[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Fri Jan 26 05:00:19 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri Jan 26 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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2 Peter 1:1-10
1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the
righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of
Jesus our Lord,
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life
and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious
promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to
perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness,
and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and
election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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2 Timothy 2:11-19  (Saturday)
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also
live with Him.
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also
will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to
strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does
not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more
ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus
are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection
is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal:
"The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 13:1-8
1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him,
"Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great
buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be
thrown down."
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter,
James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
4 Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when
all these things will be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one
deceives you.
6 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive
many.
7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled;
for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be
famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Luke 18:2-8  (Saturday)
2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God
nor regard man.
3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,
'Get justice for me from my adversary.'
4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself,
'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her
continual coming she weary me.' "
6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.
7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to
Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the
Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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Venerable Xenophon of Constantinople
Saint Xenophon, his wife Maria, and their sons Arcadius and John, were
noted citizens of Constantinople and lived in the fifth century.
Despite their riches and position, they distinguished themselves by
their simplicity of soul and goodness of heart. Wishing to give their
sons John and Arcadius a more complete education, they sent them off
to the Phoenician city of Beirut.
By divine Providence the ship on which both brothers sailed was
wrecked. The waves tossed the brothers ashore at different places.
Grieved at being separated, the brothers dedicated themselves to God
and became monks. For a long time the parents had no news of their
children and presumed them to be dead.
Xenophon, however, already quite old, maintained a firm hope in the
Lord and consoled his wife Maria, telling her not to be sad, but to
believe that the Lord watched over their children. After several years
the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and at Jerusalem they
met their sons, living in asceticsm at different monasteries. The
joyful parents gave thanks to the Lord for reuniting the family.
Sts Xenophon and Maria went to separate monasteries and dedicated
themselves to God. The monks Arcadius and John, having taken leave of
their parents, went out into the wilderness, where after long ascetic
toil they were glorified by gifts of wonderworking and discernment.
Sts Xenophon and Maria, laboring in silence and strict fasting, also
received from God the gift of wonderworking.
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Venerable Mary of Constantinople
Saint Xenophon, his wife Maria, and their sons Arcadius and John, were
noted citizens of Constantinople and lived in the fifth century.
Despite their riches and position, they distinguished themselves by
their simplicity of soul and goodness of heart. Wishing to give their
sons John and Arcadius a more complete education, they sent them off
to the Phoenician city of Beirut.
By divine Providence the ship on which both brothers sailed was
wrecked. The waves tossed the brothers ashore at different places.
Grieved at being separated, the brothers dedicated themselves to God
and became monks. For a long time the parents had no news of their
children and presumed them to be dead.
Xenophon, however, already quite old, maintained a firm hope in the
Lord and consoled his wife Maria, telling her not to be sad, but to
believe that the Lord watched over their children. After several years
the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and at Jerusalem they
met their sons, living in asceticsm at different monasteries. The
joyful parents gave thanks to the Lord for reuniting the family.
Sts Xenophon and Maria went to separate monasteries and dedicated
themselves to God. The monks Arcadius and John, having taken leave of
their parents, went out into the wilderness, where after long ascetic
toil they were glorified by gifts of wonderworking and discernment.
Sts Xenophon and Maria, laboring in silence and strict fasting, also
received from God the gift of wonderworking.
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Venerable Arcadius of Constantinople
Saint Xenophon, his wife Maria, and their sons Arcadius and John, were
noted citizens of Constantinople and lived in the fifth century.
Despite their riches and position, they distinguished themselves by
their simplicity of soul and goodness of heart. Wishing to give their
sons John and Arcadius a more complete education, they sent them off
to the Phoenician city of Beirut.
By divine Providence the ship on which both brothers sailed was
wrecked. The waves tossed the brothers ashore at different places.
Grieved at being separated, the brothers dedicated themselves to God
and became monks. For a long time the parents had no news of their
children and presumed them to be dead.
Xenophon, however, already quite old, maintained a firm hope in the
Lord and consoled his wife Maria, telling her not to be sad, but to
believe that the Lord watched over their children. After several years
the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and at Jerusalem they
met their sons, living in asceticsm at different monasteries. The
joyful parents gave thanks to the Lord for reuniting the family.
Sts Xenophon and Maria went to separate monasteries and dedicated
themselves to God. The monks Arcadius and John, having taken leave of
their parents, went out into the wilderness, where after long ascetic
toil they were glorified by gifts of wonderworking and discernment.
Sts Xenophon and Maria, laboring in silence and strict fasting, also
received from God the gift of wonderworking.
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Venerable John of Constantinople
Saint Xenophon, his wife Maria, and their sons Arcadius and John, were
noted citizens of Constantinople and lived in the fifth century.
Despite their riches and position, they distinguished themselves by
their simplicity of soul and goodness of heart. Wishing to give their
sons John and Arcadius a more complete education, they sent them off
to the Phoenician city of Beirut.
By divine Providence the ship on which both brothers sailed was
wrecked. The waves tossed the brothers ashore at different places.
Grieved at being separated, the brothers dedicated themselves to God
and became monks. For a long time the parents had no news of their
children and presumed them to be dead.
Xenophon, however, already quite old, maintained a firm hope in the
Lord and consoled his wife Maria, telling her not to be sad, but to
believe that the Lord watched over their children. After several years
the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and at Jerusalem they
met their sons, living in asceticsm at different monasteries. The
joyful parents gave thanks to the Lord for reuniting the family.
Sts Xenophon and Maria went to separate monasteries and dedicated
themselves to God. The monks Arcadius and John, having taken leave of
their parents, went out into the wilderness, where after long ascetic
toil they were glorified by gifts of wonderworking and discernment.
Sts Xenophon and Maria, laboring in silence and strict fasting, also
received from God the gift of wonderworking.
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Translation of the relics of the Venerable Theodore the Abbot
of Studion
The Transfer of the Relics of Saint Theodore, Igumen of the Studion
Monastery, from Akritian Cherson to Constantinople occurred in the
year 845. The Life of St Theodore the Studite is to be found under
November 11.
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Venerable Xenophon of Robika
Saint Xenophon of Robeika was a student of St Barlaam of Khutyn (+
1192, November 6). He was the head of the Khutyn monastery after the
igumen Isidore (+1243). Resigning as igumen, St Xenophon founded the
Trinity Monastery on the banks of the Robeika River (not far from
Novgorod). Here he fell asleep in the Lord on June 28, 1262.
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Presbyter Ananias in Phoenicia
The Holy Martyrs Ananias the Presbyter, Peter the prison guard, and
seven soldiers suffered in Phoenicia in the year 295. During a
persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), St
Ananias was brought before Maximus the governor of Phoenicia. He had
been arrested for confessing Christ and refusal to worship idols.
He was beaten with hammers, burnt with fire, and salt was sprinkled on
his scorched body. After his terrible sufferings, a temple and the
idols standing in it were destroyed through the prayers of St Ananias.
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Martyr Peter, in Phoenicia
Saint Peter was a prison guard who suffered in Phoenicia in the year
295 with the holy martyr Ananias the Presbyter and seven soldiers.
During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian
(284-305), St Ananias was brought before Maximus the governor of
Phoenicia. He had been arrested for confessing Christ and for his
refusal to worship idols.
Peter and seven other soldiers who came to believe in Christ were
stationed to guard Ananias and witnessed his suffering. They were
drowned in the sea after lengthy torture.
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Martyred Seven Soldiers in Phoenicia
The Holy Martyrs Ananias the Presbyter, Peter the Prison Guard, and
seven soldiers suffered in Phoenicia in the year 295. During a
persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), St
Ananias was brought before Maximus the governor of Phoenicia. He had
been arrested for confessing Christ and for his refusal to worship
idols.
He was beaten with hammers, burnt with fire, and salt was sprinkled on
his scorched body. After his terrible sufferings, a temple and the
idols standing in it were destroyed through the prayers of St Ananias.
The holy martyr was thrown into prison. Peter and seven other soldiers
who came to believe in Christ were stationed to guard Ananias and
witnessed his suffering. They were drowned in the sea after lengthy
torture.
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St Simeon "the Ancient" of Mt. Sinai
Saint Simeon the Elder was so named in order to distinguish him from
St Simeon the Stylite (September 1). He practiced asceticism in Syria
in the fifth century, and in his childhood years went out into the
Syrian wilderness and lived in a cave in complete solitude.
Unceasing prayer, meditation, and contemplation of God were his
constant occupation. The ascetic ate only the grass which grew about
his cave. When people began to come to him to receive guidance, he
wished to preserve his silence, so he left his cave and settled on one
of the mountains of the Aman range. But here also his solitude was
disturbed by many visitors. St Simeon withdrew to Mount Sinai, where
formerly the Prophet Moses (September 4) received a revelation from
God.
By divine Providence, the holy ascetic returned to Aman after a short
stay on Sinai and founded two monasteries: one at the top of the
mountain, the other at its base. As head of these monasteries, St
Simeon guided the monks, warning them about the wiles of the Enemy of
mankind, and he taught them how to struggle against temptations. He
inspired and encouraged them in ascetic deeds, rousing them to think
of their salvation. Because of the holiness of his life St Simeon
received from God the gift of wonderworking.
After the many labors of his ascetic life, St Simeon departed to God
around the year 390.
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St Joseph the Bishop of Thessalonica, and brother of St
Theodore of Studion
Saint Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was brother of St Theodore
the Studite (November 11), and together they pursued a life of
asceticism under the guidance of St Platon (April 5) in the monastery
at Sakkudion, Bithynia.
Because of his ascetic life, St Joseph was unanimously chosen
archbishop of the city of Thessalonica. He and his brother opposed the
unlawful marriage of the emperor Constantine VI (780-797), for which
he was tortured then banished to a barren island. The emperor Michael
Rangabes (811-813) freed St Joseph from imprisonment.
Under the emperor Leo V the Armenian (813-820) the holy hierarch and
his brother St Theodore suffered once more for their veneration of
holy icons. Though they subjected him to torture, he remained
steadfast in his faith. The iconoclast emperor ordered him to sign the
iconoclast confession of faith, and when he refused they threw him
into an even more foul prison.
Under the emperor Michael the Stammerer (820-829) St Joseph was set
free, together with other monks who had suffered for their veneration
of icons. He spent his final years at the Studion Monastery, where he
died in 830.
St Joseph is renowned as a hymnographer. He composed triodia for Holy
Week, several stikhera of the LENTEN TRIODION, a Canon for the Sunday
of Prodigal Son (which is filled with the spirit of profound
repentance), and other hymns. He wrote several sermons for feastdays,
of which the best known is the Sermon on the Exaltation of the
Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
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St Theodore of Studion
Saint Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was brother of St Theodore
the Studite (November 11), and together they pursued a life of
asceticism under the guidance of St Platon (April 5) in the monastery
at Sakkudion, Bithynia.
Because of his ascetic life, St Joseph was unanimously chosen
archbishop of the city of Thessalonica. He and his brother opposed the
unlawful marriage of the emperor Constantine VI (780-797), for which
he was tortured then banished to a barren island. The emperor Michael
Rangabes (811-813) freed St Joseph from imprisonment.
Under the emperor Leo V the Armenian (813-820) the holy hierarch and
his brother St Theodore suffered once more for their veneration of
holy icons. Though they subjected him to torture, he remained
steadfast in his faith. The iconoclast emperor ordered him to sign the
iconoclast confession of faith, and when he refused they threw him
into an even more foul prison.
Under the emperor Michael the Stammerer (820-829) St Joseph was set
free, together with other monks who had suffered for their veneration
of icons. He spent his final years at the Studion Monastery, where he
died in 830.
