Calories In Surar Cookies

elder JEAN JOURAVSKY

"Memory eternal righteous" (Ps.111: 6-7)

Ivan (John French) Jouravsky Petrovich was born on 12/25 September 1867 in the rural district near Madonsk Laudon. His father and grandfather were priests, and officiated in both the Russian Orthodox Eparchy of Polotsk. John aside, the family of Father Pierre (1826-1892) and his wife, Matouchka Melanie, had four children: Simeon, who became a priest and three daughters.

's grandfather, a brilliant mind, yet died young, during a religious service (probably a baptism) in private homes, killed by schismatics.

Peter was sent by his mother at the Ecclesiastical School of Polotsk, and then he entered the seminary of St. Petersburg, where he completed the course in 1847. The following year, March 7, 1848, he was ordained a priest of the Church in the Eparchy of Balov Polotsk (now Balvi, Latvia). From 1853 to 1856, he officiated at the Church of the Eparchy of Skrudalin in Riga. From 1841, a movement toward orthodox Lutheranism was beginning among the Latvians and Estonians in the diocese of Riga. Therefore, we began to build churches in Orthodox and Baltic regions to bring in priests.

Jouravsky Pierre's father, wanting to be helpful to orthodoxy within the Latvian people, asked to be assigned to a parish where the majority of the faithful was Latvian and where the religious service was done in Latvian. By decree of the archbishop of Plato and Mitavsk Gorodetsky, he was appointed priest at the church Kaltsenav the superintendence of Kerstenbem.

Then began his priesthood among Latvians, which continued until his death in the same superintendence. It was three years Kaltsenav priest, officiated Martsien about eight years, nine years was a priest of Golgotha, the administration of parishes and Stomerz Boutskovsk, and was the last ten years a priest from the church to Lidern Vidzeme. He served 44 years as a priest with.

Father Peter was a simple man and sociable, dedicated servant of God. Where he officiate, there was always a good impression. At the end of his life, he received from God the gift of pure prayer. Farmers came from afar to pray with him, they were Orthodox or Lutherans. Whatever his condition, even if he was ill, he went to the first call to his parishioners for prayers and offices, at any time and in any weather.

He knew many tribulations during his life in this region where we do not share his faith. Father Pierre Jouravsky died June 10, 1892. The Office of the dead was celebrated by eight priests, including two of his son, Simeon the priest and the deacon John Jouravsky, at whose head there was the superintendent of Kerstenbem, Father Basil Pokrovsky. The liturgy took place in Latvia, and the burial service in Slavonic.

About 2000 people attended the funeral. The day was clear and tranquil, beautiful songs. We felt the atmosphere of worship the exceptional importance of the event.

Father Jean Jouravsky addressed more than once to his father asking for help and received it (see "Diary of an old priest").

In his childhood, little Jean Jouravsky saw angels, and this marked his mysterious vision of the soul divine imprint. It is likely that in his childhood with his brother Simeon and his sisters, he regularly went to services at the church where his father officiated, helping to sing in the choir. Little John loved the early church hymns and prayer.

Having left school in 1884, Jean Jouravsky entered the seminary in Riga who was, like the church attached to the Protection Seminar at 9 Boulevard Kronwald (currently the faculty of the institute Medical Riga). When the school left him time, he sang in the choir Archbishop of Riga, in the Cathedral of the Nativity, under the direction of choirmaster Kislov, a former student director of the choir of St. Petersburg composer Alexander Lvov . He acquired a profound knowledge in the field of church music, which enabled him in 1900 to publish a collection of liturgical singing in Latvian church, with scores (éd.Riga 1900), whose followers be used extensively in the parishes of Latvia. Father John told his parishioners that prayer is the song of the soul to God. "We must pray as we sing, the singers are the lights of the house of God. " He particularly liked the Cherubic Hymn (No. 69), Mira Milost (Nos. 11, 12, 13 in the Book of Song).

Concerned church singing and praying together, with a prayer that the priest is "the people, and not instead of the people", he submitted for publication in the late 30 a collection of pocket-format convenient for parishioners, the book of hours / Pesnoslov / (Vigil, Liturgy Vigil fasting) in order to standardize the song in the Orthodox churches, schools and families. Unfortunately the collection was lost during the Second World War. It would be appropriate that such a collection can be edited by the spiritual heirs of Father John. Perhaps this collection has been retained by one of the readers of these lines?

In 1890, at the end of the seminar, John was sexton at Vindava (Ventspils), at the Church of All Saints of Zamkov whose superior was the famous Father Basil Aliakritsky. In 1891, John was sexton at the parish of Ascension Latvian Riga (street Menes). February 19, 1892, Archbishop Arsene (Briantsev) ordained deacon at the Church of the Holy Spirit Jakobstadt, and February 12, 1895, a priest from the church to Martsien Vizdem (where his father had officiated). Here in Martsien, Father Jean Jouravsky continued the holy work of his father: he restored the iconostasis of the church of Saint-Alexis (1898), and built a chapel in honor of St. Alexander Nevsky in the cemetery Orthodox (1897), and the parish school of ecclesiastical Martsien (1899). Its activity was several times noted with appreciation by the Archbishop of Riga Agathange (Preobrazhensky).

known for years of service at John's father was a teacher Martsien it done, well, soft and affable. Its good soul was the Word of God to his students in a non-altered, in the light of love and prayer.

In 1900, the holy and righteous Father John (Sergiev) Kronstadt [1] went to Riga and Vindava (Ventspils). In Riga he celebrated the Divine Liturgy (or Moleben) in the Church of the Consolation-of-all-the-afflicted, and May 12 at Vindava a Moleben for the consecration of a sanatorium for children and a liturgy at the church. A Vindava always, Father John of Kronstadt concelebrated with priests of the diocese of Riga, Father Basil Aliakritsky, Father Vladimir Pliss, the sacristan of the Cathedral, Father Winter, Jankovic's father, the father Tserin. It is possible that the Father Jean Jouravsky had met Father John of Kronstadt at that time in the Church of the Consolation-of-all-the-afflicted, as it is also possible that he had met when he was still seminarian during a visit to Kronstadt. It is only evidence that this holy priest of the Church gave John a cleric coat and gave him spiritual teachings. The people could say afterwards: "It's a gift that has been passed from John to John."

Until the last years of his life, Father Jean Jouravsky retained the mantle of Father John of Kronstadt. A photograph of the holy father was still in the apse of the altar. He tried to practice his teachings. But what were they?

Father Jean Kensington had nothing, he was the antithesis of Scrooge, he distributed his salary to the poor, he refused an advantageous position at the Cathedral, and took upon him the cross to serve the church in the prison of Riga and in the home for the elderly Sadovnikov. He always taught catechism in the schools (except in Soviet times), never refused to give communion to the sick, and brought the Holy Gifts to those who longed for a visit from God. He bore with meekness many afflictions from his family, especially his wife, with whom he lived as brother and sister. He was the best instructor and confessor of the young priests of Riga. But as it is now full, it was above all a great man of prayer, praying continually, especially at night. We report the cases where it appeared to the young priests in their dreams by lecturing.

Father John celebrated the Divine Liturgy Jouravsky remarkably. His spiritual children consider that this gift came from his father John of Kronstadt. He officiated with fervor and in strict observance of the rite. The singing was smooth and full of the spirit of prayer. The father was often on his knees in the altar.

During the service, Father John could sometimes see the invisible world, including the souls of the dead. Its celebrations were filled with fear. With the audacity of Father John of Kronstadt, Father was reading the secret prayers aloud, and opened the Royal Doors for the Eucharistic canon. The commemoration of the living and the dead were read aloud twice during the prosthesis and the Liturgy.

