October 28 - Holy Protection of the Mother of God

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVERS SHALL BE.

+

ON OCTOBER 28th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY PROTECTION (AGIA SKEPI [Αγία Σκέπη) OF THE MOTHER OF GOD AND OXI DAY

+

The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Theotokos, Mother of God at Vlachernae in the 10th Century. At the end of Saint Andrew of Constantinople, he, with his disciple Saint Epiphanius, and a group of the faithful, saw the Mother of God, Saint John the Baptist, and several other Saints and Angels during a vigil in the Church of Vlachernae, nearby the city gates. The Vlachernae Palace church was where several of her holy relics were kept. The holy relics were her robe, veil, and part of her belt that had been transferred from Palestine during the 5th century.

The Protection of the Mother of God is one of the most beloved feast days on the Orthodox calendar commemorated on October 1st. The feast is celebrated additionally on October 28th in Greece. The Feast of Αγία Σκέπη (Holy Protection) has become associated with thanksgiving for the deliverance of the Greek (Hellenic) nation from the Italian invasion 1940. These events are commemorated in Greece in a national holiday known as "Ochi Day" or "No Day," referring to the response of the Greek leader Metaxas to Mussolini's ultimatum.

In recognition of this, and because of the many miracles of the Ever-Virgin Mary which were reported by Greek soldiers during the Greco-Italian War of 1940-1941, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece elected in 1952 to transfer the Feast of the Holy Protection from October 1st to October 28th.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople also provides for this usage in parishes in Greece and in the Greek diaspora, and it is generally observed now throughout the Greek-speaking world.  The observance includes the chanting of a Doxology incorporating hymns of praise and thanksgiving recognizing of the Theotokos over the Hellenic Nation, as well as the kontakion hymn "Ti Ypermacho Stratigo the Nikiteria" ("O Champion Leader..").

At a time of war and plague, the Most Pure and Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, offers us as a defense her protection, that we might be freed, from every misfortune and tragedy. She guards us from famine, pestilence (pandemic), and earthquake; she shelters us from wars and disease; and she preserves us unharmed under her protection.

It was in the most glorious church of the Theotokos which was in the District of Vlachernae in the Imperial City of Constantinople, during the reign of the pious Emperor Leo, that the protection of the Mother of God was made manifest. There, as the All-night Vigil (Agreepnia) was being celebrated on a Sunday, the first day of the month of October, in the presence of a multitude of faithful, Saint Andrew, the Fool-for-Christ's Sake, lifted up his eyes and beheld the Heavenly Queen, the Protectress of the whole world, the Most Pure Virgin Theotokos, standing upon the clouds praying, shining like the sun and sheltering the faithful (believers) with her precious omophorion. Seeing this, Saint Andrew said to his disciple, the blessed Epiphanios, "Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all praying for the whole word?"

Saint Epiphanios replied, "I do see her, holy Father, and am stricken with fear."

Just as Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist once saw a great sign in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, so did Saint Andrew behold the Bride Unwedded clad in purple, like unto the sun, in the Heavenly Church ("The Church Triumphant") of the Vlachernae. The sign which the holy Theologian beheld appeared when the destruction of all creation was revealed and was an image of our Most compassionate Protectress. "And there were lightnings," said the holy Apostle, "and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun" (Revelation, chapter 11).

"...The Most Pure Theotokos appeared with Angels that she might give her Angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways" (From Vespers on the feast of the Annunciation). She brought all the ranks of the Saints with her, that they might make supplication for us together and bear our sinful prayers unto her Son and Our God. Two Saints had pre-eminence among those who appeared in the church of Vlachernae with the Most Pure Virgin: Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, of whom it is said that there has not arisen one greater than he, and Saint John the Theologian, whom Jesus loved and who rested upon Jesus' breast.

Thus celebrating the Protection of the Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, we commemorate Her Most Glorious appearance in the church of Vlachernae to Saint Andrew and Saint Epiphanios. As we celebrate this feast, we thank our Protectress for the exceedingly great mercy which she has shown the race of Christians, and we entreat her fervently that she have compassion and shelter us who are in need of her protection, both now and forevermore. For it is not possible for us to live without Her protection and intercession, inasmuch, as we continually anger God. On account of our many sins, much chastisement is our due, as it has been said, "many are the scourges of the sinner" (Psalm 31). We would already have perished in our iniquities, had Our Most Merciful Lady (Kyria or Despoina) a  Had not our Mediatress intercede for us in prayer, who would have delivered us from such numerous sorrows? Who would have preserved us until now in freedom? The Prophet Isaiah counsels, "Hide thyself for a little while, until the wrath of the Lord shall pass away" (Isaiah, Ch. 26)...

