Do you know what Paradise is? It is a continuous Divine Liturgy, a constant vigil. Think of a Divine Liturgy that does not last one or two hours but lasts forever! Will a person who does not love God endure? You see the people who do not love God, when after five minutes they can not stand in the Liturgy, they go out, that is, the devil takes them out. They are censed with incense ... they say a thousand and two excuses, but in the background is that there is sin, there is an evil spirit and it does not allow them to live the Kingdom of God in the Divine Liturgy. Because the Divine Liturgy is the Kingdom of God.
— Fr. Savvas Agioreitis
Photo: The Church of the Holy Martyrs Eustace, Teopista, Agapius and Teopisto in Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴
— Fr. Savvas Agioreitis
Photo: The Church of the Holy Martyrs Eustace, Teopista, Agapius and Teopisto in Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴
Rare photo: St. Savvas the New, with St. Nektarios of Aegina. The two each considered the other a saint.
St. Savvas the New (Dec 5), patron saint of the Greek Island of Kalymnos, was a shining example of virtue and was much sought after for his wise counsel. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in his presence and some even saw him rising above the ground as he stood at prayer.
At Holy Trinity Convent in Aegina where he served as a priest for the nuns, St. Savvas confined himself to his cell for forty days. When he finally emerged from his cell, he was holding an icon of St. Nektarios. He handed it to the Abbess and asked her to place it in the church for veneration. The Abbess was surprised since St. Nektarios had not been glorified as a saint and she was afraid that the convent would get into trouble. The humble saint insisted: "You must show obedience. Take the icon and place it on the icon stand, and do not scrutinize the will of God." He knew the holiness and purity of St. Nektarios.”
St. Savvas the New (Dec 5), patron saint of the Greek Island of Kalymnos, was a shining example of virtue and was much sought after for his wise counsel. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in his presence and some even saw him rising above the ground as he stood at prayer.
At Holy Trinity Convent in Aegina where he served as a priest for the nuns, St. Savvas confined himself to his cell for forty days. When he finally emerged from his cell, he was holding an icon of St. Nektarios. He handed it to the Abbess and asked her to place it in the church for veneration. The Abbess was surprised since St. Nektarios had not been glorified as a saint and she was afraid that the convent would get into trouble. The humble saint insisted: "You must show obedience. Take the icon and place it on the icon stand, and do not scrutinize the will of God." He knew the holiness and purity of St. Nektarios.”
Towards the end of his life, St. Savvas was in a state of intense concentration and holy contrition. On the eve of the feast of the Annunciation in 1948, as he was near his last breath, he received sudden strength, brought his blessed small hands together, and clapped them repeatedly saying his last holy words: "The Lord! The Lord! The Lord!" One nun saw the soul of the saint ascending in a golden cloud towards heaven.
In accordance with Greek Orthodox custom, after about 10 years, the saint's grave was opened and a heavenly fragrance emanated from it. Numerous miracles and healings have since been attributed to St. Savvas.
Through the intercessions of St. Savvas the New, have mercy on us O Lord and save us! Amen.
In accordance with Greek Orthodox custom, after about 10 years, the saint's grave was opened and a heavenly fragrance emanated from it. Numerous miracles and healings have since been attributed to St. Savvas.
Through the intercessions of St. Savvas the New, have mercy on us O Lord and save us! Amen.
"Since 'the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force' (Mt. 11:12), and it is impossible for the faithful to enter it by any other way, unless they come through the narrow gate of trials and tribulations, the divine oracle rightly commands us, saying: 'Strive to enter by the narrow door' (Lk. 13:24). Again He says, 'By your endurance you will gain your souls' (Lk. 21:19), and, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of heaven' (Acts 14:22)."
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (Oct 12), Discourses
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (Oct 12), Discourses
Christ’s Resurrection and His glory are our glory, which is accomplished in us, disclosed to us, and beheld by us through His Resurrection.
Once He has appropriated what is ours, that which He works in us He ascribes to Himself.
The resurrection of the soul is union with life.
Just as the body is dead and cannot live or be called alive unless it receives the living soul in itself and is united to it, though without admixture, so also the soul cannot live unless it is ineffably and unconfusedly united to God, Who is truly eternal.
