On Tuesday, His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova celebrated the Divine Liturgy and a memorial service at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest, marking the feast of Saint Philemon, the patron saint of actors.
In his sermon, the assistant bishop to the Bucharest Archdiocese referred to the Saint’s life. Being asked by a Christian that he may offer the required sacrifice to idols in his stead, Saint Philemon donned the Christian’s clothes, so his soul changed instantly.
“Thus, instead of confessing in favour of the idols, the gods, Philemon confessed God. They were all amazed at the change that had taken place in his life, and that is why the Church honoured him especially since then, and therefore all the arrows that were sent at him, being tied to a tree, did not hit him,” assistant bishop Timotei recalled December 14.
“St. Philemon has become a patron saint of those serving the arts, music, the stage. And it has been a custom for many years for the actors to honour this martyr who was a flute singer, but who understood the value of the words of the gospel and converted, his conversion being placed under the sign of God’s blessing,” the hierarch continued.
“We pray that the patron saint of actors, Saint Philemon, will take care of those who follow his path and who always want and seek a moment of conversion, recollection, recovery and run to the most merciful God, asking for His help and inspiration in all good works,” His Grace concluded his speech.
The services were attended by numerous actors from Bucharest and its surroundings, including Tomi Cristin, Manuela Hărăbor, Magda Catone, and Mircea Constantinescu.
Actress Magda Catone told Radio Trinitas that while the His Grace was reading the diptychs (list of names), “everyone in our minds remembered those we knew and their names vibrated in our souls, just as an opportunity for communion makes us all vibrate.”
“And I think that this is a gift: that we’re together. Everyone in our homes, as good Christians, remembers those who reposed in the Lord, but the joy of being together and honouring them is a rare thing,” the Romanian actress noted.
“We come to Radu Voda Monastery with the joy of seeing each other again. We are glad to see that Radu Voda Monastery, His Grace Bishop Timotei, the monastery’s abbot, Archim. Nectarie Șofelea, receive us every year and read the names of our living and departed colleagues,” actor Tomi Cristin said.
“We participate in the service, and we pray that, in this world increasingly haunted by a wave of evil, we, the artists, will be more supportive, to love others, to have good health, so that we can carry them to all and be good for our whole country,” actor Mircea Constantinescu said.
The Holy Martyr Philemon is not to be confused with the Holy Apostle Philemon, who was a disciple of St. Paul and lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.
Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
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