The night of Christmas

The night of Christmas 

BY FR ELPIDIOS VAGIANAKIS

It was slowly getting dark and the sun was disappearing behind the mountains of Bethlehem. The cold and frost made the inhabitants of this small village, as well as all those who came from distant places to be registered at the place of their birth, go inside their homes early. Soon the streets were deserted and no one was walking about outside.

To tell the truth not everyone, because just outside the village a pious man, leading a donkey with a young girl on its back, who looked like she was pregnant, was anxious to arrive at a house in time before it got too late.

Every now and then, he was trying to give her courage, because he saw that the time to give birth had come and the young girl was extremely tired from the trip which had taken several days.

Some hours ago he had given her his cloak and everything else he had to cover her and keep her warm, while in the twilight he was looking for the path leading to the village.

THE NATIVITY ICON IN BYZANTINE ART

 

THE NATIVITY ICON IN BYZANTINE ART

Orthodox Christians do not celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, we celebrate the Incarnation. What?, you say. What is the Incarnation? This is an important word as it means God becomes Man. This is what we celebrate. The birth of Jesus was that moment in history when God sent His only begotten Son to become like us, taking on human flesh for our healing. This miracle of miracles took place though the ascent of Mary whom we call the Theotokos, Birth-giver of God. God with His divine will became man, taking on a human will in human flesh so Man could unite his human will with God’s divine will. From the time of Adam and Eve, man was separated from God ,unable to follow God’s law. The Incarnation is the beginning of the transformation of mankind so we can be reunited with God.

Nativity Icon

Above you can see the icon of the Nativity. Let’s look at each element of this icon to learn what it communicates to us.

Saint Ignatius, the God-Bearer +Dec 20

 Saint Ignatius, the God-Bearer 

   COMMEMORATED ON DECEMBER  20th  

Saint Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of “Jesus Christ”.
When they asked him why he was doing this, Saint Ignatius answered that this name was written in his heart!

The Holy Great Martyr Ignatius was named the ‘God-Bearer’ because he always carried the name of the living God in his heart and on his lips. Also, traditionally, he was thus named because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God.

 
In the Gospel of Matthew (18:2-5), there is a passage that reads:
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.’”
The child whom Jesus selected to illustrate his parable, and upon whom He endowed a spark of divinity with the touch of his hand, was a child named Ignatius, who thereafter grew up in the sacred company of the Apostles of the Lord and went on to become one of the most venerated of all our saints.

St Anthony The Great and The Shoe Maker

 

St Anthony The Great and The Shoe Maker

At some time, St. Anthony the Great thought to himself “I wonder with whose spiritual achievements my spiritual life can be compared with”. God, however, in order to humble this thought revealed to him in a dream that superior to him was a shoe-maker who had a store in the back streets of Alexandria.

Once it was daybreak, the saint took his staff and headed off to the city. He wanted to meet in person this famed shoe-maker and see his virtues. With great difficulty he discovered his store, sat down at the counter and began asking about his life.

Two Men in a Hospital

Two Men in a Hospital

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO JESUS

A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO JESUS

It is told that a Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, about four centuries after the birth of Christ, saint Jerome had the holy desire to worship the place where our Savior was born.

So, he came into the holy cave but there, while he was praying and meditating on the first Christmas, he had a wondrous vision.

Jesus Christ appeared to him as a child in the midst of a brilliant and dazzling light and asked him with His sweet heavenly voice: 

“Jerome, what gift will you give Me for my birthday today?”

Talking with a barber about God...

Talking with a barber about God...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation and talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: “I don’t believe that God exists.”

“Why do you say that?” asked the customer.

The Great Miracle in Syria of Panagia "Saidnaya" to a Saudi Arabian man

 

The Great Miracle in Syria 

of Panagia "Saidnaya" to a Saudi Arabian man

 

  The following account of this truly amazing miracle has been told in numerous places, but I thought to include it here also in case you haven't heard it yet. It should be a testament to the fact that our Faith is truly alive, and that the great miracles of the scriptures and the traditions of the Church are not fabrications, and that wonders that equal or exceed them continue to occur. For as Christ said, "Lo I am with you always, until the close of the age."

 

"In December 2004 a Saudi Arabian man, a Moslem, appeared before several new agencies to relate the following incredible event he experienced and which changed his life (this story appeared on TV, the Internet, radio, and was circulated in newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets throughout Saudi Arbia, Syria, Palestine, and evidently in all neighboring countries.

Some years ago, this man married a very rich Moslem woman but sterile. As the years passed, and despite all their efforts and significant medical expenses with many doctors, they remained childless. The man's parents suggested to him that he marry a second woman, while upholding his initial marriage (as the local laws permits up to four concurrent marriages).

