[Kolokotronis]

December 4th is also the feast of the Virgin Martyr St. Barbara. +John Damacene is commemorated in the Latin Church on March 27. he is one of the greatest Fathers of the Church. +John's monastery of St. Sabbas is still functioning in the Israeli desert with a number of Orthodox monks.

[Kolokotronis]

Church Father ping.

[siunevada]

+John Damacene is commemorated in the Latin Church on March 27.

That may need to be updated. I'm looking at a Latin breviary from 1971 and +John Damascene is Dec. 4 and I believe it remains so. No idea when we moved it.

.Of course, today is Sunday, so the memorial gives way to the celebration of the Second Sunday in Advent.

[Salvation]

Another one we share!

BTTT on the Optional Memorial of St. John of Damascus for the Roman Church, December 4, 2006! (See the Mass Readings for today.)

[Salvation]

Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint John Damascene is the Icon and Image Doctor. He is most famous as one who defended and favored the veneration of sacred images, holy pictures, statues and icons. His writings in the Eastern Church are what the Summa of St Thomas Aquinas are to the West.

John guarded the Church's faith and traditions zealously. His dedicated life of prayer afforded him to put his literary and preaching talents at the service of God. He was a recipent of many miracles. Praying changed everything into beauty for him.

St Damascene spent all his life under Moslem rule and, like all the doctors, had an extraordinary devotion to the Mother of God. It was reported that John received a total healing from a wound inflicted on him through the intercession of St. Mary.

St John Damascene 676-749. The Icon or Image Doctor, Feast Dec 4th.