CATECHESIS & DAILY INSPIRATION
The Holy Martyr Hyacinth of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and with him Martyrs Diomedes, Eulampius, Asclepiodotus, and Golinduc (108)
Reflections and Daily Inspiration
“It depends on the parents of Orthodox children to prove (not by words, but by deeds—by life itself) how being Orthodox can go together with having fun.”
― Sister Magdalen
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"

Trisagion Films presents a piece of Orthodoxy which is undeniably one of our most sacred weapons in spiritual warfare! The Holy Prayer rope has been used since the time of the desert fathers. A prayer rope (Greek: κομποσκοίνι, Russian: вервица, Romanian: mătănii, Serbian: бројаница, Bulgarian: броеница) is a loop of knots, usually made of wool but sometimes of wood, that is used during praying to keep track of the number of prayers which have been said.
FROM THE NEWS
HOPKO MAXIM #21: HAVE A HEALTHY, WHOLESOME HOBBY

Our hobbies allow us many blessings, among which are the needed break from work, a chance to see God at work in a different setting, and the need to exercise different skills and gifts that aren’t always tapped in our work life. Each of these help us to recognize more clearly the Image of God in which we were created and to more closely be molded into His Likeness. So, yes, healthy hobbies enjoyed in healthy amounts can be very effective in our spiritual growth.

SAINT OF THE DAY

 JULY 16 / JULY 3
The Holy Martyr Hyacinth of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and with him Martyrs Diomedes, Eulampius, Asclepiodotus, and Golinduc (108)

A young man and a courtier at the court of Emperor Trajan, Hyacinth was a secret Christian. Once, when Emperor Trajan and his entire court solemnly offered sacrifices to the idols, Hyacinth refrained from this abominable activity. For that he was accused and brought before the emperor to be judged. The emperor counseled him to deny Christ and offer sacrifices to the idols. But Hyacinth remained as firm as a diamond and said to the emperor: “I am a Christian and I honor Christ. I worship Him, and to Him alone do I offer myself as a living sacrifice.” Beaten, spat upon and flayed, this holy martyr was thrown into prison. By order of the emperor, he was given nothing to eat except sacrifices offered be- fore the idols. Hyacinth refused to partake of them and died in prison after eight days. Then the prison guards saw two radiant angels in the prison. One angel covered the body of the mar- tyred Hyacinth with his radiant vesture, and the other placed a glorious wreath on his head. And the entire prison was illuminated and fragrant. The youthful Hyacinth suffered honorably and was crowned with eternal glory in the year 108.