[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Sep 11 05:00:12 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Sep 11 2007

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Galatians 5:11-21
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still
suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves
off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use
liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall
love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed
by one another!
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust
of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do
the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of
wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I
tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those
who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Mark 7:5-16
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not
walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with
unwashed hands?"
6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you
hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments
of men.'
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of
men -the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you
do.
9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God,
that you may keep your tradition.
10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who
curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'
11 But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, Whatever
profit you might have received from me is Corban"-' (that is, a gift
to God),
12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his
mother,
13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which
you have handed down. And many such things you do.
14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them,
"Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile
him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that
defile a man.
16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God
No information available at this time.
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Venerable Theodora of Alexandria
Saint Theodora of Alexandria and her husband lived in Alexandria. Love
and harmony ruled in their family, and this was hateful to the Enemy
of salvation. Goaded on by the devil, a certain rich man was
captivated by the youthful beauty of Theodora and began with all his
abilities to lead her into adultery, but for a long time he was
unsuccessful. Then he bribed a woman of loose morals, who led the
unassuming Theodora astray by saying that a secret sin, which the sun
does not see, is also unknown to God.
Theodora betrayed her husband, but soon came to her senses and
realizing the seriousness of her fall, she became furious with
herself, slapping herself on the face and tearing at her hair. Her
conscience gave her no peace, and Theodora went to a renowned abbess
and told her about her transgression. The abbess, seeing the
repentance of the young woman, spoke to her of God's forgiveness and
reminded her of the the sinful woman in the Gospel, who washed the
feet of Christ with her tears and received from Him forgiveness of her
sins. In hope of the mercy of God, Theodora said: "I believe my God,
and from now on, I shall not commit such a sin, and I will strive to
atone for my deed."
At that moment St Theodora resolved to go off to a monastery to purify
herself by labor and by prayer. She left her home secretly, and
dressing herself in men's clothes, she went to a men's monastery,
since she feared that her husband would find her in a women's
monastery.
The igumen of the monastery, in order to test the resolve of the
newcomer, would not even bless her to enter the courtyard. St Theodora
spent the night at the gates. In the morning, she fell down at the
knees of the igumen, and said her name was Theodore from Alexandria,
and entreated him to let her remain at the monastery for repentance
and monastic labors. Seeing the sincere intent of the newcomer, the
igumen consented.
Even the experienced monks were amazed at Theodora's all-night prayers
on bended knee, her humility, endurance and self-denial. The saint
labored at the monastery for eight years. Her body, once defiled by
adultery, now became a vessel of the grace of God and a receptacle of
the Holy Spirit.
Once, the saint was sent to Alexandria to buy provisions. After
blessing her for the journey, the igumen indicated that in case of a
delay, she should stay over at the Enata monastery, which was on the
way. Also staying at the guest house of the Enata monastery was the
daughter of its igumen. She had come to visit with her father.
Attracted by the comeliness of the young monk, she tried to seduce the
monk Theodore into the sin of fornication, not knowing that it was a
woman standing before her. Meeting with refusal, she committed sin
with another guest and became pregnant. Meanwhile, the saint bought
the food and returned to her own monastery.
After a certain while the father of the shameless girl, realizing that
a transgression had occurred, began to question his daughter about the
father of the child. The girl indicated that it was the monk Theodore.
The father at once reported it to the Superior of the monastery where
St Theodora labored in asceticism. The igumen summoned the saint and
repeated the accusation. The saint firmly replied: "As God is my
witness, I did not do this." The igumen, knowing of Theodore's purity
and holiness of life, did not believe the accusation.
When the girl gave birth, the Enata monks brought the infant to the
monastery where the ascetic lived, and began to reproach its monks for
an unchaste life. But this time even the igumen believed the
slanderous accusation and became angry at the innocent Theodore. They
entrusted the infant into the care of the saint and threw her out of
the monastery in disgrace.
The saint humbly submitted to this new trial, seeing in it the
expiation of her former sin. She settled with the child not far from
the monastery in a hut. Shepherds, out of pity, gave her milk for the
infant, and the saint herself ate only wild vegetables.
Bearing her misfortune, the holy ascetic spent seven years in
banishment. Finally, at the request of the monks, the igumen allowed
her to return to the monastery with the child, and in seclusion she
spent two years instructing the child.
The igumen of the monastery received a revelation from God that the
sin of the monk Theodore was forgiven. The grace of God dwelt upon the
monk Theodore, and soon all the monks began to witness to the signs
worked through the prayers of the saint.
