Thursday November 8/21 ns 2024 † Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and all the Bodiless Powers; Heb. 2:2-10; St. Luke 10:16-21 - ABSORBING SENSATIONS OF THE WORLD TO COME by St. Isaac the Syrian

Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
Michael and Gabriel

and all the Bodiless Powers

The angels of God were celebrated by men from earliest times but this celebration was often turned into the divinization of angels (II Kings 23:5). The heretics wove all sorts of fables concerning the angels. Some of them looked upon angels as gods; others, although they did not consider them gods, called them the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council of Laodicea (four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council) rejected the worship of angels as gods and established the proper veneration of angels in its Thirty-fifth Canon.

In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. St. Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (who was taken up into the third heaven), described these nine orders of angels in his book,

On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, many-eyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael.

When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: "Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!'' and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!'' Concerning the Archangel Michael, see

Joshua 5:13-15 and Saint Jude 1:9.

Among the angels there reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. {Do you thank your guardian angel each night , or have you forgotten about "him" for a long, long time?}We must always remember that whatever we do, in open or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thoughts of every man will be revealed before all.

May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers. Amen.

The Holy Archangel Michael

Heavenly Commanders,

Who watch over us with great care,

Cover us with your wings,

And shield us with your power.

Armed with the power of God,

Crowned by His glory,

You wield flaming swords,

To cut the demons down.

Swift, swift as rays of light

You soar on the clouds-

The clouds of the air-

Where you do battle for God.

Without fatigue and without sleep

You hover ceaselessly

Over men and created things,

And over countless worlds.

Behold, yours are mighty armies,

Legions virtuous,

And gentle battalions of angels:

And, according to the Creator, our brothers.

Commanders of the might of heaven,

Lead us where we need to go-

To the throne of the Most High

Who created us from nothing.

Hebrews 2:2-10

King James Version

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Saint Luke 10:16-21

King James Version

16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Wednesday November 7/20 ns 2024 • 33 Martyrs of Melitené; St. Lazarus of Mt. Galésion - Fast day - Col. 3:17-4:1; St. Luke 12:48-59 - THE DIDACHE OF THE 12 APOSTLES THE:LAST DAYS GUARD YOUR LIFE WITH CARE - FEAR OF PUNISHMENT - THE CURE by St. Basil the Great - AN INVITATION

On beholding the strange childbirth, let us be estranged from the world, diverting our minds to Heaven; indeed, to this end God on High appeared on earth as a lowly man,

wishing to draw aloft those who cry to Him:  Alleluia!

SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF THE BLOG

AND READ THE INVITATION

Your sweet embrace Holy Mother,
makes me weep for those who do not know thee.

▩

33 Martyrs of Melitené;

St. Lazarus of Mt. Galésion

~FAST DAY~

▩ 

These holy Martyrs confessed during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian in the year 290. Of them, Saint Hieron was from Tyana in Cappadocia, a husbandman, of great bodily strength and high nobility of soul. As he was at work digging in his field, certain soldiers came to impress him into military service. He, however, not wishing to keep company with the impious, refused, and with his wooden tool alone drove away the armed soldiers, who fled in fear because of his strength. Later, however, he went of his own free will, and confessed Christ before the governor. His right hand was cut off, and he was imprisoned with thirty-two others, whom he strengthened in the Faith of Christ. Together they were all beheaded outside the city of Melitene in Armenia.

