[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Jul 10 05:00:29 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Jul 10 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no
torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their
departure was thought to be affliction,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at
peace.
4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is
full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt
offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run
like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will
reign over them for ever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will
abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 1 of 6

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Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
15 But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord;
the Most High takes care of them.
16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem
from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover
them, and with his arm he will shield them.
17 The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all
creation to repel his enemies;
18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial
justice as a helmet;
19 he will take holiness as a invincible shield,
20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with
him to fight against the madmen.
21 Shafts of lightening will fly with true aim, and will leap to the
target as a from a well-drawn bow of clouds,
22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the
water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly
overwhelm them;
23 a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will
winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and
evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.
1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the
ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty
from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into
your plans.
Scripture Reading 2 of 6

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Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15  (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
7 But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by
number of years;
9 but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe
old age.
10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,
11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile
deceive his soul.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving
desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him
quickly from the midst of wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing
to heart, that God's grace and mercy are his elect, and he watches
over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 3 of 6

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Matthew 11:27-30  (Matins Gospel)
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows
the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the
Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Scripture Reading 4 of 6

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Galatians 5:22-6:2  (Saint)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one
another.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Scripture Reading 5 of 6

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Matthew 4:25-5:12  (Saint)
25 Great multitudes followed Him-from Galilee, and from Decapolis,
Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was
seated His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they
shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all
kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in
heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Scripture Reading 6 of 6

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Icon of the Mother of God of Konevits
The Konevits Icon of the Mother of God: It was with this icon of Greek
origin that John, igumen of one of the Athonite monasteries, blessed
St Arsenius, founder of the Konevits monastery (June 12). The holy
icon was glorified by many miracles.
In the year 1610, during an invasion of the Swedes into the Novgorod
territory, the icon was transferred from the Konevits monastery to the
Novgorod Derevianits monastery with the blessing of Archbishop Isidore
of Novgorod. Each year on July 10 a festal celebration of the Most
Holy Theotokos took place at this monastery in honor of Her holy icon.
In the year 1799, with the blessing of the Metropolitan Gabriel of
Peterburg and Novgorod (+ January 26, 1801), the wonderworking icon
was returned to the Konevits monastery. The return of the icon to the
Konevits Monastery is celebrated on September 3.
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45 Holy Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia
The Forty-five Martyrs of the Armenian City of Nicopolis suffered
during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324), then a coregent
with Constantine the Great. Licinius fiercely persecuted Christians
and in his Eastern half of the Empire he issued an edict to put to
death anyone who would not consent to return to paganism. When the
persecutions began at Nicopolis, more than forty of the persecuted of
Christ decided to appear voluntarily before their persecutors, to
confess openly their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom. The
holy confessors were headed by Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony
and Alexander, and were distinguished by their virtuous life. The
procurator of the Armenian district, Licius, before whom the holy
confessors presented themselves, was amazed at the directness and
bravery of those who voluntarily doomed themselves to torture and
death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast. They
refuted all the arguments of the governor, pointing out to him all the
falseness of faith in the vile and vice-filled pagan gods, leading
those that worship them to ruin. The procurator gave orders to beat
the confessors about the face with stones, and then shackle and
imprison them.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, preparing them to
accept new tortures for the true Faith, and telling them of the
bravery of all those formerly that had suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeated refusals to offer sacrifice to the idols, the
saints were again given over to torture. St Leontius, seeing the
intense suffering of the martyrs and worrying that some of them might
falter and lose faith, prayed to God that there might be a quick end
of the matter for all.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
declared to the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their
names already were inscribed in Heaven. Two of the prison guards,
Meneus and Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On
the following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of
Christ to death. After beastly tortures they burned them in a fire,
and threw their bones in a river. Pious people found the relics,
gathered them up and saved them. Later on, when freedom had been
bestown to the Church of Christ, a church was built on this spot in
the name of the holy 45 Martyrs.
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Martyr Leontius at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Leontius was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia
who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324).
Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted
Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would
not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more
than forty people appeared voluntarily before their persecutors, in
order to confess their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
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Martyr Mauricius at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Mauricius was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis,
Armenia who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius
(311-324). Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely
persecuted Christians and issued an edict to put to death any
Christian who would not return to paganism. When the persecutions
began at Nicopolis, more than forty people appeared voluntarily before
their persecutors, in order to confess their faith in the Son of God
and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Daniel at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Daniel was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia
who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324).
Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted
Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would
not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more
than forty people appeared voluntarily before their persecutors, in
order to confess their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Anthony at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Anthony was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia
who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324).
Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted
Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would
not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more
than forty people appeared voluntarily before their persecutors, in
order to confess their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Alexander at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Alexander was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis,
Armenia who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius
(311-324). Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely
persecuted Christians and issued an edict to put to death any
Christian who would not return to paganism. When the persecutions
began at Nicopolis, more than forty people appeared voluntarily before
their persecutors, in order to confess their faith in the Son of God
and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sisinius at Nicopolis in Armenia
St Sisinius was one of the Forty-five Martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia
who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324).
Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted
Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would
not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more
than forty people appeared voluntarily before their persecutors, in
order to confess their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Meneus at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Meneus was one of the forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia
who suffered during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324).
Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted
Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would
not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more
than forty people appeared voluntarily before their persecutors, in
order to confess their faith in the Son of God and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Belerad (Virilad) at Nicopolis in Armenia
Saint Belerad (Virilad) was one of the forty-five martyrs of
Nicopolis, Armenia who suffered during the reign of the emperor
Licinius (311-324). Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire,
fiercely persecuted Christians and issued an edict to put to death any
Christian who would not return to paganism. When the persecutions
began at Nicopolis, more than forty people appeared voluntarily before
their persecutors, in order to confess their faith in the Son of God
and accept martyrdom.
The procurator Licius, before whom the holy confessors appeared, was
amazed at the bravery of those who voluntarily condemned themselves to
torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast.
They refuted all the governor's arguments, pointing out to him the
folly of believing in the vile pagan gods. The procurator ordered the
confessors to be tortured and imprisoned.
In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. St
Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, telling them of the
bravery of all those who had formerly suffered for Christ. In the
morning, after repeatedly refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols,
the saints were tortured again.
St Leontius saw the intense suffering of the martyrs and worried that
some of them might falter and lose faith. Therefore, he prayed to God
that their end would be swift.
When the holy martyrs sang Psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord
suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The angel
told the martyrs that their contest was near its end, and their names
already were inscribed in Heaven. Two prison guards, Meneus and
Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ. On the
following morning, the governor decided to put the martyrs of Christ
to death.
After beastly tortures they were burned in a fire, and their bones
were thrown into a river. Pious people found the relics, gathered them
up and saved them. Later on, when freedom was granted to the Church of
Christ, a church dedicated to the 45 Martyrs was built on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________
The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Lord at Moscow
The Placing of the Precious Robe of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Moscow
(1625): The Savior's precious Robe [ Greek "himatia", literally
"over-garments"] is not identically the same thing as His seamless
coat [Greek "khiton", literally "under-garb tunic"]. They are clearly
distinct within Holy Scripture. "Then the soldiers, when they had
crucified Jesus, took His garments (ta himatia) and divided them into
four parts, to every soldier a part, and the coat (kai ton khitona).
Now the coat was without seam, woven whole from the top down.
Therefore, they said among themselves, let us not tear it, but cast
lots for it, whose it will become. Thus the saying in Scripture was
fulfilled: they divided My raiment (ta imatia) among them, and upon My
vesture (epi ton himatismon) did they cast lots" (John. 19: 23-24; Ps.
21 : 18-19).
According to the tradition of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Chiton
of the Lord was carried by the Hebrew rabbi Elioz from Jerusalem to
Mtsket and at present is beneath a crypt in the foundations of the
Mtsket Patriarchal cathedral of Svetitskhoveli (the Feast in honor of
the Chiton of the Lord is celebrated on October 1). None of the
Mohammedan invaders ever ventured to encroach upon this spot,
glorified with a sign by the mercy of God, the Life-Creating Pillar.
