#diocese of london

[sometimeslondon]

Coat of arms of the Diocese of London on the gate of St Mary Woolnoth church in the City of London

[vox-anglosphere]

St Bartholomew-the-Great is considered the oldest church in London

Remarkable pulpit of St. Bartholomew the Great nr. the Marian (Protestant) Martyrs Memorial. (Photo by Megan L. Smithfield)

[khodorkovskaya]

thanks for sharing!

honestly this is so relatable. so for me growing up i was always taught (not explicitly but it was just the general vibe) that religious people are weird and stupid. like no one would ever openly say that, but it was often implied through jokes or like when someone would say that they were religious my family would give the side eye lol. and plus, yeah, its a government backed institution yikes.

and yet! i was baptised, we'd bake cakes for easter, when people would ask me what my religion was growing up id say orthodox, etc. like there was always this weird contradiction.

what you said about after school activities i also have a funny little story to share. so when i was 6-7 yrs old my parents signed me up for this like art club after school. and once this old lady showed up and started an embroidery club in the same classroom. and so when i got bored of drawing, i decided to go over to her and do embroidery. and i really liked it, so instead of sitting with the art club, id go to the emroidery lady.

and she was super religious and would always tell us stories about god. and i found it super annoying and in my head i was like "oof granny is loosing her mind". i specifically remember her telling us about the tower of babel and i sat there like "damn, she is so delusional". but i liked embroidery, so i stayed and didn't say anything.

and turned out, she was there illegally! she was this like orthodox missionary who snuck onto school properties to convert the kids. it was a huge scandal. so yeah, that incident made me even more prejudiced towards religious people. that and also the fact that my favourite book growing up was дорога уходит в даль, which is basically communist propaganda lol.

so yeah, it's strange. because whenever id go inside an orthodox church everything would feel so familiar and yet so foreign. i never felt like i belonged there and plus, as you said, no one ever explains to you like what to do or welcomes you in any way. like i don't want to sound entitled and im not saying that im owed anything, and maybe, hey, it's my own prejudice. but the only thing people tell you there is "we won't let you in dressed like that". and growing up it made me even more hostile. like i remember we went to visit a monastry in montenegro once and it was like 35 degrees outside and i was 12 and i was wearing shorts obviously. and like 3 people came up to me to tell me that im not allowed in. and i never got an explanation as to why. i mean yeah, modesty, whatever. but instead of being so judgemental towards a child, an explanation would be nice..? idk, that really put me off religion.

but then, here's the thing. when i was 14 i was being neurodivergent as usual and i got hyperfixated on religion. idk where that came from. but i told myself that i would research a new religion every week. so id borrow a bunch of books at the library evry week and i kept a journal detailing all my findings. i went to the lutheran church, i even found a hindu centre here and scheduled an appointment and borrowed one of their scriptures. like idk what was going on in my 14 year old brain but i was fearless and i would like show up to all these religious centres with my little notebook. and id even interview people... likeee.

anyway, one week i was researching orthodoxy. so again, i showed up to the orthodox church here, absolutely fearless, no headscarf, wearing my desigual jeans. and i went straight to the choir and asked if i could sing with them. i have no classical training in music btw, i know how to sing but like as a hobby, i know little to no theory. and, again, i don't know where this audacity came from, but i went straight up to the choir director and was like "im singing with y'all bitches". so i started going every sunday to sing, but id never stay until the end bc id get bored. and then i stopped all together after like maybe a year.

and again, i have no logical explanation as to why. i was just hyperfixated and decided that the church choir was my new thing. and i didn't make any friends there bc i was still prejudiced against religious people. i wouldn't pray, i didn't respect the dresscode. id just show up, not say hello to anyone, sing for like 30 minutes and leave. 💀💀 at that age i constantly felt like i was in some sort of bubble, like id always be half dissociating, id do things not understanding how or why, things would just happen, it was weird.

fast forward to this year, i went to church for easter with one of my friends just like to hang out. and i heard the choir for the first time in almost 10 years and fell in love again. i couldn't remember any of the hymns (probably because when i was 14 i was just so dissociated). but i was like i have to join again!

except now im more aware of my own surroundings and im more normal. so i didn't really know how to approach things. but i was like you know what, if 14 year old me could just show up and not explain anything to anyone, so can 24 year old me.

so the week after easter i came up to the choir director and asked if i could sing and she asked me if i was classically trained and i was like "oops no, but i sang with you guys 10 years ago". and then she asked me why i had stopped and i was a bit at a loss for words bc like idk why i stopped. and then i asked her what brought her here and she gestured at the ceiling. and that was our conversation.

and the thing is, now that im more aware and awake, singing there is even more fun. because i haven't read sheet music in 10 years. i didn't know i was capable of reading music. but i am! and it's this weird almost like spiritual feeling. because i look at the notes and even if ive never seen that particular hymn before, i know exactly what to sing. and my hand moves up and down and i nod to the rhythm. i don't know how, i don't know why i know all of these things, but i do. and it amazes me every time. like i look at something ive never seen before, but i can read it. idk how to explain this feeling. like imagine all of a sudden being able to read a foreign alphabet and you don't even know how you read it, you just do. it feels magical.

but yeah, i totally get what you say about churchgoers being mean. i always feel like an outsider or imposter in literally any social setting, so feeling like an alien at church isn't something that scares me. and i haven't talked to anyone there or made any friends. but just from the looks of it and the way people push and shove each other there like i can tell that i probably won't get along with any of them unfortunately. and there's always people shoving when queuing up for eucharist and there's always passive aggressiveness and everyone is always on edge. even in the choir like i rarely get the music sheets handed to me for some reason. like when they're distributed they often skip me and i don't understand why. it makes me feel like more of an impostor but tbh nowadays im so chill when it comes to self esteem i literally do not care. it's just annoying bc unless i literally grab the sheet out of the person's hand, i always have to look at someone else's. but yeah, little things like that give me the impression that the majority of people who go there are kind of mean.

and what you said about people all knowing each other is very true too. because literally everyone is always in their little groups. and if you're not childhood friends with someone, you can't make friends. again im neurodivergent so i just like struggle with making friends in general. but making friends at our church seems impossible. people are always huddling together and whispering and i just know i won't fit in. because at some point in their little conversations they always point at the ceiling and i just don't know enough about god or the church to be able to fit in with these sort of conversations, you know?

but anyway, as i said, i love going to church nevertheless. singing there makes me euphoric. i love the aesthetics, i love the drama. i love the over-the-top-ness of like people falling to their knees and crying and the priest talking about the devil. it's so cinematic, im obsessed. and if i don't "belong" there or if i don't have the right relationship with the church, so be it. i think it's better to look forward to church every week and to truly enjoy it, than to be mean and go there to ask for forgiveness 👀

@atomicanechka

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024

october 12_october 26

St MARTIN THE MERCIFUL, BISHOP OF TOURS (France_397)

Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.

