About one of the #miracles performed by the Virgin #Mary on this day.
Beloved members of John's Repentance spiritual service, on this most hallowed day, we gather in holy reverence to celebrate the feats and miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady, the Theotokos, and we turn our gaze towards the narrative of the Apostle Matthias, as well as the commemoration of other venerable saints.
Let us, therefore, commence our discourse in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, our Triune God, unto whom be all glory and honor.
On this day, the 31st day of October, we commemorate the miraculous deeds of the Virgin Mary in delivering the Apostle Matthias from the darkened pit of imprisonment, amidst a land of savages and cannibals. Lo! How wondrous are the ways of the Lord, and how benevolent is the intercession of the Theotokos on behalf of those who serve the Gospel with fervor and devotion.
The Apostle Matthias, having been chosen by lot to preach the Good News to the ends of the earth, found himself in a barbarous land named Askutes, believed by the chroniclers of the Church to be Russia. The custom of this people was vile and horrendous; they would blind the eyes of strangers, imprison them, and, after thirty days, cruelly slaughter them to partake of their flesh.
Brethren, imagine the desolation of the Apostle, his eyes taken from him, languishing in prison, his heart crying out to the Lord and His Blessed Mother for deliverance. And lo! The mercies of the Lord are never far from His faithful servants. Before the thirtieth day came to pass, the Virgin Mary, in her boundless compassion, sent the Apostle Andrew to the rescue of Matthias.
Andrew, by the grace of God and the intercession of the Theotokos, entered the prison miraculously, restoring sight to Matthias and leading him out of captivity. With divine might, they caused water to flow from the prison’s very foundation, flooding the land and bringing the barbarians to the brink of destruction.
In that moment of divine retribution, the apostles appeared before them, preaching the Gospel of salvation, revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, and calling them to repentance and faith in our Lord. By the prayers of the Theotokos, they turned away from their brutish ways, were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and became gentle, sincere, and compassionate.
So, brethren, let us take heed of this wondrous tale, let us venerate the Theotokos, for she is a fervent intercessor and a steadfast protector of all who call upon her name with faith and love. Let her prayers be a fortress for us, guiding us in the path of righteousness, and leading us to the Heavenly Kingdom.
May the blessings of the Theotokos be upon us all, and may her intercessions guide us in the path of salvation. Amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
© John's Repentance
Please follow our Telegram group every day and share it with your friends: https://t.me/orthodoxQnAs