[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Apr 13 2008

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Mark 16:1-8  (2nd Matins Gospel)
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came
to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from
the door of the tomb for us?"
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled
away-for it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white
robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,
who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where
they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you
into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled
and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were
afraid.
Scripture Reading 1 of 5


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Hebrews 9:11-14  (Epistle)
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the
greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not
of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He
entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal
redemption.
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer,
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God?
Scripture Reading 2 of 5


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Galatians 3:23-29  (Epistle, St. Mary)
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept
for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we
might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
Scripture Reading 3 of 5


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Mark 10:32-45  (Gospel)
32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was
going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they
were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell
them the things that would happen to Him:
33 Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be
betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will
condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;
34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill
Him. And the third day He will rise again.
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying,
"Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand
and the other on Your left, in Your glory."
38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able
to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I
am baptized with?"
39 They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will
indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized
with you will be baptized;
40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but
it is for those for whom it is prepared.
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with
James and John.
42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that
those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become
great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.
Scripture Reading 4 of 5


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Luke 7:36-50  (Gospel, St. Mary)
36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to
the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.
37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew
that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an
alabaster flask of fragrant oil,
38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His
feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she
kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to
himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and
what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a
sinner."
40 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say
to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."
41 There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five
hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave
them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?
43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."
And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."
44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this
woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she
has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her
head.
45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet
since the time I came in.
46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My
feet with fragrant oil.
47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for
she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
48 Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves,
"Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50 Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
Scripture Reading 5 of 5



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5th Sunday of Great Lent St Mary of Egypt
St Zosimas (April 4) was a monk at a certain Palestinian monastery on
the outskirts of Caesarea. Having dwelt at the monastery since his
childhood, he lived there in asceticism until he reached the age of
fifty-three. Then he was disturbed by the thought that he had attained
perfection, and needed no one to instruct him. "Is there a monk
anywhere who can show me some form of asceticism that I have not
attained? Is there anyone who has surpassed me in spiritual sobriety
and deeds?"
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Zosimas, you
have struggled valiantly, as far as this is in the power of man.
However, there is no one who is righteous (Rom 3:10). So that you may
know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land,
like Abraham from the house of his father (Gen 12:1), and go to the
monastery by the Jordan."
Abba Zosimas immediately left the monastery, and following the angel,
he went to the Jordan monastery and settled in it.
Here he met Elders who were adept in contemplation, and also in their
struggles. Never did anyone utter an idle word. Instead, they sang
constantly, and prayed all night long. Abba Zosimas began to imitate
the spiritual activity of the holy monks.
Thus much time passed, and the holy Forty Day Fast approached. There
was a certain custom at the monastery, which was why God had led St
Zosimas there. On the First Sunday of Great Lent the igumen served the
Divine Liturgy, everyone received the All-Pure Body and Blood of
Christ. Afterwards, they went to the trapeza for a small repast, and
then assembled once more in church.
The monks prayed and made prostrations, asking forgiveness one of
another. Then they made a prostration before the igumen and asked his
blessing for the struggle that lay before them. During the Psalm "The
Lord is my Light and my Savior, whom shall I fear? The Lord is
defender of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 26/27:1), they
opened the monastery gate and went off into the wilderness.
Each took with him as much food as he needed, and went into the
desert. When their food ran out, they ate roots and desert plants. The
monks crossed the Jordan and scattered in various directions, so that
no one might see how another fasted or how they spent their time.
The monks returned to the monastery on Palm Sunday, each having his
own conscience as a witness of his ascetic struggles. It was a rule of
the monastery that no one asked how anyone else had toiled in the
desert.
Abba Zosimas, according to the custom of the monastery, went deep into
the desert hoping to find someone living there who could benefit him.
He walked into the wilderness for twenty days and then, when he sang
the Psalms of the Sixth Hour and made the usual prayers. Suddenly, to
the right of the hill where he stood, he saw a human form. He was
afraid, thinking that it might be a demonic apparition. Then he
guarded himself with the Sign of the Cross, which removed his fear. He
turned to the right and saw a form walking southward. The body was
black from the blazing sunlight, and the faded short hair was white
like a sheep's fleece. Abba Zosimas rejoiced, since he had not seen
any living thing for many days.
