died. After this, Artemon went free for a time and spent his time teaching the Faith to his people ("accompanied always by two tame deer," says St Nikolia Velimirovic!). But he was arrested again and beheaded in the year 303.
Troparion — Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Artemon, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Made worthy of a sacred confession, / and completing your life as a martyr, / you were translated to heaven, / receiving from God an unfading crown. / Therefore we celebrate your holy memory, calling out: / Remember us, as you stand before Christ, / O wise Hieromartyr Artemon.
The Saint of the day 12 April† Our Holy Mother Athanasia (860)
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_12_Athanasia_pc.mp3
"Born on the island of Aegina of rich and eminent parents, she gave her goods to the poor and went off to a monastery, where she heaped greater and greater asceticism on herself.
She took food only once a day, and that only bread and water, and in the Great Fast only once every two days. Only at Christmas and Easter did she taste flesh and oil. Although she was abbess of the monastery, she was the servant of all the other sisters and was ashamed that any should wait on her.
She was made worthy of the great gift of wonderworking, both during her lifetime and after her death." (Prologue)
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy mother Athanasia, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_12_Athanasia_pc.mp3
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The Saint of the day 13 April† Hieromartyr Artemon, presbyter of Laodicea in Syria (303)
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_13_artemon_pc.mp3"
At the time of Diocletian's persecutions, he was a very old man, having served as a reader for sixteen years, then a deacon for twenty-eight years, and finally as a priest for thirty years, for a total of seventy-four years. The pagan judge put him in the Temple of Aesculapius, where large snakes were kept and worshiped as gods. Though the judge meant for Artemon to be attacked by the snakes, the holy priest immobilized them with the sign of the Cross, brought them out of the temple and, in front of the pagan priests, breathed on the snakes, which died instantly. The chief priest, Vitalis, fell to his knees and cried 'Great is the Christian God!' Artemon baptised him along with several of his friends.
The unrepentant judge then condemned Artemon to be thrown into burning pitch, but the judge himself was thrown off his horse into the pitch and died. After this, Artemon went free for a time and spent his time teaching the Faith to his people ("accompanied always by two tame deer," says St Nikolia Velimirovic!). But he was arrested again and beheaded in the year 303.
Troparion — Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Artemon, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Made worthy of a sacred confession, / and completing your life as a martyr, / you were translated to heaven, / receiving from God an unfading crown. / Therefore we celebrate your holy memory, calling out: / Remember us, as you stand before Christ, / O wise Hieromartyr Artemon.
The Saint of the day 12 April† Our Holy Mother Athanasia (860)
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_12_Athanasia_pc.mp3
"Born on the island of Aegina of rich and eminent parents, she gave her goods to the poor and went off to a monastery, where she heaped greater and greater asceticism on herself.
She took food only once a day, and that only bread and water, and in the Great Fast only once every two days. Only at Christmas and Easter did she taste flesh and oil. Although she was abbess of the monastery, she was the servant of all the other sisters and was ashamed that any should wait on her.
She was made worthy of the great gift of wonderworking, both during her lifetime and after her death." (Prologue)
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy mother Athanasia, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_12_Athanasia_pc.mp3
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