Once, during a drought, all the wells dried up. The igumen said to the
brethren that only Theodore would be able to reverse the misfortune.
Having summoned the saint, the igumen bade her to bring forth water,
and the water in the well did not dry up afterwards. The humble
Theodore said that the miracle was worked through the prayer and faith
of the igumen.
Before her death, St Theodora shut herself in her cell with the child
and instructed him to love God above all things. She told him to obey
the igumen and the brethren, to preserve tranquility, to be meek and
without malice, to avoid obscenity and silliness, to love
non-covetousness, and not to neglect their communal prayer. After
this, she prayed and, for the last time, she asked the Lord to forgive
her sins. The child also prayed together with her. Soon the words of
prayer faded from the lips of the ascetic, and she peacefully departed
to a better world.
The Lord revealed to the igumen the spiritual accomplishments of the
saint, and also her secret. The igumen, in order to remove any
dishonor from the deceased, in the presence of the igumen and brethren
of the Enata monastery, told of his vision and uncovered the bosom of
the saint as proof.
The Enata igumen and brethren shrank back in terror at their great
transgression. Falling down before the body of the saint, with tears
they asked forgiveness of St Theodora. News of StTheodora reached her
former husband. He received monastic tonsure at this same monastery
where his wife had been. And the child, raised by the nun, also
followed in the footsteps of his foster-mother. Afterwards, he became
igumen of this very monastery.
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Translation of the relics of the Venerable Sergius the
Wonderworker of Valaam
Saints Sergius and Herman settled on the island of Valaam in 1329. The
brethren gathered by them spread the light of Orthodoxy in this
frontier land. The Karelian people began to regard Christianity with
renewed suspicion, with its authority in the fourteenth century being
undermined by the Swedes, who sought to spread Catholicism by means of
the sword.
Sts Sergius and Herman died about the year 1353. They are also
commemorated on June 28 (Their holy repose).
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Translation of the relics of the Venerable Herman the
Wonderworker of Valaam
Saints Sergius and Herman settled on the island of Valaam in 1329. The
brethren gathered by them spread the light of Orthodoxy in this
frontier land. The Karelian people began to regard Christianity with
renewed suspicion, with its authority in the fourteenth century being
undermined by the Swedes, who sought to spread Catholicism by means of
the sword.
Sts Sergius and Herman died about the year 1353. They are also
commemorated on June 28 (Their holy repose).
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Martyr Demetrius with his wife and son, at Skepsis on the
Hellespont
The Holy Martyrs Demetrius, his wife Euanthea, and their son
Demetrian.
St Demetrius was a prince and prefect of the city of Skepsis in the
Hellespont. St Cornelius the Centurion (September 13), the first
Gentile converted to Christ by the Apostle Paul, came into his city
preaching the Gospel.
St Cornelius sowed the seeds of Christianity among many of the
inhabitants of Skepsis, and so the pagans arrested him and brought him
to trial before the prefect Demetrius. In vain he demanded that the
saint renounce Christ, and finally handed him over for torture.
St Cornelius bravely endured the torture, while in turn urging the
prefect to forsake his pagan errors and turn to the true faith in
Christ. Led into a temple of idols, St Cornelius destroyed the pagan
temple and the idols standing in it by his prayer.
Persuaded of the truth of Christianity by the saint's preaching and by
his miracles, the prefect Demetrius himself came to believe in Christ
and was baptized with all his family. Because the saints now believed
in Christ, the pagans threw the newly-converted family into prison
where they were starved to death.
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Martyr Euanthia with her husband and son, at Skepsis on the
Hellespont
The Holy Martyr Euanthea was the wife of St Demetrius and the mother
of St Demetrian.
St Demetrius was a prince and prefect of the city of Skepsis in the
Hellespont. When St Cornelius the Centurion came to Skepsis to preach
the Gospel St Demetrius and his entire family were converted by St
Cornelius and baptized. The pagans threw them into prison where they
were starved to death.
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Martyr Demetrian with his parents at Skepsis on the
Hellespont
The Holy Martyr Demetrian was the son of St Demetrius and St Euanthea.
St Demetrius was a prince and prefect of the city of Skepsis in the
Hellespont. When St Cornelius the Centurion came to Skepsis to preach
the Gospel St Demetrius and his entire family were converted by St
Cornelius and baptized. The pagans threw them into prison where they
were starved to death.