The desert-dweller saw Zosimas approaching, and attempted to flee from
him. Abba Zosimas, forgetting his age and fatigue, quickened his pace.
When he was close enough to be heard, he called out, "Why do you flee
from me, a sinful old man? Wait for me, for the love of God."
The stranger said to him, "Forgive me, Abba Zosimas, but I cannot turn
and show my face to you. I am a woman, and as you see, I am naked. If
you would grant the request of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so
I might cover my body, and then I can ask for your blessing."
Then Abba Zosimas was terrified, realizing that she could not have
called him by name unless she possessed spiritual insight.
Covered by the cloak, the ascetic turned to Zosimas: "Why do you want
to speak with me, a sinful woman? What did you wish to learn from me,
you who have not shrunk from such great labors?"
Abba Zosimas fell to the ground and asked for her blessing. She also
bowed down before him, and for a long time they remained on the ground
each asking the other to bless. Finally, the woman ascetic said: "Abba
Zosimas, you must bless and pray, since you are honored with the grace
of the priesthood. For many years you have stood before the holy
altar, offering the Holy Gifts to the Lord."
These words frightened St Zosimas even more. With tears he said to
her, "O Mother! It is clear that you live with God and are dead to
this world. You have called me by name and recognized me as a priest,
though you have never seen me before. The grace granted you is
apparent, therefore bless me, for the Lord's sake."
Yielding finally to his entreaties, she said, "Blessed is God, Who
cares for the salvation of men." Abba Zosimas replied, "Amen." Then
they rose to their feet. The woman ascetic again said to the Elder,
"Why have you come, Father, to me who am a sinner, bereft of every
virtue? Apparently, the grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to do
me a service. But tell me first, Abba, how do the Christians live, how
is the Church guided?"
Abba Zosimas answered her, "By your holy prayers God has granted the
Church and us all a lasting peace. But fulfill my unworthy request,
Mother, and pray for the whole world and for me a sinner, that my
wanderings in the desert may not be useless."
The holy ascetic replied, "You, Abba Zosimas, as a priest, ought to
pray for me and for all, for you are called to do this. However, since
we must be obedient, I will do as you ask.
The saint turned toward the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and
stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. She prayed
so softly that Abba Zosimas could not hear her words. After a long
time, the Elder looked up and saw her standing in the air more than a
foot above the ground. Seeing this, Zosimas threw himself down on the
ground, weeping and repeating, "Lord, have mercy!"
Then he was tempted by a thought. He wondered if she might not be a
spirit, and if her prayer could be insincere. At that moment she
turned around, lifted him from the ground and said, "Why do your
thoughts confuse you, Abba Zosimas? I am not an apparition. I am a
sinful and unworthy woman, though I am guarded by holy Baptism."
Then she made the Sign of the Cross and said, "May God protect us from
the Evil One and his schemes, for fierce is his struggle against us."
Seeing and hearing this, the Elder fell at her feet with tears saying,
"I beseech you by Christ our God, do not conceal from me who you are
and how you came into this desert. Tell me everything, so that the
wondrous works of God may be revealed."
She replied, "It distresses me, Father, to speak to you about my
shameless life. When you hear my story, you might flee from me, as if
from a poisonous snake. But I shall tell you everything, Father,
concealing nothing. However, I exhort you, cease not to pray for me a
sinner, that I may find mercy on the Day of Judgment.
"I was born in Egypt and when I was twelve years old, I left my
parents and went to Alexandria. There I lost my chastity and gave
myself to unrestrained and insatiable sensuality. For more than
seventeen years I lived like that and I did it all for free. Do not
think that I refused the money because I was rich. I lived in poverty
and worked at spinning flax. To me, life consisted in the satisfaction
of my fleshly lust.
"One summer I saw a crowd of people from Libya and Egypt heading
toward the sea. They were on their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of
the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I also wanted to sail with them.
Since I had no food or money, I offered my body in payment for my
passage. And so I embarked on the ship.
"Now, Father, believe me, I am very amazed, that the sea tolerated my
wantonness and fornication, that the earth did not open up its mouth
and take me down alive into hell, because I had ensnared so many
souls. I think that God was seeking my repentance. He did not desire
the death of a sinner, but awaited my conversion.