At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.

Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. Saint Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.

He traveled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Martin an exorcist. After several years of the ascetic life, Saint Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, Saint Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels, and had visions of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.

After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast) at Tours. During the Middle Ages, many Western churches were dedicated to Saint Martin, including Saint Martin’s in Canterbury, and Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of Saint Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution, together with the relics of Saint Martin and Saint Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of Saint Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of Saint Gregory’s relics.

Saint Martin’s name appears on many Greek and Russian calendars. His commemoration on October 12 in the Russian calendar seems to be an error since ancient sources give the November date.

VENERABLE SYMEON, THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (1021)

Saint Simeon the New Theologian was born in 949 in Galatea (Paphlagonia) and educated at Constantinople. His father prepared him for a career in court, and the youth occupied a high position in the imperial court for a while. When he was fourteen, he met the renowned Elder Simeon the Pious at the Studion Monastery, who would majorly influence his spiritual development. He remained in the world for several years, preparing himself for the monastic life under the Elder’s guidance, and finally entered the monastery at the age of 27.

Saint Simeon the Pious recommended to the young man the writings of Saint Mark the Ascetic (March 5) and other spiritual writers. He read these books attentively and tried to put into practice what he read. Three points made by Saint Mark in his work “On the Spiritual Law” (see Vol. I of the English Philokalia) particularly impressed him. First, you should listen to your conscience and do what it tells you if you wish your soul to be healed (Philokalia, p. 115). Second, only by fulfilling the commandments can one obtain the activity of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, one who prays only with the body and without spiritual knowledge is like the blind man who cried out, “Son of David, have mercy upon me” (Luke 18:38) (Philokalia, p. 111). When the blind man received his sight, however, he called Christ the Son of God (John 9:38).

Saint Simeon was wounded with a love for spiritual beauty, and tried to acquire it. In addition to the Rule given him by his Elder, his conscience told him to add a few more Psalms and prostrations, and to repeat constantly, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me.” Naturally, he heeded his conscience.

During the day, he cared for the needs of people living in the palace of Patricius. At night, his prayers grew longer and he remained praying until midnight. Once, as he was praying in this way, a most brilliant divine radiance descended upon him and filled the room. He saw nothing but light all around him, and he was not even aware of the ground beneath his feet.

It seemed to him that he himself became light. Then his mind rose upward to the heavens, and he saw a second light brighter than the light which surrounded him. Then, on the edge of this second light, he seemed to see Saint Simeon the Pious, who had given him Saint Mark the Ascetic to read.

Seven years after this vision, Saint Simeon entered the monastery. There he increased his fasting and vigilance, and learned to renounce his own will.

The Enemy of our salvation stirred up the brethren of the monastery against Saint Simeon, who was indifferent to the praises or reproaches of others. Because of the increased discontent in the monastery, Saint Simeon was sent to the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople.

There he was tonsured into the monastic schema, and increased his spiritual struggles. He attained to a high spiritual level, and increased his knowledge of spiritual things through reading the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, as well as in conversation with holy Elders.

Around the year 980, Saint Simeon was made igumen of the monastery of Saint Mamas and continued in this office for twenty-five years. He repaired and restored the monastery, which had suffered from neglect, and also brought order to the life of the monks.

The strict monastic discipline, for which Saint Simeon strove, led to great dissatisfaction among the brethren. Once, after Liturgy, some of the monks attacked him and nearly killed him. When the Patriarch of Constantinople expelled them from the monastery and wanted to hand them over to the civil authorities, Saint Simeon asked that they be treated with leniency and be permitted to live in the world.

About the year 1005, Saint Simeon resigned his position as igumen in favor of Arsenius, while he himself settled near the monastery in peace. There he composed his theological works, portions of which appear in the Philokalia.

The chief theme of his works is the hidden activity of spiritual perfection, and the struggle against the passions and sinful thoughts. He wrote instructions for monks: “Theological and Practical Chapters,” “A Treatise on the Three Methods of Prayer,” (in Vol. IV of the English Philokalia) and “A Treatise on Faith.” Moreover, Saint Simeon was an outstanding church poet. He also wrote “Hymns of Divine Love,” about seventy poems filled with profound prayerful meditations.

The sublime teachings of Saint Simeon about the mysteries of mental prayer and spiritual struggle have earned him the title “the New Theologian.” These teachings were not the invention of Saint Simeon, but they had merely been forgotten over time.

Some of these teachings seemed unacceptable and strange to his contemporaries. This led to conflict with Constantinople’s church authorities, and Saint Simeon was banished from the city. He withdrew across the Bosphorus and settled in the ancient monastery of Saint Makrina.

The saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1021. During his life he received the gift of working miracles. Numerous miracles also took place after his death; one of them was the miraculous discovery of his icon.

His Life was written by his cell-attendant and disciple, Saint Nicetas Stethatos.

Since March 12 falls during Great Lent, Saint Simeon’s Feast is transferred to October 12.

Ephesians 6:18-24

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ sincerely. Amen.

Luke 9:12-18

12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." 13 But He told them, "You give them something to eat." And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish unless we go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty." 15 And they did so and made them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were filled, and they took twelve baskets of the leftover fragments. 18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him,

[collecosplay]

All Hallow's Eve LARP by L'Chaim Games - Meiserich (my ghost OC, yes he was shot in the face)

aka "Ghost Ball! Ghost Ball!", London, 02.12.23

Photos by Astora Photography on FB

My jester took so long to make because I took inspiration from Diana Wynne Jones' 'Howl's Moving Castle' where Sophie cuts up Howl's suit into triangles and then sews it back together, so Meiserich's outer layer is all triangles.

