November 25 - Saint Katherine the Great Martyr (Part III)

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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THE FEAST OF THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS MARTYR SAINT KATHERINE (Part III)

At this juncture, the emperor ordered that the Martyr be placed under heavy guard. He then sent out a notice to all cities under his rule, announcing: "I, your emperor, extend my greeting to all the learned men and rhetoricians of the Greeks...together with your knowledge, may stop the mouth of a very clever woman who has appeared of late and has treated scornfully the exalted gods...Thus, if you prove the ancients' wisdom and impress the populace, from me you will receive great recompense."

One hundred and fifty elite and scholarly men, who had keen minds and were seasoned orators, responded and assembled...Consequently, the martyr was commanded to be brought in. Many by then, had filled the amphitheater to see and hear the outcome. Before they commenced, the Archangel Michael appeared to Katherine, encouraging her, and saying, "O child of the Lord, be not afraid; for the Lord will add more wisdom to thine own, to vanquish the one hundred and fifty philosophers' and not only they, but many others also will come to believe through thy testimony and will receive martyr's crowns."

After a robust debate and discourse, the one hundred and fifty pagan scholars and philosophers were defeated by Saint Katherine. The emperor, seeing that his pagan philosophers lost the battle, directed the others to refute the martyr in rebuttal. They declined, saying, "We cannot oppose the truth, in view of the fact that our superior has been defeated.

Then the emperor's anger was inflamed, and he ordered that a fire be kindled in the midst of the city and the orators be cast therein. As they heard this, they fell at the feet of the Saint, begging that the Lord might forgive them-for they had sinned unwittingly-and that they be allowed to receive Baptism and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The Saint was elated and addressed them, "You are blessed and fortunate, for you have left darkness and come to the Light of the Truth...Behold, the fire with which the impious ones are menacing you shall become your baptism and a celestial ladder to the King Who is making you His beloved friends!" With these words, the holy Katherine encouraged them, sealing them to their martyrdom in thanksgiving and rejoicing. The soldiers cast them into the flames, jubilant as they were, on the 17th of November...

"...The emperor ordered that she be stripped of the royal mantle and lashed without pity with whips of rawhide. After this, they scourged her about the stomach and back for two hours. Her virginal body, once fair, became lacerated and unsightly from the welts. Yet, the holy one withstood all this with much courage. After the sunset, the savage beast ordered that she be cast into prison and not be given food or water for twelve days until he might devise a method to put her to death...

"...A certain prefect, ill-tempered and sadistic man proposed to the emperor a new instrument of torture that would bring about the atrocious death of the martyr. He said to the emperor, 'Thou should order the construction of four wooden wheels attached to an axle, from which steel blades and other sharp spikes protrude. Two of the wheels will rotate to the right, and two to the left. The maiden would be placed below, bound, at the center, so that when the wheels turn, her body will be completely mutilated. The idea pleased the emperor, and he ordered the plan put into effect.

The emperor then ordered that they cast the Saint, bound, before the wheels and rotate them violently so that with rapid passes thereof she might suffer a bitter death. But, by the intervention of the grace and will of God, it did not come to pass in this way. An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and aided the holy Katherine, who was instantly loosed from the bonds and rendered whole and uninjured. The wheels spun away on their own, striking many of the unbelievers, and bringing upon them a hideous death...The emperor raged with a blind fury, and at once sought to devise a new way to torture Saint Katherine.

The emperor finally to behead the Saint...After uttering her final prayer to the Lord, she told the executioner to carry out the sentence. He raised his sword and cut off her precious head on the 25th of November, in about 305 A.D. Again, our God desired to honor the Saint and Venerable Martyr, and one miracle followed another! At her beheading all the bystanders witnessed milk flow from her sacred head instead of blood. Thereupon, at that hour, her revered and precious holy relics were devoutly translated by holy Angels and deposited on Mount Sinai in a secret place. According to Holy Tradition, they were translated to the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai, which now bears her name.

Verily, this is the account of the Martyrdom of the all-wise and remarkable Katherine, who so loved Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom, that she disdained wealth, glory, and every vain enjoyment. Therefore, she now rejoices and delights with the Choir of Saints unto endless ages. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

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On the 25th of November, the holy Church commemorates the holy Great-Martyr Mercurius.

When the Roman pagan emperor Decius was once making war on the barbarians, there was in the army the commander of an Armenian regiment called the Martesians. The commander was called Mercurius. In the battle, an Angel of God appeared to Mercurius, put a sword in his hand, and told him that he would overcome the enemy. Mercurius displayed wonderful courage, mowing the enemy down like grass with his sword. After this glorious victory, the emperor made him Supreme Commander of his army, but some jealous men denounced him to the emperor as a Christian. Mercurius did not deny this before the emperor but openly acknowledged it. He was most terribly tortured: cut with knives in strips and burned in a furnace, but an Angel of God appeared in the prison and healed him. Finally, the emperor pronounced the sentence that General Mercurius be beheaded with the sword in Cappadocia. When they beheaded him, his body became as white as snow, and from it there arose a wonderful, incense-like fragrance. Many of the sick were healed by his wonderworking and holy relics. This glorious soldier of Christ suffered for the Faith sometime between 251 and 259 A.D. (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

November 25 - Saint Katherine the Great Martyr (Part II)

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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THE COMMEMORATION OF THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS HOLY MARTYR KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA (Part II)

The maiden then took the holy icon and returned to the palace. She closed herself in her inner room as the elder directed. From the tremendous effort exerted in her supplications, she fell asleep and beheld in a vision the Queen of the Angels, as portrayed in the holy icon, holding the Holy Child, Whose Person emitted rays more radiant than the sun; yet His face was turned toward His Mother. Thus, Katherine saw His back only. She yearned to behold His countenance, and so went to the other side, but once again He turned His face away. This happened thrice. She then heard the Most Holy Mother say, "My Child, look upon Thy handmaiden Katherine! How beautiful and comely she is!" He answered, "Nay, rather she is gloom and so repugnant that it is not possible for Me to look upon her!" The Most Holy Theotokos continued, "Is she not wiser than all the orators, very wealthy, and the most elegant in all the cities?" Yet Christ replied, "My Mother, I tell thee that she is ignorant, poor, and contemptible! Whosoever is in like condition, I do not wish to look upon!" Again, the Theotokos spoke, "I beg Thee, my sweet Child, despise not the work of Thy hands! But, advise and guide her as to what she should do, so as to have a share of Thy glory and behold Thy face resplendent with Light, which the Angels long to gaze upon!" Christ then said, "She ought to go to the elder who gave her the icon. Whatever instructions he gives, she should do. Then, when she desires to see, she will receive joy and benefit."

Having beheld this vision, she awoke and pondered deeply on the matter. In the morning, she hastened with a few other women to the elder's cell. Failing at his feet, she related, in tears, the vision and implored him to advise her how to proceed, so she might attain her heart's desire. The blessed elder explained in detail the rites and mysteries of our True Faith, commencing with the creation of the universe and the making of man. He catechized her thoroughly as to the Second Coming of Our Lord Christ and the ineffable glory of Paradise in contrast to the all-grievous and never-ending torments. Intelligent and quick of mind, Katherine grasped, within a short period of time, all the fine points of the Faith. She believed with all her heart and was received into the Faith through Baptism at his hands. Afterward, he instructed her to entreat the Most Holy Theotokos to appear once again.

The holy maiden, having put off the "old man" (Colossians 3:9) and put on a garment woven by God, went to the palace and kept vigil all night, fasting and praying with tears. Finally, sleep overcame her, and she beheld the heavenly Queen with the Divine Child, Who looked upon Katherine with a gracious eye. This time, the Mother of God inquired of the Master Christ if the virgin pleased Him. Our Lord answered, "She who was formerly unillumined and unsightly is now resplendent and glorious to behold! The poor and ignorant one has become wealthy and enlightened. She who was contemptible and undistinguished has become noble and eminent, and now possesses so many good blessings and gifts that I am well-disposed and desire to betroth her to Myself as My undefiled bride!" At that moment, Katherine fell prostrate, weeping and saying, "O exceeding Glorious Lord, I am unworthy to look upon Thee! Make me worthy to be numbered among Thy servants!"

The Theotokos then took her right hand of the maiden and said, "My Child, give her a ring as a token of Thy betrothal of her, so as to deem her worthy of Thy Kingdom." The Master Christ then gave her a beautiful ring, saying, "Behold, this day I take thee as My unsullied bride forever. Diligently preserve this troth inviolate, taking no man to thyself!" And with these words the vision came to an end. Katherine arose; verily, a ring was on her right finger! At that moment, her heart was enraptured with the Divine Love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The iniquitous Emperor, obsessed with unmatched zeal for the lifeless gods, was so senseless and irrational that he issued a decree to every city and village, enjoining all to comply with the following: "I, your emperor, greet all who are under my authority, I command all to assemble, without delay, in the capital, that we may render tribute to the supreme gods in a fitting manner, and expresses our gratitude for their good favor and bestowal of benefits and gifts. Each one will offer according to his resources. Whosoever disregards this edict and doth dare to worship any other god, will be subject to disciplinary action and punishment."