"So I arrived in Jerusalem and spent all the days before the Feast
living the same sort of life, and maybe even worse.
"When the holy Feast of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross of the
Lord arrived, I went about as before, looking for young men. At
daybreak I saw that everyone was heading to the church, so I went
along with the rest. When the hour of the Holy Elevation drew nigh, I
was trying to enter into the church with all the people. With great
effort I came almost to the doors, and attempted to squeeze inside.
Although I stepped up to the threshold, it was as though some force
held me back, preventing me from entering. I was brushed aside by the
crowd, and found myself standing alone on the porch. I thought that
perhaps this happened because of my womanly weakness. I worked my way
into the crowd, and again I attempted to elbow people aside. However
hard I tried, I could not enter. Just as my feet touched the church
threshold, I was stopped. Others entered the church without
difficulty, while I alone was not allowed in. This happened three or
four times. Finally my strength was exhausted. I went off and stood in
a corner of the church portico.
"Then I realized that it was my sins that prevented me from seeing the
Life-Creating Wood. The grace of the Lord then touched my heart. I
wept and lamented, and I began to beat my breast. Sighing from the
depths of my heart, I saw above me an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Turning to Her, I prayed: "O Lady Virgin, who gave birth in the flesh
to God the Word! I know that I am unworthy to look upon your icon. I
rightly inspire hatred and disgust before your purity, but I know also
that God became Man in order to call sinners to repentance. Help me, O
All-Pure One. Let me enter the church. Allow me to behold the Wood
upon which the Lord was crucified in the flesh, shedding His Blood for
the redemption of sinners, and also for me. Be my witness before Your
Son that I will never defile my body again with the impurity of
fornication. As soon as I have seen the Cross of your Son, I will
renounce the world, and go wherever you lead me."
"After I had spoken, I felt confidence in the compassion of the Mother
of God, and left the spot where I had been praying. I joined those
entering the church, and no one pushed me back or prevented me from
entering. I went on in fear and trembling, and entered the holy place.
"Thus I also saw the Mysteries of God, and how God accepts the
penitant. I fell to the holy ground and kissed it. Then I hastened
again to stand before the icon of the Mother of God, where I had given
my vow. Bending my knees before the Virgin Theotokos, I prayed:
"'O Lady, you have not rejected my prayer as unworthy. Glory be to
God, Who accepts the repentance of sinners. It is time for me to
fulfill my vow, which you witnessed. Therefore, O Lady, guide me on
the path of repentance.'"
"Then I heard a voice from on high: 'If you cross the Jordan, you will
find glorious rest.'
"I immediately believed that this voice was meant for me, and I cried
out to the Mother of God: 'O Lady, do not forsake me!'
"Then I left the church portico and started on my journey. A certain
man gave me three coins as I was leaving the church. With them I
bought three loaves of bread, and asked the bread merchant the way to
the Jordan.
"It was nine o'clock when I saw the Cross. At sunset I reached the
church of St John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan. After
praying in the church, I went down to the Jordan and washed my face
and hands in its water. Then in this same temple of St John the
Forerunner I received the Life-Creating Mysteries of Christ. Then I
ate half of one of my loaves of bread, drank water from the holy
Jordan, and slept there that night on the ground. In the morning I
found a small boat and crossed the river to the opposite shore. Again
I prayed that the Mother of God would lead me where She wished. Then I
found myself in this desert."
Abba Zosimas asked her, "How many years have passed since you began to
live in the desert?"
"'I think," she replied, "it is forty-seven years since I came from
the Holy City."
Abba Zosimas again asked, "What food do you find here, Mother?"
And she said, "I had with me two and a half loaves of bread when I
crossed the Jordan. Soon they dried out and hardened Eating a little
at a time, I finished them after a few years."
Again Abba Zosimas asked, "Is it possible you have survived for so
many years without sickness, and without suffering in any way from
such a complete change?"
"Believe me, Abba Zosimas," the woman said, "I spent seventeen years
in this wilderness (after she had spent seventeen years in
immorality), fighting wild beasts: mad desires and passions. When I
began to eat bread, I thought of the meat and fish which I had in
abundance in Egypt. I also missed the wine that I loved so much when I
was in the world, while here I did not even have water. I suffered
from thirst and hunger. I also had a mad desire for lewd songs. I
seemed to hear them, disturbing my heart and my hearing. Weeping and
striking myself on the breast, I remembered the vow I had made. At
last I beheld a radiant Light shining on me from everywhere. After a
violent tempest, a lasting calm ensued.