I wanted to make Meiserich out of scraps from previous projects, so virtually all of the cost of the outfit is the time that went into it. I worked on him for six months in virtually any free minute I could find the energy for. But it was worth it.

It's not 100% historically accurate, but this outfit was designed to double as a cosplay for the Fool from Robin Hobb's 'Assassin's Apprentice' and the rest of the Farseer Trilogy. (I still have to read the other books! No spoilers please though I have seen some sneak peeks thanks to fanart <3)

More about Meiserich as a character under the cut!

Meiserich (anglicised pronunciation: My-Zer-Rick) is a colloquial German name for galium odoratum, sweet woodruff. It's a flavour you can get commonly in German desserts and schnapps (Waldmeister), but I've never come across the flavour in the UK.

Meiserich is a jester from the early 1400's and lived in a part of the Holy Roman Empire that is now Germany, namely within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Münster. At the court of Droste zur Aa Meiserich had a close relationship with Lady Klara of the keep. In 1412 this court took part in a knights' jousting tournament in Buda where the future Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund was also in attendance. Whilst there, through social occasions, Lady Klara found out and obtained evidence that Sigismund was the one who poisoned the previous King of Germany, Jobst of Moravia. She confided in Meiserich what had happened.

It comes to light that Lady Klara knows too much, so Sigismund sends soldiers to Münster to besiege the keep. Meiserich encourages his Lady to run and hide with the evidence of the poisoning. As a jester it was also Meiserich's job to act as a messenger and diplomat at times. However, the siege negotiations failed, he was shot dead with an early arquebus design and the castle was fired upon with trebuchets. Lady Klara initially survived in the rubble in an airpocket but ultimately suffocated.

Meiserich usually haunts the ruins of the castle keep he used to live in. It is now a tourist destination and he likes to tease the tourists. He also eavesdrops and through them and the keep staff learns of other things going on in the world. He has not forgotten about Lady Klara and wants to reveal the truth she uncovered to the world.

Please note: The poisoning plot is fictional, Sigismund doing this is something I made up based on some Wikipedia reading I did.

His wish to have fulfilled at the LARP was to have the keep in Münster renovated and restored, revealing the buried corpse of Lady Klara. In her hand are a vial of poison and a letter proving Sigismund was the one who poisoned the previous king of Germany, Jobst of Moravia. It will be a joy for the historians and great to hear the tour guides at the keep bring this up in perpetuity.

And he got his wish fulfilled at the game! I'm so happy. Monsieur Roc Flamboyant (a French noble, 1600's) was touched enough by Meiserich's story and devotion to Lady Klara that he made the wish for Meiserich. I could not have asked for a better end to this game.

Shout out to the podcasts that helped me put together Meiserich as a character:

Gone Medieval by History Hit

We're Not So Different - esp. episode "Medieval Fail Sons: Wenceslas IV & Sigismund"

Weird Medieval Guys - esp. episode "Sieging for Dummies"

The Court Jester by Kleio Pethainou

I'm glad I picked the early 1400's for Meiserich's death, this is still before the Western printing press, Columbus sailing off to the detriment of many, the fall of Constantinople, and the big witch hunting craze, so he died in a bygone world on the cusp of the Early Modern Period.

If I could give him one power like in BBC Ghosts, I'd say that the two bells on his hat are audible to the living.

[brookston]

Holidays 10.23

Holidays

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Aviator’s Day (Brazil)

A Better Way with AI Day

Broken Diamond (Elder Scrolls)

Celery Day (French Republic)

Chinese American Day (California)

Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day; Thailand)

Claire & Henry’s Wedding Day (Time Traveler’s Wife)

Disabled Ace Day

Doctor’s Day (Mexico)

Event Organizers Day

Fallout Day

Frost Descends (Chinese Farmer’s Calendar)

Global Day of Action for Child Survival

Heavs and Earth Creation Day (Ussher)

Hoar-Frost Falls (China)

International GNSS Day

International Museum Meme Day

International Print Day

International PTEN Awareness Day

International Snow Leopard Day

International XLH Day

iPod Day

Kabuki Syndrome Awareness Day

Liberation Day (Libya)

Lock Your Meds Day

Lung Health Day

Medical Assistants Recognition Day

Mole Day (Chemists)

National Aviation Day (Mexico)

National Bioenergy Day

National Boys Dance Day (UK)

National Croc Day

National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV

National Horror Movie Day

National Maine Sanctuary Day

National Mole Day

National One United Race Day

National Slap Your Irritating Co-Worker Day

Nemzeti ünnep (Hungary)

Operation Safe Stop Day

Paralegal Day

Paris Peace Agreement Day (Cambodia)

Peniamina Gospel Day (Niue)

Swallows Leave Capistrano Day

Timber Innovation Day

TV Talk Show Host Day

Ueno Tenjin Matsuri (Parade of Demons; Japan)

Unity Day

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

World Edible Insect Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Boston Cream Pie Day

Canning Day (a.k.a. Canned Food Day)

Spam Jam (Hawaii)

World Mozzarella Day

Independence & Related Days

Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle (Macedonia)

Neeburm (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Republic Day (Hungary)

Woodland Patchwork (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

4th Wednesday in October

E-Waste Wednesday (Canada) [4th Wednesday]

Heat Pump Water Heater Day [4th Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Print Day [4th Wednesday]

Lung Health Day [4th Wednesday]

Purple Wednesday [Wednesday of Last Full Week]

Sustainability Day [4th Wednesday]

Universal Children's Day (Australia) [4th Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weird Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Whatever Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 23 (3rd Full Week of October)

Global Health Equity Day (thru 10.27)

National Red Ribbon Week (thru 10.31) [Last 9 Days]

Festivals Beginning October 23, 2024

Colisium International Music Forum (Kazan, Russia) [thru 10.24]

Golden Leaves Con (Hasliberg, Switzerland) [thru 10.27]

National FFA Convention & Expo (Indianapolis, Indiana) [thru 10.26]

National Pasta Association Annual Meetng & the World Pasta Congress (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.25]

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival (Sycamore, Illinois) [thru 10.27]

Feast Days

Allucio of Campugliano (Christian; Saint)

Amon of Toul (Diocese of Toul; Christian; Saint)

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (Christian; Saint)

Aravind Adiga (Writerism)

Beginning of Scorpio (Astrology; Pagan)

