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Elder Joseph the Hesychast: "Why should you despair?"

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Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior (source)
  
"Since our sweet Jesus is so good, compassionate and kind, why should you despair ? We seek one small thing from Him, and He gives us so much! We ask for one beam of light , and He gives us Himself as all Light, Truth, and Love. So humble yourself and rest all your hope in Him."
-Elder Joseph the Hesychast
  
  
Elder Joseph the Hesychast and Cave-dweller (+1959) (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

ISIS desecrates the Church and Holy Relics of St. Julian of Emesa

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St. Julian (Elian) of Emesa (Homs), the Martyr and Unmercenary (source)
  
News sites are reporting that, among the many atrocities of ISIS throughout the Middle East, they have recently demolished the 1500 year old church built at the site of the martyrdom of St. Julian (Elian) of Emesa (Homs), and have desecrated the holy and wonderworking relics of this Martyr and Unmercenary of the Church. Let us mourn this great loss for our Church, and let us repent of our sins, as we cry out to the Lord in the words of the Psalmist:
  
"O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild."
Psalms 79:1-2
  
Στίχοι
Χριστὸς τέτρηται χεῖρας ἥλοις καὶ πόδας,
Ἰουλιανὸς προστίθησι καὶ κάραν.
 
Verses to St. Julian from the Synaxarion
Christ was pierced with nails in his hands and feet,
And Julian offered up his head.
 
Apolytikion of St. Julian in the Third Tone
Julian, saintly champion and healer, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins.
(The apolytikion of St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr, substituted with the name of St. Julian, according to the above source, taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=143)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Paisios the Athonite on trust in God

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St. Paisios the Athonite (epigraph also includes that his cell was under Koutloumousiou Monastery) (source)
  
"When we believe in God and have trust in His fatherly providence and concern, then we do not think of ourselves; instead we know that God is aware of our needs and looks after our problems, from the simplest to the most serious one. The only things we must want is to allow God’s love and providence to function for us. When we have this kind of faith and inner disposition, we are able to see God’s miracles––God himself––who is always close to us under all circumstances. In order to experience this we must reject any form of worldly assistance or human hope, and with a pure heart, unhesitatingly and trustfully devote our mind to God. Then the grace of Christ will fill our souls at once...We must totally rely on God’s providence as this is the only way to be relieved of our anxiety and worries... To trust divine providence one must free himself from all worldly concerns and wait for God to look after him.... He must overcome his love for money and trust in it and then rest all his hopes on God and he cannot do both at the same time."
-St. Paisios the Athonite
  
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Kosmas Aitolos on Man as God's Creation

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St. Kosmas Aitolos, the New Hieromartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles (source)
  
"The Most Gracious God made us, my brethren, human beings, and not animals. He made us more honorable than the whole world. The most gracious God gave us, my brethren, eyes to look at the sky, the sun, the moon, and the stars so we can say: "O my God, if the sun which is your creation is so bright, how much brighter are you, O Holy Name, you who are the creator of heaven and earth, the author and fashioner? O my God, find me worthy to enjoy you."
  
God, my brethren, put the mind in our heads. Our mind is like a dish in which we should put all the teachings of the Gospel and not myths and idle talk, which are the art of the devil. He gave us ears to hear the Divine Liturgy which is celebrated by the priest in the church. He gave us a mouth to glorify our Lord, for us to say: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the living God, through the Theotokos and all the angels, have mercy on us and forgive us who are sinners and your unworthy servants." We should confess with pure faith and receive the holy Sacraments with pure faith and fear and awe. That is how God wants us, brethren, and not to swear, not for one to betray another, not to take oaths and lie, not to steal from one another, not to take something belonging to another, not to take the name of God in vain for the smallest reason. Do you want to say, my brother: "By God"? Why don't you say: 'By the truth" ? Instead of swearing so your brother will believe you, tell him the straight truth, and if he doesn't believe you, go on your way. We should refrain, my brother, from swearing in the name of God or from taking oaths, and citing our saints. Some insignificant people even swear by the name of the Holy Trinity. Woe to them; a flaming tire will burn them and enflame them.
  
Do you know, brother, how God wants you to be? Just as you don't want your wife to have anything to do with another man, so God doesn't want you to have anything to do with the devil. Do you enjoy having your wife fornicate with another? Of course not. For someone else to kiss her? Neither do you want this. That is what God wants of you too, not to have anything to do with the devil."
-St. Kosmas Aitolos, the New Hieromartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles

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

"A great protector and defender..."

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St. Phanourios the Great Martyr (source)
  
A great protector and defender, you have been shown to be, O Martyr Phanourios, for wherever your sacred name is called upon, you speedily grant the gifts of your good will. Therefore, we joyously celebrate your holy memory, hymning you.
-Troparion of the 9th Ode of the Orthros Canon
  
(Source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Akathist to St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed

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St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
   
Note: The following is an amateur translation from the Greek text, offered for the many who love the Saint and who benefit from his speedy help. I request reviewing this translation if possible before any public / liturgical use. Also note that the meter of this translation is not set to match the original music.
  
Akathist to St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Wonderworker, the Newly-revealed
written by Nun Isidora Agierotheitissa
  
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
The hoplite of Christ of great name, who manfully deposed the enemies through formerly enduring blows and harsh tortures, and in latter years was wondrously revealed, and who works a multitude of wonders through the power of God, as born witness to by the people who honor him, crying out with odes of praise: Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
The perfect adornment of Christ, the unassailable protecting wall of the Church, the treasure and great pride of Rhodes. As you are the namesake of illumination from heaven, and you show forth divine wonders, we honor you crying out: Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Let all blood that loves God, praise the great hoplite Phanourios (3), for having been arrayed with the armor of the Cross, you glorified the Almighty God through your sacred victories, magnifying His holy and great name. Therefore we chant of his glorious grandeur, and ceaselessly cry out like this:
Rejoice, the Martyr of the truth,
Rejoice, the pillar of steadfastness.
Rejoice, the brave general of the King of all,
Rejoice, the faithful servant of the Master of all.
Rejoice, you who humbled the demonic ranks,
Rejoice, you who conquered the ranks of enemies.
Rejoice, you who dissolved the deep darkness of atheism,
Rejoice, light of Christ for those on the earth.
Rejoice, you who drive away the bitter winter of ignorance,
Rejoice, spring, which brings the knowledge of the all-holy faith.
Rejoice, the all-radiant light of the Church,
Rejoice, the adornment and unassailable haven of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
All the arrows of evil of the ancient foe, you quenched through your steadfastness and manliness, O Champion. Therefore, you ever refresh our souls with the dew of the All-working Spirit, for those who praise you with fervor, and chant unto God: Alleluia.
  
The serpent was stripped naked of his ancient beauty, through giving men guileful counsel. You showed the power of God and the might of the people against him, O Martyr, through your wondrous struggles, and you clearly proclaimed His greatness. Therefore, in fervor we tell of your exquisite wonders, and out of duty with cry out to you from the heart:
Rejoice, the lamp of piety,
Rejoice, you who showed forth manliness.
Rejoice, the radiance of the faith,
Rejoice, the beauty of the Martyrs.
Rejoice, soldier who put his trust in Him Who sets the contests,
Rejoice, the all-magnanimous friend of the Giver of good things.
Rejoice, the precious lamp of the spotless faith,
Rejoice, the honored icon of the love of Christ.
Rejoice, you who endured the fire of the furnace,
Rejoice, you who inherited the joyous rejoicing.
Rejoice, the beautiful laughter of the Angelic ranks,
Rejoice, the glory and uplifted inheritance of the people of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Having continuously the divine thirst for martyrdom, you hastened to the stadium, to confess Christ with boldness, and you endured tortures in your bravely-minded soul. As Paul you cried out: “It is Christ alone that I love, and it is the eternal Kingdom that I thirst for.” Therefore, having struggled perfectly, O famed Phanourios, you call all to hymn the true God, and to chant together with the Angels this new hymn: Alleluia.
  
Remaining as firm as a diamond, you were steadfast amidst the beatings, the scourges of your flesh, and the weight of stones, having ever the Passion of your Master in mind. Ceaselessly entreat Him, O Phanourios, that we be granted power to conquer the corrupting passions and to be crucified together with Him in the flesh, that we might live with Him, and ever cry out together out of need to you:
Rejoice, the arrow against him who wars against us,
Rejoice, the spear against the foreign enemy.
Rejoice, he who clearly showed the strength of our God,
Rejoice, he who laughed in the faces of tyrants.
Rejoice, weapon enriched by the invincible Cross,
Rejoice, you who scared away the army of demons.
Rejoice, you who endured the dark prison,
Rejoice, you who shown forth with your rays throughout the earth.
Rejoice, mighty defender of those who struggle,
Rejoice, the compassionate one who stands beside those in tribulations.
Rejoice, you who adorned the choir of the Martyrs,
Rejoice, you who make radiant the noetic heaven.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You lived, O Martyr, with your waist girded with the strength of God, wearing the whole armor of the faith, and holding in your hands the All-holy Cross, you ultimately trampled upon the ranks of the enemies. Therefore, you gladdened the choirs of the Angels, O Phanourios, as you became their friend and you were seen to converse with them, chanting together with them the thrice-holy hymn: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
The grace of the Comforter dwelt in you, truly quenching all desire for earthly things, and making you worthy to love the good things to come. Therefore, counting all corruptions of the flesh to be senseless, you entered your struggles with steadfastness, O Phanourios, and you received the radiant diadem of victory. Because of this, we weave for you this crown of holy hymns, and without ceasing, with our lips cry out from our souls:
Rejoice, friend of the Giver-of-Life,
Rejoice, lamp of the Giver-of-Light.
Rejoice, the very precious joy of the Sion above,
Rejoice, unstoppable protector of those in dangers.
Rejoice, fragrant rose of the All-working Spirit,
Rejoice, beautiful flower of the perfect faith.
Rejoice, vessel of graces, exceedingly multiplied,
Rejoice, fountain of wonders and ever-flowing spring.
Rejoice, for you ever anticipate those who are in trials,
Rejoice, for you speedily hearken to those who call upon your name.
Rejoice, the most-radiant crown of the Martyrs of Christ,
Rejoice, the protecting wall of the faithful and unbeatable shield.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
Taking up the undiminishing shield of piety, and the spear of hope, and the helmet of the faith, and having been arrayed with the breastplate of the love of the Lord, you were not swayed by unbearable pains, O Athlete. But you remained steadfast as a diamond until the end, O Phanourios, hymning the powers of God. To Him you cry out the victory-bearing ode in all things: Alleluia.
  
The rotten covering of error you removed through fire, bringing forth the truth of the Lord, O Athlete, revealing the power of our God to the godless. Therefore we have gathered together in a new dance, praising your great deeds, O Phanourios, and fervently cry out to you these things from the soul:
Rejoice, the tower of the Church,
Rejoice the cornerstone of Holy Sion.
Rejoice, the steadfastness of brass and iron,
Rejoice, more radiant than geodes or gold.
Rejoice, the most-exalted fellow warrior of God,
Rejoice, you who reduced to nothing the ranks of the enemy.
Rejoice, the holy cluster of wheat granted by Christ,
Rejoice, the mystical wine of the trampling of the vineyard.
Rejoice, for you made yourself to be a sanctuary of God,
Rejoice, for you enlighten the hearts of the faithful.
Rejoice, the seed of Christ, and the shoot of the Church,
Rejoice the most-glorious fruit for the whole world.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You became a proclaimer of God openly, and the word of your martyrdom has gone forth to the ends of the earth, and you have called the nations to hymn God, Who is glorified among His Saints, and Who granted the authority for us to trample upon the head of the guileful enemy and upon the strength of the serpent. We all have woven a new praise to God from our heart, praising the Creator of all with the victorious ode: Alleluia.
  
You have adorned the earth with the rays of your lamp of martyrdom, and your struggles have shown upon the choirs of the faithful. Therefore, you fill us with unspeakable light, as we praise the Giver-of-Light, the Beginning that surpassed the beginning, and we honor you with one voice, O famed Phanourios, and with one soul we chant the following to you in an unsatiated manner:
Rejoice, invincible panoply,
Rejoice, all-glorious crown-bearer.
Rejoice, mighty runner of the Lord,
Rejoice, you who shame the foreign enemy.
Rejoice, athlete of honorable struggles,
Rejoice, most-firm worker of godly feats.
Rejoice, for you were granted the eternal rewards,
Rejoice, for you partake of the incorruptible crowns.
Rejoice, most-compassionate healer of those in sicknesses,
Rejoice, the speedy deliver of those in trials,
Rejoice, light that reaches the ends of all creation,
Rejoice, the sanctity and surpassingly-bright star of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You endured pains in your divine members, for you offered yourself up as a sacrifice, and your side was torn and burnt with torches, O Athlete, and you bore a heavy stone with your bravely-minded soul. Therefore, having been purified through these as purified gold, you ever paradoxically shine throughout the earth, O Phanourios, calling all to hymn your perfect deeds openly, and crying out to God the harmonious ode: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
Having fulfilled the law of the Master, Whom you desired from childhood, and Whom you followed as a handsome young man, eagerly desiring to drink the cup of martyrdom. Therefore, He called you to this new table in His heavenly Kingdom, to partake of His goodness unto the ages. And He calls us in glory, to enjoy the telling of your wonders with rejoicing, O Phanourios, and to cry out these fervently, and with one voice:
Rejoice, great one among the Champions,
Rejoice, greatly-suffering one among struggles.
Rejoice, most-faithful friend of the Master,
Rejoice, most-desired sin of the Most-high.
Rejoice, the pearl of the Church, shining like gold,
Rejoice, O awesome one, ever shining throughout the whole world.
Rejoice, for you intercede for us to God with boldness,
Rejoice, for you entreat acceptably on behalf of all.
Rejoice, the defender and deliver of all those held captive,
Rejoice, helper of those in deed, who works wondrous deeds.
Rejoice, the glory of the Martyrs, the beauty of the Athletes,
Rejoice, the pride of the Church, and the all-radiant protection.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
A strange wonder has been seen in the latter days, for on the island of Rhodes, as a divine treasure, your icon was found in the ruined church. Therefore, all of us, being astonished at your vision, chant to you with the honored Archpriest the God-rejoicing hymn, O honored Phanourios, saying from the depths the joyous ode: Alleluia.
  
The ranks of heaven were astonished by you, beholding your brave and great struggles, and your endless manliness of soul, O Athlete. Therefore, they place on your precious head a crown from the hand of the Giver-of-Life Who is ever worshiped. And we offer divine and rational veneration, O Phanourios, and cry out harmoniously these things:
Rejoice, invincible one among struggles,
Rejoice, surpassingly bright one in deeds.
Rejoice, joyous rejoicing of the Angels,
Rejoice, the unassailable foundation of the faithful.
Rejoice, for you cast down the uplifted idols,
Rejoice, for you adorn Orthodox churches.
Rejoice, you who fervently anticipate those in need,
Rejoice, you who speedily hearken to those who call upon you.
Rejoice, you who bring the knowledge of the Sun of glory to the ends of the earth,
Rejoice, light that gladly shines upon those in darkness.
Rejoice, for you sprung forth like a rose from the earth,
Rejoice, you who blessed the multitudes of the people of Rhodes.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You have become a tower of strength and power of God, and you fortify the faithful in the true faith. Your heart was therefore founded upon the Rock of life, and your feet were strengthened by His divine commandments, while you radiantly reached your end through a tough and bitter martyrdom, O Phanourios. Therefore, we have woven for you crowns of odes, and we do not cease to offer in truth and fervor to you, the hymn: Alleluia.
  
The honored island of Rhodes rejoices and boasts incalculably in your sacred Church, for from her, as a radiant star, you have shined with your rays upon the whole world. Therefore, as our eyes and hearts are illumined, and radiant with your light, we ever cry out to you these things with one voice and in a fitting manner:
Rejoice, the beauty of the Martyrs,
Rejoice, the adornment of Athletes.
Rejoice, you who calm the seas for those who sail,
Rejoice, vessel led by God for those storm-tossed.
Rejoice, the all-radiant lamp of the Giver-of-Light,
Rejoice, most-bright dwelling-place of the Comforter.
Rejoice, for you enslaved the invisible enemies,
Rejoice, for you freed the enslaved priests.
Rejoice, you who preached the deeds of Mighty God,
Rejoice, you who shines throughout the world with the Giver-of-Light.
Rejoice, you who through your passion bore pains in your flesh,
Rejoice, for through your intercessions, you cease all passions of the soul.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You were seen as a divine moon, and you stand before the throne of the Source of light, you stand together with the armies of the Angels, partaking of divine beauty in the court of Paradise. Do not cease to fervently entreat Him, O Phanourios, on behalf of those who honor your most-holy memory in faith, and cry out to God with joyous soul, he ceaseless ode: Alleluia.
  
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
You have set up trophies of divine victory and fame, as we magnify your radiant and perfect deeds which caused great rejoicing to God, O Trophy-bearing Athlete. And we truly and piously praise your many great deeds, O brave Phanourios, as we say from the heart all of these things wondrously:
Rejoice, all-glorious Champion,
Rejoice, O brave trophy-bearer.
Rejoice, you who were steadfast as bronze amidst wrestling,
Rejoice, the all-holy sanctification of the spotless faith.
Rejoice, for you speedily partook of the rewards of your struggles,
Rejoice, for you gained the heavenly robe of glory.
Rejoice, you who bore pains with bravery in your soul,
Rejoice, for you partook of divine rejoicing as nourishment.
Rejoice, for you adorned the earth through the furrows of your struggles,
Rejoice, for you decorated the heavens through your joyous presence.
Rejoice, the all-radiant lamp of the Source of light,
Rejoice, foundation of the Church, and greatly-radiant temple.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
The waters of piety watered your soul, and therefore you harvested the good things of the faith, and the divine cluster of Martyrdom, O Phanourios, and having thus been filled, you placed them in the treasuries of God. And we who praise the fruits of your pains, are nourished in the heart with the praises of God, and cry out to Him ceaselessly from the lips of our souls:Alleluia.
  
You endured the dark prison cell, having beheld the thrice-radiant Light with your eyes. And you preserved your senses unsoiled by the darkness, and conversed with the Source of light ineffably. Having approached that eternal beauty of heaven, your heart was made into a temple of the living God. And we who ever venerate you and your sacred icon, in your holy church, O Phanourios, ceaselessly cry out these with fervor:
Rejoice, the divine comeliness of Martyrs,
Rejoice, the adornment of all the Saints.
Rejoice, you who partake of the unwaning light,
Rejoice, the divine lens of the Comforter.
Rejoice, for you kept the commandments of the Law in your mind,
Rejoice, for who unflinchingly walked the path of Martyrdom.
Rejoice, for you gaze upon the glory of Christ, the Bestower of crowns,
Rejoice, for you visit the beauty of the mysteries of God.
Rejoice, for you bore on your flesh the marks of Martyrdom,
Rejoice, you who ineffably glorified God in your soul.
Rejoice, you who impart your fervent protection for the faithful,
Rejoice, you who gladden all with your joyous presence.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
You passed through the narrow road of struggles while rejoicing, and now dwell in the broad land of Eden, O sacred Phanourios. And you guide us, who have been afflicted by the passions, to be led towards strengthening without delusion through your help, where are the ranks of the Martyrs and the Saints. That we might joyously join in their ways and their chorus, we offer to God the hymn, and joyously cry out: Alleluia.
  
Chanting the hymn of Martyrdom on the lyre of your soul, without ceasing, you ever praise the greatly-hymned God, Who granted you the power to be martyred for Him. Therefore, the choirs of those who love the Martyrs and who love God, and the ranks and the choirs of the faithful bless Him from the depths, the merciful God, and we ceaselessly cry out to His healer:
Rejoice, the flower of piety,
Rejoice, the rose of truth.
Rejoice, the ray of the unspeakable light,
Rejoice, the surpassingly-bright lightning of the heavenly world.
Rejoice, the all-fitting icon of the perfect,
Rejoice, the exalted lamp of those who struggle well.
Rejoice, the deposer of darkness, and the guide towards the light,
Rejoice, guide towards all godly things.
Rejoice, fittingly strengthens the faithful through your prayers,
Rejoice, you who gladden all with the series of your wonders.
Rejoice, the glory and calm harbor of the people of Rhodes,
Rejoice, wealth of the Church, and dawn without evening.
Rejoice, O Martyr Phanourios.
  
O invincible Martyr, bravely-minded Athlete, Phanourios, the hoplite of the Lord (3), you who were wondrous through the strength of God, and through your endurance and steadfastness were granted sacred trophies of victory, make us worthy, who honor you in truth, to trample upon the enemy who greatly wars against us, and to be granted in the age to come, the crown of divine glory. That out of fervor, we might glorify the Lord, and eternally chant from a proper heart unto His holy name, worthily hymning His glory, with joyous voices, and ceaselessly cry out with the Angels: Alleluia.
  
And again the Kontakion.
Before the end of the service, the following hymn in the Third Tone.
You gladdened creation through the radiance of your struggles, and brought joy to the faithful through the gift of your wonders, and you astonished the army of the Angels, O Phanourios, for in these latter days, you shown forth from the earth as a precious rose, and as an all-radiant star, adorning the island of Rhodes. We cry out to you: Rejoice.
(source)
    
St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly-revealed (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"John, who outran Your birth and Your passion..."

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St. John the Precious Forerunner and Baptist of Christ (source)
  
John, who outran Your birth and Your passion, came through a sword to the lowest parts of the earth as Prophet and Messenger of Your entrance also there, crying as voice of the Word, you dead, highly exalt the Giver of life, you blind, the Giver of light, you prisoners, the Deliverer Christ.
-from Ode VIII of the First Canon of the Saint
  
(source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"You were made beautiful, O Virgin..."

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The Most-holy Theotokos, holding her Precious Belt (source)
  
You were made beautiful*, O Virgin, by giving birth to the most-beautiful Word, and you were well-pleased to place within your beautiful house, the beautiful Belt, which you beautifully wore in life, O Theotokos, on your beautiful body.
 -From Ode V of the Second Canon for the Feast of the Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos
  
 
*Note: First and foremost, when the hymnographer speaks of "beauty", he is speaking of the great spiritual beauty and purity of the Theotokos.
  
Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

"Your paths, O God, your paths are great and wonderful..."

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Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator (source)
  
Your paths, O God, your paths are great and wonderful; therefore we magnify you for the might of your dispensation, for, light from light, you visited your wretched world, and in your good pleasure, O Word, did away with the first curse on ancient Adam, and you fixed for us times and seasons for glorifying your all-pervading goodness. Lord, glory to you!
-Idiomelon of the Praises in the Fourth Tone, for the New Ecclesiastical Year
  
(source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. John of Kronstadt on Mount Sinai and the Divine Liturgy

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The vision of God to the Prophet Moses in the Burning Bush (source)
  
"When the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai the Hebrew people were ordered to prepare and cleanse themselves beforehand. In the Divine Liturgy we have an even greater event than God's descent upon Mount Sinai, here before us is the very face of God the Lawgiver. When the Lord appeared to him in the bush on Mount Horeb, Moses was ordered to put off his shoes from his feet: but here God is manifested in a manner far greater than upon Horeb; there was only the type, here is the antitype Himself."
-St. John of Kronstadt, 'My Life in Christ'
  
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"O how awesome is your form..."

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Holy Archangels and Taxiarchs Michael and Gabriel (source)
  
O how awesome is your form, and how truly wondrous is your beauty, O Michael, for your glory is shown to us as surpassingly bright, for all those who desire you, and you endlessly work incomparable wonders!
 
As you are the beautiful and joyous pair that serves the commandments of the Master upon the earth, O Archangels [Michael and Gabriel], deliver from dangers, and shine upon all with your saving and divine light, from the divine Spirit.
-From the Canon for the Miracle of the Archangel Michael
 
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Elder Ephraim: "Let us attend on high..."

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Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior (source)
  
"Let us attend on high, where Jesus sits at the right hand of God. Let our eyes look on high, for the eternal and everlasting things are above, not below; for everything here is dust and ashes. Reflect on the luxuriousness of heaven: the infinite wisdom of God is there; inconceivable beauty is there; the angelic melodies are there; the riches of divine love are there; the life free from pain is there; the tears and sighs will be taken away there; only joy, love, peace, an eternal Pascha, and an unending festival are there, “Oh, the depth of the riches and knowledge of God!”. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
-Elder Ephraim of Arizona

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

"Today is the proclamation of universal joy..."

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The Most-holy Theotokos as an infant, being embraced by her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna (source)
  
Today is the proclamation of universal joy! The barrenness of humans is pardoned, for the barren Anna becomes a mother of the virginal Mother of the Creator! The One Who is God by nature has taken our human nature and has worked salvation in the flesh, Christ the Lover of mankind and the Redeemer of our souls.
-Idiomelon of the Stichera for the Nativity of the Theotokos
  
(source)
  
Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

Paraklesis to the Holy Trinity, on behalf of a New Martyr

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The Hospitality of Abraham, an icon of the Holy Trinity (source)
  
Note: The following is a service supplicating God, the Holy Trinity, to help a new martyr of Orthodoxy who is currently being tortured. These beautiful and moving prayers were written by St. Nikephoros of Chios (+1821), from a time several hundred years ago when, under the Ottoman Turks, the faithful would give their lives on a daily basis, refusing to deny Christ and their faith. And even in our days, there are many who suffer, and who will continue to suffer in the future, confessing Christ as the true God, Who put on flesh for our salvation, and refusing to worship foreign gods. May the Lord strengthen us all to witness to Him in word and deed, to the extent that we each are called. This is an amateur translation from the Greek text. I request reviewing this translation if possible before any public / liturgical use. Also note that the meter of this translation is not set to match the original music.
  
Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to the Holy and Consubstatial and Undivided Trinity
Chanted on behalf of a new martyr who is being tortured
Written by St. Nikephoros of Chios.
  
After the “Blessed is our God...”, the Psalm “Lord, hear my prayer...”, followed by the following in the Fourth Tone
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (4)
  
Then the Troparion. Fourth Tone. To the Theotokos let us run.
Let us entreat the thrice-hypostatic God, Father, Word and Holy Spirit, crying out from the depths of our souls with contrition: O Master Who loves man, through the protection of the Angels, and of the Mother of God, and of all the Saints, in the end, show him (her) who is now held and struggling for You, to be an invincible Martyr.
  
Glory. The same hymn.
Both now.
To the Theotokos, let us run now most fervently...
  
Then the Psalm “Have mercy on me O God, according to Your great mercy...”, followed by the canon.

Plagal of the Fourth Tone. Ode I. Crossing the water as on dry land.
O Master and God Who loves man, O Almighty Father, All-powerful Ruler, through the intercessions of all the Saints, strengthen Your servant who is struggling.
  
O Christ Savior, Who first bore witness before Pilate, through the protection of the Angels, and the prayers of the Prophets and Apostles, strengthen Your servant who is struggling.
  
O King of heaven and God, the divine Spirit of truth, through the holy intercessions of the athletes and the venerable Saints, strengthen Your servant who is struggling.
  
O Trinity in oneness, Father, Son and Divine Spirit, one power and strength, through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, strengthen Your servant who is struggling.
  
Ode III. Of the vault of the heaven.
Through the divine prayers of the heavenly ranks of the Angels, O Merciful One, and of the Saints from all the ages, O pre-eternal Father, be merciful to him (her) who is struggling, and look down and strengthen him (her).
  
O Only-begotten Word before the ages, O Uplifted One, Who unspeakably became man through Your ineffable compassion, strengthen and grant perseverance to him (her) who is being tortured out of love for You, through the prayers of all Your Saints.
  
O thrice-hypostatic rule, the all-working power, Father, Son and Divine Spirit, through the prayers of the Mother of God, strengthen him (her) who is struggling for You, through Your all-mighty power.
  
In Your good will, look down, O all-hymned Godhead, upon Your entreator, and with Your invincible might, protect him (her) who is struggling for you.
  
O Beginningless Trinity, inseparable Father, Word and Spirit, have compassion upon Your good servant, and grant them victory from heaven.
  
Troparion in the Second Tone. A fervent prayer.
The multitude of the Angels, Prophets and Apostles, together with the Priests and all Hierarchs, the band of the Athletes and the city of the Venerable intercede on behalf of him (her) who is struggling and in danger, that he (she) be strengthened, O almighty Trinity.
  
Ode IV. I have hearkened and heard, O Lord.
Strengthen the mortal weakness, O all-powerful Father, of him (her) who, amidst struggles, chants to You: Glory to Your power, O Almighty One.
  
Receive the spotless sacrifice, O Christ Who loves man, willingly offered to You, and show him (her) to be invincible, as he (she) chants: Glory to Your power.
  
He (She) who is being tested by trials on behalf of piety, entreats Your grace of You, the Comforting Spirit, chanting: Glory to Your power.
  
O Almighty Lord, Father, Word and Spirit, strengthen him (her) who is struggling on behalf of the faith, as he (she) chants: Glory to Your power.
  
Ode V. Lord, enlighten us.
Visit him (her) who is in dangers out of fervor for You, O beginningless Father, granting him (her) Your peace from above.
  
Enlighten the nous, and pacify the heart of Your entreator, O Christ Who loves man, granting him (her) Your peace from above.
  
May the good Spirit be poured out from the Father, to lighten the pains of Your entreator, granting him (her) peace from above.
  
Through Your power, O almighty Trinity, protect him (her) who is struggling on behalf of the faith, granting him (her) Your peace from above.
  
Ode VI. My supplication I pour out.
O Lord, the spring of power, O almighty and surpassingly-good Father, look down upon Your servant who is struggling, and may their tortures not be senselessly abiding. Strengthen him (her) with Your divine strength showing him (her) to be perfect and invincible.
  
You are my strength, I cry out, and power and foundation and deliverer, O Merciful One, and refuge and helper, my Christ. Grant your entreator in dangers perseverance, and show him (her), through Your power, O Jesus, to be perfect and invincible.
  
O Comforter, good and all-holy, I entreat that You visit him (her) who is in dangers, and who is struggling willingly, and lighten his (her) pain, and show him (her) to be invincible against visible and invisible enemies, through Your power.
  
O Master, Almighty Lord, Fashioner of human nature, Father Son and Holy Spirit, through Your power, show Your entreator who is in dangers and tortures to be radiant, perfect and invincible.
  
O God of all, with Your grace, visit him (her), who with fervent faith looks towards you, and grant him (her) who is in dangers patience and manliness.
  
Make Your servant worthy to finish the divine course of martyrdom, and keep the pious faith, and to receive from You the crown of incorruption.
  
And the Kontakion. Second Tone. O Protection of Christians.
O thrice-radiant Godhead, beyond all being, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through the intercessions of Your Saints from all ages, now be present, as the Good One, and visit Your athlete, and lighten the aching of their tortures, and mitigate the pains, that having struggled, Your all-holy name might be glorified.
  
Prokeimenon
O God, come unto my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. (2)
Verse: Let them be ashamed and turned back who seek after my soul.
  
The Gospel according to St. Luke (see the Friday of the Seventh Week):
“The Lord said: 'Nothing shall be hidden that will not be revealed...'”
  
Glory. Father, Word and Spirit, Trinity in oneness, wash away my many personal offenses.
Both now. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, wash away my many personal offenses.
  
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God...
Prosomoion in the Plagal of the Second Tone. Having laid up all their hopes in heaven.
O Consubstantial Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, tri-hypostatic unity, O God of all, help Your fervent servant who is suffering in dangers, and tortures and afflictions, and send down Your strength from above, showing him (her) to be invincible, and strengthen and support him (her) in soul together with the body, that until the end, he (she) might stand unshaken in the faith, and might receive the crown of struggling.
  
Prayer of entreaty, to strengthen him (her) who is struggling on behalf of the Holy Faith
Written by St. Athanasos of Paros.
Let us pray to the Lord.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the living God, the Fashioner and Creator of all things visible and invisible, the strength of those without strength, the foundation of the storm-tossed, Who sets things aright and Who lifts up those cast down, the guide of the lost, and the hope of the hopeless, the supporter of those who struggle and the crown-bestower of the victorious, Who put on our infirm human nature, and did not disdain to wear it, Who did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, Who said through Your Prophet: “I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should return and live.” You, O Master Who loves man, all-compassionate and greatly merciful Lord, receive Your servant (name), Who once [may have] had a mindset of freedom and violence and the way of want, and with the guile and delusion of the serpent leader of evil on their shoulder (flee from this!), and followed the enemies of Your holy faith and the delusion of godlessness before the godless tyrants, instead of Your all-holy and worshiped name, but now, has come to the knowledge of his (her) own fall, and desiring to be refashioned, hastened to the stadium to struggle, and has arrayed himself (herself) in Your almighty help and grace. And now we pray to You, we sinners and unworthy ones, O Jesus Christ, the true God, Almighty One and Ruler over all: strengthen, support, make firm until the end, Your servant (name) who is struggling on behalf of You and of Your holy faith, and show him (her) to be a witness of the truth in the end. For You said, O Master, through Your holy mouth, that: “Without me, you can do nothing”, and furthermore: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”, for You said this and we confess it. Therefore O Lord, the lover and savior of souls, receive this one who has fled indifference and before men confesses You to be the only true God, and the Judge of the living and the dead, as You received the confession of Your Apostle Peter, and James the Persian, and a multitude of others of like nature to him, make him (her) worthy of Your ineffable love for man, that he (she) be guided towards this good confession and brave stance and to complete all things perfectly until the end, that the faithful might be gladdened in him (her), and therefore glorify Your all-holy name, the leader and founder of our holy faith, together with Your Father and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, the one and only Godhead and life-creating Trinity, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
  
Ode VII. Once from out of Judea.
O only hidden One, inscrutable foundation, beginningless Father, confirm in the faith Your servant who is struggling, and who chants to You from the heart: O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
  
O Christ, grant that Your servant might count the tortures as nothing, and not be swayed by anything in life, and be brought forth to suffer and to die willingly, chanting unto You the Creator: O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
  
O All-holy Spirit, Who grants manliness unto the souls of the Martyrs, through Your illumination, strengthen him (her) Your servant who is struggling, and cries out: O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
  
Through the intercessions of the Martyrs, the Prophets and the Apostles, O undivided Trinity, strengthen Your servant who has boundless fervor for You, and is surrounded by dangers, and who chants: O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
  
Ode VIII. The King of heaven.
The Eternal One, the eternal beginningless Begetter, grant deliverance and guidance through tortures to him (her) who hymns Your might.
  
O Christ, the right hand of the Most-High, grant Your helping hand through tortures, to him (her) who hymns Your might.
  
The all-powerful and all-governing divine Spirit, grant power from on high, to him (her) who hymns Your might.
  
The almighty and all-working Godhead, quicken and deliver from on high him (her) who hymns Your might.
  
Ode IX. Saved through you, O Theotokos.
O Lady Theotokos, the protection of all, intercede towards God and the Father on behalf of him (her) who is now struggling to glorify Him.
  
O Lady Theotokos, offer up your motherly intercessions to Your Son, O Spotless One, on behalf of him (her) who is now struggling to glorify Him.
  
O Lady Theotokos, offer up intercessions to the divine and good Spirit, of behalf of him (her) who is now struggling to glorify Him.
  
O Lady Theotokos, intercede to the all-holy Trinity with your divine intercessions, on behalf of him (her) who is now struggling to glorify Him.
  
Megalynarion.
O Father, Word and Spirit, the one God, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, as the good and merciful one, make him (her) worthy who is now being tortured on behalf of Your glory, to finish the course.
  
Then the Trisagion, followed by the Penitential Troparia (“Have mercy on us, have mercy on us...”)
  
And after the Dismissal, the following Troparion in the Second Tone. When, from the tree.
O Trinity of equal throne and honor, O Father and Son and Spirit, as the Merciful One, receive our fervent supplications, offered from Your servants with our whole soul and heart to Your incomparable goodness, on behalf of Your servant, that he (she) be granted strength from on high, that Your Godhead might be glorified.
(source)
  
Icon depicting the Martyrdom of St. Argyrios the New Martyr (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"We venerate the wood of Your Cross..."

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The Exaltation of the Precious Cross of Christ (source)
  
We venerate the wood of Your Cross, O humane One, for You, the Life of all, were nailed to it. O Savior, You opened Paradise to the Robber who approached You with faith. He was counted worthy of delight, confessing You, Remember me, O Lord. Accept us as You accepted him, for we now cry, We all have sinned against Your compassion. Do not abandon us.
-Kathisma from the Feast of the Holy Cross

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

A paralyzed boy healed by St. John the Russian

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St. John the Russian, depicted with St. Seraphim of Sarov and St. John of Kronstadt (source)
  
In one of the two children's hospitals of Athens, a mother lied at the head of her child day and night. She brought the child from Patras, because the child's chronic affliction, paralysis of the lower extremities, had worsened in the last few days...
  
One evening, while the sun was setting, and the last few sunbeams lit up the hospital room, the mother remembered how she would go to a chapel of the Panagia high above Patras, and prayed, lighting the vigil lamps, sometimes with her husband, other times with her children. Her nous was fixed on that chapel. She prayed noetically: “My Panagia, my sweetest Mother who feels our pain, help my child. My Panagia, send me a Saint, look at my poor child, how in his life, he is struggling to stand on his feet. Help, my poor little boy.”
  
“Mother,” the child said, “who are you talking to?”
  
“My Georgie, remember when you read in your church book how our Lord lived in Palestine, and healed demoniacs, opened the eyes of the blind, lifted up Paralytics and made them to walk, and raised the dead? Tell him, my Georgie, and He will hear you, my good boy, tell Christouli to make you well.”
  
The helpless child, with his innocent gaze, looked at his mother, and at the sun which was setting. He looked on high towards the heavens.
  
That midnight, George saw a dream of a beautiful horseman, on a glorious horse. He stopped before him and said:
  
“Get up, Georgie, jump up on my horse!”
  
“But I am a paralytic, my feet don't move and hold me up.” he replied.
  
“Give me your hand, Georgie, get up on my horse. I am St. John from Russia, and our Lord sent me to bring you His grace and His healing power!"
The child, half awake, then awoke his mother, who picked him up so that he wouldn't fall out of bed.
  
“Mother, hold me, St. John from Russia told me to get up.”
  
In the morning when the night resident told the professor that the paralyzed child from Patras began walking that night, went with a hammer in hand, checked the child's reflexes, and plucked his feet with a sharp instrument, and he saw that his body was functioning normally.
  
“Go,” said the professor, “God had something to do with you."
  
(8/17/77 – from the book “Life and new miracles of the Venerable John the Russian”, by Priest Ioannis Vernezou, 1999, source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"Now rejoice, O beautiful myrtle plant..."

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Panagia Myrtidiotissa ("Of the Myrtle Tree") (source)
  
 
Now rejoice, O beautiful myrtle plant, for you were sought by the Theotokos for a Throne and palace for her all-holy Icon, and with joy, you were wondrously sanctified by the Queen, who spoke forth from your branches.
-Troparion from the Canon for the feast of Panagia Myrtidiotissa.
  
(source)
  
Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

"The summit of the Apostles..."

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St. John the Evangelist and Theologian (source)
  
The summit of the Apostles, the trumpet of theology, the spiritual general, who made the whole inhabited world subject to God, come believers, let us call him blessed, revered John, translated from earth, yet not withdrawn from earth, but living and abiding the fearful second coming of the Master. O mystic bosom friend of Christ, ask that we, who celebrate your memory with love, may meet it uncondemned.
-Idiomelon of the Litia in the Second Tone
  
(source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian

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St. John the Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian (source)
  
This is an excerpt from the life of St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ (see the Great Synaxaristes for the full life of the Saint in English). When he began to act like a fool after God's call, his master thought that he had become possessed, so he had him bound with chains, and placed in the holy church of St. Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Potions in Constantinople, which was known for its many miracles and healings. What is moving about this passage is the speedy help of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian, and the vivid depiction of spiritual warfare. St. John is not physically "flogging" the bodiless demons, but the demons experience this punishment when coming into contact with the great love, purity and humility of the Triune God and of His Saints. May the Lord protect and defend us all from the demons, through the prayers of His Holy Ones!
  
St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian
All of that day, bound as he was, [the Blessed Andrew] did not eat anything. That night, at midnight, as he was praying mystically to God and to the Martyr [St. Anastasia], the devil appeared to him visibly, appearing as a [dark being]. Together with him was a multitude of demons. Some were carrying pickaxes, others knives, others sticks and clubs, swords and spears, and others ropes. That dragon was the general. Because of this, many demons had come with him, in order to darken the blessed one. The [dark being], therefore, was foaming at the mouth. In this manner, the demons charged against him.
 
Then, the blessed Andrew lifted up his hands and cried out with tears to God: “Lord, do not cast to the beasts the soul that confesses You!"
 
And immediately, he added: “O St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, Beloved Theologian, help me.”
  
At that instant, from on high was heard the roaring of thunder*. And an Elder with large eyes appeared, whose face shown like the sun! Many were following him. He made the sign of the Cross in the air, and told those with him: “Lock the doors, so that none might escape!”
  
Those with him [i.e. the Angels] speedily seized all the demons. As they were all locked within the church, the demons cried to each other: “How dark is the hour that we are experiencing! John is strict and will torture us terribly.”
  
That precious Elder gave a command to his attendants to take the chain from the neck of the blessed Andrew. He took it, and stood outside the door and cried out: “Bring each of them to me.”
  
And they brought him the first one. “Lay him down,” he said.
  
Then, he folded the chain of the blessed one in three, and gave around 100 strikes to the demon, who cried out like a man: “Mercy, mercy, have mercy on me!”
  
Later they laid out and terribly flogged the second, followed by each of the demons. When the blessed Andrew heard the word “mercy”, he began to laugh. It appeared to him that the demons were bound and flogged perceptibly just like men. In reality, however, God was flogging them. And he was flogging them with such an astonishing beating, such that human nature couldn't bear it.
  
He who was flogging them cried out: “Go now to your father, to satan, and show him the predicament that you are in and see if it pleases him...”
  
When all of the [dark beings] disappeared, that precious Elder approached the servant of God, and put the chain back on his neck, telling him: “Do you see how quickly I came to help you? I greatly care about you, because God commanded me to care for your salvation. Have patience, so that you might everywhere appear to be worthy. Soon, your master will remove you from your bonds, so that you might go free where you will.”
  
“Tell me, O Lord,” the blessed Andrew asked, “who are you? I don't recognize you.”
  
“I am John,” he replied, “I reclined upon the spotless and life-giving bosom of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
  
As he said this, he disappeared like lightning from before his eyes. He remained ecstatic, and glorified God, because He helped him and delivered him from those evil demons that had surrounded him. He prayed, therefore, and said:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, great and unsurpassing is Your power, and greatly glorified is Your compassion, for strangely and wondrously did you have mercy on and take care of your humble servant. O exalted and almighty Lord, ever protect me on Your true way, and make me worthy, O greatly-merciful Master, O awesome and incomprehensible One, to find grace near You.”
  
*Note: St. John the Theologian and his brother St. James were called the "Sons of Thunder" by Christ.
  
(amateur translation of excerpt from the full life of the Saint in Greek, published by Parakletos Monastery, Oropos)
  
St. Andrew of Constantinople, the Fool-for-Christ (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Isaac the Syrian: " Blessed is the man who knows his own weakness..."

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St. Isaac the Syrian (source)
  
Blessed is the man who knows his own weakness, because this knowledge becomes to him the foundation, root, and beginning of all goodness. For whenever a man learns and truly perceives his own weakness, at that moment he contracts his soul on every side from the laxity that dims knowledge, and he treasures up watchfulness in himself. But no one can perceive his own infirmity if he is not allowed to be tempted a little, either by things that oppress his body, or his soul. For then, comparing his own weakness with God's help, he will straightway understand the greatness of the latter.
-St. Isaac the Syrian, "Ascetical Homilies" (Homily 8)
  
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
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