With the edict's circulation to every corner of the realm, countless multitudes converged on the imperial city. Each one brought according to his means; some oxen, other sheep; the poor, fowls and the like. When the day of the abominable festival arrived, the impious emperor sacrificed one hundred thirty bullocks.

Katherine, devout and beauteous, witnessed this grievous shipwreck of souls who were compelled to commit sacrilege, thereby escaping temporal death, only to betray their souls to everlasting condemnation. Therefore, inspired by divine zeal, she went, with a small retinue of servants, to the site of the temple where the foolish ones were performing their sacrifices. When she paused at the temple threshold, all were distracted by her exquisite comeliness which mirrored her inner beauty. She then sent word to the emperor that she had information of vital importance, and he summoned her to enter.

The all -beautiful Katherine approached the emperor, first bowing, and then boldly and fearlessly declaring, "O emperor, thou shouldest be the first to know that thou art deceived in worshipping perishable and lifeless idols as gods. It is an absolute disgrace to be so manifestly blind, as fools, to the truth, in thy worship of such abominations...At this, the emperor quickly interrupted, "Do not speak disrespectfully of the gods whose glory is everlasting!" But the martyr objected...

"...He made the following pretext: "It is indecorous for the emperor to debate with a woman; nevertheless, I will bring together my rhetoricians. Then thou shalt comprehend the feebleness of thy syllogisms, and know what is in thy best interest, and embrace our beliefs." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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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

November 25 - Saint Katherine 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.

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ON THE 25TH OF NOVEMBER, THE HOLY CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS GREAT-MARTYR KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA

Katherine, the glorious great martyr of Christ, came from the metropolis of Alexandria. She struggled during the reigns of the ungodly and pagan Emperors Maximian (306-308 A.D.), Maxentius (308-312 A.D.), and Maximinus (308-314 A.D.). The blessed one's life and martyrdom is so marvelous, sweet, and compunctious that each soul who reads it with care and attention will greatly rejoice and be refreshed by the fruit garnered there from.

The anticipation of reaping a good crop gives confidence to the farmer, and, as a result, he counts as naught the labor, toil, and hardship of winter. He braves wind and rain, and even the frigid snows. He awaits the harvest season with the utmost eagerness to enjoy the fruits of his labors. The expectation of financial gain leads merchants to defy all hardships and dangers of land and sea, so as to increase their capital, oft-times to no profit, and many brave soldier who, in the hope of enjoying glory and honor, takes no account of the peril in which he places his life, nor the sufferings he must undergo, contends to vanquish the enemies of his king, so as to be honored and rewarded by him according to his acts of valor.

Hence, they persevere in so many hardships, toils, and sufferings to acquire the perishable and effete things which today exist and tomorrow vanish away; moreover, oft-times the wretched ones fail and do not attain their goal, as we have seen various times and places. The farmer toils extensively and scatters his seed upon the earth, expecting it to increase tenfold. Yet, many times he does not reap what he sows. Again, the merchant expends sums and embarks on a voyage to double his capital, and many times the unfortunate one casts his goods overboard to avoid falling into the hands of pirates who might rob him, and oftentimes he, too, will lose his life. Furthermore, the soldier goes into battle, and the poor one is slain. Therefore, if they expose their lives and souls to innumerable dangers for transient and vain things, how much more should we Christians struggle, who undoubtedly understand that we are to inherit so many good things in the kingdom of the heavens, wherein we shall delight eternally?

Knowing this, the people of past generations, being well-intentioned and prudent, strived according to their strength to be deemed worthy of this blessedness. Some imposed extreme asceticism and discipline upon themselves, fleeing the world and dwelling in mountains and caves, praying alone unto God. Others, ardent in piety and zealots of our True Faith, rejected their wealth and property. They gave up their lives to receive death for the sake of their boundless love which they had toward the most desired Jesus Christ. Indeed, the more they saw the bloodthirsty tyrants devising various means of torture, the more so did they, of their own volition, desire death.

More amazing is that not only men, who are aided by the bodily strength with which they were endowed by nature, but also even tender young hearts aflame with love for the heavenly Bridegroom, putting aside the frivolities of young womanhood. Undaunted by the brutality of rulers and tyrants, neither were they perturbed by fierce tortures, nor did they take pity on their bloom and youthful beauty, but instead disdained every transient enjoyment and carnal pleasure. Indeed, of their own volition they hastened to death, knowing that through martyrdom they would be granted eternal life and blessedness. She whom we joyously commemorate on November 25th is the most beautiful and all-praised bride of Christ the heavenly King. She exceeds all the rest in wisdom, beauty, and in many qualities: the renowned and all-wise queen, Katherine.

