[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Thu May 24 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Acts 25:13-19
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to
greet Festus.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before
the king, saying: "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed
me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16 To them I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver
any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to
face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge
against him.'
17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next
day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him
of such things as I supposed,
19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and
about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2


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John 16:23-33
23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to
you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the
time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative
language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I
shall pray the Father for you;
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and
have believed that I came forth from God.
28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I
leave the world and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and
using no figure of speech!
30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that
anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth
from God.
31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be
scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not
alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2



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St David Gareji
Saint David of Gareji was Syrian by birth. The future ascetic became a
disciple of St. John of Zedazeni and journeyed with him to Georgia.
St. David and his spiritual son Lucian settled on a mountain above
Tbilisi, the capital of Kartli.
At that time Kartli was constantly under threat of the Persian
fire-worshippers. St. David would spend entire days in prayer,
beseeching the Lord for forgiveness of the sins of those who dwelt in
the city. When he was finished praying for the day, he would stand on
the mountain and bless the whole city. Once a week Sts. David and
Lucian would go down into the city to preach. A church dedicated to
St. David was later built on the mountain where he labored.
St. Davids authority and popularity alarmed the fire-worshippers, and
they accused him of adultery, in an attempt to discredit him in the
eyes of the people. As a witness they summoned a certain expectant
prostitute, who accused him of being the childs father. Hoping in God,
the holy father touched his staff to the prostitutes womb and ordered
the unborn child to declare the truth. From out of the womb the infant
uttered the name of his true father.
Outraged at this slander, the bystanders savagely stoned the woman to
death. St. David pleaded with them to stop, but he was unable to
placate the furious crowd. Deeply disturbed by these events, St. David
departed the region with his disciple Lucian.
The holy fathers settled in a small cave in the wilderness and began
to spend all their time in prayer. They ate nothing but herbs and the
bark of trees. When the herbs withered from the summer heat, the Lord
sent them deer. Lucian milked them and brought the milk to St. David,
and when the elder made the sign of the Cross over the milk it was
miraculously transformed into cheese.
Shaken by the holy fathers miracle, Lucian told him, Even if my body
rots and wastes away from hunger and thirst, I will not permit myself
to fret over the things of this temporal life.
The fathers kept a strict fast on Wednesdays and Fridaysthey ate
nothing, and even the deer did not come to them on those days.
A frightful serpent inhabited a cave not far from where they lived and
attacked all the animals around it. But at St. Davids command the
serpent deserted that place.
Once local hunters were tracking the fathers deer, and they caught
sight of Lucian milking them as they stood there quietly, as though
they were sheep. The hunters paid great respect to St. David and,
having returned to their homes, reported what they had seen.
Soon the Gareji wilderness filled with people who longed to draw
nearer to Christ. A monastery was founded there, and for centuries it
stood fast as a center and cornerstone of faith and learning in
Georgia.
After some time St. David set off on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He
entrusted Lucian to fulfill his responsibilities at the monastery and
took some of the other brothers with him. When the pilgrims were
approaching the place called the Ridge of Grace, from which the holy
city of Jerusalem becomes visible, St. David fell to his knees and
glorified God with tears. Judging himself unworthy to follow in the
footsteps of Jesus Christ, he was satisfied to gaze upon the city from
afar.
Then he stood at the city gates and prayed fervently while his
companions entered the Holy City and venerated the holy places.
Returning, St. David took with him three stones from the Ridge of
Grace. That night an angel appeared to the patriarch of Jerusalem and
informed him that a certain pious man named David, who was visiting
from afar, had taken with him all the holiness of Jerusalem.
The angel proceeded to tell him that the venerable one had marched
through the city of Nablus, clothed in tatters and bearing on his
shoulders an old sack in which he carried the three holy stones. The
patriarch sent messengers after the stranger with a request that he
return two of the stones and take only one for himself. St. David
returned the two stones, but he declined the patriarchs invitation to
visit him. He took the third stone back with him to the monastery, and
to this day it has been full of the grace of miraculous healing.
