[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Tue Apr 17 05:00:24 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Apr 17 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Acts 4:1-10
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the
temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in
Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next
day, for it was already evening.
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number
of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and
scribes,
6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and
as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered
together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power
or by what name have you done this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of
the people and elders of Israel:
9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by
what means he has been made well,
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that
by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God
raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Corinthians 15:39-57  (Departed)
39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of
men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the
glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is
another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and
another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in
glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in
corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in
weakness, it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is
a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being."
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward
the spiritual.
47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the
Lord from heaven.
48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and
as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also
bear the image of the heavenly Man.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed-
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For
the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal
has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not
believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to
the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be
clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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John 5:24-30  (Departed)
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in
Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear
will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to
have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is
the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are
in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is
righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Day of Rejoicing
On Tuesday of St Thomas week we remember those Orthodox Christians
from all ages who have died in faith, and in the hope of resurrection.
There are indications of this commemoration in the sermons of the
Fathers of the Church. St John Chrysostom, for example, mentions it in
his homily "On the Cemetery and the Cross."
In pre-Revolutionary Russia bars remained closed and alcoholic
beverages were not sold until this Day of Rejoicing so that the joy
people felt would be because of the Resurrection, and not an
artificial joy brought on by alcohol.
Today the Church remembers its faithful members at Liturgy, and
kollyva is offered in remembrance of those who have fallen asleep.
Priests visit cemeteries to bless the graves of Orthodox Christians,
and to share the paschal joy with the departed. It is also customary
to give alms to the poor on this day.
_________________________________________________________________
Hieromartyr Simeon the Bishop in Persia, and those with him
in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Abdechalas in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Ananias the Presbyter in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Usthazanes in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Phusicus (Pusicius) in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Askitrea in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Azades the Eunuch in Persia
The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a
persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II
(310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman
Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax
upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was
regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce
persecution against Christians.
St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of
the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and
Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked
why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered,
"Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to
renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow
to you."
The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to
eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings
nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to
prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the
emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the
saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear
of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.
The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire
for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out
bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut
off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!"
The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and
asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly
regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the
one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden
decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers
had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him
to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he
died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian.
The emperor granted his request.
St Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second
time, St Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed
his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the
Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.
Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy
hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Simeon's
companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to
the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries,
St Phusicus, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would
renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and
you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ."
St Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders
to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St
Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Simeon was the
last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the
chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright
Week until April 23.
St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received
the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs
perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.
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St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene
Saint Acacius, Bishop of Melitene, was born into a pious family in the
Armenian city of Melitene. His parents were childless for a long time.
They prayed for a son, and vowed to dedicate him to God. Therefore,
Acacius was given to Bishop Ostrychius of Melitene (November 7) to
serve the Church. St Ostrychius was a firm supporter of Orthodoxy.
When the heresy of Macedonius arose, it was St Ostrychius who set
forth the Orthodox teaching about the Holy Spirit as the Third Person
of the Holy Trinity One in Essence and Undivided at the Second
Ecumenical Council (381).
The holy hierarch raised Acacius with love, made him a reader, and
then ordained him a deacon and then to the holy priesthood. St Acacius
devoutly served the Church. He instructed both adults and children in
the Holy Scripture, and in the Orthodox Confession of faith.
Among his disciples was St Euthymius the Great (January 20).
After the death of St Ostrychius, St Acacius was elevated to the
bishop's throne of Melitene by general acclamation. He wisely governed
his diocese. By his firm faith, humility and deeds, the saint acquired
the gift of wonderworking. Once, during a dry summer, the saint
celebrated Liturgy in an open field, suddenly the wine in the Holy
Chalice was mixed by the falling rain, which fell throughout the land.
He prayed during a flood, and the advancing river turned away and did
not rise higher than the stone which he had placed at the riverbank.
On one of the islands of the River Azar, despite the opposition of the
pagans, the saint built a temple in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The builders of the church either through carelessness or through
malice, were not careful in building the dome. During the Liturgy the
dome was ready to collapse. The people rushed out of the church in
terror. But the saint halted their flight saying, "The Lord is the
defender of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps. 26/27:1). The
dome remained suspended in the air. Only when the services were ended,
and the saint was the last one to emerge from the church, did the dome
collapse, causing harm to no one. After this, the church was rebuilt.
St Acacius participated in the Third Ecumenical Council (431) and he
defended the Orthodox teaching of the Two Natures (Divine and Human)
of the Savior, and of His seedless Birth from the Most Holy Virgin
Mother of God.
St Acacius peacefully fell asleep in the Lord around the year 435. He
should not be confused with St Acacius the Confessor (March 31), who
was also a bishop of Melitene.
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Venerable Zosimas the Abbot of Solovki
Saint Zosimas, Igumen of Solovki a great luminary of the Russian
North, was the founder of cenobitic monasticism on Solovki Island. He
was born in Novgorod diocese, in the village of Tolvui near Lake
Onega. From his early years he was raised in piety, and after the
death of his parents Gabriel and Barbara, he gave away his possessions
and received monastic tonsure.
In search of a solitary place, he journeyed to the shores of the White
Sea, and at the mouth of the Suma he met St Herman (July 30), who told
him of a desolate sea island, where he had spent six years with St
Sabbatius (September 27).
