November 25 - Great Martyr Katherine of Alexandria (Part I)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WA, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 25th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS MARTYR KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA

Saint Katherine, the glorious holy Martyr of Christ, came from the metropolis of Alexandria. She struggled during the reign of the ungodly and pagan Emperors Maximian (306-308 A.D., Maxentius (308-312 A.D.), and Maximinus (308-314 A.D.). The blessed one's life and martyrdom is so marvelous, sweet, and compunctious that each soul who reads it with care and attention will greatly rejoice and be inspired by the fruit garnered there from.

The anticipation of reaping a good crop gives confidence to the farmer and, as a result, he counts as naught the labor, toil, and hardships of winter. Similarly, the brave soldier who, in the hope of enjoying glory and honor, takes no account of the peril in which he places his life, nor the sufferings he must undergo, contends to vanquish the enemies of his king, so as to be honored and rewarded by him according to his acts of valor.

More amazing is that not only men, who are helped by the bodily strength with which they were endowed by nature, but also even tender young maidens twelve and fifteen years of age, possessed a boundless desire and a heart aflame with love for the Heavenly Bridegroom, putting aside the frivolities of young womanhood. Undaunted by the brutality of rulers and tyrants, neither were they perturbed by fierce tortures, nor did they take pity on their youth and youthful beauty, but instead disdained every transient enjoyment and carnal pleasure. Indeed, of their own volition, they hastened to death, knowing that through martyrdom they would be granted eternal life and blessedness. She whom we joyously commemorate today is the most beautiful and all-praised bride of Christ the Heavenly King. She exceeded all the rest in wisdom, beauty, and in many qualities: the renowned and all-wise queen, Katherine.

This ever-memorable daughter of the earthly ruler of Alexandria, Constas (Kestou), was tall in stature, incomparably beautiful, and exceedingly kind. She was instructed in the wisdom of the Greeks, learning all the works of the poets and philosophers, including Homer, Virgil, Aristotle, and Plato. Not only was she well-versed in philosophy, but she also knew the medical writings of Asklepios (Aesculapius). Hippocrates, and Galen. Indeed, the maiden was a master of all the nuances of many languages, surpassing all others in rhetoric and logic. All who saw and heard Katherine marveled at her scholarship. Many of the wealthy and leading men of the Senate besought Katherine's mother for her daughter's hand in marriage.

Now her mother was a Christian, but a secret one because of the great persecutions brought about by the followers of Maximian. Both the maiden's relatives and mother counseled her to marry so that her father's estate should not fall to another, thus cutting her off altogether. But Katherine, on account of her many philosophical studies, cherished her virginity and protested, giving many excuses; for she had no wish whatsoever to wed. However, when she saw that they troubled her greatly over the matter, she proposed the following--actually to divert them--so as not to be further importuned: "Present unto me a young man who is like unto me in the four virtues in which you claim that I am peerless among women, and I will take him as my interior. Therefore, search here and abroad for one who is equal to me in rank, wealth, wisdom, and beauty--if such an individual exists. Yet, if he is deficient in any of these areas, he is unsuitable."

Now they knew that it would be quite impossible to find such a qualified suitor. They suggested the son of the Roman emperor and other possible candidates of exalted rank and even greater wealth, but they were inferior to her in the categories of erudition and appearance. She stubbornly persisted in her refusal to contract a marriage with an unlettered man. However, her mother had a most holy spiritual confessor who was in hiding outside the city limits. She took her daughter to visit the geronda (elder) to seek his counsel. The ascetic, perceiving Katherine's modesty and proper deportment, gave close attention to her judicious and well-spoken words. He resolved to bring her to the knowledge of Christ, the Heavenly King, and said, "I am acquainted with a unique Man Who incomparably transcends all those attributes thou has mentioned and countless others. His comeliness eclipses the radiance of the sun; His wisdom governs those things both perceptible to the senses and the intelligence; the world of His treasures is distributed to the ends of the earth, yet never diminishes, but rather increases His nobility is indescribable, infinite, inconceivable, and incomprehensible!"

