October 26th
is a day of contrasts. On one hand, it
is the day the Patriot Act went into effect in 2001, an event that greatly
aided in the establishment of a total
panopticon system in the 50 States:
Not only did the USA Patriot Act normalize
the government’s mass surveillance powers, but it also dramatically expanded
the government’s authority to spy on its own citizens without much of any
oversight. Thus, a byproduct of this post 9/11-age in which we live, whether
you’re walking through a store, driving your car, checking email, or talking to
friends and family on the phone, you can be sure that some government agency is
listening in and tracking your behavior. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the
corporate trackers that monitor your purchases, web browsing, Facebook posts
and other activities taking place in the cyber sphere. We have all become data
collected in government files.
On the other
hand, there are also remembered on that day two saints who were victorious
against enemies who seemed unbeatable, St. Nestor (+305) and St. Alfred the
Great (+899). St. Nestor is mentioned in
the life of the martyr St.
Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher, who is celebrated on the 26th. The following is an account of the life of St.
Nestor himself, who is celebrated more fully the
following day:
The holy Martyr
Nestor was very young in age, handsome in appearance, and he was known to the
holy Great Martyr Demetrios (October 26), for he had instructed Nestor in the
faith.
The Emperor was
visiting Thessaloniki, and he built a high platform in the midst of the city so
that a gigantic barbarian named Lyaios could wrestle there and be seen by
everyone. Beneath the platform many spears and other sharp weapons were placed
pointing upward. When Lyaios defeated his opponents, he threw them down onto
the spears and they died. Many Christians were forced to fight Lyaios, and were
killed. When Nestor saw how Emperor Maximian rejoiced over the victories of his
champion, he disdained his pride. Seeing the miracles of Saint Demetrios,
however, he took courage and went to the prison where the holy Martyr was
confined, and fell at his feet.
“Pray for me, O
Servant of God Demetrios,” he said, “that by your prayers, God may help me to
beat Lyaios, and put an end to him who brings reproach upon the Christians.”
The Saint, after
sealing Nestor with the Sign of the Cross, told him that he would prevail over
Lyaios, and then suffer for Christ. Nestor mounted the platform without fear
and exclaimed: “Help me, O God of Demetrios.” After he defeated Lyaios, he
hurled him down onto the spears, where he gave up his wretched soul.
Maximian became
enraged and ordered that both Nestor and Demetrios should be put to death.
Saint Demetrios was stabbed with spears, and Saint Nestor was beheaded. Thus,
by his example Saint Nestor teaches us that in every human challenge we must
say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall
do to me.” (Psalm 117/118:6, Hebrews 13:6).
Fr. Andrew
Phillips tells the
story of St. Alfred’s remarkable victory over the Danes:
. . .
The rest is at
https://identitydixie.com/2023/10/30/october-26th-offers-essential-lessons-for-dixie/.
--
Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us
sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!
Anathema to the Union!
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