[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sun Oct 28 05:00:14 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Oct 28 2007

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John 21:15-25  (11th Matins Gospel)
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him,
"Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My
lambs."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you
love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He
said to him, "Tend My sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you
love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know
that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded
yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where
you do not wish.
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And
when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved
following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said,
"Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is
that to you? You follow Me."
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple
would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die,
but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these
things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they
were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could
not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

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Galatians 6:11-18
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would
compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer
persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they
desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the
world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails
anything, but a new creation.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon
them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks
of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

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Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite
Galilee.
27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man
from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes,
nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a
loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most
High God? I beg You, do not torment me!"
29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For
it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with
chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the
demon into the wilderness.
30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said,
"Legion," because many demons had entered him.
31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into
the abyss.
32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they
begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted
them.
33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the
herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told
it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and
found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet
of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been
demon-possessed was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes
asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.
And He got into the boat and returned.
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he
might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done
for you. And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city
what great things Jesus had done for him.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

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Martyr Terence with his wife and children
The Martyrs Terence and Neonilla and their children: Sarbelus,
Photius, Theodulus, Hierax, Nita, Vele and Eunice suffered martyrdom
during a persecution of Christianity under the emperor Decius
(249-250). They zealously confessed Christ and denounced idolatry. For
this the pagans subjected the entire Christian family to terrible
tortures and torments, but failed to get them to renounce the true
Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded, and received crowns of
martyrdom.
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Martyr Neonilla with her husband and children
Saint Neonilla was the wife of St Terence. They suffered martyrdom
with their children Sarbelus, Photius, Theodulus, Hierax, Nita, Vele
and Eunice during a persecution of Christianity under the emperor
Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ and denounced
idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire Christian family to
terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get them to renounce the
true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded, and received crowns of
martyrdom.
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Martyr Sarbelus with his parents
Saint Sarbelus was the son of the martyrs Terence and Neonilla. He and
his family suffered suffered martyrdom during a persecution of
Christianity under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously
confessed Christ and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected
the entire Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but
failed to get them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs
were beheaded, and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Photius with his parents
Saint Photius was the son of the martyrs Terence and Neonilla. He and
his family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Theodulus with his parents
Saint Theodulus was the son of the martyrs Terence and Neonilla. He
and his family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Hierax with his parents
Saint Hierax was the son of the martyrs Terentius and Neonilla. He and
his family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Nitus with his Parents
Saint Nitus was the son of the martyrs Terence and Neonilla. He and
his family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Vele with her Parents
Saint Vele was the daughter of the Martyrs Terence and Neonilla. She
and her family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Martyr Eunice with her Parents
Saint Eunice was the daughter of the martyrs Terence and Neonilla. She
and her family suffered martyrdom during a persecution of Christianity
under the emperor Decius (249-250). They zealously confessed Christ
and denounced idolatry. For this the pagans subjected the entire
Christian family to terrible tortures and torments, but failed to get
them to renounce the true Faith. So, the holy martyrs were beheaded,
and received crowns of martyrdom.
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Venerable Stephen the Hymnographer of St Sabbas Monastery
Saint Stephen the Hymnographer of St Sava Monastery, lived the ascetic
life at the Lavra of St Sava in Palestine. He and Andrew the Blind
were among the first to compose hymns (idiomela) for the period
between the Publican and Pharisee and Palm Sunday. He does not appear
to be the same St Stephen who is celebrated on July 13.
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Repose of St Arsenius the Archbishop of Serbia
Saint Arsenius, Archbishop of Pech, was born in Srem. He spent a large
part of his life as a monk at the Zhicha monastery under the spiritual
direction of St Sava (January 14). Because of his strict ascetic life,
St Sava made him the igumen of the monastery.
When Serbia was invaded by Hungary, St Sava sent St Arsenius to find a
safer place in the south for a new episcopal See. Arsenius chose Pech,
where he built a monastery and a church which was dedicated to the
Holy Apostles, and then to the Lord's Ascension.
