“My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horse!" (4 [2] Kings 2: 12). Picking up the cloak (mantle) of his teacher which fell from the sky, Elisha received the power and prophetic gift of the second forerunner of Christ, Elijah (June 14)
Holy Elisha spent more than 65 years in prophetic service, under six Israelite kings (from Ahab to Joash). "And in those days he trembled not before the prince, and no one could overcome him" (Sirach 48: 13)
“You were revealed as a Prophet of God, when you received from Elijah a double portion of the grace which you deserved; you were his contemporary, blessed Elisha, and together with him you unceasingly pray to Christ God for us all!” (Kontakion, Tone 2)
By the power of his prayer the holy prophet divided the waters of the Jordan River and worked many other miracles (4 Kings 3-13). Sir. 48: 15 records that “at death his works were marvellous.”
Holy Elisha spent more than 65 years in prophetic service, under six Israelite kings (from Ahab to Joash). "And in those days he trembled not before the prince, and no one could overcome him" (Sirach 48: 13)
“You were revealed as a Prophet of God, when you received from Elijah a double portion of the grace which you deserved; you were his contemporary, blessed Elisha, and together with him you unceasingly pray to Christ God for us all!” (Kontakion, Tone 2)
By the power of his prayer the holy prophet divided the waters of the Jordan River and worked many other miracles (4 Kings 3-13). Sir. 48: 15 records that “at death his works were marvellous.”
A year after his death, a corpse was thrown into the prophet’s grave. As soon as the dead man touched Elisha’s bones, he came to life and stood up (4 Kings 13: 20-21)
Prayers for the Non-Orthodox Departed St. Leonid of Optina introduced this prayer to a disciple who was in despair over the suicide of his father: “Seek out, O Lord, the lost soul of my father, if possible, have mercy! Thy judgements are unfathomable. Do not account this prayer of mine as a sin. May Thy holy will be done." Based on St Leonid's prayer, we may pray this prayer for the Non-Orthodox departed "Have mercy, O Lord, if it be possible on the souls of Thy departed servants (names), who have departed into eternal life in separation from Thy Holy Orthodox Church. Unsearchable are Thy decrees. Do not account this, my prayer as a sin, but may Thy holy will be done."
We may also pray the Akathist for the Repose of the Departed, found in The Book of Akathists (published by Holy Trinity Monastery) privately. This akathist, for anyone who has departed, gives us a means to pray for those for whom a Pannikhida cannot be done.
We may also pray the Akathist for the Repose of the Departed, found in The Book of Akathists (published by Holy Trinity Monastery) privately. This akathist, for anyone who has departed, gives us a means to pray for those for whom a Pannikhida cannot be done.
In St Luke’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to “always pray and not lose heart.” (18:1). St Monica was an untiring warrior in her prayers for her wayward son, who would become St Augustine, bishop of Hippo. They are jointly commemorated on June 15/ June 28.
Before the blessed Augustine was converted to Christ, his debauchery was a constant affliction for his devout mother. St Monica shed countless tears in petitioning God for the salvation of her son.
A bishop to whom she turned in her distress declared to St Monica that it was impossible for the son of so many tears to be lost. Finally, after 26 years of sin and error, her son was baptized.
Before the blessed Augustine was converted to Christ, his debauchery was a constant affliction for his devout mother. St Monica shed countless tears in petitioning God for the salvation of her son.
A bishop to whom she turned in her distress declared to St Monica that it was impossible for the son of so many tears to be lost. Finally, after 26 years of sin and error, her son was baptized.
"Rejoice, luminaries of those in darkness, since you are the rays of the Sun. Rejoice, Peter and Paul, unbroken foundations of the divine dogmas, friends of Christ, worthy vessels. Come and be in our midst invisibly, and count us worthy of immaterial gifts, as we extol your feast with songs."
—From Octoechos, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29/ July 13)
—From Octoechos, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29/ July 13)
I remember the judgment and I am scared. Of the close inquisition I am afraid. I fear, trembling at the thought of the verdict and punishment, and of the pain of fire, the darkness, and Hell's abyss. Alas! What shall I do in that hour on Judgment Day? There will be the Judge's seat and books will be opened. And there will be inquiry of the actions of everyone. O my Lady, I entreat, be to me a helper then, I beseech you, and an ardent advocate. For I, your servant, have you as my only hope.
—From Menaion
—From Menaion
“O relatives and close ones of the dead! Do for them what is needful for them and within your power. Use your money not for outward adornment of the coffin and grave, but in order to help those in need, in memory of your close ones who have died, for churches, where prayers for them are offered. Show mercy to the dead, take care of their souls. Before us all stands the same path, and how we shall then wish that we would be remembered in prayer! Let us therefore be ourselves merciful to the dead.”
☦️ St John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, who is commemorated on the Saturday closest to June 19 (July 1)
☦️ St John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, who is commemorated on the Saturday closest to June 19 (July 1)
The Holy Apostle Jude (June 19/July 2), is hymned as an "unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ." As a son of Joseph the Carpenter he could indeed call himself the Lord's brother, as his brother James did, but out of humility, even shame, he chose not to. St Jude did not at first believe in Christ the Lord. When the elderly Joseph, before his death, wanted to leave a portion of his estate to Jesus, as well as to his other children, all of them protested, even Jude. Only James voluntarily set aside his portion for Jesus.
Let us seek the prayers of the Lord’s own brother, who overcame his doubts, becoming an Apostle hymned as one “who trampled falsehood underfoot and preserved the Faith”, even unto martyrdom.
Let us seek the prayers of the Lord’s own brother, who overcame his doubts, becoming an Apostle hymned as one “who trampled falsehood underfoot and preserved the Faith”, even unto martyrdom.
“If your marriage is like this, your perfection will rival the holiest of monks.”
✝️ St John Chrysostom’s advice to husbands :
+ Never speak to your wife in a mundane way but with compliments, with respect and with much love.
+ Tell her that you love her more than your own life, because this present life is nothing, and that your only hope is that the two of you pass through this life in such a way that in the world to come, you will be united in perfect love.
✝️ St John Chrysostom’s advice to husbands :
+ Never speak to your wife in a mundane way but with compliments, with respect and with much love.
+ Tell her that you love her more than your own life, because this present life is nothing, and that your only hope is that the two of you pass through this life in such a way that in the world to come, you will be united in perfect love.
+ Say to her, ‘Our time here is brief and fleeting, but if we are pleasing to God, we can exchange this life for the Kingdom to come. Then we will be perfectly one both with Christ and with each other, and our pleasure will know no bounds. I value your love above all things, and nothing would be so bitter or painful to me as our being at odds with each other. Even if I lose everything, any affliction is tolerable if you will be true to me.’
+ Show her that you value her company, and prefer being at home to being out at the marketplace
+ Esteem her in the presence of your friends and children
+ Praise and show admiration for her good acts; and if she ever does anything foolish, advise her patiently.
+ Pray together at home and go to Church; when you come back home, let each ask the other the meaning of the readings and the prayers.
If your marriage is like this, your perfection will rival the holiest of monks.
+ Show her that you value her company, and prefer being at home to being out at the marketplace
+ Esteem her in the presence of your friends and children
+ Praise and show admiration for her good acts; and if she ever does anything foolish, advise her patiently.
+ Pray together at home and go to Church; when you come back home, let each ask the other the meaning of the readings and the prayers.
If your marriage is like this, your perfection will rival the holiest of monks.
Phos Hilaron (Φῶς iλαρὸν), known in English as 'Hail Gladdening Light,' or 'O Gladsome Light' is the earliest known Christian hymn, recorded outside of the Bible, that is still sung. https://youtube.com/