The Church of the Consolation-of-all-the-afflicted when he officiated was always packed, while those who were beside were empty. Tell the faithful service in the Church of the Consolation began at 8am and ended at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Then all went to him for advice, as an elder, and to receive his blessing. We left the church to go home with wings, so powerful was the grace poured on people.

Father Jean Jouravsky received God's other gifts: the gift of healing - it happened that heal by anointing with holy oil - the gift of clairvoyance, which manifested itself in the precision of his advice in the vision of what had been or was about to happen. He warned his flock of dangers, seen spiritually, "seized" the man as a whole. The prayer of protection and elder brought relief.

From 1902 until the exodus of 1915 (when Germany occupied Latvia) Father Jean Jouravsky officiated at the Church of St. Nicolas Vindava. Where was the father during the years of the Exodus (1915 to 1918), we know. But there is evidence certifying that he would be returned to Kiev where he met the spiritual. We owe to his pen a poem inspired "On the inside Christianity," which is a synthesis of the orthodox teaching of the Holy Fathers on "intelligence work" and prayer interior. This poem became the favorite book of many, priests or laity. He understood the prayer, humility and above all the diligent research of the Kingdom of God to many people. This book belongs to the "first" Jouravsky (he wrote at the age of 40/50 years), his style is high, inspired. (The author says in the introduction that he is the "fruit of forty years ago to listen carefully to the Divine Symphony of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church." In 1918 the father was 51 years old). Father John has left tens of thousands of responses to letters from his spiritual children. But, unfortunately, the archives of the elder were lost after his death, the letters having been brought outside the borders of Latvia without that we could discover them. The collection of these letters and their publication is perhaps the next step in studying the life of Father John.

From 1920 to 1940, Father John was a priest attached to the prison in Riga. He served in the Riga Central Prison Street Matis, where had been since the days of Tsar Nicolas Church St. and transfer to the prison in Riga, where was the church of St. Sergius. He also went to the asylum for the aged. The Father John recalls the time St. Nicolas the good shepherd. The numerous pockets of his coat were always full of gifts for the inmates. For the High Holidays, he went round cells with bags full of gifts.

In prison, he founded four choirs and two libraries of spiritual literature: through song and prayer, lost souls returned to God. Preparing inmates for various church items, such as carved frame for the Gospel (almost like in the houses of Toil's father John of Kronstadt). It is said that many inmates returned to the Church and that Father Jean helped much to save their souls.

In Soviet times the church of the prison closed, the books were removed to the library, the church of asylum was destroyed and looted. It is amazing and miraculous that the father had been spared by God during these disasters. The Germans arrived in 1941. The Gestapo and the SS did shoot mass Jews of Riga. The father baptized many Jews and thus saved from spiritual death and physical. It could cost him to be shot. But God protected him.

1944. Troops Soviets were again in Riga. Should he save himself? A group of 25 people, consisting of priests headed by Bishop John of Riga (Garklavs), left forever. The father asked his beloved icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, with whom he always spoke, whether to go or not. The Mother of God shook his head disapprovingly, "Do not go! "

Since 1940 and until 1962, Father Jean Jouravsky was the dean of the Church of the Consolation-of-all-the-afflicted father when John of Kronstadt officiated one day. This is the last place where he officiated. In 1940, he had 73 years. He then devoted himself entirely to his work as pastor, and prayer. He had behind him a great service experience. But we must "suffer through". It is dangerous to assimilate the wealth of the Gospel who, having amassed property, calms down. The father officiated without fail. He especially loved to pray the Mother of God, devoting the Akathist. He loved the children he "sized up" from the womb, when he saw they were not yet born. He coaxed the children always gave them candy. His sermons were bold, direct accusers, he answered all questions of those who came to see. He spoke openly of godless communism. It was observed by spies informers, but God protected him. Most importantly he taught the congregation prayer, the main virtue of the Christian.

The father's attitude toward the mystery of John's death, the world of the dead, is instructive. He had a rich experience of supernatural revelations, visions of the souls of holy relics with which he prayed, and souls of the dead in cemeteries and in the church during the service, especially during the Divine Liturgy. Those for whom he prayed lui apparaissaient. La prière du starets était si forte qu'elle révélait le monde invisible. Il disait qu’il faut prier pour les défunts en versant des larmes. Son âme était toujours proche de ceux pour qui il priait, et des effets mystérieux s'en suivaient. Ses enfants spirituels ressentaient physiquement la proximité du starets, sa présence.

Cet enseignement vivant sur le monde de ceux qui se sont endormis et nous ont précédé dans le Seigneur, car « Dieu n'est pas le Dieu des morts, mais le Dieu des vivants » (Marc 12,27) est très important pour la conscience rationnelle actuelle, souvent froide et ignorante live links with the deceased, their actual proximity.

In recent years, when he was 90 years ago, a special light shone around him. Let us remember St. Seraphim of Sarov that God prepared 47 years to serve people, then He revealed to all. It is the same for Father John. At the end of his life he was an elder, a "golden father," as they called in the people. He was a true spiritual guide from God. We came to see the whole of Russia and even abroad. He wrote every day dozens of letters and still brought and again to help ... It "united in Christ" Christ's flock. It was a close friend of former starets Valaam, the spiritual father of the chapel of the Riga Transfiguration of the Saviour, Father Archimandrite Kosma (Smirnov). He was the spiritual father of many spiritual fathers.

is at this moment that the Lord awakened in him the gift of seeing the future. He spoke of the holiness of the land Latvian, future release, future affliction, punishment of God, that "your children are still studying the Act of God" and many other things, and everything came true effectively. At the end of his life Father Jean had to endure persecution. First it was a warning from his own colleagues the clergy, followed by an official decree banning the mention in the sermons of "phrases, examples and facts corrupt and uncouth" (presumably the Communists), and asking "strictly limited during the Service as specified by the service book ... Royal Doors open at the appointed time." Then, two years before his death (the elder had predicted) on termination of his colleagues, he was ruled out of offices in the Church of the Consolation-of-afflicted and he was forced to write his own request off. He was 95 years, but it was still an officer, he had already done so much for the Church of Christ ... Parish Church of Consolation-of-afflicted wrote to the Archbishop to defend the father: "All of us had a family, a house. Most of us have a prayer of ten, twelve years with Father John, kneeling before the altar. We pray Thee, Most Holy and revered Bishop ... Let us rejoice in our afflictions that are already painful daily. Because we would have no greater joy than to find and review the archpriest John at the altar of Consolation-of-all-the-afflicted, which he has been so shamelessly chased! Alas, the bishop did not hear the voice of the people ...

The father had predicted when it would be rejected and die, the church would be destroyed. This was the only church destroyed in Riga during the Soviet era. And one wonders why. If we ourselves, Orthodox, had not betrayed our elder, external enemies could they defeat us?

Yes, we are invulnerable until peace is with us. It's worth thinking about. To all the destroyers of churches, those who destroyed in 1925 the chapel of the Mother of God of Kazan on the station square in Riga, who closed the Cathedral of the Nativity and those who have slandered the elder has predicted the punishment of God, and he 's is accomplished during his lifetime, for all, and rigorously.

The father died on Palm Sunday, the day of the Entrance of the Lord in Jerusalem, March 31, 1964, and we believe he came to Heaven. The Office of the Dead was celebrated at the Church of St. John the Forerunner in Riga on April 4, the eve of Good Friday. Twenty priests of the Russian Orthodox diocese of Riga, in headed by Bishop Nikon (Fomitcheva) from Riga and Latvia attended the funeral service before a large crowd. The grave of the elder cemetery lies on the right side of the Church of St. John the Forerunner, and almost opposite the entrance in the old church of Our Lady of Kazan.

