[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Dec 2 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Luke 24:12-35  (5th Matins Gospel)
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.
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself
drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are
You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things
which happened there in these days?"
19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The
things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be
condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things
happened.
22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb
early, astonished us.
23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had
also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it
just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.
25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He
indicated that He would have gone farther.
29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took
bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from
their sight.
32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the
Scriptures to us?"
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found
the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and
how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3


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Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on
the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God;
Scripture Reading 2 of 3


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Luke 18:18-27  (from the 29th Sun)
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I
do to inherit eternal life?"
19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but
One, that is, God.
20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not
murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your
father and your mother.'
21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack
one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you
will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very
rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How
hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
26 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"
27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God."
Scripture Reading 3 of 3



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Prophet Habakkuk
The Holy Prophet Habakkuk, the eighth of the Twelve Minor Prophets,
was descended from the Tribe of Simeon, and he prophesied around 650
B.C.
The Prophet Habakkuk foresaw the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple,
the Babylonian Captivity and the later return of the captives to their
native land. During the war with the Babylonians the prophet withdrew
to Arabia, where the following miracle occurred. When he was bringing
dinner to the reapers, he met an angel of the Lord, and instantly by
the strength of his spirit he was transported to Babylon, where at the
time the Prophet Daniel was languishing in prison. The food intended
for the reapers assuaged the hunger of the exhausted Prophet Daniel
(Dan. 14:33-37).
After the end of the war with the Babylonians, the Prophet Habakkuk
returned to his homeland and died at a great old age. His relics were
found at the time of Emperor Theodosius he Younger (408-450), together
with the relics of the Prophet Micah (August 14).
The Fourth Ode of the Psalter ("O Lord, I have heard thy report, and
was afraid...") is based on Habakkuk 3:2-19.
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Venerable Athanasius "the Resurrected One", Recluse of the
Kiev Near Caves
Saint Athanasius, hermit of the Near Caves of Kiev, was a contemporary
of the archimandrite St Polycarp (July 24) of the Kiev Caves. St
Athanasius was grievously ill for a long time. When he died, the
brethren prepared him for burial, and on the third day the igumen came
to bury him. However, they all saw the dead man alive. He was sitting
up and weeping. To all their questions he replied only: "Seek
salvation, obey the igumen in everything, repent each hour and pray to
our Lord Jesus Christ, to His All-Pure Mother and to Sts Anthony and
Theodosius, to allow you to end your life here. Do not ask me anything
else, for I must pray" (There is a similar story of St Hesychius
[October 3] in THE LADDER of St John Climacus, Step 6).
After this he lived for twelve years more in solitude in a cave.
During that time he spoke not a word to anyone. He wept day and night,
and partook of a little bread and water only every other day. Just
before his death, he assembled the brethren, and repeated his earlier
words to them, and then he peacefully departed unto the Lord (in about
the year 1176).
The monk Babylas, who had suffered illness and an infirmity of the
legs for many years, was healed at his relics. "As I lay there," he
related told the brethren, " I cried out in pain. Suddenly, St
Athanasius appeared to me and said, 'Come to me, and I shall heal
you.' I wanted to ask him how and when he had returned here, but he
became invisible. I believed his words and asked to be taken to his
relics. And indeed, I have been healed." St Athanasius was buried in
the Antoniev Cave. His memory is celebrated also on September 28 and
on the second Sunday of Great Lent.
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Venerable Athanasius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves
Saint Athanasius, Recluse of the Far Caves of Kiev is mentioned in the
Fourth Ode of the general Canon of the Monastic Fathers of the Far
Caves. The "Sayings and Lives of the Saints Who Repose in the Cave of
St Theodosius," says that St Athanasius had no need of candles in the
cave, since a heavenly light shone for him. He grants healing to all
who approach him with faith.
The memory of St Athanasius is celebrated also on August 28 and on the
second Sunday of Great Lent.
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Martyr Myrope of Chios
The Holy Martyr Myrope was born in the city of Ephesus at the
beginning of the third century. She lost her father at an early age,
and her mother raised her in the Christian Faith. St Myrope frequently
visited the grave of the Martyr Hermione (September 4), daughter of
the holy Apostle Philip, took myrrh from her relics, and healed the
sick with it.
