Thursday October 13 / 26 ns 2023 • Holy Martyrs Cárpos, Pápylos, Agathódoros, and Agathoníke; Holy New Martyr Zláta ~ The Abyss ~ Prayer of the Optina Elders

PHOTO of the Holy Mountain Athos graciously provided by (Revd. Canon Professor) Patrick Comerford - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickcomerford

The Abyss
Fall into the abyss of cause and effect and lose your body.

Fall into the abyss of sin, fail to repent, and lose your soul.

The Two Commandments of Christ
The Two Commandments of Christ are not commandments.  They are gifts.  Christ quickens us so we are capable of loving Him and He does the same for us with our neighbors. Both are gifts

Heaven?
Do you really want to go to Heaven?
Ceaseless Prayer
And you’re already there

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HOLY MARTYRS CÁRPOS, PÁPYLOS,
AGATHÓDOROS AND AGATHONÍKE
HOLY NEW MARTYR ZLÁTA

Cárpos was Bishop of Thyateira and Pápylos was a deacon. They were born in Pergamum where they finally suffered for the Christian Faith at the hands of the evil proconsul Valerius, during the reign of Decius.


Valerius tied them to horses and dragged them to Sardis, where he subjected them to harsh tortures. Then an angel of God appeared to them, healed them of their wounds and encouraged them. Cárpos's servant, Agathódoros, followed his master with great sorrow. Valerius then condemned him to torture as well. The saints were again tied to horses, and were dragged from Sardis to Pergamum. They tied holy Cárpos to a tree and flogged him so that his body was covered with wounds, and his blood flowed like a stream, soaking the ground; but Cárpos smiled in the midst of these horrible tortures. When they asked him why he was smiling, the holy martyr replied that he saw the heavens opened and the Lord seated on His throne, surrounded by Cherubim and Seraphim.


As Pápylos was being tortured, by prayer he healed a man blind in one eye, and many who witnessed this came to believe in Christ the Lord. Thrown to wild beasts, the martyrs remained unharmed. Then they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Agathonica, Cárpos sister, also leaped into the fire, but the fire did not consume them.


Finally, they were all beheaded with the sword, in the year 251. Thus, after their righteous endeavors, they received a wreath of glory in the Kingdom of Christ.

Read the Holy Epistle and Holy Gospel every day

Colossians 1:24-2:1 KJV 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 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; Saint Matthew 7:12-21 KJV 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Fall into the abyss of cause and effect and lose your body.

Fall into the abyss of sin, fail to repent, and lose your soul.

PRAYER OF THE OPTINA ELDERS

O Lord, grant unto me that with Thy peace I may greet all that this day is to bring. Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to Thy holy will. In every hour of this day instruct and guide me in all things. Whatever tidings I may receive during this day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly in the firm belief that Thy holy will governs all. Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When unforeseen things occur, let me not forget that all is sent by Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward everyone, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to no one. Bestow on me, O Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in its events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive and to love. Amen.