[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

Mon Mar 19 04:00:18 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Mar 19 2007

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Isaiah 37:33-38:6  (6th Hour)
33 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He
shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come
before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.
34 By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall
not come into this city, Says the Lord.
35 For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My
servant Davids sake.
36 Then the angela of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the
Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose
early in the morning, there were the corpsesall dead.
37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned
home, and remained at Nineveh.
38 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch
his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with
the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon
his son reigned in his place.
1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the
prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, Thus says the
Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the
Lord,
3 and said, Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You
in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your
sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go and tell Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your
father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I
will add to your days fifteen years.
6 I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of
Assyria, and I will defend this city.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

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Genesis 13:12-18  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of
the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the
Lord.
14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: Lift
your eyes now and look from the place where you are northward,
southward, eastward, and westward;
15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants
forever.
16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that
if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants
also could be numbered.
17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I
give it to you.
18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth
trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the
Lord.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

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Proverbs 14:27-15:4  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from
the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a kings honor, But in the lack of
people is the downfall of a prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is
impulsive exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the
bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors
Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a
refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is
in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The kings favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against
him who causes shame.
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of
fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil
and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks
the spirit.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

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Martyr Chrysanthus and those with him at Rome
The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria and with them the Martyrs
Claudius the Tribune with his wife Hilaria and their sons Jason and
Maurus, and Diodorus the Presbyter and Marianus the Deacon.
St Chrysanthus came from a pagan family who had moved to Rome from
Alexandria. He received a fine education, and among the books he read
were those in which pagans discussed Christianity. The young man,
however, wanted to read books written by Christians themselves. He
finally managed to find a copy of the New Testament, which enlightened
his rational soul.
Seeking someone to instruct him in the Holy Scriptures, he found the
presbyter Carpophoros hiding from persecution, and received holy
Baptism from him. After this, he began to preach the Gospel.
Chrysanthus' father tried to turn his son from Christianity, and
finally married him to Daria, a priestess of Minerva.
St Chrysanthus managed to convert his wife to Christ, and the young
couple mutually agreed to lead celibate lives. After the death of the
father, they began to live in separate houses. St Chrysanthus
converted several young men to Christ, and many pious women gathered
around St Daria.
The people of Rome complained to the eparch Celerinus that Sts
Chrysanthus and Daria were preaching celibacy and attracting too many
young men and women to monasticism. St Chrysanthus was sent to the
tribune Claudius for torture.
The torments, however, did not shake the bravery of the young martyr,
since the power of God clearly aided him. Struck by this, the tribune
Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted holy Baptism
together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and Maurus, and all
his household and soldiers. When news of this reached the emperor
Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed. The Martyr
Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers were
beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a nearby
cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off for torture. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
The torturers sent St Daria to a brothel, where she was protected by a
lion sent by God. A certain man who tried to defile the saint was
knocked to the ground and pinned down by the lion, but the lion did
not kill him. The martyr preached to them about Christ and set them to
the path of salvation.
They threw St Chrysanthus into a foul-smelling pit, into which all the
filth of the city flowed. But a heavenly light shone on him, and the
pit was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Then the emperor Numerian ordered Sts Chrysanthus and Daria to be
turned over to the executioners. After many cruel tortures, the
martyrs were buried alive in the ground.
In a cave near the place of execution, Christians began to gather to
honor the anniversary of the saints' martyrdom. They celebrated Church
services and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Learning of this, the
pagan authorities sealed the entrance to the cave, and those within
received the crown of martyrdom.
Two of these martyrs are known by name: the Presbyter Diodorus and the
Deacon Marianus.
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Martyr Daria and those with her at Rome
The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria and with them the Martyrs
Claudius the Tribune with his wife Hilaria and their sons Jason and
Maurus, and Diodorus the Presbyter and Marianus the Deacon.
St Chrysanthus came from a pagan family who had moved to Rome from
Alexandria. He received a fine education, and among the books he read
were those in which pagans discussed Christianity. The young man,
however, wanted to read books written by Christians themselves. He
finally managed to find a copy of the New Testament, which enlightened
his rational soul.
Seeking someone to instruct him in the Holy Scriptures, he found the
presbyter Carpophoros hiding from persecution, and received holy
Baptism from him. After this, he began to preach the Gospel.
Chrysanthus' father tried to turn his son from Christianity, and
finally married him to Daria, a priestess of Minerva.
St Chrysanthus managed to convert his wife to Christ, and the young
couple mutually agreed to lead celibate lives. After the death of the
father, they began to live in separate houses. St Chrysanthus
converted several young men to Christ, and many pious women gathered
around St Daria.
The people of Rome complained to the eparch Celerinus that Sts
Chrysanthus and Daria were preaching celibacy and attracting too many
young men and women to monasticism. St Chrysanthus was sent to the
tribune Claudius for torture.
The torments, however, did not shake the bravery of the young martyr,
since the power of God clearly aided him. Struck by this, the tribune
Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted holy Baptism
together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and Maurus, and all
his household and soldiers. When news of this reached the emperor
Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed. The Martyr
Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers were
beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a nearby
cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off for torture. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
The torturers sent St Daria to a brothel, where she was protected by a
lion sent by God. A certain man who tried to defile the saint was
knocked to the ground and pinned down by the lion, but the lion did
not kill him. The martyr preached to them about Christ and set them to
the path of salvation.
They threw St Chrysanthus into a foul-smelling pit, into which all the
filth of the city flowed. But a heavenly light shone on him, and the
pit was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Then the emperor Numerian ordered Sts Chrysanthus and Daria to be
turned over to the executioners. After many cruel tortures, the
martyrs were buried alive in the ground.
In a cave near the place of execution, Christians began to gather to
honor the anniversary of the saints' martyrdom. They celebrated Church
services and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Learning of this, the
pagan authorities sealed the entrance to the cave, and those within
received the crown of martyrdom.
Two of these martyrs are known by name: the Presbyter Diodorus and the
Deacon Marianus.
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Martyr Claudius and those with him at Rome
The Holy Martyrs Claudius the Tribune, his wife Hilaria and their sons
Jason and Maurus, and Diodorus the Presbyter and Marianus the Deacon
suffered with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
The tribune Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted
holy Baptism together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and
Maurus, and all his household and soldiers. When news of this reached
the emperor Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed.
St Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers were
beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a nearby
cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off t be tortured. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
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Martyr Hilaria and those with her at Rome
The Holy Martyrs Hilaria, her husband Claudius the Tribune, and their
sons Jason and Maurus, and Diodorus the Presbyter and Marianus the
Deacon suffered with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
The tribune Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted
holy Baptism together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and
Maurus, and all his household and soldiers. When news of this reached
the emperor Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed.
The Martyr Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers
were beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a
nearby cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off for torture. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
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Martyr Jason
Saints Jason and Maurus were the sons of Sts Claudius and Hilaria, and
suffered martyrdom with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
The tribune Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted
holy Baptism together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and
Maurus, and all his household and soldiers. When news of this reached
the emperor Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed.
The Martyr Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers
were beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a
nearby cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off for torture. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
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Martyr Maurus and those with him at Rome
Saints Maurus and Jason were the sons of Sts Claudius and Hilaria, and
suffered martyrdom with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
The tribune Claudius himself came to believe in Christ and accepted
holy Baptism together with his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and
Maurus, and all his household and soldiers. When news of this reached
the emperor Numerian (283-284), he commanded them all to be executed.
The Martyr Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers
were beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in a
nearby cave, and St Hilaria constantly went there to pray. Once, they
followed her and led her off for torture. The saint asked that they
give her a few moments to pray, and as soon as she finished, she gave
up her soul to God. A servant buried the saint in the cave beside her
sons.
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Martyr Diodorus the Presbyter and those with him at Rome
Saints Diodorus the presbyter and Marianus the deacon suffered
martyrdom with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
In a cave near the place of execution, Christians began to gather to
honor the anniversary of the saints' martyrdom. They celebrated Church
services and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Learning of this, the
pagan authorities sealed the entrance to the cave, and those within
received the crown of martyrdom.
Two of these martyrs are known by name: the Presbyter Diodorus and the
Deacon Marianus.
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Martyr Marianus the Deacon and those with him at Rome
Saints Marianus the deacon and Diodorus the presbyter suffered
martyrdom with Sts Chrysanthus and Daria.
In a cave near the place of execution, Christians began to gather to
honor the anniversary of the saints' martyrdom. They celebrated Church
services and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Learning of this, the
pagan authorities sealed the entrance to the cave, and those within
received the crown of martyrdom.
Two of these martyrs are known by name: the Presbyter Diodorus and the
Deacon Marianus.
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St Innocent of Komel the Disciple of St Nilus of Sora,
Vologda
Saint Innocent of Komel and Vologda was born at Moscow, and was
descended from the Moscow princely family of Okhlyabinin. He became a
monk in the monastery of St Cyril of White Lake (June 9), and was put
under the guidance of St Nilus of Sora (May 7).
Sts Innocent and Nilus wandered through the East visiting Palestine,
Constantinople, and spent several years at the monasteries of Mt.
Athos. Having returned to Rus, the saints did not return to their
original St Cyril of White Lake monastery, but to solitary cells for
monastic seclusion. Out of love for wilderness-life they then withdrew
into the impassable forest at the River Sora, some fifteen versts from
the monastery. Here they set up a cross, dug a well, and built
separate cells, after the manner of the skete monasteries. A church
was built on a marshy spot, and there the hermits led strict lives.
Foreseeing his own demise, St Nilus sent St Innocent to the River
Nurma and predicted to him: "God is sending you there, and yours shall
be a cenobitic monastery; after my death, my wilderness monastery will
remain as it was during my life, with the brothers living separately
each in his own cell." Upon the death of St Nilus, his holy disciple
withdrew into the Vologda hinterland and in 1491 he built a cell at
the River Eda, which flows into the River Nurma. In a short while
disciples began to gather to him. Following the final command of his
teacher, St Innocent did not seek any donations for it. St Innocent
labored for thirty years at building his monastery. He left behind an
instruction for the brethren, based on the works of the holy Fathers,
particularly the writings of St Nilus of Sora. St Innocent bade them
first of all to avoid wrangling and disputes and asked them to
preserve love for Christ and spiritual peace. The saint forbid young
and beardless monks to be accepted and tonsured at his monastery, and
he forbid women to enter the monastery. A monk who left the monastery
lost his right to a cell, and if he returned, then he could occupy it
only with the consent of the igumen and the brethren. The monk asked
that a future church be consecrated in the name of St John the
Forerunner, and Baptizer of the Lord, in commemoration of the Third
Finding of his Venerable Head (25 May), because St John is a patron
for all monks and wilderness dwellers (later, the monastery was called
Transfiguration after its chief temple).
St Innocent died on March 19, 1521. In accordance with his last wish,
he was buried in a corner of the monastery near a marsh. A stone was
placed on his grave inscribed with the year, month and day of his
repose.
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Martyr Pancharius at Nicomedia
The Holy Martyr Pancharius was a friend of the emperor Diocletian. He
abandoned Christianity and became a pagan. His mother and sister sent
him a letter in which they urged the apostate to fear God and the
dread Last Judgment. Having repented, St Pancharius openly confessed
his faith before the emperor, for which he suffered torture at Rome.
Then he was sent to Nicomedia and beheaded in 303.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk the "Sweet-Kissing"
The Smolensk "Tenderness" Icon of the Mother of God manifested itself
in the year 1103 at Smolensk. There is another Smolensk "Tenderness"
Icon from the vicinity of Okopa (down from Smolensk). This icon was in
the encampment of the Russian armies of the military commander Shein,
restraining the Polish besiegers from destroying Smolensk for twenty
months (1611-1613).
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Icon of the Mother of God of Lubyatov
This holy icon, which dates from the fifteenth century, was in the St
Nicholas monastery church in the Pskov region.
There was once a silver plaque with an inscription from 1890 on the
reverse of the icon. It told of how Tsar Ivan the Terrible came to the
monastery of St Nicholas at Lubyatov during Great Lent in 1570. He had
stopped there on his way to punish the people of Pskov, for he
believed that they were about to give their allegiance to the Prince
of Lithuania.
During the morning service, he happened to gaze at the icon of the
Mother of God, and his heart was moved to compunction. "Let the
killing stop," he said. "Put away your swords."
Soldiers of the Polish king Stephen Batory shot at the icon as they
were on their way to attack Pskov in 1581.
Communists confiscated the icon in 1928, and in 1930 it was placed in
the Tretiakov Gallery.
The icon has elements from three other types of icons of the Mother of
God. Essentially, it belongs to the Eleousa type, like the Vladimir
Icon (May 21, June 23, August 26). The gesture of the divine Child
resembles the "Sweet-Kissing" or "Tenderness" Icon of Smolensk (March
19), and the scroll seems to come from the Hodigitria Icon (July 28).
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