[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Fri Feb 16 05:00:17 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri Feb 16 2007

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Zechariah 8:7-17  (6th Hour)
7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the
east country and from the west country;
8 and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they
shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness
9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who in
these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of prophets,
since the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts
was laid, that the temple might be built.
10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for
beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out
or came in; for I set every man against his fellow.
11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the
former days, says the Lord of hosts.
12 For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its
fruit, and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall
give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess
all these things.
13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house
of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you and you shall be a
blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong."
14 For thus says the Lord of hosts: "As I purposed to do evil to you,
when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the
Lord of hosts,
15 so again have I purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and
to the house of Judah; fear not.
16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one
another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for
peace,
17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no
false oath, for all these things I hate, says the Lord."
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Zechariah 8:19-23  (Vespers)
19 Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the
fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the
tenth, shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness, and
cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.
20 Thus says the Lord of Hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants
of many cities;
21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us
continue to go and pray before the Lord, And seek the Lord of hosts. I
myself will go also."
22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the Lord of
hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the Lord.'
23 Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every
language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man,
saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. '
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Martyr Pamphilius the Presbyter at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
The holy martyr Pamphilius, a native of the city of Beirut, was
educated at Alexandria, after which he was made a priest at Caesarea.
He devoted much labor to collating manuscripts and correcting copyist
errors in the texts of the New Testament. The corrected texts of St
Pamphilius were copied and distributed to anyone who wanted them. Many
pagans were converted to Christ through them.
His works and concerned matters at Caesarea were gathered up into the
extensive library of spiritual books available for the enlightening of
Christians. St Jerome (4th-5th century) deeply respected St Pamphilius
and considered himself fortunate to have located and acquired several
of his manuscripts.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
Before this occurred, a servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This
was the eighteen-year-old youth Porphyrius, meek and humble. He had
heard the sentence of death for the condemned martyrs, and asked the
governor's permission to bury the bodies after their execution. For
this he was sentenced to death, and thrown into a fire.
A witness of this execution, the pious Christian Seleucius, a former
soldier, in saluting the deeds of the sufferers, went to Pamphilius
and told him about the martyric death of St Porphyrius. He was seized
by soldiers and, on Firmilian's orders, was beheaded by the sword
together with the condemned.
One of the governor's servants, Theodulus, a man of venerable age and
a secret Christian, met the martyrs being led to execution, embraced
them and asked them to pray for him. He was taken by soldiers to
Firmilian, on whose orders he was crucified.
The young Julian, a native of Cappadocia who had come to Caesarea, saw
the bodies of the saints which had been thrown to wild beasts without
burial. Julian went down on his knees and venerated the bodies of the
sufferers. Soldiers standing by at the wall seized him and took him to
the governor, who condemned him to burning. The bodies of all twelve
martyrs remained unburied for four days, but neither beasts nor birds
would touch them. Embarrassed by this situation, the pagans permitted
Christians to take the bodies of the martyrs and bury them.
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Martyr Valens the Deacon at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
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Martyr Paul at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Seleucius at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
An eighteen-year-old servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This was
the meek and humble St Porphyrius. He had heard the sentence of death
for the condemned martyrs, and asked the governor's permission to bury
the bodies after their execution. For this he was sentenced to death,
and thrown into a fire.
A witness of this execution, the pious Christian Seleucius, a former
soldier, in saluting the deeds of the sufferers, went to Pamphilius
and told him about the martyric death of St Porphyrius. He was seized
by soldiers and, on Firmilian's orders, was beheaded by the sword
together with the condemned.
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Martyr Porphyrius at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
An eighteen-year-old servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This was
the meek and humble St Porphyrius. He had heard the sentence of death
for the condemned martyrs, and asked the governor's permission to bury
the bodies after their execution. For this he was sentenced to death,
and thrown into a fire.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Julian at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
The young Julian, a native of Cappadocia who had come to Caesarea, saw
the bodies of the saints which had been thrown to wild beasts without
burial. Julian went down on his knees and venerated the bodies of the
sufferers. Soldiers standing by at the wall seized him and took him to
the governor, who condemned him to burning. The bodies of all twelve
martyrs remained unburied for four days, but neither beasts nor birds
would touch them. Embarrassed by this situation, the pagans permitted
Christians to take the bodies of the martyrs and bury them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodulus at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
One of governor Firmilian's servants, Theodulus, a man of venerable
age and a secret Christian, met the martyrs being led to execution,
embraced them and asked them to pray for him. He was taken by soldiers
to Firmilian, on whose orders he was crucified.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Elias at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Jeremiah at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Isaiah at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Samuel at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Daniel at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia
Saint Maruthas was Bishop of Tagrith (Martyropolis), a city which he
founded between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. He was famed for his
knowledge and his piety, he wrote about the martyrs, and he suffered
for his faith in Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. He also left
behind other works in the Syrian language, among which the most famous
are: "Commentary on the Gospel," "Verses of Maruthas," "Liturgy of
Maruthas" and "The 73 Canons of the Ecumenical Council at Nicea" (325)
with an account of the acts of the Council.
In the year 381 St Maruthas participated in the Second Ecumenical
Council at Constantinople, convened against the heresy of Macedonius.
In 383, he attended the Council of Antioch against the Messalians.
During the years 403-404 St Maruthas set off to Constantinople to
plead with the emperor Arcadius to protect Persian Christians. He was
twice sent by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to the Shah Izdegerd
to secure the peace between the Empire and Persia.
In the year 414 St Maruthas, having done his duty as envoy to the
court of Izdegerd, persuaded the Shah to a favorable disposition
towards Christians, and he assisted greatly in the freedom of
Christians in Persia. He rebuilt Christian churches razed during the
persecution by the Persian ruler Sapor. He also located relics of
saints who had suffered martyrdom and transferred them to
Martyropolis. He died there in 422. The relics of St Maruthas were
later transferred to Egypt and placed in a skete monastery of the
Mother of God.
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Persian Martyrs in Martyropolis in Mesopotamia
No information available at this time.
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St Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch
Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch, was a contemporary of St John
Chrysostom. He attempted to obtain from the emperor Theodosius
(379-395) a pardon for the citizens of Antioch, who had angered the
emperor by destroying his statue. St Flavian's death was peaceful and
without illness. He is also commemorated on September 27.
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