“Pilgrimage is part of our Christian life … Saint Paraskeva herself was a pilgrim … She travelled and lived in Jerusalem and the Holy Places until she was guided to return to her homeland. Her life was a continuous journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“The entire Christian life is a holy pilgrimage for each of us, in which we travel and strive to draw closer to Jesus Christ and His Truth. He is the One who calls us all to leave behind the daily routine and walk the path of holiness…”
— Archbishop Nikitas Loulias of Thyateira and Great Britain during the celebration of Saint Paraskeva
Annually, pilgrims line in the thousands for up to 24 hours outside St. Paraschiva Metropolitan Cathedral in the city of Iași, Romania, to venerate St. Parascheva’s incorrupt relics, which for centuries have worked countless miracles.
“The entire Christian life is a holy pilgrimage for each of us, in which we travel and strive to draw closer to Jesus Christ and His Truth. He is the One who calls us all to leave behind the daily routine and walk the path of holiness…”
— Archbishop Nikitas Loulias of Thyateira and Great Britain during the celebration of Saint Paraskeva
Annually, pilgrims line in the thousands for up to 24 hours outside St. Paraschiva Metropolitan Cathedral in the city of Iași, Romania, to venerate St. Parascheva’s incorrupt relics, which for centuries have worked countless miracles.
“Truly this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54). + Martyr Longinus the Centurion, who stood at the Cross of the Lord
According to Church Tradition, St Longinus (Oct 16/ Oct 29) was the soldier who pierced the side of the Crucified Saviour with a spear, and received healing from an eye affliction when blood and water poured forth from the wound.
St Longinus was later martyred and orders were given by Pilate to cast Longinus' head on a trash-heap outside the city walls. The saint appeared in a dream to a certain blind widow from Cappadocia, who was mourning the death of her son. The saint told her where his head was buried and that she should take it and bury it with her son's body. On touching Longinus' head, the woman was healed of her blindness.
"Longinus, you beheld the King of Glory Who was nailed to the Cross, yet shone on those in darkness ... Glory to Him who granted you a crown!" (from the troparion to the saint)
According to Church Tradition, St Longinus (Oct 16/ Oct 29) was the soldier who pierced the side of the Crucified Saviour with a spear, and received healing from an eye affliction when blood and water poured forth from the wound.
St Longinus was later martyred and orders were given by Pilate to cast Longinus' head on a trash-heap outside the city walls. The saint appeared in a dream to a certain blind widow from Cappadocia, who was mourning the death of her son. The saint told her where his head was buried and that she should take it and bury it with her son's body. On touching Longinus' head, the woman was healed of her blindness.
"Longinus, you beheld the King of Glory Who was nailed to the Cross, yet shone on those in darkness ... Glory to Him who granted you a crown!" (from the troparion to the saint)
“For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. —Hosea 6:6
The Holy Prophet Hosea (Oct 17/ Oct 30) called to repentance his fellow Israelites and warned them of the coming Assyrian captivity. But he also proclaimed the Good News of the Messiah’s coming! Hosea declared the Christ Who would return from out of Egypt (Hos. 11:1; compare Mt. 2:15), that He would be resurrected on the third day (Hos. 6 and especially Hos.6:2; compare with 1 Cor.15:4), and that He would conquer death (Hos.13-14. Compare 1 Cor.15:54-55).
The Holy Prophet Hosea (Oct 17/ Oct 30) called to repentance his fellow Israelites and warned them of the coming Assyrian captivity. But he also proclaimed the Good News of the Messiah’s coming! Hosea declared the Christ Who would return from out of Egypt (Hos. 11:1; compare Mt. 2:15), that He would be resurrected on the third day (Hos. 6 and especially Hos.6:2; compare with 1 Cor.15:4), and that He would conquer death (Hos.13-14. Compare 1 Cor.15:54-55).
“Holy Apostle, heal the wounds of our souls, and pray for our salvation!”
The holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke (Oct 18/ Oct 31) was a close companion of the Holy Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys and gave a doctor's help when Paul was beaten, stoned or nearly drowned.
A Gentile born in Antioch, the Holy Apostle is the writer of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. In it, he emphasizes Christ's compassion for sinners and for those who suffer.
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."
The holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke (Oct 18/ Oct 31) was a close companion of the Holy Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys and gave a doctor's help when Paul was beaten, stoned or nearly drowned.
A Gentile born in Antioch, the Holy Apostle is the writer of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. In it, he emphasizes Christ's compassion for sinners and for those who suffer.
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."
Church Tradition holds that St Luke painted the first icon-- of the Mother of God-- during her lifetime. Several celebrated and wonderworking icons in Greece, are said to be original icons written by the apostle.
In 1981, two walkways collapsed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, killing 114 people and injuring many. It also caused a paralyzing back injury to a young Orthodox woman, who is now a nun at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monastery, Thebes, Greece
"I remember that I was crushed - bent over with my face between my knees ... there were sixty tons [of concrete and debris] on top of me. My knees broke my ribs. ... Then, at some point, I spoke to my guardian angel: "Where are you?" I felt my right hand clasped, without pulling, and then I was out. I was lying on my back, totally free of the rubble. Someone I did not recognize was holding me and told me that I would be OK. No one remembers seeing this person." - Sister Aemiliane
"I remember that I was crushed - bent over with my face between my knees ... there were sixty tons [of concrete and debris] on top of me. My knees broke my ribs. ... Then, at some point, I spoke to my guardian angel: "Where are you?" I felt my right hand clasped, without pulling, and then I was out. I was lying on my back, totally free of the rubble. Someone I did not recognize was holding me and told me that I would be OK. No one remembers seeing this person." - Sister Aemiliane