At the First Ecumenical Council in 325, St Nicholas the Wonderworker, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius not only with words. He also struck his face. For this action, the saint was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers at the council had a vision of the Lord Himself and His Mother returning to St Nicholas the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored Nicholas to the office of bishop.
At First Ecumenical Council in 325, Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Tremithus (Dec 12), disputed with a Greek philosopher who was defending Arianism. The power of Saint Spyridon’s plain, direct speech showed everyone the importance of God’s wisdom before human wisdom: “Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. […] We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason.”
After his conversation with Saint Spyridon, the philosopher turned to his companions and said, “Listen! Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this Elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them, since it is impossible for man to oppose God. If any of you thinks as I do now, let him believe in Christ and join me in following this man, for God Himself speaks through his lips.”
As a result of their discussion, the opponent of Christianity became the saint’s zealous defender and later received holy baptism.
As a result of their discussion, the opponent of Christianity became the saint’s zealous defender and later received holy baptism.
At the moment of his repose,
in 1836, the face of the "Joyful North Star of the Church of Christ", Saint Herman of Alaska (Dec 13/26), was radiant with light.
That same night an unusual pillar of light was seen above Spruce Island. This sight was seen by many people in various places who were unaware at the time that the Elder had just passed away. However, when the Creole Gerasim Vologdin saw the light, he told his wife Anna: “It seems that Father Herman has left us.”
When St Herman reposed, he was the only surviving member of the longest missionary journey in Christian History, taking a nearly a year to make the perilous 7,900-mile trek by land and sea from his beloved Valaam monastery in Russian to Kodiak Island, Alaska.
The holy missionary zeal of St Herman and his brother Russian monks brought the light of Christ to thousands who were baptized into the Christian Faith.
in 1836, the face of the "Joyful North Star of the Church of Christ", Saint Herman of Alaska (Dec 13/26), was radiant with light.
That same night an unusual pillar of light was seen above Spruce Island. This sight was seen by many people in various places who were unaware at the time that the Elder had just passed away. However, when the Creole Gerasim Vologdin saw the light, he told his wife Anna: “It seems that Father Herman has left us.”
When St Herman reposed, he was the only surviving member of the longest missionary journey in Christian History, taking a nearly a year to make the perilous 7,900-mile trek by land and sea from his beloved Valaam monastery in Russian to Kodiak Island, Alaska.
The holy missionary zeal of St Herman and his brother Russian monks brought the light of Christ to thousands who were baptized into the Christian Faith.
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Even with a single thought we can be raised to heaven or descend to hell! How important it is to control our thought life! Video: Father Spyridon Bailey
Full video @ https://youtu.be/gXvmM3i_Eks
Full video @ https://youtu.be/gXvmM3i_Eks
Across the northern hemisphere, Dec. 21 is the first day of winter-- and it's beautiful. #wintersolstice
Alms is not only meant to offer something material, but more valuable is to offer something spiritual. What is this spiritual charity? It's when I forgive an enemy of mine. Instead of condemning him, I am merciful, I don't blame him, I don't hate him, but I pray for him. This is the greatest charity a Christian can do. ☦️ Geronda Ephraim