Saint Jacob of Evia served for four years in Greek army in his youth, and he was as devout then as when he became an elder later in his life. Despite mocking from his peers, he was very much liked by his superiors, who granted him a leave of absence so he could attend Paschal and other Holy Week services. His joy knew no end.
With paper in his hand, he returned to the barracks, but there he saw a fellow soldier who was dejected on account of not being able to see his fiancé. He inquired the battle mate when he would like to be absent, and the soldier replied that he would like to have Pascha off, as well as days on Great Thursday and the following days, so he could attend the majestic services with his loved one.
Saint Jacob immediately went and procured the permission from his superiors for his friend to go instead of him. He remained behind, on guard duty, while the Church celebrated the Crucifixion and glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
He spent his guard duty on the hill over Athens, witnessing many Christians going to churches, to receive the holy light, that is, to light candles that announce that Christ is risen. He prayed the Jesus Prayer, and as he did so, the True Holy Light, the grace of God, came upon him, and in his own words, “a light came from on high and rested on me, and I became all light.”
Saint Jacob sacrificed what he loved most, his own presence at the most important services of Church year, so that his friend could experience them and so he could be with his future bride - in return, He gained Christ Himself in his soul. Many of us won’t be able to attend a single service during this outbreak - but that is a non-existent inconvenience for Christ our God. May He come to us likewise whenever we cannot confess, whenever we cannot receive the Eucharist, whenever we cannot sing “Christ is risen” together in person; and in these tiring times, His grace will shine that much brighter. Come, Christ our light, and dispel darkness of sin and disease. Amen.
With paper in his hand, he returned to the barracks, but there he saw a fellow soldier who was dejected on account of not being able to see his fiancé. He inquired the battle mate when he would like to be absent, and the soldier replied that he would like to have Pascha off, as well as days on Great Thursday and the following days, so he could attend the majestic services with his loved one.
Saint Jacob immediately went and procured the permission from his superiors for his friend to go instead of him. He remained behind, on guard duty, while the Church celebrated the Crucifixion and glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
He spent his guard duty on the hill over Athens, witnessing many Christians going to churches, to receive the holy light, that is, to light candles that announce that Christ is risen. He prayed the Jesus Prayer, and as he did so, the True Holy Light, the grace of God, came upon him, and in his own words, “a light came from on high and rested on me, and I became all light.”
Saint Jacob sacrificed what he loved most, his own presence at the most important services of Church year, so that his friend could experience them and so he could be with his future bride - in return, He gained Christ Himself in his soul. Many of us won’t be able to attend a single service during this outbreak - but that is a non-existent inconvenience for Christ our God. May He come to us likewise whenever we cannot confess, whenever we cannot receive the Eucharist, whenever we cannot sing “Christ is risen” together in person; and in these tiring times, His grace will shine that much brighter. Come, Christ our light, and dispel darkness of sin and disease. Amen.
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