A Peaceful Heart

Each day brings on new challenges regarding the health of our soul. Those moments when a family member or coworker makes a remark that are meant to anger us, are those times we need to guard our hearts. When those around us are gossiping about someone, that is an opportunity for us to keep silent. The driver who’s just cut us off on the freeway; the woman who pushes her way in front of us in the check out line; the neighbor who is rude towards us; all are moments in time when we can take control and grow stronger spiritually.

Trials and temptations, when confronted with a peaceful heart, bring forth healing and make the soul that much stronger and healthier. Reacting does nothing but bring forth paralysis of the soul, binding us to our fallen nature. Receiving all these temptations with a peaceful heart and not reacting to outside negative stimuli, helps strengthen us for the next round of trials and temptations. Little by little, we will find that the Peace of Christ fills our every waking moment, and brings on a joyful spirit and a peaceful heart.

Love in Christ,

Abbot Tryphon

Tuesday September 21, 2021 / September 8, 2021
14^th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
New Martyr Demetrius, priest (1937).
St. Ioane (Maisuradze) (1957) and St. Giorgi-Ioane (Mkheidze), (1960), confessors, of Georgia (Georgia).
New Martyr Alexander Jacobson at Solovki (1930).
Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God (Kiev).
Venerable Icons of the Nativity of Most Holy Mother of God Syamsk (1524), Glinsk (16th C), Lukianovsk (16th C), Isaacovsk (1659), Kholmsk, Kursk “Sign” Icon (1259), Pochaev (1559), Lesninsk, Domnitsk (1696).
Venerable Serapion, monk, of Spaso-Eleazar Monastery (Pskov) (1480).
Venerable Lucian, abbot of Alexandrov (1654).
Venerable Arsenius, abbot of Konevits (1447).
King Ina of Wessex and Queen Ethelburga (8th c.) (Celtic & British).
New Martyr Athanasius of Thessalonica (1774) (Greek).
St. Sophronius of Achtalea in Georgia, bishop (1803) (Greek).
Martyrs Rufus and Rufianus (Greek)
Martyrs Severus and Artemidorus (Greek)
St. Kinemark, disciple of St. Dyfrig.
Translation of the relics of St. Grimald, abbot of Winchester.

The Scripture Readings

Luke 1:39-49, 56 Matins Gospel
Philippians 2:5-11 Theotokos
Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 Theotokos