After St. David brought the miraculous stone from Jerusalem, the
number of brothers at the monastery doubled. The venerable father
ministered to all of them and encouraged them. He also visited the
cells of the elder hermits to offer his solace. In accordance with his
will, a monastery in the name of St. John the Baptist was founded in
the place called Mravalmta (the Rolling Mountains).
The Lord God informed St. David of his imminent departure to the
Kingdom of Heaven. Then he gathered the fathers of the wilderness and
instructed them for the last time not to fall into confusion, but to
be firm and ceaselessly entreat the Lord for the salvation of their
souls.
He received Holy Communion, lifted up his hands to the Lord, and gave
up his spirit.
St. Davids holy relics have worked many miracles: approaching them,
those blind from birth have received their sight. To this day,
believers have been healed of every spiritual and bodily affliction at
his grave.
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Venerable Lucian, spiritual son of St. David Gareji
Saint David of Gareji was Syrian by birth. The future ascetic became a
disciple of St. John of Zedazeni and journeyed with him to Georgia.
St. David and his spiritual son Lucian settled on a mountain above
Tbilisi, the capital of Kartli.
At that time Kartli was constantly under threat of the Persian
fire-worshippers. St. David would spend entire days in prayer,
beseeching the Lord for forgiveness of the sins of those who dwelt in
the city. When he was finished praying for the day, he would stand on
the mountain and bless the whole city. Once a week Sts. David and
Lucian would go down into the city to preach. A church dedicated to
St. David was later built on the mountain where he labored.
St. Davids authority and popularity alarmed the fire-worshippers, and
they accused him of adultery, in an attempt to discredit him in the
eyes of the people. As a witness they summoned a certain expectant
prostitute, who accused him of being the childs father. Hoping in God,
the holy father touched his staff to the prostitutes womb and ordered
the unborn child to declare the truth. From out of the womb the infant
uttered the name of his true father.
Outraged at this slander, the bystanders savagely stoned the woman to
death. St. David pleaded with them to stop, but he was unable to
placate the furious crowd. Deeply disturbed by these events, St. David
departed the region with his disciple Lucian.
The holy fathers settled in a small cave in the wilderness and began
to spend all their time in prayer. They ate nothing but herbs and the
bark of trees. When the herbs withered from the summer heat, the Lord
sent them deer. Lucian milked them and brought the milk to St. David,
and when the elder made the sign of the Cross over the milk it was
miraculously transformed into cheese.
Shaken by the holy fathers miracle, Lucian told him, Even if my body
rots and wastes away from hunger and thirst, I will not permit myself
to fret over the things of this temporal life.
The fathers kept a strict fast on Wednesdays and Fridaysthey ate
nothing, and even the deer did not come to them on those days.
A frightful serpent inhabited a cave not far from where they lived and
attacked all the animals around it. But at St. Davids command the
serpent deserted that place.
Once local hunters were tracking the fathers deer, and they caught
sight of Lucian milking them as they stood there quietly, as though
they were sheep. The hunters paid great respect to St. David and,
having returned to their homes, reported what they had seen.
Soon the Gareji wilderness filled with people who longed to draw
nearer to Christ. A monastery was founded there, and for centuries it
stood fast as a center and cornerstone of faith and learning in
Georgia.
After some time St. David set off on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He
entrusted Lucian to fulfill his responsibilities at the monastery and
took some of the other brothers with him. When the pilgrims were
approaching the place called the Ridge of Grace, from which the holy
city of Jerusalem becomes visible, St. David fell to his knees and
glorified God with tears. Judging himself unworthy to follow in the
footsteps of Jesus Christ, he was satisfied to gaze upon the city from
afar.
Then he stood at the city gates and prayed fervently while his
companions entered the Holy City and venerated the holy places.
