[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Apr 29 05:00:33 CDT 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Apr 29 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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James 1:1-12  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the
Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field
he will pass away.
11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers
the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So
the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love Him.
Scripture Reading 1 of 8

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James 1:13-27  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning.
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we
might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath;
20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your
souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a
man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what
kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in
it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one
will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself
unspotted from the world.
Scripture Reading 2 of 8

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James 2:1-13  (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings,
in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy
clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to
him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You
stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges
with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this
world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised
to those who love Him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you
and drag you into the courts?
7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You
shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;
9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the
law as transgressors.
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point,
he is guilty of all.
11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not
murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you
have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of
liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Scripture Reading 3 of 8

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Luke 10:1-15  (Matins Gospel)
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent
them two by two before His face into every city and place where He
Himself was about to go.
2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers
are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into His harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one
along the road.
5 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not,
it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as
they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from
house to house.
8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as
are set before you.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has
come near to you.'
10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out
into its streets and say,
11 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against
you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near
you.'
12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for
Sodom than for that city.
13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty
works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they
would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment
than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down
to Hades.
Scripture Reading 4 of 8

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Acts 2:14-21  (Epistle)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said
to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be
known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third
hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will
pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream
dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My
Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the
LORD Shall be saved.'
Scripture Reading 5 of 8

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1 Peter 5:6-14  (Epistle, St. Mark)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He
may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings
are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish,
strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written
to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace
of God in which you stand.
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so
does Mark my son.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in
Christ Jesus. Amen.
Scripture Reading 6 of 8

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Luke 24:12-35  (Gospel)
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.
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself
drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are
You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things
which happened there in these days?"
19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The
things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be
condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things
happened.
22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb
early, astonished us.
23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had
also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it
just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.
25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He
indicated that He would have gone farther.
29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took
bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from
their sight.
32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the
Scriptures to us?"
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found
the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and
how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Scripture Reading 7 of 8

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Mark 6:7-13  (Gospel, St. Mark)
7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two
by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff-no
bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts-
9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10 Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay
there till you depart from that place.
11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from
there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and
Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that cit
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were
sick, and healed them.
Scripture Reading 8 of 8

