How to Imitate Both Mary and Martha

The Light of the East Charismatic Humility

How to Imitate Both Mary and Martha

http://www.patristicnectar.org

This 5 part offering is available at Patristic Nectar Publications website

“The present life is a wrestling school, a gymnasium, a battle, a smelting furnace, and a dyer’s house of virtue” – St John Chrysostom

Friday, September 11th, 2015

St. Elias the Cave-Dweller

Dear Ones,

Blessings!

How to Imitate Both Mary and Martha

“He who works with his hands and prays in his heart becomes doubly rich because he serves Jesus present in the person of the poor like Martha and he attends to the sayings of the Word of God with his intellect, like Mary.”

St. Eilas the Cave-Dweller commemorated on September 11th

Today is the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation in NYC, DC and Shanksville, PA.

At 11am this morning we will pray an Akathist to the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts” together with the Trisagion for the Departed and the Prayer Below.

I send it for those of you who would like to pray this prayer at home or the office today.

the 9-11 Cross

GOD REST THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO WERE KILLED ON 9/11. MEMORY ETERNAL!

A Prayer for September 11th

O Lord our God, Who art Thyself, the Hope of the hopeless, the Help of the helpless, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick; be all things to our land which fourteen years ago on this date was devastated by the cowardly and hateful acts of false martyrs; who imitated wicked Herod in his slaughter of the 14,000 innocents. To those who lost loved ones, grant the comfort thou didst impart to Mary and Martha before Thou didst raise their brother Lazarus from the dead, and care for them as Thou didst care for Thy Mother from the Cross, putting her in the care of the Apostle John. To the survivors, grant healing in every sense, as thou didst strengthen and heal the confessors. To those related to and aiding the survivors and the families of the fallen, grant the strength and compassion Thou didst instill in Thine adopted father Joseph, who was Thy guardian in Thine earthly youth. To those who died, grant remission of their every sin in Thy great compassion; both to those who like the wise servant and the wise virgins, constantly prepared themselves to enter the heavenly banquet at any hour; as well as those who emulated the Rich Fool, preferring to enjoy earthly pursuits and ignore heavenly ones. To us, grant the knowledge that while the devil still manipulates our Divinely-given free will to his own ends in this world, his power is fleeting and ultimately void, as Thou hast already crushed his dominion. And as for those who hate us, speak to their hearts as St. Procla sought to speak to her husband Pontius Pilate concerning Thee, and as Thou didst speak to Pharoah concerning the Hebrews, and so soften the hearts of those who seek our destruction. Spare, O Lord, those who protect us, the law enforcement agents and the first responders, from despondency, disillusionment, and all things which would undermine their righteous calling to protect us in the manner of our Guardian Angels, and care for us in the manner of the Good Samaritan. All this we ask of Thee our All-powerful and All-loving Savior, giving glory to Thee together with Thine unorginate Father and Thine all-holy and good and life-giving and Comforting Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

US Senator Mike Lee Makes the Most Articulate Summary of the Planned Parenthod Expose Videos

https://youtu.be/PKbr1e7zEFE

If you are interested in an educated summary of the significance of these Expose videos and what they mean and should mean for our nation please watch this 10 minute video.

Special Prayer Request

Last night in Paraklesis we prayed for Mother Markella and the Sisters of the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos because a very large fire is threatening the entire area. Please read this update below and pray

FIRE THREATENS MONASTERY AND SAINT NICHOLAS RANCH IN DUNLAP, CA

The Rough Fire located in central California has consumed over 103,000 acres. Residents in many communities along its path have been evacuated, included staff at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the adjacent Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring. The fire is approximately four miles away from the Ranch and Monastery facilities, located in Dunlap, California, and the air quality is extremely poor and is a health hazard for residents.

Abbess Markella and 18 sisters from the Monastery are graciously being provided with accommodations from the Sisters of Nazareth from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, and Monastery Chaplain Rev. Father John Angelis is staying in the home of parishioners from Saint George in Fresno. Three sisters remain at the Monastery, and Saint Nicholas Ranch Director Michael Pappas is also still on the Ranch property. At the present time, the evacuation is strongly advised but not required. Should a mandatory evacuation be issued, they will immediately leave and seek safety in Fresno. In the attached picture you can see the large cloud of smoke in the sky approaching the historic barn at Saint Nicholas Ranch, which gives a clearer indication of the proximity of this fire. “We pray for the safekeeping of our beloved Monastery and Saint Nicholas Ranch, and for all those in the area. We will remain vigilant in our supplications to the Lord that the fires may be contained and not cause any further destruction,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “We are also grateful for the valiant efforts of the firefighters and pray for their strength to endure this battle, so they may return to their homes and loved ones unharmed.” Saint Nicholas Ranch is presently providing housing for 22 firefighters from Cal Fire who are in need of accommodations during their rest periods from active fire duty. The Rough Fire was started by a lightning strike in July 2015 and has been growing in intensity. The extreme heat and drought in California have exacerbated conditions, making this fire hard to control. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.

THE ASSEMBLY OF ORTHODOX BISHOPS IN THE UNITED STATES MEETING NEXT WEEK

The Assembly will hold its sixth annual meeting next week September 15th-17th, 2015 at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel. This year’s meeting will include two sessions devoted to canonical regional planning. In the first of these sessions, the Assembly’s 12 jurisdictional first hierarchs will have an opportunity to offer their comments on a proposal that has been prepared by the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning for submission to the Great and Holy Council in 2016. In the second session, the Assembly’s hierarchs will engage in a facilitated discussion about the proposal. This year’s meeting also includes a working session on pastoral practices of marriage and divorce. On Tuesday evening, September 15, the Assembly will sponsor a pan-Orthodox youth gathering for high school and college students in the Chicago area. The event will provide an opportunity for dialogue between the youth and a panel of hierarchs. The agenda for Assembly VI can be found at http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/Assembly%20VI%20Agenda%20Final.pdf, and a flyer for the youth gathering can be found at http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/YouthFlyer2015.pdf. The hierarchs of the Assembly request the prayers of all clergy, monastics, and laity for a spiritually fruitful meeting.

The Assembly’s director of research, Alexei Krindatch, just issued a new survey of Orthodox giving in America which can be found at

http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/research/HighlightFindingsStudyOnGiving.pdf

New Course in the St. John Chrysostom Catechetical School Began Wednesday and continues on Wednesday Evenings at 7pm