[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Mar 20 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Isaiah 40:18-31  (6th Hour)
18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare
to Him?
19 The workman molds an image, The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution Chooses a tree
that will not rot; He seeks for himself a skillful workman To prepare
a carved image that will not totter.
21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you
from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of
the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its
inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like
a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
23 He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth
useless.
24 Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also
blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them
away like stubble.
25 To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal? says
the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the
greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is
missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: My way is hidden from
the Lord, And my just claim is passed over by my God?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the
Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is
weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He
increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall
utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They
shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be
weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3


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Genesis 15:1-15  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision,
saying, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly
great reward.
2 But Abram said, Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go
childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
3 Then Abram said, Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one
born in my house is my heir!
4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, This one shall
not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be
your heir.
5 Then He brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and
count the stars if you are able to number them. And He said to him, So
shall your descendants be.
6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for
righteousness.
7 Then He said to him, I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the
Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.
8 And he said, Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?
9 So He said to him, Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a
three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a
young pigeon.
10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the
middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut
the birds in two.
11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them
away.
12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and
behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.
13 Then He said to Abram: Know certainly that your descendants will be
strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they
will afflict them four hundred years.
14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they
shall come out with great possessions.
15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be
buried at a good old age.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3


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Proverbs 15:7-19  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool
does not do so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the
prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves
him who follows righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates
correction will die.
11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the
hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the
wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the
heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the
mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry
heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure
with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with
hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays
contention.
19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of
the upright is a highway.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of St
Sava
Saints John, Sergius, Patrick and others were slain in the Monastery
of Saint Sava. During the eighth century the area around Jerusalem was
subjected to frequent incursions of the Saracens. The monastery of St
Chariton was devastated and fell into ruin. Twice the Saracens tried
to plunder the Lavra of St Sava the Sanctified, but God's Providence
protected the monastery. The monks would have been able to escape the
barbarians by going to Jerusalem, but they decided not to forsake the
place where they had sought salvation for so many years.
On March 13, the Saracens broke into the monastery and demanded all
the valuables. The monks told them that there was nothing in the
monastery but a meager supply of food and old clothing. Then the
Saracens began to shoot arrows at the monks.
Thirteen men were killed and many wounded, and monastery cells were
set afire. The Saracens intended also to torch the monastery church,
but seeing a throng of people in the distance, they mistook this for
an army sent from Jerusalem. The Saracens managed to get away,
carrying off the little they were able to plunder. After the enemy
fled, Father Thomas, an experienced physician, began to help those who
remained alive.
On Great Thursday, March 20, the Saracens again descended upon the
Lavra with a larger force and began to beat up the monks. The
survivors were driven into the church, where they were tortured in
order to force them to reveal where any treasure might be hidden. The
monastery was surrounded, so no one could save himself by fleeing. The
barbarians seized St John, a young monk, who had cared for vagrants.
They beat him fiercely, then they cut the sinews of his hands and feet
and dragged him over stones by his feet, which tore the skin from the
martyr's back.
The keeper of the church vessels, St Sergius, hid the church vessels
and attempted to flee, but he was captured and beheaded. Several of
the monks nevertheless managed to hide themselves outside the
monastery in a cave, but they were spotted by a sentry on a hill, and
they ordered everyone to come out. Inside the cave St Patrick
whispered to the brethren huddled with him, "Fear not, I will go alone
and meet my death. Meanwhile, sit and pray."
The Saracens asked whether there was anyone else in the cave, and
Patrick said that he was alone. They led him to the Lavra, where the
captives awaited their fate. The Saracens demanded of them a ransom of
4,000 gold pieces and the sacred vessels. The monks were not able to
give such a ransom. Then they led them into the cave of St Sava inside
the monastery walls. They lit a fire on which they piled up dung in
front of the entrance to the cave, hoping to suffocate the monks with
the poisonous fumes. Eighteen men perished in the cave, among whom
were Sts John and Patrick. The Saracens continued to torture those who
were still alive, but got nothing out of them. Finally, they left the
monastery.
Later, on the night of Great Friday, the monks hidden in the hills
returned to the Lavra, they took up the bodies of the murdered Fathers
to the church and buried them there.
The barbarians who plundered the monastery were punished by God. They
were stricken with a sudden illness, and they all perished. Their
bodies were devoured by wild beasts.
The martyrs of St Sava's Lavra commemorated on May 16 suffered in the
seventh century, during the reign of Heraclius (610-641).
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Venerable John, slain at the Monastery of St Sabbas
Saints John, Sergius, Patrick and others were slain in the Monastery
of St Sava. During the eighth century the area around Jerusalem was
subjected to frequent incursions of the Saracens. The monastery of St
Chariton was devastated and fell into ruin. Twice the Saracens tried
to plunder the Lavra of St Sava the Sanctified, but God's Providence
protected the monastery. The monks would have been able to escape the
barbarians by going to Jerusalem, but they decided not to forsake the
place where they had sought salvation for so many years.