Hieron was born in Tyana in Cappadocia of a good and devout mother, Stratonika, who was blind. Hieron was a very zealous Christian and served his blind mother with great filial love. For two reasons he did not wish to join the army, and he resisted and drove off those who had been sent to take him. Hieron was loath to leave his helpless mother, and it was grievous for him even to consider that, as a soldier, he would be compelled to offer sacrifices to idols. Finally, Hieron was arrested along with other Christians, and they were all taken before the eparch of the town of Melitene. While they were still on the road, a man clad in a brilliant white garment appeared to Hieron one night and said: ``Behold, Hieron, I proclaim salvation to you: you shall not wage war for an earthly king, but for the Heavenly King you will complete your struggle, and you shall soon come to Him to receive honor and glory.'' At this, Hieron's heart was filled with inexpressible joy. In Melitene they were all thrown into prison and Hieron, with great zeal, strengthened all the prisoners in the Faith, urging that not even one of them fall away, but that all willingly offer their bodies to torture and death for Christ. All but one confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The exception was Hieron's kinsman Victor, who fell away from the Faith. The tormentors cut one of Hieron's hands off, then flogged and tortured him in various ways until they beheaded him and the others. Going to the place of execution, these thirty-three martyrs chanted the Psalm: Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord (Psalms 118:1). Here we will name the honorable martyrs whose names are written with his in the Book of Life: Hesychius, Nicander, Athanasius, Mamas, Barachius, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nikon, Longinus, Theodore, Valerius, Xanthius, Theodulus, Callimachus, Eugenius, Theodochus, Ostrichius, Epiphanius, Maximian, Ducitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodotus, Castrichius, Anicletus, Themilius, Eutychius, Hilarion, Diodotus and Amonitus. A man named Chrysanthus purchased Hieron's severed head and honorably buried it, later building a church over it in the saint's name. The martyr's severed hand was brought to his blind mother. St. Hieron, with his companions, suffered in the year 298 and entered the glory of Christ.

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Colossians 3:17-4:1

King James Version

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

4 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Saint Luke 12:48-59

King James Version

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

THE DIDACHE OF THE 12 APOSTLES

THE LAST DAYS

GUARD YOUR LIFE WITH CARE

Don’t let your lamp be extinguished. Don’t let your body be stripped of spiritual clothing.

Keep ready! Because you do not know when the Lord is coming.

Gather together frequently, seeking the things that are good for your souls – because it does not matter how long you have believed if you are not perfect in the final season of time. Because there will be plenty of false prophets and corrupters in the final days, and sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned into hate because they will hate and betray one another as chaos increases. And then the one who deceives the world will appear as though he were the Son of God and will perform signs and wonders. And the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will commit atrocities never seen before in the history of the world. Then the entire human creation will come into the fiery test, and many will be tripped up and be destroyed. Those who patiently endure in their faith will be saved from the curse itself. Then the signs of truth shall appear: first, the sign of the sky opening; then, the sign of the sound of a trumpet; and third, the sign of the resurrection of the dead. (Not everyone will be raised, but as it has been said: “The Lord will come, and his saints with him”). 

Then the world will see the Lord coming upon the clouds in the sky.

Fear of punishment - the Cure

HERE

THE INVITATION

A few days ago an invitation to a most profound, comprehensive and profitable narrative

from Elder Moses of Athos on CONFESSION was posted on the PARAGON.  

Although several responses were received, the diligent searching of one

in particular expressed the kind of longing required

to "find" and not only "seek"

the Kingdom of Heaven.

You are encouraged o read the discourse.

DISCOURSE ON

"CONFESSIONS"

BY ELDER MOSES OF ATHOS

Thank you Father for this excellent blog post! I found it to be an excellent blueprint for the mindset
one must adopt to have a fruitful spiritual life.

Exactly, I'm happy you read it and in its reward to you, I also am rewarded.

During the reading I did come across one section that I would hope to find clarification on.
Our Church does not cultivate and produce intellectuals. To us, rationalization is not a
philosophical mentality, but a clearly sin-oriented life view – a form of atheism – since it goes
contrary to the commandment of placing our faith, hope, love and trust in God.
A rationalist judges everything using the filter of his own mind and only with his finite mind,
with himself and his sovereign ego as the epicentre, and does not place any trust
in divine Providence, divine Grace and divine Assistance in his life.*

In the above quote it claims that our church does not produce nor cultivate intellectuals.
And from there, transitions into the spiritually dire fount from which rationalization emerges.
My question here is: Does Orthodoxy discourage both intellectualism and rationalism,
as the quote would suggest, or rather condemn only rationalization due to its attempt to rationalize the Devine, which, in effect, brings the Uncreated Divine down to the same Essential level as that which was created.

I think rationalization is simply the by-product of a fallen soul who needs to transcend
desire for the carnal to overcome reliance on it. After all if we justify our behavior
by the use of logic, it being far from the Divine Nature of the Creator, are we not
deceiving ourselves and thereby admitting that we do not possess faith in that
which has been testified to us to be beyond the beyond?