Before leaving for Jerusalem, St Sava designated Arsenius as his
successor. In 1223, St Sava died in Trnovo on the way home, and St
Arsenius urged King Vladislav to bring his body home for burial in
Serbia. After thirty-three years of wisely guiding his flock, St
Arsenius fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1266. His relics were
buried at the Pech monastery, but now rest in the Zhrebaonik,
Montenegro.
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Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium
The Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium, lived during the third century
in a rich and pious family. The parents of the saint especially
reverenced Friday, the day of the Passion of the Lord, and therefore
they called their daughter Paraskeva. This name, Paraskeva, also means
Friday.
Young Paraskeva with all her heart loved purity and the loftiness of
the virginal life, and she took a vow of celibacy. She wanted to
devote all her life to God and to enlighten pagans with the light of
Christ.
Because of her confession of the Orthodox Faith, the pagans in a
frenzy seized her and brought her to the city prefect. They demanded
that she offer unholy sacrifice to the pagan idols. With a steady
heart, and trusting on God, the saint refused this demand. For this
she underwent great torments: after stripping her, they tied her to a
tree and beat her with rods. Then the torturers raked her pure body
with iron claws. Finally, they threw her into prison, exhausted by the
torture and lacerated to the bone. But God did not forsake the holy
sufferer, and miraculously healed her wounds. Not heeding this divine
miracle, the executioners continued with their torture of St
Paraskeva, and finally, they cut off her head.
St Paraskeva has always enjoyed a special love and veneration among
the Orthodox people. Many pious customs and observances are associated
with her. In the ancient Russian accounts of the Saints' Lives, the
name of the Great Martyr is inscribed as: "St Paraskeva, also called
Piatnitsa (in Russian: Friday)." Churches dedicated to St Paraskeva in
antiquity were given the name Piatnitsa. Small wayside chapels in Rus
received the name Piatnitsa. The simple Russian people called the
Martyr Paraskeva variously Piatnitsa, Piatina, Petka.
Icons of St Paraskeva were especially venerated and embellished by the
faithful. Russian iconographers usually depicted the martyr as an
austere ascetic, tall of stature, with a radiant crown upon her head.
Icons of the saint guard pious and happy households. By Church belief,
St Paraskeva is protectress of fields and cattle. Therefore, on her
Feastday it was the custom to bring fruit to church to be blessed.
These blessed objects were kept until the following year. Moreover, St
Paraskeva is invoked for protection of cattle from disease. She is
also a healer of people from grievous illness of both body and soul.
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Repose of the Venerable Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of
Pochaev
Saint Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (in the world named Ivan
Zhelezo), was born around 1551 in Pokutia in Galicia. At age ten he
came to the Transfiguration Ugornits monastery, and at age twelve he
received monastic tonsure with the name Job. The venerable Job from
his youth was known for his great piety and strict ascetic life, and
he was accounted worthy of the priestly office.
Around the year 1580, at the request of the renowned champion of
Orthodoxy Prince Constantine Ostrozhsky, St Job was appointed the head
of the Exaltation of the Cross monastery near the city of Dubno, and
for more than twenty years he governed the monastery amidst the
growing persecution of Orthodoxy on the part of the Catholics and
Uniates.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, St Job withdrew to
Pochaev hill and settled in a cave not far from the ancient Dormition
monastery, famed for its wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of
God (July 23). The holy hermit, beloved by the brethren of the
monastery, was chosen as their Igumen. St Job zealously fulfilled his
duty as head of the monastery, kind and gentle with the brethren, he
did much of the work himself, planting trees in the garden, and
strengthening the waterworks at the monastery.
St Job was an ardent defender of the Orthodox Faith against the
persecution of the Catholics. Following the Union of Brest (1596),
many Orthodox living in Poland were deprived of their rights, and
attempts were made to force them to convert to Catholicism. Many
Orthodox hierarchs became apostates to Uniatism, but St Job and others
defended Orthodoxy by copying and disseminating Orthodox books. Prince
Ostrozhsky was also responsible for the first printed edition of the
Orthodox Bible (1581).
In taking an active part in the defense of Orthodoxy and the Russian
people, St Job was present at the 1628 Kiev Council, convened against
the Unia. After 1642, he accepted the great schema with the name John.
