[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Apr 29 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Luke 24:1-12  (4th Matins Gospel)
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they,
and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the
spices which they had prepared.
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that
behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they
said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He
was still in Galilee,
7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'
8 And they remembered His words.
9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the
eleven and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the
other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not
believe them.
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.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3


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Acts 9:32-42
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the
country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden
eight years and was paralyzed.
34 And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise
and make your bed." Then he arose immediately.
35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the
Lord.
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is
translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable
deeds which she did.
37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When
they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that
Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay
in coming to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought
him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping,
showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was
with them.
40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning
to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and
when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called
the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the
Lord.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3


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John 5:1-15
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called
in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame,
paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred
up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the
water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in
that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made
well?"
7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the
pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another
steps down before me."
8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath;
it is not lawful for you to carry your bed."
11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your
bed and walk.' "
12 Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your
bed and walk'?"
13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had
withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you
have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made
him well.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Sunday of the Paralytic
On this day the Church remembers the man who lay by the Sheep's Pool
in Jerusalem for thirty-eight years, waiting for someone to put him
into the pool. The first one to enter the pool after an angel troubled
the water would be healed of his infirmities, but someone always
entered the pool before him. Seeing the man, the Lord felt compassion
for him and healed him.
The Kontakion for this Fourth Sunday of Pascha asks Christ to raise up
our souls, "paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts."
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Rufus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Antipater at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theostichus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Artemas at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Magnus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodotus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Thaumasius at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Philemon at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
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Venerable Memnon the Wonderworker
Saint Memnon the Wonderworker from his youth he lived in the Egyptian
desert. By his arduous ascetical efforts, he attained a victory of
spirit over the flesh.
As Igumen of one of the Egyptian monasteries, he wisely and carefully
guided the brethren. Even while aiding them through prayer and
counsel, the saint did not waver in his efforts in the struggle
against temptation.
He received the gift of clairvoyance through unceasing prayer and
toil. At his prayer a spring of water gushed forth in the wilderness,
locusts destroying the harvest perished, and the shipwrecked who
called on his name were saved. After his death, the mere mention of
his name dispelled a plague of locusts and undid the cunning wiles of
evil spirits.
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Martyr Diodorus the Deacon at Aphrodisias in Anatolia
The Holy Martyrs Diodorus and Rhodopianus the Deacon suffered under
the emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Aphrodisias, Caria. They were
stoned to death for spreading the Christianity among the pagans.
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Martyr Rhodopianus the Deacon at Aphrodisia in Anatolia
The Holy Martyrs Rhodopianus the Deacon and Diodorus suffered under
the emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Aphrodisias, Caria. They were
stoned to death for spreading the Christianity among the pagans.
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St Basil the Bishop of Ostrog in Montenegro, Serbia
Saint Basil, Bishop of Zakholmsk, was born of pious parents in the
sixteenth century in the Popov district of Herzegovina. At the age of
maturity he left his parental home and settled in the Trebinsk
monastery in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, and
became a monk.
For his virtuous life the saint was elevated to be Bishop of Zakholm
and Skenderia. He occupied the bishop's cathedra in the second half of
the sixteenth century, a successor to Bishop Paul and predecessor of
Bishop Nicodemus. St Basil was a good pastor of the flock of Christ,
and the Lord strengthened his discourse with various miracles. For the
sanctifying of soul with the wisdom of holy ascetic fathers, the saint
journeyed to Athos. St Basil died peacefully and was buried in the
city of Ostrog in Chernogoria on the border with Herzegovina.
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Martyr John Valaha of Romania
No information on the life of this saint is available at this time.
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Venerable Nectarius of Optina
St Nectarius was born in the city of Elets in the Orel province in
1853, the son of Basil and Elena Tikhonov. At his baptism, he was
named Nicholas.
St Nectarius completed the course of his earthly life on April 29,
1928.
The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina
Elders on June 13,1996, glorifying them for universal veneration on
August 7, 2000.
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Martyrs of Lazeti
Lazeti is a region in southern Kolkheti (Colchis), the ancient kingdom
located in what is now southwestern Georgia and northeastern Turkey.
In ancient times, Lazeti was a center of Georgian culture. The holy
Apostle Andrew began the conversion of the Georgian nation from this
very region.
After the fall of Byzantium in 1453, the Ottomans sought for three
centuries to destroy the Christian-Georgian consciousness of the Laz
people. At the same time, Rome increased its presence in the region by
dispatching ever greater numbers of Catholic missionaries.
The Laz, caught in the crossfire, boldly defended and preserved their
Orthodox Faith. Those that were forcibly converted to Islam struggled
to preserve their national culture, the memory of their ancestors, and
the love of their homeland.
As time progressed, however, some grew weak and converted to
Catholicism (in word, if not in mind and heart) or allowed themselves
to be won over by the Monophysite heresy.
In our own time, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II,
people from several Georgian regions have reestablished lines of
communication with the Laz who currently reside within Turkish
borders.
Further, many of the Laz currently residing within Georgian borders
have converted from Islam back to the Orthodox Christianity of their
ancestors. They have recounted to the Holy Synod of the Georgian
Church stories of the martyrdom of their Christian ancestors at the
hands of the Ottomans: the beheading of some three hundred Laz
warriors on a single mountain between the years 1600 and 1620 and the
martyrdom of the clergy at one local monastery. The martyrdoms took
place on Mt. Dudikvati (the place of beheading) and on Mt. Papati (the
place of the clergy) respectively.
Based on the information provided by the martyrs descendants, the Holy
Synod of the Georgian Church declared all the clergy and laymen
martyred on Dudikvati and Papati and all the Laz martyred for Christs
sake worthy to be numbered among the saints. They were canonized on
September 18, 2003.
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St Endellion, recluse of Cornwall
No information available at this time.
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