How an Atheist Cancer Patient Believed in God

How an Atheist Cancer Patient Believed in God

One morning, after the Divine Liturgy, I went to the Church Office. A 50yr old gentleman came to see me there. I didn’t know him nor had I seen him at Church before. He spoke to me about a 42yr old man who was admitted in the Hospital of Piraeus. He had cancer. It had spread and had gone to his brain. The doctors had confirmed that nothing could be done to save him. He was taking large quantities of medication but they did not help.
The man in my office told me that he was a close relative of the patient. He asked me to go and give him Holy Communion.

Great Miracle of St. Marina

Great Miracle of St. Marina

 

“A few years ago [in 2000], a family from Lemessos, Cyprus, named Vassiliou received the following miracle. In Greece they are well known from the televised requests they made in order to find a donor for their young boy Andrea, who suffered from leukemia. The donor was indeed found and the parents began preparing for their trip to Texas, U.S.A where the bone marrow transplant was going to be performed. Meanwhile, they also prayed and begged Jesus Christ to save their boy. Before they left for the U.S.A the parents heard of St. Marina’s miracles and they called the monastery of St. Marina located on the island of Andros in Greece to ask for her blessing. 

 

A person can become a saint anywhere. – St Porphyrios

“It is a great art to succeed in having your soul sanctified. A person can become a saint anywhere. He can become a saint in Omonia Square, if he wants. At your work, whatever it may be, you can become a saint through meekness, patience, and love. Make a new start every day, with new resolution, with enthusiasm and love, prayer and silence — not with anxiety so that you get a pain in the chest.” 

– St Porphyrios

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

★. 　☆　　　 ｡☆　　.　　　★・｡　・
　 ☆　　★ . . ｡
☆　FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND .★・ ｡ 　☆　

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord,
That if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints is when I carried you."

MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS)

MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS)
Theotokos Maria, Mother of Jesus Christ

The Virgin Mary is the woman God chose to bear His Son in this world. The Orthodox believe in the ever-virginity of Mary. Since God chose her to manifest His presence among men, she is called, " All Holy" and the bridge between God and man. For this reason, she is highly praised and venerated in the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox always pray to the Virgin Mary, beseeching her to intercede for us to God. The Orthodox do not worship the Virgin Mary-worship is do to God alone. The Orthodox make a distinction between worship and intercessory prayer. Just as we ask other people to pray for us, we ask the Virgin Mary, for she has found favor in God's eyes and has a very unique relationship with God, to pray (intercede) for us. It should be noted that the Virgin Mary and all the saints are ceaselessly praying for all of us.

Praying to the Guardian Angel: Whom Christ loves, His Angels Love Too!

Praying to the Guardian Angel: 
Whom Christ loves, His Angels Love Too!

It is a wonderful truth that the Angels in Heaven love our children – indeed, all children – and we can take great comfort that at the moment of our Baptism, when we are received into the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and He provides each one of us with a Guardian Angel. This Angel remains with us throughout our lives, watching over us, in the same way that we each benefit from the prayers and loving care of our Patron Saint, after whom we are named at our Baptism. The hosts of Heaven love and care for us!

The Life and Work of St. Paisius Velichkovsky, a Great Hesychast Father

 

The Life and Work of St. Paisius Velichkovsky,

 a Great Hesychast Father

Saint Paisius Velichkovsky (1722-1794) was a great figure of monasticism who lived a few years on Mount Athos and communicated in Slavic lands, especially in Ukraine, Moldova and Wallachia, but he spread throughout the Balkan and Russian lands and other areas.

He was a great prophetic figure in the field of monasticism in the 18th century, having reintroduced to monasticism in the Balkans and Russia its ancient patristic sources, since monasticism had changed under the reforms made by Peter the Great, when Russia leaned towards the enlightening and romantic spirit of the West.

St. John of Kronstadt brings homeless children to the shelter.

St. John of Kronstadt and the Education of Children

    

A child’s soul is divine beauty

St. John of Kronstadt considered love for children to be the foundation of a teacher’s work—a foundation that is very often denied by modern-day so-called technicians of secular educational sciences and activities. He said to the students of the gymnasium where he taught, “You are my children, for I gave birth to you and continue to give birth in you to the good tidings of Jesus Christ. My spiritual blood—my instructions—flow in your veins. You are my children, because I have you always in my heart and I pray for you. You are my children, because you are my spiritual offspring. You are my children, because truly, as a priest I am a father, and you call me “batiushka” (“little father”, an affectionate term for a priest).

Obedience. A puzzling command. (video)

The prayers that are not heeded (video)

The Priest (Russian movie with English subtitles)

The Island (Ostrov) English Subtitles

Step to the Skies - Valaam Monastery Documentary

A Visit To The Holy Mountain ATHOS, Greece (CBS Documentary)

Saint Paisius, the Ecumenical Athonite - a Russian documentary

The Life of Saint Paisios (video)

Elder Paisios - full speech (27 min.)

Saint Paisios Athonite - Russian Film - English Subtitles

BLESSING IN DISGUISE, FR. ANDREAS KONANOS

“THE JESUS PRAYER”. A SIMPLE BUT VERY POWERFUL PRAYER.

“THE JESUS PRAYER”.

 A SIMPLE BUT VERY POWERFUL PRAYER.

‘‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me a sinner’’

How should we say the Jesus Prayer, and what do its words mean?

“Lord”: When we say “Lord” we must recog­nize the Lordship of Christ, enthrone Him in our life, in order to acquire the mind of Christ; in our heart, so that our heart be pure; in our will, so that our intention will be to be totally faithful to the Gospel of God.

“Jesus”: Jesus is the human name of God. We are profess­ing His incarnation. Do we believe it or not? 

“Christ”: He’s the fulfilment of the Old Testament. He is our King.

Some sayings of the Holy Fathers about "Jesus Prayer"

Some sayings of the Holy Fathers about "Jesus Prayer"

"LORD JESUS CHRIST SON OF GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER"

At your work, flee conversation; only measured words in case of need. The hands should work for the needs of the body, and the mind should say the sweetest name of Christ, so that the need of the soul, which we must not forget even for moment, also will be provided for.  

REF:Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain"

---

Continually say the Prayer [of Jesus] intensely, with zeal, with longing; only thus does one become strong in soul. Avoid idle words by means of all sacrifice, for they weaken the soul and it does not have the strength to struggle.  

REF:Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain"

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Saint Agnes, the little sheep of God + January 21st

Saint Agnes, the little sheep of God
+ January 21st

 

In the first three centuries A.D. the Christian Church lived one of the most bloody and most heroic periods in its history. Masses of Christians wrote with their blood moving pages of love about the Crucified Jesus and His Gospel.

Terrible and horrible tortures were invented, to eradicate from the hearts of the faithful Christians the love they had for our Lord Jesus Christ.

The boldness, however, and the courage all the Christians showed when facing the tortures were remarkable! With unimaginable patience and bravery, children and adults, men and women, young and old, even young children suffered all these tortures with enthusiasm, for the sake of their Christian faith.

One such child, the young noble Agnes, was in her early teens, when she was asked to confess with courage the love she had for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Agnes was born in the year 290 A.D. in Rome. The Emperor was then the great persecutor of Christians, Diocletian. Her parents had aristocratic origins and were very wealthy. From the time she was a toddler Agnes learnt about Christ and like a thirsty fawn which runs to the spring of gurgling water to drink, she was studying the holy Gospel and the great teaching of love, as interpreted through the Holy Book.

An angel is giving answers to Abba Macarius!

‘‘An angel is giving answers!’’

An interesting conversation between Abba Macarius and an angel of the Lord

One day Abba Macarius was walking in the desert, when an angel of the Lord came up behind him and said:
‘‘Your blessing, Holy Father.’’  

Abba Macarius took him to be a hermit and said:
‘‘May the Lord forgive you my child.’’ 

As they walked along together, Abba Macarius noticed the figure and appearance of the monk and said to him:  

‘‘My child, I see you and marvel! How beautiful you are! I have never seen such beauty in a human face. Perhaps you aren’t a man? In the name of God in Heaven tell me the truth.’’ 

Then the angel bowed to the elder and said: 
‘‘Bless me father, as you can see I’m an angel and have come to teach you the hidden mysteries which you want to know.’’

The elder bowed too and prayed:
‘‘Lord, I thank you, because you’ve sent me such a guide to teach me about things unknown and mysteries which I desire to learn.’’

The angel said to him softly:
‘‘Tell me what it is you wish to know.’’

SAINT ANTHONY THE GREAT +January 17th

 

By Archimandrite Elpidios Vagianakis (in greek)

SAINT ANTHONY THE GREAT

FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN MONASTICISM

(Commemorated on January 17th)

HIS CHILDHOOD YEARS

Saint Anthony was born in 251 A.D.  in Koma, a small village in south Memphis in Egypt near the banks of the Nile River, during the era of the Roman Emperor Decius, a notorious persecutor of Christians.

His parents were rather wealthy but also devout Christians. By his nature little Anthony was an extremely sweet, polite, and humble child. Everyone loved him as their own child for the goodness and respect which he showed to all people.

He loved everyone, even the most scorned person. Whenever Anthony saw a poor, orphaned or sick child, he was inclined to assist them. 

Even though he was so young, his words were full of wisdom and prudence.

But what most impressed everyone and made them refer to him as a child of God was his great devotion and tender love towards Jesus Christ. Whenever he spoke of Him, his heart would burn like lava in a volcano.

