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 NOVEMBER 16th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST MATTHEW (Part II)
The Prince grew angrier and sent a whole company of warriors with orders to bring back the Apostle by force, and to slay anyone who attempted to prevent them from seizing him. When they drew near the church, a light from heaven shone upon the Apostle, concealing him. Overcome by fear, they threw down their weapons and fled, returning to tell the Prince what had happened. The Prince fell into a mighty rage and taking all of his servants, himself went to apprehend the Apostle, but as he approached the church, he was suddenly struck blind and had to ask for someone to guide him. He begged the Apostle to forgive him his sin and give light to his blinded eyes. The Saint made the sign of the Cross over the Prince's eyes, restoring his sight. Although the Prince could see once more with his bodily eyes, the eyes of his soul remained blinded by malice, and he attributed the miracle not to God's power but to sorcery. Taking the Apostle by the hand, he led him to his palace, as though to render him honor. In his heart, however, he planned to burn the Apostle at the stake as a warlock. Perceiving his wicked intention, the Apostle upbraided the Prince, crying, "Deceitful tyrant! When will you finally bring to pass what you have planned? Do what Satan has planted in your heart, for I am ready to endure all things for my God!"
The Prince commanded his warriors to lay hold of Saint Matthew and to stretch him upon the ground facing upward, his hands and feet pegged firmly to the earth. Then the persecutor had his servants bring a large quantity of branches and brushwood, pitch and brimstone, and after heaping all this on Saint Matthew, they set it alight. The fire shot up, and everyone supposed that the Apostle had been consumed in the mighty flames, when suddenly they grew cool and were changed to dew. It could then be seen that Saint Matthew was still alive and was chanting hymns to the glory of God. The people who witnessed these things, and were amazed at the great miracle, praised the God of the holy Apostle, but the Prince became even more obstinate, refusing to acknowledge that it was the might of God which had preserved the preacher of Christ unharmed by the fire. He called the righteous Matthew an iniquitous sorcerer, declaring, "It was by magic that he quenched the fire and survived the flames!"
Again Fulvian commanded that wood, pitch, and sulphur be gathered and that, when it had been place upon the Saint, naphtha be poured over it and lit. Twelve of the Prince's golden pagan idols were place around the fire, and Fulvian called on them for help, asking that by their power Matthew be consumed by the flames; but the holy Apostle prayed to the Lord of Hosts as he lay in the fire, beseeching Him to manifest His invincible power, to reveal the impotence of the pagan gods of the heathen, and to put to shame those who trust in them. Suddenly the flames leaped out towards the golden idols, sounding like a horrible clap of thunder. A fierce heat melted the pagan idols like wax, and many of the unbelievers standing nearby were also burned. Then flame in the form of a serpent issued the melted idols and stretched itself toward the Prince as though it meant to do him harm. Unable to escape the danger threatening him, Fulvian at last cried out humbly to the Apostle, beseeching deliverance. The holy Apostle rebuked the fire, and it died down at once. The Prince wished to make amends by honoring the holy Apostle, but Saint Matthew prayed and immediately surrendered his soul into the hands of the Lord. Orders were issued that a golden bier be brought, upon which was place the precious body of the holy Apostle, which was unharmed by the fire. The Saint's corpse was clothed in costly garments, and Fulvian himself bore it to his palace, assisted by his nobles. After this was done, the casket was sealed on all sides with lead and cast into the sea. Not yet possessing perfect faith, Fulvian said to his nobles, "If He Who kept Matthew whole in the midst of the fire preserves him also in the depths of the sea, then truly He alone is God. Him will we worship, forsaking all our gods, who were powerless to save us from destruction by fire!"
That night, the Saint appeared to Bishop Plato and said, "Go tomorrow to the shore by the east side of the Prince's palace, and there you shall find my remains, washed up onto thy land."
The following morning, the Bishop went with a multitude of the faithful to the place indicated. There he found the casket. The Prince was informed of this and came down to the shore, now believing without doubt in our Lord Jesus Christ. With a mighty voice he confessed as the One, True God Him Who preserved unharmed His servant Matthew, both while the Saint was alive in the fire and in the deep after his repose. Falling down before the Apostle's casket, he asked forgiveness for his offenses. He requested Holy Baptism, and Bishop Plato, perceiving that the Prince had truly come to believe, agreed to his entreaties. After catechizing him thoroughly, Plato had the Prince enter the waters of the font; and when he placed his hand upon the Prince's head and was about to utter his name, a voice was suddenly heard from on high, which said, "Do not call him Fulvian, but Matthew!"
Thus the Prince received the Apostle's name in Baptism, and sought to emulate the deeds of an Apostle. He soon entrusted his principality to another, renouncing the vanity of this world. He devoted himself to prayer in God's Church and was ordained a Presbyter by the holy Bishop Plato. Three years later, the Bishop reposed, and the holy Apostle Matthew appeared to him who was now Prince, instructing him to have Matthew the Presbyter succeed the blessed Plato as bishop. Matthew labored fervently in the hierarchical rank, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and turning many from idolatry unto God. After a long, God-pleasing life, he departed to the Lord. Now he stands with the holy Evangelist Matthew before the Throne of God and prays for us, that we also may become heirs of God's Eternal Kingdom. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant God
+Father George