I confess my weakness to write these pages on a spiritual elder whose size is immeasurable. What can I say in conclusion? Reading the memories of the spiritual children of Father John, speaking with many people who knew him and received spiritual help, we can see how the elder recalls so amazing the holy figure of St. Nicolas the Miracle Worker: his spiritual teaching, his calm, gentle devoid of acrimony or vainglory, his generosity, his detachment, his concern for the oppressed, prisoners, the hungry, to whom he bore the saints Mysteries of the poor he dressed, his purity of heart, the strength of his prayer that could be healed many people, his vision that enabled him to anticipate troubles, afflictions, and the loss of ingrates.

Life of Father Jean Jouravsky does not end there. He himself said: "When I die, come pray on my grave, but only after the office, because during the service, I am at the church. " Those who come to pray to know that aid is given. They are healing, blessing, and an attentive ear to their request.

CONCLUSIION

What made John a father's elder? How a married priest, celebrated in a parish, he could achieve spiritual elevation that only a chosen few reaches to the monasteries?

his hard work, his dedication and continued daily in the service, gave him no personal freedom. Everything about him was dedicated to God and people. His parish and his spiritual children were the result of his continual sacrifice. He said "go," and he went, "come" and he had (Luke 7.8). He sent a request and it was reached, not by fear, but according to conscience. Father Jean completely assimilated the words of Christ on the Last Judgement, where it is clearly stated why the Lord will reward the righteous and condemn sinners. Throughout his life, the elder executed, and executed to the letter, the will of God, feeding the hungry, dressing the naked, welcoming travelers, rescuing prisoners, visiting the sick and doing communion. "Nobody has left him helpless."

The elder observed fasts, he was always measured in his food, but it was not a strict ascetic. Rather, the spiritual fast that dominated his life: peace of mind, purity of heart, prayer. We know ourselves how we annihilate our fasting by irritation or by acts or words inappropriate. The Father John always acted in prayer. He did everything to the glory of God. The prayer of Jesus in his heart became part of himself.

Contemplation of misconduct that may seem insignificant but that was huge for him was his usual practice, such as vigilance, attention permanent sobriety, the tears shed on oneself and the inaccessibility of God, the pardon granted to relatives, humility, gentleness when he was pursued and driven away. He did not enter any party within the Church and had no personal request to be sent to Bishop in place, or when crossing the Latvian Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of Constantinople during the unrest of 1936, under the authority of Metropolitan Sergius Voskresensky (1940-1944), or the time of the bishops of the period after the war. The elder was afraid to damage the wheat by spreading the bad ...

's father John was blessed gifts of the Holy Spirit, that made him heroic elder for his life, and especially for having complied with the recommendation of St. Seraphim of Sarov Healer: "He who is at peace draws in God's Spiritual Gifts "of the Holy Spirit.

FATHER JOHN GOD CALLS FOR U.S.!

Collected and composed by the priest André Golikov

Yokohama Advan A10 Test

ABOUT SIGNS AND MIRACLES (Part II)

(St. Ignatius Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea)

PART

We can not ignore the desire of Christians today to see, and even do miracles. This desire must be considered with much more attention than it is severely condemned by the Fathers. It betrays an illusion of self, based on pride and presumption, who live in the soul and dominate it. The grandmaster of the monks, Saint Isaac the Syrian, said the following on this issue: "The Lord is always ready to help His saints. However, it does not manifest His power without the need for a work or a visible sign, so that His help we do seem trivial, and we abandoned the reverence that is due to Him. This lack of reverence we would be harmful. The Lord provides for His saints. It lets them lead the fight to the extent of their forces and take the trouble to pray. It also shows that their attention is their secret that he does not stop for a moment. But if the problem backwards, as their nature is weak, he himself made as needed and as He knows His omnipotence in order to be helped. It strengthens the secret whenever possible, so they have the strength to endure affliction. Since in the wisdom He gives it unravels their sentences, and the vision of His providence awakens glorification, which for them represents a double benefit. When circumstances require visible support, it also brings. His ways are of great wisdom. They support the need and necessity, and never anyhow. He who dares not need to pray God to grant her wish and ask Him to make signs or miracles, is tempted in his mind by the devil who plays him. His conscience is sick and presumptuous. It is fair to ask God's help in affliction, but it is disastrous to attempt unnecessarily. Who wants such a thing is really unfair. What God has done on many saints, he did not have it wanted. Whoever wishes to receive without having to sign, this one fails to reach the custody of the heart and mind away from the truth. If he who dares claim is granted, the devil is in him a place, since there is a person who goes before God with reverence and without arrogance. He then pushed further into temptation. As for real fair, not only they do not wish to perform miracles, but if the gift is given to them, they repel. Not only they do not want it before men, but they do not want it in themselves, in secret their heart. One of the Fathers, by its purity, received by grace of God the charisma to discern the thoughts of those visitors. But he prayed and asked other saints to pray with him, that he be removed from this charisma. If, however, some saints were accepting donations, was out of necessity or because they were simple men. Others do not accept them without reason, but obeyed the instructions of the Holy Spirit that worked in them. True just still feel unworthy before God. They certify that they are true in that they feel miserable and unworthy that God watches over them "(Homily 36).

From these holy thoughts, we can conclude that those who want to perform signs are in the grip of carnal excitement, passions they do not understand, while having the feeling of being animated a divine zeal. Those looking for the signs are in a similar condition.

Whatever the context, it is not permissible to attempt to stop God or revere. While it is possible to ask God's help in cases of extreme necessity, when we have no staff to work this out, but letting God choose His response is to say, and place ourselves in His will and His mercy.

The Lord always helps in a way beneficial to the soul. It provides the support we seek, and it combines this support for our benefit a holy taste of humility. The divine help is not covered with a varnish foil, as the carnal mind might wish. The soul must not be damaged by the vainglory that would bring him the pleasure of this varnish.

In the works of God in the service of the Church, we must always ask God for His help and blessing. We also believe that, by God, only God and spiritual responses can benefit our faith and our piety, not the answers suggested by our carnal mind.

It is difficult for man to endure the glory without damage to his soul. This is true not only for passion and for those who struggle against the passions, but also for the saints who have overcome these passions. Even if the victory over sin was granted, they are nonetheless alterable, and can return to sin and fall under the yoke of the passions. This happened to some who, through lack of vigilance, have given way to confidence account look with their spiritual state. As the blessed St. Macarius the Great noted, there is an inclination to pride in the most purified souls. This inclination is the beginning of the slide to the attraction of passion. Because of this, the gift of healing and other gifts are visible very dangerous for those to whom they are granted, they are highly regarded by people carnal and sensual, which continue to glorify them.

Donations invisible and blessed, like lead souls to salvation and to purify the passions, are incomparably higher than the visible gifts, and are neither understood nor perceived by the world. Not only the world does not glorify God's servants who receive them, but in his logic, he persecutes them, accusing them of working against the enemy powers and to attack the prince of this world.

Our merciful God gives men the essential and useful, even if they do not understand and do not capture the value. It does not what is of little use, which often can be harmful, and that intelligence research with carnal ignorant greed.

"Many," says St. Isaac the Syrian, made signs, raised from the dead worked for the conversion of lost, made great miracles, and after that even those who gave their lives for others have fallen into evil and abomination of the passions, offering himself to death as well. "

Blessed Saint Macarius the Great says that a hermit who lived in close to him once received the gift of healing to such a degree that he could heal the sick simply by laying on of hands. It was glorified by men, pride, and fell into the abyss of sin.

