In 1320 the monks of Binham Priory in north Norfolk barricaded their doors against their own abbot; when a papal messenger arrived to serve legal papers on the prior, he was attacked so violently that his blood was splattered across the church walls.
Binham was only ever a small Benedictine cell of St Albans Abbey, founded about 1091, and for long stretches of the Middle Ages it was a difficult place to live out a monastic vocation. In this video I fly the drone over the ruins on a foggy April morning and explain why this was a place where medieval monks behaved badly: Robert Fitzwalter’s siege of 1212, Alexander of Langley confined in chains, Prior William de Somerton and the alchemist friar who emptied the priory’s treasury, the monks who locked the gates against Bishop Alnwick in 1431, and Prior William Dyxwell, who kept wandering off.
We also look at what survives: the Norman and Early English nave, still the parish church; the great west front, with the earliest dated bar tracery in England; the fifteenth-century benches and font; the rood screen, on which the saints are showing through the Reformation whitewash and texts; and the ruined monastic quire, with its reconstructed high altar. Much of what we know of the priory’s troubles comes from the chronicles of Matthew Paris and Thomas Walsingham, who wrote at St Albans and so, of course, tell it from the mother house’s side.
Chapters
0:00 Binham Priory in the fog
0:59 What survives at Binham today
1:33A cell of St Albans: the foundation
3:47 1212: Robert Fitzwalter besieges the priory
5:47 Alexander of Langley, the chained monk
7:53 Prior de Somerton the alchemist
10:50 1431: the monks lock out the bishop
12:42 William Dyxwell, the wandering prior
13:36 The Dissolution and the ruin of the priory
15:05 The surviving nave
16:22 Why the nave took 150 years to build
17:50 The great west window and early bar tracery
20:09 Benches, font, misericords and rood screen
22:10 The ruined monastic quire
27 October 2026
Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | October
Did Catholics Add 7 Books to the Bible? Or Did Protestants Remove Them?
From Shameless Popery
Catholics regularly accuse Protestants of removing seven books from the Bible... but Protestants like Todd Friel claim that no, Catholics were the ones who added seven books at the time of the Reformation. So who's telling the truth about history, and how can we know for sure?
Ethiopia: One of the Oldest Christian Nations in the World
Two of the Saints honoured today are St Frumentius (pictured), the Enlightener of Ethiopia, and St Elesbaan, King of the Aksumite Empire of Ethiopia.
From Aleteia
By Daniel Esparza
Ethiopia’s faith can be said to predate the arrival of Christianity in Europe – even if just by a few years.
Right in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a history deeply intertwined with Christianity. As one of the oldest Christian nations in the world, Ethiopia claims faith that can be said to predate the arrival of Christianity in Europe – even if just by a few years. This deep-rooted tradition has fostered a unique variety of Christian spirituality that remains vibrant and very much alive today.
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch told in the book of Acts (Acts 8, 26-40) offers a glimpse into the early seeds of Ethiopian Christianity. The text claims that “a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure” met the missionary Philip on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Philip explained the Gospel message and the eunuch, filled with joy, converted and was baptized. This encounter is believed to have sparked the spread of Christianity in Ethiopia.
In his Adversus Haereses, St. Irenaeus claims the eunuch “was sent into the regions of Ethiopia, to preach what he had himself believed, that there was one God preached by the prophets, but that the Son of this (God) had already made (His) appearance in human flesh, and had been led as a sheep to the slaughter; and all the other statements which the prophets made regarding Him.”
Christianity was soon adopted as the Ethiopian official religion.
Ethiopian Christian spirituality emphasizes a connection to Scripture, both the Hebrew Bible and the Gospels, and to the land itself: Ancient traditions claim that the Garden of Eden was in Ethiopia, and mountain-top monasteries with its elaborately decorated churches offer a panoramic view of what was believed to be the biblical paradise. Public expressions of faith are common, and prayer and fasting are integrated into daily life.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the country’s dominant denomination, places a strong emphasis on the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to be housed in the historic capital of Axum. Processions accompanied by colorful umbrellas and rhythmic drumming are obvious manifestations of Ethiopians’ deep devotion to these sacred traditions.
