January 11th - Sts. Ethenea and Fidelmia VV (AC)

[Weedy]

January 11th - Sts. Ethenea and Fidelmia VV (AC)
(also known as Ethna and Fedelma)
d. 433.

The story is told that one summer day the little daughters of King
Laoghaire of Connaught, Ethna and Fedelma, who were barely out of
childhood and full of fun, went for their daily bath in a private
place near the palace, a place to which no one ever came so early in
the morning. But this special day they were surprised to hear voices
and see tents encamped on the grassy slope near the pool.

There was a drone of a strange language and every now and again a
sweet voice broke into song and mingled with that of the birds in the
nearby woods and the murmuring of the river. Saint Patrick and his
companions, who had arrived during the night with a message for the
King of Connaught, were praying the Divine Office in Latin. Finally,
each group spied the other.

The older princess asked, "Who are you, and where do you come from?"

Patrick hesitated, then said: "We have more important things to tell
you than just our names and where we're from. We know who the one true
God is whom you should adore. . . ."

The girls were delighted, rather than annoyed. In a flash something
seemed to light up inside them, to make a blinding white blaze in
their hearts and minds. They knew at once that this was real, real
news and that it was true. It all happened instantaneously. Then they
asked a whole torrent of questions:

"Who is God?" "Where does He live?" "Will He live forever?" and on and
on as excited young people do.

Patrick answered each question quickly and simply. He, too, was
delighted: the light that blazed up in the girls was in the man, too,
and the three lights together made a tremendous glow. Everyone else
stood listening raptly, feeling lucky to be witnesses to the saintly
man and the sweet girls--and the Holy Spirit in their midst.

"Oh, tell us how to find the good God. Teach us more about the kind
Jesus, who died upon the Cross. Tell us more, more, more," the
princesses urged. But there was no need for more; the two had already
received the gift of the Spirit of Truth.

Patrick led them to their bathing pool, where he baptized them. For a
short time thereafter, Ethna and Fedelma were very quiet for they were
in deep prayer. Meanwhile, Patrick prepared to say Mass. Then the
princesses began again, "I want to see Jesus Christ now," said Ethna.

"And so do I," echoed Fedelma. "I want to be with Him in His home forever."

Patrick, moved by this loving longing, very gently explained that they
would not be able to see God until after their death. They were still
young, so it would be a long time before they could see Him as He is.
If they lived good Christian lives, then they would be able to go to
God for always and great joys would replace the present sorrows. The
girls pondered this as Patrick began the Mass.

As Mass went on everyone was still, but the river and woods seemed to
sing God's praises. Then the youngest man rang a little bell and all
bowed their heads. Jesus Christ was with them in the grassy knoll in
the king's park. Soon the bell rang again. Patrick beckoned the
princesses forward and gave them Holy Communion.

For a little while the girls looked so happy and so beautiful that
they were like angels. And then, we are told, they died. They longed
so much to be with Jesus that they died of longing. Saint Patrick was
exceedingly happy to have met such quick and whole-hearted belief
(Benedictines, Curtayne).

Troparion of Ss Ethenia and Fidelmia Tone 5

O daughters of King Laoghaire and first-fruits of Patrick's mission
/ most pious Ethenia and Fidelmia,
/ you were blessed to receive the
monastic veil from Ireland's Enlightener.
/ Weeping and lamenting we call upon your charity
/ Pray to Christ our God
/ that He will raise up a new Patrick in our day,
/ that we may be led into the Way of Salvation.

Saint Quote:
In the Christian combat, not the striker, as in the Olympic contests,
but he who is struck, wins the crown. This is the law in the celestial
theatre, where the Angels are the spectators.
--St. John Chrysostom

Bible Quote:
Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover
the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee,
and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaias 60:1-2)


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God's angels serve us

Who are the angels and why do they intervene between heaven and earth?
The Scriptures tell us the angels are God's servants and messengers. "
They are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice
of his word" (Psalm 103:20). The angels belong to Christ and were created
for and through him (Colossians 1:16). The Letter to the Hebrews
speaks of the role of the angels in God's plan of salvation:
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve,
for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)