PETER AND PAUL

Both Peter and Paul hold very important places in the Eastern as well as Western Churches. Although Peter is not held in as high esteem in the Eastern Church as he is in the Roman Catholic Church, he is still thought of as the first Patriarch of Rome. Peter and Paul are thought of as the two most important Fathers of the Christian Church. Peter is the root of the very early church, having a major role in setting the direction in which the Church would move. During the early church crisis about how non-Jews were received into the Church, Peter was divided in his opinion. While he accepted that "What God has baptized with the Holy Spirit, how can we deny baptism with water?" However, in a later confrontation with Paul, he was of the opinion the Gentiles first had to convert to Judaism. Paul was the first great missionary to the Gentile world. He is the primary force behind the growth of the Church beyond the Eastern Coast of the Mediterranean. Both are thought to have been martyred sometime during the last half of the 1st Century in Rome.
Peter and Paul represent a rather difficult balance that is practically impossible for any one individual to maintain but which the Church needs to have. On one side we have Peter with his emotionalism and at times reckless abandon in his dedication to Christ and Christ's continuing ministry through the Church. On the other hand, we have Paul and his calculated, planed steps toward the same goals. This Icon shows Peter and Paul holding up the church. It makes me think back on all the saints in my life that have supported my faith struggles. Although my faith has changed significantly, I still am very grateful to those individuals who guided me throughout my life.

One of those individuals that first comes to mind was a Roman Catholic Priest who was one of my Clinical Pastoral Education supervisors, Fr Jan de Jon. It was not so much what he said, did, or taught me. It was how he helped me find my own way by allowing me to explore my own faith without being judgmental. In the best sense of the word, he helped me be a good critic and helping me to question some of my basic assumptions and beliefs. He challenged me to be clear about why I believe what I do. I am still working on that. Like Peter and Paul, Jan support my faith growth by lifting me up to Christ.

Permission to Use the Icon: I have on file emailed permission from the site where I found the Icon to use it on Facebook and on my blog. Please, do not assume that this gives you permission to do the same. You can ask for permission by visiting the following site: 

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

16 A Gávia, Rio de Janeiro

GREATMARTYR ANASTASIA THE DELIVERER OF POTIONS

Anastasia was born in Rome during the reign or Diocletian (CE 284 – 305). Her father was a Pagan but her mother was a Christian. After the death of her mother, Anastasia was given to a Pagan Roman. She maintain her virginity by pretending to be sick all the time. When her husband died at sea, Anastasia became active in ministering to Christians in prisons. Although of noble birth, Anastasia dressed as a beggar and took medicines that the sick Christians in Roman prisons. She was skilled in the healing arts of the days.

Eventually, Anastasia was arrested. The Emperor directly questioned her and tried to get her to recant her faith in Christ. When she did not, he turned her over to a Pagan priest. When the priest also failed, he tried to violate her. However, he was first struck blind when he tried to touch her and then he died when he asked his idols to heal him.

After a short time of freedom, Anastasia was once more arrested. She was sentenced to death by starvation. However, after 60 days without any food, she should no sign of weakening. The judge then sentenced her to death by drowning. She was put onboard a ship with many other Christian and taken out to sea. The soldiers then put holes in the bottom. However, the Christians were still able to sail the ship back to land. When the observers saw this, 150 of them came to believe and where baptized by Anastasia and another Christian. All of these were captured and martyred for their faith.

Anastasia was stretched between four pillars and set on fire. She died but the flames did not burn her body. In the 5th Century, her remains were moved to Constantinople and buried at a church build in dedication to her. Some of her bones, including her head, were later moved to the St. Anastasia Monastery near Mount Athos. The original of the above Icon is located at that monastery.

I gain strength and joy from knowing that my ministry as a Chaplain has done the same. It reminds me that I too am part of the "Deliverer of Potions" tradition.

Permission to Use of Icons:I have on file emailed permission from the sites where I found these Icons to use them on Facebook and on my blog. Please, do not assume that this gives you permission to do the same. You can ask for permission by visiting the following site: St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus

14 São João na Fazenda