"As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' So he arose and followed Him." + Matt. 9:9
The primary affirmation of the Gospel account written by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (Nov 16/ Nov 29) is that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. There would not be another. (Matt.11:3).
Divinely eloquent Matthew, we honour your precious memory!
Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.
The primary affirmation of the Gospel account written by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (Nov 16/ Nov 29) is that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. There would not be another. (Matt.11:3).
Divinely eloquent Matthew, we honour your precious memory!
Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.
"We have found the Messiah.”
☦️ The Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called (Nov 30)
“Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to His appearing from heaven, rejoicing when He does appear and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.” ☦️ St John Chrysostom
☦️ The Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called (Nov 30)
“Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to His appearing from heaven, rejoicing when He does appear and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.” ☦️ St John Chrysostom
"The Holy Apostle Andrew, in Greek, Andreas, interpreted as "strong, manly" and "courageous", is a dramatic example of courage for us in these times when Christians have lost their courage!
St Andrew wiillingly accepted death by crucifixion. As people were being converted to Christ by the spectacle of Andrew's torturous death, he prayed to God prolong his agony so that even more would become Christians.
St Andrew wiillingly accepted death by crucifixion. As people were being converted to Christ by the spectacle of Andrew's torturous death, he prayed to God prolong his agony so that even more would become Christians.
Fear God—not the demons. Fear God and His judgments, for when He decides to punish us with some kind of penance for our pride, who is able to stop Him? Therefore, when the evil is still small, let us take care to remedy it. For once it has grown worse, you will not be able to be delivered even if others help you. So love God more, since He has sent you the medicine for your illness—that is, patience, humility, and courage—and see to it that you take it.
☦️ Elder Ephraim of Arizona
☦️ Elder Ephraim of Arizona
When I was seriously ill and on the point of leaving this life, I didn’t want to think about my sins. I wanted to think about the love of my Lord, my Christ, and about eternal life. I didn’t want to feel fear. I wanted to go to the Lord and to think about His goodness, His love. And now that my life is nearing its end, I don’t feel anxiety or apprehension, but I think that when I appear at the Second Coming and Christ says to me:
'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?"
I will bow my head and I will say to Him:
‘Whatever you want, my Lord, whatever your love desires. I know I am not worthy. Send me wherever your love wishes. I am fit for hell. And place me in hell, as long as I am with You. There is one thing I want, one thing I desire, one thing I ask for, and that is to be with You, wherever and however You wish'.
✝️ Saint Porphyrios (Bairaktaris), who fell asleep in the Lord on Nov 19/ Dec 2, 1991.
'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?"
I will bow my head and I will say to Him:
‘Whatever you want, my Lord, whatever your love desires. I know I am not worthy. Send me wherever your love wishes. I am fit for hell. And place me in hell, as long as I am with You. There is one thing I want, one thing I desire, one thing I ask for, and that is to be with You, wherever and however You wish'.
✝️ Saint Porphyrios (Bairaktaris), who fell asleep in the Lord on Nov 19/ Dec 2, 1991.
If you are penetrated through with the deep mystery of the Cross, then you will see nothing there except for the love of God the Father crucifying His Son, the love of God the Son dying on the Cross, and the love of the Holy Spirit exulting in the sacrifice of the Cross.
☦️ St Philaret of Moscow (Nov 19/ Dec 2)
☦️ St Philaret of Moscow (Nov 19/ Dec 2)
“And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for He has regarded the lowly state of His handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:46-49
At the Entrance (Presentation) of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (Nov 21/Dec 4), the Virgin is clearly made manifest. The Feast foretells God’s blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, and the promise of the coming of Christ.
At the Entrance (Presentation) of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (Nov 21/Dec 4), the Virgin is clearly made manifest. The Feast foretells God’s blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, and the promise of the coming of Christ.
When the righteous Joachim and Anna bring their child Mary to the temple, the era of the temple comes to an end. With Mary’s entrance the "preview of the good will of God" is shown forth. On the Feast of the Presentation (Nov 21/ Dec 4) we celebrate that we too are the house and tabernacle of the Lord.
From the East came the Mongol Horde destroying everything in their path; from the West came the forces of the Teutonic Knights, which blasphemously and with the blessing of the Roman Pope, called itself "Cross-bearers" by wearing the Cross of the Lord. In the midst of terror, God raised up for the salvation of Russia holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (Repose Nov 23/ Dec 6) courageous warrior and man of prayer.
Veneration of St Alexander began his burial, where he miraculously extended his hand for the written prayer of absolution placed in the coffin.
O Blessed Alexander, God has granted you the grace of healing, entreat Him to strengthen your suffering spiritual children, and to save all Orthodox Christians.
Veneration of St Alexander began his burial, where he miraculously extended his hand for the written prayer of absolution placed in the coffin.
O Blessed Alexander, God has granted you the grace of healing, entreat Him to strengthen your suffering spiritual children, and to save all Orthodox Christians.
“Santa Manna," a watery liquid with a rose scent, began exuding from the tomb of the Basilica of Myra immediately after the death of St Nicholas the Wonderworker (Dec 6/ Dec 19) and has continued without interruption since the translation of his bones to Bari, Italy. The casket containing the bones of St Nicholas is impermeable-- yet, without scientific explanation, up to 50 ml of the liquid continues to form annually in the tomb of the Saint in the crypt of the Basilica in Bari. It is an authentic relic because of its contact with the bones of St Nicholas.
The “santa manna” is mixed with with holy water and kept in large bottles designed by local artists depicting episodes from the life, miracles and protection of St Nicholas. Pilgrims are attracted to Bari because of the miracles St Nicholas works through this holy water.
O holy Nicholas, by your prayers protect those who call upon you from every danger. Amen.
The “santa manna” is mixed with with holy water and kept in large bottles designed by local artists depicting episodes from the life, miracles and protection of St Nicholas. Pilgrims are attracted to Bari because of the miracles St Nicholas works through this holy water.
O holy Nicholas, by your prayers protect those who call upon you from every danger. Amen.
Holy Martyr Catherine, the all-praised Bride of Christ, pray for us!
The Monastery of the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, gradually became known as the Monastery of Saint Catherine. Here the holy martyr’s relics are kept inside two precious reliquaries given by the Russian Empire. One reliquary enshrines her precious head, and the other, her left hand. Her relics, which have continued over the centuries to exude a heavenly fragrance, are brought out for the veneration of the faithful on special occasions. Each pilgrim is given a silver ring bearing her monogram in honour of the ring that Saint Catherine (Nov 24/ Dec 7) received from Christ Himself.
The Monastery of the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, gradually became known as the Monastery of Saint Catherine. Here the holy martyr’s relics are kept inside two precious reliquaries given by the Russian Empire. One reliquary enshrines her precious head, and the other, her left hand. Her relics, which have continued over the centuries to exude a heavenly fragrance, are brought out for the veneration of the faithful on special occasions. Each pilgrim is given a silver ring bearing her monogram in honour of the ring that Saint Catherine (Nov 24/ Dec 7) received from Christ Himself.