CATECHESIS & DAILY INSPIRATION
The Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus
Reflections and Daily Inspiration
When you throw a nail into a fire, it gets hot and starts to glow like fire. In the same way you, when you listen to divine teachings and live accordingly, will become like God.

St. Symeon of Daibabe
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION
Draw Near: Understanding Orthodox Worship - Exploring the Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church

In this video, we see an introduction to the Orthodox worship and way of life. We explore some of the different aspects of our worship, including liturgical services, hymns, iconography, and the universal priestly calling of all people.

This video is part of a series named "Exploring the Feasts of the Church" by the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which explores the major feasts of Christ and the Theotokos as well as the meaning and purpose of Christian worship in the context of the Church's annual liturgical cycle.

FROM THE NEWS
BISHOP LONGIN
OFFERS CONDOLENCES
ON REPOSE OF METROPOLITAN THEODOSIUS
 
His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica-Midwestern America sent a letter of condolence on behalf of the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America on the passing of the Most-Blessed Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor). 

Read More: serborth.org
Metropolitan Hilarion:
The Lord Gives Each of Us an Opportunity to Get Near the Kingdom of Heaven Here, On Earth

On October 18, 2020, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, the feast day of the Synaxis of Moscow Saints, Metropolitan Hilarion, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, officiated a Divine Liturgy at the Church of Joy Of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow, reports the website of the DECR.

At the end of the liturgy, the archpastor delivered a sermon conveying the message that each of us has an opportunity to get near the Kingdon of Heaven here, on earth.

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCTOBER 22 / OCTOBER 9
The Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus

James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was the blood-brother of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew. He was a witness of the true words and miracles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a witness of His suffering, Resurrection and Ascension.
After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the lot fell to James to preach the Gospel of Christ in Eleutheropolis and the surrounding areas, and then in Egypt, where he suffered for his Savior. With great power in word and in deed, James disseminated the saving news of the incarnate Word of God, destroying idolatry, driving demons out of men, and healing every infirmity and disease in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. His labor and zeal were crowned with great success. Many pagans came to believe in Christ, churches were built and organized, and priests and bishops were ordained. James suffered in the Egyptian town of Ostracina, being crucified by the pagans. Thus, this great and wonderful apostle of Christ took up his abode in the Heavenly Kingdom, to reign eternally with the King of Glory.