Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr

Icon is from Orthodox Wiki

The Holy Protomartyr Stephen is commemorated on December 27 by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Stephen was the first of the seven deacons chosen to minster to the material needs of the early Christian community. He was a wise administrator and a profound preacher. Read his great sermon to the Jewish authorities in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts, which also recounts his death by stoning and his final words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them … Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Troparion (Tone 4)

O First Martyr and Apostle Of Christ,

Thou hadst fought the good fight.

And didst expose the perversion of the persecutors,

For when thou wast killed by stoning at the hands of wicked men,

Thou didst receive a crown from the right hand on high,

And didst cry out to God saying,

"O Lord do not charge this sin against them!"

Kontakion (Tone 3)

Yesterday the Master came to us as a man,

And today his servant departs from life.

Yesterday the King was born as a man,

And today His servant is stoned to death.

For the sake of Christ Holy Stephen became the first martyr.

The Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-Bearer

Icon from OrthodoxWiki allowed by St. Issac Skete (Wisconsin)

Ignatius was named “God-bearer” because he always carried the name of Jesus in his heart and on his lips. Tradition says that he was the child Jesus blessed (Matt 18:4). He was a disciple of the apostle John and Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. As bishop of Antioch he introduced antiphonal singing into the Church. On his way to Rome in chains he visited and encouraged several churches and wrote seven letters. He was thrown to the lions in a Roman circus on December 20, 106.

Troparion (Tone 4)
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation,
O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith,
even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Ignatius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion (Tone 3)
The stirring celebration of your victorious fight
Is an announcement of the One who is to be born of the Virgin.
In your eagerness to possess Him forever,
You hastened to be devoured by the wild beasts.
Therefore, O glorious Ignatius, you were called the bearer of God!

The Righteous Joseph: An Unsung Hero

When we speak of the Nativity of our Lord, we often find ourselves concentrating on the role the Virgin Mary played in this story of mankind's salvation. In doing so, we are sometimes guilty of not recognizing the importance of the Righteous Joseph in this mysterious and miraculous event.

What do we know about Joseph? The Gospels tell us that he was of the lineage of King David, which explains the necessity of his journey to Bethlehem for the census ordered by the Emperor Augustus Caesar. Church Tradition tells us that Joseph was quite advanced in age when he was betrothed to the Theotokos - a mere teenager at the time. It is also our tradition that Joseph was a widower with children from his previous marriage, thus explaining the scriptural references to the brothers and sisters of Jesus. When Joseph discovered that Mary was with child he could have, according to Jewish law, had her stoned to death for her "sin" of adultery. God, however, revealed His divine plan to Joseph in a dream, telling him: "Do not be afraid to take to you Mary for your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matt 1:20) From that moment, Joseph devoted his life to protecting the Virgin and her yet-to-be born Son. After Christ's birth in Bethlehem, Joseph safely delivered them from the wrath of King Herod, taking them first to Egypt and ultimately settling in Nazareth. We know from the Gospel of St. Luke that Joseph was still alive when Christ was taken to Jerusalem when He was 12 years old. It is believed that he died soon after this, never being part of Christ's earthly ministry. The fact that Jesus commended His Blessed Mother to the care of the Apostle John as He hung on the Cross underscores this.

Orthodox Weekly Bulletin ...... Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey ...... Litho in U.S.A.

St. Spiridon: A True Servant of the Lord

As we well know, fame and position in life can often cause a person to change. St. Spiridon, certainly did not fall into that category. He was born on the island of Cyprus in the early part of the fourth century, and spent most of his life there in service of Christ and His Church. The son of a poor farmer, Spiridon lived in an area where no schools had been established. His parents recognized his brightness, however, and with the help of their parish priest, they were able to see that he received a fine secular and religious education. St. Spiridon married, and was ordained a priest. He was assigned to serve a rural community, where he soon founded a school for the neighbouring farm children.

Upon the death of his wife, Spiridon was elected “Bishop of Trimythous.” This rise in prominence had no effect on his lifestyle; he continued to live a humble, simple life. It is said that once he was invited to appear before the Emperor in his imperial court. He was dressed so shabbily that one of the soldiers on duty there thought he was a beggar and refused to let him in!

St. Spiridon was one of the 318 bishops who attended the First Ecumenical Councils in Nicaea in 325 AD. The minutes of the Council sessions tell us that he was instrumental in clearly defining the dogmas of the Church that were under debate at this historic gathering.

Sadly, during the latter years of his life, St. Spiridon fell victim to pagan persecution by the followers of Arius – the Alexandrian priest condemned as a heretic by the first Council. He spent many years in prison, all the while suffering in silence. He died in 348 AD and was buried on the island of Corfu. After some 1600 years, his body is still amazingly well-preserved, and many miracles are still attributed to him by those who pray for his intercession.
Orthodox Weekly Bulletin ... Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey ... Litho in U.S.A.

Troparion of St. Spiridon (Tone 1)

Thou did appear as a contender for the First Council and a wonder-worker, O our Father, God-mantled Spiridon. Therefore, thou did converse with the dead woman in the tomb and did convert a serpent into gold. And at thy chanting of the holy prayers, the Angels did accompany thee in the service. O most pure one, glory be to Him who glorified thee; glory be to Him who crowned thee; glory be to Him who worketh healing for all through thee.

The following information on St. Spiridon is adapted from OrthodoxWiki, explains the items in the troparion above:

Our father among the saints Spiridon of Trimythous the Wonderworker was a fourth century bishop who was present at the First Ecumenical Council. He is also commonly referred to in Corfu as Keeper of the City, since he is also the patron saint of that island (this is where his relics are located and venerated). He is commemorated by the church on December 12.

Spiridon was born in the village of Ashia (askia - "without shade"), Cyprus (270 AD) and died in Trimythous, Cyprus (348 AD). He was a peasant farmer and shepherd and was not educated. Spyridon was married and had a daughter, Irene. After his wife died, he and his daughter both entered into monasticism. He later became the Bishop of Trimythous (during the reign of Constantine the Great) and continued in piety for which he was greatly known.

