[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Tue Feb 27 05:00:25 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Feb 27 2007

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John 10:1-9  (Matins Gospel)
1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by
the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he
calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers.
6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things
which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am
the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
Scripture Reading 1 of 6

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Isaiah 5:7-16  (6th Hour)
7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And
the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but
behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.
8 Woe to those who join house to house; They add field to field, Till
there is no place Where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!
9 In my hearing the Lord of hosts said, Truly, many houses shall be
desolate, Great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant.
10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, And a homer of seed
shall yield one ephah.
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow
intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them!
12 The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in
their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the Lord, Nor
consider the operation of His hands.
13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no
knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried
up with thirst.
14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself And opened its mouth beyond
measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is
jubilant, shall descend into it.
15 People shall be brought down, Each man shall be humbled, And the
eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
16 But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is
holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.
Scripture Reading 2 of 6

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Genesis 4:8-15  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother;a and it came to pass, when
they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and
killed him.
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? He said, I
do not know. Am I my brothers keeper?
10 And He said, What have you done? The voice of your brothers blood
cries out to Me from the ground.
11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to
receive your brothers blood from your hand.
12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to
you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.
13 And Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can
bear!
14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground;
I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond
on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill
me.
15 And the Lord said to him, Therefore,a whoever kills Cain, vengeance
shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest
anyone finding him should kill him.
Scripture Reading 3 of 6

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Proverbs 5:1-15  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my
understanding,
2 That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is
smoother than oil;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged
sword.
5 Her feet go down to death,
6 Lest you ponder her path of life Her ways are unstable; You do not
know them.
7 Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words
of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her
house,
9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;
10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the
house of a foreigner;
11 And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 And say: How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised
correction!
13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to
those who instructed me!
14 I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and
congregation.
15 Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own
well.
Scripture Reading 4 of 6

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Hebrews 13:17-21  (St. Raphael)
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out
for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with
joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience,
in all things desiring to live honorably.
19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you
the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the
dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you
what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be
glory forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading 5 of 6

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John 10:9-16  (St. Raphael)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the
sheep.
12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and
the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about
the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My
own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down
My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must
bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and
one shepherd.
Scripture Reading 6 of 6

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Repose of St Raphael the Bishop of Brooklyn
St Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (+ 1915)
Proclamation on the Glorification of Our Holy Father Bishop RAPHAEL
(30-Apr-2000) Our holy Father Raphael was born in Syria in 1860 to
pious Orthodox parents, Michael Hawaweeny and his second wife Mariam,
the daughter of a priest of Damascus. The exact date of Raphael's
birth is not known, but he estimated it to be on or near his Name Day,
the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the
Bodiless Powers of Heaven (November 8). Due to the violent persecution
of Christians, at which time their parish priest, St Joseph of
Damascus (July 10) and his companions were martyred, the Hawaweeny
family was forced to flee to Beirut for their safety. It was here that
the future saint first saw the light of day, and not in the city of
his parents. Indeed, as the child's life unfolded, it was evident that
he would have no continuing city in this world, but would seek the
city which is to come (Heb 13:14).
On the Feast of Theophany in 1861, he was baptized with the name
Rafla, and later that spring the family was able to return to
Damascus. The child attended elementary school, where he did very
well, but in 1874 it appeared that Michael Hawaweeny would no longer
be able to afford his son's tuition. Fortunately, help came from
Deacon Athanasius Atallah (later Metropolitan of Homs), who
recommended to Patriarch Hierotheus of Antioch that Rafla be accepted
as a student of the Patriarchate in preparation for the priesthood.
He was such a good student that he was selected to be a substitute
teaching assistant in 1877. The following year he was appointed as a
teacher of Arabic and Turkish. On March 28, 1879 he was tonsured as a
monk by Patriarch Hierotheus, and served as His Beatitude's personal
attendant.
Since the Balamand Seminary had been closed in 1840, Patriarch JOACHIM
III of Constantinople invited the Patriarch of Antioch to send at
least one deserving student to study on scholarship at the School of
Theology at Halki, and Saint Raphael was the one who was selected to
go.
On December 8, 1885 he was ordained to the diaconate at the school
chapel. In July of 1886 the young deacon received his Certificate of T
heology, and returned to his homeland in the hope of serving the
Church there. Patriarch Gerasimus of Antioch was impressed with Deacon
Raphael, and often took him along on his pastoral visitations of his
parishes. When His Beatitude could not be present, Deacon Raphael was
asked to preach the Word of God to the people.
