[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Sat Jun 9 05:00:30 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Jun 9 2007

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Romans 3:19-26
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are
under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may
become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His
sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to
all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith,
to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had
passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might
be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Matthew 7:1-8
1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the
measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not
consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from
your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you
in pieces.
7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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St Cyril the Archbishop of Alexandria
Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, a distinguished champion of
Orthodoxy and a great teacher of the Church, came from an illustrious
and pious Christian family. He studied the secular sciences, including
philosophy, but most of all he strove to acquire knowledge of the Holy
Scriptures and the truths of the Christian Faith. In his youth Cyril
entered the monastery of Macarius in the Nitreia hills, where he
stayed for six years. Theophilus (385-412), the Patriarch of
Alexandria, ordained him as a deacon, numbered him among the clergy
and entrusted him to preach.
Upon the death of Patriarch Theophilus, Cyril was unanimously chosen
to the patriarchal throne of the Alexandrian Church. He led the
struggle against the spread of the Novatian heresy in Alexandria,
which taught that any Christian who had fallen away from the Church
during a time of persecution, could not be received back into it.
Cyril, seeing the futility of admonishing the heretics, sought their
expulsion from Alexandria. The Jews appeared a greater danger for the
Church, repeatedly causing riots, accompanied by the brutal killing of
Christians. The saint long contended with them. In order to wipe out
the remnants of paganism, the saint cast out devils from an ancient
pagan temple and built a church on the spot, and the relics of the
Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John were transferred into it. A more
difficult struggle awaited the saint with the emergence of the
Nestorian heresy.
Nestorius, a presbyter of the Antiochian Church, was chosen in 428 to
the see of Constantinople and there he was able to spread his
heretical teaching against the dogma about the uncommingled union of
two natures in the Person of the Lord Jesus ChriNestorius called the
Mother of God not the Theotokos, but rather Christotokos or
"Birth-giver of Christ," implying that she gave birth not to God, but
only to the man ChriThe holy Patriarch Cyril repeatedly wrote to
Nestorius and pointed out his error, but Nestorius continued to
persevere in it. Then the saint sent out epistles against Nestorianism
to the clergy of Constantinople and to the holy emperor Theodosius the
Younger (408-450), denuncing the heresy. Cyril wrote also to other
Churches, to Pope Celestine and to the other Patriarchs, and even to
monks of several monasteries, warning ofthe emergence of a dangerous
heresy.
Nestorius started an open persecution against the Orthodox. In his
presence one of his partisans, Bishop Dorotheus, pronounced an
anathema against anyone who would call the Most Holy Virgin Mary the
Theotokos.
Nestorius hated Cyril and brought out against him every kind of
slander and fabrication, calling him a heretic. The saint continued to
defend Orthodoxy with all his powers. The situation became so
aggravated, that it became necessary to call an Ecumenical Council,
which convened in the city of Ephesus in the year 431. At the Council
200 bishops arrived from all the Christian Churches. Nestorius,
awaiting the arrival of Bishop John of Antioch and other Syrian
bishops, did not agree to the opening of the Council. But the Fathers
of the Council began the sessions with Cyril presiding. Having
examined the teaching of Nestorius, the Council condemned him as a
heretic. Nestorius did not submit to the Council, and Bishop John
opened a "robber council", which decreed Cyril a heretic. The unrest
increased. By order of the emperor, Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria and
Archbishop Memnon of Ephesus were locked in prison, and Nestorius was
deposed.
Soon Sts Cyril and Memnon were freed, and the sessions of the Council
continued. Nestorius, not submitting himself to the determinations of
the Council, was deprived of priestly rank. By order of the emperor he
was sent to the faraway place Sasim in the Libyan wilderness, where he
died in grievous torments. His tongue, having blasphemed the Mother of
God, was overtaken by punishment -- in it there developed worms. Even
Bishop John of Antioch and the remaining Syrian bishops signed the
decrees of the Council of Ephesus.
Cyril guided the Alexandrian Church for 32 years, and towards the end
of his life the flock was cleansed of heretics. Gently and cautiously
Cyril approached anyone, who by their own simpleness and lack of
knowledge, fell into false wisdom. There was a certain Elder, an
ascetic of profound life, who incorrectly considered the Old Testament
Priest Melchizedek to be the Son of God. Cyril prayed for the Lord to
reveal to the Elder the correct way to view the righteous one. After
three days the Elder came to Cyril and said that the Lord had revealed
to him that Melchizedek was a mere man.
Cyril learned to overcome his prejudice against the memory of the
great John Chrysostom (November 13). Theophilus, the Patriarch of
Alexandria, and uncle of Cyril, was an antagonist of John, and
presided in a council in judgment of him. Cyril thus found himself in
a circle antagonistic to John Chrysostom, and involuntarily acquired a
prejudice against him. Isidore of Pelusium (February 4) repeatedly
wrote to Cyril and urged him to include the name of the great Father
of the Church into the diptychs of the saints, but Cyril would not
agree.
Once in a dream he saw a wondrous temple, in which the Mother of God
was surrounded by a host of angels and saints, in whose number was
John Chrysostom. When Cyril wanted to approach the All-Holy Lady and
venerate her, John Chrysostom would not let him. The Theotokos asked
John to forgive Cyril for having sinned against him through ignorance.
Seeing that John hesitated, the Mother of God said, "Forgive him for
my sake, since he has labored much for my honor, and has glorified me
among the people calling me Theotokos." John answered, "By your
intercession, Lady, I do forgive him," and then he embraced Cyril with
love.
Cyril repented that he had maintained anger against the great saint of
God. Having convened all the Egyptian bishops, he celebrated a solemn
feast in honor of John Chrysostom.
Cyril died in the year 444, leaving behind many works. In particular,
the following ought to be mentioned: commentaries On the Gospel of
Luke, On the Gospel of John, On the Epistles of the Apostle Paul to
the Corinthians and to the Hebrews; also an Apologia in Defense of
Christianity against the Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Of
vast significance are his Five Books against Nestorius; a work on the
Most Holy Trinity under the title Thesaurus, written against Arius and
Eunomios. Also two dogmatic compositions on the Most Holy Trinity,
distinguished by a precise exposition of the Orthodox teaching on the
Procession of the Holy Spirit. Cyril wrote Against Anthropomorphism
for several Egyptians, who through ignorance depicted God in human
form. Among Cyril's works are also the Discussions, among which is the
moving and edifying Discourse on the Exodus of the Soul, inserted in
the Slavonic "Following Psalter".
Today we commemorate the repose of this great Father of the Church. He
is also remembered on January 18, the date of his flight from
Alexandria.
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Venerable Cyril the Abbot of White Lake
Saint Cyril, Igumen of White Lake, (in the world Cosmas) was born in
Moscow of pious parents. In his youth he was left an orphan and lived
with his kinsman, the boyar (nobleman) Timothy Vasil'evich
Vel'yaminov, in the surroundings of the court of the Great Prince
Demetrius Donskoy (1363-1389). Secular life bored the youth. At the
request of Stephen of Makhra (July 14), Cosmas was dismissed to the
Simonov monastery, where he took vows under Theodore (November 28)
with the name Cyril.
Cyril fulfilled his monastic obediences under the guidance of the
Elder Michael, who afterwards was Bishop of Smolensk. By night the
Elder read the Psalter, and Cyril bowed making prostrations, but at
the first ringing of the bell he went to Matins.
He asked the Elder permission to partake of food every second or third
day. The experienced Elder did not allow this, but blessed him instead
to eat with the brethren, only not to the extent of satiety. Cyril
carried out his obedience in the bakery: he carried water, chopped
firewood, and distributed bread. When St Sergius of Radonezh came to
the Simonov monastery to see his nephew Theodore, he would seek Cyril
in the bakery and converse with him about spiritual matters before
seeing anyone else.
They transferred Cyril from the bakery to the kitchen. He gazed into
the burning fire and told himself, "Beware, Cyril, lest you fall into
fire eternal". Cyril toiled for nine years in the kitchen and God
granted him such tender emotion, that he was not able to eat the bread
he baked without tears, blessing the Lord.
