Elevation of the Holy Cross Eastern Orthodox Church

On January 3/16, our Holy Orthodox Church remembers two men who lived centuries apart and were from totally different cultural backgrounds. Still, the PROPHET MALACHI and the MARTYR GORDIOS shared the same moral conviction and spiritual strength that Christians of today would do well in imitating. Malachi is considered one of the 12 Minor Prophets. The Old Testament book that bears his name was written somewhere around 450 B.C. This was a time when the land of Israel was ruled by the Persians, and God's chosen people had strayed far from the moral guidelines handed down to them through the 10 Commandments. Not only had the Israelites of Malachi's time fallen into great sinfulness, they had begun to forsake God completely, blaming Him for their misfortune and oppression. Malachi traveled throughout the land, condemning the faithful -especially their leaders -for their wickedness and urging them to repent of their sinful ways. Malachi's writings end on a hopeful, positive note, where he foretells of the coming of the "day of the Lord" and prophesying that God will send his messenger soon (John the Baptist) to prepare the way for His coming.

Gordios lived in the early 4th century. He was a soldier in the Roman army but was drawn to a life of service to Christ. Choosing to live a life of a hermit outside of Cappadocia, Gordios was drawn back to the "real world" when he heard of the paganism and idolatry that was running rampant in the town. It is said that he interrupted a large crowd that had gathered for immoral amusement and chastised them for their sinfulness. Although his brave actions won many souls for Christ that day, Gordios himself was executed by the Roman authorities for his efforts.