Deacon Raphael was not satisfied with the extent of his knowledge, and
thirsted to learn even more. This did not stem from personal pride or
ambition, but came from his fervent desire to benefit others. Truly,
the words of King Solomon could be applied to Saint Raphael: "Give an
opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser; instruct a just man,
and he will receive more instruction" (Proverbs 9:9). Therefore, he
asked Patriarch Gerasimus to permit him to do graduate studies at a
school in Russia, promising to return and serve as the Patriarch's
Russian-language secretary. The Patriarch gave his blessing, and
Deacon Raphael was accepted as a student at the Theological Academy of
Kiev.
In 1889 Patriarch Gerasimus ordered the young deacon to take over as
head of the Antiochian representation church in Moscow. He was
ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop SYLVESTER, the rector of the
Academy, at the request of Patriarch Gerasimus. A month later, he was
raised to the rank of archimandrite by Metropolitan IOANNIKII of
Moscow, and was confirmed as head of the Antiochian representation
church. After two years, Archimandrite Raphael was able to reduce the
representation's 65,000 ruble debt by 15,000 rubles. He also arranged
for twenty-four Syrian students to come to Russia to further their
education, hoping that they would return to Syria and teach others.
When Patriarch Gerasimus resigned in order to accept the See of
Jerusalem, Archimandrite Raphael regarded this as an opportunity to
free the Church of Antioch from its domination by foreign hierarchs.
Burning with love for the Church of Antioch, and wishing to restore
the administration of the church to its own native clergy and people,
Archimandrite Raphael began a campaign of writing letters to some
Antiochian bishops and influential laymen. He also wrote articles in
the Russian press, drawing attention to the plight of Antioch. His
courageous efforts did not meet with success, however, and there was a
price to pay for his outspoken criticism.
In November of 1891 Metropolitan SPYRIDON, a Greek Cypriot, was
elected as Patriarch of Antioch. Many Arabs believed that he had
purchased the election by distributing 10,000 lira to several notable
people in Damascus. Archimandrite Raphael refused to commemorate the
new Patriarch during services at the representation church. As a
result, he was suspended from his priestly functions by Patriarch
SPYRIDON. Saint Raphael accepted his suspension, but continued to
write articles in Russian newspapers in defense of the Antiochian
cause. The Patriarchs of Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, and
Jerusalem successfully petitioned the Tsar to forbid Russian
newspapers from publishing his articles. With this door closed to him,
Saint Raphael began to publish his writings in book form.
Eventually, Patriarch SPYRIDON wrote to the Assistant Overprocurator
of Russia, a friend of Saint Raphael's, asking him to persuade Father
Raphael to ask for the Patriarch's forgiveness. He did so, and the
suspension was lifted. Saint Raphael was allowed to transfer from the
jurisdiction of Antioch to the Church of Russia, and to remain there.
He went to Kazan, taking a position as instructor in Arabic studies at
the theological academy. He remained there until 1895 when he was
invited by the Syrian Orthodox Benevolent Society of New York to come
to that city to be the pastor of the Arab Orthodox community.
When the holy Apostle Paul had a vision of a man entreating him to
come to Macedonia to help them (Acts 16:10), he set off on a great
missionary journey. When Saint Raphael heard of the needs of his
countrymen who were scattered in a strange land, he crossed the ocean
to labor in yet another foreign country.
Archimandrite Raphael arrived in New York on November 2, 1895, and was
welcomed by a delegation of Arab Christians who were awaiting their
leader from Russia. On November 5, his first Sunday in America, he
assisted Bishop NICHOLAS in serving the Divine Liturgy at the Russian
church in New York city. Less than two weeks after his arrival,
Archimandrite Raphael found a suitable place in lower Manhattan to set
up a chapel, and furnished it with ecclesiastical items that he had
brought with him from Russia. Bishop NICHOLAS blessed the new chapel,
which was dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra.