The venerable elder expounded on this and many other salutary virtues. Now the maiden presumed all the while that he referred to an earthly prince; whereupon, her expression changed, and she questioned him in detail if all the commendations and praises were indeed true concerning this Man. He reinforced his praises further, extolling His other attributes. The maiden asked, "Whose Son is this Man Whom thou dost laud?" He asserted, "He has no father on earth, but He was born of a most noble and holy grace-filled Virgin in a manner surpassing our understanding and transcending the nature of generation; she was deemed worthy by her sublime sanctity to abide both in soul and body, being taken up into the highest heavens, wherein our Lady is venerated by the Holy Angels as Queen of All Creation." Further interested, Katherine continued, "Is it possible to see the Youth?" The old man responded, "If thou wilt do as I say, thou shalt be deemed worthy to behold the radiant splendor of His splendid countenance!" Katherine replied, "I perceive thee to be a faithful witness and a venerable elder. I believe all thou has revealed to me; therefore, I am prepared to follow thine instructions implicitly." Then, the ascetic gave her an icon depicting the Most Holy Theotokos holding the Divine Child. He then called Katherine's attention to it, and said, "This is the Ever-virgin Mother of the One Whose wonders I have extolled. Take this sacred image and close the door to thy bedchamber; pray all night with profound reverence to her whose name is Mary. Implore her to condescend to reveal her Son; and, I believe, if thou wilt pray with faith, she will hearken and show thee Him Whom thy soul desires!"

The maiden then took the holy icon and returned to the palace. She closed herself in her inner room as the elder directed. From the tremendous effort exerted in her supplications, she fell asleep and beheld in a vision the Queen of the Angels, as portrayed in the holy icon, holding the Holy Child, Whose Person emitted rays more radiant than the sun; yet His face was turned toward His Mother. Thus, Katherine saw His back only. She yearned to behold His countenance, and so went to the other side, but once again He turned His face away. This happened three times. She then heard the Most Holy Mother say, "My Child, look upon Thy handmaiden Katherine! How beautiful and comely she is!" He answered, "Nay, rather she is gloomy and so repugnant that it is not possible for Me to look upon her!" The Most Holy Theotokos continued, "Is she not more wise than all the orators, very wealthy, and the most elegant in all the cities?" Yet Christ replied, "My Mother, I tell thee that she is ignorant, poor, and contemptible! Whosoever is in like condition, I do not wish to look upon!" Again, the Theotokos spoke, "I beg Thee, my sweet Child, despise not the work of Thy hands! But, advise and guide her as to what she should do, so as to have a share of Thy glory and behold Thy face resplendent with light, which the Angels long to gaze upon!" Christ then said, "She ought to go to the elder who gave her the icon. Whatever instructions he gives, she should do. Then, when she desires to see, she will receive joy and benefit." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

The Angels and the Heavenly Host According to the Orthodox Church

My beloved spiritual children in Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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THE ANGELS AND HEAVENLY HOST ACCORDING TO THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

"And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host" (St. Luke, Ch. 2)

Impious worship of the Angels spread throughout many lands in the days of the Holy Apostles. The Holy Apostle Paul sought to root it out when he wrote to the Colossians, saying, "Let no man beguile you in voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head" (Col., Ch. 2), which is Christ; for there were at the time certain heretics who made a show of humility but proudly imagined that they were like the Angels because of their abstinence and the purity of their lives.

The local Council (Synod) of the holy Fathers that met at Laodicea denounced this heresy, but while it anathematized and rejected the heretical worship of Angels, it decreed lawful the pious and proper veneration of the Holy Angels as God's servants and guardians of the race of man, establishing the celebration of the festival held in their honor.

According to Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, the disciple of the holy Apostle Paul there are nine orders of Angels. Saint Paul was taken up to the third heaven, where he saw how the Holy Angels are divided into ranks, and he told his disciple of this. These nine ranks are grouped in three hierarchies of three orders: the highest, the middle, and the lowest.

The highest hierarchy of Angels, which is the nearest to the most Holy Trinity, consists of the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Thrones. Closest of all to the Creator and Fashioner stand the Seraphim, beloved of God, of whom Prophet Isaiah said, "Seraphs stood round about Him: each one had six wings". They are like fire because they stand nearest to Him of Whom it is written: "Our God is a consuming fire," and His "throne is like a fiery flame," and "The sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire."  Since they stand before such fiery glory, the Seraphim are themselves fiery, as it is written: "He maketh His Angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." They burn with love for God and kindle the love of God in others, as their name itself reveals, for in the Hebrew tongue "Seraphim" means "burning" or "consuming."

