DOCSLIB.ORG

St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the South

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the South St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the South February 21, 2021 2570 Huguenot Springs Road Midolothian, VA 23113 (804) 897-5212 Mailing Address: Same as the street address SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE — Tone 4. Beginning of the Lenten Triodion. Saint Makarios of Glinsk Hermitage (19th c.). Ven. Timothy of Symbola in Bithynia (9th c.). St. Eustathius (Eustace), Archbishop of Antioch (377). St. George, Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea (802-811) The Divine Liturgy The Liturgy of the Catechumens At about 8:30 a.m. the Deacon and Priest enter the Holy Sanctuary using the Entrance Prayers, concluding with the prayers that accompany their vestments, then the Liturgy of Preparation beings. This preparatory service is what the Church calls for to offer the bread, wine, and water with many commemorations, covering them, and leaving them on the Table of Preparation to be brought out and placed on the Holy Altar during the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy. These commemorations make the offering a symbol for the Body of Christ, whom the Faithful participating in the Eucharist are, that which will become the Body and Blood of Christ offered to the Faithful who are prepared to receive it. “It is time for The Lord to act...” Blessed is the Kingdom - Stand upright and be attentive, while if at any time you may need to sit, find a chair near to you, or you may sit on the floor. Other moments when it is best not to be sitting will say STAND. Great Litany – our petitions made for the entire cosmos, at which we sing “Lord, have mercy,” and especially, “Amen,” our consent that it be so. Psalm 103 – the fitting words of creatures before their Creator. The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America is His Beatitude, The Most-Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Our Bishop is His Grace, the Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Dallas and the South, and the Bulgarian Diocese. Little Litany – often offered at transitional moments in the services, and the continued (“Again, and again...”) reaffirmation of the commending of “ourselves, each other, and all our life unto Christ, our God.” Psalm 146 – the Doxology surrounds this offering of praise that is concluded with the ancient Christian hymn monogenes, or “Only Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God, who for our salvation didst will to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, who without change didst become man, and wast crucified, O Christ our God, trampling down death by death, who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.” Beatitudes – reminding us of the moral teachings of Christ Jesus, our Lord, interspersed with verses from Resurrection hymns for the day (on Sunday), or other hymns according to the rank of the day. Little Litany Entrance with the Gospel – STAND - This abbreviated procession is made by those serving at the Holy Altar, but it is again a symbol of our collective passage from this world to the heavenly kingdom and presence of God, we who are made new creatures by the acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (carried by the Deacon or Priest in the procession) and rebirth by Holy Baptism. Those who are Catechumens (listeners), or who are at a point in penance allowed again to stand with them, are permitted a place among the gathering for this glimpse of heavenly worship, culminating with the soon to be sung words continually offered by angelic host (“Holy! Holy! Holy!”). The priest prays, “O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory; Grant that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy angels, serving with us and glorifying thy goodness.” Hymns for the Day – These are comprised of various Troparia and Kontakia that are called for and ordered by the Typikon according to the day of the week and the rank of the specific date. This collection of hymns ends with one to the Mother of God (Theotokos) that customarily is sung by the clergy when there is a concelebration of priests and deacons. Tone 4 Troparion (Resurrection) When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous message of Thy Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the apostles: “Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen,// granting