The Robe of the Lord, actually one of its four parts, the lower
portion specifically (other parts of the Robe of the Lord are also
known in Western Europe: in the city of Trier in Germany, and in
Argenteuil near Paris in France), just like the Chiton of the Lord,
came to be in Georgia. In contrast to the Chiton, the Robe portion was
not kept underground, but was in the treasury of the Svetitskhoveli
cathedral right up to the seventeenth century. Then the Persian Shah
Abbas I, in devastating Georgia, along with other treasures also
carried off the Robe of the Lord. In order to ingratiate himself with
Tsar Michael Feodorovich, the Shah sent the Robe of the Lord as a gift
to Patriarch Philaret (1619-1633) and Tsar Michael in 1625. The
authenticity of the Robe was attested by Nectarius, Archbishop of
Vologda, also by Patriarch Theophanes of Jerusalem, who had come from
Byzantium, and by Joannicius the Greek, but especially also by the
miraculous signs worked by the Lord through the venerable relic.
Afterwards two parts of the Robe came to be in Peterburg: one in the
cathedral at the Winter Palace, and the other in Sts Peter and Paul
cathedral. A portion of the Robe was also preserved at the Dormition
cathedral in Moscow, and small portions at Kiev's Sophia cathedral, at
the Ipatiev monastery near Kostroma and at certain other old temples.
At Moscow annually on July 10 the Robe of the Lord is solemnly brought
out of a chapel named for the holy Apostles Peter and Paul at the
Dormition cathedral, and it is placed on a stand for veneration during
the time of divine services. After Liturgy they carry the Robe to its
former place.
On this day a service to the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord is
proper, since the Placing of the Robe in the Dormition cathedral in
1625 took place on March 29, which happened to be the Sunday of the
Veneration of the Cross during the Great Fast.
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Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Far Caves, Founder of
Monasticism in Russia
Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 at Liubech,
not far from Chernigov, and was named Antipas in Baptism. Possessing
the fear of God from his youth, he desired to be clothed in the
monastic schema. When he reached a mature age, he wandered until he
arrived on Mt. Athos, burning with the desire to emulate the deeds of
its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure, and the young
monk pleased God in every aspect of his spiritual struggles on the
path of virtue. He particularly excelled in humility and obedience, so
that all the monks rejoiced to see his holy life.
The igumen saw in St Anthony the great future ascetic, and inspired by
God, he sent him back to his native land, saying, "Anthony, it is time
for you to guide others in holiness. Return to your own Russian land,
and be an example for others. May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be
with you.
Returning to the land of Rus, Anthony began to make the rounds of the
monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life which
had drawn him to Mt. Athos.
Through the Providence of God, Anthony came to the hills of Kiev by
the banks of the River Dniepr. The forested area near the village of
Berestovo reminded him of his beloved Athos. There he found a cave
which had been dug out by the Priest Hilarion, who later became
Metropolitan of Kiev (October 21). Since he liked the spot, Anthony
prayed with tears, "Lord, let the blessing of Mt. Athos be upon this
spot, and strengthen me to remain here." He began to struggle in
prayer, fasting, vigil and physical labor. Every other day, or every
third day, he would eat only dry bread and a little water. Sometimes
he did not eat for a week. People began to come to the ascetic for his
blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain with the saint.
Among Anthony's first disciples was St Nikon (March 23), who tonsured
St Theodosius of the Caves (May 3) at the monastery in the year 1032.
The virtuous life of St Anthony illumined the Russian land with the
beauty of monasticism. St Anthony lovingly received those who yearned
for the monastic life. After instructing them how to follow Christ, he
asked St Nikon to tonsure them. When twelve disciples had gathered
about St Anthony, the brethren dug a large cave and built a church and
cells for the monks within it.
After he appointed Abbot Barlaam to guide the brethren, St Anthony
withdrew from the monastery. He dug a new cave for himself, then hid
himself within it. There too, monks began to settle around him.
Afterwards, the saint built a small wooden church in honor of the
Dormition of the Mother of God over the Far Caves.