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Bright Tuesday
Commemoration of Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesbos (also April
9).
Newly-Appeared Martyrs of Lesbos, Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene
These saints were martyred by the Turks on Bright Tuesday (April 9,
1463) ten years after the Fall of Constantinople. For nearly 500
years, they were forgotten by the people of Lesbos, but "the righteous
Judge... opened the things that were hid" (2 Macc. 12:41).
For centuries the people of Lesbos would go on Bright Tuesday to the
ruins of a monastery near Thermi, a village northwest of the capital,
Mytilene. As time passed, however, no one could remember the reason
for the annual pilgrimage. There was a vague recollection that once
there had been a monastery on that spot, and that the monks had been
killed by the Turks.
In 1959, a pious man named Angelos Rallis decided to build a chapel
near the ruins of the monastery. On July 3 of that year, workmen
discovered the relics of St Raphael while clearing the ground. Soon,
the saints began appearing to various inhabitants of Lesbos and
revealed the details of their lives and martyrdom. These accounts form
the basis of Photios Kontoglou's 1962 book A GREAT SIGN (in Greek).
St Raphael was born on the island of Ithaka around 1410, and was
raised by pious parents. His baptismal name was George, but he was
named Raphael when he became a monk. He was ordained to the holy
priesthood, and later attained the offices of Archimandrite and
Chancellor.
In 1453, St Raphael was living in Macedonia with his fellow monastic,
the deacon Nicholas, a native of Thessalonica. In 1454, the Turks
invaded Thrace, so the two monks fled to the island of Lesbos. They
settled in the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos near Thermi,
where St Raphael became the igumen.
In the spring of 1463, the Turks raided the monastery and captured the
monks. They were tortured from Holy Thursday until Bright Tuesday. St
Raphael was tied to a tree, and the ferocious Turks sawed through his
jaw, killing him. St Nicholas was also tortured, and he died while
witnessing his Elder's martyrdom. He appeared to people and indicated
the spot where his relics were uncovered on June 13, 1960.
St Irene was the twelve-year-old daughter of the village mayor, Basil.
She and her family had come to the monastery to warn the monks of the
invasion. The cruel Hagarenes cut off one of her arms and threw it
down in front of her parents. Then the pure virgin was placed in a
large earthen cask and a fire was lit under it, suffocating her
within. These torments took place before the eyes of her parents, who
were also put to death. Her grave and the earthen cask were found on
May 12, 1961 after Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene had appeared to
people and told them where to look.
Others who received the crown of martyrdom on that day were Basil and
Maria, the parents of St Irene; Theodore, the village teacher; and
Eleni, the fifteen-year-old cousin of St Irene.
The saints appeared separately and together, telling people that they
wished to be remembered. They asked that their icon be painted, that a
church service be composed for them, and they indicated the place
where their holy relics could be found. Based on the descriptions of
those who had seen the saints, the master iconographer Photios
Kontoglou painted their icon. The ever-memorable Father Gerasimos of
Little St Anne Skete on Mt. Athos composed their church service.
Many miracles have taken place on Lesbos, and throughout the world.
The saints hasten to help those who invoke them, healing the sick,
consoling the sorrowful, granting relief from pain, and bringing many
unbelievers and impious individuals back to the Church.
St Raphael is tall, middle-aged, and has a beard of moderate length.
His hair is black with some grey in it. His face is majestic,
expressive, and filled with heavenly grace. St Nicholas is short and
thin, with a small blond beard. He stands before St Raphael with great
respect. St Irene usually appears with a long yellow dress reaching to
her feet. Her blonde hair is divided into two braids which rest on
either side of her chest.
Sts Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene (and those with them) are also
commemorated on Bright Tuesday. Dr. Constantine Cavarnos has given a
detailed account of their life, miracles, and spiritual counsels in
Volume 10 of his inspirational series MODERN ORTHODOX SAINTS (Belmont,
MA, 1990).
The Appearance of the Iveron (Portaitissa) Icon of the Most Holy
Theotokos on Mt. Athos.
This icon was the property of a pious widow who lived in the area of
Nicea in Asia Minor during the time of the iconoclastic emperor
Theophilus (829-842). When the emperor's men arrived there to find and
destroy every holy icon, this faithful widow threw the wonderworking
icon of the Theotokos into the sea. Then she beheld a strange wonder.
The icon stood upright on the water and traveled westward across the
waves in this position.
After a time the icon arrived in front of the Iveron Monastery on Mt.
Athos. A certain holy hermit named Gabriel received it in his arms
from the water, and he gave it to the monks. They built a little
church for the icon near the gate of the monastery, and they placed
the icon there. From that time it was called the Portaitissa.
Since then the Most Holy Theotokos has worked many miracles through
her holy icon. She has cured those who were possessed by demons,
healed those who were lame, and given sight to the blind. At the same
time, she has protected the monastery from every danger and saved it
from invasions of foreigners. Among those who received benefit from
the Portaitissa was a Russian princess, the daughter of Tsar Alexei
Michailovitch (1651).
The icon arrived at the Holy Mountain on Bright Tuesday 1004.
Therefore, the Iveron Monastery celebrates this bright festival even
to the present day. The Divine Liturgy takes place in the church by
the sea, where holy water gushed up when the monk Gabriel took the
icon from the sea.
The Iveron (Portaitissa) Icon is also commemorated on March 31.
Vimatarissa Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, Vatopedi Monastery Mt.
Athos.
The Martyrs of St David of Garesja Monastery in Georgia in 1616 (also
April 4).
The Venerable Patapius, Nikon and Hypomone.
These saints struggled in a cave where the monastery of St Patapius
was built (in the metropolis of Corinth). There the skulls of St
Patapius the New and St Hypomone are treasured, and also the jaw of St
Nikon the New. These holy relics were placed in silver reliquaries by
the Most Reverend Metropolitan Panteleimon (Karanikola).
St Patapius is also commemorated on December 8.
St Sava, deacon of Vatopedi Monastery (tenth century).
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6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
In 1616 the Persian shah Abbas I led his enormous army in an attack on
Georgia. Having quenched his thirst for the blood of the Christians,
he arranged a hunt in the valley of Gare (Outer) Kakheti. He encamped
with his escorts in the mountains of Gareji and spent the night in
that place.
At midnight the shahs attention was drawn to a flaming column of
lights advancing up the mountain. At first he took it to be an
apparition. He was soon informed, however, that a famous monastery was
situated in that place and on that night the monks were circling their
church three times with lighted candles in celebration of Christs Holy
Resurrection. Immediately the shah commanded his army to march to the
monastery and destroy all those found celebrating.
That same night an angel of the Lord appeared to Abbot Arsenius of
David-Gareji and told him, Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling the
brothers to His Heavenly Kingdom. On this night great suffering awaits
youyou will be killed by the sword. He who desires to prolong his
earthly life, let him flee, but he who thirsts to purify his soul for
eternity, let him perish by the sword, and the Lord God will adorn him
with the crown of immortality. Tell this to all who dwell in the
monastery, and let each man choose for himself!
The abbot informed the monks about his vision, and they began to
prepare for their imminent sufferings. Only two young monks feared
death and fled to a mountain not far from the monastery. At the
chanting of the Lords Prayer near the end of the Paschal Liturgy, the
monastery was completely surrounded by Persian warriors. Abbot
Arsenius stepped out of the church and approached their leader to
request that the monks be given a bit more time to finish the service
and for all the brothers to receive Holy Communion.
The Persians consulted among themselves and agreed to honor this
request. The fathers partook of the Holy Gifts, encouraged one
another, and presented themselves clad in festive garments before the
unbelievers. First the Persians beheaded Abbot Arsenius; then they
massacred his brothers in Christ without mercy.
After the Persians finished killing the monks, they were organized
into several regiments and made their way towards the other
monasteries of the Gareji Wilderness. Halfway between the Chichkhituri
and St. John the Baptist Monasteries the Muslims captured the two
young monks who had earlier fled and demanded that they convert to
Islam.
The monks refused to abandon the Christian Faith and for this they
were killed. A rose bush grew up in the place where they were killed
and continued to fragrantly blossom through the 19th century, despite
the dry and rocky soil.
At the end of the 17th century, King Archil gathered the bones of the
martyrs with great reverence and buried them in a large stone
reliquary to the left of the altar in the Transfiguration Church of
David-Gareji Monastery. Their holy relics continue to stream myrrh to
this day.
The brothers of the Monasteries of St. David of Gareji and St. John
the Baptist received a blessing from Catholicos Anton I to compose a
commemorative service for the martyrs and to designate their feast day
as Bright Tuesday, or the third day of Holy Pascha.
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Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Rufus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Antipater at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theostichus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Artemas at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Magnus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodotus at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Thaumasius at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Philemon at Cyzicus
The city of Cyzicus is in Asia Minor on the coast of the Dardenelles
(Hellespont). Christianity already began to spread there through the
preaching of St Paul (June 29). During the persecutions by the pagans,
some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in
Christ in secret.
At the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan
city, although there was a Christian church there. The situation in
the city distressed the Christians, who sought to uphold Christianity.
The nine holy martyrs Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater,
Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon were also from
Cyzicus. They came from various places, and were of different ages:
the young like St Antipater, and the very old like St Rufus. They came
from various positions in society: some were soldiers, countryfolk,
city people, and clergy. All of them declared their faith in Christ,
and prayed for for the spread of Christianity.
The saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan
impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of
the city. Over several days they were tortured, locked in prison and
brought out again. They were promised their freedom if they renounced
Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the
Lord. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ ca. 286-299), and
their bodies buried near the city.
In the year 324, when the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled
by St Constantine the Great (May 21), and the persecutions against
Christians ended, the Christians of Cyzicus removed the incorrupt
bodies of the martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church
built in their honor.
Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed,
and the mentally deranged were brought to their senses. The faith of
Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy
martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.
When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Cyzicus
