My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 30th of June, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the
ASSEMBLY OF THE HOLY, GLORIOUS AND ALL-PRAISED HOLY
APOSTLES.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Twelve Apostles. Third Tone
O HOLY APOSTLES, intercede with the Merciful God that He
grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.
Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone
NOW Christ God, the Rock, doth glorify the rock of faith
illustriously, the first of the disciples’ choir, with great Paul
together with all the company of the Twelve today; as we
keep their memory with faith, we glorify Him that glorified
them all.
Although each of the Twelve Holy Apostles has his own Feast Day during the year, the Church has set aside this day (June 3Oth) for a General Feast of all of them together, including Saint Paul. The names and Feast Days of the Twelve are:
Peter — June 29th and January 16th.
Andrew – November 3Oth.
James the Son of Zebedee – April 3Oth.
John the Theologian – September 26th and May 8th.
Philip – November 14th.
Bartholomew — June 11th and August 25th.
Thomas – October 6th.
Matthew the Evangelist – November 16th.
James the Son of Alphaeus – October 9th.
Thaddeus (or Judas the brother of James) – June 19th.
Simon the Zealot – May 10th.
Matthias – August 9th.
Paul – June 29th.
Let us remember here how these Most Holy and selfless men in the history
of the world died and finished their earthly course:
Peter was crucified upside down.
Andrew was crucified.
James was beheaded.
John the Theologian died in a wondrous way.
Philip was crucified.
Bartholomew was crucified, then flayed and beheaded.
Thomas was pierced with five spears.
Matthew was burned by fire.
James the Son of Alphaeus was crucified.
Thaddeus was crucified.
Simon the Zealot was crucified.
Matthias was stoned, then beheaded with an axe when dead.
Paul was beheaded.
FOR CONSIDERATION
Concern for the good of all men. Such concern filled the exalted spirits and noble hearts of the Holy Apostles to overflowing. Saint John Chrysostom wrote about the Holy Apostle Paul, calling him ‘the father of all the world, as if he himself had given birth to all men, for he was so concerned and strove so greatly to bring all into the Kingdom.’ ‘Father of all the world’ is indeed a very high title, and if there is anyone, under God, to whom this title should be given it is the Holy Apostles of Christ. Having the concern of a parent for the whole world, they were truly ‘FATHERS OF ALL THE WORLD.’ There are many mothers in the world who care less for their own children than did the Holy Apostles for the good of their persecutors and adversaries. The Holy Apostle Peter twice saved his most bitter adversary, Simon the Magician, from death; once when the crowd wanted to set fire to him and once when a dog tried to tear him to pieces. Just think of the way that the world paid its debt to these workers of good! As if they were the greatest robbers and evil-doers! How true are Saint Cyprian’s words: “WHILE WE ARE IN THE BODY, WE CHRISTIANS LOOK THE SAME ON THE SURFACE AS PAGANS. THE DIFFERENCE LIES IN THE SPIRIT.” [Resources: The Prologue from Ochrid]
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“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 