HOLY APOSTLS' FAST Tuesday June 26/July 9 2024 • St. David of Thessalonica • Fish, wine and olive oil are permitted today • Rom. 7:14-8:2; St. Matt. 10:9-15 • Abbess Seraphima of Blessed Memory • From St. Ephraem the Syrian: Christ The Companion Of The Disembodied Soul

 

Reader:  If you are willing, take a few moments and study deeply Mother {Amma} Seraphima's countenance in the photo above and then read her life (link below).   I think you will find the bio and her image a perfect match.

Read her life

HERE

Saint David of Thessalonica pursued asceticism at the monastery of the Holy Martyrs Theodore and Mercurius. Inspired by the example of the holy stylites, he lived in an almond tree in constant prayer, keeping strict fast, and enduring heat and cold. He remained there for three years until an angel told him to come down. St. David received from God the gift of wonderworking, and he healed many from sickness. The holy ascetic gave spiritual counsel to all who came to him. Having attained to passionlessness, he was like an angel in the flesh, and he was able to take hot coals into his hands without harm. He died the year 540.

Romans 7:14-8:2 KJV

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Saint Matthew 10:9-15 KJV

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Christ The Companion

Of The Disembodied Soul

Select Metrical Hymns And Homilies
Of St. Ephraem The Syrian 

As my provision for my journey I have taken Thee

Oh thou Son of God!

And when I am hungry I will eat of Thee,

Thou Saviour of the world!

The fire will keep far off from my members,

Perceiving in me the savour of Thy body and blood.

Baptism shall become to me

A ship which cannot sink;

And I shall see Thee there, oh Lord,

In the day of the resurrection. 

I was living in my place of sojourn

(Thus speaks the soul).

But the Master of the house sent to me.

And I am not permitted to continue.

The messenger thus addressed me: —

" Depart from the house and vacate its chambers!"

Oh my body, my temporary home.

Remain here in peace!

And in the day of the resurrection

I shall see thee rejoicing.

The lictors (magistrates) came with speed

But I was ignorant of it;

The messenger stood at the door,

But I did not perceive him;

Deliver me. Lord, from the judgment of the devil,

Who hateth Thy renowned children;

And with Thy holy ones may I attain

To the house of the kingdom;

That I may utter a song of praise.

And with them glorify Thee. 

How bitter is this cup

Which death hath mingled!

And how terrible is the time,

And how grievous the hour,

Which calleth for Thee!

The soul saith to the body,

" Remain thou here in peace,

O much loved habitation.

In which I once dwelt

While the Lord was willing." 

How saddened is the sinner

In his heart at that hour.

When the king Messiah shall sit

Upon His dreadful judgment-seat;

And all tribes shall stand before Him,

And all secrets of the heart shall be revealed.

Terrible is the tribunal!

Terrible is the Judge, and that season!

Blessed is he whom Thy favor

Shall protect, oh Lord!

HOLY PROPHET KING DAVID

Occasionally read the 6 Psalms from Orthros.

Why? . . . Why not?

Just click

Here

Link to
"PAGES"

Just click

Here

        When you meet our Lord face to face one day, do you wish to hear Him say, because your life has been well pleasing to the Holy Trinity:  "Well done, beloved.  Come receive the mansion I have prepared for you." 

    If so then become deaf to the voice of the devil and the carnal 'you within' who says:  "I do this and that for God" but rather take the gift He has given you, whether one talent* or many talents, whether great or small, and give it increase by taking additional time to read, to hear with spiritual ears, and DO as those who have totally renounced this 'simulation of life' (or dream as St. Paul puts it) in exchange for oneness with
God Himself.

  Spear fisherman in Grenada, West Indies  

  He graciously laid them down for a better photo

Breathtaking!   No?  

* You can take "talent" to mean money but also, a talent or talents are the ways God gives each of us to do good.  Think about it.