Our Venerable Father Joannicius the Great (846). Holy Martyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and the Priest Hermas.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Luke 12:13-15, 22-31.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10
The Thessalonians, like so many Christian communities throughout the centuries faced significant persecution, so much so that the Apostle Paul made a special mention of it at the beginning of this letter to them.
Why is it that Christians are so often the target of persecution?
Remember that, in the beginning, God created humanity to be in harmony and friendship with Him and with each other. However, after being tempted by the enemy, Adam disobeyed and turned away from God and the original harmony that existed was destroyed. In short, original sin led to the devil’s lordship over the world and brought about death and destruction.
Christ came to mend this wound. He destroyed death and restored fallen humanity by his incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection. All who have been baptized into Christ share in this new and eternal life.
Those of us who have been baptized into new life continue to live in the world which is under the curse of death. The citizens of the Kingdom of God on earth are living in a place under the dominion of the Prince of Darkness. This is the basic principle behind why Christians have had a target on their back throughout history.
And if we ever experience hardships because of our Christian faith and identity, look to the Thessalonians as an example, and live with faith, love, patience, and endurance. The Lord will take care of the rest.