This zealous pastor remained in New York teaching, preaching, and
celebrating the divine services for his parishioners. It was not long,
however, before he heard of smaller communities of Arab Christians
scattered throughout the length and breadth of North America. Since
these Arab immigrants had no pastor to care for them, it was not
surprising that some should turn to other denominations, or completely
neglect their religious duties. This was an ongoing concern for Saint
Raphael throughout the course of his ministry. Although he was not
opposed to dialogue with non-Orthodox Christians, nor to friendly
relations based on shared beliefs, Saint Raphael never lost sight of
the clear line of distinction that exists between the Orthodox and the
heterodox. He always insisted that any church unity must be based on
the teachings of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
The Orthodoxy of Saint Raphael's life and teaching was demonstrated
over and over again by his words and his actions. He always upheld and
defended the spotless Faith which was "delivered to the saints" (Jude
3). Although at first he did not understand the teachings of the
heterodox, he later discovered how far removed they were from Orthodox
doctrine. When he realized this, he took steps to protect his flock
from harmful influences. He directed his people not to attend
heterodox services lest they become confused by "divers and strange
doctrines" (Heb 13:9). He believed it would be preferable for the head
of the household to read the Hours at home from the Service Book when
it was not possible to attend an Orthodox church.
In the summer of 1896, Saint Raphael undertook the first of several
pastoral journeys across the continent. He visited thirty cities
between New York and San Francisco, seeking out the Master's lost
sheep in cities, towns, and on isolated farms. He fed the spiritually
hungry people with the Word of God in each place where he stopped. He
performed marriages, baptisms, heard confessions, and celebrated the
Divine Liturgy in the homes of the faithful where there was no church
building. In other words, he zealously fulfilled his ministry as a
preacher of the Gospel, enduring many hardships and afflictions, and
he was watchful in all things concerning the care of his flock (2 Tim
4:5).
In 1898, with the blessing of Bishop Nicholas, Saint Raphael produced
his first book in the New World -- an Arabic language Service Book
called The Book of True Consolation in the Divine Prayers. This book
of liturgical services and prayers was very useful to priests in
celebrating the divine services, and also to the people in their
personal prayer life. The English version published by Archimandrite
Seraphim Nassar is still being used today.
Between May-November 1898, Saint Raphael set off on his second
pastoral tour. During this trip he became convinced of the need for
Arabic-speaking priests to serve in the new churches he had
established. When he returned to New York, he made a report to Bishop
NICHOLAS expressing these concerns. With Bishop NICHOLAS's blessing
Saint Raphael was able to bring qualified priests from Syria. He also
sought out educated laymen whom he could recommend for ordination.
Both as an archimandrite and later as bishop, Saint Raphael would
appoint pastors only after obtaining the blessing of the Russian
hierarch who headed the American Mission.
This was the normal state of affairs in America at the time.
Archimandrite Raphael welcomed Bishop Tikhon when the latter replaced
Bishop NICHOLAS as the ruling bishop in America. On December 15, Saint
Tikhon came to serve the Liturgy at the Syrian church of St Nicholas.
Raphael told his people that their new Archpastor was one who "has
been sent here to tend the flock of Christ -- Russians, Slavs,
Syro-Arabs, and Greeks -- which is scattered across the entire North
American continent." At that time, of course, there were no parallel
jurisdictions based on nationality. The Church united those of diverse
backgrounds under the omophorion of the Russian Archbishop. This was
the norm until the Russian Revolution disrupted church life in Russia,
and also in America.
In March of 1899, Saint Raphael received permission from Bishop Tikhon
to start collecting funds for a cemetery, and for building a new
church to replace the chapel which was located in an old building on a
dirty street. In the spring he left on another pastoral tour of
forty-three cities and towns. Traveling by land and sea, and
undeterred by the obstacles and difficulties before him, he spent
seven months in the northeastern, southern, and midwestern regions of
the United States. Saint Raphael ministered to Greeks and Russians as
well as Arabs, performing weddings and baptisms, and regularizing the
weddings of Orthodox people who had been married by non-Orthodox
clergy. He also chrismated some children who had been baptized by
Catholic priests.
In Johnstown, PA he reconciled those whose personal enmity threatened
to divide the Arabic community. Although civil courts had been unable
to make peace, Saint Raphael restored calm and put an end to the
bitter feud. While in Johnstown, he received a telegram informing him
that Metropolitan Meletios (Doumani), had been elected Patriarch of
Antioch. With great joy St Raphael told his people that for the first
time in 168 years, a native Arab had been chosen as primate of the
Antiochian Church.
After the new Patriarch had been installed, Archimandrite Raphael was
proposed to succeed Meletios as Metropolitan of Latakia. The
Patriarch, however, stated that the Holy Synod could not elect Father
Raphael because of his important work in America. In 1901,
Metropolitan GABRIEL of Beirut wrote to Archimandrite Raphael asking
him to be his auxiliary bishop, but he declined, saying that he could
not leave his American flock. First, he wanted to build a permanent
church, and to acquire a parish cemetery. The latter goal was achieved
in August of 1901 when Father Raphael purchased a section of Mt Olivet
cemetery on Long Island.
