[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Sun Jun 3 05:00:40 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Jun 3 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Isaiah 43:9-14  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be
assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things?
Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let
them hear and say, It is truth.
10 You are My witnesses, says the Lord, And My servant whom I have
chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.
12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no
foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses, Says the Lord,
that I am God.
13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can
deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: For your
sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives The
Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.
Scripture Reading 1 of 6

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Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9  (Vespers, 2nd 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 2 of 6

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Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3  (Vespers, 3rd 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 3 of 6

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Matthew 28:16-20  (Matins Gospel)
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain
which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been
given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Scripture Reading 4 of 6

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Hebrews 11:33-12:2
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out
of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to
flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better
resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of
chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain
with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being
destitute, afflicted, tormented-
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and
mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did
not receive the promise,
40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not
be made perfect apart from us.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Scripture Reading 5 of 6

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Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30
32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess
before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My
Father who is in heaven.
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And
he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me.
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and
followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"
28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the
regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you
who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father
or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall
receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Scripture Reading 6 of 6

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Synaxis of All Saints
The Sunday following Pentecost is dedicated to All Saints, both those
who are known to us, and those who are known only to God. There have
been saints at all times, and they have come from every corner of the
earth. They were Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics,
and Righteous, yet all were perfected by the same Holy Spirit.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to rise above
our fallen state and to attain sainthood, thereby fulfilling God's
directive to "be holy, for I am holy" (Lev. 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16,
etc.). Therefore, it is fitting to commemorate All Saints on the first
Sunday after Pentecost.
This feast may have originated at an early date, perhaps as a
celebration of all martyrs, then it was broadened to include all men
and women who had borne witness to Christ by their virtuous lives,
even if they did not shed their blood for Him.
St Peter of Damascus, in his "Fourth Stage of Contemplation," mentions
five categories of saints: Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, and
Monastic Saints (PHILOKALIA [in English] Vol. 3, p.131). He is
actually quoting from the OCTOECHOS, Tone 2 for Saturday Matins,
kathisma after the first stichology.
St Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain (July 14) adds the Righteous to St
Peter's five categories. The list of StNicodemus is found in his book
THE FOURTEEN EPISTLES OF ST PAUL (Venice, 1819, p. 384) in his
discussion of I Corinthians 12:28.
The hymnology for the feast of All Saints also lists six categories:
"Rejoice, assembly of the Apostles, Prophets of the Lord, loyal choirs
of the Martyrs, divine Hierarchs, Monastic Fathers, and the
Righteous."
Some of the saints are described as Confessors, a category which does
not appear in the above lists. Since they are similar in spirit to the
martyrs, they are regarded as belonging to the category of Martyrs.
They were not put to death as the Martyrs were, but they boldly
confessed Christ and came close to being executed for their faith. St
Maximus the Confessor (January 21) is such a saint.
The order of these six types of saints seems to be based on their
importance to the Church. The Apostles are listed first, because they
were the first to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
The Martyrs come next because of their example of courage in
professing their faith before the enemies and persecutors of the
Church, which encouraged other Christians to remain faithful to Christ
even unto death.
Although they come first chronologically, the Prophets are listed
after the Apostles and Martyrs. This is because the Old Testament
Prophets saw only the shadows of things to come, whereas the Apostles
and Martyrs experienced them firsthand. The New Testament also takes
precedence over the Old Testament.
The holy Hierarchs comprise the fourth category. They are the leaders
of their flocks, teaching them by their word and their example.
The Monastic Saints are those who withdrew from this world to live in
monasteries, or in seclusion. They did not do this out of hatred for
the world, but in order to devote themselves to unceasing prayer, and
to do battle against the power of the demons. Although some people
erroneously believe that monks and nuns are useless and unproductive,
St John Climacus had a high regard for them: "Angels are a light for
monks, and the monastic life is a light for all men" (LADDER, Step
26:31).
The last category, the Righteous, are those who attained holiness of
life while living "in the world." Examples include Abraham and his
wife Sarah, Job, Sts Joachim and Anna, St Joseph the Betrothed, St
Juliana of Lazarevo, and others.
The feast of All Saints achieved great prominence in the ninth
century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise
(886-911). His wife, the Holy Empress Theophano (December 16) lived in
the world, but was not attached to worldly things. She was a great
benefactor to the poor, and was generous to the monasteries. She was a
true mother to her subjects, caring for widows and orphans, and
consoling the sorrowful.
Even before the death of StTheophano in 893 or 894, her husband
started to build a church, intending to dedicate it to Theophano, but
she forbade him to do so. It was this emperor who decreed that the
Sunday after Pentecost be dedicated to All Saints. Believing that his
wife was one of the righteous, he knew that she would also be honored
whenever the Feast of All Saints was celebrated.
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Martyr Lucillian and those who suffered with him at Byzantium
Saint Lucillian was a pagan priest during the reign of the Roman
emperor Aurelian (270-275). In his old age he became persuaded of the
falseness of the pagan religion, and with all his heart he turned to
the faith in Christ the Savior, and was baptized.
Under the influence of his preaching many pagans were converted to
Christianity. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in
Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedia
prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship.
When he refused, they smashed the saint's jawbone, beat him with rods
and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison.
Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius,
Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in
the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.
After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a
red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and
the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death,
sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were
beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a
cross with many nails.
The holy virgin Paula witnessed the contest of the holy martyrs. She
had dedicated herself to the service of those suffering for Christ.
She provided food to Christian prisoners, washed their wounds, brought
medications, and also buried the bodies of martyrs. After the death of
St Lucillian and the four young men, she returned to Nicomedia and
continued with her holy service. The holy virgin was arrested and cast
into a furnace, but by the power of God she remained unharmed. Then
they sent her off to Byzantium, where the holy martyr was beheaded.
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Translation of the relics of slain Crown Prince Demetrius of
Moscow
The Tsarevich St Demetrius, murdered on May 15, 1591, was glorified in
the year 1606. The reason for this was the desire, in the expression
of Tsar Basil Shuisky, "to stop lying lips and blind unbelieving eyes
from saying that the Tsarevich had escaped alive from the hands of the
murderers." This was because of the appearance of a pretender, who
declared himself to be the Tsarevich Demetrius.
The holy relics were solemnly transferred and placed in the
Arkhangelsk cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, "in the side altar of
John the Forerunner, where his father and his brothers were buried."
After numerous miracles of healing from the holy relics,"three
feastdays for the Tsarevich Demetrius were established during this
same year of 1606, his birthday (October 19), his murder (May 15), and
the transfer of his relics to Moscow (June 3)."
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Martyr Claudius and those who suffered with him at Byzantium
The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Lucillian, the youths Paul, Hypatius,
Dionysius, and Paula the Virgin suffered for Christ in the reign of
the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).
Many pagans were converted to Christianity through the preaching of St
Lucillian. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in
Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedian
prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship.
When he refused, they smashed the saint's jawbone, beat him with rods
and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison.
Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius,
Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in
the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.
After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a
red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and
the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death,
sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were
beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a
cross with many nails.
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Martyr Hypatius and those who suffered with him at Byzantium
The Holy Martyrs Hypatius, Lucillian, the youths Claudius, Paul,
Dionysius, and Paula the Virgin suffered for Christ in the reign of
the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).
Many pagans were converted to Christianity through the preaching of St
Lucillian. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in
Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedian
prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship.
When he refused, they smashed the saint's jawbone, beat him with rods
and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison.
Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius,
Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in
the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.
After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a
red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and
the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death,
sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were
beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a
cross with many nails.
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Martyr Paul and those who suffered with him at Byzantium
The Holy Martyrs Paul, Lucillian, the youths Claudius, Dionysius,
Hypatius, and Paula the Virgin suffered for Christ in the reign of the
Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).
