In these difficult years, only a few simple priests will keep and preserve Orthodoxy. The big ones, the officers, will follow the other one.
People will be divided. Who are they going to follow? This will last a litlle and then the war will follow. After the war a canonical Synod will be convened and will put things in order.
☦️Elder Ephraim of Arizona
Photo: Tomb of Elder Ephraim of Arizona
People will be divided. Who are they going to follow? This will last a litlle and then the war will follow. After the war a canonical Synod will be convened and will put things in order.
☦️Elder Ephraim of Arizona
Photo: Tomb of Elder Ephraim of Arizona
The myrrh-bearing sisters Saints Mary and Martha are commemorated on June 4. The holy women reposed in Cyprus, where their brother became the first Bishop of Kition after his resurrection from the dead.
Saints Mary and Martha are hymned as having adorned themselves “with all the splendour of sacred virtues.”
“With your holy brother Lazarus, ye are also vouchsafed to dwell with the ranks of Saints on high, O ye sisters of Lazarus; and with him, O wise Mary and Martha, ye pray for us all unto the Master.”
Saints Mary and Martha are hymned as having adorned themselves “with all the splendour of sacred virtues.”
“With your holy brother Lazarus, ye are also vouchsafed to dwell with the ranks of Saints on high, O ye sisters of Lazarus; and with him, O wise Mary and Martha, ye pray for us all unto the Master.”
At Pentecost, the fullness of the Godhead is manifested with the Spirit’s coming to man, thus the 8th Sunday of Pascha is also known as the Feast of the Holy Trinity.
The Holy Trinity icon, depicting the three angelic figures who appeared to Abraham, is often placed in the middle of the church, alongside the traditional Pentecost icon.
The Holy Trinity icon, depicting the three angelic figures who appeared to Abraham, is often placed in the middle of the church, alongside the traditional Pentecost icon.
Only the Holy Spirit can purify the intellect, for unless a greater power comes and overthrows the despoiler, what he has taken captive will never be set free (cf. Luke 11:21-22). In every way, therefore, and especially through peace of soul, we must make ourselves a dwelling-place for the Holy Spirit.
☦️St Diadochos of Photiki
☦️St Diadochos of Photiki
For many consecutive years, a miracle has occurred at Pentecost at the Church of the Krasnogorsky (“of red hill”) Monastery in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region.
The lilies are kept inside the icon case of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” icon of Holy Theotokos. Although withered prior to Pentecost, they blossom when Pentecost again arrives, filling the temple with their fragrance. Glory to God!
The lilies are kept inside the icon case of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” icon of Holy Theotokos. Although withered prior to Pentecost, they blossom when Pentecost again arrives, filling the temple with their fragrance. Glory to God!
I have been amazed that some are utterly in doubt as to whether or not the holy Virgin is able to be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how should the holy Virgin who bore him not be the Mother of God?
✝️St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 9/ June 22), Letter to the Monks of Egypt 1 (427)
✝️St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 9/ June 22), Letter to the Monks of Egypt 1 (427)
“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. “ ✝️ John 16:2
“The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs“, Holy Apostles Bartholomew of the Twelve and Barnabas of the Seventy (June 11/ June 24), “As the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.Through the Theotokos, and their prayers establish Your Church in peace!“
“The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs“, Holy Apostles Bartholomew of the Twelve and Barnabas of the Seventy (June 11/ June 24), “As the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.Through the Theotokos, and their prayers establish Your Church in peace!“
What is simple is also what is most precious. Accordingly, in your spiritual life engage in your daily contest simply, easily, and without force. The soul is sanctified and purified through the study of the Fathers, through the memorization of the Psalms and of portions of Scripture, through the signing of hymns and through the repetition of the Jesus Prayer. Devote your efforts, therefore, to these spiritual things and ignore all the other things.
+ St. Porphyrios, Wounded by Love
+ St. Porphyrios, Wounded by Love
How to become impoverished
Spiritual poverty consists in esteeming oneself as though not existing, and God alone as existing; in honouring His words above everything in the world, and in not sparing anything to fulfil them, even one's own life; in considering God's Will in everything, both for ourselves and others, entirely renouncing our own will. The man who is poor in spirit desires and says with his whole heart: "Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth as it is in heaven." It is as though he himself disappears; everywhere and in everything he wishes to see God — in himself and in others. "Let everything be Thine, not mine."
☦️St John Kronstadt
(Glorification May 31/ June 13)
Spiritual poverty consists in esteeming oneself as though not existing, and God alone as existing; in honouring His words above everything in the world, and in not sparing anything to fulfil them, even one's own life; in considering God's Will in everything, both for ourselves and others, entirely renouncing our own will. The man who is poor in spirit desires and says with his whole heart: "Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth as it is in heaven." It is as though he himself disappears; everywhere and in everything he wishes to see God — in himself and in others. "Let everything be Thine, not mine."
☦️St John Kronstadt
(Glorification May 31/ June 13)
It appears that a the prophecy of Elder Theodoros Agiofarangitis from Crete (+2016) is being fulfilled before our eyes.
At the Third Spiritual Dialogue Gathering in Cyprus on May 22, 2019, His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou shared this prophecy told to him by Elder Theodoros:
“My children, one day you will be drinking your coffee and you will hear that the Jews attacked the nuclear program of Persia (Iran). That's when events of greater magnitude will begin. And at the same time, or a little earlier, Erdogan will fall. These will be the signs of the big events to come, so you understand that they are near, at the door."
At the Third Spiritual Dialogue Gathering in Cyprus on May 22, 2019, His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou shared this prophecy told to him by Elder Theodoros:
“My children, one day you will be drinking your coffee and you will hear that the Jews attacked the nuclear program of Persia (Iran). That's when events of greater magnitude will begin. And at the same time, or a little earlier, Erdogan will fall. These will be the signs of the big events to come, so you understand that they are near, at the door."
On the second Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday of All Saints, each local Orthodox Church commemorates all saints, known and unknown, in its jurisdiction.
“But the souls of the righteous are in God's hand, and death cannot lay hold of them." (Wisdom of Solomon 3:1)
Holy Apostles and all Saints, pray for us, that we may be delivered from dangers, sorrows and afflictions; for we have obtained you as fervent intercessors with the Saviour.
Under thy tender compassion we run to you, O Mother of God. Reject not our prayer in our trouble, but deliver us from harm, O only pure, only blessed one.
“But the souls of the righteous are in God's hand, and death cannot lay hold of them." (Wisdom of Solomon 3:1)
Holy Apostles and all Saints, pray for us, that we may be delivered from dangers, sorrows and afflictions; for we have obtained you as fervent intercessors with the Saviour.
Under thy tender compassion we run to you, O Mother of God. Reject not our prayer in our trouble, but deliver us from harm, O only pure, only blessed one.