When Russian Emperor Paul the I (1796-1801) became the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, hand of John the Baptist was translated to Gatchina, Russia. The relics stayed in the hands of Russian tsars until 1917, they were taken out of the country by Maria Feodorovna, fearing what the Bolsheviks would due to the relics.
Since 1917, the hand of St John has been preserved in Germany, then Yugoslavia and presently at the Monastery Church of Cetinje in Montenegro. The church, located in Motenegro's captial city, is widely know in Orthodoxy, since it holds not only St John's hand but also treasures as the portions of the Holy Cross of our Lord and the Filerma icon of the Mother of God, painted by the Apostle Luke. The church is named for beloved Serbian Saint, Peter of Cetinje.
A portion of St. John's right hand has also been kept and venerated at Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos since 1802. The advisor to Prussia in Constantinople, John Frangopoulos, was in possession of the relic and had adorned it with jewels. An annual all-night vigil on the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent commemorates the relic's arrival at Dionysiou.
Since 1917, the hand of St John has been preserved in Germany, then Yugoslavia and presently at the Monastery Church of Cetinje in Montenegro. The church, located in Motenegro's captial city, is widely know in Orthodoxy, since it holds not only St John's hand but also treasures as the portions of the Holy Cross of our Lord and the Filerma icon of the Mother of God, painted by the Apostle Luke. The church is named for beloved Serbian Saint, Peter of Cetinje.
A portion of St. John's right hand has also been kept and venerated at Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos since 1802. The advisor to Prussia in Constantinople, John Frangopoulos, was in possession of the relic and had adorned it with jewels. An annual all-night vigil on the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent commemorates the relic's arrival at Dionysiou.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself and have enlightened the world, glory to You! #Theophany #Epiphany
The Nativity of Christ is celebrated with special joy in the church of the Synaxis of the Mother of God on the Julian calendar date of the Nativity, Jan. 7.
The underground church, at the Monastery at the Shepherds Field at Biet Sahour, East Jerusalem, is built at the place where the shepherds kept watch on the night of Christ's birth. There, shepherds heard a multitude of angels singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men" + Luke 2:14
The underground church, at the Monastery at the Shepherds Field at Biet Sahour, East Jerusalem, is built at the place where the shepherds kept watch on the night of Christ's birth. There, shepherds heard a multitude of angels singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men" + Luke 2:14
O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory, For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.
But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be.
But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things. —Psalm 62
But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things. —Psalm 62
“[W]hatever is touched by the Holy Spirit is sanctified and converted." ☦️ St Cyril of Jerusalem
During the Holy Anaphora the priest prays: “Again we offer unto thee this rational and bloodless worship and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here spread forth. And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ; Amen. And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ; Amen. Changing them by thy Holy Spirit; Amen. Amen. Amen.”
St John Chrysostom: “At this point, the Divine Liturgy signifies the time of Pentecost.”
During the Holy Anaphora the priest prays: “Again we offer unto thee this rational and bloodless worship and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here spread forth. And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ; Amen. And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ; Amen. Changing them by thy Holy Spirit; Amen. Amen. Amen.”
St John Chrysostom: “At this point, the Divine Liturgy signifies the time of Pentecost.”
When being praised by all the world, St Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov (Jan 2/ Jan 13) referred to himself as "the poor wretch Seraphim." St Seraphim was healed thrice by the Mother of God. When he fell ill at the age of 10, the miracle-working Kursk icon of Theotokos passed by his family home. After Seraphim's mother took him to kiss the icon, he recovered quickly.
The Uncovering of St Seraphim's relics took place in 1903, seventy years after his repose and is commemorated on July 19/ August 1. In 1991, St Seraphim’s relics were rediscovered after being hidden in a Soviet anti-religious museum for seventy years.
Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father.
The Uncovering of St Seraphim's relics took place in 1903, seventy years after his repose and is commemorated on July 19/ August 1. In 1991, St Seraphim’s relics were rediscovered after being hidden in a Soviet anti-religious museum for seventy years.
Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father.
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.
Mark 9:35-37
Mark 9:35-37
Receive me, O Christ, the Lover of all men, as You received the prostitute, the thief, the tax-collector and the prodigal. Take away the heavy burden of my sins, for You take away the sins of the world; You heal the infirmities of men, You call to Yourself and give rest to those who labour and are heavy-laden.
The people of the 21st century will be saved and even acquire holiness for three obediences:
- for preserving the Orthodox faith and passing it on to others, above all to their children and grandchildren
- for daily repentance
- for regular participation in the Mysteries of the Church
✝️St. Paisios of Mt. Athos
- for preserving the Orthodox faith and passing it on to others, above all to their children and grandchildren
- for daily repentance
- for regular participation in the Mysteries of the Church
✝️St. Paisios of Mt. Athos