[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Sat Mar 10 05:00:21 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Mar 10 2007

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Hebrews 10:32-38
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated,
you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and
tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were
so treated;
34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted
the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an
enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the
will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not
tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul
has no pleasure in him."
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-17  (Departed)
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those
who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will
bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are
alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede
those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead
in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall
always be with the Lord.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 2:14-17
14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax
office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax
collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples;
for there were many, and they followed Him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax
collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He
eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no
need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call
the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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John 5:24-30  (Departed)
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in
Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear
will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to
have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is
the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are
in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is
righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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3rd Saturday of Great Lent Memorial Saturday
Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the
commemoration of faithful Orthodox Christians departed this life in
the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Since the Divine Liturgy
cannot be served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and
fourth Saturdays of the Fast are appointed as Soul Saturdays when the
departed are remembered at Liturgy.
In addition to the Liturgy, kollyva (wheat or rice cooked with honey
and mixed with raisins, figs, nuts, sesame, etc.) is blessed in church
on these Saturdays. The kollyva reminds us of the Lord's words,
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).The kollyva
symbolizes the future resurrection of all the dead. As St Simeon of
Thessalonica (September 15) says, man is also a seed which is planted
in the ground after death, and will be raised up again by God's power.
St Paul also speaks of this (I Cor. 15:35-49).
It is customary to give alms in memory of the dead in addition to the
prayers we offer for their souls. The angel who spoke to Cornelius
testifies to the efficacy of almsgiving, "Your prayers and your alms
have ascended as a memorial before God" (Acts 10:4).
Memorial services for the dead may be traced back to ancient times.
Chapter 8 of the Apostolic Constitutions recommends memorial services
with Psalms for the dead. It also contains a beautiful prayer for the
departed, asking that their voluntary and involuntary sins be
pardoned, that they be given rest with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and
Apostles in a place where sorrow, suffering, and sighing have fled
away (Isaiah 35:10). St John Chrysostom mentions the service for the
dead in one of his homilies on Philippians, and says that it was
established by the Apostles. St Cyprian of Carthage (Letter 37) also
speaks of our duty to remember the martyrs.
The holy Fathers also testify to the benefit of offering prayers,
memorial services, Liturgies, and alms for the dead (St John
Chrysostom, St Cyril of Jerusalem, St John of Damascus, etc.).
Although both the righteous and those who have not repented and
corrected themselves may receive benefit and consolation from the
Church's prayer, it has not been revealed to what extent the
unrighteous can receive this solace. It is not possible, however, for
the Church's prayer to transfer a soul from a state of evil and
condemnation to a state of holiness and blessedness. St Basil the
Great points out that the time for repentance and forgiveness of sins
is during the present life, while the future life is a time for
righteous judgment and retribution (Moralia 1). St John Chrysostom, St
Gregory the Theologian, and other patristic writers concur with St
Basil's statement.
By praying for others, we bring benefit to them, and also to
ourselves, because "God is not so unjust as to forget your work and
the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints" (Heb.
6:10).
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Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth
The Holy Martyr Quadratus (Codratus) and those with him: During a
persecution against Christians (in the third century) a certain pious
woman named Rufina fled from Corinth to a mountain, to escape from her
pursuers. There she gave birth to a son Quadratus, and died soon
afterward. By the Providence of God the infant remained alive and was
nourished in miraculous manner: a cloud appeared over him, dropping a
sweet dew into his mouth.
The childhood and youth of St Quadratus were spent in the wilderness.
When he was a young man, he chanced upon Christians, who enlightened
him with the light of the true Faith. Quadratus studied grammar, and
later learned the physician's art and attained great success in it.
But most of all, Quadratus loved the wilderness solitude and he spent
the greater part of his time in the hills, in prayer and meditation
upon God. Many years passed, and his friends and followers frequently
came to the saint to hear his instruction. Among them were Cyprian,
Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens and many others.
By order of the impious emperor Decius (249-251), the military prefect
Jason arrived at Corinth to torture and slay Christians. Since
Quadratus was the eldest, he spoke for the rest. The saint bravely
defended his faith in Christ the Savior, then they began the torture.
St Quadratus, despite inhuman suffering, encouraged the others, urging
them not to be afraid and to stand firmly for the Faith.
Unable to persuade any of them to deny Christ, Jason ordered the
martyrs to be thrown to wild beasts to be torn apart. But the beasts
did not touch them. They tied the saints to chariots by their feet and
dragged them through the city, and many of the crowd threw stones at
them. Finally, they condemned the martyrs to beheading by the sword.
At the place of execution the martyrs requested for a certain time to
pray, and then one after the other they bent their necks beneath the
sword.
The remaining disciples of St Quadratus also suffered for Christ:
Dionysius (another one) was stabbed in the night; Victorinus, Victor
and Nicephorus were crushed in a large stone press; Claudius's hands
and feet were cut off; Diodorus was thrown into a fire prepared for
him; Serapion was decapitated; Papias and Leonidas were drowned in the
sea. Imitating the men, many holy women also went voluntarily to
suffer for Christ.
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Martyr Cyprian and those with him at Corinth
Sts Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens and many others were
disciples of St Quadratus.
After many tortures, the holy martyrs were beheaded in the year 258.
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Martyr Dionysius and those with him at Corinth
Sts Dionysius, Cyprian, Anectus, Paul, Crescens and many others were
disciples of St Quadratus and suffered with him.
After many tortures, the holy martyrs were beheaded in the year 258.
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Martyr Anectus and those with him at Corinth
Sts Anectus, Cyprian, Dionysius, Paul, Crescens and many others were
disciples of St Quadratus.
After many tortures, the holy martyrs were beheaded in the year 258.
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Martyr Paul and those with him at Corinth
Sts Paul, Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Crescens and many others were
disciples of St Quadratus.
After many tortures, the holy martyrs were beheaded in the year 258.
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Martyr Crescens and those with him at Corinth
Saint Crescens was one of those who visited to St Quadratus in order
to hear his teaching.
By order of the impious emperor Decius (249-251), the military prefect
Jason arrived at Corinth to torture and slay Christians. Since
Quadratus was the eldest, he spoke for the rest. The saint bravely
defended his faith in Christ the Savior, then the torture began. St
Quadratus, despite inhuman suffering, encouraged the others to stand
firmly for the Faith, and not to be afraid.
Unable to persuade any of them to deny Christ, Jason ordered the
martyrs to be thrown to the wild animals to be torn apart. The beasts
did not touch them, however. They tied the saints to chariots by their
feet and dragged them through the city, and many in the crowd threw
stones at them. Finally, they condemned the martyrs to beheading. At
the place of execution the martyrs requested time to pray, and then
one after the other they bent their necks beneath the sword.
After many tortures, the holy martyrs were beheaded in the year 258.
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Martyr Dionysius (another) and those with him at Corinth
Saint Dionysius (another one) was a disciple of St Quadratus, and was
stabbed during the night.
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Martyr Victorinus and those with him at Corinth
Saint Victorinus was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in the
year 258.
Sts Victorinus, Victor and Nicephorus were crushed in a large stone
press.
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Martyr Victor and those with him at Corinth
Sts Victor, Nicephorus and Victorinus were disciples of St Quadratus,
and were crushed in a large stone press.
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Martyr Nicephorus and those with him at Corinth
Sts Nicephorus, Victorinus and Victor were disciples of St Quadratus,
and were crushed in a large stone press.
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Martyr Claudius and those with him at Corinth
Saint Claudius was a disciple of St Quadratus. His hands and feet were
cut off.
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Martyr Diodorus and those with him at Corinth
Saint Diodorus was a disciple of St Quadratus. He was thrown into a
fire, receiving the crown of martyrdom in 258.
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Martyr Serapion and those with him at Corinth
St Serapion was a disciple of St Quadratus, and was decapitated around
258.
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Martyr Papias and those with him at Corinth
Sts Papias and Leonidas were disciples of St Quadratus. They were
drowned in the sea.
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Martyr Leonidas and those with him at Corinth
Saint Leonidas was a disciple of St Quadratus. He was drowned in the
sea.
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Martyr Chariessa and those with her at Corinth
Saint Chariessa was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in 258.
Many holy women, including StChariessa, went voluntarily to suffer for
Christ.
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Martyr Nunechia and those with her at Corinth
Saint Nunechia was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in the year
258.
Many holy women, including St Nunechia, went voluntarily to suffer for
Christ.
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Martyr Basilissa and those with her at Corinth
Saint Basilissa was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in the
year 258.
Many holy women, including St Basilissa, went voluntarily to suffer
for Christ.
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Martyr Nike and those with her at Corinth
Saint Nike was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in the year
258.
Many holy women, including St Nike, went voluntarily to suffer for
Christ.
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Martyr Galla and those with her at Corinth
Saint Galla was a disciple of St Quadratus. She was one of many holy
women who voluntarily suffered for Christ.
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Martyr Galina and those with her at Corinth
Saint Galina was one of those who suffered with the holy martyr
Quadratus (Codratus) in 258.
Many holy women, including St Galina, went voluntarily to suffer for
Christ.
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Martyr Theodora and those with her at Corinth
Saint Theodora was one of those martyred with St Quadratus in the year
258.
Many holy women, including St Theodora, went voluntarily to suffer for
Christ.
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Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia
The Holy Martyrs Quadratus of Nicomedia, Saturinus, Rufinus and others
suffered during the persecutions of the emperor Decius (249-251) and
his successor Valerian (253-259).
St Quadratus was descended from an illustrious family. Possessing
considerable wealth, the saint did not spare his means in helping
fellow Christians, languishing in prison for the faith.
When the envoy of the impious Decius, the proconsul Perennius, arrived
in Nicomedia, St Quadratus voluntarily appeared before him, in order
to strengthen the courage of the imprisoned brethren by his
self-sacrificing decision. At first Perennius attempted to lure
Quadratus from Christ, promising him rewards and honors. Then, seeing
the futility of his attempts, he cast the saint into prison and gave
orders to lay him down on a bed of nails and to lay a large stone on
him.
Setting out for Nicea, the proconsul commanded that all the imprisoned
Christians be brought after him. In that number was St Quadratus. Upon
arriving in the city, St Quadratus implored that they be led to the
pagan temple. As soon as they untied his hands and feet, he began to
overturn and destroy the idols. By order of the proconsul, they gave
Quadratus over to torture. Enduring terrible torments, the saint held
firm in spirit and by his act encouraged the other martyrs, whose
wounds were seared with burning candles.
During the suffering of the martyrs, suddenly there shone a brilliant
cloud, but the pagans found themselves in total darkness. In the
ensuing silence was heard the singing of angels glorifying God. Many
of those present confessed themselves Christians. Perennius ascribed
the miracle to sorcery, and gave orders to take them to prison.
>From Nicea the martyrs walked behind the proconsul to Apamea, then to
Caesarea, Apollonia and the Hellespont, where they tortured them in
all sorts of ways, hoping to make them deny Christ.
They tied St Quadratus into a sack filled with poisonous serpents, and
threw it into a deep pit. On the following morning, everyone was
astonished to see the martyr whole and unharmed. When they began to
beat him mercilessly, two noblemen, Saturinus and Rufinus, were moved
with pity for the martyr. This was observed, and Saturinus and Rufinus
were beheaded.
Perennius subjected the martyr to even more fierce and refined
tortures, but was not able to break his spirit. The saint lost his
strength and was hardly able to move. For the last time the proconsul
urged the martyr to abjure Christ. Marshalling his strength, the saint
firmly replied, "Since childhood I have acknowledged Christ as the one
and only God, and I know no other."
The proconsul gave orders to light the fire, make the iron grate
red-hot and throw the martyr on it. Having blessed himself with the
Sign of the Cross, St Quadratus laid himself down upon the red-hot
couch as upon a soft bed, emerging unharmed from the flames. In
frustration, the proconsul gave orders to behead St Quadratus.
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Martyr Saturninus and the rest, of Nicomedia
The Holy Martyrs Saturinus, Quadratus of Nicomedia, Rufinus and others
suffered at Nicomedia during the persecutions of the emperor Decius
(249-251) and his successor Valerian (253-259).
Two noblemen, Saturinus and Rufinus witnessed the torture of St
Quadratus, and were moved with pity for the martyr. This was noticed,
and Saturinus and Rufinus were beheaded.
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Martyr Rufinus and the rest of Nicomedia
The Holy Martyrs Rufinus, Quadratus of Nicomedia, Saturinus and others
suffered during the persecutions of the emperor Decius (249-251) and
his successor Valerian (253-259).
Two noblemen, Saturinus and Rufinus witnessed the torture of St
Quadratus, and were moved with pity for the martyr. This was noticed,
and Saturinus and Rufinus were beheaded.
As St Quadratus was being tortured, two noblemen, Saturinus and
Rufinus, felt pity for the martyr. This was noticed, and Saturinus and
Rufinus were beheaded.
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Martyr Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria
Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria lived in Constantinople
and was descended from an aristocratic family. She was an image of
virtue, and she enjoyed the great esteem of the emperor Justinian
(527-565). Widowed at a young age, Anastasia decided to leave the
world and save her soul far from the bustle of the capital. She
secretly left Constantinople and went to Alexandria. She founded a
small monastery not far from the city, and devoted herself entirely to
God.
Several years later, the emperor Justinian was widowed and decided to
search for Anastasia and marry her. As soon as she learned of this, St
Anastasia journeyed to a remote skete to ask Abba Daniel (March 18)
for help.
In order to safeguard Anastasia, the Elder dressed her in a man's
monastic garb and called her the eunuch Anastasius. Having settled her
in one of the very remote caves, the Elder gave her a Rule of prayer
and ordered her never to leave the cave and to receive no one. Only
one monk knew of this place. His obedience was to bring a small
portion of bread and a pitcher of water to the cave once a week,
leaving it at the entrance. The nun Anastasia dwelt in seclusion for
twenty-eight years. Everyone believed that it was the eunuch
Anastasius who lived in the cave.
The Lord revealed to her the day of her death. Having learned of her
approaching death, she wrote several words for Abba Daniel on a
potsherd and placed it at the entrance to the cave. The Elder came
quickly and brought everything necessary for her burial. He found the
holy ascetic still alive, and he confessed and communed her with the
Holy Mysteries. At Abba Daniel's request, St Anastasia blessed him and
the monk accompanying him. With the words: "Lord, into Thy hands I
commend my spirit," the saint died in peace (ca. 567-568).
When the grave was prepared, the Elder gave his disciple his outer
garment and ordered him to dress the deceased "brother" in it. As he
was putting on the rassa, the monk noticed that she was a woman, but
he did not dare to say anything. However, when they returned to the
monastery after they buried the nun, the disciple asked Abba Daniel
whether he knew the "brother" was a woman, and the Elder related to
the young monk the life of St Anastasia. Later, the abba's narrative
was written down and received wide acclaim.
The relics of St Anastasia were transferred to Constantinople in the
year 1200, and put not far from the church of Hagia Sophia.
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St John of Khakhuli the Oqropiri, also called Chrysostom
No information available at this time.
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St. Michael the New Martyr
No information available at this time.
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