Friday Oct 24/Nov 6ns/2026/ Holy Martyr Aréthas and Those With Him; St. Elesbaán, King of Ethiopia - Fast day - I Thess. 2:14-20; St. Luke 10:1-15

Fast day

Our Lord and Savior

was Crucified on Friday

Friday

Oct 23/Nov 5 ns

2026

Holy Martyr Aréthas and Those With Him;

St. Elesbaán, King of Ethiopia

The Holy Martyr Aréthas and those with him suffered for the Christian Faith with over four thousand Christians-priests, monks and nuns, men, women and children. Aréthas was the eparch in the town of Nagran, in the southern Arabian land of Omir. He was ninety-five years old when he suffered. Dunaan, a cruel Jewish persecutor of Christians, then governed Omir. Determined to eradicate all Christians from his land, he surrounded the Christian town of Nagran, and sent a message to the people saying he would put them all to death unless they renounced Christ. The citizens closed the gates, and Dunaan attacked the city wall for a long time without success. Then the iniquitous governor swore to the citizens that he would do nothing to them, if only they would open the gate for him to enter and receive the tribute that they owed him-and that he would take it and immediately withdraw. The Christians believed him and opened the gate. Then the oath-breaking Jew summoned the aged Aréthas, the clergy and other distinguished citizens and beheaded them all with the sword. He then perpetrated a horrible slaughter in the town. Learning of this, the Byzantine Emperor Justin was greatly grieved, and wrote a letter to the Ethiopian Emperor, Elesbaán, requesting him to set out with an army against Dunaan to avenge the innocent blood of the Christians. Elesbaán obeyed Justin, attacked the governor of Omir with his army, defeated him, slew his entire army, and beheaded him. By a revelation from God, a certain devout man named Abramios was installed as governor of Omir, and again by God's revelation, St. Gregory of Omir (December 19) was installed as archbishop. Christians rebuilt the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nagran that Dunaan had burned, and also built a church to the Holy Martyr Aréthas and the other martyrs of Nagran. St. Aréthas and the others suffered and received martyr's wreaths from the Lord in the year 523.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-20 KJV

2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Saint Luke 10:1-15 KJV

10 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

*

EDIFICATION

St Symeon Metaphrastis 

Paraphrase of the Homilies of St Makarios of Egypt: Spiritual Perfection

'The Lord has scattered the bones of those who seek to please men', it says (Ps. 53:5. LXX); and: The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man' (Ps. 5:6), thus making it clear that deceitfulness is just as abhorrent to God as murder. Again, it numbers among the 'workers of iniquity' those who 'speak peace to their neighbor but have evil in their hearts' (Ps. 28: 3), and elsewhere it speaks of those who commit lawless acts in their hearts (Ps. 58:2). It also says: 'Woe to you, when men speak well of you' (St Luke 6:26) - that is to say, when you want to hear people say good things about you and when you hang upon their glory and praise. It is true that those who do good cannot escape notice altogether. Indeed, the Lord Himself says: 'Let your light shine before men' (St Matt. 5:16), though here it is understood that we do good for the glory of God and not for our own glory or because we desire men's praise. If this is not the case, then we are lacking in faith, as the Lord makes clear when He says: 'How can you have faith when you receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?' (St John 5:44). St Paul bids us to do everything, even to eat and to drink, for the glory of God; 'for.' he says, 'whether you eat or drink, or do anything else, do it for the glory of God' (1 Cor. 10:31). And St John equates hatred with murder when he says:
'Whoever hates his brother is a murderer' (1 John 3 : I 5).

*Ascetical homilies are the God-given rewards granted to those, who is asceticism, from the Holy Apostles on, gave and give their very life, whether by breath or blood, to their love of Christ and His two salvific commands.

If we, in turn, contemplate and reflect on those homilies we will find crucial clarity in scripture but also clarity in definition of our spiritual status as we take up the Cross to transcend from transient darkness to the Eternal Light of the Holy Trinity.

For previous ASCETICAL HOMILIES & VIGNETTES, click HERE

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Thursday Oct 23/Nov 5ns/ 2026 Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God; St. Ignátios, Patriarch of Constantinople; St. Makários the Roman - Apostle: Gal. 1:11-19; St. Matt. 13:54-58

"Be doers of the word, and not just hearers, deceiving yourselves" (St. James 1:22).

FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN

Not 50-50; But 100-100

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Thursday

Oct 23/Nov 5 ns

2026

Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God;

St. Ignátios, Patriarch of Constantinople;

St. Makários the Roman

The Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphótheos) was the son of the Righteous Joseph before he was betrothed to the Most Holy Theotokos. Tradition says that Joseph had other sons with his first wife. Thus, James was called the Lord's brother. Saint James had been a Nazirite, a man or woman consecrated to God for a limited time. During the period of consecration the Nazirites vowed to to abstain from wine and other intoxicating beverages, they could not cut their hair, and all contact with a corpse was forbidden (Numbers 6:1-21).

When the Savior began to proclaim the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His Apostle. Later, he was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

Saint James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). In his thirty years as bishop, Saint James converted many Jews to Christianity. Angered by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill the holy bishop. They led him up on the pinnacle of the Jerusalem Temple and asked him what he thought of Jesus. The holy Apostle bore witness that Christ is the Messiah, which was not the response the Pharisees were expecting. Enraged, the Jewish leaders threw him off the roof. He did not die at once, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies while they were stoning him. Saint James’ martyrdom occurred about 63 A.D.

The holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which formed the basis of the Liturgies of Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostomos. The Church has preserved an Epistle of Saint James, one of the books of the New Testament. In it Saint James advises: "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath" St. James 1:19) and "Be doers of the word, and not just hearers, deceiving yourselves" (St. James 1:22).

Galatians 1:11-19 KJV

1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Saint Matthew 13:54-58 KJV

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their

 unbelief.

 
From

ON THE KOMBOSKINI

{Prayer Rope}
Saint Paisios the Athonite

Elder, Why should we use the komboskini (the prayer rope)? What is it all about?

The komboskini (the prayer rope) is a legacy, a blessing, handed down to us by our Holy Fathers. The fact it is a legacy makes it greatly valuable. If a grandfather hands down to someone something of very little value, he keeps it as an amulet. Much more so, for the komboskini handed down to us as a legacy by our Holy Fathers! In the old days there were no clocks, so the monks were counting the hours of prayer with their komboskini, but the knots were very simple.

Once, an ascetic was working very hard, doing prostrations etc., but the devil was unbinding the knots of his komboskini. He got weary with his prostrations, since he could not count them, as the devil was continuously unbinding the knots. Finally, an Angel of the Lord appeared and taught him how to knit the knots properly, so that with each knot 9 crosses should be formed. The devil, who trembles before the Cross, could not unbind the knots. So, each knot forms nine crosses, which symbolize the nine angelic orders.

Elder, what do the 33, 100, 3000 knot komboskinia stand for?

Only the number 33 is symbolic of Christ’s 33 years on earth. The other numbers simply help us count our prostrations and our prayer. Some engines have a handle with a rope in order to start. So when you want to start the engine, you pull the rope with force, until the stiff oil becomes fluid. Similarly the komboskini is the rope we pull a few times till the spiritual oil melts making the spiritual engine start working the unceasing prayer. Thereafter, the heart starts working on its own. However, even when the heart starts working the prayer we should not stop using the komboskini so as not a prompt others to stop using it while their heart has not started working the prayer yet.

Elder, I am not familiar with using the komboskini.

You should keep the komboskini on you [at all times] so as not to forget the prayer which you should work internally in the heart. Above all, keep in mind that the enemy is always ready to lure you into sin. Therefore, you should imitate the good soldier. The komboskini is very powerful, it is the monk’s defense, its knots bring fear to the enemies of God and you.

Having been given free will Adam and Eve chose to separate from love of God and became friends with one who hates God, taking all their descendants with them.  Since God's love is eternal, He left the door open for them and us. 

St. James tells us plainly the requirement in order to return.  "Be doers of the word, and not just hearers, deceiving yourselves" (St. James 1:22).  

