[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Mon Apr 16 05:00:30 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Apr 16 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Acts 3:19-26
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the
Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all
things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets
since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise
up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in
all things, whatever He says to you.
23 'And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet
shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as
many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made
with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.'
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to
bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the
mother of Jesus was there.
2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him,
"They have no wine."
4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with
Me? My hour has not yet come."
5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the
manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty
gallons apiece.
7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled
them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master
of the feast." And they took it.
9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made
wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had
drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good
wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have
kept the good wine until now!"
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Virginmartyr Agape in Thessalonica
The Holy Martyrs Agape, Irene, and Chione were sisters who lived at
the end of the third century to the beginning of the fourth century,
near the Italian city of Aquilea. They were left orphaned at an early
age.
The young women led a pious Christian life and they turned down many
offers of marriage. Their spiritual guide was the priest Xeno. It was
revealed to him in a vision that he would die very soon, and that the
holy virgins would suffer martyrdom. Also at Aquilea and having a
similar vision was the Great Martyr Anastasia (December 22), who is
called "Deliverer from Potions," because she fearlessly visited
Christians in prison, encouraging them and healing them from potions,
poisons, and other harmful things. The Great Martyr Anastasia visited
to the sisters and urged them to endure all things for Christ. Soon
what was predicted in the vision came to pass. The priest Zeno died,
and the three virgins were arrested and brought to trial before the
emperor Diocletian (284-305).
St Chione ("snow" in Greek) preserved the purity of her baptism
according to the words of the Prophet-King David, "You will wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps. 50/51:7).
St Irene ("peace" in Greek) preserved the peace of Christ within
herself and manifested it to others, according to the Savior's word,
"My peace I give you" (John 14:27).
St Agape ("love" in Greek) loved God with all her heart, and her
neighbor as herself (Mt.22:37-39).
Seeing the youthful beauty of the sisters, the emperor urged them to
deny Christ and he promised to find them illustrious bridegrooms from
his entourage. The holy sisters replied that their only Bridegroom was
Christ, for Whom they were ready to suffer. The emperor demanded they
renounce Christ, but neither the elder sisters, nor the youngest,
would consent. They called the pagan gods mere idols made by human
hands, and they preached faith in the true God.
By order of Diocletian, who was leaving for Macedonia, the holy
sisters were also to be brought there. And they brought them to the
court of the governor Dulcititus.
When he saw the beauty of the holy martyrs, he was aroused with impure
passion. He put the sisters under guard, and he told them that they
would receive their freedom if they agreed to fulfill his desires. But
the holy martyrs replied that they were prepared to die for their
Heavenly Bridegroom, Christ.
Then Dulcititus decided to have his way by force. When the holy
sisters arose at night to glorify the Lord in prayer, Dulcititus came
to the door and tried to enter, but an invisible force prevented him.
He staggered about, unable to find his way out. The he fell down in
the kitchen among the cooking utensils, the pots and pans, and he was
covered all over with soot. The servants and the soldiers recognized
him only with difficulty. When he saw himself in a mirror, he then
realized that the holy martyrs had made a fool of him, and he decided
to take his revenge on them.
At his court, Dulcititus gave orders to strip the holy martyrs. But
the soldiers were not able to do this, no matter how much they tried.
Their clothing seemed to be stuck to the bodies of the holy virgins.
During the trial Dulcititus suddenly fell asleep, and no one could
rouse him. Just as they carried him into his house, he immediately
awoke.
When they reported everything that had happened to the emperor
Diocletian, he became angry with Dulcititus and he gave the holy
virgins over to Sisinius for trial. He began with the youngest sister,
Irene. Seeing that she remained unyielding, he sent her to prison and
then attempted to sway Sts Chione and Agape. He also failed to make
them renounce Christ, and Sisinius ordered that Sts Agape and Chione
be burned. On hearing the sentence, the sisters gave thanks to the
Lord for their crowns of martyrdom. In the fire, Agape and Chione
surrendered their pure souls to the Lord.
When the fire went out, everyone saw that the bodies of the holy
martyrs and their clothing had not been scorched by the fire, and
their faces were beautiful and peaceful, as if they were asleep. On
the day following, Sisinius gave orders to bring St Irene to court. He
threatened her with the fate of her older sisters and he urged her to
renounce Christ. Then he threatened to hand her over for defilement in
a brothel. But the holy martyr answered, "Even if my body is defiled
by force, my soul will never be defiled by renouncing Christ."
When the soldiers of Sisinius led St Irene to the brothel, two
luminous soldiers overtook them and said, "Your master Sisinius
commands you to take this virgin to a high mountain and leave her
there, and then return to him and report to him that you have
fulfilled his command." And the soldiers did so.
When they reported back to Sisinius, he flew into a rage, since he had
given no such orders. The luminous soldiers were angels of God, saving
the holy martyr from defilement. Sisinius went to the mountain with a
detachment of soldiers and saw St Irene on the summit. For a long
while they searched for the way to the top, but they could not find
it. Then one of the soldiers wounded St Irene with an arrow. The
martyr cried out to Sisinius, "I mock your impotent malice, and I go
my Lord Jesus Christ pure and undefiled." Having given thanks to the
Lord, she lay down upon the ground and surrendered her soul to God on
the very day of Holy Pascha (+ 304).
The Great Martyr Anastasia heard about the end of the holy sisters,
and she buried their bodies with reverence.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Irene in Thessalonica
The Holy Martyrs Agape, Irene, and Chione were sisters who lived at
the end of the third century to the beginning of the fourth century,
near the Italian city of Aquilea. They were left orphaned at an early
age.
The young women led a pious Christian life and they turned down many
offers of marriage. Their spiritual guide was the priest Xeno. It was
revealed to him in a vision that he would die very soon, and that the
holy virgins would suffer martyrdom. Also at Aquilea and having a
similar vision was the Great Martyr Anastasia (December 22), who is
called "Deliverer from Potions," because she fearlessly visited
Christians in prison, encouraging them and healing them from potions,
poisons, and other harmful things. The Great Martyr Anastasia visited
to the sisters and urged them to endure all things for Christ. Soon
what was predicted in the vision came to pass. The priest Zeno died,
and the three virgins were arrested and brought to trial before the
emperor Diocletian (284-305).
St Chione ("snow" in Greek) preserved the purity of her baptism
according to the words of the Prophet-King David, "You will wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps. 50/51:7).
St Irene ("peace" in Greek) preserved the peace of Christ within
herself and manifested it to others, according to the Savior's word,
"My peace I give you" (John 14:27).
St Agape ("love" in Greek) loved God with all her heart, and her
neighbor as herself (Mt.22:37-39).
Seeing the youthful beauty of the sisters, the emperor urged them to
deny Christ and he promised to find them illustrious bridegrooms from
his entourage. The holy sisters replied that their only Bridegroom was
Christ, for Whom they were ready to suffer. The emperor demanded they
renounce Christ, but neither the elder sisters, nor the youngest,
would consent. They called the pagan gods mere idols made by human
hands, and they preached faith in the true God.
By order of Diocletian, who was leaving for Macedonia, the holy
sisters were also to be brought there. And they brought them to the
court of the governor Dulcititus.
When he saw the beauty of the holy martyrs, he was aroused with impure
passion. He put the sisters under guard, and he told them that they
would receive their freedom if they agreed to fulfill his desires. But
the holy martyrs replied that they were prepared to die for their
Heavenly Bridegroom, Christ.
Then Dulcititus decided to have his way by force. When the holy
sisters arose at night to glorify the Lord in prayer, Dulcititus came
to the door and tried to enter, but an invisible force prevented him.
He staggered about, unable to find his way out. The he fell down in
the kitchen among the cooking utensils, the pots and pans, and he was
covered all over with soot. The servants and the soldiers recognized
him only with difficulty. When he saw himself in a mirror, he then
realized that the holy martyrs had made a fool of him, and he decided
to take his revenge on them.
At his court, Dulcititus gave orders to strip the holy martyrs. But
the soldiers were not able to do this, no matter how much they tried.
Their clothing seemed to be stuck to the bodies of the holy virgins.
During the trial Dulcititus suddenly fell asleep, and no one could
rouse him. Just as they carried him into his house, he immediately
awoke.