The divinely wise Cherubim stand next after the Seraphim in the presence of God the All-knowing, Who dwells in transcendent light. These Angels, who abide in God's ineffable Light, themselves ever shine more brilliantly than the orders below them with the Light of Righteousness and the knowledge of God and His wisdom. They are themselves radiant and illumine others; therefore, they are called Cherubim, which in Hebrew means "much wisdom," or "an effusion of wisdom." Through the Cherubim wisdom is poured out, and through them the noetic eyes of others are illumined, enabling them to see the glory of God and to know Him.

The Thrones stand after the Cherubim before the exalted Throne on High. They are called God-bearing by Saint Dionysius, since, according to the explanation offered by Saint Maximus the Confessor, God noetically rests upon them as upon noetic thrones. Saint Basil writes that they are called God-bearing not according to their essence but because of the grace vouchsafed them and the service entrusted to them. The Thrones are called God-bearing because they bear God within themselves in an ineffable and inexpressible manner, not by nature but because of the grace and service entrusted to them. Seated upon them in a way that cannot be described. God ordains His judgments, as David said: "Thou hast sat upon a throne, O Thou that judgest righteousness." Therefore, it is through the Thrones that God brings to pass His Righteous judgments, for they are the ministers of His justice, imparting to the tribunals of magistrates here below, and to kings and lords, the ability to pass righteous judgment.

There are three ranks in the middle hierarchy of the Holy Angels as well: Dominions, Powers, and Virtues. The Dominions are so-called because they rule over the Angels subject to them, while they are themselves free, since, as Saint Dionysius says, they have set aside servile fear and ever serve the Lord willingly and gladly. They pour down upon the authorities ordained by God here below power to rule wisely and to exercise dominion judiciously, governing well the lands entrusted to them. They also teach us to rule over our senses, to subdue our disorderly lusts and passions, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to exercise authority over our will, and to prevail over every temptation.

The powers, full of Divine Light, serve the mighty and powerful will of the All-Powerful and Omnipotent Lord without hesitation or delay. They work exceedingly great marvels and impart the grace to perform similar miracles upon those of God's favorites who have been deemed worthy to work wonders (miracles), to heal every illness, and to foretell the future. Likewise, the holy Powers strengthen men as they labor and are heavy laden in bearing the yoke of their various burdens, strengthening them to fulfill the obligations of their station in life and helping the feeble in their weakness. They assist every man to be patient and not to weaken in trials, but to endure everything that comes to pass with nobility of soul and resolute courage, humbly giving thanks to God, Who orders all things for our benefit.

The Virtues bear their name because they have authority over the devil. They subdue the power of the demons and ward off the temptations which the spirits of evil bring upon men, and they forbid the demons to harm men as they desire. The Virtues confirm those who labor for virtue's sake in their spiritual undertakings and struggles, protecting them, lest they are deprived of the spiritual kingdom. Those who war with their passions and desires the virtues help in the day of battle, assisting them in dispelling every wicked thought and the enemy's calumny and in overcoming the devil.

he three orders in the lowest hierarchy are the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The Principalities are so-called because they rule over the Angels below them and direct them to fulfill God's Commands. It is they who watch over the world, protecting and guarding every kingdom and principality, every province and people, tribe and nation, for each of these has its own angel of this rank as guardian and governor. According to Saint Gregory, it is the duty of this order to teach men to render to all in authority the honor due to their station. These Angels usher worthy men into such positions as they merit and instruct them not to use their offices for their own gain or profit, nor to become vainglorious or full of conceit, but to honor god, to increase His glory and to spread word of it, for the benefit of all those under their authority.

The Archangels are the Great Messengers of good, eminent, and wondrous tidings (news). Accordingly to the renowned Saint Dionysius, it is they who deliver prophecies to men, enlightening them so that they may know and understand the will of God. They learn of God's Will from the higher ranks and entrust the secrets thereof to the Angels below them, who in turn declare them to men. Saint Gregory the Dialogist says that they spread abroad the faith among men, illuminating their minds with the light of the knowledge of the Holy Gospel and revealing to them the mysteries of the Orthodox faith.

The Angels occupy the lowest position in the hierarchy of Heaven and are the closest of the ranks to men. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions to men, whom they guide to live virtuously and righteously. Each of the faithful is entrusted to one of them. They support those of us who stand firm, and they raise up the fallen. Even if we sin, they do not forsake us but are always readily to help us, it only we desire it. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 21 - Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Part III)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 21st OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST DAY OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE VIRGIN MARY INTO THE TEMPLE (Part III)

The Virgin Growing Up in the Temple

Saint John Maximovitch (1896-1966) writes that Mary was settled in the quarters for virgins which existed in the Temple. She spent so much time in prayer in the Holy of Holies that one might say that she lived in it. She desired to fulfill the commandment of God, "Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am Holy (Leviticus 19:2)."