This ever-memorable daughter of the earthly ruler of Alexandria, Constas (Kestou), was tall in stature, incomparably beautiful, and exceedingly kind. She was instructed in the wisdom of the Greeks, learning all the works of the poets and philosophers, including Home, Virgil, Aristotle, and Plato. Not only was she well-versed in philosophy, but she also knew the medical writings of Asklepios (Aesculapius), Hippocrates, and Galen. Indeed, the maiden was a master of all the nuances of many languages, surpassing all others in rhetoric and logic. All who saw and heard Katherine marveled at her scholarship. Many of the wealthy and leading men of the Senate besought Katherine's mother for her daughter's hand in marriage.

Now her mother was a Christian, but a secret one because of the great persecutions brought about by the followers of Maximian. Both the maiden's relatives and mother counseled her to marry, so that her father's estate should not fall to another, thus cutting her off altogether. But Katherine, on account of her many philosophical studies, cherished her virginity and protested, giving many excuses; for she had no wish whatsoever to wed. However, when she saw that they troubled her greatly over the matter, she proposed the following--actually to divert them--so as not to be further importuned: "Present unto me a young man who is like unto me in the four virtues in which you claim that I am peerless among women, and I will take him as my husband; for I will not condescend to be yoked to one who is unworthy or inferior. Therefore, search here and abroad for one who is equal to me in rank, wealth, wisdom, and beauty--if such an individual exists. Yet, if he is deficient in any of these areas, he is unsuitable."

Now they knew that it would be quite impossible to find such a qualified suitor. They suggested the son of the Roman emperor and other possible candidates of exalted rank and even greater wealth, but they were inferior to her in the categories of erudition and appearance. She stubbornly persisted in her refusal to contract a marriage with an unlettered man. However, her mother had a most holy spiritual confessor who was in hiding outside the city limits. She took her daughter to visit the Geronda (Elder) to seek his counsel. The ascetic, perceiving Katherine's modesty and proper deportment, gave close attention to her judicious and well-spoken words. He resolved to bring her to the knowledge of Christ, the heavenly King, and said: "I am acquainted with a unique Man Who incomparably transcends all those attributes thou has mentioned and countless others. His comeliness eclipses the radiance of the sun; His wisdom governs those things both perceptible by the senses and the intelligence; the world of His treasures is distributed to the ends of the earth, yet never diminishes, but rather increases; His nobility is indescribable, infinite, inconceivable, and incomprehensible!"

The Venerable Geronda (Elder) expounded on this and many other salutary virtues. Now the maiden presumed all the while that he referred to an earthly prince; whereupon, her expression changed, and she questioned him in detail if all the commendations and praises were indeed true attributes. The maiden asked, "Whose Son is this Man Whom thou dost laud?" He asserted, "He has no father on earth; but He was born of a most noble and holy grace-filled virgin in a manner, surpassing our understanding and transcending the nature of generation; she was deemed worthy by her sublime sanctity to abide both in soul and body, being taken up into the highest heavens, wherein our Lady is venerated by the holy Angels as Queen of all creation." Further interested, Katherine continued, "Is it possible to see the Youth?" The old man responded, "If thou wilt do as I say, thou shalt be deemed worthy to behold the radiant splendor of His splendid countenance!" Katherine replied, "I perceive thee to be a faithful witness and a venerable elder. I believe all thou hast revealed to me; therefore, I am prepared to follow thine instructions implicitly." Then, the ascetic gave her an icon depicting the Most Holy Theotokos holding the Divine Child. He then called Katherine's attention to it, and said, "This is the Ever-virgin Mother of the One Whose wonders I have extolled. Take this sacred image and close the door of thy bedchamber; pray all night with profound reverence to her whose name is Mary. Implore her to condescend to reveal her Son; and I believe, if thou wilt pray with faith, she will hearken and show thee Him Whom thy soul desires!" (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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DIVINE SERVICES FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25th:

Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

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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

Preparing Spiritually for the Holy Nativity of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

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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PREPARING SPIRITUALLY FOR THE HOLY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

While preparing spiritually through fasting, worship, repentance, prayer and living a more virtuous life we, the Orthodox Christian believers, should also meditate on who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Who is, as we confess and believe the awaited Messiah and Redeemer of the world. In our secular society and world the celebration of His Birth, Christmas, has been obscured and deliberately violated and distorted. It is actually referred as the distorted image of Christ.