Sometimes he completely secluded himself within the cave for three
days or even a whole week. The Jesus Prayer was an unceasing prayer in
gentle heart. According to the testimony of his disciple Dositheus,
and author of the Life of St Job, once while praying in his cave, the
saint was illumined by a heavenly light. St Job reposed in the year
1651. He was more than 100 years old, and had directed the Pochaev
monastery for more than fifty years.
The uncovering of St Job's relics took place on August 28, 1659. There
was a second uncovering of the relics on August 27-28, 1833.
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St Demetrius (Dimitri), Metropolitan of Rostov
Saint Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov (in the world Daniel Savvich
Tuptalo), was born in December 1651 in the locale of Makarovo, not far
from Kiev. He was born into a pious family and grew up a deeply
believing Christian. In 1662, soon after his parents resettled to
Kiev, Daniel was sent to the Kiev-Mogilyansk college, where the gifts
and remarkable abilities of the youth were first discovered. He
successfully learned the Greek and Latin languages and the entire
series of classical sciences. On July 9,1668 Daniel accepted monastic
tonsure with the name Demetrius, in honor of the Great Martyr
Demetrius of Thessalonica. Prior to the spring of 1675 he progressed
through the monastic obediences at Kiev's Kirillov monastery, where he
began his literary and preaching activity.
The Archbishop of Chernigov Lazar (Baranovich) ordained Demetrius as
hieromonk on May 23, 1675. For several years Hieromonk Demetrius lived
as an ascetic and preached the Word of God at various monasteries and
churches in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus. It was while he was
Igumen of the Maximov monastery,and later the Baturinsk Nikol'sk
monastery, in 1684 he was summoned to the Kiev Caves Lavra. The
Superior of the Lavra, Archimandrite Barlaam (Yasinsky), knowing the
high spiritual disposition of his former disciple, his education, his
proclivity for scientific work, and also his undoubted literary
talent, entrusted the hieromonk Demetrius with organizing the MENAION,
the Lives of the Saints for the whole year.
>From this time, all the rest of St Demetrius's life was devoted to the
fulfilling of this ascetic work, grandiose in its scope. The work
demanded an enormous exertion of strength, since it necessitated the
gathering and analizing of a multitude of various sources and to
expound them in a fluent language, worthy of the lofty subject of
exposition and at the same time accessible to all believers. Divine
assistance did not abandon the saint for his twenty year labor.
According to the testimony of St Demetrius himself, his soul was
filled with impressions of the saints, which strengthened him both in
spirit and body, and they encouraged faith in the felicitous
completion of his noble task. At this time, the venerable Demetrius
was head of several monasteries (in succession).
The works of the ascetic brought him to the attention of Patriarch
Adrian. In 1701, by decree of Tsar Peter I, Archimandrite Demetrius
was summoned to Moscow, where on March 23 at the Dormition cathedral
of the Kremlin he was consecrated as Metropolitan of the Siberian city
of Tobolsk. But after a certain while, because of the importance of
his scientific work and the frailty of his health, the saint received
a new appointment to Rostov-Yaroslavl, and on March 1, 1702 assumed
his duties as Metropolitan of Rostov.
Just as before, he continued to be concerned about the strengthening
of the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church, weakened by the "Old
Believers" schism.
>From his inspired works and preachings many generations of Russian
theologians drew spiritual strength for creativity and prayer. He
remains an example of a saintly, ascetic, non-covetous life for all
Orthodox Christians. Upon his death on October 28, 1709, it was
discovered that he had few possessions, except for books and
manuscripts.
The glorification of St Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov, took place
on April 22, 1757. He is also remembered on September 21, the day of
the uncovering of his holy relics.
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Venerable Nestor, Not the Chronicler, of the Kiev Caves
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Africanus and 39 others of Carthage
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Terence and 39 ohers of Carthage
Saint Terence was from Syria, and suffered for Christ with his wife
Neonilla and their seven children Sabelus, Photius, Theodoulus, Vele,
Hierax, Nitus, and Eunice. They were denounced as Christians and
brought before the authorities for interrogation.
