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Monthly Newsletter for

Stewards of
Holy Anargyroi
Sts. Kosmas & Damianos
Greek Orthodox Church
Box & Spoon
Box & Spoon


2014 Standing
Committees
PARISH COUNCIL
Aaron Biedermann-President
Halina Woroncow-Vice Pres.
Tim Kelly
Andru Peters-Secretary
Don Jenkins
Erline Holman
Robert Lytle
Jacob Petersen
Maria Thomas
STEWARDSHIP /
OUTREACH
John Maragos Chair
Halina Woroncow
Ari Kolas
Diana Orbelo
ICONOGRAPHY
Diana Orbelo Chair
Andru Peters
Fr. Mark Muoz
BUILDING
Tim Kelly- Chair
Ari Kolas
BUDGET
Jacob Petersen
Fr. Mark Muoz
AUDIT
Jacob Peterson
Mark Smith
John Maragos
PHILOXENIA HOUSE
Brad Holman Chair
GREEK FESTIVAL
Dan Jerghiu Chair
Lorenda Jerghiu Silent
auction
Joe Forrer Set-up/Teardown
Tim Kelly Outdoor Cooks
Johnny Mangouras Marke-
ting
Ari Kolas Marketing
Penny Kolas Pastries
Maria Thomas Pastries
Denise Mangouras Pastries
Martha Voytovich Market
place
Andru Peters Beverages
Mike Brekke Beer Garden
Ali Ostfeld Children Area
I SSUE
SEPT
20 14
42
Making It A Fair Fight for the Devil
According to Athanasius of Alexandria, mans
repentance from sin would not have been sufficient to
restore him to friendship with God. To imagine
otherwise is to suppose an inadequate and unbiblical
view of sin. Sin is not a merely moral offense, after all,
an injury readily cured by simple repentance. Still less
is it just a forensic declaration of guilt that could be
reversed by a contrary declaration of reprieve. Nor is
sin just a spiritual state that could be altered by some
kind of spiritual adjustment. And certainly sin is not
the sort of affront that can be remedied by a sincere
apology. According to Holy Scripture sin is bondage to
death and corruption. Death and corruption are not
punishments imposed on sin from without. They are
internal to sin itself and integral to the biblical concept
of sin; they are the very embodiment of sin. Man was
warned, in the day that you eat of it you will die!
Thus the Apostle Paul declared, sin reigned in
death (ebasilevsen he hamartia en to thanato-
Romans 5:21). To deal with sin, it was necessary to
deal with death. For this reason, Athanasius argued,
the power of sin, which is the corruption of death, had
to be defeated in the flesh. This necessity of the Words
enfleshment pertained to what Athanasius called the
divine reasonableness, evlogon (to evlogon to pros
ton Theon) (On the Incarnation 7). Whereas many later
theologians, especially in the West, thought of
Redemption in terms of the divine justice, Athanasius
thought of it in terms of the divine reasonableness or
evlogon, that sustained propriety, coherence,
consistency and proportion that distinguishes all of
Gods dealings with men. The death of Christ in the
flesh, in the eyes of Athanasius, was directed, then, not
at Gods offended justice, but at mans bondage to
corruption. God had not told Adam, in the day that
you eat of it, I will get terribly upset and not like you
anymore, but in the day that you eat of it, you will
die. Sin entered into man; it did not affect God. For
sin to be defeated, then, something in man had to
change. Now, since man had fallen in the flesh,
reasoned Athanasius, it was reasonable, symmetric,
appropriate, and proportionatein short, evlogonthat
man be restored through the flesh. For this purpose,
then, the incorporeal and incorruptible and immaterial
Word of God entered our world (op. cit. 8). Thus,
Athanasius explained, it pertained to the Word, and to
him alone, to bring again the corruptible to incorruption
and to guard for the Father His reasonableness in all
things (to hyper panton evlogon). Being the Word of the
Father and above all things, he alone was consequently
able and qualified to recreate (anaktisai) all, to suffer
for all (hyper panton pathein), and to represent all to
the Father (op. cit. 7). From Athanasius Leo of Rome
received the idea of the divine reasonableness and
extended that idea in a fresh and interesting direction; he
spoke of the divine fairness (aequitas). What would
God have proved, wondered Leo, if He had used His
divine power to conquer the forces of darkness? After
all, Satan is no match for God. A struggle between
divine omnipotence and demonic power is not a fair
fight; there is no aequitas. But however we assess the
insult the fallen spirits gave to God, the real victim of
their malice was man. Let Us, then, decided the Wisdom
of God, make this struggle with Satan a fair fight. Let
Us devise a way for Satan to be defeated by a human
being. This is entirely fitting, since human beings are the
ones Satan holds in bondage. Leo elaborates this
divinum consilium: In the fullness of time, when the
inscrutable depth of the divine counsel determined (divini
consilii inscrutabilis altitudo disposuit), the Son of God has
taken on him the nature of man, thereby to reconcile it to its
Author. In order that the inventor of death (mortis
inventor), the devil, might be conquered through that same
[nature] which he had conquered. And in this conflict,
which He undertook for us, the fight was fought on the
great and wondrous law of fairness (aequitatis jure),
inasmuch the Almighty Lord attacks His savage foe, not in
His own majesty but in our humility, opposing him with the
same form and the same nature, which certainly shares in
our mortality, though it is free from every kind of
sin (Sermons 28.3). -Fr. Patrick Reardon
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
Calendar for September 2014
Monday Sept. 8th Nativity of the Theotokos 8:00am*
Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Tues. Sept. 9th Special Building Committee/Parish Council Meeting 5:00pm
Wed. Sept. 10th Paraklesis of Healing to St. Nektarios 6:00pm
Sun. Sept. 14th Elevation of the Holy Cross
Sunday School Resumes