Many pagans were converted to Christianity through the preaching of St
Lucillian. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in
Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedian
prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship.
When he refused, they smashed the saint's jawbone, beat him with rods
and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison.
Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius,
Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in
the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.
After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a
red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and
the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death,
sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were
beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a
cross with many nails.
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Martyr Dionysius and those who suffered with him at Byzantium
The Holy Martyrs Dionysius, Lucillian, the youths Claudius, Paul,
Hypatius, and Paula the Virgin suffered for Christ in the reign of the
Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).
Many pagans were converted to Christianity through the preaching of St
Lucillian. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in
Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedian
prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship.
When he refused, they smashed the saint's jawbone, beat him with rods
and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison.
Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius,
Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in
the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.
After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a
red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and
the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death,
sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were
beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a
cross with many nails.
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Martyr Paula and those who suffered with her at Byzantium
Saint Paula lived in the third century, and was martyred during the
reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).
The holy virgin Paula witnessed the contest of the holy martyrs
Lucillian, the youths Claudius, Hypatius, and Dionysius. She had
dedicated herself to the service of those suffering for Christ. She
brought food to Christian prisoners, washed their wounds, gave them
medicine, and also buried the bodies of martyrs.
After the death of St Lucillian and the four young men, St Paula
returned to Nicomedia and continued with her holy service. The holy
virgin was arrested and cast into a furnace, but by the power of God
she remained unharmed. Then they sent her to Byzantium, where she was
beheaded.
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Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France
The Hieromartyr Lucian lived in Rome, and his pagan name was Lucius.
He was converted to Christ by the Apostle Peter, and was baptized.
After St Peter's death, St Lucian preached the Gospel in Italy. St
Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), a disciple of St Paul, arrived
in Rome at this time. At the request of St Clement, Pope of Rome
(November 25), he agreed to preach the Gospel in the West, and
gathered companions and helpers for this task. St Clement consecrated
St Lucian a bishop, then sent him off with St Dionysius, Sts
Marcellinus and Saturninus, the Presbyter Maximian, and the Deacon
Julian.
The holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). St
Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. St
Saturninus went to Gaul, and St Dionysius and the others went to the
region of Paris. From there St Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian
and Julian.
St Lucian's preaching was very successful. By the power of his words
and the example of his life, he converted a large number of pagans to
Christianity. St Lucian was a strict ascetic, and all day long he ate
only a morsel of bread and some water. Towards the converted he was
kindly, always joyful and cheerful of face. Soon almost all the
settlements of Belgium were converted to Christ.
During this period, the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96) initiated a
second persecution against Christians (after that of Nero, 54-68), and
he issued an edict prescribing torture and execution for anyone who
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Three officials were sent to Belgium to carry out the edict. The Lord
revealed to St Lucian the ordeal facing him. He gathered the flock
together, urging them not to fear threats, tortures or death, and then
he gave thanks to God for granting him the possibility of joining the
company of the holy martyrs. After praying, St Lucian and the priest
Maximian and Deacon Julian withdrew to the summit of a hill, where he
continued to teach the people who came with him.
Here the soldiers of the emperor came upon the saints and led them
away for trial. Sts Maximian and Julian were urged to renounce Christ
and offer sacrifice to idols, but both refused and were beheaded.
Then the judge began to interrogate St Lucian, accusing him of sorcery
and disobedience to the emperor and Senate. The saint replied that he
was not a sorcerer, but rather a servant of the true God, the Lord
Jesus Christ, and he refused to offer sacrifice to idols made by human
hands.
The saint was subjected to fierce beatings, during which he repeated,
"Never will I cease to praise Christ, the Son of God, in my heart, and
with my lips." Then the holy martyr was beheaded. A heavenly light
shone over his body, and the Voice of the Savior was heard, summoning
the valiant sufferer into the heavenly Kingdom to receive the martyr's
crown. By the power of God the saint stood up, picked up his severed
head, and crossed over the river. Reaching the burial spot he had
chosen, he lay down upon the ground and reposed in peace.
Because of this great miracle about 500 pagans were converted to
Christ. Later, a church was built over St Lucian's grave, to which the
relics of the martyrs Maximian and Julian were transferred.
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Hieromartyr Maximian the Presbyter at Beauvais in France
Saint Maximian the priest was one of the companions of St Lucian, and
assisted him in proclaiming the Gospel in the West.
The holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). St
Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. St
Saturninus went to Gaul, and St Dionysius and the others went to the
region of Paris. From there St Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian
and Julian.
St Lucian's preaching was very successful. By the power of his words
and the example of his life, he converted a large number of pagans to
Christianity. Soon almost all the settlements of Belgium were
converted to Christ.
During this period, the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96) initiated a
second persecution against Christians (after that of Nero, 54-68), and
he issued an edict prescribing torture and execution for anyone who
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods.
The Lord revealed to St Lucian the ordeal facing him. He gathered the
flock together, urging them not to fear threats, tortures or death,
and then he gave thanks to God for granting him the possibility of
joining the company of the holy martyrs. After praying, St Lucian and
the presbyter Maximian and Deacon Julian withdrew to the summit of a
hill, where he continued to teach the people who came with him.
Here the soldiers of the emperor came upon the saints and led them
away for trial. Sts Maximian and Julian were urged to renounce Christ
and offer sacrifice to idols, but both refused and were beheaded.
Afterwards, a church was built over the grave of St Lucian, to which
the relics of the martyrs Maximian and Julian were transferred.
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Martyr Julian the Deacon at Beauvais in France
Saint Julian the deacon was one of the companions of St Lucian, and
assisted him in proclaiming the Gospel in the West.
The holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). St
Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. St
Saturninus went to Gaul, and St Dionysius and the others went to the
region of Paris. From there St Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian
and Julian.
St Lucian's preaching was very successful. By the power of his words
and the example of his life, he converted a large number of pagans to
Christianity. Soon almost all the settlements of Belgium were
converted to Christ.
During this period, the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96) initiated a
second persecution against Christians (after that of Nero, 54-68), and
he issued an edict prescribing torture and execution for anyone who
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods.
The Lord revealed to St Lucian the ordeal facing him. He gathered the
flock together, urging them not to fear threats, tortures or death,
and then he gave thanks to God for granting him the possibility of
joining the company of the holy martyrs. After praying, St Lucian and
the presbyter Maximian and Deacon Julian withdrew to the summit of a
hill, where he continued to teach the people who came with him.
Here the soldiers of the emperor came upon the saints and led them
away for trial. Sts Maximian and Julian were urged to renounce Christ
and offer sacrifice to idols, but both refused and were beheaded.
Afterwards, a church was built over the grave of St Lucian, to which
the relics of the martyrs Maximian and Julian were transferred.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Marcellinus at Beauvais in France
Saint Marcellinus was one of the companions of St Lucian, and assisted
him in proclaiming the Gospel in the West.
The holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). St
Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. St
Saturninus went to Gaul, and St Dionysius and the others went to the
region of Paris. From there St Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian
and Julian.
_________________________________________________________________
Hieromartyr Saturninus at Beauvais in France
Saint Saturninus was one of the companions of St Lucian, and assisted
him in proclaiming the Gospel in the West.
The holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). St
Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. St
Saturninus was active in Gaul, and St Dionysius and the others went to
the region of Paris. From there St Lucian went to Belgium with
Maximian and Julian.
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St David of the Gareji Monastery
Saint David of Gareji was Syrian by birth. The future ascetic became a
disciple of St. John of Zedazeni and journeyed with him to Georgia.
St. David and his spiritual son Lucian settled on a mountain above
Tbilisi, the capital of Kartli.