"...But let us take courage: the noetic cloud, the Most Pure Ever-Virgin Mary, shelters us. In Her do we hope; unto Her we flee; not a hair of our head shall perish when we are under Her protection. Let us but cry to Her with compunction, "Shelter us beneath thy protection, O Our Protectress, Most Pure Virgin; hide us in the days of our troubles! All the days of our life are full of evil, as Jacob once said in the Old Testament, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been" (Genesis, Ch. 47). Evil are the days when we behold evil an when we ourselves work much evil, storing up unto ourselves wrath against the day of wrath" (Romans, Ch. 2). Wherefore, we are in need of thy merciful protection every evil day, O Most Pure Virgin! Shelter us throughout our life and especially on the cruel day when our soul is to be parted from the body. Come thou unto our aid and protect us from the wicked spirits of the firmament beneath the heavens, and on the Dread Day of Judgment grant us refuge. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

_______________________

DIVINE LITURGY ON THE 28th:

10:00 a.m.

______________________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

October 26 - Saint Demetrios the Great-Martyr

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.

+

ON OCTOBER 26th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE PASSION OF THE HOLY, GLORIOUS GREAT-MARTYR OF CHRIST, DEMETRIOS

The holy great-martyr Demetrios was born in the city of Thessaloniki and was the son of noble and pious parents. His father was the Military Governor of Thessaloniki, and secretly believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and labored for Him. He did not dare, however, to confess the Lord's Most Holy Name openly, for at that time the impious emperors were tormentors of Christians and had raised up a great persecution against the faithful (believers). Since he feared the threats of the cruel and iniquitous rulers, he hid within himself the pearl of great price, the faith which is in Christ. But in his palace he secretly kept two holy icons, adorned with gold and precious stones, one of our Incarnate Savior Jesus Christ and the other of the Most Holy Theotokos. A lamp always burned before them, and he censed them with incense; and together with his wife, who also believed in Christ, he prayed to the True God, Who dwells in the heavens, to His Only-begotten Son, and our immaculate Lady. This pious couple was exceedingly merciful to the poor and gave abundant alms to those who asked them. But they had no children, and this grieved them greatly; therefore, they prayed God fervently that He grant them an heir.

In a short time their prayer was heard, and they were granted a child, the holy and blessed Demetrios. All Thessaloniki (Salonika) rejoiced with its Governor, who had a feast prepared for the entire city and especially for the poor, to thank God for the gift He had bestowed upon them.

When the boy reached an age at which he could know and understand Truth, his parents took him into the room where they prayed. They showed him the holy icons and said, "This is the depiction of the one, True God, who made heaven and earth, and this is the image of the most Pure Virgin Theotokos." They instructed Demetrios in the Holy Faith and everything which leads to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (All Orthodox Christian parents should emulate their good example and teach their children the faith and traditions of the Church.) They explained to him, moreover, how vain are the vile gods of the heathen (pagans) and their lifeless idols. Through his parents' teaching and especially through the workings of the grace of God within him. Demetrios came to know the Truth. He believed in God within his whole heart, bowed down before the holy icons, and kissed them reverently. After this his parents secretly summoned a priest and certain of the Christians whom they knew, and in their hidden chapel they had their son baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

After the child was baptized, he received instruction in the law of God. As he grew, his understanding was strengthened, and he ascended from rung to rung on the ladder of virtue. The grace of God, which was upon him, enlightened the boy and made him wise. When he had already reached manhood, his parents departed from this temporal life, leaving Saint Demetrios both their possessions and the example of their good deeds.

As soon as the pagan Roman emperor Maximian learned of the repose of the Military Governor, he summoned his son Demetrios. The emperor perceived that Demetrios was an intelligent and brave man, and so he made him the new Governor of Salonika. He said to the Saint, "Protect the city in which you were born and cleanse it of the impious Christians. Put to death all who call upon the name of the Crucified One."