On March 13, the Saracens broke into the monastery and demanded all
the valuables. The monks told them that there was nothing in the
monastery but a meager supply of food and old clothing. Then the
Saracens began to shoot arrows at the monks.
Thirteen men were killed and many wounded, and monastery cells were
set afire. The Saracens intended also to torch the monastery church,
but seeing a throng of people in the distance, they mistook this for
an army sent from Jerusalem. The Saracens managed to get away,
carrying off the little they were able to plunder. After the enemy
fled, Father Thomas, an experienced physician, began to help those who
remained alive.
On Great Thursday, March 20, the Saracens again descended upon the
Lavra with a larger force and began to beat up the monks. The
survivors were driven into the church, where they were tortured in
order to force them to reveal where any treasure might be hidden. The
monastery was surrounded, so no one could save himself by fleeing. The
barbarians seized St John, a young monk, who had cared for vagrants.
They beat him fiercely, then they cut the sinews of his hands and feet
and dragged him over stones by his feet, which tore the skin from the
martyr's back.
The keeper of the church vessels, St Sergius, hid the church vessels
and attempted to flee, but he was captured and beheaded. Several of
the monks nevertheless managed to hide themselves outside the
monastery in a cave, but they were spotted by a sentry on a hill, and
they ordered everyone to come out. Inside the cave St Patrick
whispered to the brethren huddled with him, "Fear not, I will go alone
and meet my death. Meanwhile, sit and pray."
The Saracens asked whether there was anyone else in the cave, and
Patrick said that he was alone. They led him to the Lavra, where the
captives awaited their fate. The Saracens demanded of them a ransom of
4,000 gold pieces and the sacred vessels. The monks were not able to
give such a ransom. Then they led them into the cave of St Sava inside
the monastery walls. They lit a fire on which they piled up dung in
front of the entrance to the cave, hoping to suffocate the monks with
the poisonous fumes. Eighteen men perished in the cave, among whom
were Sts John and Patrick. The Saracens continued to torture those who
were still alive, but got nothing out of them. Finally, they left the
monastery.
Later, on the night of Great Friday, the monks hidden in the hills
returned to the Lavra, they took up the bodies of the murdered Fathers
to the church and buried them there.
The barbarians who plundered the monastery were punished by God. They
were stricken with a sudden illness, and they all perished. Their
bodies were devoured by wild beasts.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Sergius, slain at the Monastery of St Sabbas
Saints Sergius, John, Patrick and others were slain in the Monastery
of Saint Sava. During the eighth century the area around Jerusalem was
subjected to frequent incursions of the Saracens. The monastery of St
Chariton was devastated and fell into ruin. Twice the Saracens tried
to plunder the Lavra of St Sava the Sanctified, but God's Providence
protected the monastery. The monks would have been able to escape the
barbarians by going to Jerusalem, but they decided not to forsake the
place where they had sought salvation for so many years.
On March 13, the Saracens broke into the monastery and demanded all
the valuables. The monks told them that there was nothing in the
monastery but a meager supply of food and old clothing. Then the
Saracens began to shoot arrows at the monks.
Thirteen men were killed and many wounded, and monastery cells were
set afire. The Saracens intended also to torch the monastery church,
but seeing a throng of people in the distance, they mistook this for
an army sent from Jerusalem. The Saracens managed to get away,
carrying off the little they were able to plunder. After the enemy
fled, Father Thomas, an experienced physician, began to help those who
remained alive.
On Great Thursday, March 20, the Saracens again descended upon the
Lavra with a larger force and began to beat up the monks. The
survivors were driven into the church, where they were tortured in
order to force them to reveal where any treasure might be hidden. The
monastery was surrounded, so no one could save himself by fleeing. The
barbarians seized St John, a young monk, who had cared for vagrants.
They beat him fiercely, then they cut the sinews of his hands and feet
and dragged him over stones by his feet, which tore the skin from the
martyr's back.
The keeper of the church vessels, St Sergius, hid the church vessels
and attempted to flee, but he was captured and beheaded. Several of
the monks nevertheless managed to hide themselves outside the
monastery in a cave, but they were spotted by a sentry on a hill, and
they ordered everyone to come out. Inside the cave St Patrick
whispered to the brethren huddled with him, "Fear not, I will go alone
and meet my death. Meanwhile, sit and pray."
The Saracens asked whether there was anyone else in the cave, and
Patrick said that he was alone. They led him to the Lavra, where the
captives awaited their fate. The Saracens demanded of them a ransom of
4,000 gold pieces and the sacred vessels. The monks were not able to
give such a ransom. Then they led them into the cave of St Sava inside
the monastery walls. They lit a fire on which they piled up dung in
front of the entrance to the cave, hoping to suffocate the monks with
the poisonous fumes. Eighteen men perished in the cave, among whom
were Sts John and Patrick. The Saracens continued to torture those who
were still alive, but got nothing out of them. Finally, they left the
monastery.
Later, on the night of Great Friday, the monks hidden in the hills
returned to the Lavra, they took up the bodies of the murdered Fathers
to the church and buried them there.
The barbarians who plundered the monastery were punished by God. They
were stricken with a sudden illness, and they all perished. Their
bodies were devoured by wild beasts.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Patrick, slain at the Monastery of St Sabbas
Saints Patrick, John, Sergius, and others slain in the Monastery of
Saint Sava: During the eighth century the area around Jerusalem was
subjected to frequent incursions of the Saracens. The monastery of St
Chariton was devastated and fell into ruin. Twice the Saracens tried
to plunder the Lavra of St Sava the Sanctified, but God's Providence
protected the monastery. The monks would have been able to escape the
barbarians by going to Jerusalem, but they decided not to forsake the
place where they had sought salvation for so many years.
On March 13, the Saracens broke into the monastery and demanded all
the valuables. The monks told them that there was nothing in the
monastery but a meager supply of food and old clothing. Then the
Saracens began to shoot arrows at the monks.
Thirteen men were killed and many wounded, and monastery cells were
set afire. The Saracens intended also to torch the monastery church,
but seeing a throng of people in the distance, they mistook this for
an army sent from Jerusalem. The Saracens managed to get away,
carrying off the little they were able to plunder. After the enemy
fled, Father Thomas, an experienced physician, began to help those who
remained alive.
On Great Thursday, March 20, the Saracens again descended upon the
Lavra with a larger force and began to beat up the monks. The
survivors were driven into the church, where they were tortured in
order to force them to reveal where any treasure might be hidden. The
monastery was surrounded, so no one could save himself by fleeing. The
barbarians seized St John, a young monk, who had cared for vagrants.
They beat him fiercely, then they cut the sinews of his hands and feet
and dragged him over stones by his feet, which tore the skin from the
martyr's back.
The keeper of the church vessels, St Sergius, hid the church vessels
and attempted to flee, but he was captured and beheaded. Several of
the monks nevertheless managed to hide themselves outside the
monastery in a cave, but they were spotted by a sentry on a hill, and
they ordered everyone to come out. Inside the cave St Patrick
whispered to the brethren huddled with him, "Fear not, I will go alone
and meet my death. Meanwhile, sit and pray."
The Saracens asked whether there was anyone else in the cave, and
Patrick said that he was alone. They led him to the Lavra, where the
captives awaited their fate. The Saracens demanded of them a ransom of
4,000 gold pieces and the sacred vessels. The monks were not able to
give such a ransom. Then they led them into the cave of St Sava inside
the monastery walls. They lit a fire on which they piled up dung in
front of the entrance to the cave, hoping to suffocate the monks with
the poisonous fumes. Eighteen men perished in the cave, among whom
were Sts John and Patrick. The Saracens continued to torture those who
were still alive, but got nothing out of them. Finally, they left the
monastery.
Later, on the night of Great Friday, the monks hidden in the hills
returned to the Lavra, they took up the bodies of the murdered Fathers
to the church and buried them there.
The barbarians who plundered the monastery were punished by God. They
were stricken with a sudden illness, and they all perished. Their
bodies were devoured by wild beasts.
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Monkmartyr Euphrosynus of Blue Jay Lake, Novgorod
Saint Euphrosynus of Blue Jay Lake, in the world Ephraim, was born in
Karelia near Lake Ladoga in the second half of the sixteenth century.
In his youth he lived near the Valaamo monastery, and later he moved
to Novgorod the Great. After he spent some time there, the saint then
withdrew to one of the Novgorod outskirts, the Bezhetsk "pentary" [one
fifth of the "Pyatiny Novgorodskiya," comprising five outlying
districts of Novgorod the Great].
He became helper at church services in the village of Doloska, twenty
versts from the city of Ustiuzhna of Zhelezopolska. He was tonsured at
the Tikhvin Dormition monastery. In 1600 he began his wilderness life
in the wild marshlands on the shore of Blue Lake. Here the saint set
up a cross and dug a cave. The saint lived here for two years, eating
only wild vegetation.
Unexpectedly, people from neighboring villages found him, and they
began coming to him for guidance, and several remained to live with
him. In 1612, when Polish military detachments were laying waste to
Russia, many people were saved by hiding at his wilderness monastery.
St Euphrosynus predicted that the Poles would come into this
wilderness, and he advised everyone to flee. Many did not believe him.
"Why then don't you leave this place yourself?" they asked. The Elder
replied, "I have come here to die for Christ." Those who obeyed the
saint and left the monastery were spared, but all those who stayed
died a horrible death.