Thus, she became more and more perfect in the work of God. Far from the turmoil of everyday life, the All-Holy one meditated and nourished her soul on Holy Scripture day and night. She ate once daily and occupied herself with prayer and wool work. When the older virgins rested from the praises of God, she did not rest. None exceeded her in the praises and vigils of God, and no one was more learned in the wisdom of the law of God  No one was more lowly in humility, more elegant in singing, and more perfect in all virtue.

Saint Ambrose comments, in Concerning the Ever-Virginity of the Virgin Mary, that she was adorned with all virtue and manifested an example of an extraordinarily pure life. Being submissive and obedient to all, she offended no one and was cordial to all. She never spoke a crude word and did not allow any unclean thought. Mary blessed God without interruption and, lest perchance even in greeting others she should cease from her praises to the Lord, she even answered then, praising God, in her salutation, by saying: "Thanks be to God" or "Glory be to God." (From the Virgin began the custom of using this expression when people greet one another.)

The sojourn of the Virgin Mary in the Temple is described by Saint Gregory Palamas in terms that make Mary the model of the hesychastic life. Extolling constant prayer, the Saint indicates that the Virgin was the first to take it upon herself to pray unceasingly. According to Saint Gregory, her asceticism therein did not lead her to come to an understanding of the grace received from the time of her conception, but to learn more of the nature of the sins of Adam. It was there that she perceived and recognized that "no one could halt the murderous rush which was bearing away the human race."

Abiding in prayer day and night, and maintaining silence, she cleansed her heart and was inexpressibly united with Him. Rising above all creation and creatures, the All-Holy Virgin contemplated God's glory more fully than did Moses, and communed of Divine grace in such a way that defies words and ever reason. She became a luminous cloud of Living Water, the dawn of the unspeakable day, and the fiery chariot of the Logos/Word. There, in the Holy of Holies, through prayer of the heart, she ascended to the summit of contemplation. Renouncing the world for the world's sake, by holy silence, and attentive inner prayer, she would serve as a model for those future monastics of her Son and God.

 Saint Gregory of Palamas praises Mary in superlative terms, writing: "Today a new world and a wonderful Paradise have appeared. In it and from world...God has kept this Virgin for Himself before all ages. He chose her to all others, making her, before her wondrous childbirth, the Saint of saints, giving her the honor of His own house in the Holy of Holies...Wishing to create an image of absolute beauty and to manifest clearly, to Angels and to men, the power of His art, God made Mary truly all beautiful...He made of her a blend of all-divine, Angelic, and human perfection, a sublime beauty embellishing the two worlds, rising from earth to heaven and surpassing even this latter.

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer writes: "The Holy Spirit wholly sanctified thee in the temple; therefore thou has become the fair spouse of the Father and Mother of the Son."

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 21 - Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Part II)

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE (Part II)

The Words of the Prophets are Fulfilled

The High Priest Zacharias, the husband of Anna's niece Elizabeth, was the future father of Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner. When he beheld the Virgin's approach, he rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, "Mary, the Lord God has magnified thy name to all generations and, by thee, to the very end of time, the Lord will show His redemption to the children of Israel." The High Priest Zacharias unites in his person two traditions--priestly and prophetic. Rejoice, Mary, preaching of the Prophets and the fulfillment of their words! The Prophets prophesied of thee and have thee as their boast.

Jacob foresaw thee as "the Ladder": "Behold a ladder fixed on the earth whose top reached to heaven, and the Angels of God ascended upon thee and become incarnate, and thereby men will be able to ascend to Heaven. The golden urn of manna, that Moses gave the command to be laid up so that future generations might see the bread with which the Hebrews were fed in the wilderness (Exodus 16:32-33), also prefigured thee. Thus thou will give flesh to the heavenly Bread that will nourish the race of the anointed ones. The dry rod of Aaron was a sign of thee, in that, without seed from man, viriginally, give birth to God, for this, is His Will. The fleece of Gedeon prefigured thee, for as rain came down upon the fleece, without anyone's knowledge (Judg. 6:37-38), thus does God desire to condescend to put on flesh of thee--and not even the Angels will understand how He would become Incarnate.  Let us, therefore, magnify the radiant cloud (Isaiah 19:1).

