“Children! You are now in a position similar to that of those youths in Babylon. We are surrounded by people who do not know the Orthodox faith and do not obey the laws of the Church. You have a choice: either to fill yourself with food prohibited by the Church, or, like Ananias, Azariah and Misael, to freely reject what is forbidden. Who do you want to be with—with those young men or with those who were against them? Do you want to imitate these saints, the same age as you, or want to go a broad path, neglecting all the rules?”
☦️St. John of San Francisco, from a Letter to the Pupils of the Shelter of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, 1952
☦️St. John of San Francisco, from a Letter to the Pupils of the Shelter of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, 1952
O radiant Trinity, One God, save your people from men of violence in Syria, Israel, Gaza, and throughout the Middle East; in Ukraine, Russia, and in troubled places on the continents of Asia and Africa, for those who suffer for Thy sake in every place. And for those whose lives have become a sacrifice for Christ, may it not be in vain. Receive them, O Lord, even as martyrs, granting them rejoicing with Thy righteous ones, in Thine eternal Kingdom.
"The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one faith for the Church. Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology, It defines and glorifies the great mystery of Orthodoxy!" - Kontakion for the commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, Tone 8
On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of July we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451. In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.
“Do not separate from the Church, because there is nothing stronger than the Church. Your hope is the Church, your salvation is the Church, your refuge is the Church. It is higher than the sky, larger than the earth. It never gets old, but always blooms." ☦️St John Chrysostom
On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of July we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451. In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.
“Do not separate from the Church, because there is nothing stronger than the Church. Your hope is the Church, your salvation is the Church, your refuge is the Church. It is higher than the sky, larger than the earth. It never gets old, but always blooms." ☦️St John Chrysostom
After experiencing the Holy Liturgy at Agia Sophia in Constantinople, the emissaries of Holy Prince Vladimir (July 15/28) told him “We knew not whether we were on earth or in heaven… We only know that God dwells there among the people, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations."
Though his grandmother, had been a Christian, Holy Prince Vladimir (July 15/28) inherited the paganism of his father. Desiring something better, the prince sent emissaries to investigate the faiths of the Jews, the Muslims, the Western Christians and the Orthodox.
Prince Vladimir, moved by the emmisaries’ description of Orthodox worship, was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil. "He came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly." (Great Horologion)
Though his grandmother, had been a Christian, Holy Prince Vladimir (July 15/28) inherited the paganism of his father. Desiring something better, the prince sent emissaries to investigate the faiths of the Jews, the Muslims, the Western Christians and the Orthodox.
Prince Vladimir, moved by the emmisaries’ description of Orthodox worship, was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil. "He came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly." (Great Horologion)
Among the few personal effects of the royal family of St Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov (July 4/ July 17) that remained behind at the Ipatiev House, the place of their martyrdom, was a notebook of the young Holy Martyr Olga. On one of its pages, was the following prayer:
Grant us Thy patience, Lord, In these our woeful days,
The mob's wrath to endure,
The torturer's ire; Thy unction to forgive
Our neighbors' persecution, And mild, like Thee, to bear a bloodstained Cross.
And when the mob prevails, And foes come to despoil us,
To suffer humbly shame,
O Saviour, aid us!
Master of the world, universal God, Bless us in prayer
And grant rest to our humble soul
In this unbearable, dreadful hour.
And when the hour comes
To pass the last dread gate,
Breathe strength in us to pray, “Father, forgive them."
—from “The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What silence could not conceal”
Photo: (from left to right) Saints Olga, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alexandra, Tatiana, and in the front row Alexei and Maria ☦️
Grant us Thy patience, Lord, In these our woeful days,
The mob's wrath to endure,
The torturer's ire; Thy unction to forgive
Our neighbors' persecution, And mild, like Thee, to bear a bloodstained Cross.
And when the mob prevails, And foes come to despoil us,
To suffer humbly shame,
O Saviour, aid us!
Master of the world, universal God, Bless us in prayer
And grant rest to our humble soul
In this unbearable, dreadful hour.