Bobby London Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Bob Montana (Artology)

Christmas (a.k.a. Feast of Señor Noemi, the Child Jesus; Apostolic Catholic Church)

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer (Christian)

Festival of Forgotten Gods

The Finding of the King Jubilation (Shamanism)

Fontenelle (Positivist; Saint)

Giovanni da Capistrano (Christian; Saint)

Ignatios of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Island Heads (Muppetism)

James the Just (a.k.a. James, brother of Jesus; Lutheran, Episcopal Church (USA), Eastern Orthodox)

Jean-Louis Forain (Artology)

John Capistran (Christian; Saint)

Joséphine Leroux (Christian; Saint)

Juan Luna (Artology)

Lawren Harris (Artology)

Maggi Hambling (Artology)

Matthew Quick (Writerism)

Michael Crichton (Writerism)

Navami [9th Day of Dashain]

Peter Pascual (Christian; Saint)

Richard Mortensen (Artology)

Romain (a.k.a. Romanus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Scorpio begins (Astrology; Pagan)

Servandus and Cermanus (Christian; Saint)

Severin of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Strip for Your Lover Day (Pastafarian)

Surin (Christian; Saint)

Theodoret (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays

Feast of the Ingathering [21 Tishrei] (a.k.a. ... 

Feast of the Tabernacles (Christian)

Festival of Shelters (Christian)

Harvest Home (UK)

Kirn (Scotland)

Mell-Supper (Northern England)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Almost Blue, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1981)

Arches and Planes or The Old Chisel ‘Em Trail (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 172; 1962)

Auntie Edna (Pixar Cartoon; 2018)

Baba O’Riley, by The Who (Song; 1971)

The Big Countdown or Tally in Our Alley (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 171; 1962)

Big Hero 6 (Animated Disney Film; 2014)

The Black Parade, by My Chemical Romance (Album; 2006)

Chili Corn Corny (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

A Creep at the Switch or Sudden Pacific (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 66; 1960)

Dictionary of the Khazars, by Milorad Pavić (Novel, English Translation; 1989)

Dumbo (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

The Dumbconscious Mind (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

Elizabeth (Film; 1998)

The Flying Sorcerers, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 27 & 28 1965)

Hello, by Adele (Song; 2015)

Hold the Wire (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

I, Claudius, by Robert Graves (Novel; 1934)

I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor (Song; 1978)

The Last Hurrah (Film; 1958)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1998)

Live a Little, Love a Little (Film; 1968) [Elvis Presley #28]

The Magnificent Seven (Film; 1960)

My Neighbor Totoro (Anime Film; 2005

On the Waterfront, by Budd Schulberg (Novel; 1955)

Orgazmo (Film; 1998)

The Picnic (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Pink Sphinx (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

Pleasantville (Film; 1998)

The Queen’s Gambit (TV Mini-Series; 2020)

Rehab, by Amy Winehouse (Song; 2006)

Reservoir Dogs (Film; 1992)

Rock the Casbah (Film; 2015)

Rugged Bear (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by Saul D. Alinsky (Philosophy Book; 1971)

$7.50 Once a Week (Money Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1995)

Sourdough Squirrel or Hardrock Rocky (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 65; 1960)

The Spider and the Fly (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1931)

The Stork’s Holiday (MGM Cartoon; 1943)

The Times They Are-A-Changin’, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1963)

Treasure of the Temple (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #6; 1964)

Trespass, by Genesis (Album; 1970)

Today’s Name Days

Johannes, Oda, Severin, Uta (Austria)

Borislav, Ivan, Severin, Teodor (Croatia)

Teodor (Czech Republic)

Søren (Denmark)

Leevi, Liivi, Liivia, Liivika (Estonia)

Severi (Finland)

Jean, Simon (France)

Johannes, Severin, Uta (Germany)

Iakovos, Jacob (Greece)

Gyöngyi (Hungary)

Giovanni (Italy)

Daina, Dainis, Severins (Latvia)

Odilija, Ramvydė, Sanginas (Lithuania)

Severin, Sørene (Norway)

Iga, Ignacja, Ignacy, Jan, Marlena, Odilla, Roman, Seweryn, Teodor, Włościsław, ��egota (Poland)

Iacob (Romania)

Alojzia (Slovakia)

Juan (Spain)

Severin, Sören (Sweden)

Fifi, Josefina, Josepha, Josephina, Josephine, Josie, Pepita (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 297 of 2024; 69 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 19 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 27 Orange; Sixthday [27 of 30]

Julian: 10 October 2024

Moon: 57%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Descartes (11th Month) [Herder / Vico]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 32 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 1 of 30)

[beardedmrbean]

The first black female deacon in the Church of England (CoE) has lost an appeal over the decision to dissolve her south London parish.

Reverend Yvonne Clarke was ordained as a deacon in 1987 and had served All Saints Shirley church in Croydon for more than 20 years.

The parish - All Saints Spring Park - is to be divided between two others in the area under cost-cutting plans.

Mrs Clarke and her parish challenged the decision earlier this year, claiming it "disproportionately affected Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) parishioners relative to white people", but a committee of the Privy Council has dismissed the appeal.

The parish is part of the Southwark Diocese, which in 2021 approved plans to dissolve the parish because of "ongoing concerns about the financial viability and capacity for governance".

At the appeal earlier this year, the KC for Mrs Clarke and the parishioners told the committee that All Saints Shirley congregation was predominantly BAME and that having a black leader was important to them.

The parish has historically had a large proportion of African Caribbean residents and since 2000 has diversified further, now containing a wide mix of migrants, according to Mrs Clarke.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which hears appeals on some church issues, said it was "satisfied that the decision to make the scheme did not involve unlawful discrimination or any failure to take into account the needs of minority ethnic communities".

It ruled that church commissioners did not have to abide by the Equalities Act as they were not a public body.

Giving the committee's unanimous decision, Lord Hodge said the committee did not have the power to hear the appeal, and that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council would only intervene "in relatively limited circumstances".

'Ground-breaking contribution'

Mrs Clarke now has 12 months to leave her parish, at which time her role will be abolished.

“Naturally, I am disappointed with this judgement, which will result in the dissolution of a unique, black-led parish and the termination of my role as one of the few black vicars of Jamaican heritage in the Church of England," she said, following the ruling.