In December of 1901 Archimandrite Raphael was elected as Bishop of
Zahleh. Patriarch Meletios sent a telegram congratulating him and
asking him to return. Father Raphael thanked the Patriarch, but again
declined higher office. He said that he wished to complete the project
of building a temple for the Syrian community in New York. The
following year, he bought an existing church building on Pacific St in
Brooklyn, and had it remodeled for Orthodox worship. Bishop Tikhon
consecrated the church to the great joy of the faithful in attendance.
Thus, Saint Raphael's second major project was finished.
Since the number of parishes within the Diocese of North America was
growing, Bishop Tikhon found it impossible to visit all of them. The
diocese had to be reorganized in order to administer it more
efficiently. Therefore, Bishop Tikhon submitted a plan to the Russian
Holy Synod which would transfer the See from San Francisco to New York
because most parishes and individuals were concentrated in the east.
Since various ethnic groups required special attention and pastoral
leadership, Bishop Tikhon proposed that Archimandrite Raphael be made
his second vicar bishop (the Bishop of Alaska would be his first).
In 1903, the Holy Synod of Russia unanimously elected Archimandrite
Raphael to be the Bishop of Brooklyn while retaining him as head of
the Syro-Arab Orthodox Mission in North America. The Holy Synod
announced the election to Patriarch Meletios, who was pleased by their
decision. Bishop Tikhon wrote to Saint Raphael to inform him of his
election, and Father Raphael sent him a letter of acceptance.
Meanwhile, Fr Innocent Pustynsky was consecrated as Tikhon's first
auxiliary bishop at St Petersburg's cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan.
On the third Sunday of Lent in 1904, Saint Raphael became the first
Orthodox bishop to be consecrated on American soil. Bishop Tikhon and
Bishop Innocent performed the service at St Nicholas Cathedral in
Brooklyn. The new bishop's vestments were a gift from Tsar Nicholas
II. Following his consecration, Bishop Raphael continued his pastoral
labors, ordaining priests and assigning them to parishes, and helping
Bishop Tikhon in the administration of the diocese.
At the end of 1904, Bishop Raphael announced his intention to publish
a magazine called Al-Kalimat (The Word) as the official publication of
the Syro-Arab mission. This would help to link the people and parishes
of his diocese more closely together. Bishop Raphael knew that he
could not visit all Orthodox Christians across North America in
person, but through the ministry of the printed word, he could preach
the word of salvation even to people he would never meet. The content
was to be spiritual, moral, and churchly so that the magazine could
reinforce people in their Faith. The Word would focus on five primary
topics: dogmatic truths, ethical teaching, historical and contemporary
ecclesiastical subjects, a chronicle of baptisms, weddings, etc., and
official pronouncements. The first issue was printed in January 1905,
and Saint Raphael considered this milestone as one equal in importance
to the acquisition of St Nicholas Cathedral and the parish cemetery.
In July of 1905 Bishop Raphael consecrated the grounds for St Tikhon's
Monastery and blessed the orphanage at South Canaan, PA. Three days
later, he presided at a conference of diocesan clergy at Old Forge,
PA, because Archbishop Tikhon was in San Francisco. Among the clergy
in attendance were three who would also be numbered among the saints:
Fr ALEXIS Toth, Fr Alexander Hotovitzky, and Fr John Kochurov (the
last two would die as martyrs in Russia).
For the next ten years Bishop Raphael tended his growing flock. With
the growth of his New York community came an increase in the number of
children, and he was concerned about their future. He wanted to
establish an evening school to educate them in a Christian atmosphere,
because the future of the Church in this country depended upon the
instruction of the youth. Children who did not speak Arabic were
already going to non-Orthodox churches where Sunday school classes
were conducted in English. Bishop Raphael saw the absolute necessity
for using English in worship and in education for the future progress
of the Syro-Arab Mission.
Taking heed of St Paul's words to pray in a language that people
understood (1 Cor.14:15-19), St Raphael recommended the use of the
Service Book of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church
(translated by Isabel Hapgood) in all of his parishes.
In March of 1907 Saint Tikhon returned to Russia and was replaced by
Archbishop PLATON. Once again St Raphael was considered for episcopal
office in Syria, being nominated to succeed Patriarch GREGORY as
Metropolitan of Tripoli in 1908. The Holy Synod of Antioch removed
Bishop Raphael's name from the list of candidates, citing various
canons which forbid a bishop being transferred from one city to
another.
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy in 1911, Bishop Raphael was honored for his
fifteen years of pastoral ministry in America. Archbishop PLATON
presented him with a silver-covered icon of Christ and praised him for
his work. In his humility, Bishop Raphael could not understand why he
should be honored merely for doing his duty (Luke 17:10). He
considered himself an "unworthy servant," yet he did perfectly the
work that fell to him (St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the
Ephesians).
Toward the end of 1912, Bishop Raphael became ill while working in his
office. Doctors diagnosed him with a heart ailment that eventually
caused his death. After two weeks he felt strong enough to celebrate
the Liturgy in his cathedral.
In 1913-1914 this missionary bishop continued to make pastoral
visitations to various cities. In 1915 he fell ill again and spent two
months at home, bearing his illness with patience. At 12:40 AM on
February 14/27 he rested from his labors. They called him, but he did
not answer. They shook him, but he was gone.
>From his youth, Saint Raphael's greatest joy was to serve the Church.
When he came to America, he found his people scattered abroad, and he
called them to unity. He never neglected his flock, but traveled
throughout America, Canada, and Mexico in search of them so that he
might care for them. He kept them from straying into strange pastures,
and he protected them from spiritual harm. During twenty years of
faithful ministry he nurtured them and helped them to grow. At the
time of his death, the Syro-Arab Mission had thirty parishes with
25,000 faithful.
He was also a scholar, and the author of several books. He wrote many,
if not most, of the articles that appeared in The Word. He served his
own Arabic community, and also reached out to Greeks and Russians,
speaking to them in their own language. He became fluent in English,
and encouraged its use in church services and educational programs.
St Raphael came into contact with all sorts of people, and was a
gentle father to them. He gained their love and respect by first
loving them, and also through his charming personality and excellent
character. He was always kind, merciful, and condescending with
others, but was strict with himself. He accomplished many good things
during his earthly life, and now he joins the holy angels in offering
ceaseless prayer and praise to God.
Through the prayers of the holy Bishop Raphael, may we also be made
worthy of the heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
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Venerable Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Near Caves
Saint Titus, Presbyter of the Near Caves, lived in great friendship
with the deacon Evagrius, which later turned into a strong dislike and
hostility. Although Hieromonk Titus tried several times to make peace
with his former friend, the deacon Evagrius refused to be reconciled
(Compare the story of the Martyr Nicephorus on February 9).
When St Titus fell ill with a grievous illness and began to prepare
himself for death, he asked for Evagrius to be brought to him in order
to ask his forgiveness. The brethren brought Evagrius to the sickbed
by force. St Titus tearfully begged him for forgiveness, but Evagrius
remained obstinate. He declared that he would not forgive Titus in
this world, nor in the world to come. As he said this, he fell dead,
struck down by an angel. At that very instant, St Titus was healed,
and got up out of bed. He revealed that the demons were all around him
until he forgave Evagrius. When he had done so, the demons left him
and attacked Evagrius, while radiant angels surrounded St Titus.
After this, St Titus increased his ascetic struggles, and received
from God the gift of working miracles. He was also known for his great
humility.
St Titus reposed around 1190. His memory is celebrated also on
September 28 at the Synaxis of the Fathers of the Near Caves.
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Venerable Titus the Soldier, of the Kiev Caves
Saint Titus was a soldier who was known for his bravery. One day, he
was seriously wounded in battle. An illness caused by his wound forced
him to leave the military service, so he entered the Kiev Caves
Monastery. There he spent the rest of his life in prayer and
repentance, and attained the heavenly Kingdom.
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Venerable Thalelaeus the Hermit of Syria
Saint Thalelaeus lived during the fifth century. He was a native of
Cilicia (Asia Minor), became a monk at the monastery of St Sava the
Sanctified, and was ordained presbyter there. Later on, he moved to
Syria, not far from the city of Habala, he found a dilapidated pagan
temple surrounded by graves, and he settled there in a tent. This
place had a rough reputation, since the unclean spirits residing there
frightened travellers and caused them much harm.
Here the monk lived, praying day and night in total solitude. The
demons often assailed the saint, trying to terrify him with sights and
sounds. But by the power of God the saint ultimately gained victory
over the power of the Enemy, after which he was troubled no more. He
then intensified his efforts even more: he built a hut, so cramped
that it was just possible to get into it, and only with an effort was
it possible to raise his head. He lived there for about ten years.
