Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist


 

The life of St. John the Forerunner, from its first days was entirely dedicated to the One Who would come after him. St. John suffered the loss of his mother soon after childbirth while his father's life ended at the hands of King Herod's servants in the temple.

Following the Baptism of the Lord, St. John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch (ruler of one fourth of the Holy Land) and governor of Galilee. Why? Because John the Baptist openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then instead cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20) At Herod's birthday celebration, Salome, Herodias's daughter, enchanted Herod with her dancing. He swore to give her half his kingdom or whatever she asked for. Prompted by her mother Salome asked for the head of the Baptist. Herod could not refuse as he made his pledge before all his guests. Although it saddened him greatly he had Saint John the Baptist beheaded in prison. (Matthew 14:6-12)

According to Tradition, the mouth of the dead preacher of repentance once more opened and proclaimed: "Herod, you should not have the wife of your brother Philip." Salome took the platter with the head of St. John and gave it to her mother. The frenzied Herodias repeatedly stabbed the tongue of the prophet with a needle and buried his holy head in an unclean place. But the pious Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza, buried the head of John the Baptist in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod had a parcel of land. The holy body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia, there where the wicked deed had been done.

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In remembrance of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist it has been a pious custom amongst our faithful on this day to not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Learning to Trust….


 

We have a light fixture over our front door that glints in the sun and is attractive to birds. Every year without fail, a bird tries to build its nest on that light. Because I know that any nest that is built there is bound to fall, I always break up the nests just as the birds begin to make them. After several frustrating attempts, they move to a large maple tree in our garden, and there safely build their seasonal home far from any danger of falling.


 

Like those unknowing feathered creatures, we too, oftentimes find that our dreams and plans are frustrated and lead to failure. We cannot help but wonder why God allows the earthly nests that we struggle so hard and work to build to fall apart and crumble before us. But the fact is that we cannot see as God does; if we too could judge events from the perspective of eternity, we would come to understand that God seeks for us a higher destiny, and a place of true serenity and provision for our deepest needs.


 

Scripture teaches us that God led his people of Israel out of Egypt and into a forty-year journey of hardship in a lonely and forbidding wilderness. And yet, at the end of that journey, they were led from bondage to a glorious land that flowed with milk and honey. From down trodden slaves, He transformed them into a mighty nation envied by others.


 

How wonderful it would be if we could each learn to trust God in those times when we too experience the dark passages that enter our lives. How reassured we would be if we never questioned God's wisdom and goodness, even at those times when we find him disturbing the nests that we try to build.


 

When we come to accept the providential care of God with childlike simplicity we soon discover that the barriers we encounter in our lives can in retrospect, come to be numbered among our greatest blessings.


 

-Rev. Andrew J Demotses


 

Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.

Psalm 16:1

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Why do we Bless Flowers on the Feast the Dormition?

Holy Tradition tells us that all the Apostles, Saint Thomas, were transported mystically to Jerusalem in order to be with the Mother of God-Theotokos as she died and present at her burial. When Thomas arrived the next day, they opened the tomb so that he could say his farewell. They found only an empty tomb filled with sweet-smelling flowers.

Therefore as part of our celebration we bless sweet-this great sign of her holiness. At the conclusion of the Divine Services flowers and herbs are blessed and the faithful keep them in their homes. During times of family strife or illness, the flower petals are placed in the censer with the incense, and the whole house is censed.

Lord God almighty, You fill all things with Your Word. You commanded the earth to bring forth fruit in due season, and You gave it to mankind for our joy and life. By Your Holy Spirit, bless + now these flowers which have been brought before You in this holy temple to honor the Falling Asleep of the Mother of Your only Son. Purify from all defilement these, Your servants, who receive them, and fill their houses with all fragrance. May all e flowers obtain protection of body and soul; and may Your healing grace be a remedy for our salvation…

Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

Beneath your tender mercy we flee, Birthgiver-of-God. Reject not our prayer in our trouble, deliver us from harm, Only Pure and Blessed Lady. Amen

We fly to your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but who are alone pure and blessed, deliver us from all danger. Amen