During the persecution by Decius (249-251), Myrope went with her
mother to the island of Chios, where they spent their time in fasting
and prayer. Once, by order of the cruel governor of the island, the
soldier Isidore (May 14), a man of deep faith and great piety, was
martyred. St Myrope secretly removed the body of the martyr and buried
it. The soldiers, who had been ordered not to allow the Christians to
take Isidore's body, were sentenced to death.
St Myrope took pity on the condemned, and she told the soldiers and
then the governor what she had done. At the trial she confessed
herself a Christian. For this they gave her a fierce beating and then
threw her in prison. At midnight, while she was praying, a light shone
in the prison. St Isidore appeared surrounded by angels, and St Myrope
surrendered her soul to God. The prison was immediately filled with a
sweet fragrance. The pagan guard, trembling at the vision, told this
to a priest. Later, he accepted Baptism and a martyric death for his
confession of Christ.
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St John of Egypt
Saint John lived in Egypt in the fourth century, and is mentioned in
the Life of St Onuphrius.
After he had buried St Onuphrius, St Paphnutius came upon an oasis
which impressed him with its beauty and abundance of fruit-bearing
trees. Four youths inhabiting this place came to him from out of the
wilderness. The youths told Abba Paphnutius that in their childhood
they had lived in the city of Oxyrhynchus (Upper Thebaid) and they had
studied together. They had burned with the desire to devote their
lives to God. Making their plans to go off into the desert, the young
men left the city and after several days' journey, they reached this
place.
A man radiant with heavenly glory met them and led them to a desert
Elder. "We have lived here six years already," said the youths. "Our
Elder dwelt here one year and then he died. Now we live here alone, we
eat the fruit of the trees, and we have water from a spring." The
youths gave him their names, they were Sts John, Andrew, Heraclemon
and Theophilus (Dec. 2).
The youths struggled separately the whole week long, but on Saturday
and Sunday they gathered at the oasis and offered up common prayer. On
these days an angel would appear and commune them with the Holy
Mysteries. This time however, for Abba Paphnutius' sake, they did not
go off into the desert, but spent the whole week together at prayer.
On the following Saturday and Sunday St Paphnutius together with the
youths was granted to receive the Holy Mysteries from the hands of the
angel and to hear these words, "Receive the Imperishable Food,
unending bliss and life eternal, the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, our God."
St Paphnutius made bold to ask the angel for permission to remain in
the desert to the end of his days. The angel replied that God had
decreed another path for him. He was to return to Egypt and tell the
Christians of the life of the desert-dwellers.
Having bid farewell to the youths, St Paphnutius reached the edge of
the wilderness after a three day journey. Here he found a small skete,
and the brethren received him with love. Abba Paphnutius related
everything that he had learned about the holy Fathers whom he had
encountered in the desert. The brethren wrote a detailed account of
what St Paphnutius said, and deposited it in the church, where all who
wished to do so could read it. St Paphnutius gave thanks to God, Who
had granted him to learn about the exalted lives of the hermits of the
Thebaid, and he returned to his own monastery.
Saint John is also commemorated on June 12 with St Onuphrius.
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St Heraclemon of Egypt
Saint Heraclemon lived in Egypt in the fourth century, and is
mentioned in the Life of St Onuphrius.
After he had buried St Onuphrius, St Paphnutius came upon an oasis
which impressed him with its beauty and abundance of fruit-bearing
trees. Four youths inhabiting this place came to him from out of the
wilderness. The youths told Abba Paphnutius that in their childhood
they had lived in the city of Oxyrhynchus (Upper Thebaid) and they had
studied together. They had burned with the desire to devote their
lives to God. Making their plans to go off into the desert, the young
men left the city and after several days' journey, they reached this
place.
A man radiant with heavenly glory met them and led them to a desert
Elder. "We have lived here six years already," said the youths. "Our
Elder dwelt here one year and then he died. Now we live here alone, we
eat the fruit of the trees, and we have water from a spring." The
youths gave him their names, they were Sts John, Andrew, Heraclemon
and Theophilus (Dec. 2).
The youths struggled separately the whole week long, but on Saturday
and Sunday they gathered at the oasis and offered up common prayer. On
these days an angel would appear and commune them with the Holy
Mysteries. This time however, for Abba Paphnutius' sake, they did not
go off into the desert, but spent the whole week together at prayer.
On the following Saturday and Sunday St Paphnutius together with the
youths was granted to receive the Holy Mysteries from the hands of the
angel and to hear these words, "Receive the Imperishable Food,
unending bliss and life eternal, the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, our God."
St Paphnutius made bold to ask the angel for permission to remain in
the desert to the end of his days. The angel replied that God had
decreed another path for him. He was to return to Egypt and tell the
Christians of the life of the desert-dwellers.
Having bid farewell to the youths, St Paphnutius reached the edge of
the wilderness after a three day journey. Here he found a small skete,
and the brethren received him with love. Abba Paphnutius related
everything that he had learned about the holy Fathers whom he had
encountered in the desert. The brethren wrote a detailed account of
what St Paphnutius said, and deposited it in the church, where all who
wished to do so could read it. St Paphnutius gave thanks to God, Who
had granted him to learn about the exalted lives of the hermits of the
Thebaid, and he returned to his own monastery.
Saint Heraclemon is also commemorated on June 12 with St Onuphrius.
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St Andrew of Egypt
Saint Andrew lived in Egypt in the fourth century, and is mentioned in
the Life of St Onuphrius.
After he had buried St Onuphrius, St Paphnutius came upon an oasis
which impressed him with its beauty and abundance of fruit-bearing
trees. Four youths inhabiting this place came to him from out of the
wilderness. The youths told Abba Paphnutius that in their childhood
they had lived in the city of Oxyrhynchus (Upper Thebaid) and they had
studied together. They had burned with the desire to devote their
lives to God. Making their plans to go off into the desert, the young
men left the city and after several days' journey, they reached this
place.
A man radiant with heavenly glory met them and led them to a desert
Elder. "We have lived here six years already," said the youths. "Our
Elder dwelt here one year and then he died. Now we live here alone, we
eat the fruit of the trees, and we have water from a spring." The
youths gave him their names, they were Sts John, Andrew, Heraclemon
and Theophilus (Dec. 2).
The youths struggled separately the whole week long, but on Saturday
and Sunday they gathered at the oasis and offered up common prayer. On
these days an angel would appear and commune them with the Holy
Mysteries. This time however, for Abba Paphnutius' sake, they did not
go off into the desert, but spent the whole week together at prayer.
On the following Saturday and Sunday St Paphnutius together with the
youths was granted to receive the Holy Mysteries from the hands of the
angel and to hear these words, "Receive the Imperishable Food,
unending bliss and life eternal, the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, our God."
St Paphnutius made bold to ask the angel for permission to remain in
the desert to the end of his days. The angel replied that God had
decreed another path for him. He was to return to Egypt and tell the
Christians of the life of the desert-dwellers.
Having bid farewell to the youths, St Paphnutius reached the edge of
the wilderness after a three day journey. Here he found a small skete,
and the brethren received him with love. Abba Paphnutius related
everything that he had learned about the holy Fathers whom he had
encountered in the desert. The brethren wrote a detailed account of
what St Paphnutius said, and deposited it in the church, where all who
wished to do so could read it. St Paphnutius gave thanks to God, Who
had granted him to learn about the exalted lives of the hermits of the
Thebaid, and he returned to his own monastery.
Saint Andrew is also commemorated on June 12 with St Onuphrius.
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St Theophilus of Egypt
Saint Theophilus lived in Egypt in the fourth century, and is
mentioned in the Life of St Onuphrius.
After he had buried St Onuphrius, St Paphnutius came upon an oasis
which impressed him with its beauty and abundance of fruit-bearing
trees. Four youths inhabiting this place came to him from out of the
wilderness. The youths told Abba Paphnutius that in their childhood
they had lived in the city of Oxyrhynchus (Upper Thebaid) and they had
studied together. They had burned with the desire to devote their
lives to God. Making their plans to go off into the desert, the young
men left the city and after several days' journey, they reached this
place.
A man radiant with heavenly glory met them and led them to a desert
Elder. "We have lived here six years already," said the youths. "Our
Elder dwelt here one year and then he died. Now we live here alone, we
eat the fruit of the trees, and we have water from a spring." The
youths gave him their names, they were Sts John, Andrew, Heraclemon
and Theophilus (Dec. 2).
