Comforted by the Dead

I like places with long, deep Christian histories

Where the faithful dead

Guard and guide pilgrims of every generation.

I like places with ancient Christian tombs

Where the voices of the saints

Call us to our Triune God.

I like places with ancient Christian ruins

Where the stories of faith

Inspire and comfort me.

I like places with ancient Christian roads

Where the paths of the righteous

Beckon us to continue the journey.

Gird my loins and

Place a staff in my hands

O Lord.

Give me strength

Light the path

Sustain my love.

For You, for them

For the time to come

For Your Heavenly Kingdom.

An icon of the burial and resurrection of St. John the Apostle, who is also known as the Theologian, the Beloved, the Evangelist, the Divine, and St. John of Revelation. While his feast day is September 26, on May 8 we celebrate the "Day of the Roses." This commemorates the annual pilgrimage to St. John's grave where a red dust appears and heals the sick. People call this dust "manna from the earth."