"Abba, how shall I tell you of the thoughts that urged me on to
fornication? A fire seemed to burn within me, awakening in me the
desire for embraces. Then I would throw myself to the ground and water
it with my tears. I seemed to see the Most Holy Virgin before me, and
She seemed to threaten me for not keeping my vow. I lay face downward
day and night upon the ground, and would not get up until that blessed
Light encircled me, dispelling the evil thoughts that troubled me.
"Thus I lived in this wilderness for the first seventeen years.
Darkness after darkness, misery after misery stood about me, a sinner.
But from that time until now the Mother of God helps me in
everything."
Abba Zosimas again inquired, "How is it that you require neither food,
nor clothing?"
She answered, "After finishing my bread, I lived on herbs and the
things one finds in the desert. The clothes I had when I crossed over
the Jordan became torn and fell apart. I suffered both from the summer
heat, when the blazing heat fell upon me, and from the winter cold,
when I shivered from the frost. Many times I fell down upon the earth,
as though dead. I struggled with various afflictions and temptations.
But from that time until the present day, the power of God has guarded
my sinful soul and humble body. I was fed and clothed by the
all-powerful word of God, since man does not live by bread alone, but
by every word proceeding from the mouth of God (Dt 8:3, Mt.4:4, Luke
4:4), and those who have put off the old man (Col 3:9) have no refuge,
hiding themselves in the clefts of the rocks (Job 24:8, Heb 11:38).
When I remember from what evil and from what sins the Lord delivered
me, I have imperishible food for salvation."
When Abba Zosimas heard that the holy ascetic quoted the Holy
Scripture from memory, from the Books of Moses and Job and from the
Psalms of David, he then asked the woman, "Mother, have you read the
Psalms and other books?"
She smiled at hearing this question, and answered, "Believe me, I have
seen no human face but yours from the time that I crossed over the
Jordan. I never learned from books. I have never heard anyone read or
sing from them. Perhaps the Word of God, which is alive and acting,
teaches man knowledge by itself (Col 3:16, 1 Thess 2:13). This is the
end of my story. As I asked when I began, I beg you for the sake of
the Incarnate Word of God, holy Abba, pray for me, a sinner.
"Furthermore, I beg you, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and
Savior, tell no one what you have heard from me, until God takes me
from this earth. Next year, during Great Lent, do not cross the
Jordan, as is the custom of your monastery."
Again Abba Zosimas was amazed, that the practice of his monastery was
known to the holy woman ascetic, although he had not said anything to
her about this.
"Remain at the monastery," the woman continued. "Even if you try to
leave the monastery, you will not be able to do so. On Great and Holy
Thursday, the day of the Lord's Last Supper, place the Life-Creating
Body and Blood of Christ our God in a holy vessel, and bring it to me.
Await me on this side of the Jordan, at the edge of the desert, so
that I may receive the Holy Mysteries. And say to Abba John, the
igumen of your community, 'Look to yourself and your brothers (1 Tim
4:16), for there is much that needs correction. Do not say this to him
now, but when the Lord shall indicate."
Asking for his prayers, the woman turned and vanished into the depths
of the desert.
For a whole year Elder Zosimas remained silent, not daring to reveal
to anyone what he had seen, and he prayed that the Lord would grant
him to see the holy ascetic once more.
When the first week of Great Lent came again, St Zosimas was obliged
to remain at the monastery because of sickness. Then he remembered the
woman's prophetic words that he would not be able to leave the
monastery. After several days went by, St Zosimas was healed of his
infirmity, but he remained at the monastery until Holy Week.
On Holy Thursday, Abba Zosimas did what he had been ordered to do. He
placed some of the Body and Blood of Christ into a chalice, and some
food in a small basket. Then he left the monastery and went to the
Jordan and waited for the ascetic. The saint seemed tardy, and Abba
Zosimas prayed that God would permit him to see the holy woman.