The saints confessed Christ and mocked the pagan gods, even as their
sides were raked with iron hooks. Vinegar was poured into their
wounds, which were then set afire. The saints encouraged one another
and prayed to God to help them. He sent angels to free them from their
bonds and to heal their wounds.
Then the saints were thrown to the wild beasts, who became gentle and
did not harm them. Afterward, they were thrown into a cauldren filled
with hot pitch, but they were not burned. Seeing that nothing could
harm the saints, the pagans beheaded them.
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Martyr Maximus and 39 others of Carthage
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Pompeius and 39 others of Carthage
No information available at this time.
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39 Martyrs with Africanus of Carthage
No information available at this time.
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Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Hieromartyr Cyriacus, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was a Jew who
pointed out to the holy Empress Helen the place where the
Life-Creating Cross of Christ lay buried (September 14). Being present
at the discovery of the Cross, Cyriacus (before Baptism he was named
Jude) sincerely came to believe in Christ the true God, and he became
a Christian. Cyriacus, because of his pure and virtuous life, was
later chosen to be Patriarch of Jerusalem. He suffered martyrdom under
the emperor Julian.
During the cruel persecution under Julian the Apostate, in the year
363, St Cyriacus accepted suffering for the Faith. He was killed after
prolonged tortures.
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Venerable John the Chozebite
Saint John the Chozebite, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine (587-596),
was famed for his struggle against the Eutychian heresy, and also for
his grace-filled gifts of discernment and wonderworking. He was born
in the Egyptian city of Thebes and while still a youth he spent a long
time with his uncle, an ascetic, in the Thebaid wilderness.
The emperor, who learned of John's holy life, decided to make him
bishop of the city of Caesarea. But the saint, yearning for solitude,
withdrew into the Chozeba wilderness (between Jerusalem and Jericho)
and pursued asceticism there until the end of his life.
Whenever he served the Divine Liturgy, he saw a heavenly light in the
altar.
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Venerable Athanasius the Younger the Patriarch of
Constantinople
Saint Athanasius I, Patriarch of Constantinople (1289-1293;
1303-1311), in the world Alexius, was from Adrianopolis. While still
in his youth, thriving upon the knowledge of the wisdom of Christ, he
left his home and went to Thessalonica, where he was tonsured in one
of the monasteries with the name Acacius. He soon withdrew to Mount
Athos and entered the brethren of the Esphigmenou monastery, where for
three years he served in the trapeza. In his works and his ascetic
deeds he acquired the gift of tears, and by his virtuous acts he won
the overall goodwill of the brethren.
Shunning praise, Acacius humbly left Mt. Athos at first for the holy
places in Jerusalem, and then to Mount Patra, where for a long time he
lived ascetically as an hermit. From there the ascetic transferred to
the Auxention monastery, and then to Mount Galanteia to the monastery
of Blessed Lazarus, where he accepted the great angelic schema with
the name Athanasius, was ordained a priest and became ecclesiarch
(monk in charge of the sacred relics and vessels in the church). Here
the saint was granted a divine revelation: he heard the Voice of the
Lord from a crucifix, summoning him to pastoral service.
Wishing to strengthen his spirit still more in silence and prayer, St
Athanasius again settled on Mount Athos after ten years. But because
of disorders arising there he returned to Mount Galanteia. Here also
he was not long to remain in solitude. Many people thronged to him for
pastoral guidance, and so he organized a women's monastery there.
During this time the throne of the Church of Constantinople fell
vacant after the disturbances and disorder of the period of the
Patriarch John Bekkos. At the suggestion of the pious emperor
Andronicus Paleologos, a council of hierarchs and clergy unanimously
chose St Athanasius to the Patriarchal throne of the Church in 1289.
Patriarch Athanasius began fervently to fulfill his new obedience and
did much for strengthening the Church. His strictness of conviction
roused the dissatisfaction of influential clergy, and in 1293 he was
compelled to resign the throne and to retire again to his own
monastery, where he lived an ascetic life in solitude. In 1303 he was
again entrusted with the staff of patriarchal service, which he
worthily fulfilled for another seven years. In 1308 St Athanasius
established St Peter as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus (December
21).
Again, because of some sort of dissatisfaction, and not wanting to be
the cause of church discord, St Athanasius resigned the governance of
the Church in 1311. He departed to his own monastery, devoting himself
fully to monastic deeds.
Toward the end of his life, the saint was again found worthy to behold
Christ. The Lord reproached him because Athanasius had not carried out
his pastoral duty to the end. Weeping, the saint repented of his
cowardice and received from the Lord both forgiveness and the gift of
wonderworking. St Athanasius died at the age of 100.
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Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia
The holy hieromartyr Neophytus of Urbnisi descended from a line of
Persian fire-worshippers.
In the 7th century, by order of the Saracen emir Mumni (Mumin), the
military leader Ahmad attacked Georgia with an enormous army. After
overrunning the central part of Shida (Inner) Kartli, Ahmad dispatched
two of his commanders, Omar and Burul, to the capital city of
Mtskheta. At the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, across
from the village of Tsikhedidi in the rocky Sarkineti region, the
invaders discovered a group of caves and plotted to occupy them. They
tried to cross the Mtkvari but were unable.
Having suffered a setback, the enemies asked their captives what was
located in those caves. They were told that this was the Shio-Mgvime
Monastery, where dwelt Gods chosen, who had deprived themselves of
every earthly blessing.
Surprised at this reply, the commanders decided to pass this
information on to Ahmad. Then, as though it were commonplace, Ahmad
sent Omar to the monastery to ask the monks to pray for him and
remember him at the grave of their abbot, St. Shio. Pray for me, O
slaves of God, and accept these gifts of aloe and incense. Offer these
as a sacrifice to your abbot, he told them.
Approaching the monastery caves, Omar sent a messenger to inform the
monks that he was coming to them in peace and bearing gifts. Drawing
near to the monastery gates, the commander saw an army of incorporeal
hosts descending from the heavens and among them an elder, radiant
with a great light.
The meek and modest behavior of the monks left a great impression on
Omar. He soon understood that the strange armies he had seen on the
steps of the monastery were angels of God and that the elder was St.
Shio of Mgvime, abbot of the monastery. He related his vision to the
monks and vowed to return to them, receive the sacrament of Holy
Baptism, be tonsured a monk, and remain there to join in their holy
labors.
Soon Omar abandoned all his possessions, his military rank, and his
wealth and was baptized in the Christian Faith at the Shio-Mgvime
Monastery as he had promised. Two of his slaves were baptized with him
as well. Omar received the new name Neophytus (Newly Planted / From
the Greek word _neophytos_, which in I Tim. 3:6 refers to a new
convert.), and his slaves became Christodoulus (Christs Slave) and
Christopher (Christ-bearer).
According to Gods will, St. Neophytus was consecrated bishop of
Urbnisi, and all were amazed at his wisdom and steadfastness. He was a
true father to his flock: He strengthened the weak, healed the sick,
raised the fallen, cleansed the possessed, directed the lost and
sought out those who were perishing, protecting them, and forbidding
them to wander off again.
But the enemy could not tolerate the native Persians apostolic
activity, and he convinced the fire-worshippers to kill the Christian
shepherd. So the unbelievers devised an ambush and attacked Neophytus
isolated cell, then tied him up and began to mock, curse, and revile
him. They knew that St. Neophytus longed to become like the holy
protomartyr Stephen, and they plotted to stone him to death.
When his time to depart this world had arrived, St. Neophytus turned
to his persecutors with a tender voice, saying, Sweet is death to me,
O unbelievers! Sweet it is to me. I desire to sunder the link between
my mortal and immortal nature. With my own blood I will confirm the
Holy Church, which is founded upon the Precious Blood of the Son and
Word of God, Whom I preach. May that which was foreordained for me by
the Providence of God be fulfilled, for He has called me to His light
from the depths of ungodliness!
The furious pagans stoned the saint to death. With his last breath
Holy Hieromartyr Neophytus cried out, Lord Jesus Christ receive my
soul!
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St Arsenius of Cappadocia
St Arsenius of Farasa is the priest who baptised Elder Paisios the
Athonite and gave him his Christian name - Arsenios.
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