[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Tue Jun 5 05:00:29 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Jun 5 2007

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Romans 4:4-12
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as
debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the
ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God
imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins
are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon
the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham
for righteousness.
10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or
uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the
righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised,
that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are
uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them als
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the
circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our
father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Matthew 7:15-21
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from
thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good
fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown
into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre
The Hieromartyr Dorotheus was bishop of the Phoenician city of Tyre,
during the time of the persecution against Christians under the
emperor Diocletian (284-305). Heeding the words of the Gospel
(Mt.10:23), the saint withdrew from Tyre and hid from the persecutors.
He returned to Tyre during the reign of St Constantine the Great
(306-337, May 21), again occupying the bishop's throne he guided his
flock for more than fifty years, and converted many of the pagans to
Christianity. When the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) began
openly to persecute Christians, St Dorotheus was already over 100
years old. He withdrew from Tyre to the Myzean city of Udum (present
day Bulgarian Varna). Delegates of the emperor arrested him there for
his refusal to offer sacrifice to idols. They began to torture the
holy Elder, and under torture he surrendered his soul to the Lord (+
ca. 362) at the age of 107.
Some ascribe to St Dorotheus the compilation of a work, "The
Synopsis", a collection of sayings, and including lives of the holy
prophets and apostles
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Translation of the relics of the Right-believing Igor-George,
Tonsured Gabriel, Grand Prince of Chernigov, and Kiev
The Transfer of Relics of Saint Igor, Great Prince of Kiev The Kievan
Great Prince Igor Ol'govich, in holy Baptism George (September 19), in
the year 1146 suffered defeat and was taken captive by prince
Izyaslav, who imprisoned him in one of the monasteries of Russian or
Southern Pereyaslavl' (now Pereyaslavl'-Khmel'nitsk). Far removed from
the vanities of this world, and grievously ill, he began to repent of
his sins and asked permission to be tonsured a monk. On January 5,
1147 Bishop Euthymius of Pereyaslavl' tonsured him into monasticism
with the name Gabriel. Soon he recovered his health and transferred to
the Kiev Theodorov monastery, where he became a schemamonk with the
name Ignatius, and devoted himself entirely to monastic efforts.
But a storm of fratricidal hatred raged over Kiev. The Chernigov
princes, cousins of Igor, plotted to entice Izyaslav of Kiev into a
joint campaign with the aim of capturing, or even killing him. The
plot was uncovered when the prince was already on the way to
Chernigov. The Kievans were in an uproar in learning of the ruse of
the Chernigovichi, and they stormed into the place where the innocent
St Igor was. St Igor was brutally murdered on September 19, 1147.
The Lord glorified the sufferer with miracles. With the blessing of
Metropolitan Clement Smolyatich, Igumen Ananias of the Theodorov
monastery buried the passion-bearer in the church of the Kiev Simonov
monastery. On June 5, 1150, when the Kiev throne had become occupied
by Yuri Dolgoruky, his confederate and the murdered Igor's brother,
the Chernigov prince Svyatoslav Ol'govich, solemnly transferred the
holy relics of St Igor to Chernigov his native region, where they were
placed into a reliquary in the Savior cathedral church. Then also the
Feastday in memory of the saint was established.
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Blessed Constantine the Metropolitan of Kiev
No information on the life of this saint is available at this time.
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Repose of St Theodore Yaroslavich the older brother of St
Alexander Nevsky in Novgorod
Holy Prince Theodore of Novgorod, the elder brother of St Alexander
Nevsky, was born in the year 1218. His princely service to his native
land began at a very early age. In 1229 both brothers had been left in
Novgorod by their father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich as his
representatives. But not even a year passed before the young princes
had to quit Novgorod. The turbulent Novgorod people in their "veche"
("government council") decided to invite another prince. But in the
very next year, 1230, during a time of famine and epidemic, the
Novgorodians again invited Yaroslav to rule them. On December 30, 1230
he sat as prince in Novgorod for the fourth time, but he remained in
the city for only two weeks, when he installed his sons there and went
off to Pereyaslavl-Zalessk. In 1232 the fourteen-year-old Theodore was
already summoned to serve God not only in prayer, but also by the
sword. He took part in a campaign of the Russian troops against the
pagan Mordovian princes.
In the year 1233 at the wish of his father he was obliged to enter
into marriage with Theodoulia, the daughter of the holy Prince Michael
of Chernigov. When the guests had already gathered at the wedding
feast, the bridegroom suddenly died. After the unexpected death of her
groom, the princess left the world and was tonsured in one of the
Suzdal monasteries, famed in her monastic efforts as St Euphrosyne of
Suzdal (September 25).
St Theodore was buried in the Yuriev monastery in Novgorod. In the
year 1614 the Swedes, having pillaged the monastery, broke open the
tomb of the prince and finding him whole and incorrupt, they mocked
the holy relics, and finally abandoned the body in the churchyard.
Years later, Metropolitan Isidore of Novgorod transferred the relics
to Novgorod's cathedral of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) , placing them
in the chapel of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. There
they remained until 1919, when they were removed by the Bolsheviks.
The service to St Theodore was compiled in the year 1787 by
Metropolitan Gabriel of Petersburg and Novgorod (+ 1801).
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Finding of the relics of the Venerable Bassian the Monk of
Pertomsk, Solovki
Sts Bassian and Jonah were monks of the Solovki Transfiguration
monastery and disciples of Igumen Philip, who later became
Metropolitan of Moscow (January 9).
These holy monks were glorified by the Lord after their death in1561.
Fishermen and sailors came to pray in the chapel, built in 1599 over
their grave by the Trinity-Sergiev monastery Elder Mamant. There in
1623 the hieromonk James founded a monastery, called Pertominsk.
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Finding of the relics of the Venerable Jonah the Monk of
Pertomsk, Solovki
Sts Jonah and Bassian were monks of the Solovki Transfiguration
monastery and disciples of Igumen Philip, who later became
Metropolitan of Moscow (January 9).
These holy monks were glorified by the Lord after their death in1561.
Fishermen and sailors came to pray in the chapel, built in 1599 over
their grave by the Trinity-Sergiev monastery Elder Mamant. There in
1623 the hieromonk James founded a monastery, called Pertominsk.
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Martyr Marcian of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius, Leonidas,
Arius, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Nicander of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Nicander, Marcian, Hyperechius, Apollonius, Leonidas,
Arius, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Hyperechius of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Hyperechius, Marcian, Nicander, Apollonius, Leonidas,
Arius, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Apolonius of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Apollonius, Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Leonidas,
Arius, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Leonidas of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Leonidas, Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius,
Arius, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Arius of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Arius, Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius,
Leonidas, Gorgias, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Gorgias of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Gorgias, Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius,
Leonidas, Arius, Pambo, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Selenia of Egypt
The women martyrs Selenia and Irene were natives of Egypt and suffered
during the reign of Maximian (305-311) along with Sts Marcian,
Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius, Leonidas, Arius, Gorgias, and
Pambo. For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were
subjected to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely
alive into prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their
wounds. The holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Irene of Egypt
The women martyrs Irene and Selenia were natives of Egypt and suffered
during the reign of Maximian (305-311) along with Sts Marcian,
Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius, Leonidas, Arius, Gorgias, and
Pambo. For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were
subjected to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely
alive into prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their
wounds. The holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Martyr Pambo of Egypt
The Holy Martyrs Pambo, Marcian, Nicander, Hyperechius, Apollonius,
Leonidas, Arius, Gorgias, and the women martyrs Selenia and Irene were
natives of Egypt and suffered during the reign of Maximian (305-311).
For their steadfast confession of faith in Christ they were subjected
to a fierce scourging. They then threw the sufferers barely alive into
prison, where an angel appeared to them and healed their wounds. The
holy martyrs died in prison from hunger and thirst.
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Venerable Theodore the Wonderworker and Hermit of the Jordan
Saint Theodore the Wonderworker lived during the sixth century. In his
youth he left the world, embraced monasticism and withdrew into the
Jordanian wilderness. He received from God the gift of wonderworking.
Thus, while journeying on a ship to Constantinople, St Theodore
besought the Lord that water drawn from the sea be made fresh to
quench the thirst of his companions.
To those thanking him for this the monk said that God had worked such
a miracle out of pity for the intense thirst of mankind, rather than
by his ****
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Venerable Anubius the Confessor and Anchorite of Egypt
Saint Anubius the Ascetic bravely endured tortures during the time of
persecutions against Christians in the fourth century, but he remained
alive and withdrew into the wilderness, where he dwelt until old age.
He founded a small skete, in which he lived with six monks, one of
whom was his brother St Pimen the Great (August 27). Once robbers laid
waste to the skete, and the monks had to hide themselves in the ruins
of a pagan temple, while having given their word not to speak with
each other for a week. In the morning all week long St Anubius threw a
stone at the face of the statue of the pagan god, and in the evening
he said to it, "I have sinned."
At the end of the week the brethren asked Abba Anubius what his
actions signified, and the Elder explained that just as the statue did
not get angry when he struck it, nor get flattered when he asked
forgiveness of it, so the brethren ought to live. Three days before
his end St Anubius was visited by the desert-dwellers Cyrus, Isaiah,
and Paul, who asked the Elder to tell them about his life for the
edification of believers. The saint replied, "I do not recall that I
did anything great or glorious." However, swayed by the entreaties of
his questioners, in deep humility he related to them that during the
time of persecutions he confessed the Name of Christ under torture,
after this he had never defiled his lips with a lie, since after he
had confessed Truth, he did not want to utter falsehood.
Three days later, St Anubius reposed in spiritual joy. The
aforementioned Fathers said that they heard the singing of angels who
came to receive his soul.
His heart was ever filled with a thirst for communion with the Lord,
and he had often seen angels and the holy saints of God standing
before the Lord. He also beheld Satan and his angels committed to the
eternal flames. He is mentioned in the LAUSIAC HISTORYof Palladius,
and his sayings can be found in the Paradise of the Fathers and in the
Evergetinos.
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Venerable Abba Dorotheus of Palestine
The Holy Abba Dorotheus was a disciple of St John the Prophet in the
Palestinian monastery of Abba Seridus in the sixth century.
In his youth he had zealously studied secular science. "When I sought
worldly knowledge," wrote the abba, "it was very difficult at first.
When I would come to take a book, I was like a man about to touch a
wild beast. When I forced myself to study, then God helped me, and
diligence became such a habit that I did not know what I ate, what I
drank, whether I had slept, nor whether I was warm or not. I was
oblivious to all this while reading. I could not be dragged away by my
friends for meals, nor would I even talk with them while I was
absorbed in reading. When the philosopher let us go, I went home and
washed, and ate whatever was prepared for me. After Vespers, I lit a
lamp and continued reading until midnight." So absorbed was Abba
Dorotheus in his studies at that time.
He devoted himself to monastic activity with an even greater zeal.
Upon entering the monastery, he says in his tenth Instruction, he
decided that his study of virtue ought to be more fervent than his
occupation with secular science had been.
One of the first obediences of Abba Dorotheus was to greet and to see
to pilgrims arriving at the monastery. It gave him opportunity to
converse with people from various different positions in life, bearing
all sorts of burdens and tribulations, and contending against manifold
temptations. With the means of a certain brother St Dorotheus built an
infirmary, in which also he served. The holy abba himself described
his obedience, "At the time I had only just recovered from a serious
illness. Travellers would arrive in the evening, and I spent the
evening with them. Then camel drivers would come, and I saw to their
needs. It often happened that once I had fallen asleep, other things
arose requiring my attention. Then it would be time for Vigil." St
Dorotheus asked one of the brethren to wake him up for for Vigil, and
another to prevent him from dozing during the service. "Believe me,"
said the holy abba, "I revered and honored them as though my salvation
depended upon them."
