[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Jun 4 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Romans 2:28-3:18
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that
which is outward in the flesh;
29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from
men but from God.
1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of
circumcision?
2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the
oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the
faithfulness of God without effect?
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it
is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome
when You are judged."
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God,
what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a
man.)
6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory,
why am I also still judged as a sinner?
8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?-as we are
slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their
condemnation is just.
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have
previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one."
13 Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have
practiced deceit"; The poison of asps is under their lips;
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2


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Matthew 6:31-34; 7:9-11
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall
we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will
give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask Him!
Scripture Reading 2 of 2



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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St Zosimus of Cilicia the Bishop of Babylon in Egypt
Saint Zosimus, Bishop of Babylon, was born in Cilicia (Asia Minor).
While still a youth he left the world and settled on Mount Sinai, and
later he withdrew to a more solitary place in Lebanon. One time he
encountered an elderly ascetic, who foretold that he would be bishop
in Babylon. When Zosimus returned to Sinai, he was sent on an errand
to Alexandria. The Patriarch of Alexandria made him Bishop of Babylon,
and into old age he wisely guided his flock. Sensing the approach of
death, he returned to Sinai and peacefully fell asleep in the Lord
(5th century).
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Venerable Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha the Disciple of
the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
Saint Methodius, Igumen of Peshnosha was the founder of the Peshnosha
monastery. In his youth he went to St Sergius of Radonezh and spent
several years under his guidance. Later on, with the blessing of St
Sergius, he withdrew to a solitary place and built himself a cell in
the forest beyond the River Yakhroma. Soon several disciples came to
him in this marshy place, wishing to imitate his life. St Sergius
visited him and advised him to build a monastery and church. St
Methodius himself toiled at the construction of the church and the
cells, "on foot carrying" wood along the river, and from that time the
monastery began to be called "the Peshnosha."
In 1391 St Methodius became igumen of this monastery. At times he
withdrew two versts from the monastery and struggled in prayer. Here
also St Sergius came to him for spiritual conversation, therefore this
spot became known as "Beseda" ("Conversation-place").
St Methodius died in 1392 and was buried at the monastery he founded.
A church dedicated to Sts Sergius of Radonezh and Methodius of
Peshnosha was built over his relics in 1732. The beginning of his
local veneration dates from the late seventeenth - early eighteenth
centuries.
St Macarius is also commemorated on June 14.
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Martyr Frontasius of Gaul
The Holy Martyrs Frontasius, Severinus, Severianus, and Silanus
suffered for Christ under the emperor Claudius (41-54). They had been
sent to preach the Word of God in southern Gaul (now France) by Bishop
Frontonus of Petragorium. The governor, a pagan named Squiridonus,
arrested them and demanded that they renounce Christ. But the martyrs
firmly confessed their faith, saying they had but one desire, to
either live or die for Christ. The enraged Squiridonus ordered that
the saints be taken out before the city, tied to pillars, and have
nails thrust into their heads like a crown of thorns. After this they
were beheaded.
Tradition says that the holy martyrs continued to live by the power of
God. They picked up their heads and went to the church of the Mother
of God, where the holy bishop Frontonus, who had sent them preaching,
was at prayer. Placing their heads at the feet of the bishop, they
crossed themselves and died.
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Martyr Severinus of Gaul
The Holy Martyrs Severinus, Frontasius, Severianus, and Silanus
suffered for Christ under the emperor Claudius (41-54). They had been
sent to preach the Word of God in southern Gaul (now France) by Bishop
Frontonus of Petragorium. The governor, a pagan named Squiridonus,
arrested them and demanded that they renounce Christ. But the martyrs
firmly confessed their faith, saying they had but one desire, to
either live or die for Christ. The enraged Squiridonus ordered that
the saints be taken out before the city, tied to pillars, and have
nails thrust into their heads like a crown of thorns. After this they
were beheaded.
Tradition says that the holy martyrs continued to live by the power of
God. They picked up their heads and went to the church of the Mother
of God, where the holy bishop Frontonus, who had sent them preaching,
was at prayer. Placing their heads at the feet of the bishop, they
crossed themselves and died.
