[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sun Oct 7 05:00:15 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Oct 7 2007

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John 20:11-18  (8th Matins Gospel)
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she
stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to
them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where
they have laid Him."
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus
standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you
seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if
You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will
take Him away."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!"
(which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended
to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending
to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the
Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

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2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed
forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the
city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and
escaped from his hands.
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord:
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I
do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such
a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do
not know, God knows-
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words,
which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except
in my infirmities.
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will
speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above
what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it
might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength
is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

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Luke 7:11-16
11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called
Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.
And a large crowd from the city was with her.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him
stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him
to his mother.
16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great
prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

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Martyr Sergius in Syria
The Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in Syria were appointed to high
positions in the army by the emperor Maximian (284-305), who did not
know that they were Christians. Envious people informed Maximian that
his two trusted counsellors did not honor the pagan gods. This was
considered to be a crime against the state.
The emperor, wanting to convince himself of the truth of the
accusation, ordered Sergius and Bacchus to offer sacrifice to the
idols, but they replied that they honored the One God and worshiped
only Him.
Maximian commanded that the martyrs be stripped of the insignia of
military rank (their belts, gold pendants, and rings), and then
dressed them in feminine clothing. They were led through the city with
an iron chains around their necks, and the people mocked them. Then he
summoned Sergius and Bacchus to him again and in a friendly manner
advised them not to be swayed by Christian fables, but to return to
the Roman gods. The saints refuted the emperor's words, and
demonstrated the folly of worshiping the pagan gods.
The emperor commanded that they be sent to the governor of the eastern
part of Syria, Antiochus, a fierce hater of Christians. Antiochus had
received his position with the help of Sergius and Bacchus. "My
fathers and benefactors!" he said. "Have pity on yourselves, and also
on me. I do not want to condemn my benefactors to cruel tortures." The
holy martyrs replied, "For us life is Christ, and to die is gain." The
enraged Antiochus ordered Bacchus to be mercilessly beaten, and the
holy martyr surrendered his soul to the Lord. They shod Sergius with
iron sandals with nails in their soles and sent him to another city,
where he was beheaded with the sword.
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Martyr Bacchus in Syria
The Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in Syria were appointed to high
positions in the army by the emperor Maximian (284-305), who did not
know that they were Christians. Envious people informed Maximian that
his two trusted counsellors did not honor the pagan gods. This was
considered to be a crime against the state.
The emperor, wanting to convince himself of the truth of the
accusation, ordered Sergius and Bacchus to offer sacrifice to the
idols, but they replied that they honored the One God and worshiped
only Him.
Maximian commanded that the martyrs be stripped of the insignia of
military rank (their belts, gold pendants, and rings), and then
dressed them in feminine clothing. They were led through the city with
an iron chains around their necks, and the people mocked them. Then he
summoned Sergius and Bacchus to him again and in a friendly manner
advised them not to be swayed by Christian fables, but to return to
the Roman gods. The saints refuted the emperor's words, and
demonstrated the folly of worshiping the pagan gods.
The emperor commanded that they be sent to the governor of the eastern
part of Syria, Antiochus, a fierce hater of Christians. Antiochus had
received his position with the help of Sergius and Bacchus. "My
fathers and benefactors!" he said. "Have pity on yourselves, and also
on me. I do not want to condemn my benefactors to cruel tortures." The
holy martyrs replied, "For us life is Christ, and to die is gain." The
enraged Antiochus ordered Bacchus to be mercilessly beaten, and the
holy martyr surrendered his soul to the Lord. They shod Sergius with
iron sandals with nails in their soles and sent him to another city,
where he was beheaded with the sword.
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Venerable Sergius the Obedient of the Kiev Near Caves
Saint Sergius the Obedient of the Kiev Caves, Near Caves, was a Greek
who began his monastic life on Mount Athos. Later, he came to Russia
and settled in the monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity under the
guidance of St Sergius of Radonezh (July 5) and (September 25). After
several years, with the blessing of the igumen, St Sergius went into
the Vologda forests and settled at the bank of the River Nurma. There
he set up a cross and built a chapel with a cell, in which he lived an
ascetical life in deep silence, "going forth in angelic life," and
patiently enduring temptation from demons and malevolent people.
It pleased the Lord to summon the saint from his solitude, so that in
his wisdom and spiritual experience he should serve for the salvation
of others. From various places forty men gathered around him,
thirsting for the spiritual life. By their common efforts, the
brethren built a large church in honor of the Procession of the
Venerable Wood of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord (August 1). The
monastic cells were built around the church.
St Paul of Obnora (January 10) led an ascetical life about three miles
from the Nurma monastery, and St Sergius often visited him for
soul-profiting conversation. When it was time for St Sergius to go
back to his monastery, St Paul would accompany him for two-thirds of
the way. Later, a chapel was built to mark the place where they
parted. St Sergius died on October 7, 1412. Since 1546, the Church has
venerated him for his saintly life.
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Venerable Sergius the Abbot of Nurma and Disciple of the
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Vologda
Saint Sergius of Nurma was originally from Greece, and traveled from
Mt. Athos in order to converse with St Sergius of Radonezh (September
25) and to ask his advice on spiritual matters, even though he himself
was already an experienced Elder.
After spending some time with the great man, St Sergius went to the
Vologda region near the river Nurma, a tributary of the river Obnora
in order to live in solitude. Soon, monks and laymen came to join him,
attracted by the holiness of his life. In time, about forty ascetics
joined St Sergius in the wilderness. He established a monastery and
built a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord.
One day, St Sergius encountered St Paul of Obnora (January 10) near
his monastery, feeding birds from his hands. All creatures obeyed St
Paul, just as they obeyed Adam in Paradise.
The two saints became very close and counseled one another in their
spiritual endeavors. St Paul had St Sergius, who had been ordained to
the holy priesthood on Mt. Athos, as his spiritual Father. St Paul
would confess his thoughts to Sergius, and also received Holy
Communion from him. When St Sergius would leave for his own home three
miles away, St Paul walked with him two thirds of the way. A chapel
was later built on the spot where the two saints parted.
St Paul told St Sergius that he heard church bells ringing one night
while he was in the forest by the river Nurma, and that he had also
seen a bright light. St Sergius predicted that a monastery would be
founded there one day. He urged St Paul to build a church dedicated to
the Holy Trinity.
St Sergius was twice attacked by bands of thieves. The first time they
almost beat him to death. The second time they were driven off by the
power of his prayers.
St Sergius fell asleep in the Lord on October 7, 1412 at an advanced
age.
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Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Martinian the Abbot
of Byeloezersk
Saint Martinian of White Lake, in the world Michael, was born in the
year 1370 in the village of Berezniko, not far from the Cyrilov
monastery. At age thirteen he left his parents and went secretly to St
Cyril of White Lake (June 9), whom many described as a great ascetic.
The young Martinian began zealously to imitate his teacher, with whom
he dwelt in complete obedience. At the monastery he studied reading
and writing, and with the blessing of St Cyril, he occupied himself
with the copying of books. In time Martinian was ordained deacon and
then hieromonk.
After the death of St Cyril (+ 1427), Martinian withdrew to a deserted
island on Lake Vozha. Several monks gradually gathered around him. St
Martinian established for them the church of the Transfiguration of
the Lord and introduced a general Rule for the inhabitants. Yielding
to the persistent requests of the brethren of Therapon monastery, he
consented to become igumen of the monastery and brought it into an
improved condition.
St Martinian gave spiritual support to Great Prince Basil in the
difficulties of his time, when his first-cousin Demetrius Shemyaka
illicitly sought the Moscow throne. He was always an advocate of truth
and justice. Afterwards, upon the entreaty of the Great Prince, the
saint accepted the governance of the monastery of St Sergius of
Radonezh.
In 1455, St Martinian returned to the Therapon monastery. In his last
years he was grievously ill and not able to walk, so the brethren
carried him to church. He died at age 85. His relics were uncovered in
the year 1514, and this event is celebrated on October 7.
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Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina
The Martyr Julian the Presbyter suffered martyrdom for Christ with St
Caesarius the Deacon at Terracina, Italy in the first century.
StCaesarius was thrown into prison for insulting the pagan gods. They
later took him in bonds to the temple of Apollo, but before they got
him near the pagan temple it collapsed, killing the pagan priests and
many of the people.
About the same time the idolators arrested the Christian priest
Julian. At the empreor's orders, the holy martyrs were cast into the
sea, but their bodies floated to the surface, and Christians buried
the sufferers.
The relics of St Caesarius are kept in Rome.
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Martyr Caesarius the Deacon at Terracina
The Martyr Caesarius the Deacon suffered martyrdom for Christ with St
Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Italy in the first century.
StCaesarius was thrown into prison for insulting the pagan gods. They
later took him in bonds to the temple of Apollo, but before they got
him near the pagan temple it collapsed, killing the pagan priests and
many of the people.
About the same time the idolators arrested the Christian priest
Julian. At the empreor's orders, the holy martyrs were cast into the
sea, but their bodies floated to the surface, and Christians buried
the sufferers.
The relics of St Caesarius are kept in Rome.
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Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus
Saint Pelagia of Tarsus in Cilicia (southeastern Asia Minor) lived in
the third century, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), and was
the daughter of illustrious pagans. When she heard about Jesus Christ
from her Christian friends, she believed in Him and desired to
preserve her virginity, dedicating her whole life to the Lord.
Emperor Diocletian's heir (a boy he adopted), saw the maiden Pelagia,
was captivated by her beauty and wanted her to be his wife. The holy
virgin told the youth that she was betrothed to Christ the Immortal
Bridegroom, and had renounced earthly marriage.
Pelagia's reply greatly angered the young man, but he decided to leave
her in peace for awhile, hoping that she would change her mind. At the
same time, Pelagia convinced her mother to let her visit the nurse who
had raised her in childhood. She secretly hoped to find Bishop Linus
of Tarsus, who had fled to a mountain during a persecution against
Christians, and to be baptized by him. She had seen the face of Bishop
Linus in a dream, which made a profound impression upon her. The holy
bishop told her to be baptized. St Pelagia traveled in a chariot to
visit her nurse, dressed in rich clothes and accompanied by a whole
retinue of servants, as her mother wished.
Along the way St Pelagia, by the grace of God, met Bishop Linus.
Pelagia immediately recognized the bishop who had appeared to her in
the dream. She fell at his feet, requesting Baptism. At the bishop's
prayer a spring of water flowed from the ground.
Bishop Linus made the Sign of the Cross over St Pelagia, and during
the Mystery of Baptism, angels appeared and covered the chosen one of
God with a bright mantle. After giving the pious virgin Holy
Communion, Bishop Linus offered a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord
with her, and then sent her to continue her journey. She then
exchanged her expensive clothing for a simple white garment, and
distributed her possessions to the poor. Returning to her servants, St
Pelagia told them about Christ, and many of them were converted and
believed.
She tried to convert her own mother to Christ, but the obdurate woman
sent a message to Diocletian's son that Pelagia was a Christian and
did not wish to be his wife. The youth realized that Pelagia was lost
to him, and he fell upon his sword in his despair. Pelagia's mother
feared the emperor's wrath, so she tied her daughter up and led her to
Diocletian's court as a Christian who was also responsible for the
death of the heir to the throne. The emperor was captivated by the
unusual beauty of the virgin and tried to turn her from her faith in
Christ, promising her every earthly blessing if she would become his
wife.
