The fifteenth and last of the Judges of Israel, he lived eleven hundred years before Christ. He was of the tribe of Levi, born of Elkanah and Hannah in a place called Ramatha or Arimathea, where noble Joseph was later born. The barren Hannah besought Samuel of the Lord with tears and dedicated him to God when he was three years old. Living in Shiloh near the Ark of the Covenant, Samuel, at the age of twelve, had a true revelation from God of the punishment which would come upon the house of the High Priest, Eli, because of the worthlessness of his sons Hophni and Phineas.

What follows will be a brief description of the new life and power which the Incarnate Son of God, crucified, resurrected, and exalted, gives us, through the Holy Spirit, as the content of "salvation" according to the Orthodox understanding of that word.

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in thief in their craftiness", and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:18-20).

When our Lord and Great God and Savior Jesus Christ was found upon earth, He wrought many mighty works. Myriads of sick people, even from countries remote from the land of Judaea, who was afflicted with infirmities and diseases of every kind, were coming to Him in the hope of being healed. At that time, the toparch of Edessa was king Abgar (Avgaros). He gained renown among the nations east of the Euphrates for his valor. Now his body had been wasting away with a grievous disease, such as there is no cure for among men. And when he heard and was informed of the name of Jesus, and about the mighty works which He did--for everyone alike bore witness concerning Jesus to come and heal him of his disease.