[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Nov 12 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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2 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is
fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every
one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you
endure,
5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that
you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also
suffer;
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation
those who trouble you,
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be
admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you
was believed.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4


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2 Thessalonians 1:10-2:2  (Tuesday)
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be
admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you
was believed.
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you
worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His
goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and
you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and
our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by
word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had
come.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4


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Luke 14:12-15
12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner
or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives,
nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame,
the blind.
14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you
shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these
things, he said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the
kingdom of God!"
Scripture Reading 3 of 4


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Luke 14:25-35  (Tuesday)
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife
and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he
cannot be My disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My
disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down
first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-
29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish,
all who see it begin to mock him,
30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit
down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet
him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a
delegation and asks conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot
be My disciple.
34 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw
it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Scripture Reading 4 of 4



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria
Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, was born on Cyprus
in the seventh century into the family of the illustrious dignitary
Epiphanius. At the wish of his parents he entered into marriage and
had children. When the wife and the children of the saint died, he
became a monk. He was zealous in fasting and prayer, and had great
love for those around him.
His spiritual exploits won him honor among men, and even the emperor
revered him. When the Patriarchal throne of Alexandria fell vacant,
the emperor Heraclius and all the clergy begged St John to occupy the
Patriarchal throne.
The saint worthily assumed his archpastoral service, concerning
himself with the moral and dogmatic welfare of his flock. As patriarch
he denounced every soul-destroying heresy, and drove out from
Alexandria the Monophysite Phyllonos of Antioch.
He considered his chief task to be charitable and to give help all
those in need. At the beginning of his patriarchal service he ordered
his stewards to compile a list of all the poor and downtrodden in
Alexandria, which turned out to be over seven thousand men. The saint
ordered that all of these unfortunates be provided for each day out of
the church's treasury.
Twice during the week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, he emerged from the
doors of the patriarchal cathedral, and sitting on the church portico,
he received everyone in need. He settled quarrels, helped the wronged,
and distributed alms. Three times a week he visited the sick-houses,
and rendered assistance to the suffering. It was during this period
that the emperor Heraclius led a tremendous army against the Persian
emperor Chosroes II. The Persians ravaged and burned Jerusalem, taking
a multitude of captives. The holy Patriarch John gave a large portion
of the church treasury for their ransom.
The saint never refused suppliants. One day, when the saint was
visiting the sick, he met a beggar and commanded that he be given six
silver coins. The beggar changed his clothes, ran on ahead of the
Patriarch, and again asked for alms. St John gave him six more silver
coins. When, however, the beggar sought charity a third time, and the
servants began to chase the fellow away, the Patriarch ordered that he
be given twelve pieces of silver, saying, "Perhaps he is Christ
putting me to the test." Twice the saint gave money to a merchant that
had suffered shipwreck, and a third time gave him a ship belonging to
the Patriarchate and filled with grain, with which the merchant had a
successful journey and repaid his obligations.
St John the Merciful was known for his gentle attitude towards people.
Once, the saint was compelled to excommunicate two clergymen for a
certain time because of some offense. One of them repented, but the
other fellow became angry with the Patriarch and fell into greater
sins. The saint wanted to summon him and calm him with kind words, but
it slipped his mind. When he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the
saint was suddenly reminded by the words of the Gospel: if you bring
your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift before the altar ... first, be reconciled
with your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Mt. 5:23-24).
The saint came out of the altar, called the offending clergyman to
him, and falling down on his knees before him in front of all the
people he asked forgiveness. The cleric, filled with remorse, repented
of his sin, corrected himself, and afterwards was found worthy to be
ordained to the priesthood.
There was a time when a certain citizen insulted George, the
Patriarch's nephew. George asked the saint to avenge the wrong. The
saint promised to deal with the offender so that all of Alexandria
would marvel at what he had done. This calmed George, and St John
began to instruct him, speaking of the necessity for meekness and
humility. Then he summoned the man who insulted George. When St John
learned that the man lived in a house owned by the church, he declared
that he would excuse him from paying rent for an entire year.
Alexandria indeed was amazed by such a "revenge," and George learned
from his uncle how to forgive offenses and to bear insults for God's
sake.
St John, a strict ascetic and man of prayer, was always mindful of his
soul, and of death. He ordered a coffin for himself, but told the
craftsmen not to finish it. Instead, he would have them come each
feastday and ask if it was time to finish the work.
St John was persuaded to accompany the governor Nicetas on a visit to
the emperor in Constantinople. While on his way to visit the earthly
king, he dreamed of a resplendent man who said to him, "The King of
Kings summons you." He sailed to his native island of Cyprus, and died
at Amanthos, the saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord (616-620).
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Venerable Nilus the Faster of Sinai
Saint Nilus the Faster of Sinai, a native of Constantinople. He lived
during the fifth century and was a disciple of St John Chrysostom.
Having received a fine education, the saint was appointed to the
important post of prefect of the capital while still a young man.
During this period, Nilus was married and had children, but the pomp
of courtly life bothered the couple. St John Chrysostom exerted a
tremendous influence upon their lives and their strivings. The spouses
decided to separate and devote themselves to the monastic life.
The wife and daughter of Nilus went to one of the women's monasteries
in Egypt, and St Nilus and his son Theodulus went to Sinai, where they
settled in a cave dug out by their own hands. For forty years this
cave served as the dwelling of St Nilus. By fasting, prayer and works,
the monk attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. People began
to come to him from every occupation and social rank from the emperor
down to the farmer, and each found counsel and comfort from the saint.
At Sinai, St Nilus wrote many soul-profiting works to guide Christians
on the path of salvation. In one of his letters there is an angry
denunciation of the emperor Arcadius, who had exiled St John
Chrysostom. The ascetic works of the venerable Nilus are widely known:
they are perfectly executed in form, profoundly Orthodox in content,
and are clear and lucid in expression. His Ascetic Discourse is found
in Volume I of the English PHILOKALIA.
St Nilus suffered many misfortunes in the wilderness. Once, Saracens
captured his son Theodulus, whom they intended to offer as a sacrifice
to their pagan gods. Through the prayers of the saint the Lord saved
Theodulus, and his father found him with the Bishop of Emessa, who had
ransomed the young man from the barbarians. This bishop ordained both
of them as presbyters. After ordination they returned to Sinai, where
they lived as ascetics together until the death of St Nilus.
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Blessed John "the Hairy" and Fool-For-Christ at Rostov
Blessed John the Merciful of Rostov (also known as "the Hairy")
struggled at Rostov in the exploit of holy foolishness, enduring much
deprivation and sorrow. He did not have a permanent shelter, and at
times took his rest at the house of his spiritual Father, a priest at
the church of the All-Holy, or with one of the aged widows.
Living in humility, patience and unceasing prayer, he spiritually
nourished many people, among them St Irenarchus, Hermit of Rostov
(January 13). After a long life of pursuing asceticism, he died on
September 3, 1580 and was buried, according to his final wishes,
beside the church of St Blaise beyond the altar.
He had "hair upon his head abundantly," therefore he was called
"Hairy." The title "Merciful" was given to Blessed John because of the
many healings that occurred at his grave, and also in connection with
the memory of the holy Patriarch John the Merciful (November 12),
whose name he shared.
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Prophet Ahijah
The Holy Prophet Ahijah, (cf. 1/3 Kgs 11:29 ff.) was a contemporary of
Solomon, and was born in the city of Shiloh. The prophet predicted to
Jeroboam his kingly rule over the ten Tribes of Israel, which God
would grant him, snatching them away from the hands of Solomon.
Afterwards Ahijah predicted to Jeroboam the perishing of all his line.
All the predictions of the prophet were fulfilled. The Prophet Ahijah
died in old age 960 years before the birth of Christ.
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Venerable Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Mt Athos
Saint Nilus the Myrrh-Gusher of Mt Athos was born in Greece, in a
village named for St Peter, in the Zakoneia diocese. He was raised by
his uncle, the hieromonk Macarius. Having attained the age of
maturity, he received monastic tonsure and was found worthy of
ordination to hierodeacon, and then to hieromonk.
The desire for greater monastic struggles brought uncle and nephew to
Mt Athos, where Macarius and Nilus lived in asceticism at a place
called the Holy Rocks. Upon the repose of St Macarius, the venerable
Nilus, aflame with zeal for even more intense spiritual efforts, found
an isolated place almost inaccessible for any living thing. Upon his
departure to the Lord in 1651, St Nilus was glorified by an abundant
flow of curative myrrh, for which Christians journeyed from the most
distant lands of the East.
St Nilus has left a remarkably accurate prophecy concerning the state
of the Church in the mid-twentieth century, and a description of the
people of that time. Among the inventions he predicted are the
telephone, airplane, and submarine. He also warned that people's minds
would be clouded by carnal passions, "and dishonor and lawlessness
will grow stronger." Men would not be distinguishable from women
because of their "shamelessness of dress and style of hair." St Nilus
lamented that Christian pastors, bishops and priests, would become
vain men, and that the morals and traditions of the Church would
change. Few pious and God-fearing pastors would remain, and many
people would stray from the right path because no one would instruct
them.
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Icon of the Mother of God "the Merciful"
The All-Merciful Kykko Icon of the Mother of God: This icon was
painted, according to Tradition, by the holy Evangelist Luke. It
received its name "Kykkiotisa" from Mount Kykkos, on the island of
Cyprus. Here it was placed in an imperial monastery (so designated
because it was built with donations from the Emperor), in a church
named for it. Before coming to the island of Cyprus, the wonderworking
icon of the Mother of God was brought throughout the region by the
will of God. At first, it was in one the earliest Christian
communities in Egypt, and then it was taken to Constantinople in 980,
where it remained in the time of Emperor Alexius Comnenos (end of the
eleventh to early twelfth century).
During these years it was revealed to the Elder Isaiah through a
miraculous sign, that by his efforts the wonderworking image painted
by the Evangelist Luke would be transferred to Cyprus. The Elder
exerted much effort to fulfill the divine revelation.
When the icon of the Mother of God arrived on the island, many
miracles were performed. The Elder Isaiah was instrumental in building
a church dedicated to the Theotokos, and placing the Kykko Icon in it.
>From ancient times up to the present day, those afflicted by every
sort of infirmity flock to the monastery of the Mother of God the
Merciful, and they receive healing according to their faith. The
Orthodox are not the only ones who believe in the miraculous power of
the holy icon, but those of other faiths also pray before it in
misfortune and illness.
Inexhaustible is the mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, Mediatrix for
all the suffering, and Her icon fittingly bears the name, the
"Merciful." The wonderworking "Kykkiotisa" Icon of the Mother of God
possesses a remarkable peculiarity: from what time period is unknown,
but it is covered by a half shroud from the upper left corner to the
lower right, so that no one is able to see the faces of the Mother of
God and the Divine Infant. The depiction of the Mother of God appears
to be of the Hodigitria ("Directress") type, as is also the Smolensk
Icon of the Mother of God. The head of the Mother of God is adorned
with a crown.
A copy of this icon is particularly venerated at the women's Nikolsk
monastery in the city of Mukachev.
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