[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Nov 20 05:00:17 CST 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Nov 20 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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1 Timothy 1:8-14
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but
for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners,
for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of
mothers, for manslayers,
10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for
perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was
committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent
man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and
love which are in Christ Jesus.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2:8-15  (Wednesday)
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the
prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage
the good warfare,
19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected,
concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that
they may learn not to blaspheme.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and doubting;
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold
or pearls or costly clothing,
10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good
works.
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a
man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into
transgression.
15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in
faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Luke 17:26-37
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days
of the Son of Man:
27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came
and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank,
they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and
brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
31 In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the
house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one
who is in the field, let him not turn back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his
life will preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one
will be taken and the other will be left.
35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the
other left.
36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other
left.
37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to
them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered
together."
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Luke 18:15-17, 26-30  (Wednesday)
15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but
when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children
come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child will by no means enter it.
26 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"
27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God."
28 Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."
29 So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who
has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the
sake of the kingdom of God,
30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in
the age to come eternal life.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Forefeast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy
Theotokos
The Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple has
only one day of prefeast. The hymns for today praise St Anna for
bringing her daughter, the living temple of God, to the Temple in
Jerusalem.
The three Old Testament readings at Great Vespers refer to the Temple.
The first lesson (Exodus 40:1-5, 9-10, 16, 34-35) refers to the
arrangement of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation (a
portable sanctuary which was carried by the Israelites in their
wanderings). The second lesson (III Kings/I Kings 7:51; 8:1, 3-7,
9-11) describes the dedication of Solomon's Temple. The third lesson
(Ezekiel 43:27-44:4) speaks of the gate of the sanctuary which faces
east. God enters through this gate, which is shut so that no one else
can enter by it.
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Venerable Gregory Decapolite
Saint Gregory the Decapolite was born in the Isaurian city of
Decapolis (ten cities) in the eighth century. From his childhood he
loved the temple of God and church services. He read the Holy
Scripture constantly and with reverence.
In order to avoid the marriage which his parents had intended for him,
he secretly left home. He spent all his life wandering: he was in
Constantinople, Rome, Corinth, and he lived as an ascetic on Olympus
for a while. St Gregory preached the Word of God everywhere,
denouncing the Iconoclast heresy, strengthening the faith and
fortitude of the Orthodox, whom the heretics in those times oppressed,
tortured and imprisoned.
Through his ascetic effort and prayer, St Gregory attained the gifts
of prophecy and wonderworking. After overcoming the passions and
reaching the height of virtue, he was permitted to hear angelic
singing in praise of the Holy Trinity. St Gregory left the monastery
of St Menas near Thessalonica, where he had labored for a long time,
and he went again to Constantinople in order to combat the Iconoclast
heresy. At the capital, a grievous illness undermined his strength,
and he departed to the Lord in the year 816.
St Gregory was buried at a monastery in Constantinople, and many
miracles took place at his tomb. As a result, the monks removed the
holy relics of St Gregory and enshrined them in the church where
people could venerate them.
When Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, the relics of St
Gregory were carried to the region of the Danube by a Turkish
official. In 1498 Barbu Craiovescu, the Ban of the Romanian Land
(Wallachia) heard of the miracles performed by the holy relics and
bought them for a considerable sum of money. Barbu Craiovescu placed
the relics in the main church of Bistritsa Monastery which he founded
in Rimnicu Vilcea, where they remain to the present day.
A small book describing the miracles and healings performed by St
Gregory the Decapolite in Romania has been written by Abbess Olga
Gologan, who reposed in 1972.
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St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople
Saint Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople, from his early years
devoted all his time to prayer and the study of Holy Scripture. The
Lord granted him the great good fortune to be a disciple of St John
Chrysostom (November 13), who at first ordained him as a deacon, and
then to the holy priesthood. He witnessed the appearance of the
Apostle Paul to St John Chrysostom. St Proclus received from his
teacher a profound understanding of Holy Scripture, and learned to
elucidate his thoughts in a polished form.
