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On the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, we are reminded of Christ's calling to us: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
The forty martyrs of Sebaste were Christian soldiers who distinguished themselves in battles and glorified themselves in eternity by remaining loyal to Christ despite flattery and brutal torture.
When the Patriarch of Constantinople ordained him as bishop of Nicomedia, he became a loving shepherd to his flock and spared no effort to ease the plight of the sick and needy.
The history of venerating the icon of the Mother of God, brought at the end of the 14th century to the Polish city of Czestochowa, remains underexplored. Ancient Russian calendars and menologies do not mention it.
Each year, the feast of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste brightens our Lenten journey - the Church honours their memory on 22 March. The venerable hymnographer John Damascene composed a service in their honour.
He was a contemporary of the Holy Apostles and, according to tradition, a disciple of Archangel Michael himself, who brought him to Christ and gave him baptism.
He also founded the great Lavra in Palestine famous for its strict and simple monastic rule that exists to this day. Steadfast and uncompromising on matters of faith, he was also compassionate and loving with people and animals.
Our patronal feast is like a small Easter during Great Lent. In the middle of the largest church in the Convent rests the decorated image of the Reigning Icon of the Mother of God.
Our likes, preferences and mindsets may change, but God remains the same. We will be judged on how we knew Him – or failed to do so – in our present lives.
The spiritual message of the icon revealed itself with time. It promises eventual forgiveness to the Russian people and the return of the supreme power from the Holy Theotokos after a long period of suffering and repentance.
All these saints were relatives and St Theodore the Tyro (2 March) who were in the same prison with him for their Christian faith.
Earthly kingdoms are temporary, and their laws are fallible. Our hope is to enter a Kingdom built on love rather than laws, no matter how flawless or defective they may be. As Blessed Augustine put it, “Love God and do as you please.”
The life of Martyr Eudokia is an example of the power of repentance to transform one’s life from unclean to pure, from unbelief to full faith in God.
In 1917, the icon's discovery brought particular comfort to believers: centuries-old statehood was crumbling before their eyes, moral foundations were collapsing, spiritual values were being trampled underfoot.
