#Churchfathers

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint John Damascene or  Saint John of Damascus 

Doctor of the Church

c. 676-749

Feast Day:  December 4 (New), March 27 (Trad)

Patronage: Pharmacists, icon painters, theology students

Saint John of Damascus or Saint John Damascene, a Syrian monk and priest, was the last of the Greek Fathers. He became a trusted magistrate under Arab rule and a monk at Mar Saba monastery near Jerusalem where he died. His defense of the veneration of icons procured him the title of “The Doctor of Christian Art.” He is known for his poems, hymns or “canons,” and his treatise “Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.”  He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1890. 

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[russianicons]

The antique Orthodox icon of the Hexahemeron that you can see in the picture is a fine piece of Russian iconography made in the middle of the 19th century. The multi-layered composition of the icon consists of several parts and depicts six creation scenes, six Feasts, and a constellation of holy figures, including the Evangelists, Monastic saints, Metropolitans, Church Fathers, and Fools-for-Christ. The Hexahemeron, which is the term for six days of biblical creation, is the main theme and the prime focus of the presented work.

[pastorlandon]

Key Ideas from Luke 14. 1. Those who have been broken by the world are ready for the kingdom of God. 2. Those preoccupied by the world are not ready for the kingdom of God.

Luke 14:15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

Cyril of Alexandria is a 5th century theologian from Egypt

This is what he said about Luke 14 -

​​Cyril of Alexandria: The Creator of the universe and the Father of glory made a great supper, a festival for the whole world, in honor of Christ.

Cyril of Alexandria: By senselessly giving themselves up to these earthly matters, they cannot see things spiritual. Conquered by the love of the flesh, they are far from holiness. They are covetous and greedy after wealth. They seek things that are below but make no account in the slightest degree of the hopes that are stored up with God. It would be far better to gain the joys of paradise instead of earthly fields and temporary furrows.

Cyril of Alexandria: They scorned a surpassing invitation, because they had turned aside to earthly things and focused their mind on the vain distractions of this world.

Cyril of Alexandria: the vulgar multitude was called in and... received the divine light into their mind. Cyril of Alexandria: (the Pharisees) scorned the great supper by their hardened disobedience.

Cyril of Alexandria: Those then who were superior in station to the mass of the common people did not submit themselves to Christ … they rejected the invitation.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Friday , August 11, 2023

august 11_july 229

THE HOLY MARTYR SERAPHIMA THE VIRGIN (2nd. c)

The Holy Virgin Martyr Seraphima, a native of Antioch, lived in Rome in the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138). She resided with Sabina, a woman from a prominent senatorial family, whom the saint had converted to Christianity. During the persecution against Christians ordered by the Emperor, the governor Virilus had Saint Seraphima brought before him for questioning. Wishing to obtain a crown of martyrdom from the Lord, she went fearlessly to face Virilus, and her devoted friend Sabina accompanied her. When he saw that illustrious lady, Virilus at first set the maiden free, but after several days he summoned Saint Seraphima once again and began the trial.

The governor insisted that she honor the pagan gods and offer sacrifice, but she boldly confessed her faith in the one true God, Jesus Christ. Then Virilus gave her to two shameless young men of Egyptian descent so they could defile her. Saint Seraphima begged the Lord to protect her. Suddenly there was an earthquake, and the two men fell to the ground paralyzed and unable to speak. On the following day the governor learned that his plan had failed. Believing that the saint was a sorceress, Virilus told her to restore the young men to health so that they could relate what had happened to them.

After praying to the Lord, Saint Seraphima ordered the men to stand up. They got up at once and informed the governor that an Angel of the Lord had shielded the saint, and prevented them from approaching her. The cruel governor did not believe his servants, and he continued to urge Saint Seraphima to offer sacrifice to the idols. The holy martyr remained steadfast, however, even when they burned her with flaming torches and mercilessly beat her with sticks. Then harsh punishment overtook the governor. Splinters from the sticks with which the saint was beaten, struck him in his right eye, and after three days the tormentor became blind. Powerless before the unyielding Christian, Virilus ordered her to be beheaded. Sabina buried the body of her holy mentor with all due honor and reverence.