As he grew in the love of God and man, God gave him the gift of healing the sick and driving out demons with a single word. As a result of his holy life and the miracles God performed through him, Spiridon was chosen and ordained bishop of his home town, the city of Trimythous on the island of Cyprus during the reign of St. Constantine the Great.

Called to take part in the Council of Nicaea in 325, Spiridon, though not well-educated, surprised everyone by converting a famous philosopher to Orthodoxy from Arianism. He explained the unity and diversity of the Trinity by holding up a brick, then commonly thought to be a combination of the elements fire, earth and water; as he spoke, fire blazed from the top of the brick while water gushed out underneath. There too, at Nicea, he met St. Nicholas of Myra, with whom he formed a lasting friendship.

When he arrived back home a woman told him that she had given his daughter, Irene, who had died while he was gone, several valuable pieces of jewelry for safekeeping. Now that his daughter was dead, no one could find where she had hidden them. Spiridon went to her grave, spoke to her, and was able to restore the jewelry to its owner.

During a famine Spiridon changed a snake into gold pieces so that a poor man could buy food from a greedy merchant who had cornered the supply.

One day there was only himself and the deacon and readers in church at vespers, and the responses could be heard beautifully chanted by an unseen choir. The music was so beautiful that others, passing by, heard it and saw through the windows what seemed like a large congregation. Entering the church, however, they found only St. Spyridon and his assistants.

St. Spyridon lived most of his earthly life in Cyprus, where he also reposed in 348 AD and was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Trimythous.

When the Saracens took the island, the Cypriots opened his grave in order to remove his sacred bones to Constantinople. They found that his body had remained intact, while from the grave emanated a scent of basil, true signs of the sainthood he had shown during his lifetime. When Constantinople fell in 1453, he was transferred to Serbia, then a Corfiot elder, Georgios Kalohairetis, brought him to the island of Corfu in Greece where he is currently buried.

To this day St. Spiridon's incorrupt relics at his shrine in Corfu continue to manifest the power of God, wondrous in His saints. He is called the "walking saint" because the silk slippers which clothe the feet of his relics wear out each year and are replaced on his feast day. His miracle in Corfu against the Turkish invasion of 1716 is commemorated on August 11.

Our Father Among the Saints Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

Ambrose was born of eminent parents. His father, a pagan, was the imperial governor of Gaul. His mother was a Christian. Ambrose himself was well-educated and occupied an important government position at the time he was selected by the people of Milan to be their bishop. Accepting baptism, he was ordained to the priesthood, and shortly thereafter was consecrated a bishop. He left many works of theology. He forbade Emperor Theodosius from entering church until he repented of a dreadful massacre in Thessalonica. He died in 397.

More on Amobrose …

Our father among the saints Ambrose of Milan came to be bishop of Milan as the only competent candidate to succeed Auxentius, a bishop of Arian persuasion, in 374. A catechumen and trained as a lawyer, he learned his theology through intense study of subject as he was successively baptized and then consecrated as Bishop of Milan. He held to the Nicene belief and through the eloquence of his arguments he persuaded Emperor Gratian to the Nicene confession. Later, he persuaded Gratian to convene a local council, in 381, at Aquileia that deposed the Arian bishops Palladius and Secundianus from their episcopal offices and thus strengthened the Orthodox position in the West. Ambrose zealously combatted imperial court attempts at favoritism to the parties of Arians, the "old" religion, and the Jews, particularly opposing the favors from Emperor Valentinian who supported the Arians. In defending the Orthodox position he has often been compared to St. Hilary of Poitiers. He was known for his sermons which greatly influenced the conversion of Augustine of Hippo. His feast day is celebrated on December 7.

Ambrose is ranked with the great Western Christian leaders of the time: Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Hilary of Poitiers. Ambrose was most known for his administrative talents, given his education and early experience before becoming a bishop. Yet, like Hilary he was an Alexandrian and was in the forefront in the doctrinal issues of the day, particularly those concerning Arianism. His sermons were famous and were influential in the conversion of Augustine. His endeavors in hymn writing became models of hymns of dignified simplicity for future times. Ambrose is credited with introducing antiphonal chanting wherein one choir alternates with another. Of particular note is that Ambrose baptized Augustine, his celebrated convert.

 From OrthodoxWiki are the icon, introduction and conclusion of the excerpt "More on Ambrose ..."

An article from ChristianHistory.net about Ambrose, click here.

Our Father Among the Saints Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker

Nicholas was born in Asia Minor of eminent and wealthy parents. Upon the death of his parents, he distributed all his inherited property to the poor and devoted himself to acts of mercy, providing dowry for young women, etc. His acts of charity are still celebrated in the person of "Santa Claus" which is Dutch for St. Nicholas. As bishop of Myra, Nicholas attended the First Ecumenical Council. He died on December 6, 343.

The Manna of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas, the 4^th century Archbishop of Myra, is widely revered by Christians throughout the world. In the hymnology of the Orthodoxy Church, he is acclaimed for being "a teacher of moderation, a model of faith and an example of virtue." His acts of kindness and generosity are remembered and talked about to this day.

Even in death, St. Nicholas continues to have a great impact on the lives of many Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. From the time of his burial in the basilica of his church in Myra, the body of St. Nicholas has exuded a mysterious miraculous liquid revered to as "manna". Those who are anointed with it often find themselves unexplainably healed of their illnesses. Countless others have their prayers answered through this special intercession of this beloved saint.

