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.
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ON OCTOBER 28th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY GREAT-MARTYR PARASCEVA WHOSE NAME MEANS "FRIDAY"
During the reign of the impious Diocletian, who raised up a great persecution against the Christians, there lived in the city of Iconium a fair and noble maiden named Parasceva. Her parents, who were Orthodox, reared her well, instructing her in the holy faith and teaching her to keep the Lord's commandments. However, they reposed in the Lord while their blessed daughter was still very young, so she was left as their considerable estate.
When the maiden reached adulthood, she did not squander her wealth on vain adornments and wanton living. Instead, she emulated her parents' virtues, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and offering hospitality to strangers. She did not care for her temporal suitors but betrothed herself to the Bridegroom Who alone is immortal, the Only-begotten Son of God, for Whose sake she lived in holiness and righteousness. Every day she confessed His Holy Name unceasingly before others, leading many to the knowledge of the Truth. But while some of the pagans came to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ through her, others reviled and upbraided the Saint. The unbelieving citizens who could not endure to hear her boldly proclaim the word of God and the vanity of the lifeless idols hold of her, beat her, and then cast her into prison.
At the time the pagan emperor Diocletian sent a governor to Iconium with orders to put to death all the Christians who lived in those parts. The citizens who had seized the Saint went to him and said, "O most illustrious Governor, in this city there lives a maiden who is a witch. She believes in the Crucified One and preaches Him to all. By her sorcery she has caused not a few persons to abandon sacrifice to our gods, and she will not cease to revile the gods and the emperor. Because we heard report of the imperial decree commanding that all who do not worship the gods are to be put to death, we laid hold or this girl and have since held her in prison."
When the Governor heard this, he commanded that the holy virgin be hauled before his judgment seat. As the sacred martyr was brought to be judged, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her. Her face became so radiant that all who beheld her marveled and said, "Her countenance is not sad, but she seems rather to shine with light!"
The Governor said, "Cease speaking empty words, and sacrifice to our gods, that I may take you as my wife. Thus you shall become the mistress of much wealth, and many will extol you in this life."
Saint Parasceva answered, "I have a Bridegroom in heaven, Jesus Christ. I have no need of another." Said the Governor, "It is because of your youth and your beauty that I pity you and wish to show you mercy."
The Saint replied, "Do not spare me on account of the beauty that passes away, blossoming today and withering tomorrow. Have mercy rather on yourself, for eternal torments await you."
This angered the Governor, who commanded that her garments be torn off and that she be beaten cruelly with rods. The Saint remained silent as she was being thrashed, her lips making no sound, but she cried out to Christ in her heart, beseeching Him for the strength to endure torments.
The Governor still felt pity for her, on account of her comeliness, and he ordered that her beating be stopped. He was enticed and wounded by her beauty, so he began to say to her meekly, "O maiden, spare your youth, and do not destroy the blossom of your tender years. Sacrifice to the gods and you shall live, and we shall bestow upon you great honors."
Saint Parasceva, however, would not answer him. The Governor then grew angry again and said, "So you refuse to answer me, O wicked offspring of Christian parents?"
The Saint spit in his face, and after this the persecutor became furious. He ordered that she be suspended from a tree, that her sides be scraped mercilessly with iron claws, and that her wounds be rubbed raw with sackcloth. As her flesh was entirely stripped off her bones and she was left scarcely breathing, her torturer supposed that she would soon die. He had her taken down from the tree and cast into prison where she lay in silence, barely alive. However, at midnight an Angel appeared to her, a golden sash wrapped crosswise about his breast and shoulders. In his hands he held the instruments of Christ's Passion: the Cross, the crown of thorns, the lance, reed, and sponge. He said to her, "Arise, maiden sharer in Christ's suffering! I have been sent to you to comfort you in your sufferings by bringing you the instruments of our Lord's Passion. Behold the Precious Cross and the crown of thorns worn by the incorruptible Bridegroom! Gaze upon the lance that pierced the side that gushed forth life, the reed used to record the remission of the world's iniquities, and the sponge that wiped away Adam's sin. Arise, for Christ the Lord heals you!"
Immediately the holy Martyr arose as if from sleep. The Angel drew near the martyr and wiped all her wounds with the sponge. Saint Parasceva's entire body was made whole, and the beauty of her countenance was restored so that she was still more comely than before. She kissed the instruments of Christ's Passion and the Angel and she gave glory to God. Then the Angel vanished.
The Governor ordered that Saint Parasceva be suspended from a tree and that her sides be burnt with candles. As the Saint hung there and was seared, she signed to God, saying, "O Lord my God, Who didst create all things and dost provide for them, Thou didst cool the burning furnace for the Three Youths and didst deliver the protomartyr Thecla from the fire. Wherefore do Thou save me, the unworthy one, from the hands of my tormentors!"
Immediately an Angel descended, put out the candles, and kindled a great fire which consumed many of the transgressors. When the people saw this, they cried out, "Great is the God of the Christians!" Throngs of those present believed in Christ, and when the Governor saw that a tumult had arisen, he began to fear lest there be an uprising. Because of this he ordered that the Saint's head be cut off without delay. As she was being beheaded, a voice from heaven was heard by certain of those who stood nearby, saying, "Rejoice, O you righteous, for the martyr Parasceva is wed!"
The Christians took Saint Parasceva's sacred body and buried it reverently in her home. Thus did the good virgin end her struggle or martyrdom and depart unto her Bridegroom. In her hands she carried not oil, but blood, yet she now dwells with the Wise Virgins in the bridal chamber of Christ.
The pure and holy soul of the great-martyr Parasceva was taken up into the hands of God, while her precious holy relics proved a source of healing for many who were ill, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unto Him be honor and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)
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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