It’s also worth noting that Ethiopia has a fascinating footnote in Christian history: Emperor Haile Selassie I, who reigned until the mid-20th century, was considered the world’s last Christian emperor. However, it’s important to distinguish between Ethiopian Orthodox consideration of their emperors and the separate Rastafarian belief system, which deifies Haile Selassie as a messianic figure – an entirely different phenomenon.
Ethiopian Christian spirituality is a powerful reminder of the universality of the Christian message, taking root and flourishing in diverse cultures around the world.
26 October 2026
Why Is the Catholic Church Silencing Public Exorcists?
From AdVaticanum
Why is the Catholic Church cracking down on high-profile exorcists? From Fr. Chad Ripperger’s official media hiatus and investigation to Msgr. Stephen Rossetti’s sudden removal and the contentious tenure of Father Amorth, there’s certainly been growing friction between the Church hierarchy and celebrity exorcists. Is Rome protecting the sacred nature of the ministry and preventing "exorcism tourism"… or is suppressing public exorcists playing directly into the devil’s hands by treating spiritual warfare as a relic of the past?
Una Voce Official Statement on the Rome TLM Pilgrimage
These were not "SSPXers". They were ordinary Catholics led by a Bishop, who, at least for now, is in undoubted Communion with Rome.
From One Peter Five
By Una Voce International
Press Release on the Ad Petri Sedem Pilgrimage 2026
Press Release from Una Voce International (FIUV)
‘Ad Petri Sedem’ Pilgrimage 2026
Monday, 26th October 2026 — ROME, ITALY
Many members and supporters take part in the pilgrimage and we as an organisation are a member of the Coetus Internationalis Summorum Pontificum; we regard the annual pilgrimage as having great significance for the movement for the Traditional Mass. We would like to correct some misunderstandings which have arisen over the organisation of the pilgrimage this year.
The authorities (through the Secretariat of State) declined the Coetus’ request for the celebration of Mass in St Peter’s, in August. At that point it was hoped and assumed that it would nevertheless be possible to have a collective devotion of some kind for the pilgrims, in St Peter’s, as happened in 2023 and 2024 when permission for Mass was refused. The August letter did not rule this out, so the Coetus requested it.
This request was refused in a letter dated 30th September, which was however not received by the organisers until well into October.
In the meantime permission was sought and gained for a Prelatial (Pontifical) Low Mass in St Mary Major.
The Coetus was privileged to be allowed a Mass there on a Saturday, which is not normally allowed for pilgrim groups. A very reasonable time slot was allocated for this, and Mass ended at about 4:15, as would be expected.
The Cardinal Archpriest, the sacristans, and the Basilica security were all very helpful, and we are very grateful to them. The Dominican priests whose role is to hear confessions in the Basilica made themselves available to the pilgrims.
We are also grateful to the Lissom Grove choir and to the 1,500 pilgrims who filled this ancient Basilica.
Joseph Shaw, President
Monika Rheinschmitt, Treasurer
Rome
Why Loving God Must Come Before Loving Your Neighbour
A sermon for today. Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the Priest.
St Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia
From Fr Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints:
THE Axumite Ethiopians, whose dominions were extended from the western coast of the Red Sea, very far on the continent, were in the sixth century a powerful and flourishing nation. St. Elesbaan their king, during the reign of Justin the Elder, in all his actions and designs had no other desire than to procure in all things the happiness of his people, and the divine glory. The mildness and prudence of his government was a sensible proof how great a blessing a people enjoys in a king who is free from inordinate passions and selfish views, to gratify which princes so often become tyrants. This good king, however, was obliged to engage in a war. But his motives were justice and religion; and the exaltation of both was the fruit of his victory. The Homerite Arabians dwelt upon the eastern coast at the bottom of the Red Sea, in Arabia Felix, and were either a part of the Sabans, or their neighbors. This nation was full of Jews; and Dunaan or Danaan, a Jew who had usurped the sovereignty, persecuted the Christians. St. Gregentius, who was an Arabian by birth, and archbishop of Taphar, the metropolis of this country, was banished by him in 520 St. Aretas, the governor of the city Neogran, was beheaded, with four companions, for his constancy in the faith. His wife Duma, and daughters, also suffered death for the same glorious cause, and are honored as martyrs on the 24th of October, in the Roman, and in other Western, as well as in the Eastern and Muscovite calendars.* The emperor Justin the Elder, whose protection the persecuted Christians had implored, engaged St. Elesbaan to transport his forces into Arabia, and drive away the usurper. The zealous prince complied with this just desire, and having by the divine blessing defeated the tyrant, made use of his victory with great clemency and moderation, re-established religion, recalled St. Gregentius, and repaired the vineyard, which a furious wild beast had laid waste. He rebuilt the church at Taphar; and, by laying the first stone, would be himself the first architect. He placed on the throne Abraamius, a pious Christian, who governed by the counsels of St. Gregentius. That holy prelate had a famous conference with the Jews,* and wrote a book against vices,1 extant in Greek in the Imperial library at Vienna. St. Gregentius died on the 19th of December, in 552. Baillet tells us, that St. Elesbaan resigned his crown soon after his return into his own dominions: but Nonnus, in his Legation2 testifies, in 527, several years after this war, that Elesbaan then resided at Axuma, a very great city, capital of Ethiopia. At length, this good king, leaving his dominions to a son who was heir of his zeal and piety no less than of his kingdom, sent his royal diadem to Jerusalem, put on sackcloth, and retired secretly in the night out of the palace and city to a holy monastery situated on a solitary mountain, where he took the monastic habit, and shut himself up in a cell for the remaining part of his life. He carried nothing with him out of the palace but a mat to lie on, and a cup to drink out of. His food was only bread, with which he sometimes took a few dry herbs; he never drank any thing but water. He would not allow himself the least distinction above the last among his brethren, and was the first in every duty of his new state. No seculars ever had access to him, and his whole employment consisted in the exercises of penance, the contemplation of heavenly things, and conversing with God, by whom he was at length called, by a happy death, to reign eternally with Christ. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology. See Theophanes, Cedrenus, Jos. Assemani, in his most valuable Bibl. Orient. t. 1, pp. 359 and 385; also in his Comm. in Calend. Univ. t. 6, p. 316, which work, more leisure would have enabled him to have digested and rendered (like the former) more methodical. See also Orsi,1. 39, n. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, t. 17, p. 206.
St Abban, Abbot in Ireland
HE was son of Cormac, king of Leinster, and of Mella, sister to St. Ibar, who is said by ancient writers to have preached in Ireland a little before the arrival of St. Patrick; though others think he was consecrated bishop by St. Patrick. St. Ibar having labored with zeal in the conversion of the pagans, founded the monastery of Beg-erin, a small island on the coast of Kinselach, in Leinster, where he died about the year 500, and is honored on the 23d of April. After Ibar’s death, our saint, who had been trained up in the monastery of Beg-erin, followed the steps of his holy uncle, and converted a great number of idolaters. He founded the monasteries of Kil-abbain in the north of Leinster, and Magharnoidhe in Kinselach, and died in the former, towards the end of the sixth century. See Usher, Antiq. Colgan, Act. SS. p. 610, et seq.
Collect of St Elesbaan (Kaleb of Axum), King & Confessor ~ Indulgenced on the Saint's Feast (See Note)
According to the Apostolic Penitentiary, a partial indulgence is granted to those who, on the feast of any Saint, recite in his honour the oration of the Missal or any other approved by legitimate Authority.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who dost gladden us with the annual feast of Elesbaan, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, whilst honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds.
Let us pray.
O God, who dost gladden us with the annual feast of Elesbaan, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, whilst honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Collect of St Abban of Corbmaic, Abbot & Confessor ~ Indulgenced on the Saint's Feast (See Note)
According to the Apostolic Penitentiary, a partial indulgence is granted to those who, on the feast of any Saint, recite in his honour the oration of the Missal or any other approved by legitimate Authority.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who by the preaching of Thy blessed servant Landelin Thou didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in County Wexford: Grant, we beseech Thee, that, having his life and labours in remembrance, we may show our thankfulness to Thee by following the example of his zeal and patience.
