St. Arsenios of Paros resurrects a baby girl!

St. Arsenios of Paros (source)

  
St. Arsenios of Paros resurrects a baby girl!
A few minutes ago, Gerontissa Arsenia Tsantouli (the Abbess of the Monastery where St. Arsenios of Paros lived in asceticism), and the Nuns offered the following astonishing miracle:

In Belgium lived for many years the sister of Gerontissa Arsenia, where she had a family, and her granddaughter was made worthy 5 months ago to become a mother.

The baby girl was baptized this year, 2018, on the feast of Theophany and received the name Arsenia in honor of the Venerable Arsenios.

However, the baby got sick suddenly and they took her to the hospital with dyspnea.

After two days, January 8th 2018, the baby unfortunately left this life, leaving her parents inconsolable.

That very day, a Greek doctor, who was in that very hospital, was making his rounds, and received as a visitor an old man with a cane, whom he told that the baby was dead. The old man told him to go and perform chest compressions and breaths, and even though 24 hours had passed since her death was confirmed by science, that the child would live.

The doctor noted in a letter that he did what the old man said, and the baby Arsenia, glory to God, returned to life!

As the mother returned to the hospital in order to prepare for the funeral, she found her baby girl alive in her bed.

The Elder who spoke to the doctor was St. Arsenios himself, as his appears in his icon.

"God is wondrous among His Saints!"

Fr. Dionysios Tampakis
January 22nd 2018
The Holy Monastery of Christ Dasous - St. Arsenios, Paros
(source)
  

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

Mother Gavrielia: "If you have love for the whole world..."

Mother Gavriella (+1992) (source)

   

"If you have love for the whole world, the whole world is beautiful."

-Mother Gavriella the Missionary, the "Ascetic of Love" (+1992)

   

(source)

   

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

"The angel upon the earth, and man of God in the heavens..."

St. Anthony the Great (source)

  
The angel upon the earth, and man of God in the heavens, the adornment of the world, and the nourishment of good things and of virtues, the boast of Ascetics, let us honor Anthony. For he was planted in the house of God, and blossomed righteously as a cedar in the desert, and multiplied the flocks of the rational sheep of Christ, in holiness and righteousness.
-Idiomelon of the Litia
  
(source)
  

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

Elder Ephraim of Arizona: "Who ever hoped in God and was put to shame?"

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior (source)

 

“Why are you sorrowful and glum while walking along the way of God? Those who have forgotten God, who have no hope in the living and eternal fountain of God, should grieve. But we, who believe in the living God and whose hopes depend upon Him, ought to rejoice that we have such a Father in the heavens, Who loves us more than all fathers and mothers and Who takes infinite care to render us worthy of Him. But, you say, we fall every moment! Yes, I do not deny it—but we know that our nature is from clay and that it desires the earth and seeks what is base, for “the mind of man is inclined to evil from his youth.” (cf. Gen. 8:21 ). And we see within us a law which seeks to capture our free will, to subjugate it and render it a slave of sin. (cf. Rom. 7:23 ). In all this, however, our good intention triumphs. God has given us spiritual weapons to fight against every satanic attack: the glorious banner of the cross of hope—living hope in Him Who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (cf. Heb. 13:5 )—hope in our Christ, who was hanged on the Cross, and all who look upon Him and hope in Him will not be put to shame. The all-immaculate Blood which was poured out on the Cross pardoned the sins of mankind and poured forth life. “Blessed is the man who hopes in Him.” (cf. Ps. 33:8 ).

Take courage, my child; this grief of yours will turn into joy. This grief produces great good for you; it surrounds you as with a breastplate of iron, so that the evil darts of attachment to earthly things do not tear your mind away from the concern for heavenly things and for your immortal soul. Grief will succeed joy, and joy, grief, just as night follows day. This is how the Father of lights has established the path of those who are being saved. Just have patience and hope: engrave these in the depths of your heart—with these, all adversities will be faced. Cling to our sweet Jesus; cry out to Him in your afflictions. Entrust to Him the care of grievous things and He will do good to you, as to Hannah, the mother of the Prophet Samuel, who out of extreme grief because of her barrenness, fell down before the Lord and poured out her soul as if beside herself. And her petition did not fail. [vid. 1 Kings (1 Sam. ) 1:1-18 ]. Who ever hoped in God and was put to shame? Of course, this does not mean blameworthy hope but active hope—that is, hope along with spiritual works according to our strength; otherwise, it is not hope but mockery. Save us from such deceitful hope, O God.”

– Elder Ephraim of Arizona

(source)

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

Elder Symeon Kragiopoulos: Repentance means a change of mindset

The Baptism of Christ, Holy Theophany (source)

  
Sunday after Theophany (Matt. 4, 12-17, Eph. 4, 7-13)
Elder Symeon Kragiopoulos: Repentance means a change of mindset

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Man, and even the very best Christian, has the inclination to order himself interiorly so that he creates a system. From a spiritual perspective this is death, because the system does not allow you to benefit spiritually. Repentance means an overthrow of the system, so that nothing remains standing; it means a change of mind, of outlook, of thoughts, a change of our entire being. We need to leave behind our mindset of “belonging” to ourselves, and living the way we want –in which case our only concern is how to maintain a fake relationship with God– and we must return fairly, honestly, and truly to God.

  
The kingdom of God is not going to come to our souls, nor are our souls going to enter into the kingdom of God, if we do not repent. The point is for the grace of God to begin to flow in our souls. And this can take place within us through the most habitual things. That is, just by saying our prayers: Our Father, Lord have mercy, etc. However, one needs to keep doing, to insist on these familiar practices, until the springs of heaven open. To make a start in repentance means: I will rise in the morning and stand before God as though it’s the first day of my life, but also as though it’s the last. I will stand humbly, in prayer and trusting myself to God, waiting for Him to have mercy on me. And, O the wonder, the hour will come when our souls will open, and we will live the true internal repentance and we will feel what it means to have communion with God.