the world great mercy!” Tone 8 Troparion (Hieromartyr Cyprian) Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of Carthage, God-inspired adornment of confessors, O wise Cyprian, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Tone 2 Kontakion (Hieromartyr Cyprian) We honour thee, O Cyprian, as a true shepherd who with thy sacred words and divinely-wise doctrines hast shown us the boundary-stones marking out the one Church of Christ. Even unto death thou didst bare witness with courage; wherefore, we extol thee as a hierarch and martyr. Entreat Christ that we all be saved. “Glory...” “Now and ever...” Tone 4 Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion) Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee! Let us learn humility from the Publican's tears! Let us cry to our Savior: “Have mercy on us,// O only merciful One!” The Thrice Holy, or “Trisagion” - STAND “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us,” repeated three times, “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” Then for the final time through, “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us.” Tone 4 Prokeimenon(Resurrection) O Lord, how manifold are Thy works; / in wisdom hast Thou made them all. (Ps. 103:26) V. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, Thou art very great! (Ps. 103:1) 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (Epistle) “Brethren...” But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra – what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Tone 4 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! V. Go forth, prosper and reign, for the sake of meekness, righteousness and truth! (Ps. 44:3b) V. For Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity. (Ps. 44:6) Luke 18:10-14 (Gospel) “At that time...” ...Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. The Homily (It may be given here or at the dismissal) Litany of Fervent Supplication – We offer a summary of our petitions made with the more fervent recitation three times, “Lord, have mercy.” Litany for the Catechumens Dismissal of the Catechumens – The Deacon commands, “All Catechumens, depart!” and at this time, all who are not prepared to participate in the Liturgy of the Faithful are allowed to dismiss themselves, the ancient practice being only those who are going to receive the Holy Communion should remain among those who are gathered. It is permitted for persons to stay such as may be expedient for them, but the blessing is given to depart. The Liturgy of the Faithful – Standing Throughout First Litany of the Faithful Second Litany of the Faithful The Great Entrance – Unlike the first entrance understood as a symbol of our passage to the heavenly kingdom, this Holy Entrance is a symbol of the entire dispensation of God for us, and for our salvation; His passage, Passover, Pascha. The word and ritual that forms this entrance with the gifts, yet continues before and beyond it culminating in the placement of them on the Altar Table (our offering that is to become His Offering), sums up all that has taken place for us since the heavenly messenger proclaimed “Rejoice!” to the virgin Mary; from the cave of his birth (Table of Preparation) to the tomb of his burial (Altar Table), the glorious resurrection, the ascension in the flesh to the right hand of the Father, to this moment of our present time and place in the never ending day awaiting His coming again in glory. The closed doors and drawn veil at the end of this entrance are a symbol of the stone rolled over the entrance to the tomb. Litany of Supplication The same words of greeting are spoken to us as to the disciples, “Peace be unto you,” as he appeared and was present with them on the day of his resurrection, “I believe in One God...” - Now with the doors being opened, as though appearing behind closed doors, we who believe and confess Him to be the Christ of God are witnesses of that same presence with us as was present with the disciples.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California
