The Orthodox Church also keeps the Memory of St Haralambos' tormentors, Saints Prophyrios and Baptus, who were converted after witnessing the Saint's steadfast Faith and miracles. As well as the Three Holy Women of Magnesia, who beholding his martyrdom believed in Christ and were beheaded.
Our holy, glorious Martyr Haralambos lived during the reign of Emperor Septimus Severus (194-211 AD) in the city of Magnesia, near Ephesus, as a priest. He was 107 years old and ministered in the city converting many to Christ, despite the obvious danger and threats made by the pagans.
He was then accused as a dangerous "trouble-maker" and was brought before the tribunal of Governor Lucian. When asked why he condemned the worship of idols St Haralambos said, ‘You little know what is for my good and well-being. Nothing could be more pleasing to me than to suffer for Christ. So don’t hesitate to put my old body to the tortures you deem the worst, and you will learn that the power of my Christ cannot be overcome’. Governor Lucian commanded the Saint sacrifice to the idols or undergo terrifying tortures. St Haralambos refused to deny Christ.
He was then stripped of his clothes and his flesh torn at with iron claws – but, St Haralambos felt no pain. Upon witnessing this Governor Lucian went into such a rage he torn at the Saint's flesh with his own hands. Then, by an act of God, his hands became severed and remained claw-like and lifeless on the Martyr’s body. Moved by the Governor’s cries, the Saint prayed and Lucian was healed. This miracle demonstrated to the torturers of Christians’ love for their enemies. As a result, Lucian and the tormentors, Porphyrius and Baptus, renounced the worship of idols and were baptised. Three women onlookers also rushed forward and proclaimed faith in Christ. After these events, many people from the region came to St Haralambos, confessed their sins and were baptised. The Saint performed many miracles curing the faithful of many illnesses.
However, when Emperor Severus heard what was happening, he sent 300 soldiers to Magnesia to bring the Saint to his home in Antioch, chained and with nails in his back. The soldiers were very cruel to St Haralambos. But when the horse on which the Saint sat spoke denouncing the Emperor as an enemy of God and the soldiers as slaves of the Devil, the men were so terrified that they did no further harm to him.
Once they reached Antioch, Emperor Severus instructed the Saint be thrown into a blazing furnace with a long skewer through his chest. But, the flames went out as soon as they touched the Saint and nor was he in any pain. When the Emperor asked St Haralambos how he could withstand such excruciating torments, he replied ‘The power of Christ!’ Emperor Severus wanted to test the Saint’s claim and presented him with a man possessed by a demon for 35 years. St Haralambos forced the evil spirit out with a single word. Then, the Emperor brought the corpse of a young man about to be buried. With fervent prayer to God, St Haralambos gave the youth his hand and raised him from the bier on which he lay.
Then, an eparch named Crispus convinced Sevirus to execute the Saint claiming the miracle was achieved with magic. Emperor Severus commanded St Haralambos to sacrifice to the idols. When he refused, Severus ordered the Saint’s beard be set on fire and his jaw broken with rocks. But, God intervened. The flames turned on the tormentors and there was an earthquake.
The Emperor was lifted up off his throne, suspended in the air, whilst being whipped by unseen angels. When the Emperor’s daughter, Galinia, learnt what was happening she confessed to Christ as Almighty. She then implored St Haralambos to release her father. The Saint did this and the Emperor was amazed at the power of God – but this was short lived. He then had St Haralambos thrown into prison and tortured again.
Then, to ensure his daughter would not convert to Christianity, the Emperor threatened her with death unless she sacrificed to the gods. But upon entering the temple she threw the statues to the ground, breaking them. Her father had new statues made and she broke these too in order to humiliate him.
Severus then took his anger out on St Haralambos by ordering more punishments. However, he withstood every infliction and all the onlookers were dazzled by the brilliance of Grace. St Haralambos was then sentenced to death which he welcomed with joy.
At the time of his execution, he raised his hands and eyes to Heaven and thanked God for having brought him to the issue of his contest. He also asked Him to grant salvation of soul, health of body and abundance of good things in this life and in the next to all those who would pray for these things in the name of Christ. Then, a voice from Heaven was heard, ‘Come Haralambos, valiant in flight, to share in the joy and splendour of the Martyrs and holy priests!’ He was beheaded on 10 February and his body was buried by the blessed Galinia.
Today...
The skull of St Haralambos is kept at the Monastery of St Stephen at Meteora (pictured left). Fragments of his holy relics, found in Greece and around the world, accomplish frequent miracles.
St Haralambos Church in Templestowe (Victoria, Australia) has relics of the Saint. We welcome you to come visit and venerate his relics.
Sources:
Special thanks especially for Vasili Manavas for researching and assisting in this project.
Extracts from The Synaxarion - The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church, Volume 3. By Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos Petra, Published by the Holy Convent of The Annunciation of Our Lady, Ormylia (Chalkidike), 2001
A modern miracle took place in the small Peloponnesian town of Filiatra in 1943, during the dark days of the occupation of Greece by the Germans. This miracle has moved and continues to move, to this today, not only the people of Filiatra but also the people of all Greece.
