“How can we know that we are not lying when we say 'Christ is Risen' or 'Indeed He is Risen'? We are taught by the last hymn of the Resurrection service: 'It is the day of the Resurrection. Let us shine brightly for the festival, and also embrace one another.' How can we shine brightly? Not by turning on the lights, because not even the holy light from Jerusalem illuminates us… Only Christ the Resurrected One illuminates us, by helping us to understand His will." —Fr. Claudiu Melean
When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. The correct inscription is “The Touching of Thomas” or “The Belief of Thomas.” His passionate belief in our Lord Jesus Christ and his eyewitness experience to the Resurrected Lord carried St Thomas to tirelessly preach the message of Christ over a vast geographical area until he received the crown of martyrdom.
Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God, crying out, "You are my Lord and my God!" By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God, crying out, "You are my Lord and my God!" By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
One day after the commemoration of Saint George, who famously put a serpent (or dragon) in its place, Saint Elizabeth the Wonderworker of Constantinople (Apr 24) did the same— and not with a sword, but simply by the power of her prayer.
At her tomb, many were healed of various illnesses, and the blind received their sight. Portions of St Elizabeth’s relics can be found at the Monastery of Saint Anna in Lygaria, Crete and the Monastery of Ntaou Penteli in Athens.
At her tomb, many were healed of various illnesses, and the blind received their sight. Portions of St Elizabeth’s relics can be found at the Monastery of Saint Anna in Lygaria, Crete and the Monastery of Ntaou Penteli in Athens.
The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (April 25) is in iconography represented by a lion, symbolizing the might and royal dignity of Christ (Rev 5:5).
One of the central themes in the Gospel written by Saint Mark is the power of God achieving what is humanly impossible. By the power of the Holy Spirit, St Mark did exactly that— achieving the impossible, again and again throughout his vast missionary travels— preaching, teaching, and healing.
The school he established in Alexandria would produce such Fathers and teachers as Clement of Alexandria and many others. The pagans, whom he had so often confronted, seized St Mark (ca. 62-63) when he was serving the Liturgy at Alexandria and he received his glorious martyrdom there.
One of the central themes in the Gospel written by Saint Mark is the power of God achieving what is humanly impossible. By the power of the Holy Spirit, St Mark did exactly that— achieving the impossible, again and again throughout his vast missionary travels— preaching, teaching, and healing.
The school he established in Alexandria would produce such Fathers and teachers as Clement of Alexandria and many others. The pagans, whom he had so often confronted, seized St Mark (ca. 62-63) when he was serving the Liturgy at Alexandria and he received his glorious martyrdom there.
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb!
With Himself He has raised all the dead. Rejoice, O ye people!
Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!
The glory of the Lord has shone on you.
Exult now, and be glad, O Zion!
Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
With Himself He has raised all the dead. Rejoice, O ye people!
Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!
The glory of the Lord has shone on you.
Exult now, and be glad, O Zion!
Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Among the 318 bishops who gathered at the First Ecumenical Council (7th Sun. of Pascha) were many confessors who bore the marks of torture upon their bodies. At Nicea, they would confront not the instruments of physical torture, but the heresy of Arianism which was spreading across the Empire and infecting the Church.
At Nicea, the Church stood victorious in unity against the gates of hell and its disguises. She proved herself bigger than the pernicious beliefs that individual members, even priests and bishops, might promote.
Our Lord's promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18), was fulfilled at Nicea and continues to be fulfilled until His coming again.
At Nicea, the Church stood victorious in unity against the gates of hell and its disguises. She proved herself bigger than the pernicious beliefs that individual members, even priests and bishops, might promote.
Our Lord's promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18), was fulfilled at Nicea and continues to be fulfilled until His coming again.