Christos Anesti

[VonBonfire]

My mother moved to indiana almost 2 years ago. She does come down to visit quite frequently and it's a blessing. As for my father, I've got no relationship with him. Have not spoke to him in years. It is sad, but the guy was a dick my entire life lol. Not a good person at all. I wish things were better, but such is life. I have an ok relationship with my siblings and nieces and nephews too thankfully.

Years back I went out to helotes with a friend of mine to her father's home. Not too far out from where I live. Guy had a decent lot of land. Best view of the sky I had seen. The light pollution really does blow here in the city though.

I do have very low tolerance for cold weather. But I also have a very low tolerance for the heat. I'm either sweating horribly or shivering like a mad man. Nothing ever in between. My body's temperature regulation has gone completely out of wack over the years.

Helotes is a nice area but the big bend is on a whole other level vs just about any area of the US for star gazing. There is an observatory out in Fort Davis for that reason. No light or air pollution obscuring the view. It's truly mindblowing, you can see the milky way and stars you never knew existed. It's worth experiencing once if you need a getaway with your girl.

I sweat plenty but I'll still take it over shivering and levels of cold that makes every old injury in your body feel like it just happened. If you've never stepped outside and had your nose hairs immediately freeze you haven't experienced real cold, lol.

 

[lol]

Helotes is a nice area but the big bend is on a whole other level vs just about any area of the US for star gazing. There is an observatory out in Fort Davis for that reason. No light or air pollution obscuring the view. It's truly mindblowing, you can see the milky way and stars you never knew existed. It's worth experiencing once if you need a getaway with your girl.

I sweat plenty but I'll still take it over shivering and levels of cold that makes every old injury in your body feel like it just happened. If you've never stepped outside and had your nose hairs immediately freeze you haven't experienced real cold, lol.

Oh I've experienced that cold and then some up in Great lakes lol. Worst cold I've ever experienced.

I'll look into the observatory. That actually sounds awesome.

 

[VonBonfire]

Oh I've experienced that cold and then some up in Great lakes lol. Worst cold I've ever experienced.

I'll look into the observatory. That actually sounds awesome.

Yeah that good old "lake effect". Northern MN is exceptional in it's brutal winters. Colder than many parts of Canada. 20-30 below zero is not all that uncommon. You might as well visit the arctic circle if you are headed to northern MN in January, LOL.

University of Texas McDonald observatory. Fort Davis is a pretty beautiful and unique area too. The Davis mountains...

 

[lol]

Yeah that good old "lake effect". Northern MN is exceptional in it's brutal winters. Colder than many parts of Canada. 20-30 below zero is not all that uncommon. You might as well visit the arctic circle if you are headed to northern MN in January, LOL.

University of Texas McDonald observatory. Fort Davis is a pretty beautiful and unique area too. The Davis mountains...

Yeah I'd freeze into a block of ice and shatter lol.

I've talked about doing a road trip sometime with the lady friend. That'd be perfect.

 

[VonBonfire]

One of the great apostles:

Saint James Alphaeus –

Commemorated on October 9

Saint James Alphaeus – one of the Twelve Apostles, was brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle James Alphaeus, together with the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (Comm. 30 November), made missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, and converting many on the path of salvation. In the Egyptian city of Ostrazin Saint James finished his apostolic work with a martyr's death on the cross.

 

[lol]

Jordanian Greek Orthodox were just slaughtered by Muslim extremists in al karak Jordan. My mom's paternal side is originally from there, going back 4 or 5 centuries. Al karak is known for it's crusader castle.

 

[VonBonfire]

Jordanian Greek Orthodox were just slaughtered by Muslim extremists in al karak Jordan. My mom's paternal side is originally from there, going back 4 or 5 centuries. Al karak is known for it's crusader castle.

It doesn't look like the Jordanian king is taking it lightly. Let's hope he acts aggressively to hunt down the assailants!!!

 

[lol]

It doesn't look like the Jordanian king is taking it lightly. Let's hope he acts aggressively to hunt down the assailants!!!

One can hope but I've got no faith in that dude.

 

[TheBiggestJerk]

Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang, walla walla bing bang

 

[VonBonfire]

One can hope but I've got no faith in that dude.

Yeah I would agree.

 

[VonBonfire]

One can hope but I've got no faith in that dude.