At the insistence of Prince Izyaslav, the igumen Barlaam withdrew to
the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of St Anthony and with the
general agreement of the brethren, the meek and humble Theodosius was
chosen as igumen. By this time, the number of brethren had already
reached a hundred men. The Kiev Great Prince Izyaslav (+ 1078) gave
the monks the hill on which the large church and cells were built,
with a palisade all around. Thus, the renowned monastery over the
caves was established. Describing this, the chronicler remarks that
while many monasteries were built by emperors and nobles, they could
not compare with those which are built with holy prayers and tears,
and by fasting and vigil. Although St Anthony had no gold, he built a
monastery which became the first spiritual center of Rus.
For his holiness of life, God glorified St Anthony with the gift of
clairvoyance and wonderworking. One example of this occurred during
the construction of the Great Caves church. The Most Holy Theotokos
Herself stood before him and St Theodosius in the Blachernae church in
Constantinople, where they had been miraculously transported without
leaving their own monastery. Actually, two angels appeared in
Constantinople in their forms (See May 3, the account of the Kiev
Caves Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). Having received gold from the
Mother of God, the saints commissioned master architects, who came
from Constantinople to the Russian land on the command of the Queen of
Heaven to build the church at the Monastery of the Caves. During this
appearance, the Mother of God foretold the impending death of St
Anthony, which occurred on July 10, 1073.
Through Divine Providence, the relics of St Anthony remain hidden.
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Venerable Silvanus the Schemamonk of the Kiev Far Caves
The Holy Schemamonk Silvanus (Silouan) of the Kiev Caves, zealously
preserved the purity of both soul and body, he subdued his flesh with
fasting and vigils, and he cleansed his soul with prayer and
meditation on God. The Lord granted him an abundance of spiritual
gifts: a prayerful boldness towards God, constant joy in the Lord,
clairvoyance and wonderworking. The monk lived at the end of the
thirteenth and beginning of the fourteenth centuries. His relics rest
in the Caves
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Martyr Apollonius of Sardis
The Holy Martyr Apollonius came from the city of Sardis, located in
Lydia (Asia Minor). He declared himself a Christian and was arrested.
When they demanded that he swear an oath on the name of the emperor,
he refused, saying that it was improper to swear on the name of a
mortal man. They tortured Apollonius for a long time and then
crucified him. This occurred at Iconium either under the emperor
Decius (249-251) or the emperor Valerian (253-259).
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Martyr Bianor of Pisidia
The Holy Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus: St Bianor came from the Pisidia
district of Asia Minor. As a confessor of Christianity they brought
him to the prefect of the city of Isauria in Lykaonia, who demanded
that St Bianor renounce Christ. The saint stood steadfast in the true
Faith, in spite of the refined tortures. A man by the name of Silvanus
beheld the suffering of the martyr. The endurance and bravery of St
Bianor inspired the faith of Christ in Silvanus, and he openly
declared this. They cut out his tongue and then cut off his head. St
Bianor, after long torturing, was also beheaded.
The date of the suffering of the holy Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus is
not precisely known. It is presumed that they died in Pisidia under
the Roman emperor Diocletian (284-305).
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Martyr Silvanus of Pisidia
Saint Silvanus witnessed the suffering of the martyr Bianor. The
endurance and bravery of St Bianor inspired Silvanus to believe
inChrist, and he openly declared this. They cut out his tongue and
then cut off his head. St Bianor, after long torturing, was also
beheaded.
The date of the suffering of the holy Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus is
not precisely known. It is presumed that they died in Pisidia under
the Roman emperor Diocletian (284-305).
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10,000 Martyred Fathers of the Deserts and Caves of Scete by
the Impious Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria
These holy martyrs of Christ, who lived in the deserts and caves of
the Nitrian desert, were delivered up by Patriarch Theophilus of
Antioch to face a bitter death. He falsely accused them of Origenism,
but in fact they incurred the patriarch's anger by giving shelter to
the priest Isidore.
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Martyr Nicodemus of Elbassan Albania
No information available at this time.
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Monkmartyr Nectarius of St Anne Skete on Mt Athos
No information available at this time.
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St Joseph of Damascus and his companions
No information available at this time.
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