Saturday Oct. 11/24 ns /2026 • St. Philip the Deacon; St. Theophánes the Branded; St. Philótheos (Kókkinos), Patriarch of Constantinople • St. Philip: Acts 8:26-39; Day: St. Luke 5:27-32

Yea, singing of thy childbirth, we all hymn thee,
O Theotokos, as a living temple;
for in thy womb dwelt the Lord

Saturday

October 11/24 ns / 2026

• St. Philip the Deacon;

• St. Theophánes the Branded;

• St. Philótheos (Kókkinos),

Patriarch of Constantinople

Philip was born in Palestinian Caesarea. He was married and had four daughters. All four were endowed by God with the gift of prophecy, and all four were vowed virgins for the sake of Christ.

When the holy apostles chose deacons, Philip was chosen with Stephen and the others. He served the needy and widows with great diligence. When the persecution of Christians began in Jerusalem, the Apostle Philip found refuge in Samaria, and there preached the Gospel and gave witness by many miracles: driving out demons, healing the sick, and so forth.

Seeing the miracles of the holy apostle, Simon the Magician was baptized. St. Philip also baptized the eunuch of Queen Candace. After that, an angel of God suddenly and invisibly translated him to Azotus, where he taught, preached and converted many to Christ. Philip was appointed Bishop of Tralles. He reposed peacefully in deep old age, and took up his habitation in the joy of his Lord.

Acts 8:26-39 KJV

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Saint Luke 5:27-32 KJV

27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

ON THE VIRTUES AND THE VICES

St John of Damascus

Hence it is clear that someone who occasionally shows compassion is not compassionate, and someone who occasionally practices self-control is not self-controlled. A compassionate and self-controlled man is someone who fully, persistently, and with unfailing discrimination strives all his life for total virtue; for discrimination is greater than any other virtue; and is the queen and crown of all the virtues. The same is true of the vices: we call a man a fornicator, a drunkard or a liar not on account of a single lapse, but only when he keeps on falling into the sin in question and makes no attempt to correct himself.

There is something else which you must know if you really want to attain virtue and avoid sin.

Just as the soul is incomparably better than the body and in many major respects altogether more excellent and precious, so the virtues of the soul are infinitely superior to the virtues of the body. This is especially true of those virtues which imitate God and bear His name. Conversely, the vices of the soul are much worse than the passions of the body, both in the actions they produce and in the punishments they incur. I do not know why, but most people overlook this fact. They treat drunkenness, unchastity, adultery, theft and all such vices with great concern, avoiding them or punishing them as something whose very appearance is loathsome to most men. But the passions of the soul are much worse and much more serious then bodily passions. For they degrade men to the level of demons and lead them, insensible as they are, to the eternal punishment reserved for all who obstinately cling to such vices.

These passions of the soul are envy, rancor, malice, insensitivity, avarice - which according to the apostle is the root of all evil (1 St. Tim. 6:10) - and all vices of a similar nature.

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THE CONSEQUENCE
  It displeases Him when we love mammon in heart

and Him only on our lips because
in doing so we become strangers to Him.

St Matthew 7:21-23

Friday Oct. 10/23ns/2026 • Holy Martyrs Evlámpios and Evlampía, Sýnaxis of the Fourteen Holy Elders of Óptina / Fast day / Col. 2:1-7; St. Luke 7:31-35

Rejoice, thou who yokest together Virginity and Childbirth

Friday

October 10/23 ns / 2026

~  Fast day ~

• Holy Martyrs Evlámpios and Evlampía,

• Sýnaxis of the Fourteen Holy Elders
of Óptina

Holy Martyrs Evlámpios and Evlampía were brother and sister from Nicomedia.

During one of the terrible persecutions of Christians by Maximian some of the faithful fled Nicomedia and hid. The young Evlámpios was sent into the city to buy bread. There he saw the imperial edict decreeing the persecution of Christians posted on a wall. He laughed at it, removed it, and tore it up. He was arrested and immediately brought before the judge. When the judge advised him to deny Christ, Evlámpios counseled the judge to reject the false idols and to acknowledge Christ as the One Living God. The judge ordered that he be flogged for a long time until his blood flowed, and that he be tormented with other cruel tortures.

