HOLY APOSTLS' FAST Thursday June 28/July 11 ns 2024 • Fish, wine and olive oil permitted today • Translation of the Relics of the Holy Unmercenaries Cyros and John • Rom. 8:22-27; St. Matt. 10:23-31 • St Kosmas On Prayer and Gratitude • St Thalassios the Libyan On Love, Self-control and Life in Accordance with the Intellect

PLEASE NOTE:  The Paragon will continue to indicate fasting periods but daily variations will not.

The Holy Unmercenaries Cyros and John are celebrated on January 31. On that date, their lives and sufferings are chronicled. June 28 commemorates the translation of their relics from Canopus to Menouthis and the numerous miracles which occurred over their relics.

St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, prayed fervently to God to destroy the idolatrous impurity in the town of Menouthis where a pagan temple was located and where the power of the demons ruled. An angel of God appeared to the patriarch and told him that Menouthis would be cleansed of its impurity if he translated the relics of Saints Cyrus and John to that town. The patriarch did this immediately. He translated the relics of the martyrs to Menouthis and built a church there in honor of Saints Cyrus and John. Ammonius, the son of Julian the mayor of Alexandria, was healed of scorfula (a form of tuberculosis); a Theodore healed of blindness; Isidore of Menouthis was cured of a decaying disease of the liver; the wife of Theodore from poisoning, a Eugenia of dropsy as well as many other people were healed of various diseases and torments by the relics of these saints. This all occurred in the year 412 A.D.

Romans 8:22-27 KJV

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Saint Matthew 10:23-31 KJV

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

St Thalassios the Libyan

On Love, Self-control and Life

in Accordance with the Intellect

1. An all-embracing and intense longing for God binds those who experience it both to God and to one another.

2. An intellect that has acquired spiritual love does not have thoughts unworthy of this love about anyone.

3. He who conceals his hypocrisy beneath feigned love blesses with his mouth but curses inwardly.

4. He who has acquired love endures calmly and patiently the injuries and sufferings that his enemies inflict on him.

5. Love alone harmoniously joins all created things with God and with each other.

6. A person who does not tolerate suspicion or disparagement of others possesses true love.

7. He who does nothing to dispel love is precious in the sight of God and among men.

8. True words from a pure conscience betoken unfeigned love.

9. If you tell your brother how someone else denigrates him you conceal your own envy in the guise of goodwill.

10. Worldly virtues promote human glory, spiritual virtues the glory of God.

St. Kosmas Aitolos

Prayer, Gratitude & Humility

It is proper to begin our teaching with God, and when we finish it to thank God – not that I am worthy to mention and utter the name of God, but I am sure that God suffers me to do so through His great and infinite compassion.

Occasionally read the 6 Psalms from Orthros.

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T H E

PARAGON

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, jhe or he enters into Life where Christ reveals the Father, Who is Everlasting Life.