“Christ alone is God: He alone has overcome." ☦️ St. Porphyrios of Gaza (Feb 26), Keeper of the True Cross of Christ
St. Porphyrius remains especially dear to Palestinians, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, Christian and non-Christian— especially in light of the current war in Gaza and the recent fatal bombing that took place on the church that bears the saint’s name.
Following the death of Gaza’s bishop in 395, St. Porphyrius took Christians under his protection from pagan harassment.
St Porphyrius’ good relations with the emperor inspired the empowerment to give money for the construction of a new church in Gaza, to be built on the site of the chief pagan temple. This church, now named after the saint, has undergone many reconstructions over the centuries but it has remained as the oldest and largest church in Gaza.
St. Porphyrius remains especially dear to Palestinians, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, Christian and non-Christian— especially in light of the current war in Gaza and the recent fatal bombing that took place on the church that bears the saint’s name.
Following the death of Gaza’s bishop in 395, St. Porphyrius took Christians under his protection from pagan harassment.
St Porphyrius’ good relations with the emperor inspired the empowerment to give money for the construction of a new church in Gaza, to be built on the site of the chief pagan temple. This church, now named after the saint, has undergone many reconstructions over the centuries but it has remained as the oldest and largest church in Gaza.
The Church, containing his holy relics suffered damage from an Israeli bomb strike in October, 2023, with many fatalities. May the memories of the new martyrs for Christ be eternal!
The damaged church still stands and is reportedly serving as a makeshift hospital.
Our father Porphyrios, priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
The damaged church still stands and is reportedly serving as a makeshift hospital.
Our father Porphyrios, priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Syrian-born St Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (Feb 27) was the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated on American soil. Bishop Tikhon and Bishop Innocent performed his service at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. Bishop Raphael never neglected his growing flock, travelling throughout America, Canada, and Mexico in search of them so that he might care for them. In a protestant-influenced culture, He kept them from straying into strange pastures, and he protected them from spiritual harm. At the time of his repose, the Syro-Arab Mission had thirty parishes with 25,000 faithful."
"Rejoice, O Father Raphael, Adornment of the Holy Church!
Thou art Champion of the true Faith,
Seeker of the lost, Consolation of the oppressed,
Father to orphans, and Friend of the poor,
Peacemaker and Good Shepherd, Joy of all the Orthodox,
Son of Antioch, Boast of America:
Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor thee."
(Troparion, Tone 3)
"Rejoice, O Father Raphael, Adornment of the Holy Church!
Thou art Champion of the true Faith,
Seeker of the lost, Consolation of the oppressed,
Father to orphans, and Friend of the poor,
Peacemaker and Good Shepherd, Joy of all the Orthodox,
Son of Antioch, Boast of America:
Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor thee."
(Troparion, Tone 3)
"Be joyful, brothers and sisters, keep the holy faith and do your little good works"
"Always rejoice and be in the faith. Do the same little deeds that I did: you yourselves saw them and heard of them. I am following the path which our fathers walked before us."
+Our father among the saints, David of Wales (Mar 1/ Mar 14)
The glory of St. David as a wonderworker spread throughout Britain and Ireland both during his life and after his repose. On hearing his zealous preaching, many rulers and princes gave away their riches to the poor and in some instances abdicated their thrones and took up monastic life.
The relics of St. David have survived and are located at St. David's Cathedral (12th-14th centuries), on the site of the original monastery established by David. His shrine was ravaged and desecrated during the Reformation but his holy relics survived and continue to be venerated.
"Always rejoice and be in the faith. Do the same little deeds that I did: you yourselves saw them and heard of them. I am following the path which our fathers walked before us."
+Our father among the saints, David of Wales (Mar 1/ Mar 14)
The glory of St. David as a wonderworker spread throughout Britain and Ireland both during his life and after his repose. On hearing his zealous preaching, many rulers and princes gave away their riches to the poor and in some instances abdicated their thrones and took up monastic life.
The relics of St. David have survived and are located at St. David's Cathedral (12th-14th centuries), on the site of the original monastery established by David. His shrine was ravaged and desecrated during the Reformation but his holy relics survived and continue to be venerated.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
At times when we are far away from God herding our herd of pigs (sins) we grow hungry and cold we desire to be satisfied with the pigs feed but it is never enough.