The center of Christianity is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In fact, He is the centerpiece of all history. But the world struggles with His identity. Who is He? Is He God? Is He man? Both?

THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD

"In the beginning was the Logos/Word and the Logos/Word was with God, and the Logos/Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made...And the Logos/Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1-3, 14).

Thus does the Evangelist John announce the glad tidings and theologize in the first lines of his Gospel. The Orthodox Church places this account at the head of all the Gospel readings, offering it to us at the Divine Liturgy on the day of Holy Pascha, and beginning the yearly cycle of readings from the Gospel with the one.

"Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh" (I Timothy 3:16).

The unutterable, unknowable, invisible, unattainable God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, became man in the form of the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and dwelt among men on earth.

The preaching of the God-Manhood of the Incarnate Son of God constitutes the content of the words of the Savior Himself, the content of the whole message of good tidings (news) announced by the Holy Apostles, the essence of the four Gospels and all of the apostolic writings, the foundation of Christianity, and the foundation of the teaching of the Church.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: TRUE GOD

The good tidings of the Gospel are the good tidings (news) of the Incarnate Son of God Who became man, having come down from heaven to earth.

Faith in Jesus Christ--that He is the Son of God is the firm foundation or rock of the Church, according to the Lord's own words: "upon this rock I will build my Church" ( Matthew 16:18).

With these good tidings (news) the holy Apostle Mark begins his account: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1).

With this same Truth of faith the Evangelist John concludes the main text of his Gospel: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John 20:31; the last verse of the next to the last chapter)--that is, the preaching of the Divinity of Jesus Christ was the aim of the whole Gospel.

"That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35)--the Archangel Gabriel addressed the Virgin Mary.

At the Baptism of the Savior these words were heard: "This is My beloved Son;" the same thing was repeated at the Lord's Transfiguration (Metamorphosis) (Matthew 3:17, 17:5).

Simon confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16), and this confession served for the promise that the Church of Christ would be built upon the rock of this confession.

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself testified that He is the Son of God the Father: "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27). Here Christ speaks of Himself as the only Son of the only God the Father.

In other words that the words, "the Son of God," might not be understood in a metaphorical or conditional sense, the Sacred Scripture joins to them the expression, "Only-begotten" -- that is, the Only one begotten of the Father: "And the Logos/Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14; see also John 1:18).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Likewise, the Holy Scripture uses the word "true," calling Christ the True Son of the True God: "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (I John 5:20).

Similarly, the word "His own" is used in connection with the Son of God: "He Who did not spare His own" (in the Greek, idion) Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

The Only-begotten Son of God is True God even while in human flesh: "Whose" (that is, the Israelites) "are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 9:5).

Thus, all the fullness of Divinity remains in the human form of Christ: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).

The First Ecumenical Synod (Council) of Nicea was convoked for the confirmation of this truth in the clear awareness of all Christians, as the foundation of the Christian faith, and for this purpose it composed the symbol of faith (the Creed) of the Ecumenical Church.

THE HUMAN NATURE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Being perfect God, Christ the Savior is at the same time also perfect man. (Source: The Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Father Michael Pomazansky)

(To be continued)

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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

November 23 - Saint Amphiliochius, Bishop of Iconium

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

On the Revealing of the Wisdom of God to the Heavenly Powers

Martyr Michael, Prince of Tver

"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3:10)

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ON THE REVEALING OF THE WISDOM OF GOD TO THE HEAVENLY POWERS.

Are the Angels all-knowing, my brethren? They are not; for, if they were, they would be gods. God is one, my brethren, and the Angels are His glorious servants. The mystery of the Incarnation were likewise unknown to the Angels before they were revealed in the Church. The Church is, then, a new revelation for the Holy Angels themselves. The Church is, on one hand, a new revelation of the wisdom, power, and love of God and, on the other hand, a revelation of man's love for God and his spiritual endeavor to show that love. The Angels themselves did not know beforehand how God would abase Himself and how man would be uplifted. This was shown in the Church and was, through the Church, made known to the Angels. The holy Apostle speaks of this to the Ephesians in the words quoted above. The 'Principalities' and;'Powers' are the Chief among the Angels, to whom all was not known beforehand. The 'manifold wisdom of God' is the wisdom formerly unrevealed, and unknown to the Angels, that is now, in the Church shown forth in innumerable ways.

Oh, my brethren, the two greatest of God's works that have yet been revealed are the creation of the world and the creation of the Church. In both the one and the other, man is the chief object of God's love. Let us be thankful, thankful with every breath, to God.

O Our Gracious God, O Our Compassionate God, 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