Hearing of her brother's suffering, the virgin Evlampía came running, and she, together with her brother, suffered for Christ. She was flogged until blood flowed from her nose and mouth. After that, they were thrown into boiling pitch, and then into a red-hot furnace, but by the power of the sign of the Cross and the name of Christ, they rendered the fire harmless. Finally Evlámpios was beheaded, but Evlampía died before being beheaded. Two hundred other Christians were also slain, who had come to believe in Christ upon witnessing the power and miracles of St. Evlámpios and his sister. All were crowned with martyrs' wreaths, and passed over into their eternal heavenly homeland.

Sýnaxis of the Fourteen Holy Elders of Óptina

Colossians 2:1-7 KJV

2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Saint Luke 7:31-35 KJV

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Occasionally comments are received from readers and are very much appreciated:

2 were received this morning Friday 10/23ns/2026

THANK YOU!

#1 "Today’s vignette is a wonderful illustration of God’s beauty and love. If we are willing to break our heart open to the instruction of our Lord nothing but beauty lies with in . If I stay in constant prayer that beauty is shown to me continually."

#2 "Ask and you will receive, I ask for forgiveness and Joy."

TEMPTATIONS

Saint Macarius of Optina

At the beginning of the call to the spiritual life, the Lord visits a person with His grace and various consolations, but afterwards He withdraws them and casts him into the fire of diverse temptations and sorrows, so that our self-loving and glory-loving disposition would be completely reduced to ashes by the fire of temptation, and would not trust in itself and its works but in the mercy and love of God. Humility is a great blessing!

Everyone needs the fire of temptations in order to be tried and instructed in patience. One must look at things with the point of view that Divine Providence is caring for our salvation: one person requires more, another requires less trials for patience and instruction, and for another, the time has not yet come.

Do not despair when you experience severe trials: these are necessary for instruction in the spiritual life. Strive to find blame in yourself, but do not blame any of your neighbors.

Let us humble ourselves and implore the help of God. He can help one who is tempted, for He Himself was tempted.

This vignette is from 2024

How are we doing now in 2026?

Take time to ask the Mother of God, in love and prayer, 

to intercede in behalf of a perfidious world.

To offer the Akathist to the Theotokos,

Click HERE

If you have no prayers to offer, then who will?

Ukraine/Russia:
This conflict involves significant military operations and has resulted in a high number of casualties and widespread impact. It's one of the largest conflicts in terms of international involvement and geopolitical implications.
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Israel vs Hamas):
This conflict has escalated with severe impacts on civilians and involvement from regional players. The United States backs Israel, while Iran supports Hamas. This conflict has broader implications for the Middle East region.
War in Yemen (US & UK's Involvement Against Houthi Rebels):
This conflict, though primarily a civil war within Yemen, has significant international involvement, especially from the Saudi-led coalition supported by the US and UK, and has caused a substantial humanitarian crisis.
Sudan Internal Conflict:
This war has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced, significantly impacting the region's stability.
Myanmar's Internal Conflict:
Following the military coup, this conflict has intensified with various ethnic and political groups involved, causing significant regional instability and humanitarian concerns.
Ethiopia's Internal Conflicts:
With rebellions in different regions and rising tensions with Eritrea, this conflict has serious implications for the Horn of Africa region.
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh:
This conflict has seen military escalations and significant displacement of people, affecting the stability of the South Caucasus region.
U.S.-China Tensions:
While not an active war, the rising tensions, especially over Taiwan and in the South China Sea, are significant due to the military and economic might of both nations.
Sahel Region Conflict (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso):
Involves coups and insurgencies with jihadist groups, significantly impacting the West African region.
Haiti's Gang Violence:
Although not a conventional war, the severity of gang violence and the potential for international intervention make this situation critical.
Ecuador's Struggle Against Drug Trafficking:
This is more an internal security challenge than a conventional war, but it has significant implications for the region.
Mexico's Challenges with Drug Cartels:
Similar to Ecuador, this is an internal security issue with significant impacts on public safety and governance.
Political Polarization in the United States:
While this is not a conventional military conflict, the risk of political violence and domestic terrorism, especially surrounding the presidential election, is a significant concern.