complained to him that the Christians were destroying pagan temples.
Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to jail Bishop
Eleusius. Bishop Eleusius was set free after Julian's death, and the
light of the Christian Faith shone anew through the assistance of the
holy martyrs.
In Russia, not far from the city of Kazan, a monastery was built in
honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. It was built by the hierodeacon
Stephen, who brought part of the relics of the saints with him from
Palestine. This monastery was built in the hope that through their
intercession and prayers people would be delivered from various
infirmities and ills, particularly a fever which raged through Kazan
in 1687.
St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), who composed the service to the
Nine Martyrs, writes, "through the intercession of these saints,
abundant grace was given to dispel fevers and trembling sicknesses."
St Demetrius also described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and
wrote a sermon for their Feast day.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Memnon the Wonderworker
Saint Memnon the Wonderworker from his youth he lived in the Egyptian
desert. By his arduous ascetical efforts, he attained a victory of
spirit over the flesh.
As Igumen of one of the Egyptian monasteries, he wisely and carefully
guided the brethren. Even while aiding them through prayer and
counsel, the saint did not waver in his efforts in the struggle
against temptation.
He received the gift of clairvoyance through unceasing prayer and
toil. At his prayer a spring of water gushed forth in the wilderness,
locusts destroying the harvest perished, and the shipwrecked who
called on his name were saved. After his death, the mere mention of
his name dispelled a plague of locusts and undid the cunning wiles of
evil spirits.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Diodorus the Deacon at Aphrodisias in Anatolia
The Holy Martyrs Diodorus and Rhodopianus the Deacon suffered under
the emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Aphrodisias, Caria. They were
stoned to death for spreading the Christianity among the pagans.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Rhodopianus the Deacon at Aphrodisia in Anatolia
The Holy Martyrs Rhodopianus the Deacon and Diodorus suffered under
the emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Aphrodisias, Caria. They were
stoned to death for spreading the Christianity among the pagans.
_________________________________________________________________
St Basil the Bishop of Ostrog in Montenegro, Serbia
Saint Basil, Bishop of Zakholmsk, was born of pious parents in the
sixteenth century in the Popov district of Herzegovina. At the age of
maturity he left his parental home and settled in the Trebinsk
monastery in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, and
became a monk.
For his virtuous life the saint was elevated to be Bishop of Zakholm
and Skenderia. He occupied the bishop's cathedra in the second half of
the sixteenth century, a successor to Bishop Paul and predecessor of
Bishop Nicodemus. St Basil was a good pastor of the flock of Christ,
and the Lord strengthened his discourse with various miracles. For the
sanctifying of soul with the wisdom of holy ascetic fathers, the saint
journeyed to Athos. St Basil died peacefully and was buried in the
city of Ostrog in Chernogoria on the border with Herzegovina.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr John Valaha of Romania
No information on the life of this saint is available at this time.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Nectarius of Optina
St Nectarius was born in the city of Elets in the Orel province in
1853, the son of Basil and Elena Tikhonov. At his baptism, he was
named Nicholas.
St Nectarius completed the course of his earthly life on April 29,
1928.
The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina
Elders on June 13,1996, glorifying them for universal veneration on
August 7, 2000.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyrs of Lazeti
Lazeti is a region in southern Kolkheti (Colchis), the ancient kingdom
located in what is now southwestern Georgia and northeastern Turkey.
In ancient times, Lazeti was a center of Georgian culture. The holy
Apostle Andrew began the conversion of the Georgian nation from this
very region.
After the fall of Byzantium in 1453, the Ottomans sought for three
centuries to destroy the Christian-Georgian consciousness of the Laz
people. At the same time, Rome increased its presence in the region by
dispatching ever greater numbers of Catholic missionaries.
The Laz, caught in the crossfire, boldly defended and preserved their
Orthodox Faith. Those that were forcibly converted to Islam struggled
to preserve their national culture, the memory of their ancestors, and
the love of their homeland.
As time progressed, however, some grew weak and converted to
Catholicism (in word, if not in mind and heart) or allowed themselves
to be won over by the Monophysite heresy.
In our own time, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II,
people from several Georgian regions have reestablished lines of
communication with the Laz who currently reside within Turkish
borders.
Further, many of the Laz currently residing within Georgian borders
have converted from Islam back to the Orthodox Christianity of their
ancestors. They have recounted to the Holy Synod of the Georgian
Church stories of the martyrdom of their Christian ancestors at the
hands of the Ottomans: the beheading of some three hundred Laz
warriors on a single mountain between the years 1600 and 1620 and the
martyrdom of the clergy at one local monastery. The martyrdoms took
place on Mt. Dudikvati (the place of beheading) and on Mt. Papati (the
place of the clergy) respectively.
Based on the information provided by the martyrs descendants, the Holy
Synod of the Georgian Church declared all the clergy and laymen
martyred on Dudikvati and Papati and all the Laz martyred for Christs
sake worthy to be numbered among the saints. They were canonized on
September 18, 2003.
_________________________________________________________________
St Endellion, recluse of Cornwall
No information available at this time.
_________________________________________________________________