[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Thu Oct 4 05:00:13 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Thu Oct 4 2007

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Philippians 1:20-27
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor;
yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart
and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and
continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by
my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that
whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs,
that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel,
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Luke 7:17-30
17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding region.
18 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these
things.
19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus,
saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
20 When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent
us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for
another?' "
21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and
evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you
have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel
preached to them.
23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the
multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness
to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments?
Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in
kings' courts.
26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and
more than a prophet.
27 This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger
before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater
prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of
God is greater than he.
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors
justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for
themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens
The Hieromartyr Hierotheus, the first Bishop of Athens, was a member
of the Athenian Areopagos and was converted to Christ by the Apostle
Paul together with St Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3).
The saint was consecrated by the Apostle Paul to the rank of bishop.
According to Tradition, Bishop Hierotheus was present with St
Dionysius at the funeral of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St Hierotheus died a martyr's death in the first century.
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Uncovering of the relics of St Gurias the First Archbishop of
Kazan
The Uncovering of the relics of Saint Gurias, First Archbishop of
Kazan, and Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver in 1595, occurred at
Kazan in the year 1595. During the construction of a new stone church
in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord at the
Savior-Transfiguration monastery, which had been founded by St
Barsanuphius, graves with the bodies of the holy hierarchs in the
altar-wall were uncovered beneath the former wooden church. The
unusual aspect of incorrupt graves filled St Hermogenes (February 17)
with a pious desire to open the graves before a large crowd of the
people.
St Hermogenes described this event, "We beheld a marvel we had not
hoped for. The coffin of the saint was full of fragrant myrrh, like
pure water, and the relics of St Gurias were above the myrrh, like a
sponge. God gave his venerable and hard-working body incorruption, as
is now seen by all. Decay touched only very little of the upper lip,
his other limbs were whole, and nothing has disappeared. We touched
his burial robe and it held up very firm. Then we opened up the coffin
of St Barsanuphius and we looked upon the relics of St Barsanuphius
which were blessed by God with little corruption. Decay had touched
the feet of the monk, however the bones were not destroyed, and held
up quite well. There was no other sign of corruption in the condition
of the rest of his relics, the same was for the relics of St Gurias.
The burial robe of both saints was strong and like new."
Many sick were healed, having been anointed with the holy myrrh
flowing from the relics of St Gurias.
There is a description of the saints in the Iconographer's Manual
under October 4: "In appearance Gurias is grey and bearded, like Basil
of Caesarea, with a mitre, omophorion, holding a Gospel in his hands,
and dressed in the robes of a hierarch. Barsanuphius is grey and
bearded like Gurias, but his is parted at the end. He wears a mitre,
the robes of a hierarch, an omophorion and carries the Gospel."
The Life St Gurias is found on December 5; and the Life of St
Barsanuphius on April 11.
In the correspondence from a report of the Archbishop of Cheboksarsk
and Chuvash Benjamin (Novitsky), + 14 October 1976, His Holiness
Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow gave a blessing to commemorate the Synaxis
of all the Kazan hierarchs on the first Sunday after October 4th.
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Uncovering of the relics of St Barsanuphius the Bishop of
Tver
The Uncovering of the relics of Saint Gurias, First Archbishop of
Kazan, and Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver in 1595, occurred at
Kazan in the year 1595. During the construction of a new stone church
in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord at the
Savior-Transfiguration monastery, which had been founded by St
Barsanuphius, graves with the bodies of the holy hierarchs in the
altar-wall were uncovered beneath the former wooden church. The
unusual aspect of incorrupt graves filled St Hermogenes (February 17)
with a pious desire to open the graves before a large crowd of the
people.
St Hermogenes described this event, "We beheld a marvel we had not
hoped for. The coffin of the saint was full of fragrant myrrh, like
pure water, and the relics of St Gurias were above the myrrh, like a
sponge. God gave his venerable and hard-working body incorruption, as
is now seen by all. Decay touched only very little of the upper lip,
his other limbs were whole, and nothing has disappeared. We touched
his burial robe and it held up very firm. Then we opened up the coffin
of St Barsanuphius and we looked upon the relics of St Barsanuphius
which were blessed by God with little corruption. Decay had touched
the feet of the monk, however the bones were not destroyed, and held
up quite well. There was no other sign of corruption in the condition
of the rest of his relics, the same was for the relics of St Gurias.
The burial robe of both saints was strong and like new."
Many sick were healed, having been anointed with the holy myrrh
flowing from the relics of St Gurias.
There is a description of the saints in the Iconographer's Manual
under October 4: "In appearance Gurias is grey and bearded, like Basil
of Caesarea, with a mitre, omophorion, holding a Gospel in his hands,
and dressed in the robes of a hierarch. Barsanuphius is grey and
bearded like Gurias, but his is parted at the end. He wears a mitre,
the robes of a hierarch, an omophorion and carries the Gospel."
The Life St Gurias is found on December 5; and the Life of St
Barsanuphius on April 11.
In the correspondence from a report of the Archbishop of Cheboksarsk
and Chuvash Benjamin (Novitsky), + 14 October 1976, His Holiness
Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow gave a blessing to commemorate the Synaxis
of all the Kazan hierarchs on the first Sunday after October 4th.
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Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Kazan
Today the Church honors the holy hierarchs of Kazan: Bishop
Barsanuphius of Tver (April 11 and October 4), Archbishop Herman (June
23, September 25, and November 6), Archbishop Gurias (June 20, October
4, and December 5).
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Right-believing Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich the Prince of
Novgorod
The holy right-believing Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich of Novgorod, the
Wonderworker, was the eldest son of Great Prince Yaroslav the Wise,
and was born in the year 1020. At age fourteen, his father made him
administrator of Novgorod. The military commander Vyshata and the holy
Bishop MenignusZhidyata (February 10) assisted in guiding the prince.
When he matured, the prince became a brave defender of the land and a
pious Christian. St Vladimir built the Sophia cathedral at Novgorod,
which was begun in the year 1045 and consecrated on September 14, 1052
by Bishop Luke. The holy prince was not only concerned about the
strengthening of the princedom (by his decree a stone fortress was
built at Novgorod) but he also zealously instructed himself in the law
of the Lord. In 1047 the prophetic books with commentaries were copied
out for him.
The holy prince died at age thirty-two on October 4, 1052, twenty days
after the consecration of the Sophia cathedral, and his relics were
placed in the church he built. His wife, Princess Alexandra, is
mentioned in the Novgorod Synodikon. Commemoration of the holy prince
Vladimir was established in the year 1439 by St Euthymius, Archbishop
of Novgorod (March 11).
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Venerable Helladius of the Kiev Near Caves
No information available at this time.
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Venerable Onesimus of the Kiev Near Caves
No information available at this time.
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Venerable Ammon the recluse of the Kiev Caves
Saints Ammon the Recluse of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves, was given the
title "Lover of Labor." The saint went to Athos and to Jerusalem. Upon
his return, he became famous for his exploits, and he was an image of
holy life for the brethren. He was buried in the Far Caves. His memory
is also celebrated on August 28 and on the second Sunday of Great
Lent.
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Martyr Gaius of Alexandria
Saint Gaius was a deacon, and the disciple of St Dionysius of
Alexandria (October 5). He and St Dionysius were arrested and banished
from Alexandria.
St Gaius endured martyrdom during the persecution of Valerian
(253-259) .
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Martyr Faustus of Alexandria
St Faustus was a deacon of the church of Alexandria, and the disciple
of St Dionysius of Alexandria (October 5).
St Faustus was tortured and beheaded in 250, during the persecution of
Decius (249-251).
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Martyr Eusebius of Alexandria
St Eusebius was a deacon of the church of Alexandria, and the disciple
of St Dionysius of Alexandria (October 5).
St Eusebius was tortured and beheaded in 250, during the persecution
of Decius (249-251).
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Martyr Chaeremon of Alexandria
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Peter of Capetolis
Saint Peter was born in Capitolis in Palestine, and was the father of
three children.
After the death of his wife, he entered a monastery. Later, he became
Bishop of Busra, Hauran.
St Peter was martyred by the Saracens in Damascus. Even after they had
cut out his tongue, he continued to speak clearly. His right hand and
foot were cut off, his eyes were put out, and finally he was beheaded.
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Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria
Saint Domnina was a woman with two daughters named Verine (St John
Chrysostom calls her Vernike, or Berenice) and Prosdoce. Leaving their
home and family, they settled in Edessa on the plain of Mesopotamia.
Berenice's father and her husband, who were pagans, took the women to
Hieropolis in Syria. When the soldiers stopped to rest and eat, they
became drunk with wine. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the
women fled and were drowned in the river.
According to St John Chrysostom (PG 50, 629-640), Domnina stood in the
middle of the river and pulled her daughters under the water with her,
for she was afraid that the soldiers were going to rape them. St John
praises Domnina for her courage, and Berenice and Prosdoce for their
obedience.
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Martyr Berenice with her mother of Syria
Saint Berenice was the sister of St Prosdoce and the daughter of St
Domnina. Leaving their home and family, they settled in Edessa on the
plain of Mesopotamia.
Berenice's father and her husband, who were pagans, took the women to
Hieropolis in Syria. When the soldiers stopped to rest and eat, they
became drunk with wine. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the
women fled and were drowned in the river.
According to St John Chrysostom (PG 50, 629-640), Domnina stood in the
middle of the river and pulled her daughters under the water with her,
for she was afraid that the soldiers were going to rape them. St John
praises Domnina for her courage, and Berenice and Prosdoce for their
obedience.
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Martyr Prosdoce with her mother of Syria
Saint Prosdoce was the sister of St Berenice and the daughter of St
Domnina. Leaving their home and family, they settled in Edessa on the
plain of Mesopotamia.
Berenice's father and her husband, who were pagans, took the women to
Hieropolis in Syria. When the soldiers stopped to rest and eat, they
became drunk with wine. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the
women fled and were drowned in the river.
According to St John Chrysostom (PG 50, 629-640), Domnina stood in the
middle of the river and pulled her daughters under the water with her,
for she was afraid that the soldiers were going to rape them. St John
praises Domnina for her courage, and Berenice and Prosdoce for their
obedience.
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Venerable Ammon
Saint Ammon of Egypt was raised in Christian piety. He entered into
marriage at the urging of his parents, but by agreement with his
spouse preserved his virginity and they lived as brother and sister.
The spiritual spouses pursued asceticism in fasting, prayer and joint
effort for twenty years. Having matured in piety, the spouses
separately continued their ascetic deeds. Ammon's wife remained home
and established a women's monastery. Ammon went out into the Nitrian
desert, where he dwelt for twenty-two years and attained the high
spiritual accomplishments of wonderworking and discernment.
St Ammon often came to St Anthony the Great (January 17) for his
blessing. At the time of St Ammon's death, St Anthony saw angels
bearing the soul of the righteous one to heaven. St Ammon died in the
mid-fourth century.
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Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt
Saint Paul the Simple of Egypt also lived in the fourth century and
was called the Simple for his simplicity of heart and gentleness. He
had been married, but when he discovered his wife's infidelity, he
left her and went into the desert to St Anthony the Great (January
17). Paul was already 60 years old, and at first St Anthony would not
accept Paul, saying that he was unfit for the harshness of the
hermit's life. Paul stood outside the cell of the ascetic for three
days, saying that he would sooner die than go from there. Then St
Anthony took Paul into his cell, and tested his endurance and humility
by hard work, severe fasting, with nightly vigils, constant singing of
Psalms and prostrations. Finally, St Anthony decided to settle Paul
into a separate cell.
During the many years of ascetic exploits the Lord granted St Paul
both discernment, and the power to cast out demons. When they brought
a possessed youth to St Anthony, he guided the afflicted one to St
Paul saying, "I cannot help the boy, for I have not received power
over the Prince of the demons. Paul the Simple, however, does have
this gift." St Paul expelled the demon by his simplicity and humility.
After living for many years, performing numerous miracles, he departed
to the Lord. He is mentioned by St John, the Abbot of Sinai (Ladder
24:30): "The thrice-blessed Paul the Simple was a clear example for
us, for he was the rule and type of blessed simplicity...."
St Paul is also commemorated on March 7.
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Martyr Adauctus and His Daughter of Ephesus
Saint Adauctus was from Ephesus in Asia. When the impious emperor
Maximian Galerius (305-311) wished to marry his daughter Callisthene,
St Adauctus would not give his consent. As a result, St Adauctus was
deprived of his wealth and position as eparch, and was sent into
exile.
He was beheaded at Melitene, Armenia.
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Martyr Callisthene and her father Audactus of Ephesus
The holy martyr Callisthene was born in Ephesus, and her father was
the eparch Audactus. She was to marry the emperor Maximian Galerius
(305-311), but her father would not consent to the match because the
emperor was a pagan. Therefore, Audactus was deprived of his wealth
and position, and was exiled to Melitene, Armenia where he was
beheaded.
Callisthene hid for a time in Nicomedia with a certain woman, and
healed the woman's daughter of an eye ailment. After the death of
Maximian, Licinius (311-324) became the last pagan emperor.
Callisthene became friendly with his Christian wife Constantia, the
daughter of St Constantine (May 21). She told Constantia of all that
had happened to her, and she helped Callisthene to regain her father's
wealth and possessions. She did not want these things for herself, but
gave everything away to the poor.
She also brought her father's body back to Ephesus and built a church
which was dedicated to him.
St Callisthene devoted the rest of her life to Christ, and died in
Ephesus in the first half of the fourth century.
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St Stephen Stiljianovitch of Serbia
Saint Stephen Stiljianovich of Serbia was born into a pious Christian
family in the Serbian city of Zhupa (south of Zakholmya). During this
time Serbia was often subjected to invasions by the Turks, who
devastated the land. St Stephen defended his native land, did military
service in the army of the Serbian ruler. When famine began in the
country, the kindly St Stephen distributed his own bread to the
hungry.
The patriotic activity of the saintly soldier was indissolubly bound
up with his truly Christian life. "In virtue, he lived as an ascetic
with charity, purity, prayer, the Orthodox Faith and unhypocritical
love of neighbor."
The saint fell asleep in the Lord on October 4, 1515. After a time,
the Turks saw a light shining over his grave. Thinking that they had
found a hidden treasure, they opened the grave and found the incorrupt
body of St Stephen. Serbian monks ransomed the relics from the Turkish
Pasha and transferred them to the Shishatovets monastery on Mount
Phrushtsk.
As a glorious righteous defender of his native land, the Serbian
Church prays to him, "Glory in the struggles, warrior Stephen
Stiljianovich, great healer of those who pray to you in faith."
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Martyr Evdemoz the Catholicos of Georgia
Saint Evdemoz led the Georgian Orthodox Church in the mid-17th century
during the reign of King Rostom-Khan (16321658), a Georgian who had
converted to Islam.
Having murdered King Luarsab II of Kartli and chased out King Teimuraz
I of Kakheti, the Persian shah Abbas I had declared Rostom-Khan ruler
of a unified Kartli-Kakheti kingdom.
Rostom tried to be accommodating in his policies and protect the
beliefs and traditions of both the Persian shah and the Georgian
people: he set a standard salary for the Georgian clergy and even
built churches, but society deteriorated rapidly nevertheless. Human
vices became commonplace, and sins like those of Sodom and Gomorrah
were multiplied. The nation was so overtaken by sin that even the
clergy ceased to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their
God-given role.
But the chief shepherd of the Georgian nation would not yield to the
moral decline of his flock, and he confronted this crisis with
conviction and fearlessness. Several times he led his most valiant
military leaders in revolt against Persia. Following the example of
Catholicos Evdemoz, several Georgian princes rebelled against the
pro-Persian policies of Rostom-Khan and cast out the Islamic influence
from their territories.
Catholicos Evdemoz resisted the Islamic custom of raising the kings
heirs in the shahs court from a young age. He was never too
intimidated by the king to expose his wrongdoing and tell him at every
convenient opportunity: You are the natural father of the Muslims, but
the stepfather of the Christians!
Evdemoz was the spiritual father of Rostom-Khans wife, the faithful
Queen Mariam, the daughter of Manuchar Dadiani, Prince of Samegrelo.