The Prophet David wrote: "He shall come down like rain upon a fleece, and like rain-drops that fall upon the earth" (Psalm 71:6). The same Prophet and king called thee "Queen," and uttered: "At Thy right hand stood the Queen, arrayed in a vesture of inwoven gold, adorned in varied colors (Psalm 44:8). David the Prophet, who is of thine tribe, clearly foresaw and thine own people and thy father's house, and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty" (Psalm 44:9).

The high priest Zacharias then said, "Enter into the Holy of Holies, for thou art much purer than I. O Mistress, once a year I enter therein, but thou, sit and abide forever. For thou art the Temple of God, therefore, remain in the temple. Thou art the Vessel of the Holy Spirit, enter thou into the elect place. Wait therein until thou art vouchsafed to be the worthy vessel of the All-Holy Spirit. Rejoice and dance, for Angels, desire to minister unto thee!" 

The Virgin is led up

Zacharias then set her down upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord God sent grace upon her, and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her. The Virgin of the Lord then sent up all the steps one after another, without the help of any to lead or lift her. It was evident from henceforth that she was of perfect age because she walked with a step so mature and she spoke so perfectly. The Church chants, "Three years old in the flesh and many years old in spirit. Therefore, let us praise in hymns the child by nature who was shown forth as a mother beyond nature.

The parents then, after offering up their sacrifice (according to the custom of the law), left the Virgin with other maidens in the apartments of the temple to be brought up therein. Mary's parents then went down marveling and praising the Lord God, because the child did not turn back. They then returned to their home. And Mary was in the Temple of the Lord as if she were a dove that dwelt there.

For the next seven years, the parents of the little Virgin visited her often until they reposed, leaving her an orphan. Bishop and Saint Nikolai Velimirovic records that the Righteous Joachim was 80 years old and the venerable Anna was 79 years old when they reposed in peace. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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DIVINE SERVICES TOMORROW NOVEMBER 21st:

Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 21- Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 21st OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE ENTRANCE OF OUR MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED LADY, THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY, INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD AND HER LIFE

When the Most Pure and divine Maiden, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary the Theotokos, reached the age of three, her holy and righteous parents, Joachim and Anna, remembered the vow they had made when they prayed to be delivered from childlessness, promising to offer their offspring as a gift to God. Therefore, as all the ancient Holy Fathers testify, they called together their relatives living in Nazareth, persons of royal and high-priestly lineage, for the righteous Joachim was of royal stock and his spouse Anna was of the high-priestly line. They also assembled a choir of virgins, for whom they had prepared a large number of candles, and arrayed the Most-Pure Virgin Mary with the splendor befitting a queen. Thus Saint James, the Archbishop of Jerusalem, says on behalf of Joachim, "Summon the undefiled daughters of the Hebrews, that they may take in hand burning candles"; and Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the righteous Anna speak these words: "To the Lord "will I pay my vows which my lips pronounced and which my mouth had spoken in mine affliction." For this reason, I have assembled a choir of virgins bearing candles, called for the priests and for my kindred, and said to them, 'Rejoice with me, the mother of a daughter betrothed not to an earthly king but unto God, the King of Heaven.'

Concerning the royal magnificence with the divine Maiden was adorned, Saint Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, writes, "It was necessary that the Most Divine Maiden should enter the Temple in a manner befitting her. It would not have been suitable for the brilliant and costly pearl to be clad in a pauper's rags; rather, royal vesture, which would serve to magnify and adorn her, was meet for the occasion.

When everything necessary had been prepared for the honorable and glorious entrance, the Virgin and those with her departed. Arriving in the city of Jerusalem after a journey of three days, Joachim and Anna proceeded to the Temple and let into it the Living Temple of God, the three-year-old Maiden, the Most-Pure Virgin Mary. She was preceded by the choir of virgins carrying lighted candles. Saint Tarasius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, relates that Saint Anna said at that moment, "Begin the procession, O candle-bearing virgins, and go before me and the divine Maiden!"

