Carillon Bells

'Kol Slaven', and other melodies, on Carillon Bells of Sts. Peter-Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg, AND, Mozart on Dutch Carillon Bell

Category: The unique beauty of carillon bells.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yse9cSi0rhU

Carillon bells (originally installed) by Czar Peter the Great, in 'the

 Fortress', (on the island),  Sts. Peter-Paul Church, St. Petersburg, Russia (RF)

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJSweWUDHdg

Mozart on Dutch carillon bells.

Archbishop Andronik Serves In Holy Ascension

Our Archbishop Andronik Serves In Holy Ascension Church, in Toronto, Canada

Found on: http://sinod.ruschurchabroad.org

• 19.05.13. В неделю Жен мироносиц Преосвященнейший епископ Андроник служил в Канаде в Вознесенском приходе Торонто (настоятель протоиерей Георгий Сачевский).

• 05.19.13  In the Week of the Holy Myrrh-bearers, our Vladyka Archbishop Andronik, served in the Holy Ascension Church  in Toronto, Canada (with it's rector, Archpriest George Sachevsky).

Last Will of Archbishop Antony

The Last Will and Testament of Archbishop Antony of Los Angeles

The Lord has destined us to live in an extremely hard time unlike any other in the history of the Russian Church. That is why in the last will and testament one should speak of the most important thing. When a living organism is dying, all thoughts are concentrated on how to survive. So should we. In our times of predominant apostasy from God and the Truth, we should be concerned with two questions: how to keep faithfulness to the True God and how to save our souls.

1. According to many canonical rules, all of the so-called bishops, archbishops and metropolitans of the Moscow Patriarchate, being KGB agents, are apostates from Christ. The 62nd Apostolic Canon deprives them of these titles, and if they repent, it calls for them to be accepted as laymen and not to be ordained. Similar orders are found in numerous (24) canonical rules. From this, we see that the Divine Canons do not admit the Divine Gifts to apostates - KGB agents.

The holy Martyr St. Patriarch Tikhon testifies to the same in his epistle excommunicating the soviet power; Blessed Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) does likewise when he condemns the Declaration of Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky), as does Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) in his last testament.

Hear Holy Patriarch Tikhon's words stated right after committing the God-fighting soviet power to anathema: "We exorcise you, faithful children of the Orthodox Church of Christ, in no way to associate with these fiends of humankind." Holy Patriarch Tikhon not only admonishes but exorcises. And exorcism is admonishment with the threat of punishment. His words turned out to be prophetic... How terribly believers were punished by the communism that so many of them had supported.

In his letter to Metropolitan Sergius, Blessed Metropolitan Anthony called his (Sergei's) declaration a betrayal. During those times (1927) Moscow bishops, archbishops and metropolitans had not yet become KGB agents. The main task of the KGB was the "eradication of religion". This makes the activities of the bishops, archbishops and metropolitans of the Moscow Patriarchate much worse than betrayal.

In his last will and testament, Metropolitan Anastassy has said: "As for the Moscow Patriarchate and its bishops, archbishops and metropolitans, the Russian Church Abroad must not have any canonical, prayerful, or even simple everyday association, leaving them at the same time to the final judgment of the Council of the future free Russian Church."

These words point out the first and repeated condemnation of the Moscow Patriarchate by the Russian Church Abroad. As the Apostle Paul teaches: A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject (Tit 3: 10).

2. Our Lord destines us to a great blessing: to belong to the Holy Orthodox Church, for only here can we obtain Salvation, if we do not waste the time of preparing ourselves for eternity.

To avoid wasting this time, let us turn to the awesome admonitions of the Word of God, Gospel parables, prayers and church hymns which teach us that our mind is filled with unnecessary triviality and troubles, THAT THE ENEMIES OF OUR SALVATION GIVE TO US. And we, in our carefree manner, like to think that they are our own harmless and pleasant thoughts. Having distracted our mind from God, the enemy begins bringing sinful thoughts and wishes, which are extremely hard to resist. TO FIGHT AGAINST SIN SUCCESSFULLY, ONE MUST REPLACE HIS THOUGHTS WITH CONTINUAL PRAYER TO JESUS.

All the Saints had to do this to reach their sanctity. There is no other way. The great Saints of ancient times, as well as the Holy Father Seraphim of Sarov, St. John of Kronstadt, Holy Father Paissy Velichkovksy and the great Startsy of Optina all testify to this.

This prayer saves and is successful only if done patiently and humbly, not with the goal of pleasure, but rather release from sins, and it demands a lot of time.

