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Saint Nikephoros, a martyr was not just an example of Christian virtue and devotion to God, but also a vivid illustration of the truth that even a sacrifice of life will mean nothing in the eyes of God if given without love.
The Orthodox Church approaches the Great Lent which will start on February 23rd according to the Julian calendar. In order to prepare for the Lenten journey, the Church gives us four pre-lenten weeks to help us understand why we fast.
We may imagine ourselves to be masters of our lives and make our plans for decades ahead - only to find them derailed someday. But the Scripture tells us: "As for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me."
The Feast of the Ascension is past us, and the day the Holy Trinity is fast approaching. With the Lord, we have the plenitude of life, wherever we find ourselves - in a hospital ward, in a prison jail or in any other inhospitable location.