My beloved spiritual children in Our Risen Lord, Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
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ON APRIL 24TH OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES OUR VENERABLE MOTHER ELIZABETH THE WONDER-WORKER
Elizabeth, the Wonder-worker, and our venerable mother was famed for her asceticism and miracles (Gk. thavmata). From her birth, Elizabeth was revealed by God to be an elect vessel. Now that "many daughters have wrought mightily, and many have obtained wealth" was spoken of in prophecy by the most wise Solomon. By this, he was saying that, at sundry times, not only men but also women would shine forth radiantly with the comely gifts of the Divine Spirit, thereby working, in a marvelous manner, mysterious and extraordinary prodigies and signs in all the inhabited world. For the Holy Scripture also presents myriads of women, without number, both during the law and after with the advent of grace, exchanging weakness for manly courage. Furthermore, by means of self-control, continence, and ascetic toil and pangs, they have valiantly put down our foremother Eve's ancient supplanter, who strikes the heel and who is the universal enemy of our race. Such a woman was Elizabeth, who wrought such things by the power of the Most High, so that she was crowned with the splendor of victory.
The ever-memorable and wondrous Elizabeth was indeed distinguished as one of these women. Elizabeth hailed from the great Thracian city of Herakleia. Her parents were not obscure and insignificant. Much rather they were wellborn and possessed of lofty virtue. The Saint's father, named Evnomianos, the namesake of law-aiding and virtuous action, held the title of dishypatos (the title mentioned for the first time at the beginning of the 9th century). Her mother's name was Ephemia, whose Greek name bespoke her good repute. Both parents lived up to their names, distinguished for God-loving and God-pleasing lives.
For 16 years of marriage, they remained childless. In their sore distress, they uninterruptedly supplicated God, Who knows the heart, to dissolve their grief of childlessness and to grant them a child, so as to obtain an heir of their lineage and wealth. The Lord, Who does the will of those fearing Him, heard their supplication. He did not look askance at their entreaty but hearkened favorably.
Now there was a custom of old in that place. The natives would come together every year for the commemoration of the gloriously victorious Martyr Glykeria, the patroness of Herakleia. The second-century Martyr Glykeria, who suffered under Antoninus Pius, is commemorated by the Holy Church on the 13th of May. Elizabeth's venerable parents also attended and participated in processions and the night vigils of hymns of glorification to this Saint. The faithful walked throughout the city, bearing aloft the sacred relics of Saint Glykeria's head. She had been beheaded for the sake of Christ. The Divine Liturgy was conducted in the church called Theesavros, meaning "Treasure," which sacred precinct was dedicated to the Theotokos (Mother of God). Now Evnomianos gazed at the holy relic of the venerable Martyr Glykeria. He perceived that sometimes she appeared cheerful and smiled, whereas other times she looked sullen. He considered this to be a vivid symbol of his trust in the martyr, which divided his soul with both joy and sorrow.
Both Evdomianos and Ephemia fervently entreated the contestant of Christ, Glykeria, to release them from the bond of barrenness. They kept constant in prayer into the night but at midnight they lay down on the floor of the church for a little nap. Then--O the ineffable and awesome mysteries of God! -- that most sweet martyr, the namesake of sweetness, Glykeria, stood before the husband and uttered these words to him, "Why, O man, dost thou render me toils?" Why dost thou seek from me what only God is able to give? Nonetheless, if thou will promise me in truth that thou shalt acquire in thyself a contrite heart and humble spirit, and not be lifted in thy heart above thy neighbors, then the generous Lord shall speedily grant thee a female child. Thou shall call her Elizabeth, for she shall be of like habit with the mother of the Forerunner and Baptist John. Evnomianos vowed to struggle as he was bidden. The Saint then made the sign of the Cross over him and departed from his presence. Evnomianos, immediately, awakened from his slumber. He recounted to Ephemia the vision he had been vouchsafed. She also confirmed that she beheld the same vision. Then the God-loving archbishop, who was accounted worthy of the gift of clairvoyance, concurred with the words of the martyr of Christ. He then exhorted the couple. Now after the feast day of the martyr, the Prelate offered them hospitality for three days. He then blessed them and dismissed them to return to their own home in peace.
Ephemia quickly conceived a child. After she completed her term of nine months, she gave birth to a girl, in accordance with the true prophecy of the martyr. When forty days elapsed, the time arrived for the churching of the mother and newborn. Evnomianos, thereupon, took the child with her mother to the city. They entered the temple of the unforgettable martyr and drew near to her august holy icon, which was placed on the right side. Evnomianos prostrated himself to the floor before the holy icon, tearfully offering his thanks to the Venerable Martyr with a heart full of joy. He expressed his gratitude fittingly, as he gazed upon that sacred countenance of Saint Glykeria. It was then that he beheld a sight both strange and extraordinary. The Saint's face shone brilliantly like the sun. Her lips then moved gently as she uttered, "The time is come, O Evnomianos, for thee to pay thy vows to God." Evnomianos was filled with fear and trembling. Great astonishment was instilled in his soul. Then the couple approached the most venerable Archbishop and gave him the customary greeting. He vouchsafed the child the seal in Christ. Then after having given some instruction or catechism to the parents, he baptized the girl, naming her Elizabeth, as the martyr foretold. The hierarch prayed at length for the infant just baptized, after which he spoke to the newly illumined Elizabeth and said, "Through thee, child, may the Lord be gracious to me, granting me forgiveness of my sins." The parents then returned to their home rejoicing. The child kept on advancing in wisdom and stature. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in Our Lord's Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George