| The Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles was established by the Orthodox Church to indicate the equal honor of each of the Seventy. They were sent two by two by the Lord Jesus Christ to go before Him into the cities He would visit (Luke 10:1). Besides the celebration of the Synaxis of the Holy Disciples, the Church celebrates the memory of each of them during the course of the year: St. James the Brother of the Lord (October 23); Mark the Evangelist (April 25); Luke the Evangelist (October 18); Cleopas (October 30), brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed , and Simeon his son (April 27); Barnabas (June 11); Joses, or Joseph, named Barsabas or Justus (October 30); Thaddeus (August 21); Ananias (October 1); Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon (December 27); Philip the Deacon (October 11); Prochorus the Deacon (28 July); Nicanor the Deacon (July 28 and December 28); Timon the Deacon (July 28 and December 30); Parmenas the Deacon (July 28); Timothy (January 22); Titus (August 25); Philemon (November 22 and February 19); Onesimus (February 15); Epaphras and Archippus (November 22 and February 19); Silas, Silvanus, Crescens or Criscus (July 30); Crispus and Epaenetos (July 30); Andronicus (May 17 and July 30); Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles (October 31); Aristobulus (October 31 and March 16); Herodion or Rodion (April 8 and November 10); Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon (April 8); Hermas (November 5, November 30 and May 31); Patrobas (November 5); Hermes (April 8); Linus, Gaius, Philologus (November 5); Lucius (September 10); Jason (April 28); Sosipater (April 28 and November 10); Olympas or Olympanus (November 10 ); Tertius (October 30 and November 10); Erastos (November 30), Quartus (November 10); Euodius (September 7); Onesiphorus (September 7 and December 8); Clement (November 25); Sosthenes (December 8); Apollos (March 30 and December 8); Tychicus, Epaphroditus (December 8); Carpus (May 26); Quadratus (September 21); Mark (September 27), called John, Zeno (September 27); Aristarchus (April 15 and September 27); Pudens and Trophimus (April 15); Mark nephew of Barnabas, Artemas (October 30); Aquila (July 14); Fortunatus (June 15) and Achaicus (January 4). |
| Craig S. Keener The close of the Gospel. 21:24–25 MANY SCHOLARS THINK THAT the emphasis on the conditional nature of the questions (21:22–23) suggests that disappointment with the beloved disciplés death existed in the early church. 10963 That is, Jesus apparently said something about some disciples remaining until he returned, which the Synoptics already apply to the transfiguration ( Mark 9:1–2 ; Matt 16:28–17:2; Luke 9:27–29); the death of the last disciple could well provoke some confusion about the meaning of such a saying. In such a case, 21:24–25 would likely constitute a later addition to the text (especially if one accepts the rest of ch. 21 as part of the Gospel), which is the view of most scholars. It can read like a miniature letter of recommendation (cf. Rom 16:2 ; 1Cor 4:17; 16:10 ; Phil 2:19 ; Col 4:7; Phlm 17; 3 John 12 ). 10964 At the same time, the disciple himself could issue the same sort of warning as he was recognizing his age and impending death; the Lord might well not return in his lifetime. If the disciple remains alive at the time of the Gospel " s completion, this could help explain the present tense of μαρτρων in 21:24, 10965 although one could also interpret 21otherwise (e.g., the disciplés witness continues to live even if the disciple does not; see comment on 19:35). The community («we») may second the verdict of the singular voice in 19:35, which commends the truth of the beloved disciplés witness, unless this represents an editorial «we,» 10966 which many argue, on the basis of Johannine style in general, seems less likely. 10967 The concluding verse (21:25) harks back to 20:30, 10968 suggesting that it stems either from the author or from those close enough to the author to understand and articulate his mind. At least the plural in 21:24, however, would seem to represent others, 10969 perhaps the Johannine circle of disciples, 10970 confirming the veracity of the beloved disciplés witness. 10971 Ancient Mediterranean legal documents typically listed witnesses at the end of the document, 10972 just as the book (perhaps of life?) in Revelation is sealed with seven attesting seals. 10973 Nonlegal documents could also follow the legal pattern and cite a past figurés saying as if citing a closing legal testimony (Seneca Nat. 5.18.16). |
| On the Escalation of Violence against Christians in Syria admin 29 May 2013 May 27, 2013 Statement by Communication Service of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations Syria lived in the atmosphere of inter-religious peace and concord for many decades while various communities of Christians, Muslims and Jews had good neighbourly relations and mutual understanding. Yet, after the armed conflict had broken out, the situation of religious minorities in the country has sharply deteriorated. It is known that many radical extremists from various countries, whose aim is to “cleanse” the Middle East region from all non-Muslims, are among those committing terrorist attacks in Syria. As a result, Christians in Syria are facing persecutions which are becoming ever more threatening. According to Metropolitan Isaac of Apamea (Orthodox Church of Antioch), Syrian Christians see “something unthinkable happening after militants have appeared” in the country: churches are being destroyed, clergymen