Our Savior Jesus Christ said this saying, "One thing is needful" (Luke 10:42) to us all, O Christians! Many Christians trouble themselves and take care of one thing or another, but they themselves often do not know for what they trouble themselves. The Lord warns us of this useless care and says to all, "One thing is needful." What is it? Eternal salvation.

Every major feast has its Apodosis (Leavetaking). Why? The main reason is that the Church once again gives us the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the feast. When we see or experience something beautiful, it is human nature to desire to have that experienced again. The feasts of Christ and the Theotokos are a sweetness to the soul which arouses the desire to celebrate more than once.

The Holy Apostle Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Great Apostles. It is generally agreed that Bartholomew and Nathaniel are one and the same person. He was a companion of the Holy Apostle Philip and his sister, the virgin Mariamna -- and for some time of Saint John the Theologian -- preaching the Gospel in Asia, then in India and finally in Armenia, where he died a martyr. In Hierapolis, the Holy Apostles by their prayers killed a great snake that had been kept in a temple and deified by the pagans. In this same town, they restored the sight of one Stachius, who had been blind for 40 years.

A young lady revealed to me recently the impact the church lockdown had on her and how very happy she is that worship is open again. A feeling that all of our fellow parishioners share. It is in our church that we feel the presence of our Lord and it is in the church that we are able to connect and are united with Him through the sacraments of the Church. It is in our church divine services that we are assured of His Love and we are comforted and strengthened. It is there that we are renewed and sanctified.

A very sound and wise advice and warning to all of us from our Lord Christ. These "false prophets" that our Savior mentions can easily deceive others, those imposters of virtue and piety are more dangerous than those who are evil outright. These are referred to in the secular world as "confidence men" or "con-men". One can find them in every walk of life, i.e., politics, religious leaders, educators, business, science, sales, etc.