May the Lord give us the spiritual strength to transform ourselves. We know that time is running out, and the evil spirits know this, too. They do not want a single person to be free from evil thoughts. With that aim, they teach even small children to oppose their parents so that, when these children grow up, they will be easy prey for them…
But it can all take a turn for the good if each one of us begins with himself, if the transformation starts with us. We should try to have good thoughts which will radiate from us. A meek and humble person is always very pleasant to be with, for he emanates peace and warmth. That person may not say a single word, yet we rejoice to be in his presence. So, if we all begin with ourselves, transformation will take place. Goodness will be renewed and established all around us, in our country, and further abroad.
☦️ Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, from the book, "Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives – The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica"
But it can all take a turn for the good if each one of us begins with himself, if the transformation starts with us. We should try to have good thoughts which will radiate from us. A meek and humble person is always very pleasant to be with, for he emanates peace and warmth. That person may not say a single word, yet we rejoice to be in his presence. So, if we all begin with ourselves, transformation will take place. Goodness will be renewed and established all around us, in our country, and further abroad.
☦️ Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, from the book, "Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives – The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica"
Pay no attention to whatever the enemy says to you. As soon as he is about to whisper something in your ear, immediately say, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” or “Save me,” rapidly and without stopping, and soon you will see that the thought or rather the pressure to accept the thought has weakened, and you will not remember what exactly he was trying to say.
☦️Elder Ephraim of Arizona
☦️Elder Ephraim of Arizona
The Righteous Elizabeth, the cousin of the Holy Virgin is delivered by God from barrenness at the Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (Sept 23/Oct 6).
"Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High."
(Apolytikion of Conception of the Forerunner, Fourth Tone)
"Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High."
(Apolytikion of Conception of the Forerunner, Fourth Tone)
St Photini of Samaria saw "the Water of Wisdom, and drank abundantly. She inherited the Kingdom on High and is ever glorified!"
The 5th Sunday of Pascha is the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman who spoke with Christ at Jacob's Well (John 4:1-42). In the tradition of the Church, we know her as Photini (or Photine, Photina, Svetlana). She is sometimes called the first evangelist, since after her encounter with Christ at the well, she told her townspeople that she had met the Christ.
St Photini laboured fearlessly in the spread of the Gospel and finally received the crown of martyrdom in Rome with her two sons and five sisters.
The 5th Sunday of Pascha is the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman who spoke with Christ at Jacob's Well (John 4:1-42). In the tradition of the Church, we know her as Photini (or Photine, Photina, Svetlana). She is sometimes called the first evangelist, since after her encounter with Christ at the well, she told her townspeople that she had met the Christ.
St Photini laboured fearlessly in the spread of the Gospel and finally received the crown of martyrdom in Rome with her two sons and five sisters.
Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me: “We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead the solitary life?” I replied to them: “Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not lie to anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate anyone; do not be absent from the divine services; be compassionate to the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man’s domestic happiness, and be content with what your own wives can give you. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven”.
☦️ St John Climacus (of The Ladder)
☦️ St John Climacus (of The Ladder)
“We implore you, cover us with your holy veil (omophorion) and deliver us from all evil.”
The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and, venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”