Tuesday December 15 2024 / January 7 2025 ns † The Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ ~ No fasting ~ Gospel at Matins: St. Matt. 1:18-25 Feast: Gal. 4:4-7; St. Matt. 2:1-12

 Nativity of our Savior

1935 Nativity Message of
St. John Maximovitch

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in Shanghai in 1935)

Christ is born, praise Him! Christ from heaven, respond to Him! Christ on earth, exalt Him!

He who sits on a cherub comes to earth!

Born in a sinful world is the eternally begotten of God the Father!

The King of the Universe is coming from heavenly heights to man who has fallen deep into the pit of sin and unbelief!

Cheer up, all you who live on earth! The Son of God is coming to you and for you!

He comes to us not for punishment and judgment, but for our salvation.

He is already here, in little Bethlehem, in a miserable manger. Why this squalor?

Why did He come to the small earth, to the small city, Whom the heavens cannot contain?

To gain being created "a little lower than the angels", in the image of God's man.

Just as a good shepherd, leaving 99 sheep in the mountains, goes to look for only one lost sheep, so the unceasing praises of countless hosts of angels are not enough for the Lord, and He goes to call those who are "a little lower than the angels", the lost human race.

Just as a woman who has lost a drachma carefully sweeps the floor in order to find it, so the Lord goes around the sinful earth in order to cleanse it.

In the midst of angelic chants, God heard the groan of suffering humanity, and from the fullness of the glory of heaven He sees the blackness of the earth.

And the Lord comes, goes to give heavenly glory to the earth, and angelic blessedness to people.

With what gratitude our hearts should be filled towards Him! With what a loud salutation from the depths of our souls we must greet Christ. Indeed, His love extends to each of us, and He wants to raise each of us to heaven.

With what shall we meet Him? What worthy gifts shall we bring to Him?

“What shall we bring Thee, O Christ, as thou hast appeared on earth, as a man, for our sake?”

The whole creation of God hastens to bow to the newborn King, its Creator. Angels bring Him singing, the sky - a star, the Magi - gifts, the shepherds - reverent amazement, the earth - a cave, the desert - a manger, the human race - the Virgin Mother.

What will each of us bring especially from ourselves?

“With what shall I stand before the Lord, bow down before the God of Heaven? Should I stand before Him with a burnt offering, with one-year-old calves?” (Micah 6:6), the Moabite king Balak once asked.

"Oh man! It has been told you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: only act justly, love the deeds of mercy, and walk humbly before your God” (Micah 6:8). "Offer the sacrifice of God's praise and fulfill your vows to the Most High" (Ps. 49:14).

Therefore, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of a mouth that glorifies His name. “But at the same time, let us not forget doing good and sharing, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb. 13:15-16).

The Lord opened the heavens for us on earth.

Let us open our souls and our hearts to the Lord. Let our lips proclaim to Him singing and praise, but let our hands do works of mercy.

To the Lord lying in the manger, together with doxology and praise, let us each bring from our hearts some kind of good deed.

May the joy of the whole world fill the heart of everyone, driving away the sorrows of life around us and raising our minds and aspirations to heaven. For from there a joyful angelic gospel is heard:

“Today there is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”

(Saint Luke 2:11).

Ceaseless Prayer

and

You're already there.

Monday Dec 24 2024 / Jan 6 2025 ns ~ Great (Royal) hours & Vesperal Liturgy for the Nativity • Holy Virgin-Martyr Evgenía and those with her; St. Antiochos, author of the Pandects ~ Fast day ~ Eve of Nativity: Heb. 1:1-12; St. Luke 2:1-20 ~ NEVER SEE DEATH by Hermitess Photini ~ PHOTOS FROM GINGER HOUSE BUILDING DAY (SCROLL DOWN)

Great Royal Hours &  Vesperal Liturgy
for the Nativity of Christ

• Holy Virgin-Martyr Evgenía and those with her
• Saint Antiochos

Fast Day

THE PROLOGUE FROM OCHRID

Saint Nikolai Velimirovich

EVGENIA was the daughter of Philip the Eparch of all Egypt and was born in Rome. At that time the Christians had been driven out of Alexandria and lived outside the city. The virgin Evgenia visited the Christians and accepted their Faith with her whole heart. Fleeing from her parents with two of her faithful eunuchs, she was baptized by Bishop Elias. Disguised in men's clothing, she entered a men's monastery where she received the monastic habit. So much did she cleanse her heart by voluntary asceticism that she received from God the grace of healing the sick. Thus, she healed a wealthy woman, Melanthia. After this, however, Melanthia wanted to lure Evgenia into bodily sin, not suspecting that Evgenia was a woman. Since she was adamantly rejected by Evgenia, out of revenge this evil woman went to the eparch and slandered Evgenia in the same manner as Potiphar's wife had once slandered the chaste Joseph. The eparch ordered that all the monks be bound and cast into prison together with Evgenia. But when St. Evgenia was brought before the tribunal, she revealed herself to her father as his daughter. The overjoyed Philip was then baptized with his entire household, and he was chosen as Bishop of Alexandria. Hearing of this, the Roman emperor sent a wicked commander, Terentius, who came to Alexandria and secretly had Philip killed. St. Evgenia moved to Rome with her mother and brothers. In Rome she fearlessly and zealously converted pagans, especially maidens, to the true Faith, and thus she converted a beautiful maiden Basilla to the Faith. Shortly afterward, Basilla was beheaded for Christ as Evgenia had foretold to her. Then both eunuchs, Protus and Hyacinth, were beheaded. Finally, a martyr's end came to St. Evgenia, whose presence had caused the collapse and destruction of the Temple of Diana. The torturers threw her first into water and then into fire, but God saved her. The Lord Jesus Himself appeared to her in prison and told her that she would suffer on the day of His Nativity. And so it was. She was beheaded by the sword on December 25, 262, in Rome. After her death, St. Evgenia appeared in great glory to her mother and comforted her.

