THE PARAGON

Saturday, October 31, 2026

PARAGON SUNDAY Oct 19/Nov 1 ns/2026 • Holy Prophet Joel, Holy Martyr Várus, St. John of Rila, St. John of Kronstadt - 11th Matins Gospel: St. John 21:14-25 Gal. 6:11-18 (22nd Sunday of Epistles); St. Luke 7:11-16

All my hope do I set in thee,O Mother of God;

protect me under thy shelter

SUNDAY

Oct 19/Nov 1 ns/2026

Holy Prophet Joel,

Holy Martyr Várus,

St. John of Rila,

St. John of Kronstadt

✜ Joel is second in the line of the minor prophets. St. Joel was the son of Phanuel, from the tribe of Reuben. He lived eight hundred years before Christ.

Joel prophesied the misfortunes of the people of Israel, and the Babylonian Captivity because of the sins they had committed in the sight of God. He called the people to fasting and the priests to tearful penitential prayer, that God would have mercy on them: Sanctify ye a fast … and cry unto the Lord (Joel 1:14); Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17). Joel also foretold the Descent of the Spirit of God upon the apostles and the pouring out of the grace of the Spirit of God upon all Christians: Then afterward I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). He prophesied and described the Dread Judgment of God, and also prophesied the glory of God's Holy Church.

Saint John of Rila

Saint John 21:14-25 KJV

21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Galatians 6:11-18 KJV

6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Saint Luke 7:11-16 KJV

7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

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 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.

ALSO - In honor and love for our beloved John of Kronstadt who we commemorate today, I must repeat one of his most precious homilies taken from his book My Life in Christ.

WE ARE ONE BODY

Saint John of Kronstadt

You know that eternal life in God has been promised to you and that it must be attained in this brief life through obedience to God and His Church and through patiently enduring illnesses, sorrows, misfortunes, and various privations. Yet you live carelessly, neglecting your soul and virtue...

When you glorify a pious neighbor, you glorify God. When you do good to your neighbor, you do good to yourself, for we are one body.

When you do good to your neighbor, you make God your debtor, for your neighbor is God’s image and God is all in all. When you do good to a Christian, you make Christ, the Son of God, your debtor, for Christians are His Body and His members. When you lend to a Christian, you lend to the Holy Spirit, for Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16).

For the uninformed, evidence coupled with verification, concerning the heresy of ecumenism and modernism in Christ's Church is essential. Beyond that, should not the defenders of Holy Tradition/Orthodoxy/Correct worship or those who endeavor to keep/defend it{2 Thessalonians 2:15}be more circumspect in the frequency of words that describe and contribute to an "us and them" image?

After all, as the heresies are occasionally recognized as unfounded by participants, (whether they are participants out of innocent compliance or willful intent), decide to reach out with arms and heart for the Truth, by our repeating the errors to them can we honestly say we defending Holy Tradition or are we bordering on haranguing them?

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Friday, October 30, 2026

PARAGON - Saturday October 18/31ns/2026 † Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke - Col. 4:5-11, 14-18; St. Luke 10:16-21

Jerusalem icon painted by Saint Luke

Saturday

Oct 18/31 ns/2026

† Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke

Born in Antioch, he applied himself in his youth to the study of Greek philosophy, medicine and art. At the time that the Lord Jesus was at work upon earth, Luke came to Jerusalem, where he saw the Savior face to face, heard His saving teaching and was a witness of His wonderful works. Coming to belief in the Lord, St Luke was included among the Seventy and sent forth to preach the Gospel. Together with Cleopas, he saw the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus (St. Luke 24).

After the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, Luke returned to Antioch and there became a fellow worker with the Apostle Paul, with whom he travelled to Rome, bringing Jews and pagans to the Christian faith. 'Luke the beloved physician salutes you', writes the Apostle Paul to the Colossians (4:14).

At the request of the Christians, he wrote his Gospel in about the year 60. After the death by martyrdom of the great Apostle, Luke preached the Gospel all over Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia and elsewhere.

He painted three icons of the most holy Mother of God and also icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and is regarded as the founder of Christian iconography.

In old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt, and thence returned to Greece, where he set himself with great zeal to preach the Gospel and bring men to Christ, disregarding his great age. St Luke wrote both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, and dedicated them both to Theophilos, governor of Achaia.

He was eighty-four years old when wicked idol-worshippers put him to torture for the sake of Christ and hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes in Beothia. The wonderworking relics of this wonderful saint were taken to Constantinople in the time of the Emperor Constantius, son of St Constantine.

T H E N ?

+ Saint John Chrysostomos

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?

