[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sun Sep 2 05:00:15 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Sep 2 2007

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Mark 16:9-20  (3rd Matins Gospel)
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared
first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and
wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her,
they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they
walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe
them either.
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He
rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not
believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel
to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will
cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it
will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they
will recover.
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with
them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

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2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not
know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message
preached to save those who believe.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and
to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power
of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness
of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame
the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to
shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised
God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the
things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from
God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-
31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the
LORD."
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of
speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of
human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

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Matthew 22:1-14
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:
2 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage
for his son,
3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the
wedding; and they were not willing to come.
4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are
invited, See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are
killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." '
5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm,
another to his business.
6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and
killed them.
7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out
his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who
were invited were not worthy.
9 'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to
the wedding.'
10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together
all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was
filled with guests.
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who
did not have on a wedding garment.
12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a
wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take
him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.'
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

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Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia
The Holy Great Martyr Mamas was born in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor in the
third century of pious and illustrious parents, the Christians
Theodotus and Rufina. The parents of the saint were arrested by the
pagans for their open confession of their faith and locked up in
prison in Caesarea in Cappadocia.
Knowing his own bodily weakness, Theodotus prayed that the Lord would
take him before being subjected to tortures. The Lord heard his prayer
and he died in prison. St Rufina died also after him, after giving
birth to a premature son. She entrusted him to God, beseeching Him to
be the Protector and Defender of the orphaned infant.
God heard the dying prayer of St Rufina: a rich Christian widow named
Ammia reverently buried the bodies of Sts Theodotus and Rufina, and
she took the boy into her own home and raised him as her own son. St
Mamas grew up in the Christian Faith. His foster mother concerned
herself with the developing of his natural abilities, and early on she
sent him off to study his grammar.
The boy learned easily and willingly. He was not of an age of mature
judgment but distinguished himself by maturity of mind and of heart.
By means of prudent conversations and personal example young Mamas
converted many of his own peers to Christianity.
The governor, Democritus, was informed of this, and the
fifteen-year-old Mamas was arrested and brought to trial. In deference
to his illustrious parentage, Democritus decided not to subject him to
torture, but instead sent him off to the emperor Aurelian (270-275).
The emperor tried at first kindly, but then with threats to turn St
Mamas back to the pagan faith, but all in vain. The saint bravely
confessed himself a Christian and pointed out the madness of the
pagans in their worship of lifeless idols.
Infuriated, the emperor subjected the youth to cruel tortures. They
tried to drown the saint, but an angel of the Lord saved St Mamas and
bade him live on a high mountain in the wilderness, not far from
Caesarea. Bowing to the will of God, the saint built a small church
there and began to lead a life of strict temperance, in exploits of
fasting and prayer.
Soon he received a remarkable power over the forces of nature: wild
beasts inhabiting the surrounding wilderness gathered at his abode and
listened to the reading of the Holy Gospel. St Mamas nourished himself
on the milk of wild goats and deer.
The saint did not ignore the needs of his neighbors. Preparing cheese
from this milk, he gave it away freely to the poor. Soon the fame of
St Mamas's life spread throughout all of Caesarea.
The governor sent a detachment of soldiers to arrest him. When they
encountered St Mamas on the mountain, the soldiers did not recognize
him, and mistook him for a simple shepherd. The saint then invited
them to his dwelling, gave them a drink of milk and then told them his
name, knowing that death for Christ awaited him. The servant of God
told the servant of the Emperor to go on ahead of him into Caesaria,
promising that he would soon follow. The soldiers waited for him at
the gates of the city, and St Mamas, accompanied by a lion, met them
there.
Surrendering himself into the hands of the torturers, St Mamas was
brought to trial under a deputy governor named Alexander, who
subjected him to intense and prolonged tortures. They did not break
the saint's will, however. He was strengthened by the words addressed
to him from above: "Be strong and take courage, Mamas."