St Jonah had also been one of the inhabitants of the monastery.
Terrified by the prediction of St Euphrosynus, he wanted to flee with
the others. But St Euphrosynus held him back, inspiring the monk with
zeal for the house of God and a readiness to remain in the monastery
until his death.
"Brother Jonah," said St Euphrosynus, "why this cowardly fear in your
soul? When the battle begins, then courage must be shown. We vowed to
live and die in the wilderness. We must be faithful to our word, given
before the Lord. In such a case, death results in peace. It is another
matter for the laity. They are not bound by their word, and they must
spare themselves for the sake of their children."
After this St Euphrosynus dressed himself in the schema, and spent the
whole night in prayer. On the following day, March 20, Polish forces
fell upon the monastery. Attired as a schemamonk, the saint emerged
from his cell and stood with upraised cross. The enemy said to him,
"Old man, give us the monastery's valuables."
"All my possessions, and those of this monastery, are in the church of
the All-Pure Mother of God," he replied. He was referring to spiritual
treasures which cannot be stolen. Not understanding this, the thugs
rushed to the church, and one of them drew a sword and struck St
Euphrosynus on the neck. His neck was cut half way through, and the
holy Elder fell to the ground dead. When the Poles returned, angered
that they had found nothing in the church, one of them struck the
saint's head with an axe. St Jonah also perished in the attack.
A certain pious Christian, Ioann Suma, had also stayed at the
monastery with the monks. When the Poles burst onto the scene, he was
in the saint's cell. Despite the grievous wounds he received from
these ruffians, Ioann remained alive, but unconscious. After the
departure of the Poles, he regained his senses and told his son
Emilian what had transpired.
The nearby inhabitants learned from them about the destruction of the
monastery and the martyric death of St Euphrosynus. The saint's body
was reverently buried on March 28. On this same day they also buried
St Jonah and all the others who had perished under the sword.
Thirty-four years after the death of the saint, a new church was built
by a certain Moses, and dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. With the
blessing of Metropolitan Macarius of Novgorod, the incorrupt relics of
St Euphrosynus were transferred to a new reliquary beneath the belfry
on March 25, 1655.
St Euphrosynus was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church on June
29, 1912.
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Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons
The Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, her sons
Victor (named Photinus) and Joses; and her sisters Anatola, Phota,
Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriake; Nero's daughter Domnina; and the Martyr
Sebastian: The holy Martyr Photina was the Samaritan Woman, with whom
the Savior conversed at Jacob's Well (John. 4:5-42).
During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive
cruelty against Christians, St Photina lived in Carthage with her
younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest
son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army against barbarians, and
was appointed military commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor).
Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians.
Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to St Victor, "I know that you,
your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I
advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any
Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your
mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let
them practice their faith in secret."
St Victor replied, "I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my
mother and brother." Sebastian said, "O Victor, we all know what woes
await you, your mother and brother." Then Sebastian suddenly felt a
sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber.
For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the
fourth day he declared, "The God of the Christians is the only true
God." St Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind.
Sebastian replied, "Because Christ is calling me." Soon he was
baptized, and immediately regained his sight. St Sebastian's servants,
after witnessing the miracle, were also baptized.
Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be
brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the
confessors and said, "Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who
serve him, will be vanquished." The Lord said to St Victor, "From this
day forward, your name will be Photinus, because through you, many
will be enlightened and will believe in Me." The Lord then told the
Christians to strengthen and encourage St Sebastian to peresevere
until the end.
All these things, and even future events, were revealed to St Photina.
She left Carthage in the company of several Christians and joined the
confessors in Rome.
At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he
asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors
refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash
the martyrs' finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt
no pain, and their hands remained unharmed.
Nero ordered that Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses be blinded and
locked up in prison, and St Photina and her five sisters Anatola,
Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake were sent to the imperial court
under the supervision of Nero's daughter Domnina. St Photina converted
both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a
sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food to kill her.
Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his
servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that
Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had
completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their
preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a
bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked
bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see
whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of
the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the
martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on
the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the
Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon
baptized.
In an impotent rage Nero gave orders to flay the skin from St Photina
and to throw the martyr down a well. Sebastian, Photinus and Joses had
their legs cut off, and they were thrown to dogs, and then had their
skin flayed off. The sisters of St Photina also suffered terrible
torments. Nero gave orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay
their skin. An expert in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest
execution for St Photis: they tied her by the feet to the tops of two
bent-over trees. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and
tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the others beheaded. St
Photina was removed from the well and locked up in prison for twenty
days.
After this Nero had her brought to him and asked if she would now
relent and offer sacrifice to the idols. St Photina spit in the face
of the emperor, and laughing at him, said, "O most impious of the
blind, you profligate and stupid man! Do you think me so deluded that
I would consent to renounce my Lord Christ and instead offer sacrifice
to idols as blind as you?"
Hearing such words, Nero gave orders to again throw the martyr down
the well, where she surrendered her soul to God (+ ca. 66).
On the Greek Calendar, St Photina is commemorated on February 26.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Victor, son of the Samaritan Woman
St Victor was the eldest son of the Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the
Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob's Well (John.
4:5-42).
During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive
cruelty against Christians, St Photina lived in Carthage with her
younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest
son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army against barbarians, and
was appointed military commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor).
Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians.
Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to St Victor, "I know that you,
your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I
advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any
Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your
mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let
them practice their faith in secret."
St Victor replied, "I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my
mother and brother." Sebastian said, "O Victor, we all know what woes
await you, your mother and brother." Then Sebastian suddenly felt a
sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber.
For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the
fourth day he declared, "The God of the Christians is the only true
God." St Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind.
Sebastian replied, "Because Christ is calling me." Soon he was
baptized, and immediately regained his sight. St Sebastian's servants,
after witnessing the miracle, were also baptized.
Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be
brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the
confessors and said, "Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who
serve him, will be vanquished." The Lord said to St Victor, "From this
day forward, your name will be Photinus, because through you, many
will be enlightened and will believe in Me." The Lord then told the
Christians to strengthen and encourage St Sebastian to peresevere
until the end.
At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he
asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors
refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor ordered that the
martyrs' finger joints to be smashed. During the torments, the
confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed.
Nero ordered that Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses be blinded and
locked up in prison. Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison
for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers
reported to him that Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been
blinded, had completely recovered, and that people were visiting them
to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been
transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then had the saints crucified, and beat their naked bodies with
straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see whether the
martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures,
the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from
their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded
servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those
who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized.
In an impotent rage Nero ordered that the legs of Sebastian, Photinus
and Joses be cut off, and they were thrown to dogs. Then they had
their skin flayed off, and their bodies were thrown into an old
bathhouse.
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Martyr Joses, son of the Samaritan Woman
St Joses was the eldest son of the Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the
Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob's Well (John.
4:5-42).
During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive
cruelty against Christians, St Photina lived in Carthage with her
younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there.
St Photina left Carthage with Joses and several Christians, and joined
her son Victor (Photinus) in Rome.
At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he
asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors
refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash
the martyrs' finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt
no pain, and their hands remained unharmed. Then Sts Sebastian,
Photinus and Joses were blinded and locked up in prison.
Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his
servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that
Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had
completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their
preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a
bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then had the saints crucified, and to beat their naked bodies
with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see
whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of
the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the
martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on
the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the
Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon
baptized.
In an impotent rage Nero ordered that the legs of Sebastian, Photinus
and Joses be cut off, and they were thrown to dogs. Then they had
their skin flayed off, and their bodies were thrown into an old
bathhouse.
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Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona,
Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa
(on the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution
against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).
Under interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to
cruel tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with
rods, and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and
torn with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in
a red-hot oven (+ 310).
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Virginmartyr Claudia of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Claudia, Alexandra, Euphrasia, Matrona,
Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa
(on the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution
against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).
Under interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to
cruel tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with
rods, and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and
torn with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in
a red-hot oven (+ 310).
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Virginmartyr Euphrasia of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Euphrasia, Alexandra, Claudia, Matrona,
Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa
(on the coast of the Black Sea) during the persecution against
Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Under
interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to cruel
tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with rods,
and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and torn
with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in a
red-hot oven in 310.
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Virginmartyr Matrona of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Matrona, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia,
Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa
(on the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution
against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).
Under interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to
cruel tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with
rods, and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and
torn with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in
a red-hot oven (+ 310).
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Virginmartyr Juliana of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Juliania, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia,
Matrona, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa (on
the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution against
Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Under
interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to cruel
tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with rods,
and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and torn
with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in a
red-hot oven (+ 310).
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Virginmartyr Euphemia of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Euphemia, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia,
Matrona, Juliania, and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa
(on the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution
against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).
Under interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to
cruel tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with
rods, and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and
torn with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in
a red-hot oven (+ 310).
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Virginmartyr Theodosia of Amisus
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Theodosia, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia,
Matrona, Juliania, and Euphemia were arrested in the city of Amisa (on
the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution against
Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Under
interrogation they confessed their faith and were subjected to cruel
tortures for this. The malefactors scourged and beat them with rods,
and cut off their breasts. After this, they were suspended and torn
with sharp hooks. Finally, the holy virgins were burned alive in a
red-hot oven (+ 310).