Let us pray.
O God, who by the preaching of Thy blessed servant Landelin Thou didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in County Wexford: Grant, we beseech Thee, that, having his life and labours in remembrance, we may show our thankfulness to Thee by following the example of his zeal and patience.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Prevost’s Election Was Decided in Burke’s Apartment
Little did the "conservatives" know that when they decided to vote for Prevost, they were actually voting for Francis 2.0. They will have much to answer for.
From Rorate Cæli
By Francesco Capozza
The Behind-the-Scenes Story: Those Conservative Dinners at Cardinal Burke's Home Where They Chose Prevost and Rejected Parolin
As everyone knows, the most absolute and sacred secrecy surrounds the election of the Roman Pontiff. Not only are the cardinal electors, but also the masters of ceremonies, the cooks, and the various craftsmen locked within the Conclave's precincts, all obliged to swear on the Gospels to reveal nothing of what they have seen, heard, or even simply overheard.
The penalty: automatic latae sententiae excommunication. Nevertheless, what occurred before and during the electoral proceedings has always been investigated by journalists, Vaticanists, and historians — very often successfully, as they have managed to piece together the fragments of a complex puzzle thanks to reserved sources, cardinals who were perhaps rather too talkative, monsignors on the rise, and individuals whose vanity was rather too evident.
On the Conclave of May 7–8, 2025, which brought Robert Francis Prevost to the Throne of Peter, much has already been written, and even the daily press has revealed certain details about the four scrutinies that delivered the Church to Leo XIV. Today, after months of reserved meetings and considerable cross-referencing of sources, Il Tempo is in a position to reveal how the decision to cast their votes for Prevost, rather than for Pietro Parolin, was made by the conservative group some time before they entered the Sistine Chapel.
During the preparatory General Congregations, virtually all the purpurates — electors and non-electors alike — took part in meals and reserved meetings. Various groups of eminent figures repeatedly gathered in the trattorias of the Borgo district, openly discussing the forthcoming Conclave over a plate of carbonara or artichokes alla romana. Others, still more cautious and prudent, met in great secrecy in the private apartments of one or another cardinal. In one apartment in particular, however, two dinners proved sufficient to trace the outline of the course the voting would follow in the days that followed. An apartment, moreover, at the center of numerous controversies in recent years — that located at Palazzo Rustucucci, facing the Via della Conciliazione, where the highly influential American cardinal Raymond Leo Burke resides. Pope Francis had wished to strip him of the "cardinal's plate" — that is, the monthly allowance due to cardinals, including those who are retired. Two dinners, the same table companions, with the exception of the principal guests: first Pietro Parolin and then Robert Francis Prevost. Besides the host, present at the first dinner were all the American cardinals, a couple of Germans, a Pole, several Europeans, and the former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Gerhard Ludwig Müller. The guest of honor that evening was Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State and by universal consensus the candidate most accredited to succeed Bergoglio. His table companions — the Americans Burke, Dolan, and DiNardo in particular — had asked him what he would do as pope to smooth over the liturgical, theological, and moral divisions caused by the pontificate just concluded. According to some of those present at that dinner, when Parolin left the room, one of all the cardinals present pronounced what has the ring of a definitive verdict: "We cannot trust him — we will vote for anyone except Parolin."
Two days later — we are now speaking of the very first days of May 2025 — a virtually identical dinner took place. The same guests, the same questions placed on the table, but this time directed at a very different guest: the American Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, who had been resident in Rome for only two years and was already well acquainted with the Vatican and curial world. Those who were present have revealed that when the moment came for coffee and digestifs, the die was already cast: the package of votes — between twenty and twenty-five — in the hands of the "conservative" group would flow, from the second scrutiny onward, to Prevost and not to Parolin, given that he had obtained considerably more votes in the first ballot.