Around the year 1436, the hermits crossed the sea and landed at the
Solovki islands. There St Zosimas had a vision of a beautiful church
in the sky. With their own hands the monks built cells and an
enclosure, and they began to cultivate and sow the land.
Once, in late autumn, St Herman went to the mainland for provisions.
Because of the autumn weather he was not able to return. St Zosimas
remained alone on the island all winter. He suffered many temptations
in struggles with the demons. Death by starvation threatened him, but
miraculously two strangers appeared and left him a supply of bread,
flour and oil. In spring St Herman returned to Solovki with the
fisherman Mark, and he brought supplies of food and rigging for
fishing nets.
When several hermits had gathered on the island, St Zosimas
constructed a small wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of
the Lord, and a trapeza. At the request of St Zosimas, an igumen was
sent from Novgorod to the newly-formed monastery with an antimension
for the church. Thus the renowned Solovki monastery had its start. In
the severe conditions of the remote island the monks knew how to
economize. But the igumens sent from Novgorod to Solovki could not
stand life in such harsh conditions, and so the brethren chose St
Zosimas as igumen.
St Zosimas occupied himself with building up the inner life of the
monastery, and he introduced a strict cenobitic life. In 1465 he
transferred the relics of St Sabbatius to Solovki from the River Vyg.
The monastery suffered from the Novgorod nobles, who confiscated
catches of fish from the monks. The saint was obliged to go to
Novgorod and seek the protection of the archbishop.
On the advice of the archbishop, he visited the homes of the nobles
and asked them not to permit the ruin of the monastery. The
influential and rich Martha Boretskaya impiously gave orders to throw
St Zosimas out, but then repented and invited him to a meal. At this
meal he suddenly saw that six of the illustrious nobles sat without
their heads. St Zosimas told about this vision to his disciple Daniel
and predicted an immanent death for the nobles. The prediction was
fulfilled in the year 1478, when the boyars were executed during the
capture of Novgorod by Ivan III (1462-1505).
Shortly before death, the saint prepared his own grave, in which he
was buried beyond the altar of the Transfiguration church (+ April 17,
1478). Later on, a chapel was built over his relics. His relics and
the relics of St Sabbatius were transferred to the chapel dedicated to
them at the Transfiguration cathedral on August 8, 1566.
Many miracles took place when St Zosimas and St Sabbatius appeared to
fishermen who were perishing in the depths of the sea. St Zosimas is
also a patron of bee-keeping and preserver of beehives, and he is even
called "Bee-keeper."
Those who are sick hasten to St Zosimas, asking to be healed. The many
hospital churches dedicated to him attest to the curative
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Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Alexander the Abbot
of Svir
Saint Alexander of Svir died on August 30, 1533. His incorrupt relics
were uncovered in 1641 during the reconstruction of the
Transfiguration cathedral.
The incorrupt relics of the saint were removed from the Svir Monastery
by the Bolsheviks on December 20, 1918 after several unsuccessful
attempts to confiscate them. There was an infamous campaign to
liquidate the relics of the saints which continued from 1919 to 1922.
Many relics of Russsian saints were stolen and subjected to
"scientific examination" or displayed in antireligious museums. Some
were completely destroyed.
Hoping to prove that the relics were fakes, the Soviets conducted many
tests. However, the tests only confirmed that the relics were genuine.
Finally, the holy relics were sent to Petrograd's Military Medical
Academy. There they remained for nearly eighty years.
A second uncovering of St Alexander's relics took place in December
1997.
The relics were found to be incorrupt, just as they were when they
were confiscated. The saint's appearance matched the description in
the records from 1641. Once it was determined that these were in fact
the relics of St Alexander, Metropolitan Vladimir of St Petersburg
permitted them to be taken to the church of St Sophia and her three
daughters Faith, Hope, and Love (September 17) for four months before
their return to the Svir Monastery. As people venerated St Alexander's
relics they noticed a fragrant myrrh flowing from them.
The holy relics were taken to the St Alexander of Svir Monastery in
November 1998, and miraculous healings continue to take place before
them.
See August 30 for the Life of St Alexander.
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Martyr Adrian of Corinth
The Holy Martyr Adrian suffered during the time of the reign of the
emperor Decius (249-251). Like many other Christians at that time, St
Adrian was locked up in prison. During a pagan festival they brought
out all the Christian prisoners to offer sacrifice to the idols. They
ordered St Adrian to throw some incense on the coals, but the holy
martyr scattered the fire and wrecked the sacrifice. The pagans fell
upon him in a rage, beating him with sticks and iron rods, and
striking him with stones. Finally, they threw him into a fire, and he
won the crown of martyrdom.
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St Agapitus the Pope of Rome
Saint Agapitus, Bishop of Rome, was a zealous adherent of Orthodoxy.
By his pious life he won the general esteem and was elevated to the
See of Rome in the year 535.
The Gothic king Theodoric the Great sent Agapitus to Constantinople
for peace negotiations. Along the way, St Agapitus encountered a man
who was lame and mute. He healed him of his lameness, and after
receiving the Holy Mysteries the mute one spoke. After arriving in
Constantinople, the saint healed a blind beggar.
At that time, a local Council was convened in Constantinople. St
Agapitus participated in it and zealously defended the Orthodox
teaching against the heretic Severus, who taught that the Body of the
Lord Jesus Christ was subject to decay similar to every man's body.
St Agapitus died at Constantinople in the year 536.
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Venerable Macarius of Corinth
No information available at this time.
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