Overthrow of the chiefest terror

 

Death itself, which once was man’s chiefest terror, has been overthrown, and now that which was once the object of hate and loathing is preferred to life.  These are the achievements of Christ’s presence:  these are the tokens of His power.  For it was not one people that He saved, as when through Moses He divided the sea and delivered Israel out of Egypt and the bondage of Pharaoh (cf Exodus 14:16); no, rather He rescued all mankind from the corruption of death and the bitter tyranny of sin:  not leading them by force to virtue, not overwhelming them with earth or burning them with fire, or ordering the sinners to be stoned, but persuading men by gentleness and long-suffering to choose virtue and vie with one another and find pleasure in the struggle to attain it. 





Evidence of the Creator's hand

The very harmony of creation, its preservation and governing, teach us that there is a God who has put all this together and keeps it together, ever maintaining it and providing for it. 

What Happened on the Cross
by St. John of Damascus (7^th century)

 Icon courtesy of Uncut Mountain Supply

By nothing else except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ has death been brought low:

The sin of our first parent destroyed,
hell plundered,
resurrection bestowed,
the power given us to despise the things of this world,
even death itself,
the road back to the former blessedness made smooth,
the gates of paradise opened,
our nature seated at the right hand of God,
and we made children and heirs of God.

By the Cross all these things have been set aright...

It is a seal that the destroyer may not strike us,
a raising up of those who lie fallen,
a support for those who stand,
a staff for the infirm,
a crook for the shepherded,
a guide for the wandering,
a perfecting of the advanced,
salvation for soul and body,
a deflector of all evils,
a cause of all good,
a destruction of sin,
a plant of resurrection,
and a tree of eternal life.

How the poor benefit the wealthy

Just as the poor should give thanks to God and return rich love to those who assist them, so all the more should the wealthy give thanks, for through God's providence they are able to perform acts of charity, and so are saved both in this age and in the age to come.  For without the poor they cannot save their souls or flee the temptations of wealth.  St. Peter of Damascus

Back on March 25, you'll see an entry about the ministries of the Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church in Calcutta.  Since that posting I have learned more about the current situation of the ministry—that is, it has acute needs at present.  Long-term funding which had been coming consistently from Greece has fallen off (due to economic hardships in the country) to the point that the ministries in Calcutta are now in a crisis situation.  I would like to ask the readers here if they would take a look at the posting once more and if at all inclined, send a gift of any amount to the St. Basil Orphanage Fund at this link:  http://thepsoc.org/donate/

Perhaps those of you who read this can pass along this request to your church’s philanthropic ministry as well, asking them to consider the needs.  It could be that your local church might be willing to take up the needs of these two orphanages and feeding program for the poorest of the poor on a routine basis.  The children who are sheltered by these orphanages pray for their benefactors daily.  What could bring a greater blessing than being remembered by these young and otherwise vulnerable people, beloved by God?

Herein lies an opportunity and a blessing; a small thing to us, perhaps, but of inestimable value to them.  The recompense goes on to heaven, stored up for those who respond with love.

With appreciation and love,

Pres. Candace

On the grace of the Saints and their icons

The saints, during their earthly life, are filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.  After their departure the same grace remains in their souls as in their bodies.  The very same grace is present and active in their sacred images and icons.  St. John of Damascus