Islamic Jihadists

One of the kidnapped nuns holding an icon of St. Thekla

Jihadists Plunder the Grave of Saint Thekla

On January 13th, Islamic jihadists plundered the grave of Saint Thekla. According to Father Makarios Gulwma, secretary of the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East for the Catholic Melkites, “The fighters of Al Nousra and Free Sham removed the bells of the churches of historic Maaloula, torched the iconostasis of the Monastery as well and that of the Monastery of Saint Sergius, and plundered the grave of Saint Thekla after digging it up. They burned all the crosses and destroyed them.”

The same witness complains they stole the bronze statue of the enthroned Jesus adorning the Monastery erected by the Orthodox Foundation of Saint Paul of Syria. The statue was sculpted by the famous Russian sculptor Alexandre Rukavhanikov. Fr. Makarios conveyed the indignation of this martyric town: “They stole our most important symbols, even the bells that call us to prayer. Men of Al Nousra burned our homes. They want to extinguish the last vestige of Christianity and void out her existence.”

Saint Thecla’s is the same monastery from which the Orthodox nuns were recently kidnapped by the followers of the “peaceful religion” of Islam.

Once again, I remind my readers that we must pray for the safety and well being of our brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East. These are dangerous times for Christians, but we must remember to pray for and to love our enemies. Imagine how much agony and darkness these lost souls are in that can do such things. May the militants come to repentance and know the love of God and the joy that only Christ can give.

These events make one wonder if we are now witnessing the coming of the Anti-Christ, and perhaps his religion is being revealed, as well.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

New development:

I just received an email from a man by the name of Noah, with the following message:

“Yedona, The image is of Mother Alexandra, holding an icon of St. Theckla at the Antiochian Village in Western PA. I don’t think she was kidnapped, as she posted on facebook (Mother Alexandra Nun), 15 hours ago.”

This photo was from a website about the monastery in Syria, so I assumed she was one of the nuns who had been kidnapped. Thank God she was not one of them, but she is an example of the Christ-centered nuns who are missing, and whose monastery has been destroyed.

Abbot Tryphon

St. Thekla Monastery

Abbess of the monastery, and one of the “freedom fighters”.

The Relics of Saint Thekla

Monday January 20, 2014

31^st Week after Pentecost. Tone five.
Afterfeast of the Theophany.
Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John.
Martyr Paphnutius (1938).
New Hieromartyr Basil, priest (1939).
Martyr John (1940).
Martyr John (1942).
New Martyr Athanasius of Attalia and Smyrna (1700) (Greek).
St. Cedd, bishop of Lastingham (664) (Celtic & British).
St. Brannock (Brynach) of Braunton (6th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Kentigerna, hermitess of Loch Lomond.
You can read the life of the saint by clicking on the highlighted name.

THANKS to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

The Scripture Readings for the Day

Hebrews 11:17-23

The Faith of the Patriarchs

¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
²²By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

Hebrews 11:27-31

²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
²⁹By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Mark 9:42-10:1

Jesus Warns of Offenses

⁴²“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. ⁴³If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— ⁴⁴where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
⁴⁵And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— ⁴⁶where
‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’
⁴⁷And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— ⁴⁸where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless

⁴⁹“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. ⁵⁰Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Marriage and Divorce

10 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.