The holy virgin refused the emperor's offer with contempt and said,
"You are insane, Emperor, saying such things to me. I will not do your
bidding, and I loathe your vile marriage, since I have Christ, the
King of Heaven, as my Bridegroom. I do not desire your worldly crowns
which last only a short while. The Lord in His heavenly Kingdom has
prepared three imperishable crowns for me. The first is for faith,
since I have believed in the true God with all my heart; the second is
for purity, because I have dedicated my virginity to Him; the third is
for martyrdom, since I want to accept every suffering for Him and
offer up my soul because of my love for Him."
Diocletian sentenced Pelagia to be burned in a red-hot bronze bull.
Not permitting the executioners to touch her body, the holy martyr
signed herself with the Sign of the Cross, and went into the brazen
bull and her flesh melted like myrrh, filling the whole city with
fragrance. St Pelagia's bones remained unharmed and were removed by
the pagans to a place outside the city. Four lions then came out of
the wilderness and sat around the bones letting neither bird nor wild
beast get at them. The lions protected the relics of the saint until
Bishop Linus came to that place. He gathered them up and buried them
with honor. Later, a church was built over her holy relics.
The Service to the holy Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus says that she
was "deemed worthy of most strange and divine visions." She is also
commemorated on May 4.
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Martyr Polychronius the Presbyter
The Martyr Polychronius the Presbyter was the son of a landowner,
raised with a love for work and in Christian piety. Reaching maturity,
Polychronius left his parents' home for Constantinople and began to
work for one of the rich vineyard owners.
The vineyard owner was amazed at the youth's love for toil and the
ascetic life. For his fine work the saint received much money, with
which he built a church. Soon he was ordained to the priesthood.
According to Tradition, St Polychronius participated in the First
Ecumenical Council. He was martyred by Arian heretics at the altar of
the church (4th Century).
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99 Martyred Fathers of Crete
These 99 martyrs were from Crete. The most prominent among them was
called John, and he was known as a wonderworker. He knelt so much in
prayer that he was not able to walk, and had to move about on his
knees.
One day a woodsman saw him going about in this way. Thinking that it
was some wild animal, he shot the saint with an arrow. It is said that
the other ninety-eight Fathers also died on that same day.
It is not known when these holy ascetics lived.
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Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" of the Pskov Caves
The October 7 Feast of the "Tenderness" Icon (May 21) was established
in memory of the deliverance of Pskov from the invasion of Napoleon in
1812.
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Venerable Joseph the Elder and Wonderworker of Khevi, Georgia
Little is known about the life of St. Joseph of Khevi. The Church is
certain only that he was a native of Khevi (in northern Georgia) and
served as a priest in that village. In addition to being great
warriors, the people of Khevi have throughout history been remarkably
steadfast in the Christian Faith. The churches and monasteries in
Khevi are extraordinary in both beauty and inaccessibility. They were
deliberately built in mountainous places, as if reaching them should
demand the greatest of zeal.
The most important ornament and symbol of Khevi is the ice that
perpetually caps the peak of Mt. Kazbegi. On the slope of this
mountain stands Trinity Monastery, where at one time St. Ninos cross
was preserved (it is presently kept in Tbilisi, in the northern
section of the iconostasis at Sioni Cathedral).
Located above Trinity Monastery, on the ice-covered, vertical cliff of
Mt. Kazbegi, is a cave hermitage at 13,450 feet, known as the
Bethlehem Cave. It is possible to reach this hermitage only by
climbing chains let down from its height. According to the chronicle
_Life of Kartli_, this cave has throughout history been used to store
sacred objects and treasures of the Church.
The historian David Batonishvili records that St. Joseph was
especially known for his love of holy objects, for keeping the
strictest of fasts, and for his outstanding virtues. He climbed to the
Bethlehem Hermitage and returned with a piece of the tent of the
patriarch Abraham, (Georgian tradition relates that both the tent of
the Patriarch Abraham and the manger of Christ were kept in the
Bethlehem Cave for many centuries.) which he presented to King Erekle.
Having attained the heights of clairvoyance and miracle-working, St.
Joseph reposed peacefully in the year 1763.
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