Returning, St. David took with him three stones from the Ridge of
Grace. That night an angel appeared to the patriarch of Jerusalem and
informed him that a certain pious man named David, who was visiting
from afar, had taken with him all the holiness of Jerusalem.
The angel proceeded to tell him that the venerable one had marched
through the city of Nablus, clothed in tatters and bearing on his
shoulders an old sack in which he carried the three holy stones. The
patriarch sent messengers after the stranger with a request that he
return two of the stones and take only one for himself. St. David
returned the two stones, but he declined the patriarchs invitation to
visit him. He took the third stone back with him to the monastery, and
to this day it has been full of the grace of miraculous healing.
After St. David brought the miraculous stone from Jerusalem, the
number of brothers at the monastery doubled. The venerable father
ministered to all of them and encouraged them. He also visited the
cells of the elder hermits to offer his solace. In accordance with his
will, a monastery in the name of St. John the Baptist was founded in
the place called Mravalmta (the Rolling Mountains).
The Lord God informed St. David of his imminent departure to the
Kingdom of Heaven. Then he gathered the fathers of the wilderness and
instructed them for the last time not to fall into confusion, but to
be firm and ceaselessly entreat the Lord for the salvation of their
souls.
He received Holy Communion, lifted up his hands to the Lord, and gave
up his spirit.
St. Davids holy relics have worked many miracles: approaching them,
those blind from birth have received their sight. To this day,
believers have been healed of every spiritual and bodily affliction at
his grave.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Simeon Stylites the Younger of Wonderful Mountain
Saint Simeon the Stylite was born in the year 521 in Antioch, Syria of
pious parents John and Martha. From her youth St Martha (July 4)
prepared herself for a life of virginity and longed for monasticism,
but her parents insisted that she marry John. After ardent prayer in a
church dedicated to St John the Forerunner, the future nun was
directed in a vision to submit to the will of her parents and enter
into marriage.
As a married woman, St Martha strove to please God and her husband in
everything. She often prayed for a baby and promised to dedicate him
to the service of God. St John the Forerunner revealed to Martha that
she would have a son who would serve God. When the infant was born, he
was named Simeon and baptized at two years of age.
When Simeon was six years old, an earthquake occurred in the city of
Antioch, in which his father perished. Simeon was in church at the
time of the earthquake. Leaving the church, he became lost and spent
seven days sheltered by a pious woman. St John the Baptist again
appeared to St Martha, and indicated where to find the lost boy. The
saint's mother found her lost son, and moved to the outskirts of
Antioch after the earthquake. Already during his childhood the Lord
Jesus Christ appeared several times to St Simeon, foretelling his
future exploits and the reward for them.
The six-year-old child Simeon went into the wilderness, where he lived
in complete isolation. During this time a light-bearing angel guarded
and fed him. Finally, he arrived at a monastery, headed by the igumen
Abba John, who lived in asceticism upon a pillar. He accepted the boy
with love.
After a time, St Simeon asked the Elder John to permit him also to
struggle upon a pillar. A new pillar was raised by the brethren of the
monastery with the blessing of the igumen, near his pillar. Having
completed the initiation of the seven-year-old boy into monasticism,
Abba John placed him upon this pillar. The young ascetic, strengthened
by the Lord, quickly grew spiritually, in his efforts surpassing even
his experienced instructor. For his efforts, St Simeon received from
God the gift of healing.
The fame of the young monk's deeds began to spread beyond the bounds
of the monastery. Monks and laypeople began to come to him from
various places, desiring to hear his counsel and receive healing from
their infirmities. The humble ascetic continued to pursue asceticism
with instructions from his spiritual mentor Abba John.
When he was eleven, Simeon decided to pursue asceticism upon a higher
pillar, the top of which was forty feet from the ground. The bishops
of Antioch and Seleukia came to the place of the monk's endeavors, and
ordained him as a deacon. Then they permitted him to ascend the new
pillar, on which St Simeon labored for eight years.
