June: Day 24: Teaching 1: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

June: Day 24: Teaching 1:
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Good and Pious Children Are the Fruit of the Fervent Prayers of Their Parents)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The nativity of the great Forerunner of the Lord is very remarkable for the fact that his birth itself was unusual and miraculous, that it was the fruit of the fervent, lifelong prayers of his parents, the reward of their faith and hope, their righteousness and piety, their patience and devotion to the will of God.

The holy parents of the Forerunner of the Lord were righteous and pious. Yet, these great righteous figures faced a temptation that was more unfortunate than any affliction recorded in the Old Testament Church. "They had no children" from the beginning of their married life until old age, which at that time was considered a clear indication of God's disfavor and seemingly an act of rejection by God. One can imagine, dear brethren, how fervent were the prayers of these pious spouses, who, despite their diligence in following God's law and their earnest efforts to "walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly," found themselves deprived of God's blessing; so, all these prayers seemingly went unheard. But in heaven, all their prayers were heard, all their sighs and tears were counted; there was prepared for them such a reward that abundantly fulfilled their long-standing deprivation. To them, in their old age, when they themselves had ceased to hope, they were granted such a son, "one greater than He has not risen among those born of women," whose birth was a cause of universal joy, whose life was a wonder to the holy angels, an object of reverence to the entire people of Israel, who was sent by God to prepare the way for the coming Redeemer of the world. A righteous reward for long-standing, lifelong patience and hope!

Second Sunday of Pentecost: The Lord's Calling of the First Disciples

Second Sunday of Pentecost

The Lord's Calling of the First Disciples

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

Upon seeing two young brothers – Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, casting nets into the sea, the Savior, almost in passing, said to them: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). The brothers did not inquire of their Divine Master – who He was, what authority commanded them, or where He would lead them; rather, they immediately left their nets and followed the Savior. As He walked further with them, Jesus Christ saw two more brothers – James and John, sitting with their father Zebedee in a boat, mending their nets. The Son of God, who perceives the hearts and innermost beings of men, called these young men as well; and they immediately responded with complete readiness to the calling voice: they left their father, the boat, and the nets and went after Jesus.

Homily for the Second Sunday After Pentecost, the Sunday of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land (Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov)

Homily for the Second Sunday After Pentecost, the Sunday of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land

By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov

(Delivered in 1964)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Beloved in Christ! Today the Orthodox Church solemnly celebrates the bright memory of all the saints who shone forth in the Russian land, glorified by God for their God-pleasing deeds and holy life. These are the firstborn of the Orthodox Russian people, redeemed by the priceless Blood of Christ and sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit, brought to God the Father by Jesus Christ. These are the blessed fruits of the holy Orthodox faith, Christianity, planted among our Russian people.

Remember what our Fatherland was before the adoption of Christianity? A wild, barbaric country where human sacrifices were made to idols, where life was spent in wars, debauchery, cruelty and violence. But as soon as the ray of Christian faith shone in Russia, the life of the people was immediately reborn. From a cruel, depraved pagan people, under the influence of the Christian faith, our people became a meek people, distinguished by a rare kindness of soul, simplicity of faith, devotion to Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, such devotion that for the Orthodox faith, Russian people were always ready not to spare even their own lives.

June: Day 22: Holy Hieromartyr Eusebius of Samosata

 

June: Day 22:
Holy Hieromartyr Eusebius of Samosata
 
(On Obedience To Civil Authority)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Eusebius, whose memory is celebrated today, lived in the 4th century and was bishop in the city of Samosata (on the Euphrates River) in the Antiochian metropolis. He waged a long and tireless struggle against heretics and suffered much under Constantius, who patronized the Arians. Under Emperor Julian, Eusebius, hiding his bishopric, went around various regions to confirm Christians in the faith and support them. At this time, he also restored several churches and ordained many priests and deacons.

Upon the ascension of Jovian, Eusebius and other holy figures were restored to their thrones. The pious emperor respected them, while the heretics feared them. However, the Church did not enjoy peace for long, as Jovian soon passed away; after him, Valens ascended to the throne and once again instigated persecution against the Orthodox faith, exiling shepherds into banishment. Eusebius was imprisoned in Thrace, and in his stead an Arian was appointed. Eusebius learned of his exile while in Samosata; preparing to leave the city, he asked the messenger to keep this matter confidential, so that the people would not harm the messenger bringing news of their separation from the bishop. Under the cover of night, he left the episcopal residence, but upon crossing the Euphrates, he was halted by the townsfolk who had learned of his departure, and they wept, beseeching him to return. Eusebius persuaded them not to resist royal authority and to return to their homes, and, having blessed everyone, continued his journey to Thrace, from where he returned during the time of Gratian, who summoned the exiled bishops back to their flocks. However, he soon died from a wound inflicted upon him by an Arian woman who had thrown a vessel from the roof, which struck the bishop on the head... As he was dying, he bequeathed that the woman should not be punished.

Homily Three for the Second Sunday of Matthew (St. John of Kronstadt)

Homily Three for the Second Sunday of Matthew 
(2nd Sunday of Pentecost)

By St. John of Kronstadt

"And they (Peter and Andrew) immediately left their nets and followed Him (i.e. Christ)" (Matt. 4:20).

The Gospel of Matthew, read today, tells of the calling of four simple and uneducated fishermen to the apostolic ministry: the two brothers, Peter and Andrew, the sons of Jonas, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee the fisherman. It speaks of their immediate and resolute following of the Savior for the great work of the salvation of mankind; of the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom by Jesus Christ throughout Galilee, and of His healing of all kinds of diseases and infirmities among people. Let us strive, through pious reflection and discussion, to derive benefit from the Gospel read today. 

What lessons can we learn from this Gospel? The exemplary act of the simple fishermen towards Jesus Christ is quite instructive for us; their firm, unquestioning, and unwavering resolve to immediately follow Christ in all things and everywhere, their perfect obedience without any hesitation, their selflessness and impartiality towards earthly so-called goods, which are so dear to everyone – namely: to home, to parents, to wives, to other relatives, to the joyful and honest occupation of fishing and others. But you may say: we cannot emulate the apostles, we cannot leave everything behind and follow Christ, who now does not visibly walk the earth.