Martyrs of Japan: 6 February 2012 (Transferred from Sunday, the 5th)

http://romanchristendom.blogspot.com/2008/05/saint-of-japan-st-magdalene-of-nagasaki.html

The Martyr of Japan have a story to tell of what it truly is to be Christian. Jesuits first brought the faith to Japan in the 16th century and were followed soon after by the Franciscans. The church grew rapidly, and it is estimated that by the end of the 16th century that there were more than three hundred thousand believers in Japan. Unfortunately there were problems due to rivalries between Franciscan and Jesuits and because of intrigues by both the Spanish and Portuguese governments.

Concerned, the Japanese government had 6 Franciscans and twenty of their converts, crucified and then stabbed at Nagasaki, on 5 February 1597. A nobleman tempted the youngest, a boy to renounce his faith, but instead the boy asked to be shown his cross and embraced it. The church grew. From 1614 until 1854 a programme of persecution began, in which Christians were crucified, buried alive, and tortured. Churches were destroyed. But the Japanese Christians proved true martyrs indeed (the word martyr means witness). Despite a lack of clergy and contact with the official church, there were still practicing Christians, worshipping underground, when contact with the west was reestablished.

Two things are to be learned. First, we should all learn from the example from the Japanese Christians, and persevere, no matter what. The second thing we should learn, is that it is very important to concentrate on establishing indigenous pastors from early on, so that if the missionaries are driven out, the church may continue on in its fullness.

Collect: Heavenly Father, despite much suffering, your church in Japan continued through persecutions. Grant that we observing their perseverance, would have the courage to follow where they lead the way, proclaiming Christ with our very lives. This we ask in his most blessed name. Amen,

Psalm 16:5-11
Lamentations 3:46-48, 52-59
Galatians 2:19-20
Mark 8:34-38

Cornelius the Centaurian

Cornelius

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

Cornelius was a centurion, that is an officer in charge of 100 men. He was considered to be the first gentile convert to the church, an event of great importance, as to this point the church was all Jewish.

Cornelius was already a sympathizer with the Jewish faith, and through a dream was lead to send for St. Peter. St. Peter, as well was guided by a vision that he should accompany the servant and travel to Cornelius’s house. Peter was surprised to see that the Holy Spirit fell on the whole household, and suggested that since they were saved by faith, and had received the Holy Spirit, then the waters of baptism could not be denied to them. Cornelius went on to be bishop of either Caesarea or Scepsis in Mysia, or possibly of both at different times.

Collect: Blessed Saviour, by dreams and visions you ensured that Cornelius the Centurion would be the first Christian of the Goyim. Grant that your Spirit would continue to work in miraculous ways to invite all Jews and Goyim into the kingdom. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.

Psalm 67
Isaiah 56:6-8
Acts 11:1-18
Luke 13:22-29

St. Anskar, Bishop, Apostle to the North: 3 February 2014

Anskar, Apostle to the North
http://www.christianhistorytimeline.com/DAILYF/2003/02/daily-02-03-2003.shtml


Anskar, a Saxon was born in 801 in what would be modern day Picardy. In 826, when King Harald of Denmark asked for missionaries, Anskar, a Benedictine monk, was one of those who was sent out. Sadly, he was ridiculed by his peers for his missionary fervor. Later he also led a group to Sweden. He built school, and had dealings with the Vikings, who were a tough lot to evangelise, because they thought the breaking of oaths to be honourable. Because of the precariousness of the political situation, he returned to Hamburg, of which he became the first Archbishop. He helped consecrate Gotbert, the first Bishop of Sweden and is held to be the Apostle to the Swedish people. We remember Anskar most for being Apostle to the North, (Denmark, Sweden and Iceland) and because despite the fact he did not see the fruit of his works, he continued his labour. May we do likewise.

Collect: Lord Yeshua, your servant Anskar was called to Denmark and Sweden to proclaim the Gospel, and you gave him strength to continue despite disparagement and deterrence from those around him. Grant to us and our clergy like steadfastness of mind to obey your call, and trust in you for the seed planted to grow. This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.