St Joseph is renowned as a hymnographer. He composed triodia for Holy
Week, several stikhera of the LENTEN TRIODION, a Canon for the Sunday
of Prodigal Son (which is filled with the spirit of profound
repentance), and other hymns. He wrote several sermons for feastdays,
of which the best known is the Sermon on the Exaltation of the
Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
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Blessed David IV the King of Georgia
Holy David III the Restorer, Emperor of Iveria and Abkhazia
(1089-1125, by other accounts 1084-1125) influenced the government,
culture and church in Georgia. He was educated by his priest, St
Arsenius of Ikaltoi (February 6), renowned for his theological and
encyclopaeic learning.
The Georgian nation gave Holy King David the title "Restorer" for his
great efforts in the restoration of Georgia and the revitalization of
the Georgian Orthodox Church. Georgia, mercilessly devastated by the
Turks and suffering from internal strife, was united under the scepter
of David the Restorer into a strong centralized state.
The King considered a flourishing Church to be a guarantee for the
security and unity of the state, so it became the object of his
particular care. St David was distinguished for his deep piety. He
honored the church Canons, and by his power he kept and affirmed them.
Through the initiative of the Restorer, a Church Council was convened
in the year 1103 at Ruisa. Its decrees contributed to the
strengthening of the canonical life of the Church and affirmation of
piety.
A highly educated man, St David was familiar with several branches of
knowledge. He founded the academies at Gelatia and Ikaltoi. During the
reign of St David the Restorer, tens of churches and monasteries were
built in Georgia, and he built new cities and restored old ones. The
pious King displayed great concern for the well-being and prosperity
of Georgian monasteries in Palestine and on Sinai, in Antioch and on
Mount Athos. When St David decided to build a church dedicated to the
Great Martyr George, whose intercession he sought in his wars for
liberation, St George appeared to him in a vision and showed him where
the temple was to be constructed.
Regarding peace-making as the fulfillment of the Lord's commandment
(Mt.5:9), King David reconciled the Kipchak Khan Atrak with the
Ossetian people and brought peace into the Daryal Valley.
In 1123, shortly before his death, the pious King liberated Armenia
from Turkish dominion. He ordered churches to be reconsecrated, since
they had been turned into mosques by the Turks. According to
tradition, when the King entered one of the churches to visit the
grave of his grandmother, the wife of the Armenian emperor Gagik I,
and said: "Rejoice, O Queen! God has delivered your church from the
Hagarenes." Suddenly a voice was heard: "Thanks be to God!"
King David's concern for reunion with the Armenian Church resulted in
a Church council being summoned in the city of Ano. Some of the
Monophysite bishops leaned toward accepting Orthodoxy, but the council
did not achieve the desired results. St David's patriotic labors did
not hinder him from spiritual struggles. From his early years the
saint was inspired to good deeds and goals by the fear of God, which
is the beginning of wisdom, (Proverbs 1:7). One of St David's favorite
occupations was the reading of Holy Scripture. The "Penitential Canon"
he composed testifies to his profound spirituality, and consists of
nine sorrowful and very moving odes.
Sensing the approach of death, holy King David wrote a spiritual
testimony in which he transferred the rule of the country to his son
Demetrius. He wrote, "Now the divine Providence of the Righteous God
calls me away, and it summons me to the destined Kingdom ... All that
I have accomplished was done by the power of the Honorable
Life-Creating Wood of the Cross...."
Having received the Holy Mysteries, "with praise on his lips he
offered up his soul to the Lord in his fifty-third year, on Saturday,
January 24, 1125."
The King was buried at Gelatia Monastery, under the entrance to the
church near the gate. Some while later his relics, glorified by signs
of divine mercy, were transferred beneath the altar table of the
cathedral. At the end of the thirteenth century King David III the
Restorer was glorified, and a service was composed for him. His memory
is celebrated on January 26.
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St. Theodore of Ajareli
No information available at this time.
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