When they reported everything that had happened to the emperor
Diocletian, he became angry with Dulcititus and he gave the holy
virgins over to Sisinius for trial. He began with the youngest sister,
Irene. Seeing that she remained unyielding, he sent her to prison and
then attempted to sway Sts Chione and Agape. He also failed to make
them renounce Christ, and Sisinius ordered that Sts Agape and Chione
be burned. On hearing the sentence, the sisters gave thanks to the
Lord for their crowns of martyrdom. In the fire, Agape and Chione
surrendered their pure souls to the Lord.
When the fire went out, everyone saw that the bodies of the holy
martyrs and their clothing had not been scorched by the fire, and
their faces were beautiful and peaceful, as if they were asleep. On
the day following, Sisinius gave orders to bring St Irene to court. He
threatened her with the fate of her older sisters and he urged her to
renounce Christ. Then he threatened to hand her over for defilement in
a brothel. But the holy martyr answered, "Even if my body is defiled
by force, my soul will never be defiled by renouncing Christ."
When the soldiers of Sisinius led St Irene to the brothel, two
luminous soldiers overtook them and said, "Your master Sisinius
commands you to take this virgin to a high mountain and leave her
there, and then return to him and report to him that you have
fulfilled his command." And the soldiers did so.
When they reported back to Sisinius, he flew into a rage, since he had
given no such orders. The luminous soldiers were angels of God, saving
the holy martyr from defilement. Sisinius went to the mountain with a
detachment of soldiers and saw St Irene on the summit. For a long
while they searched for the way to the top, but they could not find
it. Then one of the soldiers wounded St Irene with an arrow. The
martyr cried out to Sisinius, "I mock your impotent malice, and I go
my Lord Jesus Christ pure and undefiled." Having given thanks to the
Lord, she lay down upon the ground and surrendered her soul to God on
the very day of Holy Pascha (+ 304).
The Great Martyr Anastasia heard about the end of the holy sisters,
and she buried their bodies with reverence.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Chione in Thessalonica
The Holy Martyrs Agape, Irene, and Chione were sisters who lived at
the end of the third century to the beginning of the fourth century,
near the Italian city of Aquilea. They were left orphaned at an early
age.
The young women led a pious Christian life and they turned down many
offers of marriage. Their spiritual guide was the priest Xeno. It was
revealed to him in a vision that he would die very soon, and that the
holy virgins would suffer martyrdom. Also at Aquilea and having a
similar vision was the Great Martyr Anastasia (December 22), who is
called "Deliverer from Potions," because she fearlessly visited
Christians in prison, encouraging them and healing them from potions,
poisons, and other harmful things. The Great Martyr Anastasia
(December 22) visited to the sisters and urged them to endure all
things for Christ. Soon what was predicted in the vision came to pass.
The priest Zeno died, and the three virgins were arrested and brought
to trial before the emperor Diocletian (284-305).
St Chione ("snow" in Greek) preserved the purity of her baptism
according to the words of the Prophet-King David, "You will wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps. 50/51:7).
St Irene ("peace" in Greek) preserved the peace of Christ within
herself and manifested it to others, according to the Savior's word,
"My peace I give you" (John 14:27).
St Agape ("love" in Greek) loved God with all her heart, and her
neighbor as herself (Mt.22:37-39).
Seeing the youthful beauty of the sisters, the emperor urged them to
deny Christ and he promised to find them illustrious bridegrooms from
his entourage. The holy sisters replied that their only Bridegroom was
Christ, for Whom they were ready to suffer. The emperor demanded they
renounce Christ, but neither the elder sisters, nor the youngest,
would consent. They called the pagan gods mere idols made by human
hands, and they preached faith in the true God.
By order of Diocletian, who was leaving for Macedonia, the holy
sisters were also to be brought there. And they brought them to the
court of the governor Dulcititus.
When he saw the beauty of the holy martyrs, he was aroused with impure
passion. He put the sisters under guard, and he told them that they
would receive their freedom if they agreed to fulfill his desires. But
the holy martyrs replied that they were prepared to die for their
Heavenly Bridegroom, Christ.
Then Dulcititus decided to have his way by force. When the holy
sisters arose at night to glorify the Lord in prayer, Dulcititus came
to the door and tried to enter, but an invisible force prevented him.
He staggered about, unable to find his way out. The he fell down in
the kitchen among the cooking utensils, the pots and pans, and he was
covered all over with soot. The servants and the soldiers recognized
him only with difficulty. When he saw himself in a mirror, he then
realized that the holy martyrs had made a fool of him, and he decided
to take his revenge on them.
