[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Sep 3 2007

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Galatians 2:11-16
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face,
because he was to be blamed;
12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the
Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself,
fearing those who were of the circumcision.
13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so
that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth
of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew,
live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel
Gentiles to live as Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by
faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we
might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law;
for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2


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Mark 5:24-34
24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and
thronged Him.
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent
all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and
touched His garment.
28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made
well."
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in
her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out
of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging
You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' "
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to
her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in
peace, and be healed of your affliction."
Scripture Reading 2 of 2



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Hieromartyr Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia
The Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia, and those with him
suffered during the persecution against Christians under the emperors
Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became
particularly intense after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia.
The pagans accused the Christians of setting the fire and reacted
against them with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
The soldier Zeno boldly denounced the emperor Maximian, for which he
was stoned, and then beheaded.
Then the holy Virgin Martyr Domna, a former pagan priestess, perished
at the hands of the pagans, and also St Euthymius, because of their
concern that the bodies of the holy martyrs should be buried. Bishop
Anthimus, who headed the Church of Nicomedia, hid himself in a village
not far from Nicomedia at the request of his flock. From there he sent
letters to the Christians, urging them to cleave firmly to the holy
Faith and not to fear tortures.
One of his letters, sent with Deacon Theophilus, was intercepted and
given to the emperor Maximian. Theophilus was interrogated and died
under torture, without revealing to his torturers the whereabouts of
Bishop Anthimus. After a while Maximian managed to learn where St
Anthimus was, and sent a detachment of soldiers after him.
The bishop met them along the way, but the soldiers did not recognize
the saint. He invited them to join him and provided a meal, after
which he revealed that he was the one they sought. The soldiers did
not know what to do. They wanted to leave him and tell the emperor
that they had not found him. Bishop Anthimus was not one to tolerate a
lie, and so he would not consent to this.
The soldiers came to believe in Christ and received holy Baptism. The
saint ordered them to carry out the emperor's instructions. When
Bishop Anthimus was brought before the emperor, the emperor ordered
that the instruments of execution be brought out and placed before
him. "Do you think, emperor, to frighten me with these tools of
execution?" asked the saint. "No indeed, you cannot frighten one who
wishes to die for Christ! Execution is frightening only for the
cowardly, for whom the present life is most precious." The emperor
then directed that the saint be fiercely tortured and beheaded by the
sword.
Bishop Anthimus joyfully glorified God with his last breath, and
received the crown of martyrdom. (See December 28 for another account
of the Nicomedian martyrs.)
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Martyr Theophilus the Deacon of Nicomedia
Saint Theophilus was a deacon who endured martyrdom during the
persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly intense
after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused
the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them with
terrible ferocity.
St Anthimus, who was Bishop of Nicomedia, took refuge in a neighboring
village during the persecution, and encouraged his flock through
letters. One of his letters, sent with Deacon Theophilus, was
intercepted and given to the emperor Maximian. Theophilus was
interrogated and died under torture, without revealing the whereabouts
of Bishop Anthimus.
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Martyr Dorotheus of Nicomedia
Saint Dorotheus suffered with the Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of
Nicomedia, during the persecution against Christians under the
emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution
became particularly intense after a fire at the imperial court at
Nicomedia. The pagans accused the Christians of setting the fire and
reacted against them with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Mardonius of Nicomedia
Saint Mardonius and those with him suffered with St Anthimus during
the persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian
(284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly
intense after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans
accused the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them
with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Migdonius of Nicomedia
Saint Migdonius and those with him suffered with St Anthimus during
the persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian
(284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly
intense after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans
accused the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them
with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Peter of Nicomedia
Saint Peter and those with him suffered with St Anthimus during the
persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly intense
after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused
the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them with
terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Indes of Nicomedia
Saint Indes and those with him suffered with St Anthimus during the
persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly intense
after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused
the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them with
terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Gorgonius of Nicomedia
Saint Gorgonius and those with him suffered with St Anthimus during
the persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian
(284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly
intense after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans
accused the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them
with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
Sts Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius died
during this period. One of them was beheaded by the sword, others
perished by burning, or being buried alive, or by drowning in the sea.
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Martyr Zeno of Nicomedia
Saint Zeno suffered with the hieromartyr Anthimus during the
persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly intense
after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused
the Christians of setting the fire and reacted against them with
terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
The soldier Zeno boldly denounced the emperor Maximian, for which he
was stoned, and then beheaded.
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Virginmartyr Domna of Nicomedia
Saint Domna was one of those who suffered with the Hieromartyr
Anthimus of Nicomedia during the persecution against Christians under
the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The
persecution became particularly intense after a fire at the imperial
court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused the Christians of setting the
fire and reacted against them with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
The holy Virgin Martyr Domna, a former pagan priestess, perished at
the hands of the pagans, and also St Euthymius, because of their
concern that the bodies of the holy martyrs should be buried.
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Martyr Euthymius of Nicomedia
Saint Euthymius was one of those who suffered with the Hieromartyr
Anthimus of Nicomedia during the persecution against Christians under
the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The
persecution became particularly intense after a fire at the imperial
court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused the Christians of setting the
fire and reacted against them with terrible ferocity.
In Nicomedia alone, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, as many as
twenty thousand Christians were burned inside a church. However, this
monstrous inhumanity did not frighten the Christians, who firmly
confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for Christ.
The holy Virgin Martyr Domna, a former pagan priestess, perished at
the hands of the pagans, and also St Euthymius, because of their
concern that the bodies of the holy martyrs should be buried.
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Venerable Theoctistus
Saint Theoctistus of Palestine was a great ascetic who lived in the
Judean wilderness in the Wadi Mukellik. At first, he was the companion
of St Euthymius the Great (January 20) in the ascetic lfe. So great
was their mutual affection and oneness of mind that they seemed to
live as one soul in two bodies. They were persons of similar virtue
and holiness, and they encouraged one another in their struggles. Each
year after the Leave-taking of Theophany, they would go into the
desert to struggle and pray in solitude, returning to their cells on
Palm Sunday.
After five years together, Sts Euthymius and Theoctistus went into the
desert for Great Lent, and in a wadi they discovered a large cave
which later became a church. They decided to remain there, believing
that they had been led there by God. They ate wild herbs to sustain
themselves, and met with no other people for some time.
The Lord did not wish these great luminaries to remain hidden,
however. He wanted their wisdom and holiness of life to become known
in order to benefit others. One day, shepherds from Bethany found the
ascetics and went back to their village and told others about them.
After that, many people came to hear of them, and monks came from
other monasteries to visit them. Some even stayed there in order to be
instructed by them.
So many monks gathered around them that they were obliged to build a
lavra over the cave church. St Euthymius made Theoctistus the igumen
of the lavra, while he himself lived in seclusion in the cave. The
wise Theoctistus accepted all who came to him, confessing them and
treating the infirmities of their wounded souls with appropriate
spiritual remedies.
When he had reached an advanced old age, St Theoctistus became very
ill. St Euthymius (who was ninety years old himself) visited him and
took care of him. When St Theoctistus went to the Lord in 467,
Patriarch Anastasius of Jerusalem came and presided at his burial
service.
St Theoctistus of Palestine should not be confused with St Theoctistus
of Sicily (January 4).
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Venerable Euthymius the Great
No information available at this time.
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Blessed John "the Hairy" and Fool-For-Christ at Rostov
Blessed John the Merciful of Rostov (also known as "the Hairy")
struggled at Rostov in the exploit of holy foolishness, enduring much
deprivation and sorrow. He did not have a permanent shelter, and at
times took his rest at the house of his spiritual Father, a priest at
the church of the All-Holy, or with one of the aged widows.
Living in humility, patience and unceasing prayer, he spiritually
nourished many people, among them St Irenarchus, Hermit of Rostov
(January 13). After a long life of pursuing asceticism, he died on
September 3, 1580 and was buried, according to his final wishes,
beside the church of St Blaise beyond the altar.
He had "hair upon his head abundantly," therefore he was called
"Hairy." The title "Merciful" was given to Blessed John because of the
many healings that occurred at his grave, and also in connection with
the memory of the holy Patriarch John the Merciful (November 12),
whose name he shared.
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St Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth
Saint Phoebe the Deaconess is mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul
(Romans 16:1-2).
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Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia
The Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia suffered for her faith in Christ
under the emperor Diocletian. The Nicomedia governor Alexander gave
orders to arrest the nine-year-old Basilissa and force her to renounce
Christ. But the young maiden displayed unshakable firmness in fidelity
to her Lord, and so she was subjected to protracted and intense
torture.
Through the grace of God, the holy martyr remained alive and unharmed.
This was evident to all those present as a manifestation of the power
of God, and it so upset the governor Alexander, that he also came to
believe in Christ and confessed himself a Christian.
Baptized later by Bishop Anthimus, he lived for a short while in deep
repentance, and then departed peacefully to the Lord, as did St
Basilissa some while after him. Her death was peaceful and accompanied
by miraculous signs of God's mercy.
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Martyr Aristion the Bishop of Alexandria
Saint Aristion was the bishop of lesser Alexandria in Cilicia (Asia
Minor). He was born in the small town of Aribazo in the eparchy of
Apamea, Syria at the beginning of the second century. His parents were
pagans, and he spent his early years in an atmosphere of idolatry.
We do not know what sort of early education St Aristion received, nor
where he studied, but it did not satisfy his search for the truth. A
ten-year-old boy who lived in the same town, the future martyr
Anthony, showed him the path which led to the truth. Anthony
instructed him in the true Faith, and Aristion increased in piety and
zeal for God.