Psalm 69:13-16
Zephaniah 3:9-12
Acts 1:1-9
Mark 6:7-13

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple: 2 Feburary 2011

1http://orthodoxwiki.org/Presentation

Today is forty days after Christmas, when Jesus would have been presented in the Temple and when Miriam would have bee purified if Jesus was born on Christmas day. It is another case showing that Jesus completed the law, but also a link between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. It has been revealed to Simeon that he will not die until he has seen the Messiah, and he is waiting in the Temple, having been sent there by the Holy Spirit that day. Encountering the baby Jesus, Simeon picks him up, saying, “Lord you now have set your servant free, for I can go in peace as you have promised, for my eyes have the Saviour, whom you have promised to set the world free,” identifying for us and for many who Jesus was, and what he was to do. He warned Miriam that she would suffer. Anna, too prophesied over the life of Jesus, and Miriam and Yosef were astounded.

For this feast, we often start with a candlelight procession. (The Feast is also called Candlemass). We march throughout the town and neighbourhood, to proclaim that Jesus, the light of the world has come to set the nations free. Let us be like Simeon and Anna, quick to recognise the saviour, and like them proclaim him to the nations.



Exodus 13:2
Psalm 84:1-6
Luke 2:22-40

Father, as this day Yeshuah was presented in the temple, grant that our Lord Yeshuah would present us to you that we may serve you truly in this world and the next. This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus: Bishop,

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


Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329– January 25 389 or 390) was Archbishop of Constantinople in the 4th century. He greatly influenced Greek and Latin speaking theologians and his work continues to influence theologians today. He and the two brothers, Gregory of Nyssa, and Basil the great are known as the Cappadocian fathers, and together with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom are the great hierarchs in the Eastern Church.

Gregory’s parents were wealthy, and his mother, Nona converted his father Gregory to Christianity, and Gregory came to be Bishop of Nazianzus. Gregory the son, after studying at home studied in Nazianzus, Caesarea, Alexandria and Athens. On the way to Athens, during a storm which frightened him, Gregory promised God he would serve him if God would save him. He continued to teach in Athens before returning home.

His father desired to ordain him to the presbyterate, so Gregory could help him, but Gregory, preferring the monastic life, resented this, and left, living for a short time with Basil the great, who convince him to return and help his father. Upon his return, he found divisions, which he was able to heal through his gifts of diplomacy and oratory.

By this time, the emperor Julian had declared himself to be opposed to Christianity. Gregory wrote Invectives against Julian stating that the emperor should be opposed through love and patience. He also stated that this was a form of theosis, in which we become more like God. Julian worked against those who opposed him until his death during a war against the Persians. Gregory and Basil then embarked in a rhetorical war against the Arians, and clearly beat the Arians. This success led them to be elected Bishops.

Basil was elected as Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and ordained Gregory as Bishop of Sasima, which he had newly created so that Gregory could aid him. Gregory was unhappy in this position, desiring to return to the contemplative life, and not wishing to be involved in politics as Basil’s pawn. Instead he went to help his father as co-adjutor of Nazianzus until his father’s death. He continued to work in the area, but refused to be named bishop, living a simple life.

In 379, the synod of Antioch under Melatus asked Gregory to go to Constantinople to reestablish Orthodoxy as opposed to Arianism. A cousin offered him a villa, most of which he converted into a church (Anastasia, or Resurrection) from which he delivered powerful sermons on the Trinity and Unity of the Godhead. His opponents fearing his popularity attacked and entered the church, injuring Gregory and killing another bishop. The situation was confused, with Gregory staying (convinced by his followers), but with Arian priests in some of the churches, and remained so until the arrival of the Emperor, Theodosius, who had Gregory enthroned as patriarch of Constantinople, taking the place of Demophilus.

Theodosius and Gregory called the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381 for the express purpose of uniting the empire behind Trinitarian Christianity. After the death of the presiding Bishop, Gregory took over the council. In order to prevent division, Gregory renounced his position as Patriarch, and after giving a farewell speech, he returned to Nazianzus as Bishop, struggling with heretics and poor health. Eventually, finding himself to weak to continue his work, he appointed a new bishop to serve Nazianzus and retired to his parents estate where he lived for another five years until his death on 25 January 389 (or 390).