And when the hour comes
To pass the last dread gate,
Breathe strength in us to pray, “Father, forgive them."
—from “The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What silence could not conceal”
Photo: (from left to right) Saints Olga, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alexandra, Tatiana, and in the front row Alexei and Maria ☦️
If you left the Church to get away from hypocritical people, you should also quit your job, drop out of school, disconnect yourself from all your friends and family, and lock yourself in your room.
Or, you can see the Church for what she is: a hospital for wounded people, like you. There you are a patient as well as a practitioner. There are flaws wherever there are humans. Go for healing, but be a healer of messed up people who are sometimes rude, obnoxious and conniving in the throes of their diseases. Just like you.
Allow God's grace to transform you day by day, and to treat those who are yet being transformed with care, love and kindness.
Or, you can see the Church for what she is: a hospital for wounded people, like you. There you are a patient as well as a practitioner. There are flaws wherever there are humans. Go for healing, but be a healer of messed up people who are sometimes rude, obnoxious and conniving in the throes of their diseases. Just like you.
Allow God's grace to transform you day by day, and to treat those who are yet being transformed with care, love and kindness.
And then what happened?
“Then Elijah said to them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.’ So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon, and slaughtered them there.” 3 Kingdoms 18:40
In Elijah’s time, thousands of people worshiped one idol, Baal, which was bad enough. Even more shocking is the adoration of the countless idols in our present day— material goods, wealth, power, and even ourselves. Anything dearer to us than God is idolatry. Not only are the multitude of idols dear to us, but they also consume us. What wrath will such unrepentant idolatry bring?!
“The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.“ Apolytikion, Fourth Mode
“Then Elijah said to them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.’ So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon, and slaughtered them there.” 3 Kingdoms 18:40
In Elijah’s time, thousands of people worshiped one idol, Baal, which was bad enough. Even more shocking is the adoration of the countless idols in our present day— material goods, wealth, power, and even ourselves. Anything dearer to us than God is idolatry. Not only are the multitude of idols dear to us, but they also consume us. What wrath will such unrepentant idolatry bring?!
“The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.“ Apolytikion, Fourth Mode
In iconography the Prophet Elijah (July 20/ Aug 2) is depicted ascending to Heaven in a fiery chariot, surrounded with flames, and harnessed to four winged horses. The Holy Prophet did not experience physical death but was instead taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot.
At the time of the Transfiguration, the Prophet Elijah conversed with the Saviour upon Mount Tabor (Mt. 17: 3; Mark 9: 4; Luke. 9: 30
According to the Tradition of Church, St Elijah will be the Forerunner of the Dread Second Coming of Christ. He will proclaim the truth of Christ, urge all to repentance, and will be slain by the Antichrist. This will be a sign of the end of the world.
At the time of the Transfiguration, the Prophet Elijah conversed with the Saviour upon Mount Tabor (Mt. 17: 3; Mark 9: 4; Luke. 9: 30
According to the Tradition of Church, St Elijah will be the Forerunner of the Dread Second Coming of Christ. He will proclaim the truth of Christ, urge all to repentance, and will be slain by the Antichrist. This will be a sign of the end of the world.
Saint Markella (July 22) is "greatly venerated on the island of Chios. In the church dedicated to her there, miracles occur every year … According to tradition, Markella was an unusually pious girl who was left motherless at an early age. Her bestial, pagan father wanted to live with his daughter as with a wife. When he made his intentions known, the horrified Markella fled from her father, but he, enraged like a wild beast, caught up with her on the rocky shore of the island and cut her into pieces. In the proximity of her church, there are certain stones that, from time to time, become as if covered with blood. People take these stones, bring them to church, and pray to St. Markella. They then touch the sick with them, who are thereby healed."
St. Nikolai Velimirovich (1880-1956), Prologue
When a priest performs the Blessing of Water at the place of her martyrdom, a mist arises from the water and covers the entire area. The sea returns to normal as soon as the service is over.
St. Nikolai Velimirovich (1880-1956), Prologue
When a priest performs the Blessing of Water at the place of her martyrdom, a mist arises from the water and covers the entire area. The sea returns to normal as soon as the service is over.