Our Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, grant us eternal salvation by the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, and of all the Saints! Amen.

(Signed:)
Archbishop Antony of L.A. Los Angeles
24 November / 7 December 1995
Holy Martyr Katherine

Met. Agafangel Holy Land Visit

Metropolitan Agafangel arrived at the airport in Tel Aviv on May 17, at 00:30 with the Abbess Alexandra, Deacon Michael and the nun Raphael.  He was met by Rev. Roman Radwan and his assistant, Alexander.  All went together to the parish in honor of St. George in Nazareth, whose rector is Rev. Igumen Roman.

The temple in the city of Nazareth in honor of St. George the Victorious, which is served by Igumen Roman, built in the 12th century.

Next to the temple of The Great Martyr George is being built a large three-level complex, on the third floor of which, will be a new large temple.  Construction work is not yet finished, but the service at Pascha, due to the large number of parishioners, was  already held in it..

In the evening of that day in the church of St. George, built in the 12th century, there took place the evening service, and on Saturday May 18 Metropolitan Agafangel served there the Divine Liturgy.

After the Liturgy, Vladyka Agafangel spoke with a representative of The Sofia Society-District [?], Vladyka Agafangel officially blessed the activities of The Sofia Society.  Then Metropolitan Agafangel visited various area churches.  He visited the church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, the main shrine [holy object], of which is the water spring well, from which the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary,  the Good News of her birth of our Lord.

In the evening of that day,  Vladyka Agafangel prayed in the evening service in the church of The Great Martyr George. After the service, there was a meeting of the Metropolitan with a group of parishioners, at which Vladyka was informed about our Church,[there],  and about which there was an exchange of views in a very brotherly and friendly environment.

The next day, the clergy, headed by Metropolitan Agafangel, served  Sunday Divine Liturgy, after which he left for Jerusalem. Vladyka and his companions on the same day, visited the Mount of Olives Ascension Monastery (ROCOR-MP), where they prayed in the temple of the Ascension of Christ and at the place of the finding of he Holy Head of St. John the Baptist.  The troparion of the Resurrection of Christ was  sung at the graves of Archimandrite. Antonin Kapustin and Abbess Tamara.

A place where the Mother of God was standing at the time of the Ascension of the Lord.

The chapel over the place where the head of St. John the Baptist was found.

"A little later,  Vladyka  Agafangel had a conversation with the prisoner, Patriarch Irenaeus and And received his blessing for his ministry in the Holy Land. His Beatitude Irenaeus, preached to all through the window, and gave his patriarchal blessing. The question was asked to the porter,[guard of the door], if anyone may [is allowed to], walk up to the door leading to the room in which Pat. Irenaeus  is [locked in], with the reply: ' it is strictly forbidden. Patriarch Irenaeus is in complete isolation!'."

Comment: Thus, the rigthtful canonical Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Holiness Patriarch IRENAEUS, with whom our ROCA is in total and fraternal communion , has blessed our ROCA and our  head, Metropolitan Agafangel, to both exist and to minister in his territory, the Holy Land and environs. None of the 'fragments'; have requested this blessing, nor received it.

After a phone conversation with Patriarch Irenaeus, the  pilgrims venerated the Holy Sepulcher, which is located near this  place of the confinement of the Patriarch, and also, the place for the veneration of Christ's Crucifixion – the  Calvary Annointing Stone, and the other holy places under the same roof in the same complex of buildings.

Holy Sepulchre.(with Met. Agafangel sitting to the front left)-

Calvary.

The Tomb of Adam's [skull], under Golgotha.

Stone of Unction.

Entrance to the complex of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Monday, May 20, the pilgrims visited the Garden of Gethsemane, where the age of some of the olive trees is over 2000 years old,  and which trees were growing  during the time of Christ's earthly life.  Next to the garden is a Catholic church in which, according to the Latins, is the place where the Lord prayed before Judas approached him with the soldiers.

Place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed.

Then Vladyka Agafangel  visited the church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, where all were honored to be able to venerate  the Tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Tomb of The Mother of God.

Coffin of The Mother of God.

Thereafter, the pilgrims sang the Troparion of the Resurrection at the temple on the site of The Stoning of the First Martyr Archdeacon Stephen, which is located nearby.  In the evening of that day everyone prayed at the Holy Sepulchre and [those holy places] attached to that great shrine.  Near the coffin, [regretably], is the Cathedral of the [current usurper ruling] Patriarch of Jerusalem [Theopholis], - the main place where  Patriarch Irenaeus, is excluded from.