When they threw St Mamas to the wild beasts, these creatures would not
touch him. Finally, one of the pagan priests struck him with a
trident. Mortally wounded, St Mamas went out beyond the city limits.
There, in a small stone cave, he gave up his spirit to God, Who in the
hearing of all summoned the holy Martyr Mamas into His heavenly
habitation. He was buried by believers at the place of his death.
Christians soon began to receive help from him in their afflictions
and sorrows. St Basil the Great speaks thus about the holy Martyr
Mamas in a sermon to the people: "Remember the holy martyr, you who
live here and have him as a helper. You who call on his name have been
helped by him. Those in error he has guided into life. Those whom he
has healed of infirmity, those whose children were dead he has
restored to life, those whose life he has prolonged: let us all come
together as one, and praise the martyr!"
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Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia
The holy martyrs Theodotus and Rufina were the parents of St Mamas.
They came from patrician families, and were honored by all for their
Christian piety. Alexander, the magistrate of the city of Gangra,
summoned them because they refused to obey the imperial decree
requiring all citizens to worship the pagan gods. Those who disobeyed
would be tortured and put to death.
Since Theodotus refused to comply with this order, Alexander sent him
to the governor Faustus in Caesarea of Cappadocia. Alexander could not
torture or kill Theodotus because of his noble rank. Faustus, however,
had no such scruples. He threw Theodotus into prison as soon as he
arrived.
Even though she was pregnant at the time, Rufina followed her husband.
She stayed in the prison with Theodotus, where they both suffered for
Christ. Fearing that he would not be able to withstand the cruel
tortures, Theodotus asked God to take his soul. The Lord heard his
prayer and sent him a blessed repose, establishing his soul in the
heavenly mansions.
St Rufina endured privations and sufferings in prison, and experienced
great sorrow at the death of her husband. Because of these things, she
gave birth to her child before the proper time. She prayed that God
would permit her to follow her husband in death, and that He would
also protect her child. Her prayer was also granted, and she gave her
virtuous soul God's hands.
St Mamas was raised by a pious woman named Ammia, or Matrona, who
became a second mother to him.
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Martyr Rufina of Caesarea, in Cappadocia
The holy martyrs Theodotus and Rufina were the parents of St Mamas.
They came from patrician families, and were honored by all for their
Christian piety. Alexander, the magistrate of the city of Gangra,
summoned them because they refused to obey the imperial decree
requiring all citizens to worship the pagan gods. Those who disobeyed
would be tortured and put to death.
Since Theodotus refused to comply with this order, Alexander sent him
to the governor Faustus in Caesarea of Cappadocia. Alexander could not
torture or kill Theodotus because of his noble rank. Faustus, however,
had no such scruples. He threw Theodotus into prison as soon as he
arrived.
Even though she was pregnant at the time, Rufina followed her husband.
She stayed in the prison with Theodotus, where they both suffered for
Christ. Fearing that he would not be able to withstand the cruel
tortures, Theodotus asked God to take his soul. The Lord heard his
prayer and sent him a blessed repose, establishing his soul in the
heavenly mansions.
St Rufina endured privations and sufferings in prison, and experienced
great sorrow at the death of her husband. Because of these things, she
gave birth to her child before the proper time. She prayed that God
would permit her to follow her husband in death, and that He would
also protect her child. Her prayer was also granted, and she gave her
virtuous soul God's hands.
St Mamas was raised by a pious woman named Ammia, or Matrona, who
became a second mother to him.
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St John the Faster the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint John IV the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople (582-595), is
famed in the Orthodox Church as the compiler of a penitential
nomokanon (i.e. rule for penances), which has come down to us in
several distinct versions, but their foundation is one and the same.
These are instructions for priests on how to hear the confession of
secret sins, whether sins already committed, or merely sins of intent.
Ancient church rules address the manner and duration of public
penances, established for obvious and evident sinners. But it was
necessary to adapt these rules for the secret confession of undetected
things. St John the Faster issued his penitential nomokanon (or
"Canonaria"), so that the confession of secret sins, unknown to the
world, already testifies to the good disposition of the sinner and his
conscience in being reconciled to God, and so the saint reduced the
penances of the ancient Fathers by half or more.
On the other hand, he set more exactly the character of the penances:
severe fasting, daily performance of a set number of prostrations to
the ground, the distribution of alms, etc. The length of penance is
determined by the priest. The main purpose of the nomocanon compiled
by the holy Patriarch consists in assigning penances, not simply
according to the seriousness of the sins, but according to the degree
of repentance and the spiritual state of the person who confesses.
Among the Greeks, and later in the Russian Church, the rules of St
John the Faster are honored on a level "with other saintly rules," and
the nomocanons of his book are accounted "applicable for all the
Orthodox Church." St Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain (July 14) included
him in the Manual for Confession (Exomologitarion), first published in
1794, and in the Rudder (Pedalion), published in 1800.
The first Slavonic translation was done quite possibly by the holy
Equal of the Apostles Methodius, at the same time as he produced the
Nomocanon in 50 Titles of the holy Patriarch John Scholastikos, whose
successor on the Constantinople cathedra-seat was St John the Faster.
This ancient translation was preserved in Rus in the "Ustiug Rudder"
of the thirteenth century, published in 1902.
>From the sixteenth century in the Russian Church the nomocanon of St
John the Faster was circulated in another redaction, compiled by the
monks and clergy of Mount Athos. In this form it was repeatedly
published at the Kiev Caves Lavra (in 1620, 1624, 1629).
In Moscow, the Penitential Nomokanon was published in the form of a
supplement to the Trebnik ("Book of Needs): under Patriarch Joasaph in
1639, under Patriarch Joseph in 1651, and under Patriarch Nikon in
1658. The last edition since that time is that printed in the Great
Book of Needs. A scholarly edition of the nomocanon with parallel
Greek and Slavonic texts and with detailed historical and canonical
commentary was published by A. S. Pavlov (Moscow, 1897).
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Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Far Caves
Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 at Liubech,
not far from Chernigov, and was named Antipas in Baptism. Possessing
the fear of God from his youth, he desired to be clothed in the
monastic schema. When he reached a mature age, he wandered until he
arrived on Mt. Athos, burning with the desire to emulate the deeds of
its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure, and the young
monk pleased God in every aspect of his spiritual struggles on the
path of virtue. He particularly excelled in humility and obedience, so
that all the monks rejoiced to see his holy life.
The igumen saw in St Anthony the great future ascetic, and inspired by
God, he sent him back to his native land, saying, "Anthony, it is time
for you to guide others in holiness. Return to your own Russian land,
and be an example for others. May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be
with you.
Returning to the land of Rus, Anthony began to make the rounds of the
monasteries about Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life which
had drawn him to Mt. Athos.
Through the Providence of God, Anthony came to the hills of Kiev by
the banks of the River Dniepr. The forested area near the village of
Berestovo reminded him of his beloved Athos. There he found a cave
which had been dug out by the Priest Hilarion, who later became
Metropolitan of Kiev (October 21). Since he liked the spot, Anthony
prayed with tears, "Lord, let the blessing of Mt. Athos be upon this
spot, and strengthen me to remain here." He began to struggle in
prayer, fasting, vigil and physical labor. Every other day, or every
third day, he would eat only dry bread and a little water. Sometimes
he did not eat for a week. People began to come to the ascetic for his
blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain with the saint.
Among Anthony's first disciples was St Nikon (March 23), who tonsured
St Theodosius of the Caves (May 3) at the monastery in the year 1032.
The virtuous life of St Anthony illumined the Russian land with the
beauty of monasticism. St Anthony lovingly received those who yearned
for the monastic life. After instructing them how to follow Christ, he
asked St Nikon to tonsure them. When twelve disciples had gathered
about St Anthony, the brethren dug a large cave and built a church and
cells for the monks within it.
After he appointed Abbot Barlaam to guide the brethren, St Anthony
withdrew from the monastery. He dug a new cave for himself, then hid
himself within it. There too, monks began to settle around him.
