This is the face of a man who prayed the Jesus Prayer unceasingly. Father Julian Lazar was one of the most beloved elders of the Romanian skete of Prodrom on Mount Athos. Hieromonk Julian (“Iulian” in Romanian), a beloved spiritual father to many monks and laypeople, reposed March 10, 2023 at age 97.
Here are some of his instructions, in his own words, translated to English:
After the Lord's prayer "Our Father", the most powerful is the heartfelt prayer, that is, which is always in the mind and heart: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Or you can say this way: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of your Holy Mother and all the saints, have mercy on me, a sinner." It is a short prayer, but it has great power. It is good to repeat it both on the train, on the street and at home, until you fall asleep at night holding it in your mouth.
Here are some of his instructions, in his own words, translated to English:
After the Lord's prayer "Our Father", the most powerful is the heartfelt prayer, that is, which is always in the mind and heart: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Or you can say this way: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of your Holy Mother and all the saints, have mercy on me, a sinner." It is a short prayer, but it has great power. It is good to repeat it both on the train, on the street and at home, until you fall asleep at night holding it in your mouth.
The prophet Daniel proclaims that thousands of thousands of angels ministered before God, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him (Dan. 7:10).
Angels always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, rejoicing over each sinner who repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7)
The Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel (Nov 8/21) celebrates the nine orders of angels who ceaselessly intercede for us: Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Rhodes, Greece: an icon of the Archangel Michael began weeping in 2014, and continued to weep holy myrrh even after being moved. Then, another icon of the Archangel began to weep.
Angels always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, rejoicing over each sinner who repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7)
The Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel (Nov 8/21) celebrates the nine orders of angels who ceaselessly intercede for us: Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Rhodes, Greece: an icon of the Archangel Michael began weeping in 2014, and continued to weep holy myrrh even after being moved. Then, another icon of the Archangel began to weep.
This is considered to be the last photograph of St Nektarios of Aegina (Nov 9/ Nov 23) as he leaves his monastery in Aegina for Aretaieio Hospital, a hospital for the poor in Athens. At his repose, St Nektarios had endured many years of slander, malice, and neglect from ecclesiastical authorities. Hospital workers were shocked to discover that the man dressed in simple monk's clothes was a bishop.
The room where the saint reposed now serves as a chapel for the hospital. As the nurse and the nun who sat with him began to prepare him for burial, they removed his sweater and placed it on the bed of a paralyzed man next to St Nektarios. Immediately, the paralytic got up from his bed, glorifying God.
Saint Nektarios was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina. Several years later, his grave was opened to remove his bones. His body was found whole and incorrupt as if he had been buried that very day.
The room where the saint reposed now serves as a chapel for the hospital. As the nurse and the nun who sat with him began to prepare him for burial, they removed his sweater and placed it on the bed of a paralyzed man next to St Nektarios. Immediately, the paralytic got up from his bed, glorifying God.
Saint Nektarios was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina. Several years later, his grave was opened to remove his bones. His body was found whole and incorrupt as if he had been buried that very day.
Open, O doors and bolts of my heart, that Christ the King of Glory may enter!
Enter, O my Light, and enlighten my darkness; enter, O my Life, and resurrect my deadness;
enter, O my Physician, and heal my wounds;
enter, O Divine Fire, and burn up the thorns of my sins; ignite my inward parts and my heart with the flame of Thy love; enter, O my King, and destroy in me the kingdom of sin; sit on the throne of my heart and reign in me alone, O Thou, my King and Lord.
☦️Prayer of St Dimitrii of Rostov (Oct 28/ Nov 10)
Enter, O my Light, and enlighten my darkness; enter, O my Life, and resurrect my deadness;
enter, O my Physician, and heal my wounds;
enter, O Divine Fire, and burn up the thorns of my sins; ignite my inward parts and my heart with the flame of Thy love; enter, O my King, and destroy in me the kingdom of sin; sit on the throne of my heart and reign in me alone, O Thou, my King and Lord.
☦️Prayer of St Dimitrii of Rostov (Oct 28/ Nov 10)
A miracle of St. Anastasia the Roman (Oct 29/ Nov 11)
In October, 2010 at the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece, a young woman, Georgia, mother of two, was declared brain dead. Her husband and relatives begged St. Anastasia for her intervention, remembering her last words at martyrdom: “Whoever invokes me, my Lord, heal him.”
To the shock of doctors, her neurological image began to show signs of activity and she began to move her hands, leaving them baffled. Her husband asked her, “Georgia, who cured you?" With effort, she responded, “Anastasia.” When Georgia left the hospital, the amazed doctors called her “Lazarus.”
The miracle is one of countless miracles of St. Anastasia throughout the centuries, including many in recent times. The Fathers in the monastery of Grigoriou, Mt. Athos, jokingly say that the doctors monastery’s hospital don’t have a job to do because whoever is sick goes first to the icon and relics of St. Anastasia and is healed.
In October, 2010 at the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece, a young woman, Georgia, mother of two, was declared brain dead. Her husband and relatives begged St. Anastasia for her intervention, remembering her last words at martyrdom: “Whoever invokes me, my Lord, heal him.”
To the shock of doctors, her neurological image began to show signs of activity and she began to move her hands, leaving them baffled. Her husband asked her, “Georgia, who cured you?" With effort, she responded, “Anastasia.” When Georgia left the hospital, the amazed doctors called her “Lazarus.”
The miracle is one of countless miracles of St. Anastasia throughout the centuries, including many in recent times. The Fathers in the monastery of Grigoriou, Mt. Athos, jokingly say that the doctors monastery’s hospital don’t have a job to do because whoever is sick goes first to the icon and relics of St. Anastasia and is healed.
A miraculous appearance by Saint Nectarios of Aegina reportedly took place during the Great Entrance on his recent feast day in an Orthodox church in Draxeni, Vaslui, Romania. The parish church houses a silver reliquary containing a particle from the holy relics of the saint.
As one man shared photos of the Festal Liturgy with a neighbour, he was surprised to see a monk, small in stature, dressed in black, with an epitrachelion around his neck, coming out from direction of the altar, while all the others in attendance were facing it.
Only the parish priests participated in the Holy Liturgy, none from the monastery.
Saints are among us! May our hearts be pure and humble enough to see them. Holy Nectarie, pray for us!
As one man shared photos of the Festal Liturgy with a neighbour, he was surprised to see a monk, small in stature, dressed in black, with an epitrachelion around his neck, coming out from direction of the altar, while all the others in attendance were facing it.
Only the parish priests participated in the Holy Liturgy, none from the monastery.
Saints are among us! May our hearts be pure and humble enough to see them. Holy Nectarie, pray for us!
"Glory to God for all things!" were the last words of St John Chrysostom (Nov 13/Nov 26)— and the first words that should be on the lips of each of us. St. John was comforted by a vision of the martyr Basilicus, bishop of Comana, who said to him, “Despair not, brother John! Tomorrow we shall be together."
"Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the world the riches of poverty; it has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls! " Troparion, Tone 8
"Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the world the riches of poverty; it has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls! " Troparion, Tone 8
The Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip (Nov 14/ Nov 27) discerned the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies, awaited the coming of the Messiah, and heeded the Saviour's call to follow Him. (John 1:43). The holy apostle was crucified upside-down by the superstitious pagans of Hierapolis (in present-day Turkey) in about 80 AD. In 2011, St Philip's tomb was uncovered at a newly excavated church at Hierapolis.
The apostle’s skull is kept in a silver reliquary at the ancient Monastery of the Holy Cross in Omodos, and is the source of many miracles.
By the prayers of the holy Apostle Philip, deliver Your Church O Lord Jesus Christ, from her enemies; through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!
The apostle’s skull is kept in a silver reliquary at the ancient Monastery of the Holy Cross in Omodos, and is the source of many miracles.
By the prayers of the holy Apostle Philip, deliver Your Church O Lord Jesus Christ, from her enemies; through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!