Finally, he saw her standing on the far side of the river. Rejoicing,
St Zosimas got up and glorified God. Then he wondered how she could
cross the Jordan without a boat. She made the Sign of the Cross over
the water, then she walked on the water and crossed the Jordan. Abba
Zosimas saw her in the moonlight, walking toward him. When the Elder
wanted to make prostration before her, she forbade him, crying out,
"What are you doing, Abba? You are a priest and you carry the Holy
Mysteries of God."
Reaching the shore, she said to Abba Zosimas, "Bless me, Father." He
answered her with trembling, astonished at what he had seen. "Truly
God did not lie when he promised that those who purify themselves will
be like Him. Glory to You, O Christ our God, for showing me through
your holy servant, how far I am from perfection."
The woman asked him to recite both the Creed and the "Our Father."
When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of
Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, "Lord, now
let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your
salvation."
The saint turned to the Elder and said, "Please, Abba, fulfill another
request. Go now to your monastery, and in a year's time come to the
place where we first time spoke."
He said, "If only it were possible for me to follow you and always see
your holy face!"
She replied, "For the Lord's sake, pray for me and remember my
wrechedness."
Again she made the Sign of the Cross over the Jordan, and walked over
the water as before, and disappeared into the desert. Zosimas returned
to the monastery with joy and terror, reproaching himself because he
had not asked the saint's name. He hoped to do so the following year.
A year passed, and Abba Zosimas went into the desert. He reached the
place where he first saw the holy woman ascetic. She lay dead, with
arms folded on her bosom, and her face was turned to the east. Abba
Zosimas washed her feet with his tears and kissed them, not daring to
touch anything else. For a long while he wept over her and sang the
customary Psalms, and said the funeral prayers. He began to wonder
whether the saint would want him to bury her or not. Hardly had he
thought this, when he saw something written on the ground near her
head: "Abba Zosimas, bury on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return
to dust what is dust. Pray to the Lord for me. I reposed on the first
day of April, on the very night of the saving Passion of Christ, after
partaking of the Mystical Supper."
Reading this note, Abba Zosimas was glad to learn her name. He then
realized that St Mary, after receiving the Holy Mysteries from his
hand, was transported instantaneously to the place where she died,
though it had taken him twenty days to travel that distance.
Glorifying God, Abba Zosimas said to himself, "It is time to do what
she asks. But how can I dig a grave, with nothing in my hands?" Then
he saw a small piece of wood left by some traveler. He picked it up
and began to dig. The ground was hard and dry, and he could not dig
it. Looking up, Abba Zosimas saw an enormous lion standing by the
saint's body and licking her feet. Fear gripped the Elder, but he
guarded himself with the Sign of the Cross, believing that he would
remain unharmed through the prayers of the holy woman ascetic. Then
the lion came close to the Elder, showing its friendliness with every
movement. Abba Zosimas commanded the lion to dig the grave, in order
to bury St Mary's body. At his words, the lion dug a hole deep enough
to bury the body. Then each went his own way. The lion went into the
desert, and Abba Zosimas returned to the monastery, blessing and
praising Christ our God.
Arriving at the monastery, Abba Zosimas related to the monks and the
igumen, what he had seen and heard from St Mary. All were astonished,
hearing about the miracles of God. They always remembered St Mary with
faith and love on the day of her repose.
Abba John, the igumen of the monastery, heeded the words of St Mary,
and with the help of God corrected the things that were wrong at the
monastery. Abba Zosimas lived a God-pleasing life at the monastery,
reaching nearly a hundred years of age. There he finished his temporal
life, and passed into life eternal.
The monks passed on the life of St Mary of Egypt by word of mouth
without writing it down.
"I however," says St Sophronius of Jerusalem (March 11), "wrote down
the Life of St Mary of Egypt as I heard it from the holy Fathers. I
have recorded everything, putting the truth above all else."
"May God, Who works great miracles and bestows gifts on all who turn
to Him in faith, reward those who hear or read this account, and those
who copy it. May he grant them a blessed portion together with St Mary
of Egypt and with all the saints who have pleased God by their pious
thoughts and works. Let us give glory to God, the Eternal King, that
we may find mercy on the Day of Judgment through our Lord Jesus
Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor, majesty and worship together
with the Unoriginate Father, and the Most Holy and Life-Creating
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."
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Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria
The Hieromartyr Artemon was born of Christian parents in Laodicea,
Syria in the first half of the third century. From his youth, he
dedicated himself to the service of the Church. The saint served the
Church as a a Reader for sixteen years.
