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