In support of the latter, I believe rationalization and intellectualization are two separate
approaches which are not necessary joined.

I agree, and only when the true intellect has been revealed and Theosis acquired
are they understood.

Indeed, intellectuals are riddled throughout some of our most revered saints St. Photios,
St. John Chrysostom, St. Athanasius, and for a modern example in our lifetime,
Metropolitan Christoatimose. Each of these men would be considered an intellectual in
both their time as well as ours and possessed a vast study of both spiritual and non-spiritual material.

Yes. Have you read Socrates's argument on the immortality of the soul?
A very convincing argument and along with his demonstration that knowledge
is intrinsic, yet he had not been granted Theosis with Him who is Eternal Life.

Then again, knowing myself, I probably missed the point! If I am, I would love to hear what your thoughts are!

I don't think you said anything that would indicate that you missed the point.
Indeed, most would look at the holy ones (saints) you mention as intellectuals
but most often not (unless enlightened themselves/ourselves) according to the
Church's definition of true intellectuals (i.e. those who KNOW God).

An old friend, now reposed, did much searching for enlightenment a major part of his life
through Shamanism, through Guru's such as Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda
Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Krishna (Hinduism), Swami Muktananda; through Islam and so on,
on and on. He was an insatiable reader which included the entire Bhagavad Gita, and,
once he came full circle back to Christ, he read the entire, massive,
Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian. One day he turned to me and said:
"I don't know anything." My response came from the Holy Orthodox Fathers.
"Therein lies the problem Joe." "What?" he asked. We DO, in fact, know something
and until we completely deny ourselves and become nothing, we cannot be "hard wired" -
one with God (small Christ's within Christ - Theosis) with He Who is all things, quickens all things and beyond all things.

Keep struggling! We are made by God and of God, but we veiled ourselves,
separating ourselves from Him to a great degree by disobedience (sin), but not entirely.
So, as our glorious holy father Seraphim of Sarov tells us: the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit
is our objective. But again, since we are made by God and in His own Image and Likeness,
we need only seek the removal of the veil, no?

I hope my inadequacies have not clouded or complicated your search.
Again, keep vigil and your guard up. We fight against a formidable enemy and spiritual wickedness. We cannot win without Christ.

Your servant in Christ's love
FRA

Tuesday November 6/19 ns 2024 • Holy Hieromartyr Paul the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople - Heb. 8:1-6; St. Luke 12:8-12 - A TREASURY OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE AND THE PHILOKALIA by Saint Peter of Damascus

Rejoice, thou Who openest

the portals of Paradise.

When Blessed Patriarch Alexander lay on his deathbed, the sorrowing faithful asked him who he would have follow him as the chief shepherd of the spiritual flock of Christ. He said: "If you desire a shepherd who will teach you and who will shine with virtues, choose Paul; but if you only want a suitable man, externally adorned, choose Macedonius.'' The people chose Paul.

Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the Arian heretics, nor was it accepted by Emperor Constantius, who was then in Antioch. Paul was soon deposed, and fled to Rome with St. Athanasius the Great. In Rome, Pope Julian and Emperor Constans received them warmly and upheld them in their Orthodox Faith. Emperor Constans and Pope Julian saw to it that Paul was returned to his throne, but when Emperor Constans died the Arians raised their heads again, and Patriarch Paul was banished to Cucusus in Armenia.

As Paul was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in exile, he was attacked by the Arians and strangled with his omophorion ⮟ in the year 351.

Hebrews 8:1-6

King James Version

8 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Saint Luke 12:8-12

King James Version

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

From

A TREASURY OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE

AND 

THE PHILOKALIA

by Saint Peter of Damascus

Briefly, we may say that in the nature of things, if someone wants to be saved, no person and no time, place or occupation can prevent him. He must not, however, act contrary to the objective that he has in view, but must with discrimination refer every thought to the divine purpose. Things do not happen out of necessity: they depend upon the person through whom they happen. We do not sin against our will, but we first assent to an evil thought and so fall into captivity. Then the thought itself carries the captive forcibly and against his wishes into sin.