Luncheon prepared by Philoptochos & sponsored by Yogi
Kereakos

SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING NEW
FELLOWSHIP HALL
Wed. Sept. 17th Sts. Sophia & her 3 Daughters: Faith, Hope, Love 8:30am
Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sun. Sept. 21st GOYA Volleyball after Liturgy
Fri. Sept. 26th St. John the Evangelist 8:30am
Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sat. Sept. 27th GOYA Highway Cleanup
Kids Council Success!!!
No matter what provokes it,
anger blinds the souls eyes,
preventing it from seeing the
Sun of Righteousness.




+ St John
Cassian
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th
Bishop Demetrios Surprise Visit!!!
Bishop Demetrios Sermon God Provides. It Is Enough. can be heard or downloaded at the following location:
http://rochesterorthodoxchurch.org/resources/audio-and-sermons/bishop-demetrios-god-provides-it-is-enough/
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
Philoxenia House


Things have gotten back to normal after our ten year anniversary celebration, and unfortunately I do not have a lot of
news for this month, although I do have two news items of which I would like to share.

I am glad to say that our guests at the Philoxenia house were able to attend and enjoyed the annual Greek Festival at
Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church. Even though we had to deal with a bit of rain on Saturday and high heat on
Sunday, it was a great time as always. The second item is very exciting and something for which we on the Philoxenia
House committee are quite grateful for.

I think everyone remembers the old cathode ray television tubes that became commercial in the 1920s and the old
VCR video players. Although almost extinct today, these devices, until now, were common in both Philoxenia
Houses. That is until Nicholas and Roula Pipikios came along.

One Sunday a few months ago, Nickolas and his wife Roula traveled from their home in Chicago to Rochester to visit
Holy Anargyroi and the Philoxenia Houses. They both are members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in
Chicago. After touring the houses they were quick to ask what can we do to help?

For quite some time, Johnny Kaloumenos and I had been discussing the need for new TVs and upgrading to DVD
players but had not moved ahead with any plans to do so. After sharing this with Nicholas and Roula, they decided
that that is what they would do. After a time of working out the logistics of purchasing and getting the TVs and DVD
players to Rochester, I was able to just pick up two brand new 39 inch flat screen TVs and 4 multi-region DVD
players purchased by Nicholas and Roula right here at Best Buy. My thank you to them was answered by just let
us know what else we can do. So once again thank you Nicholas and Roula Pipikios for your extreme generosity and
for helping us bring the Philoxenia House ministry up to date 2014!
Televisions and DVD players donated my Nicholas and Roula Pipkios

In Christ,
Bradley Holman
President- Philoxenia House Ministry
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th
Team Holy Anargyroi 2014












On Sunday, August 22nd, seven Holy Anargyroi parishioners traveled to St. George Greek Orthodox Church to work
their Greek festival, We sold seasoning, made Greek Frappes and served in the food and bake sale lines. It was
wonderful to offer a few hours of help to our sister parish. In years to come; we hope to continue and expand on this
new tradition of Christian fellowship and charity. From left to right: Martha Voytovich, Brad Holman, Gust Barbes,
Erline Holman, Father Rick Andrews (St George parish Priest), Angie Rustad, Calli Kelly and Tim Kelly.


Roman Holiday Fashion Show
Holy Anargyroi Philoptochos Society invites
you to our third annual fashion show
featuring designs by Hannys Mens and
Womens Wear, Chicos and Baby Baby.

Saturday October 4, 2014 at 2pm
Johnny Mangos Event Center, serving
Antipasta, Prosecco and Amore.
$25 per person

Reserve your tickets your tickets at
rochesterphiloptochos@gmail.com

All proceeds to benefit the Womens
Shelter, The Gift of Life Transplant House
and other charities.
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
An Orthodox Understanding of Stewardship
By Benjamin D. Williams
First Installment. Full article may be found at:
http://oca.org/the-hub/the-church-on-current-issues/an-orthodox-understanding-of-stewardship

How should a person living at the close of the second Millennium, especially one living in our North American
culture, approach and understand the subject of Stewardship? Clearly it is not a new subject. We have all grown up
hearing about it, being told what it means, and instructed in how to practice it, have we not? Yet if our instruction had
been as good as we recall it, if we had learned our lessons well, if we truly understood the historic Orthodox Christian
meaning of stewardship, wouldn't we be better stewards? Would not our Churches be in better condition? The fact is
that much of what we have learned about stewardship is either incorrect or only partly correct. There are two main
reasons for this: much of what we have learned has been out of context, and much of what we think is Christian
teaching on stewardship is not - it has been imported from our culture.

Let's briefly consider these two problems. Most Orthodox Christians only hear about the subject of stewardship when
it is related to money. When dues are being assessed, when there is a fund drive or some other financial program, then
homilies are preached on stewardship, much talk goes on about "financial stewardship," and we are challenged to
become better stewards by giving more money! In other words, for most of us, stewardship and the giving of money
to the Church are one and the same. That is not Christian stewardship. That understanding of stewardship has been
ripped out of the larger context of living all of our lives as "good and faithful stewards."

As if that problem is not bad enough, much of our understanding, definition and practice of stewardship are shaped by
our culture and society. We grow up and live in a society where material advancement and personal pleasure are the
number one goals. The purpose of life, our culture tells us, is personal satisfaction. This cultural perspective on the
purpose of life shapes our thinking about the faith, and all of us bring it into the Church. It shapes our understanding
of stewardship, among other things, because it is the exact opposite of what Christian stewardship is all about. We are
persons created in the image and likeness of God, and we were created to be stewards. We are called to live a life of
stewardship, stewarding the life and creation of which we have been created a part, in the most responsible and
productive way. The message of our culture, that our purpose is to "live the good life," is the opposite of our purpose
as Christians. Stewardship is the golden thread that runs through and holds the Christian life together.

Stewardship As Christian Identity
Within this understanding, we must begin with the acknowledgment that all of life is a sacrament, in that in every
aspect of life we may experience and commune with God. This communion ranges from the most natural - like
experiencing a beautiful sunset, to the most divine, communion with God in the eucharist. We must come to see that
"all the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it." (Psalm 24:1) As Fr. Schmemann
challenges us, our human role is to offer back to God in thanksgiving, all that He has given to us. (For the Life of the
World, SVS Press, Crestwood, NY, p. 24)

From this realization comes our understanding of Christian stewardship - managing the resources that God has given
us, administering the elements of life. One of the best ways of thinking about stewardship is that it is the only truly
appropriate human response to what God gives us. We experience all of life as a sacrament, and we steward all of life
in response.

Consider for a minute the original usage of the term "steward." Our English word steward comes from the Greek word
oikonomos, and literally means "house manager." Oikonomia, or stewardship, literally refers to the management of a
household. Stewardship is a task, a responsibility bestowed on one person by another - usually by a master. Our Lord
used the terms steward and servant frequently, as recorded in the Gospels. St. Paul uses them the same way in his
epistles. In I Peter, every Christian is charged to "be a good steward of God's grace." (I Peter 4:10) St. Ignatius of
Antioch told the faithful that they were "stewards in God's house, members of His household, and His
servants." (Epistle to Polycarp, 99) He holds these three aspects of our way of life in dynamic tension: being stewards,
being members of God's household, and being servants. St. Ignatius can encourage us to toil, suffer, run, and rest,
because these important aspects constitute our way of life as Christians.
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th
An Orthodox Understanding of Stewardship
- Continued -
By Benjamin D. Williams
First Installment. Full article may be found at:
http://oca.org/the-hub/the-church-on-current-issues/an-orthodox-understanding-of-stewardship

Stewardship does not mean being hit up for an annual pledge to the Church. It is not being enlisted in a financial
campaign for the new building. It is not even tithing. Rather, it is a well-rounded view of life and an incarnation of
that view based on theology and ecclesiology the giving of time and talent and treasure. Thus stewardship is a state
of being. It is based in service. The steward is in the employ of his master. Therefore the most important aspect of
being a steward is serving.

We Act As If We "Own" Creation
We modern humans act as if we "own" the creation and can do with it as we wish including destroy it. We treat and
mistreat animals as if we had the right to destroy them. In a passage by Erik Herbermann (a contemporary horse
trainer) that should give us pause about how we order our lives and how we treat creation (or those we are responsible
to lead), he says:

Since by the power of our free will, we are agents over our own desires, we are fully responsible for our thoughts and
words and, subsequently, the deed or physical manifestations which result from them. We are responsible for what we
do with all the things over which we have stewardship. We horsemen, therefore, are responsible for our relationship
with the horse and for its well-being while it is in our care. Accordingly, it is our duty, as stewards, to come to know
enough about the horse that we do not, in any way, cause it mental or physical grief, either because of ignorance about
its nature or due to lack of control over ourselves while we are dealing with it. (Erik F. Herbermann, "On
Stewardship," Dressage and CT', August, 1992, p. 5)

This is a Biblical view of stewardship, and it should typify our lives. If it should be true of the horseman and the
horse, how much truer for the Christian? Think of the parables Christ Himself used to convey the same message: the
vine dresser, the good and faithful servant, the good Samaritan, the talents. Out of this understanding of stewardship,
out of this worldview, we realize that all we have is really the Lord's, that we must care for it and offer it back to Him
in thanksgiving. We are all called to be "good and faithful stewards." Then, and only then, is stewardship real. Then,
and only then, are we fully living life. Then, and only then, are our tithes and offerings acceptable in the sight of God.
(This principle is reiterated at every Divine Liturgy, when after the Commemoration the priest proclaims with the
Gifts of bread and wine elevated, "Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all, and for all.")


NOTE:
This article will be continued in next months
Box and Spoon issue.
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
Building Committee & Parish Council
The Building Committee has finalized schematic plans for our fellowship hall and classrooms. These plans have been
approved by the Parish Council to present to the Parish Assembly for approval for the next phase of design -
construction documents, with the intent to bid out the work late winter and begin construction the spring of 2015. The
proposed schematic plan has the new fellowship hall built to the east of the church without a basement. This design
saves the cost of an elevator and any interior ramping for ADA compliance, excavation of the existing basement with
new foundation to meet today's codes and two sets of stairs for the exiting needs of a lower level. The proposed
schematic design includes six classrooms and a storage area to the west over the back half of the current parking lot.
The remainder of our parking would be in a new parking lot to the west and behind the Philoxenia houses. The
proposed option is posted in our current fellowship hall including the floor plan, sight plan, roof lines, and street view
drawings of the exterior of the building.

Parishioners in good financial and spiritual standing are encouraged to vote on this proposed option during a Special
Assembly that is scheduled for Sunday, September 14th, 2014 in the fellowship hall. On this date we will share the
design process details, advantages and disadvantages of the different designs considered, the rationale for the
proposed design, and time for open questions and discussion prior to a vote in support or opposition of proceeding to
the construction phase design. Pending the Assembly approval, we may be able to break ground as soon as spring of
2015. If you have any questions about our building plans; please contact Tim Kelly or Aaron Biedermann. We look
forward to your attendance on September 14th for the Special Assembly.
In Christ,

Tim Kelly, Building Committee Chair
Aaron Biedermann, Parish Council President
What does "Hallowed be Thy Name" mean?
It must be clear that it is not to proclaim that God is holy, but to ask for something for our own salvation. How do we
make His name Hallowed? It can only be by how we live our lives. If we proclaim to be a Christain and are dedicated
to serving this God, then we must demonstrate what this means through the way we live our daily lives. Otherwise,
those who see us will not think very highly of our God.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa puts it this way: Those who bear the name of the faith, but their way of life contradicts the
name whether by lapsing into idolatry by way of greed, or by behaving unseemly through drunkenness and revelry, or
by wallowing like swine in the mire of profligacy then those who are unbelievers resort to a handy accusation. They
do not direct their accusation against the free choice of those who abuse Christian life by doing evil, but against the
mystery of the faith itself, as if the faith positively teaches to do those kinds of things. If we want God's name to be
hallowed, holy, we must become true followers of what he teaches. Otherwise we blaspheme Him. This phrase states
the entire purpose of our life. We are to live in a such a way that makes God's name hallowed. This is our purpose. to
become united with Him is such a way that His holiness shines through us.

Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) says this: This petition shows what the purpose of man is and for what reason
he lives. Mans purpose is to be united with God and to become holy according to the grace and energy of God. God
is holy by nature and people are [called] to become holy by grace. In the language of the Fathers of the Church, this is
called deification and those who are made holy by their participation in the grace of God are called deified. For one to
become holy, to be deified, means that all ones spiritual and bodily faculties are transfigured, that God is the center
of ones life. He further explains that our inability to live such a life, leads others to have no faith or a very weak
one. If we want to spread His Word to others, then we must hallow His name. It is not what we say, but how we live
that will bring us salvation but also others to join in union with Him. Because our lives are not consistent with this
petition [in the Lords prayer] and we do not strive to live according to the will of God, our conduct is anti-Christian.
We are full of vices and passions, hatreds and animosities, and we commit injustices and slanders. And that is why
other people see us and do not believe in God; hence we cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the nations.
Next time you recite this prayer that our Lord has instructed all to pray, think about how you hallow His name. Do not
take the easy path and only think that it means that God is holy, but think about what this requires of you in your daily
life. Examine how closely you carry out His love of Him and others. (http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/)
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th
Philoptochos Society
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On Sept 14th, we will assist George Yogi Kereakos in his annual luncheon during coffee hour for the Sunday
School. Yogi and his family have been hosting the luncheon, with Philoptochos assistance, for as long as anyone can
remember, over 20 years. Thank you Yogi for providing a nice opportunity for us all to celebrate the start to the
school year together.

On September 20th, the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board will host its annual fundraiser, a luncheon, for
various charities. This year, one of the charities to benefit from the luncheon is the Philoxenia House. This is a
wonderful blessing! I will be attending and if any of you are interested in joining me; let me know.

Lately, some of the women in our Society have requested that we have a few social events in addition to working for
the Lord. We have two events this month that open the chance for relaxing together and they are:
On Sept. 22nd, there will be a Roman Holiday Gathering at Penny and Ari Kolas house to plan our Roman Holiday
Fashion Show, which is on Oct 4th. We will enjoy drinks/appetizers and watch Roman Holiday together. For most of
the women; it will be the first time they have seen the movie! Thank you Penny!

On Sept 23rd, we will have our Philoptochos lunch at Pescaras. Last spring we started a new tradition of meeting
once a month, the 4th Tuesday of the month, for an informal lunch at Pescaras. Please contact myself or Angie
Rustad if you are interested in joining us.

Looking ahead to early October, we will host our third annual Fashion Show, This year's theme is Roman Holiday and
we will highlight the city of Rome in our fashion and cuisine. Mando Katselis is our Fashion Show leader and she is
featuring clothes from Hannys Mens and Womens Wear, Chicos, Baby Baby and glasses from Eye-Q Designwear.
The addition of new stores wanting to join our show is a amazing blessing for us! To be given the chance to instill our
Philoptochos spirit of Christian love and generosity to the Rochester community is a great gift to Orthodoxy! Johnny
and Denise Mangouras once again will generously host the show at their event center, Johnny Mangos. The Fashion
Show is on Oct 4th starting at 2pm at Johnny Mangos. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will go towards the Rochester
Womens Shelter, The Gift of Life Transplant House and other charities. Please see me or email
rochesterphiloptochos@gmail.com to reserve your tickets. Thank you Mando, Denise and Johnny for making this
fundraiser possible for Philoptochos. May God bless our event.

15 years ago; someone loaned me a book about Elder Paisios of Mount Athos; there were two key stories in that book
that made an strong impact onto me...some things you never forget. One of the stories was about his interaction with
Saint Euphemia and the profound words she said to him regarding her martyrdom. Elder Paisios asked her how she
endured being martyred and she said to him Father, if I knew back then how eternal life would be and the heavenly
beauty the souls would endure being next to God, I honestly would have asked for my martyrdom to last forever, as it
is absolutely nothing compared to the gifts of the grace of God. Her divine words speaks volumes to what we as
Orthodox Christians need to hold dear in our hearts as we face lifes trials. We must persevere through our difficulties
with faith, hope and love for the Lord in our hearts. Saint Euphemias story, in its entirety, is amazing because it
continues on long after she dies. The miracles she has given to humankind while she was alive and later after she died
are a heavenly gift. It was her that miraculously guided the Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical
toward the true Orthodox belief of Jesus Christ being both fully divine and fully human thus
exposing the monophysite heresy. We commemorate this Saintly woman of God on Sept 16th.

we honor you Saint Euphemia, the All Praised.that in faith we may be delivered from the
weakness of our nature and to obtain the grace of your miracles. from the Kontakion to Saint
Euphemia.

With sisterly love in CHRIST+
Calli Kelly
Philoptochos President
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
GREEK FEST 2014!!!
A special thank you to all who sacrificed their time, talent, and treasure for the Glory of God, His
Church, and Her community outreach ministries.
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th
GREEK FEST 2014!!!
A special thank you to all who sacrificed their time, talent, and treasure for the Glory of God, His
Church, and Her community outreach ministries.
Your birth brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Birth of the Theotokos Sept 8th
GREEK FEST 2014!!!

Prosperity Gospel?

St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 106 AD)

From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, both by land and sea,
both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards, I mean a band of sol-
diers, who, even when they receive benefits, show themselves all the
worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of Christ]; yet am I not thereby justi-
fied. May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray that they may be found eager to rush
upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear,
they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this] I
know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to be a disciple, and have no desire after anything visible or invisi-
ble, that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let breakings, tear-
ings, and separations of bones; let cutting off of members; let bruising to pieces of the whole body; and let the
very torment of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.

All the ends of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die
for the sake of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. For what is a man profited, if he gain
the whole world, but lose his own soul? I long after the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, even Jesus
Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me in attaining to life;
for Jesus is the life of believers. Do not wish to keep me in a state of death, for life without Christ is death.
While I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I
have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of Christ, my
God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as
knowing how I am straightened. Letter to the Romans, Chapters 5 & 6

Elevation of the Holy Cross, Sunday Sept. 14th

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was al-
ready advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a
journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple
to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha,
to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had
been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite de-
stroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three
crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the
other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss
which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint
Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already
at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the
crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was
made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high
by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried
out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken
to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen,
until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country
(see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military
campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem,
where he restored it to its place.
You pour forth miracles and art a source of healings, as the Theologian & the friend of Christ. Translation of John the Theologian, Sept 26th

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