23rd NOVEMBER - THE FEAST OF SAINT AMPHILOCHIUS, BISHOP OF ICONIUM
A fellow-countryman and friend of Saint Basil the Great and other great Saints of the 4th century. Amphilochios early forsook the bustle of the world and withdrew to a cave where, as a solitary, he lived in asceticism for 40 years. The episcopal throne in Iconium then fell empty, and Amphilochios was chosen in a wonderful way and consecrated Bishop of Iconium. He was a marvelous shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox faith and took part in the Second Ecumenical Synod (Council) in 381 A.D. He fought zealously against heretic Macedonios, and against the heretic Arians and the Evnomians (Eunomians). He personally begged Theodosios the Great to drive the Arians out of every city in the Empire, but the Emperor did not comply with his request. After a few days, Amphilochios came before the Emperor again. When the bishop was taken into the presence-chamber, the Emperor was sitting on his throne with his son Arcadios, whom he had taken as co-Emperor, sitting at his right hand. Entering the room, Amphilochios did reverence to Theodosios, but ignored Arcadios as though he were not there. Infuriated by this, the Emperor Theodosios commanded that Amphilochios be instantly driven from court. The Saint then said to the Emperor: 'Do you see, O Emperor, how you do not tolerate a slight paid to your son? In the same way, God the Father does not tolerate dishonor paid to His Son, turning with loathing from those who blaspheme against Him, and being angered at that accursed Arian heresy.' Hearing this, the Emperor understood the reason for Amphilochios's seeming disrespect towards his son, and marveled at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, Saint Amphilochios wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in 395 A.D. in great old age, and went to immortal life.
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FOR CONSIDERATION
God permits misfortune to come upon the righteous, to their greater glorification; for misfortune overcome reveals both the glory of God and the glory of the righteous. Holy Gregory of Agrigentum was in all things righteous and pleasing to God. God let misfortune come upon him, a like misfortune to that which overtook, Saint Athanasios and Saint Makarios: two Priests, Sabinos and Crescens, to whom Gregory had done much good, could not abide his virtue (for such is the nature of guilt, that it cannot abide in virtue. Sabinos and Crescens, then, found a notorious harlot and bribed her to slander Gregory, saying that he had had immoral relations with her. Once, when Gregory was in church, the woman hid in his bedroom and, when he came out of church with the people, this woman appeared from his room. These two priests then began to revile Gregory as an immoral man. Gregory was calm, and prepared for whatever suffering might come. They shut him up in prison, and then took him under escort to Rome. The Pope believed his slanderers, and kept Gregory in prison for two years without trial. A Council was then summoned to look into the affair, but, before judgment was given by men, God gave His. The woman became mad, and was brought before the Council as one demented. As a madwoman, she was not able to testify. Gregory the miracle-worker prayed to God for her and she was healed, the evil spirit leaving her forthwith. She testified through her tears that she had been bribed to slander the man of God and that, after this slander, an evil spirit had taken up residence in her and put her in its power. Sabinos and Crescens, along with the other slanderers--more than a hundred of them--suddenly found their faces turned coal-black and they were punished with exile. Saint Gregory was returned to his Diocese, and received with great exultation by his people.
HOMILY
--ON GRACE AND GIFTS.
"But unto everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ" (Ephesians 4:7).
Here is the beginning of differentiation among Christians. The holy Apostle first set down that which unites us: "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all". Now he cites that which separates us quite involuntarily. That is: the measure of the gift of Christ separates us, the measure according to which the grace of the Holy Spirit is given. Christ is the Head of the great body that is called the Church. He creates that body, and differentiates every member of that body; He is the Creator, and He alone knows the blueprint. He does not allow one part of His building to be disproportionately great or small; He gives the measure of each and all. Thus, He gives to one five talents, to another two and to another one. Let no-one grumble and no-one be jealous. He who has received the less will have the less to answer for. Let no-one be jealous: whatever any man has more, it is not his but God's. If he has much, much will be asked of him, as the lord Himself said when talking about the talents.
Oh, my brothers and sisters, let every one of us be conscious of the measure of our gift and our responsibility, for they are all gifts of and from God.
O Lord Jesus, Thou Great Giver of divers gifts, to Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)
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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 of God
+Father George