There are Vicars at the bottom of our stokehold,
We are piling up the parsons in the pit,
As a mode of liquidation,
After Maladministration,
We can strongly recommend that this is it.
(Chapter & Verse-S.J.Forrest)

Because that which may be known of God is manifest
in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(Rom. 1:19)

Constant prayer adds God's infinite power to the
human being.
(Heguman Pishoy Kamel)

As our intention is, so will our progress; and he
who desires perfection must be very diligent.
(Imitation of Christ)

Lord, give us faith that right makes might.
(Abraham Lincoln)

Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
(1 Cor.15:55)

Alas it is easy to ask God for many things and not
asking for God Himself, as if what is given is more
important than the giver Himself.
(St. Augustine)

Lord accept my prayer and answer my supplication.
Hear me in the evening and in the morning and at noon.
(Agapia - Sixth Hour)

Look at http://pharos.bu.edu/ca/articles/ParadiseOfDesertFathers.txt

SYNAXRION:

Irina Yamashita - Iconographer (+1939)

She was born in Kasama, Japan on May 22,1857. As a teenager she moved to Tokyo to learn the art of traditional Japanese woodblock printing (Ukiyo-e) as an apprentice at various studios. In 1877, she entered the newly established National Academy for fine Arts, and studied Western painting. Through a friend at the institute she met St. Nicholas, became interested in Orthodox Christianity and was baptized in 1878.

Noting her talent as an artist, St. Nicholas arranged for her to study iconography in Russia for five years. In 1883 she returned to Japan and became the principal painter of religious art, including icons, at the Mission headquarters in Tokyo, living a life of celibacy. She is remembered as the pioneer of iconography in Japan. In 1918 she retired and went back to her birthplace, Kasama. There she reposed in 1939.

(From St. Herman of Alaska Calendar)

REFLECTION:

The Kingdom of Heaven is certainly worth a great deal.
Yet you can obtain it by giving what you are. Give yourself
and it is enough - for the merciful Lord is satisfied with that.

Almighty God, help us to do violence to our inordinate self-love
and willfulness. Let us give ourselves wholly to You and so
obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.
(St. Augustine)

HOMILY:

Unseen Terrorism:

Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (Ezek. 28:15)

Who is it that Ezekiel is referring to here? There is only one person to whom this description fits and that is Lucifer. He is one of four archangels mentioned in Scripture. It would appear that he held the highest rank, in that he was the Covering Cherub who served at God's Throne. He was an angel of light and God exalted him to become the ruler of the earth. What a privilege this must have been to have access directly to God.

But the sin of pride entered him and he became puffed up with self-importance. He said he would set his throne up above God's and that he would be master. He was cast out of Heaven and thus became the god of this world. In Job we find that he still had access to God in Heaven, but then he finally rebelled and he and his angels fought against Michael and his angels. Lucifer was defeated and he with one third of the angelic host were cast down to the earth, and there was no more place found for him in heaven.

So he and his minions have been waging a war of unseen terrorism ever since. He is now known by several other names, the wily serpent, Satan, the devil, the dragon, Beelzebub. His one objective is to thwart God at every turn. He knows the Scripture and uses it to his own end. He thought to convert Christ to his ways. It was he that caused Israel to go into lapses of Apostasy, and the same with God's Church today, while all the while trying to undermine God's Authority.

His greatest triumph so called was seeing Christ nailed to the Cross. But in the Crucifixion he found that his power had now been severely curtailed. So he and his minions seek to terrorize and subvert God's people. We see the result of his acts of terrorism, but cannot see the perpetrators of it. He continually attacks the Church of God. He is very subtle in his attacks.

He now works from within the Church posing as an angel of light and deceives the whole world. Look at the immorality and gambling hells that have sprung up in the western world, all tools of Satan. He is behind the false god worship that has sprung up. The world has become depraved and is fast going down the road of Sodom & Gomorrah. People now worship at the altar of the God of sport.

Let us look at the reality of the Desert Fathers. Our Lord said: 'Come out of her My people, flee from the iniquity of this world, but let your flight not be on the SABBATH DAY.' Repent and turn back to God and keep the Testimony of Jesus which is the Commandments of God. Do not allow yourself to hear the words "Depart from me I never knew you." This is my Prayer in His Holy Name.

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages. AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Morning: Prophecies Gen. 49:1-28, Isa. 40:9-31, Zeph. 3:14-20, Zech. 9:9-15
Psalm 29:3&11, Luke 18:35-43.
Liturgy: 1 Cor.2:1-8, 1 Peter 1:25-2:6, Acts 27:38-28:10,
Psalm 128:2&8, Gospel: John 11:1-45, Heb. 12:28-13:8.

This is the Day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice in it. A Happy & Holy Shabbat.

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