SAINT FLAVIAN

February 18

From the Prologue

Flavian became patriarch of Constantinople following St. Proclus. He was a contemporary of St. Leo the Pope. He fought resolutely against Eutyches and Dioscorus, but did not live to see the Triumph of Orthodoxy at the Fourth Ecumenical Council [Chalcedon 451 A.D.), for prior to that at a heretical council [Ephesus, 431 A.D.] he was mercilessly beaten trampled upon and died there. Flavian was a faithful soldier of Christ, courageous defender and confessor of the Orthodox Faith. He died in the year 449 A.D.

HYMN OF PRAISE

SAINT FLAVIAN

"When pride comes, then comes shame."(*)

That is the word of God, the lesson of life.

Heretics, who are they? The children of pride,

What did they want? Shame, to bring,

That is why they had to endure shame.

Eutyches hoped in the help of the eunuch,]

Flavian, in the help of the Spirit of God,

Pride always precedes the fall:

Eutyches perished and Flavian conquered.

Dioscorus, his hope was his fist

That is why all generations despise him.

Flavian beaten and trodden underfoot

Now on earth is glorified and blessed in Heaven.

The truth stands and he was not afraid of anything.

Leo the Roman extended him the assistance of a lion

In defense of the radiant face of Christ.

These two hierarchs and Eulogious the third one

Guided the Church to victory and fortune.

Without such spirits what would the Church be?

A wounded bird with broken wings.

(*) Proverbs 16:18