Venerable Gregory The Abbot Of Pelsheme And Wonderworker Of Vologda

COMMEMORATED ON SEPTEMBER 30Saint Gregory of Pelsheme, Vologda, was instinctive in the inner-city of Galich, Kostroma governia. He came from the line of the Lopotov high-mindedness. Equally the child reached age fifteen, his parents refreshing him to join in wedlock, but they died, not up to scratch seeing this come to dart. Whole Gregory turgid the gift left him to the base, and entered the monastery of the Most Hallowed Theotokos on the bank of Merge Galich. The Igumen of the monastery regarded the new preacher with conjecture because of his child and distinguished procession. Hence, he placed Gregory in agreement to an fit Large. Next perfect humility St Gregory served all the brethren. At what time a certain since he was destined a priest. Immediately St Gregory's publicity as a minister scattered, and host began to story for spiritual guidance and counsels. The Galich prince asked the preacher to be godfather for his children. Affluent by publicity and the familiarity of his make somewhere your home, the preacher went to Rostov to high regard the leftovers of St Leontius (May 23), and he serious in the monastery of St Abramius, (October 29). But on all sides of also hearsay of the saint's unembellished feats hunger strike scattered. The monks of the Champion (Yakovlev) monastery turned to Archbishop Dionysius of Rostov (1418-1425) with a implore to dish out St Gregory to head their monastery. Out of humility the preacher accepted the guidance better the monastery, but formerly two years he clandestinely left the monastery and withdrew into the Vologda forest. In the Sosnovetsk desert he became acquainted with St Dionysius of Glushitsa (June 1). Equally the Lady provoked the holy unembellished to found his own monastery, St Dionysius conceded his friend's home in on. Next a cantankerous on his shoulders, St Gregory crossed better the River Pelsheme and planted the cantankerous in a stomp by the rivulet savings account. The crucial preacher in the new monastery was the priest Alexis, in monasticism Alexander. In 1426 a church was built at the monastery in nominate of the Most Hallowed Theotokos. Its icons were painted by St Dionysius, and St Gregory himself made-up the sacred texts for the monastery. With time the publish of monks greater than before, the monastery grew and became senior absolute. St Gregory vexed himself with the agriculture of religious zeal at the monastery, and at the precise time he shared in the destiny of his land. In the day 1433, he went to Moscow in order to stand up upon the Galich prince Yuri Dimitrievich, who had under arrest the Moscow principality from Rosemary the Blue, to return Moscow to Prince Rosemary. Prince Yuri obeyed the monastic Large. But in 1434 the son of Prince Yuri, Demetrius Shemyaka, began to desecrate the Vologda lands belonging to the All-embracing Prince. St Gregory, unbalance better the conflict and pile into, went to Demetrius Shemyaka and addressed him with tubby words. "Prince Demetrius," designed the preacher, "you do sound effects that are not Christian. It would be bite the dust if you had gone into a pagan land to a disgusting fatherland oblivious of God. Widows and orphans cry out opposed to you to God. How host fatherland general feeling perish from desire for food and unemotional because of you, and if you don't fulfil the fratricide, the massacre and pile into precisely, after that you shall lose each your confidence and your princedom." At what time this tubby criticism, Shemyaka gave update to disturb the holy Large off a bridge. For various hours the preacher lay acquaint with subdue. His denunciations twisted the pet effect, and Shemyaka precisely bin Vologda. The heroism of the preacher simply greater than before the amazement of him. Previously his death, he normal the Hallowed Mysteries, strut a word of guidance to the brethren, and outstanding as igumen of the monastery his guy unembellished Alexander. St Gregory reposed on September 30, 1442 and was hidden in the monastery he founded.SOURCE:"SAINT OR Feast POSTED THIS Invite 2010(with 2009's associate on all sides of also and to the fore, 2008's, even 2007!):"

Some Thoughts On Fasting And Prayer

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:17-18

Jesus' statement "when you fast" indicates that fasting is normal and acceptable in the Christian life. He assumes His followers will fast on certain occasions, especially in times of testing, trial, or struggle.

Fasting is appropriate during times of sorrow. On occasions of deep grief, fasting is a natural human response. Most people don't feel like eating at those times. Other things that motivate fasting have included overwhelming danger, penitence, and the receiving or proclaiming of a special revelation from God. And fasting often accompanied the beginning of an important task or ministry.

In every scriptural account, genuine fasting is linked with prayer. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast biblically without praying. Fasting is an affirmation of intense prayer, a corollary of deep spiritual struggle before God. It is never an isolated act or ceremony or ritual that has some inherent efficacy or merit.

Fasting is also always linked with a pure heart and must be associated with obedient, godly living. This is the attitude that will motivate the one fasting not to attract attention to his deprivation and spiritual struggle. Fasting is not to be a display for anyone, including God. Genuine fasting is simply a part of concentrated, intense prayer and concern for the Lord, His will, and His work. Jesus' point is that the Father never fails to notice fasting that is heartfelt and genuine, and He never fails to reward it.

Ask Yourself

Has fasting ever been a part of your life and relationship with God? If so, what have those experiences taught you about Him... and about yourself and your need for Him? If you've never actually participated in fasting, what might be some appropriate times and ways for you to practice it?

From Daily Reading from the Life of Christ Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright (c) 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, http://www.moodypublishers.com/.