Saint Emily of Caesarea, the mother of Saints, (330-375, May 30)

There are precious few descriptions of Saint Emily’s life. She was the daughter of a martyr and the daughter-in-law of Macrina the Elder. Along with her husband Basil the Elder, she gave birth to ten children. She instilled the Orthodox faith in her children, teaching them to pray and devote their lives to the service of the Church. As a result of her zealous yet maternal instruction of her children, five of them are commemorated as saints on the calendar of the Church: Saints Macrina, Basil, Peter of Sebaste, Gregory of Nyssa, and Theosebia, a deaconess. Therefore, Saint Emily is often called without exaggeration “the mother of saints.”

O Holy Saint Emily, mother of Saints, ye that stand before the throne of the Most High, intercede fervently for our souls.

St Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne (c. 639 – 25 May, 709)





St Aldhelm’s merits as a scholar were early recognised in his own country as shown by the encomium of Bede (Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum 5.18), who speaks of him as a wonder of erudition. In his capacity as bishop, he displayed a great deal of energy, included going into public places where he would sing hymns and passages from the gospels interspersed with bits of clowning to draw attention to his message. Due to his sanctity, his biographers relate miracles worked during his lifetime and at his shrine. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

A fond farewell to Sunil.

A fond farewell to Sunil (left) and his wife Janaki.  May you have and a peaceful return to Sri Lanka and we hope to see you back with us later in the year. GOD GRANT YOU A SAFE JOURNEY.

 

Holy Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain.

Saint Aristobulus, the brother of Saint Barnabas is called the Apostle of Britain and was its first bishop.  He was ordained and sent to Britain by the Apostle Paul who mentions him in his epistle to the Romans (16:10). He endured the torments and malice of the pagans, eventually baptising them, and having established the Church here he reposed in peace. 

O Holy Apostle Aristobulus, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

The feast of St Nicholas, Cardiff.

 

Veneration of the relics of St Nicholas.

Father Tim and a small contingent of the Lampeter community were honoured to celebrate vespers and the commencement of the feast of St Nicholas with our friends in Cardiff last night.  Father Luke and others from Llanelli will join them for further celebrations and the Divine Liturgy this evening, see here for further details.

A vespers service will take place in Lampeter this evening at 6.15.  See you there.  Happy feast day Nick!

St Nicholas the Wonderworker, pray for us!