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Martyr Diodorus of Laodicea
Saint Diodorus was born in Laodicea in the fourth century, and
suffered martyrdom in that city. He and his companions Didymus and
Diomedes were flogged to death.
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Martyr Didymus of Laodicea
Saint Didymus was born in Laodicea in the fourth century, and suffered
martyrdom in that city. He and his companions Diodorus and Diomedes
were flogged to death.
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Martyr Diomedes of Laodicea
Saint Diomedes was born in Laodicea in the fourth century, and
suffered martyrdom in that city. He and his companions Diodorus and
Didymus were flogged to death.
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Martyr Ia of Persia
The Holy Martyr Ia was arrested along with 9,000 Christians by the
Persian emperor Sapor II, and they were all brought to the Persian
city of Bisada. The chief of the Persian sorcerers demanded that the
saint renounce Christ, but she remained unyielding and so she was
tortured. Then St Ia was thrown into prison. She was beheaded after
repeated tortures.
According to Tradition, the sun was darkened at the time of her
martyrdom, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance.
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Martyred 9,000 with St Ia of Persia
These 9,000 Christians were arrested along with St Ia by the Persian
emperor Sapor II and were taken to the Persian city of Bisada. Since
they refused to renounce Christ, they were subjected to torture.
Finally, they were put to death, receiving imperishable crowns of
glory from the Lord.
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St Euphrosynus the Cook, of Alexandria
Saint Euphrosynus the Cook was from one of the Palestinian
monasteries, and his obedience was to work in the kitchen as a cook.
Toiling away for the brethren, St Euphrosynus did not absent himself
from thought about God, but rather dwelt in prayer and fasting. He
remembered always that obedience is the first duty of a monk, and
therefore he was obedient to the elder brethren.
The patience of the saint was amazing: they often reproached him, but
he made no complaint and endured every unpleasantness. St Euphrosynus
pleased the Lord by his inner virtue which he concealed from people,
and the Lord Himself revealed to the monastic brethren the spiritual
heights of their unassuming fellow-monk.
One of the priests of the monastery prayed and asked the Lord to show
him the blessings prepared for the righteous in the age to come. The
priest saw in a dream what Paradise is like, and he contemplated its
inexplicable beauty with fear and with joy.
He also saw there a monk of his monastery, the cook Euphrosynus.
Amazed at this encounter, the presbyter asked Euphrosynus, how he came
to be there. The saint answered that he was in Paradise through the
great mercy of God. The priest again asked whether Euphrosynus would
be able to give him something from the surrounding beauty. St
Euphrosynus suggested to the priest to take whatever he wished, and so
the priest pointed to three luscious apples growing in the garden of
Paradise. The monk picked the three apples, wrapped them in a cloth,
and gave them to his companion.
When he awoke in the early morning, the priest thought the vision a
dream, but suddenly he noticed next to him the cloth with the fruit of
Paradise wrapped in it, and emitting a wondrous fragrance. The priest,
found St Euphrosynus in church and asked him under oath where he was
the night before. The saint answered that he was where the priest also
was. Then the monk said that the Lord, in fulfilling the prayer of the
priest, had shown him Paradise and had bestown the fruit of Paradise
through him, " the lowly and unworthy servant of God, Euphrosynus."
The priest related everything to the monastery brethren, pointing out
the spiritual loftiness of Euphrosynus in pleasing God, and he pointed
to the fragrant paradaisical fruit. Deeply affected by what they
heard, the monks went to the kitchen, in order to pay respect to St
Euphrosynus, but they did not find him there. Fleeing human glory, the
monk had left the monastery. The place where he concealed himself
remained unknown, but the monks always remembered that their monastic
brother St Euphrosynus had come upon Paradise, and that they in being
saved, through the mercy of God would meet him there. They reverently
kept and distributed pieces of the apples from Paradise for blessing
and for healing.
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Icon of the Mother of God Weeping "Kaplunovka" in Kazan
The Kaplunovka Icon of the Kazan Mother of God, after its wondrous
appearance in a dream to the priest Ioann, on September 11, 1689 he
purchased it from a Moscow iconographer who was passing through the
village of Kaplunovka.
On the Third Sunday of the Great Fast, the icon shone with an
extraordinary light, and was then transferred into the local
Kaplunovka church. The depiction on this icon resembles the Kazan Icon
of the Mother of God. The Kaplunovka Icon was on the field of battle
at Poltava in 1709.
More than once Russian armies prayed before the holy icon. The
celebration of the Theotokos in honor of her wonderworking Kaplunovka
Icon was established in the year 1766.
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