The reality is that, the arithmetic having been worked out, it became clear — as has now been established — that following the first scrutiny, Prevost was already the standard-bearer candidate of the conservatives. The Primate of Hungary, Péter Erdő, had come in first in the results. Thereafter, incredibly, Parolin and Prevost found themselves separated from each other by a handful of votes. In the second scrutiny, on the morning of May 8, the picture was already fully drawn: the conservatives flowed toward Prevost — as had been decided at that dinner whose existence we are today revealing exclusively. One question remains — not so much for us as for the conservatives who placed their bets on Prevost: will he honor the commitments made at that dinner?
The Nobel Prize in Literature Is For the Bizarre
The Nobel Prizes ALL became a joke when Al "I Invented the Internet" Gore won the Peace Prize in 2007 for his junk science take on the climate change hoax. Then it was made worse when B. Ibn Hussein won it in 2009 for being black.
By John Horvat
Giving Anne Carson the Nobel Prize in Literature is a tragedy. This is not a celebration of literary excellence but its destruction. Indeed, the world now heaps praise upon her as she deconstructs ancient literature and dismantles the structures that give literary art its meaning and beauty.
For many years now, the annual announcement of the Nobel Prize in Literature has been a celebration of the bizarre. Writers of one-sentence 400-page books, obscene narratives and nihilistic tales have dominated the field of those winning the world’s most prestigious prize for writing.
One might hope that this year would be different. Perhaps the august judges of the Swedish Academy might find someone who can write real stories about real people with a compelling message. How wonderful it would be if the works of this year’s winner would reflect the good, true and beautiful and not be obsessed with the contrary.
More of the Same
Alas, such good fortune was not to be. This year’s winner is the Canadian writer Anne Carson. She is known for her surrealism, intentional absurdity, and genre-bending narratives.
Like most postmodern prize winners, Anne Carson, 76, is largely unknown, except to a tiny niche of readers who believe they can decipher her work. Indeed, modern literature has long lost its universality and is now the domain for all things esoteric, subjective, and limited.
What makes this award perplexing is that Anne Carlson is considered an expert in classical literature. She knows what good literature is.
Yet she uses this knowledge to invite ancient characters to interact with her own. Her work is an absurd hodgepodge that defies every standard and questions every certainty.
Upside Down
Her works become timeless by turning time upside-down. Ancient figures meld with modern ones as she places them inside bizarre postmodern contexts. Sophicles’ Antigone and Ismene can be found discussing Hegel. She merges Helen of Troy with Marilyn Monroe. The young Hercules is involved in homosexual relationships. In another episode of Hercules’ life, she takes the side of the red monster he kills. Her “translations” of classical works are really distortions in which anything is possible.
The narrators in her stories are also upside-down. A cloud, a monster, or an imaginary character might tell the story. The storyteller might change mid-story. There is a lack of unity in her works as she flits from one subject to another. There are no rules in Ms. Carson’s ever-changing world.
Even the format of her works can be upside-down. Some of her writings reject the structural norm of being a book. Her work, Nox, for example, is printed as a single, continuous accordion-folded sheet of paper placed inside a box. Another is called Float, a collection of 22 individual booklets housed in a plastic case. They are to be shuffled and read at random.
Acclaimed by the Establishment
An example of her work is the absurd “poem” titled “Room in Brooklyn.” This minimalist piece of literature consists of four words: “This slow day moves.”
For such “works,” she is acclaimed. The more chaotic her style, the more popular she becomes with establishment academics and critics who do everything they can to find value in her ramblings.
She is described as brilliant, minimalist, and avant-garde. Her style is called delightfully absurd, surreal, and unconventional.
Indeed, this acclaim is far worse than the texts themselves because it creates the false notion that everyone sees value in four-word poetry and upside-down narratives.
No Reason to Celebrate
Giving Anne Carson the Nobel Prize in Literature is a tragedy. This is not a celebration of literary excellence but its destruction. Indeed, the world now heaps praise upon her as she deconstructs ancient literature and dismantles the structures that give literary art its meaning and beauty.