In 1087, the body of St. Nicholas was stolen from its resting place by sailors and taken to the seaport town of Bari, Italy, where a magnificent cathedral was built to house the relics of the famed Archbishop. In 1954, the crypt of St. Nicholas needed extensive repair and renovation, so it was necessary to exhume the saint's body from its tomb. When it was time for the body to be re-interred, the linen sheet upon which it had rested was found to be soaking wet – saturated from manna! Since 1980, it has been customary on the Feast Day of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas to Bari from Myra, for the cathedral clergy to collect the manna in an urn for later distribution to the general public. It is interesting to note that since 1966, there has been an Orthodox presence near the crypt of St. Nicholas, with a chapel designated for Orthodox services.

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in U.S.A.

FOR CONSIDERATION

There are three sorts of praiseworthy zeal: zeal in cleansing oneself from sinful desires and thoughts, zeal for the truth of the Faith, and zeal for God's justice among men. All three were perfectly present in the soul of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. He showed zeal in self purification through his whole life, keeping a careful watch over his heart. His zeal for the truth of the Faith was especially evident at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, where he entered into a fearful conflict with Arius. His zeal for God's justice among men was seen especially in two notable events, when on each occasion he saved three innocent men from the death penalty. Once, in his absence from Myra, the avaricious military governor, Eustathius, sentence three men to be beheaded, he having accepted a bribe from their enemies. When he was informed of this, St. Nicolas returned to Myra in the greatest of haste. The condemned men had been led out to the place of execution, and the executioner had already raised his sword over them. At that instant, Nicholas seized the sword, pulled it out of the executioner's hand and set the condemned men free. He then rebuked Eustathius and brought him to shame and repentance. In a similar way, three generals, Nepotianus, Ursus, and Erpilionus, were slandered before Eulavius the governor of Constantinople and the Emperor himself. The Emperor signed the death‐warrant. On the eve of their execution, the three men prayed to God, saying: 'O God of Nicolas, deliver us innocent men from death!' That night, Nicolas appeared to both the Emperor and the governor in their sleep, denounced them for their injustice and ordered them to free the three men from prison at once. The next day, the Emperor and the governor each related to the other the selfsame nocturnal vision, and they set the generals free both from their death‐sentence and from prison.

"A PRAYER TO SAINT NICHOLAS"

O honored hierarch and great wonderworker, Holy Father Nicholas, man of love and brilliant star that illumines and enlightens the whole world: you are a righteous man who flourished in his service to the Lord. Dwelling in Myra, you diffused the fragrance of myrrh and you poured out the ever-flowing grace of God. By your presence, the sea was sanctified when your relics were carried to Bari - from the East to the West - to praise the Name of the Lord. We glorify you as the hope of all Christians, a fountain of miracles, a defender of the faithful, a protector of widows and orphans, a guide to those who fast and a rest for those who labor. Intercede for us with the Most High God, and obtain for us all that is beneficial for the salvation of our bodies and souls. As a watchful shepherd, keep us from all enemies and in all of our misfortunes and afflictions, give us a helping hand and open the doors of God's compassion for us, for we are bound by the bonds of sin and have not done His Will or kept His commandments." "Wherefore, O Holy Father Nicholas, we bow the knees of our broken and humble heart to our Creator, and we tearfully ask for your fatherly intercession in our behalf. Help us, O speedy helper of all, and direct our minds and strengthen our hearts in the Orthodox Faith, so that one day, we may become powerful pillars of the Church like you. Enable us to live a peaceful life in this world, so that we may also see the good things in the land of the living, as we join you in giving glory to the one God glorified and worshiped in the Holy Trinity, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Troparion of St. Nicholas (Tone 4)

Thy work of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith, the likeness of humility, a teacher of abstinence, O Father, Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore by humility thou did achieve exaltation, and by meekness, richness, intercede, therefore, with Christ to save our souls.

The will of God is that all Christians be holy

Dear Son,

I’d like to share with you a homily found in my Church Bulletin. This homily is on the will of God that all Christians should be holy. Ephesians 1:4 says, ‘According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love’

The one Church teaches and demonstrates that there was first a plan for the world, and that it was then created. This plan was in the wisdom and will and power of God. And we Christians, as the Church of God, are part of this plan. God chose us, in accordance with His plan, ‘before the foundation of the world’, for holiness and righteousness in love, God called us beforehand and adopted us in Him – in whom? In the Lord Jesus Christ. For, all that we are to God we are in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ, man has no link, no relationship, no kinship with God, and our choosing and adoption, then, is in our Lord Jesus Christ. He chose us to be His Holy Church ‘according to the good pleasure of His will’, as Israel was aforetime chosen from among all the nations on earth. Let no one say: “This choice of God’s destroys man’s free will, so that neither will Christians be rewarded for being Christian nor pagans condemned for being pagan.” No; this is an utterly mistaken interpretation, for God chose Israel aforetime, and some Israelites perished and others were saved. He has also chosen His holy Church, calling all men and nations to Himself. But who among those called will be saved does not depend upon God’s choice but on man’s will and striving.

Pray with me: O eternal God, our Creator, who didst choose us for salvation before creating us; have mercy on us and save us. To thee be glory and praise forever. Amen

Love,

Dad

The Holy and Illustrious Apostle Andrew, the First-Called

Andrew was the brother of Peter and a disciple of John the Baptist. Born in Bethsaida of Galilee, he brought his brother Peter to the Lord. After the resurrection, he preached the Gospel in Byzantium, Thrace, Russia, the Black Sea, Epirus, and the Peloponnese. He is believed to have been the first bishop of Byzantium or Constantinople. Tradition says that he was crucified in Patras, Greece, in 62 A.D. Pope Paul VI returned his relics to Constantinople from the Vatican in 1964.

Life’s defining moments …

Every person’s life is filled with significant milestones. We commemorate birthdays and anniversaries with great fanfare and revelry. We fondly remember many of the ‘firsts’ that we experience: our first date … our first car … our first day of school … our first job. Yes, these are moments and events that we all treasure greatly.