In the life of Saint Anthony the Great, it is about a young monk who commanded the asses in the desert. When the great old heard about it, he expressed doubts about the state's spiritual brother. And shortly afterwards they heard of the fall of the young monk.

the fourth century there was an elder who was in Egypt Having bestow the gift of working miracles, thereby attracting the praise of men. He soon noticed that pride had taken him to such an extent that he was no longer able to hunt by his own efforts. He prayed fervently to grant him to be possessed, to find the humility. God answered positively to the request of His servant and Satan entered into him. The former was under attack from possession for five months and had to tie it. The people, who previously ran en masse and praised him as a saint, left him, hawking the news that he had lost his head. Freed the glory of man and the pride, the Old thanked God for having saved from destruction. His salvation was assured by passing the test of dishonor. Carnal men do not see that the gift of miracles was a temptation for the Old and demonic possession had given it the right way, by the mercies of God.

It is clear why the great Fathers of the desert as SISO Pimen and others, who possessed great healing powers, sought to conceal them. Having no confidence in themselves, they knew how the man is changing, and preserved by the humility of a great spiritual disaster.

The Holy Apostles, who received the gift of miracles to accompany their preaching, had, by a happy effect of Providence, to endure the torment and persecution that kept them from pride. St. Isaac the Syrian says about this: "A gift that is not accompanied by temptations leading to destruction the soul that accepts it. If your actions pleasing to God so that He would come to Bayhaqi narrated a gift, pray the kindly let you know how to be humble with the gift, to give you special protection, or to thee yield thy this gift if he would come to ruin your soul. Not everyone can safely preserve wealth. "

attitude towards the spiritual sickness of body and miraculous healings is totally different from human flesh. The latter considers the disease as a misfortune, and healing, especially if it is miraculous, as the greatest benefits without asking for a moment whether or not it is useful for the soul. The spiritual sees illness as a blessing in the healing of God's mercy. The reason illuminated by the word of God, he engages in conduct which pleases the Lord, salutary for his soul in both cases.

You can ask God for healing, if it has firm plans to use the return to health to serve Him, not to serve the vanity and sin. In the latter case, the miraculous recovery would lead to greater condemnation, and cause a more severe punishment in this world and in the other. The Lord has attested to that. After treating the paralytic, He said: "Here you are cured! Sin no more, lest it happen to you even worse! (Jn.5, 14)

Man is weak and prone to sin. While some saints who had received the gift of healing have been succumbing to temptation, then they had in abundance the spiritual discernment, how much easier is it to carnal men, who lack the discernment to abuse of the divine gifts ! And many have abused! Having obtained a miraculous recovery, they have not paid attention to the Divine Grace, neglecting recognition. They began to lead a sinful life, using the result in favor of evil, turning away from God and salvation. Because of this, miraculous healings are rare, although intelligence carnal desires and meets the highest degree. You ask and you do not receive because you ask amiss, to satisfy your lusts (Ja.4, 3).

Spiritual intelligence that includes diseases and other afflictions that God allows men to be the particular expression of His mercy. Like bitter medicine, they contribute to salvation, eternal happiness, so much safer than miraculous healings. Often, even very often, the disease is through much greater than would be a possible cure. It can be a very great favor, favor central, so that healing may deprive the patient of a large property, a benefit far more important than a temporary health. Lazarus, the beggar sick of the Gospel, was not recovered from his painful infirmity, or poverty-free. He ended his days in pain, but for his patience, he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom (Luc16, 22).

The Scriptures say that all saints have completed their earthly journey on the narrow path full of thorns, pain, and difficulty (Hb.12). Including the true meaning of these sentences, the true servant of God behaves towards them with wisdom and selflessness. He confronts, from whatever source, as part of itself (See St. Mark the Ascetic). He believes with all his soul they can not without the permission of God, who is infinitely just and good, and seeking the interest of man. It seeks and always finds himself in the cause of both. However, it noted that such penalty may be an obstacle in its efforts to please God, Begs to be issued. But it leaves the Lord's decision to listen or not its application, because he knows that his way of interpreting the tribulation is never correct.

The trial of the man, who is limited, is not entirely fair, even if the man is holy. Man can not wrap my head all the causes of the tribulations that God sends His beloved servants, He who sees everything. The Holy Apostle Paul asked God three times to get rid of an angel of Satan that bothered him in his preaching, but he was not heard: the Judgement of God in this matter was different from that of the inspired Apostle ( 2Cor.12 0.7 to 10).

A true spiritual understanding will naturally submit to the will of God and sincerely and humbly request that it will be manifested. The holy monks, when exposed to the disease, accepted it as the greatest of graces, and tried to always thank and praise God for it, without seeking healing. Miraculous cures befall However, very often in the saints. They wish to suffer with humility and patience that God has for them, believing and confessing that such an attitude is much better for the soul that asceticism we ourselves have set. Blessed St. Pimen the Great said: "Three monastic works have the same value: to remain truly silent, be patient and thank God and do his allegiance with a pure thought."

Scete In the desert, Egypt, where lived the greatest of the holy monks, there was a saint, named Benjamin. His virtuous life drew him from God's great gift of healing. At the same time, he was suffering from a long and painful illness: dropsy. He became so big it had to be given a larger cell. To this, he took apart the door so that he could leave. She has been made a special seat because he could no longer grow. He continued to heal others, attracting the sympathy of all who saw it. And yet, he asked that was willing to pray for his soul, not for his body: "As my body is healthy, I do not get much benefit. Now that I suffered this disease, it hurts me more. "

Abba Peter says that during a visit to the venerable hermit Isaiah, he found the latter suffering from a disease very painful. As he expressed his sympathy, the former said: "So overwhelmed by the disease, I can barely keep in mind the terrible moment of death and trial. If my body was healthy, this memory would be totally foreign to me. When the body is healthy, it is prone to acts hostile to God. The tribulations help fulfill the commandments of God. "

When the Holy Fathers were crushed by the disease or affliction, they sought first to demonstrate patience, which depended on them. To submit their heart to patience, they felt (See St. Dorothy Strip), remembered in death, trial, and eternal torment. Such a memory weakening the perception of sentences of this world! (See mt.10 0.28 to 31) They raised their intelligence to Providence, remembering the promise of the Son of God always be with those who follow, and preserve them. Bearing this in mind, they pushed their hearts to the courage and meekness (see Mt.28, 20). They tried to glorify and thank God for the trials and tribulations, to become aware of their sinfulness, which, as deserved punishment, needed to be seriously corrected by God who always acts with justice and kindness. By practicing human patience, according to their possibilities, they intensified their prayers for the holy and divine patience which is a spiritual gift, itself inseparable from another spiritual gift, holy humility. These two virtues are also the sure index hello and eternal bliss.

Fathers who had the option did not cure their followers still sick, so as not to deprive them of a spiritual benefit that never failed to be granted, as evidenced by the Tradition of the Church they bore with patience the race. The abbot of a monastery in Gaza, Blessed Séridos, disciple of the great Barsanuphius hermit who was at the monastery, was sick a long time. Some fathers, older ones, asked Barsanuphius healing the abbot: "Some of the saints who live here could pray for the health of my son, and I told him that part. He would not fail to be cured in the day, but it does not receive the fruits of patience ... This disease is beneficial for the patience and thanksgiving. "

St. Isaac the Syrian explains why sentences are relevant to the ascetic of Christ: "The test is beneficial for all. If it is beneficial for Paul, then that every mouth may be closed and that the world may become guilty before God (Rom.3, 19). The ascetics are subject to temptations to increase their wealth. Some are weak to be kept from evil, neglectful are tempted to be able to wake up, others are tempted to get closer to God, and those who already belong to Him, to Him belong more. It is not appropriate for a son without education starts to manage his father's estate because he would soon hurt to do it. For this, God begins to allow the temptation, and then gives the gift. Glory to the Lord who gives us the delights of health remedies bitter! There is no man who is distressed during the lesson, which does not cut the bitter temptations. Without proof, it is impossible to be spiritually strong. But it is our power to endure. How a clay vase can contain pure water if it has not previously been strengthened by the divine fire? If, with reverence and unceasing desire, we ask humbly to God to grant us patience, then we will receive all of Christ Jesus our Lord. "