By questioning everything, works like Ms. Carson’s no longer construct a rational story. They turn stories, conventions, and morals into oppressive structures that must be overthrown. Literature becomes a brutal weapon to fragment, isolate, and shred those admirable shared stories that were once so well expressed with wonder and beauty.
Let the prize be given to writers who elevate people’s horizons toward that which is good, true, and beautiful. Would that literature might be freed from such mediocre and “delightfully absurd” authors that deprive it of its purpose. And free from those critics who acclaim such works as masterpieces.
__________
The featured image is “A bizarre physiognomical caricature with a figure pointing to another’s sore eye,” by a follower of Louis-Léopold Boilly (1761–1845). This file comes from the Wellcome Collection, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom, and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Bishop Challoner's Meditations ~ October 27th
ON THE CHRISTIAN'S WARFARE
Consider first, that the life of a Christian is a perpetual warfare, according to that of holy Job, 'The life of man upon earth is a warfare,' Job vii. 1. His time of a true, settled, and solid peace, is not to come till after many a conflict, and many a victory. He must fight his way to heaven against a set of cruel, deceitful, and obstinate enemies, who will never let him alone, either in life or death. These are they of whom the apostle writes, Eph. vi. 11, 12, 'Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places,'- that is against all the legions of demons who dwell in this air that surrounds us. These wicked spirits mortally hate us, because we are created to fill up the places they have forfeited by sin, and therefore they never cease to employ a thousand tricks and artifices, a thousand snares and allurements, to draw us away from God, into the pit of sin and damnation. But for our comfort their power is greatly restrained; they can employ no force against us, nor do us any real hurt at all, except it be by our own free consent, by our unhappily yielding ourselves to them. And on the other hand, we have a far greater strength engaged to fight on our side, not only of all the host of heaven, ever ready to guard and defend us, but even of the king of heaven himself, whose battles we are fighting, and who never forsakes his soldiers in the war, if they do not first desert from him. And what can the soldiers of Christ desire more? God is for us, what matter is it than who is against us? We are sure of victory if we do not fling down our arms and desert to the enemy.
Consider 2ndly, that he devil and all his wicked ones, knowing how little they can do against us of themselves, have unhappily engaged the world and the flesh to side with them as auxiliaries in this warfare. Upon these they depend more than upon all their own troops; and these, in effect, annoy us more, and commonly do much more mischief to our souls, than all those spirits of darkness. By the world we mean the whole collection of poor mortals who have been already deluded by Satan into the broad road of sin and perdition, and who have embraced, both in principles and practice, the wicked laws, maxims, and customs which he has introduced, and continually propagate them both by word and example. This is that world, the slave of Satan and the mortal enemy of the gospel of Christ, against which he so often pronounces his woes; this is that Babylon, the city of the devil, that is waging war against the people of God, and seeking to carry them away captives and to subject them to its wicked laws. This wicked world is made up of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John ii. 19. This wicked world and all its pomps we have renounced at our baptism. Against this capital enemy of our souls we must fight till death.
Consider 3rdly, that if the world be a dangerous enemy to a Christian soul - because it requires a great courage and strength to go against the current of all its maxims and practices, and to despise both its allurements and its censures - the flesh, on the other hand, is still more difficult to overcome; because it is a domestic enemy that is always at hand, even within this very castle of ours, which is continually besieged by the devil and the world; 'tis a traitor that holds a perpetual correspondence with these enemies, and is ever ready to open the gates of the soul to them. For by the flesh we mean our own evil inclinations, passions, and lusts, which never cease to wage war against the Spirit, and which violently incline us to take part with the devil and the world against our God. Hence our Lord, in his gospel, not only requires that we should renounce all other things in the world, how near or dear soever they may be to us, to follow him; but more especially inculcates that we must renounce also ourselves, and hate ourselves in this life, if we desire to be his disciples and to save our souls. This, then, is the very chief part of the Christian's warfare - to fight continually against ourselves, and to spare no pains to subdue our own flesh - that is, all our corrupt inclinations and passions.
Conclude to declare an eternal war against all these three enemies, and to fight manfully against them till death, and thou shalt not fail to receive the crown of life.