After he had received the governorship, Saint Demetrios returned to Salonika where he was received with honor by the citizens. Immediately, he began to confess and to glorify the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and he instructed all the people in the holy faith. He became a second Apostle Paul to the citizens of Salonika, leading them to know the True God and uprooting the ungodliness of polytheism. But within a short time the emperor Maximian learned that his Governor Demetrios was a Christian and had led many to his faith. When the emperor heard of this he was enraged. At that time he was returning from a campaign against the Sarmatians, and so he went to Salonika. Before the emperor reached the city, Demetrios put into the hands of a trusted servant name Lupus all his possessions, the wealth he had inherited from his parents, his gold and silver, precious stones, and raiment. He instructed Lupus to distribute these things quickly to the poor and needy, "Give away my earthly riches and let us seek the wealth of heaven."

Then Demetrios began to pray and to fast, preparing himself to receive the crown of martyrdom. As soon as the emperor began to make enquiry as to the truth of what was said concerning Demetrios, the Saint hastened to appear before him, boldly confessing himself to be a Christian and reviling the polytheism of the pagans. The emperor then ordered that Demetrios be imprisoned. Saint Demetrios sat in the dungeon chanting unto God and glorifying Him as though he were in a bright chamber.

As Saint Demetrios was sitting in prison, he was visited by a most brilliant Angel, who appeared to him wearing a crown from Paradise. The Angel said, "Peace be to you, O martyr of Christ. Take courage and be strong!" The Saint replied, "I rejoice in the Lord and delight in God my Savior!"

This vision set afire the Saint's heart with love for God, and he was filled with a fervent desire that his blood be shed for the Lord.  

While Demetrios was imprisoned, the emperor was amusing himself with games in the circus. Now Maximian had a renowned wrestler named Lyaeus, who belonged to the tribe of the Vandals. The emperor ordered that a high platform be constructed in the arena, and he entertained himself by watching Lyaeus wrestle other brave men and cast them down on spears below. It happened that there was a young man present named Nestor, a Christian known to Saint Demetrios. When Nestor saw how Lyaeus slew many and that he was especially eager to slaughter Christians without mercy, he was set aflame with zeal and wished to contend with the Vandal. He went to Saint Demetrios, who sat in the prison, and told him how the wrestler Lyaeus had killed numerous Christians. He asked the Saint's prayers and his blessing to contest with that pitiless manslayer. Saint Demetrios signed him with the Cross and said, "You shall prevail over Lyaeus and be deemed worthy to suffer for Christ."

As Nestor hastened to the arena, he cried out in a loud voice, "O God of Demetrios, help me!"

Nestor then entered into contest with the mighty foe, hurling him to a bitter death on the sharp spears below. The emperor was grieved greatly by Lyaeus' death and immediately commanded that the blessed Nestor be beheaded with the sword. When he learned that Demetrios had blessed Nestor to contend with Lyaeus and to slay him, he ordered that the Saint be run through with lances. Since Lyaeus perished when he was cast down upon spears by Saint Nestor, the persecutor desired that Saint Demetrios also be slain with lances.

When the 26th day of October dawned, soldiers entered the prison where they found Saint Demetrios standing at prayer. They pierced him with their lances, and he surrendered his honorable and holy soul into the hands of Christ the Lord, Who was likewise pierced by a spear. His body was cast out and lay upon the ground in dishonor until the faithful came by night, took it secretly, and buried it.

Saint Demetrios' trusted servant Lupus, who was previously mentioned, was present in the prison when the Saint was run through with spears by the soldiers. He dipped his finger in his master's sacred blood and took his lord's blood-soaked robe and worked many miracles with that robe and with his finger. He healed every disease and cast out evil spirits, and as a result, word of these miracles spread throughout Salonika, and all who were ill began to come to him. When emperor Maximian learned of this, he commanded that the blessed Lupus be seized and beheaded. Thus did Saint Demetrios' good servant follow his master unto the Lord, for where the master is, there should his servant be also.