St Simeon prayed ardently for the Holy Spirit to descend upon him, and
the holy prayer of the ascetic was heard. The Holy Spirit came upon
him in the form of a blazing light, filling the ascetic with divine
wisdom. Along with oral instructions, St Simeon wrote letters about
repentance, monasticism, about the Incarnation of Christ, and about
the future Judgment.
After the death of his Elder, St Simeon's life followed a certain
pattern. From the rising of the sun until mid-afternoon he read books
and copied Holy Scripture. The he rose and prayed all night. When the
new day began, he rested somewhat, then began his usual Rule of
prayer.
St Simeon concluded his efforts on the second column, and by God's
dispensation, settled upon the Wonderful Mountain, having become an
experienced Elder to the monks in his monastery. The ascent to
Wonderful Mountain was marked by a vision of the Lord, standing atop a
column. St Simeon continued his efforts at this place where he saw the
Lord, at first upon a stone, and then upon a pillar.
Future events were revealed to St Simeon, and so he foretold the death
of Archbishop Ephraim of Antioch, and the illness of Bishop Domnus,
which overtook him as punishment for his lack of pity. Finally, St
Simeon predicted an earthquake for the city of Antioch and urged all
the inhabitants to repent of their sins.
St Simeon established a monastery on Wonderful Mountain,where the sick
people he healed built a church in gratitude for the mercy shown them.
The saint prayed for a spring of water for the needs of the monastery,
and once during a shortage of grain, the granaries of the monastery
were filled with wheat by his prayers.
In the year 560 the holy ascetic was ordained to the priesthood by
Dionysius, Bishop of Seleukia. At age seventy-five St Simeon was
warned by the Lord of his impending end. He summoned the brethren of
the monastery, instructed them in a farewell talk, and peacefully fell
asleep in the Lord in the year 596, having toiled as a stylite for
sixty-eight years.
After death, the saint worked miracles just as he had when alive. He
healed the blind, the lame and the leprous, saving many from wild
beasts, casting out devils and raising the dead.
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Venerable Nikita the Stylite, Wonderworker of Pereyaslavl,
Zalesski
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Meletius Stratelates who suffered in Galatia
Saint Meletius the General, Stephen, John, Serapion the Egyptian,
Callinicus the Sorcerer, Theodore, Faustus and 1218 soldiers, women
and children with them.
The holy martyr Meletius was a military commander of the Galatia
district of Asia Minor during the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus
Pius (138-161). He was a Christian and he prayed fervently that the
Lord would put an end to the pagan error. Terrified by his prayer, the
devils inhabiting the pagan temples entered into dogs, which
frightened the inhabitants of the district with their howling.
St. Meletius and his soldiers got rid of the mad dogs, and destroyed
the temples. He was arrested and brought to trial before the governor
Maximian. Since he refused to offer sacrifice to idols, St. Meletius
was tortured and he died confessing his faith in Christ. The tribunes
of his regiment, the holy martyrs Stephen and John, were beheaded for
their confession of Christ as true God.
The remaining soldiers of the regiment, also declaring themselves
Christians, were beheaded by the sword, together with their wives and
children. 1218 men perished, although some historians put the number
at 11,000 .
The holy martyrs Theodore and Faustus were burned along with many
others. Among the women and children who suffered are the holy martyrs
Marciana, Susanna, Palladia, and the infants Kyriakos and Christian.
The names of some of the soldiers, and of the twelve tribunes are
known: the holy martyrs Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore,
Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus,
Mercurius and Didymus.
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Martyr Stephen who suffered in Galatia
Saint Stephen suffered martyrdom with St Meletius the General around
218. He was beheaded.
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Martyr John who suffered in Galatia
Saint John suffered martyrdom with St Meletius the General around 218.
He was beheaded.