For his zeal in Church services, Bishop Sisinius ordained him deacon.
St Artemon also fulfilled this service with fervor and diligence for
twenty-eight years, then he was ordained to the priesthood. In this
position, St Artemon served the Church of God for thirty-three years,
preaching Christianity among pagans. When the emperor Diocletian
(284-305) began his fierce persecution against Christians, St Artemon
was already old. The emperor issued an edict ordering Christians to
offer sacrifice to idols.
Saint Sisinius, knowing of the impending arrival of the military
commander Patricius in Laodicea, went with the priest Artemon and
other Christians into the temple of the goddess Artemis. There they
smashed and burned the idols, reducing them all to dust.
Afterwards, St Sisinius and St Artemon gathered the flock into the
church and fervently exhorted the Christians to remain firm in the
Faith and not to fear the threats of torturers.
When he arrived in Laodicea, Patricius celebrated a five-day festival
in honor of the pagan gods, and then went to the temple of Artemis to
offer sacrifice. He learned who had destroyed the temple, and went
with a detachment of soldiers to the church where the Christians were
praying.
As he approached the church, Patricius suddenly felt a chill, and then
developed a fever, which left him barely alive. They carried him home
and put him to bed. "The Christians have put a curse on me, and their
God torments me," he said to those about him. Although Patricius
prayed to the idols, they did not relieve his sufferings. He sent a
messenger to St Sisinius and asked for his help, promising to set up a
gold statue of the bishop in the middle of the city. The saint
replied, "Keep your gold, but if you believe in Christ, He will heal
you."
Patricius was afraid of dying, so he declared that he believed in
Christ, and the affliction left him. But even this miracle did not
affect the obdurate soul of the pagan. Although he did not touch St
Sisinius, he did enforce the imperial edict against other Christians
in the city of Caesarea. Along the way he encountered St Artemon, who
was followed by six wild donkeys and two deer.
When Patricius asked how he was able to control these wild beasts, St
Artemon replied that he held them with the Word of Christ.
Patricius learned from the pagans that the old man was the same
Artemon who had destroyed the pagan temple of Artemis. He ordered that
Artemon be arrested and taken to the city of Caesarea. St Artemon went
with the soldiers without fear, but he ordered the animals to go to St
Sisinius.
Seeing the animals Bishop Sisinius asked, "Why have these animals come
here?" A doe received the gift of speech from God and said, "The
servant of God Artemon is being held by the impious Patricius, and is
being brought to Caesarea in chains. He commanded us to come here to
give you this news." Do not be astonished that the Lord, Who opened
the mouth of Balaam's ass (Num. 22:28), also permits the doe to speak.
The bishop sent Deacon Phileas to Caesarea to verify this information.
In Caesarea Patricius brought St Artemon to trial and tried to force
him to offer sacrifice in the temple of Asclepius. In this pagan
temple there lived many poisonous vipers. The pagan priest never
opened the doors, nor did he place the sacrifice before the idol. But
St Artemon, calling on the Name of Jesus Christ, went into the temple
and released the snakes. The pagans fled, but the saint stopped them
and killed the snakes by his breath. One of the pagan priests,
Vitalius, believed in Christ and asked St Artemon to baptize him.
Patricius thought that St Artemon killed the snakes by sorcery, and
again he interrogated and tortured him. Then the doe which had spoken
arrived in Caesarea. The doe lay down at the feet of the martyr,
licking his wounds. By God's command the doe spoke again, denouncing
the impious pagans. Addressing Patricius, the doe predicted that he
would be seized by two birds of prey, and dropped into a cauldron of
burning pitch. Patricius was enraged because he had been censured by a
wild beast. He commanded his soldiers to shoot the doe with arrows,
but she escaped. Afraid that the miracles performed by St Artemon
would draw more people to him, Patricius gave orders to execute him.
They filled an enormous cauldron with boiling pitch, intending to
throw the saint into it. Patricius rode up to the cauldron on
horseback to see if the pitch was indeed boiling. Then two angels in
the form of eagles seized Patricius and threw him into the cauldron.
His body was consumed so that not a single bone remained.
Seeing the miracle, everyone ran away except St Artemon, who blessed
and glorified God. When the saint finished his prayer, a spring of
water issued from the ground. St Artemon baptized the pagan priest
Vitalius and many pagans, who had come to believe in Christ. On the
following morning St Artemon communed the newly-baptized with the Holy
Mysteries.
Many of the baptized were ordained to the diaconate and priesthood,
and Vitalius was made Bishop of Palestine. The hieromartyr Artemon,
instructed by the voice of God, preached the Gospel in Asia Minor.
Then an angel appeared to him and transported him to the place which
had been revealed to him, where he converted many to Christ. Pagans
seized the saint and beheaded him (+ 303).
St Artemon is commemorated on March 24 on the Greek calendar.
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Martyr Crescens of Myra in Lycia
The Holy Martyr Crescens (Kreskes) was descended from an illustrious
family and lived in Myra of Lycia. When a throng of city inhabitants
were on the way to the pagan temple, he urged them to forsake paganism
and come to Christ. This incident became known to the city prefect.
When the prefect asked the saint about his parentage, the saint, not
wishing to bring unpleasantness to his parents, said nothing except
that he was a Christian. The prefect knew St Crescens' father and
wanted to do him a favor. He suggested that St Crescens only appear to
offer sacrifice to idols, while remaining a Christian.
The holy martyr replied, "It is impossible for the body not to do as
the soul thinks, since the soul governs and moves the body." They beat
the holy martyr Crescens and raked him with iron claws, and then
burned him in a fire.
St Andrew of Crete (July 4) mentions the Martyr Crescens in his Sermon
on the Feast of St Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 6), who also
came from Myra of Lycia.
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Womanmartyr Thomais of Alexandria
The Holy martyr Thomais was born into a Christian family in the city
of Alexandria. She was raised in piety, and loved to read spiritual
books.
When she was fifteen, the girl married a fisherman, who was also a
Christian. The young couple lived in the house of her husband's
family, where St Thomais was loved for her mild and gentle
disposition, and for other good traits.
St Thomais' father-in-law, at the prompting of the devil, was
captivated by her beauty. One night, when his son went out fishing, he
attempted to lead his daughter-in-law into sin. Horrified, St Thomais
admonished the senseless old man, reminding him of the Last Judgment
and the penalty for sin. Infuriated by her steadfastness, he seized a
sword and threatened to cut off her head. St Thomais answered
resolutely, "Even if you cut me to pieces, I shall not stray from the
commandments of the Lord." Overcome with passion, the old man cut St
Thomais in two with the sword. The saint received the crown of
martyrdom in the year 476.
Divine punishment overtook the murderer. He became blind and could not
find the door in order to escape. In the morning, the companions of
the saint's husband came to the door. They saw the body of the saint,
and the blind old man covered with blood. The murderer confessed his
evil deed and asked to be taken to the judge for punishment. He was
beheaded for his crime.
At this time, St Daniel of Skete (June 7) happened to be in
Alexandria. He told the monks of the Oktodekadian monastery (at the
eighteenth mile on the road leading west from Alexandria) to bring the
body of the martyr to the monastery and bury her in the cemetery with
the departed fathers. Some of the monks were scandalized because he
wanted to bury a woman's body with the monks. St Daniel replied, "She
is a mother to me and to you, because she died for her chastity."
After the funeral St Daniel returned to his own skete. Soon one of the
young monks began to complain to him that he was tormented by fleshly
passions. St Daniel ordered him to go and pray at the grave of the
holy martyr Thomais. The monk did the bidding of the Elder. While he
prayed at the grave, he fell into a light sleep. St Thomais appeared
to him and said, "Father, accept my blessing and go in peace."
When he awakened, the monk felt joy and peace in his soul. After this,
he told St Daniel that he was no longer bothered by the temptations of
the flesh. Abba Daniel exclaimed, "Great is the boldness of those who
have struggled for chastity."
Many found both spiritual joy and release from their passions at the
grave of St Thomais. Her holy relics were transferred to
Constantinople to one of the women's monasteries. The Russian pilgrim
Archdeacon Zosimas venerated them in 1420.
St Thomais is invoked by those seeking deliverance from sexual
impurity. Other saints whose intercession we seek for this purpose
are: St John the Much-Suffering (July 18) and St Moses the Hungarian
(July 26).
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