The same is true of sins that occur through ignorance: they arise from sins consciously committed. For unless a man is drunk with either wine or desire, he is not unaware of what he is doing; but such drunkenness obscures the intellect and so it falls, and dies as a result. Yet that death has not come about inexplicably: it has been unwittingly induced by the drunkenness to which we consciously assented. We will find many instances, especially in our thoughts, where we fall from what is within our control to what is outside it, and from what we are consciously aware of to what is unwitting. But because the first appears unimportant and attractive, we slip unintentionally and unawares into the second. Yet if from the start we had wanted to keep the commandments and to remain as we were when baptized, we would not have fallen into so many sins or have needed the trials and tribulations of repentance.

JUST FOR FUN

A group of @ 25 Christians was asked: 

If one could purchase the Kingdom of Heaven, how much would it cost?

After 30 seconds of group shock, only one response was hear - "Nothing"

Wrong!

The correct answer can be found in the art

in today's PARAGON logo of the widow
who gave all she had, copied below.  What do you say?

Monday November 5/18 ns 2024 • Holy Martyrs Galaction and Epistéme - Col. 2:13-20; St. Luke 12:13-15, 22-31- WOUNDED BY LOVE by St Porphyrios - ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD?

Rejoice, Restoration of fallen Adam;

Rejoice, Redemption of the tears of Eve.

Physical love, in comparison to spiritual love, is less than a shadow is to solid substance. Brotherhood and sisterhood of the blood and body is nothing compared to the brotherhood and sisterhood of the spirit. 

Galaction's father betrothed him to the maiden Epistéme. Galaction baptized Epistéme and, after that, both received the monastic tonsure. Their physical love was replaced by spiritual love, a love as strong as death. 

So great was Galaction's spiritual love for Epistéme that he never desired to see her with his physical eyes. Neither physical contact nor closeness are necessary for spiritual love. 

So great was Episteme's spiritual love for Galaction that when she heard that he had been taken for torture she ran after him, begging him not to reject her, but to receive her as a fellow sufferer, as he was her spiritual father and brother. 

When the merciless torturers flogged holy Galaction's naked body, holy Epistéme wept. However, when the torturers cut off their hands and feet for Christ, both rejoiced and glorified God. So great was the power of their love for our Lord Jesus Christ, and so great was the spiritual love with which they loved each other. Truly, physical love is like a colorful butterfly that quickly passes, but spiritual love is enduring. 

Colossians 2:13-20

King James Version

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Saint Luke 12:13-15, 22-31

King James Version

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

⮟

⮟

⮟

T I M E ?

for how long?

Sunday Nov. 4/17 ns 2024 † Three New Great Hierarchs: Sts. Photios the Great, Gregory Palamas, & Mark of Ephesus; St. Ioanníkios the Great; Sts. Nicánder & Herméos - Matins Gospel: St. John 21:1-14 Gal. 2:16-20; St. Luke 16:19-31 - QUESTIONS FROM TODAY'S D. LITURGY GOSPEL

Rejoice, thou who holdest

the Upholder of all.

It is right to honor the three Fathers together,
For they set up a trophy of Orthodoxy.

Of these three blessed Fathers, the great and most holy Photios flourished in the ninth century, being Archbishop of Constantinople and achieving a reputation as one mighty in wisdom, oratory, and the dogmas of the true Faith. 

St. Gregory Palamas, who was Archbishop of Thessalonica, flourished in the fourteenth century, being distinguished for his virtuous life and his illumination by Divine light and renowned for his discourses and struggles for the truth. 

The Holy Mark Evgenikos, who flourished in the fifteenth century, was Metropolitan of Ephesus and proved to be an invincible champion of Orthodoxy at the false Council of Florence.

These thrice-great Hierarchs, having taken up the panoply of the Holy Spirit, “at sundry times and in divers manners” struggled for the sake of the blameless and Orthodox Faith, and having by their doctrines and struggles refuted and put to shame the false teachings of the Latin Church and the overweening and blasphemous claims of her chief Hierarch, the Pope of Rome, they both proclaimed and demonstrated to all the exactitude of the dogmas of the Eastern Church and the genuineness of her good confession. For this reason, they are worthily honored and acclaimed by us as our preceptors and teachers, and as champions and impregnable bulwarks of the Holy Church of Christ. GLORY TO GOD!

