The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter & Paul
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Date: 28 June 2005 13:17:56
Tomorrow [Wednesday] is the commemoration of the The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter & Paul. The Orthodox Church in America has provided a sermon by Saint Augustine, on the celebration of this feast. It was wonderful to read, and I was particularly moved by the final paragaph:
And so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, "in which to be likened to them" (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but "we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it "the author and finisher of our faith," our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, "Without Me ye can do nothing" (Jn 15: 5).
 [Icon from OCA] | First-enthroned of the apostles, teachers of the universe: Entreat the Master of all to grant peace to the world, and to our souls great mercy! Troparion O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest Kontakion |