CATECHESIS & DAILY INSPIRATION |
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Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Mediolanum (Milan) (397) |
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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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A child has many desires. Everything catches his attention, attracts him, and gives birth to desires. Being unable to distinguish good from evil, he desires everything, and he is ready to do everything he desires. A child left to himself becomes untamable and self-willed. Therefore, parents must strictly watch this sprout of the soul’s activity.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
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"Flight of Freedom" by Biljana Bojović, performed by the UC Davis Cello Ensemble
573 views•Dec 3, 2020
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Children's Day
To all our children, may it be happy and blessed by God, Childhood holiday!
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Guardian Angels
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
– From the Liturgy of St John of Chrysostom
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Tatiana and Maria Testimonial
108 views • Dec 9, 2020
1.15K subscribers
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ST. NICHOLAS, SANTA CLAUS, AND THE NATIVITY: AN INTERVIEW WITH METROPOLITAN HILARION (ALFEYEV)
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Give in Honor of a Loved One
With FOCUS North America’s Online Christmas Catalog you can understand the feeling of joy and gratitude that comes from extending a hand of compassion and love to someone in need this holiday season.
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SAINT OF THE DAY
DECEMBER 20 / DECEMBER 7
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Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Mediolanum (Milan) (397)
This great holy father of the Orthodox Church was of eminent birth. His father was the imperial deputy of Gaul and Spain and was a pagan by faith, but his mother was a Christian. While he was still in the cradle, a swarm of bees settled on him, poured honey onto his lips, and flew away. And while still a child, he extended his hand and spoke prophetically: “Kiss it, for I will be a bishop.” After his father’s death, the emperor appointed him as his representative in the province of Liguria, of which Milan was the chief city. When the bishop of Milan died, a great dispute arose between the Orthodox Christians and the Arian heretics concerning the election of a new bishop. Ambrose entered the church to maintain order, this being his duty. At that moment, a child at its mother’s bosom ex- claimed: “Ambrose for bishop!” All the people took this as the voice of God and unanimously elected Ambrose as their bishop, contrary to his will. Ambrose was baptized, passed through all the necessary ranks, and was consecrated to the episcopacy, all within a week. As bishop, Ambrose strengthened the Orthodox Faith, suppressed the heretics, adorned churches, spread the Faith among the pagans, wrote many instructive books, and served as an example of a true Christian and a true Christian shepherd. He composed the famous hymn “We Praise Thee, O God.” This glorious hierarch, whom men visited from distant lands for his wisdom and sweetness of words, was very restrained, diligent and vigilant. He slept very little, labored and prayed constantly, and fasted every day except Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, God allowed him to witness many of His miracles and to perform miracles himself. He discovered the relics of the Holy Martyrs Protasius, Gervasius, Nazarius, and Celsus (October 14). Meek toward lesser men, he was fearless before the great. He reproached Empress Justina as a heretic, cursed Maximus the tyrant and murderer, and forbade Emperor Theodosius to enter a church until he had repented of his sin. He also refused to meet with Eugenius, the tyrannical and self-styled emperor. God granted this man, so pleasing to Him, such grace that he even raised the dead, drove out demons from men, healed the sick of every infirmity, and foresaw the future. Ambrose died peacefully on the morning of Pascha in the year 397.
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