His greatest joy was attending divine services with his beloved parents in their small village church. There, he would listen carefully to the reading of the Gospels, which he had an eager desire to follow and apply precisely in his life.

St Efimia and St Paisios the Athonite

St Efimia and St Paisios the Athonite
A TRUE STORY

The Elder (Paisios) was in the front yard of his retreat when he was visited by one of his spiritual children. He was repeating, from the heart, “Glory to You, o God”, over and over again.
“Can someone be rendered useless – in a good sense?” the Elder suddenly asked him.

“Who would that be, Elder?”
“Well, I was sitting in my Cell quietly, then she came here and drove me crazy… They are having such a good time, ‘up there’..”
“What’s troubling you, Elder?”
“I will tell you, but don’t you tell anyone.”
He went on to narrate the following:

Be the Bee and not the Fly -Saint Paisios-

-Saint Paisios-

Be the Bee and not the Fly

Some people tell me that they are scandalized because they see many things wrong in the Church. I tell them that if you ask a fly, “Are there any flowers in this area?” it will say, “I don’t know about flowers, but over there in that heap of rubbish you can find all the filth you want.” And it will go on to list all the unclean things it has been to.

Now, if you ask a honeybee, “Have you seen any unclean things in this area?” it will reply, “Unclean things? No, I have not seen any; the place here is full of the most fragrant flowers.” And it will go on to name all the flowers of the garden or the meadow.

THIS WAS FROM ME -St Seraphim of Vyritsa-

"This Was From Me"

The Spiritual Testament of St Seraphim of Vyritsa (1866-1949)

Although written to one of the saint's spiritual children, a bishop who had been imprisoned, this testament is in fact addressed to us all.

Have you ever thought that all what concerns you, concerns Me too? For what concerns you, concerns the apple of My eye. 

You are precious in My sight, of great value, and I have loved you, and so it is a great joy for Me to educate you. 

When temptations rise up against you, when the enemy surges against you like the rough sea, I want you to know that - 

This was from Me.

Mount Athos - Chalkidiki, Greece (photos in slides)

Mount Athos - Chalkidiki, Greece from Nikos Michailidis

Byzantine Art (in slides)

Byzantine Art PowerPoint from smolinskiel

Meteora Rocks : Eastern Orthodox monasteries (in slides)

Meteora Rocks : Eastern Orthodox monasteries from Georgia Zacharopoulou

Orthodox worship (in slides)

Orthodox worship from Sherin Babu

"REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISMAL VOWS"! - Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk -

 

 

- Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk - 

"REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISMAL VOWS"!

Holy Baptism is like a door by which those that are baptized enter into the holy Church and become fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Eph. 2:19). And not just so, but before Baptism there are renunciations and vows:

1. We then renounced Satan and all his evil works. Satan is a wicked and evil spirit. He was created good by God, but he and those of like mind with him apostasized from Him, and so from light they became dark, and from good they became evil and wicked. His works are idolatry, pride, adultery, prodigality, all uncleanliness, slander, blasphemy and every sin; for he is the inventor of sin, and he beguiled our ancestors in paradise and led them into sin and apostasy from God. We renounce this wicked spirit and all his evil works before Baptism.

Value of Holy Water

Value of Holy Water

During this time many Orthodox Christian will take from the Church bottles of Holy water to be used throughout the year. It is common for the priest to come to the home during this period to bless the home with Water that has been consecrated on the day of Theophany. Here are some thoughts on the value of Holy Water by Saint John of San Francisco.

On Theophany, the Day of the Lord's Baptism, every year a great miracle is performed. The Holy Spirit, coming down upon the water, changes its natural properties. It becomes incorrupt, not spoiling, remaining transparent and fresh for many years. This Holy Water receives the grace to heal illnesses, to drive away demons and every evil power, to preserve people and their dwellings from every danger, to sanctify various objects whether for church or home use. Therefore, Orthodox Christians with reverence drink Holy Water — a great Agiasma (holy thing), as the Greeks call it.


One should always have at home enough Theophany water to last the whole year, and make use of it at every need: in cases of illness, leaving on a journey, whenever one is upset, students prior to examinations, etc. People who drink a little Holy Water daily, before eating any kind of food, do well. It strengthens the powers of our soul—if it is done with prayer and reverence, and one does not merely expect a mechanical result from it.

Basil the Great: The Lion of Christ

THE TRADITION AND THE STORY OF THE "VASILOPITA"

The tradition of baking and cutting a special "pita" (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie!) each year on January 1" is observed in honor of our Holy Father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia - hence its name Vasilopita.  This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. What is the meaning of this tradition and how did it begin? For centuries upon centuries parents, grandparents and Godparents have related the following story to Orthodox children about St Basil and the Vasilopita.