It is significant that Anthony, despite the constant fear of
persecution, exile and even danger to his own life, was not just a
member of the local church, but also preached the Faith to others. It
is certain that Aristion prayed for his young friend and remembered
his courage and strength, for Anthony's efforts to bring Aristion to
the saving Faith had born fruit and were not in vain. Not only did
Anthony give himself to the Church through his martyrdom at the age of
twenty, he also gave it another saint and martyr: St Aristion
Years later, St Aristion was consecrated bishop for Isso in Cilicia,
which is found in lesser Alexandria. He was a good shepherd to his
flock, and cared diligently for their souls.
One day the ruler of Alexandria had St Aristion arrested because he
was a Christian. Although he was placed on public trial, the holy
bishop was calm and showed no fear. His whole demeanor made the Roman
eparch realize that it would not easy to deal with this man who stood
before him. He tried to turn Aristion from Christ through flattery and
promises of reward, but the saint stood firm. Seeing that his words
had no effect on the bishop, he threatened him with fierce tortures.
He was not influenced by these threats, however.
< St Aristion stood before the eparch and his counselors, gazing at
them with love and concern for their salvation. Even in his weakness,
this captive was stronger than his captors, and he refused to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Before a multitude of idolaters, St Aristion spoke of the Triune God,
by Whom all things were created. He also told them about the
Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was accomplished through
God's saving dispensation. He explained that Christ brings salvation
to fallen man, thereby giving him another chance to attain the true
purpose of his life - theosis.
"How poor these soulless statues of the gods are," the bishop said,
"and how helpless the eparch looks in his radiant apparel."
All who heard the saint speak were amazed and asked one another where
he got such courage. Aristion invited them to believe in the truth
which he was revealing to them. Those who watched understood that this
holy man was someone special, and they wanted to hear more about his
beliefs.
The Roman eparch could not find any way to resist Aristion except
through violence, so he sentenced him to death. He commanded his
soldiers to prepare a large furnace and then throw him into the
flames.The saint went to his martyrdom without resistance, remaining
brave and strong until the end. The few Christians who were present
tried not to weep.They whispered prayers for him, and were saddened
because their father was leaving them. They knew, however, that their
archpastor would not cease praying for them, especially now that he
was going to Christ. They could hear St Aristion singing hymns in the
fire until his last breath.
The eparch did not know what a terrible mistake he had made. He did
not realize that death is not the end for men, nor for the truth.
Nothing could separate St Aristion from the Fountain of Life, and so
the Lord bestowed upon him an imperishable crown of glory.
After the flames died down, his spiritual children approached the
furnace and collected as many of his bones as they could. With great
reverence they put the holy relics in a secret place, which remains
unknown to the present day.
A more detailed biography of the saint has been published (in Greek):
THE HOLY HIEROMARTYR ARISTION, by John G. Thalassinos (Athens, 2003).
This volume also contains the Service to the saint, which was composed
by Hieromonk Athanasius of Simonopetra Monastery on Mt. Athos.
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St Joannicius the first Patriarch of Serbia
Saint Joannicius, Patriarch of Serbia, was a native of the city of
Prizren. At first, he was a secretary under king Karl (Charles) of
Serbia, and later on from the year 1339, he guided the Church in as
Archbishop.
In the year 1346 a Council of all the Serbian archpastors, and
including also the Patriarch of Bulgaria, at the wish of King Dushan,
chose Archbishop Joannicius as Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox
Church. St Joannicius reposed on September 3, 1349 and was buried in
the Pech monastery.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Pisidia
The Pisidia Icon of the Mother of God was glorified by miracles in the
city of Sozopolis, but its origin is unknown. St Germanus, the
Patriarch of Constantinople (May 12), mentions "the icon of the
All-Pure Virgin Mother of God at Pisidian Sozopolis" in his letters on
the veneration of icons which were read at the Seventh Ecumenical
Council. He said that myrrh flowed from the hands," and described the
icon as "ancient."
The miracles of the icon date back to the sixth century. One of the
miracles was reported by the presbyter Eustathius, who was a
contemporary of Patriarch Eutychius (April 6). At Amasea, near
Sozopolis, there was a certain married couple, whose children were all
stillborn. Grieving over their misfortune, they turned to Patriarch
Eutychius for advice. St Eutychius prayed and anointed them with holy
oil from the Cross of the Lord and from the holy icon of the Mother of
God saying, "In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
"Name your child Peter, and he will live," he said to them. Soon the
couple gave birth to a son whom they did indeed name Peter. Later,
they had a second son, whom they named John. The people of the city
glorified God when they heard of this miracle.
For about 600 years myrrh flowed from the Pisidian Icon of the Mother
of God, Eleusius, a disciple of St Theodore the Sykeote (April 22),
was a witness to this. A copy of this ancient wonderworking icon was
made in Russia in 1608, at Moscow's Novospassky (New Monastery of the
Transfiguration of the Savior) monastery. The Mother of God is
depicted with the Divine Infant on Her left arm, and with Her right
hand She gives a blessing.
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Martyr Polydorus of Cyprus
No information available at this time.
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