27 October, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day
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Outward Appearances1. Men of the world look at the outward appearances of things and are often satisfied with that. Many of them desire and long for physical beauty, wealth, high social status and honours. It does not matter to them if beneath this splendid façade there are concealed a mean and impoverished spirit, a corrupt and dishonest heart, an egoism indifferent to noble ideals, and an astuteness intent on ousting potential rivals. All this is unimportant as long as they are successful and can keep up appearances.
We tend to live for what others think and say about us, in other words, for external appearances.
2. St. Augustine contemplated the haughtiness and ostentatiousness of so-called great men who assumed airs of demi-gods. “Take away the arrogance,” he commented, “and what are men but men?” How true this is.
“Man seeth those things that appear,” says the Holy Spirit, “but the Lord beholdeth the heart.” (1 Kings 16:7)
God is interested in the soul, not in surface appearances. The philosophy of the world is much different from the teaching of the Gospel. “Unless you turn and become like children,” Jesus tells us, “you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:3) “Learn from me,” He says elsewhere, “for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt. 11:29)
To which side do we belong? Are we concerned about external appearances, high position, praise, and worldly honours? Do these things make up our purpose in life? If so, we are not sincere Christians.
We must ask with St. Paul whether it is right for us to seek to please men or God. If we are striving after outward appearances, looking for praise and worldly honour, we have not advanced in the way of perfection. It is necessary to seek the glory of God in all things if we desire to be holy.
3. The false virtuousness of the Pharisees consisted in an outward show which concealed a spiritual vacuum and eventually led to interior corruption and hypocrisy. Jesus was merciful, humble, and gentle towards everybody, even towards sinners such as the adulteress, Mary Magdalen, and the good thief. He was relentless and stern only when confronted by a certain type of wickedness – hypocrisy. He called the Pharisees a brood of vipers, and likened hypocrites to “whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.” (Mt. 23:27) How dreadful if we were to belong to such a category, for we should be already judged and condemned. The fundamental law of the Gospel is sincerity; we must have charity and purity of intention.
Hypocrisy and duplicity have no place in Christianity. Let us examine ourselves strictly and if we discover anything false or distorted in our personality let us resolve to correct it.
Eastern Rite ~ Feasts of 27 October AM 7534
Today is the Feasts of the Holy Martyr Nestor and of the Holy Martyr Capitolina and Her Slave Eroteis.
The holy Martyr Nestor was very young in age, handsome in appearance, and he was known to the holy Great Martyr Demetrios (October 26), for he had instructed Nestor in the faith.
The Emperor was visiting Thessaloniki, and he built a high platform in the midst of the city so that a gigantic barbarian named Lyaios could wrestle there and be seen by everyone. Beneath the platform many spears and other sharp weapons were placed pointing upward. When Lyaios defeated his opponents, he threw them down onto the spears and they died. Many Christians were forced to fight Lyaios and were killed. When Nestor saw how Emperor Maximian rejoiced over the victories of his champion, he disdained his pride. Seeing the miracles of Saint Demetrios, however, he took courage and went to the prison where the holy Martyr was confined and fell at his feet.
“Pray for me, O Servant of God Demetrios,” he said, “that by your prayers, God may help me to beat Lyaios, and put an end to him who brings reproach upon the Christians.”
The Saint, after sealing Nestor with the Sign of the Cross, told him that he would prevail over Lyaios, and then suffer for Christ. Nestor mounted the platform without fear and exclaimed: “Help me, O God of Demetrios.” After he defeated Lyaios, he hurled him down onto the spears, where he gave up his wretched soul.
Maximian became enraged and ordered that both Nestor and Demetrios should be put to death. Saint Demetrios was stabbed with spears, and Saint Nestor was beheaded. Thus, by his example, Saint Nestor teaches us that in every human challenge we must say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.” (Psalm 117/118:6, Hebrews 13:6).
Troparion — Tone 5
(Podoben: “Let us the faithful praise...”)