At that time Kartli was constantly under threat of the Persian
fire-worshippers. St. David would spend entire days in prayer,
beseeching the Lord for forgiveness of the sins of those who dwelt in
the city. When he was finished praying for the day, he would stand on
the mountain and bless the whole city. Once a week Sts. David and
Lucian would go down into the city to preach. A church dedicated to
St. David was later built on the mountain where he labored.
St. Davids authority and popularity alarmed the fire-worshippers, and
they accused him of adultery, in an attempt to discredit him in the
eyes of the people. As a witness they summoned a certain expectant
prostitute, who accused him of being the childs father. Hoping in God,
the holy father touched his staff to the prostitutes womb and ordered
the unborn child to declare the truth. From out of the womb the infant
uttered the name of his true father.
Outraged at this slander, the bystanders savagely stoned the woman to
death. St. David pleaded with them to stop, but he was unable to
placate the furious crowd. Deeply disturbed by these events, St. David
departed the region with his disciple Lucian.
The holy fathers settled in a small cave in the wilderness and began
to spend all their time in prayer. They ate nothing but herbs and the
bark of trees. When the herbs withered from the summer heat, the Lord
sent them deer. Lucian milked them and brought the milk to St. David,
and when the elder made the sign of the Cross over the milk it was
miraculously transformed into cheese.
Shaken by the holy fathers miracle, Lucian told him, Even if my body
rots and wastes away from hunger and thirst, I will not permit myself
to fret over the things of this temporal life.
The fathers kept a strict fast on Wednesdays and Fridaysthey ate
nothing, and even the deer did not come to them on those days.
A frightful serpent inhabited a cave not far from where they lived and
attacked all the animals around it. But at St. Davids command the
serpent deserted that place.
Once local hunters were tracking the fathers deer, and they caught
sight of Lucian milking them as they stood there quietly, as though
they were sheep. The hunters paid great respect to St. David and,
having returned to their homes, reported what they had seen.
Soon the Gareji wilderness filled with people who longed to draw
nearer to Christ. A monastery was founded there, and for centuries it
stood fast as a center and cornerstone of faith and learning in
Georgia.
After some time St. David set off on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He
entrusted Lucian to fulfill his responsibilities at the monastery and
took some of the other brothers with him. When the pilgrims were
approaching the place called the Ridge of Grace, from which the holy
city of Jerusalem becomes visible, St. David fell to his knees and
glorified God with tears. Judging himself unworthy to follow in the
footsteps of Jesus Christ, he was satisfied to gaze upon the city from
afar.
Then he stood at the city gates and prayed fervently while his
companions entered the Holy City and venerated the holy places.
Returning, St. David took with him three stones from the Ridge of
Grace. That night an angel appeared to the patriarch of Jerusalem and
informed him that a certain pious man named David, who was visiting
from afar, had taken with him all the holiness of Jerusalem.
The angel proceeded to tell him that the venerable one had marched
through the city of Nablus, clothed in tatters and bearing on his
shoulders an old sack in which he carried the three holy stones. The
patriarch sent messengers after the stranger with a request that he
return two of the stones and take only one for himself. St. David
returned the two stones, but he declined the patriarchs invitation to
visit him. He took the third stone back with him to the monastery, and
to this day it has been full of the grace of miraculous healing.
After St. David brought the miraculous stone from Jerusalem, the
number of brothers at the monastery doubled. The venerable father
ministered to all of them and encouraged them. He also visited the
cells of the elder hermits to offer his solace. In accordance with his
will, a monastery in the name of St. John the Baptist was founded in
the place called Mravalmta (the Rolling Mountains).
The Lord God informed St. David of his imminent departure to the
Kingdom of Heaven. Then he gathered the fathers of the wilderness and
instructed them for the last time not to fall into confusion, but to
be firm and ceaselessly entreat the Lord for the salvation of their
souls.
He received Holy Communion, lifted up his hands to the Lord, and gave
up his spirit.
St. Davids holy relics have worked many miracles: approaching them,
those blind from birth have received their sight. To this day,
believers have been healed of every spiritual and bodily affliction at
his grave.
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