From the German Headquarters in Tripoli, orders were issued to Officer Kondau, in charge in Filiatra, to burn the town, because of a sabotage that the rebels had instigated. The Commander was ordered to kill a certain number of notable Filiatrians, to take as prisoners the 1,500 other citizens, and to send them to Germany, after which it is was obvious they would never return.
Officer Kondau, feeling no pity, in turn, gave the orders to his soldiers to follow through with implementing the destruction, on the following day at 6:00 in the morning.
In Tripoli, the priest, Archimandrite Theodore Kotsakis, who was originally from Filiatra, learned of this plan. Grief and worry overcame everyone; no one knew what to do to save Filiatra and its people. So, the priest Theodore found someone who knew German, and together they went to the house of the German Officer in Tripoli. But while they waited outside his office, loud voices, cursing and a great upheaval were heard. A Greek woman pulled on the priest’s cassock, urging him to leave, so that they might not be killed there, right on the spot!
Thereby, upon leaving, the Priest notified all the people from Filiatra who were living in Tripoli, to pray that night to Saint Haralambos, who was Patron Saint of Filiatra, asking him to intercede for the town and its people. Then the Priest Theodore closed himself in his room and prayed with much pain and sorrow. And the citizens of Filiatra did the same, as they had caught wind of something going on, themselves.
Saint Haralambos heard their prayers and performed the miracle! The Saint then appeared that night to Officer Kondau while he was sleeping. He appeared to him as a serious, old and dignified man of holy countenance, dressed in priestly robes and having a long white beard. This German conqueror, who was a Protestant, had never seen such a face or such an appearance ever before in his life. The solemn Elder then said to him with such sweetness: “Listen, my son, do not carry out the orders you were given.”
The dream was so real that it created a great impression on him. He awakened suddenly and then went back to sleep, but, with determination, however, to carry out the order he was given. Then once again the Saint appeared to him in his sleep and said: “That which I have told you to do, do it. Do not execute the order. Do not be afraid. I will make sure that you are not punished.” Again, he awakened, and the words spoken to him were whirling around in his mind. But it was impossible for him not to carry out the order, after all the Germans would execute him if he didn’t. Once again he fell asleep. And once again the solemn Elder appeared to him for a third time, saying: “I told you not to be afraid. I will see to it that you are not punished. I will protect you and all your men. You will all return to your homes and nothing will happen to you.”
At first, the Commander wanted to ignore the order of Saint Haralambos, in order to appear independent. But despite all his intransigence, he yielded, because afterwards, as this German Officer himself related, he heard in his sleep shouts and cries, as if coming from people being tortured right in his own courtyard. Then, real life figures appeared like women, many women, who were beating themselves on the heads and chests out of unbearable misfortune and pain.
They were mourning, showing desperation, and cursing out of agony in anticipation of the slaughter of their children and grandchildren that was to take place. All of these voices then became like a big cloud that ascended on high, into the heavens, without anything falling to the earth.
And furthermore, as he slept, the German Officer saw long black clouds that were coming out of his room, ascending, and casting a shadow upon the sun, with the sun trying to hide from the clouds as if it were a person who in turn was casting shadows on the faces of his soldiers. Some of soldiers were afraid, while others were asking for help as they made the sign of the cross. And still others were running and hiding behind the olive groves.
From his fright he woke up. He tried to speak but couldn’t, rather his mouth was agape as he looked at the image in his dream, the old man that he saw three times in his dream who had the appearance of a Saint of the Orthodox church. When he came to his senses, he began thinking of the evil that was about to happen: the slaughter of human beings, like dogs to remain on the streets without burial and of houses burning in seconds which had taken centuries to be built!
These reflections stirred him. But still he said to himself: “I said I was going to burn this town and burn it I will!”
Then he closed his eyes. And the old man, Saint Haralambos, appeared once again before him, in a threatening and persistent manner. In a loud and emphatic voice, the Saint said to him: “Be careful! This town is not going to burn and its people are not going to be captured. They are innocent. Do you hear me?”
The German Officer stood up, steadied himself, as his knees were shaking from fright and he picked up the telephone. With a trembling voice, he called Tripoli to speak to the German Commander of all Peloponesos. And when this commander tried to respond to give orders, he faltered. He tried to get fierce so that his orders would be carried out, but he wasn’t able to! So what was going on? That same night he also had seen Saint Haralambos in his sleep, just as the Officer Kondau from Filiatra had described him on the telephone. And finally, the Commander resolutely told the Officer in Filiatra: “Write this down. I am suspending the destruction of the town. Come immediately to see me tomorrow at noon!”
At daybreak, the decision by the Germans to revoke the order was announced.
Everywhere there were shouts of joy to be heard by the townspeople, in the cafes, in the square, in the streets….
One battalion, then, of German soldiers with Officer Kondau and two Orthodox priests in the middle, walked down the street going from Church to Church. They started at Saint John’s, then Saint Nicholas’, then Saint Athanasios’ and finally headed for the Church of the Panagia (The All holy one).