The parents of the Holy Virgin, one on each side, took the daughter given them by God and gently led her forward with reverence. The multitude followed candles in hand, surrounding the Most Holy Virgin like stars around the brilliant moon, to the amazement of all Jerusalem. Of this, Saint Theophylact writes, "The daughter forgets her father's house and is led unto the King, Who greatly desires her beauty. She is brought forth in majesty, with splendor and honor, from her father's house as the people clap their hands, and her kindred and neighbors, bound to her parents by ties of affection, follow. Fathers rejoice with her father and mothers with her mother, while virgin maidens bearing candles go before the divine Maiden, shining like a circle of stars around the moon. All Jerusalem poured out into the streets to behold a procession such as had never before been seen and to gaze upon the three-year-old Maiden escorted in great glory, whose coming was heralded by the appearance of numerous lights. But it was not only citizens of the Jerusalem here below who hastened to behold the Wondrous Entry of the Most Pure Virgin Mary; the inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high, the Holy Angels, likewise assembled, and seeing the procession, were filled with awe, as the Church sings. 'Beholding the Entry of the All-Pure One, the Angels were stricken with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.'

Joining with the visible choir of pure virgins, the unseen choir of bodiless intellects invisibly accompanied the Most-Pure Virgin Mary to the Holy Place, by the Lord's command encompassing her who is God's chosen vessel. Saint George, Archbishop of Nicomedia, writes: "As the Virgin's parents led her to the doors of the Temple, she was surrounded by Angels, and all the heavenly Hosts rejoiced. Although the Angels knew nothing of the power of this mystery, as the Lord's servants they obeyed His command to serve at her entry. They marveled when they saw that the Most-Pure Vessel of the virtues bore the tokens of everlasting purity and were amazed that while she was clothed in flesh, no stain of sin could ever draw near her; then they proceeded to do the will of the Lord and to perform what they had been instructed to do."

Thus the All-Undefiled Maiden was accompanied not only by men but also by Angels into the Temple of the Lord. And this was truly fitting; for if the ark of the Old Covenant, in which manna was placed, being a mere type of the Most-Pure Virgin, was accompanied by all the people of Israel when it was carried into the Tabernacle of the Lord, it was surely proper that the Living Ark, the Most-Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, who carried within the Manna that is Christ, be escorted by both men and Angels.

An earthly king, the divine forefather David who reigned over Israel, preceded the Old Testament ark as it was carried into the Tabernacle; but before the Living Ark, the Most-Pure Virgin, went not a temporal king but the King of Heaven to Whom we pray every day, "Heavenly King, O Comforter the Spirit of Truth..." The Holy Church testifies in a hymn chanted on this day that it was indeed this King Who went before the daughter of the King, for she cries, "Led by the Holy Spirit, the Sacred and Undefiled Maiden is taken to dwell in the Holy of Holies." The ark was translated to the accompaniment of song since David instructed the chiefs of the Levites to have singers and players of pipes, the psaltery, harp, and timbrel sing and play joyously' but the entrance of the Most Holy Virgin was accompanied not by worldly music, but by the chanting of Angels. Escorting the Virgin as she went into the Holy Place to serve the Lord, the Choirs of Heaven lifted up their voices, as the Church chants in the Kontakion hymn for this day: "She bringeth with her the grace that is in the Divine Spirit, and the Angels of God chant praise unto her: 'She is indeed the heavenly tabernacle.'"

Nevertheless, human song was not altogether absent at the entry of the Most-Pure One, for in the Homily of Saint Tarasius, the righteous Anna says to the virgins who preceded the Virgin, "Chant her praises; play upon the harp; glorify her with spiritual songs; magnify her upon the psaltery of ten strings!" The Church also proclaims, "Joachim and Anna rejoice in spirit, and choirs of virgins sing to the Lord, chanting psalms and honoring His Mother." Thus it is clear that while the choir of virgins walked before the Most-Pure Virgin, they sang the psalms of David, as the composer of the canon for this day indicates, saying to the maidens, "O ye virgins who carry candles in your hands, begin your songs!" Moreover, according to Saint Tarasius, the Virgin's holy and righteous parents, Joachim and Anna, had this song of David the forefather upon their lips:  "Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; and forget thine own people and thy father's house, and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty." (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 17 -St. Gregory the Wonderworker

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

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ON NOVEMBER 17th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES SAINT GREGORY THE WONDERWORKER, BISHOP OF NEOCAESAREA

