The Holy Prophet Elisseus (Elisha)
The Prophet Elisseus, the son of Saphat, was from the town of Abel-me-oul and had been a husbandman. In the year 908 B.C., at God's command, the Prophet Elias anointed him to be Prophet in his stead. This happened while Elisseus was plowing his land, having twelve oxen under yoke. Straightway, Elisseus slew the oxen and cooked them, using the wooden plough and the other instruments of husbandry as firewood; then he gave the oxen as food to the people. Bidding farewell to his parents, he followed Elias and served him until the latter was taken up as it were into Heaven (see July 20). When Elisseus received his teacher's mantle and the grace of his prophetic spirit twofold, he demonstrated whose disciple he was through the miracles he wrought and through all that is related of him in the Fourth Book of Kings. He departed full of days and was buried in Samaria, about the year 839 B.C. But even after his death God glorified him; for after the passage of a year, when some Israelites were carrying a dead man for burial and suddenly saw a band of Moabites, they cast the dead man on the grave of the Prophet. No sooner had the dead man touched the Prophet's bones, than he came to life and stood on his feet (IV Kings 13:20-21). Mentioning this, Jesus the Son of Sirach says, "He did wonders in his life, and at his death his works were marvelous" (Ecclus. 48:14). It is because of such marvels that the faithful have reverence for the relics of the Saints (see also Jan. 16). His name means "God is savior."
In light of recent tragic acts of racism and brutality — including the heinous murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, the murder of a black man simply for jogging in Georgia, and the weaponing of the police against a black man in New York City, Nicholas Anton offers this blog entry, taken from a speech he presented in October 2019, which highlights racism and the Orthodox Christian Church in the USA today.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s horrific death at the hands of police officers, protests have erupted across the nation. With everyone at home due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, parents now have an opportune moment to talk about racism with their children. But how do parents begin that tough conversation?
The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations continues to promote social engagement in the Orthodox Church and its relevance in today’s world. The Department’s blog “Faith Matters” recently published an article prepared by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis describing the key issues that Orthodox Christians face in our society today, based on the recent release of For the Life of World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a difficult time for people of all ages. Social distancing has led to feelings of loneliness. The virus itself has led to feelings of anxiety and fear. And these negative emotions will only be compounded in the weeks ahead as more cities and states reopen. Parents and ministry workers need support to keep the young people in their care healthy and connected.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the traditional beloved Ionian Village Summer 2020 program, the Administration team is still hard at work. The Office of Ionian Village has already begun, and will continue, to provide ministry virtually. From Vespers to devotional sessions, many opportunities exist for the youth of our Archdiocese, parish youth ministers, and parents to connect with our amazing life transforming ministry.