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Psalm 16:3:“As for the Saints in the Lord, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.”
Psalm 97:10-11:“The Lord preserves the lives of His Saints; He delivers them from the land of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.”
Psalm 116:15:“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.”
Psalm 132:9:“Let thy priests be clothes with righteousness, and let Thy Saints shout for joy.”
Psalm 145:10:“All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your Saints shall bless You.”
Psalm 149:5:“Let the saints exalt in glory; let them sing for joy on their bed. Let the high praises of God be in their mouths.”
Daniel 7:18:“But the Saints of the Most-High shall received the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom forever and ever.”
Matthew 27:52:“... The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the Saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His Resurrection. They went into the Holy City and appeared to many.”
Revelations 5:8:“... and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the Saints.”
Revelations 8:3-4:“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the Saints upon the golden altar before the Throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the Saints ...”
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The New Testament is replete with the Miracles of God and Miracles which are caused by thepower of God working through holy individuals: The Saints. Throughout the chapters of the Four Gospels and the Epistles, we read of testimonies where the Lord Jesus Christ cured illness (Luke 13:10-13); people who were possessed by demons (Mark 5:1-13) and caused natural wonders to occur (Matthew 8:23-27). The above listed miracles are but a few in order to offer as an example the different types of miracles which are presented to the faithful throughout the Holy Scriptures.
The Miracles which Christ accomplished throughout His three year ministry were signs of His divinity, His power, and the Coming of the Kingdom of Heaven which will initiate complete love, justice and peace in the world. After the Crucifixion, Jesus promises His Holy Apostles and His Church that He will send upon them the All-Holy Spirit which will infuse the Church with power, strength and the ability to accomplish miracles in the Name of Christ. Despite the physical absence of Jesus after His Crucifixion and Resurrection, the Ministry of the Church would continue in power and glory because of the presence and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
From the first moments of the establishment of the Church on Pentecost (50 days after the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus) until the very moment that you read this reflection, the Church has continued to perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Book which is called The Acts of the Holy Apostles which chronicles the first days and years of the Christian Church offers us the authentic and true witness of the Blessed Apostles who preached the Gospels of Christ throughout the World and who were the cause of miracles.
Miracles continue to this day and will continue to occur until the Second Coming of Christ. The Orthodox Church confesses and understands that all miracles come about because of the Power of God. God chooses men and women of faith as vehicles and vessels of His healing powers. In other words, men and women who have lived holy lives of prayer, fasting, repentance, confession, giving to the poor and liturgical communion with God through the Divine Sacraments have from the ancient days of the Church been chosen by God to accomplish miracles in His name. These men and women are considered Saints in the Orthodox Christian tradition. These Saints have lived lives pleasing to God and are intercessors before the Throne of God for all humanity. Quite simply put, the Saints of God have an intimate relationship with the Lord and pray for us and on our behalf. The Saints are our spiritual kin, friends and relatives who stand ready to pray, intercede and help us on our spiritual journey to our own relationship with God. The prayers of the “Holy Ones” are mighty and powerful before God and throughout the centuries have profoundly impacted on the lives of people in need.
Throughout the New Testament, we find three terms which are related to miracles:
1. (Thavma) - The wonder.
The word Thavma usually refers to something which is of extraordinary or spectacular significance. It is an event and act of God which causes people to watch in astonishment at His mighty power. It is in most cases the reaction of the people to the action and power of God.
2. (Dinamis) - Power/strength.
This word is usually seen in the Light of the power of the Most High God. It is His strength which is manifested and appears to mankind as it works within and through the Body of Christ (The Holy Church), the Saints and the faithful.
3. (Simeia) - Signs.
This third category of miracles is the word which is principally used when describing such events. In the Jewish spiritual tradition, it is the Confirmation of that which you are doing is pleasing to God or is of God.
The Evangelists, Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John use this word to a great extent to show and reveal a more profound and deeper spiritual meaning. The signs are miraculous events which are pointing to a much deeper and significant teaching and purpose for the faithful. In the Gospel of St. John, the changing of water into wine is a sign which points to the more significant image of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). The healing of the blind man is a sign which directs our attention to recurring power of man by God and to the image and importance of Holy Baptism. They are “miracles” and “signs” which point to that which is greater - Faith in God.
Miracles happen every day of our lives. The rising and setting of the Sun, the flow of the tides of the oceans, the rivers and streams and the winds of the air are miraculous. The creation in all its glory is a miracle. The love between husband and wife, between children and parents, the birth of a child and the creativity of the human mind and the gift of the human body is all miraculous. We need to open our eyes and see and recognize the daily miracles of God.
The Shrine Church of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn
It could be said that miracles are the work of the Church. The Shrine Church of St. Paraskevi has the honor and privilege to house the holy relics (bones) of two important healing Saints. The Saints which grace this parish Church are Saint Paraskevi (July 26) and St. Panteleimon (July 27). (Please click above to read the biographies of the Saints and their life stories.)
These Saints have caused and continue to cause many miracles to occur. Miracles which deal with eyesight, health and spiritual awareness and awakening.
Featured at the Shrine and Grotto of St. Paraskevi is holy water which has come to us from the original Church of St. Paraskevi in Therapia, Turkey, the place where the first miracles attributed to this precious Saint occurred.
Saint Paraskevi is known particularly for healing which deals with the eyes, eye surgery, cataracts, blindness, etc. Please use this spiritual aid by washing your eyes with this holy water. Recite the prayer, as a help: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Physician of our souls and bodies, have mercy upon and heal Your servant _____(name)_____ through the intercessions of St. Paraskevi and all your saints. Amen.”
Of course, you are encouraged to add your own personal prayer to this prayer of the Holy Church. It is also good to be striving towards living a holy life in Christ by fasting, praying, giving to the poor and going to Holy Confession and regularly attending the Divine Services of the Church.
St. Panteleimon, the Physician Saint, is a very powerful healer and intercessor for us before the Lord. Upon his relics burns an oil candili (candle). Holy Oil from this candle is available to you for your various spiritual and physical needs of healing. Place a bit of this Holy Oil on your finger tip. After doing this, anoint your forehead, chin and left and right checks followed by both sides of your hands. If there is a particular part of your body which ails you, please also anoint this part of your body. While you do this anointing, recite the pray: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Physician of our souls and bodies, have mercy upon and heal Your servant _____(name)_____ through the intercessions of St. Paraskevi and all your saints. Amen.”
Of course, you are encouraged to add your own personal prayer to this prayer of the Holy Church. It is also good to be striving towards living a holy life in Christ by fasting, praying, giving to the poor and going to Holy Confession and regularly attending the Divine Services of the Church.
May God bless you with his grace, love, peace, joy and happiness through the intercessions of St. Paraskevi and St. Panteleimon. Amen.
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