“We are spiritually sick. And some of us are already dead.”
People feel unhappy and don’t know why. They feel that something is wrong but can’t put their finger on what it is. They feel uneasy in the world, confused and frustrated, alienated and estranged, and can’t explain it. They have everything and yet want more; and when they get it, they’re still left empty and dissatisfied. They want happiness and peace, and nothing seems to bring it. They want fulfillment, and it never seems to come.
Everything is fine, yet everything is wrong. In America this is almost a national disease. It is covered over by frantic activity and endless running around. It is buried in activities and events. It is drowned out by television programs and games. But when the movement stops and the dial is turned off and everything is quiet...then the dread sets in, and the meaninglessness of it all, and the boredom, and the fear. Why is this so? Because, the Church tells us, we are really not at home.
People feel unhappy and don’t know why. They feel that something is wrong but can’t put their finger on what it is. They feel uneasy in the world, confused and frustrated, alienated and estranged, and can’t explain it. They have everything and yet want more; and when they get it, they’re still left empty and dissatisfied. They want happiness and peace, and nothing seems to bring it. They want fulfillment, and it never seems to come.
Everything is fine, yet everything is wrong. In America this is almost a national disease. It is covered over by frantic activity and endless running around. It is buried in activities and events. It is drowned out by television programs and games. But when the movement stops and the dial is turned off and everything is quiet...then the dread sets in, and the meaninglessness of it all, and the boredom, and the fear. Why is this so? Because, the Church tells us, we are really not at home.
We are in exile. We are alienated and estranged from our true country. We are not with God our Father in the land of the living. We are spiritually sick. And some of us are already dead.”
Fr. Thomas Hopko, "The Lenten Spring”
Fr. Thomas Hopko, "The Lenten Spring”
"The Son of God has become the Son of Man in order to make us, men, sons of God.“
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (Mar 12)
The Church, recognizing St. Symeon’s remarkable life of prayer and holiness, as well as the heights of his spiritual understanding, calls him "the New Theologian." Only two others have received the title: John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople.
☦️ St Symeon the New Theologian (Mar 12)
The Church, recognizing St. Symeon’s remarkable life of prayer and holiness, as well as the heights of his spiritual understanding, calls him "the New Theologian." Only two others have received the title: John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople.
A prayer for the afflicted
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Thine ineffable goodness, help us and defend us in this day of affliction. Thou knowest our weakness. Thou hearest our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who lovest mankind deliver us from the threats that surround us. Send Thine angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those who are suffering. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve thee in peace and glorify Thy most honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Thine ineffable goodness, help us and defend us in this day of affliction. Thou knowest our weakness. Thou hearest our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who lovest mankind deliver us from the threats that surround us. Send Thine angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those who are suffering. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve thee in peace and glorify Thy most honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
"God is Intellect and transcends the creatures that in His Wisdom He has created; yet He also changelessly begets the Logos as their dwelling-place, and, as Scripture says (cf. John 14:26), sends the Holy Spirit to endow them with power. He is thus both outside everything and within everything. " ✝️ St. Nikitas Stithatos
St. Aristobulus (Mar 16), brother of the Apostle Barnabas and numbered among the Seventy Apostles, was made the first bishop of Britain by the Apostle Paul. There he endured the torments and malice of the pagans who smote him, dragged him through the streets, mocked him and jeered at him. Aristobulus remained steadfast in the Gospel and helped convert many.
Such was the Apostle Aristobulus' influence amongst the Brythonic Celts that a region was named after him: Arwystli. This region later became a small medieval British kingdom, and continues to this day as a district (known as a cantref) in the county of Powys, Wales.
Pray unto God for us, O holy Saint Aristobulus, well-pleasing to God: for we turn unto you who are the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls. Amen.
Such was the Apostle Aristobulus' influence amongst the Brythonic Celts that a region was named after him: Arwystli. This region later became a small medieval British kingdom, and continues to this day as a district (known as a cantref) in the county of Powys, Wales.
Pray unto God for us, O holy Saint Aristobulus, well-pleasing to God: for we turn unto you who are the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls. Amen.
“I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and forever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”
✝️ The Confession of Saint Patrick (Mar 17), Enlightener of Ireland
✝️ The Confession of Saint Patrick (Mar 17), Enlightener of Ireland
As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen
✝️ Prayer of St Patrick, Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland (March 17)
✝️ Prayer of St Patrick, Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland (March 17)
Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of the Irish (Mar 17), "was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart.
In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, 'After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm.'
In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, 'After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm.'
After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ.