Centurio Epistula - Advent

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew [November 30]. It is an ancient period of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity. Ancient records show that Christians celebrated Christmas on the 25th of December in the middle of the third century in Antioch. In the forth century, under Emperor Constantine, the 25th was made the official celebration of the Nativity. In the Council of Trent in 567, the Church codified the Advent season as one of fasting in preparation of the Nativity, and the 12 days of Christmas up to the Epiphany as a festive season

see the collect, appointed lessons, art, and the rest of the homily here
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/advent1.html

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Centurio Epistula - CS Lewis

Today the Order remembers 2LT CS Lewis: Christian Apologist, 20th Century Knight. A lieutenant wounded in WWI, a scholar engaged as a spokesman for the Royal AF in WWII. Perhaps the most quoted religious writer of the modern era.

http://orderofcenturions.org/cslewis.html


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Centurio Epistula – Faith, Healing, and Relics -- 24th Sunday after Trinity

The Gospel story today is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There is a lesson in it about faith and healing. It gave the early Church a faith and hope in the efficacy of relics that continues to this day. The Jews beckoned our Lord to come and raise Jairus' daughter, the ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, who was ill to the point of death. Along the way to Jairus' house, a woman who had suffered from continual menstrual bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus from behind in order to discretely touch the hem of his garment. As she did so, she thought to herself that even by just the touch the hem of his robe she would be miraculously healed. She did so and felt the healing power of Jesus deep within her. At that very moment her issue ceased. At the same moment, Jesus felt a force leave him. He turned asked who had touched him. His disciples were confounded that with so many pressing against them, Jesus could ask who touched him. However Jesus kept looking about him for the person who had touched him. The woman came and fell at his feet in fear and confessed her deed. Jesus had compassion on her and told her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."

See the rest of the homily, readings, and art here (including other Biblical accounts and the story of the Spear of St. Longinus: 24th Sunday after Trinity http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity24.html

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Centurio Epistula - Prayers for the Persecuted Church

I bid your prayers for the Church:

O Almighty God, who did give to thy servants boldness to confess the Name of our Savior before the rulers of this world, and courage to suffer and die for our faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord. Guide, O Lord, thy Church in all godliness, and protect it from those who would persecute it, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen

see more here: http://www.persecutedchurch.org/

Jesus said,

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.


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Centurio Epistula – Service to the State and God

Jesus said, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Our Lord: Jesus taught in today’s lesson two duties, to the state and to God. In meeting our obligations to the state, we must remember that our duty to God comes first – and is different. In the Order we remember early Christian military martyrs who put God first, refused to worship the Roman deities or Caesar, and made the ultimate sacrifice for their Lord.

See the readings and an homily here:
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity23.html



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Centurio Epistula - Veterans and Martin & Mennas [11 Nov]

A salute to all veterans and their families today. In the United States communities will be pausing to remember veterans, and I encourage you to attend a community event.

Today the Order remembers two Christians who wore the uniform of their nation and served Christ faithfully and with distinction

* Martin of Tours - November 11thhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.catholicforum.com/saints/saintm07.htm

* Mennas, Legionary & Martyr November 11thhttp://www.catholicforum.com/saints/saintm7m.htm

Several months ago I shared an article with the Order about Imprecatory prayer
http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://centurions.blogspot.com/2004/07/centurio-epistula-imprecatory-prayer.html

I recalled General Patton's Third Army prayer as he went into theWWII Battle of the Bulge in France. Our Praefectus Castrorum forwarded this prayer to me recently. Please join with me in praying today forour veterans, especially those of the Order who are in harms way:

Almighty and most merciful Father, Lord of Hosts, founder of every righteous battle, the giver hope to David, even the slayer of the Philistines; we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great strength, to strike fear into the hearts of our immoderate foes, with which we lately do contend; speed our fingers to the fight and our arms to strike the enemy; send fair weather, clear heads, sharp thoughts, and humble hearts for Battle; Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee; that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies. And should, in the heat of battle, some are called to thy bosom, meet them at the cross and lift them up forever, as those who go on establish Thy justice among contentious, ancient, and falsely led nations. Amen

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Centurio Epistula - War and Peace – An Orthodox Chaplain’s Perspective

Highly commend this interview with Chaplain Webster of the Virginia National Guard and co-author of the book, The Virtue of War: Reclaiming the Classic Christian Traditions East and West. He speaks of the two orthodox paths, pacifism and just warrior.

Chaplain Webster is a priest, author, and educator. He quoted this verse from revelations as his epiphany:

"And they have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." [Revelation 12:11]

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Centurio Epistula - Centurio Julius of the Augustan Cohort [8 Nov] ca 60

On November 8th, the Order pauses to remember the Centurion Julius of the Augustan Cohort. The officer who escorted Paul on his historic trip to Rome to appear before the Emperor. We have chosen this day as the estimated date of the shipwreck, when Julius interceded to prevent the murder of Paul by the legionaries. Jefferson White, who wrote a book on Paul's journeys, has placed this excellent extract his analysis ofthis voyage on the www. See it here http://www.parsagard.com/

" they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named\Julius, a centurion of Augustus ' band ...And the soldiers ' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escapedall safe to land."

