[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sun Aug 12 05:00:15 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Aug 12 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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John 21:15-25  (11th Matins Gospel)
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him,
"Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My
lambs."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you
love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He
said to him, "Tend My sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you
love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know
that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded
yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where
you do not wish.
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And
when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved
following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said,
"Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is
that to you? You follow Me."
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple
would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die,
but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these
things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they
were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could
not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

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1 Corinthians 9:2-12  (Epistle)
2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you
are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this:
4 Do we have no right to eat and drink?
5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the
other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from
working?
7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and
does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of
the milk of the flock?
8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the
same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox
while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?
10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he
who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we
reap your material things?
12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even
more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things
lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

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Matthew 18:23-35  (Gospel)
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted
to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him
who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be
sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment
be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have
patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released
him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who
owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by
the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying,
'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should
pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very
grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked
servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant,
just as I had pity on you?'
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until
he should pay all that was due to him.
35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his
heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

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Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
Today's hymns speak of how Christ made those who ascended Mt Tabor
with Him "partakers of (His) otherworldly glory." The Apostles,
"overcome with fear, fell headlong upon the earth."
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Martyr Anicetus of Nicomedia
The Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of
Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor
Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of
execution for frightening Christians. The enraged emperor ordered St
Anicetus to be tortured, and later condemned him to be devoured by
wild beasts. But the lions they set loose became gentle and fawned at
his feet.
Suddenly there was a strong earthquake, resulting in the collapse of
the pagan temple of Hercules, and many pagans perished beneath the
demolished city walls. The executioner took up a sword to cut off the
saint's head, but he fell down insensible. They tried to break St
Anicetus on the wheel and burn him with fire, but the wheel stopped
and the fire went out. They threw the martyr into a furnace with
boiling tin, but the tin became cold. Thus the Lord preserved His
servant for the edification of many.
The martyr's nephew, St Photius, saluted the sufferer and turned to
the emperor, saying, "O idol-worshipper, your gods are nothing!" The
sword, held over the new confessor, struck the executioner instead.
Then the martyrs were thrown into prison.
After three days Diocletian urged them, "Worship our gods, and I shall
give you glory and riches." The martyrs answered, "May you perish with
your honor and riches!" Then they tied them by the legs to wild
horses. Though the saints were dragged along the ground, they remained
unharmed. They did not suffer in the heated bath house, which fell
apart. Finally, Diocletian ordered a great furnace to be fired up, and
many Christians, inspired by the deeds of Sts Anicetus and Photius,
went in themselves saying, "We are Christians!" They all died with a
prayer on their lips. The bodies of Sts Anicetus and Photius were not
harmed by the fire, and even their hair remained whole. Seeing this,
many of the pagans came to believe in Christ. This occurred in the
year 305.
Sts Anicetus and Photius are mentioned in the prayers for the Blessing
of Oil and the Lesser Blessing of Water (BOOK OF NEEDS, 1987, p. 230).
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Martyr Photius (Photinus) of Nicomedia
The Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of
Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor
Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of
execution for frightening Christians. The enraged emperor ordered St
Anicetus to be tortured, and later condemned him to be devoured by
wild beasts. But the lions they set loose became gentle and fawned at
his feet.
Suddenly there was a strong earthquake, resulting in the collapse of
the pagan temple of Hercules, and many pagans perished beneath the
demolished city walls. The executioner took up a sword to cut off the
saint's head, but he fell down insensible. They tried to break St
Anicetus on the wheel and burn him with fire, but the wheel stopped
and the fire went out. They threw the martyr into a furnace with
boiling tin, but the tin became cold. Thus the Lord preserved His
servant for the edification of many.
The martyr's nephew, St Photius, saluted the sufferer and turned to
the emperor, saying, "O idol-worshipper, your gods are nothing!" The
sword, held over the new confessor, struck the executioner instead.
Then the martyrs were thrown into prison.
After three days Diocletian urged them, "Worship our gods, and I shall
give you glory and riches." The martyrs answered, "May you perish with
your honor and riches!" Then they tied them by the legs to wild
horses. Though the saints were dragged along the ground, they remained
unharmed. They did not suffer in the heated bath house, which fell
apart. Finally, Diocletian ordered a great furnace to be fired up, and
many Christians, inspired by the deeds of Sts Anicetus and Photius,
went in themselves saying, "We are Christians!" They all died with a
prayer on their lips. The bodies of Sts Anicetus and Photius were not
harmed by the fire, and even their hair remained whole. Seeing this,
many of the pagans came to believe in Christ. This occurred in the
year 305.
Sts Anicetus and Photius are mentioned in the prayers for the Blessing
of Oil and the Lesser Blessing of Water (BOOK OF NEEDS, 1987, p. 230).
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Martyrs with Anicletus and Photius of Nicomedia
The Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of
Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor
Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of
execution for frightening Christians. The enraged emperor ordered St
Anicetus to be tortured, and later condemned him to be devoured by
wild beasts. But the lions they set loose became gentle and fawned at
his feet.
Suddenly there was a strong earthquake, resulting in the collapse of
the pagan temple of Hercules, and many pagans perished beneath the
demolished city walls. The executioner took up a sword to cut off the
saint's head, but he fell down insensible. They tried to break St
Anicetus on the wheel and burn him with fire, but the wheel stopped
and the fire went out. They threw the martyr into a furnace with
boiling tin, but the tin became cold. Thus the Lord preserved His
servant for the edification of many.
The martyr's nephew, St Photius, saluted the sufferer and turned to
the emperor, saying, "O idol-worshipper, your gods are nothing!" The
sword, held over the new confessor, struck the executioner instead.
Then the martyrs were thrown into prison.
After three days Diocletian urged them, "Worship our gods, and I shall
give you glory and riches." The martyrs answered, "May you perish with
your honor and riches!" Then they tied them by the legs to wild
horses. Though the saints were dragged along the ground, they remained
unharmed. They did not suffer in the heated bath house, which fell
apart. Finally, Diocletian ordered a great furnace to be fired up, and
many Christians, inspired by the deeds of Sts Anicetus and Photius,
went in themselves saying, "We are Christians!" They all died with a
prayer on their lips. The bodies of Sts Anicetus and Photius were not
harmed by the fire, and even their hair remained whole. Seeing this,
many of the pagans came to believe in Christ. This occurred in the
year 305.
Sts Anicetus and Photius are mentioned in the prayers for the Blessing
of Oil and the Lesser Blessing of Water (BOOK OF NEEDS, 1987, p. 230).
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Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana
Saint Alexander, Bishop of Comana, lived during the third century not
far from Neocaesarea. He studied the Holy Scripture and knew many
scientific disciplines. Taking upon himself the exploit of holy
foolishness, the saint lived in poverty, selling coal in the city
square. Many, seeing his face always black from the grime of the coal
dust, sneered at him with contempt.
When the Bishop of Comana happened to die, then among the candidates
put forth for election as new bishop -- one was a man illustrious,
others were learned or eloquent, while yet others were rich. Then St
Gregory Thaumaturgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea (November 17), having been
invited for the ordination of their choice, pointed out, that a bishop
ought to have not only outward worthiness and distinction, but
foremost of all, a pure heart and holy life. These words caused some
to laugh saying: "If outward appearance and nobility of origin be for
naught, then even Alexander the collier might be made bishop".
St Gregory perceived that it was not without the Providence of God
that this man came to be mentioned, and he asked that they call him.
The appearance of the saint at the gathering evoked laughter. Having
respectfully bowed to St Gregory, St Alexander stood there deeply
absorbed in himself and ignoring the sneering: St Gregory put him to
the test, and the collier was obliged to reveal that he was formerly a
philosopher, and had studied Holy Scripture, but that for the sake of
God he had assumed upon himself voluntary poverty and humility. St
Gregory then took the collier to his own lodging, where he washed off
the grime, and gave him clean clothes. Returning then to the assembled
people, St Gregory in front of everyone began to put to him questions
from Holy Scripture, to which St Alexander answered like a
knowledgeable and wise pastor. Seeing this, all were astonished at his
humility and with one accord they elected him their bishop.
St Gregory ordained him priest, and later bishop. After the imposition
of hands the new bishop preached a sermon to the people, full of power
and the grace of God. And everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent
them such a wise pastor. Under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) the
saint bravely confessed Christ, and refused to worship idols. After
tortures they threw him into a fire, and there he departed to God.
According to other sources, St Alexander suffered instead under the
emperor Decius (249-251).
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Martyr Gerontius of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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Martyr Serapion of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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Martyr Herman of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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Martyr Bessarion of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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Martyr Michael of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Simeon of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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Martyr Pamphilus
The Martyrs Pamphilus and Capiton were beheaded by the sword in the
area of Oliurea near Constantinople.
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Martyr Capiton
The Martyrs Pamphilus and Capiton were beheaded by the sword in the
area of Oliurea near Constantinople.
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Martyr Otar of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually
raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed
churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and
killed many of the monks who labored there.
A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of
1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the
monasterys sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the
monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.
First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded
Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to
death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then
beheaded Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon
tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then
caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the
brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest
tortures.
After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with
a divine light.
The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was
described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the
tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan
by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of
Tsar Nicholas I (18251855).
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