“The 10-strong All Saints Spring Park Parochial Church Council is made up of 80% black congregants and provides important leadership in an area of high minority ethnic population.

"Along with its members, I am very upset that this important body within the Church of England is being dissolved," she added.

A spokesperson for the CoE said the judgment meant the proposed reorganisation could go ahead.

"The church commissioners recognise this will come as a disappointment to the Reverend Yvonne Clarke and wish to acknowledge her ground-breaking contribution as the first black woman ordained as a deacon in the Church of England, and one of the first female priests."

[anastpaul]

Saint of the Day – 28 June – St John Southworth (1592-1654) Priest Martyr, 'The Parish Priest of Westminster'

Saint of the Day – 28 June –Saint John Southworth (1592-1654) Priest Martyr, Missionary. Known as ‘The Parish Priest of Westminster.’ Born in 1592 at Samlesbury, Lancashire, England and died by being hanged, drawn and quartered on 28 June 1654 at Tyburn Tree, London, England. Patronage – the Clergy of the Westminster Diocese. His remains were purchased by the Spanish Ambassador to England and…

[nordleuchten]

Are there any instences Adrienne got mad upset at Gilbert or a situation where they had very different opinions? (Or the other way around)

They got along well and loved each other but they were two individuals with differing values, so I was just wondering whether there were some information about such things.

Dear Anon,

You are absolutely right. Even in the most loving relationships there are times of disagreement and friction and Adrienne and La Fayette were certainly no exception to this rule. They both generally seemed to agree on most subjects and could tolerate each other’s opinion when their ideas and values differed. The La Fayette’s would never quarrel in public or cause some sort of dramatic scene – disagreements were discussed in private, and it is therefore sometimes harder to say where they agreed, disagreed or simply put up a good front. Right now, I can think of one memorable incident where Adrienne very prominently did not go along with La Fayette’s wishes.

The clergy in revolutionary France was ordered to swear the Oath of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (January 3, 1791) - some clergymen took the oath, some refused to and some even fled the country. Adrienne was absolutely against the idea that a priest should swear this civic oath - and she was quite open about this. The Archbishop of Paris, Antoine-Elénore-Léon Le Clerc de Juigné, who had sworn the civic oath as well, left France in 1790 because he became alarmed by the turn the Revolution had taken. In his place Jean-Baptiste-Joseph-Gobel became Archbishop of Paris. Now, Gobel was never recognized by the pope, he was described by some of his contemporaries as an atheist and he was opposed to some of the pillars of the roman-catholic believe - in short, he was no one with whom devout Adrienne would ever get along. Here is what Adrienne’s daughter Virginie wrote in her book:

My father often received constitutional clergymen at dinner. On those occasions, my mother would express before them her attachment to the cause of the former bishops. She would discuss her opinion with those whose personal character she esteemed, and in these conversations she manifested such enlightened views, gave proofs of so much sincerity, and was, at the same time, so careful of offending, that no one could be wounded by the expression of her feelings. Independently of their conduct or opinions, all were received by her according to my father’s wishes, without her own consideration being diminished, because she preserved on every subject the liberty of expressing her way of thinking. Once only did she depart from the rule she had laid down for herself, that of receiving all sorts of persons equally well; it was the day when the bishop of Paris, after his instalment, came to dine at my father’s. He did not, like his colleagues, come as a private individual and she declined receiving him as bishop of the diocese. Accordingly, she dined out that day, although her doing so was much remarked.

Mme de Lasteyrie, Life of Madame de Lafayette, L. Techener, London, 1872, pp. 194-195.

Now, we do not know what La Fayette’s reaction was. He was himself not the greatest fan of Gobel and he knew full well that religion was one of the very few aspects where Adrienne would never compromise – not even for him. And Adrienne would continue to disobey new laws and practices - if she felt they were restricting her religion.

While I have no written evidence for it, I strongly suspect that money was at times also a matter of dispute between the two of them because La Fayette’s management of money was often less than ideal.

Lastly, I could think of some subjects that bothered one of them or was a cause of anxiety but that they nevertheless would not change about the other person because that was simply who they were.

I hope that helped and I hope you have/had a fantastic day!

[silvestromedia]

SAINTS JANUARY 20

St. Alban Bartholomew Roe, 1642 A.D. Missionary and martyr, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Alban is believed to have been born in Bury St. Edmund's, England, about 1580. He converted to Catholicism and went to the English College at Douai, where he was dismissed for an infraction of discipline. In 1612 he became ordained Benedictine at Dieulouard, France. From there he was sent to England. In 1615 he was arrested and banished. In 1618 he returned to England and was imprisoned again. This imprisonment lasted until 1623, when the Spanish ambassador obtained his release. In 1625, once again having returned to England to care for Catholics, Alban was arrested for the last time. For seventeen years he remained in prison and was then tried and condemned. Alban was sentenced with Thomas Reynolds, another English martyr. They were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on January 21, 1642.

Bl. Thomas Reynolds, 1642 A.D. English martyr. Born Thomas Green at Oxford, he left England and studied at Reims, France, and at Valladolid and Seville in Spain. Ordained in 1592, he went to England but was exiled in 1606. Thomas returned and labored for the faith until his arrest in 1628. He spent fourteen years in prison until he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, with Blessed Alban Bartholomew Roe. Thomas was eighty at the time.

Bl. Edward Stransham, 1586 A.D. English martyr born and educated at Oxford, England. Studying at Douai and Reims, France, Edward was ordained in 1580 and was sent back to England in 1581. He worked in London and Oxford until his arrest. Condemned, Edward was martyred at Tyburn. He was beatified in 1929.

ST. SEBASTIAN, MARTYR, St. Sebastian was commonly invoked as a protector against the plague. According to historical records, he defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague could be because he survived being shot full of arrows and in pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above. Jan. 20

POPE ST FABIAN, MARTYR. Fabian was Pope for 14 years. He maintained relations with Eastern Christians, and divided Rome into seven diaconates for the assistance of the poor. Pope Fabian was imprisoned during the Decian persecution and died in 250. He is buried in the catacombs of St Callixtus, and is honoured as a martyr. Jan. 20

St. Brigid, 6th century. Known as St. Brigid of Kilbride, venerated in the diocese of Lismore. St. Brigid of Kildare, one of the patrons of Ireland, visited Kilbride. This Brigid is also known as Briga.

St. Vimin, 6th century. Scottish bishop, supposedly the founder of the monastery of Holywood. In some lists he is called Wynnia or Gwynnin.

St. Lawdog, 6th century. Saint of Wales who has four churches commemorating his memory in the diocese of St. David’s, Wales.

Bl. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Igbo Nigerian ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria on December 19, 1937. Feastday Jan 20

[scotianostra]

On 31st May 1596 John Leslie, the Scottish Roman Catholic cleric and historian died.

Leslie was educated first at Aberdeen University, and afterwards in France, studying at Poitiers, Toulouse, and Paris, and graduating as doctor of laws. Returning home, he became professor of canon law at Aberdeen, was ordained in 1558, and appointed official of the diocese of Oyne in Aberdeenshire.

By 1560 he was named by the Lords of the Congregation to discuss points of faith at Edinburgh against Knox and Willock. In the following year he went to France to bring to Scotland the young Queen Mary, with whom he was associated during the years which followed. In 1565 she made him a member of her privy council, and in the same year, on the death of Henry Sinclair, he was nominated Bishop of Ross.

He also held the office of judge, or lord of session, and was coeditor of the “Actis and Constitutiounis of the Realme of Scotland from the Reigne of James I”, the work of a commission appointed by the queen, at his’ suggestion, to revise and publish the laws of the kingdom.

On Mary’s escape from Lochleven in 1568, she was joined by Leslie, who never wavered in his loyalty ; and he was her principal commissioner at the abortive conference with Queen Elizabeth’s commissioners at York. For favouring the project of Mary’s marriage with the Duke of Norfolk, he was imprisoned by Elizabeth, first at Ely, and then in the Tower of London. During his absence from Scotland he was deprived of the revenues of his bishopric and was reduced to great poverty. He continued to plead for Mary in letters addressed to the Pope.

During his confinement he collected materials for his history of Scotland, by which his name is now chiefly known. In 1571 he presented the latter portion of this work, written in Scots, to Queen Mary to amuse her in her captivity

He was set free in 1573, but banished from the country, he visited various European courts to plead the cause of his queen, and finally went to Rome. The Archbishop of Rouen appointed him his vicar-general in 1579. James VI restored the bishop, his mother’s lifelong friend and champion, to his former dignities, but he never returned to Scotland.

[kevlo75]

St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in London and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The #cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade I listed building. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. The present structure, dating from the late 17th century, was designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. Its construction, completed in Wren's lifetime, was part of a major rebuilding programme in the city after the Great Fire of London. The earlier Gothic cathedral (Old St Paul's Cathedral), largely destroyed in the Great Fire, was a central focus for medieval and early modern #london , including Paul's walk and St Paul's Churchyard, being the site of St Paul's Cross. (à Saint Paul's Cathedral) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-uqrWLDg3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[christianpureofficial]

Cardinal calls Catholics in England and Wales to Holy Hour to defeat assisted suicide bill

Cardinal Vincent Nichols at the Red Mass at Westminster Cathedral, London, England, Oct. 1, 2021. / Credit: Diocese of Westminster via Flickr London, England, Nov 8, 2024 / 15:25 pm (CNA). Catholics across England and Wales are urged to unite in prayer the evening of Nov. 13 following a plea from their cardinal to oppose the proposal to legalize assisted suicide. In a video message released…

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.23

Holidays

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Aviator’s Day (Brazil)

A Better Way with AI Day

Broken Diamond (Elder Scrolls)

Celery Day (French Republic)

Chinese American Day (California)

Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day; Thailand)

Claire & Henry’s Wedding Day (Time Traveler’s Wife)

Disabled Ace Day

Doctor’s Day (Mexico)

Event Organizers Day

Fallout Day

Frost Descends (Chinese Farmer’s Calendar)

Global Day of Action for Child Survival

Heavs and Earth Creation Day (Ussher)

Hoar-Frost Falls (China)

International GNSS Day

International Museum Meme Day

International Print Day

International PTEN Awareness Day

International Snow Leopard Day

International XLH Day

iPod Day

Kabuki Syndrome Awareness Day

Liberation Day (Libya)

Lock Your Meds Day

Lung Health Day

Medical Assistants Recognition Day

Mole Day (Chemists)

National Aviation Day (Mexico)

National Bioenergy Day

National Boys Dance Day (UK)

National Croc Day

National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV

National Horror Movie Day

National Maine Sanctuary Day

National Mole Day

National One United Race Day

National Slap Your Irritating Co-Worker Day

Nemzeti ünnep (Hungary)

Operation Safe Stop Day

Paralegal Day

Paris Peace Agreement Day (Cambodia)

Peniamina Gospel Day (Niue)

Swallows Leave Capistrano Day

Timber Innovation Day

TV Talk Show Host Day

Ueno Tenjin Matsuri (Parade of Demons; Japan)

Unity Day

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

World Edible Insect Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Boston Cream Pie Day

Canning Day (a.k.a. Canned Food Day)

Spam Jam (Hawaii)

World Mozzarella Day

Independence & Related Days

Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle (Macedonia)

Neeburm (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Republic Day (Hungary)

Woodland Patchwork (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

4th Wednesday in October

E-Waste Wednesday (Canada) [4th Wednesday]

Heat Pump Water Heater Day [4th Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Print Day [4th Wednesday]

Lung Health Day [4th Wednesday]

Purple Wednesday [Wednesday of Last Full Week]

Sustainability Day [4th Wednesday]

Universal Children's Day (Australia) [4th Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weird Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Whatever Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 23 (3rd Full Week of October)

Global Health Equity Day (thru 10.27)

National Red Ribbon Week (thru 10.31) [Last 9 Days]

Festivals Beginning October 23, 2024

Colisium International Music Forum (Kazan, Russia) [thru 10.24]

Golden Leaves Con (Hasliberg, Switzerland) [thru 10.27]

National FFA Convention & Expo (Indianapolis, Indiana) [thru 10.26]

National Pasta Association Annual Meetng & the World Pasta Congress (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.25]

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival (Sycamore, Illinois) [thru 10.27]

Feast Days

Allucio of Campugliano (Christian; Saint)

Amon of Toul (Diocese of Toul; Christian; Saint)