are being kidnapped, Christians are being evicted from their houses and being killed. In April, Bishop Luke of Saydnaya (Orthodox Church of Antioch) told the media that almost one hundred forty thousand Syrian Christians had been banished from their houses and Christian churches were being systematically destroyed. “They are killing people. Human life is of no value for them,” he said. On 22 April 2013, militants from an extremist group abducted Syrian Christian hierarchs: Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo (Patriarchate of Antioch) and Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim (Syriac Orthodox Church); the deacon who was driving the car was killed; the hierarchs are still held captive. As was reported on 11 May 2013, militants have destroyed the ancient Orthodox Monastery of St Elijah the Prophet near Al-Qusayr: they have plundered the abode, taken away all church utensils, blown up the belfry and destroyed the altar and the baptismal font. The Russian Orthodox Church resolutely condemns any violence and any attempts to stir up inter-religious hatred in Syria. The Moscow Patriarchate expresses solidarity with the suffering brothers and sisters, Christians in Syria, and hopes that the world community will pay due attention to these outrageous facts. Large-scale and gross violations of human rights must not be hushed up but must be actively opposed. |
| About Pages Проекты «Правмира» Raising Orthodox Children to Orthodox Adulthood The Daily Website on How to be an Orthodox Christian Today Twitter Telegram Parler RSS Donate Navigation In the Church A Small Affliction Born For God’s Sake 28 March 2022 Archpriest Michael Gillis The Way of the Cross 27 March 2022 Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos Priceless Friendships in our Journey of Life and Faith 22 March 2022 Priest Luke A. Veronis Great Lent: Path to Renewal in Christ 20 March 2022 Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos The Fullness of Lent 16 March 2022 Archpriest Stephen Freeman This is the Victory 14 March 2022 Fr. James Guirguis Happy Ignorance With Peace 12 March 2022 Archpriest Michael Gillis The Sign Of Sincere Love 07 March 2022 Fr. James Guirguis Do You Want to Meet God? 28 February 2022 Priest Luke A. Veronis Peace and Unity 25 February 2022 Metropolitan Sotirios Previous 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 … 68 Next News 30 September His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Contracted the Coronavirus 4th Plenary Session between ROC and Coptic Church Held 29 September His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Calls for Prayer for Those Facing Hurricanes Ian and Fiona 28 September Patriarch Kirill: The Church Prays for the Fraternal Strife to End as Soon as Possible Besides intellectual instruction, young people also need prayer, Patriarch Daniel says as new academic year begins 27 September The Synodal Residence in New York hosts the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Voluntary Blood Donation Takes Place in Churches in Serbia 26 September The work of the Church in society is quiet, but full of hope and love, says the Director of Lumina Publications 25 September Epistle of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia 23 September “The models par excellence are the great hesychast saints,” says Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Oradea Commentary All commentary Other media The Word of the Day How to Deal with Sin Ramblings of a Redneck Priest Party Etiquette Praying in the Rain Humility By Accident More RSS About Contact Us Donate Pravmir.ru © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com Developed by Hamburg Church Studio Design by — |
| About Pages Проекты «Правмира» Raising Orthodox Children to Orthodox Adulthood The Daily Website on How to be an Orthodox Christian Today Twitter Telegram Parler RSS Donate Navigation Prayers What does the phrase ‘Eternal Memory mean? 27 March 2021 St. Nikolai Velimirovich Pay Attention! See What You See! 22 March 2021 Archpriest Stephen Freeman Lent – An Intimate Journey to God 15 March 2021 Fr. Vasile Tudora Lessons from the sermon on the mount Preparing for Lent in a Time of Pandemic 09 March 2021 Hieromonk Gabriel Why We Pray For The Dead 06 March 2021 Priest Luke A. Veronis Understanding “Saturday of the Souls” The Heart of the Scriptures 02 March 2021 Frederica Matthewes-Green Healing the Inner Pharisee 26 February 2021 Archpriest Stephen Freeman He Went Away Justified 21 February 2021 Fr. James Guirguis Crying Out For Mercy 07 February 2021 Fr. James Guirguis Building Spiritual House That No Wind Can Move 06 February 2021 Archpriest John Moses Previous 1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 34 Next News 30 September His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Contracted the Coronavirus 4th Plenary Session between ROC and Coptic Church Held 29 September His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Calls for Prayer for Those Facing Hurricanes Ian and Fiona 28 September Patriarch Kirill: The Church Prays for the Fraternal Strife to End as Soon as Possible Besides intellectual instruction, young people also need prayer, Patriarch Daniel says as new academic year begins 27 September The Synodal Residence in New York hosts the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Voluntary Blood Donation Takes Place in Churches in Serbia 26 September The work of the Church in society is quiet, but full of hope and love, says the Director of Lumina Publications 25 September Epistle of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia 23 September “The models par excellence are the great hesychast saints,” says Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Oradea Commentary All commentary Other media The Word of the Day How to Deal with Sin Ramblings of a Redneck Priest Party Etiquette Praying in the Rain Humility By Accident More RSS About Contact Us Donate Pravmir.ru © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com Developed by Hamburg Church Studio Design by — |
