Priests have huge shoes to fill. Through many temptations and trials, they walk in the path of the Holy Apostles of Christ. What an affront to the ancient enemy of Christ! Let us not take the enemy’s side when our priests do not meet our expectations. They struggle with even greater temptations than we do— and more cleverly devised. Pray! Lord have mercy!
“Never forget that the Son of God, for thirty years of His earthly life, was a carpenter. He had calloused hands and was not ashamed to extend His hand to receive payment for the plows and yokes He made, as was said in the time of Saint Justin the Philosopher and Martyr.
The highly intellectual Apostle Paul was not ashamed, after preaching during the day, to make bags, tents, and rugs from goat hair at night, as was customary in the East at that time. Both Saint Basil the Great and Saint John the Theologian, along with all the other saints, worked. Therefore, we too must not be ashamed or afraid of any work; we should only be ashamed and afraid of sin.
By doing so, through our faith and life in faith, we will fulfill the meaning and purpose of our existence in this world—that is, to attain bliss in our true heavenly homeland, in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
-Patriarch Paul of Serbia
The highly intellectual Apostle Paul was not ashamed, after preaching during the day, to make bags, tents, and rugs from goat hair at night, as was customary in the East at that time. Both Saint Basil the Great and Saint John the Theologian, along with all the other saints, worked. Therefore, we too must not be ashamed or afraid of any work; we should only be ashamed and afraid of sin.
By doing so, through our faith and life in faith, we will fulfill the meaning and purpose of our existence in this world—that is, to attain bliss in our true heavenly homeland, in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
-Patriarch Paul of Serbia
Hieromartyr Father Daniel Sysoyev (1974-2009) was a young, married priest of the Church of Russia who converted many Muslims and Protestants to Holy Orthodoxy. Fr. Daniel was shot and killed on Nov. 19, 2009, by a Muslim fanatic in his own Church.
Holy Hieromartyr Daniel, pray to God for the salvation of our souls ☦️
Holy Hieromartyr Daniel, pray to God for the salvation of our souls ☦️
“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.
The 15th-century St Tysilio's Church on Church Island (Ynys Dysilio), Wales, built in the early 15th century, is one of many Welsh churches named after Welsh Father, St Tysilio (Nov 8/21), son of Brochwel, king of Powys.
As a very young man in the latter 6th century, Prince Tysilio was drawn to the ascetic Christian life, leaving his home to study at the monastery of Meifod, founded by the holy hermit and abbot Gwydfarch (or Gwyddfarch). St Tysilio's life was one of contemplative prayer, missionary journeys, and scholarship. Some attribute “The Brut Tysilio” Welsh chronicle of kings to St Tysilio, who is venerated in North Wales to this day.
Holy Father Tysilio of Wales and Brittany, pray to God for us!
Church photo source: Geograph.org.uk
As a very young man in the latter 6th century, Prince Tysilio was drawn to the ascetic Christian life, leaving his home to study at the monastery of Meifod, founded by the holy hermit and abbot Gwydfarch (or Gwyddfarch). St Tysilio's life was one of contemplative prayer, missionary journeys, and scholarship. Some attribute “The Brut Tysilio” Welsh chronicle of kings to St Tysilio, who is venerated in North Wales to this day.
Holy Father Tysilio of Wales and Brittany, pray to God for us!
Church photo source: Geograph.org.uk
"By being in the Church, we become one with every unfortunate and hurting sinner. No one should want to save himself without others also being saved. It is wrong for a person to pray for himself so that just he will be saved. We should love everyone and we should pray that no one is spiritually lost, that all of them should be part of the Church. That has value. It is with such an attitude that a person should leave this life."
☦️ St. Elder Porphyrios "On the Issues of Sadness, Sorrow and Anguish," translated from the Greek by Fr. Constantine (Charles) J. Simones
☦️ St. Elder Porphyrios "On the Issues of Sadness, Sorrow and Anguish," translated from the Greek by Fr. Constantine (Charles) J. Simones
St Catherine the Great Martyr (Nov 24 or 25/Dec 7) boldly confronted the idol-worshipping Emperor Maxentius and denounced his idolatrous errors. The emperor summoned fifty of his wisest men to debate with Catherine on matters of faith, hoping to put her to shame. When Catherine outwitted them all, the emperor, in a rage, ordered all fifty of those men burned. By St Catherine’s prayers, all fifty confessed Christ and declared themselves Christians before their execution.
