Day 27

Scorning the impious decree, the three Children brought up together in godliness feared not the threat of the fire: But standing in the midst of the flame they sang: “O God of our fathers, blessed are you!”

Before we leave our discussion about the fiery furnace, it is important that we look at the prayer and the song of Three Holy Youths, both of which are found in the third chapter of the book of Daniel. The quote in the seventh ode of the Christmas Canon above is taken from the prayer of Azariah as the three stood in the midst of the fiery furnace.

The prayer of Azariah (Daniel 3:25-45) is a beautiful and powerful prayer of faith and trust in God. It is at the same moment a prayer of repentance, of humility and of trust in God. In essence, it sums up all of what our prayer should be.

We have faced a difficult year this year, without a doubt, but we have not faced it alone. God has walked with us, each day. It is vital for us to keep this type of prayer on our lips and in our hearts. If we can pray each day with humility, repentance and trust…certainly God will be with us!

The song of the Three Holy Youths (Daniel 3:52-90) continues the prayer of Azariah as it gives thanks and glorifies God for all He has done. What a powerful thing to hear as the three stood in that furnace! It is no wonder that the king marveled and acknowledged the God of the Three Holy Youths.

Both the prayer of Azariah and this song are part of the fifteenth Old Testament Reading on Holy Saturday, as it tells the story of the Three Holy Youths. Its placement at this Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday, where we hear the first proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ, is no accident. Again, it is part of that salvation history that we spoke about. Without the Incarnation, there is no Resurrection.

As we travel these last few weeks of the Nativity Fast, let us keep the words of the prayer of Azariah on our lips…”Blessed are you, O God of our Fathers!”

In Christ

Fr. David