| Today is Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women On the second Sunday after Pascha, we commemorate the Holy Myrrh-bearing women. Myrrh-bearing women at the tomb, Photo: pravoslavie.ru Hear the voice of gladness, O women; for I have trodden down rebellious Hades, and raised the world from corruption. Wherefore, hasten ye and proclaim the glad tidings to My beloved; for I desire that joy shall break forth thence upon My creation, whence first came forth sorrow. —Orthros of the Feast, Tone 2 The Myrrh-bearing women are those women who followed the Lord, along with His Mother. They remained with her during the time of the saving Passion, and anointed the Lord’s body with myrrh. Joseph and Nikodemos asked for and received the Lord’s body from Pilate. They took it down from the Cross,wrapped it in linen cloths and spices, then they laid it in a tomb, and then they placed a great stone over the entrance of the tomb. According to the Evangelist Matthew (27:57-61) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40) were there sitting opposite the sepulchre, and they saw where He had been laid. This other Mary was the Mother of God. Not only were these present, but also many other women, as Saint Luke says (24:10). Today the Church honors Saints Mary Magdalene (July 22), Mary the wife of Cleopas (May 23), Joanna (June 27), Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee (August 3), Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (June 4), and the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, who was the stepmother of her husband Joseph’s sons James (October 23) and Joses (October 30). Today we also also remember Saint Joseph of Arimathea (July 31), who was a secret disciple (John 19:38), and Saint Nikodemos, who was a disciple by night (John 3:3; 19:38). Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
| Who was St. Mary Magdalene? St. Mary Magdalene, called by the Orthodox Church both Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostle, is commemorated on July 22/August 4, as well as with the other Myrrh-bearers on the second Sunday after Easter. Born in the seaport town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, she played an important role during Christ’s ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Gospels provide the little that we know about St. Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. St. Mary and other wealthy women followed Christ and “provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8.1-3). According to the Gospel accounts (Matthew 27:55056; Mark 15.40; Luke 23.49; John 19.25), she and other women followers were present at the crucifixion. They watched where Christ was laid, and maid plans to come to the tomb on the following day to perform the ritual for anointing the dead and preparing the body for burial. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, St. Mary and the women with her are instructed by the angel at the tomb to go and proclaim the good news of the resurrection to the male disciples. St. Mark, in his Gospel, recounts that St. Mark, in his Gospel, recounts that St. Mary was the first to see and speak with the risen Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself tells her to go to the apostles with the gospel; (thus, many call her the “Apostle to the Apostles”). Her meeting with the risen Christ outside His tomb is one of the most touching scenes in the Gospel of St. John: Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20.15-16) St. Gregory the Dialogist (Pope Gregory the Great) is believed to have begun the tradition in the Western Church, not accepted in the Eastern Church, which identified St. Mary with the “sinful woman” in the seventh chapter of Luke. There are two possible reasons for this misidentification: (1) St. Mary was from Magdala, a port city that had a reputation for unsavory goings-on, and the reputation of the city may have been transferred to St. Mary; or (2) St. Mary is first mentioned in the Gospel of Luke directly following the account of the sinful woman (Luke 7.36-50) and so was associated with her. Further parallels can be drawn from the fact that the sinful woman is sometimes called a myrrh-bearer, because she anointed Christ’s feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair. St. Gregory also supposed that Mary of Bethany was the same person as St. Mary Magdalene. |