The next day, the morning of May 21, the pilgrims visited Aleksandrovskoe courtyard, the so-called "Russian excavations" - a ship[?],  and by the gates of the temple in honor of St. Alexander Nevsky, which is right next to the Holy Sepulchre.

In the evening,  Vladyka and  his companions visited the convent of Gethsemane (ROCOR-MP) where they  sang the Troparion of the Resurrection at the holy  Relics of St. Princess Elizabeth.

Thereafter, the pilgrims visited the Old Town, walking on the path of Christ - from the place of His detention to Calvary.

Entrance to the dungeon, which Christ entered

The place where they laid the body of Christ. [mesto, place], of the zaklucheniye [final resting], of [the life-less body of], Christ.  Thus, this 'place' must be inside the most sacred [chapel of] The Tomb of Our Lord, sitting inside the Church of the Resurrection.  This is from whence the Holy Fire at Pascha emanates.

The pilgrims also visited the place where the bodily remains reside, of the 40,000 babies who were slain by Herod.  It should be noted that the size of skulls and bones resting there in no way corresponds to the size of 3-year infants.

Then the pilgrims visited the Holy Trinity Monastery in Hebron (ROCOR-MP), where grows the famous Mamvrijsky oak [The Oak of Mamre], under which Abraham visited and spoke with The Three Angels.  This oak, unfortunately, is now dried up completely.

Also Vladyka on  that day was again in the Old City and he visited the temple of Sts. Constantine and Helena, which is the main shrine [holy spot] of the quarry, in which was uncovered [found], the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

May 23,  The pilgrims visited the Tomb of the Prophets (run by  ROCOR-MP) - a dry well in which the early Christians had a Orthodox church.  When they decided to expand it, then they stumbled upon an ancient burial site, some of which was identified as the burial place of the prophets Haggai and Malachi.  Because this place is honored and visited/respected also by the Jews, under the agreement, everything is left in the form in which it was originally uncovered,  i.e., no icons and no restoration work.

Next was a visit to the Holy Trinity Church, built by Antonin Kapustin, now belonging under  the spiritual mission of the MP.  Then all visited Gorny monastery and its churches - Our Lady of Kazan and All Saints.  And also was visited the monastery cemetery, where they wanted to record the names of the deceased abbesses of the monastery and the priests who served here before the  monastery in 1948, was put [taken] under the jurisdiction of the MP.  But it turned out that the old cemetery is completely ruined, and there was not a [one] tombstone.  The earliest burial that was found belongs to 1969.  This is another illustrative example of how the Communists have destroyed the memory of the past, not only in the USSR but also in other countries, to which they have been able to extend their authority.

Later, the pilgrims visited the chapel on the site of the Ascension.  The local Muslim Arabs have long discovered that at many Christian holy places, that they could collect money from pilgrims who are visiting the [Christian]  holy places.  This institution of manditory 'entrance fees',  they have also installed at the chapel of the Ascension.

At the end of his visit,  the Metropolitan and his group, also prayed at the Holy Sepulchre. But, In the night from 23 to 24 May, he was back serving in Odessa.

Thus, we can conclude that the presence of The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Holy Land, despite the betrayal of 2007, IS NEWLY RESTORED!  Glory to our God!

Found on: http://internetsobor.org

Healing of the Paralytic Sunday

Subject: **The Epistle and Gospel Readings-May 26/13-4th Sunday of Pascha-Healing of the Paralytic-Tone 3
From: ilarion.marr
To: 

From 'MY LIFE IN CHRIST'  - Saint John of Kronstadt - Originally published in 1897

'In the future life our bliss will be increased by wonder - to suddenly see the saints and beautiful angels of the Lord, their numberless myriads, their symmetrical ranks, their hierarchical order by the wonder of seeing all the saints, all the good and simple men of God of all ages: the prophets, apostles, and all others, and above all by the contemplation of God Himself in inaccessible light; by our own inward enlightenment and most perfect beatitude, undarkened by any sin, fear, care or sorrow.'

pg 473 as published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY 1984 558 pages - available at Holy Trinity Church 25-36 37th Street, Astoria, NY - see Matushka Irina

**Prayer Before Reading Scripture: 

O Lord Jesus Christ, open Thou the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand and do Thy will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth.  Hide not Thy commandments from me, but open mine eyes, that I may receive the wonders of Thy law.  Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom.  On Thee do I set my hope, O my God, that Thou shalt enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Thy knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting.  For Thou art the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good deed and every gift. Amen

