Subj : =?UTF-8?Q?October_24th_=E2=80=93_St=2E_Proclus_of_Constantinople?= To : All From : rich Date : Tue Oct 23 2018 08:50:58 From: rich October 24th =E2=80=93 St. Proclus of Constantinople d. 446 =C2 St. Proclus was a native of Constantinople, and was very young when he was made a lector.=C2 He was a disciple of St. John Chrysostom, but nevertheless became secretary to St. John's opponent, Atticus, archbishop of Constantinople, who ordained him deacon and priest. Alter his death many cast their eyes upon Proclus as the fittest person to be placed in that important see; but Sisinnius was chosen and he appointed Proclus bishop of Cyzicus.=C2 Inhabitants of that city refused to receive him and chose someone else. Proclus therefore continued at Constantinople, where he got a great reputation by his preaching. Upon death of Sisinnius many again cast their eyes upon him as the most worthy of that dignity; but Nestorius was chosen, who soon began to propagate his errors. St. Proclus courageously maintained the truth against him, and in 429 preached a sermon to show that the Blessed Virgin ought to be styled the Mother of God. In the course of it he made use of the memorable phrase, =E2=80=9CWe do not proclaim a deifi= ed man, but we confess an incarnate God=E2=80=9D. When Nestorius was deposed Maximian was chosen to succeed him, but after his death in 434, as Proclus had never been able in fact to take possession of the see of Cyzicus, he was elected to that of Constantinople. The mildness and tact with which he treated even the most obstinate among Nestorians and other heretics was a distinguishing part of his character. The Armenian bishops consulted him about the doctrine and writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia, who was then dead, and whose name was in reputation in those parts. St. Proclus answered by his Tome to the Armenians, the most famous of his writings. In it he condemned the doctrine mentioned as savoring of Nestorianism, and expounded the faith of the Incarnation; without, however, naming Theodore, whose memory was revered by many and who had died in the communion of the Church. He exhorted them to adhere to the doctrine of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen, whose names and works were in particular veneration among them. Others carried on this contest with greater warmth. In concert with the Empress St. Pulcheria, he translated the body of his old master St. John Chrysostom from Comana Pontica to the church of the Apostles at Constantinople. The whole city went out to meet the procession, and the remaining intransigent followers of St. John submitted themselves to his gentle and conciliatory successor. =C2 During the episcopate of St. Proclus, a disastrous earthquake visited Constantinople. Amid the ruins men ran to and fro distracted with fear, not being able to find any place of security. Inhabitants wandered in the fields, and Proclus with his clergy followed his scattered flock, and ceased not to comfort them amidst their afflictions and to implore the divine mercy. The Greek Menology of Basil, on the authority of a chronicler who wrote 350 years after the alleged event, refers to a legend that, as they thus prayed, crying out Kyrie eleison, a child was caught up out of sight into the air. When he came back to earth, the boy said he had heard the angelic choirs singing the words, =E2=80=9CHoly God, holy Strong One, holy Deathles= s One=E2=80=9D; and straightway he died. The people repeated the words, addin= g, =E2=80=9CHave mercy upon us=E2=80=9D, and the earthquake ceased. In consequ= ence St. Proclus introduced this invocation, the Trisagion, into the liturgy. It is not known that he did this, but the first certain mention of the Trisagion is at the Council of Chalcedon, only a few years later, and it is possible that St. Proclus and his people prayed in these famous words at the time of the earthquake. =C2 Proclus is referred to by St. Cyril of Alexandria as =E2=80=9Ca man = full of religion, perfectly instructed in the discipline of the Church, and a careful observer of the canons=E2=80=9D. =E2=80=9CIn moral excellence=E2=80= =9D, says the Greek historian Socrates, who knew him personally, =E2=80=9Che had few equals. He was always gentle to everyone, for he was convinced that kindness advances the cause of truth better than severity. He therefore determined not to irritate and harass heretics, and so restored to the Church in his own person that mild and benignant dignity of character, which had so often been unhappily violated. He was a pattern of all true prelates.=E2=80=9D A number of the letters and sermons of St. Proclus are extant.... A sufficiently full account of St. Proclus, compiled from the church historians and other sources, is provided in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. x.... Saint Quote: Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him. --St. Teresa of Avila Bible Quote: 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;=C2 (Phil. 2:12)=C2 RSVCE <><><><> Memorare to Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph =C2 Remember, O Merciful Jesus, Immaculate Mary and glorious St. Joseph that no one has ever had recourse to Thy Protection, or implored Thy assistance without obtaining relief. Animated with a like confidence, but weighted down by my sins, I prostrate myself before Thee. O! Reject not my petitions, but graciously hear and grant them. Amen. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .