Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessaloniki

 The holy Martyr Nestor was very young in age, handsome in appearance, and he was known to the holy Great Martyr Demetrios (October 26), for he had instructed Nestor in the faith.

The Emperor was visiting Thessaloniki, and he built a high platform in the midst of the city so that a gigantic barbarian named Lyaios could wrestle there and be seen by everyone. Beneath the platform, many spears and other sharp weapons were placed pointing upward. When Lyaios defeated his opponents, he threw them down onto the spears and they died. Many Christians were forced to fight Lyaios and were killed. When Nestor saw how Emperor Maximian rejoiced over the victories of his champion, he disdained his pride. Seeing the miracles of Saint Demetrios, however, he took courage and went to the prison where the holy Martyr was confined and fell at his feet.

“Pray for me, O Servant of God Demetrios,” he said, “that by your prayers, God may help me to beat Lyaios, and put an end to him who brings reproach upon the Christians.”

The Saint, after sealing Nestor with the Sign of the Cross, told him that he would prevail over Lyaios, and then suffer for Christ. Nestor mounted the platform without fear and exclaimed: “Help me, O God of Demetrios.” After he defeated Lyaios, he hurled him down onto the spears, where he gave up his wretched soul.

Maximian became enraged and ordered that both Nestor and Demetrios should be put to death. Saint Demetrios was stabbed with spears, and Saint Nestor was beheaded. Thus, by his example, Saint Nestor teaches us that in every human challenge, we must say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.” (Psalm 117/118:6, Hebrews 13:6).

Lord, I do not know what to ask of You.

 Lord, I do not know what to ask of You.

You alone know what I need.

You love me more than I know how to love myself.

My Lord, grant Your servant that which I do not even know how to ask for. I dare not ask You for deliverance from passions, nor for virtues, nor for the enjoyment of grace; I simply stand before You with my heart open to You.

You see the needs that I do not see; look upon me and act according to Your mercy.

Strike and heal, cast down and raise up. I tremble and remain silent before Your holy will and Your judgments concerning me. I offer myself as a sacrifice to You. I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will.

Teach me to pray. Come and pray within me Yourself. Amen…

Saint Philaret of Moscow

We must not cultivate the evil thoughts that the devil sows in us.

 We must not cultivate the evil thoughts that the devil sows in us. Are we supposed to engage in conversation with the devil? You see, when the devil tried to tempt Christ, He said to him: "Get behind Me, Satan!" (Luke 4:8). Since Christ said to the devil, "Go away...", what is there for us to discuss?

Saint Paisios the Athonite

Sin has rendered man so useless, so sick and infirm

 "Sin has rendered man so useless, so sick and infirm, that he is unable to accomplish anything of substance by his own strength.

Adam and Eve used to converse with God—they would ask Him questions, and He would respond; God would call out to them. Yet now, we have reached a point where we cannot even recall the name of God—let alone behold Him.

We have reached a state where we cannot even restrain our own thoughts—our hatred and our malice.

We are held captive by this infirmity; we are trapped within it, like little birds in their cages."

~ Archimandrite Emilianos the Simonopetrite

It was still night, and I was delighting in communion with my Jesus.

 

It was still night, and I was delighting in communion with my Jesus.

The third hour of the day had not yet begun.

Then I thought to myself: “Everything is silent; all things are at rest.”

But suddenly a shudder ran through my body.

I understood that I had been mistaken.

In the stillness, it seemed to me that a thousand times a thousand voices had arisen.

Once again, I thought:

How many souls, restless upon beds of suffering, in their homes or in hospitals, are unable to close their eyes in sleep at this very hour, when I had imagined that all things were growing still?

Who cares for them?

 

Who will go to them tomorrow and tell them, in the language that the sick can understand, that someone loves them and expects something of them?

 

How many parents are keeping a dreadful vigil at this very moment, knowing that in just a few hours the hungry mouths of their children will open, only to remain hungry still?

 

Who is praying for them?

 

How many millions of people sleep this night as though they were dead, and yet, when dawn breaks, will rise as though they were dead still, because no one has yet told them that Someone, for their sake, ascended a Cross, so that they might become children of the Resurrection?

 

Who will carry to them this message of joy, which perhaps they do not expect, yet so desperately need?

 

And finally, how many young people, lost in the darkness of night while I hear nothing, are staggering through brightly illuminated lounges and glittering halls?

 

Who will show them that what they seek is not to be found there?

 

Everything seems to be silent, and yet everything is crying out.

 

Now my ears hear cries, the ears of my soul. Voices of anguish, of expectation, of searching, resound all around me.

 

I hear them.

 

I had almost forgotten them;

 

such a poor, wretched heart am I!

 

I believe that even when these people seem to drive me away, in truth, they are calling me.

 

And I, sent forth by that Father of mine, even as I keep vigil, am asleep.

 

For me He had spoken:

 

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.”

 

 Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra