[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Wed Jan 24 05:00:23 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed Jan 24 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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1 Peter 4:1-11
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for
the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of
the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with
them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living
and the dead.
6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and
watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love
will cover a multitude of sins."
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Peter 4:12-5:5  (Thursday)
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding
joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or
as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but
let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God;
and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do
not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly
and the sinner appear?"
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit
their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers,
not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples
to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of
glory that does not fade away.
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes,
all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility,
for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 12:28-37
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning
together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which
is the first commandment of all?"
29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O
Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
30 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is
the first commandment.
31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.
32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the
truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding,
with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's
neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices.
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You
are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared
question Him.
35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How
is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The LORD said to my
Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
'
37 Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?
And the common people heard Him gladly.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Mark 12:38-44  (Thursday)
38 Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who
desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.
These will receive greater condemnation.
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put
money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a
quadrans.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly,
I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who
have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her
poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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Martyr Xenia of Rome, and her two female slaves
Saint Xenia of Rome, in the world Eusebia, was the only daughter of an
eminent Roman senator. From her youth she loved God, and wished to
avoid the marriage arranged for her. She secretly left her parental
home with two servants devoted to her, and set sail upon a ship.
Through the Providence of God she met the head of the monastery of the
holy Apostle Andrew in Milassa, a town of Caria (Asia Minor). She
besought him to take her and her companions to Milassa. She also
changed her name, calling herself Xenia [which means "stranger" or
foreigner" in Greek].
At Milassa she bought land, built a church dedicated to St Stephen,
and founded a woman's monastery. Soon after this, Bishop Paul of
Milassa made Xenia a deaconess, because of her virtuous life. The
saint helped everyone: for the destitute, she was a benefactress; for
the grief-stricken, a comforter; for sinners, a guide to repentance.
She possessed a deep humility, accounting herself the worst and most
sinful of all.
In her ascetic deeds she was guided by the counsels of the Palestinian
ascetic, St Euthymius. The sublime life of St Xenia drew many souls to
Christ. The holy virgin died in 450 while she was praying. During her
funeral, a luminous wreath of stars surrounding a radiant cross
appeared over the monastery in the heavens. This sign accompanied the
body of the saint when it was carried into the city, and remained
until the saint's burial. Many of the sick received healing after
touching the relics of the saint.
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Martyred Female Slaves of the Venerable Xenia of Rome
These holy martyrs travelled with St Xenia from Rome to Milassa in
Asia Minor. They remained with her when she founded a women's
monastery, and agreed to live together as sisters and devote
themselves to the salvation of their souls.
Following the death of St Xenia, first one of her former servants
died, then the other. They were buried at the saint's feet.
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St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm
Saint Gerasimus, Bishop of Great Perm and Ust'Vymsk, was the third
bishop of the newly-enlightened Zyryani people, and he was a worthy
successor to St Stephen, the Enlightener of Perm (April 26). He was
elevated to the See of Perm sometime after 1416, and participated in
many Church councils: one in 1438 to condemn the Unia and Metropolitan
Isidore, and one in 1441, which defined the selection of the
Metropolitan of All Rus by a Council of Russian pastors.
The saint assiduously cared for his newly-established flock, which
suffered raids from Novgorodians, particularly from the pagan
Vogulians. He went to their camps urging them to cease the pillaging
of villages of the defenseless Christians of Perm. He was murdered by
a Vogulian servant during one of his journeys through Perm in 1441
(according to Tradition, he was strangled with his omophorion). He was
buried in the cathedral church of the first bishops of Perm, which
later became the Annunciation church in the village of Ust'Vyma,
northeast of the city of Yarenga, at the River Vychegda.
The celebration of his memory was established in 1607. On January 29
there is a general commemoration of the three Perm Hierarchs:
Gerasimus, Pitirim, and Jonah.
