As lovers of God, we fast on Fridays
because our Savior was Crucified
on Friday!
I S
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27
October 10 ns
2025
2025
~ Fast day ~
Holy Martyr Callístratos
and those with him;
Holy Virgin Martyr
Aquilína the New
Callístratos was born in Carthage. He was a Christian from birth, for his father and grandfather were Christians. One of Callistratos ancestors, Neochorus by name, was a soldier in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, at the time of the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Witnessing the many miracles at the time of Christ's death, Neochorus believed in Him, and was instructed in the Faith and baptized by an apostle. Returning home to Carthage, Neochorus brought his Christian Faith with him as a precious pearl. So it was that in time Callistratos was born, baptized and raised a Christian.
While Callistratos was in the army there were no other Christians in his regiment besides him. One of his companions, seeing how St. Callistratos arose at night and prayed to God, reported him as a Christian to the commander, Persentinian. Persentinian was a cruel torturer of Christians. In order to confirm that Callistratos was indeed a Christian, the commander ordered him to offer sacrifice to the idols, which Callistratos straightway refused to do. He was then severely beaten and thrown into the sea. However, the power of God saved him, and he emerged from the sea in sound health. Seeing Callistratos endurance and miracles, forty-nine other soldiers came to believe in Christ. They were beaten and thrown into prison with Callistratos . In prison Callistratos taught his companions the Faith, and strengthened them. They displayed great bravery in suffering, and the Lord manifested great power through them. Then the evil torturer sent soldiers to the prison by night, and they slew St. Callistratos and his forty-nine companions. They suffered for the truth in the year 304. A church was later built over their relics.
From the village of Zaklivera in the diocese of Jedrene, Aquilína was a girl of eighteen. Her father embraced Islam and put pressure on his daughter to do the same, but her mother inclined her to the Christian faith. After much torture, all wounded and bloodied, she breathed her last in her mother's arms and received the wreath of martyrdom on September 27th, 1764.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
NARY A CRUMB
~ Saint Nikolai Velimirovich ~
All our riches, glory and honor are as a brief repast that ends at death. No one takes a single crumb of this meal into the other world. Blessed is the one who understands that the soul is his only possession that is not diminished by anything, not even by death.
Such a one thinks only of three realities: death, the soul, and God the Judge.
Abba Evagrios teaches: "Hold your approaching death and the Judgment constantly in your mind, and you will preserve your soul from sin."
All our bodily cares in this life are like cares about a meal which must soon be cut short.
St. Isaiah the Solitary says: "Have death before your eyes every day: think constantly about how you will separate from the body, how you will pass through the region of the powers of darkness who will meet you in the air, and how you will present yourself before God. Prepare yourself for the Dread Day of answering to the Judgment of God, as though you already behold it now."
One day, John, a rich merchant, came to St. Sabbátios of Solovki and brought him many alms. Sabbátios did not accept any of it, but rather told the donor to distribute all of it to the needy. John became very sad at this, and the saint, in order to comfort him and make everything clear to him said: "John, my son, stay here and rest until tomorrow, and then you will see the grace of God." John obeyed. The next day, John entered the cell of Sabbátios and saw the elder in final repose, and sensed a wonderful fragrance in the cell.
He who foresees the end of his life
does not think of worldly goods.
Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders?
Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee?
Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction?
Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten?
A COMMON COMPLAINT
Orthodox Christians often say they have difficulty or don't understand the quotes from the saints, the Epistles and the Gospels.
When this occurs, simply but with assurance speak to the Holy Spirit showing Him that you know He will sooner or later reveal that which which is needed or corrects your disfigurement.
In addition, when you call on or read from the authors of the Epistles and Gospels, you are with them. Think about it, beyond common conversation isn't simply being with friends and others grace enough, especially lovers of our Creator?
{ED.}
We only need 2 Commandments
%20Haskill%20&%20RICHARD%20KEPROS%20SPRINGVILLE%20FARMERS.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment