SSCORRE!

More important than worrying about current politics and global events is …

SSCORRE!
Saint Sophia Cathedral
Online Resources for our Religious Edification

Topic of the WeekMore important than worrying about current politics and global events is …

the beautiful miracle that took place Tuesday [November 3rd] by our holy Geronda Ephraim of blessed memory. One of his photographs began to weep and he appeared to one of his spiritual children.”

“…Tuesday, November 3, the icon of Saint Elder Ephraim Arizona-Philotheitis was crying. 

The icon of Saint Elder Ephraim of Arizona-Philotheitis is in tears.

The elder appeared in the Holy Spirit and “spoke” with much pain and sorrow, saying the following to the image holder:

My children, come to repentance

In prayer.

Call and speak to the Lord

Speak to the Lady of Heaven and Mother of our Lord. 

 

Few people pray and very few come on the path of repentance. 

Very few prayers go up to Heaven. 

The Lord is very sad that the Greeks forgot him and now there are few who call Him, praise Him, love Him and pray.”

 

There has also been a 2nd visitation in Greece to another spiritual child of Elder Ephraim where he imparted the following:
‘Repentance repentance repentance. Christ is very angry…
We people today should not be in this spiritual state we are in…
Huge tribulations are coming, you can not imagine how bad these will be…
Alas to all of you for what awaits you; you must repent as long as there is time…
You need to kneel and cry, to shed tears of repentance, that Christ soften…
This has to do with what is happening in America as well.
Many people will depart through all that is to come, many people will depart (they will die).
You have no mercy among you. You show no mercy to each other.
You are tough towards each other, you stand ready to eat (consume-destroy) each other ….
Tell all of this to your spiritual father and to others ….’
Read about what happened in the 2nd visitation from Elder Ephraim here.
Have our families as Orthodox Christians forgotten about God and Panagia in the midst of all the unsettling worldly happenings? Do we pray and repent (go to confession) or are we too caught up being busy and worrying about things that are going on in the world? Are we sincere and contrite in our prayers that they are actually heard in Heaven or are we just saying the words to get through our prayers quickly but they have no heartfelt meaning (if/when we say them)? Are we being merciful to one another?

Let us make an effort to heed the words of Geronda Ephraim and to call on Godpraise Himlove Him, pray fervently to Him, shed tears of repentance and be merciful to one another. Only God is the Truth and the way for us to eternal life.

As Fr. Peter Heers recently wrote:

  • If we are not in pain for our profoundly fallen condition and the apostasy of our world, we are not alive spiritually. However, all that God allows is a pathway for our salvationIn trials and sorrows we will pass this life unto the harbor of salvation. And, we must not put our trust in “sons of men.” It is a good reminder. Of course, down deep, we have our joy and no one can take it from us… for we are IN CHRIST… but we share the pain of the world and our brethren and on our condition.
  • The children… God will care for if they are His disciples. 
  • This should be your focus. For us to be made ready to give a good confession [before the Judgment Seat]. Remember: this world passeth away, is vain, short… we will leave no matter what, in a short time…

It was suggested by Fr. Noah Bushelli that every Saturday evening we review at least one or several, if not all, of the self-examinations for the commandments here http://ww1.antiochian.org/orthodox-prayers/self-examination-confession.

Reflect in your heart what you have done that week and write it down at that time to confess it later. (We can sit down as a family to read the questions together, with each person writing their own account privately, and the parents helping the little ones who can’t write.)

Remember we should not judge each other, but only judge ourselves for when we accuse others, God accuses us.

________________________________________________________________________________

A Message from Maria Spanos

I am passionate about our Orthodox Christian faith and seek to help others learn as much as they can about it. My purpose here is to share online resources that help strengthen our relationship with Christ and bind us closer to His Church. I believe they are invaluable in learning about our precious Orthodox Tradition, and are a great aid for teaching family members, friends and others about Orthodoxy. ~Maria

Two of my favorite quotes:

“A true Christian behaves in this life so that it may be a preparation for the future one and not only a life here below. In his actions, he does not think what will be said of him here but of what will be said there in heaven; he represents to himself that he is always in the presence of God, of the angels and all the saints, and remembers that someday they will bear witness of his thoughts, words, and deeds.”  — Saint John of Kronstadt

__________________________________________________________

Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.”
— St. Theophan the Recluse