Thursday, April 30 / April 17 (Church Calendar)
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Saints of the Day
April 17 / 30. G Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him: Martyrs Abdechalas and Ananias, presbyters, Usthazanes, Fusicus (Pusicius), Ascitrea, and Azat the eunuch. Martyr Adrian of Corinth. St. Acacius, Bishop of Melitene. St. Zosimas, abbot of Solovki. St. Agapitus, pope of Rome. Opening of the Relics of St. Alexander, abbot of Svir. St. Macarius of Corinth. Repose of Blessed Paisius, fool-for-Christ of the Kiev Caves (1893).
Photo of the Day
Oscar is doing well, and already planning to take over the leadership role of all the goats!
Quote of the Day
“Indeed, the Fathers teach that the ascent to Heaven is connected with the descent into ourselves. The more we sink our attention deep into the soul, the more we find our secret heart; through repentance the Kingdom of Heaven descends into the heart and makes it Paradise and Heaven.”
Hierotheos Vlakos
Video of the Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFyEgJc1gbY
Scripture Readings for the Day
Acts 4:23-31
Prayer for Boldness
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
John 5:24-30
Life and Judgment Are Through the Son
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
I never realized goats could be that cute!