Today the Virgin stands in the church, and with hosts of Saints, and invisibly prays to God for us. Angels worship with Hierarchs, and Apostles rejoice with Prophets,  for the Theotokos prays to the Pre-eternal God for us.  (Kontakion — Tone 3)

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Phil 4:13)

The hours spent closest to Paradise are the hours spent in church together with all our brethren when we celebrate the Diviine Liturgy, when we sing, and when we receive Holy Communion.  -  St. Porphyrios 

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior.

Holy Apostle James the son of Alphaeus one of the Twelve Apostles, was the brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. He heard the Lord’s words and witnessed His miracles. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle James Alphaeus and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (November 30), made missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, proclaiming the Gospel, healing all sorts of sickness and disease, and converting many to the path of salvation.

Prayer is remembering to call home because you are a child of God.

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;  give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.   For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."    (Luke 6:37-38 37)

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.   (Prov. 22:6)

The Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphótheos) was the son of the Righteous Joseph before he was betrothed to the Most Holy Theotokos. Tradition says that Joseph had other sons with his first wife. Thus, James was called the Lord's brother.

Memorial Saturday. (Demetrius)   With the Saints give rest O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant, where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.   Whither we mortalsall shall go, making our funeral dirge the hymn;  Alleluia.  Memory Eternal. 

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56)