But have you ever thought about what the most important moment – that special moment that has truly defined your entire existence – has been for you? Many of us would, no doubt, have a difficult time coming up with an answer to that question. This would not, however, have been the case for the Apostle Andrew, who is depicted in the accompanying icons. For him, the “defining moment” of his life as his first encounter with Christ.

The Gospel of St. John relates the exact time of day (the 10^th hour, or 4 pm) when Andrew shared his first conversation with the Man Who would change his life – and change the world as well. Undoubtedly they spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, and what must be done to gain entrance into it. Surely they spoke of God’s love for mankind, and how we are expected to serve He Who loves us so much. What an impression that moment made on Andrew! From that moment on, he was willing to put aside his old life and embark upon a new life with the Lord. Indeed, that moment became so engrained in his heart and upon his soul that Andrew would later willingly die for the One he would affectionately call “Master.”

Perhaps we have not had such a dramatic encounter with Christ. Nevertheless, as His followers, our lives must be defined by our relationship with Him. Anything else pales in comparison and importance.

Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Cliffwood, Vestal, New Jersey

The Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Mother of God

The Presentation of the most holy Virgin Mary into the Temple, also called The Entrance, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on November 21.

When the most holy Virgin Mary had reached the age of three, her parents, holy Joachim and Anna, took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem, to give her to the service of God in fulfillment of their promise. It was three days’ journey to Jerusalem, but, going as they were on God’s work, they did not find the journey difficult. Many of Joachim and Anna’s kinsmen gathered to take part in this celebration, in which the invisible angels of God also took part. Maidens went ahead with lighted candles in their hands, followed by the most holy Virgin, led on either side by her father and mother. The Virgin was clad in royal and beautiful garment. Like those of the ‘king’s daughter’, the Bride of God (Ps. 41:9, 10). Behind them walked many of their kinsfolk and friends, all bearing lighted candles. There were fifteen steps leading to the Temple. Her parents stood the Virgin on the first step, and she ran quickly to the top on her own, where the High Priest, Zacharias, the father of St. John the Forerunner, met her and, taking her by the hand, led her not only into the Temple but into the Holy of Holies, the holiest place of all, into which none could enter except the High Priest, and that once a year. St. Theophylact of Ochrid says that Zacharias was ‘out of himself, and moved by God’ when he led the Virgin into the chief place in the Temple, beyond the second curtain otherwise there could be no explanation of his action. Her parents then offered sacrifices to God, according to the Law, received the priest’s blessing and returned home, leaving the most holy Virgin in the Temple. She dwelt in the Temple for nine whole years. While her parents were alive, they visited her often. When they departed this life, the holy Virgin was left an orphan, and longed to remain in the Temple for the rest of her days, without entering into marriage. This being contrary both to the Law and Israelite custom, she was confided at the age of twelve to St. Joseph, a kinsman of hers in Nazareth, so that she might, under the protection of betrothal, live in virginity and thus fulfill both her desire and the demand of the Law, for it was unknown in Israel at that time for a girl to vow perpetual virginity. The holy Virgin Mary was the first to do this, and was later followed by thousand upon thousand of virgin men and women in the Church of Christ.
Orthodox Church Bulletin

The Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

It is fascinating to note that our Lord did not select scholars and religious leaders of His time to be His trusted disciples, but rather those who would be classified as "common, ordinary men." The Apostle Matthew certainly fits that description! Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector in the town of Capernaum. Paying taxes has never been a popular task, and those who gathered these funds for the Romans were despised and hated by their own people. While hard at work one day, Matthew heard two words from Christ that changed his entire life: FOLLOW ME! Immediately, he obeyed, leaving his job and leaving behind his former way of life.

It is recorded in the Gospel that bears his name that the first thing Matthew did after his calling was invite, Jesus to his house for a feast. Christ was criticized for being in the company of those who were "publicans and great sinners," to which He replied: THOSE WHO ARE WELL HAVE NO NEED FOR A PHYSICIAN, BUT THOSE WHO ARE SICK DO.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on Pentecost, Matthew spread our Saviour's message to the Jews in Palestine. Some ancient writers credit him with carrying the "good news" to Ethiopia, as well as the regions of Persia and Syria. It was in Ethiopia that he is thought to have died a martyr's death at the hands of pagans.

The Gospel of St. Matthew was written in Aramaic, the common language of the Jews during the time of Christ. In his writings, Matthew presents Christ as being the Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, conclusively showing Him to be the Incarnate Son of God.

Troparion (Tone 3)
With zeal, you followed Christ the Master,
Who in His goodness, appeared on earth to mankind.
Summoning you from the custom house,
He revealed you as a chosen apostle:
the proclaimer of the Gospel to the whole world!
Therefore, divinely eloquent Matthew,
we honor your precious memory!
Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 4)
Casting aside the bonds of the custom house for the yoke of justice,
you were revealed as an excellent merchant, rich in wisdom from on high.
You proclaimed the word of truth
and roused the souls of the slothful
by writing of the hour of Judgment.
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in USA

Apostle Philip (of the Twelve)

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Philip was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The Church remembers St. Philip on November 14. He was not the St. Philip (October 11) who was one of the Seventy Apostles.

Born in Bethsaida beside the Sea of Galilee, Philip was so well versed in the Holy Scriptures that he immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah upon seeing him the first time. After Pentecost, St. Philip preached in Asia and Greece. In Greece, the Jews hated him and the high priest even ran at him to club him to death, but miraculously this Jewish priest was blinded and turned completely black. Then the earth opened up and swallowed him. Many of the sick were healed, and many pagans believed.

St. Philip found himself in the company his sister Mariamma, the Apostle John and the Apostle Bartholomew while preaching in Hieropolis. Through prayer he killed a giant snake that the pagans worshipped, which angered the unbaptized so much that they crucified him and St. Bartholomew upside-down. Again, the earth opened and swallowed his judge along with many pagans, and being terribly afraid the people rushed to bring the Apostles down from their torment. But St. Philip had already reposed.

