Wednesday July 13/26 ns 2023 • Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, Holy Martyr Golindúc (Mary) > Fast day > Heb. 2:2–10; St. Luke 10:16–21 > QUOTE FROM ST SILOUAN THE ATHONITE

 Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel,

Holy Martyr Golindúc (Mary)

Wednesday July 13/26 ns 2023 

Fast Day

T I M E

If time ceases to be, can it be wasted?

Does God have a beginning, an end? Does the Kingdom of Heaven have a beginning, an end?

Does this world have a beginning, an end?

Let +Saint Basil the Great answer
Is not this the nature of time, where the past is no more, the future does not exist, and the present escapes before being recognized?

The Great Archangel of God Gabriel is celebrated on March 26. On this day however, he is celebrated and honored for his appearances and miracles throughout the entire history of man's salvation. It is believed that this celebration was first established on Mt. Athos in the ninth century, during the reign of Emperor Basil and the Empress Constantina Porphyrogenites and Patriarch Nicholas Chrysoverges, on the occasion of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel in a cell near Karyes where he wrote on a stone tablet with his finger, the hymn to the Birth-giver of God, "Worthy It is meet," [Dostojno Jest Axion Estin]. As a result of this, even today, this cell is called the cell of "Axion Estin."

Appearances: In connection with this, other appearances of the Archangel Gabriel are also commemorated: 

    •••  the appearance to Moses while he was tending the flock of Jethro and, at which time, he related to this great one called of God, how the world was created and all the rest which Moses recorded in his Book of Creation (Genesis); 

    ••• his appearance to the Prophet Daniel and revealing to him the mystery of future kingdoms and of the coming of the Savior; 

    ••• his appearance to St. Ann and the promise that she will give birth to a daughter, the All-blessed and All-pure Holy Virgin Mary; 

    ••• the very brief appearance to the Holy Virgin while she lived in the Temple in Jerusalem; 

   ••• the appearance to Zacharias the High Priest and the tidings concerning the birth of John the Forerunner and the severe punishment of Zacharias with dumbness because he did not believe his words; again, 

    ••• the appearance to the Holy Virgin in Nazareth and informing Her of the good news of the conception and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ; 

    ••• the appearance to the righteous Joseph; 

    ••• the appearance to the shepherds near Bethlehem; 

    ••• the appearance to the Lord Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane when he strengthened our Lord as a man prior to His passion; 

    ••• the appearance to the myrrh-bearing women and so forth.

Hebrews 2:2-10 (KJV)

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 (KJV)

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.