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (Christian; Saint)

Aravind Adiga (Writerism)

Beginning of Scorpio (Astrology; Pagan)

Bobby London Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Bob Montana (Artology)

Christmas (a.k.a. Feast of Señor Noemi, the Child Jesus; Apostolic Catholic Church)

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer (Christian)

Festival of Forgotten Gods

The Finding of the King Jubilation (Shamanism)

Fontenelle (Positivist; Saint)

Giovanni da Capistrano (Christian; Saint)

Ignatios of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Island Heads (Muppetism)

James the Just (a.k.a. James, brother of Jesus; Lutheran, Episcopal Church (USA), Eastern Orthodox)

Jean-Louis Forain (Artology)

John Capistran (Christian; Saint)

Joséphine Leroux (Christian; Saint)

Juan Luna (Artology)

Lawren Harris (Artology)

Maggi Hambling (Artology)

Matthew Quick (Writerism)

Michael Crichton (Writerism)

Navami [9th Day of Dashain]

Peter Pascual (Christian; Saint)

Richard Mortensen (Artology)

Romain (a.k.a. Romanus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Scorpio begins (Astrology; Pagan)

Servandus and Cermanus (Christian; Saint)

Severin of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Strip for Your Lover Day (Pastafarian)

Surin (Christian; Saint)

Theodoret (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays

Feast of the Ingathering [21 Tishrei] (a.k.a. ... 

Feast of the Tabernacles (Christian)

Festival of Shelters (Christian)

Harvest Home (UK)

Kirn (Scotland)

Mell-Supper (Northern England)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Almost Blue, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1981)

Arches and Planes or The Old Chisel ‘Em Trail (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 172; 1962)

Auntie Edna (Pixar Cartoon; 2018)

Baba O’Riley, by The Who (Song; 1971)

The Big Countdown or Tally in Our Alley (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 171; 1962)

Big Hero 6 (Animated Disney Film; 2014)

The Black Parade, by My Chemical Romance (Album; 2006)

Chili Corn Corny (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

A Creep at the Switch or Sudden Pacific (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 66; 1960)

Dictionary of the Khazars, by Milorad Pavić (Novel, English Translation; 1989)

Dumbo (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

The Dumbconscious Mind (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

Elizabeth (Film; 1998)

The Flying Sorcerers, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 27 & 28 1965)

Hello, by Adele (Song; 2015)

Hold the Wire (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

I, Claudius, by Robert Graves (Novel; 1934)

I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor (Song; 1978)

The Last Hurrah (Film; 1958)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1998)

Live a Little, Love a Little (Film; 1968) [Elvis Presley #28]

The Magnificent Seven (Film; 1960)

My Neighbor Totoro (Anime Film; 2005

On the Waterfront, by Budd Schulberg (Novel; 1955)

Orgazmo (Film; 1998)

The Picnic (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Pink Sphinx (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

Pleasantville (Film; 1998)

The Queen’s Gambit (TV Mini-Series; 2020)

Rehab, by Amy Winehouse (Song; 2006)

Reservoir Dogs (Film; 1992)

Rock the Casbah (Film; 2015)

Rugged Bear (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by Saul D. Alinsky (Philosophy Book; 1971)

$7.50 Once a Week (Money Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1995)

Sourdough Squirrel or Hardrock Rocky (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 65; 1960)

The Spider and the Fly (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1931)

The Stork’s Holiday (MGM Cartoon; 1943)

The Times They Are-A-Changin’, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1963)

Treasure of the Temple (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #6; 1964)

Trespass, by Genesis (Album; 1970)

Today’s Name Days

Johannes, Oda, Severin, Uta (Austria)

Borislav, Ivan, Severin, Teodor (Croatia)

Teodor (Czech Republic)

Søren (Denmark)

Leevi, Liivi, Liivia, Liivika (Estonia)

Severi (Finland)

Jean, Simon (France)

Johannes, Severin, Uta (Germany)

Iakovos, Jacob (Greece)

Gyöngyi (Hungary)

Giovanni (Italy)

Daina, Dainis, Severins (Latvia)

Odilija, Ramvydė, Sanginas (Lithuania)

Severin, Sørene (Norway)

Iga, Ignacja, Ignacy, Jan, Marlena, Odilla, Roman, Seweryn, Teodor, Włościsław, Żegota (Poland)

Iacob (Romania)

Alojzia (Slovakia)

Juan (Spain)

Severin, Sören (Sweden)

Fifi, Josefina, Josepha, Josephina, Josephine, Josie, Pepita (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 297 of 2024; 69 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 19 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 27 Orange; Sixthday [27 of 30]

Julian: 10 October 2024

Moon: 57%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Descartes (11th Month) [Herder / Vico]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 32 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 1 of 30)

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Thursday, November 24, 2022

november 24_november 11

ST. MARTIN THE MERCIFUL, BISHOP OF TOURS (397)

Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.

At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.

Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. Saint Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.

He traveled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Martin an exorcist. After several years of the ascetic life, Saint Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, Saint Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels, and had visions of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.

After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast) at Tours. During the Middle Ages, many Western churches were dedicated to Saint Martin, including Saint Martin’s in Canterbury, and Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of Saint Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution, together with the relics of Saint Martin and Saint Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of Saint Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of Saint Gregory’s relics.

Saint Martin’s name appears on many Greek and Russian calendars. His commemoration on October 12 in the Russian calendar appears to be an error, since ancient sources give the November date.

THE HOLY GREATMARTYR MENAS (304)

The Holy Great Martyr Menas (Mēnás), an Egyptian by birth, was a military officer and served in the Kotyaeion region of Phrygia under the centurion Firmilian during the reign of Emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). He was praised and admired for his bravery in battle, his patience, and his self-discipline.

In 298, the Emperors published an edict ordering everyone to worship the idols. Those serving in the Legions were ordered to capture and persecute Christians. As soon as Saint Menas heard this impious decree he threw down his soldier’s belt (a sign of military rank) and withdrew to a mountain above Kotyaeion, where he lived an ascetical life of fasting and prayer. He spent a long time in the wilderness, suffering great privation and laboring in feats of prayer, fasting, and nocturnal vigils. Thus, the Saint purified himself of every passion of soul and body.

