[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Mon Jul 30 05:00:15 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Jul 30 2007

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1 Corinthians 15:12-19
12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead,
how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not
risen.
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your
faith is also empty.
15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have
testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if
in fact the dead do not rise.
16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in
your sins!
18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the
most pitiable.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Matthew 21:18-22
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.
19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing
on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever
again." Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the
fig tree wither away so soon?"
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if
you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to
the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be
cast into the sea,' it will be done.
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Apostle Silas of the Seventy
The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Silas, Silvanus, Crescens, Epenetus
and Andronicus were disciples of the Savior.
St Silas was a respected figure in the original Church at Jerusalem,
one of the "chief men among the brethren" (Acts 15:22). The Council of
the Apostles was convened at Jerusalem in the year 51 to deal with the
question of whether Gentile Christian converts should be required to
observe the Mosaic Law. The Apostles sent a message with Paul and
Barnabas to the Christians of Antioch, giving the decision of the
Council that Christians of Gentile origin did not have to observe the
prescriptions of the Mosaic Law. Nonetheless, they were told that they
must refrain from partaking of foods offered to idols, from things
strangled and from blood, to refrain from fornication (Acts 15:20-29).
Together with Sts Paul and Barnabas, the Council of the Apostles sent
Sts Silas and Jude to explain the message in greater detail, since
they both were filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. St Jude was
later sent back to Jerusalem, but St Silas remained at Antioch and
zealously assisted St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, on his
missionary journeys preaching the Gospel. They visited Syria, Cilicia,
Macedonia.
In the city of Philippi they were accused of inciting unrest among the
people, and for this they were arrested, beaten with rods, and then
thrown into prison. At midnight, when the saints were at prayer,
suddenly there was a strong earthquake, their chains fell off from
them and the doors of the prison opened. The prison guard, supposing
that the prisoners had fled, wanted to kill himself, but was stopped
by the Apostle Paul. Then, he fell down trembling at the feet of the
saints, and with faith accepted their preaching about Christ. He then
led them out of the prison and took them to his own home, where he
washed their wounds, and was baptized together with all his household.
>From Philippi Sts Paul and Silas proceeded on to the cities of
Amphipolis, Apollonia and Thessalonica. In each city they made new
converts to Christ and built up the Church.
At Corinth the holy Apostle Silas was consecrated as bishop, and
worked many miracles and signs, and there he finished his life.
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Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy
The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Silvanus, Silas, Crescens, Epenetus
and Andronicus were disciples of the Savior.
The Holy Apostle Silvanus preached the Word of God together with the
chief Apostles Peter and Paul. In his First Epistle, the holy Apostle
Peter makes mention of him: "By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you,
as I suppose, I have written briefly..." (1 Peter 5:12). St Silvanus
was made bishop at Thessalonica and died there a martyr, having
undergone many sorrows and misfortunes for the Lord's sake.
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Apostle Crescens of the Seventy
The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Crescens, Silas, Silvanus, Epenetus
and Andronicus were disciples of the Savior.
The Holy Apostle Crescens is mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (2
Tim. 4:10), saying that Crescens had gone preaching to Galatia. He was
made bishop there, and afterwards he preached the Word of God in Gaul
(modern-day France). In the city of Vienna (modern Austria) the holy
Apostle Crescens established his student Zacharias as bishop. Having
returned to Galatia, he died as a martyr under the emperor Trajan
(98-117).
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Apostle Epenetus of the Seventy
The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Epenetus, Silas, Silvanus, Crescens,
and Andronicus were disciples of the Savior.
The Holy Apostle Epenetus was made bishop at Carthage. In his Epistle
to the Romans, the holy Apostle Paul writes: "Greet my dear Epenetus,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Rom. 16:5).
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Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy
The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Andronicus, Silas, Silvanus,
Crescens, Epenetus and were disciples of the Savior.
The Apostle Andronicus is mentioned by St Paul: "Salute Andronicus and
Junia, my kinsmen, ... who are of note among the Apostles, who also
were in Christ, before me" (Rom. 16:7). The holy Apostle Andronicus
was bishop in Pannonia (modern-day Hungary).
Sts Andronicus and Junia are also commemorated on May 17.
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Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople
The Holy Martyr John the Warrior served in the imperial army of the
emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). He was sent with other soldiers
to seek out and kill Christians.While appearing to be a persecutor, St
John rendered great help to the Christians. He freed those who had
been arrested, warned others of dangers threatening them, and assisted
in their flight. St John showed charity not only to Christians, but to
all the destitute and those needing help. He visited with the sick,
and he consoled the grieving. When Julian the Apostate learned about
the actions of the saint, he ordered him locked up in prison.
In the year 363 Julian the Apostate was killed in his war with the
Persians. St John was set free and devoted his life to service of
neighbor, and he lived in holiness and purity. He died in his old age.
The precise year of his death is unknown, and the place of burial of
St John the Warrior was gradually forgotten. Then he appeared to a
certain devout woman and indicated the location of his tomb. This
became known throughout the region. His uncovered relics were placed
in a church of the Apostle John the Theologian in Constantinople. The
Lord granted the relics of St John the Warrior the power of healing.
Through the prayers of St John, the aggrieved and sorrowing received
comfort.
In the Russian Church, St John the Warrior is revered as a great
intercessor in sorrows and difficult circumstances. We also pray to
him for the recovery of stolen articles.
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Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Herman of Solovki
The Uncovering of the Relics of Saint Herman of Solovki took place in
the year 1484. St Herman lived as a hermit at the River Vyg, by a
chapel. It was here in the year 1429 that St Sabbatius of Valaam
monastery came upon him while seeking a solitary place for his ascetic
deeds. Herman told Sabbatius about Solovki Island, and both monks,
crossed the sea and settled on Solovki. They built themselves a cell
beneath the Sekir Heights, where they lived for six years. Upon the
repose of Sabbatius (September 27, 1435), St Herman continued his
ascetic efforts on the island together with another
wilderness-dweller, St Zosimus (April 17). Herman lived on the island
for more than 50 years.
Being unlettered, but made wise by Divine Providence and wanting to
preserve the memory of St Sabbatius to edify many others, he summoned
clergy to write down his memories of Sts Sabbatius and Zosimus, and
about the events which occurred during their lifetime. St Herman loved
to listen to edifying readings, and in his final instruction to his
disciples he bid them gather books at the monastery. For the domestic
and other needs of the monastery the monk made dangerous sailings and
prolonged journeys to the mainland into his old age. On one of these
excursions to Novgorod in 1479 he died at the Antoniev monastery. They
brought his body to the Solovki monastery, but because of some
ruffians they had to bury him at a chapel in the village of Khavronin
on the River Svira. In 1484, when it was decided to move the grave to
the place where he had labored, his relics were found incorrupt.
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Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon
The Hieromartyr Polychronius, Bishop of Babylon; the presbyters
Parmenius, Helimenas, and Chrysotelus; the deacons Luke and Mocius;
the holy Persian Martyrs Abdon and Sennen; and the holy martyrs
Olympius and Maximus suffered during the third century under the
emperor Decius (249-251).
When Decius conquered Babylon, he found many Christians there and he
began a persecution against them. He arrested St Polychronius, Bishop
of Babylon, the three priests Parmenius, Helimenas, Chrysotelus, and
two deacons, Luke and Mocius. They were brought before the emperor,
who commanded them to offer sacrifice to idols. St Polychronius boldly
replied, "We offer ourselves in sacrifice to our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we shall never worship idols made by human hands."
The enraged Decius had the confessors thrown into prison. When they
were brought out for a second interrogation, St Polychronius remained
silent. Decius said, "Your leader is voiceless." St Parmenius replied,
"The holy bishop is not without a voice, but he does not wish to
defile his pure lips and 'cast pearls before swine'" (Mt. 7:6). In a
rage Decius commanded that St Parmenius' tongue be cut out. In spite
of this, Parmenius spoke clearly to St Polychronius, saying, "Pray for
me, Father, for I behold the Holy Spirit upon you."
By order of Decius the holy Bishop Polychronius was struck in the
mouth with stones, and he gave up his spirit. They left his body lying
in front of the temple of Saturn. Two Persian princes, Abdon and
Sennen, who were secret Christians, came at night and buried the body
of the holy martyr by the city walls.
Decius left for the city of Kordula, and ordered that the three
presbyters and two deacons be taken along. At Kordula he again
demanded that the martyrs offer sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius,
despite his missing tongue, loudly and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
The Persian princes Abdon and Sennen took the bodies of the martyrs by
night and buried them in their own village near Kordula.This was
reported to Decius.The princes were arrested and brought before the
emperor, who commanded that the holy princes be locked up in prison.
The saints rejoiced and glorified God.
On the same day two other Persians, Olympius and Maximus, were brought
before Decius and charged with being Christians. The holy martyrs were
fiercely tortured and beheaded for their bold confession of faith in
Christ. For five days their bodies lay unburied, but on the sixth day
Christians secretly buried them at night.
Decius returned to Rome with Abdon and Sennen in chains. He told the
saints to offer sacrifice to the gods, promising them freedom and
honors. The holy martyrs answered, "We offer ourselves in sacrifice to
our God Jesus Christ, therefore offer your sacrifice to your own
gods." Decius sentenced them to be eaten by wild beasts. They set two
lions upon them, and later on four bears, which would not touch the
holy martyrs, but instead lay at their feet. Then they ran Abdon and
Sennen through with swords. Their bodies lay for three days before an
idol to frighten Christians. By night a secret Christian named
Cyrenius took the bodies of the martyrs and buried them in his own
home.
The holy Martyrs Abdon and Sennen suffered in the year 251. Their
relics are preserved in the church of St Mark at Rome.
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Martyr Parmenius the Presbyter in Babylon
Saint Parmenius the priest was arrested with St Polychronius, Bishop
of Babylon, the priests Helimenas and Chrysotelus, and two deacons,
Luke and Mocius during the reign of Decius (249-251). They refused to
offer sacrifice to idols when ordered to do so by the emperor, so they
were thrown into prison.
When they were interrogated a second time, St Parmenius refused to
speak. Decius said, "Your leader is voiceless." St Parmenius replied,
"The holy bishop is not without a voice, but he does not wish to
defile his pure lips and 'cast pearls before swine'" (Mt. 7:6). In a
rage Decius commanded that St Parmenius' tongue be cut out. In spite
of this, Parmenius spoke clearly to St Polychronius, saying, "Pray for
me, Father, for I behold the Holy Spirit upon you." br>
After putting St Polychronius to death Decius left for the city of
Kordula, and ordered that the three presbyters and two deacons be
taken along. At Kordula he again demanded that the martyrs offer
sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius, despite his missing tongue, loudly
and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
The Persian princes Abdon and Sennen took the bodies of the martyrs by
night and buried them in their own village near Kordula.This was
reported to Decius.The princes were arrested and brought before the
emperor, who commanded that the holy princes be locked up in prison.
The saints rejoiced and glorified God.
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Martyr Helimenas the Presbyter in Babylon
Saint Helimenas the priest was arrested with St Polychronius, Bishop
of Babylon, the priests Parmenius and Chrysotelus, and two deacons,
Luke and Mocius during the reign of Decius (249-251). They refused to
offer sacrifice to idols when ordered to do so by the emperor, so they
were thrown into prison.
After putting St Polychronius to death Decius left for the city of
Kordula, and ordered that the three presbyters and two deacons be
taken along. At Kordula he again demanded that the martyrs offer
sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius, despite his missing tongue, loudly
and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Chrysotelus the Presbyter in Babylon
Saint Chrysotelus the priest was arrested with St Polychronius, Bishop
of Babylon, the priests Helimenas and Parmenius, and two deacons, Luke
and Mocius during the reign of Decius (249-251). They refused to offer
sacrifice to idols when ordered to do so by the emperor, so they were
thrown into prison.
After putting St Polychronius to death Decius left for the city of
Kordula, and ordered that the three presbyters and two deacons be
taken along. At Kordula he again demanded that the martyrs offer
sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius, despite his missing tongue, loudly
and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Luke the Deacon in Babylon
Saint Luke the deacon was arrested with St Polychronius, Bishop of
Babylon, the priests Parmenius, Helimenas and Chrysotelus, and the
deacon Mocius during the reign of Decius (249-251). They refused to
offer sacrifice to idols when ordered to do so by the emperor, so they
were thrown into prison.
After putting St Polychronius to death Decius left for the city of
Kordula, and ordered that the three presbyters and two deacons be
taken along. At Kordula he again demanded that the martyrs offer
sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius, despite his missing tongue, loudly
and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Moscius the Deacon
Saint Moscius the deacon was arrested with St Polychronius, Bishop of
Babylon, the priests Parmenius, Helimenas and Chrysotelus, and the
deacon Luke during the reign of Decius (249-251). They refused to
offer sacrifice to idols when ordered to do so by the emperor, so they
were thrown into prison.
After putting St Polychronius to death Decius left for the city of
Kordula, and ordered that the three presbyters and two deacons be
taken along. At Kordula he again demanded that the martyrs offer
sacrifice to idols. St Parmenius, despite his missing tongue, loudly
and firmly refused.
Believing that St Parmenius was able speak through some sort of magic
power, Decius increased the tortures and ordered that the confessors
be burned with fire. Then a Voice was heard from Heaven, "Come to Me,
ye humble of heart." Decius believed that this was also the work of
magic, and he ordered the priests and deacons beheaded with an axe.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Abdon in Babylon
The Persian princes Abdon and Sennen took the bodies of Sts Parmenius,
Helimenas and Chrysotelus, Luke and Moscius and buried them in their
own village near Kordula.This was reported to Decius.The princes were
arrested and brought before the emperor, who commanded that they be
locked up in prison. The saints rejoiced and glorified God.
Decius returned to Rome with Abdon and Sennen in chains. He told the
saints to offer sacrifice to the gods, promising them freedom and
honors. The holy martyrs answered, "We offer ourselves in sacrifice to
our God Jesus Christ, therefore offer your sacrifice to your own
gods."
Decius sentenced them to be eaten by wild beasts. Two lions were
loosed upon them, and then four bears. The animals would not touch the
holy martyrs, but instead lay at their feet. Then they ran Abdon and
Sennen through with swords. Their bodies lay for three days before an
idol to frighten the Christians. One night a secret Christian named
Cyrenius took the bodies of the martyrs and buried them in his own
home.
The holy Martyrs Abdon and Sennen suffered in the year 251. Their
relics are preserved in the church of St Mark at Rome.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sennen in Babylon
The Persian princes Sennen and Abdon took the bodies of Sts Parmenius,
Helimenas and Chrysotelus, Luke and Moscius and buried them in their
own village near Kordula.This was reported to Decius.The princes were
arrested and brought before the emperor, who commanded that they be
locked up in prison. The saints rejoiced and glorified God.
Decius returned to Rome with Abdon and Sennen in chains. He told the
saints to offer sacrifice to the gods, promising them freedom and
honors. The holy martyrs answered, "We offer ourselves in sacrifice to
our God Jesus Christ, therefore offer your sacrifice to your own
gods."
Decius sentenced them to be eaten by wild beasts. Two lions were
loosed upon them, and then four bears. The animals would not touch the
holy martyrs, but instead lay at their feet. Then they ran Abdon and
Sennen through with swords. Their bodies lay for three days before an
idol to frighten the Christians. One night a secret Christian named
Cyrenius took the bodies of the martyrs and buried them in his own
home.
The holy Martyrs Abdon and Sennen suffered in the year 251. Their
relics are preserved in the church of St Mark at Rome.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Maximus in Babylon
Saints Maximus and Olympius and Maximus of Babylon, were brought
before Decius and charged with being Christians. The holy martyrs were
fiercely tortured and beheaded for their bold confession of faith in
Christ. For five days their bodies lay unburied, but on the sixth day
Christians secretly buried them at night.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Olympius in Babylon
Saints Olympius and Maximus of Babylon, were brought before Decius and
charged with being Christians. The holy martyrs were fiercely tortured
and beheaded for their bold confession of faith in Christ. For five
days their bodies lay unburied, but on the sixth day Christians
secretly buried them at night.
_________________________________________________________________
Hieromartyr Valentine the Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy
The Hieromartyr Bishop Valentine and his three disciples, Proculus,
Ephebus and Apollonius, and the righteous Abundius lived during the
third century. St Valentine was a bishop in Umbria (Italy), in the
city of Interamna. He received from God the gift of healing various
maladies.
At this time three pagan youths, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius,
came from Athens to Rome to study.They found a tutor named Craton, and
lived in his home. Craton's son Cherimon fell grievously ill, and his
spine was so contorted that his head was bent down to his knees.
Craton asked Bishop Valentine to help his sick son.
The holy bishop went into the sick child's room and prayed fervently
all night. When day came, the happy parents saw their son had been
healed. They believed in Christ and were baptized with all their
household.
Craton's students, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius were also baptized
and became devoted disciples of St Valentine. The bishop's fame
quickly spread, and many were converted to Christ. Among them was the
city prefect's son, Abundius, who openly confessed himself a
Christian. This was a bold thing to do, since paganism prevailed in
the world, and Christianity was persecuted.
The wrath of the prefect and other city leaders fell upon Bishop
Valentine, the teacher of the youths. They demanded that he renounce
Christ and worship the idols.
After much torture they threw him into prison, where his followers
visited him. Learning of this, the prefect gave orders to take
Valentine out of the prison and behead him. St Valentine's students
Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius took the body of their teacher and
carried it to the city of Interamnum, where they buried it.
Both believers and pagans were drawn to them, and they converted many
idolaters to the true Faith. When the authorities heard about this,
they arrested the youths and threw them in prison. Fearing that people
might break the sufferers out of prison, the executioners beheaded
them by night.
Abundius, learning that his friends had been locked in prison,
hastened to see them, but found that they had already been executed.
He buried their bodies near the grave of holy Bishop Valentine.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Proculus the Youth of Interamna, Terni in Italy
Saints Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius were pagans who came from
Athens to study in Rome. They found a tutor named Craton, and lived in
his home. Craton's son Cherimon fell grievously ill, and his spine was
so contorted that his head was bent down to his knees. Craton asked
Bishop Valentine to help his sick son.
The holy bishop went into the sick child's room and prayed fervently
all night. When day came, the happy parents saw their son had been
healed. They believed in Christ and were baptized with all their
household.
Craton's students, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius were also baptized
and became devoted disciples of St Valentine. The bishop's fame
quickly spread, and many were converted to Christ. Among them was the
city prefect's son, Abundius, who openly confessed himself a
Christian. This was a bold thing to do, since paganism prevailed in
the world, and Christianity was persecuted.
The wrath of the prefect and other city leaders fell upon Bishop
Valentine, the teacher of the youths. They demanded that he renounce
Christ and worship the idols.
After much torture they threw him into prison, where his followers
visited him. Learning of this, the prefect gave orders to take
Valentine out of the prison and behead him. St Valentine's students
Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius took the body of their teacher and
carried it to the city of Interamnum, where they buried it.
Both believers and pagans were drawn to them, and they converted many
idolaters to the true Faith. When the authorities heard about this,
they arrested the youths and threw them in prison. Fearing that people
might break the sufferers out of prison, the executioners beheaded
them by night.
Abundius, learning that his friends had been arrested for being
Christians, hastened to see them in prison, but found that they had
already been executed. He buried their bodies near the grave of holy
Bishop Valentine.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Ephebus the Youth of Interamna, Terni in Italy
Saints Ephebus, Proculus, and Apollonius were pagans who came from
Athens to study in Rome. They found a tutor named Craton, and lived in
his home. Craton's son Cherimon fell grievously ill, and his spine was
so contorted that his head was bent down to his knees. Craton asked
Bishop Valentine to help his sick son.
The holy bishop went into the sick child's room and prayed fervently
all night. When day came, the happy parents saw their son had been
healed. They believed in Christ and were baptized with all their
household.
Craton's students, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius were also baptized
and became devoted disciples of St Valentine. The bishop's fame
quickly spread, and many were converted to Christ. Among them was the
city prefect's son, Abundius, who openly confessed himself a
Christian. This was a bold thing to do, since paganism prevailed in
the world, and Christianity was persecuted.
The wrath of the prefect and other city leaders fell upon Bishop
Valentine, the teacher of the youths. They demanded that he renounce
Christ and worship the idols.
After much torture they threw him into prison, where his followers
visited him. Learning of this, the prefect gave orders to take
Valentine out of the prison and behead him. St Valentine's students
Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius took the body of their teacher and
carried it to the city of Interamnum, where they buried it.
Both believers and pagans were drawn to them, and they converted many
idolaters to the true Faith. When the authorities heard about this,
they arrested the youths and threw them in prison. Fearing that people
might break the sufferers out of prison, the executioners beheaded
them by night.
Abundius, learning that his friends had been arrested for being
Christians, hastened to see them in prison, but found that they had
already been executed. He buried their bodies near the grave of holy
Bishop Valentine.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Apollonius the Youth of Interamna, Terni in Italy
Saints Apollonius, Proculus, and Ephebus were pagans who came from
Athens to study in Rome. They found a tutor named Craton, and lived in
his home. Craton's son Cherimon fell grievously ill, and his spine was
so contorted that his head was bent down to his knees. Craton asked
Bishop Valentine to help his sick son.
The holy bishop went into the sick child's room and prayed fervently
all night. When day came, the happy parents saw their son had been
healed. They believed in Christ and were baptized with all their
household.
Craton's students, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius were also baptized
and became devoted disciples of St Valentine. The bishop's fame
quickly spread, and many were converted to Christ. Among them was the
city prefect's son, Abundius, who openly confessed himself a
Christian. This was a bold thing to do, since paganism prevailed in
the world, and Christianity was persecuted.
The wrath of the prefect and other city leaders fell upon Bishop
Valentine, the teacher of the youths. They demanded that he renounce
Christ and worship the idols.
After much torture they threw him into prison, where his followers
visited him. Learning of this, the prefect gave orders to take
Valentine out of the prison and behead him. St Valentine's students
Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius took the body of their teacher and
carried it to the city of Interamnum, where they buried it.
Both believers and pagans were drawn to them, and they converted many
idolaters to the true Faith. When the authorities heard about this,
they arrested the youths and threw them in prison. Fearing that people
might break the sufferers out of prison, the executioners beheaded
them by night.
Abundius, learning that his friends had been arrested for being
Christians, hastened to see them in prison, but found that they had
already been executed. He buried their bodies near the grave of holy
Bishop Valentine.
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Martyr Abundius the Youth of Interamna, Terni in Italy
Saint Abundius was the son of the city prefect, and a Christian.
Learning that his friends Sts Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius had
been arrested for being Christians, hastened to see them in prison,
but found that they had already been executed. He buried their bodies
near the grave of holy Bishop Valentine.
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Venerable Angelina of Serbia
Saint Angelina was the daughter of Prince George Skenderbeg of
Albania. Her mother's name is not known, but she raised her daughter
in Christian piety and taught her to love God.
St Stephen Brancovich (October 9 and December 10), the ruler of
Serbia, had come to Albania to escape those who wished to kill him.
Some time before he arrived in Albania, St Stephen was unjustly
blinded by the Turkish Sultan for some perceived offense. Since he was
innocent, he bore his affliction with courage.
St Stephen was not only Prince George's guest, but he was also treated
as a member of his family. Not surprisingly, Stephen and Angelina
eventually fell in love. With her parents' blessing, they were married
in church. After a few years, they were blessed with two sons: George
and John.
When the boys were grown, St Stephen and his family were forced to
flee to Italy for their safety. At that time the Turks invaded Albania
and began to slaughter men, women, and even children.
St Stephen died in 1468, leaving Angelina a widow. In her distress,
she turned to the ruler of Hungary for help. He gave them the town of
Kupinovo in Sirmie.
St Angelina left Italy with her sons in 1486, stopping in Serbia to
bury St Stephen's incorrupt body in his native land.
The children of these pious parents also became saints. George gave up
his claim to the throne in favor of his brother John, then entered a
monastery and received the name Maximus.
John was married, but had no sons. He died in 1503 at a young age, and
many miracles took place before his holy relics.
St Angelina survived her husband and both of her sons. Mindful of her
soul's salvation, she entered a women's monastery. She departed to the
Lord in peace, and her body was buried in the same tomb as her sons in
the monastery of Krushedol in Frushka Gora.
St Angelina is also commemorated on December 10 with her husband St
Stephen and her son St John.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Okonsk
The Okonsk Icon of the Mother of God, by tradition, was received by
the Georgian emperor Vakhtang IV from Jerusalem and initially it was
at the Gaenat monastery in Georgia. The Georgian emperor's son George
Alexandrovich transferred the holy icon to the cathedral church of the
village of Lyskov, Nizhegorod diocese.
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Venerable Anatole II of Optina
Saint Anatole the Younger (Alexander Potapov in the world) longed to
be a monk from his youth. His mother would not give her blessing for
this, so he entered Optina monastery only after her death.
Anatole lived in the Skete for many years as cell attendant to St
Ambrose (October 10). After his death Fr Anatole functioned as an
Elder, even though he was still a deacon.
St Anatole received everyone with love, and there were always crowds
of visitors at his cell. He got very little sleep, since the people
would not leave his cell until late at night.
The Elder was always very kind and ready to help anyone who came to
him with problems or sorrows. One day he was visited by a man whose
family had no roof over their head, and little money. No one was able
to help him, so he began to drink. Then he decided to leave his wife
and children and look for work in Moscow. Somehow he decided to go to
Optina first and speak with Fr Anatole.
As he was blessing the man, St Anatole tapped him lightly on the head.
Then the man said that he wanted to die. When questioned by the Elder,
the man poured out his whole story. Fr Anatole listened patiently,
blessed him again and told him that he would move into a new home in
three days. This indeed came to pass, and the man's whole life
changed.
In the early 1920s St Anatole was mocked and tormented by soldiers of
the Red Army. He endured much suffering, but continued to receive
visitors. He was supposed to be arrested on July 22, 1922, but asked
for time to prepare himself.
Soldiers came the next morning and asked the Elder's cell attendant if
he was ready. Fr Barnabas invited them to come in, and they found Fr
Anatole lying in his coffin. The Lord had taken him during the night
to spare him further suffering.
The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina
Elders on June 13,1996. The work of uncovering the relics of Sts
Leonid, Macarius, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatole I, Barsanuphius and
Anatole II began on June 24/July 7, 1998 and was concluded the next
day. However, because of the church Feasts (Nativity of St John the
Baptist, etc.) associated with the actual dates of the uncovering of
the relics, Patriarch Alexey II designated June 27/July 10 as the date
for commemorating this event. The relics of the holy Elders now rest
in the new church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
The Optina Elders were glorified by the Moscow Patriarchate for
universal veneration on August 7, 2000.
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St Tsotne Dadiani the Confessor
Saint Tsotne Dadiani, a virtuous military leader and the prince of
Egrisi, lived in the middle of the 13th century.
During that time Georgia languished under the yoke of Mongol
oppression.
After the death of Queen Rusudan, the Mongols began to exact
exorbitant fees from the Georgian princes, and they established
compulsory military service for their Georgian subjects. The situation
became unbearable, and the Georgian nobility planned a massive
rebellion against the invaders.
Having assembled at the peak of Mt. Kokhta (in the Meskheti region of
southern Georgia), rulers from all over Georgia agreed to assemble the
troops in Kartli and attack on a single front. Tsotne Dadiani and the
ruler of Racha were the first to muster their armies. But there were
traitors among them, and the Mongols learned of the conspiracy. They
surrounded Mt. Kokhta, arrested the rebelssave for Tsotne Dadiani and
the ruler of Rachaand led them away to the Mongol ruler at
Anis-Shirakavan.
The prisoners denied every accusation and asserted that the purpose of
the gathering on Mt. Kokhta was to collect the tribute that the Mongol
authorities had demanded. Infuriated at their insurgency, the Mongols
stripped them bare, bound their hands and feet, smeared them with
honey, threw them under the scorching sun, and interrogated them daily
about the gathering on Mt. Kokhta.
Having heard what had transpired, Tsotne Dadiani became deeply
distressed and took upon himself the blame for this tragic turn of
events. Escorted by two servants, he journeyed voluntarily to Anis to
lay down his life and suffer together with his brothers. Arriving in
Anis and seeing his kinsmen doomed to death, the prince promptly
undressed, tied himself up, and lay down next to them under the
scorching sun.
The disbelieving Mongols informed their ruler about the strange man
who had willingly lain down beside those who were condemned.
The ruler summoned him and demanded an explanation. We gathered with a
single goalto collect the tribute and fulfill your command. If it was
for this that my countrymen were punished, I also desire to share in
their lot! answered the courageous prince.
Tsotnes chivalrous deed made a dramatic impression on the Mongols, and
every one of the prisoners was set free.
Tsotne Dadiani is not mentioned in accounts of the next conspiracy
against the Mongols, in the year 1259. Historians believe that he had
already reposed by that time.
The virtues of St. Tsotne Dadiani are known to all throughout Georgia.
His heroism and integrity are an example of faith, love and devotion
to every generation, and the faithful of every era have honored his
holy name.
Tsotne Dadiani was numbered among the saints on October 26, 1999,
according to a decree of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox
Church.
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