Gregory’s greatest role was in the defense of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and in Pneumatology. He gave us the term procession referring to the Holy Spirit and emphasized that Jesus did not cease being God, nor did he lose his divine attributes when he became man.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nazianzus
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07010b.htm
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Gregory_of_Nazianzus
http://satucket.com/lectionary/Gregory_Nazianzus.htm


Psalm 37:3-6,32-33
Wisdom 7:7-14
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 8:25-32
Collect: Heavenly Father, you strengthened Gregory of Nazianzus through sickness and persecution. As he was on fire with love for you, so train us up that we may be aflame with your love and share it with all the world. This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (white)

Saints Timothy & Titus: Bishops: 26 February 2012

http://www.christiansynod.org/


http://www.livingwatercommunity.com/saiints/sts%20timothy%20and%20titus.htm

Timothy was from Lystra in Asia minor, son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, who was a believer in the Lord Yeshua. His name means honouring God. The church in Lystra and Iconium thought well of him, and because of the Jews and his Jewish mother, Paul had him circumcised. Timothy was a devoted companion of St. Paul and was entrusted by him to represent him to the Corinthians,to strengthen the faith of the converts, and the Thessalonicans to encourage them in persecution. He also was Paul’s representative to Ephesus, and is counted by Eusebius to be the first Bishop of Ephesus. He apparently died at about the age of eighty, stoned to death, at about the age of 80 in the year 97, when preaching the Gospel during a pagan procession

Titus, like Timothy was a constant companion of Paul. Titus was a Greek who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem at the time of the Ecumenical Council. Titus, like Timothy went to Corinth to represent St. Paul. Later St. Paul sent him to Crete to organize the churches there, and is counted as the first Bishop of Crete by Eusebius. The last we hear of Titus is a visit to Dalmatia. He died at the age of 95 in about the year 107.

Though both young, St. Paul commends them with great responsibility in administration and in proclaiming the Gospel. Both are commemorated the day after the Conversion of St. Paul since their ministry intertwined with theirs, and because he was their mentro.

Collect: Blessed Lord, you raised up Timothy and Titus to be Bishops in your church. So raise up in this and every generation Bishops who will follow the pure teachings of your blessed word that the church would grow in faith and knowledge and love of you. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.


Psalm 112:1-9
Isaiah 42:5-9
Acts 15:22-26, 30-33, 16:1-5
John 10:1-10
(If the Eucharist is not celebrated today, used the lesson from Acts at Matins)

Conversion of St. Paul: 25 January 2012

http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/ppw02.htm

The account of the Conversion of St. Paul is repeated several times in the Book of Acts. Paul was a citizen of Rome, from Tarsus. He was also a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin and studied under Gamaliel, the most famous Rabbi of his time.

Paul was a true Pharisee, he loved God, but thought that salvation was earned by obeying the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) found in the Tanakh or Old Testament. Paul had it reversed, thinking we are saved because we obey, and he did his best to obey, to the point of witnessing the martyrdom of Stephan, and by getting warrants to throw Christians in prison, and even have them killed.

On his way to Damascus, he has an experience which transforms his life forever. He comes face to face with the risen Lord, who even suggests that Saul might be sympathetic to Christians (why are you kicking against the goads? Says Jesus to Paul). He who was spiritually blind comes face to face with Yeshua and is struck blind literally. We who are spiritually blind need to be careful when we say we see, for our sin will be greater. Paul realizes something is going on, and he fasts for three days. On the third day, Ananias, a follower of the way is directed by the Lord to go heal Saul. Ananias has some misgivings, but obeys the Lord. Saul recovers his sight and is immediately baptised. He has come from trying to be saved through obedience to obeying because he is saved. Would that all Christians would learn to thank the Lord through obedience.

Paul goes from persecuting the church, to proclaiming Yeshua as Messiah, a Messiah not only for Jews, but for Goyim (gentiles) as well, the true saviour of the world. Paul was a prolific writer and evangelist. Thirteen Epistles were written by Paul. He also travelled extensively in what is now Syria, Turkey, Greece, Crete, and Malta. We know he planned on visiting Spain, and probably did. There is also some evidence he may have made it to Britain as well. Only St. Thomas made it further than Paul amongst the Apostles.

Paul talked about a thorn in his flesh, which God would not cure, telling Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” I suggest that the thorn in the flesh (it has been identified with everything from poor eyesight to homosexuality) was deliberately not identified, so that we could each say, God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness in whatever area.

Whether we write, or preach, or go telling others about Yeshua, we need to have Paul’s enthusiasm, and his thankfulness, and great desire to spread the Good News to all nations.

Collect of the Day: Lord, as we remember your appearance to St. Paul and his marvellous conversion on this day, so move in our hearts that we would share his passion to proclaim the Gospel. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (white)

Psalm 67
Acts 26:9-21
Galatians 1:11-24
Matthew 10:16-22
If there is no celebration of the Eucharist today, use the lesson from Acts with m