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Martyr Severianus of Gaul
The Holy Martyrs Severianus, Frontasius, Severinus, and Silanus
suffered for Christ under the emperor Claudius (41-54). They had been
sent to preach the Word of God in southern Gaul (now France) by Bishop
Frontonus of Petragorium. The governor, a pagan named Squiridonus,
arrested them and demanded that they renounce Christ. But the martyrs
firmly confessed their faith, saying they had but one desire, to
either live or die for Christ. The enraged Squiridonus ordered that
the saints be taken out before the city, tied to pillars, and have
nails thrust into their heads like a crown of thorns. After this they
were beheaded.
Tradition says that the holy martyrs continued to live by the power of
God. They picked up their heads and went to the church of the Mother
of God, where the holy bishop Frontonus, who had sent them preaching,
was at prayer. Placing their heads at the feet of the bishop, they
crossed themselves and died.
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Martyr Silanus of Gaul
The Holy Martyrs Silanus, Severinus, Severianus, and Frontasius
suffered for Christ under the emperor Claudius (41-54). They had been
sent to preach the Word of God in southern Gaul (now France) by Bishop
Frontonus of Petragorium. The governor, a pagan named Squiridonus,
arrested them and demanded that they renounce Christ. But the martyrs
firmly confessed their faith, saying they had but one desire, to
either live or die for Christ. The enraged Squiridonus ordered that
the saints be taken out before the city, tied to pillars, and have
nails thrust into their heads like a crown of thorns. After this they
were beheaded.
Tradition says that the holy martyrs continued to live by the power of
God. They picked up their heads and went to the church of the Mother
of God, where the holy bishop Frontonus, who had sent them preaching,
was at prayer. Placing their heads at the feet of the bishop, they
crossed themselves and died.
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Martyr Concordius of Spoleto
The Holy Martyr Concordius, son of the presbyter Gordian, was raised
in piety and faith in Christ, and therefore Bishop Pius of Rome made
him a subdeacon. Together with his father, St Concordius fasted and
prayed, and he generously distributed alms to the needy. With the
permission of his father he settled not far from Rome with his kinsman
Eutychius, spending his days in prayer and good deeds. The report of
his pious life reached Torquatus, the head of the Tussa region. He
summoned the saint and urged him to renounce Christ, promising to make
him a priest of the pagan gods.
St Concordius in turn urged Torquatus to turn to the true God, Jesus
Christ. They beat the martyr and threw him in prison. Bishop Anthimus,
a friend of Torquatus, asked him to release the prisoner to him. St
Concordius lived with him for a while and was ordained presbyter. When
Torquatus again summoned the saint and asked him what he thought about
his life, the saint replied that life, for him, is Christ. They bound
him and locked him up in prison, chaining him to the wall by his neck
and hands.
Three days later Torquatus sent his assistant to the prison, ordering
the martyr to offer sacrifice to the gods, or be condemned to death.
The saint cried out, "Glory to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ," and spat on
the idol of Zeus carried by the soldiers. For this, he was beheaded
around the year 175. His relics rest in Italy, not far from the city
of Spoleto.
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Hieromartyr Astius the Bishop of Dyrrachium in Macedonia
The Hieromartyr Astius was bishop of the city of Dyrrachium
(Macedonia) during the time of the emperor Trajan (98-117), a
persecutor of Christians. The saint once had a dream, a foreboding of
his impending suffering and death for Christ. He was arrested and
beaten fiercely with leaden rods and oxhide whips, but St Astius did
not renounce Christ. They smeared his body with honey, so as to
increase his suffering with the stings of hornets and flies, and
crucified him. The martyr's body was reverently buried by Christians.
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St Metrophanes the first Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople, was a contemporary of
St Constantine the Great (306-337). His father, Dometius, was a
brother of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). Seeing the falseness of
the pagan religion, Dometius came to believe in Christ. During a time
of terrible persecution of Christians at Rome, St Dometius set off to
Byzantium with two of his sons, Probus and Metrophanes. They were
instructed in the law of the Lord by Bishop Titus, a man of holy life.
Seeing the ardent desire of Dometius to labor for the Lord, St Titus
ordained him presbyter. After the death of Titus first Dometius
(272-303) was elevated to the bishop's throne, and thereafter his
sons, Probus (303-315) and in 316 St Metrophanes.
The emperor Constantine once came to Byzantium, and was delighted by
the beauty and comfortable setting of the city. And having seen the
holiness of life and sagacity of St Metrophanes, the emperor took him
back to Rome. Soon Constantine the Great transferred the capital from
Rome to Byzantium and he brought St Metrophanes there. The First
Ecumenical Council was convened in 325 to resolve the Arian heresy.
Constantine the Great had the holy Fathers of the Council bestow upon
St Metrophanes the title of Patriarch. Thus, the saint became the
first Patriarch of Constantinople.
St Metrophanes was very old, and was not able to be present at the
Council, and he sent in his place the chorepiscopos (vicar bishop)
Alexander. At the close of the Council the emperor and the holy
Fathers visited with the ailing Patriarch. At the request of the
emperor, the saint named a worthy successor to himself, Bishop
Alexander. He foretold that Paul (at that time a Reader) would succeed
to the patriarchal throne after Alexander. He also revealed to
Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria that his successor would be the
archdeacon St Athanasius.
St Metrophanes reposed in the year 326, at age 117. His relics rest at
Constantinople in a church dedicated to him.
It should be noted that the Canons to the Holy Trinity in the Midnight
Office in the Octoechos were not composed by this Metrophanes, but by
Bishop Metrophanes of Smyrna, who lived in the middle of the ninth
century.
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Righteous Martha the sister of Lazarus
The righteous sisters Martha and Mary were believers in Christ even
before He raised their brother St Lazarus (October 17) from the dead.
After the murder of the holy Archdeacon Stephen a persecution against
the Jerusalem Church broke out, and Righteous Lazarus was cast out of
Jerusalem. The holy sisters then assisted their brother in the
proclaiming of the Gospel in various lands.
Sts Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the Sunday of the
Myrrh-bearing Women.
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Righteous Mary the sister of Lazarus
The righteous sisters Martha and Mary were believers in Christ even
before He raised their brother St Lazarus (October 17) from the dead.
After the murder of the holy Archdeacon Stephen a persecution against
the Jerusalem Church broke out, and Righteous Lazarus was cast out of
Jerusalem. The holy sisters then assisted their brother in the
proclaiming of the Gospel in various lands.
Sts Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the Sunday of the
Myrrh-bearing Women.
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Martyr Sophia of Thrace
Saint Sophia was born in Aenus, Rhodope, and was the mother of six
children. Though she was occupied with worldly cares and
responsibilities, she still kept the commandments of God and lived a
virtuous life.
After her children died, she became a mother to orphans, and gave
assistance to widows. She sold her property and gave the money to the
poor. She led an austere life, eating bread and water. The Psalms of
the Prophet-King David were always on her lips, and tears flowed
continuously from her eyes. She would do without the necessities of
life herself rather than allow a poor person to leave her home with
empty hands.
Because of her humility and her love for the poor, God blessed her in
the following way. In her home was a container of wine which she
reserved for the poor. She noticed that no matter how much she took
from the container, it remained full. However, as soon as she told
someone about the miracle and glorified God, the container became
empty. St Sophia became sorrowful, believing that the wine diminished
because of her unworthiness. Therefore, she increased her ascetical
efforts until her health suffered.
Sensing that the end of her life was near, she received the monastic
tonsure. St Sophia fell asleep in the Lord at the age of fifty-three.
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Hieromartyr Joannicius of Serbia
No information available at this time.
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Hieromartyr George of Serbia
No information available at this time.
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Martyrs of Niculitsel
The graves of Saints Zoticus, Atallus, Camisius and Philip were
discovered in 1971.
Lesser Scythia (modern Romania), between the Danube and the Black Sea
in the northeastern territory of the Roman Empire, was a place of
exile or death for Christians who refused to worship the pagan gods.
During the persecutions of Decius (249-251), Diocletian and Maximilian
(284-305), and Licinius (308-324) thousands of people died there from
cold, hunger, or torture. The relics of those who endured martyrdom
because they openly proclaimed their faith in Christ were taken by
Christians and buried in secret places. Accounts of the lives and
sufferings of these holy martyrs were written and preserved so they
would not be forgotten. When the persecutions ended, the relics were
moved from their temporary resting places and placed in special crypts
(martyria). Churches were built over these crypts, and the ruins of
some of them may be seen today in Dobrogea.
In September 1971 a creek overflowed its banks near the village of
Niculitsel in the county of Tulcea, revealing one of the oldest of
these martyria. The crypt, which is made of bricks, is divided into
two rooms, one on top of the other. In the upper room, the relics of
four martyrs were found in a single wooden coffin. All had been
decapitated. The heads of three martyrs were found atop their necks,
while the head of the fourth martyr was resting on his chest. An
inscription on the left wall reads: "Christ's martyrs." The names of
the four martyrs (Zoticus, Attalus, Camasius, and Philip) were
scratched into the right wall.
According to the records which have been preserved, these martyrs were
tried by the Roman authorities of Noviodunum (modern Isaccea) and
sentenced to death. They were beheaded, then buried at Niculitsel. The
exact date of their martyrdom is not known. Some believe that they
were slain early in the fourth century during the persecutions of
Diocletian or Licinius. Others, however, think the four men may have
been martyred north of the Danube during the persecution of the Gothic
king Athanaric (370-372) against the Christians.
About a hundred fragments of the bones of two men (aged between 45-50)
were found in the lower crypt. It is thought that they died during the
persecution of Decius, and then their relics were reinterred at
Niculitsel around 370-380. The names of these martyrs are not known.
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these four
martyrs along with six others: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus,
Ninita, Fortunio. Twenty-five others were also beheaded with these
martyrs, but are not named.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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St Zoticus
Saint Zoticus was beheaded at Noviodunum (modern Isaccea) in the
fourth century along with Sts Atallus, Camisius, Philip, and
thirty-one others. His holy relics, and those of Sts Atallus, Camisius
and Philip, were found at Niculitsel, Romania in 1971.
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St Atallus
Saint Atallus was beheaded at Noviodunum (modern Isaccea) in the
fourth century along with Sts Zoticus, Camisius, Philip, and
thirty-one others. His holy relics, and those of Sts Zoticus, Camisius
and Philip, were found at Niculitsel, Romania in 1971.
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St Camisius
Saint Camisius was beheaded at Noviodunum (modern Isaccea) in the
fourth century along with Sts Zoticus, Atallus, Philip, and thirty-one
others. His holy relics, and those of Sts Zoticus, Atallus and Philip,
were found at Niculitsel, Romania in 1971.
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St Philip
Saint Philip was beheaded at Noviodunum (modern Isaccea) in the fourth
century along with Sts Zoticus, Atallus Camisius, and thirty-one
others. His holy relics, and those of Sts Zoticus, Atallus, and
Camisius, were found at Niculitsel, Romania in 1971.
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Martyr Eutychius of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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Martyr Quirinus of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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Martyr Julia of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Saturninus of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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Martyr Ninita of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Fortunio of Niculitsel
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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25 Martyrs of Niculitsel with Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia,
Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio
The Syrian Martyrologion and St Jerome's Martyrologion give June 4 as
the date of the martyrs' execution. The Synaxaria list these six
martyrs: Eutychius, Quirinus, Julia, Saturninus, Ninita, Fortunio and
twenty-five others who were beheaded with the martyrs Zoticus,
Atallus, Camisius, and Philip.
The relics of these holy martyrs were moved to the Cocosh Monastery in
1971, where they are venerated by the faithful.
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New Martyr Archbishop Andronicus of Perm
The holy New Martyr Archbishop Andronicus of Perm was an outspoken
critic of the Communist decree which ordered the separation of Church
and State. Upon reading the Moscow Overland Assembly's instructions on
the matter, Archbishop Andronicus ordered his archdeacon to
anathematize the Communists. The Archbishop was arrested, shot by two
members of the Perm CHEKA, then buried on the road from Perm to
Motoviliha.
Bishop Theophanes, an assistant to Archbishop Andronicus, was also
arrested about this time. He was then drowned in the River Kama. When
they learned of the execution of the Perm bishops, the Moscow Church
Assembly sent a special commission, headed by Bishop Basil of
Chernigov, to investigate their murder. The Communists, however, took
steps to conceal the facts from the investigators.
As the members of the commission were on their way back to Moscow,
their train was attacked by Red soldiers somewhere between Perm and
Viatka. Bishop Basil and the others were killed, and their bodies were
thrown from the coach. The bodies were buried by peasants, but were
later dug up and burned by the Communists when pilgrims began flocking
to the graves.
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Hieromartyr Joanicus, Metropolitan of Montenegro and the
Coast
No information available at this time.
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Hieromartyr Sava, Bishop of Upper Karlovac
No information available at this time.
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