Holy Martyr Anastasia Intercede for Us!

A brief story about Saint Anastasia - This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290. (from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website)

Can you imagine being killed just because you show compassion on other people? Can you imagine being burned to death just because your love for Christ provided you with the willingness to wash the wounds of Christian prisoners? Do you still thing your faith is strong? Do you still think you are loving the way Christ has called you? Something to consider just days before the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord.

The Coming Persecution of Christians

Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 21:12-19 - The Lord said to his disciples, "Beware of men who will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."

Are you being persecuted for your faith? You should expect it, but don’t seek it out. The early Church is filled with examples of thousands of martyrs who were persecuted to the point of death. Many others were tortured to the point of “near death” in attempts to convince them to deny Christ. These “near death” martyrs are referred to as “Confessors” since the evidence of their physical torture bore witness to their faith for Christ. The Saints may not have been looking for torture or death, but they never shied away from becoming a witness to the love and hope that is in Christ.

As we watch the daily evening news accounts of new martyrs and new confessors for the faith, we should take to heart today’s Gospel warning from Christ. We WILL be delivered up. We WILL be brought before governments. We WILL be betrayed even by our closest family and friends. We WILL be persecuted for Christ, maybe not to the point of death or physical torture, but we will be persecuted. As I have written before in this blog, I believe our persecution will be financial rather than physical.

Churches WILL lose tax exempt status.

Christians WILL lose employment if they refuse to hide their faith.

Christians WILL be imprisoned on charges of not supporting the position of the state.

But fear not. God will provide a defense for us. We will NOT PERISH. We have been forever united to God. They may take away our earthly life, but they cannot take our eternal life with Christ.

God Wants You to be a Martyr

In a day when our world is frantically searching wealth and honor, Christians are daily called to choose between worldly priorities and a Godly life. Your willingness to live the faith of Christ through the choices of your life reflects the importance of God in your life, and will be a witness of your faith to those around you. You are a living martyr when you allow others to see your commitment to Christ in your choices, and your martyrdom will draw others to Christ in the same way martyrs drew believers to Christ. Are you willing, or even wanting, to allow your choices to be a martyr for Christ?

America NEEDS More Martyrs

All but one of the Holy Apostles was martyred for standing up and living the Gospel of Christ. In the earliest centuries of the Church, thousands of dedicated men and women were killed in a thousand different ways, by those who refused to embrace the message of hope that is preached by the Church. In many cases, these holy men and women, refused even to pretend to deny Christ, in order to show the world that the Kingdom of God is greater than any kingdom on Earth. The result of these martyrs was the conversion of the world into Christ’s Holy Church. Their willingness to die for the Gospel was an inspiration to thousands.

In our current political environment, it is becoming clear that sooner rather than later, the Church will again be in the position of standing up for the Gospel of Christ. In doing so, we must understand that the society at large will work against the Church. We may not be persecuted with death as in early centuries, but nonetheless we will be challenged to choose between living the Gospel and pleasing society. Although we cannot ignore that many are in fact being killed for their Christian Faith in other parts of the world, already these new martyrs have inspired new converts in the Middle East.

In America, our martyrdom will be different. We will be called to give up comforts, tax exempt status, wealth and other privileges that Churches have enjoyed since the founding of our nation. In America, our martyrdom will be green rather than blood red. In America, our martyrdom will include jumping through hoops to get buildings built and marriages sanctioned. Like the martyrs of old, our willingness to lose wealth and status and comfort will be an inspiration for others to embrace the Gospel of Christ. America NEEDS more martyrs. America needs YOU!