The Apostles
From the Events of History
The Apostles
On the occasion of their feast on July 12 (5 Abib)
We celebrate the commemoration of our pure Fathers the Apostles on the 5th of Abib, the memorial of the martyrdom of Saints Peter the Apostle and Paul the Apostle, considering that one of them is the Apostle of the circumcision and the other the Apostle of the uncircumcision (Gal. 2:7), meaning that they represent preaching to the Jews and to the Gentiles.
And perhaps on this occasion we contemplate the beautiful qualities with which our Fathers the Apostles were distinguished, so that the Lord chose them from among all their contemporaries and said to them: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).
The Lord Chose Them
The Lord’s choosing of them was based on two matters: the first is that they did not appoint themselves in the field of ministry for a personal purpose. The second matter is that God called them, knowing them. As the Scripture said: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined” (Rom. 8:29).
Obedience
And the Fathers the Apostles were characterized by obedience. They imitated our father Abraham, of whom it was said that when he was called, he obeyed (Heb. 11:8). Matthew was in the place of taxation, and when the Lord said to him, “Follow Me,” he left his position with all its responsibilities and followed Him (Matt. 9:9). And in the same manner Peter and Andrew left the boat and the nets. And among the truest statements about the obedience and renunciation of the Apostles is the saying of Saint Peter to the Lord: “We have left all and followed You” (Luke 18:28).
Faith
Their obedience indicates their faith… For they were the first believers; rather, they were the leaders and the preachers. And without them, we would not be believers. And divine inspiration mentioned this truth in the phrase: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:19–20).
Therefore, we all owe them for what we have of faith… They labored so that we might enter into their labor and enjoy the fruit of their work.
Martyrs
For the sake of the Lord they endured disgrace and humiliation. And they endured imprisonment and scourging. And they tasted sufferings without limit (2 Cor. 4:6, 14). And they all received the crown of martyrdom, except Saint John the Beloved, who is considered among the confessors. And he tasted sufferings more than some of the martyrs.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
