The chief sign of a priest
If a priest is not himself filled with the Holy Spirit he will be unable to impart genuine Orthodoxy to others. If a priest is not working on the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart, he will have failed in his priestly ministry, and will betray himself, and fail in his ministry to those in his parish. If he is not humble and compassionate, and living in repentance, he will not be able to impart an authentic faith that is believable. No amount of training, and no program of outreach, will work if a priest is not the living embodiment of a life genuinely centered in Christ. If he is not an icon of the living Christ, imparting love and compassion to others, his ministry will fall short of God’s intent and he will be a priest in name only.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: Two old Lutheran pastor friends (in years of friendship, lest I cause offense). lol
Given the ferry system, I was forced to book a hotel room for Tuesday night so I can be on time for my 6 am flight to Alaska. Please keep me in your holy prayers, as I head to the Saint Herman Pilgrimage, and the priest retreat.
Wednesday August 7, 2019 / July 25, 2019
8th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Fast. Food with Oil
The Dormition of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Holy Women Olympias (Olympiada) the Deaconess of Constantinople (409), and the Virgin Eupraxia of Tabenna (413).
Venerable Macarius, abbot of Zheltovod and Unzha (1444).
New Hieromartyr Nicholas priest (1918).
New Hieromartyr Alexander priest (1927).
St. Gregory (Kallidis), metropolitan of Thessalonica and Heraclea (1925).
New Hieromartyrs Vukosav Milanovic and Rodoljub Samardzic of Kulen Bakufa, Serbia (1941-1945).
New Hieromartyr Theodore Tonkovid, priest of Lovets (Pskov) (1942).
St. Iraida confessor (1967).
Commemoration of the Holy 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553).
Martyrs Sanctus, Maturus, Attalus, Blandina, Vivlia, Vetius, Epagathus, Ponticus, Alexander and others at Lyons (177) (Gaul).
Venerable Christopher, abbot of Solvychegodsk (Vologda) (1572).
New Hieromartyrs Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, Nicholas (Johnson) and Peter (Remes).
The Scripture Readings
1 Corinthians 10:12-22
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Flee from Idolatry
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
Matthew 16:20-24
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Have a blessed trip, Father! We are excited for you!
It’s important we remember to pray for Priests and not always they are praying for us – reciprocation is needed to give them strength and enlightenment to lead the sheep to Heaven.
God Bless & have a safe and uplifting trip!
Father Tryphon you are in my prayers as you travel and make a pilgrimage to Alaska. May your journey be safe and may you be blessed through everyone and all you encounter in that beautiful state. I know your presence will bring joy to all you meet.
My prayers are with you. I’m so happy you can be part of the pilgrimage and priest’s retreat.
I haven’t made it to Spruce Island yet, only to Sitka and Kodak.