After the exile and death of St John Chrysostom, the holy Patriarch of
Constantinople Sisinius (426-427) consecrated St Proclus as bishop of
the city of Kyzikos, but under the influence of Nestorian heretics he
was expelled by his flock there.
St Proclus then returned to the capital and preached the Word of God
in the churches of Constantinople, strengthening listeners in the
Orthodox Faith and denouncing the impiety of the heretics. He once
preached a sermon before Nestorius in which he fearlessly defended the
title "Theotokos" in speaking of the holy Virgin. Upon the death of
the Patriarch St Sisinius, St Proclus was chosen to take his place.
Having thus been made Patriarch of Constantinople, he guided the
Church over the course of twelve years (434-447). By the efforts of St
Proclus, the relics of St John Chrysostom were transferred from Comana
to Constantinople in the time of the holy emperor St Theodosius II
(408-450).
When St Proclus was Patriarch, the Empire suffered destructive
earthquakes, lasting for several months. At Bithynia, in the
Hellespont, and in Phrygia cities were devastated, rivers disappeared
from the face of the earth, and terrible flooding occurred in
previously dry places. The people of Constantinople came out of the
city with the patriarch and emperor at their head and offered prayers
for an end to the unprecedented calamities.
During one prayer service, a boy from the crowd was snatched up into
the air by an unseen force and carried up to such a height that he was
no longer to be seen by human eyes. Then, whole and unharmed, the
child was lowered to the ground and he reported that he heard and he
saw the angels glorifying God singing: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy
Immortal." All the people began to sing this Trisagion Prayer, adding
to it the refrain, "Have mercy on us!" Then the earthquakes stopped.
The Orthodox Church sings still this prayer at divine services to this
very day.
The Constantinople flock esteemed their Patriarch for his ascetic
life, for his concern about the downtrodden, and for his preaching.
Many works of the saint have survived to the present day. Best known
are his discourses against the Nestorians, two tracts of the saint in
praise of the Mother of God, and four tracts on the Nativity of
Christ, setting forth the Orthodox teaching about the Incarnation of
the Son of God. The activity of the holy patriarch in establishing
decorum in all the church affairs gained him universal esteem.
Surrounded by love and respect, St Proclus departed to the Lord after
serving as Patriarch for twenty years.
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Venerable Diodorus the Abbot of Yuregorsk
Saint Diodorus of Yuregorsk was born in the village of Turchasovo at
the River Onega. His parents, Jerothei and Maria, named their son
Diomid. As a fifteen-year-old youth he went on pilgrimage to the
Solovki monastery, and then remained there as a novice. There he
received monastic tonsure when he was nineteen under the igumen
Anthony.
He lived with the hermits on desolate islands, and then he settled at
Lake Vodla. He spent seven years there with his disciple Prochorus.
Resolving to found a monastery in honor of the Most Holy Trinity on
Mount Yurev, the monk went to Moscow, where he received approval from
Tsar Michael (1613-1645) and also money for the building of the
monastery from the Tsar's mother, the nun and Eldress Martha.
Somewhat before his death, St Diodorus was obliged to journey to
Kargopol on monastery matters. Taking leave of the brethren, he
predicted his impending death. He died on November 27, 1633 and was
buried at Kargopol. After two years his incorrupt body was transferred
to the Trinity monastery and buried at the south wall of the cathedral
church.
The memory of St Diodorus is celebrated on November 20 because of the
Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Of the Sign," with which his
repose coincides.
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Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum
The Holy Martyr Dasius lived during the third century in the city of
Dorostolum on the Danube River. The inhabitants of the city were
preparing for a festival in honor of the pagan god Saturn. By custom,
thirty days before the celebration they selected a handsome youth,
dressed him in fine clothing, accorded him royal honors, and he would
go forth in public made up like Saturn. For thirty days, he would
indulge in wicked deeds and immoral pleasures. On the day of the feast
he was brought before the idols and put to the sword as a sacrifice to
Saturn.
