21 December 2000" Stl Thomas the Apostle

http://www.slide.com/s/AJ-5EwPj2T8ym695KYNGE7NZ-X_tEdkB

St. Thomas was one of Jesus’ disciples and was called the twin. Little is know of him. In the gospels we are told that Thomas said they should go to Jerusalem with Jesus to die with him, expressing his faith. Thomas though is far more known as being “Doubting Thomas,” for saying he would not believe in the resurrection if he did not touch the nail holes in Jesus’ hands. Jesus reveals himself to Thomas, who exclaims, “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas first served in Syria. From Syria he travelled to India to Palayoor. He stayed there until the year 52 when he travelled to what is now southern Kerala state where he established seven churches. (It is said he was assigned to India by lots between the apostles. He was martyred in Kerala by Bramins who did not want him converting the people to Chrisianity. Most of this part of India remained under the jurisdiction of the Church of the East until more recent times. Today Mar Thoma Christians are divided up between Roman Catholic, Church of the East, Jacobites and Anglicans.

It is interesting to note that there were Jewish colonies in both Palayoor and Kerala, so just as Joseph of Arimathea travelled to Jewish colonies to first proclaim the Gospel, and Paul also visited the Jews at first, so did Thomas visit the Jewish communities first.

Thomas must be admired for his tenacity in travelling such a long way, as tansportaiton in the first centruay was not very good,

St. Nicholas: 7 December (transferred from Sunday)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/barhege/StNicholasIcon.jpg

St. Nicholas (270-December 6, 346) is one of the most beloved of saints, and many tails surround him.

What is known is that Nicholas was from Lycia (in Turkey today) and made pilgrimage to Palestine and Egypt, supposedly to study with the desert fathers. Returning some years later, he went to Myra (now Demre, Turkey) where he was quickly ordained Bishop. He was imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution, but was released when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. He also attended the council of Nicaea.

Nicholas was known for his generosity. It is said that a poor man had three daughters and that just before each came of age, he would throw a bag of gold through the window, so that she would have a dowry so as not be need to be sold into slavery. The third time the poor man caught him in the act, and Nicholas told him not to thank Nicholas but the thank God.

Many other fantastic tails surround Nicholas, and while they al probably are based on true stories, the form in which they come to us is more like a fairy tale. Nicholas as a result of his kind actions came to be known as a Patron of children and sailors among others.

Many Orthodox countries, as well as the Netherlands and countries in Eastern Europe celebrate St. Nicholas day. Nicholas is always vested as a Bishop and comes on a white horse, rewarding good children with candy (in Holland with chocolate coins) and bad children with lumps of coal. Shoes are left out to receive these gifts. In Dutch, St. Nicholas is Sinter Klas, and in New York with its mix of Dutch and English came to be known as Santa Claus.

Collect: El Shaddai, as you raised up Nicholas of Myra to be generous to the poor, children and sailors, bless us that we may be blessings to all who are in need, and teach us to protect the poor, children, sailors, and others whom this world has forgotten, and let your blessing be upon them as well. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs with you in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (red)

St. Clement of Alexandria: 5 December

http://satucket.com/lectionary/Clement_Alexandria.htm

St. Clement of Alexandria was from Athens and followed many teachers until he came to the true teacher, Jesus. Athens was a trade and culture center at the time, and it was natural that the catechetical school would develop there. Clement was one of the early teachers, beginning teaching there in about 190. Clements main contribution to theology is in what he taught Origen. Also during the persecution in about 212, he flees Alexandria, and going to Cappadocia to help his former pupil Bishop Alexander during the persecution. The events of his death are unknown, but he died between 212 and 215.

Collect: El Shaddai, your presbyter Clement of Alexandria came to you after much seeking and dedicated himself to teaching the faith to Christians and Pagans. Grant in this and every place men and women who are dedicated to teaching your holy word to those who know and do not know you, and grant that we would truly teach Christians what is truly meant to walk with you. This we ask through our Saviour, Yeshuah haMoshiach who taught his disciples the truth. Amen. (red)

St. Johon of Damascus, Presbyter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Damascus

John of Damascus (676-4 December 749) came from a Christian family which served the Caliph of Damascus. His father found a Christian tutor for him, and John received a well rounded education, and served the Caliph in a high position as well from a young age. His name was forged to a document implicating him in an invasion of Damascus. As a result he lost his post, and had his right hand severed. The hand was miraculously restored after a night in prayer.

He retired to Mar Saba Monastery near Jerusalem after this. He was ordained presbyter and wrote several hymns still used in the west, and many hymns still used in the east. He was a defender of icons in the iconoclast controversy, and his writings addressed many of the theological controversies of his time including on the Jakobites, Nestorians, the Monathelites and the Manicheans and of course the Iconoclast controversy.

Collect: El Shaddai, you raised up your presbyter, John of Damascus to defend the faith, and write hymns. So raise up in this and every generations men and women who will defend the church against heresy and who will stand up for the faith. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who stood against the false teaching of his time, and who lives and reigns with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (white)

Nicholas Ferrar: 1 December 2009

http://satucket.com/lectionary/Nicholas_Ferrar.htm

Nicholas Ferrar (1592-1637)

Many wonder when I leave out so many English Saints, why I remember the Deacon from Little Gidding.

After being ordained to the deaconate, Nicholas and his family and some friends retired to Little Gillddng, in Huntindonshire, England. Once there, they dedicated themselves to prayer, fasting and giving of alms. They restored the church there, and were responsible to see that it had services. They also taught the children, and saw to the health of the people in the surrounding district. They recited the daily offices and read through the entire Psaltery daily. They always kept at least one person before the alter kneeling in prayer, so as to pray without ceasing. They also wrote several books including a harmony of the Gospels.

Nicolas and his family were a fine example of how Christians can live, single and married together in community, serving the community around them. The finest of Anglican tradition, with daily Morning and Evening prayer and caring for the need of the people. This was a true case of the people being the church.

El Shaddai, you gave your deacon, Nicholas Ferrar the ability to form a Christian community that was truly dedicated to you both in prayer and ministry to others. Grant that we, like the Ferrar family would worship you through prayer and fasting, but also in witnessing and taking care of the poor. This we ask through Yeshua, who prayed, forgave sins and preached to the sinner. Amen. (white)

23 November: C.S. Lewis

Clives Staples Lewis
29 November 1898-22 November 1963

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, C. S. Lewis was baptised into that church at a tender age. As many, he did not receive much nurture from that faith, he fell away from it and officially became an atheist. Like many of his time, Lewis was educated by private tutors and private schools. It was at Malvern College at the age of fifteen that he became an atheist, studying mythology and the occult. He attended Oxford and volunteered to fight in World War I. returning to Oxford afterwards. Influenced by the writings of George McDonald and by G.K. Chesterton, and by J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis came back to Christ, kicking and struggling in his own words in 1931. Joining the Church of England, his works reflect orthodox Anglicanism of his time. Lewis is chiefly known for, The Pilgirms’s Regress, his Space Trilogy, the Chronicles of Narnia, ere Chrisitanity and the Screwtape Letters. He wrote several other books as well with Christian themes. Lewis is probably the most well know Christian apologist of the twentieth century.


Dear Lord, you gave your servant Clive S. Lewis wonderful ability to proclaim your kingdom, love of you, and spiritual truths through the written and spoken word. Raise up in this and every generation authors who truly love you and proclaim you through word and action. This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach who himself used parables to proclaim the truth of the kingdom. Amen. (white)

Hugh of Lincoon: 17 November 2009

http://www.angelusworkshop.co.uk/NEWpages/Lin06.htm

Hugh of Lincoln was born about 1135 in Avalon to noble parents. After his mothers death when he was eight, his father to him to the priory of Villard Benoît at Pontcharra, where Hugh did quite well. He was made deacon at age 19 and was sent to become prior at anther monastery, and then entered the Gran Chartreuse, the mother house for the Carthusians. There he remained until 1179, when he was sent to England to become prior of the first Carthusian house of England. Arriving, he found very little, and that the lands had not even been paid for, forcing a meeting with the King who had promised the funds in relation to his penance relating to the death of Archbishop Thomas of Canterbury Once financing was secured the house grew rapidly and Hugh’s wisdom brought many to the English house.

Hugh was not afraid to address problems in the Kingdom and criticised the King. For leaving Diocesan Sees open in order that the king could receive the revenues. Lincoln itself had been vacant for some eighteen years. The chapter elected Hugh to be their Bishop and he was consecrated on 21 September 1186. Hugh was still not afraid of the King, nor those with royal authority, and excommunicated those who needed it regardless of royal prerogative, and protected the downtrodden, especially the Jews. He travelled ocntatly through the diocese, was constant in charity and raised the educational level of the cathedral school. He was often attended by a pet swan which followed him everywhere. He refused to raise money for King Richard the Lion Heart’s crusades, and was not popular with Prince John, who was not interested in hearing of the Chirsians duty of Kings. Through all, he managed to continue through his diplomatic skills. He died November 16, 1200 of an unknown illness, loved by many.

Collect: Heavenly Father, as you imbued your Bishop Hugh of Lincoln with true grace and agape for all, help your church to love and serve the poor, oppressed, and outcasts, that they may come to know you through our witness, which we ask in the name of your beloved son, who loved us even unto death on the cross. Amen. (white)