For ten years Abba Dorotheus was cell-attendant for St John the
Prophet (Feb. 6). He was happy to serve the Elder in this obedience,
even kissing the door to his cell with the same feeling as another
might bow down before the holy Cross. Distressed that he was not
fulfilling the word of St Paul that one must enter the Kingdom of
Heaven through many tribulations (Acts 14:22), Abba Dorotheus revealed
this thought to the Elder. St John replied, "Do not be sad, and do not
allow this to distress you. You are in obedience to the Fathers, and
this is a fitting delight to the carefree and calm." Besides the
Fathers at the monastery of Abba Seridus, St Dorotheus visited and
listened to the counsels of other great ascetics of his time, among
whom was Abba Zosima.
After the death of St John the Prophet, when Abba Barsanuphius took
upon himself complete silence, St Dorotheus left the monastery of Abba
Seridus and founded another monastery, the monks of which he guided
until his own death.
Abba Dorotheus wrote 21 Discourses, several Letters, and 87 Questions
with written Answers by Sts Barsanuphius the Great and John the
Prophet. In manuscript form are 30 Talks on Asceticism, and written
counsels of Abba Zosima. The works of Abba Dorotheus are imbued with a
deep spiritual wisdom, distinguished by a clear and insightful style,
but with a plain and comprehensible expression. The Discourses deal
with the inner Christian life, gradually rising up in measure of
growth in Christ. The saint resorted often to the advice of the great
hierarchs, Sts Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of
Nyssa. Obedience and humility, the combining of deep love for God with
love for neighbor, are virtues without which spiritual life is
impossible. This thought pervades all the writings of Abba Dorotheus.
In his writings the personal experience of Abba Dorotheus is felt
everywhere. His disciple, St Dositheus (February 19), says of him,
"Towards the brethren laboring with him he responded with modesty,
with humility, and was gracious without arrogance or audacity. He was
good-natured and direct, he would engage in a dispute, but always
preserved the principle of respect, of good will, and that which is
sweeter than honey, oneness of soul, the mother of all virtues."
The Discourses of Abba Dorotheus are preliminary books for entering
upon the path of spiritual action. The simple advice, how to proceed
in this or that instance, together with a most subtle analysis of
thoughts and stirrings of soul provide guidance for anyone who
resolves to read the works of Abba Dorotheus. Monks who begin to read
this book, will never part from it throughout their life.
The works of Abba Dorotheus are to be found in every monastery library
and are constantly reprinted. In Russia, his soul-profiting
Instruction, together with the Replies of the Monks Barsanuphius the
Great and John the Prophet, were extensively copied, together with The
Ladder of Divine Ascent of St John Climacus and the works of St
Ephraim the Syrian. St Cyril of White Lake (June 9), despite his many
duties as igumen, with his own hand transcribed the Discourses of Abba
Dorotheus, as he did also the Ladder of Divine Ascent.
The Discourses of Abba Dorotheus pertain not only to monks, but this
book should be read by anyone who aspires to fulfill the commands of
Christ.
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St Peter of Korisha
Saint Peter was born in 1211 in the village of Unjimir between the
city of Pech and the Field of Kosovo. As a child, he was meek and
humble, and seldom participated in children's games. At an early age,
he and his younger sister Helena devoted themselves to prayer and
fasting. When he was ten years old, the future saint told his parents
that he wished to serve God by becoming a monk.
St Peter's father died when the boy was fourteen, so he put off his
plans to enter the monastery in order to care for his mother and
sister. At the same time, he increased his ascetical efforts. When St
Peter was sixteen, his beloved mother reposed. Determined to enter a
monastery, he asked his sister whether she intended to be married, for
his conscience would not allow him to abandon her unless he had
provided for her. Helena said that it was her wish to preserve her
virginity and become a nun. She said she would share his life of
prayer and asceticism if only he would take her with him. Peter
rejoiced and replied, "May the Lord's will be done."
They sold their family possessions and distributed the money to the
poor. Traveling to Pec, they reached the Monastery of Sts Peter and
Paul. Peter remained here, while Helena entered a nearby women's
monastery. After several years, both were granted permission to live
in solitude.
Peter built two cells, one for himself and one for his sister, near
the monastery. They spent their time in continual prayer and fasting,
freeing themselves from worldly attachments, subduing the flesh, and
struggled on the path of salvation.
These two spiritual lamps could not remain hidden for very long.
People started coming to them for spiritual counsel and healing. St
Peter and his sister agreed to avoid the snare of vainglory by moving
to a more remote area. They went to Crna Reka (the town of Black
River) on the Ibar River.
St Peter wished to move even farther into the woods for a life of even
greater asceticism, but was reluctant to leave his sister. On the
other hand, he was concerned that she might risk her physical and
spiritual health if she were to come with him, so he decided to slip
away and leave her in order to live alone on a mountain. He did not
get very far before she noticed he was gone. She caught up to him and
they traveled together to a mountain near the town of Prizren. On top
of the mountain was a town called Korisha (modern Kabash), where they
stopped to rest. Helena went to sleep there in the grass. St Peter
wept and made the Sign of the Cross over her, then went off into the
forest. When she awoke and found him gone, she wept and called his
name. Finally, she went down from the mountain and lived in Prizren
for the rest of her life. St Helena is also commemorated on June 5
with her brother, St Peter.
The holy ascetic lived in a cave near Korisha, where he continued his
spiritual struggles in the heat of summer and in the cold of winter.
He withstood the temptations and attacks of the demons which assailed
him. When this happened, he sang Psalms and hymns all night until the
sun came up in the morning. He fervently prayed for God to help and
comfort him in his struggles. The Archangel Michael appeared to him
and drove away the demons, promising St Peter that they would never
enter his cell again. The Archangel warned him to be vigilant and to
persevere, for the Devil wished to destroy him. After advising the
saint to call upon the name of the Lord whenever he was attacked by
the forces of evil, the holy Archangel vanished.
St Peter still endured temptations, but was victorious against all of
them. Realizing his own weakness, he turned to Christ, Who
strengthened him and sustained him. After these victories, the Lord
consoled him with a vision of the Uncreated Light which lasted several
days. From that time forward, St Peter was illumined by the grace of
God, so no demon ever dared to approach him again.
Before St Peter's death, many monks were sent to him by God, and he
guided all of them. He blessed them and tonsured them, and permitted
them to live in the caves below his cave. Forseeing the approach of
death, he dug out a tomb for himself in the wall of his cell.
Acceding to the wish of his disciples, he told them the story of his
life. Then he and his disciples received the Life-Giving Mysteries of
Christ. After bidding each brother farewell, he surrendered his soul
to God on June 5, 1275.
On the night of his blessed repose, a heavenly light was seen in his
cave, and the singing of angels was heard by the other monks. In the
morning, St Peter's face shone with radiance, and a sweet fragrance
came from his body. After the saint's burial, many of those who came
to his tomb were healed of their physical and spiritual infirmities.
Seventy years later, King Dushan built a church at Korisha over St
Peter's relics, and dedicated it to the God-bearing ascetic.
The holy relics of St Peter were later transferred to the Black River
monastery, then to the church of the Archangel Michael in the city of
Kalashin.
Many of the icons of St Peter proved to be miracle working. The
inscription reads: "St Peter of Korisha, desert-dweller and
wonder-worker."
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Icon of the Mother of God of Igor
The Igor Icon of the Mother of God.
The holy Passion-Bearer and Great Prince of Kiev Igor Ol'govich
(September 19, 1147), prayed before this icon during the last moments
of his life. It was in the chapel of St John the Theologian in the
Dormition cathedral of the Kiev Caves Lavra. This icon was of old
Greek origin, and had an inscription saying that it belonged to St
Igor.
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