If we contemplate on this hunger and cold we see the truth we hunger for the word of God “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” and the cold for we lack the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
If we wake for this truth we shall feel humility and run back to our Father's embrace and ask for forgiveness and no longer accept to work with pigs and eat of their feed for we are the inheritors of the Kingdom of God and we are kings and queen and our only sustenance is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
--Canon E Allam
At times when we are far away from God herding our herd of pigs (sins) we grow hungry and cold we desire to be satisfied with the pigs feed but it is never enough.
If we contemplate on this hunger and cold we see the truth we hunger for the word of God “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” and the cold for we lack the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
If we wake for this truth we shall feel humility and run back to our Father's embrace and ask for forgiveness and no longer accept to work with pigs and eat of their feed for we are the inheritors of the Kingdom of God and we are kings and queen and our only sustenance is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
--Canon E Allam
A tragedy of the reign of Henry VIII British Isles was the desecration and destruction monasteries and holy relics. Subjected to this destruction, on King Henry’s orders, were the holy relics of St. Chad, Evangelizer of Mercia, Bishop of Lichfield (Mar 2) a faithful disciple of St Aidan.
As a priest, and later bishop, St. Chad was known for his humility, prayerfulness and gentleness. In Mercia, there was fighting between neighbouring kingdoms. There was also division between the Romans and Celts in the Church. St Chad, belonging to the Celtic group, took up the task of mediation of these conflicts.
As a priest, and later bishop, St. Chad was known for his humility, prayerfulness and gentleness. In Mercia, there was fighting between neighbouring kingdoms. There was also division between the Romans and Celts in the Church. St Chad, belonging to the Celtic group, took up the task of mediation of these conflicts.
St. Chad established monasteries and is said to have dug wells for travelers. The water from these wells sometimes brought healings. St. Chad’s relics had been venerated by pilgrims for centuries at the Shrine of St Chad in Lichfield. In 1538 the Shrine was dismantled under the orders of King Henry. Some relics were destroyed. Others were recovered and hidden. Some later came into King Henry’s possession.
After the king’s death the holy relics were kept by the Jesuit from whom he had received the Last Rites, and eventually enshrined at a small chapel at Aston by Stone and later moved to a newly-built cathedral in Birmingham, consecrated in 1841. In 2022, a portion of the relics were returned to the original shrine in Lichfield Cathedral.
After the king’s death the holy relics were kept by the Jesuit from whom he had received the Last Rites, and eventually enshrined at a small chapel at Aston by Stone and later moved to a newly-built cathedral in Birmingham, consecrated in 1841. In 2022, a portion of the relics were returned to the original shrine in Lichfield Cathedral.
"Preserve the purity of your baptismal garment and death will become your victory." Fr. Tim Alikakos
There are several Saturdays of the Soul throughout the year, the Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement.
When the Memorial Service is offered, it is customary for the family of the departed to bring a dish of boiled wheat to the Church, known as koliva, as symbol of the Resurrection.
Speaking of the Resurrection, our Lord said: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) O our God, be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal.
“Grant them rest, O Lord, where the Light of Thy Countenance shines upon them."
Photo: Berlin-Tegel Russian Orthodox Cemetery
There are several Saturdays of the Soul throughout the year, the Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement.
When the Memorial Service is offered, it is customary for the family of the departed to bring a dish of boiled wheat to the Church, known as koliva, as symbol of the Resurrection.
Speaking of the Resurrection, our Lord said: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) O our God, be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal.
“Grant them rest, O Lord, where the Light of Thy Countenance shines upon them."
Photo: Berlin-Tegel Russian Orthodox Cemetery
☦️ 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇮🇱 ☦️ We do not know everything about the conflicts of this world, nor is it necessary to know. We just pray with a compassionate heart for the peace of the world and for all. We do not take sides, because each side will be responsible for crimes, and we do not want to share in these crimes and be condemned. If we pray for those who are more wrong than right, well, we perform the commandment to love even enemies. And if we pray for those who are more right than wrong, we do well. Therefore, we cannot go wrong if we pray that God save all and grant peace to the world. Especially for us, priests and monks, it is very important not to be political at all, because we offer our sacrifice to God, the Holy Liturgy, for the whole world; and if we are for some and against others, our sacrifice is annulled. I think that when there is a war, the best is not to be judgmental, but to have compassion and pray that the Lord may spare all from suffering.
If my Liturgy is to have any value, no one should be missing from my heart when I stand before the altar of God and say to Him, ‘Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in all and for all.
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou