[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sat Apr 5 05:00:17 CDT 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Apr 5 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Hebrews 6:9-12  (Epistle)
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes,
things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which
you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the
saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the
full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through
faith and patience inherit the promises.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Corinthians 15:47-57  (Epistle, Departed)
47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the
Lord from heaven.
48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and
as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also
bear the image of the heavenly Man.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed-
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For
the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal
has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 7:31-37  (Gospel)
31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through
the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.
32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in
his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.
33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in
his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him,
"Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue
was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more
He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all
things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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John 5:24-30  (Gospel, Departed)
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in
Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear
will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to
have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is
the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are
in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is
righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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4th Saturday of Great Lent Memorial Saturday
Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the
commemoration of Orthodox Christians departed this life in the hope of
resurrection and eternal life. Since the Divine Liturgy cannot be
served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and fourth
Saturdays of the Fast are appointed as Soul Saturdays when the
departed are remembered at Liturgy.
In addition to the Liturgy, kollyva (wheat or rice cooked with honey
and mixed with raisins, figs, nuts, sesame, etc.) is blessed in church
on these Saturdays. The kollyva reminds us of the Lord's words,
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).The kollyva
symbolizes the future resurrection of all the dead. As St Simeon of
Thessalonica (September 15) says, man is also a seed which is planted
in the ground after death, and will be raised up again by God's power.
St Paul also speaks of this (I Cor. 15:35-49).
It is also customary to give alms in memory of the dead. The angel who
spoke to Cornelius testifies to the efficacy of almsgiving, "Your
prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God" (Acts
10:4).
Memorial services for the dead may be traced back to ancient times.
Chapter 8 of the Apostolic Constitutions recommends memorial services
with Psalms for the dead. It also contains a beautiful prayer for the
departed, asking that their voluntary and involuntary sins be
pardoned, that they be given rest with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and
Apostles in a place where sorrow, suffering, and sighing have fled
away (Isaiah 35:10). St John Chrysostom mentions the service for the
dead in one of his homilies on Philippians, and says that it was
established by the Apostles. St Cyprian of Carthage (Letter 37) also
speaks of our duty to remember the martyrs.
The holy Fathers also testify to the benefit of offering prayers,
memorial services, Liturgies, and alms for the dead (St John
Chrysostom, St Cyril of Jerusalem, St John of Damascus, etc.).
Although both the righteous and those who have not repented and
corrected themselves may receive benefit and consolation from the
Church's prayer, it has not been revealed to what extent the
unrighteous receive this solace. It is not possible, however, to
transfer a soul from a state of evil and condemnation to a state of
holiness and blessedness through the Church's prayer. St Basil the
Great points out that the time for repentance and forgiveness of sins
is during the present life, while the future life is a time for
righteous judgment and retribution (Moralia 1). St John Chrysostom, St
Gregory the Theologian, and other patristic writers concur with St
Basil's statement.
By praying for others, we bring benefit to them, and also to
ourselves, because "God is not so unjust as to forget your work and
the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints" (Heb.
6:10).
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Martyr Agathopodes the Deacon, and those with him, at
Thessalonica
The Holy Martyrs Agathopodes the Deacon and Theodulus the Reader lived
in Thessalonica during the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (284-305) and were among the church clergy. The holy
Deacon Agathopodes was very old, and Saint Theodulus very young.
Both distinguished themselves by righteous life and piety. Once, St
Theodulus had a vision in his sleep, in which an unknown person in
radiant garb placed some object in his hand. When he awoke, he saw in
his hand a beautiful ring with the image of the Cross and he realized
that this was a sign of his future martyrdom. By the power of the
Cross depicted on the ring, the saint healed many of the sick and
converted pagans to faith in Christ the Savior.
When the emperor Diocletian issued an edict of a persecution against
Christians (303), many attempted to hide themselves from pursuit, but
Sts Agathopodes and Theodulus fearlessly continued to proclaim the
Gospel.
Governor Faustinus of Thessalonica heard of this, and gave orders to
bring them to him for trial. Seeing the youth and excellence of St
Theodulus, Faustinus attempted flattery to persuade him to renounce
Christianity and to offer sacrifice. St Theodulus replied that he had
long ago renounced error and that he pitied Faustinus, who by
embracing paganism had condemned himself to eternal death. The
governor offered the martyr a choice: the fortunes of life, or
immediate death. The saint said that he would certainly choose life,
but life eternal, and that he did not fear death.
When Faustinus saw that he would not persuade Theodulus, he began to
talk with St Agathopodes. The governor attempted to deceive him and
said that St Theodulus had already agreed to offer sacrifice to the
gods. But Agathopodes did not believe this. He was convinced that St
Theodulus was prepared to offer his life for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not having any success, Faustinus commanded the martyrs to be taken to
prison. The holy martyrs prayed fervently and boldly preached the Word
of God to the imprisoned, so that many were converted to Christianity.
Eutinios, the head of the prison, reported this to the governor.
Faustinus again summoned them to trial and again he urged them to
renounce Christ. Before the eyes of St Theodulus they brought forth
some who had been Christians, but betrayed the Faith. "You have
conquered the weak, but you will never conquer the strong warriors of
Christ, even if you invent greater torments," exclaimed St Theodulus.
The governor commanded the martyr to produce the Christian books.
"Here, is my body given for torture," he answered, "do with it what
you wish; torture me fiercely, but I shall not hand over the sacred
writings to be mocked by the impious!"
Faustinus gave orders to bring St Theodulus to the place of execution,
where an executioner readied a sword in order to cut off his head. The
martyr bravely and with joy cried out, "Glory to You, O God, the
Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, Who deigned to suffer for us. Here, by
His grace, I am coming to You, and with joy I die for You!"
Then Faustinus halted the execution and again locked up the martyrs in
prison. There the holy martyrs prayed fervently and both had the same
dream. They were sailing in a ship, which was in danger of being
wrecked in a storm. The waves cast them up on shore, arrayed in
radiant white clothing. The saints told each other about the vision,
and they gave thanks to God for their impending martyrdom.
In the morning, when the martyrs were again brought to Faustinus, they
declared to him: "We are Christians and we are prepared to undergo any
suffering for Christ." Faustinus gave orders to cast them into the
sea. The waves carried St Agathopodes to the rocks, and he loudly
exclaimed, "This shall be for us a second Baptism, which will wash
away our sins, and we shall come to Christ in purity." St Theodulus
was also cast into the sea (+ 303).
The bodies of the saints were washed up on shore. They were dressed in
radiant garb, but the ropes and stones used to weight them down were
gone. Christians took their holy bodies and gave them reverent burial.
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Martyr Theodulus the Reader, and those with him, at
Thessalonica
The Holy Martyrs Agathopodes the Deacon and Theodulus the Reader lived
in Thessalonica during the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-305)
and Maximian (284-305) and were among the church clergy. The holy
Deacon Agathopodes was very old, and Saint Theodulus very young.
Both distinguished themselves by righteous life and piety. Once, St
Theodulus had a vision in his sleep, in which an unknown person in
radiant garb placed some object in his hand. When he awoke, he saw in
his hand a beautiful ring with the image of the Cross and he realized
that this was a sign of his future martyrdom. By the power of the
Cross depicted on the ring, the saint healed many of the sick and
converted pagans to faith in Christ the Savior.
When the emperor Diocletian issued an edict of a persecution against
Christians (303), many attempted to hide themselves from pursuit, but
Sts Agathopodes and Theodulus fearlessly continued to proclaim the
Gospel.
Governor Faustinus of Thessalonica heard of this, and gave orders to
bring them to him for trial. Seeing the youth and excellence of St
Theodulus, Faustinus attempted flattery to persuade him to renounce
Christianity and to offer sacrifice. St Theodulus replied that he had
long ago renounced error and that he pitied Faustinus, who by
embracing paganism had condemned himself to eternal death. The
governor offered the martyr a choice: the fortunes of life, or
immediate death. The saint said that he would certainly choose life,
but life eternal, and that he did not fear death.
When Faustinus saw that he would not persuade Theodulus, he began to
talk with St Agathopodes. The governor attempted to deceive him and
said that St Theodulus had already agreed to offer sacrifice to the
gods. But Agathopodes did not believe this. He was convinced that St
Theodulus was prepared to offer his life for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not having any success, Faustinus commanded the martyrs to be taken to
prison. The holy martyrs prayed fervently and boldly preached the Word
of God to the imprisoned, so that many were converted to Christianity.
Eutinios, the head of the prison, reported this to the governor.
Faustinus again summoned them to trial and again he urged them to
renounce Christ. Before the eyes of St Theodulus they brought forth
some who had been Christians, but betrayed the Faith. "You have
conquered the weak, but you will never conquer the strong warriors of
Christ, even if you invent greater torments," exclaimed St Theodulus.
The governor commanded the martyr to produce the Christian books.
"Here, is my body given for torture," he answered, "do with it what
you wish; torture me fiercely, but I shall not hand over the sacred
writings to be mocked by the impious!"
Faustinus gave orders to bring St Theodulus to the place of execution,
where an executioner readied a sword in order to cut off his head. The
martyr bravely and with joy cried out, "Glory to You, O God, the
Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, Who deigned to suffer for us. Here, by
His grace, I am coming to You, and with joy I die for You!"
Then Faustinus halted the execution and again locked up the martyrs in
prison. There the holy martyrs prayed fervently and both had the same
dream. They were sailing in a ship, which was in danger of being
wrecked in a storm. The waves cast them up on shore, arrayed in
radiant white clothing. The saints told each other about the vision,
and they gave thanks to God for their impending martyrdom.
In the morning, when the martyrs were again brought to Faustinus, they
declared to him: "We are Christians and we are prepared to undergo any
suffering for Christ." Faustinus gave orders to cast them into the
sea. The waves carried St Agathopodes to the rocks, and he loudly
exclaimed, "This shall be for us a second Baptism, which will wash
away our sins, and we shall come to Christ in purity." St Theodulus
was also cast into the sea (+ 303).
The bodies of the saints were washed up on shore. They were dressed in
radiant garb, but the ropes and stones used to weight them down were
gone. Christians took their holy bodies and gave them reverent burial.
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Venerable Publius of Egypt
Saint Publius lived a life of asceticism in the Egyptian desert during
the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Before a
military campaign against the Persians, the emperor sent a devil to
explore the way for the army to go. The venerable Publius foresaw the
intent of the emperor. He stood in prayer with upraised hands, praying
day and night, and blocked the path of the devil.
For ten days the evil spirit waited until the monk concluded his
prayer. Unable to proceed, he returned to the emperor and reported
that he had been thwarted. In a rage against St Publius, Julian the
Apostate vowed to avenge himself on the saint upon his return from the
campaign. He did not fulfill this oath, since he soon perished.
After the death of Julian, one of his military commanders distributed
his effects and received monastic tonsure at the hand of St Publius.
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St Theonas of Egypt
No information available at this time.
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St Simeon of Egypt
No information available at this time.
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St Phorbinus of Egypt
No information available at this time.
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Venerable Mark the Anchorite of Athens
Saint Mark was born in Athens. He related his life to Abba Serapion
who, by the will of God, visited him before his death.
He had studied philosophy in his youth. After the death of his
parents, St Mark withdrew into Egypt and settled into a cave of Mount
Trache (in Ethiopia). He spent ninety-five years in seclusion and
during this time not only did he not see a human face, but not even a
beast or bird.
The first thirty years were the most difficult for St Mark. Barefoot
and bedraggled, he suffered from the cold in winter, and from the heat
in summer. The desert plants served him for food, and sometimes he had
to eat the dust and drink bitter sea water. Unclean spirits chased
after St Mark, promising to drown him in the sea, or to drag him down
from the mountain, shouting, "Depart from our land! From the beginning
of the world no one has come here. Why have you dared to come?"
After thirty years of tribulation, divine grace came upon the ascetic.
Angels brought him food, and long hair grew on his body, protecting
him from the cold and heat. He told Abba Serapion, "I saw the likeness
of the divine Paradise, and in it the prophets of God Elias and Enoch.
The Lord sent me everything that I sought."
During his conversation with Abba Serapion, St Mark inquired how
things stood in the world. He asked about the Church of Christ, and
whether persecutions against Christians still continued. Hearing that
idol worship had ceased long ago, the saint rejoiced and asked, "Are
there now in the world saints working miracles, as the Lord spoke of
in His Gospel, 'If ye have faith even as a grain of mustard seed, ye
will say to this mountain, move from that place, and it will move, and
nothing shall be impossible for you' (Mt.17:20)?"
As the saint spoke these words, the mountain moved from its place
5,000 cubits (approximately 2.5 kilometers) and went toward the sea.
When St Mark saw that the mountain had moved, he said, "I did not
order you to move from your place, but was conversing with a brother.
Go back to your place!" After this, the mountain actually returned to
its place. Abba Serapion fell down in fright. St Mark took him by the
hand and asked, "Have you never seen such miracles in your lifetime?"
"No, Father," Abba Serapion replied. Then St Mark wept bitterly and
said, "Alas, today there are Christians in name only, but not in
deeds."
After this, St Mark invited Abba Serapion to a meal and an angel
brought them food. Abba Serapion said that never had he eaten such
tasty food nor drunk such sweet water. "Brother Serapion," answered St
Mark, "did you see what beneficence God sends His servants? In all my
days here God sent me only one loaf of bread and one fish. Now for
your sake He has doubled the meal and sent us two loaves and two
fishes. The Lord God has nourished me with such meals ever since my
first sufferings from evil."
Before his death, St Mark prayed for the salvation of Christians, for
the earth and everything in the world living upon it in the love of
Christ. He gave final instructions to Abba Serapion to bury him in the
cave and to cover the entrance. Abba Serapion was a witness of how the
soul of the one hundred- thirty-year-old Elder Mark, was taken to
Heaven by angels.
After the burial of the saint, two angels in the form of hermits
guided Abba Serapion into the inner desert to the great Elder John.
Abba Serapion told the monks of this monastery about the life and
death of St Mark.
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St Plato the Confessor of Studion
Saint Platon was born in the year 735 into a pious Christian family of
the parents, Sergius and Euphemia. Orphaned early on, the boy was
taken to be raised by relatives, who gave him a fine education. When
he grew up, he began life on his own. The saint occupied himself in
the first years in the management of the property which his parents
had left him upon their death. He was very temperate and hard-working
and acquired great wealth by his toil. However, the future monk's
heart blazed with love for Christ. He gave away all his property, set
his servants free and withdrew into a monastery named "Ensymboleion"
near Mount Olympos.
His prayerful zeal, love of work and geniality won him the love of the
brethren. When he was not praying he copied service books, and
compiled anthologies from the works of the holy Fathers.
When the head of the monastery Theoctistus died in 770, the brethren
chose St Platon as igumen, even though he was only thirty-five years
old. After the death of the emperor Constantine Kopronymos (775), St
Platon went to Constantinople. He resigned from the administration of
the Metropolitan of Nicomedia. In 782, he withdrew to the desolate
place of Sokudion with his nephews Sts Theodore (November 11) and
Joseph (January 26). On the mount they built a church in honor of the
holy Apostle John the Theologian, and founded a monastery, whose
Superior was St Platon.
When Saint Tarasius and the empress Irene convened the Seventh
Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 787, St Platon took an active part in
its work. Being learned in Holy Scripture, he successfully unmasked
the error in the Iconoclast heresy and defended the veneration of holy
icons. When St Platon approached old age, he transferred the
administration of the monastery to St Theodore.
In 795 the emperor Constantine VI (78-797) forced his wife to become a
nun, and he married one of his relatives, Theodota.
Even though the holy Patriarch Tarasius condemned this marriage,
Joseph, a prominent priest of Constantinople, violated the Patriarch's
prohibition and celebrated the marriage of the emperor.
When they learned of this, Sts Platon and Theodore excommunicated the
emperor from the Church and sent a letter about this to all the monks.
The enraged emperor gave orders to lock St Platon in prison and to
banish St Theodore to Thessalonica. Only after the death of the
emperor in 797 did they receive their freedom. St Theodore settled in
Constantinople and became igumen of the Studion monastery. St Platon
lived as a simple monk at this monastery under the obedience of his
nephew.
When the new emperor Nicephorus (802-811) returned the excommunicated
priest Joseph to the Church on his own authority, Sts Platon and
Theodore again came forward denouncing the unlawful activities of the
emperor. For this the brave confessors were again subjected to
punishment in 807. They were jailed for four years. St Platon was
freed from imprisonment in 811 after the death of the emperor, and he
returned to the Studion monastery.
He lived three more years at work and prayer, and departed to the Lord
on Lazarus Saturday at age 79, on April 8, 814. St Platon is honored
as a Confessor because of his fearless defense of the holy icons.
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Venerable Theodora of Thessalonica
Saint Theodora of Thessalonica. We have no information about St
Theodora's birthplace or early life. From a young age, she loved
Christ and turned away from worldly pursuits. She entered a women's
monastery, where she struggled in asceticism and adorned her soul with
virtues. Regarding the other sisters as worthy of honor, she was
obedient to all, especially to the abbess. Even after her death, St
Theodora was a model for the nuns of a pure and blameless life.
Years after the saint's blessed repose, the abbess also departed to
the heavenly habitations. When they dug the grave to bury the abbess,
they uncovered the relics of St Theodora. Just as though she were
still alive, she moved over in order to make room for the abbess. When
those present witnessed this remarkable event they cried, "Lord, have
mercy!"
Many miracles were worked through St Theodora's holy relics. Those who
came to venerate her were healed of all manner of diseases, or freed
from the power of demons. Therefore, the faithful continue to
celebrate her memory.
St Theodora should not be confused with the other St Theodora of
Thessalonica who is commemorated on August 29.
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Translation of the relics of St Job the Patriarch of Moscow
and All Russia
After his death in 1607, the relics of Patriarch Job were buried by
the western doors of the Dormition Church of the monastery in
Staritsa. Many miracles took place at his grave.
In 1652, on the recommendation of Metropolitan Nikon of Novgorod, Tsar
Alexei ordered that the relics of St Job and St Philip (January 9) be
transferred to Moscow.
Metropolitan Barlaam of Rostov presided at the uncovering of St Job's
relics in Staritsa. The Patriarch's incorrupt and fragrant relics
became the source of healing for many who were afflicted by physical
and mental illnesses.
On March 27 a procession set off for Moscow with the relics. On Monday
of the sixth week of Lent (April 5), the relics of Patriarch Job were
brought to the Passions Monastery. From there, the procession
proceeded to the Kremlin, and the relics of the saint were placed in
the Dormition cathedral. A few days later, Patriarch Joseph died and
was buried next to St Job.
St Job has long been revered as a worker of miracles. The Altar
Crosses in the churches of the Staritsa monastery and the Tver
cathedral contained particles of his holy relics.
St Job is commemorated on June 19, and also (in the Tver diocese) on
the first Sunday after the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul.
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Icon of the Mother of God of Kasperov
The Kasperov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Tradition says that this
holy icon had been brought to Cherson from Transylvania by a Serb at
the end of the sixteenth century. Passing down from parent and child,
the icon had come to a certain Mrs. Kasperova of Cherson in 1809.
One night in February of 1840 she was praying, seeking consolation in
her many sorrows. Looking at the icon of the Virgin, she noticed that
the features of the icon, darkened by age, had suddenly become bright.
Soon the icon was glorified by many miracles, and people regarded it
as wonder-working.
During the Crimean War (1853-1856), the icon was carried in procession
through the city of Odessa, which was besieged by enemy forces. On
Great and Holy Friday, the city was spared. Since that time, an
Akathist has been served before the icon in the Dormition Cathedral of
Odessa every Friday.
The icon is painted with oils on a canvas mounted on wood. The Mother
of God holds Her Son on her left arm. The Child is holding a scroll.
St John the Baptist (Janurary 7) is depicted on one border of the
icon, and St Tatiana (January 12) on the other. These were probably
the patron saints of the original owners of the icon.
The Kasperov Icon is commemorated on October 1, June 29, and Bright
Wednesday.
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Martyr Claudius
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Evpomoni
No information available at this time.
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