The choice of his compatriots fell upon St Dasius, since in the city
there was not a more handsome youth. Learning of this, the saint said,
"If I am fated to die, then it's better to die for Christ as a
Christian." He openly confessed his faith in Christ before his fellow
citizens and refused to take part in the shameful ritual. He denounced
the impiety and error of the idolaters and converted many of them to
Christ. Therefore, on the orders of the emperors Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (305-311), he was beheaded after cruel tortures.
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Martyr Eustathius of Nicea
The Holy Martyrs Eustathius, Thespesius and Anatolius, natives of the
city of Gangra, were the children of a rich merchant. They were
baptized by Bishop Anthimus of Nicomedia (September 3). They died as
martyrs at Nicea, after suffering fierce tortures.
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Martyr Thespesius of Nicea
The Holy Martyrs Eustathius, Thespesius and Anatolius, natives of the
city of Gangra, were the children of a rich merchant. They were
baptized by Bishop Anthimus of Nicomedia (September 3). They died as
martyrs at Nicea, after suffering fierce tortures.
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Martyr Anatolius of Nicea
The Holy Martyrs Eustathius, Thespesius and Anatolius, natives of the
city of Gangra, were the children of a rich merchant. They were
baptized by Bishop Anthimus of Nicomedia (September 3). They died as
martyrs at Nicea, after suffering fierce tortures.
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Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia
Saint Nerses the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with his
disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the
Martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Nerses and his disciple Joseph were beheaded.
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Hieromartyr Joseph of Persia
Saint Joseph the bishop was a disciple of St Nerses. They suffered for
Christ in Persia with Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the
martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
Sts Joseph and Nerses were beheaded.
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Hieromartyr John of Persia
Saint John the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with Bishop Nerses
and his disciple Joseph; the bishops Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the
martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St John was put to death by stoning.
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Hieromartyr Saverius of Persia
Saint Saverius the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses
and his disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Isaac and Hypatius; the martyrs
Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and
women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Nerses and his disciple Joseph were beheaded; St John was stoned.
This fate befell also Sts Isaac and Hypatius. St Saverius died in
prison, and after death they cut off his head. A certain apostate
presbyter strangled the Martyr Azades the Eunuch. The Martyrs
Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women also underwent
torture, suffering and death for Christ in 343.
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Hieromartyr Isaac of Persia
Saint Isaac suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses and his
disciple Joseph; the bishops John, Saverius, and Hypatius; the martyrs
Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and
women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Isaac was put to death by stoning.
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Hieromartyr Hypatius the Bishop of Persia
Saint Hypatius the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses
and his disciple Joseph; bishops John, Saverius, and Isaac; the
martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Hypatius was put to death by stoning..
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Martyr Azades the Eunuch who suffered in Persia
Saint Azades the Eunuch suffered for Christ in Persia with the
hieromartyrs Bishop Nerses, and his disciple Joseph; Bishops John,
Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the Martyrs Savonius, Thekla, Anna and
many other men and women. They were executed in 343 during a
persecution against Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Azades was strangled by an apostate priest.
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Martyr Savonius and many other men and women who suffered in
Persia
Saint Savonius suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses the bishop
and his disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius;
the Martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Thekla, Anna and many other men and
women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
Sts Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women also underwent
torture, suffering and death.
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Martyr Thekla and many other men and women who suffered in
Persia
Saint Thekla suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses and his
disciple Joseph; the bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the
martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Thekla was one of many men and women who underwent torture,
suffering and death for Christ.
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Martyr Anna and many other men and women who suffered in
Persia
Saint Anna suffered for Christ in Persia with St Nerses the bishop and
his disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the
Martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men
and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against
Christians under the emperor Sapor II.
St Anna and many other men and women also underwent torture, suffering
and death for Christ.
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St Theoctistus the Confessor
No information available at this time.
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