The Lord granted to the ascetic the gift of wonderworking, and his
miracles helped him to enlighten the pagan inhabitants. With the help
of the inhabitants he converted to Christianity, he demolished the
pagan temple, building a church where there were daily services.
St Thalelaeus died in old age in about the year 460. In the book
entitled Leimonarion or Pratum [The Meadow], a composition of the
Greek monk John Moschus (+ 622). St Thalelaeus is mentioned: "Abba
Thalelaeus was a monk for sixty years and with tears never ceased
saying, 'Brethren, God has given us this time for repentance, and we
must seek after Him'" (Ch. 59).
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Venerable Procopius the Confessor of Decapolis
Saint Procopius the Dekapolite lived during the eighth century in the
region of Decapolis (Mark 7:31), to the east of Lake Galilee. There he
labored for his salvation, struggling in asceticism.
St Procopius, his fellow ascetic St Basil (February 28), and others
zealous for holy Orthodoxy rose up against the Iconoclast heresy of
those times. By order of the emperor Leo the Isaurian (716-741), St
Procopius was arrested, subjected to a fierce scourging and thrown
into prison. Here he languished together with St Basil until the very
death of the oppressive emperor, after which the holy confessors were
set free.
St Procopius spent the rest of his life in peace, guiding many on the
way of virtue and salvation. He died in old age, around the year 750.
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St Asclepius of Syria
Saints Asclepius and James were Syrian ascetics, and lived during the
fifth century. Theodoret of Cyrrhus speaks of them. St Asclepius led
an ascetic life of temperance in his native village and was not
hindered by constant association with many people.
He had many imitators and followers. One of them was St James, who
secluded himself in a small dwelling near the village of Nimuza. Up
until the end of his life, the ascetic did not leave his hermitage,
but spoke to visitors through a small aperture in the wall, cut at a
angle so that no one was able to see him. He never kindled a fire or
lit a lamp.
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St James of Syria
Saints James and Asclepius were Syrian ascetics, and lived during the
fifth century. Theodoret of Cyrrhus speaks of them. St Asclepius led
an ascetic life of temperance in his native village and was not
hindered by constant association with many people.
He had many imitators and followers. One of them was St James, who
secluded himself in a small dwelling near the village of Nimuza. Up
until the end of his life, the ascetic did not leave his hermitage,
but spoke to visitors through a small aperture in the wall, cut at a
angle so that no one was able to see him. He never kindled a fire or
lit a lamp.
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St Stephen of Constantinople
Saint Stephen, formerly a courtier under the emperor Mauricius
(582-602), left his service, and founded a hospice for the elderly at
Armatia [Constantinople], and devoted himself totally to taking in
strangers. He died peacefully in 614.
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Martyr Julian of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Julian, Eunos [Kronion] his servant, Beza [Bisos] the
soldier and Mekaros suffered at the beginning of the reign of Decius
(249-251) at Alexandria. St Julian, a very old man, suffered from gout
and could neither stand nor get about. He was carried to the trial by
his servants, one of whom, (Eunos) bravely confessed his faith in
Christ, even though a second servant recanted.
They took Julian and Eunos through the city on camels, subjecting them
to the jeering of pagans, and finally burned them in a fire. The
soldier St Beza also suffered with them. Because he tried to defend
the holy martyrs from insult, he was beheaded by the sword. Mekaros of
Lebanon was also burned.
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Martyr Eunos of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Eunos [Kronion] his servant, Beza [Bisos] the
soldier, Julian and Mekaros suffered at the beginning of the reign of
Decius (249-251) at Alexandria. St Eunos, a servant of St Julian,
bravely confessed his faith in Christ, even when a second servant
recanted.
They took Julian and Eunos through the city on camels, subjecting them
to the jeering of pagans, and finally burned them in a fire. The
soldier St Beza also suffered with them.
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Martyr Beza (Bisos) the soldier of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Beza [Bisos] the soldier, Julian, Eunos [Kronion],
and Mekaros suffered at the beginning of the reign of Decius (249-251)
at Alexandria.
The soldier St Beza suffered with Julian and Eunos. He was beheaded
because he tried to defend these holy martyrs from insult.
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Martyr Mekaros of Lebanon
The Holy Martyrs Mekaros, Julian, Eunos [Kronion] and his servant Beza
[Bisos] the soldier suffered at the beginning of the reign of Decius
(249-251) at Alexandria. St Mekaros was burned alive.
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St. Leandre of Seville
No information available at this time.
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