† Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
On the left is St. Nestor, manfully gripping TWO ASSAULT WEAPONS, a spear in his right hand, and his sword in his left hand. In the year 306 AD, St. Nestor being fed up with the gladiatorial persecutions under the brutal emperor Maximian, in particular a certain gladiator henchman named Lyaeus, after being blessed by his imprisoned bishop and teacher Demetrios (right), ran to the local colosseum and voluntarily jumped into the ring with Lyaeus, and proceeded to beat the pagan to a pulp with his bare hands, and then manfully slew the brute before the eyes of the enraged emperor Maximian.
Maximian then had both Nestor and the Bishop Demetrios martyred.
In the icon above, Bishop Demetrios (right) is shown manfully gripping and in the act of drawing his ASSAULT WEAPON, a sword, and, like any good warrior, is also carrying a back-up system, namely a bow, for longer-range tactical engagements.
Do you know why the Church persevered, grew exponentially, and eventually conquered the Roman empire in the first four centuries? It is because the bishops of the day, by the grace of God, were MEN; not simpering, politicking, heretical, faithless, effete little pantywaist perfumed princes as we are cursed with today. These bishops today are themselves God’s punishment and chastisement upon all of us. They need to be told that. All day, every day. EXCELLENCIES, YOU ARE A PUNISHMENT AND SCOURGE UPON THE BODY OF CHRIST.