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Centurio Epistula – Keep Thy Church – 22 Trinity


Sunday’s collect is appropriate for our times. Please join with me in saying:

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches about perfect forgiveness, and Paul prays for the strength and condition of the Church. See the readings and an homily here

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity22.html

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Centurio Epistula - JOANNICUS of Mount Olympus
[Nov 4] - 846

Joannicus, born in what is now Turkey, was a soldier who retired after20 years of service in the Roman (Byzantine) Empire. He became a famous monk on Mount Olympus. He was at first an Iconoclast, but later struggled to have the icons returned to the Church and prophesied that it would happen - it did in 842. See more here:http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj2k.htm or herehttp://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3901www.OrderofCenturions.org

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Centurio Epistula – Centurio Marcellus – October 30 298

Today the Order remembers Marcellus, the Christian centurion martyred for Christ. He found that he could not continue to serve Rome with its pagan gods, and to serve Jesus Christ. Fully aware of the consequences, he laid aside his sign of authority – the vine staff. He was beheaded for his actions. See more here
http://www.cin.org/marcentu.html

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Centurio Epistula - Simon and Jude

Today the Church remembers the Apostles Simon and Jude

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head cornerstone; Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

see readings and entire homily here
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/simon_jude.html

The Church is not about bricks and mortar in a physical sense, for they can certainly be destroyed, but the mystical Church will never be destroyed for the gates of Hell cannot prevail against her. Our belief is the essential and crucial element that shapes us and holds us together. In the Order of Centurions this belief is central to our discipline and devotion. It is expressed in the ancient Forma Romana Vetus that was given to us by the Apostles. We can never be defeated as long as we hold the faith. Today the faith is under serious attack from an increasingly secular and intolerant world that hates the Apostolic world vision. The most serious attack, however, comes from within the Body of Christ itself, and especially those who are charged specifically with guarding the faith... her bishops. What these errant bishops intend to pervert we must protect. That was the purpose for founding the Order, "to guard the simple Apostolic faith." I invite you to rehearse the Credo today as we remember Simon and Jude and our Apostolic Church:

Forma Roma Vetus - here http://orderofcenturions.org/creed.html

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Centurio Epistula - IHSV - 27 October 312
Today the Order pauses to remember the story of our Battle Cry. It was related by Eusebius xxviii, from what Constantine told him.

Jesus Christ gave the battle cry IN HOC SIGNO VINCES to Emperor Constantine on 27 October 312. As Constantine moved his legions toward Rome, he had a vision of a "cross of light" and the Greek words TOUTO NIKA (conquer by this) in the sky. That evening as he considered this sign, the Lord Jesus Christ came to him and told him to be at peace and conquer under His sign. The next day he carried a Labarum with the chi-rho encircled in a wreath atop of a gold-covered spear with cross and the battle cry inscribed upon a banner hanging from the cross. He met the pagan force much larger than his, defeated them, liberated Rome, and ended the persecutions of Christians.

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Centurio Epistula - Few are Chosen

"For many are called but few are chosen"

The lesson for the 20th Sunday after Trinity is from St. Matthew xxii. 1. Jesus told a parable of a wedding feast. In the parable, one who was invited to the marriage banquet did not come in his wedding-garment. He was expelled from the fellowship by the lord. What are the implications of this story for us today?

See the Scriptures and an homily here
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity20.html

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Centurio Epistula – James, Bishop of Jerusalem & Martyr – October 23

Almighty God, whose servant James exercised leadership and courage in the early Church, grant that thy bishops might guide us to keep and guard the historic faith as given to us by the Apostles; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

On October 23rd, the Church remembers James, the “brother” of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the 15th Chapter of Acts, James headed the council to consider the pleas of Paul and Barnabas; they did not want the Gentiles to have to come under the Mosaic Law in order to be in fellowship with the Church. James spoke for the council about setting minimum requirements for inclusion in the communion. There could be diversity about some things, but not all things.

In thinking of James and of current events, I cannot help but think of the Windsor Report issued on just a few days ago on 18 October
http://windsor2004.anglicancommunion.org/index.cfm
and the role that the Archbishop of Canterbury must now play with this fractured communion. Ironically, James addressed one issue that now confronts the Anglican Communion in that meeting in Jerusalem in 60 AD. James said, “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication [Greek: PORNEIA] : from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”

Let us pray that all bishops, will display the same type of courage and leadership in doing what is right, and in disciplining the Church in charity, that James did. See Scripture and homily here
http://orderofcenturions/documents/james_jerusalem.html

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Centurio Epistula - Spiritual Pilgrimage


Wednesdays and Fridays were days of fasting (abstinance) and special devotion at the time of the Centurions. The Church has continued this tradition in various forms.