St. Bartholomew then ordained Stachys—whom St. Philip had healed of a forty-year blindness and baptized—as bishop for those who were baptized in that area. Later, St. Philip's relics were translated to Rome. He is numbered among the Twelve Great Apostles.

Troparion (Tone 3)

Holy Apostle Philip,

entreat the merciful God

to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 8)

Your disciple, friend and imitator of Your passion,

the God-preaching Philip, proclaimed You to the universe!

By his prayers deliver Your Church from her enemies;

through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!

From OrthodoxWiki

St. John Chrysostom, the golden trumpet of Orthodoxy.

The Church celebrated the memory of this saint on November 13th and January 30th, but on this day is celebrated the translation of his honoured relics from the Armenian village of Comana, where he died in exile in 407, to Constantinople where earlier, as Patriarch, he had governed the Church. Thirsty years after his death, Patriarch Proclus made a speech in memory of his spiritual father and mentor, and by this speech so roused the love of the people and the Emperor, Theodosius the Younger, towards the great saint that they all wanted the relics of Chrysostom to be translated to Constantinople. It is related that the coffin containing the relics could not be shifted from its place until the Emperor wrote a letter to Chrysostom, begging his forgiveness (for Theodosius’s mother, Eudoxia, was guilty of having persecuted the saint) and appealing to him to return to Constantinople, his former residence. When this repentant letter was placed on the coffin, the latter became light in weight. Before the translation, many of the sick, on touching the coffin, were healed. When the relics arrived at the capital, the Emperor again begged forgiveness over them in his mother’s name, as though it were she herself speaking: “While I lived in this temporal life, I acted in malice towards thee; but now that thou livest in eternal life, be thou of help to my soul. My glory passes and there is nought to help me; help me, Father, in thy glory; help me before I come to be condemned before the judgement of Christ.” When the saint was carried into the Church of the Holy Apostles and placed on the patriarchal throne, the assembled throng heard these words from his mouth: “Peace be with you all!” The translation of the relics of St. John Chrysostom was carried out in the year 438.

PRAYER TO ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

O Holy Father John Chrysostom, you served the Church with dignity and piety throughout your life. You fearlessly preached the Gospel of Christ from your Ecumenical Throne in Constantinople, as grace shone forth from your "golden mouth" like beacons of light, enlightening the entire universe. Living in an era of opulence, you shunned the wealth of the world and showed us that true riches can be found in sincerely, humbly and obediently following an ascetic life of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Truly you “practiced what you preached,” feeding the hungry and caring for the sick with your own financial means as you deprived yourself of physical comforts. O venerable John Chrysostom, you provided us with the liturgical structure of worshipping the Triune God by giving us the Divine Liturgy that still bears your name, causing us to realize the necessity of seeking frequent communion with our Creator. Through your own moral example, you taught us the importance of standing firm in our Orthodox Christian beliefs, no matter what trials and tribulations we may face. We implore you to intercede for us before God the Word. May we continue to find wisdom in the words of your teachings and in the messages of your sermons. And may your final words - uttered at a time of great personal persecution as you traveled the road to your exile and ultimate death - be the words that guide and inspire us along each step of our own earthly journey: Glory to God for all things!
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in USA

Honouring Angels

November was chosen as the month to honour the angels because it is the ninth month after March, when it is thought the world was created. The first created being (after the creation of the world) were the nine orders of angels. The leader of the world’s angelic army is Michael. Gabriel is the herald of the mysteries of God, that is, the incarnation.

The Nicene Creed proclaims that God is the “Creator of Heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible.” Just who are these invisible entities created by our Heavenly Father? They are, of course, the angels. According to the Scriptures and Holy Tradition, the Orthodox Church has provided us with the names of seven leaders of the heavenly powers. Perhaps the best known is the Archangel Michael. Michael in Hebrew means “Who is equal to God?” Of course, no one is like God – that is why he captained the army that drove Lucifer from heaven, for in his pride, Lucifer believed himself to be God’s equal.

Gabriel (“power of God”) is known for being God’s chosen messenger. He is best remembered for announcing to the Virgin Mary that she was to give birth to Christ. Raphael means “God’s healing.” For this reason, he is often depicted holding a physician’s jar in his hand. The fourth angel with whom we are familiar is Uriel – “light of God.” We usually see Uriel holding a sword in his right hand and a burning branding iron in his left. Angel #5 – Jegudiel – literally means “one who glorifies God.” We often find Jegudiel bearing a golden wreath in one hand and a whip in the other. Barachiel, another of the angels known by name, is commonly found wearing a white rose on his breast. His name is translated as “the blessing of God.” Finally, we find among the angels Salathiel – “one who prays with God.” Fittingly enough, Salathiel is depicted in a posture of prayer, with hands folded and head bowed.

What purpose do angels serve? They constantly minister at God’s Holy Throne. They are also God’s messengers, who serve Him in whatever way He desires. Finally, they fill the important role as our protectors and guardians.

Both Testaments of the Holy Bible give witness to the existence of the Heavenly Host of Angels, spirits not clothed with flesh. Although countless numbers of Angels are referred to, we know the names of but a few. There is the Archangel Michael, captain of the angelic host that fought against those who revolted against God; Archangel Gabriel, sent as a messenger of the Lord to the Holy Virgin; and mention is made of St. Raphael who journeyed with Tobias.

The Church speaks of several functions of the Angelic Host:

·     They are involved with the unceasing praise of Almighty God. In our Liturgy, we join the Angelic Choir in singing "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

·      Angels are God's messengers to mankind. Not only was Archangel Gabriel sent to announce to the Holy Virgin that she would become the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but Angels proclaimed His Birth to the shepherds of Bethlehem. Again, an angel announced the Lord's resurrection from the dead to those who came to the empty tomb.

·      Angels are guardians of nations, churches, and people. In a special way they guard us from harm and guide us to our heavenly destiny. In the ceremony of Baptism, the Church prays that such a Guardian Angel protect the christened one.

