Lenten Meditations: Saturday 23 March 2024
| Sat Mar 23 |
am: 137, 144 pm: 42, 43 |
Exodus 10:21-11:8 | 2 Cor 4:13-18 | Mark 10:46-52 |
FIFTH SATURDAY 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 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
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: As we consider both the Psalms for the evening hour
the writer of this Psalms clearly has a longing for God as intense as that of a deer searching for water during a drought. Such a longing is intent on a single priority — finding and being refreshed by life-giving water is rarely how most of us go about an ordinary day. And so, these Psalms as a result. Each day in these meditations we have noted a saint of the church that is part of the great cloud of witnesses and in all cases, they longed for God and not for lesser things. Their souls often were restless in the desire for fellowship with God. Is that true for us? Do we yearn for it to the point it drives us, or do we think it would be “nice” to have it handy? The priority is fellowship with God. Let’s be honest today and examine our heart’s longings and list what they reveal about our priorities. Do they reveal the place God truly holds in your hearts and mind?
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 forever. Amen.
ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE: “… it is 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 Lyrics: Alan Hovhaness Prayer of St Gregory performed by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
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 or Go to https://www.barnabasaid.org/us/latest-needs/help-the-broken-children-of-nagorno-karabakh-and-their-desperate-parents helping the Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are refugees..
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