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Martyr John of Kazan
The Martyr John of Kazan suffered for Christ in the city of Kazan on
January 24, 1529. During the reign of Great Prince Basil the Tatars
swooped down upon Nizhni Novgorod. Many of the inhabitants were taken
into captivity and brought to Kazan. Also among their number was the
fearless John.
When the captives were distributed to their new owners, he was given
to Alei-Shnura, who was related to the Khan. By day John honestly
served his master, but at night he went without sleep and prayed,
patiently enduring insults and abuse. The master resolved to force his
servant to become a Moslem, but John firmly declared that he worshiped
Jesus Christ as God.
In the winter the Tatars tied him up and led him to a Russian
cemetery, mortally wounded him with swords, and threw him into the
snow. That night, St John reached the door of some Russians living in
Kazan, and he asked them to summon a priest. He received the Holy
Mysteries and prayed all night, then died the following morning.
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Martyr Babylas of Sicily
The Holy Martyrs Babylas of Sicily and his two disciples Timothy and
Agapius lived during the third century on the outskirts of Rome. St
Babylas was born in the city of Reupolium into a rich family, and he
was raised by his parents in the Christian Faith.
While still in his youth he abandoned the world, secretly going from
the house of his parents to a mountain, where he spent all his time in
fasting, prayer and silence. His two disciples, Timothy and Agapius,
labored with him. Fleeing a persecution by the pagans, he went with
his disciples to the island of Sicily, where they converted many
unbelievers to Christ.
The governor of the island, angered by the missionary activity of St
Babylas, ordered that he and his disciples be arrested, and he also
had them tortured. The saints patiently endured their sufferings, and
all three died by the sword. Their bodies were thrown into a fire, but
the flames did not harm the warriors of Christ. They were buried on
the island of Sicily by local Christians.
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Martyr Timothy the Disciple of Babylas of Sicily
Saints Timothy and Agapius, disciples of St Babylas of Sicily, lived
during the third century on the outskirts of Rome.
Sts Timothy and Agapius labored with St Babylas on a mountain, where
they struggled in fasting, prayer and silence. Fleeing a persecution
by the pagans, St Bablyas and his disciples went to the island of
Sicily, where they converted many unbelievers to Christ.
The governor of the island, angered by the missionary activity of St
Babylas, ordered that he and his disciples be arrested, and he also
had them tortured. The saints patiently endured their sufferings, and
all three died by the sword. Their bodies were thrown into a fire, but
the flames did not harm the warriors of Christ. They were buried on
the island of Sicily by local Christians.
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Martyr Agapius the Disciple of Babylas of Sicily
Saints Agapius and Timothy, disciples of St Babylas of Sicily, lived
during the third century on the outskirts of Rome.
Sts Timothy and Agapius labored with St Babylas on a mountain, where
they struggled in fasting, prayer and silence. Fleeing a persecution
by the pagans, St Bablyas and his disciples went to the island of
Sicily, where they converted many unbelievers to Christ.
The governor of the island, angered by the missionary activity of St
Babylas, ordered that he and his disciples be arrested, and he also
had them tortured. The saints patiently endured their sufferings, and
all three died by the sword. Their bodies were thrown into a fire, but
the flames did not harm the warriors of Christ. They were buried on
the island of Sicily by local Christians.
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St Macedonius the Hermit of Syria
Saint Macedonius, a Syrian hermit, lived during the end of the fourth
century and the beginning of the fifth. At the beginning of his
ascetic path he led the life of a wanderer, roving through the cities
of Phoenicia, Cilicia and Syria, and then he spent forty-five years in
a deep pit and lived under the open sky in the Syrian wilderness,
shunning human glory.
A multitude of people came out to him, seeking spiritual help and
guidance. Only in his old age did he accede to the requests of people
to live in a narrow cell built for him. Throughout his life St
Macedonius ate only barley, ground up and mixed with water, for which
he was called "Kritophagos" ("Barley-Eater") [Grk. he krithê,
"barley"; and phagôµai, "to eat"). Only when he felt his strength
decline did he begin to eat baked bread.
Because of his ascetic life, God granted him the power to cast out
demons and to heal the sick. He died around the year 420, having
reached his seventieth year.
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Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian
After the death of Chozroes, the relics of the Monk Martyr Anastasius
were transferred to the Anastasius monastery in Palestine. See his
Life on January 22.
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Venerable Dionysius of Olympus
Saint Dionysius of Olympus was born into a family of poor parents in
the village of Platina. When he was an infant, the Cross shone over
his crib. Fond of prayer and reading spiritual books from his youth,
St Dionysius decided to become a monk after the death of his parents.
With this aim he went to Meteora, and then to Mount Athos. There he
lived with a pious Elder, the priest Seraphim, and under his guidance
he began to lead an ascetic life, keeping a strict fast. During
Passion Week he went into the forest, and ate only chestnuts. Soon he
was ordained deacon, and then priest.
The exalted life of St Dionysius became known, and many monks came to
hear his edifying words. He also guided many lawless people onto the
path of salvation, among whom was a robber who intended to rob the
saint's cell, but was moved to repentance by the Elder's kind and wise
words.
The brethren of the Philotheou monastery lost their igumen and asked
St Dionysius to be their head. However, he did not receive enough
votes, and dissensions arose. Valuing peace and love most of all, St
Dionysius withdrew and went to Verria. Later, he fled to Mount Olympus
in order to avoid being consecrated as a bishop.
Here those zealous for monasticism began to flock to him. Dionysius
built cells for them and also a church and they spent their time in
fasting and prayer. Having attained the spiritual heights, he worked
many miracles. Often, through the prayers of the saint, the Lord
punished iniquitous people who oppressed the monks of Olympus or broke
the commandments of Christ. The holdings of a Turk who had expelled
the monks and wrecked their monastery were destroyed by severe drought
and by hail. The cattle of a herdsman who had oppressed the monastery
were stricken with disease and sickness; because of her impudence, a
maiden from one of the villages was subjected to an assault of the
devil. They all received healing and deliverance from misfortune
through the prayers of St Dionysius, after being led to penitence by
his lack of malice.
The saint compiled a Rule for monastic life, and was an example of
monastic activity. He built a church on Olympus, and also a monastery
dedicated to the Prophet Elias. He left the brethren his final
testament about the monastic life based on the Rule of the Holy
Mountain.
St Dionysius died in the sixteenth century at an advanced age, and was
buried on Olympus, in the church portico of the monastery he founded.
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Venerable Philotheus the Founder of Philotheou Monastery of
Mt Athos
Saint Philotheus, the founder of the Philotheou Monastery on Mount
Athos, lived toward the end of the tenth century.
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Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg
Saint Xenia lived during the eighteenth century, but little is known
of her life or of her family. She passed most of her life in
Petersburg during the reigns of the empresses Elizabeth and Catherine
II.
Xenia Grigorievna Petrova was the wife of an army officer, Major
Andrew Petrov. After the wedding, the couple lived in St Petersburg.
St Xenia became a widow at the age of twenty-six when her husband
suddenly died at a party. She grieved for the loss of her husband, and
especially because he died without Confession or Holy Communion.
Once her earthly happiness ended, she did not look for it again. From
that time forward, Xenia lost interest in the things of this world,
and followed the difficult path of foolishness for the sake of Christ.
The basis for this strange way of life is to be found in the first
Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:18-24, 1 Cor. 2:14, 1 Cor.
3:18-19). The Lord strengthened her and helped her to bear sorrow and
misfortune patiently for the next forty-five years.
She started wearing her husband's clothing, and insisted that she be
addressed as "Andrew Feodorovich." She told people that it was she,
and not her husband, who had died. In a certain sense, this was
perfectly true. She abandoned her former way of life and experienced a
spiritual rebirth. When she gave away her house and possessions to the
poor, her relatives complained to the authorities. After speaking to
Xenia, the officials were conviced that she was in her right mind and
was entitled to dispose of her property as she saw fit. Soon she had
nothing left for herself, so she wandered through the poor section of
Petersburg with no place to lay her head. She refused all assistance
from her relatives, happy to be free of worldly attachments.
When her late husband's red and green uniform wore out, she clothed
herself in rags of those colors. After a while, Xenia left Petersburg
for eight years. It is believed that she visited holy Elders and
ascetics throughout Russia seeking instruction in the spiritual life.
She may have visited St Theodore of Sanaxar (February 19), who had
been a military man himself. His life changed dramatically when a
young officer died at a drinking party. Perhaps this officer was St
Xenia's husband. In any case, she knew St Theodore and profited from
his instructions.
St Xenia eventually returned to the poor section of Petersburg, where
she was mocked and insulted because of her strange behavior. When she
did accept money from people it was only small amounts, which she used
to help the poor. She spent her nights praying without sleep in a
field outside the city. Prayer strengthened her, and in her heart's
conversation with the Lord she found the support she needed on her
difficult path.
When a new church was being built in the Smolensk cemetery, St Xenia
brought bricks to the site. She did this in secret, during the night,
so that no one would know.
Soon her great virtue and spiritual gifts began to be noticed. She
prophesied future events affecting the citizens of Petersburg, and
even the royal family. Against her will, she became known as someone
pleasing to God, and nearly everyone loved her.They said, "Xenia does
not belong to this world, she belongs to God." People regarded her
visits to their homes or shops as a great blessing. St Xenia loved
children, and mothers rejoiced when the childless widow would stand
and pray over a baby's crib, or kiss a child. They believed that the
blessed one's kiss would bring that child good fortune.
St Xenia lived about forty-five years after the death of her husband,
and departed to the Lord at the age of seventy-one. The exact date and
circumstances of her death are not known, but it probably took place
at the end of the eighteenth century. She was buried in the Smolensk
cemetery.
By the 1820s, people flocked to her grave to pray for her soul, and to
ask her to intercede with God for them. So many visitors took earth
from her grave that it had to be replaced every year. Later, a chapel
was built over her grave.
Those who turn to St Xenia in prayer receive healing from illness, and
deliverance from their afflictions. She is also known for helping
people who seek jobs.
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2 Martyred Brothers
The Hieromartyr Philippicus the Presbyter and the Martyr Barsimos and
two brothers were beheaded for their confession of faith in Christ.
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Holy Martyr Theodotion of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Theodotion, Paul and Pausirius lived in Egypt during
the third century. They were two brothers who confessed their faith in
Christ and suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (284-305). Their
brother Theodotion converted to Christianity after witnessing their
martyrdom. He also endured many torments before being put to death.
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Holy Martyr Paul of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Paul, Pausirius, and Theodotion lived in Egypt during
the third century. They were two brothers who confessed their faith in
Christ and suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (284-305). Their
brother Theodotion converted to Christianity after witnessing their
martyrdom. He also endured many torments before being put to death.
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Holy Martyr Pausirios of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Pausirius, Paul, and Theodotion lived in Egypt during
the third century. They were two brothers who confessed their faith in
Christ and suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (284-305). Their
brother Theodotion converted to Christianity after witnessing their
martyrdom. He also endured many torments before being put to death.
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St Philon, Bishop of Kolpasteia, Crete
Saint Philon, Bishop of Kolpasteia (Crete) He died peacefully in the
fifth century. He wrote a commentary on the Pentateuch, and on the
Song of Songs.
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Hieromartyr Philippicus
The Hieromartyr Philippicus the Presbyter and the Martyr Barsimos and
two brothers were beheaded for their confession of faith in Christ.
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Martyr Barsimos
The Hieromartyr Philippicus the Presbyter and the Martyr Barsimos and
two brothers were beheaded for their confession of faith in Christ.
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St. Macarius
No information available at this time.
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