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St Nicetas the Confessor the Archbishop of Apollonias in
Bithynia
Saint Nicetas the Confessor, Archbishop of Apollonias in Bithynia, was
noted for his profound knowledge of Holy Scripture, and was a pious
and kindly man. During the reign of the Iconoclast emperor Leo the
Armenian (813-820), the saint championed the veneration of holy icons,
and so was exiled and died in prison.
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Martyr Kyriake of Rome
St Kyriake was the sister of the Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the
Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob's Well (John.
4:5-42).
Summoned to appear before Nero, the emperor asked the saints whether
they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce
the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash the martyrs' finger
joints. During the torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their
hands remained unharmed.
St Photina and her five sisters Anatolia, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and
Kyriake were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of
Nero's daughter Domnina. St Photina converted both Domnina and all her
servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her
poisoned food to kill her.
Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his
servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that
Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had
completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their
preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a
bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked
bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see
whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of
the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the
martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on
the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the
Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon
baptized.
The sisters of St Photina also suffered terrible torments. Nero gave
orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay their skin. An expert
in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest execution for St Photis:
they tied her by the feet to the tops of two bent-over trees. When the
ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and tore the martyr apart. The
emperor ordered the others beheaded, except for St Photina.
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St Cuthbert, wonderworker of Britain
Saint Cuthbert, the wonderworker of Britain, was born in Northumbria
around 634. Very little information has come down to us about
Cuthbert's early life, but there is a remarkable story of him when he
was eight.
As a child, Cuthbert enjoyed games and playing with other children. He
could beat anyone his own age, and even some who were older, at
running, jumping, wrestling, and other exercises. One day he and some
other boys were amusing themselves by standing on their heads with
their feet up in the air. A little boy who was about three years old
chided Cuthbert for his inappropriate behavior. "Be sensible," he
said, "and give up these foolish pranks."
Cuthbert and the others ignored him, but the boy began to weep so
piteously that it was impossible to quiet him. When they asked him
what the matter was, he shouted, "O holy bishop and priest Cuthbert,
these unseemly stunts in order to show off your athletic ability do
not become you or the dignity of your office." Cuthbert immediately
stopped what he was doing and attempted to comfort the boy.
On the way home, he pondered the meaning of those strange words. From
that time forward, Cuthbert became more thoughtful and serious.This
incident reveals St Cuthbert as God's chosen vessel (2 Tim. 2:20-21),
just like Samuel, David, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and others who,
from an early age, were destined to serve the Lord.
On another occasion, he was suffering from an injured knee. It was
quite swollen and the muscles were so contracted that he limped and
could scarcely place his foot on the ground. One day a handsome
stranger of noble bearing, dressed in white, rode up on horseback to
the place where Cuthbert was sitting in the sun beside the house. The
stranger asked courteously if the boy would receive him as a guest.
Cuthbert said that if only he were not hampered by his injuries, he
would not be slow to offer hospitality to his guest.
The man got down from his horse and examined Cuthbert's knee, advising
him to cook up some wheat flour with milk, and to spread the warm
paste on his sore knee. After the stranger had gone, it occurred to
him that the man was really an angel who had been sent by God. A few
days later, he was completely well. From that time forward, as St
Cuthbert revealed in later years to a few trusted friends, he always
received help from angels whenever he prayed to God in desperate
situations.
In his prose Life of St Cuthbert, St Bede of Jarrow (May 27) reminds
skeptics that it is not unknown for an angel to appear on horseback,
citing 2 Maccabees 11:6-10 and 4 Maccabees 4:10.
While the saint was still young, he would tend his master's sheep in
the Lammermuir hills south of Edinburgh near the River Leader. One
night while he was praying, he had a vision of angels taking the soul
of St Aidan (August 31) to heaven in a fiery sphere. Cuthbert awakened
the other shepherds and told them what he had seen. He said that this
must have been the soul of a holy bishop or some other great person. A
few days later they learned that Bishop Aidan of Lindisfarne had
reposed at the very hour that Cuthbert had seen his vision.
As an adult, St Cuthbert decided to give up his life in the world and
advanced to better things. He entered the monastery at Melrose in the
valley of the Tweed, where he was received by the abbot St Boisil
(February 23). St Cuthbert was accepted into the community and devoted
himself to serving God. His fasting and vigils were so extraordinary
that the other monks marveled at him. He often spent entire nights in
prayer, and would not eat anything for days at a time.
Who can describe his angelic life, his purity or his virtue? Much of
this is known only to God, for St Cuthbert labored in secret in order
to avoid the praise of men.
A few years later, St Eata (October 26) chose some monks of Melrose to
live at the new monastery at Ripon. Among them was St Cuthbert. Both
Eata and Cuthbert were expelled from Ripon and sent back to Melrose in
661 because they (and some other monks) refused to follow the Roman
calculation for the date of Pascha. The Celtic Church, which followed
a different, older reckoning, resisted Roman practices for a long
time. However, in 664 the Synod of Whitby determined that the Roman
customs were superior to those of the Celtic Church, and should be
adopted by all. St Bede discusses this question in his HISTORY OF THE
ENGLISH CHURCH AND PEOPLE (Book III, 25).
