"We must reverently preserve the Orthodox Faith, standing firm in it…. while faithfully preserving the Orthodox Faith, everyone must also take care to spread it among the non-Orthodox. Christ the Saviour said that having lit the candle, men do not put it under a bushel but on a candlestick so that it gives light to all (Matt. 5.15). The light of the Orthodox Faith has not been lit to shine only for a small circle of people. No, the Orthodox Church is catholic; she remembers the commandment of her Founder, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature and teach all nations (Mark 16.15; Matt. 28.19)."
☦️ St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America. (Glorification Oct 9)
☦️ St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America. (Glorification Oct 9)
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. This is the message of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist John (also John the Theologian or John the Divine), one of the original twelve Apostles. (Sept 26/ Oct 9)
"Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. This is the message of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist John (also John the Theologian or John the Divine), one of the original twelve Apostles. (Sept 26/ Oct 9)
"Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
Although recent reports of damage to one of the oldest churches in the world, St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza are false, the church is asking for prayers. In the midst of the current terrors, the church is requesting the faithful to pray for protection of its parishioners and for all those who are seeking sanctuary within its walls.
"Dost thou see, brother, the Queen and Lady, praying for all the world?", asked Saint Andrew, Fool for Christ to his disciple, the Blessed Epiphanios. “I do see, holy father, and I be in awe".
This exchange took place in the 10th century at the fourth hour of the all night vigil on Sunday, October 1, at the Blakhernae church where there the Robe of the Mother of God was preserved. The Holy Theotokos appeared, “resplendent with an Heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. The holy Baptist of the Lord John and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended knee the Most Holy Virgin began with tears to pray for Christians and for a long time was at prayer. Then, coming nigh the Prestol'-Throne, She continued her prayer, which having completed, she then took from her head the veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible.” — from the Synaxarion
This exchange took place in the 10th century at the fourth hour of the all night vigil on Sunday, October 1, at the Blakhernae church where there the Robe of the Mother of God was preserved. The Holy Theotokos appeared, “resplendent with an Heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. The holy Baptist of the Lord John and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended knee the Most Holy Virgin began with tears to pray for Christians and for a long time was at prayer. Then, coming nigh the Prestol'-Throne, She continued her prayer, which having completed, she then took from her head the veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible.” — from the Synaxarion
“Remember us in Thine prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we perish not by the increase of our sins, protect us from every evil and from grievous woes; for on Thee do we hope, and venerating the feast of Thine Pokrov, Thee do we magnify".
A forbidden icon: The Mother of God “Enthroned”
The “Enthroned” (or “Reigning”) Icon of the Mother of God appeared miraculously on March 2, 1917, the day of Tsar Nicholas’ abdication, in the village of Kolomskoye near Moscow.
Many copies of the icon were venerated throughout Russia, but these were confiscated by the Soviets. The original icon is in the Novodevichy Museum in Moscow. There is a copy in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Kolomskoye.
The “Enthroned” (or “Reigning”) Icon of the Mother of God appeared miraculously on March 2, 1917, the day of Tsar Nicholas’ abdication, in the village of Kolomskoye near Moscow.
Many copies of the icon were venerated throughout Russia, but these were confiscated by the Soviets. The original icon is in the Novodevichy Museum in Moscow. There is a copy in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Kolomskoye.
One parishioner stopped going to church. Time passed, and one day the parish priest decided to visit him.
The entrance door was open and the priest went inside. The man was sitting all alone by the fireplace. He saw the priest, nodded his head in greeting and motioned to him to sit down.
The priest settled comfortably into the armchair, and also began to look at the flame beautifully playing in the fireplace.
Both were silent.
A few minutes later, the priest got up, took the fireplace tongs, grabbed a burning brand with them and put it aside, away from the fire. Then he sat down again.
The silence continued.
The brand meanwhile ceased to blaze, then completely cooled down and turned black. The priest got up again, took the tongs and put the black brand back into the fire. A moment later, it was already burning like the others.
The entrance door was open and the priest went inside. The man was sitting all alone by the fireplace. He saw the priest, nodded his head in greeting and motioned to him to sit down.
The priest settled comfortably into the armchair, and also began to look at the flame beautifully playing in the fireplace.
Both were silent.
A few minutes later, the priest got up, took the fireplace tongs, grabbed a burning brand with them and put it aside, away from the fire. Then he sat down again.
The silence continued.
The brand meanwhile ceased to blaze, then completely cooled down and turned black. The priest got up again, took the tongs and put the black brand back into the fire. A moment later, it was already burning like the others.
The priest put aside the tongs, and without saying a word headed for the exit. When he was already at the door, he heard the words: “Thank you for the visit, and for your sermon by the fireplace. This Sunday I will definitely come to the service.”
Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God, crying out, "You are my Lord and my God!" By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us.
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas (Oct 6/19) did not want to be found guilty of careless belief. St Thomas did not say “Except I see,” but, “Except I handle” (John 20:25). He did not want to believe an apparition.
When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. It was the preaching for the risen Lord, not some apparition, that earned the Apostle a martyr's death.
Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.”
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas (Oct 6/19) did not want to be found guilty of careless belief. St Thomas did not say “Except I see,” but, “Except I handle” (John 20:25). He did not want to believe an apparition.
When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. It was the preaching for the risen Lord, not some apparition, that earned the Apostle a martyr's death.
Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.”
“If you believe in the divinity of Christ, this means that the Heavenly Father has touched your heart.
This is a mystery.”
—Archpriest Theodore Gignadze
Sermons by Father Theodore Gignadze
on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/100066583281191/](https://www.facebook.com/100066583281191/)
This is a mystery.”
—Archpriest Theodore Gignadze
Sermons by Father Theodore Gignadze
on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/100066583281191/](https://www.facebook.com/100066583281191/)
The Order of Saint George, Greek TV, the Greek Reporter and multiple additional sources are reporting that St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church in Gaza City has been bombed.
Archbishop Alexios is reportedly alive but possibly hundreds of people being housed at the church and monastery have reportedly been killed or injured. Reports on the number of people inside the church buildings vary widely. It is also widely reported than many are trapped under the rubble.
Lord have mercy!
Photo Source: Order of Saint George the Martyr website
Archbishop Alexios is reportedly alive but possibly hundreds of people being housed at the church and monastery have reportedly been killed or injured. Reports on the number of people inside the church buildings vary widely. It is also widely reported than many are trapped under the rubble.
Lord have mercy!
Photo Source: Order of Saint George the Martyr website
St Porphyrios of Gaza, pray for the new martyrs of the church that bears your name!
The ancient St Porphyrios Orthodox Church, where hundreds of Christians and Muslims have been sheltering from Israeli airstrikes, has itself been hit by an airstrike. Reports vary widely as to the number of the number of dead, wounded and trapped but prayers are needed for all. Lord have mercy!
O wise Porphyrios, you were excellent in word and deed, healing many and strengthening all with the grace of godliness. Since you always serve Christ, do not cease to pray for the world!
The ancient St Porphyrios Orthodox Church, where hundreds of Christians and Muslims have been sheltering from Israeli airstrikes, has itself been hit by an airstrike. Reports vary widely as to the number of the number of dead, wounded and trapped but prayers are needed for all. Lord have mercy!
O wise Porphyrios, you were excellent in word and deed, healing many and strengthening all with the grace of godliness. Since you always serve Christ, do not cease to pray for the world!