THE MONKMARTYR MICHAEL " The B;ACK ROBED OF ST SAVVA MONASTERY ( 9th.c.)

The Venerable Michael lived in the ninth century, and was from the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia, the son of Christian parents. After their death he distributed his inheritance to the poor, then went to Jerusalem to venerate the Holy Places. The Holy Land at that time was under Moslem rule.

Michael remained in Palestine and settled in the Lavra of Saint Savva, where he became the disciple of his relative, Saint Theodore of Edessa (July 9), who spent his time both in the monastery and as an anchorite in the Judean desert. Saint Theodore accepted him and tonsured him right away. The two made baskets of reeds together to support themselves. Saint Michael would take the baskets to the marketplace in Jerusalem to sell them.

One day while at the marketplace, the eunuch of the Muslim Queen Seida, seeing that the baskets were both fine and well-made, took him along to the Queen, who was visiting the city with her husband King al-Ma’mun (813-833). The handsome monk aroused the desire of the Queen, who tried to lead him into the sin of adultery, but he did not accept her suggestions. The enraged Seida told her husband to have the monk beaten with rods because he had insulted her, and accused him of being an enemy of Islam.

There was a debate about which faith is the true one, Christianity or Islam, and the king said, “Do as I tell you, and confess that Mohammed is a prophet and an apostle of Christ, then I will adopt you as my son.” Saint Michael said, “Mohammad is neither an apostle nor a prophet, but a deceiver and the forerunner of the antichrist. Either send me back to my Elder at the monastery, or be baptized into our Christian faith and reign forever in the heavens, or send me to Christ through martyrdom.”

The king gave the Saint a cup with deadly poison to drink. Saint Michael made the Sign of the Cross over the cup, and he drank it, but he remained unharmed, according to the promise of the Lord (Mark16:18). After this the king ordered that he be decapitated. The monks of the Lavra of Saint Savva wanted to take the Saint’s relics to their Lavra, but the Christians of Jerusalem would not permit this. They said that since he was martyred in Jerusalem, his relics ought to remain there.The monks of the Lavra disagreed with them, saying that he was nurtured in the Lavra and so he should be buried there. There was such a heated argument that the king decided that the relics would go to the Lavra.

On the same day that Saint Michael was put to death, the Lord revealed this to Saint Theodore. After informing the brethren, he sent some monks to bring the relics to the Lavra. As the relics were carried to the Lavra, there was a pillar of fire from Heaven accompanying the relics, and it remained until they reached the Lavra. Saint Theodore and the monks came out to meet the procession with lit candles, and singing hymns. The holy relics were buried with the other holy Fathers who had endured martyrdom. Many miracles took place before the relics of Saint Michael, as a sign that he had found favor with God.

At the beginning of the twelfth century the relics of Saint Michael were seen by Daniel, the Igoumen of the Kiev Caves Monastery, while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Saint Michael is commemorated twice during the year: on May 23 (his repose) and July 29 (the transfer of his relics).

2 CORINTHIANS 1:12-20

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. 15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit- 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No with me? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-by me, Silvanus, and Timothy-was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Commentary of the Church Father:

John Chrysostom AD 407 : The carnal man, who is riveted to the present world and wholly caught up in it, is outside the sphere of the Spirit’s influence and has the power to go everywhere, doing whatever he likes. But the servant of the Spirit is led by the Spirit. He cannot just do what he wants. He is dependent on the Spirit’s authority. Paul was not able to come to Corinth because it was not the Spirit’s will for him to go there. 

MATTHEW 22:23-33

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: "Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." 33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

[tmarshconnors]

"The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it Let it loose; it will defend itself."

Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. 

Born: 13 November 354 AD, Thagaste

Died: 28 August 430 AD (age 75 years), Ruins of Hippo (Hippo Regius), Annaba, Algeria.

Early Life and Conversion: Augustine, born in 354 AD in North Africa (modern-day Algeria), led a life of worldly pursuits until his conversion to Christianity in 386. His spiritual journey is detailed in his famous autobiography, "Confessions."

Bishop of Hippo: Augustine served as the Bishop of Hippo (in present-day Annaba, Algeria) from 395 until his death in 430. During his episcopacy, he played a crucial role in defending orthodox Christian doctrine against various heresies.

Major Works: Augustine's writings have had a profound impact on Christian theology. His notable works include "Confessions," an introspective autobiographical work, and "The City of God," a monumental treatise on theology, philosophy, and the destiny of humanity.

Doctrine of Original Sin: Augustine developed the influential theological concept of Original Sin, which posits that humanity inherits a sinful nature from the fall of Adam and Eve. This idea has had a lasting impact on Christian theology and soteriology.

Influence on Western Christianity: Augustine's teachings have left an indelible mark on Western Christianity. His views on grace, predestination, and the relationship between faith and reason have shaped theological discussions for centuries, influencing both Catholic and Protestant traditions.

[minakiblogging]

A blog on Church Fathers quotes on St. Mary

[climbing-the-sycamore]

Noah

"Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he kept the race alive; therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came. Everlasting covenants were made with him that all flesh should never again be blotted out by a flood." (Sirach 44:17-18)

Oh Noah! What a faithful man he was. As Jesus Ben Sira points out, because of him the whole human race was saved. In Noah, the world found relief from its burden of sin.

"Enoch begot Methuselah, and Methuselah begot Lamech, and Lamech begot Noah, whose name means relief in Hebrew. Lamech prophesied about his son and said, "This one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands and from the earth which the Lord cursed." His offerings will be pleasing to God who, because of the sin of the earth's inhabitants, will destroy in the waters of wrath the buildings that we have made and the plants over which our hands have toiled." (Ephrem the Syrian, Commentary on Genesis)

St. Augustine of Hippo identifies two ways in which Noah prefigures Christ: as savior of gentiles and jews, and the wood of the cross.

"Christ was represented in Noah, and the whole world, in that ark. For why were all living creatures shut up in that ark except to signify all the nations of the earth?" (Augustine of Hippo, Commentary on the Gospel of John) "Is not the church prefigured by Noah and his sons? For they escape the flood, with wood (which symbolizes the cross) carrying." (Augustine of Hippo, Commentary on the Gospel of John)

Even the flood that Noah endured can be seen as a kind of baptism. Here St. Maximus of Turin describes the flood as the prefigurement of the sacrament.

"We read first in the Old Testament that in the time of Noah, when criminal wickedness had seized the whole human race, torrents of water poured forth from the opened floodgates of heaven... This was clearly a baptism in which the wickedness of sinners was removed and Noah's righteousness preserved." (Maximus of Turin, Sermon 50)

And Noah, dutifully kept his stewardship over creation which he was appointed to save by God. This was the same command that was given to Adam in the garden, but having succumb to sin, he no longer kept the command. Noah, as St. John Chrysostom says, reclaimed for man the honor and responsibility given to Adam.

"See how this good man receives the blessing that Adam received before the fall. God blessed him with the words "increase and multiply, and gain dominion over the earth." Noah became a kind of leaven, a beginning and root of everything after the deluge. From this point on, what is comprised in the make-up of human beings takes its beginning, and the whole of creation recovers its proper order, both the soil reawakening to productivity as well as everything else that had been created for the service of human being." (John Chrysostom, Commentary on Genesis)

Like Enoch, his faithfulness is an example for us today.