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Wednesday Oct 22/Nov 4ns/ 2026 • St. Abérkios, Bishop of Hierápolis, Equal-to-the-Apostles; The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus - Fast day - I Thess. 2:1-8; St. Luke 9:44-50

Judas betrayed and sold our Lord with a kiss

on a Wednesday

- Fast day -

Wednesday

Oct 22/Nov 4 ns

2026

St. Avérkios, Bishop of Hierápolis,

Equal-to-the-Apostles;

The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

During the reigns of Emperor Antoninus and his son, Marcus Aurelius, St. Abérkios was the bishop of the city of Hierapolis in Phrygia. The great majority in this city were pagans, and St. Abercius governed his sparse flock, sorrowing in his heart because of the great number of pagans and idolaters, and diligently praying to God that He would bring them to the light of truth. During a boisterous idolatrous festival, Abérkios became inflamed with God’s zeal and entered the idolatrous temple, smashing all the idols. When the enraged pagans sought to kill him, three young madmen, foaming at the mouth and howling, fell down before this man of God, and he drove the demons from them. The young men became sane and calm. This turned the pagans’ anger into amazement at the wonderworker of Christ, and five hundred of them immediately desired baptism. Little by little, all of Hierapolis came to believe in Christ and were baptized. The proconsul of the province, Publius, had a mother who was blind. Abérkios restored her sight by prayer, and Publius, his mother and many others believed in Christ. In old age, Abérkios was summoned to Rome, where he healed the emperor’s daughter of insanity. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared several times to His faithful follower. People from near and far came to him for miraculous help when they suffered from incurable illnesses. The demons not only feared him, but also served him at his command. At the guidance of the Lord Himself, Abérkios preached the Gospel throughout Syria and Mesopotamia. In great old age, St. Abérkios presented himself to his beloved Lord in Hierapolis, at the end of the second century.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 KJV

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Saint Luke 9:44-50 KJV

9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Ascetical homilies are the God-given fruits of guidance and agape granted to those who in asceticism, from the apostles on, gave and give all of their life and love to Christ and His two salvific commands.  If we, in turn, contemplate and reflect on those gifts, they bring crucial clarity not only to scripture, (which can at times be difficult to comprehend and apply for the fallen mind), but also bring clarity to our own personal spiritual status as we take up the Cross and transcend from transient darkness to the Eternal Light of of the Holy Trinity.

R E F L E C T I O N

St. Nikolai

As much as the strictness of holy men toward themselves is a cause for amazement, so also is their compassion toward others. They have disinterest for themselves, and concern for others. St. Hilarion the Great, unable to pay his fare to Sicily, offered the owner of the ship his Gospel (which he, in his youth, had copied with his own hands). When he had cured a certain prince of an unclean spirit, the prince wanted to present him with ten liters of gold. The saint would not accept the gold, but showed him barley bread and said: “Those who feed on this kind of bread look upon gold as mud!” When men begged him to pray to God for rain, or to save them from floods or poisonous snakes, St. Hilarion helped them by his prayer. This is how St. Abérkios acted as well. Seeing many people in pain and sickness, he knelt in a certain place and prayed to God that He would open up a spring of warm, healing water there, that the infirm might be healed and glorify God. God then opened a spring of warm water on that spot. When Abérkios healed the emperor’s daughter of insanity, the emperor offered him gold, silver and other gifts, but St. Abérkios said: “Riches are not needed for one who considers bread and water a royal meal.” Not seeking anything for himself, Abérkios nevertheless begged the emperor to do two favors for his flock in Hierapolis: to build a bath over those healing waters, and to give sufficient wheat each year to the poor of Hierapolis. The emperor agreed and did according to the saint’s request.

A personal vignette of Righteous Job

IF YOU LOVE;

YOU WILL COMFORT

Job was extremely wealthy and had a most blessed large family yet he genuinely loved God above all of it. The fallen angel Lucifer aka Satan, who hates God and us, spoke boldly to God saying that Job didn't love Him but only acted like it because of all the gifts God had given him. When God the Father told Satan he was wrong, Satan challenged and said then take everything away from him, and you will see that he doesn't care about You. God the Father complied and even went so far as allow great physical suffering on Job.

Job, being a man of God would preach the glorification of God. Job had friends who were also very wealthy. And when they saw Job's poverty and suffering they criticized him saying: you preach to us, now practice what you preach. 

 In the end, Job never lost faith and loved God all the more. And what did the Father do as a result? Not only did He restore Job's health, but all his wealth and family. But pay close attention to how God dealt with Job's friends, who told Job to practice what he preached. The Father chastised his friends and since they did not comfort Job but rather judged him, He took all of their riches from them and gave them to Job.

We call ourselves Christians. A Christian turns his other cheek, a Christian gives his cloak when someone asks for his coat and a Christian comforts and doesn't judge.

By the grace and love of our Lord, may He always remind us to be a comfort to one another.

For previous ASCETICAL HOMILIES & VIGNETTES, click HERE

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