CONCLUSION

Before the second coming of Christ, there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars (Luc21, 25), the sea will make noise and agitate. How do we discern the signs of those of the Antichrist, who will perform as signs in the sun, moon, stars, and air? The signs of Christ will be real, so totally different from those of the Antichrist, simple events which may confuse the senses. Signs of the Antichrist will be made by the Antichrist himself and his apostles. The signs in the sun, moon and stars who will proclaim the second coming of Christ will appear for themselves, without intermediaries. With them, the celestial luminaries will complete the mission for which they were placed there by the Creator (Gen 1, 14). They are already doing this mission at the Nativity of Christ (MT.2, 2), with the miraculous star, and during the crucifixion of the God-Man, when the sun becomes dark in the middle noon (Mt.27, 45). According to the Holy Evangelist Matthew, consecutive sentences to the reign of the Antichrist will cease, and the coming of Christ will occur immediately, as announced by the darkening of the sun, the moon shall not give her light, and falling stars (Mt 24:29). According to Saint Theophylact of Bulgaria, the heavenly bodies will remain in place, but will lose their shine and seem to disappear from the sky, as the light that will cover the world to prepare to accept the glory of the Lord will be intense.

We have the audacity to say that our agreement on the signs and miracles expresses the thoughts of the Holy Fathers, the thought of the Holy Orthodox Church. The need to provide such instruction in accurate detail is evident.

real signs were once made to allow the knowledge of the true God, and salvation that accompanies it. Fake signs attended the error and destruction that follows. Similarly, the signs of the Antichrist will be large and powerful, they lead humanity to worship as a god unhappy ambassador of Satan.

The pious contemplation of miracles through our Lord Jesus Christ edifies, comforts, and acts for the salvation of the soul. What these miracles in holy simplicity! It is so easy to recognize God in them. How blessed bounty, what humility, what indisputable strength of conviction! Contemplation of the miracles of Christ raises us to the Word who is God.

To restore the communion of fallen humanity with God, God has blessed his Word incarnate and lived among men, coming into intimate relationship with them, making them His people, drawing them skyward. By putting on humanity, and remains the Word acts as the Word of God as is His divine nature. He sits at the right hand of the Father in His humanity assumed, and in His divinity is present everywhere. The Word was made on the record books. It was draped in words, but, as Spirit and Life (Jn.6, 63), it continues to penetrate souls and hearts, reshaping those who are spiritually united with Him, even leading to a living body spiritual.

Contemplating the miracles of Christ, we understand what a terrible sense is the Word of God. The Unique Necessary (Luke 10:42) for our salvation is nothing but the Word, who accomplishes salvation in all its perfection. By knowing the Word of God given us by the Holy Scriptures, and commented dictated by the Holy Spirit, we are guided by the Word, blessed by the knowledge brought by divine grace, and we receive Christian purity of the soul and heart. This purity leads to the spiritual light that shines like the sun in a sky clear and cloudless.

At dawn, when darkness will disappear of the night, the appearance of objects susceptible to change. Some objects, hitherto invisible, become visible. Further, we could only perceive dimly, are now separate and clearly defined. All this happens not because the objects themselves are changing, but because our relationship with them for a new relationship due to changes in lighting. It's the same in the relationship between the human mind and spiritual things. The soul is illuminated by the spiritual light of the Holy Spirit. Only in this light it can capture the holy ways of God! Only in this light that the invisible work of the mind and heart to God can be accomplished without sin! It only in this light that we can avoid the error, nets, and the abyss of destruction! When this light is not there, you can not see the Truth. When this light is not there no virtue please God, no virtue can lead to the mansions of Paradise. To avoid misfortune brings to mind the vision of carnal signs and wonders, spiritual eyes must be illuminated by the light of spiritual vision.

We just saw the spiritual nature of the miracles performed by the God-Man, and purpose. The signs have done their job, they belong to the past, they have given way to the actor par excellence, the Word, which is and will remain the ultimate player, until the end of the world, as He ad Besides Himself says: I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Mt.28, 20).

When signs of universal scope ceased, these signs were made by the Apostles and those they say Equal-to-apostles to spread Christianity, other signs were made here and there by vessels elected the Holy Spirit. But, over time, Christianity is weakened, leading to moral corruption. The miracle-workers are less likely (Scale 0.26 to 52). They even end up disappearing completely.

same time, men lose all reverence and great respect for the sacred, they also lose the humility and become unworthy, not only to perform miracles, but to see them, although they even more than once, thirst for miracles. Humanity, drunk with the conceit, presumption and ignorance, acts indiscriminately, with toughness and courage, to all what seems miraculous. She does not refuse to play a role in the working of miracles, and even manifest fully intend to do so without hesitation for a minute. Such an attitude is even more dangerous than before.

We gradually approaching the great spectacle of innumerable, narcotics, forgery, and seductive miracles, which lay in the destruction of the unfortunate children of carnal reasoning.

The awakening of the soul by the Word of God is a living faith in Christ. Living faith, so to speak, sees Christ (Hb.11, 27). Christianity it is revealed , while remaining a mystery. While still inconceivable, it becomes clear and understandable. It is no longer covered by a veil thick and impenetrable, like the days of the absence of faith. Living faith spiritual reasons. She did not need signs, it fully satisfies the miracles of Christ, and the greatest of His miracles, in the crown of His miracles, His Word. The desire to see miracles denounce unbelief. Formerly, the signs were given to the unbelievers to bring them to faith. Let us turn our whole soul to the Word of God, let us unite Him in spirit, and the signs of Antichrist will not attract our attention. With disdain and disgust, we turn away our eyes from them as a show of evil, as an embodiment of the fanatical enemy of God as a mockery of God as a foul and deadly poison.

Let us recall the following remark which comes from the experience of the holy ascetics: all manifestations are demonic in nature such that it is dangerous to their attention, was this a moment, even if these events do not attract our sympathy because they can leave an impression of the most harmful and cause a serious temptation.

humble reasoning is inseparable from spiritual reasoning. St. Isaac the Syrian says that only the humble can be recognized as reasonable. He who has no humility never reasons wisely. A living faith reveals God in the light of the soul. The Word of God unites the soul to God. He who comes to God in this way , who feels God's presence, that one realizes his own unworthiness, and is filled with an indescribable reverence God, to His deeds, for His will to His teachings, and finds humility in his reasoning. He who humbly reasoning will not dare to be curious about what happens outside the will of God, and who was condemned at the time by the Word of God. Signs of the Antichrist will be strangers to his humble reasoning, since it has no connection with them.

Recognizing his weakness and unworthiness before God, His majesty, His power and His infinite goodness, raises the soul to pray unceasingly. The hope of a such a soul is concentrated in God, she is not distracted in prayer. The soul asks, picking up his forces, reaching out to God with all his being. She began to pray as often as possible, and finally pray without ceasing.

When will the big events of the time of the Antichrist, all those who truly believe will cry a wonderful prayer to God. They'll scream for help and protection, to receive the divine grace that will give them strength and guidance. Although it may be faithful to God, their own strength will be insufficient to resist the powers of the fallen angels associated and men, acting under the scope of the rage and despair, with their imminent destruction (Apoc.12, 12).

Divine grace overshadow elected officials, immunize against the wiles of the seducer, drive out fear of his threats, and allow them to look with disdain his miracles. Divine grace to the elect will have the courage to confess the Savior who has accomplished the salvation of the world, and denounce the false messiah, come to destroy humanity. She elected to lead the throne of their execution, the wedding feast.