"Let us fix our gaze on those who have perfectly served his magnificent glory. Let us take Enoch, who was found righteous in obedience and was taken up without there being a trace of his death. Noah was found faithful by reason of his service; he proclaimed a new birth to the world, and through him the Lord saved the living creatures who entered in harmony into the ark." (Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians)

If you want to read the story of Noah again, open your bible up to the book of Genesis chapter 5-9. If you liked these images of Noah as described by the Church Fathers, take a pencil and write in a phrase or a word that connects that passage of Noah's story with the exegesis above. Blessings!

[cmc304]

The Two Adams:

Irenaeus’ Recapitulation Theory of the Atonement

Sin. This short, three-letter word is the foundation of Irenaeus’ theological framework of the atonement, known affectionately to us as the Recapitulation Theory. Sin is an infection that stains our soul and causes us to not only miss the mark, but to misdirect our footsteps from the path of God’s favor and causes us to stumble into the outer darkness of God’s condemnation. Sin has held our very nature ensnared, and it is not until the Incarnation of the Second Adam that the bars of this spiritual prison is broken. Irenaeus writes, “Redeeming us by [Christ’s] blood in accordance with His reasonable nature, He gave Himself a ransom for those who had been led into captivity” (Early Church Fathers, 385).

Sin is something foreign to human nature. Human beings were not created by the Father as inherently sinful; after all, human beings were made in the Imago Dei, God’s very own image. Human beings have free will, as Irenaeus would write in book four of his Against Heresies, “God made man a free [being] from the beginning, possessing his own power, even as he does his own soul, to obey the behests of God voluntarily, and not by compulsion of God. For there is no coercion with God, but a good will [towards us] is present with Him continually. And therefore does He give good counsel to all” (www.harvardicthus.org). Adam has complete sovereignty over his actions and chose on his own accord to backslide into the snares of the Accuser. This action changed the very fabric of his nature, and by extension changed ours since we are all children of the First Parents. As punishment, God had placed a limitation on the human life span. “For the wages of sin is death,” writes St. Paul (Romans 6:23, NRSV) and so we have reaped the harvest of Adam’s transgression by receiving the curse of death.

Yet God is loyal and true and does not abandon God’s creation. St. Paul writes, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children” (Galatians 4:4-5, NRSV). This verse is critical for understanding Irenaeus’ Recapitulation Theory because it lays out Who exactly Irenaeus thinks Jesus Christ is.

Christ is the bridge that gaps the massive canyon between the Creator and the creation while paradoxically being the Creator and a product of creation simultaneously. Irenaeus assumes that Christ is the Hypostatic Union: the hand of God presses against the hand of humanity with one not overpowering the other. For Irenaeus, God condescends from the divine threshold into the domain of God’s creation. In other words, divinity is lowered and humanity is lifted up, and where the two points meet is Jesus Christ. Irenaeus writes, “[The] Lord redeemed us . . . and poured out the Spirit of the Father to bring about the communion of God and man—bringing God down to man by [the working of] the Spirit, and raising man to God by His incarnation” (Early Church Fathers, 386).

God needs to be Incarnated into a physical body for the Recapitulation Theory of the Atonement to work. Flesh, blood, and bones were assumed by God to redeem our flesh, our blood, and our bones. In this physical body God adopted all the frailties of the body, including the ability to fall into sin. The Gospel of St. Matthew illustrates this point in its fourth chapter. Jesus, being in the wilderness, was tempted by the Tempter to abandon His ministry of saving the world and, in return, gain the world. Metaphorically, Satan was luring Jesus with forbidden fruit. Had Jesus forsaken His divine mission and taken up the Devil’s offer, Jesus would had rejected the One Who sent him. The Creator of the entire universe, wrapped in a body made of the same materials that ours are made from, would had paradoxically forsaken Himself and worshipped the embodiment of evil and the cause of sin. “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me’” (Matthew 4:8, NRSV). Jesus did not fall into this trap. Instead, in His humanity Christ obeyed and taught the Law perfectly.