There is said to be 9 choirs of Angels, in 3 ranks: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones, adoring God at His throne; Dominions, Principalities and Powers, struggling against evil; and Virtues, Angels and Archangels, occupied with the care of Creation.

The Holy Orthodox Church calls upon us to pray to the Holy Archangel with faith and love. We are asked to utter these words: SAVE AND PRESERVE THOSE WHO CRY OUT TO YOU: "BE OUR DEFENSE SO THAT NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST US."

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in USA

Holiness and Adversity

Dear Son,
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct my way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one and all, just as I do to you, so that He may establish your heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

On the adversity you are facing these days … recently, I’d like to share this with you.

St. Paul complained to God about his “thorn in the flesh” - a physical ailment that bothered him to no end. He asked God to remove it, but God said, “No, Paul, my grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” And we can hear Paul answering, “God did not answer my petition but He did answer me. He did not make life easier, but He did give me strength equal to life’s demands. He did not remove the nagging thorn in my flesh, but He did help me to live with the thorn and to transform it into a powerful means of grace. I know from personal experience that in everything (physical ailments included) God works together for good with them who love Him”

Love you Son,
Dad

7 Youths of Ephesus

Do you remember the story of Rip Van Winkle -the man who fell asleep and found when he awoke that some twenty years had passed? The Lives of the Saints tell us a marvelous story about the 7 YOUTHS OF EPHESUS, whose "slumber time" far exceeded Washington Irving's fictional character! They lived during the reign of the Emperor Decius in the 3rd century. Being childhood friends, it was natural for them to serve together in the army. When the Emperor paid a visit to Ephesus one day, he insisted that all citizens offer a sacrifice to the pagan Roman gods. The 7 youths refused, admitting they were followers of Christ. They were stripped of their military dignity, but allowed to go free. Decius had hoped they would "come to their senses" but instead the boys fled and hid in a cave on the outskirts of the city. When the enraged emperor discovered what had happened, he had the entrance of the cave sealed, leaving the boys to suffer an inevitable death. Miraculously, the Lord placed the 7 youths into a deep sleep, which lasted 2 centuries! When a land owner opened the cave's entrance, he was amazed to find the “sleepers,” who themselves did not realize that 200 years had passed. A container that was secretly put in the cave by a Christian guard while the cave was being sealed revealed the details of what had happened so long ago. Their awakening came at a time when a certain faction in the Church was expressing doubts about a general resurrection of the dead, maintaining that the bodies of the deceased would disintegrate and could not be united to their souls. In effect, God revealed the mystery of the resurrection of the dead and offered a glimpse of eternal life through the 7 youths. It is said that after the emperor himself came to speak to them, they laid back down and fell asleep again - this time until the 2nd Coming.

Orthodox Weekly Bulletin • • • • • • • • • Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey • • • • • • • • • Litho in USA

Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord

James is the First Bishop of Jerusalem. He is called “the Lord’s brother” because he was the son of righteous Joseph, the betrothed of the Holy Mother of God. He served as bishop of Jerusalem for thirty years. He also composed the first liturgy and wrote “The Letter of James” that is included in the New Testament. He was martyred under Nero in 62.

James is considered one of the Seventy Apostles of Christ (Luke 10:1-23) who help spread our faith. James is also known as "James the Just".

Troparion (Tone 4)
As the Lord's disciple you received the Gospel, O righteous James;
As a martyr you have unfailing courage;
As God's brother, you have boldness;
As a hierarch, you have the power to intercede.
Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion (Tone 4)
When God the Word, the Only-begotten of the Father,
Came to live among us in these last days,
He declared you, venerable James, to be the first shepherd and teacher of Jerusalem
And a faithful steward of the spiritual Mysteries.
Therefore, we all honor you, O Apostle.

The Holy Apostle Luke the Evangelist

Copyright © by St. Isaac of Syria Skete (Boscobel, Wisconsin). All Rights Reserved.

Luke is numbered among the 70 Apostles of Christ. He was born in Antioch of Syria where he practiced medicine. He is also the first iconographer. St. Luke wrote the first icon of the Most Holy Theotokos called Directress. He saw the Lord face to face in Jerusalem. Following Pentecost he became St. Paul's faithful companion and friend. He is the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He later preached the gospel in Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia, and Greece where he was hanged from an olive tree in the town of Thebes in Beothia. He is remembered by the Church on October 18.

Troparion (Tone 5)
Let us praise with sacred songs the Holy Apostle Luke,
The recorder of the Joyous Gospel of Christ,
And the scribe of the Acts of the Apostles,
For his writings are a testimony of the Church of Christ:
He is the Physician of human weaknesses and infirmities.
He heals the wounds of our souls,
And constantly intercedes for our salvation!

Kontakion (Tone 4)
You became a disciple of God the Word,
With Paul you enlightened all the world,
Casting out its darkness by composing the Holy Gospel of Christ.

Kontakion (Tone 2)
Let us praise the godly Luke:
He is the true preacher of piety,
The orator of ineffable mysteries
And the star of the Church,
For the Word who alone knows the hearts of men,
Chose him, with the wise Paul, to be a teacher of the gentiles!

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven

Dear Son,

We must strive to be known by our Lord Jesus Christ. For in Matthew 7:21-23, He teaches:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast our demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Again in Luke 6:46-49, the Lord teaches:

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Hearing the gospel alone is not enough, for salvation is not based on hearing alone, nor on faith alone, but also on doing the things spoken by Christ.

James 2:24 says:

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Again James 2:26 says:

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

This summary of the organic relationship of faith and works shows that only God can save. We are entirely at His mercy. Lord, have mercy on us, sinners.