The experience of love God is sweeter than life, says the Holy Martyr Jacques Persian (November 26). In the same way that death and suffering are the beginning of eternal torment for the sinner, for Christ's suffering and martyrdom are the beginning of eternal joys of Paradise. We see this clearly in the lives of the martyrs of the early centuries of Christianity. At first, allow tyrants martyrs going to say where they choose. Then, as they accepted the first suffering, help them from above, which makes this suffering and death for Christ eminently desirable.

Lord, prophesying adviendront on penalties at His Second Coming, commanded His disciples to watch and pray: beware, watch and pray! (Mc.13, 33) Prayer is always necessary and useful to humans. She maintains her communion with God and keep it under His protection. It preserves the self-confidence, seduction of vanities, and pride, which can happen to him because of his bad fallen state, or thoughts and dreams caused by the fallen spirits. In case of danger or sadness, visible or invisible prayer is especially useful because it expresses the rejection of self-confidence, hope in the Lord, and we drew on the assistance of God. The God Almighty is the one who prays in Actor in difficult circumstances, and lots of pitfalls His servant by His miraculous providence.

Knowledge of God, the living faith, humility, blessed, pure prayer, are the spiritual attributes. On the contrary, ignorance of God, unbelief, spiritual blindness, pride, confidence and presumption, are the attributes of the carnal mind. Such a mind does not know God. It does not, and denied the means that God gives him to know him. It uses the errant ways and destructive to the soul which correspond to his condition: he asks a sign from heaven.

Amen.

All-nighter Woodstove Maine

LIFE OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE PRINCE OF

St. Dimitri of Rostov

The Holy Apostle Peter was called Simon before his apostolate. Jewish by birth, he was born in Galilee in the small town of Bethsaida unknown, a father named Jonas, from the house of Simon. His brother was the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. St. Peter married the daughter of Aristobulus, the brother of the Holy Apostle Barnabas, whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. Simple, uneducated man, he feared God, accomplishing all His commandments, and stood before him without fault in all his actions. He was a fisherman by trade, and lived in poverty, earning his hands the necessary food for her household, that is to say his wife, his children, his stepmother, and his old father.

His brother Andrew, in turn, despised the vanity and worldly concerns, and led a single life that led him to become a disciple of St. John the Baptist preached repentance by the Jordan. Seeing his master one day point to the Lord Jesus, saying: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world", he left John to follow Christ with another of his disciples. When asked "Master, where do you live? "The Lord has said," Come and see! "They stayed with him that day. In the morning, Andrew went to find his brother Simon Peter and said: "We have found the Messiah! "And he brought him to the Lord Jesus, who looked at him and said:" You are Simon son of Jonah, thou shalt be called Cephas ", which means Peter. St. Pierre was immediately wounded by love for the Lord. He thought on the spot that he was the Christ sent by God for the salvation of the world. However, he did not abandon his house and immediately trade, and continued for a time yet to obtain the necessary relatives, with the help of Andrew, because of the great age of their father. But later, when John was put in prison, the Lord Jesus, who was near the Sea of Galilee, saw Peter and Andrew casting their nets and said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men ! "

And what kind fishing would become of them? This was demonstrated on their day when the Lord got into Simon's boat and ordered the nets. Peter said: "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing but Your word I will let down the net! (Luc5 0.5 to 6) And the prize was so big that the net broke, foreshadowing the spiritual and apostolic fishing which was caught by the Word of God to many peoples in the net of salvation. Seeing this miracle, Peter fell at Jesus' feet terrified, saying, "Lord, get away from me because I am a sinful man! "But the Lord chose instead to answer him:" Follow me, and now you fish for men to life as you had caught the fish to death! "

Therefore, Saint Peter was a disciple of Christ with his brother Andrew and the other newly called disciples, and he was loved by the Lord for the simplicity of his heart. One day, Christ visited the modest home of St. Peter and heals his mother-in-mouth, touching her hand. The next night he went into a desert place to pray, and Peter, do not support the idea of being an hour without the Lord, left his house and ran behind his Lord with zeal. The finding, He said: "Lord, all looking for you! "

Now Peter never left Christ, and remained constantly at her side to enjoy his view, listen to His words sweeter than honey, and bear witness to the many and great miracles which attested that It was indeed the Christ, the Son of God.

The heart of Pierre thought without doubt the truth, and his mouth confessed salvation. Indeed, as the Lord was returning from Caesarea Philippi and asked his disciples: "Who do men say that I am, I, the Son of Man? "They replied:" Some say that Thou art John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets, and Christ as insisting: "And you, who do you say I am? "Peter replied," You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! Then the Lord praised his testimony just saying: "Blessed art thou Simon, son of Jonah, because it is not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but My Father which is in heaven! And Christ promised Peter to give him the keys of His Heavenly Kingdom. But Pierre felt the love for the Lord was so strong that he could not conceive that a misfortune could happen to him, also in the hearing of His sufferings, he said: "Be merciful O Lord, and that this never happen to you! " These words of Peter were not pleasing to the Lord who had just come into this world to redeem mankind from destruction by His sufferings. However, these words were demonstrating both the fervent love of Peter and his lack of bitterness, when the Lord rebuked by these harsh words: "Behind me, Satan! Far from being irritated against the Lord, Peter courageously accepted the reprimand edifying, and followed Christ with redoubled fervor.

Later, many disciples heard the words of the Lord without being able to accept them and said, before leaving: "This is a hard saying, who can hear? "The Lord said to the Twelve:" And you, do you not also go away? And yet it was Peter who answered: "Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life! We believed and we have known that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God! "

In his great faith and fervor, Saint Pierre ventured to even ask the Lord to walk on water, and this was not denied him. He left the boat and walked toward the Lord Jesus. But his faith was not perfect because it had not yet received the Holy Spirit, and seeing the wind, he was frightened and cried: "Lord, save me! Immediately, Christ gave him her hand: "Man of little faith, why did you doubt? "The freeing of the deep waters, and later, his lack of faith by saying:" I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not! "

Peter was dignified with the two other Apostles and Jean Jacques, to see the Lord's Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. He heard his own ears Father's voice as he relates in his letter: "It is not following cunningly devised fables that we have made known the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having His majesty saw with our own eyes. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when he heard Him Praise His wonderful voice saying This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. We heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain "

When the Lord went to His voluntary sufferings and His death on the Cross, Pierre showed his zeal for Him, not only by saying: "Lord, I am ready to go with Thee to prison and death," but also drew his sword to cut off the ear of the servant of priest Malchus. And even if by divine providence, it fell three times denying the Lord, sincere repentance and bitter tears caused him to be the first of the Apostles to see the Lord after His Resurrection: "The Lord is risen indeed, and It appeared to Simon "(Luc24, 34). St. Paul also testifies: "He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. "

What was Peter's joy when he saw the Lord and received from him the merciful forgiveness of his sin! After his triple denial, he offered a triple response of love to Christ, saying: "Lord, You know everything, You know I love you! "Following what the Lord established as pastor of His flock and His Heavenly Kingdom porter.

After the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, Peter, as head of the Apostles, was the first to preach the Word of God, and acquired in an hour up to three thousand souls to the Church of Christ. He also showed an unusual miracle worker. As he entered the temple to pray along with Saint John, he saw a man lame from birth at the gate called "beautiful." He took her right hand and raised him, saying: "In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk! And immediately, feet and ankles of lame grew stronger, so that a bound he was on his feet, walked, jumped, and went with the Apostles in the Temple praising God. This miracle and the Word of God led him to faith in Jesus Christ nearly five thousand men.

