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
Icon of the Theotokos shines in the Philippines!
The central icon of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, is the icon that Orthodox recognize as The Mother of God “of the Passion.”
The icon is everywhere -- high above the altar in the nave of the cathedral, on all four walls of the outside of the carillon, as a mosaic on in the area where people light candles to pray, and in the visitor centre.
The central icon of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, is the icon that Orthodox recognize as The Mother of God “of the Passion.”
The icon is everywhere -- high above the altar in the nave of the cathedral, on all four walls of the outside of the carillon, as a mosaic on in the area where people light candles to pray, and in the visitor centre.
Saint Tikhon, Bishop of Voronezh, Wonderworker of Zadonsk and All Russia lived a life of simplicity. He slept on straw, covered by a sheepskin coat. In his humility, he paid no attention when workers laughed at him as he walked about the monastery. He would say, “It is pleasing to God that even the monastery workers mock me, and I deserve it because of my sins.” He often said, “Forgiveness is better than revenge.”
Once, a fool named Kamenev struck St Tikhon on the cheek saying, “Don’t be so haughty.” The saint accepted this with gratitude, and gave the fool three kopeks every day for the rest of his life.
Once, a fool named Kamenev struck St Tikhon on the cheek saying, “Don’t be so haughty.” The saint accepted this with gratitude, and gave the fool three kopeks every day for the rest of his life.
The Prophet Joel (800 B.C., Oct 19) foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, quoted by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17), and the saving power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Joel 2:32).
The central message of the Book of Joel is thus that “the day of The Lord draws near” (1:15) All must be made aware of the darkness and gloom that is to come. The Prophet Joel calls for the people to turn back to God with all their hearts because He is merciful and compassionate. Repentance will save the Lord’s people from captivity.
The central message of the Book of Joel is thus that “the day of The Lord draws near” (1:15) All must be made aware of the darkness and gloom that is to come. The Prophet Joel calls for the people to turn back to God with all their hearts because He is merciful and compassionate. Repentance will save the Lord’s people from captivity.
O my brethren, how lamentably shallow are the minds of all those who do not know the Law of God! The depth of man’s mind is measured by the depth of his knowledge of God’s law. The mind of him who meditates on the mysteries of God’s law is deep, wide and exalted; and the mind is the rudder of the heart and will. O my brethren, how shallow, unstable and dissolute is the will of him who does not subordinate his will to the will of God! Indeed, it is lamentably shallow, unstable and dissolute. What is the Law of God, brethren? It is the expression of God’s will. Where is that expression to be found? In Holy Scripture and in the Tradition of the saints of the Church of God. Blessed is he who knows the will of God and fulfills it.
O Lord God, great and powerful, merciful and just; enlighten our minds by Thy holy law, so that we may conform our wills to Thy man-loving and saving will.
To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen.
Excerpt from The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by St Nikolai Velimirovich
O Lord God, great and powerful, merciful and just; enlighten our minds by Thy holy law, so that we may conform our wills to Thy man-loving and saving will.
To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen.
Excerpt from The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by St Nikolai Velimirovich
In Greek the Unmercenary Saints are physicians known as "Anargyroi", which translates as "no silver", meaning that they received no money for their work.
Elder Theophylaktos of New Skete once had a vision of the Holy Unmercenaries (Synaxis, Oct 17, Greek tradition and the Sunday after Nov 1, Slavic tradition) being led by St Panteleimon: "young, blonde, magnificent and with a physician's medal on his chest. The rest followed him chanting their hymn melodiously. They climbed the stairs of the kalyve above where the church is, and entering, they stood in two lines as two choirs and began to chant hymns from their service. When they finished the psalmody, they returned and exited towards the upper area of the Skete, having left me their blessing and much consolation; for many days I was full of joy and spiritual happiness."
Elder Theophylaktos of New Skete once had a vision of the Holy Unmercenaries (Synaxis, Oct 17, Greek tradition and the Sunday after Nov 1, Slavic tradition) being led by St Panteleimon: "young, blonde, magnificent and with a physician's medal on his chest. The rest followed him chanting their hymn melodiously. They climbed the stairs of the kalyve above where the church is, and entering, they stood in two lines as two choirs and began to chant hymns from their service. When they finished the psalmody, they returned and exited towards the upper area of the Skete, having left me their blessing and much consolation; for many days I was full of joy and spiritual happiness."