Fleeing the glory of man, he began to act as a fool-for-Christ. As
punishment for transgressing against propriety, the Superior of the
monastery placed him on bread and water for forty days. Cyril
underwent this punishment with joy. But the saint could not conceal
his spirituality, and the experienced Elders understood him. Against
his will they compelled him to accept ordination to the priesthood.
When he was not serving in church, Cyril occupied himself with heavy
work. When Theodore was made Archbishop of Rostov, the brethren chose
Cyril as archimandrite of the monastery in 1388.
Rich and important people began to visit the monk to hear his
guidance. This disturbed the humble spirit of the saint. Despite the
entreaties of the brethren, he would not remain as abbot, but secluded
himself in his former cell. Even here frequent visitors disturbed him,
and he crossed over to old Simonovo.
St Cyril's soul yearned for solitude, and he asked the Mother of God
to show him a place conducive for salvation. One night he was reading
an Akathist in his cell before the Hodigitria icon of the Mother of
God, and had just reached the eighth Kontakion, "Seeing the strange
Nativity, let us become strangers to the world and transport our minds
to heaven." Then he heard a voice say, "Go to White Lake (Belozersk),
where I have prepared a place for you."
There at the desolate and sparsely populated White Lake, he found the
place which he had seen in the vision. St Cyril and his companion St
Therapon of White Lake and Mozhaisk (May 27), set up a cross and dug a
cell in the ground near Mount Myaura at Siversk Lake.
St Therapon soon went to another place, and St Cyril remained where he
was. However, he was not able to live in his underground cell for even
one year.
Once Cyril, troubled by a strange dream, lay down to sleep under a
pine tree, but just as he closed his eyes, he heard a voice cry, "Run,
Cyril!" Cyril only just managed to jump away as the pine tree came
crashing down. From this pine tree the ascetic made a cross.
Another time Cyril nearly perished from flames and smoke when it
cleared away the forest, but God preserved His saint. A certain
peasant attempted to burn down the cell of the monk, but as much as he
tried, he did not succeed. Then having repented with tears, he
confessed his sin to Cyril, who tonsured him into monasticism.
Two monks Cyril loved, Zebediah and Dionysius, came to him from
Simonov monastery, and then Nathanael, who afterwards was steward of
the monastery. Many began to come to the monk seeking to be tonsured.
The holy Elder perceived that his time of silence was ended. In the
year 1397 he constructed a temple in honor of the Dormition of the
Mother of God.
When the number of brethren had multiplied, the monk gave the
monastery a Rule of cenobitic life, which he sanctified by the example
of his own life. Thus, no one could talk in church, and no one could
leave before the end of services. They also came to venerate the
Gospel according to seniority. At meals they sat each at their own
place, and there was silence. From the trapeza, each went quietly to
his own cell. No one was able to receive either letters or gifts
without having shown them to Cyril, nor did anyone write a letter
without his blessing.
Money was kept in the monastery treasury, and no one had any personal
possessions. They went to the trapeza even to drink water. The cells
were not locked, and nothing was kept in them but icons and books. In
the final years of Cyril's life, the boyar (nobleman) Roman decided to
give the monastery a village and sent the deed. Cyril knew that if the
monastery came to possess a village, then the brethren would become
concerned about the land, settlements would disrupt the monastic
solitude, and so he refused the gift.
The Lord rewarded His saint with the gift of clairvoyance and healing.
A certain Theodore desired to enter the monastery, but the Enemy of
mankind instilled in him such hatred for Cyril that he could not look
at the saint, nor listen to the sound of his voice. He approached
Cyril's cell and, seeing his grey hair, he was not able to say a word
from shame. The saint said to him, "Don't be sad, my brother, for all
are mistaken about me. You alone know the truth and my unworthiness. I
am actually a worthless sinner." Then Cyril blessed Theodore,
promising that he would not be troubled by such thoughts in the
future. From that time Theodore lived at peace in the monastery.
One time there was no wine for Divine Liturgy, and the priest told the
saint about this. Cyril ordered a monk to bring him the empty wine
vessel, which he opened full of wine. During a time of famine Cyril
distributed bread to all the needy and he did not stop, even though
the normal reserves hardly sufficed for the brethren. Despite this,
the more bread was distributed, the more it increased. The monks then
realized that God would provide for their needs, through the prayers
of Cyril.
The saint calmed a storm on the lake which threatened the fishermen.
He predicted that none of the brethren would die until after his
death, despite a plague that would rage. Then many would follow after
him.
The saint served his final Divine Liturgy on the day of PentecoHaving
giving final instructions to the brethren to preserve love among
themselves, Cyril reposed in the ninetieth year of his life on June 9,
1427 on the Feast day of his namesake Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria.
Within a year after the saint's death, more than thirty of the
fifty-three brethren died. The monk often appeared to the survivors in
dreams to offer advice and guidance.
Cyril loved spiritual enlightenment and he instilled this love in his
disciples. In 1635 there were more than two thousand books in the
monastery, including sixteen "of the Wonderworker Cyril." Three
letters of the monk to Russian princes survive down to our time. They
are remarkable specimens of his spiritual instruction and guidance,
love, love of peace and consolation.
The veneration of the holy ascetic began not later than 1447-1448. The
Life of Saint Cyril was commissioned by Metropolitan Theodosius and
Great Prince Basil the Dark. It was written by the Athonite monk
Pachomius the Logothete, who dwelt at the Cyrilov monastery in 1462
and met with many eyewitnesses and disciples of Cyril. He learned the
most from Martinian (January 12), who had lived with the saint from
his youth.
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Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Kushta, Vologda
No information available at this time.
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5 Martyred Nuns beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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Martyr Thekla beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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Martyr Mariamne Beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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Martyr Martha beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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Martyr Mary beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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Martyr Enmatha Beheaded in Persia
The Holy Women Martyrs Thekla, Martha and Mary were beheaded with a
sword during the reign of the Persian emperor Sapor II on June 6, 346.
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St Columba of Iona, the Enlightener of Scotland
No information available at this time.
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St John of Shavtel-Gaenati
The great Georgian hymnographer, philosopher, and orator St. John of
Shavta labored in the 12th and 13th centuries, during the reign of the
holy queen Tamar. Few details of his life have been preserved, but we
know that he received his education at Gelati Academy, where he
studied theology, ancient and Arabic history, philosophy, and
literature. He was later tonsured a monk and labored at Vardzia
Monastery.
When the Georgian army under the command of Queen Tamars husband,
Davit Soslan, entered into battle (The Battle of Basiani (ca. 1203))
with the sultan Rukn al-Din, Queen Tamar journeyed to Odzrkhe
Monastery to pray for help. Catholicos Tevdore of Kartli and many
hierarchs and monastics accompanied her there. Among them, St. John of
Shavta stood out as a wise theologian and philosopher and a brilliant
hymnographer.
During the Liturgy at Odzrkhe Monastery a miracle occurred: endowed by
God with the gift of prophecy, St. Eulogius the Fool for-Christ fell
to his knees, lifted his hands to the heavens and cried out: Glory to
God! Almighty Christ!Do not fear the Persians, but rather depart in
peace, for the mercy of God has descended upon the house of Tamar!
Eulogiuss words were clearly a divine revelation. St. John of Shavta
turned to Queen Tamar, rejoicing, Your Highness! The Almighty has made
known to us our victory in the war from the lips of a fool-for-Christ!
Eulogius confided his secret to St. John: disguised as a fool, he had
been concealing his God-given gift. But now it seemed that the gift
would become apparent to all, so Eulogius quickly disappeared out of
sight to escape the peoples attention.
St. John of Shavta composed his Hymns to the Theotokos of Vardzia in
thanksgiving for Georgias victory in the Battle of Basiani. He is also
recognized as the composer of Abdul-Messiah, (Abdul-Messiah: servant
of Christ.) a famous ode to the holy queen Tamar.
Our Holy Father John of Shavta lived to an advanced age and was
canonized soon after his repose.
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