BENEDICTUS DEUS IN ANGELIS SUIS, ET IN SANCTIS SUIS.
Most Reverend Father bishops, Very Reverend Father presbyters, Venerable Father deacons, Laudable monastics, and brothers and sisters of the Universal Church;
God is the Lord and has revealed himself onto us: Blessed is He who comes with the Name of the Lord! (Ps 117:27)
On this 23rd day of the 10th month in commemoration of the Synaxis of all Saints of Optina in the year of our Lord 2018 AD, the Lord’s Grace bestowed on his saints is thus manifested. “All that is kept in secret will be disclosed at the appointed time, and all which is concealed in darkness, the light will expose for all to see!”(Lk 8:17)
Thus, it is pleasing to the All Holy Trinity that our father amongst the presbyteral order Father Alexander Vladimirovich Men (1935-1990) is adorned with the crown and title: Martyr of the Church! Furthermore, the Wisdom from on High who came to dwell amongst us (Jesus the Lord) who awakens our souls to the sound of his Name has challenged us once again in the political upheaval of national disputes within the walls of the instituted church.
Hence, in the tradition of the Great Apologists and Theologians of Holy Mother Church Sts. Gregory Nazianzus, John Chrysostom and Basil the Great, our Father amongst the Martyrs demonstrated this extraordinary Gift within the Ministry of Homiletics further communicating thus via modern means.
It is my paternal joy and privilege as Apostle of Australia to now acclaim the Servant of God Father Alexander Men amongst the Saints. The Lord’s name is blessed amongst his holy ones and it is our duty to testify to the glorious Presence of the Father Pantocrator within our Holy Exarchate in this great land traced with the Glorious Cross via the formation of starts in the southern skies.
Hence, the whole Church gathered for the Divine Liturgy written by our Father amongst the Hierarchs John Chrysostom. Thus, via the grace of the all Holy Spirit according to the succession of the Apostles bestowed on us in Christ who is Divine Bishop of his Church, this servant of God who was kept in the dark due to institutional fragility and adverse powers was canonized!
All clergy are to commemorate our father amongst the saints Alexander Men within the Canon of Martyrs at the service of the proskemedia (preparation of gifts). Furthermore, the icon attached to this exarchal decree is to be installed in each church with the offering of incense and following hymnodies.
Troparion Hymn (tone 4)
Venerable Father Alexander, you were a descendant from the people of the elder law via blood. Therefore, he whose blood was shed upon the cross illumined you with the knowledge that he is the light of the nations and glory of Israel. Your heart burned with the desire to know, love and proclaim his name to the captives and he in turn called you to his service as a presbyter of his Holy Church. Intercede to the Lord that he save us his people and open the eyes of the spiritually blind.
Kontakion Hymn (tone 6)
Holy Father Alexander, God raised you up as another Stephen to give witness to the wondrous love he has for his people. Yet many despised you for their hearts did not understand, but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit challenged them through the gift of theology for that age imparted you. They in turn rendered your robes with the stains of your very life blood to silence you. Christ who is Bishop of his Church then raised you amongst the saints who died testifying his Name to the world. Pray that the Church continually rids itself of all worldly cares.
With and in the joy of Christ who is Bishop of his Church, his Holy Apostles and their Venerable Successors,
The Apostolic Authority of the Australian Exarchate
+Raffaele
Archbishop of Melbourne
For a biography of St Alexander, please view the following link:
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