About the first #Church building; Holy Temple of Saint #Mary
Dear members of John's Repentance spiritual service, today we celebrate the building of the first church - let us venture into the divine tapestry of the first church built in honor of the Holy Mother Saint Mary in Caesarea, Chalcedon. Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas, those stalwart Apostles, were the heralds who sowed the seeds of faith amongst the gentiles. With their hearts aflame, they fervently preached the Good Word. Yet, the believers yearned for a sanctuary to partake in the Holy Communion. The Apostles, led by an unyielding devotion, sought the divine intervention of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Through the ethereal mist of prayer and 'Subae' , a miraculous revelation embraced the Apostles. Summoned from the corners of the earth, they were lifted upon clouds and converged in the land of Philippians, where the Lord bestowed upon them a celestial decree. He ordained that churches in the name of His Holy Mother Mary shall grace the four corners of the world. The trinity of stones, a divine manifestation of the Holy Trinity, took form and were consecrated as the foundation of this sacred abode.
With renewed clarity, we understand that the measurements – twenty-four cubits in height and twelve cubits in width – symbolize not only the 24 prophets and 24 heavenly priests but also the twelve Apostles. These three stones also epitomize the sacred Arks of the Covenant of Adam, Moses, and Jesus Christ, encompassing the harmony of creation, the Law, and redemption through grace.
With heavenly resplendence, the Lord then anointed Saint Peter as an Archbishop, bestowing upon him the authority to shepherd the faithful across the world. This moment, marked by angelic and earthly acclamation, was sealed with the descent of heavenly bread and the cup. The Holy Communion was performed, sanctifying the Apostles and ordaining them to carry forth the Divine Liturgy.
In this exalted house, the righteous Archbishop Basilios, with a heart full of devotion, sought to venerate the Holy Mother with a portrait. Yet, let this be a reminder of the humility required in service, for the first plate acquired was tainted by a hardened heart. The Holy Mother herself appeared in a vision to Basilios, guiding him to a sacred image, which when placed in the church, emanated healing water and oil, a testament to Her grace and mercy.
Alas, not all who partook of these blessings were deemed worthy, as illustrated by the account of a woman stained by betrayal and bloodshed. Her sins, laid bare before the righteous Basilios, revealed the necessity of repentance and living in accordance with God’s law. She stands as a stark reminder that divine grace is intrinsically bound to the purity of our hearts and our submission to the will of the Almighty.
Let us not forget, dear members, that this blessed day on which the first Church of the Holy Mother Saint Mary was erected is not just a day of joy, but also a day of reflection and commitment. It is a summons from the divine to construct sanctuaries within our own souls, edifices of faith and devotion, to carry forth the unwavering light of our Holy Mother and Savior into the world. As the Apostles were commanded to cease from handy work on this day, so too should we dedicate this day to prayer, to acts of charity, and to the joyful singing of hymns in honor of the Holy Mother
On june 28th, let us, children of God, celebrate this consecrated day with hearts ablaze with devotion, gratitude, and humility. As we pay homage to the construction of the first Church of the Holy Mother Saint Mary, may we build within our hearts a sanctuary, pure and unwavering, dedicated to the service and love of our Lord and His Holy Mother.
May the divine grace of the Holy Trinity and the Holy Mother Saint Mary guide our steps, and may we, as humble vessels of faith, be eternally bound in their loving embrace. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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