By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Today, the Church honours the memory of Prophet Ezekiel, who is among the great prophets of the Old Testament. We also celebrate the translation of the holy relics of hieromartyr Phokas, Bishop of Sinope.
Prophet Ezekiel was descended of a hierarchical genus, and his activity dates back to the beginning of the 6th century BC, a time when the Israeli people were captive in Babylon. He had absolute faith in God, which helped not only himself but also the Israelites, to endure with hope the suffering of the Babylonian captivity. He was worthy to perform miracles by which he reminded the Jews and Babylonians of the power of the true God and strictly controlled the injustice and every violation of the will of God. His control reason caused the reaction of his compatriots, who killed him by envy.
Among his prophecies stands the one referring to the vision of the Resurrection of the Dead and the Valley of the Dry Bones, which is read in the Church on Great Friday after the Procession of the Epitaphios. This prophecy, in addition to the Exaltation of Christ, also proclaimed the liberation of the Jews, which at that time seemed as impossible as to rise to life the dry bones.
Source: Church of Cyprus