Saint John Chrysostom**

The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles: 

Acts 9:32-42

King James Version (KJV 1611)

³² And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
³³ And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
³⁴ And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
³⁵ And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
³⁶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
³⁷ And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
³⁸ And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
⁴⁰ But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
⁴¹ And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
⁴² And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

The Holy Gospel according to: 

Saint John 5:1-15

King James Version (KJV 1611)

5 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
² Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
³ In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
⁴ For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
⁵ And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
⁶ When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
⁷ The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
⁸ Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
⁹ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
¹⁰ The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
¹¹ He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
¹² Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
¹³ And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
¹⁴ Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
¹⁵ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

Photos of Orthodoxy in Guatemala

Orthodoxy in Guatemala, many photos

Comment: Many native Guatemalans are direct blood-descendents of the once mighty, Mayan Empire.

machine English

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Finternetsobor.org%2Fstarostilnye-tcerkvi%2Ftcerkovnye-novosti%2Fstarostilnye-tcerkvi%2Fpaskha-v-grecheskoi-missii-sv-ksenii-peterburgskoi

original Russian

http://internetsobor.org/starostilnye-tcerkvi/tcerkovnye-novosti/starostilnye-tcerkvi/paskha-v-grecheskoi-missii-sv-ksenii-peterburgskoi

Two sermons on St, Nicholas

shared by Ilarion Marr

On May 22 the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from Myra to Bari, Italy is celebrated. A temple to honor St. Nicholas was built there. 

Two sermons on Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and Saint Nicholas the Merciful. 

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Philaret Metropolitan of New York

Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

People who are familiar with and know the order of our Orthodox divine services (Typikon) know that these services often utilize prokeimena. This Greek name denotes any text from the Holy Scripture that has a particularly close relationship to any given feast day. For example, when there is a feast in honor of St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, or St. John Chrysostom, these great theologians and teachers of the faith, then the prokeimenon corresponds to their great glory: "My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding." For their mouths, truly, pronounced to the world the words of divine wisdom.

Today we celebrate the feast of another great hierarch, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, but we hear another prokeimenon: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." This prokeimenon is proclaimed in honor of many great saints. But although St. Nicholas the Hierarch and Wonderworker instructed and taught his flock with inspired and grace-filled words, his principal glory does not lie therein. We know wherein lies his true glory. Holy ascetics and saints who were glorified for their works of charity and mercy are so named: "merciful." Very recently the Church glorified one such great merciful saint: Righteous Philaret the Merciful. And today She magnifies St. Nicholas, whom the Russian people likewise named in honor of his wondrous works of love and charity "Nicholas the Merciful." And Russian people, seeing someone in sorrow, in misery, in infirmities, will say to him: "Pray to Nicholas the Merciful, and he will tell the All-Merciful Savior of your need."

I would like to remind you of the special glory given to St. Nicholas, above that given to other holy God-pleasers. It is the fact that his name is honored among pagans who know not Christianity. And there is a reason for this. There was an incident well-known to the citizens of Harbin. In Harbin there was a so-called "New Cemetery." It was bordered on one side by a long, tall, steep cliff. One day, some Chinese children were playing there. They were playing under some overhangs of the cliff that could easily fall. And so, while the Chinese children were playing there, suddenly a radiant elder appeared to them, who sternly told them in Chinese that they were to immediately leave this place. The frightened children ran, and as soon as they had run away from that spot, a huge piece of the cliff collapsed. They would have been crushed under it, had it not been for the elder's warning. News of this spread swiftly among the Chinese, of course, and later among the Russians.

One Russian hunter, occupying himself with his favorite pastime, walked far off into the jungles of China. Weary, he entered a small Chinese village. The Chinese, a welcoming, genial people, offered him a place to rest. Entering into one of the huts, he saw nailed above the entryway an icon of St. Nicholas. He realized that, these being pagans, the icon must have somehow accidentally ended up with them, and he asked the master of the house to give him the icon. He grew upset with him and answered, "This old man is a very good man; we honor him much, because he helps us greatly."

In the station at kiot of St Nicholas
(Vladika Nestor)

I recall one more instance: at the train station in Harbin there was a large, ornate icon of St. Nicholas, which many considered to be wonderworking. All Russian Orthodox people (excepting, perhaps, the atheists), when they traveled by train and wound up in the Harbin train station, considered it their Christian duty to pray before that icon and put up a candle. There was one incident that took place in the spring. There was an ice floe on the large, wide Songhua River. Many people had gathered at the station, and trains were passing through frequently. Suddenly they see a Chinese man run into the building, soaking wet. He ran in, threw himself before the icon, falling to his knees, and began to cry aloud something in his own language. It turned out that he was thanking the holy Hierarch. What had happened? He was in a hurry and decided to risk it — he chose to cross the river by jumping across the drifting ice. The ice on the Songhua was fairly solid and thick. So there he was running, and suddenly he fell into the water and found himself under the ice, drowning… But, remembering the icon and how deeply the Russians venerated it, cried out in Chinese: "Old man from the station, help me!" And he appeared on the shore, wet, but on the shore… How? He couldn't understand… He then got up and ran the whole long way to the station, fell before the icon and offered his thanks.

It is no coincidence that St. Nicholas is venerated not only by the Orthodox Christian population, but by pagans, as well. It is done unto them according to their faith! And that is why the Russian person will always turn to St. Nicholas, regardless of what he may need, because he knows and believes that many voices call out to the holy Hierarch, there in the holy, Heavenly realm, but the holy Hierarch will always hear and come to the aid of the voice of faith, the voice of hope against hope. It is no coincidence, I repeat, that the Russian people call him Nicholas the Merciful.

Amen.

Saint Metropolitan Philaret given on December 18/5, 1970.

Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Not long ago, only a few days ago in fact, we commemorated the memory of one of the Lord's righteous ones, St. Philaret the Merciful (). Tomorrow we will again glorify another great servant of the Lord, St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia of Asia Minor. So impressed by his miracles and torrents of love was our nation, that we have called him "the Merciful Nicholas."

A veritable ocean of wonders streamed forth during and after the life of St. Nicholas.

No one, it seems to us, performed so many miracles except possibly the recently canonized St. John of Kronstadt, who also gushed forth a sea of miracles. Toward the end of his life St. John was so overcome by the grace of the Holy Spirit that one might say he performed miracles just as he walked along his way. A blind man comes with a request: "Father, pray for me!" After a short prayerful appeal to God, Father John touches his eyes with his sanctifying fingers and the former blind man walks away, his sight restored.

We know of many miracles performed by St. Nicholas, but I would like to tell you of which is little known.

At the end of the last century, when the Russian intelligentsia was taken by the idea of women's emancipation, a certain young girl was inflamed by the desire to go to the capital, there to study and help people.

Her mother, a God-fearing woman, pleaded tearfully against her going, because she foresaw no good was to come of it. But the girl was adamant. As she was leaving, her weeping mother blessed her with an icon of St. Nicholas; the girl accepted the icon and left. When she got to the city, however, one trouble followed the next. The little money she had taken with her did not last long. The landlady threatened to evict her. She couldn't go back - her young pride wouldn't permit it; besides, there wasn't enough money for the return trip.

She suffered hardship and hunger. The ad she had placed in the newspaper for a job teaching brought no response. In utter despair, she decided to commit suicide. Having prepared the poison, her tearful eyes caught sight of the icon of St. Nicholas hanging above her on the wall. She prayerfully turned to him and said: "St. Nicholas, forgive me the sinner; I see no way out." She lifted the glass of poison to her mouth…but suddenly something hit her hard on her head and hands. The glass of poison fell and broke. She turned and saw that the icon of St. Nicholas, without any reason at all, had fallen off the wall and right on her.

Shocked, she stood in tears as she heard the knock on the door. She opened the door and there stood a man, staring at the weeping girl who stood by the broken glass and spilled liquid. As it happened, he had come in answer to her ad and to offer her a very good job, which she accepted, thus ending her problems.

Thus did S. Nicholas save the girl, who was standing at the brink of destruction. We know that often he performs such acts of kindness even when we do not ask his assistance.

Though many prayerful appeals will be addressed to St. Nicholas on the day of his feast, have faith that he will hear your voice and will answer each call of your faith and prayer, now as in times gone by. We only need faithful prayer and hope, and his help will come speedily. Amen.

Troparion in the Fourth Tone

The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness and a teacher temperance; therefore thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty.  O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. 

Kontakion in the Third Tone

In Myra, O Saint, thou didst prove to be a minister of things sacred; for having fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, O righteous one, thou didst lay down thy life for thy people, and didst save the innocent from death.  Wherefore, thou wast sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. 

And, Saint Philaret said this in 1985: 

"After my death our beloved Church abroad will break three ways .... first the Greeks will leave us as they were never a part of us ... then those who live for this world and it's glory will go to Moscow ... what will remain will be those souls faithful to Christ and His Church."