Judas betrayed and sold our Lord with a kiss
on a Wednesday
- Fast day -
Wednesday
Oct 22/Nov 4 ns
2026
St. Avérkios, Bishop of Hierápolis,
Equal-to-the-Apostles;
The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus
During the reigns of Emperor Antoninus and his son, Marcus Aurelius, St. Abérkios was the bishop of the city of Hierapolis in Phrygia. The great majority in this city were pagans, and St. Abercius governed his sparse flock, sorrowing in his heart because of the great number of pagans and idolaters, and diligently praying to God that He would bring them to the light of truth. During a boisterous idolatrous festival, Abérkios became inflamed with God’s zeal and entered the idolatrous temple, smashing all the idols. When the enraged pagans sought to kill him, three young madmen, foaming at the mouth and howling, fell down before this man of God, and he drove the demons from them. The young men became sane and calm. This turned the pagans’ anger into amazement at the wonderworker of Christ, and five hundred of them immediately desired baptism. Little by little, all of Hierapolis came to believe in Christ and were baptized. The proconsul of the province, Publius, had a mother who was blind. Abérkios restored her sight by prayer, and Publius, his mother and many others believed in Christ. In old age, Abérkios was summoned to Rome, where he healed the emperor’s daughter of insanity. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared several times to His faithful follower. People from near and far came to him for miraculous help when they suffered from incurable illnesses. The demons not only feared him, but also served him at his command. At the guidance of the Lord Himself, Abérkios preached the Gospel throughout Syria and Mesopotamia. In great old age, St. Abérkios presented himself to his beloved Lord in Hierapolis, at the end of the second century.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 KJV
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Saint Luke 9:44-50 KJV
9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
Ascetical homilies are the God-given fruits of guidance and agape granted to those who in asceticism, from the apostles on, gave and give all of their life and love to Christ and His two salvific commands. If we, in turn, contemplate and reflect on those gifts, they bring crucial clarity not only to scripture, (which can at times be difficult to comprehend and apply for the fallen mind), but also bring clarity to our own personal spiritual status as we take up the Cross and transcend from transient darkness to the Eternal Light of of the Holy Trinity.
R E F L E C T I O N
St. Nikolai
A personal vignette of Righteous Job
IF YOU LOVE;
YOU WILL COMFORT
Job was extremely wealthy and had a most blessed large family yet he genuinely loved God above all of it. The fallen angel Lucifer aka Satan, who hates God and us, spoke boldly to God saying that Job didn't love Him but only acted like it because of all the gifts God had given him. When God the Father told Satan he was wrong, Satan challenged and said then take everything away from him, and you will see that he doesn't care about You. God the Father complied and even went so far as allow great physical suffering on Job.
Job, being a man of God would preach the glorification of God. Job had friends who were also very wealthy. And when they saw Job's poverty and suffering they criticized him saying: you preach to us, now practice what you preach.
In the end, Job never lost faith and loved God all the more. And what did the Father do as a result? Not only did He restore Job's health, but all his wealth and family. But pay close attention to how God dealt with Job's friends, who told Job to practice what he preached. The Father chastised his friends and since they did not comfort Job but rather judged him, He took all of their riches from them and gave them to Job.
We call ourselves Christians. A Christian turns his other cheek, a Christian gives his cloak when someone asks for his coat and a Christian comforts and doesn't judge.
By the grace and love of our Lord, may He always remind us to be a comfort to one another.
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