27 August 2024 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

The holy prophet Micah (Michea)

Micah was of the tribe of Judah and from the village of Morasth for which he is called the “Morasthite.” He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea and the Jewish kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Micah rebuked the vices of his people and rebuked the false prophets who prophesied “of wine and of strong drink” (Micah 2:11).

He foretold the destruction of Samaria. He also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. But, of all his prophecies, the most important prophecy is that of the Messiah, especially the place of His birth. He mentioned Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, “Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

It is not known exactly whether this prophet was slain by the Jews or whether he died a peaceful death. He was buried in his village and his relics were found, together with the relics of the Prophet Habakkuk, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great.

Catholic Calendar

St. Monica

St. Monica was married by arrangement to a pagan official in North Africa, who was much older than she, and although generous, was also violent. His mother lived with them and was equally difficult, which proved a constant challenge to St. Monica. She had three children; Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Through her patience and prayers, she was able to convert her husband and his mother to the Catholic faith in 370. He died a year later.

Perpetua and Navigius entered religious life. St. Augustine was much more difficult, as she had to pray for him for 17 years, begging the prayers of priests who, for a while, tried to avoid her because of her persistence at this seemingly hopeless endeavor.

One priest did console her by saying, “it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.” This thought, coupled with a vision that she had received strengthened her. St. Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose in 387. St. Monica died later that same year, on the way back to Africa from Rome in the Italian town of Ostia.