Collection and Transfer of the Holy Relic of Saint Maximus the Confessor
Date of celebration: 13/08
Saint Maximus the Confessor was born in Constantinople in 580 AD. from rich and noble parents. He carried out brilliant theological, philological and philosophical studies. For his intellectual as well as his administrative gifts, he was hired as chief secretary to the emperor Heraklion. But he quickly resigned in order to defend the truths of his faith from the Monotheletites heresy. He becomes a monk and begins a cruel and merciless fight against the heretics.
In his struggle, he encounters many obstacles, mainly from the emperor Konstas, who was a supporter of the Monothelites and reached the point of convening a pseudo-synod, which condemned and excommunicated the saint and finally handed him over to the prefect of the city to be punished. He is whipped and finally his tongue and right hand are cut off.
His mutilated body miraculously endured three years in the service of the health of the soul and was the most eloquent testimony of his faith and devotion to God.
After a few days of illness, he leaves his blessed soul in the place of his exile (Laziki of Pontus, in the fortress of Schimaris) in 662 AD. His holy remains were buried in the monastery of Agios Arsenios, in the land of Lazos. Light came out of his tomb every night and illuminated the area, a fact that testified to his holiness.
Note: The Collection and transfer of the Relic of Saint Maximus the Confessor is celebrated on August 13, while his memory is repeated on September 20.