    3 (2016) Miscellaneous 3: AP-BI Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California ENRICO BELTRAMINI Department of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University, California, USA © 2016 Ruhr-Universität Bochum Entangled Religions 3 (2016) ISSN 2363-6696 http://dx.doi.org/10.13154/er.v3.2016.AP-BI Enrico Beltramini Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California ENRICO BELTRAMINI Santa Clara University, California, USA ABSTRACT This article thematizes a spiritual movement of ascetic hermits in California, which is based on the religious practice of Bede Griffiths. These hermits took their religious vows in India as Christian saṃnyāsis, in the hands of Father Bede, and then returned to California to ignite a contemplative renewal in the Christian dispirited tradition. Some tried to integrate such Indian tradition in the Benedictine order, while others traced new paths. KEY WORDS Bede; Griffiths; California; saṃnyāsa; Camaldoli; Christianity Preliminary Remarks— Sources and Definitions The present paper profited greatly from its main sources, Sr. Michaela Terrio and Br. Francis Ali, hermits at Sky Farm Hermitage, who generously shared with me their memories of Bede Griffiths as well as spiritual insights of their life of renunciation as Christian saṃnyāsis in California. Several of the personalities mentioned in this article are personally known to the author. I offer a definition of the main terms used here:saṃnyāsis ‘ ’ are the renouncers, the acosmic hermits in the tradition of the Gītā; ‘saṃnyāsa’ is the ancient Indian consecration to acosmism and also the fourth and last stage (aśhrama) in the growth of human life; ‘guru’ is a polysemic word in India; its theological meaning depends on the religious tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • 19Th January 2020.Pub
    − Ministers for 25th/26th January 2020 This Week’s Feasts: St Fabian, Bishop of Rome from WELCOME WITAMY BEMVINDO KAABO 6.30pm 9.30am 11am 236, was steadfast in the persecution under Decius, Reader J Matthews P Bell N Skrzypiec OUR LADY & ST. JOSEPH’s Parish, martyred in 250. St Sebastian : It was under the Em- Reader F Coates P Guest D Doyle Heywood, peror Diocletian between 303 and 305, that Sebastian, EM S Fitzsimons H Sharrocks G Hennon partner with St. Martin’s parish, EM M O’Neil D Sharrocks D Dodd from Milan, was martyred in Rome. Bl. Cyprian Tansi, EM J Matthews K Kenny L Armstrong born in Nigeria in 1903, was Ganye, Nigeria EM S Skinner baptised, aged 9, given the EM P Guest name Michael. He became a Fr. Paul Daly EM L Mather catechist and teacher and was [email protected] Children’s Liturgy 9.30am E Flynn and P Caffrey ordained in 1937. His desire Fr. Bob Hayes for the contemplative life led [email protected] him to become a Trappist monk Parish Secretary at Mt St. Bernard’s Abbey in [email protected] Leicestershire, in 1950, with the name Cyprian. He used to St. Joseph’s Presbytery, say, “if you are going to be a Mary St, OL10 1EG Christian at all, you might as Tel 01706 369777 well live entirely for God”. Fr Cyprian died in the Leices- ter Royal Infirmary on the 20th January 1964, aged 61. www.catholicheywood.com Tues: St Agnes, martyred at the age of 12/13 c www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk BEING BODY OF CHRIST 300.
    [Show full text]
  • USA Mission Newsletter
    S A L V A T O R I A N S #5 First Experience in America It’s a blessing, and as a Salvatorian, I really feel a sense of Universality. Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. I am very grateful for Greetings….. the lovely support and help of the provincial, his council, My name is Fr. John Tigatiga, SDS from Tanzania, Mission board members and the Salvatorian family of East Africa. I was born on the 20th of June, 1983, USA. Thanks to the Bishops of the different dioceses in ordained as priest in June 2015, and spent the next USA who always invite our congregation to participate in year as an assistant Procurator and Pastor of St. the mission appeals. Have fun! Maurus Parish at Kurasini, Dar es Salaam. In May Fr. John Tigatiga, SDS 2018, I was sent to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to begin Mission Director my new job as a Mission Director. Currently I am working in the Mission office as well as pursuing Preparation of a New Farming Site in St. Joseph my graduate studies in Philosophy at Marquette Formation Community University. Thank You Donors! First is always first! Every person who travels in a The Salvatorians are developing a new 50 acre farm area place where he has never been before, must have in St. Joseph Parish Namiungo. The preliminary some exciting and incredible stories and activities included preparation of the site, measuring the experiences that they love to share. In my case, I've site and dividing it into acres for easy workmanship.
    [Show full text]
  • USA Province Necrology
    © 2022 – Society of the Divine Savior – USA Province – 18th EDITION “On Whose Shoulders We Stand – the Necrology of the USA Province” ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF DECEASED MEMBERS Name Date of Death Armstrong, Br. George August 6, 2019 Bauer, Br. Paul July 21, 2019 Bauer, Br. Titian December 24, 1958 Becker, Br. Camillus April 23, 1999 Behr, Fr. Ignatius March 7, 1981 Benz, Fr. Basil July 28, 1947 Beresford, Br. Gilbert February 1, 1993 Berger, Br. Alexius December 11, 1945 Bethan, Fr. Ignatius March 10, 1928 Bielawa, Fr. Thomas May 22, 2019 Bigley, Fr. Michael January 30, 2013 Birringer, Fr. Raphael March 8, 2009 Blais, Fr. Jean October 12, 2002 Blais, Br. Venard June 24, 1965 Brady, Fr. Columban October 26, 1973 Brennan, Fr. Gilbert June 9, 1988 Brennan, Fr. Keith September 9, 2021 Brentrup, Fr. Bruce February 8, 2011 Bretl, Fr. James October 6, 2010 Brick, Fr. Paul March 15, 2013 Brochtrup, Fr. Eugene January 10, 1997 Broeg, Br. Robert May 25, 2018 Brugger, Fr. Dorotheus November 3, 1955 Bruns, Novice Urban February 23, 1951 Brusky, Fr. David February 1, 2014 Bucher, Fr. Felix April 13, 1938 Buck, Fr. Arnulf June 15, 1975 Buehler, Fr. Coloman December 23, 1959 Buff, Fr. Bardo June 2, 1991 Bunse, Br. Alphonse April 6, 1937 Cantarella, Br. Richard July 10, 2004 Carroll, Fr. Daniel September 5, 2002 Casper, Fr. Robert May 10, 1998 Christel, Fr. David January 5, 1992 Cioffi, Fr. Albert April 29, 1976 Clifford, Br. Lawrence July 3, 1980 Cooney, Fr. Denis February 9, 1973 Cotey, Bishop Arnold May 21, 1998 Cray, Fr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Theology of St. Cyprian of Carthage: the Unity of the Church and the Role of the Bishop
    The Theology of St. Cyprian of Carthage: The Unity of the Church and the Role of the Bishop Theodor Damian Preliminaries “I believe in One God…and in One Lord Jesus Christ… and in One…Church, I confess One baptism…” This is the essence of the Christian faith based on the Gospel's revelation, identical with what Paul said in Ephesians 4: 5-6: “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all of us,” developed and taught faithfully in the whole Christian tradition until today. This specific kind of faith is the solid spiritual framework of the Christian Church and it gives to the Church one of its main characteristics, unity and unicity. It is appropriate to say here that the problem of the unity of the Church was a main preoccupation for its theologians especially in times when the Church passed through difficult crises threatening its very existence with annihilation, distortion, or corruption. This was the case in the time of Cyprian when the Church had to face heresies, schisms, and persecutions that threatened both the being and the visible unity of the Christian community. That is why, according to the specific circumstances in which he wrote, Cyprian had his own approach to the problem of the unity of the Church, which proves the validity of one important principle in the life of this institution, enduring throughout the whole of Church history and through all generations: unitas in diversitas, its character of unity in diversity. St. Cyprian of Carthage St. Cyprian was born in approximately 200 A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • On Wealth and Poverty
    ON WEALTH AND POVERTY St John Chrysostom Translated and Introduced by CATHARINE P. ROTH ST VLADIMIR'S SEMINARY PRESS CRESTWOOD, NEW YORK LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA John Chrysostom, Saint, d. 407. On wealth and poverty. Translation of Eis ton Pt6chon Lazaron kai ton plousion. Includes bibliographical references. 1. Rich man and Lazarus (Parable)-Sermons. 2. Sermons, Greek-Translations into English. 3. Sermons, English-Translations from Greek. I. Title. BR65.C45E5713 1984 226'.406 84-22920 ISBN-13: 978-0-88141-039-6 ISBN-lO: 0-88141-039-X ON WEALTH AND POVERTY Translation Copyright © 1981 by ST VLADIMIR'S SEMINARY PRESS 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, NY 10707 www.svspress.com 1-800-204-2665 ISBN 978-0-88141-039-6 ISSN 1555-5755 All Rights Reserved PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Table of Contents Introduction. 7 8t John Chrysostom, first sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. .. ...... 19 8t John Chrysostom, second sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. .. .... 39 8t John Chrysostom, third sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. .. .. ...... 57 8t John Chrysostom, fourth sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. ... 79 8t John Chrysostom, sixth sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. .. 97 8t John Chrysostom, seventh sermon on Lazarus and the rich man. 125 5 Introduction St John of the golden mouth (Chrysostom) lived, served, and preached at a cross-roads in the history of the Christian Church.' He was born about 350 A.D. at Antioch in Syria: a time not long after Constantine had established Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, and a city where Greek civilization encountered the various cultures of the Near East.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of Assisi
