Lenten Meditations – Friday 23rd March

Mar 23, 2018 by

 

Fri
Mar 23
am: 119:153-160
pm: 119:161-73
Is 45: 11-17 Acts 17:22-31 Matt 5:11-16

FIFTH FRIDAY OF LENT: St.  Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop & Missionary of Armenia, c.332

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: On this day we remember the first Bishop of Armenia, Gregory. The ancient kingdom of Armenia was the first country to become Christian, and it recognizes Gregory as its apostle. Armenia was a buffer state between the powerful empires of Rome and Parthia (Persia), and both of them sought to control it. Gregory was born about 257. When he was still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Parthia, and friends of the family carried Gregory away for protection to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was reared as a Christian. About 280 he returned to Armenia, where he was at first treated severely, but eventually by his preaching and example brought both King Tiridates and a majority of his people to the Christian faith. He is recognized for evangelizing Armenia so rapidly that Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In this section the prophet Isaiah pronounces woes on the critics who oppose or do not believe God’s plan for the salvation of Israel. The saint remembered this day did not pronounce woes per se but he did challenge the status quo about its witness to the faith. The prophet and the saint both were convicted that the LORD, after all, is the sovereign Creator. He has made everything. He knows what is and what is to come. That should make people of every generation to take pause. How do you ignore a being who knows the hairs upon your head? Common sense would suggest you do not.

We must live in a world and a culture where there is not much common sense because there is little acknowledgement of God as Creator Redeemer and Sustainer. How does that change? Where are the Isaiah’s, Cyrus’ and Gregory’s in our day?

Those who truly know the LORD (believers) acknowledge His sovereignty in word and deed, so that He can re-unite and restore and renew His people to their calling. In this story God raised a pagan king to destroy the pagan empire of Babylon so that Israel could be set free and start again. You migt conclude that unbelievers who for one reason or another shared in part of God’s work and that when they do they must of necessity admit that God is the true God. Could it be we pay now or pay later but we do pay. That is to say we either exclaim it now in faith for salvation, or later in humiliation?

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Gregory the Illuminator to be a light in the world, and to preach the Gospel to the people of Armenia: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE: “… it is absolutely necessary that the soul should be healed and purified, and if this does not take place during its life on earth, it must be accomplished in future lives.”- St. Gregory the Illuminator

 

Lenten Discipline – The Armenian Church has suffered mightily, yet as an ancient home of the faith it was known for sharing its resources. Go through your closet today and give away to those in need abroad at least five pieces of unused clothing Learn to live with less. Contact local Armenian Orthodox Parishes and offer such assistance

Related Posts

Tags

Share This