Here is a man of God and a mighty wonderworker, who was called a second Moses! Born of wealthy and eminent pagan parents, Gregory at first studied Hellenic and Egyptian philosophy, but, seeing its barrenness and insufficiency, he turned to Christian teachers, particularly Origen of Alexandria, with whom he studied for several years and by whom he was baptized. Pure in soul and body, he desired to consecrate himself utterly to Christ, to which end he withdrew to the desert, where, in painful asceticism, he spent many years. His fame spread abroad everywhere, and Phaedimus, the bishop of Amasea, wanted to make him Bishop of Caesarea. The discerning Gregory was warned of Phaedimus's intention and hid in the wilderness from those sent to find him so that they failed in their quest. Finally, Phaedimus consecrated him by devious means, and Gregory had to accept the work of a shepherd. The Most Holy Mother of God, the Theotokos, appeared to him, together with Saint John the Theologian, and, at her command, Saint John gave him the Creed that is known by Gregory's name. Who can enumerate the miracles of this second Moses? He commanded evil spirits, commanded mountains and waters, healed every sort of pain and illness, became invisible to his persecutors and had insight into both distant events and men's thoughts. He finished his earthly course in the year 270 A.D., in great old age. When he arrived in Caesarea as Bishop, the whole town was composed of pagans, with just seventeen Christians. When he departed this life, the whole town was Christian, with just seventeen pagans. He, therefore, received a wreath of glory (photostephano) from his Lord in the Heavenly Kingdom.

(The Nicene Creed, that Gregory was instrumental in establishing at the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 A.D.)

FOR CONSIDERATION

The following examples from the life of Saint Gregory show how God guards and preserves the righteous from assaults. While he was still at the school of philosophy in Alexandria, Saint Gregory kept his purity of both soul and body, as he kept and preserved it to the end of his life. In this, he was exceptional among the dissolute youngsters of those days, and this called forth envy and hatred among his peers. To bring Gregory down, they found a harlot and among his peers. To bring Gregory down, they found a harlot and sent her to carry out their evil designs. One day, when Gregory was standing in the market-place with the most famous teachers and philosophers, this harlot came up to him and began to shout demands for payment by Gregory of debts incurred by immoral relations with her. The bystanders, hearing this, were divided into two camps, some being scandalized and others infuriated at the shameless woman, and they chased her away. But she began to shout even more loudly in her demand for money. The innocent Gregory blushed, as would any innocent man in the face of such coarse slander, but showed neither resentment nor hatred, and asked a friend who was with him to give her what she asked so that she would go away at once. His friend did so and gave the woman the money she demanded. At the moment, God sent punished that woman, and she began to writhe on the ground in convulsions, gnashing her teeth and foaming at the mouth. All the bystanders, seeing this, were filled with fear, but holy Gregory, kindly as a lamb, prayed to God for her, and the woman was healed and got to her feet. Far from being humiliated, Gregory thus received the greater glory. 

When fierce persecution of Christians arose, Saint Gregory advised the Christians to hide, and he, together with his deacon hid on a hill. The imperial soldiers caught sight of them and followed them. Saint Gregory prayed to God for help, and God immediately made them invisible to their persecutors. The soldiers searched the vicinity in vain, then, being unable to find them, returned empty-handed.

Please note: Our Holy Orthodox Church has always encouraged the faithful to read the Lives of the Saints for inspiration and as a guide to spiritual living. There is no question that there is so much to learn about what it means to be an authentic Christian believer. There are many of our Faith that do not know how to read the Holy Scripture, how to pray, how to worship, how to behave, how to treat others, how to forgive enemies, how to grow in Christ, how to have a sacramental life.  

Learning from the example of the Saints, the holy fathers, and mothers, of the Church is one sure way. Their lives were lives of humility, of kindness, of faith, of love, of self-sacrifice, of helping others, and of serving the Lord with compunction and true conviction. This is why the Holy Church has kept their lives visible and available for all to read and emulate their example.

If you don't have any books on the Lives of the Saints you can find them online on an Orthodox website i.e., Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America or others. Speak to your children about them and you may begin with their own patron Saint and when his/her feast day is celebrated. Children love stories, especially true stories. Of course, you know that the Orthodox Christian should over-emphasize the child's birthday but the feast of his or her Saint's feast day. For your information, the celebration of birthdays was a pagan custom.

It is not proper to celebrate birthdays during Fasting Days during the Ecclesiastical year, i.e., Great Lent, Holy Nativity Fast, Apostles Fast and Holy Dormition Fast, but especially during Holy and Great Week.

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George