In His submission to the Father, Christ went willingly to the cross and there died in the flesh. Irenaeus sees the obedience of the Son to the Father by being crucified as reversing the failures of creation itself. The cross replaces the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Corpus Christi hangs from the cross as the redeemed fruit. His enthroned glory reverses our shame. His victory reverses our defeat.

It is fitting that the Son of Man die in the flesh to reverse death itself. Three days after His death Jesus rose from the dead triumphant over death, the very thing we are cursed with. Jesus took on our full humanity and had the capacity to sin; instead, He went to the cross to reverse the fall and rose from death to redeem us from death. The complete restoration of our failures can be found in the God-Man alone, as Irenaeus writes, “Therefore He renews these things to Himself” (Early Church Fathers, 390). This renewal of humanity unleashes us from original sin and fills our lungs with new life.

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate the Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon. Saint Irenaeus was a direct descendent of the Lord's grace, being a student of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, who in turn was a student of Saint John the Evangelist, one of the 12 disciples of Christ. He wrote many works against heresies and won the glorious crown of martyrdom in his advanced age. Because of his many theological and anti-heretical works, he is considered to be one of the greatest Christian apologists and a Church Father. May he intercede for us all + #saint #irenaeus #lyon #france #bishop #hieromartyr #martyr #polycarp #smyrna #polycarpofsmyrna #johntheevangelist #johnthetheologian #johnthedivine #john #evangelist #theologian #againstheresies #heresy #churchfather #father #church #martyrdom #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Lyon, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chk3FSVP5E_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[minimalismtalk]

ይበቃል ማለት ብቻ ሳይሆን ሁላችንም ዝምታችንን መስበርና ለቤተክርስቲያናችን መቆም ይኖርብናል። የነፍስና የስጋችን ሐኪም ቤት ለሆነችውና፥የሀገር አለኝታ ለሆነችው ቤተክርስቲያናችን ዘብ መቆሚያው አሁን ነው። #ethiopianchristians #eotc #yotc #orthodoxchristmas #orthodoxchurch #orientalorthodoxchurch #churchburning #churchfathers #uoty #ethiopianorthodoxtewahedochurch #mahiberkidusan #muslimextremist #ethiopiannews (at Kentlands, Gaithersburg, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HhQR0Adrn/?igshid=1reuruf90iang

[suchhikumarsblog]

M hurt today .. Raveena Tandon, Bharti Singh and Farah Khan booked for hurting religious sentiments .. if you don't know meaning of #hallelujah Then go read #bible . Definition of Hallelujah-God be praised (uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing)... #jesus #romancatholic #romancatholicchurch #christians #community #romancatholics #romancatholiccommunion #churchfamily #churchfathers #churchfather #unitednation #israelchurchofjesus #churchfathersquotes #churchflow #ymca #ymcacamp #catholicchurch #catholicbusiness #catholiccommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ulJ7jJuMN/?igshid=18pf3zkewdtml

[christianandnerdy]

#Repost @reformedheroes ・・・ . . . . #ReformedTheology #ReformedHeroes #ChurchFathers #ChurchHistory #Righteousness #Bible #Salvation #WordOfGod #FaithAlone #GraceAlone #Christianity #Christian #God #Jesus #JesusChrist #ChristAlone #ReformedBaptist #Prayer #BibleVerses #SavedByGrace #Love #Holiness #HolySpirit #FiveSolas #Calvinism #Calvinist #Reformation #Reformed #SoliDeoGloria https://www.instagram.com/p/B5duPa5FUIW/?igshid=169zlot6q93oi

[ramostalaya]

The Truth is its own best defender. . . . . . . #truth #JesusChrist #Gospel #scripture #Bible #wordofgod #sermon #sermons #saved #savior #Church #churchmemes #christianliving #churchhistory #churchfamily #churchfathers #preaching #fellowship #gospelmusic #imreading #bookoholic #readersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #KindleUnlimited #kindleebooks #author #iTunes #iBooks #kobobooks #Christianity (at Pretoria, South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0IYI4EDMPe/?igshid=l15xlbhfkje

