Sts. Kosmas and Damian: "Who would not wonder?"

Sts. Kosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries (source)

   

Who would not wonder? Who would not glorify? Who would not faithfully hymn the wise and glorious wonders of the Unmercenaries? For also after their holy translation, they grant to those who hasten to them healings richly, and their precious and holy relics pour forth the grace of hearings. O holy Dyad! O precious heads! O wisdom and glory, of the grace granted to you from God! Therefore we sing hymns to the benevolent God, Who showed them to be for healing of souls and bodies.

-Doxastikon of the Orthros Aposticha, in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

   

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Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

The Holy Belt of the Theotokos to visit Four Cities in Greece

Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi carrying the Holy Belt of the Theotokos (source)

     
The Holy and wondrous Belt (Zoni) of the Theotokos, one of the only treasures of the Theotokos to have survived to our days, and treasured by the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, will soon make one of its rare trips outside of the Holy Mountain. This is a great and rare blessing for the people of Greece, especially for women, children, and others who cannot visit the Monastery of Vatopedi themselves. Many miracles occur through the Theotokos, especially helping couples that have difficulty having children.

The Holy Belt of the Theotokos will be in:
-Nea Ionia, Attica - November 3rd - 13th, 2017
-Larissa - November 14th - 19th.
-Mesolonghi - November 19th - 22nd.
-Agrinio - November 22nd - 25th.
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Please pass this on to any friends or family and take advantage of this great gift!

Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

"That you might be arrayed, O Demetrios..."

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-streamer (source)

 
That you might be arrayed, O Demetrios, in the garment which the former Adam was stripped of, you put on the new Adam [Christ], and you put off the skin of the flesh, therefore because of this, myrrh and crowns of the Kingdom were radiantly betrothed to you.
-from the Matins Canon of St. Demetrios
 
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Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Metropolitan Athanasios of Lemesos: "Are there virtuous lay people in our contemporary world?"

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Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Elder Ephraim of Arizona on Pains and Afflictions

Christ crucified (source)

 
Here in this vain world, my child, we shall be afflicted, we shall be embittered, we shall feel pain. But all this is for a limited time; it is temporary—let us pray that God does not abandon us to an eternal degree and measure, for then we would not bear it. 

Whenever you are in pain and are afflicted, call to mind Him Who was Crucified and then you will find much relief. For who could gaze at the Crucified One and reflect on His Passion which He suffered for us, and not find balm for his wounds, whether spiritual or physical? Look up, my child, there on Golgotha, there where the holy Lamb triumphed victoriously in order to wash the wounds of our sins and passions with His Blood. 

His compassion is great; never lose your confidence in Him Who was crucified for you...
-Elder Ephraim of Arizona
   
(source)
   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!