Friday, July 17, 2015

The Holy Great Martyr Marina

On July 17, we commemorate The Holy Great Martyr Marina (Margaret):

This Martyr lived during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was from Pisidia of Cilicia and was the only daughter of a certain priest of the idols. On being orphaned by her mother, she was handed over to a certain woman who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. When she was fifteen years old, she was apprehended by the ruler of Olmbrius, and when asked her name, homeland, and faith, she answered: "My name is Marina; I am the offspring of the Pisidia; I call upon the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." Because of this she endured bonds, imprisonment, and many whippings, and was finally beheaded in the year 270. Saint Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.

Read more at [GOArch.org www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=131&language=en]

On the Recent Chattanooga Shootings

The following is my response to the shooting in Chattanooga that killed four Marines.


The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 6

This next chapter is actually very quite short, and it is on a topic that I know I have a problem with on most days.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

MYSTAGOGY: Eleven Anonymous Turkish Muslims Baptized Orthodox...

MYSTAGOGY: Eleven Anonymous Turkish Muslims Baptized Orthodox...: Eleven Turkish citizens, among them being a famous Turkish actor, were baptized a few days ago [in May 2015] Orthodox Christians. The Myste...

MYSTAGOGY: What Ever Happened to the Holy Altar of Hagia Soph...

MYSTAGOGY: What Ever Happened to the Holy Altar of Hagia Soph...: According to legend, after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, three Venetian ships fled the city filled with various relic...

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 5

This next chapter on our journey through the Rule covers obedience.


Athenogenes the Holy Martyr of Heracleopolis

On July 16, we commemorate Athenogenes the Holy Martyr of Heracleopolis:

This Saint was from Sebastia of Cappadocia and , according to the Synaxaristes, became Bishop of Pidachthoa. He and ten of his disciples were tortured and beheaded by the Governor of Philomarchus in the times of Diocletian. There is a second Martyr Athenogenes commemorated today, mentioned by Saint Basil in Chapter 29 of his treatise "On the Holy Spirit"; it is said that as this Athenogenes approached the fire, wherein he was to die a martyric death, he chanted the hymn O Joyous Light in praise of the Holy Trinity

Read more at GOArch.org