The Orthodox Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ
and described throughout the New Testament. The word Orthodox literally means straight teaching or straight worship, being derived from two Greek words: orthos, straight, and doxa, teaching or worship. As the encroachments of false teaching and division multiplied in early Christian times, threatening to obscure the identity and purity of the Church, the term Orthodox quite logically came to be applied to it. The Orthodox Church carefully guards the truth against all error and schism both to protect its flock and to glorify Christ whose body the Church is. An astonishing number of religious groups today claim to be the successors of the early Church. A yardstick for truth is needed by which to compare what the Church originally believed and practiced with what these groups proclaim. Certainly we all have the God-given right to believe in whatever we desire and to participate in whatever religious association we choose. But it is also just good sense to be acquainted with the options before we make our final choices. It is my hope that our material will help introduce readers to the Christianity espoused by the apostles of Jesus Christ and instituted by them. This is the yardstick for truth by which our choices in regard to Christianity need to be evaluated. 1\2 Sailors are saved
Three condemned innocents
In the time of Emperor Constantine, all was not peaceful in the empire. When unrest would break out, soldiers would be sent to restore order. Some such soldiers were on shore leave in Andriaki, the port which served Myra. As they were in the marketplace, disputes began and there was some disturbance and looting. Bishop Nicholas went to the port to help settle the trouble. On his way back to the city, he saw people crying and saying, If you had been in the city three innocent men would not have been handed over to death, as they have been ordered beheaded. Nicholas ran to the place, asking if the men were still alive. The three men were in position faces covered, hands bound behind, expecting death. The executioners sword was up and ready to fall. Nicholas fearlessly grabbed the sword, throwing it down. The freed men went on their way while Nicholas sought to have the charges against them cleared. Details of Nicholas death are not known. But shortly after his earthly life, early reference is made to the manna of St. Nicholas, a liquid that formed in his tomb and was renowned for its healing properties. For 750 years St. Nicholas tomb in Myra was an everincreasingly popular pilgrimage site as reverence for the saint grew and spread throughout the Christian world. The remains of St. Nicholas now repose in Bari, Italy, having been transported there in 1087 A.D. after Myra fell to Muslim invaders. A fragrant myrrh still exudes from the relics. Miracles are performed even today through the intercessions of Saint Nicholas. Troparion The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
by Pastoral ministry of Revered Father Philemon Castro m.Div.
At second floor of Brankolei pizza Italian Vero located in David Street, Daet, by coordination of Branko Milosevic 4
Who is Saint Nicholas?
As Bishop of Myra, Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. Nicholas was bold he did what was necessary and was not easily intimidated by others power and position. His concern for the welfare of his flock and his stand for Orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and a defender of the faith. Nicholas was born about 235 A.D. in Patara, a seaport city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. His parents were Theophanes and Nonna. His uncle, for whom he was named, was Bishop of Patara. Bishop Nicholas observed the virtuous life his nephew led from an early age, and advised his parents to give their son to the service of God. They consented to do this, and under the tutelage of his uncle, Nicholas was ordained a priest. At the ordination ceremony, Bishop Nicholas prophesied concerning his nephew: I see, brethren, a new sun rising above the earth and manifesting in himself a gracious consolation for the afflicted. Blessed is the flock that will be worthy to have him as its pastor, because this one will shepherd well the souls of those who have gone astray. This prophecy was indeed later fulfilled.
Sailors are saved
Wanting to worship in the Holy Land and follow the steps of our Lord, the priest Nicholas boarded an Egyptian ship. On the way he told the sailors that there would be a storm, for he had dreamt that Satan boarded their ship to sink them in the sea. Soon a dark cloud covered the sky and a fierce storm arose. The storm was so violent that the sailors were sure that they would die. They pleaded with the saint to pray to God for their salvation. They said: If you, Gods servant will not help us with your prayers, we will all die immediately! Telling them to stay calm and trust in God, the saint started to pray with confidence. Immediately the storm subsided, all was quiet and grief turned into joy. The rejoicing sailors thanked God and his servant Nicholas, and were astonished at his prediction and the cease of the storm. From this and many other miracles at sea, Saint Nicholas has become the patron of sailors and all who travel Council of Nicaea In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, now known as the First Ecumenical Council. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to address the disorder stirred up by Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria, who taught that Christ the Son was not co-equal with God the Father. This new notion had spread so that it caused confusion among Christians in nearly every place, and the Church needed to respond. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arius, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Christ with His Mother appeared to Nicholas: Christ carrying the book of the Gospels, and the Theotokos bearing the bishops stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated . Many icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the stole or omophorion.
Selection and consecration
Nicholas selection to be a bishop was unusual. After the repose of the bishop of Myra, the synod gathered to select the next bishop of Myra. During the conclave, one hierarch heard a voice in the night telling him to watch the doors of the church the next morning at Matins. The first person to enter named Nicholas was to be the new bishop. The wise one told the others, counseling them to be at prayer while he waited at the doors. When the hour of Matins came, the first person to arrive was a young priest. When asked his name, he replied, I am Nicholas. The bishop addressed him, Nicholas, servant and friend of God, for your holiness you shall be bishop of this place. They brought him into the church and placed him in the bishops seat where he was to be consecrated the new Bishop of Myra. Grain ships and famine Myra experienced famine in AD 311 and 312, and again in 333. Crops had failed and people were hungry. Bishop Nicholas learned that ships bound for Alexandria with cargos of wheat had anchored in the harbor. The holy man implored the sailors to take a measure of grain from each ship so that the people would have food. The sailors said, No, as the wheat was meted and measured and every bit must be delivered. Nicholas replied, Do this, and I promise, in the truth of God, that it shall not be lessened or diminished when you get to your destination. So the sailors took a measure from each ship and continued on their way to Alexandria. When the wheat was unloaded, the full amount was accounted for and the tale toldall the emperors ministers worshiped and praised God with thanksgiving for his servant Nicholas. Throughout the famine people came to Bishop Nicholas for wheat. He gave it to all who had need and the grain lasted for two years with enough remaining to plant new crops.
THE BIBLE is the divinely inspired Word of God (II Timothy
3:16), and is a crucial part of Gods self-revelation to the human race. The Old Testament tells the history of that revelation from Creation through the Age of the Prophets. The New Testament records the birth and life of Jesus as well as the writings of His Apostles. It also includes some of the history of the early Church and especially sets forth the Churchs apostolic doctrine. Though these writings were read in the Churches from the time they first appeared, the earliest listing of all the New Testament books exactly as we know them today is found in the 33rd Canon of a local council held at Carthage in 318 and in a fragment of Saint Athanasius of Alexandrias Festal Letter for 367. Both sources list all of the books of the New Testament without exception. A local council, probably held at Rome under Saint Damascus in 382, set forth a complete list of the canonical books of both the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures are at the very heart of Orthodox worship and devotion. Does bible saying about Orthodox Church? All the time, everything from new testament have had written from Apostles which doctrine in 100% you can find only in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic (Orthodox Church). Read Apostle Saint Paul: " To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi with bishops and deacons." (Phil. 1:1)
by Pastoral ministry of Revered Father Philemon Castro m.Div.
At second floor of Brankolei pizza Italian Vero located in David Street, Daet, by coordination of Branko Milosevic