[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Mon Apr 28 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Isaiah 43:9-14  (Vespers, 1st Reading St. George)
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be
assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things?
Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let
them hear and say, It is truth.
10 You are My witnesses, says the Lord, And My servant whom I have
chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.
12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no
foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses, Says the Lord,
that I am God.
13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can
deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: For your
sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives The
Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.
Scripture Reading 1 of 14


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Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9  (Vespers, 2nd Reading St. George)
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no
torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their
departure was thought to be affliction,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at
peace.
4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is
full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt
offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run
like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will
reign over them for ever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will
abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 2 of 14


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Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15  (Vespers, 3rd Reading St. George)
7 But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by
number of years;
9 but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe
old age.
10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,
11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile
deceive his soul.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving
desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him
quickly from the midst of wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing
to heart, that God's grace and mercy are his elect, and he watches
over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 3 of 14


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John 20:19-25  (Vespers Gospel)
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear
of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then
the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent
Me, I also send you."
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them
when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,
and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into
His side, I will not believe."
Scripture Reading 4 of 14


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Luke 12:2-12  (Matins Gospel)
2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden
that will not be known.
3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the
light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be
proclaimed on the housetops.
4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the
body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has
killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them
is forgotten before God.
7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear
therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of
Man also will confess before the angels of God.
9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of
God.
10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be
forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it
will not be forgiven.
11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and
authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what
you should say.
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought
to say.
Scripture Reading 5 of 14


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Acts 1:12-17,21-26  (Epistle)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which
is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where
they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas;
Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the
Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples
(altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and
said,
16 Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the
Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who
became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.
21 Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that
the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up
from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His
resurrection.
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which of these two You have chosen
25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by
transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.
Scripture Reading 6 of 14


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Acts 12:1-11  (Epistle, St. George)
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass
some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to
seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him
to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before
the people after Passover.
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered
to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was
sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards
before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in
the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying,
"Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.
8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals";
and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow
me."
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done
by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came
to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its
own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and
immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for
certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from
the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
Scripture Reading 7 of 14


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John 1:18-28  (Gospel)
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in
the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the
Christ."
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am
not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."
22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to
those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?"
23 He said: "I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make
straight the way of the LORD, ' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not
the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands
One among you whom you do not know.
27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal
strap I am not worthy to loose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John
was baptizing.
Scripture Reading 8 of 14


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John 15:17-16:2  (Gospel, St. George)
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated
you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because
you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater
than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake,
because they do not know Him who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but
now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they
would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and
My Father.
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written
in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'
26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the
Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will
testify of Me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from
the beginning.
1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to
stumble.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming
that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Scripture Reading 9 of 14


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Matthew 28:1-20  (Cross Procession, 1st Gospel)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the
door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as
snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for
I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place
where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the
dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will
see Him. Behold, I have told you.
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and
ran to bring His disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them,
saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped
Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren
to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the
city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had
happened.
12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together,
they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
13 saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away
while we slept.'
14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and
make you secure.
15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this
saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain
which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been
given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Scripture Reading 10 of 14


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Mark 16:1-8  (Cross Procession, 2nd 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 11 of 14


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Luke 24:1-12  (Cross Procession, 3rd Gospel)
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they,
and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the
spices which they had prepared.
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that
behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they
said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He
was still in Galilee,
7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'
8 And they remembered His words.
9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the
eleven and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the
other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not
believe them.
12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the
linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to
himself at what had happened.
Scripture Reading 12 of 14


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John 20:1-10 (or Luke 24:36-53)  (Cross Procession, 4th Reading)
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb
early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken
away from the tomb.
2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,
whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out
of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to
the tomb.
4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and
came to the tomb first.
5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying
there; yet he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he
saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with
the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also;
and he saw and believed.
9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again
from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Scripture Reading 13 of 14


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Luke 24:36-53 (or John 20:1-10)  (Cross Procession, 4th Reading)
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of
them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen
a spirit.
38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise
in your hearts?
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and
see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said
to them, "Have you any food here?"
42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which
were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was
necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third
day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His
name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the
city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands
and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from
them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Scripture Reading 14 of 14



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Bright Monday
On Bright Monday the Church commemorates the Sweet-Kissing
(Glykophilousa) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Like the Iveron Icon (March 31), the Sweet-Kissing Icon was also saved
from the iconoclasts by a pious woman in the ninth century. It also
traveled miraculously upon the sea, arriving at Mt. Athos, the "Garden
of the Theotokos," where it was honored by the monks.
A nobleman named Simeon was an iconoclast who shared the emperor
Theophilus's hatred for the holy icons. Simeon's wife Victoria, on the
other hand, venerated icons, especially a certain icon of the Mother
of God before which she prayed each day. Simeon could not tolerate his
wife's piety, so he demanded that she give him the icon so he could
burn it. Victoria threw the icon into the sea, hoping that it would be
preserved through God's providence.
Years later, the icon appeared on the shores of Mt. Athos near the
monastery of Philotheou. The igumen and the brethren of the monastery
retrieved the icon and placed it in the church, where it worked many
miracles.
In 1830 a pilgrim came to the monastery from Adrianopolis. He listened
to the history of the icon and the miracles associated with it, but
regarded such things as childish fables. The monk who had related all
this was surprised and grieved by the pilgrim's disbelief, fearing
that such doubts indicated an unhealthy spiritual state. He did all
that he could to remove the pilgrim's skepticism, but the man
stubbornly adhered to his opinion.
The Mother of God, in her compassion, finally healed the pilgrim's
soul in a rather dramatic way. On the very day that he had his
discussion with the monk, the pilgrim was walking on an upper balcony.
Suddenly, he lost his footing and began to fall. In his distress he
called out, "Most Holy Theotokos, help me!" The Mother of God heard
him, and he landed on the ground completely unharmed.
The icon is one of the Eleusa (Tenderness) type. It is unusual in that
it shows the Virgin kissing her Child. Christ raises His hand as if to
repulse His mother's caress.
Other Sweet-Kissing (Tenderness) icons are: Lubyatov (March 19)
Novgorod (July 28)
Pskov (May 21, June 23, August 26, October 7)
Smolensk (March 19)
Sviatogorsk (July 17)
Yaroslavl (May 14)
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Apostle Jason, of the Seventy and those with him
The Apostle Jason was from Tarsus (Asia Minor). He was the first
Christian in the city. The Apostle Sosipater was a native of Patra,
Achaia. He is thought to be the same Sosipater mentioned in Acts 20:4.
They both became disciples of St Paul, who even called them his
kinsmen (Rom 16:21). St John Chrysostom (Homily 32 on Romans) says
that this is the same Jason who is mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. St Jason
was made bishop in his native city of Tarsus, and St Sosipater in
Iconium. They traveled west preaching the Gospel, and in 63 they
reached the island of Kerkyra [Korfu] in the Ionian Sea near Greece.
There they built a church in the name of the Protomartyr Stephen and
they baptized many. The governor of the island learned on this and
locked them up in prison, where they met seven thieves: Saturninus,
Iakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius.
The Apostles converted them to Christ. For their confession of Christ,
the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a cauldron of molten tar, wax
and sulfur.
The prison guard, after witnessing their martyrdom, declared himself a
Christian. For this they cut off his left hand, then both feet and
finally his head. The governor ordered the Apostles Jason and
Sosipater to be whipped and again locked up in prison.
When the daughter of the governor of Kerkyra (Korfu), the maiden
Kerkyra, learned how Christians were suffering for Christ, she
declared herself a Christian and gave away all her finery to the poor.
The infuriated governor attempted to persuade his daughter to deny
Christ, but St Kerkyra stood firm against both persuasion and threats.
Then the enraged father devised a terrible punishment for his
daughter: he gave orders that she be placed in a prison cell with the
robber and murderer Murinus, so that he might defile the betrothed of
Christ
But when the robber approached the door of the prison cell, a bear
attacked him. St Kerkyra heard the noise and she drove off the beast
in the name of Christ. Then, by her prayers, she healed the wounds of
Murinus. Then St Kerkyra enlightened him with the faith of Christ, and
St Murinus declared himself a Christian and was executed.
The governor gave orders to burn down the prison, but the holy virgin
remained alive. Then on her enraged father's order, she was suspended
upon a tree, choked with bitter smoke and shot with arrows. After her
death, the governor decided to execute all the Christians on the
island of Kerkyra. The Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after
being enlightened by Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
The inhabitants of Kerkyra, escaping from the persecution, crossed to
an adjoining island. The governor set sail with a detachment of
soldiers, but was swallowed up by the waves. The governor succeeding
him gave orders to throw the Apostles Jason and Sosipater into a
cauldron of boiling tar. When he beheld them unharmed, he cried out
with tears, "O God of Jason and Sosipater, have mercy on me!"
Having been set free, the Apostles baptized the governor and gave him
the name Sebastian. With his help, the Apostles Jason and Sosipater
built several churches on the island, and increased the flock of
Christ by their fervent preaching. They lived there until they reached
old age.
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Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy and those with him
The Apostle Sosipater was a native of Patra, Achaia. He is thought to
be the same Sosipater mentioned in Acts 20:4. They both became
disciples of St Paul, who even called them his kinsmen (Rom 16:21). St
John Chrysostom (Homily 32 on Romans) says that this is the same Jason
who is mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. St Jason was made bishop in his
native city of Tarsus, and St Sosipater in Iconium. They traveled west
preaching the Gospel, and in 63 they reached the island of Kerkyra
[Korfu] in the Ionian Sea near Greece.
There they built a church in the name of the Protomartyr Stephen and
they baptized many. The governor of the island learned on this and
locked them up in prison, where they met seven thieves: Saturninus,
Iakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius.
The Apostles converted them to Christ. For their confession of Christ,
the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a cauldron of molten tar, wax
and sulfur.
The prison guard, after witnessing their martyrdom, declared himself a
Christian. For this they cut off his left hand, then both feet and
finally his head. The governor ordered the Apostles Jason and
Sosipater to be whipped and again locked up in prison.
When the daughter of the governor of Kerkyra (Korfu), the maiden
Kerkyra, learned how Christians were suffering for Christ, she
declared herself a Christian and gave away all her finery to the poor.
The infuriated governor attempted to persuade his daughter to deny
Christ, but St Kerkyra stood firm against both persuasion and threats.
Then the enraged father devised a terrible punishment for his
daughter: he gave orders that she be placed in a prison cell with the
robber and murderer Murinus, so that he might defile the betrothed of
Christ
But when the robber approached the door of the prison cell, a bear
attacked him. St Kerkyra heard the noise and she drove off the beast
in the name of Christ. Then, by her prayers, she healed the wounds of
Murinus. Then St Kerkyra enlightened him with the faith of Christ, and
St Murinus declared himself a Christian and was executed.
The governor gave orders to burn down the prison, but the holy virgin
remained alive. Then on her enraged father's order, she was suspended
upon a tree, choked with bitter smoke and shot with arrows. After her
death, the governor decided to execute all the Christians on the
island of Kerkyra. The Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after
being enlightened by Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
The inhabitants of Kerkyra, escaping from the persecution, crossed to
an adjoining island. The governor set sail with a detachment of
soldiers, but was swallowed up by the waves. The governor succeeding
him gave orders to throw the Apostles Jason and Sosipater into a
cauldron of boiling tar. When he beheld them unharmed, he cried out
with tears, "O God of Jason and Sosipater, have mercy on me!"
Having been set free, the Apostles baptized the governor and gave him
the name Sebastian. With his help, the Apostles Jason and Sosipater
built several churches on the island, and increased the flock of
Christ by their fervent preaching. They lived there until they reached
old age.
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Virginmartyr Kerkyra and those with her
When the daughter of the governor of Kerkyra (Korfu), the maiden
Kerkyra, learned how Christians were suffering for Christ, she
declared herself a Christian and gave away all her finery to the poor.
The infuriated governor attempted to persuade his daughter to deny
Christ, but St Kerkyra stood firm against both persuasion and threats.
Then the enraged father devised a terrible punishment for his
daughter: he gave orders that she be placed in a prison cell with the
robber and murderer Murinus, so that he might defile the betrothed of
Christ.
But when the robber approached the door of the prison cell, a bear
attacked him. St Kerkyra heard the noise and she drove off the beast
in the name of Christ. Then, by her prayers, she healed the wounds of
Murinus. Then St Kerkyra enlightened him with the faith of Christ, and
St Murinus declared himself a Christian and was executed.
The governor gave orders to burn down the prison, but the holy virgin
remained alive. Then on her enraged father's order, she was suspended
upon a tree, choked with bitter smoke and shot with arrows. After her
death, the governor decided to execute all the Christians on the
island of Kerkyra.
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Martyr Dada at Dorostolum
The Martyrs Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian suffered under the emperor
Diocletian (284-305), who issued a decree requiring everyone to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods during the public festivals, and to put
Christians to death.
Tarquinius and Gabinius, the emperor's representatives in Dorostolum,
made a sumptuous feast, attended not only by the inhabitants of the
city, but also people from the surrounding villages.
After the festivities, someone reported to the emperor that three
brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian, did not obey the imperial
decree and withdrew themselves into the Ozovia forest. Soldiers were
sent after them, who caught the holy brothers at prayer and led them
forth for trial.
The governors interrogated the brothers, who confessed themselves
Christians. Tarquinius offered to make St Maximus a pagan priest of
Zeus, but the saint called Zeus a foul adulterer and again confessed
the True God.
Tarquinius attempted to reason with Sts Dada and Quinctilian. They
said that their brother was well versed in the Holy Scripture and they
would follow him in everything. They threw the martyrs into prison,
but they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight
when the saints were asleep, the devil appeared to them. When the
martyrs woke, they beheld an angel who said, "Fear not, for God your
hope brings you to Himself. He is not far from you and will sustain
you."
In the morning, Tarquinius told the brothers that the gods had
revealed their will to him in a dream: they were to be put to death if
they did not offer sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had
commanded them to endure torments for His sake.
The tortures and interrogations continued for several days from
morning to evening. Finally, they sentenced the martyrs to death, led
them out under guard to their forest and beheaded them with a sword.
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Martyr Maximus at Dorostolum
The Martyrs Maximus, Dada, and Quinctilian suffered under the emperor
Diocletian (284-305), who issued a decree requiring everyone to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods during the public festivals, and to put
Christians to death.
Tarquinius and Gabinius, the emperor's representatives in Dorostolum,
made a sumptuous feast, attended not only by the inhabitants of the
city, but also people from the surrounding villages.
After the festivities, someone reported to the emperor that three
brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian, did not obey the imperial
decree and withdrew themselves into the Ozovia forest. Soldiers were
sent after them, who caught the holy brothers at prayer and led them
forth for trial.
The governors interrogated the brothers, who confessed themselves
Christians. Tarquinius offered to make St Maximus a pagan priest of
Zeus, but the saint called Zeus a foul adulterer and again confessed
the True God.
Tarquinius attempted to reason with Sts Dada and Quinctilian. They
said that their brother was well versed in the Holy Scripture and they
would follow him in everything. They threw the martyrs into prison,
but they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight
when the saints were asleep, the devil appeared to them. When the
martyrs woke, they beheld an angel who said, "Fear not, for God your
hope brings you to Himself. He is not far from you and will sustain
you."
In the morning, Tarquinius told the brothers that the gods had
revealed their will to him in a dream: they were to be put to death if
they did not offer sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had