    THE LIFE AND LEGENDS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI Written in French by Fr. Candide Chalippe, OFM, in 1727 Revised and re-edited by Fr. Hilarion Duerk, OFM Imprimatur: Fr. Samuel Macke, OFM, Min. Prov. St. Louis, September 1, 1917 Nihil Obstat: Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D, Censur Librarum Imprimatur: John Cardinal Farley, New York Reformatted 2006 This work is in the public domain in USA And is offered free for devotional reading, No part of this document may be reproduced for profit. What you have freely received, give freely. God Bless you! 1 This Jubilee Edition of the Life and Legends of St. Francis of Assisi is Respectfully Dedicated to all Members of the Third Order in the City of Cleveland and Vicinity, above all, to the Noble Patrons and Zealous Workers of Our Tertiary Branches. 2 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTORY NOTE........................................................................................................... 4 PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR .................................................................................................... 7 BOOK I......................................................................................................................................... 31 BOOK II ....................................................................................................................................... 97 BOOK III...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • San Antonio People of Faith Historical Museum Cyprian Plague and The
    San Antonio People of Faith Historical Museum Cyprian Plague and the Emergence of a Saint Pandemic: Worldwide spread of a new disease. --World Health Organization Throughout recorded history, as humans spread throughout the world, so too did infectious diseases. The greater the global growth of large cities and the establishment of more accessible trade routes, as well as the resulting disruption of ecosystems, the greater the likelihood of pandemics. From the first of upwards of 20 major pandemics recorded--the Antonine Plague (165-180 A.D.)--to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, world religions have been deeply impacted and altered by each. For Christians, these effects vary from amazing growth to the near extinction of the faith, with some religious leaders during each episode being vilified, others sanctified. To many, Christianity and the Church have survived because of the faithful who throughout these pandemics served their communities by living their faith from love rather than fear. This was evident during the second recorded pandemic known as the Cyprian Plague, which not only saw a sharp rise in conversions to Christianity, but also would result in the emergence of a saint. Thasius Cyprianus (circa 200 A.D.-258 A.D.) was born to an affluent, pagan family in Carthage, North Africa, a thriving region of the polytheistic Roman Empire. His father was a senator who ensured that his son received the best education. While history does not record a great deal of Cyprian’s childhood, it does show that as a young man he was a powerful orator, a lawyer, and a teacher of rhetoric and philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • Hali Meidenhad and Other Virginity Treatises
    71-7585 UNRUE, John Calvin, 1937- HALI MEIDENHAD AND OTHER VIRGINITY TREATISES. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1970 Language and Literature, general University Microfilms, A XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michiganf i J © 1971 John Calvin Unrue ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED MALI MEIDENHAD AND OTHER VIRGINITY TREATISES DISSERTATION Presented in partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By John Calvin Unrue, A.B., M*A. The Ohio State University 1970 Approved by UHtj Adviser Department of English PLEASE NOTE: Not original copy. Blurred and faint type on several pages. Filmed as received. UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As this work progressed, I became increasingly aware of my debt to other persons who were helping to make the completion of this dissertation possible, ill though I cannot accurately express my gratitude, I dt least shall recognize some of those to whom I am most indebted. Without the inspiration and kindness of Professor Francis L. Utley, my adviser and my teacher, this study would not have been possible. His broad learning and keen perspective have led me around many pitfalls into which I would have fallen otherwise. I am grateful also for the help of Professor Robert Estrich, who was kind enough to interrupt his own important work to read my manuscript and whose extraordinary knowledge of the Fathers helped me to gain a necessary historical perspective. I likewise appreciate the helpful suggestions of Professors Eleanor 3ulatkin and Walter Scheps, who also read my manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • Erasmus' Esteem for Cyprian: Parallels in Their Expositions of the Lord's Prayer* by Hilmar M. Pabel 1. Introduction for Mo