St. Pierre put to death by his word Ananias and Sapphira his wife who had committed the sacrilege of lying to the Holy Spirit. At Lydda he heals a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed since the age of eight years by the only words: "Jesus Christ heals you! At Joppa, he was raised a girl named Tabitha.

Not only his hands and his speech was powerful miracles, but even his shadow caused cures. Wherever he went, people came out their patients on their beds so that Peter's shadow covered them in passing.

But soon, King Herod laid his hand on the Church of Jerusalem to hurt him, "said Jacques assassinate the brother of John, and had to take Peter to put him in prison. Then he was bound by two chains, the Angel of the Lord delivered him overnight, and released him from prison.

The Prince of the Apostles was the first to open the doors to the Gentiles of faith at Caesarea by naming the Roman centurion Cornelius, having had the vision of a sheet descending from heaven responsible for quadrupeds and reptiles, accompanied by a voice ordering him de tuer et de manger, sans regarder comme impur ce que Dieu déclarait pur, en signe de la prochaine conversion des païens.

Il dénonça par la suite le mage samaritain Simon qui voulait hypocritement par le baptême acheter le don de l’Esprit Saint : « Que ton argent périsse avec toi car ton coeur n’est pas droit devant Dieu ! Je vois que tu es dans un fiel amer et dans les liens de l’iniquité ! »

Toutes ces choses sont inscrites dans l’Evangile et dans les Actes des Apôtres qu’on lit à l’église, où elles sont présentées en détails. Les rassembler exhaustively here is not necessary as all know well.

The following exploits and labors of the Holy Apostle Peter is less known, and we report here in the words of St. Simeon Metaphrastes: "From Jerusalem, St. Peter went to Caesarea, where he spent a Bishop from the chorus of presbyters who had followed him. He then went to Sidon, where he made many healings and consecrated a bishop, then Berytus where he consecrated another bishop. From there he went to Byblos and Tripoli in Phoenicia, where he devoted Marson, with whom he had lived as bishop. From there he went on the island of Laodicea Antarados then he healed many sick, drove unclean spirits, and gathered a large church to which he gave a bishop. Then he came to Antioch in Syria, where hiding Simon Magus, who had fled to Palestine and now fleeing soldiers of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Peter performs many healings in Antioch, preached with happiness God in three persons, and ordered the bishops to evangelize Sicily, including Marcian for the people of Syracuse, and for Pancratios Tavroménie. He then went Tyana in Cappadocia, then at Ancyra in Galatia where his prayers resurrected a dead man, and he catechised and baptized many people, introduced the local church and consecrated a bishop. Afterwards, he went to Sinope in Pontus and Amasea. He then visited in Gangres Paphlagonia then Claudiopolis in the province of Honoria, Nicomedia and Nicaea in Bithynia.

Then he quickly returned to Jerusalem for Easter and then to Cappadocia and Syria. He returned to Antioch and Jerusalem where he was visited by St. Paul three years after his conversion to Christ as it relates the Galatians: Three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I remained with him fifteen days . After that meeting, some laws of the Church have been defined, the blessed Paul went to complete the works which he had been called, and the great Peter came to Antioch, where he consecrated bishop Evode. He then went to Phrygia. From there he went to Nicomedia, where he consecrated bishop Prochorus. The latter, however, continued to follow St. John the Theologian even after ordination. Nicomedia, Pierre went to Heliopolis in the Hellespont, where he devoted Bishop Cornelius the Centurion, and then returned to Jerusalem.

There he had a vision of the Lord who said Arise, Peter, and leave for the West! It is necessary that the West is illuminated by your lights. I will be with you!

In those days that Simon Magus was captured by soldiers who pursued and taken to Rome to be paid according to his works. Arrived in the capital of the empire, he employed the tricks and magic to the darkened minds of many, so much so that far from being chastened, he was considered a god. This disciple of satan so astonished Roman Emperor Claudius himself by his magic, which he carved his statue and placed it between two bridges on the Tiber with the inscription: A Simon the holy God . But Justin and Irenaeus spoke of this in detail ...

Returning to the great Peter, having announced to the brothers of the Lord appeared, kissed them and went to Antioch, visiting churches and meeting new St. Paul. From there he went, Orcanos consecrated Bishop of Tarsus, Apelles, brother of Polycarp, for Smyrna, Olympus, Philippi of Macedonia, Thessaloniki Jason, Silas he had found in Paul and for Colossi Herodium in Patras. Then he went to Sicily by sea, remained some time at home Tavromeni Pancratios his disciple, a man versed in the Scriptures, there catechised and named a bishop and he ordered Maxime went to Rome.

In Rome, he preached every day in homes and in the assemblies, one God, the Father Almighty, one Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, true God from true God, and a one Holy Spirit vivifying. It attracted many people to faith in Christ and liberated by the lure of pagan holy baptism.

Seeing this, Simon Magus was unable to remain silent and to hide his animosity toward the Apostle, whereas the preaching of it as just a shame that tarnished its glory. He began to openly oppose the teaching of the truth, contradicting Saint Pierre shamelessly by his words and his actions at the center of the city. It was apparent to the people of the illusory phantoms which preceded and followed him everywhere, saying that those were the souls of the dead, or resurrected who adored him as a god. By the artifice of his illusions, he was walking right or hopping lame. But all this was an illusion, like this fabulous Proteus who changed form, appearing in turn with two faces, under the guise of a goat, a snake or bird, or even as the fire by continuing to deceive fools. But when the great Apostle of the Lord threw the look on his nonsense, they disappeared. "

Metaphrastes Simeon is not the only controversy to speak of the Holy Apostle Peter and Simon Magus. Found in the prologue of synaxaries the following story: "When Saint Peter came to Rome and learned that Simon Magus was called Christ and performed many signs before men, his fervor was kindled and he went to the house of Simon. Many people, who stood near the doors, forbade him entry.

- Why do you prevent me from joining this insidious mage?

- This is not a magician but a powerful god. He placed a guard outside his door who knows the human mind: a black dog that kills anyone who thinks ill of Simon.

- I am telling the truth, Simon is the devil! You and the dog, go tell your master that Peter, the apostle of Christ wants to come home!

The dog went with Simon to warn of the arrival of Peter with a human voice. Everyone was terrified when he heard about the dog. Simon sent the animal for Peter. When Peter entered, the mage made his dreams appear in the eyes of the people. And the Holy Apostle showed the power of Christ work miracles even greater. "

What miracles? It tells what the Greek Egycippos, the most former church historian who lived near the Apostles. Here is the story of one of them: "The son of a Roman widow of royal rank came to die in his early years. Her mother shed many tears and seemed inconsolable. His family remembered when we were in Rome at that time two men were said to resurrect the dead: Peter and Simon Magus. So they did call, and thousands of people gathered high condition and a great multitude from the people. St. Peter said to Simon, who boasted of his power

- That accept as true teaching of the man who resurrected the dead!

And the people cheered the speech of Peter. But Simon, who hoped his magic, he also spoke to the people

- If I raise the dead, you will kill Peter?

- We burn him alive before your eyes!

Simon went to the layer of dead and put to work its magic. With the help of demons, he did move his head from the dead. The people shouted as soon as the young man was alive and risen. He tried to seize Peter to burn. But the Apostle raised his arms for silence, and when all were silent and said:

- If the boy is alive, he gets up, he speaks, and he works! Until you have not seen all this, rest assured that you are mistaken by Simon his dreams and ghosts!

Simon walked around the long layer by invoking demons. But as he could get anything, shame on him, and he tried to run away. But the people held him back. So St. Peter, who had already risen and Tabitha had made many other glorious miracles, stood away from death, raised his arms and eyes to heaven and prayed:

- Lord Jesus Christ, You gave us an order: in My Name, raise the dead! I ask you therefore to revive the young man died so that all these people know that You are the one true God and that no one but you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever! Amen. Young man, get up, my Lord Jesus Christ will raise you and heals you!

