The remarkable and astonishing story of the three-year-old martyr Saint Cyricus and his mother Julitta, for their honorable martyrdom aided by the Archangel Saint Gabriel is one of the celebrated holiday of our Orthodox Church.
Dear Children of God, how are you? How is summer season? Are you spending your break time properly? Hope you are using your time effectively programming it wisely for your prayer, Church attendance, reading, playing and also helping you parents with house chorus. Ok, good! Dear Children, today we will tell you a story about Saint Ephraim the Syrian.
Just as we cry out to God for a solution when we face problems in our personal lives, we expect a solution from Him when torment rounds Church. In our understanding, assuming He is slow or silent, we say why? We say how can God remain silent whilst Priests are slaughtered, Churches are being burned, laities being hunted, Scriptures being pinched, Holy Temple looted? We are saying this perhaps because we expect something to destroy the people who do this. No matter what we think, we get confused if things do not go the way we expected, then we give up.
The Trinity was revealed under the terebinth trees of Mamre, which Patristic Fathers interpret as an ‘olive tree’; And Abraham ran to them, assuming they were adult guests, to take and host them in his house. “When he saw them, he ran from the door of the tent to meet them.” (Genesis 18:2). He came near and fell to the ground and raised his hand. And he said to them. “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” (Genesis 18:3)
The light of the world who spoke this word is Saint Paul. It is a verse that explains that if one loves God with absolute faith, even if he is hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, beaten, imprisoned or killed, nothing can separate him from the love of God. Hamele 5 (July 12) is commemorated in memory of Saint Paul and Saint Peter who were martyred by the Roman King Nero for their religion. Every year on the 5th of this month, Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s holiday is celebrated on the same day. The histories of these Saints are also briefly described in order. “Who can separate me from Christ’s love?” (Romans 8:35)
Now in the world of suffering and happiness, falling and rising, weakness and courage or any other emotions take over our lives turn by turn. This actually is not new. It is said “In the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33). On top of living a life of Christianity, being human in general has its ups and downs. Being a Christian gives a different perspective in the life of spirituality, so it has far more challenges. The Church is always under suffering. Even in the world of the Angles has been through countless struggles.
Dear Children of God, how are you? How is life with your family and your friends? Are you helping your parents with house chorus (house work) in your break time? Children, as we frequently told you, it is important to understand Christian discipline. As the commandment of God says, “Honor your father and mother” that is to obey their rule in the house and elsewhere. (Exodus 20:12)
Children, today we will teach you about the winter season so follow us attentively. There are four kinds of seasons in our country. The first one is spring, the second is summer, the third is autumn and the fourth is winter. We are now in the fourth season which is the rainy season, winter.
Tears have much power in spiritual life in pleading God for what is vital. Our heart cries out towards the Lord seeking leniency, deliverance or else salvation. It is our hope in bringing peace and liberty to live in eternal life. Prophet David says, “Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126:5) His words are the clarification of all the pain, anguish and sorrow we embrace in our Christianity for the Love of Lord and Jesus Christ. We have cried out for His mercy, hope and sovereignty. The strength of us though any impediments is our faith on God and His work of salvation. It is the believe in Him that passes the trial in Christian life. The truth of true life in Christ is, baring all the pain and torment brought upon us for His will is the salvation of mankind. Our deed is the seed we sow on earthly life and reap in joy in the Kingdom of Heaven in heritance.
Life without hope is empty; hope is strength in our spirituality. We can overcome any quandaries in our lives if we have hope. After the first man Adam ate the forbidden fruit and was sent out of heaven sentenced for death, he suffered much but pleaded God in sorrow and tears. Then the Lord had mercy and vowed to save him. So, Adam waited in hope for 5500 years.
The day of the construction of the first Church of Holy Mother Saint Mary in the province of Caesarea, Chalcedon is a holiday. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ built it with three stones without any wood, mud or water.