According to the BBC today Jordan got the people responsible. "Terrorist organizations".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8ezg6dy6xlo

The Nun Paraskeva the Serbian

Commemorated on October 14

The Nun Paraskeva the Serbian was born into a pious Bulgarian family, living during the XI Century in the village of Epivato, betwixt Silistra and Constantinople. One day, while listening to Divine-services, the words of the Lord pierced her heart like an arrow: "Whoso doth wish to come follow Me, let him deny himself" (Mt. 16: 24). From that time she began to give away her clothing to the needy, for which reason she endured much grief from her family. Upon the death of her parents, the saint was tonsured into monasticism and withdrew to the Jordan valley, where she famously asceticised into old age.
But two years before her death an Angel appeared to the Nun Paraskeva and bid her return to her native-land, which she did. The saint died peacefully. Her relics, resting at the cathedral temple at Yassa, are marked by incorruptibility and many an healing.

 

[lol]

According to the BBC today Jordan got the people responsible. "Terrorist organizations".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8ezg6dy6xlo


View attachment 464081

The Nun Paraskeva the Serbian

Commemorated on October 14

The Nun Paraskeva the Serbian was born into a pious Bulgarian family, living during the XI Century in the village of Epivato, betwixt Silistra and Constantinople. One day, while listening to Divine-services, the words of the Lord pierced her heart like an arrow: "Whoso doth wish to come follow Me, let him deny himself" (Mt. 16: 24). From that time she began to give away her clothing to the needy, for which reason she endured much grief from her family. Upon the death of her parents, the saint was tonsured into monasticism and withdrew to the Jordan valley, where she famously asceticised into old age.
But two years before her death an Angel appeared to the Nun Paraskeva and bid her return to her native-land, which she did. The saint died peacefully. Her relics, resting at the cathedral temple at Yassa, are marked by incorruptibility and many an healing.

I'm honestly surprised there was any sort of retaliation. And at the same time, I'm not surprised the assailants were Syrian. Of course the president is upset over Jordan's attack considering his history and not doing anything about rogue attacks against Christians and druze in his country. I've got no love for Syria and syrians in general.

 

[VonBonfire]

The Monk Nikola Svyatosha (Svyatoslav), Prince of Chernigov, Pechersk Wonderworker, in the Nearer Caves (+ 1143)

Commemorated on October 14

The Monk Nikola Svyatosha (Svyatoslav), Prince of Chernigov, Pechersk Wonderworker, in the Nearer Caves (+ 1143), was a great-grandson of Great-prince Yaroslav the Wise and son of prince David Svyatoslavich of Chernigov (+ 1123), and in certain sources the father of the monk is named a saint. Svyatosha was the Lutsk prince, and he had a wife and children (his daughter was afterwards married to the Novgorod prince Saint Vsevolod-Gavriil (+ 1138, Comm. 11 February). On 17 February 1106 the holy prince, leaving his family, received tonsure at the Kievo-Pechersk monastery. Nikola Svyatosha here with great humility carried out his obediences: for three years he worked in the kitchen, for which he chopped wood and carried water, and the next three years he was gatekeeper at the monastery. Around his cell the saint kept a garden. From his means he built at the monastery the temple of the Holy Trinity and the infirmary church in the name of Saint Nicholas, his patron saint.
The Monk Nikola was the first of the Russian princes to accept monasticism. He patiently endured the reproaches of his brothers for his decision to lead a life of humble obedience. The saint's doctor, Petr, pointed out to the prince-ascetic, that such exploits of obedience had injured his health. But suddenly the doctor himself fell sick, and was healed only by the prayer of the Monk Nikola. Peter himself then took monastic tonsure.
Having progressed through various obediences, the Monk Nikola then took upon himself the vow of silence. When the saint received money, he used it on beautifying the church, and on the procuring of books (because he loved book reading), or he distributed it to the poor. Saint Nikola was a zealous peacemaker: in 1142 he reconciled the Chernigov prince with Great-prince Vsevolod.
Soon after the death of the saint, his brother by birth prince Izyaslav fell grievously ill. The hegumen of the monastery sent the sick man the hairshirt of the saint. Izyaslav put it on and was healed.

 

[VonBonfire]

Even the man whose spear pierced the very side of the Lord came to confess Christ, and is deeply revered in the Orthodox Church.

