The Holiness of Saints Dear

On the Holiness of #Saints Dear members of John's Repentance spiritual service, we send you this lesson on the holiness of Saints so that you may be able to read, understand and apply to your own lives. Hence we entrust you to use this for yourself and to share it with your friends. God's Chosen Vessels: God, in His infinite wisdom, beckons to Himself those souls He holds dear, the chosen ones. It is written in Mark 3:13, “Have I not chosen you?”, and further in Acts 17, "I have chosen you to bear my name". These are not mere mortals, but luminous beings, chosen by the Creator to propagate His holy will and purpose in this realm. Their sanctity originates from God Himself (Romans 8:28). By virtue of their devout deeds, unwavering faith, and sacred lives, God has invited them to be His instruments. We, therefore, venerate them as God has chosen to honor them. The Triumph of Saints: Every saint, amidst adversity, has clung to the sacred path. As James 1:12 proclaims, “Blessed is he who perseveres under trial”. They have withstood persecution, starvation, and more, only to radiate God's glory in their ultimate sacrifice. Their reward isn't the fleeting pleasures of this realm but the eternal joy of the Kingdom of Heaven. The saints remind us that, “He that doeth the will of God liveth for ever” (Philippians 4:13). The Light of the World: The Saints, through their spiritual odyssey, have become akin to celestial bodies, echoing the words of Christ, "You are the light of the world". More than mere miracle-workers, they are torchbearers of faith and serve as beacons to guide our own spiritual journeys. The Role of Saints in our Lives: In the annals of Christianity, the Saints are our protectors and aides. God dispatched Moses to part the seas and Saint Michael to shield us from harm. And just as Gabriel assisted the prophet Daniel, the Saints, too, assist us in our earthly sojourns. They are also our intercessors, praying for our souls and seeking God's mercy on our behalf. The Divinity Bestowed: Though mortals, the saints, by grace, are elevated. “I have made you a god over Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:11) is a testament to the divine roles saints can assume, not by their own nature but through God's benevolence. Honoring the Holy Ones: Our Holy Church reveres the saints - the angels, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and the righteous. Chief among them is the Holy Virgin Mary, pure in spirit and body, the divine vessel who bore our Savior. As Orthodox Christians, we do not just revere their teachings but also the places where they have prayed, the vestments they wore, and every relic associated with them. This is because they are infused with divine energy, and their lives are a testament to their spiritual battles against the forces of darkness. The Eternal Remembrance: The Church stands as a testament to their greatness. Their feasts are celebrated, their histories preserved, and their messages preached, echoing the truth of the Heavenly Father, manifested through Christ in their lives. In conclusion, dear faithful, as we walk the path of spirituality, let us always seek the guidance and blessings of these holy souls. They, who have transcended earthly bounds and now reside with the Father, intercede for us, guiding and guarding us in our journey. Let our hearts always remain open to their teachings and our souls ever yearning for the divine grace they so abundantly shower upon us. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. ©John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance