[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Tue Apr 10 05:00:45 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Apr 10 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no
torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their
departure was thought to be affliction,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at
peace.
4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is
full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt
offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run
like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will
reign over them for ever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will
abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 1 of 8

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Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3  (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
15 But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord;
the Most High takes care of them.
16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem
from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover
them, and with his arm he will shield them.
17 The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all
creation to repel his enemies;
18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial
justice as a helmet;
19 he will take holiness as a invincible shield,
20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with
him to fight against the madmen.
21 Shafts of lightening will fly with true aim, and will leap to the
target as a from a well-drawn bow of clouds,
22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the
water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly
overwhelm them;
23 a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will
winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and
evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.
1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the
ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty
from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into
your plans.
Scripture Reading 2 of 8

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Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15  (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
7 But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by
number of years;
9 but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe
old age.
10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,
11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile
deceive his soul.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving
desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him
quickly from the midst of wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing
to heart, that God's grace and mercy are his elect, and he watches
over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 3 of 8

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John 10:1-9  (Matins, Gospel)
1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by
the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he
calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers.
6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things
which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am
the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
Scripture Reading 4 of 8

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Acts 2:14-21
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said
to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be
known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third
hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will
pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream
dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My
Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the
LORD Shall be saved.'
Scripture Reading 5 of 8

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Hebrews 7:26-8:2  (Saint)
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the
heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up
sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this
He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the
word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has
been perfected forever.
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such
a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens,
2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the
Lord erected, and not man.
Scripture Reading 6 of 8

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Luke 24:12-35
12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the
linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to
himself at what had happened.
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself
drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are
You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things
which happened there in these days?"
19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The
things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be
condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things
happened.
22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb
early, astonished us.
23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had
also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it
just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.
25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He
indicated that He would have gone farther.
29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took
bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from
their sight.
32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the
Scriptures to us?"
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found
the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and
how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Scripture Reading 7 of 8

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John 10:9-16  (Saint)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the
sheep.
12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and
the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about
the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My
own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down
My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must
bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and
one shepherd.
Scripture Reading 8 of 8

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Bright Tuesday
Commemoration of Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesbos (also April
9).
Newly-Appeared Martyrs of Lesbos, Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene
These saints were martyred by the Turks on Bright Tuesday (April 9,
1463) ten years after the Fall of Constantinople. For nearly 500
years, they were forgotten by the people of Lesbos, but "the righteous
Judge... opened the things that were hid" (2 Macc. 12:41).
For centuries the people of Lesbos would go on Bright Tuesday to the
ruins of a monastery near Thermi, a village northwest of the capital,
Mytilene. As time passed, however, no one could remember the reason
for the annual pilgrimage. There was a vague recollection that once
there had been a monastery on that spot, and that the monks had been
killed by the Turks.
In 1959, a pious man named Angelos Rallis decided to build a chapel
near the ruins of the monastery. On July 3 of that year, workmen
discovered the relics of St Raphael while clearing the ground. Soon,
the saints began appearing to various inhabitants of Lesbos and
revealed the details of their lives and martyrdom. These accounts form
the basis of Photios Kontoglou's 1962 book A GREAT SIGN (in Greek).
St Raphael was born on the island of Ithaka around 1410, and was
raised by pious parents. His baptismal name was George, but he was
named Raphael when he became a monk. He was ordained to the holy
priesthood, and later attained the offices of Archimandrite and
Chancellor.
In 1453, St Raphael was living in Macedonia with his fellow monastic,
the deacon Nicholas, a native of Thessalonica. In 1454, the Turks
invaded Thrace, so the two monks fled to the island of Lesbos. They
settled in the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos near Thermi,
where St Raphael became the igumen.
In the spring of 1463, the Turks raided the monastery and captured the
monks. They were tortured from Holy Thursday until Bright Tuesday. St
Raphael was tied to a tree, and the ferocious Turks sawed through his
jaw, killing him. St Nicholas was also tortured, and he died while
witnessing his Elder's martyrdom. He appeared to people and indicated
the spot where his relics were uncovered on June 13, 1960.
St Irene was the twelve-year-old daughter of the village mayor, Basil.
She and her family had come to the monastery to warn the monks of the
invasion. The cruel Hagarenes cut off one of her arms and threw it
down in front of her parents. Then the pure virgin was placed in a
large earthen cask and a fire was lit under it, suffocating her
within. These torments took place before the eyes of her parents, who
were also put to death. Her grave and the earthen cask were found on
May 12, 1961 after Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene had appeared to
people and told them where to look.
Others who received the crown of martyrdom on that day were Basil and
Maria, the parents of St Irene; Theodore, the village teacher; and
Eleni, the fifteen-year-old cousin of St Irene.
The saints appeared separately and together, telling people that they
wished to be remembered. They asked that their icon be painted, that a
church service be composed for them, and they indicated the place
where their holy relics could be found. Based on the descriptions of
those who had seen the saints, the master iconographer Photios
Kontoglou painted their icon. The ever-memorable Father Gerasimos of
Little St Anne Skete on Mt. Athos composed their church service.
Many miracles have taken place on Lesbos, and throughout the world.
The saints hasten to help those who invoke them, healing the sick,
consoling the sorrowful, granting relief from pain, and bringing many
unbelievers and impious individuals back to the Church.
St Raphael is tall, middle-aged, and has a beard of moderate length.
His hair is black with some grey in it. His face is majestic,
expressive, and filled with heavenly grace. St Nicholas is short and
thin, with a small blond beard. He stands before St Raphael with great
respect. St Irene usually appears with a long yellow dress reaching to
her feet. Her blonde hair is divided into two braids which rest on
either side of her chest.
Sts Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene (and those with them) are also
commemorated on Bright Tuesday. Dr. Constantine Cavarnos has given a
detailed account of their life, miracles, and spiritual counsels in
Volume 10 of his inspirational series MODERN ORTHODOX SAINTS (Belmont,
MA, 1990).
The Appearance of the Iveron (Portaitissa) Icon of the Most Holy
Theotokos on Mt. Athos.
This icon was the property of a pious widow who lived in the area of
Nicea in Asia Minor during the time of the iconoclastic emperor
Theophilus (829-842). When the emperor's men arrived there to find and
destroy every holy icon, this faithful widow threw the wonderworking
icon of the Theotokos into the sea. Then she beheld a strange wonder.
The icon stood upright on the water and traveled westward across the
waves in this position.
After a time the icon arrived in front of the Iveron Monastery on Mt.
Athos. A certain holy hermit named Gabriel received it in his arms
from the water, and he gave it to the monks. They built a little
church for the icon near the gate of the monastery, and they placed
the icon there. From that time it was called the Portaitissa.
Since then the Most Holy Theotokos has worked many miracles through
her holy icon. She has cured those who were possessed by demons,
healed those who were lame, and given sight to the blind. At the same
time, she has protected the monastery from every danger and saved it
from invasions of foreigners. Among those who received benefit from
the Portaitissa was a Russian princess, the daughter of Tsar Alexei
Michailovitch (1651).
The icon arrived at the Holy Mountain on Bright Tuesday 1004.
Therefore, the Iveron Monastery celebrates this bright festival even
to the present day. The Divine Liturgy takes place in the church by
the sea, where holy water gushed up when the monk Gabriel took the
icon from the sea.
The Iveron (Portaitissa) Icon is also commemorated on March 31.
Vimatarissa Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, Vatopedi Monastery Mt.
Athos.
The Martyrs of St David of Garesja Monastery in Georgia in 1616 (also
April 4).
The Venerable Patapius, Nikon and Hypomone.
These saints struggled in a cave where the monastery of St Patapius
was built (in the metropolis of Corinth). There the skulls of St
Patapius the New and St Hypomone are treasured, and also the jaw of St
Nikon the New. These holy relics were placed in silver reliquaries by
the Most Reverend Metropolitan Panteleimon (Karanikola).
St Patapius is also commemorated on December 8.
St Sava, deacon of Vatopedi Monastery (tenth century).
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6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
In 1616 the Persian shah Abbas I led his enormous army in an attack on
Georgia. Having quenched his thirst for the blood of the Christians,
he arranged a hunt in the valley of Gare (Outer) Kakheti. He encamped
with his escorts in the mountains of Gareji and spent the night in
that place.
At midnight the shahs attention was drawn to a flaming column of
lights advancing up the mountain. At first he took it to be an
apparition. He was soon informed, however, that a famous monastery was
situated in that place and on that night the monks were circling their
church three times with lighted candles in celebration of Christs Holy
Resurrection. Immediately the shah commanded his army to march to the
monastery and destroy all those found celebrating.
That same night an angel of the Lord appeared to Abbot Arsenius of
David-Gareji and told him, Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling the
brothers to His Heavenly Kingdom. On this night great suffering awaits
youyou will be killed by the sword. He who desires to prolong his
earthly life, let him flee, but he who thirsts to purify his soul for
eternity, let him perish by the sword, and the Lord God will adorn him
with the crown of immortality. Tell this to all who dwell in the
monastery, and let each man choose for himself!
The abbot informed the monks about his vision, and they began to
prepare for their imminent sufferings. Only two young monks feared
death and fled to a mountain not far from the monastery. At the
chanting of the Lords Prayer near the end of the Paschal Liturgy, the
monastery was completely surrounded by Persian warriors. Abbot
Arsenius stepped out of the church and approached their leader to
request that the monks be given a bit more time to finish the service
and for all the brothers to receive Holy Communion.
The Persians consulted among themselves and agreed to honor this
request. The fathers partook of the Holy Gifts, encouraged one
another, and presented themselves clad in festive garments before the
unbelievers. First the Persians beheaded Abbot Arsenius; then they
massacred his brothers in Christ without mercy.
After the Persians finished killing the monks, they were organized
into several regiments and made their way towards the other
monasteries of the Gareji Wilderness. Halfway between the Chichkhituri
and St. John the Baptist Monasteries the Muslims captured the two
young monks who had earlier fled and demanded that they convert to
Islam.
The monks refused to abandon the Christian Faith and for this they
were killed. A rose bush grew up in the place where they were killed
and continued to fragrantly blossom through the 19th century, despite
the dry and rocky soil.
At the end of the 17th century, King Archil gathered the bones of the
martyrs with great reverence and buried them in a large stone
reliquary to the left of the altar in the Transfiguration Church of
David-Gareji Monastery. Their holy relics continue to stream myrrh to
this day.
The brothers of the Monasteries of St. David of Gareji and St. John
the Baptist received a blessing from Catholicos Anton I to compose a
commemorative service for the martyrs and to designate their feast day
as Bright Tuesday, or the third day of Holy Pascha.
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Martyr Terence and 40 others beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols.
When the governor of Africa Fortunianus received this edict, he
gathered the people into the city square, set out cruel instruments of
torture and declared that everyone without exception had to offer the
sacrifice to the idols.
Many, afraid of torture, complied. However, St Terence and forty other
Christians bravely affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed
the idols. Fortunianus was amazed at their boldness and he asked how
they as rational people, could confess as God, One Whom the Jews
crucified as a malefactor.
St Terence answered that their belief was in the Savior, Who
voluntarily endured death on the Cross and rose on the third day.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
Forunatian gave orders to lead the martyrs into the pagan temple, and
once again he urged them to offer sacrifice to the idols. The valiant
warriors of Christ cried out, "O Almighty God, Who once sent down fire
on Sodom for its iniquity, destroy this impious temple of idolatry."
The idols fell down with a crash, and then the temple lay in ruins.
The enraged governor gave orders to execute them, and the martyrs,
glorifying God, bowed their necks beneath the executioner's sword.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
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Martyr Pompeius and 40 others, beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols. Many, afraid of torture,
complied. However, St Terence and forty other Christians bravely
affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed the idols.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Africanus and 40 others, beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols. Many, afraid of torture,
complied. However, St Terence and forty other Christians bravely
affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed the idols.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Maximus and 40 others beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols. Many, afraid of torture,
complied. However, St Terence and forty other Christians bravely
affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed the idols.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Zeno and 40 others, beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols.
When the governor Fortunianus of Africa received this edict, he
gathered the people into the city square, set out cruel instruments of
torture and declared that everyone without exception had to offer the
sacrifice to the idols.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
Failing to sway the martyrs, the enraged governor ordered them to be
put to death. The martyrs, glorifying God, bowed their necks beneath
the executioner's sword.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Alexander and 40 others beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols.
When the governor of Africa Fortunianus received this edict, he
gathered the people into the city square, set out cruel instruments of
torture and declared that everyone without exception had to offer the
sacrifice to the idols.
Many, afraid of torture, complied. However, St Terence and forty other
Christians bravely affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed
the idols. Fortunianus was amazed at their boldness and he asked how
they as rational people, could confess as God, One Whom the Jews
crucified as a malefactor.
St Terence answered that their belief was in the Savior, Who
voluntarily endured death on the Cross and rose on the third day.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
Forunatian gave orders to lead the martyrs into the pagan temple, and
once again he urged them to offer sacrifice to the idols. The valiant
warriors of Christ cried out, "O Almighty God, Who once sent down fire
on Sodom for its iniquity, destroy this impious temple of idolatry."
The idols fell down with a crash, and then the temple lay in ruins.
The enraged governor gave orders to execute them, and the martyrs,
glorifying God, bowed their necks beneath the executioner's sword.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodore and 40 others beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols.
When the governor of Africa Fortunianus received this edict, he
gathered the people into the city square, set out cruel instruments of
torture and declared that everyone without exception had to offer the
sacrifice to the idols.
Many, afraid of torture, complied. However, St Terence and forty other
Christians bravely affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed
the idols. Fortunianus was amazed at their boldness and he asked how
they as rational people, could confess as God, One Whom the Jews
crucified as a malefactor.
St Terence answered that their belief was in the Savior, Who
voluntarily endured death on the Cross and rose on the third day.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
Forunatian gave orders to lead the martyrs into the pagan temple, and
once again he urged them to offer sacrifice to the idols. The valiant
warriors of Christ cried out, "O Almighty God, Who once sent down fire
on Sodom for its iniquity, destroy this impious temple of idolatry."
The idols fell down with a crash, and then the temple lay in ruins.
The enraged governor gave orders to execute them, and the martyrs,
glorifying God, bowed their necks beneath the executioner's sword.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Macarius and 40 others beheaded at Carthage
The Holy Martyr Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor
Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects
to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols.
When the governor of Africa Fortunianus received this edict, he
gathered the people into the city square, set out cruel instruments of
torture and declared that everyone without exception had to offer the
sacrifice to the idols.
Many, afraid of torture, complied. However, St Terence and forty other
Christians bravely affirmed their faith in the Savior and ridiculed
the idols. Fortunianus was amazed at their boldness and he asked how
they as rational people, could confess as God, One Whom the Jews
crucified as a malefactor.
St Terence answered that their belief was in the Savior, Who
voluntarily endured death on the Cross and rose on the third day.
Fortunianus saw that Terence inspired the others by his example, and
so he ordered him to be isolated in prison with his three closest
companions: Africanus, Maximus, and Pompeius. Fortunianus was
determined to force the rest of the martyrs, including Zeno, Alexander
and Theodore, to renounce Christ.
Neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs.
They burned them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds,
they sprinkled on salt, and they raked them with iron claws. In spite
of their sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of
Christ, and the Lord gave them strength.
Forunatian gave orders to lead the martyrs into the pagan temple, and
once again he urged them to offer sacrifice to the idols. The valiant
warriors of Christ cried out, "O Almighty God, Who once sent down fire
on Sodom for its iniquity, destroy this impious temple of idolatry."
The idols fell down with a crash, and then the temple lay in ruins.
The enraged governor gave orders to execute them, and the martyrs,
glorifying God, bowed their necks beneath the executioner's sword.
After the execution of the thirty-six martyrs, Fortunianus summoned
Terence, Maximus, Africanus and Pompeius before him. He showed them
the martyrs' bodies and again urged them to offer sacrifice to the
idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them, and
gave orders to starve them to death. By night, an angel of the Lord
removed the martyrs' chains and fed them.
In the morning, the guards found the saints cheerful and strong. Then
Fortunianus ordered sorcerers and conjurers to carry snakes and all
kinds of poisonous creatures into the prison. The guards looked into
the cell through an opening in the ceiling and saw the martyrs
unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at their feet. When the
sorcerers opened the door of the prison cell, the snakes bit them. The
furious Fortunianus gave orders to behead the holy martyrs. Christians
took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia
The Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and
Abdikius died in Persia under the emperor Sapor in about the year 380.
They were arrested together with Bishop Akepsimas (November 3). Weak
from hunger, the sufferers had mustard and vinegar inserted into their
nostrils. Then they were stripped and led out to stand all night in
the cold.
In the morning, after new torments, the martyrs were returned to
prison and beheaded.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Azadanes the Deacon of Persia
The Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and
Abdikius died in Persia under the emperor Sapor in about the year 380.
They were arrested together with Bishop Akepsimas (November 3). Weak
from hunger, the sufferers had mustard and vinegar inserted into their
nostrils. Then they were stripped and led out to stand all night in
the cold.
In the morning, after new torments, the martyrs were returned to
prison and beheaded.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Abdicius the Deacon of Persia
The Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and
Abdikius died in Persia under the emperor Sapor in about the year 380.
They were arrested together with Bishop Akepsimas (November 3). Weak
from hunger, the sufferers had mustard and vinegar inserted into their
nostrils. Then they were stripped and led out to stand all night in
the cold.
In the morning, after new torments, the martyrs were returned to
prison and beheaded.
_________________________________________________________________
Mothers of the Kvabtakhevi Monastery in Georgia
In the 14th century, during the reign of King Bagrat V (13601394),
Timur (Tamerlane) invaded Georgia seven times. His troops inflicted
irreparable damage on the country, seizing centuries-old treasures and
razing ancient churches and monasteries.
Timurs armies ravaged Kartli, then took the king, queen, and the
entire royal court captive and sent them to Karabakh (in present-day
Azerbaijan). Later Timur attempted to entice King Bagrat to renounce
the Christian Faith in exchange for permission to return to the throne
and for the release of the other Georgian prisoners.
For some time Timur was unable to subjugate King Bagrat, but in the
end, being powerless and isolated from his kinsmen, the king began to
falter. He devised a sly scheme: to confess Islam before the enemy,
but to remain a Christian at heart. Satisfied with King Bagrats
decision to convert to Islam, Timur permitted the king to return to
the throne of Kartli. At the request of King Bagrat, Timur sent twelve
thousand troops with him to complete Georgias forcible conversion to
Islam.
When they were approaching the village of Khunani in southeastern
Georgia, Bagrat secretly informed his son Giorgi of everything that
had happened and called upon him and his army to massacre the
invaders.
The news of Bagrats betrayal and the ruin of his army infuriated
Timur, and he called for immediate revenge. At their leaders command,
his followers destroyed everything in their path, set fire to cities
and villages, devastated churches, and thus forced their way through
to Kvabtakhevi Monastery.
Monastics and laymen alike were gathered in Kvabtakhevi when the enemy
came thundering in. Having forced open the gate, the attackers burst
into the monastery, then plundered and seized all its treasures. They
captured the young and strong, carrying them away.
The old and infirm were put to the sword. As the greatest humiliation,
they mocked the clergy and monastics by strapping them with sleigh
bells and jumping and dancing around them.
Already drunk on the blood they had shed, the barbarians posed an
ultimatum to those who remained: to renounce Christ and live or to be
driven into the church and burned alive.
Faced with these terms, the faithful cried out: Go ahead and burn our
fleshin the Heavenly Kingdom our souls will burn with a divine flame
more radiant than the sun! And in their exceeding humility, the
martyrs requested that their martyrdom not be put on display: We ask
only that you not commit this sin before the eyes of men and angels.
The Lord alone knows the sincerity of our will and comforts us in our
righteous afflictions!
Having been driven like beasts into the church, the martyrs raised up
a final prayer to God: _In the multitude of Thy mercy shall I go into
Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O
Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine
enemies, make straight my way before Thee_ (Ps. 5:67) that with a pure
mind I may glorify Thee forever.
The executioners hauled in more and more wood, until the flames
enveloping the church blazed as high as the heavens and the echo of
crackling timber resounded through the mountains. Ensnared in a ring
of fire, the blissful martyrs chanted psalms as they gave up their
spirits to the Lord.
The massacre at Kvabtakhevi took place in 1386. The imprints of the
martyrs charred bodies remain on the floor of the church to this day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyrs of the Kvabtakhevi Monastery
In the 14th century, during the reign of King Bagrat V (13601394),
Timur (Tamerlane) invaded Georgia seven times. His troops inflicted
irreparable damage on the country, seizing centuries-old treasures and
razing ancient churches and monasteries.
Timurs armies ravaged Kartli, then took the king, queen, and the
entire royal court captive and sent them to Karabakh (in present-day
Azerbaijan). Later Timur attempted to entice King Bagrat to renounce
the Christian Faith in exchange for permission to return to the throne
and for the release of the other Georgian prisoners.
For some time Timur was unable to subjugate King Bagrat, but in the
end, being powerless and isolated from his kinsmen, the king began to
falter. He devised a sly scheme: to confess Islam before the enemy,
but to remain a Christian at heart. Satisfied with King Bagrats
decision to convert to Islam, Timur permitted the king to return to
the throne of Kartli. At the request of King Bagrat, Timur sent twelve
thousand troops with him to complete Georgias forcible conversion to
Islam.
When they were approaching the village of Khunani in southeastern
Georgia, Bagrat secretly informed his son Giorgi of everything that
had happened and called upon him and his army to massacre the
invaders.
The news of Bagrats betrayal and the ruin of his army infuriated
Timur, and he called for immediate revenge. At their leaders command,
his followers destroyed everything in their path, set fire to cities
and villages, devastated churches, and thus forced their way through
to Kvabtakhevi Monastery.
Monastics and laymen alike were gathered in Kvabtakhevi when the enemy
came thundering in. Having forced open the gate, the attackers burst
into the monastery, then plundered and seized all its treasures. They
captured the young and strong, carrying them away.
The old and infirm were put to the sword. As the greatest humiliation,
they mocked the clergy and monastics by strapping them with sleigh
bells and jumping and dancing around them.
Already drunk on the blood they had shed, the barbarians posed an
ultimatum to those who remained: to renounce Christ and live or to be
driven into the church and burned alive.
Faced with these terms, the faithful cried out: Go ahead and burn our
fleshin the Heavenly Kingdom our souls will burn with a divine flame
more radiant than the sun! And in their exceeding humility, the
martyrs requested that their martyrdom not be put on display: We ask
only that you not commit this sin before the eyes of men and angels.
The Lord alone knows the sincerity of our will and comforts us in our
righteous afflictions!
Having been driven like beasts into the church, the martyrs raised up
a final prayer to God: _In the multitude of Thy mercy shall I go into
Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O
Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine
enemies, make straight my way before Thee_ (Ps. 5:67) that with a pure
mind I may glorify Thee forever.
The executioners hauled in more and more wood, until the flames
enveloping the church blazed as high as the heavens and the echo of
crackling timber resounded through the mountains. Ensnared in a ring
of fire, the blissful martyrs chanted psalms as they gave up their
spirits to the Lord.
The massacre at Kvabtakhevi took place in 1386. The imprints of the
martyrs charred bodies remain on the floor of the church to this day.
_________________________________________________________________