From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- John 11:25-26 --   
      
    Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life;[a] he who   
   believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives   
   and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  RSVCE   
   ===================   
   Jesus has power over life and death as well as power to forgive sins.   
   This is because he is the Creator of life (John 14:6). He who is life   
   can surely restore life. Whoever believes in Christ has a spiritual   
   life that death cannot conquer or diminish in any way. When we realize   
   his power and how wonderful his offer to us really is, how can we help   
   but commit our lives to him! To those of us who believe, what   
   wonderful assurance and certainty we have: "Because I live, you also   
   will live" (John 14:19).   
      
      
   ============   
   February 25: Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople   
   (750-806 )   
      
    Saint Tarasius was bishop, and Patriarch of Constantinople. Saint   
   Tarasius led a life of service and charity, courageously confronting   
   injustices and defending the faith against powerful rulers—oftentimes   
   at risk to himself. His orthodoxy, coupled with his charitable nature,   
   thoughtfulness, and fair-mindedness, allowed him to successfully lead   
   the church at Constantinople for almost twenty-five years.   
      
   Tarasius was born in Constantinople to a noble family. Educated by his   
   mother, he displayed an aptitude for study and embodied the Christian   
   virtues from an early age. He was soon recognized and admired by all   
   he encountered, and quickly rose through the public service and   
   political ranks of the time. Appointed Secretary of State to Emperor   
   Constantine IV and the Empress Irene. Despite his achievements and   
   presence at the opulent court of Constantine, Tarasius lived an   
   austere life of penance and prayer, similar to that of an Eastern   
   monk.   
      
   In time, Tarasius was unanimously chosen by the court to ascend to the   
   position of Patriarch of Constantinople. This position was responsible   
   for leading and governing the See of Constantinople. Tarasius, for his   
   part, declined the position, as he could not accept governance of a   
   see that had been cut off from the Catholic Church. He persuaded the   
   emperor to allow him to convene a general council to address the   
   practices that separated Constantinople from the Church, specifically   
   a dispute concerning icons and holy images. Receiving permission, he   
   accepted the position of Patriarch, and was consecrated on Christmas   
   Day.   
      
   The Council, which initially took place in 786 in Constantinople was   
   disrupted by violence, and adjourned to the following year in Nicea.   
   There, the Council declared the approval of holy images and icons,   
   which was later approved by the Pope, re-establishing ties between the   
   See of Constantinople and the Church.   
      
   Having renewed relations and accountability, Tarasius undertook   
   significant reform within the see, which influenced the Eastern   
   Church. He was a model of perfection and penance for his clergy, and   
   through his model, reform was quickly established. He slept little,   
   ate even less, and spent his days praying and engaged in charitable   
   activities. It is said that he visited every home in Constantinople   
   personally, distributing alms, and caring for the needs of those he   
   encountered.   
      
   Saint Tarasius often found himself in the difficult position of   
   disagreeing with the emperor, and defending both the Church and   
   Christian virtues. When the emperor sought to re-marry, he pressured   
   Tarasius to approve the marriage. Saint Tarasius, for his part,   
   refused repeatedly, ending up in prison for his defense of the faith.   
   Tarasius was only released upon the emperor’s death.   
      
   Saint Tarasius continued to lead the Church for twenty-two years,   
   prior to his death in 806. Holy legend tells us that shortly Before   
   his death, devils examined his life from the time of his youth,   
   attempting to get the saint to admit to sins that he had not   
   committed. "I am innocent of that of which you accuse me," replied   
   Saint Tarasius, "and you falsely slander me. You have no power over me   
   at all."   
      
   The relics of Saint Tarasius were buried in a monastery he built on   
   the Bosphorus. There, they are venerated today. Many miracles have   
   been reported at his tomb.   
      
   Saint Tarasius lived a life of prayer, penance, and service, despite   
   opportunity to acquire great wealth, power, and luxury. He resolutely   
   defended and upheld the tenets of our faith, despite personal   
   persecution and imprisonment. Throughout all, he demonstrated strength   
   of character, humility, and virtue, caring for those in need, and   
   placing the Lord before all things. Saint Tarasius, pray for us!   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   When the devil wishes to make himself master of a soul, he seeks to   
   make it give up devotion to Mary.   
   --St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   Everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem   
   will go up year after year to bow down to the King, the LORD of hosts,   
   and to celebrate the feast of Booths.* j 17Should any of the families   
   of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to bow down to the King, the LORD   
   of hosts, then there will be no rain for them. [Zechariah 14:16-17]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   You appeared to your flock as a rule of faith,   
      
   An image of humility and a teacher of abstinence.   
   Because of your lowliness, Heaven was opened to you.   
   Because of your poverty, riches were granted to you.   
   O holy bishop, Tarasius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!   
      
      
   You shone forth as a light of the Spirit,   
   Adorned with an exemplary life and clothed in hierarchical vesture.   
   You stilled the turbulence of heresy   
   And became a pillar and foundation of the Church,   
   Which praises your struggles, holy Father Tarasius.   
      
      
   You illumined the Church with Orthodox doctrine   
   and taught all to venerate and honor the precious image of Christ.   
   You vanquished the godless doctrine of the iconoclasts.   
   Therefore we cry to you:   
   "Rejoice, wise Father Tarasius."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)