“The difficulties faced each day by worldly people serve as their 'monastic rule', and it is by them that they are purified. Such difficulties do far more good for people than any easy, worldly life, which does not help them either to get closer to God or to amass a heavenly reward. This is why people must accept such difficulties as gifts from God." ✝️ St Paisios
The relics of the Holy and Glorious Greatmartyr Demetrius (Oct 26/Nov 8), were once thought to be lost, but later appeared in Thessalonica, and were determined to be genuine after they started emitting a liquid and strong scented myrrh. This gave St Demetrius the epithet Μυροβλήτης, or "Myrrh-streamer."
As a commander in the Roman army, he earned the crown of martyrdom by refusing Emperor Maximian's orders to persecute Christians. Instead, Demetrius openly confessed and preached Christ at Thessalonica.
St Demetrius, the first recognized patron and protector of Thessalonica, has many times saved the city from calamity. Russians also consider Demetrius as the protector of Siberia.
Holy Demetrius, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy!
As a commander in the Roman army, he earned the crown of martyrdom by refusing Emperor Maximian's orders to persecute Christians. Instead, Demetrius openly confessed and preached Christ at Thessalonica.
St Demetrius, the first recognized patron and protector of Thessalonica, has many times saved the city from calamity. Russians also consider Demetrius as the protector of Siberia.
Holy Demetrius, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy!
When difficulties and humiliations come our way, we must embrace them as from God. The Lord knows what we need, and if we are to acquire true humility like our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated during His Incarnation, we must trust that the Lord gives us that which we need for salvation. Just as a loving father does not spoil his child, so does the Lord allow periods of struggle, that we might be purified, and made whole. Let us thank Him for everything, and draw near to Him for comfort amidst the pains of life. We can make it through this humbling veil of tears to paradise if we persevere in faith, hope, and love.
—Abbot Tryphon
—Abbot Tryphon
The Trisagion (Greek: Τρισάγιον; “Thrice Holy”)
Άγιος ο Θεός, Άγιος Ισχυρός, Άγιος Αθάνατος ελέησον ημάς. (Greek)
Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus immortális, miserére nobis. (Latin)
Sfinte Dumnezeule, Sfinte Tare, Sfinte fara de moarte, miluieste-ne pe noi. (Romanian)
Святый Боже, Святый Крепкий, Святый Безсмертный, Помилуй нас. (Church Slavonic)
Святий Боже, Святий кріпкий, Святий безсмертний, помилуй нас. (Ukrainian)
Santo Dios, Santo Fuerte, Santo Inmortal, ten piedad de nosotros. (Spanish)
Άγιος ο Θεός, Άγιος Ισχυρός, Άγιος Αθάνατος ελέησον ημάς. (Greek)
Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus immortális, miserére nobis. (Latin)
Sfinte Dumnezeule, Sfinte Tare, Sfinte fara de moarte, miluieste-ne pe noi. (Romanian)
Святый Боже, Святый Крепкий, Святый Безсмертный, Помилуй нас. (Church Slavonic)
Святий Боже, Святий кріпкий, Святий безсмертний, помилуй нас. (Ukrainian)
Santo Dios, Santo Fuerte, Santo Inmortal, ten piedad de nosotros. (Spanish)
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy, on me, a sinner." The Jesus Prayer was the unceasing prayer of the Ven. Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (Oct 28/Nov 10). His disciple Dositheus once found the saint illumined by a heavenly light as he prayed.
St Job used a printing press to reach the faithful and warn them of heterodox teachings and the persecution of the Orthodox by the Vatican in the early 1600s. God glorified St Job by the incorruption of his relics.
You strengthened all people in Orthodoxy, Job, our venerable father; pray that our souls may be saved.
St Job used a printing press to reach the faithful and warn them of heterodox teachings and the persecution of the Orthodox by the Vatican in the early 1600s. God glorified St Job by the incorruption of his relics.
You strengthened all people in Orthodoxy, Job, our venerable father; pray that our souls may be saved.
“Prayer does not consist merely in standing and bowing your body or in reading written prayers….it is possible to pray at all times, in all places, with mind and spirit. You can lift up your mind and heart to God while walking, sitting, working, in a crowd and in solitude. His door is always open, unlike man’s. We can always say to Him in our hearts Lord , Lord have mercy.” ☦️ St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
St John (Maximovitch) Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco is best remembered for his gentleness. However, when one occasion called him to be stern, he was up for the challenge.
"At the end of October the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of All Saints. There is a tradition that during the preceding night the dark spirits celebrated their own festival of disorder. In America this "celebration" called Halloween has become an occasion on which children make mischief dressed in costumes of witches, devils, ghosts, as if calling on the dark powers — a diabolic mockery of Christianity. A group of Russians organized on this night a Halloween Ball.
"At the end of October the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of All Saints. There is a tradition that during the preceding night the dark spirits celebrated their own festival of disorder. In America this "celebration" called Halloween has become an occasion on which children make mischief dressed in costumes of witches, devils, ghosts, as if calling on the dark powers — a diabolic mockery of Christianity. A group of Russians organized on this night a Halloween Ball.
In the San Francisco Cathedral at this time was the All-night Vigil celebrated, and a number of people were absent, to the great sorrow of Vladika. After the service Vladika went to the place where the ball was still in progress. He climbed the steps and entered the hall, to the absolute astonishment of the participants. The music stopped and Vladika, in complete silence, glared at the dumbfounded people, slowly and deliberately making the round of the entire hall, staff in hand. He spoke not a word, and none was necessary; the mere sight of Vladika stung the conscience of all, as was evident from the general consternation. Vladika left in silence; and the next day in church he thundered his holy indignation and his flaming zeal calling all to the devout Christian life."
(Missionary Leaflet # EA10, Copyright © 2001 Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission. Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant))
(Missionary Leaflet # EA10, Copyright © 2001 Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission. Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant))
“Halloween” (18th / 31st October) coincides with the eve of the feast day of our beloved pastor and illumined Father in the faith, St John of Kronstadt; and it is also the feast day of the pious virgin St. Frideswide of Oxford. Look, how God has planted for you two spiritual trees that can bear fruit in your family’s life on this very night. Take your children to the Divine Services; encourage them precisely in the fact of doing something that others are neglecting—that while the world outside plays about in the frivolities of delusion and mixes demons with daydreams, you will enter into the Holy Temple where the God of all spirits dwells, to receive the Holy Spirit and be joined into a life that turned a parish priest into a clairvoyant miracle worker and a meek young woman into a wonder-working healer! And teach your children that He longs to do the same for them, that He desires to make of them great saints whom the whole world will know, if only they, and you, will let Him.
May God give you strength to stand steadfast with joy amidst these worldly trials! May He bless you, and bless your children.
—Bishop Irenei (Steenberg)
—Bishop Irenei (Steenberg)
St John Kochurov (Oct 31) is considered the protomartyr of the Russian Revolution. At the time of his martyrdom by Bolsheviks, Fr. John had only recently returned to his homeland from America where he had ministered faithfully among poor Slavic immigrants and established numerous parishes and missions in the Chicago area. He also ministered to converts who came seeking the fullness of the apostolic Faith.
Serving at St. Catherine Cathedral in Tsarskoe Selo, just as the October Revolution was beginning, St John refused to stop leading public prayers for his people and their land. To make an example of him, the Bolsheviks publicly shot the beloved archpriest and dragged his body through town.
Holy Hieromartyr John of Chicago and Tsarskoe Selo, pray to God for us!
Serving at St. Catherine Cathedral in Tsarskoe Selo, just as the October Revolution was beginning, St John refused to stop leading public prayers for his people and their land. To make an example of him, the Bolsheviks publicly shot the beloved archpriest and dragged his body through town.
Holy Hieromartyr John of Chicago and Tsarskoe Selo, pray to God for us!