The youths struggled separately the whole week long, but on Saturday
and Sunday they gathered at the oasis and offered up common prayer. On
these days an angel would appear and commune them with the Holy
Mysteries. This time however, for Abba Paphnutius' sake, they did not
go off into the desert, but spent the whole week together at prayer.
On the following Saturday and Sunday St Paphnutius together with the
youths was granted to receive the Holy Mysteries from the hands of the
angel and to hear these words, "Receive the Imperishable Food,
unending bliss and life eternal, the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, our God."
St Paphnutius made bold to ask the angel for permission to remain in
the desert to the end of his days. The angel replied that God had
decreed another path for him. He was to return to Egypt and tell the
Christians of the life of the desert-dwellers.
Having bid farewell to the youths, St Paphnutius reached the edge of
the wilderness after a three day journey. Here he found a small skete,
and the brethren received him with love. Abba Paphnutius related
everything that he had learned about the holy Fathers whom he had
encountered in the desert. The brethren wrote a detailed account of
what St Paphnutius said, and deposited it in the church, where all who
wished to do so could read it. St Paphnutius gave thanks to God, Who
had granted him to learn about the exalted lives of the hermits of the
Thebaid, and he returned to his own monastery.
Saint Theophilus is also commemorated on June 12 with St Onuphrius.
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St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia
Saint Jesse of Tsilkani arrived in Georgia in the 6th century with the
other Syrian fathers and companions of St. John of Zedazeni.
At the recommendation of St. John of Zedazeni, Catholicos Evlavios of
Kartli consecrated St. Jesse as bishop of Tsilkani. The holy father
traveled throughout his diocese preaching the Holy Gospel. Passing
from city to city, from valley to mountain and back, the kind shepherd
worked wonders, healed the infirm, cleansed lepers, cast out demons
and raised those who were confined to their beds.
Once, with the blessing of his teacher St. John of Zedazeni, St. Jesse
performed a miracle to strengthen the people in their Faith. He
descended to the bank of the Ksani River, followed by Fr. John and a
multitude of people. He made the sign of the Cross over the river,
touched his staff to the water and commanded: In the name of our Lord
and God Jesus Christ, I command you, river: follow me! Immediately the
river reversed its current and began to flow backwards, following in
St. Jesses footsteps right up to Tsilkani Church.
Those living near Mtskheta and Tsilkani who witnessed this miracle
glorified the Lord Jesus Christ for bestowing upon one of His children
the gift of wonder-working.
When the Lord made known to the saint the day of his repose, he
gathered his disciples and church servitors, bade them farewell,
blessed them, partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and reposed in
peace. His last words were Lord, into Thy hands I commit my spirit!
St. Jesse of Tsilkani is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most
Holy Theotokos.
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St Stephen Urosh, King of Serbia
Saint Stephen Urosh, King of Serbia, was son of King Dushan Nemany,
and was born in the year 1337. In 1346 he was crowned king. Dushan
sought the daughter of the French king for his son, but the Roman Pope
insisted that the princess not change from the Latin confession.
Dushan did not want to see a Catholic in his family, and because of
this St Stephen Urosh entered into marriage with the daughter of Vlad,
Prince of Walachia.
Upon the death of his father (+ 1355), St Stephen Urosh became the
independent and actual ruler of Serbia. He was faithful to the Lord,
like a father he provided for widows and orphans, he pacified quarrels
and maintained peace, he was charitable to the poor, and defended the
downtrodden.
In the interests of peace in Serbia and indeed for the preservation of
his own life, St Stephen was obliged to flee to his kinsman, Prince
Lazar. St Stephen's uncle, Vulkashin, immediately seized the throne,
but his fear of rivals gave him no peace. Through his sister, St
Stephen's mother, he invited his nephew to come to the city of Skopje,
on the pretext of a reconciliation. Greeting him with honor, as Tsar,
he invited him to go hunting. When St Stephen, weary from the hunt,
went off with his horse to a well and bent over to take a sip of
water, Vulkashin struck him a mortal blow on the head with a mace.
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Venerable Joannicius of Devic
No information available at this time.
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