As a result of the holy labors of Catholicos Evdemoz and Queen Mariam,
the Christian soul of the Georgian people was not entirely
extinguished. The Georgians built churches, wrote spiritual
literature, and gradually regained their national consciousness.
Catholicos Evdemoz preached throughout the country and developed and
implemented a plan to bring King Teimuraz, who had been driven out by
Shah Abbas, back to the throne.
Naturally Rostom-Khan felt threatened by the strong influence
Catholicos Evdemoz had on the people. In 1642 he arrested the chief
shepherd of the Georgian people and tried to win him over, but neither
his feigned tenderness nor his threats could break the firm will of
the man who loved Christ and his motherland above all else. After his
arrest, St. Evdemoz criticized the king even more harshly and called
on the people to rise up against him. Finally Rostom-Khan ordered that
Catholicos Evdemoz be strangled to death in his prison cell, and as a
further insult, his body was cast off Nariqala Fortress (in Tbilisi)
in the direction of the Turkish baths.
That night, a group of Christians stole the body of the holy
hieromartyr Catholicos-Patriarch Evdemoz and buried it in the
northwest corner of Anchiskhati Church in Tbilisi.
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St Elena of Serbia
No information available at this time.
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St Jonah of Kazan
Saints Jonah and Nectarius of Kazan were called John and Nestor
Zastolsky before they received monastic tonsure. When St Gurias
(December 5 ) was sent to the newly established Kazan diocese, the
boyar John Zastolsky went with him. Under the spiritual guidance of St
Gurias, John led a virtuous and pious life. He avoided sin, loved
truth, and was strictly honest.
John raised his son Nestor in the fear of God. The gentle youth was an
ascetic from childhood. He wore a hair-shirt, kept the fasts, and he
loved to pray in church. With his father's consent, Nestor became a
monk with the new name Nectarius. He died at a young age, and was
buried near the grave of St Gurias.
John was tonsured into monasticism with the name Jonah. Before his
death, he left instructions that he also be buried near St Gurias.
At the uncovering of the relics of Sts Gurias and Barsanuphius in
1595, the incorrupt bodies and clothing of Sts Jonah and Nectarius
were also found. They were left beneath a crypt in a chapel of the
Kazan Savior-Transfiguration monastery. The chapel had been built by
Jonah over the grave of St Gurias.
The saints are mentioned in the service to St Gurias, "Two monks,
Jonah and Nectarius, ascetics well-pleasing to God, one born of the
other, faithfully served you in the world. Upon your death, O Gurias,
keeping sincere faith for you, they built a chapel over your grave.
These saints are buried here beside you, honored with incorruption
from God above. St Gurias, pray with them unto Christ God, to grant us
peace and great mercy."
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St Nectarius of Kazan
Saint Jonah and Nectarius of Kazan -- in the world known as John and
Nestor Zastolsky. When St Gurias (December 5 ) was sent to the newly
established Kazan diocese, the boyar John Zastolsky went with him.
Under the spiritual guidance of St Gurias, John led a virtuous and
pious life. He shunned sin, loved truth, and was strictly honest. John
raised his son Nestor in the fear of God. The gentle youth was an
ascetic from childhood: wearing a hair-shirt, keeping the fasts, and
he loved to pray in church. With the consent of his father, Nestor
became a monk with the name Nectarius. He died at a youthful age.
Nestor's father, John, was tonsured into monasticism with the name
Jonah. Before hisdeath he gave final instructions to bury him beside
St Gurias, near whose grave Nectarius was buried.
At the uncovering of the relics of Sts Gurias and Barsanuphius in
1595, the incorrupt bodies and clothing of St Jonah and Nectarius were
also uncovered. They were left beneath a crypt in a chapel of the
Kazan Savior-Transfiguration monastery. The chapel was built by Jonah
over the grave of St Gurias.
The saints are mentioned in the service to St Gurias, "Two monks
having been well-pleasing ascetics before God, Jonah and Nectarius,
one born of the other, faithfully served you in the world. Upon your
death, O Gurias, keeping sincere faith for you, they built a chapel
over your grave. Here beside you these saints are buried, honored with
incorruption from God above. St Gurias, pray with them unto Christ
God, to grant us peace and great mercy."
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