Soldiers of Christ

“From the day of a child’s birth he is taught by every circumstance, by every law and rule and right, to protect his own life. He starts with that great instinct, and everything confirms it. And then he is a soldier and he must learn to violate all of this–he must learn coldly to put himself in the way of losing his own life without going mad. And if you can do that–and mind you, come can’t–then you will have the greatest gift of all…

…nearly all men are afraid, and they don’t even know what causes their fear–shadows, perplexities, dangers without names or numbers, fear of a faceless death. But if you can bring yourself to face not shadows but real death, described and recognizable, by bullet or saber, arrow or lance, then you need never be afraid again, at least not in the same way you were before. Then you will be a man set apart from other men, safe where other men cry in terror. This is the great reward.” ~Cyrus Trask, East of Eden

This is not from a great theologian, but a fictional character in one of Steinback’s best. Here he is talking about serving in the military of this world, but I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between the earthly army and the Legion of Christ, His Church, and our duty as soldiers enlisted to Her.

Martyrdom + Love

((http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=422))

Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch

February 9

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the
demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion in the First Tone
Bound fast with chains of love, thou didst mightily sunder the wickedness of hatred with manifest courage, and hence, O Nicephorus, when the sword had cut off thy head, thou wast shown to be a godly Martyr of Jesus, our Incarnate Saviour; pray Him for us who honor thy glorious memory.

Reading:

This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephorus, repenting of his enmity, tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint Nicephorus learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephorus, hoping that Sapricius, at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness; but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now awaiting him, because he disdained the chief
commandments of love and forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would sacrifice. Nicephorus immediately confessed Christ before them, and being himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.

“…though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” ~ 1 Cor. 13:3