[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Wed Jan 31 05:00:19 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed Jan 31 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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2 Peter 3:1-18
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I
stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),
2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the
holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord
and Savior,
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts,
4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of creation."
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens
were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with
water.
7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same
word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one
day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which
the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it
will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of
which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements
will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and
a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to
be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as
also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him,
has written to you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in
which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable
people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the
Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest
you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the
error of the wicked;
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Mark 13:24-31
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will
be shaken.
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great
power and glory.
27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect
from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest
part of heaven.
28 Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has
already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is
near.
29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is
near-at the doors!
30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away
till all these things take place.
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass
away.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Holy Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus
Saint Cyrus was a noted physician in the city of Alexandria, where he
had been born and raised. He was a Christian and he treated the sick
without charge, not only curing their bodily afflictions, but also
healing their spiritual infirmities. He would say, "Whoever wishes to
avoid being ill should refrain from sin, for sin is often the cause of
bodily illness." Preaching the Gospel, the holy physician converted
many pagans to Christ. During the persecution by Diocletian (284-305),
St Cyrus withdrew into Arabia, where he became a monk. He continued to
heal people by his prayer, having received from God the gift to heal
every sickness.
In the city of Edessa at this time lived the soldier John, a pious
Christian. When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and
there he heard about St Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first
to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When St John finally found St Cyrus,
he remained with him and became his faithful follower.
They learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her
three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen;
and Eudoxia, was eleven. Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to
help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women
might renounce Christ.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
At the same place they executed the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John.
Christians buried their bodies in the church of the holy Evangelist
Mark. In the fifth century the relics of Sts Cyrus and John were
transferred from Canopis to Manuphin. Later on their relics were
transferred to Rome, and from there to Munchen (Munich) (another
account is located under June 28).
Sts Cyrus and John are invoked by those who have difficulty in
sleeping.
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Holy Wonderworker and Unmercenary John
Saint John, a pious Christian soldier, lived in Edessa during the
persecution by Diocletian (284-305). When the persecution started, he
went to Jerusalem and there he heard about St Cyrus. He began to
search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When St
John finally found St Cyrus, he remained with him and became his
faithful follower.
They learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her
three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen;
and Eudoxia, was eleven. Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to
help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women
might renounce Christ.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
At the same place they executed the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John.
Christians buried their bodies in the church of the holy Evangelist
Mark. In the fifth century the relics of Sts Cyrus and John were
transferred from Canopis to Manuphin. Later on their relics were
transferred to Rome, and from there to Munchen (Munich) (another
account is located under June 28).
Sts Cyrus and John are invoked by those who have difficulty in
sleeping.
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Martyr Athanasia and her daughters at Canopus in Egypt
The Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters were
arrested because they were Christians. Theoctiste was fifteen;
Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Sts Cyrus and John
hastened to the prison to help them, for they were concerned that the
women might renounce Christ when faced with torture.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Theoctiste at Canopus in Egypt
Saint Theoctiste was the fifteen-year-old daughter of St Athanasia.
She and her two sisters were arrested with their mother because they
were Christians. St Theodota was thirteen, and St Eudoxia was eleven.
Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them, for they were
concerned that the women might renounce Christ when faced with
torture.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Theodota at Canopus in Egypt
Saint Theodota was the thirteen -year-old daughter of St Athanasia.
She and her two sisters were arrested with their mother because they
were Christians. St Theoctiste was fifteen, and St Eudoxia was eleven.
Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them, for they were
concerned that the women might renounce Christ when faced with
torture.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Eudoxia at Canopus in Egypt
Saint Eudoxia was the eleven -year-old daughter of St Athanasia. She
and her two sisters were arrested with their mother because they were
Christians. St Theoctiste was fifteen, and St Theodota, was thirteen.
Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them, for they were
concerned that the women might renounce Christ when faced with
torture.
Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them.
Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John,
and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ,
he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The
tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy
martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus
and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were
flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.
