Monday, December 4, 2023

Tuesday November 22 / December 5 ns 2023 • Holy Apostles Philemon et al., of the Seventy; Holy Martyr Cecília and those with her ~ Fish, wine and olive oil are permitted today

PAGES
What are PAGES? Additional to the contents of the PARAGON, PAGES are a collection of writings from the saints and others, that may offer edification, guidance, consolation or comfort to specific needs.

 PREPARATION FOR CONFESSION
Occasionally we all need help in preparing to approach our Confessor with our sins.   Other than the Conscience (God's small voice within) there are no criteria that determine the need to access the benefits from reflecting on St. Basil the Great's personal gift to us in his own LAMENTATION FOR SIN.  It also is a PAGE.

CLICK HERE


The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossae in Phrygia. After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who believed in Christ gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast. Saint Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. The holy Apostle Paul continued to be his guide, and addressed to him his Epistle filled with love, and in which he sends blessings “to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippos our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house” (Phil 1:1-3). Saint Onesimos (February 15), also mentioned in the Epistle, was Saint Philemon’s former servant. Saints Philemon and Apphia, and also Saint Archippos (who also lived at Colossae), all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. All fled in terror, and only Saints Philemon, Archippos and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed Saint Archippos with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Saints Philemon and Apphia were stoned to death by order of the prefect.

Cecilia-strong in faith, rich in faith-
Her faith is more beautiful than the stars, more precious than gold.
She nailed herself to the Lord, as to the Cross,
And sacrificed youth, joy, marriage and honor for Christ!
The cruel demon could steal nothing from her;
And when only her body remained, she gave it to Christ.
For the love of Christ, she gave the whole world-
Even two worlds: her body and her pure soul.
Thus does the flame of faith burn, and the flame of love,
And by that flame, Cecilia glorified herself.





Philemon KJV


1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,

2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house:

3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.




Saint Luke 17:26-37, 18:8 KJV


26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

32 Remember Lot's wife.

33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?


A NOTE ON THE GM GEORGE



The monasteries of Zographou and Xeropotamou and many monastic cells on the Holy Mountain Athos are dedicated to the honor of the Great Martyr George.

He is the patron saint of England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Malta, the Spanish region of Catalonia and several other national states, cities, universities, professions and organizations.

This is so because Saint George, the very definition of bravery without compromise and true love for others, intercedes and helps speedily with his boldness and intercessions to the Lord, so much so that from the ancient times people have held him in the highest regard when they needed aid.

OLD SAYING

There is an old saying: 
You don't know what you are missing.

I would like to add...
You don't know what you are missing, but you will.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THY SELF


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