Countless miracles were performed by Saint Demetrios throughout the centuries following his sacred martyrdom. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

___________________

DIVINE SERVICES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 26th:

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

__________________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

October 25 - Saint Tabitha

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

+

ON OCTOBER 25th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES SAINT TABITHA

Saint Luke the Evangelist mentions in the book of Acts of the Apostles: "She was devoted to good works and acts of charity" (9:36). She lived in the Palestinian town of Joppa, where she was a weaver by trade. She'd become a Christian and lived out her faith in her everyday life. Her heart over flowed with innocent love for those of her fellow-citizens who were in pain or poverty. For this reason she worked day and night making clothing which she then sold, giving the proceeds to those in need. At the same time, she was flanked by the Christians in the town, who also engaged in impressive charitable activity. A whole host of hungry people, widows, and orphans, were grateful objects of Saint Tabitha's love and charity. But God allowed her to undergo a harsh trial, so that that His Name would be glorified and that she would be recognized as a Saint. She suddenly fell ill and died.

At that time, Saint Peter the holy Apostle, was visiting the region. He was teaching to the nearby town of Lydda when he was told about the tragic event by two men sent by the faithful in Joppa. Saint Peter at once set off for the town, where everything was prepared for Tabitha's funeral. He found a large crowd inside and outside her house, mourning the loss of such a fine lady. Those who had benefitted from her charity wept inconsolably, because they'd lost their support.

As soon as Saint Peter arrived he asked to see the dead woman, in the upper room. After asking to be left alone with Tabitha's honorable corpse, he knelt and prayed fervently. Then he said aloud "Tabitha, get up now". What a miracle! Her spirit returned to her body and she arose. This miraculous event not only filled those present with joy, but it was relayed throughout Palestine. As a result God's Name was glorified and many Jews and pagans turned to Christianity.

Thereafter, Saint Tabitha lived a good many years, continuing with her charitable works before dying at an advanced age. The Church numbered her among the Saints and she's commemorated on October 25th.

We need to bear in mind the enduring charitable work of the Church, which flows naturally from our belief the Christ is depicted in the face of each person and that, according to His assertion; "Indeed I tell you that inasmuch as you did so to one of the least of My brethren, you did so to Me" (Matthew 25:40). We should also take note of the fact that charity was exclusive to Christianity, because the notion was unheard of in the pre-Christian world. There's no evidence of any organized charity network or philanthropic institutions. From the huge amount of wealth at the shrines of the pagan religion, such as Delphi in Greece, for example, not the smallest amount was ever spent to relieve people in pain.

The history of our Church is full of immeasurable works of charity performed over the centuries, with self-denial, thousands of imitators of Saint Tabitha have generously offered their services and their goods to people in need, especially when times have been hard such as now with the pandemic. Millions of people throughout the country, and all around the world, are suffering hardship and poverty. There are some so despondent that they have lost all hope and end up taking drugs, alcohol and even taking their own lives.

The Church has always been there to offer them hope, to offer them help, and to encourage them to trust in Christ and His Divine and unending love. The Church of Christ will remain always philanthropic and compassionate no matter what the circumstances or world conditions. (Source: Pemptousia)

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

The Intercessions of the Saints (Part II)

My beloved spiritual children in Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

+

THE INTERCESSIONS OF THE SAINTS (Part II)

As evidenced by the earliest surviving liturgical texts from throughout the world, the Church consistently and universally entreated the martyrs--often recent martyrs from the local region--for their intercessions (prayers) on behalf of those Christians still racing toward the finish. In particular, the memory of the martyrs was kept on the date of their martyrdom, when the Church gathered to celebrate their birth into eternal life. We have direct testimony of this practice from the middle of the second century in an eyewitness account of the martyrdom of Saint Polycarpos (Polycarp), Bishop of Smyrna, an 86 years old disciple of the holy Apostle John. After his remains were burned by the centurion, we hear the following from the account:

"Accordingly, we later took up his bones, more precious than costly stones and finer than gold, and deposited them in a suitable place. And there, in so far as it is possible, the Lord will grant that we come together with joy and gladness and celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom both in memory of those who have contended [for the faith in martyrdom] in former times and for the exercise and training of those who will do so in the future." (Apostolic Fathers, p. 148)

In the Apocalypse (Revelation) of Saint John, we have given a glimpse of the active concern shown in heaven by the martyrs for their persecuted brethren below, for they cry to the Lord for His swift intervention, saying, "How long, O Lord?" (Revelation 6:10). It is not an accident that, in this same passage, the souls of these interceding martyrs are found "under the altar." Here we see the testimony of the Church's ancient practice of placing the bone of a martyr inside the altar on which the Divine Eucharist will be offered. It also reveals the continuity of heavenly and earthly worship of the Church.

