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Greek-Catholic Church 'Our Lady of Damascus' – Malta

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Monday-Saturday Divine Liturgy at 7:30 a.m. Saturday Vespers at 6.30 p.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. “When they are not near a Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholics are permitted to receive the Holy Communion in Orthodox Churches; and the same is also extended to Orthodox when they are not near an Orthodox Church.” (From the book The Thyateira Confession p. 69, written by His Eminence Athenagoras Kokkinakis, Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, published by The Faith […]

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Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Malta

18 hours ago

14th January: Today's Saints (2)
O Saints of God, intercede for us.The Saint of the day 14 January (2)

† The Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu (4th – 5th c.)

audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/01_14_sinai_pc.mp3

The Holy Fathers at Mount Sinai lived in the wilderness around the holy mountain before the Emperor Justinian built the famous Monastery there in 527. The brethren were attacked by a band of Saracen barbarians who massacred Doulas, the superior of the community, and most of the other monks. They only stopped when a pillar of fire rose to the sky from the summit of Sinai, causing them to flee in fear.

The Forty-three Holy Fathers at Raithu were massacred on December 22, but are commemorated together with the fathers of Sinai. They lived the monastic life on the shores of the Red Sea. One day about three hundred Ethiopian barbarians raided the area, killing many Christians and enslaving their wives and children. They attacked the church at Raithu, where forty-three fathers had taken shelter. Their abbot Paul enjoined them to persist in prayer to the end, putting no stock in the passing life of this world, which they had renounced when they came to the desert.

No sooner had he finished his prayer than the barbarians broke in, slaughtering all the monks but one, who escaped to bring news of the attack to Mt Sinai. When the barbarians returned to their ships they found that the Christians had run their vessels onto the rocks. Enraged, they killed all their prisoners. They themselves were massacred by a band of armed Christians who arrived soon afterward.

Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received an incorruptible crown 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! ... See MoreSee Less

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Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Malta

18 hours ago

14th January: Today's Saint (1)
O Saint of God, intercede for us.The Saint of the day 14 January (1)

† Saint Nina, Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia (335)

audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/01_14_nina.mp3

She is called "Nino" in many accounts. This holy maiden was a Cappadocian, the only daughter of Zabullon, a kinsman of the Great Martyr George. Nina was captured and enslaved by the Iberians (later called the Georgians) and taken away to their homeland. In captivity, she lived a sober and pious life, devoting every free moment day and night to prayer. Her exceptional virtue attracted the attention of many, especially those hungry for Truth, and she simply and boldly proclaimed the Gospel to all who inquired of her.

Once she healed a woman's sick child by her prayers, and the report of this wonder reached the Queen of Georgia, who was herself suffering from an incurable disease. She asked the slave to come to her, but Nina refused out of humility, so the Queen had her servants take her to Nina's dwelling. The Saint prayed and the Queen was instantly healed.

Returning home in joy, the Queen praised Nina and her faith to the King, whose name was Mirian. The king payed her little heed, but later, while hunting, he was suddenly engulfed by a dark cloud, so that he lost his way and was stricken by fear. Remembering his wife's report, he prayed "to the god whom Nina worships," and vowed that if he were delivered he would worship Him alone.

Immediately the cloud vanished and the King received the light of faith. Hastening home, he found Nina and, King though he was, cast himself at the feet of the slave and told her that he had resolved that he and his whole nation should be baptized. He sent emissaries to Constantine the Great, who quickly dispatched bishops and priests to the barbarian kingdom.

When the conversion of the country was well under way, Nina, though now freed, determined to stay in Georgia, where she withdrew to the wilderness and prayed fervently that the people would be confirmed in the Faith of Christ. Saint Nina reposed in peace, surrounded by the King, his court and the clergy. Thus did a powerless slave woman, by the power of God, convert an entire nation.

Troparion — Tone 8
In you the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother, / for taking up your cross, you followed after Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, most venerable Mother Nina your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “Having received the grace...“)
Because of your love of God you forsook a bed for rest, O Mother Nina, / you illumined your soul with fasting, thoroughly vanquishing your enemies; / but by your intercessions destroy the evil designs our adversaries. ... See MoreSee Less