At his court, Dulcititus gave orders to strip the holy martyrs. But
the soldiers were not able to do this, no matter how much they tried.
Their clothing seemed to be stuck to the bodies of the holy virgins.
During the trial Dulcititus suddenly fell asleep, and no one could
rouse him. Just as they carried him into his house, he immediately
awoke.
When they reported everything that had happened to the emperor
Diocletian, he became angry with Dulcititus and he gave the holy
virgins over to Sisinius for trial. He began with the youngest sister,
Irene. Seeing that she remained unyielding, he sent her to prison and
then attempted to sway Sts Chione and Agape. He also failed to make
them renounce Christ, and Sisinius ordered that Sts Agape and Chione
be burned. On hearing the sentence, the sisters gave thanks to the
Lord for their crowns of martyrdom. In the fire, Agape and Chione
surrendered their pure souls to the Lord.
When the fire went out, everyone saw that the bodies of the holy
martyrs and their clothing had not been scorched by the fire, and
their faces were beautiful and peaceful, as if they were asleep. On
the day following, Sisinius gave orders to bring St Irene to court. He
threatened her with the fate of her older sisters and he urged her to
renounce Christ. Then he threatened to hand her over for defilement in
a brothel. But the holy martyr answered, "Even if my body is defiled
by force, my soul will never be defiled by renouncing Christ."
When the soldiers of Sisinius led St Irene to the brothel, two
luminous soldiers overtook them and said, "Your master Sisinius
commands you to take this virgin to a high mountain and leave her
there, and then return to him and report to him that you have
fulfilled his command." And the soldiers did so.
When they reported back to Sisinius, he flew into a rage, since he had
given no such orders. The luminous soldiers were angels of God, saving
the holy martyr from defilement. Sisinius went to the mountain with a
detachment of soldiers and saw St Irene on the summit. For a long
while they searched for the way to the top, but they could not find
it. Then one of the soldiers wounded St Irene with an arrow. The
martyr cried out to Sisinius, "I mock your impotent malice, and I go
my Lord Jesus Christ pure and undefiled." Having given thanks to the
Lord, she lay down upon the ground and surrendered her soul to God on
the very day of Holy Pascha (+ 304).
The Great Martyr Anastasia heard about the end of the holy sisters,
and she buried their bodies with reverence.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Leonidas of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
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Martyr Charissa of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Nice of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Galina of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Calista (Calisa) of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Nunechia of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Basilissa of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodora of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Irene of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Leonidas and the Holy Martyrs Charissa, Nike, Galina,
Kalisa (Kalida), Nunekhia, Basilissa, and Theodora suffered at Corinth
in the year 258. They threw them into the sea, but they did not drown.
Instead, they walked upon the water as if on dry land, singing
spiritual hymns. The torturers overtook them in a ship, tied stones
around their necks and drowned them.
_________________________________________________________________
Monkmartyr Christopher of Dionysiou of Mt Athos
No information available at this time.
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Hieromartyr Nicetas
No information available at this time.
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Icon of the Mother of God Weeping "Ilyin Chernigov"
The Ilyin-Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God was painted in the year
1658 by the iconographer Gregory Dubensky, (Gennadius in monasticism).
Tears flowed from the icon for eight days in 1662, from April 16-24.
In this same year Tatars descended upon Chernigov and devastated it.
At midnight they burst into the Trinity monastery, went into the
church, overturned all the icons and grabbed all the utensils, but the
wonderworking icon and its ornaments remained untouched.
An invisible power held back the impious from the holy icon.
Previously, the Queen of Heaven had not permitted the enemy to enter
the cave of St Anthony of the Caves, where the brethren of the
monastery had hidden. The Tatars fled, as though terrified by a
vision.
The miracle of the Mother of God and Her Chernigov Icon was described
by St Demetrius of Rostov (October 28 and September 21) in his book,
THE MOISTENED FLEECE [Runo Oroshennoe]. Later on, St John of Tobolsk
(June 10) also wrote about the Chernigov Icon.
A wonderworking copy of the Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God, in
the Gethsemane skete of the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra, was glorified in
the year 1869 (September 1).
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Icon of the Mother of God of Tambov
No information available at this time.
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