The practice of requesting the intercessions of departed Christians is also attested to by the inscription on tombs in the catacombs, both those of martyrs and those of other departed Christians, including children and even baptized infants. The fact that the intercessions of the departed existed in the Eucharistic prayers of local churches in every region of the Roman Empire suggests that the source of this practice is that oral instructions passed down by the Holy Apostles themselves.

Saint Augustine provides a theological explanation of the Church's liturgical practice:

"Neither are the souls of the pious dead separated from the Church which even now is the kingdom of Christ. Otherwise there would be no remembrance of them at the altar of God in the communication of the Body of Christ" (The City of God 20:9:2 [AD 419].

At the Lord's table, we do not commemorate martyrs in the same way that we do others who rest in peace so as to pray for them, but rather that they may pray for us that we may follow in their footsteps" (Homilies on John [AD 416].

Clarifications

Orthodox Christians do not pray to the saints as Protestants understand this phrase. Rather, we ask the Saints in Heaven to pray for us to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Old English the word pray can mean to "ask imploringly", to "request," or in general to communicate. For example, "Pray tell me, where you are going?" Praying to Saints does not imply worship or the kind of prayer that is offered to God. Prayer in this sense means asking those departed in Christ to pray for us before God.

In the Orthodox Church, we affirm the truth that all those who believe and are united to Christ in Holy Baptism are indeed holy. But we simultaneously embrace what became the practice in the early centuries of the Church, to refer to those who excelled in holiness among the Saints as "saints" in a more particular sense. Note that in the Divine Liturgy the priest invites the faithful to Holy Communion with the words, "Holy things are for the holy" (i.e., the saints, referring to all Christians who have not disqualified themselves from Holy Communion through sin). (Source: Know the Faith. A Handbook for Orthodox Christians and Inquirers by Rev. Michael Shanbour)

(To be continued)

________________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

The Intercessions of the Saints (Part I)

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.

+

THE INTERCESSIONS OF THE SAINTS

"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lord, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8).

Cornelius has died and been raised with Christ in baptism. He partakes of His Resurrected Body in the Eucharist. As a member of the Body of Christ, he is united to the Resurrected Lord and is a "partaker of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

All of this has been made possible by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, by His victory over death and the devil. This was the preaching of the holy Apostle Peter, the Good News that the Son of God became man "that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14).

Cornelius understands this to mean that, for those who are in Christ, death also no longer reigns, "no longer has dominion" (Romans 6:9). "Isn't it true," he thinks to himself aloud, "that after the Lord's Resurrection the saints who had died were raised, coming out of their graves and appearing to the disciples in Jerusalem" (see Matthew 27:52-53). He pauses thoughtfully for a moment "surely, death cannot hold those who are united to Jesus. Surely death itself cannot separate us from the love of Christ" (see Romans 8:35, 38).

Cornelius also knows that God has united "all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). This communion of heaven and earth in Christ is particularly evident in the assembly of His Church, where not only Christ is present, but both Angels and "the spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23).

He understands that those who are "dead in Christ" (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and those "members of Christ" (1 Corinthians 6:15) on earth cannot be separated by death, for both are living in Him. Did not Jesus say that the Father "is not the God of the dead, but of the living?" (Matthew 22:32). And did not Jesus speak to Moses on the mountain (Matthew 17:3) during His earthly ministry?

Reflecting on these things, Cornelius understands with more clarity why the Church calls upon the prayers of those saints who have departed this life, yet are "with Christ" (Philippians 1:23).

Introduction

With the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a new and glorious reality dawned upon the whole creation, especially for those united to the Resurrected Christ by faith in baptism. For the Good News of the Gospel, as summed up in the Orthodox Christian paschal hymn, is that "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by [His own] death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!" As the first Adam sowed corruption and death into the fabric of the human race, the Resurrection of Jesus, the "New Adam," initiates a renewed grace-filled humanity that is impervious to the tyranny and power of death.

