The Departure of St . Cornelius the Centurion .

On this day, St . Cornelius the centurion, departed . He was a captain over one hundred soldiersin Caesarea of Palestine and he worshipped the stars .When he heard the Apostles preaching and saw the miracles performed at their hands, which wereabove and beyond any human power or pagan gods, he was astonished, confused, and he startedto doubt his gods . He forsook the worship of the stars and opened his heart to the Lord throughprayers, fasting and merciful deeds . In his prayers he repeated, "O Lord God, I am confused in myknowledge of You, direct me and guide me to You ." The Lord had compassion on him, acceptedhis prayers and his compassionate deeds, and sent an angel to announce to him that his prayersand alms had ascended before God and had been accepted by Him . He ordered him to send mento the city of Joppa, to bring St . Peter the Apostle, who was lodging with Simeon the tanner andwho would tell him what he must do . Cornelius did as the Lord said and had St . Peter brought tohis house .As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him . ButPeter lifted him up saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man ." When Peter went in the house, hefound many Gentiles who had come together . Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful itis for a Jewish man to keep company with or to go to one of another nation . But God has shownme that I should not call any man common or unclean . Therefore, I came without objection assoon as I was sent for . I ask, then for what reason have you sent for me?" So Cornelius said,"Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, andbehold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heardand your alms are remembered in the sight of God . Send, therefore, to Joppa and call Simeon here,whose surname is Peter . He is lodging in the house of Simeon, a tanner, by the sea . When hecomes, he will speak to you .' So I sent to you immediately and you have done well to come . Nowtherefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God ."Peter then opened his mouth and said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality . But inevery nation, whoever fears Him and works righteousness, is accepted by Him ." Then he preachedto them of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, and explained to them the mystery of His incarnation,crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and the workings of miracles in His Name . Cornelius, hishousehold, all his men and most of those who were with him, believed and were baptized in theName of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . Straightaway the Holy Spirit descended uponthem . (Acts 10)Afterwards, Cornelius left the military service and followed the Apostles . St . Peter then ordainedhim a Bishop over the city of Caesarea of Palestine . He went there and proclaimed the Name ofChrist, showing them the error of worshipping idols . Their minds were illuminated with the110knowledge of God and they believed in Him . He strengthened them with the signs and miracles heperformed before them and he baptized them all and among them was Demetrius the Governor .Then he departed in peace and received the crown of glory of the apostles .His prayers be with us . Amen