St. Longinus was the centurion who was in charge of the soldiers who watched as an innocent Lamb was sent to the slaughter. Longinus watched the jeers of those who passed by. He saw the clouds roll in as our Lord said the words: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani...My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” After our Lord passed onto eternal life, Longinus watched as the rocks were split and the earth quaked. He looked upon all these signs and in the midst of everyone, he confessed: “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

Our society at large tends to think of witches, demons, ghouls, and spirits as harmless games and fun. Orthodox Christians understand from experience however, that these things are incredibly dangerous. When we are invited to events or parties that deal with spirits, whether it is organized in complete knowledge of what is being done, or out of ignorance in the spirit of fun, we have to ask ourselves: “Why would I go to poke the bear?”

We hear all kinds of stories and statistics being shared in our country about how faith, in particular Christianity, is slowly dying out. Sadly, taking its place is the “religion of self”, where everyone looks after either themselves or those who they consider close to them.

This is an incredible story from the life of St. John, that gives us two important lessons to remember when it comes to our children.

1.) The way to show love and honor to the gift of children that we have been given by God Himself, is by having them grow up and instructed by God Himself in the Church. It is here where they learn what Love is…what Truth is…and what community looks like. If we ignore this calling and don’t bring up our children in the Church, it is the world that will teach them. When they eventually fall away, how much more difficult it will be for them to come back?

2.) If and when the faith of our children waivers by the temptations of the world, chase after them dear ones! We show our love for them, even when they are running away from us, in order to remind them of the love that they once had in the embrace of Christ and His Church.

This feast day is one that is unknown to many in the modern Christian world, because you will not find it anywhere in Holy Scripture. It is found rather through Holy Tradition, in the history books, and in the hymnography and poetry of the Ancient Church.