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022 AD), commemorated Oct 12
Once He has appropriated what is ours, that which He works in us He ascribes to Himself.
The resurrection of the soul is union with life.
Just as the body is dead and cannot live or be called alive unless it receives the living soul in itself and is united to it, though without admixture, so also the soul cannot live unless it is ineffably and unconfusedly united to God, Who is truly eternal.
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022 AD), commemorated Oct 12
It takes physical discipline for the heart to acquire the peace needed for prayer: “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.” (1 Cor 9:22). Those who are experienced in prayer must concentrate on the heart, “If your heart has opened”, and this should be done with great fear of God, because the union of the mind and heart (which precedes our union with God) is granted by divine grace.
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
Ecumenism is dominated by unclean spirits
I went to my cell and prayed, asking Christ to inform me what Ecumenism is. I received His reply, which was that Ecumenism has a spirit of wickedness and is dominated by unclean spirits...
...after praying, my cell became filled with an unbearable stench, which caused my soul to feel asphyxiated; I couldn’t breathe spiritually."
+ Elder Efraim Katounakiotis (1912-1998), Athonite monk, hesychast
http://www.impantokratoros.gr/C54EBF09.en.aspx
I went to my cell and prayed, asking Christ to inform me what Ecumenism is. I received His reply, which was that Ecumenism has a spirit of wickedness and is dominated by unclean spirits...
...after praying, my cell became filled with an unbearable stench, which caused my soul to feel asphyxiated; I couldn’t breathe spiritually."
+ Elder Efraim Katounakiotis (1912-1998), Athonite monk, hesychast
http://www.impantokratoros.gr/C54EBF09.en.aspx
The procession with the miracle-working relics of the 11th century saint, St. Parascheva (Oct 14), is traditionally one of the largest religious events in Romania and has been called the largest annual pilgrimage in the Orthodox world.
This year, 20,000 participated in the procession of her relics, along with those of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky). More than 145,000 came to venerate her relics.
This year, 20,000 participated in the procession of her relics, along with those of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky). More than 145,000 came to venerate her relics.
Holy Apostle, heal the wounds of our souls, and pray for our salvation!
A physician with compassion, the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke (Oct 18/ Oct 25) was a companion to St Paul on his missionary journeys and gave a doctor's help when Paul was beaten, stoned, or nearly drowned.
Born a Greek in Antioch, St Luke was the only Gentile to have written books included in our Bible. Only in Luke's gospel are the stories told of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat, the Presentation, and Jesus' remaining in Jerusalem.
Only in Luke's gospel are the words spoken by the angel to Mary at the Annunciation recorded. "Hail Mary, full of grace." We also hear Elizabeth's words to Mary, "Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus."
A physician with compassion, the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke (Oct 18/ Oct 25) was a companion to St Paul on his missionary journeys and gave a doctor's help when Paul was beaten, stoned, or nearly drowned.
Born a Greek in Antioch, St Luke was the only Gentile to have written books included in our Bible. Only in Luke's gospel are the stories told of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat, the Presentation, and Jesus' remaining in Jerusalem.
Only in Luke's gospel are the words spoken by the angel to Mary at the Annunciation recorded. "Hail Mary, full of grace." We also hear Elizabeth's words to Mary, "Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus."
☦️ O Christ, the true Light, Which enlightenest and illuminest every man that cometh into the world: Let the light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, O Lord, that, walking therein, that we may see the light of Thine unapproachable glory. Direct our steps to do Thy commandments, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, and of all Thy saints: For blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.
“Anyone fortunate enough to attain to the divine energy, and to undergo divine transformation, himself becomes completely like the light. He is with the light, and by means of it sees clearly things which, were it not for this great and inexpressible grace, would be invisible to all. ..." ☦️ Saint Gregory Palamas
Photo: Mosaic of the Transfiguration illuminated by the reflected beams of the morning sun rising over the Monastery of Mt. Sinai.
www.fatherjustinsblog.info
Photo: Mosaic of the Transfiguration illuminated by the reflected beams of the morning sun rising over the Monastery of Mt. Sinai.
www.fatherjustinsblog.info