Having furnished thy mind with wings of divine knowledge, O ever-glorious Olga, pray for thy spiritual descendants in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, that Christ our God grant them lasting peace from above!
The first female ruler of Rus was Equal-to-the-Apostles, St. Olga (July 11/ July 24), in baptism, Helen, is known also as “Viking-Russian Princess," “Missionary to Ukraine,” and “Scourge of the Drevlians.”
A visit to Constantinople became for both the pagan Olga and her land, a road to redemption. She was moved by the Christians she met at Constantinople and soon received Holy Baptism. Even after her pagan son had ascended to the throne, St Olga’s efforts to heal the violence in her realm and spread Orthodox Christianity were unmatched.
A generation after Olga’s death, her grandson, St. Vladimir would continue the task of bringing Orthodox Christianity to what is now Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
The first female ruler of Rus was Equal-to-the-Apostles, St. Olga (July 11/ July 24), in baptism, Helen, is known also as “Viking-Russian Princess," “Missionary to Ukraine,” and “Scourge of the Drevlians.”
A visit to Constantinople became for both the pagan Olga and her land, a road to redemption. She was moved by the Christians she met at Constantinople and soon received Holy Baptism. Even after her pagan son had ascended to the throne, St Olga’s efforts to heal the violence in her realm and spread Orthodox Christianity were unmatched.
A generation after Olga’s death, her grandson, St. Vladimir would continue the task of bringing Orthodox Christianity to what is now Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Myrrh began streaming from the miracle-working icon of the Holy and Righteous Anna, Mother of the Theotokos (Dormition Feast July 25 / August 6) at St Tikhon's Monastery in Pennsylvania in 2004. Her icon exudes a sweet fragrance continues to work healings.
The Righteous Anna was of the tribe of Levi, and the daughter of Matthan the priest. After a long life pleasing to God, she entered into rest at a great age.
“Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure Mother of God, who gave life to our Life. Therefore, you are now carried joyfully to the inheritance of heaven, to the abode of those who rejoice in glory, where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully honour you, ever-blessed one.”
The Righteous Anna was of the tribe of Levi, and the daughter of Matthan the priest. After a long life pleasing to God, she entered into rest at a great age.
“Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure Mother of God, who gave life to our Life. Therefore, you are now carried joyfully to the inheritance of heaven, to the abode of those who rejoice in glory, where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully honour you, ever-blessed one.”
Having suffered greatly for Christ, the Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon (July 27/ Aug 9) is a wellspring of healing for those afflicted by diseases and suffering.
As a doctor, St Panteleimon invoked the envy of fellow physicians for treating people without charge. When Panteleimon began healing Christians in prison, the emperor Maximian (284-305) had the saint stretched on a rack, thrown into a cauldron of boiling tar, and cast into the sea with a stone around his neck, Yet, he survived all these attempted executions. With each one of them, and more and more people came to believe in Jesus Christ. Finally, God's purpose was achieved when Panteleimon was tied to an olive tree and beheaded. The tree became covered with fruit. Again, many were converted.
Holy Passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon, entreat the merciful God, to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
As a doctor, St Panteleimon invoked the envy of fellow physicians for treating people without charge. When Panteleimon began healing Christians in prison, the emperor Maximian (284-305) had the saint stretched on a rack, thrown into a cauldron of boiling tar, and cast into the sea with a stone around his neck, Yet, he survived all these attempted executions. With each one of them, and more and more people came to believe in Jesus Christ. Finally, God's purpose was achieved when Panteleimon was tied to an olive tree and beheaded. The tree became covered with fruit. Again, many were converted.
Holy Passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon, entreat the merciful God, to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
In 2007 Father Panagiotis Tsiolis was digging in his garden and crying for a blasphemous movie that was going to be played in the cinemas. Then he heard a voice from the sky telling him: “Why do you cry priest and wail, I am too high, their arrows don’t reach me, they are going to fall on their heads.”
Kimon Mpallas
—from Ask About the Orthodox Faith
Kimon Mpallas
—from Ask About the Orthodox Faith