Love,

Dad

The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion Who stood at the foot of the Cross

On October 16, the Church remembers Longinus. He was the centurion in command at the crucifixion of Jesus and in the watch that guarded the tomb (Matthew 27:54). Moved by what he had seen, Longinus left the Roman army, was baptized by the apostles, and returned to his home in Cappadocia, preaching Christ. Pilate reported him to Emperor Tiberius who had him beheaded. His head was sent to Pilate as proof that he had been put to death.

The Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus

Today we commemorate the holy apostle James, son of  Alphaeus, one of the twelve. He was the brother of the Apostle Matthew. He was a witness of the miracles of Jesus. Following Pentecost, he was sent to Egypt where he preached Christ and was martyred.

Troparion (Tone 3)
Holy Apostle James,
entreat the merciful God
to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 2)
Let us bless James, praising him as the messenger of God,
for he filled the souls of the pious with wise dogmas.
Standing at the throne of glory before the Master,
he rejoices with all the angels unceasingly praying for us all.

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

Thomas was one of the twelve apostles who would not believe in the resurrection of Jesus until he saw Him. Thomas later went to India where he founded a church. Arriving late for the Theotokos' funeral, the tomb was opened for him. It was discovered that her body was not there but had been translated to heaven. He was martyred in India.

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin ... Vestal Cliffwood, New Jersey ... Litho in USA

Impressions of people are very difficult to change. The Apostle Thomas, for will always be remembered for having a lack of faith. His statement - UNLESS I SEE IN HIS HANDS THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, AND PUT MY FINGER INTO THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, AND PUT MY HAND IN HIS SIDE, I WILL NOT BELIEVE - will forever label him as the "doubting Thomas."
It should be noted, however, that Thomas also leaves behind a rich legacy of missionary service. After the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, tradition tells us that the Apostles cast lots to see where each of them would go to preach the Gospel. It fell upon Thomas to travel to India to spread the message of the Risen Christ. Although reluctant to embark upon such a lengthy journey, Thomas went to India, winning over a great number of converts to the Christian faith. Among his converts were two sisters, Tertiana and Mygdonia, who were married to Indian princes. The husband of Tertiana was so angered by this that he ordered Thomas to be executed. Five soldiers were sent to put him to death by running him through with their lances.
Before his death, Thomas, along with the other Apostles, were miraculously borne to Jerusalem for the funeral of the Mother of God. Arriving late, Thomas asked that the tomb of Mary be opened, so that he could pay his final respects properly. Miraculously, the body of the Theotokos was not there! The Lord had taken His Mother to His heavenly home!

Troparion of St. Thomas the Apostle (Tone 2)

Thou wast a disciple of Christ and one of the Twelve,

and by thy unbelief didst proclaim Christ's Resurrection.

By touch thou wast assured of His holy Passion,

O glorious Apostle Thomas.

Pray to Him to grant us peace and mercy

St. Romanus – Make a Joyful Sound unto the Lord

Icon by Nataliya Zharsky - The Prosopon School of Iconology

St. Romanus is considered to be one of the greatest composers of sacred hymns that the Church has ever known. He composed over 1,000 hymns in his lifetime, of which some 80 have been preserved for use in our divine services today. He is the patron saint of singers -and an inspiration for the "musically challenged" as well, for Romanus was not always the "sweet-singer" that he ultimately became.

Romanus was born in the 5th century in the Syrian town of Emesa. Although his parents were Jewish, he became a devout follower of Christ and when he moved to Constantinople, Romanus became a church sacristan in the great cathedral of Hagia Sophia. Although he wanted to assist in the reading and chanting of the services, the truth of the matter was Romanus had no musical training and little self-confidence. Once on Christmas Eve, he was given some verses to read during Matins, He read so poorly that another reader was asked to finish for him, causing him to be the object of great ridicule by the cathedral clergy, The devastated Romanus returned home, vowing never to return to church again.

That night, as Romanus was praying before the icon of the Theotokos, the Virgin appeared to him. She handed him a scroll and commanded him to eat it. By doing so, Romanus was now blessed with the ability to write hymns and to sing them clearly and beautifully, Working feverishly throughout the evening, Romanus composed his first hymn: the Kontakion for the Nativity, The next day, Romanus stood in front of the filled cathedral and angelically sang: "Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One”. St. Romanus was later ordained a deacon, continuing to share his newfound musical gifts with others.

The Protecting Veil of the Most Holy Mother of God

On October 1, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. The Church has always glorified the most holy Mother of God as the Protectress and Defender of the Christian people, entreating, by her intercession, God's loving-kindness towards us sinners. The Mother of God's aid has been clearly shown time and time again, both to individuals and to peoples, both in peace and in war, both in monastic deserts and in crowded cities. The event that the Church commemorates and celebrates today proves this constant protection of the Christian people by the Mother of God. On October 1, 911, in the time of the Emperor Leo the Wise (or the Philosopher), there was an all-night vigil at the Blachernae church of the Mother of God in Constantinople. The church was crowded. St. Andrew the Fool for Christ was standing at the back of the church with his disciple Epiphanius. At four o'clock in the morning, the most holy Mother of God appeared above the people with a veil spread over her outstretched hands, as though to protect them with this covering. She was clad in gold-encrusted purple and shone with an unspeakable radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins. Seeing this vision, St Andrew gestured towards it and asked Epiphanius: ‘Do you see how the Queen and Lady of all is praying for the whole world?’ Epiphanius replied: “Yes, Father; I see it and stand in dread.' As a result, this commemoration was instituted to remind us both of this event and of the Mother of God's constant protection whenever we prayerfully seek that protection, that shelter, in distress.

