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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

ALL SAINTS.

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)

 

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

                                                                                            (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

“The saints in the spiritual world are like the rays of the sun in the material world. God is eternal, life-giving Sun, and the saints are the rays of this wise Sun.”  (St. John of Kronstadt)

 

“The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ concealed them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy.....”

                                                                                (St. Nicolas Velimirovich)

 

SUNDAY 7^th JUNE. All Saints. Hieromartyr  Theodotus of Ancyra (303). Hieromartyrs Marcellinus & Marcellus, Popes of Rome, & Martyr Priscilla of Rome (304-9). Martyr Valeria of Caesarea in Palestine (284-305). St. Colman, Bishop of Dromore (6^th). St. Panagis (Paisios) Basias, Priest (Cephalonia 1888).

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL. Matthew 10:32-33,37-38; 19:27-30. ““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””

 

  

Today we remember all the saints, those who, through their lives and witness, are examples to all of us. We have many beloved saints whose names we know. Our Orthodox Christian names attach us to our individual saints of whom we ask:

              “Pray to God for me, O Saint N., well-pleasing to God, for I eagerly betake myself to thee, who art the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.”

We also ask the saints for their prayers before their relics and icons because of their sanctity before the heavenly throne. In our altars are deposited the relics of the saints. Their relics are sewn into the  Antemension on which the priest celebrates the Holy Eucharist. This cloth is portable and allows the priest to serve the Liturgy anywhere (antemension meaning instead of the table (altar)).

While we know many saints by their martyrdoms, deeds and words, there are many saints known only to God. This cloud of holy men and women are like beacons in our dark world pointing us in the right direction on an often difficult and unseen path. We must not forget that these men and women were human beings like us who, because of their faith, often had difficult lives but overcame all to follow Him. In today’s Gospel we have the as ever impetuous St. Peter more or less asking ‘what’s in it for us?’ Jesus assures the disciples that their sacrifice will be well rewarded in the heavenly kingdom. 

When Christ tells us we must love Him above all our worldly attachments, this is not a negative thing. For if we love Him who is the embodiment of all that true love means we cannot fail to love all of His children. To follow Him is to love even if it causes us pain and anguish. He suffered and died for us and asks us, who would follow Him to take up our crosses so that we may be worthy of His glorious and life-giving Resurrection. We may not be allocated thrones but remember the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” What does this mean for us? Let us contemplate on this as we journey with Him, listening to His words and observing His actions, that we may be worthy to follow in the footsteps of the saints who are well pleasing to God. The Most Holy Mother of God of all the saints is a most beautiful example when she answered the Archangel Gabriel with the words, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

 

                                                                                                   Much Love,

 

                                                                                                   Fr. George.