“Through the wise providence of God, the Apostle Thomas had been destined not to be present at the burial of the Mother of God. Arriving late on the third day at Gethsemane, he lay down at the sepulchral cave and with bitter tears bespeaking loudly his desire, that he might be vouchsafed a final blessing of the Mother of God and have final farewell with Her. The Apostles out of heartfelt pity for him decided to open the grave and permit him the comfort of venerating the holy remains of the Ever-Virgin Mary. But having opened the grave, they found in it only the grave wrappings and were thus convinced of the bodily ascent or assumption of the Most Holy Virgin Mary to Heaven.”
Photos: Empty tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane
Photos: Empty tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane
“O believers, come, let us go unto the tomb of the Mother of God and embrace it longingly, and with sincerity touch it with our lips and eyes and foreheads of our hearts, and we shall then obtain from that ever-welling fountain the divine gifts of healing that issue abundantly.” (Hymn from the Matins of the Feast)
O heavenly mother, Panagia, intercede for us!
Photo: St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church, Sydney, Australia
O heavenly mother, Panagia, intercede for us!
Photo: St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church, Sydney, Australia
We must not avoid communion because we deem ourselves to be sinful. We must approach it more often for the healing of the soul and the purification of the spirit, but with such humility and faith that considering ourselves unworthy ... we would desire even more the medicine for our wounds. It is impossible to receive communion once a year, as certain people do ... for when they receive, they think themselves worthy. It is much better if, in humility of heart, knowing that we are never worthy of the Holy Mysteries we would receive Them every Sunday for the healing of our diseases, rather than, blinded by pride, think that after one year we become worthy of receiving Them! + St John Cassian (360 - 435)
"Divine Communion", by Markogiannakis Evangelos, 1934
"Divine Communion", by Markogiannakis Evangelos, 1934
“LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy wrath”
Monday Vespers, Kathisma 6
http://bit.ly/kathisma6
Monday Vespers, Kathisma 6
http://bit.ly/kathisma6
One should always endure any trial for the sake of God with gratitude. Our life is a single minute in comparison with eternity; and therefore, according to the Apostle, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18).
☦️ St Seraphim of Sarov
☦️ St Seraphim of Sarov
St Irenaeus (Aug 23/ Sept 5) was a lion in his refutation of the gnostic heresy. Salvation is through the Incarnation. “Jesus Christ the Son of God, through exceedingly great love for His creation, condescended to be born of a Virgin, having united mankind with God in His own Self.” Through the Incarnation of God, creation becomes co-imaged and co-bodied to the Son of God. Salvation consists in the “Sonship” and “Theosis” (“Divinization”) of mankind.
“Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood. Hieromartyr Irenaeus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.”
“Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood. Hieromartyr Irenaeus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.”
New Miracle of St. Gabriel (Urgebadze)
A young woman coming out of a coma tells her mother, who had been praying to the Georgian saint for her healing: “I saw this same priest [Elder Gabriel] but I couldn’t wake up or come to. He came to me and said that love is above everything in the world. And today he came to my bed and shouted: ‘Enough sleeping! Let’s go hang out!’
I froze in place, and tears began pouring from my eyes again. Do you know what date it was? August 26—the birthday of Elder Gabriel! On his birthday, our beloved Elder Gabriel gave my daughter a new lease on life!”
https://orthochristian.com/155845.html
A young woman coming out of a coma tells her mother, who had been praying to the Georgian saint for her healing: “I saw this same priest [Elder Gabriel] but I couldn’t wake up or come to. He came to me and said that love is above everything in the world. And today he came to my bed and shouted: ‘Enough sleeping! Let’s go hang out!’
I froze in place, and tears began pouring from my eyes again. Do you know what date it was? August 26—the birthday of Elder Gabriel! On his birthday, our beloved Elder Gabriel gave my daughter a new lease on life!”
https://orthochristian.com/155845.html
“I was born blind! And I glorify the Panagia because that way I commit fewer sins! At some point, the Panagia gave me my sight, but when I saw that it didn't help me, I asked her to take it back... And she listened to me!”
+ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory +
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
+ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory +
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
“Salvation consists in the restoration of our communion with God.
Unhappy is he who is satisfied with his own human righteousness, for he does not need Christ, Who says of Himself: I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mt. 9:13).”
☦️ St Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867), Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea:
Unhappy is he who is satisfied with his own human righteousness, for he does not need Christ, Who says of Himself: I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mt. 9:13).”
☦️ St Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867), Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea:
A Story of St Moses the Black (St Moses the Ethiopian) Aug 28/ Sept 10
A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, ‘Come, for everyone is waiting for you.’ So he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with him. (Some versions of the story say he carried a leaking bag of sand.) The others came out to meet him and said to him, ‘What is this, Father?’ The old man said to them, ‘My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.’ When they heard that they said no more to the brother but forgave him.
A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, ‘Come, for everyone is waiting for you.’ So he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with him. (Some versions of the story say he carried a leaking bag of sand.) The others came out to meet him and said to him, ‘What is this, Father?’ The old man said to them, ‘My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.’ When they heard that they said no more to the brother but forgave him.