[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Thu Oct 25 05:00:19 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Thu Oct 25 2007

----------------------------------------------------
------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------

Colossians 4:2-9
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving;
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for
the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in
chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you
may know how you ought to answer each one.
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your
circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

-----------------------------

Colossians 4:10-18  (Friday)
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of
Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you,
welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved
to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those
who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church
that is in his house.
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the
epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have
received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
18 This salutation by my own hand-Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be
with you. Amen.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

-----------------------------

Luke 11:14-23
14 And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when
the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes
marveled.
15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler
of the demons."
16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom
divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided
against a house falls.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom
stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast
them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom
of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods
are in peace.
22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he
takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his
spoils.
23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather
with Me scatters.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

-----------------------------

Luke 11:23-26  (Friday)
23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather
with Me scatters.
24 When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my
house from which I came.'
25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.
26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked
than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of
that man is worse than the first.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

----------------------------------------------------
------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

Martyr Marcian the Notary of Constantinople
The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople served
in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a
subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e.
secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor (November 6).
Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch
Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The heretics
attempted to entice Sts Marcian and Martyrius over to their side by
flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as
archbishop, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain.
Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and
sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints
steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the
Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before death,
the martyrs prayed, "Lord God, Who have invisibly created our hearts,
and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your
servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the
slaughter (Ps 32/33:15; 43/44:22). We rejoice that by such a death we
shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life
eternal with You, the Source of life." After their prayer the martyrs,
with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the
impious (+ ca. 335).
Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians.
Later, by decree of St John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs
were transferred to a church built in their honor. Believers here were
healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the
glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Martyrius the Notary of Constantinople
The Martyrs Martyrius and Marcian, Notaries of Constantinople served
in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a
subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e.
secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor (November 6).
Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch
Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The heretics
attempted to entice Sts Marcian and Martyrius over to their side by
flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as
archbishops, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain.
Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and
sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints
steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the
Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before death,
the martyrs prayed, "Lord God, Who have invisibly created our hearts,
and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your
servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the
slaughter (Ps 32/33:15; 43/44:22). We rejoice that by such a death we
shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life
eternal with You, the Source of life." After their prayer the martyrs,
with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the
impious (+ ca. 335).
Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians.
Later, by decree of St John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs
were transferred to a church built in their honor. Believers here were
healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the
glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Martyrius the Deacon
Saint Martyrius the Deacon and Martyrius the Recluse, of the Kiev
Caves, Far Caves His holy name is remembered in the Seventh Ode of the
Canon to the Fathers of the Kiev Far Caves. Here his love of toil,
justice and ardent purity, and even his gift of expelling demons and
healing infirmities are praised. His memory is celebrated also on
August 28 and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Martyrius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves
Saint Martyrius the Recluse and Martyrius the Deacon, of the Kiev
Caves, Far Caves His holy name is remembered in the Seventh Ode of the
Canon to the Fathers of the Kiev Far Caves. Here his love of toil,
justice and ardent purity, and even his gift of expelling demons and
healing infirmities are praised. His memory is celebrated also on
August 28 and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia
The Martyr Anastasius the Fuller lived at Salona in Dalmatia during
the third century. He was arrested and brought to trial because of his
missionary activity in Salona. St Anastasius, boldly and with out
fear, confessed Christ as the true God and Creator of all. He even
painted a cross on his door during the persecution of Diocletian
(284-311).
St Anastasius was sentenced to death by the decision of the court, and
the pagans tied a stone around his neck and threw his body into the
sea. A righteous Christian, the rich matron Ascalopia, found the body
of St Anastasius and reverently buried him in her estate church. The
relics of the holy martyr were glorified by many miracles.
St Anastasius the Fuller is also commemorated on December 5.
_________________________________________________________________
St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle
Peter
Saint Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter,
was a virtuous and kindly woman, belonged to the Christian community
in Joppa. Being grievously ill, she suddenly died. At the time, the
Apostle Peter was preaching at Lydda, not far from Joppa. Messengers
were sent to him with an urgent request for help. When the Apostle
arrived at Joppa, Tabitha was already dead. On bended knee, St Peter
made a fervent prayer to the Lord. Then he went to the bed and called
out, "Tabitha, get up!" She arose, completely healed (Acts 9:36).
St Tabitha is considered the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses,
since she was known for sewing coats and other garments (Acts 9:39).
_________________________________________________________________