| How should We Conduct Ourselves in Relationship to Other People? An excerpt from the book " A Day of Holy Life, or the Answer to the Question, How Can I Lead a Holy Life " by Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov, +1869). In Answer to a Letter The answer to this question is given by the Lord Himself: Love thy neighbor (Luke 10:27). The Lord Jesus Christ very categorically demands that we love one another. While giving His last instructions to His disciples before His suffering, He often, and with great force, entrusted them with this love. Namely: This is My commandment, That ye love one another…(John 15:12) These things I command you, that ye love one another (John 15 17). A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another… (John 13:34). This is precisely what all of the apostles oblige us to do. The holy Apostle Peter, together with all the other apostles, commanded us to love. St. Peter writes: …See that ye love one another with a pure hears fervently (1 Peter 1:22). St. John the Theologian writes: Beloved, let us love one another (1 John 4:7). For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (1 John 3:11; John 5). And this His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment (1 John 3:23). St. Paul says: Walk in love (Eph. 5:2)….For ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9). The holy Apostle James writes: the royal law according to the Scripture [is], Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself… (James 2:8). The measure of this love is clearly defined by the Lord Himself. He demands that we all love our neighbor as ourselves, for He said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:27)…. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7:12). This is exactly what all the holy apostles said. Therefore my reader, take note and fulfill the following instructions. 1. You want the best for yourself and are satisfied when everything works out for the best. On the other hand you are not pleased when for some reason things fail. Therefore wish the best for all of your neighbors: rejoice when they are happy and commiserate when they fall into misfortune. |
| The Lord Has Bound Us to One Another By the Thread of Holy Love Homily on today " s Gospel reading by Metropolitan Hilarion, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) 29 November 2020 Photo: mospat.ru Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us the story of the merciful Samaritan who feels sorry for someone who has fallen into the hands of robbers. The Samaritan binds his wounds, brings him to an inn, pays the innkeeper and does everything that is necessary in order to save the man, who was ignored by a Levite and a priest who indifferently pass by him (Luke 10:30-37). Our Savior spoke this parable in answer to the question of a lawyer: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). In His reply, our Lord reminds us that our neighbor is not necessarily always someone who is close to us by family ties or a colleague or a co-worker; but sometimes our neighbor can be a person with whom we have incidental contact and is sent to us by the Lord. Our neighbor is anyone who needs our help. As a rule, there are many ways in which we can help our neighbor. We can put him on our donkey and bring him to an inn, pay for his lodging and care or do whatever else we are able to do. It may be that we don’t have a donkey or money for physicians, and then it seems to us that we are unable to offer any help. Even if we are unable to offer help in a material way, we are always able to offer our neighbor help in a spiritual way: we can offer our sympathy, a word of comfort and we can offer fervent prayer. The Church commands us to pray for one another. The entire Divine Liturgy and all of its prayers and the litanies which are said by the deacon contain within themselves prayers for the [entire] church community — not only for each of her members individually, but for all of us as one Body in Christ, in which “if one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together”, according to the words of the Apostle Paul (I Cor 12:22-27). |
| Impossible Commands Sermons, Lectures Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2011 - 05:50:02 Impossible Commands By Priest Sergius Halvorsen Nov 27, 2010, 22:00 Discuss this article Printer friendly page Source: Orthodox New England Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says some pretty amazing things in the Bible, things that are hard to understand, things that test the strength and depth of our faith. But of all Jesus’ commandments, one of the most difficult is the command to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27–28). But could it be that this particular commandment is simply impossible? Just look around, there are so many people these days who are out to get us, and in difficult economic times, you really need to look out for “number one” because if you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Certainly, we are called to love God, and to love our neighbor, but doesn’t this only apply to our good neighbors? If we treat everyone around us with love and kindness, ultimately someone is going to walk all over us, take what is ours and leave us to perish. Surely, Jesus did not mean to say that we should love these people. Did He? In fact, He did. Christ says to us in St. Luke’s Gospel that if someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other cheek, and if someone takes your coat, offer your shirt as well. He says that we should give to every one who begs from us, and if someone takes what is ours, don’t ask for it back. But this sounds absolutely crazy. What kind of foolishness is this? It is, quite simply, the foolishness of the Cross. As St. Paul says, the Cross is foolishness to the Gentiles (1 Cor 1:23). The Gentiles to which St. Paul was referring were primarily citizens and residents of the Roman Empire, and the Roman Empire was founded and maintained by the sword, through the bone crushing power of its armies. “Survival of the fittest,” has always been the way of the world: the strong survive at the expense of the weak, who are crushed and devoured. But this is not the way of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
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