This new "race" of man, of which Christ is the "father" (Isaiah 9:6) and the "firstborn" (Revelation 1:5), is birthed in the baptismal font and nourished by the incorruptible food and drink of Christ's own deathless Flesh and Blood received in the Divine Eucharist. Baptism is described by the holy Apostle Paul as our participation in Christ's death, that "we also should walk in the newness of life" (Romans 6:4), that is, the resurrected life. And the Lord Himself identifies the participation in His Body and Blood as the means by which we are raised unto "eternal life" (John 6:54). So central to the Gospel is the preaching of Jesus' Resurrection and its implications for mankind that the Athenians imagined Saint Paul preached two deities, Jesus and the Resurrection (Greek: Anastasios; Acts 17:18).

The Christian faith is not primarily a set of doctrines or moral teachings, but a new way of life inspired and made possible by the reality of the Resurrection. In the Person of the Resurrected Christ, humanity has been given the potential to participate in the divine life, to be shot through with the uncreated grace and energies of God Himself. This potential begins to be realized in each human person when he or she is joined by "water and the Spirit" (John 3:5) to the Church, which is itself the resurrected "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27). 

The Body of Christ, those who are united to Him, are no longer futilely bound by the limitations of corrupt nature, nor by the spiritual separation that has its source in sin and death. For Christ overcomes the division between heaven and earth, uncreated and created, invisible and visible, male and female, and finally, life and death.

All of this is to emphasize that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely an abstract doctrine to believe in, not merely an isolated past event to assent to intellectually, but an organic reality to enter into and assimilate into one's being in Christ's body, the Church. The Resurrection is the very life and atmosphere of God's Church, made present of the divine worship of the Church through the union of heaven and earth in Christ.

The natural implication of this unity of heaven and earth in the Church, as attested to by the Holy Scripture and the saints, is the union and communion shared by those who are "in Christ." This union transcends death. Death has no more power for those joined to Christ. Because of the Resurrection of Christ, death can no longer separate man from God nor man from his brother in Christ, whether from the living or among the departed.

Therefore, the ancient (early) Christian practice of calling upon the intercessions of the departed Saints was and is born from a living faith in the radical consequences of the Resurrection of Jesus. For "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). If indeed the departed in Christ are alive in Him, then the earthly Church will naturally keep the memory of, relate to, and call upon as intercessors with Him those members of the Heavenly Church who are sharers in the eternal fruits of His Resurrection.

As the first generation of Christians, and most especially the holy Apostles, began to depart to Eternal Life, the Church naturally remembered them and sought their prayers before the Throne of God, especially when they gathered together for the Divine Eucharist. Inasmuch as the divine Eucharist is the "remembrance" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24) in Greek anamnesis, re-calling, re-presenting) of the Lord's Death and Resurrection and a participation in the Eternal Heavenly Liturgy, it supplies the most fitting experience of the communion between the living and departed. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the holy Apostle Paul clearly acknowledges the presence of "the spirits of just men made perfect" (i.e. departed saints) along with "an innumerable company of Angels" in the midst of the Eucharistic assembly (Hebrews 12:23). (Source: Know the Faith by Rev. Michael Shanbour)

(To be continued)

_______________________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

October 21 - Holy Father Hilarion the Great

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.

+

ON OCTOBER 21st OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF OUR HOLY FATHER HILARION THE GREAT

Saint Hilarion our holy Father, a native of the village of Thawatha, some five miles south of Gaza in Palestine, was born around 293 A.D. This great miracle of the wilderness is to be compared to a rose amid thorns, because he was the offshoot of pagan Greek parents. His parents were desirous that their son should one day become a wise philosopher, so they sent him to study in a grammar school in Alexandria. This was, indeed, God's providence, so that the youth might learn of the True Faith of the Master Christ and thereby deny the idols.

Thus, this all came about since Hilarion was a disciplined lad of sensible and prudent conduct. Although he was young in years, he never occupied himself with the pastimes of young men his age. Moreover, he believed in the Lord and was never absent from the church services of the Christians, but instead would stand there with such reverence, orderliness, and attention, he believed in Christ, renounced impiety, and was baptized. 