St Cuthbert was chosen to be abbot of Melrose after the death of St
Boisil, guiding the brethren by his words and by his example. He made
journeys throughout the surrounding area to encourage Christians and
to preach the Gospel to those who had never heard it. Sometimes he
would be away from the monastery for a month at a time, teaching and
preaching. He also worked many miracles, healing the sick and freeing
those who were possessed by demons.
In 664, Cuthbert went with St Eata to Lindisfarne, and extended his
territory to include the inhabitants of Northumberland and Durham.
Soon St Eata appointed Cuthbert as prior of Lindisfarne (Holy Island).
At that time both monasteries were under the jurisdiction of St Eata.
While at Lindisfarne, St Cuthbert continued his habit of visiting the
common people in order to inspire them to seek the Kingdom of Heaven.
Though some of the monks prefered their negligent way of life to the
monastic rule, St Cuthbert gradually brought them around to a better
state of mind. At first he had to endure many arguments and insults,
but eventually he brought them to obedience through his patience and
gentle admonition. He had a great thirst for righteousness, and so he
did not hesitate to correct those who did wrong. However, his
gentleness made him quick to forgive those who repented. When people
confessed to him, he often wept in sympathy with their weakness. He
also showed them how to make up for their sins by doing their penances
himself.
St Cuthbert was a true father to his monks, but his soul longed for
complete solitude, so he went to live on a small island (St Cuthbert's
Isle), a short distance from Lindisfarne. After gaining victory over
the demons through prayer and fasting, the saint decided to move even
farther away from his fellow men. In 676, he retired to Inner Farne,
an even more remote location. St Cuthbert built a small cell which
could not be seen from the mainland. A few yards away, he built a
guest house for visitors from Lindisfarne. Here he remained for nearly
nine years.
A synod at Twyford, with the holy Archbishop Theodore (September 19)
presiding, elected Cuthbert Bishop of Hexham in 684. Letters and
messengers were sent to inform him of the synod's decision, but he
refused to leave his solitude. King Ecgfrith and Bishop Trumwine
(February 10) went to him in person, entreating him in Christ's name
to accept. At last, St Cuthbert came forth and went with them to the
synod. With great reluctance, he submitted to the will of the synod
and accepted the office of bishop. Almost immediately, he exchanged
Sees with St Eata, and became Bishop of Lindisfarne while St Eata went
to Hexham.
Bishop Cuthbert remained as humble as he had been before his
consecration, avoiding finery and dressing in simple clothing. He
fulfilled his office with dignity and graciousness, while continuing
to live as a monk. His virtue and holiness of life only served to
enhance the authority of his position.
His life as Bishop of Lindisfarne was quite similar to what it had
been when he was prior of that monastery. He devoted himself to his
flock, preaching and visiting people throughout his diocese, casting
out demons, and healing all manner of diseases. He served as a bishop
for only two years, however.
Once, St Cuthbert was invited to Carlisle to ordain seven deacons to
the holy priesthood. The holy priest Hereberht was living in solitude
on an island in that vicinity. Hearing that his spiritual friend
Cuthbert was staying at Carlisle, he went to see him in order to
discuss spiritual matters with him. St Cuthbert told him that he
should ask him whatever he needed to ask, for they would not see one
another in this life again. When he heard that St Cuthbert would die
soon, Hereberht fell at his feet and wept. By God's dispensation, the
two men would die on the very same day.
Though he was only in his early fifties, St Cuthbert felt the time of
his death was approaching. He laid aside his archpastoral duties,
retiring to the solitude of Inner Farne shortly after the Feast of the
Lord's Nativity in 686 to prepare himself. He was able to receive
visitors from Lindisfarne at first, but gradually he weakened and was
unable to walk down to the landing stage to greet them.
His last illness came upon him on February 27, 687. The pious priest
Herefrith (later the abbot of Lindisfarne) came to visit him that
morning. When he was ready to go back, he asked St Cuthbert for his
blessing to return. The saint replied, "Do as you intend. Get into
your boat and return safely home."
St Cuthbert also gave Father Herefrith instructions for his burial. He
asked to be laid to rest east of the cross that he himself had set up.
He told him where to find a stone coffin hidden under the turf. "Put
my body in it," he said, "and wrap it in the cloth you will find
there." The cloth was a gift from Abbess Verca, but St Cuthbert
thought it was too fine for him to wear. Out of affection for her, he
kept it to be used as his winding sheet.
Father Herefrith wanted to send some of the brethren to look after the
dying bishop, but St Cuthbert would not permit this. "Go now, and come
back at the proper time."