After Catherine had been put in prison, she converted the emperor’s commander, Porphyrius, and two hundred soldiers to the true Faith, as well as Empress Augusta-Vasilissa herself. They all suffered for Christ.
After Catherine had been put in prison, she converted the emperor’s commander, Porphyrius, and two hundred soldiers to the true Faith, as well as Empress Augusta-Vasilissa herself. They all suffered for Christ.
During the torture of the royal martyr St Catherine, an angel of God came to her and destroyed the wheel on which the holy virgin was being tortured for her faith. Afterward, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to her and comforted her. After many tortures, Catherine was beheaded at the age of eighteen, in the year 310. Milk, instead of blood, flowed from her body. Her miracle-working relics repose on Mount Sinai.
Source: St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid – Volume Two
Source: St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid – Volume Two
"And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." Philippians 4:3
St Clement (Nov 25/ Dec 8) was among the first in the unbroken chain of priestly ordination stretching back to Christ. Baptized by the holy Apostle Peter, St Clement his zealous disciple and constant companion. St Peter would later consecrate him as the first bishop of Rome.
For converting hundreds to Christ, St Clement caught the attention of Roman authorities, who banished him to harsh labour in a stone quarry Crimea. He was followed there by his own disciples, who preferred exile to the absence of their spiritual Father. The Menoligion tells of Clement's martyrdom by drowning by being thrown overboard from a boat with a ship’s anchor tied to him.
St Clement (Nov 25/ Dec 8) was among the first in the unbroken chain of priestly ordination stretching back to Christ. Baptized by the holy Apostle Peter, St Clement his zealous disciple and constant companion. St Peter would later consecrate him as the first bishop of Rome.
For converting hundreds to Christ, St Clement caught the attention of Roman authorities, who banished him to harsh labour in a stone quarry Crimea. He was followed there by his own disciples, who preferred exile to the absence of their spiritual Father. The Menoligion tells of Clement's martyrdom by drowning by being thrown overboard from a boat with a ship’s anchor tied to him.
After the saint’s disciples prayed to see the martyr’s body, the sea drew back a distance of three miles from the shore, revealing a marble cave shaped like a church. There they found his incorrupt body. Each year on the anniversary of Saint Clement’s martyrdom, the sea receded, allowing the faithful to venerate his holy relics.
Unshakeable and godlike tower of the Church, holy Father Clement, protect us all by your prayers.
Unshakeable and godlike tower of the Church, holy Father Clement, protect us all by your prayers.
O Saviour, grant Your heavenly blessing to our children. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may always love You and strive to fulfill Your holy will as devout members of Your Church.
Grant them so to please You in this age that they may finally inherit Your glorious Kingdom in the age to come. For Yours it is to save us, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Photo: Saint Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, Koliganek, Alaska
Grant them so to please You in this age that they may finally inherit Your glorious Kingdom in the age to come. For Yours it is to save us, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Photo: Saint Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, Koliganek, Alaska
I remember once I told Saint Porphyrios (Dec 2): "I'm afraid of what is to come, the ugly times."
He looked at me puzzled and giving me a swift slap on the hand he said: "Who can do you harm, my child, if you have Christ inside your heart. Turn your eyes towards Christ. You don't become saints by chasing away the evil. Forget about the evil. You should actually turn your eyes towards Christ and He will save you. Instead of standing at the door and shooing away the enemy, despise him. When you see evil approaching from one direction, you softly give your attention to something else. So, when the evil is coming to offend you, give your interior strength to good, to Christ. Plead: "Our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me." He knows how to give you His mercy and in whatever way that is best for you. And after you are full of good, then you no longer turn your attention towards the evil. With the grace of God, you become good. And then the evil is unable to find a place to stand and disappears."
He looked at me puzzled and giving me a swift slap on the hand he said: "Who can do you harm, my child, if you have Christ inside your heart. Turn your eyes towards Christ. You don't become saints by chasing away the evil. Forget about the evil. You should actually turn your eyes towards Christ and He will save you. Instead of standing at the door and shooing away the enemy, despise him. When you see evil approaching from one direction, you softly give your attention to something else. So, when the evil is coming to offend you, give your interior strength to good, to Christ. Plead: "Our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me." He knows how to give you His mercy and in whatever way that is best for you. And after you are full of good, then you no longer turn your attention towards the evil. With the grace of God, you become good. And then the evil is unable to find a place to stand and disappears."