  

Transcribed talks by Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos

From: Holy Hesychasterion “The Nativity of Theotokos” Publications.

(source)

  

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

Pontian Carols of Theophany

The Baptism of Christ, Holy Theophany (source)

 
The following is a translation of a beautiful and theological Greek carol (i.e. non-liturgical) from Pontos in Asia Minor, that was sung around the feast of Epiphany or Theophany on January 6th. It matches in its poetic pattern the famous Byzantine Christmas Carol "The Beginningless God descended...", and is sung with a similar melody. May our Lord grant us all an illumined and blessed new year!
 
Κάλαντα για τα Θεοφάνεια 
Από της ερήμου ο Πρόδρομος ήλθε να βαπτίσει τον Κύριον.
Βέβαιον Βασιλέα εβάπτισε, Υιόν και Θεόν ομολόγησε.
Γηγενείς, σκιρτάτε και χαίρεσθε, τάξεις των Αγγέλων, ευφραίνεσθε.
Δόξα εν υψίστοις εκραύγαζον, Κύριον και Θεόν ομολόγησαν.
Έλεγεν ο κόσμος τον κύριον να αναγεννήσει τον άνθρωπον.
Ζήτησον και σώσον το πρόβατον, το απολωλός, ω Θεάνθρωπε.
Ήλθε, κηρυττόμενον έβλεπε, απορών εφάνει ο Πρόδρομος.
Θες μοι την παλάμην σου, Πρόδρομε, βάπτισον ευθύς τον Δεσπότην σου.
Ιορδάνη ρεύσε τα νάματα, ιν’ ανασκιρτήσει τα ύδατα.
Κεφαλάς δρακόντων συνέθλασε των κακοφρονούντων ο Κύριος.
Λέγουσιν οι Άγγελοι σήμερον, ο Χριστός τον κόσμον εφώτισεν.
Μέγα και φρικτόν το μυστήριον, δούλος τον Δεσπότη εβάπτισε.
Νους ο Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος μέγας, να βαπτίσει τον Κύριον.
Ξένος ο προφήτης ο Πρόδρομος, μέγας, να βαπτίσει τον Κύριον.
Όλον τον Αδάμ ανεκάλεσε ο των όλων κτίστης και Κύριος.
Παναγία, Δέσποινα του παντός, σώσον τους εις Σε προσκυνούντας νυν.
Ρείθρα Ιορδάνη, αγάλλεσθε, την πορείαν άλλως λαμβάνετε.
Σήμερον ο κτίστης δεδόξασται δι’ αυτό το μέγα μυστήριον.
Τρεις γαρ υποστάσεις εγνώκαμεν, Πατρός και Υιού και του Πνεύματος.
Υπό Αρχαγγέλων υμνούμενον, υπό Σεραφείμ δοξαζόμενον.
Φως γαρ τοις σκότει επέλαμψε, όταν ο Χριστός εβαπτίζετο.
Χαίροντες και χείρας προσάγοντες και λαμπράν πανήγυριν άδοντες.
Ψάλλοντες Χριστόν τον Θεόν ημών, δέξασθε λουτήρα βαπτίσματος.
Ο Θεός των όλων και Κύριος δώη σας υγείαν και χαίρετε.
 

Holy Theophany (source)

 
Pontian Carols of Theophany
From the desert, the Forerunner came to baptize the Lord
(The phrase: "Holy, Holy Holy, are You, O Lord", is repeated in some traditions after every line)
In truth, he baptized the King, and confessed Him to be the Son of God.
Those upon the earth, dance and be glad, rejoice, O ranks of the Angels.
"Glory in the highest", they cried, confessing the Lord and God.
The world asked the Lord to give rebirth to man.
"Seek out and save the sheep that was lost, O God-man."
He came, secretly, and saw, and appeared to the homeless Forerunner.
"Give me your hand, O Forerunner, straightaway baptize your Master."
O Jordan, pour forth your streams, that the waters might dance and turn back.
The Lord crushed the heads of the dragons and those of evil mind.
The Angels say today, "Christ has enlightened the world.
O great and awesome mystery, That the servant baptized the Master."
John the Forerunner, the great nous, is here to baptize the Lord.
A strange and great prophet is the Forerunner, who is here to baptize the Lord.
All those of Adam He has called back, the Creator of all and the Lord.
O Panagia, Lady of all, save those who ever venerate you.
O streams of the Jordan, rejoice, but receive a new course.
Today the Creator is glorified through His great mystery.
We have come to know three hypostases: Father and Son and Spirit,
Hymned by the Archangels, and glorified by the Seraphim.
Light has shown forth for those in darkness, when Christ was baptized.
Let us rejoice and lift up our hands, and celebrate this radiant feast.
Chanting unto Christ our God, receiving the cleansing of baptism.
May the God of all and Lord, grant unto you health and joy.
(source)
 

The blessing of the local waters and the diving for the cross, among the beautiful traditions of Theophany throughout the world (source)

 

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

"You put on the waters of the Jordan, O Savior..."

Icon of the Baptism of Christ, the Great Feast of Theophany (source)

  

You put on the waters of the Jordan, O Savior, You Who array Yourself with light as with a garment, and You inclined Your head to the Forerunner, You Who count heaven in palm of Your hand, in order to return the world from error, and to save our souls.

-Doxastikon of the Praises, Matins of Holy Theophany, by Anatolios.

  

(source)

  

Mosaic from Ormylia: The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, the Great Feast of Holy Theophany (source)

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