The Holy Priest-Martyr Hermolaus and those with him (286-305); Holy Venerable-Martyr Parasceve
Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat
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1 Corinthians 7:35-8:7; Matthew 15:29-31
This brief passage is a condensed and impactful scene. We see not just the usual multitude hanging around Jesus on the mountaintop, but a great multitude (polloi oxloi). Moreover, these people aren’t your usual mountain trekkers. They are blind, lame, and limping their way up the mountain. John Chrysostom says their faith is double: first, for struggling up the mountain despite their infirmity, and second, for the simple fact that they threw themselves at his feet, a gesture of humility. One would think that, once on the mountain top, face to face contact, intimate conversations would abound. But for these people, it is enough to sit at the Lord’s feet. A story is told about Anthony of the Desert that one of his disciples travelled a long way to reach him, only to sit with him in silence. When Abba Anthony asked why he hasn’t asked him a question or for council, he simply responded, “it is enough to be in your presence.” To be in the Lord’s presence is worth the clumsy stumble up the mountain of asceticism if only to be healed so that our lips and lives might properly give praise to the true God of Israel.