One form of special devotion is Spiritual Pilgrimage. It was developed when Pilgrims could not visit the Holy Land. A fellow member of the Order of Centurions shared this web site of paitings with accompanying Scripture from the Cathedral of St. Luke. We have added a link to these Stations to our Chapel Devotion.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~dmullan1/stations_of_the_cross.htm

There are some stations that are based on tradition rather than
Scripture (# 6-Veronica, #3,7,9 Jesus falling three times, and #4-Jesus meeting his mother)

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit the places where Jesus walked had its start in the Early Church. Later under Constantine it became very popular: Eusebius wrties,

That the Empress Helena, (1) Constantine's Mother, having visited this Locality for Devotional Purposes, built these Churches. For she, having resolved to discharge the duties of pious devotion to the God, the King of kings, and feeling it incumbent on her to render thanksgivings with prayers on behalf both of her own son, now so mighty an emperor, and of his sons, her own grandchildren, the divinely favored Caesars, though now advanced m years, yet gifted with no common degree of wisdom, had hastened with youthful alacrity to survey this venerable land; and at the same time to visit the eastern provinces, cities, and people, with a truly imperial solicitude. As soon, then, as she had rendered due reverence to the ground which the Saviour's feet had trodden, according to the prophetic word which says (2) "Let us worship at the place whereon his feet have stood," she immediately bequeathed the fruit of her piety to future generations. Eusebius: Life of Constantine CHAPTER XLII


There are alternate stations for devotion. One was said by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991 and is based on Scripture only
http://www.freewebz.com/voicemag/stations.htm





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Centurio Epistula - Just War Review

The article at the link gives a succinct review of the development of a theology of "Just War" through the ages.

http://www.tfp.org/TFPForum/catholic_perspective/justwar.htm

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Centurio Epistula - St. Luke the Physician

ALMIGHTY God, who didst inspire thy servant Saint Luke the Physician, to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son; Manifest in thy Church the like power and love, to the healing of our bodies and our souls; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 Timothy iv. 5 & St. Luke x. 1

If you are unable to celebrate this Feast day with a Eucharist among fellow Christians, you may like to visit the Chapel of the Centurion for Spiritual Communion.

Luke was an evangelist, physician, a Gentile and a companion of Paul. He wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts in Greek. Luke alone, in his Gospel, provides us with the story of the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity in the Manger & Angelic Host, Circumcision, Presentation, and visitation of the Magi. Many of these events are celebrated in the Church. From Luke we have the Song of Mary and the Song of Simeon that are sung daily in the Church, and the words of the rosary - Hail Mary. His Gospel contains six miracles and eighteen parables not recorded in the other three Gospels.

In the Book of Acts we have the major feast of Pentecost. We also have the stories of Centurion Cornelius the Italian Cohort, and Centurion Julius of the Augustan Cohort who emerge from the pages of Acts as virtuous men: Cornelius to become the first Baptized Christian and Julius to protect the life of Luke from the frightened soldiers during a storm at sea. Luke's writings give us the stories of all four of the Centurions.

Luke wrote in the first person in Acts. He was with Paul during the voyage to Rome, and endured the hardships with him on his missionary journeys. Acts closes with Paul in house-arrest at Rome and we hear no more of Luke. Tradition has it that he wrote his Gospel in Greece and died in Boeotia. Constantine had his relics brought from Boeotia to Constantinople so that pilgrims could venerate them.

Those interested in Christian healing might like to visit the Order of St. Luke. www.orderofstluke.org


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Centurio Epistula - Crusades History

Thomas Madden, Chair of the Department of History at St Louis University, offers here a brief history of the Crusades
http://www.crisismagazine.com/april2002/cover.htm

Recently we have paused to remember several "centurions" who fought in the Crusades including Hugo and Gerard. It is helpful to understand the nature of these events in looking at these Christians who distinguished themselves.

Madden writes,

That is what gave birth to the Crusades. They were not the brainchild of an ambitious pope or rapacious knights but a response to more than four centuries of conquests in which Muslims had already captured two-thirds of the old Christian world. At some point, Christianity as a faith and a culture had to defend itself or be subsumed by Islam. The Crusades were that defense

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Gérard Tonque Lagleder – 1120
Founder and Warden of the hospice at Jerusalem and the Order of St. John

Gerard founded the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John. Today the Order celebrates a commemorative feast for their founder. He provided care for wounded in Jarusalem during the first Crusade in 1099. The members promised to be “servants and slaves to our Lords, the sick”

Let us pray:
O God, who exalted blessed Gérard because of his care for the poor and the sick, and through him founded in Jerusalem the Order of St. John the Baptist, give us the grace of seeing, as he did, the image of your Son in our brothers and sisters. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Read more about Gérard here: http://www.smom-za.org/bgt/bgt.htm

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