    Erasmus' Esteem for Cyprian: Parallels in Their Expositions of the Lord's Prayer* by Hilmar M. Pabel 1. Introduction For more than a generation, scholars have studied Erasmus as an editor, stu- dent, and critic of the Church Fathers.' Despite the great interest in the re- lationship between Erasmus and Jerome.,2 a book-length study of the subject has not yet appeared. Well known are the books of Charles Bene and Andr6 3 Godin on the influence respectively of Augustine and Origen on Erasmus. Irena Backus has studied Erasmus as a translator of Basil of Caesarea, and [55] 56 Robert Sider has investigated the place of John Chrysostom in Erasmus' New Testament scholarship.4 Within the context of patristic influence on Erasmus, the North African 5 Father Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, has received no sustained treatment.' At the end of July 1519, three years after Froben published his edition of Je- rome, Erasmus addressed to Cardinal Lorenzo Pucci the prefatory dedication of his edition of the complete works of Cyprian. Froben's press in Basel pro- duced this edition in February 1520. Froben would reissue Erasmus' edition of Cyprian's Opera in 1521, 1525, and 1530. Given Erasmus' well-known admi- ration for Jerome, the preface to Cyprian's works contains a remarkable sen- tence. Erasmus admitted to his readers: "For myself, I cannot deny that among orthodox writers I used to give first place to Jerome; but when I looked more closely into Cyprian, whom previously I had read at random and without at- tention, doubt at once assailed me which I should prefer; so true is it that each with his own special virtues makes an overwhelming impression.
    [Show full text]
  • Church Teachings on Stewardship
    STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGES: CHURCH TEACHING ON STEWARDSHIP “Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient.” Didache 4:8 “Possessions are gifts from God and are more for the sake of the brethren than one’s own soul. The Christian should not carry them about in his soul, nor allow them to bind and circumscribe his life. He is able with cheerful mind to bear their removal equally with their abundance.” St. Clement of Alex, 200 A.D. “For whatever is of God is common in our use, nor is anyone excluded from his benefits and his gifts, so as to prevent the whole human race from enjoying equally the divine goodness and liberality… In this example of equality, he who, as a possessor in the earth, shares his returns and his fruits with fraternity, while his is common and just in his gratuitous bounties, is an imitator of God the Father. St. Cyprian, Carthage 250 A.D. “Tell me, how is it that you are rich? From whom did you receive your wealth? And he, whom did he receive it from? From his grandfather, you say, from his father. By climbing this genealogical tree are you able to show the justice of this possession? Of course you cannot; rather its beginning and root have necessarily come out of injustice…Do not say, ‘I am spending what is mine; I am enjoying what is mine.’ In reality it is not yours but another’s.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Martyrdom in St. Gregory the Great Alfred C
    SPIRITUAL MARTYRDOM IN ST. GREGORY THE GREAT ALFRED C. RUSH, C.SS.R. The Catholic University of America 1 AMONG THE HOMILIES of St. Gregory the Great on the Gospel, i\ there is one on St. Felicitas, the reputed mother of seven martyred sons.2 After marveling, in a typically Roman fashion, at the glory of martyrdom in a woman,3 after extolling the strength of a man in the body of a woman and the glory of one who overcame not only the world but her sex as well, after contrasting her firmness with the weak inconstancy of men, Gregory concludes his homily with these words: For love of us, dearly beloved brethren, our Redeemer laid down His life. Let us, then, for love of Him, learn to overcome ourselves. If we do this perfectly, not only will we escape the oncoming punishments, but we will be rewarded with glory together with the martyrs. For although the opportunity of persecution is lacking, nevertheless our time of peace has its own peculiar martyrdom. For even though we do not bend our bodily neck to the sword, nevertheless with the spiritual sword we slay in our soul carnal desires.4 To one who is acquainted with the thought of early Christianity, it is evident that Gregory is here echoing the very popular theme of spiritual martyrdom. Before developing Gregory's handling of this theme, something needs to be said about the concept of martyrdom6 and the concept of spiritual martyrdom. Something needs to be said about martyrdom, which was called actual martyrdom, red martyr­ dom, bloody martyrdom, or martyrdom unto blood; something also 1 Cf.
    [Show full text]