Afterwards, the saint built a small wooden church in honor of the
Dormition of the Mother of God over the Far Caves.
At the insistence of Prince Izyaslav, the igumen Barlaam withdrew to
the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of St Anthony and with the
general agreement of the brethren, the meek and humble Theodosius was
chosen as igumen. By this time, the number of brethren had already
reached a hundred men. The Kiev Great Prince Izyaslav (+ 1078) gave
the monks the hill on which the large church and cells were built,
with a palisade all around. Thus, the renowned monastery over the
caves was established. Describing this, the chronicler remarks that
while many monasteries were built by emperors and nobles, they could
not compare with those which are built with holy prayers and tears,
and by fasting and vigil. Although St Anthony had no gold, he built a
monastery which became the first spiritual center of Rus.
For his holiness of life, God glorified St Anthony with the gift of
clairvoyance and wonderworking. One example of this occurred during
the construction of the Great Caves church. The Most Holy Theotokos
Herself stood before him and St Theodosius in the Blachernae church in
Constantinople, where they had been miraculously transported without
leaving their own monastery. Actually, two angels appeared in
Constantinople in their forms (See May 3, the account of the Kiev
Caves Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). Having received gold from the
Mother of God, the saints commissioned master architects, who came
from Constantinople to the Russian land on the command of the Queen of
Heaven to build the church at the Monastery of the Caves. During this
appearance, the Mother of God foretold the impending death of St
Anthony, which occurred on July 10, 1073.
Through Divine Providence, the relics of St Anthony remain hidden.
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Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Far Caves
Saint Theodosius of the Caves, was the Father of monasticism in
Russia. He was born at Vasilevo, not far from Kiev. From his youth he
felt an irresistible attraction for the ascetic life, and led an
ascetic lifestyle while still in his parental home. He disdained
childish games and attractions, and constantly went to church. He
asked his parents to let him study the holy books, and through his
ability and rare zeal, he quickly learned to read the books, so that
everyone was amazed at his intellect.
When he was fourteen, he lost his father and remained under the
supervision of his mother, a strict and domineering woman who loved
her son very much. Many times she chastised her son for his yearning
for asceticism, but he remained firmly committed to his path.
At the age of twenty-four, he secretly left his parents' home and St
Anthony at the Kiev Caves monastery blessed him to receive monastic
tonsure with the name Theodosius. After four years his mother found
him and with tearfully begged him to return home, but the saint
persuaded her to remain in Kiev and to become a nun in the monastery
of St Nicholas at the Askold cemetery.
St Theodosius toiled at the monastery more than others, and he often
took upon himself some of the work of the other brethren. He carried
water, chopped wood, ground up the grain, and carried the flour to
each monk. On cold nights he uncovered his body and let it serve as
food for gnats and mosquitoes. His blood flowed, but the saint
occupied himself with handicrafts, and sang Psalms. He came to church
before anyone else and, standing in one place, he did not leave it
until the end of services. He also listened to the readings with
particular attention.
In 1054 St Theodosius was ordained a hieromonk, and in 1057 he was
chosen igumen. The fame of his deeds attracted a number of monks to
the monastery, at which he built a new church and cells, and he
introduced cenobitic rule of the Studion monastery, a copy of which he
commissioned at Constantinople.
As igumen, St Theodosius continued his arduous duties at the
monastery. He usually ate only dry bread and cooked greens without
oil, and spent his nights in prayer without sleep. The brethren often
noticed this, although the saint tried to conceal his efforts from
others.
No one saw when St Theodosius dozed lightly, and usually he rested
while sitting. During Great Lent the saint withdrew into a cave near
the monastery, where he struggled unseen by anyone. His attire was a
coarse hairshirt worn next to his body. He looked so much like a
beggar that it was impossible to recognize in this old man the
renowned igumen, deeply respected by all who knew him.
Once, St Theodosius was returning from visiting the Great Prince
Izyaslav. The coachman, not recognizing him, said gruffly, "You, monk,
are always on holiday, but I am constantly at work. Take my place, and
let me ride in the carriage." The holy Elder meekly complied and drove
the servant. Seeing how nobles along the way bowed to the monk driving
the horses, the servant took fright, but the holy ascetic calmed him,
and gave him a meal at the monastery. Trusting in God's help, the
saint did not keep a large supply of food at the monastery, and
therefore the brethren were in want of their daily bread. Through his
prayers, however, unknown benefactors appeared at the monastery and
furnished the necessities for the brethren.
The Great Princes, especially Izyaslav, loved to listen to the
spiritual discourses of St Theodosius. The saint was not afraid to
denounce the mighty of this world. Those unjustly condemned always
found a defender in him, and judges would review matters at the
request of the igumen. He was particularly concerned for the
destitute. He built a special courtyard for them at the monastery
where anyone in need could receive food and drink. Sensing the
approach of death, St Theodosius peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in
the year 1074. He was buried in a cave which he dug, where he secluded
himself during fasting periods.
The relics of the ascetic were found incorrupt in the year 109, and St
Theodosius was glorified as a saint in 1108. Of the written works of
St Theodosius six discourses, two letters to Great Prince Izyaslav,
and a prayer for all Christians have survived to our time.
The Life of St Theodosius was written by St Nestor the Chronicler
(October 27), a disciple of the great Abba, only thirty years after
his repose, and it was always one of the favorite readings of the
Russian nation. St Theodosius is also commemorated on September 28 and
May 3.
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3,628 Martyrs who suffered at Nicomedia
The 3628 Martyrs in Nicomedia suffered under the emperors Diocletian
(284-305) and Maximian (305-311). These were Christians who had come
from Alexandria. They had come to believe in Christ following the
martyrdom of St Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria (November 25).
Taking their wives and children with them, they arrived in Nicomedia
and voluntarily presented themselves for martyrdom, exclaiming, "We
are Christians." At first, Diocletian tried to persuade them to
renounce Christ, but seeing their resolve, he ordered them all to be
beheaded, and for their bodies to be thrown into a fiery pit.
Many years later, the relics of the holy martyrs were discovered
through various manifestations of grace.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Kaluga
The Kaluga Icon of the Mother of God appeared in 1748 in the village
of Tinkova, near Kaluga, at the home of the landowner Basil
Kondratevich Khitrov. Two servants of Khitrov were cleaning out junk
from the attic of his home. One of them, Eudokia, noted for her
temper, was given to rough and even indecorous language. Her companion
was modest and serious.
They discovered a large package covered in a linen cloth. Undoing it,
the girl saw the picture of a woman in dark garments with a book in
her hands. Considering it to be the portrait of a woman monastic and
wanting to bring Eudokia to her senses, she accused her of being
disrespectful to the abbess.
Eudokia jeered at the scolding words of her companion, and becoming
increasingly angry, she spit on the picture. Immediately, she became
convulsed and fell down senseless. She also became blind and mute. Her
frightened companion reported what had happened to the household.
The next night, the Queen of Heaven appeared to Eudokia's parents and
told them that their daughter had behaved impertinently toward Her and
She ordered them to serve a Molieben before the insulted icon, then
sprinkle the invalid with holy water at the Molieben.
After the Molieben Eudokia recovered, and Khitrov took the
wonderworking icon into his own home, where it granted healing to
those approaching it with faith. Later, the icon was placed in the
parish temple of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the
village of Kaluga. At the present time it is located in the cathedral
church of Kaluga.
Through this icon the Mother of God has repeatedly manifest Her
protection of the Russian land during difficult times. The celebration
of the Kaluga Icon on September 2 was established in remembrance of
the deliverance from a plague in 1771. A second celebration was
established October 12, in memory of the preservation of Kaluga from
the French invasion of 1812. In 1898, a celebration was established on
July 18 in gratitude to the Mother of God for protection against
cholera. The icon is also commemorated on the first Sunday of the
Apostles' Fast.
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