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.
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.
Dear Children of God, how are you? How is the fasting season? Children, fasting is not to consume (eat) food and drink beverages (liquids) for a given period of time. Fasting is the key to heaven and the initiation of righteousness.
Dear Children of God, when we fast it shall be with prayer, prostration (bowing) and attending Divine Liturgy. We must not also forget to attend the school education and be brave student. Ok, good! Children, for this lesson, we will teach you about Holy Gospel.
Our Israeli forefathers had gone through severe tribulations and predicaments which Prophet David illustrated in the Holy Bible clearly. He showed us how God took them out from the middle of Fire and Water.
Most fruitful and ample as it is, patience is filled with endurance and perseverance. As we know it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Saint James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) The Apostle told us that patience makes us perfect which means to lack nothing. He is saying to ask the Lord for patience which will be given to us.