Bishop-Martyr Nykolai (Nicholas) Charnetsky and the Twenty-Seven Other New Blesseds of the Church of Rus-Ukraine Beatified in 2001. Our Venerable Father Samson, Host of Strangers (527-65).
Polyeleos Feast. Apostles’ Fast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Ephesians 6:10-17. Luke 21:12-19.
Read Ephesians 6:10-17
St. Paul writes: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). The “principalities,” “powers,” “rulers of the darkness of the age,” and “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” that Paul refers to are all different kinds of fallen angels who seek our damnation. Our true enemies aren’t of flesh and blood but are rather with these demonic entities.
As earthly creatures, it can be easy for us to forget that we are in the middle of constant spiritual warfare. In his work, the Ladder of Divine Ascent, on “Step 10” St. John Climacus writes about slander. He says: “He who wants to overcome the spirit of slander, should not ascribe the blame to the person who falls, but to the demon who suggests it. For no one really wants to sin against God, even though we do all sin without being forced to do so.” John Climacus’ advice here can help us to have compassion on all sinners, recognizing that Satan and his angels have put them into a trap.
Since our battle is a spiritual one, Paul tells us to “therefore take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13). Like a soldier with a girded waist, a breastplate, footwear, a shield, a helmet, and a sword, Paul speaks of analogous spiritual armor. We should “stand therefore, having girded [our] waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod [our] feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which [we] will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:14-17). Truth, righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God all compose our spiritual armor to withstand demonic attacks and fight back. Note that Paul says to “stand.” We need to be in an athletic position, spiritually ready for battle. However, we must not be afraid. St. Silouan the Athonite once said: “We must always remember that the Lord sees us wrestling with the Enemy, and so we must never be afraid. Even should all hell fall upon us, we must be brave.” Even though we are engaged in a spiritual battle, remember that God is on our side and has suited us for battle.