Hebrews 1:1-12 KJV 

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Saint Luke 2:1-20 KJV

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

GINGER BREAD HOUSE DAY JANUARY 5 2025 NS

See them

HERE

NEVER SEE DEATH

by Hermitess Photini

“The soul of man,” Photini continued, “came from God. Since God is immortal, the human soul is also immortal. Since this world is temporal, the human soul finds no rest in this world. A person may acquire wealth, glory, power, and other things, but times will come when he will be troubled and worried, because the soul, which is a foreigner in this world, is the main part of man. The closer the hour of departure approaches, the more a person is troubled and grieved, because his soul yearns for something that it did not find in this life. What it yearns for is the Ultimate Good, Immortality, which is God. When man reaches the Ultimate Good – not physically but spiritually – then he finds rest, is satisfied, and rejoices, because he attained what he longed for: God.”

“How can man, who is clothed with flesh and lives in the material world, find God, Who is a Spirit? For Christ said, "God is a Spirit.” [St. Jn. 4:24]
By working at attaining the virtues, man attains the likeness of God and becomes a god, not by nature but by grace. In other words, he becomes like God and feels God within himself, as the Savior says, "We will come and make our abode in him." [cf. St. Jn. 14:23] By working at what is good man can achieve immortality, even though he lives in this world and bears a mortal body. As the Savior says, "If a man keep my words, he shall never see death." [St. Jn. 8:51] By keeping the words of God, one receives the confirmation and assurance that he has eternal life.

“The soul of man is immaterial, immortal, immutable, and eternal. When it receives sanctifying grace from God and when it is connected with God through prayer and virtuous works, it becomes holy.  And this is why we call virtuous people saints, because they rose above earthly things. So a saint could also be called immortal because he has overcome mortality and received the grace of sanctification from God. God gave great worth to man; but it is up to him to realize his own worth and descent, and it is his duty to work at the virtues to make himself worthy of God’s grace for which he is destined…”

Sunday December 23 2024 / January 5 2025 ns † Sunday before the Nativity of Our Lord • Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete; St. Níphon, Bishop of Constantiané ~ Wine and olive oil are permitted ~ 6th Matins Gospel: St. Luke 24:36-53 Heb. 11:9-10, 32-40; St. Matt. 1:1-25 ~ NEVER SEE DEATH by Hermitess Photini

 † The Sunday before the Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete;

St. Níphon, Bishop of Constantiané

Nativity Fast
Wine and olive oil permitted

THE TEN HOLY MARTYRS suffered for Christ the Lord during the persecution of Decius in the year 250. Their names were Theodulus, Saturnicus, Euporos, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompeius, Agathopes, Basilides and Evaristus. They were all eminent and honored citizens, the best among the best.

When they were brought to the place of execution they were elated, and they discussed among themselves which of them would be the first to be beheaded, for each one of them wanted to be the first to go to his beloved Christ. Then they prayed: "O Lord, forgive Thy servants and accept our blood, which is about to be shed, as an offering on our behalf and for our kinsmen and friends and for all of our fatherland, that all may be freed from the darkness of ignorance and may know Thee, the True Light, O Eternal King!'' They were beheaded and entered into the Kingdom of Glory to rejoice eternally.

Saint Luke 24:36-53 KJV

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 KJV

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Saint Matthew 1 KJV

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

NEVER SEE DEATH

by Hermitess Photini

“The soul of man,” Photini continued, “came from God. Since God is immortal, the human soul is also immortal. Since this world is temporal, the human soul finds no rest in this world. A person may acquire wealth, glory, power, and other things, but times will come when he will be troubled and worried, because the soul, which is a foreigner in this world, is the main part of man. The closer the hour of departure approaches, the more a person is troubled and grieved, because his soul yearns for something that it did not find in this life. What it yearns for is the Ultimate Good, Immortality, which is God. When man reaches the Ultimate Good – not physically but spiritually – then he finds rest, is satisfied, and rejoices, because he attained what he longed for: God.”

“How can man, who is clothed with flesh and lives in the material world, find God, Who is a Spirit? For Christ said, "God is a Spirit.” [St. Jn. 4:24]
By working at attaining the virtues, man attains the likeness of God and becomes a god, not by nature but by grace. In other words, he becomes like God and feels God within himself, as the Savior says, "We will come and make our abode in him." [cf. St. Jn. 14:23] By working at what is good man can achieve immortality, even though he lives in this world and bears a mortal body. As the Savior says, "If a man keep my words, he shall never see death." [St. Jn. 8:51] By keeping the words of God, one receives the confirmation and assurance that he has eternal life.

“The soul of man is immaterial, immortal, immutable, and eternal. When it receives sanctifying grace from God and when it is connected with God through prayer and virtuous works, it becomes holy.  And this is why we call virtuous people saints, because they rose above earthly things. So a saint could also be called immortal because he has overcome mortality and received the grace of sanctification from God. God gave great worth to man; but it is up to him to realize his own worth and descent, and it is his duty to work at the virtues to make himself worthy of God’s grace for which he is destined…”