[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Fri Apr 20 05:00:29 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri Apr 20 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of
it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to
the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for
yourself?
4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was
it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your
heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.
So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and
buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not
knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so
much?" She said, "Yes, for so much."
9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to
test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.
And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out,
buried her by her husband.
11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these
things.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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John 5:30-6:2
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.
31 If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.
32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the
witness which He witnesses of Me is true.
33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34 Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things
that you may be saved.
35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a
time to rejoice in his light.
36 But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the
Father has given Me to finish-the very works that I do-bear witness of
Me, that the Father has sent Me.
37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have
neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent,
Him you do not believe.
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal
life; and these are they which testify of Me.
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
41 I do not receive honor from men.
42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if
another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not
seek the honor that comes from the only God?
45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one
who accuses you-Moses, in whom you trust.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about
Me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My
words?
1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the
Sea of Tiberias.
2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs
which He performed on those who were diseased.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Venerable Theodore Trichinas "the Hair-Shirt Wearer" and
Hermit Near Constantinople
Saint Theodore Trichinas was born in Constantinople, the son of
wealthy and pious parents. From childhood St Theodore was inclined
toward monasticism, so he left his home, family, and former life in
order to enter a monastery in Thrace. There he began his arduous
ascetic struggles. He dressed in a hair-shirt, from which he derived
the name "Trichinas," (or Hair-Shirt Wearer"). He even slept on a
stone in order avoid bodily comfort, and to prevent himself from
sleeping too much.
His life was adorned with miracles, and he had the power to heal the
sick. He reposed at the end of the fourth century, or the beginning of
the fifth century. A healing myrrh flows from his relics.
The name of St Theodore Trichinas is one of the most revered in the
history of Orthodox monasticism. St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4)
has composed a Canon to the saint.
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Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Oshevensk
Saint Alexander of Oshevensk (+ 1479) was the founder of the Oshevensk
Dormition Monastery, and enlightener of the Kargopol area, and was
tonsured in the White Lake Monastery. He appeared to St Diodorus of
George Hill (November 27) in the seventeenth century when his Holy
Trinity Monastery ran out of supplies, and the brethren complained
because there was nowhere to buy food in the wilderness. St Alexander
reminded Diodorus of how the Lord had fed the five thousand in the
wilderness, and ordered him to go fishing. St Diodorus, fearing that
the vision was a demonic delusion, ignored it. When St Alexander
appeared a third time, Diodorus, wishing to test him, asked him to say
a prayer. St Alexander recited "It is Truly Meet," and his face shone
with a radiant light. The saint revealed himself as Alexander, the
igumen of Oshevensk Dormition Monastery, and repeated his order to go
fishing. Obeying this command, the monks went out and caught many
fish.
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Childmartyr Gabriel of Bialystok
Child Martyr Gabriel of Bialystok (+ 1690) was killed in Poland when
he was only six years old. One day when his parents were not home, he
was lured out of his house by a man named Schutko, and then killed.
After thirty years, the martyred child's body was found to be
incorrupt.
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Blessed Gregory the Patriarch of Antioch
No information available at this time.
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Blessed Anastasius the Sinaite and Patriarch of Antioch
No information available at this time.
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Venerable Anastasius the Abbot of Sinai
Saint Anastasius of Sinai lived in the seventh century, and was one of
the great ascetics who flourished on Mt. Sinai.
>From his youth, he was raised in great piety and love for God. When he
reached manhood, St Anastasius left the world and entered a monastery
to take upon himself the yoke of Christ (Mt.11:29). Wishing to perfect
himself in virtue, he went to St Catherine's Monastery on Mt. Sinai,
where St John of the Ladder (March 30) was abbot. There he profited
from the example of many holy men who were proficient in monasticism.
Because of his humility, St Anastasius received wisdom and spiritual
discernment from God. He wrote the Lives of several holy Fathers, as
well as other spiritually instructive books. In time, he was found
worthy of ordination to the holy priesthood.
Following St John and his brother George, St Anastasius became abbot
of Sinai. He was most zealous in his opposition to heresy, exposing
it, refuting it, and covering its adherants with shame. He even
traveled to Syria, Egypt, and Arabia to uproot heresy and strengthen
the Church of Christ.
St Anastasius taught that God gives each Christian an angel to care
for him throughout his life. However, we can drive our Guardian Angel
away by our sins, just as bees are driven away by smoke. While the
demons work to deprive us of the heavenly Kingdom, the holy angels
guide us to do good. Therefore, only the most foolish individuals
would drive away their Guardian Angel from themselves.
After a long life of faithfully serving God, St Anastasius fell asleep
in the Lord in the year 685. He and the other ascetics of Mt. Sinai
are also commemorated on Bright Wednesday, the Synaxis of the Monastic
Fathers of Sinai.
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St Betran the Bishop of Lesser Scythia
No information available at this time.
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St Theotimus the Bishop of Lesser Scythia
Saint Theotimus the Scythian was Bishop of Tomis in Scythia. He was a
native of Dacia Pontica, and was part Roman. He is believed to have
been the teacher of St John Cassian (February 29) and St Germanus,
because he was once living in the same monastery as they were.
Somewhere between 385-390, St Theotimus succeeded St Germanus as
Bishop of Tomis. St Jerome mentions him in his book ON ILLUSTRIUS MEN.
He describes St Theotimus as a good pastor, a wise theologian, and a
talented writer. He also says that St Theotimus used to write short
works in the form of dialogues, which reveal his training in rhetoric
and philosophy.
In his writings, St Theotimus speaks of the role of the mind and the
heart in prayer. Perhaps because of this he is considered to be the
Father of the Romanian PHILOKALIA.
St Theotimus sometimes endured hardships from wandering barbarians,
but he impressed them with the holiness of his life and the miracles
he performed. He also had close ties with St John Chrysostom, and
visited Constantinople at least twice.
Sometime around 410, St Theotimus fell asleep in the Lord. Ancient
historians also refer to him as "the Philosopher."
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Translation of the relics of St Nicholas of Zhicha
No information available at this time.
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St Joseph of Serbia
No information available at this time.
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Apostle Zacchaeus
Holy Apostle Zacchaeus
The holy Apostle Zacchaeus was a rich publican at Jericho. Since he
was short of stature, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see the
Savior passing by. After the Ascension of the Lord, St Zacchaeus
accompanied St Peter on his travels. Tradition says he became the
Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, where he died in peace.
The Gospel (Luke 19:1-10) describing Zacchaeus' encounter with Christ
is read on the Sunday before the TRIODION begins.
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St Athanasius of Meteora
No information available at this time.
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