The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion

Commemorated on October 16

The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier, saw service in Judea under the command of the procurator, Pontius Pilate. During the time of the execution of the Saviour it was the detachment of soldiers under the command of Longinus, which stood watch around Golgotha, at the very foot of the holy Cross. Longinus and his soldiers were eye-witnesses of the final moments of the earthly life of the Lord, and of the great and awesome portents that appeared at His death. These events jolted the soul of the soldier. Longinus believed then in Christ and before everyone confessed that, "in truth – this was the Son of God" (Mt. 27: 54). (according to Church tradition, Longinus was that soldier, who with a spear pierced the side of the Crucified Saviour, and from the outflowing of blood and water received healing from an eye affliction).
After the Crucifixion and Burial of the Saviour, Longinus with his company stood watch at the Sepulchre of the Lord. Here the soldiers were given to behold the All-Radiant Resurrection of Christ. The Jews persuaded them with a bribe to bear false witness that His disciples had stolen away the Body of Christ, but Longinus and two of his comrades refused to be seduced by the Jewish gold. Having believed in the Saviour, the soldiers accepted Baptism from the apostles and decided to forsake military service. Longinus quit Judea and set out preaching about Christ Jesus the Son of God in his native land, in Cappadocia. His two comrades also followed after him. The fiery words of actual participants of the great occurrences in Judea swayed the hearts and minds of the Cappadocians; Christianity began quickly to spread about in the city and the surrounding villages. Having learned of this, the Jewish elders persuaded Pilate to dispatch a company of soldiers to Cappadocia, to kill Longinus and his comrades. The dispatched company of soldiers arrived in the native village of Longinus; the former centurion himself came out to meet the soldiers and took them to his home. After a meal, the soldiers told about the purpose of their arrival, not knowing – that the master of the house – was that very selfsame man, whom they were seeking. Then Longinus and his fellows identified themselves and asked the surprised soldiers, unperturbedly, to do their duty of military service. The soldiers wanted to set free the saints and advised them to flee, but the saints refused to do this, shewing firmness of will to accept suffering for Christ. The holy martyrs were beheaded, and their bodies were buried there where the saints made their final witness, and the cut-off heads were sent on to Pilate. Pilate gave orders to cast the martyrs on the trash-heap outside the city walls. After a certain while a certain blind woman arrived in Jerusalem to pray at the holy places. Saint Longinus appeared to her in a dream and said, that she should find his head and bury it. They led the blind woman to the rubbish heap. Having touched the head of the martyr, the woman was granted sight to her eyes. She reverently conveyed the venerable head to Cappadocia and there gave it burial.

 

[VonBonfire]

I wanted to post a real picture of St. John of Kronstadt since he lived in more recent times (1829-1909) but many icons are available to view online.

Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Commemorated on October 19

"Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife in virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties and love for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working, to such a degree that in the last years of his life miracles of healings — both of body and of soul — were performed countless times each day through his prayers, often for people who had only written to him asking his help. During his lifetime he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the Western world. He has left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual treasure for Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the deepest mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a heart purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true prophet the Revolution of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing apostasy among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would be changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth as a beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through the many miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity with which he received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908."

 

[VonBonfire]

The Holy GreatMartyr Artemios

Commemorated on October 20

The Holy GreatMartyr Artemios was a prominent military leader during the reign of the Equal-to-the-Apostles emperor Constantine the Great (306-337, Comm. 21 May), and later – also of his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemios held many awards for distinguished service and courage, and he was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt. The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism carried on an implacable struggle with Christianity, sending hundreds to their death.At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian faith. During this time Saint Artemios arrived in the city and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures, after which they threw the Great-martyr Artemios into prison. During the time of prayer which the saint offered to the Lord, Christ Himself appeared to him surrounded by angels and said: "Take courage, Artemios! I am with thee and wilt preserve thee from every hurt which the tormentors may inflict upon thee, and already have I preared thy crown of glory. Wherefore as thou hast confessed Me before the people on earth, so also shalt I confess thee before Mine Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, – thou shalt be with Me in Mine Kingdom". Hearing this of the Lord Himself, Artemios rejoiced and began fervently to offer up glory and thanksgiving to Him.
On the following day Julian demanded that the Great-martyr Artemios honour the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to torture. The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint then predicted to Julian that he would soon receive just recompense for the evil done by him to Christians. Julian became furious and resorted to even more fiercesome tortures, but they did not break the will of the saint, and finally the Great-martyr Artemios was beheaded (+ 362).
His remains were buried by Christians.
And after the death of the holy Great-martyr Artemios, his prophecy about the impending perishing of Julian the Apostate came true.
Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon he came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian's army. But the old man deceived Julian and led his army into an impassable place in the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Worn down by hunger and thirst, the Graeco-Roman army of Julian had to do battle against fresh Persian forces.
Divine retribution caught up here with Julian the Apostate. At the time of battle he was mortally wounded by an unseen hand and an unseen weapon. Julian groaned deeply, and dying, he said: "Thou hast conquered, Gallileian!" After the perishing of the apostate-emperor, the relics of the Great-martyr Artemios were transferred with honour from Antioch to Constantinople.