My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
ON FEBRUARY 8th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR THEODORE THE STRATELATES (COMMANDER) AND THE HOLY PROPHET ZACHARIAS (ZECHARIAH)
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The holy Martyr Theodore was from Euchaita of Galatia and dwelt in Heraclea of Pontus. He was renowned commander in the military, and the report came to the pagan Roman Emperor Licinius that he was a Christian and abominated the idols. Licinius, therefore, sent certain men to him from Nicomedia, to honor him and ask him to appear before him. Through them, however, Saint Theodore sent back a message that it was necessary for various reasons, that Licinius come to Heraclea. Licinius, seeing in this a hope of turning Saint Theodore away from Christ, did as was asked of him.
When the pagan Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with honor, and the Emperor, in turn, gave Theodore his hand, believing that through him he would be able to draw the Christians to the worship of his pagan idols. Seated upon his throne in the midst of the people, he publicly bade Theodore offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, those of gold and silver, that he might take them home and himself attend upon them that evening, promising that the following day he would honor them in public. The Roman Emperor, filled with joy at these tidings, gave the command that Theodore's request is fulfilled.
When the Saint had taken the idols home, he broke them in pieces and distributed the gold and silver to the poor by night. The next day a centurion named Maxentius told Licinius that he had seen a pauper pass by carrying the head of the pagan goddess Artemis. Saint Theodore, far from repenting of this, confessed Christ boldly. Licinius, in an uncontainable fury, had the Saint put to many tortures, then crucified him. While upon the cross, the holy Martyr was further tortured: his privy parts were cut off, he was shot with arrows, his eyes were put out, and he was left on the cross to die. The next day Licinius sent men to take his corpse and cast it into the sea, but they found the Saint alive and perfectly whole. Through this, many believed in Christ. Seeing his own men turning to Christ, and the city in an uproar, Licinius had Saint Theodore beheaded, about the year 320 AD. The Saint's holy relics were returned to his ancestral home on June 8th, which is also the feast of the Holy and Great Martyr Theodoros.
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THE HOLY PROPHET ZACHARIAS (ZECHARIAH)
He was the son of Barachias and a contemporary of the Holy Prophet Aggeus (+ December 16th). In the days of the Babylonian captivity, he prophesied, as it says in the book of Ezra, "to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 5:1); he aided Zorobabel in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra he is called "Zacharias the son of Addo (or Iddo)" but in his own prophetic book, he is called more fully "Zacharias, the son of Barachias, the son of Addo the Prophet" (Zach. 1:1). When the captive returned from Babylon, he came to dwell in Jerusalem in his old age. His book of prophecy is divided into fourteen (14) Chapters and has the eleventh place among the books of the Minor Prophets; his name means "Yah is renowned." Sozomen the historian reports that under Emperor Honorius, Zacharias' holy relics were found in Eleftheropolis of Palestine. The Prophet appeared in a dream to a certain Calemerus, telling him where he would find his tomb. His holy body was found to be incorrupt. (Eccl. Hist., Book IX, 17). (Source: The Horologion)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George