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Venerable Nikita of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves the Bishop of
Novgorod
Saint Nikita, Bishop of Novgorod, in his youth entered the Kiev Caves
monastery and soon wished to become a hermit. The igumen cautioned him
that such an exploit was premature for a young monk, but he, trusting
in his own strength, would not listen.
In the hermitage St Nikita fell into temptation. The devil appeared to
him in the guise of an angel, and the inexperienced ascetic bowed down
to him. The devil gave him advice, speaking as if to one who had
attained perfection: "Don't bother to pray, just read and study other
things, and I shall pray in your place." He stood near the hermit,
giving the appearance of praying. The deceived monk Nikita came to
surpass everyone in his knowledge of the Books of the Old Testament,
but he would not speak about the Gospel, nor did he wish to hear it
read.
The Elders of the Kiev Caves went to the monk, and after they had
prayed, they expelled the devil from him. After this St Nikita
remained a hermit with the blessing of the Elders, and lived in strict
fasting and prayer, surpassing everyone in obedience and humility.
Through the prayer of the holy Elders, the merciful Lord brought him
up from the depths of his fall to a high degree of spiritual
perfection. Afterwards, he was made Bishop of Novgorod, and for his
holy life God granted him the gift of wonderworking. Once, during a
time of drought, he brought rain from the heavens by his prayers.
Another time, he stopped a fire in the city. St Nikita guided the
Novgorod flock for thirteen years, and then peacefully fell asleep in
the Lord in 1109.
In 1558, during the reign of Tsar Ivan Vasilievich, Bishop Nikita was
glorified as a saint. His relics now rest in the church of the holy
Apostle Philip in Novgorod. He is also commemorated on May 14.
St Nikita is invoked for protection against lightning and fire. People
also turn to the Most Holy Theotokos, glorified in her "Unburnt Bush
Icon" (September 4), for this purpose.
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Martyr Victorinus of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). Sts Victorinus, Victor and
Nicephorus were tied to a stone mortar and crushed by a huge stone
pestle.
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Martyr Victor of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Victor, Victorinus, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). Sts Victorinus, Victor and
Nicephorus were tied to a stone mortar and crushed by a huge stone
pestle.
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Martyr Nicephorus of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Nicephorus, Victorinus, Victor, Claudius, Diodorus,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). Sts Victorinus, Victor and
Nicephorus were tied to a stone mortar and crushed by a huge stone
pestle.
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Martyr Claudius of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Nicephorus, Victorinus, Victor, Diodorus,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). St Claudius died after his hands
and feet were cut off.
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Martyr Diodorus of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Diodorus, Claudius, Nicephorus, Victorinus, Victor,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). St Diodorus was burned alive.
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Martyr Serapion of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Serapion, Diodorus, Claudius, Nicephorus, Victorinus,
Victor, and Papias suffered at Corinth in 251, during a persecution
under the emperor Decius (249-251). St Serapion was beheaded.
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Martyr Papias of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus,
Serapion, and Papias suffered at Corinth, in a persecution under the
emperor Decius (249-251), in the year 251. Sts Victorinus, Victor and
Nicephorus were tied to a stone mortar and crushed by a huge stone
pestle. St Claudius died after his hands and feet were cut off. St
Diodorus was burned, St Serapion beheaded, and St Papias was drowned
in the sea.
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Martyr Tryphaina at Cyzicus
The Holy Martyr Tryphaina came from the city of Cyzicus. She tried to
convert the pagans to Christ, and was arrested for this. When threats
and flattery had no effect on her, she was tortured. They threw her
into a red-hot oven, tied her from a high tree, threw her onto sharp
spears. Then they took her away to be devoured by beasts, but the Lord
preserved her unharmed. Finally, she was killed by a mad bull.
Women who have difficulty nursing their babies pray to St Tryphaina.
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St Arsenius of Paros
Saint Arsenius was born on January 31, 1800 in Ioannina, Epirus of
pious Orthodox parents. In holy Baptism he was given the name
Athanasius. His parents died when he was quite young. He was only nine
years old when he made his way to Kydoniai, Asia Minor, where he was
received by Hieromonk Gregory Saraphis and enrolled in his school. His
humility and piety endeared him to Fr Gregory and also to the other
teachers. The boy remained at the school for five years, surpassing
the other students in learning and in virtue.
One day the renowned Spiritual Father Daniel of Zagora, Thessaly came
to the school to hear confessions. Athanasius became Daniel's
disciple, remaining with him until the latter's death.
Not long after this, Fr Daniel decided to go to the Holy Mountain for
quiet and spiritual struggles. Athanasius begged his Elder not to
leave him, but to take him with him. He expressed the desire to travel
to Mt. Athos, the Garden of the All-Holy Virgin, and to become a monk.
Fr Daniel instructed Athanasius in the monastic life, which is called
"the art of arts, and the science of sciences." The holy Elder was a
perfect teacher who was accomplished in the spiritual life, and
Athanasius was an attentive student. After a time Fr Daniel tonsured
his pupil, and told him he had to learn three important lessions.
First, he must cut off his own will. Secondly, he must acquire
humility. Finally, he must learn obedience. "If you cut off your will,
if you become humble, and if you practice perfect obedience, you will
also make progress in the other virtues, and God will glorify you."
After a further period of testing, Fr Daniel tonsured Athanasius into
the Great Schema and gave him the name Arsenius. The saint remained on
Mt. Athos with his Elder for six years. Then they had to leave the
Holy Mountain because of the agitation against the so-called
"Kollyvades," who called for a strict adherence to Holy Tradition. The
name comes from the kollyva (boiled wheat) used in the memorial
service. Part of the controversy involved the debate on whether it was
proper to serve memorial services for the dead on Sunday. The
Kollyvades believed that these services were inappropriate for the Day
of Resurrection, but should be served on Saturday. The Kollyvades
advocated frequent Communion, rather than the practice of receiving
the Holy Mysteries only a few times during the year. When Fr Daniel
and St Arsenius left Athos, it was probably due to the animosity of
those who opposed the Kollyvades.
Early in 1821, before the Greek War of Independence, they went to the
Monastery of Pendeli near Athens. Their stay was a brief one, for Fr
Daniel forsaw the destruction of the monastery by the Turks.
The two made their way to the Cyclades Islands in the southern Aegean
Sea. First they stopped at Paros, perhaps because some of the
Kollyvades had settled there. Eventually, they decided to live on the
island of Pholegandros. Since there were no teachers for the children,
the inhabitants entreated Fr Daniel to allow St Arsenius to instruct
their children. The Elder agreed, and had Arsenius ordained as a
deacon. Then he was appointed to the teaching post by the government.
The saint remained there as a teacher from 1829-1840. He taught the
required subjects in school, but he also helped his students to form a
good character, and to live as pious Christians.
In 1840 St Arsenius entered the Monastery of St George on the island
of Paros. Elder Daniel had passed away in 1837. Before his repose, he
asked his disciple to take his remains to Mt. Athos after two years.
St Arsenius left Plolegandros in obedience to Fr Daniel's request,
planning to stop on Paros then continue to the Holy Mountain. On Paros
the abbot of St George's Monastery, Fr Elias Georgiadis, told St
Arsenius that it was God's will for him to remain on Paros. This was
providential, because Mt. Athos was undergoing great difficulty after
the Greek War of Independence. 3,000 Turkish soldiers occupied Athos,
resulting in the departure of 5,000 of the 6,000 monks.
St Arsenius joined the community at St George's Monastery on the
northern end of Paros. There he found spiritual strivers of true
wisdom and excellent conduct, who were worthy models for him to
follow.
When he was ordained to the holy priesthood at the age of forty-seven,
St Arsenius intensified his spiritual efforts. Every day he studied
the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, and became adept
at the unceasing prayer of the heart. He also began to show forth the
gift of tears. In this, he resembled his patron St Arsenius the Great
(May 8), who continuously wept tears of contrition.
Gradually, the inhabitants of Paros came to recognize him as an
outstanding Father Confessor and spiritual guide. Whenever he stood
before the holy altar, he felt that he was standing before God. He
served with great compunction, and his face often became radiant like
the face of an angel.
As his virtues became known to people, they flocked to him from near
and far. He received all with paternal affection, treating each one
with the proper spiritual medicine which would restore their souls to
health.
A certain girl from Syros came to the Convent of the Transfiguration
to visit her sister, who was a nun. The nun had previously been
informed that her sister had fallen into a serious sin. When she
learned that the girl was outside the doors of the convent, the nun
screamed at her, "Go far away from here. Since you are defiled, you
will defile the convent and the nuns." Instead of feeling pity for her
sister, and trying to lead her to repentance, the nun and some of the
other nuns struck the poor girl and told her to go away.
The wretched girl cried, "I have made a mistake. Forgive me!"
The nun shrieked, "Go away, or I will kill you to wash away the shame
you have brought to our family."
"Have you no pity, my sister, don't you share my pain?"
"No," the nun shouted, "you are not my sister, you are a foul harlot."
"Where shall I go?" she sobbed.
"Go and drown yourself," was the heartless reply.
The poor girl fled from the convent, bleeding and wounded, intending
to kill herself. At that very moment, St Arsenius was on his way to
visit the convent. Seeing the girl in such a state, he asked her what
was wrong. She explained that she had been led astray by corrupt men
and women. Realizing her sin, she went to the convent to ask her
sister for help
"See what they have done to me, Elder. What do you advise me to do?
Shall I drown myself, or leap off a cliff?"
"I do not advise you to do either, my child. If you wish, I shall take
you with me and heal the wounds of your soul and body," he said
gently.
"Where will you take me?" the miserable girl asked.
"To the convent, my child."
"I beg you not to take me there, Elder. My sister and the other nuns
said they would kill me if I came back."
The saint replied, "Do not be afraid. They will not kill you, because
I shall entrust you to Christ, and no one will be able to harm you."
"Very well," she said, "If you entrust me to Christ I will not be
afraid of them, for Christ is more powerful than they."
St Arsenius led her to the convent, consoling her and encouraging her
to repentance and confession. After hearing her confession, he made
her a nun. Then he called all the nuns into the church and severely
rebuked those who wounded the girl. He reminded them of the parable of
the Prodigal Son, and of how Christ had come to save sinners. He often
associated with sinners, showing them great love and mercy.
"You, however, have done the opposite. Though you knew that her soul
had been wounded by the devil, you did not feel sorry for her. You did
not embrace her and try to save her from further sin, but you attacked
her and beat her. Then you urged her to kill herself. Now I, your
Spiritual Father, tell you that you are not nuns, you are not
Christians, you are not even human beings. You are devoid of
compassion, affection, and sympathy. You are murderesses! Therefore, I
forbid you to receive Holy Communion for three years, unless you
recognize your sin. Repent and confess, weep and ask forgiveness from
God and from me, your Spiritual Father, and from the other nuns who
did not participate in your sinful behavior."
The nuns began to weep bitterly and they repented. Thus, he lessened
their penance and forgave them. He gave the girl's sister the penance
of not receiving Holy Communion for a whole year. Because the other
nuns had shared in this sin, he would not permit them to receive
Communion for six months.
St Arsenius foresaw his death a month before it occurred. At the
Liturgy for the Feast of St Basil, he announced that he would soon
depart from them. With great effort, he was able to serve for the
Feast of the Theophany. After the service, he told some nuns that this
had been his last Liturgy.
News of the saint's illness and approaching death spread quickly to
all the villages of Paros. People wept because they were about to lose
their Spiritual Father, and they hastened to bid him farewell and to
receive his blessing.
On the eve of his repose, he called the nuns of the convent to come to
him. He told them that the next day he would leave this temporary life
and enter into eternal life.
On January 31, 1877 St Arsenius received Holy Communion for the last
time and fell asleep in the Lord. For three days, people came to kiss
his body, then they followed the funeral procession to the burial site
which he himself had selected.
St Arsenius of Paros was glorified by the Patriarchate of
Constantinople in 1967. He is also commemorated on August 18 (the
uncovering of his relics).
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