Thursday Oct. 9/22ns/2026 • Holy Apostle James, the Son of Alphæus, of the Twelve; Sts. Andrónicos and Athanasía; Righteous Abraham and his nephew Lot St. James: I Cor. 4:9-16; St. Matt. 9:36-10:8

Thursday

October 9/22 ns 2026

Holy Apostle James, the Son of Alphæus,

of the Twelve;

Sts. Andrónicos and Athanasía;

Righteous Abraham and his nephew Lot 

James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was the blood-brother of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew. He was a witness of the true words and miracles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a witness of His suffering, Resurrection and Ascension.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the lot fell to James to preach the Gospel of Christ in Eleutheropolis and the surrounding areas, and then in Egypt, where he suffered for his Savior. With great power in word and in deed, James disseminated the saving news of the incarnate Word of God, destroying idolatry, driving demons out of men, and healing every infirmity and disease in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. His labor and zeal were crowned with great success. Many pagans came to believe in Christ, churches were built and organized, and priests and bishops were ordained.

James suffered in the Egyptian town of Ostracina, being crucified by the pagans. Thus, this great and wonderful apostle of Christ took up his abode in the Heavenly Kingdom, to reign eternally with the King of Glory.

1 Corinthians 4:9-16 KJV

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Saint Matthew 9:36-10:8 KJV

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

10 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

FROM ST THEOPHYLACT

on St. Matthew 10:8

Nothing is more fitting to a teacher than humility and detachment. These two virtues He shows here: “Freely you have received, freely give.” Do not be proud, though you have received great gifts and distribute them, for you received them freely by grace. With humility, be also without possession: “freely give.” Uprooting the root of all evils, He continues:

by Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra

Monastery on Mt. Athos

"The lack of joy is a pathological state of man, a willing closure within one's self. And whatever he wishes to do he will not be successful.

First, one must clean his field, to find out what is going on and why he is not joyous. Then, he must pursue joy within himself, and then the peace of God will take the place of joy. Thus, man should keep his relationship with God and with his Elder [or Spiritual Father], and should seek a true life.

Am I good, faithful, perfect, holy?
Am I a teacher?
If I am not joyous, then I am nothing.

It is important when they tell me: "Physician, heal thyself, and then, offer him to God." God cannot enter into a heart that is not joyful, He cannot find a place of contact, because He is peace, He is the fulfillment of joy.

Only like things can unite, and because of this, God can only unite with a joyous soul. For the monk who is not joyous, the Elder cannot do anything at all, his hands are totally tied.

Whoever thinks that he is approaching to reach "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ", but is not joyous, can understand that he is totally deluded. Joy is the criterion, the thermometer.
Joy is something external, but it is also something internal.

Ultimately, it is a necessary presupposition, because the lack of joy makes man study things differently and to become changed. For example, if one puts even one drop of nitric oxide into pure water, immediately he changes its essence. Thus, exactly, one drop of bitterness, depression, sadness transforms the whole atmosphere of a person, and extinguishes God.

But joy must also exist in a brotherhood [or a family], because it is an element both of one's personal life and of the brotherhood.

I cannot be joyous if all those around me do not have the tendency and the atmosphere of joy, neither, however, can I have any benefit if I do not take on this joy from the brotherhood.

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PEOPLE ARE SO MUCH LIKE EGGS

You need not be an artist to admire the simple yet elegant shape, beauty and art of the modest egg.  It reminds me of how many of us, who admire ourselves, who have it good in this life, (not everyone does however) love our life, our hobbies, our interests, our good fortune, our good looks (if so endowed) our abilities our talents, etc.
The reality however is that our life, whether good or bad, distinguished or dim, is nothing more than the shell of the egg, if it remains un-cracked. If one never cracks the egg how can its inner beauty, far surpassing its outer beauty, be known?

When the egg is cracked, which, relative to its size requires some force, a completely new reality, a new identity is revealed.
An identity that not only pleases the eye as did the shell but all the senses and even more. And seemingly infinite possibilities are found. How many of its uses and rewards can you name? The shell is not without value of course but what is it compared to the treasure within? Moreover, its consumption sustains life like no shell can ever do. 

To reveal that which is within the egg, a force is required. So it is with that which lies within each one of us. But with man however the force needed may be either as slight as a single breath or, sadly, greater than splitting an atom. Wonderfully, that force need be nothing more than sincere desire.

Not one of us is an empty shell but no matter how illustrious or lowly our shell may be, few of us find the treasure contained within.

But wait! There is even more to the lowly egg besides food and beauty.  Waiting to get out is a new creature! 

And within the shell we call our body, it is Christ Himself.

The Kingdom of Heaven is within!

Get crackin’!!!