The Enemy are not Armies, but Demons
It would be good for us to remember that the darkness engulfing our world, seemingly leading towards the “Great Reset” and a One World Order, is coming from the Dark Forces of the Evil One. The enemy of human kind is the same as it has been since the fall of Adam and Eve. Whatever the devil can do to pull us away from God is his central goal. He could care less if we worship him, for Satan’s goal is to get us to turn away from God. Satan desires humanity turn towards self-worship, which is ultimately demon worship.
We must remember our battle is not with earthly enemies, but with the principalities and powers of darkness. This is important to remember because the weapons needed to combat the enemy are not found in armies, guns, tanks and missiles, but in prayer. Our combat against the enemy must be centered in the church services, prayer, fasting, spiritual preparedness and repentance.
The enemy are not armies but demons who would demoralize us and strike fear in our hearts. In Christ Jesus we have all the strength to overcome the powers of darkness that are set upon our destruction. There is no need to panic when we have Jesus Christ by our side. The end days will come when God decides. As for us, we must always be prepared for the end, just as were the disciples. Fear is brought on by the enemy of humankind, the devil himself. In Christ there is no fear.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday June 11, 2023 / May 29, 2023
1st Sunday after Pentecost. All Saints. Tone eight.
Eve of Apostles’ (Peter & Paul) Fast.
Icons of the Mother of God “the Consoler of angry hearts” and “the Unbreakable Wall” (movable holiday on the Sunday of All Saints).
Virgin-martyr Theodosia of Constantinople (730).
Repose of Blessed John of Ustiug, fool-for-Christ (1494).
Uncovering of the relics (2000) of Venerable Job, Schemamonk of Anzersk (1720).
New Hieromartyr John deacon and martyr Andrew (1938).
St. Luke, hierarch-surgeon of Simferopol (1961).
Virgin-martyr Theodosia of Tyre (308).
Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council (325).
Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Surety of Sinners”.
Synaxis of All Saints of Krasnoyarsk Metropolia.
The Icon of the Mother of God “Non-Slumbering Eye” (“Nedremliuschee Oko”).
The Icon of the Mother of God “Imperial” (“Tsesarkaya”) Borovsk.
St. Alexander, patriarch of Alexandria (328).
New Martyr Andrew of Chios (1465) (Greek).
New Martyr John (or Nannus) at Smyrna (1802).
Blessed Constantine XII, last of the Byzantine emperors, martyred by the Turks (1453).
Hieromartyr Olbian, bishop of Aneus, and his disciples (Greek).
Martyrs Cyril, child Carellus, Primolus, Phinodus, Venustus, Gissinus, Alexander, Tredentius, and Jocunda at Caesarea in Cappadocia (253-259).
Righteouses John and Mary of Ustiug (13th c.).
The Scripture Readings
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Amen.
Hebrews 11:33-12:2
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
The Race of Faith
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 10:32-33
Confess Christ Before Men
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:37-38
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 19:27-30
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.