As a friend and companion of Saint Demetrios, / you were an invincible athlete of godliness and contended manfully, O blessed Nestor. / With divine help, you conquered Lyaios, / and by being slain you became a holy sacrifice to our God.
Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “Thou didst seek the heights...”)
You contested well, therefore you have gained immortal renown, O wise Nestor, / and you became an excellent soldier of the Master Christ, through the prayers of the Martyr Demetrios. / Therefore, with him, pray without ceasing for all of us.
Saints Capitolina (Καπιτωλίνη) and Eroteis (Ερωτηίς) lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian when Zilikinthios (Ζιλικίνθιος) was the magistrate of Cappadocia (ca. 304).
Capitolina was a noble and wealthy lady, but she had no regard for riches. Therefore, she divided all of her property among the poor, and freed her slaves. When she was arrested as a Christian and appeared before Zilikinthios, she confessed her faith in Christ. He ordered her to be thrown into a nearby prison, and she was beheaded the next day.
Eroteis who was Capitolina’s servant picked up some stones and threw them at the magistrate. Outraged, he commanded his guards to beat her mercilessly with sticks. By the grace of Christ, however, the Saint remained unharmed. Then he ordered them to behead her with a sword. In this manner, both of these Saints, the lady and her servant, died by the sword, thereby winning imperishable crowns of glory from Christ.
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Capitolina and Eroteis, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!
✠✠✠✠✠
The holy Martyr Nestor was very young in age, handsome in appearance, and he was known to the holy Great Martyr Demetrios (October 26), for he had instructed Nestor in the faith.
The Emperor was visiting Thessaloniki, and he built a high platform in the midst of the city so that a gigantic barbarian named Lyaios could wrestle there and be seen by everyone. Beneath the platform many spears and other sharp weapons were placed pointing upward. When Lyaios defeated his opponents, he threw them down onto the spears and they died. Many Christians were forced to fight Lyaios and were killed. When Nestor saw how Emperor Maximian rejoiced over the victories of his champion, he disdained his pride. Seeing the miracles of Saint Demetrios, however, he took courage and went to the prison where the holy Martyr was confined and fell at his feet.
“Pray for me, O Servant of God Demetrios,” he said, “that by your prayers, God may help me to beat Lyaios, and put an end to him who brings reproach upon the Christians.”
The Saint, after sealing Nestor with the Sign of the Cross, told him that he would prevail over Lyaios, and then suffer for Christ. Nestor mounted the platform without fear and exclaimed: “Help me, O God of Demetrios.” After he defeated Lyaios, he hurled him down onto the spears, where he gave up his wretched soul.
Maximian became enraged and ordered that both Nestor and Demetrios should be put to death. Saint Demetrios was stabbed with spears, and Saint Nestor was beheaded. Thus, by his example, Saint Nestor teaches us that in every human challenge we must say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.” (Psalm 117/118:6, Hebrews 13:6).
Troparion — Tone 5
(Podoben: “Let us the faithful praise...”)
As a friend and companion of Saint Demetrios, / you were an invincible athlete of godliness and contended manfully, O blessed Nestor. / With divine help, you conquered Lyaios, / and by being slain you became a holy sacrifice to our God.
Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “Thou didst seek the heights...”)
You contested well, therefore you have gained immortal renown, O wise Nestor, / and you became an excellent soldier of the Master Christ, through the prayers of the Martyr Demetrios. / Therefore, with him, pray without ceasing for all of us.
✠✠✠✠✠
Capitolina was a noble and wealthy lady, but she had no regard for riches. Therefore, she divided all of her property among the poor, and freed her slaves. When she was arrested as a Christian and appeared before Zilikinthios, she confessed her faith in Christ. He ordered her to be thrown into a nearby prison, and she was beheaded the next day.
Eroteis who was Capitolina’s servant picked up some stones and threw them at the magistrate. Outraged, he commanded his guards to beat her mercilessly with sticks. By the grace of Christ, however, the Saint remained unharmed. Then he ordered them to behead her with a sword. In this manner, both of these Saints, the lady and her servant, died by the sword, thereby winning imperishable crowns of glory from Christ.
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Capitolina and Eroteis, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!
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