commanded them to endure torments for His sake.
The tortures and interrogations continued for several days from
morning to evening. Finally, they sentenced the martyrs to death, led
them out under guard to their forest and beheaded them with a sword.
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Martyr Quinctilian at Dorostolum
The Martyrs Quinctilian, Dada, and Maximus suffered under the emperor
Diocletian (284-305), who issued a decree requiring everyone to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods during the public festivals, and to put
Christians to death.
Tarquinius and Gabinius, the emperor's representatives in Dorostolum,
made a sumptuous feast, attended not only by the inhabitants of the
city, but also people from the surrounding villages.
After the festivities, someone reported to the emperor that three
brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian, did not obey the imperial
decree and withdrew themselves into the Ozovia forest. Soldiers were
sent after them, who caught the holy brothers at prayer and led them
forth for trial.
The governors interrogated the brothers, who confessed themselves
Christians. Tarquinius offered to make St Maximus a pagan priest of
Zeus, but the saint called Zeus a foul adulterer and again confessed
the True God.
Tarquinius attempted to reason with Sts Dada and Quinctilian. They
said that their brother was well versed in the Holy Scripture and they
would follow him in everything. They threw the martyrs into prison,
but they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight
when the saints were asleep, the devil appeared to them. When the
martyrs woke, they beheld an angel who said, "Fear not, for God your
hope brings you to Himself. He is not far from you and will sustain
you."
In the morning, Tarquinius told the brothers that the gods had
revealed their will to him in a dream: they were to be put to death if
they did not offer sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had
commanded them to endure torments for His sake.
The tortures and interrogations continued for several days from
morning to evening. Finally, they sentenced the martyrs to death, led
them out under guard to their forest and beheaded them with a sword.
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St Cyril the Bishop of Turov
Saint Cyril, Bishop of Turov, was born of rich parents in the thirties
of the twelfth century in the city of Turov at the River Pripyat.
>From his early years St Cyril eagerly read the sacred books and
attained a profound understanding of them. He studied not only in
Russian, but also in Greek. When he reached maturity St Cyril refused
his inheritance and was tonsured in Turov's St Boris and Gleb
monastery. He struggled much in fasting and prayer and taught the
monks to obey the igumen. A monk who is not obedient to the igumen
does not fulfill his vow, and therefore is not able to be saved.
Three writings of St Cyril on monastic life have survived, one of
which, "A Narrative on the Black Clergy from the Old Law and from the
New," may be ascribed to a period of his being in the monastery.
After a certain while St Cyril lived on a pillar, where he increased
his asceticism, and meditated on the Holy Scripture. Many turned to
him for counsel in the spiritual life.
St Cyril's holiness of life and profound enlightenment became known to
many, and so he was chosen as Bishop of Turov. In 1169 St Cyril took
part in a council censuring Bishop Theodore, who occupied the
Vladimir-Suzdal cathedra and who sought to separate from the
metropolitanate of Kiev. St Cyril denounced the heresy of Theodore and
wrote many letters to the holy prince Andrew Bogoliubsky (July 4), in
which he provided him instruction and guidance in discovering the
cause of church disorders in the Rostov region.
Because of his love for solitude, St Cyril left his See (by the year
1182, Bishop Laurence is mentioned as the Bishop of Turov) and he
devoted himself fully to spiritual writing. He composed a discourse on
the yearly cycle of the Lord's Feasts, but not all of them have been
preserved. The works of St Cyril deserve a place beside the works of
the holy Fathers in book collections.
The most complete collection of works by St Cyril of Turov, published
by Bishop Eugenius of Turov in 1880, includes:
Sermon on Palm Sunday, from Gospel accounts
Sermon on Holy Pascha on the Radiant Day of the Resurrection of
Christ, from the prophetic accounts
Sermon on the Sunday after Pascha, on the Renewal of the Resurrection,
on the Artos [loaf blessed on Pascha], and on Thomas Touching the Side
of the Lord
Sermon on Taking down the Body of Christ and on the Myrrh-bearing
Women, from the Gospel account, and in praise of Joseph on the Third
Sunday After Pascha
Sermon on the Paralytic from Genesis and from the Gospel account, on
the Fourth Sunday After Pascha
Sermon on the Blind man and the enmity of the Jews from the Gospel
account, on the Fourth Sunday After Pascha
Sermon on the Ascension of the Lord, on Thursday of the Sixth Week
After Pascha, from prophetic decrees, and on Raising the Race of Adam
from Hades
Sermon on the Holy 318 Fathers, from the Holy Books, on Christ the Son
of God, and in praise of the Fathers of the Holy Council of Nicea, on
the Sunday Before Pentecost
Parable on the Blind and the Lame
Parable on the Human Soul, and on the Body, and on Breaking God's
Commandments, and on the Resurrection of the Human Body, and on the
Future Judgment, and on the Torment
Narrative on the Black Clergy, from the Old Testament and from the
New, bearing a common form, and the accomplishing of this matter
To Igumen Basil: a Parable on the White Clergy, and on Monasticism,
and on the Soul, and on Repentance
Letter of a certain Elder to the Blessed Archimandrite Basil on the
Schema
Four Prayers on Sunday (after Matins, Hours, and two after Vespers)
Four Prayers on Monday
Four Prayers on Tuesday
Five Prayers on Wednesday (after Matins, Hours, and three after
Vespers)
Three Prayers on Thursday (after Matins, Hours, Vespers)
Four Prayers on Friday (after Matins, Hours, and two after Vespers)
Six Prayers on Saturday (two after Matins, one after Hours, and three
after Vespers)
Molieben Canon
Confession and Remembrance.
Later, the "Sermon on the Enlightenment of our Lord Jesus Christ" was
discovered. The saint also composed a "Great Canon of Repentance to
the Lord in Alphabetic Chapters." As a theologian St Cyril believed
his task was to discern the true and hidden meaning of various texts
of Holy Scripture.
St Cyril died on April 28, 1183. His contemporaries regarded him as a
Russian Chrysostom. The saint humbly wrote of himself: "I am not a
harvester, but I gather sheaves of grain; I am not an artist in
literary matters." He was always conscious of the sublime hierarchical
service to which the Lord had called him: "If I were to speak of my
own opinions, you would do well not to come to church, but I proclaim
to you the Word of God. I read to you the accounts of Christ. I
present to you the words of God, finer than gold or other stones,
sweeter than mead or honeycomb, and you would be deprived of them by
not coming to church, ... but I praise and bless those of you who do
come."
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Martyr Saturninus who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Saturninus was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Iakischolus (Inischolus) who was converted by Apostles
Jason and Sosipater
Saint Iakischolus was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Faustianus who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Faustianus was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Januarius who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Januarius was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Marsalius who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Marsalius was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Euphrasius who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Euphrasius was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Mammius who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
Saint Mammius was one of seven thieves imprisoned on he island of
Kerkyra (Korfu) who were converted by Sts Jason and Sosipater. For
their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a
cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur around the year 63 A.D.
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Martyr Zeno who was converted by Apostles Jason and Sosipater
After the death of St Kerkyra, the Christian daughter of the governor,
he decided to execute all the Christians on the island of Kerkyra. The
Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after being enlightened by
Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
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Martyr Eusebius who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
After the death of St Kerkyra, the Christian daughter of the governor,
he decided to execute all the Christians on the island of Kerkyra. The
Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after being enlightened by
Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
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Martyr Neon who was converted by Apostles Jason and Sosipater
After the death of St Kerkyra, the Christian daughter of the governor,
he decided to execute all the Christians on the island of Kerkyra. The
Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after being enlightened by
Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
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Martyr Vitalis who was converted by Apostles Jason and
Sosipater
After the death of St Kerkyra, the Christian daughter of the governor,
he decided to execute all the Christians on the island of Kerkyra. The
Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after being enlightened by
Sts Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive.
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