By their intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Saint John 21:1-14

King James Version

21 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Galatians 2:16-20

King James Version

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Saint Luke 16:19-31

King James Version

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The following is from monk Moses of Athos on Confession. Have no doubt of its value and profit. It is profoundly comprehensive and includes quotes from several saints.

Click

HERE

BE ATTENTIVE TO TODAY'S GOSPEL

(Its all about you and me)

The rich man knew Lazarus in this world.

Did they know each other in the next?

Did the rich man know Lazarus was with Righteous Abraham?

Was the rich man in some prison; was he actually in flames?

Was Lazarus happy?

Would a single drop of water from Lazarus extinguish a fire?

Saturday November 3/16 ns • Holy Martyrs Akepsimás, Joseph, and Aïthalás of Persia; Translation of the Relics of St. George the Great Martyr and the founding of his Church in - Lydda - II Cor. 3:12-18; St. Luke 9:1-6 - ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE by St Paisios of Athos

❉ The eighty-year-old Akepsimás, filled with every Christian virtue, was sitting one day in his home with guests. Just then a child, filled with the Spirit of God, ran up to the aged bishop, kissed him on the head and said: "Blessed is this head, for it will receive suffering for Christ.'' This prophecy was soon fulfilled.

King Sapor raised a bitter persecution of Christians throughout Persia, and St. Akepsimás was apprehended. He was brought before a prince who was also a pagan priest. As the bishop was arrested and bound, a member of his household asked him what should be done with his home if he were martyred. The saint replied: "It is no longer my home. I am going to a home on high and will not return.'' After prolonged interrogation he was thrown into prison. The following day Joseph, a seventy-year-old presbyter, and Aïthalás, a deacon, were also imprisoned. After three years of imprisonment and many tortures, Akepsimás was beheaded. Joseph and Aïthalás were buried up to their waists in the ground, and the soulless pagans forced Christians to stone them. That night, by God's providence, Joseph's body disappeared, and a myrtle tree grew over Aithalas's body that healed every kind of disease and pain of men. This tree stood for five years before the wicked and envious pagans cut it down. These soldiers of Christ suffered in Persia in the fourth century, during the time of the pagan King Sapor.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

King James Version

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Saint Luke 9:1-6

King James Version

9 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

❉ On the island of Mytilene there was a church dedicated to St. George the Great-Martyr and Trophy-bearer. All the inhabitants of the island would come to this Church on the annual feast of their patron saint. Knowing of this, the Saracens of Crete once attacked this island on its feast day, pillaged the island, and enslaved its inhabitants, taking many of them back to Crete. Among the enslaved was a handsome young man, whom the pirates gave to their prince. The prince made him his servant. The young man's parents were overwhelmed with great sorrow for their son. After a year had passed and St. George's day came again, the grieving parents, following the ancient custom, prepared a table and entertained many guests. Remembering her son, the poor mother went to the icon of the saint, fell to the ground and began to pray that he somehow deliver her son from slavery. The mother then returned to her guests at the table. The host raised a glass and drank a toast to the honor of St. George. Just then their son appeared among them, holding a decanter of wine in his hand. In amazement and fear, they asked him how he had managed to come to them. He replied that as he was about to serve his master wine in Crete, a knight on horseback appeared before him, pulled him up onto the horse and carried him instantly to his parents' home. All were amazed, and glorified God and His wonderful saint, George the Commander and Victory-bearer.

ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE

by Saint Paisios the Athonite

Don’t make any storage of your thoughts, whether they tell you’re terrible, or when they tell you that you’re a saint.

Just live simply, without overthinking, like a child with its father. Faith without too much thinking works wonders. The logical mind hinders the Grace of God and miracles. Practice patience without judging with the logical mind.

Thoughts are like airplanes flying in the air. If you ignore them, there’s no problem. If you pay attention to them, you create an airport inside your head and permit them to land!

If you see a thought flying like a helicopter and trying to land where it shouldn’t – in other words, a persistent thought – then you take the bazooka and boom! – Then confess it.

This is because the goal is to rise spiritually, not simply to avoid sin.