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Once, during the reign of Emperor Maximian, many Christians stood bound before the praetor in Palestinian Caesarea. The pious virgin Theodosia approached, comforted and encouraged them in their martyrdom. Upon hearing what she was saying, the soldiers also led her before the judge. The enraged judge ordered that a stone be hung around her neck and tossed her into the depths of the sea. But angels of God carried her to the shore alive. When she, again, appeared before the judge, he ordered her beheaded. The following night, Theodosia appeared to her parents completely encompassed in a great heavenly light, surrounded by many other virgins who were also saved and said: "Do you see how great is the glory and grace of my Christ which you wanted to deprive me of?" She said that to her parents because they tried to persuade her from confessing Christ and martyrdom.
Theodosia suffered honorably
and was glorified in the year 308 A.D.
Achtung!
Yes, we can perform a miracle!
Believe it or not, we are capable of fooling ourselves
and not know it! Impossible? Oh no!!
Christ knows all things And one day we will face Him.
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Saint Matthew 15:8-9 KJV
What do you think? Leave a comment at the bottom of the Paragon.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) [Sound familiar?]
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Saint John 12:19-36 KJV
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Description of Paradise
The revelations of God adapted to Man's Intellect
St. Ephraem The Syrian
Beloved St. Ephraem's illustrious hymns embrace and caress the heart, soul and mind, with revelation, wisdom and making inner vision, visible.
(Posted June 9 ns)
Is a fountain of sweetness,
From which, in early life,
Adam inhaled nutriment.
And the inspiration was to his youth
Like the ministering breast of a mother.
He was young, fair, and joyful: —
But having spurned the commandment.
He became unhappy, old, and fading.
Bearing the weight of years
And a load of miseries!
No blighting frosts
No withering heats,
Are in that region
Of blessedness and joy.
It is a haven of gladness
A home of delights, —
Light and merriment reside within it: —
There is a congregation of harpers,
A society of players on the lute,
The sound of Hosannas,
A Church of Hallelujahs!
(Posted June 10 ns)
The fence which surrounds it,
Is the safety which makes all tranquil;
Its wall and its precincts,
Is the peace which unites all together;
The cherub which walks around it
Is gentle to those within,
But threatening to those without,
who are reprobate.
Concerning this Paradise,
Which is pure and holy,
The report which thou hearest
Is true and spiritual.
Let not its nature be judged
From what is heard of it.
For its descriptions do not altogether
Come within our judgment;
For although, by the names given to it.
It may seem to be earthly.
In reality that pure place is spiritual: —
For even the names of spirits
Are common to both kinds;
Yet that which is impure
Is far different from the holy.
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