“Give me Christian mothers and I will give you saints to change the world.” ~ St. John Chrysostom
Ikos 8
Give me Christian mothers and I will give you saints to change the world, said the godly Chrysostom. And touched by this truth, thou didst ever struggle with prayers and advice, showing faithful spouses that peace in the family is fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that they must wisely strive for this. We all thank thee for thine effort to bring healing to our families, so cruelly struck by temptations, saying:
Rejoice, intercessor before God for the harmony of those in married life!
Rejoice, for the faithful spouses whom thou didst advise to live in moderation and holiness!
Rejoice, for thou didst teach them lovingly and unselfishly to bear one another’s weaknesses!
Rejoice, for thou didst show the parents that through prayer the grace of God descendeth on the whole family, bringing peace and happiness!
Rejoice, for thou didst struggle against all sins, seeing them as the cause of the falling apart of families!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thyself an unyielding reprover of the horrible slaughter of infants!
Rejoice, for thou didst tell faithful mothers that through the example of their lives they can turn their children into saints!
Rejoice, for thou didst show the young that through obedience they attract the mercy of God and a peaceful life!
Rejoice, for thou didst beseech them to earn their parents’ blessing, through which cometh also the blessing of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
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Akathist to our Holy Father Paisius the Athonite. Source: Pravoslavie.