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1,218 Martyred Soldiers with women and children who suffered
in Galatia
These 1218 martyrs were Christian soldiers of the regiment of St
Meletius the General. They were beheaded by the sword, together with
their wives and children.
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Martyr Serapion the Egyptian who suffered in Galatia
The holy martyr Serapion was born in Egypt. He had come to Galatia and
witnessed the martyrdom of St. Meletius and his comrades. Seeing the
bravery with which those who believed in Christ died for Him, St.
Serapion also believed, for which he was imprisoned. An angel of God
visited St. Serapion in prison and made him a bishop.
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Martyr Callinicus the Magician in Galatia
Saint Callinicus was a former sorcerer who suffered martyrdom with St
Meletius the General around 218.
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Martyr Theodore who suffered in Galatia
Saint Theodore suffered martyrdom with St Meletius the General around
218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Faustus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Faustus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
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Martyr Marciana who suffered in Galatia
Saint Marciana was one of the women who suffered with St Meletius the
General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Susanna who suffered in Galatia
The Holy Martyrs Meletius the General, Stephen, John, Serapion the
Egyptian, Callinicus the Sorcerer, Theodore and Faustus and with them
1218 Soldiers with Women and Children.
The holy martyr Meletius was a military commander of the Galatia
district of Asia Minor during the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus
Pius (138-161). He was a Christian and he prayed fervently that the
Lord would put an end to the pagan error. Terrified by his prayer, the
devils inhabiting the pagan temples entered into dogs, which
frightened the inhabitants of the district with their howling.
St Meletius and his soldiers dispatched the mad dogs, destroyed the
temples and was then arrested and brought to trial before the governor
Maximian. For refusing to offer sacrifice to idols St Meletius was
tortured, and he died confessing his faith in Christ. The tribunes of
his regiment, the holy martyrs Stephen and John, were beheaded for
their confession of Christ as true God.
The remaining soldiers of the regiment, also declaring themselves
Christians, were beheaded by the sword, together with their wives and
children. 1218 men perished, although some historians put the number
at 11,000 .
The holy martyrs Theodore and Faustus were burned along with many
others. Among the women and children who suffered are the holy martyrs
Marciana, Susanna, Palladia, and the infants Cyriacus and Christian.
The names of some of the soldiers, and of the twelve tribunes are
known: the holy martyrs Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore,
Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus,
Mercurius and Didymus.
The holy martyr Serapion was born in Egypt. He had come to the Galatia
district and witnessed the martyrdom of St Meletius and his comrades.
Seeing the bravery with which those believing in Christ died for Him,
St Serapion himself believed, for which he was imprisoned. In prison,
an angel of God came down to him and made St Serapion a bishop.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Palladia who suffered in Galatia
Saint Palladia was one of the women who suffered with St Meletius the
General around 218.
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Childmartyr Cyriacus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Cyriacus was an infant who was martyred with St Meletius the
General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Childmartyr Christian who suffered in Galatia
Saint Christian was an infant who was martyred with St Meletius the
General around 218.
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12 Martyred Tribunes who suffered in Galatia
These twelve tribunes suffered martyrdom with St Meletius the General
around 218. Their names are Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore,
Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus,
Mercurius and Didymus.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Fautus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Faustus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218. He was burned alive.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Festus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Festus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with St
Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Marcellus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Marcellus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodore who suffered in Galatia
Saint Theodore was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218. He was burned alive.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Meletius who suffered in Galatia
Saint Meletius was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sergius who suffered in Galatia
Saint Sergius was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Marcellinus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Marcellinus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom
with St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Felix who suffered in Galatia
Saint Felix was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with St
Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Photinus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Photinus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodoriscus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Theodoriscus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom
with St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Mercurius who suffered in Galatia
Saint Mercurius was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Didymus who suffered in Galatia
Saint Didymus was one of twelve tribunes who suffered martyrdom with
St Meletius the General around 218.
_________________________________________________________________
St Vincent of Lerins
No information on the life of this saint is available at this time.
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