CATECHESIS & DAILY INSPIRATION |
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The Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes |
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The NATIVITY FAST
A time for preparation!
May our spiritual efforts bring us renewal in Christ!
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Reflections and Daily Inspiration |
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“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
1 Cor. 16:13
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Father John Behr - Advice to Someone Interested in Becoming Orthodox
26,687 views
Father John recently finished a new critical edition and translation of Origen's On First Principles for Oxford University Press, and is beginning work on a new edition and translation of the complete works of St. #Irenaeus of Lyons.
While Father John is well qualified to answer more arcane theological questions, in this episode he gives a solid pastoral answer to the very practical question: "What advice would you give to someone interested in Orthodoxy?"
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MEMORY ETERNAL
Fr. Dusan has traveled a storied journey since his birth in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, April 25, 1928, the only son of Pavle Bunjevic and Zora Tomic Bunjevic. Because of his father’s profession as a Civil Engineer, most of his youth and growing up took place in Nis and Belgrade, though some years were also spent in Dubrovnik and Mostar. He graduated from the 6th Belgrade Gymnasium in 1951; four years behind his normal class year due to imprisonment by a regime that punished people on flimsy grounds just as a matter of course.
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Communique of the Holy Synod of Bishops
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at their meeting on December 24, 2020, decided to summon the Holy Assembly of Bishops for the election of the new first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, to be held on February 18, 2021.
From the office of the Holy Synod of Bishops
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Changing Holiday Season into Holy Days Season
The Holy Apostle Paul addresses these words to the faithful in Corinth, the city located some 48 miles southwest of Athens, Greece. He wrote this epistle letter to the Corinthians while in Ephesus around 55 AD. His purpose was to teach them that we are created for communion with God and each other. Having been informed of some problems and concerns in the community, the Apostle Paul now in writing gives them the teachings of the Church on various aspects of community, family and doctrine.
These encouraging words of the Holy Apostle are equally relevant for us livng in America today. We too need to be affirmed in our faith; we too need to be reminded of the various aspects of community life; we too need to be exhorted in our confession and proclamation of the Faith.
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SAINT OF THE DAY
DECEMBER 26 / DECEMBER 13
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The Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes
These five courageous men shone like five shining stars in the dark days of the Christ-persecuting Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. St. Eustratius was a Roman commander in the city of Satalionus; Eugene was his companion in the army; Orestes was likewise a distinguished soldier; Auxentius was a priest; and Mardarius was an ordinary citizen who came, like Eustratius, from the town of Arabrak. The imperial deputies Lysias and Agricolus tortured Auxentius first since he was a priest. Seeing the innocent suffering of Christians, Eustratius appeared in front of Lysias and declared that he was also a Christian. While Eustratius was being tortured, Eugene appeared before the judge and cried out: “Lysias, I too am a Christian.” When Eustratius was led through the town of Arabrak with the other martyrs, Mardarius saw them from the roof of his house. He took leave of his wife and two young children and rushed after the martyrs, shouting into the faces of the tormentors: “I too am a Christian, like my lord Eustratius.” When St. Orestes was target-practicing in the presence of Lysias, the cross he was wearing fell from his chest and Lysias realized that he was a Christian, after which Orestes openly confessed his faith. Orestes was a young and handsome soldier and towered above all the other soldiers in stature. Auxentius was beheaded, Eugene and Mardarius died while being tortured, Orestes expired on a red-hot iron grid, and Eustratius died in a fiery furnace. St. Blaise (February 11) administered Holy Communion to St. Eustratius in prison before his death. Their relics were later taken to Constantinople and buried in the church dedicated to them: The Holy Five Companions. They were seen alive in that church, and St. Orestes appeared to St. Dimitri of Rostov (October 28). A beautiful prayer by St. Eustratius is extant, which is read at the Midnight Service on Saturday: “Most highly do I magnify Thee, O Lord.”
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