The Falling Asleep of the Glorious Apostle John the Theologian and Evangelist

St. John the Theologian from Orthowiki

John was "the apostle Jesus loved." When all had forsaken Jesus, John stayed beneath the cross with the Theotokos whom he cared for as a mother right to her falling asleep. Exiled to Patmos by Emperor Domitian, he wrote the Revelation and his Gospel there. He is called "the theologian" because his five New Testament writings, that is the Gospel, Revelation, and the three epistles show him to be " the breath of the Holy Spirit." He was over a hundred years old when he died. When his disciples later opened his tomb, they found his body was not there. Often the expression "dormition" or "falling asleep" is used for his death.
by Anthony Coinaris in Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth

St. John the Evangelist from Wikipedia
TROPARION OF ST. JOHN

O APOSTLE, SPEAKER OF DIVINITY, THE BELOVED OF CHRIST GOD, HASTEN AND DELIVER THY PEOPLE POWERLESS IN ARGUEMENT; FOR HE ON WHOSE BOSOM THOU DID LEAN ACCEPTETH THEE AS AN INTERCESSOR. BESEECH HIM, THEREFORE, TO DISPERSE THE CLOUD  OF THE STUBBORN NATIONS, ASKING FOR US SAFETY AND THE GREAT MERCY.

Some words to think about

Dear Son,
 I know you are busy with your life. Sometimes one needs to take a short break and be nourished in other ways. Here are some articles that I'd like to pass on to you. Please take a few minutes to read and ponder. These articles are the ones that you've seen before. You can read them here again whenever.

Story : Stolen Book
Thoughts: He who gives to the poor gives to Christ
Thoughts: Peace of soul is precious to all men
Thoughts: Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek ...
Homily: The power and mission of Christ as foretold by Isaiah
Prayer: Never A King Like This

I will send you some more soon. For now I hope these will help.

Love,
Dad

Elevation of the Holy Cross

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in U.S.A.

There are two stories surrounding the precious and life-giving Cross of our Saviour that bear repeating as we commemorate the Feast Day of its Exaltation and Elevation. The first story centres on how it came to be found by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, in the first place. It seems that the St. Helena led an expedition to Jerusalem, determined to find this greatest of all Christian relics. Nearly 300 years had passed since Christ’s Crucifixion: who would remember what happened to the Cross? After inquiring of scores of Christians and Jews alike, an elderly Hebrew named Jude was able to shed some light on this clouded picture. He believed that the Cross was buried under a pagan temple dedicated to Venus. The temple was destroyed and the cross discovered! After witnessing a dead man being brought back to life and a sick woman cured instantly after being touched by the Cross, Jude himself declared his belief in Christ and was baptized into the Faith. This humble man received the name “Cyriacus” and later became Bishop of Jerusalem, suffering a martyr’s death during the reign of Julian the Apostate.

The second story would occur over 300 years later. In the 7th century, the Cross was seized and taken from Jerusalem to Persia. When it was later recaptured and returned to Jerusalem, the Emperor Heraclius, gloriously arrayed in his imperial crown and finest purple robes, attempted to carry it back into the Church of the Resurrection. An invisible force, however, blocked his path! The Patriarch Zacharias pointed out that the One Who originally carried the Cross to Golgotha did so with great humility. It was only when the Emperor removed his lavish garments that he was able to make his entrance into the church.
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in U.S.A.

The Basilica of the Holy Resurrection in Jerusalem was built by St. Helena at Golgotha on the site where she found the precious Cross. Under the roof were the places where the Lord was crucified and buried. The date of September 13 was chosen to counteract a pagan celebration in honour of the temple of Jupiter on the capitol in Rome, observed on the same date.
The Holy Cross was preserved in the Basilica of the Resurrection in Jerusalem until May 4, 614 when the Persians seized the city and burned the basilica. In 628, Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians and returned the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.

Nativity of the Holy Virgin

The story of the birth of the Theotokos is found in a second century manuscript called the Pro-Gospel of James. Both Joachim and Anna had been praying for years for a child. On day while Joachim prayed in the desert and Anna at home, an angel of the Lord appeared to both and announce the conception of a daughter who would have a great destiny. Overwhelmed with joy, Anna ultimately gave birth to Mary.
Anthony Coniaris in Daily Vitamin for Spiritual Growth

In the city of Nazareth there dwelled a God-fearing elderly couple, Joachim, from the house of David, and Anna, from the priestly tribe of Aaron. In those days Hebrews, awaiting the Messiah, believed that any one who did not have children had in some way offended God and was being punished by having no descendants to be part of the Messiah's kingdom. Joachim and Anna grieved greatly because they were childless. Despite the ridicule and reproaches that Joachim and Anna received from their neighbors, they did not lose hope but continually prayed that God might grant them a child, which they promised to dedicate to the service of God. For their patience, their faith and their love of God and of each other, their prayers were heard: a daughter was born to them in their old age. An angel directed them to name the child Mary, which in Hebrew means "lady and hope." The one who was to be the Mother of God was born into a righteous family, known more throughout the generations for its goodness than for its royal blood. The importance of this feast, the first in the Church calendar year is that it was the first step in preparing mankind for its promised salvation.
Missionary Leaflet # E50 Copyright © 1999 and Published by
Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church
2049 Argyle Ave. Los Angeles, California 90068
Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant)

Icon from Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville, PA website

The Icon of the Nativity of the Theotokos

The icon of the Nativity of the Theotokos presents to us the central figures of Saints Joachim and Anna, Mary's parents, and the Mother of our Lord as an infant. Saint Anna is in the middle of the icon with her right hand extended toward her daughter. Likewise, Saint Joachim, Mary's father, is gazing upon the young child with his right hand extended toward her. Anna is surrounded by attendants who have assisted with the birth. The icon directs attention to Mary as the central figure in this feast. It also acknowledges the joy that was felt by Joachim and Anna as new parents with a child received through a promise from God. The liturgical texts of the feast acknowledge this joy and confirm the special role of Mary as the Mother of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ. In this event, another step is made in sacred history in preparation for the entrance of Christ into the world. The icon and the feast also acknowledge a transition from barrenness to life. This was but another foreshadowing of what would be offered through Christ, the transformation from death to eternal life.
Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville, PA