When his heart was strengthened with godly zeal, and his soul aflame with love for God, divine grace came upon him and he had a vision. He regarded this as a sign that he was to follow the path of martyrdom. Therefore, he left the mountain and went into the city, where the people were celebrating a pagan festival.

At that time, Saint Menas was approximately fifty years old. Standing in the midst of the crowd, he shouted: "There is only one true God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your "gods" are demons, and your idols have been fashioned by craftsmen. These inanimate objects are nothing but metal, wood, and stone."

Those who heard his voice left their dancing and their games and went to see who had disrupted their idolatrous festival, marveling at his boldness. They seized and beat him, then brought him before Pyrrhus, the City Prefect. When he saw Menas he asked him who he was, and why he was creating a disturbance. The Saint replied, "I am an Egyptian, a servant of Jesus Christ, the Ruler of all things. I was a soldier and I served in the Imperial Army for most of my life. But since the Emperor has chosen to follow the path of idolatry, and to persecute Christians, I chose to dwell with the wild animals in the wilderness rather than obey the impious commands of those who do not know God."

When the Prefect heard this he became enraged and had the Saint thrown into prison.

The next morning, Pyrrhus urged Saint Menas to return to the Army, offering to restore his former rank if he would offer sacrifice to the pagan "gods." Menas refused, and so he was subjected to many cruel tortures. The Prefect urged him to submit to the edict and offer sacrifice to the idols, but the Martyr remained firm in his Faith, saying that he would never deny Christ. Pyrrhus ordered further torments, but seeing that he could not persuade Saint Menas, he ordered that he be taken outside the city and beheaded. As he was being led to the place of execution, he asked his friends (who were secret Christians) to take his body back to Egypt for burial when the persecution had ceased. These friends gathered Martyr’s relics at night and hid them until the persecution was over. Later, they were brought to Egypt and placed in a church dedicated to Saint Menas southwest of Alexandria.

Saint Menas received the crown of martyrdom in the year 304. By God's grace he continues to work miracles for those who entreat him with faith and love. He is known for healing various illnesses, delivering people from demonic possession, and is a protector, especially during times of war.

In 1942, General Erwin Rommel had conquered almost all of North Africa, and was heading toward Alexandria. The Nazis had reached El Alamein,1 where they camped for the night, intending to attack Alexandria in the morning. Saint Menas, however, did not allow this to happen. At midnight (October 23-24). certain people noticed Saint Menas coming out of his ancient church leading camels into the German camp. Overcome by panic, weakness, and confusion, Rommel's troops fled. The battle ended on November 4th with the enemy in full retreat. It is regarded as a turning point in the whole war. Later, Winston Churchill said: "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat."

The Allies offered that place to Patriarch Christophoros of Alexandria so that the church of Saint Menas could be rebuilt.

We pray to Saint Menas to ask for his help in finding lost objects and also employment

Source: All texts The Orthodox Church in America_OCA

LUKE 13:1-9 

1There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 'And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

THESSALONIANS 5:1-8 

1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

[william-t-sickofyourshit]

Ultimately, there was no harm done. William was sure father Appletone will just quickly forget about this situation, and his little lie was harmless. They headed out, leaving the church behind, as they went to find a good place to have lunch. Sebastian was still curious though, so they kept chatting about William's time serving at the St Stephen's church as a young priest.

"Oh yes, it was actually quite nice." William nodded. "I was young and all excited and still naive. Full of ideas. I really wanted to make a change." He spoke, bringing back the memories. "But you know how this ended, heh. Honestly, I don't regret a thing. Being sent to St Michael's actually turned out good for me." He sighed. "The London's diocese in general is very closed for new ideas and cultivating the old ways to a fault. But... my time at St Stephen's specifically was not bad at all. I remember it fondly." He smiled a little.

As they walked together and chatted like this, they eventually spotted a little place selling sandwiches, fish and chips, and other take out. It had a few tables inside too, so it wasn't only food-to-go. "How about we eat in here? Smells good, actually." William suggested, the air right outside of the shop smelled deliciously of fresh chips and grilled meat.

For I have sinned...

The principal cleared his throat, eyes scanning the notes that he had wrote down before this meeting. It already lasted an hour, and the teachers gathered in the faculty room were becoming restless and bored. But indeed there were some things to discuss, with the concert that the senior class was supposed to perform at the end of the semester, and with recent staff changes. 

William glanced down at his watch, sighing softly. His class was starting in 15 minutes, so at least, whether the meeting will be done soon or not, he will get to excuse himself. He looked out of the window, his mind wandering. Principal’s voice turned into white noise in the background. It was a pleasant day, late summer. But William was looking forward to a slightly cooler weather. Wearing all black could really be bothersome at times. 

“And lastly, I am pleased to announce that we have finally found replacement for the violin teacher. Dear Mr Tanaka, may he rest in peace, was with us for so many years that I’ve been concerned we won’t be able to find someone as good as to fill this position.” the principal spoke. “But Mr… Michaelis, was highly recommended to me, and he indeed has impressive references. He will be starting this week, so please welcome him warmly once he will arrive. Ah yes… about that. He will arrive today at noon, I need someone to pick him up from the train station and bring over for the tour around the school. Any volunteers?” 

William was barely listening, and definitely not paying much attention. He glanced at his watch again, and saw that it was time to leave, as his class was about to start. He raised his hand to excuse himself, and little did he know, he just volunteered.

“Father William! Excellent!” the principal exclaimed. “Just don’t be late, the train arrives at noon.”

“Train…?” William questioned, raising his brow. He had a feeling he was missing something…

***

Right after the meeting, William had to run for the class, so he had little time to clarify what exactly he had volunteered for. He was a piano teacher in this Music Academy, but also he served as a priest in local church. Well respected, and rather liked. So when he later found out it was about the new violin teacher, he didn’t refuse. Who, other than himself, would be a better choice to introduce a newcome to their community?

So even though he raised his hand by accident, he accepted this fate.

After classes, at noon, William took a taxi and drove to the train station, to pick up their new teacher. Wearing black trousers, and a black shirt with a thin tie, was absolutely dreadful in this weather, so William quickly found shelter under the roof of the station platform, that provided some shade.

The train had just arrived. William had no idea how Mr Michaelis looked like, but he figured he will just look for someone carrying a violin case with them. 

He was in for a bit surprise.

@crazyvik97