Hilarion had heard of the good fame of the Great Anthony of Egypt, and he conceived the desire to behold and speak with him and nourished a love for him in his heart. Therefore, he departed for the desert and found Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, by virtue of his gift of clairvoyance, beheld the nobility of the youth's soul, that he would prove to be a struggler in virtue. Therefore, after two days, he tonsured him a monk and took him into his synodia. Daily, Hilarion grew more zealous in his spiritual struggles emulating Saint Anthony in everything. He then, Saint Anthony, gave him a hair-shirt and leather overcoat and sent him with some of the other brethren back to their country. Thereupon, St. Anthony repaired in the inner desert.

Hilarion, now fifteen years of age, returned to Palestine only to find that his parents had reposed, leaving him as sole inheritor. He kept nothing for himself, fearing the example of Ananias and Sapphira and remembering particularly the Lord's declaration, "Everyone of you who does not renounce all that he himself possesses is not able to be My disciple" (Luke 14:33). Therefore, he distributed his goods among the poor and, as we said, did not retain even the last piece of silver for himself, but only desired the wealth of heavenly riches. This, he left completely free of any earthly care, and, stripped of bodily and worldly concerns, he vested himself with the Master Christ, Whom he desired with all his heart.

He had now spent nearly twenty years in the desert. He was known to one, except by report, though his fame had spread throughout Palestine. A certain woman, who had been married for fifteen years, was reproached by her husband because she was barren. Therefore, she departed her city of Eleftheropolis, near Hebron and went to see the Saint in the desert. She fell before his feet and besought him with tears to take pity upon her that she might bear a child. When Saint Hilarion heard her story, he was sorrowed and said to her, "Return to your home, and the Lord will grant what is in your heart." The Saint, meanwhile, made an entreaty to the Lord on her behalf. Within a short time, she conceived. A year later, she brought the child to Saint Hilarion that he might see it, and she profusely thanked him. Saint Hilarion, in turn, made a prayer concerning the child that God might overshadow and enlighten him to become a virtuous man. At that time, Saint Hilarion was thirty-three when he performed his first miracle. Thereafter he performed great number of various miracles that brought comfort, restored and healed the eyes of a blind woman, freed another woman who was possessed by a demon, a possessed cadet and even a fierce possessed camel.

After the death of Emperor Julian, a great earthquake of such magnitude occurred that the resulting waves nearly washed away the city. Ships were driven upon mountainsides and left stranded there. Many frightened inhabitants fled and, weeping, came before our Saint. Saint Hilarion was greatly moved, and he the constructed three crosses and set them up in three locations on the shoreline. Then stretching forth his arms, in the form of a Cross, toward the sea, straightway--O the wonder!--the water stood still and appeared as a high wall for long time. Then, afterward, the waters drew back, being driven by Divine power. All were amazed at this sight of the former deluge turned to calm waters.

After the Saint blessed all that had come, he directed that they bury him in his garden. He adjured them not to keep his body even one hour after his death and, also, not to dare to change his attire when they laid him to rest, for he wished to remain in the old rason with which he struggled and perspired in is work. When the final hour arrived, he said to himself, "Go forth, my soul; why does thou fear? Why dost thou hesitate? Seventy years has thou labored for the Lord, and dost thou now cower before death? It is He that called thee. Therefore, go unto Him rejoicing." Saint Hilarion then made the sign of the honorable Cross and surrendered his holy soul into the hands of the Master Christ on the 21st of October, 373 A.D. His holy relics were immediately interred in the garden, as he had wished. Thereafter, the Cypriots meticulously maintained and watched the grave for fear that some Palestinians would come and steal their most precious treasure.

In the meantime, his disciple Hesychios heard of his spiritual father's death. He flew like an eagle to Cyprus, only to behold the great care of the Cypriots in guarding the sacred relics. Hesychios desired secretly to take up the holy relics and return them to their homeland. After tarrying ten months there, he was finally able to take up his elder's holy relics one night.

He then returned to Maiouma of Palestine. When the Maioumans learned of the entry of the holy relics within their borders, they hastened to behold the incorrupt Holy Relics, which emitted a sweet fragrance. The Saint's clothes were intact, and his face was bright as light. They all chanted hymns to God and lit candles and incense; and with great reverence, his holy relics were transferred to his monastery at Maiouma.

Today, both Palestine and Cyprus are nourished by his grace: Paphos has the Saint's garden, and the Monastery of Maiouma has his holy relics, to the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the everlasting ages. Amen. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom

+++

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George