The Society of St. Francis

05/12/2025

Pray for our good friend and companion Ven Tiffany Sparks who is to be ordained a Bishop in the Diocese of Grafton

11/10/2025

The service of Blessing of Br Nathan James as the new Minister Provincial

13/09/2025

Big gathering for lunch at Friary Brisbane for Feast of Onam

29/04/2024

Excited (nervous) to be facilitating a workshop at the upcoming Anglican Schools Australia conference - Workshop 4A | Rooted in Faith: Anglican Identity Workshop using Narrative Therapy Tree of Life in Melbourne in August.

28/03/2024

The Way of the Cross. Pilgrimage from Holy Trinity Pussellar to St Hilda's Delta. 11k walk and 75 people participating

26/02/2024

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Bishop Godfrey TSSF Ordination at Brisbane Friary

14/12/2023

13/12/2023

The Saint of the day 13 December

† Holy Virgin Martyr Lucy of Syracuse (304)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/12_13_Lucy_Syracuse_pc.mp3

During Diocletian's persecutions, the Christian maiden Lucy went with her mother on pilgrimage to the tomb of St Agatha (February 5), to pray for her mother's healing from an ailment.
Saint Agatha appeared to Lucy in a dream and said 'Lucy, my sister, why do you ask from me what your own faith can obtain? Your mother is healed. You will soon be the glory of Syracuse as I am of Catania.'

Lucy's mother was healed from that day, and Lucy determined to consecrate herself entirely to God. She broke off an engagement to a nobly-born young man and gave her large dowry of land and jewels to the poor. Her would-be husband angrily denounced her as a Christian to the Governor of Syracuse.

At the tribunal, Lucy firmly confessed her faith in Christ and refused to make sacrifice to the gods. The Governor ordered that she be placed in a brothel, but his minions were unable to move her from the place where she stood, even when they tied her with ropes and attempted to drag her with oxen.

The Governor asked what witchcraft she used, to which she answered 'I do not use witchcraft — it is the power of God that is with me. Bring ten thousand of your men if you wish; they will not be able to move me unless God wills it.' The men then lit a fire around her, but it did not harm her.

Finally they beheaded her where she stood. With her last words, she predicted the deaths of Maximian and Diocletian, and the coming of peace to the Church.

Troparion — Tone 5
(Podoben: “Come, let us worship the Word...”)

Wearing the radiant mantle of virginity, / and virginally betrothed to the Life-giver Christ, / you forsook the love of your earthly betrothed; / therefore, as a bridal gift, / you brought to Him the outpouring of your blood. / O Virgin Martyr Lucy, intercede with Him for us all!

Kontakion — Tone 3

We honor you, pure Virgin and trophy-bearer Lucy, / and we praise your illustrious contest; / for you desired only the beauty of Christ, / disdaining all corruptible things. / When you were beheaded, you received incorruptible glory.

11/12/2023

Getting ready for Christmas. Brothers from Solomon Islands visiting Australia for Leadership Program

08/12/2023

The new Friary Chapel in Sri Lanka

07/12/2023

Rev Jane Markotsis after her first Eucharist. She is a former parishioner at the Friary Church

26/03/2023

Very sad to hear today of the resignation of Very Rev Lawrence Kimberley, Dean of Christchurch Transitional Cathedral in New Zealand. We wish Lawrence and Elizabeth well in their new employment outside the church. The church has lost a very talented pastor and Priest.