(St. Matthew 26:14–15)

These words seem to be clear and not to hint at anything more, but if you carefully examine each word, you will find deep meaning and a great deal to contemplate.

First, the time. The Evangelist does not indicate it without cause. He does not simply say, “One of the twelve went,” but adds, then one of the twelve … went. "Then?" tell me, when? And why does he indicate the time? What does he want to teach me? He does not say for no reason: speaking by the Spirit, he does not say anything at random or to no end. Therefore, what does this “then” mean?

Before that time, before that hour, a harlot came with an alabaster box of ointment and poured the oil onto the head of the Lord. She displayed great service; she displayed great faith, great obedience, and great piety. She was turned from her former life and became better and wiser. And when the harlot had repented, when she had been drawn to the Master (note: on her own by her humility), then the disciple betrayed his Teacher. Thus the Evangelist said then, so that you not accuse the Teacher of weakness when you see the disciple betraying Him. For the power of the Teacher was such that He drew even harlots to proper obedience.

Why then, you say, was He Who won over harlots not able to win over His disciple? He had the power to win over His disciple, but He did not wish to make him good by force or to forcibly draw him to Himself. Then [he] went. In this “went” there is not a little matter for contemplation: for he was not summoned by the chief priests, he was not constrained or forced. Rather, of himself and of his own accord, he gave birth to his intention and brought forth his treachery, without any counselor in his wickedness.

V I G N E T T E

CONSEQUENCES

Except for a single obedience, Adam and Eve were given free will while in Paradise. Having, failed they were cast out of Paradise into a world in which they had exposed themselves. We all know this and are now experiencing it but consider and contemplate the nature of our banishment. Does this world not contain elements of Paradise? Yes! Did God abandon us? No! Is this world void of His love and grace? No! Did He destroy the Garden? No! Did He not personally provide a way to return? Yes! And did He not tell us its location and directions? Yes!

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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Friday Oct 17/30 ns/2026 - Holy Prophet Hosea, Holy Monk-Martyr Andrew of Krísis, Sýnaxis of the Holy Twenty Unmercenaries - Fast day - Rom. 9:18-33; St. Luke 9:12-18

Friday

Oct 17/30 ns/2026

Holy Prophet Hosea,

Holy Monk-Martyr Andrew of Krísis,

Sýnaxis of the Twenty

Holy Unmercenaries
FAST DAY

Hosea was the son of Beeri of the tribe of Issachar. Hosea lived and prophesied more than eight hundred years before the birth of Christ. His divinely inspired words are found in his book, which contains fourteen chapters. He strongly rebuked Israel and Judah for their idolatry and also foretold God's punishment for their sins, the destruction of Samaria and Israel for their apostasy, and God's mercy on the tribe of Judah. He foretold the abolition and the end of the sacrifices of the Old Testament. He foretold the coming of the Lord, and the richness of gifts that He would bring with Him to earth. He lived to a very old age and entered peacefully into rest.

Romans 9:18-33 KJV

9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Saint Luke 9:12-18 KJV

12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

NOTHING TO FEAR

Saint Theophan the Recluse

The devil approaches the God-man with temptations. Who among men is free of them?

As soon as one begins to come to himself and intends to begin a new life according to God’s will, immediately the entire satanic realm enters into action: they hasten to scatter good thoughts and the intentions of the repentant one in any way they can.
If they do not manage to turn him aside, they attempt to hinder his good repentance and confession; if they do not manage to do that, they contrive to sow tares amidst the fruits of repentance and disrupt his labors of cleansing the heart.
If they do not succeed in suggesting evil they attempt to distort the truth; if they are repulsed inwardly they attack outwardly, and so on until the end of one’s life. They do not even let one die in peace; even after death they pursue the soul, until it escapes the aerial space where they hover and congregate.

You ask, “What should we do? It is hopeless and terrifying!”
For a believer there is nothing terrifying here, because near a God-fearing man demons only busy themselves, but they do not have any power over him. A sober man of prayer shoots arrows against them, and they stay far away from him, not daring to approach, and fearing the defeat which they have already experienced.

If they succeed in something, it is due to our blundering. We slacken our attention, or allow ourselves to be distracted by their phantoms, and they immediately come and disturb us more boldly.
If you do not come to your senses in time they will whirl you about; but if a soul does come to its senses they again recoil and spy from afar to see whether it is possible to approach again somehow.
So be sober, watch, and pray—and the enemies will do nothing to you.

L O V E

Saint Maximos the Confessor

Love is a holy state of the soul, disposing it to value knowledge of God above all created things. We cannot attain lasting possession of such love while we are still attached to anything worldly.