When Herefrith asked when that time might be, St Cuthbert replied,
"When God wishes. He will show you."
Herefrith returned to Lindisfarne and told the brethren to pray for
the ailing Cuthbert. Storms prevented the brethren from returning to
Inner Farne for five days. When they did land there, they found the
saint sitting on the beach by the guest house. He told them he had
come out so that when they arrived to take care of him they would not
have to go to his cell to find him. He had been sitting there for five
days and nights, eating nothing but onions. He also revealed that
during those five days he had been more severely assailed by demons
than ever before.
This time, St Cuthbert consented to have some of the brethren attend
him. One of these was his personal servant, the priest Bede. He asked
particularly for the monk Walhstod to remain with him to help Bede
take care of him. Father Herefrith returned to Lindisfarne and
informed the brethren of Cuthbert's wish to be buried on his island.
Herefrith and the others, however, wanted to bury him in their church
with proper honor. Therefore, Herefrith went back to Cuthbert and
asked for permission to do this. St Cuthbert said that he wanted to be
buried there at the site of his spiritual struggles, and he pointed
out that the peace of the brethren would be disturbed by the number of
pilgrims who would come to Lindisfarne to venerate his tomb.
Herefrith insisted that they would gladly endure the inconvenience out
of love for Cuthbert. Finally, the bishop agreed to be buried in the
church on Lindisfarne so the monks would always have him with them,
and they would also be able to decide which outsiders would be allowed
to visit his tomb.
St Cuthbert grew weaker and weaker, so the monks carried him back into
his cell. No one had ever been inside, so they paused at the door and
asked that at least one of them be permitted to see to his needs.
Cuthbert asked for Wahlstod to come in with him. Now Wahlstod had
suffered from dysentery for a long time. Even though he was sick, he
agreed to care for Cuthbert. As soon as he touched the holy bishop,
his illness left him. Although he was sick and dying, St Cuthbert
healed his servant Wahlstod. Remarkably, the holy man's spiritual
power was not impaired by his bodily weakness. About three o'clock in
the afternoon Wahlstod came out and announced that the bishop wanted
them to come inside.
Father Herefrith asked Cuthbert if he had any final instructions for
the monks. He spoke of peace and harmony, warning them to be on guard
against those who fostered pride and discord. Although he encouraged
them to welcome visitors and offer them hospitality, he also
admonished them to have no dealings with heretics or with those who
lived evil lives. He told them to learn the teachings of the Fathers
and put them into practice, and to adhere to the monastic rule which
he had taught them.
After passing the evening in prayer, St Cuthbert sat up and received
Holy Communion from Father Herefrith. He surrendered his holy soul to
God on March 20, 687at the time appointed for the night office
Eleven years later, St Cuthbert's tomb was opened and his relics were
found to be incorrupt. In the ninth century, the relics were moved to
Norham, then back to Lindisfarne. Because of the threat of Viking
raids, St Cuthbert's body was moved from place to place for seven
years so that it would not be destroyed by the invaders.
St Cuthbert's relics were moved to Chester-le-Street in 995. They were
moved again because of another Viking invasion, and then brought to
Durham for safekeeping. Around 1020 the relics of Sts Bede (May 27),
Aidan (August 31), Boisil (February 23), Aebbe (August 25), Eadberht
(May 6), Aethilwald (February 12), and other saints associated with St
Cuthbert were also brought to Durham.
The tomb was opened again on August 24, 1104, and the incorrupt and
fragrant relics were placed in the newly-completed cathedral. Relics
of the other saints mentioned above were placed in various places
around the church. The head of St Oswald of Northumbria (August 5),
however, was left in St Cuthbert's coffin.
In 1537 three commissioners of King Henry VIII came to plunder the
tomb and desecrate the relics. St Cuthbert's body was still incorrupt,
and was later reburied. The tomb was opened again in 1827. A pile of
bones was found in the outer casket, probably the relics of the
various saints which had been collected seven centuries before, then
replaced after the Protestant commissioners had completed their work.
In the inner casket was a skeleton wrapped in a linen shroud and five
robes. In the vestments a gold and garnet cross was found, probably St
Cuthbert's pectoral cross. Also found were an ivory comb, a portable
wood and silver altar, a stole (epitrachilion), pieces of a carved
wooden coffin, and other items. These may be seen today in the Dean
and Chapter library of Durham Cathedral. The tomb was opened again in
1899, and a scientific examination determined that the bones were
those of a man in his fifties, Cuthbert's age when he died.
Today St Cuthbert's relics (and the head of St Oswald) lie beneath a
simple stone slab on the site of the original medieval shrine in the
Chapel of the Nine Altars, and St Bede's relics rest at the other end
of the cathedral. The relics and the treasures in the Library make
Durham an appropriate place for pilgrims to visit.
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New Martyr Myron of Crete
No information available at this time.
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No information available at this time.
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