HOLY APOSTLES' FAST Thursday June 21/July 4 ns 2024 - Wine and olive oil permitted today • Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus • Quote: MY LFE IN CHRIST - THE APOSTLES' FAST To what end do fasting and penitence lead? by Saint John of Kronstadt

Holy Apostles' Fast

Thursday, June 21/July 4 ns 2024

Wine & olive oil permitted today

THE HOLY MARTYR JULIAN OF TARSUS

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was of noble and senatorial origin. He lived in Tarsus in Cilicia and suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Even though he was only eighteen years of age when he was subjected to torture for the Faith, St. Julian was sufficiently educated and strengthened in Christian piety. The imperial deputy led him from town to town for an entire year torturing him and all the time trying to persuade him to deny Christ. Julian's mother followed her son from a distance. When the deputy seized Julian's mother and sent her to counsel her son to deny Christ, for three days in prison she spoke the opposite advice, teaching him and encouraging him not to despair in spirit but with thanksgiving and courage go to his death. The torturers then sewed Julian in a sack with sand, scorpions and serpents and tossed the sack into the sea and Julian's mother also died under torture. His relics were tossed by the waves to the shore and the faithful translated them to Alexandria and honorably buried them in the year 290 A.D. Later, St. Julian's relics were translated to Antioch. Later on, St. John Chrysostomos, himself, delivered a eulogy [an oration of praise] for the holy martyr Julian. St. John Chrysostomos said: "From the mouth of the martyr proceeded a holy voice and, together with the voice, a light emanated brighter than the rays of the sun." Further, he added: "Take anyone, be it a madman or one possessed, and bring him to the grave of this saint where the relics of the martyr repose and you will see how he [the demon] without fail will leap out and flee as from a burning fire." It is obvious from these words how numerous miracles must have taken place at the grave of St. Julian.

Romans 5:10-16 KJV 

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Saint Matthew 8:23-27 KJV

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

INCOMPREHENSIBLE

THE DEPTH OF GOD'S LOVE IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE
AND YET IT IS EXPERIENCED BY THOSE WHO LOVE HIM
BECAUSE HE INSTILLED HIMSELF IN US. 

My Life in Christ

THE APOSTLES' FAST

(As I read, I cannot help but linger on the reality of the word "fasting", that is, defining it in terms of our Lord's words..."he who seeks to save his life...".  Does He not mean to fast from the consumption of a transient life, abstaining for certain foods a minimal effort in comparison? -  Pub.)

To what end do fasting and penitence lead? 

by Saint John of Kronstadt

For what purpose is this trouble taken? They lead to the cleansing of the soul from sins, to peace of heart, to union with God; they fill us with devotion and sonship, and give us boldness before God. 

There are, indeed, very important reasons for fasting and for confession from the whole heart. There shall be an inestimable reward given for conscientious labor. 

Have many of us the feeling of sonlike love to God? Dare many of us, without condemnation and with boldness call upon the Father in Heaven and say: "Our Father!".... 

Is there not, on the contrary, no such sonlike voice to be heard in our hearts, which are deadened by the vanities of this world and attachments to its objects and pleasures? Is not our Heavenly Father far from our hearts? Is it not rather an avenging God that we should represent to ourselves, we who have withdrawn ourselves from Him into a far-away land? 

Yes, by our sins all of us are worthy of His righteous anger and punishment, and it is wonderful how long-suffering and forbearing He is to us--that He does not strike us like the barren fig trees. 

Let us hasten to propitiate Him by repentance and tears. Let us enter into ourselves; let us consider our unclean hearts in all strictness, and when we see what a multitude of impurities are keeping them from the reach of Divine grace, we shall ourselves acknowledge that we are spiritually dead.

ZAMBIA
 A SLAVE OF MAN
~FATHER FORIVE US~

AN ANIMAL MAY EAT A MAN

BUT IT WOULD NEVER MAKE HIM A SLAVE

T H E

P A R A G O N

WHAT IS THE PARAGON?  It is a Signpost

WHAT DOES THE SIGNPOST SAY?  It says: "This way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

IS THAT ALL IT SAYS? No, it gives the soul detailed directions of navigation on how to get there.

AND WHAT ARE THEY?  Read the PARAGON and find out.  Until then, know that it points the way through the Epistles, Prophecies and Gospels taken from the Holy Bible; it provides accounts of the lives and deeds of those who through renunciation of this temporal life for Him, by breath or by blood, and thereby the Father is revealed by the Son so they have come to "know" and become one with Him (Theosis); it contains detailed methods of navigation provided by God Himself directly to the tongues and pens of His authentic followers.  

BUT I OFTEN DON'T UNDERSTAND ITS READINGS!  If you believe God, then you know He is omniscient and you therefore trust Him.  He knew we would disfigure His image in us before He created us, hence He instructs the soul directly according to its needs required for salvation. And when the soul responds with genuine love and sincere desire for healing, it is enlightened and bringing with it out of darkness the disfigured mind.  

Reflect, contemplate and determine who He is speaking to when He makes the command:  "Physician, heal thyself" Isn't it the small Christ within us, warming our hearts?

DOES IT PROVIDE ANYTHING ELSE?  Yes, if one forsakes all loves for the love of God, denies him or her self, takes us the Cross and follows, entering into Life where Christ reveals the Father, Who is Everlasting Life.