Saints Cosmas and Damian (nos) were born in Asia and were brothers according to the flesh. Their father was a pagan, but their mother, whose name was Theodosia, was a Christian. Left a widow after the death of her husband, she regarded her bereavement as offering a fortunate opportunity to serve Christ more fervently and devoted her whole life to the purpose of pleasing God. She became a widow of the sort praised by the Holy Apostle, who said, "Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day" (1 Timothy, Ch. 5).

In the book of Genesis in the Old Testament, we are informed that Adam and Eve bore two sons, Cain and Abel. "Now Abel was a shepherd of sheep but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Now in the process of time, Cain brought a sacrifice to the Lord from the fruits of the ground. Abel also brought a sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. The Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his sacrifices" (Genesis 4:1-5).

If Christians do not begin to witness their faith, to resist evil, then the destroyers will become even more insolent. But today's Christians are no warriors. If the Church keeps silent, to avoid conflict with the government, if the metropolitans are silent, if the monks hold their peace, then who will speak up?

We are taught in our Holy Orthodox Church that sharing is caring. We have all received God-given talents to use for the benefit not only of ourselves but to help our fellow humans who may need our love and compassion.

"What man will live and not see death? Who was born and did not see death?"

I am ninety-four years old now, and because I am growing old and death is approaching I thought I would leave you a few paternal requests. Above all is love for God and for one another, for where there is love there is God, where love is lacking there is the tempter (Evil One). When you have love between you, you also love God. When, however, there is no love between you, you cannot love God; for Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says: "He who loves Me keeps My Commandments, and, if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar" (St. John 14:21-23, 1 John 5:20).