Officer Kondau was searching for the icon of the Saint that he saw in his dream. When they opened for him the door of the Church of the Panagia, he recognized among the icons, Saint Haralambos, whom he had seen in his dream, who had commanded him. His voice broke. He became ashamed of his pride. He hid his face with his hands. Shortly, he lowered them. And this Protestant, on bended knee, made the sign of the cross. He uttered a few prayers in his own language, of which the priests present were unable to interpret.
Afterward, he asked the priests to tell him who this geronda (elder) depicted in the icon was. They related to him that it was Saint Haralambos who bore many torments for Christ. Then they told him of the many miracles that the Saint had performed, and still does to this day.
There are no words to describe the joy felt by the people of Filiatra and their gratitude toward the Saint. They glorified God and they thanked Saint Haralambos for the miracle. And just as the Saint had told Officer Kondau, the leader of the garrison, and all his men, after the war was over, they returned safely to Germany and to their homes, without anyone being harmed. The German Officer, thus, preserved vividly the memory of this miracle and showed gratitude to the Saint. He hoped to return from Germany to venerate him. And in fact, after two years, he came with his wife to the town of Filiatra. But, on his first pilgrimage, he didn’t quite make it for the Feast Day of the Saint. He came one day later, on February 11th.
When, however, the people of Filiatra saw him, they were so overjoyed that they celebrated the Feast Day all over again. They chanted the doxology; they held receptions and dinners and other festivities. And up until recent times this German Officer with wife and family and other countrymen have come on the 10th of February to the town of Filiatra to venerate and pay homage with faith to this Saint. In their hearts Orthodoxy had blossomed.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an evershining lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry, O blessed One. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be saved.
St Haralambos & the Demon Possessed
Many of the weighty difficulties which befall man have their cause, known or unknown, in his past. However, the causes of these weighty difficulties, let us say mental disorder, are nothing else than the transgression of the moral law of God.
When St. Haralambos was being tortured, the persecuting emperor found out about his miracle-working power and ordered an insane man to be brought to Haralambos so that the emperor could be convinced that Haralambos could heal him. The devil tormented this man for thirty-five years driving him into the wilderness and hills and hurling him into mud or into gorges. When this deranged person approached Haralambos, the demon sensed a sweet-smelling fragrance emanating from this holy man and shouted: "I beg you, O servant of God, do not torment me before my time, rather command me and I will depart and, if you wish, I will tell you how it came about that I entered into this man." The saint commanded the demon to relate the story. The demon said: "This man wanted to steal from his neighbor and thought to himself: `If I don't kill the man first, I will not be able to seize his goods.' He proceeded and killed his neighbor. Having caught him in the act, I entered him and behold for thirty-four years I dwelt in him." Upon hearing this, the saint of God commanded the demon to depart from the man immediately and to leave him in peace. The demon departed and the demented man was restored to health and became tranquil.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone O Priest-martyr, athlete, champion Haralambos, your relics are a priceless treasure of the Church. Wherefore she rejoices, glorifying the Creator.
St Haralambos & the Sacrifice of the Bull
The Municipality of Agia Paraskevi is situated in the centre of the island of Lesvos, among the hills and close to the plain of Kalloni. Agriculture and cattle raising are the main income sources of the Municipality.
The Municipality of Agia Paraskevi is famous for the "Religious Festival of Tavros". This festival is the most important popular activity of the village of Agia Paraskevi and it combines a variety of happenings that regard the ritual of the bull's (tavros) sacrifice. An agricultural group called "Το Ισνάφι των Ζευγάδων" (Agricultural Association "The Progress") revived this ancient custom in 1774. It was established as a reverence to St Haralambos, the protector of this agricultural group (Το Ισνάφι) that organises this festival (St. Haralambos os the patron saint of ploughmen).
The festival is linked to an old story: "During the period of Turkish occupation, a Turk stole a bull. Each time he tried to kill it, a bright light shone in his eyes, until eventually, he gave the bull back."
The incomes of this celebration are used for the inhabitants' common profit. The activities that take place during the celebration of this festival are the following:
The inhabitants gather the necessary materials (wheat etc.) for the preparation of the traditional meal ("kiskek"). The carrying of the decorated bull around the village takes place with the participation of the local orchestra. The pilgrims ride decorated horses accompanied by the local traditional orchestra. Sacrifice of the bull takes place at the chapel of St Haralambos situated at the evergreen mountain of Tavros that rests nearly 30 minutes outside of the village in a remote location.
Throughout the night, preparation of the traditional meal is accompanied by popular dances. The inhabitants return to the village, where a parade of horses and horse races take place. Amusement at the central square of the village takes place with the visitors' participation. On the last night of the festival, local inhabitants have fun until the next morning.
These festivals that take place at the village of Agia Paraskevi last for several days; they start from Friday and last until Monday, usually in the middle of June. The dances and the songs as well as the popular orchestras that play traditional music from Lesvos and from the village of Agia Paraskevi and Asia Minor are of a great importance at those festivals. The Religious Festival of Tavros takes place at the end of the spring and coincides with the preparation of the harvest.
The skull of St Haralambos is kept at the Monastery of St Stephen at Meteora (pictured left). Fragments of his holy relics, found in 