The dead man opened his eyes, stood up and began to talk and walk. "

The Roman Marcel, who was initially a disciple of Simon, but was later informed, leads to faith, and baptized by St. Peter writes in his epistle to the saints and martyrs Nerion Archilla, the end of the story: "The young man rose fell at the feet of Peter, crying

- I saw the Lord Jesus Christ who ordered the angels to go by thy supplication, my widowed mother!

all the people cried out that only God is the God preached by Peter. Simon Magus again used his magic to get a dog's head and save, but the people seized it with the intention of stoning or burning, what St. Peter forbids saying

-Our Lord and Master did not order return evil for evil. Let him go where he wants! Shame, contempt and knowledge of his weakness to him enough. His magic can do nothing.

Simon was released and came home thinking I did not know the miracle. He put on my door a large dog tied by an iron chain and said

- I'll see if Peter will come to you as usual.

After one hour, St. Pierre came to the door, untied the dog and said:

- Go tell Simon Magus to stop fooled by his demonic works people for whom Christ shed His blood!

The dog went to tell the mage with a human voice that the Apostle had said. Having heard this I quickly went out to get Peter to me with honor, and I chased her and her dog Simon. The latter rushed Simon bit his teeth into, and threw it ashore. Pierre, who watched the scene through the window ordered the dog in the Name of Christ not to cause more harm to the body of Simon. Thus, without causing any harm, the dog in reduced lint all her clothes so that no part of his body remained covered. The people injuria Simon, and drove with his dog in the city loudly. Ashamed and dishonored, Simon did not reappear over to Rome for an entire year, and did not return when Nero succeeded Claudius. Emperor Nero was a bad guy, as testified by the bad people around him. He loved many Simon and made him his friend. "

In the prologue the great intrigue, you can still read some details about Simon: "It would be beheaded, and promised to resurrect the third day. By a trick, he made sure to place a sheep by the sword, and made him a sort of ghost of a man. St. Pierre drove the illusion of the body of sheep and denounced Simon for all to see. Indeed saw all the beheaded sheep appear instead of Simon.

Magician Simon could not contradict the Apostle Peter. Crushed by the shame and dishonor, he promised to rise to heaven. Gathering all the strength of demons served him, he went to the center of Rome, and climbed onto the roof of a building of great size, his head covered with a crown of laurels. Then he addressed the people angrily

- Romans, since until this very moment you persist in your folly, because you leave me along Peter, I will relinquish my turn and stop defend this city! My angels take me in their arms and come into my home my father in heaven, where I send you great punishment to punish you for not listening to my words and believe my work!

Having said this, Simon clapped his hands, catapulted into the air and began to fly, driven by demons. People are very surprised, said to each other:

- is the work of a god that fly with her body!

But the great Apostle Peter began to pray, saying:

- Lord Jesus Christ my God, denounces the illusion of the magician, that he should deceive the more people who believe in you! And you, the devils in the name of my God I command you not to wear it, but to let go where it is now! Immediately, the demons, the word of the Apostle Simon departed and miserable unemployment fell, as Satan once precipitated from the heavens, and smashed on the floor. Seeing this, the people went into raptures for hours, tirelessly repeating: Great is the God preached by Peter, in truth there is no God except the true God! The magician, after his fall, was completely broken, but by the will of God, still alive, that he might again have the opportunity to acknowledge weakness and his own demons, his condition miserable, that shame should gain and he admitted the force of the Almighty. Lying on the ground, broken, he endured great suffering while the people laughed at him, and it was not until morning that he gave his soul painfully bad in the hands of demons to be driven to hell with Satan, their father.

St. Peter, after the fall of Simon, went on a high and waved his hand to the people who shouted was silent. He taught him the true knowledge of God, and a long speech, introduced him to the Christian faith. "

Learning the shameful death of his friend, the Emperor Nero was angry strongly against Peter and kill him. However, the wrath of the sovereign could not lead immediately, as reported by Saint Simeon Metaphrastes, but only a few years later.

After the death of Simon, in fact, St. Pierre did not stay long in Rome. He made a lot of baptisms, strengthens the church, consecrated bishop of St. Lin imperial city, then moved to Terracina, where he spent another Epaphroditus as bishop. He managed to Sirma then to Spain where he spent as bishop Epainétos before reaching Carthage in Africa. There he devoted Crescens then left for Egypt. At Thebes, the city of a hundred doors, he consecrated as Bishop Rufus, and Alexandria, the holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.

After a revelation, he went to Jerusalem to attend the Dormition of the Most Pure Virgin Mary the Mother of God. After that, he returned to Egypt, then crossed Africa to return to Rome, where he went to Milan and Photikin, where he consecrated bishops and presbyters ordained.

He then left for Britain where he lived far longer and attracted to faith in Christ a great people. This is where an angel visited him and told him: "Peter, you left this life is approaching, should you go to Rome where you will bear the death on the cross, and will receive the Lord Jesus Christ your just reward. " After giving thanks to God, Stone spent a few days in Britain, firming dedicating churches and bishops, ordaining presbyters and deacons.

During the twelfth year of the reign of Nero, he returned again to Rome, where he consecrated as Bishop Clement. He refused for a long time to bring such a yoke, but urged by the words of the Apostle, he bent his neck under the yoke of Christ, and with his master and other holy men, he drew the chariot of the Word of God. Many men and women of Rome senatorial rank were enlightened by faith and baptism.

It happened that the Emperor Nero had among his concubines while two beautiful women whom he preferred to all others. Both women became believers and decided to lead a chaste life, now refusing to obey the lustful desires of the emperor. The latter, who lived in lust without ever being able to satisfy it, was angry against the Church of Christ and especially against the Apostle Peter, whom he considered responsible for the conversion of his concubines. Remembering the death of his friend Simon, he did seek to kill Peter.

The church historian Egysippos reports that the faithful of Rome begged Pierre to hide and leave the city for the good of the multitude. But Peter did not intend it that way, and wanted to suffer and die for Christ. The faithful, weeping and moaning, begged the Apostle best to save his life, if necessary for the Holy Church buffeted by the woes provided by the infidels. St. Peter relented by tears of the faithful, and promised to leave the city and hide. The next night, after praying with the congregation, he kissed each one and left alone. Arriving at the gates of the city, he met the Lord Jesus Christ, who returned to the city. Pierre saluted

- Lord, whither goest Thou?

- I'm going to Rome to be crucified again!

At these words the Lord became invisible. Peter understood that Christ in His suffering in His servants as bona fide members, would suffer in Rome in his body too. He returned on his steps, went to church, and was arrested by soldiers.

Saint Simeon Metaphrastes reports that not only Peter was arrested, but also a multitude of followers, among them Herodium and Olympia, as the tyrant condemned to be beheaded. Pierre, meanwhile, was sentenced to the crucifixion. The soldiers seized thus condemned to lead them to the scene of torture. They left, however, from Clement, who was a relative the emperor. They slew with the sword Herodium, Olympia and many other devotees. Peter, meanwhile, asked his executioners to be crucified upside down, to honor the Lord by bowing his head under his feet.

Thus the great Apostle Peter fell asleep, glorifying God on the cross, and supporting the great pain of the nails in his hands and his feet. He put his soul to God on the twenty-ninth of June.

Clement, the disciple of Peter, claimed the body of the Apostle, came down from the cross prepared him adequately, and summoned the faithful still alive and hierarchs to bury him with honor. He also buried the bodies of those who had suffered with Peter Saints Herodium and Olympia, and all the faithful who came to glorify Christ God, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit is glorified for ever. Amen.