• June 12: Saint Peter the Athonite

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Thu Jun 11 09:41:03 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    June 12: Saint Peter the Athonite
    (also known as Saint Peter of Mount Athos)
    9th century

    Saint Peter the Athonite was the first ascetic of the holy mountain,
    Mount Athos. Saint Peter established a long tradition of ascetic and
    monastic practices on the holy mountain, which continue today.

    Peter was born of noble Greek parents in Constantinople. As a young
    man, he vowed to become a monk, filling called by the Lord to a life
    of contemplation and prayer. However, he was made to serve in the
    Roman army against the Saracens--an action that he was opposed to--and
    during battle, was taken captive. Peter was imprisoned in Syria, in
    the prison of Samara.

    Peter remained in prison for a lengthy period of time, during which he
    took inventory of his life, considering his sinfulness, and
    contemplating his actions and the retribution of the Lord that had
    occurred as a result. He instituted a strict fast and constant,
    fervent prayer for forgiveness. Peter further turned to the saintly
    men and women who had gone before him for intercession, lifting his
    intentions to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, praying that he might
    intercede for him with the Lord.

    Saint Nicholas later appeared three times to Peter in dreams. First,
    he instructed him to call upon Saint Simeon for intercession. 2nd, he encouraged Peter in patience and hope. The third time, Saint Nicholas
    appeared with Saint Simeon, who touched Peter's chains with his sta=
    ff,
    causing them to melt away, and opened his cell door.

    Free at last, Peter was assisted by Saint Nicholas across the borders
    of the Greek territory. Peter re-committed himself to his vow,
    traveling to Rome to embrace the life of a monk. But Saint Nicholas
    was not done with Peter. Although he had disappeared, he remained
    present, appearing to the Pope in a dream, and notifying him of the circumstances of Peter's liberation from prison.

    On the following day, in the midst of a throng of the people who had
    gathered for Mass, the Pope stood, pointed Peter out in the crowd, and proclaimed: "Peter, you who are from the Greek lands, and whom Saint
    Nicholas has freed from prison in Samara, come here to me." The Pope
    gave Peter the tonsure of the monk, blessed him, and sent him on his
    journey east.

    Uncertain of where to settle, Peter boarded a ship and set off without
    much direction. Our Blessed Mother appeared to him in a dream,
    providing much-needed direction. He would live on Mount Athos until
    the end of his days.=C2 There, he dwelt in the desolate places of the
    Holy Mountain, not seeing another person for fifty-three years. His
    clothing became tattered, and his hair and beard grew and covered his
    body in place of clothes.

    Our Blessed Mother said of Mount Athos: "I have chosen this
    mountain... and have received it from My Son and God as an
    inheritance, for those who wish to forsake worldly cares and
    strife.... Exceedingly do I love this place. I will aid those who come
    to dwell here and who labor for God... and keep His commandments.... I
    will lighten their afflictions and labors, and shall be an invincible
    ally for the monks, invisibly guiding and guarding them...."

    During his time on Mount Athos, Saint Peter was repeatedly assaulted
    by demons who tried to trick him into leaving his holy cave. These
    demons appeared in the guise of armed soldiers, beasts and vipers, and
    even familiar figures from his childhood. Peter overcame each attack
    through prayers to Our Lord and Our blessed Mother. He said "Here have
    the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos led me. I will not leave here
    without Her permission." Hearing the name of the Mother of God, the
    demons vanished.

    Saint Peter died, advanced in years. He was found by a passing hunter
    and his brother, who received healing of demonic possession simply by
    touching the holy man. His holy relics were venerated on Mount Athos
    at the monastery of Saint Clement.
    =C2 by Jacob


    Saint Quote:
    The birds are the saints, who fly to heaven on the wings of
    contemplation, who are so removed from the world that they have no
    business on earth. They do not labour, but by contemplation alone they
    already live in heaven.
    --St. Anthony of Padua

    Bible Quote:
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
    mercies and the God of all comfort: Who comforteth us in all our
    tribulation, that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all
    distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4] DRB


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    Prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit

    O God, Send forth your Holy Spirit;
    into my heart--that I may perceive,
    into my mind--that I may remember,
    and into my soul--that I may meditate.
    Inspire me to speak with piety,
    holiness, tenderness, and mercy.
    Teach, guide, and direct my thoughts
    and senses from the beginning to the end.
    May your grace ever help and correct me,
    and may I be strengthened now
    with wisdom from on high,
    for the sake of your infinite mercy.
    --St. Anthony of Padua

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    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)