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Wednesday, July 26, 2023

july 26_july 13

Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel

Troparion, Tone IV

Supreme commander of the armies of Heaven,/ we, the unworthy, do ever entreat thee,/ that by thy prayers thou ever surround us with the protection of the wings of thine immaterial glory,/ preserving us that earnestly fall down before thee and cry aloud:// Deliver us from misfortunes, in that thou art the leader of the hosts on high.

Kontakion, Tone II: "The steadfast.."

O chief commander of God,/ minister of glory divine,/ captain of the angels and instructor of men:/ beg thou great mercy and that which is profitable for us,// for thou art the supreme commander of the bodiless hosts.

What is a Troparion? A troparion (plural troparions or troparia) In Byzantine music and Eastern Orthodox Christianity's religious music, a short hymn of one strophe, or organized in more complex forms as a series of stanzas.

THE HOLY MARTYR SERAPION UNDER SEVERUS (193)

The Holy Martyr Serapion, suffered for Christ before Emperor Severus (193-211). As a Christian, he was brought to judgment before Governor Achilles. The holy martyr firmly proclaimed to the pagans his faith in Christ, and he was subjected to inhuman torments. Afterward, he was thrown into prison.

Healed by the Lord Jesus Christ, he was brought to the judgment place and presented himself before the judge completely healthy. The enraged pagans sentenced the saint to be burned alive. In the flames, he gave up his soul to God (+ ca. 205).

SAINT MARTYR JUTHWARA (England_6th. C)

She was a pious girl who was the victim of a jealous stepmother. St. Juthwara prayed and fasted often and frequently gave alms. Upon her father's death, she began to suffer from pains in her chest. Its source was ascribed to her sorrow. Her stepmother recommended two soft cheeses be applied as a remedy, but the stepmother told her son, Bana, that Juthwara was pregnant. Bana felt Juthwara’s undergarments and found them moist, whereupon he immediately struck off her head. A spring of water appeared at the spot. Juthwara then miraculously picked up her head and returned it to the church. Bana repented of his deed and became a monk, founding a monastery at Gerber (later known as Le Relecq) on a battlefield.

Juthwara’s death occurred at Halyngstoka, generally accepted as Halstock in Dorset, where a field is still called by her name, modernized to “Judith.” There is also a church in North Cornwall named for St. Julitta, which initially bore Juthwara’s name.

Her relics were translated to Sherborne Abbey in the early 11th century, and her shrine remained a place for pilgrimages.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:12-22

12 So, let him who thinks he stands to take heed lest he fall.13 No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man. Still, God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying, then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Instead, the things the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with devils. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

MATTHEW 16:20-24

20 Then, He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus Christ. 21 From that time, Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Commentary from a Church Father

John Chrysostom (AD 407): Therefore, the rest being troubled and perplexed, Peter, again in his ardor alone, ventures to discuss these things. And he does not discuss them openly but only when he has taken them aside. Having separated himself from the rest of the disciples, he says, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” What is happening here? The very one who had obtained a revelation, who had been blessed, has now so soon fallen away, so as now to fear the Passion of the Lord, and thereby his faith has been overthrown. It is remarkable that Peter, who had not yet been fully instructed in the course of revelation, should come up with these responses. The larger picture had not yet been revealed to Peter, who was confused and overwhelmed. Peter had learned that Christ is the Son of God. But he had not known of the mystery of the cross and the resurrection. It was as yet not manifested to him. It remained hidden. Do you see how correct Jesus was in forbidding them not to declare his identity publicly? For if it so confounded the disciples, who were being made aware of it, who knows what the response of others might have been. This is why he rebuked Peter and called him Satan: to signify that he is voluntarily coming to his future suffering. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily

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