[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Wed Feb 6 05:00:13 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed Feb 6 2008

----------------------------------------------------
------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------

James 3:11-4:6  (Epistle)
11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same
opening?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good
conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not
boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil
thing are there.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make
peace.
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from
your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain.
You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may
spend it on your pleasures.
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with
the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend
of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who
dwells in us yearns jealously"?
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

-----------------------------

Mark 11:22-26  (Gospel)
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be
removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart,
but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses.
26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven
forgive your trespasses.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

----------------------------------------------------
------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

Afterfeast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple
The fourth day of the Afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord falls on
February 6.
_________________________________________________________________
St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna
Saint Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of the holy Apostle
and Evangelist John the Theologian, and became the first Bishop of
Smyrna (Asia Minor).
By the grace of God, St Bucolus converted many of the pagans to Christ
and baptized them. As a wise and experienced guide, he defended his
flock from the darkness of heresy.
He died in peace between the years 100-105. He entrusted his flock to
St Polycarp (February 23), one of the Apostolic Fathers, who was also
a disciple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian. At the grave of St
Bucolus grew a myrtle tree, which healed the sick.
_________________________________________________________________
St Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople, "the Church's far-gleaming
beacon," lived during the ninth century, and came from a family of
zealous Christians. His father Sergius died as a martyr in defense of
holy icons. St Photius received an excellent education and, since his
family was related to the imperial house, he occupied the position of
first state secretary in the Senate. His contemporaries said of him:
"He so distinguished himself with knowledge in almost all the secular
sciences, that it rightfully might be possible to take into account
the glory of his age and compare it with the ancients."
Michael, the young successor to the throne, and St Cyril, the future
Enlightener of the Slavs, were taught by him. His deep Christian piety
protected St Photius from being seduced by the charms of court life.
With all his soul, he yearned for monasticism.
In 857 Bardas, who ruled with Emperor Michael, deposed Patriarch
Ignatius (October 23) from the See of Constantinople. The bishops,
knowing the piety and extensive knowledge of Photius, informed the
emperor that he was a man worthy to occupy the archpastoral throne. St
Photius accepted the proposal with humility. He passed through all the
clerical ranks in six days. On the day of the Nativity of Christ, he
was consecrated bishop and elevated to the patriarchal throne.
Soon, however, discord arose within the Church, stirred up by the
removal of Patriarch Ignatius from office. The Synod of 861 was called
to end the unrest, at which the deposition of Ignatius and the
installation of Photius as patriarch were confirmed.
Pope Nicholas I, whose envoys were present at this council, hoped that
by recognizing Photius as patriarch he could subordinate him to his
power. When the new patriarch proved unsubmissive, Nicholas
anathematized Photius at a Roman council.
Until the end of his life St Photius was a firm opponent of papal
intrigues and designs upon the Orthodox Church of the East. In 864,
Bulgaria voluntarily converted to Christianity. The Bulgarian prince
Boris was baptized by Patriarch Photius himself. Later, St Photius
sent an archbishop and priests to baptize the Bulgarian people. In
865, Sts Cyril and Methodius were sent to preach Christ in the
Slavonic language. However, the partisans of the Pope incited the
Bulgarians against the Orthodox missionaries.
The calamitous situation in Bulgaria developed because an invasion by
the Germans forced them to seek help in the West, and the Bulgarian
prince requested the Pope to send his bishops. When they arrived in
Bulgaria, the papal legates began to substitute Latin teachings and
customs in place of Orthodox belief and practice. St Photius, as a
firm defender of truth and denouncer of falsehood, wrote an encyclical
informing the Eastern bishops of the Pope's actions, indicating that
the departure of the Roman Church from Orthodoxy was not only in
ritual, but also in its confession of faith. A council was convened,
censuring the arrogance of the West.
In 867, Basil the Macedonian seized the imperial throne, after
murdering the emperor Michael. St Photius denounced the murderer and
would not permit him to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
Therefore, he was removed from the patriarchal throne and locked in a
monastery under guard, and Patriarch Ignatius was restored to his
position.
The Synod of 869 met to investigate the conduct of St Photius. This
council took place with the participation of papal legates, who
demanded that the participants sign a document (Libellus) condemning
Photius and recognizing the primacy of the Pope. The Eastern bishops
would not agree to this, and argued with the legates. Summoned to the
council, St Photius met all the accusations of the legates with a
dignified silence. Only when the judges asked him whether he wished to
repent did he reply, "Why do you consider yourselves judges?" After
long disputes, the opponents of Photius were victorious. Although
their judgment was baseless, they anathematized Patriarch Photius and
the bishops defending him. The saint was sent to prison for seven
years, and by his own testimony, he thanked the Lord for patiently
enduring His judges.
During this time the Latin clergy were expelled from Bulgaria, and
Patriarch Ignatius sent his bishops there. In 879, two years after the
death of Patriarch Ignatius, another council was summoned (many
consider it the Eighth Ecumenical Council), and again St Photius was
acknowledged as the lawful archpastor of the Church of Constantinople.
Pope John VIII, who knew Photius personally, declared through his
envoys that the former papal decisions about Photius were annulled.
The council acknowledged the unalterable character of the
Nicean-Constantinople Creed, rejecting the Latin distortion
("filioque"), and acknowledging the independence and equality of both
thrones and both churches (Western and Eastern). The council decided
to abolish Latin usages and rituals in the Bulgarian church introduced
by the Roman clergy, who ended their activities there.
Under Emperor Basil's successor, Leo, St Photius again endured false
denunciations, and was accused of speaking against the emperor. Again
deposed from his See in 886, the saint completed the course of his
life in 891. He was buried at the monastery of Eremia.
The Orthodox Church venerates St Photius as a "pillar and foundation
of the Church," an "inspired guide of the Orthodox," and a wise
theologian. He left behind several works, exposing the errors of the
Latins, refuting soul-destroying heresies, explicating Holy Scripture,
and exploring many aspects of the Faith.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Barsanuphius the Great
Saints Barsanuphius the Great and John the Prophet lived during the
sixth century during the reign of the emperor Justinian I (483-565).
They lived in asceticism at the monastery of Abba Seridus in
Palestine, near the city of Gaza.
St Barsanuphius was born in Egypt (the year of his birth is unknown).
>From his youth, he began to lead an ascetic life. Arriving at the
cenobitic monastery of Abba Seridus, he built a small cell outside the
monastery. Here he lived in solitude.
Later, St John, disciple of St Barsanuphius, lived in this cell for
eighteen years until his death. St John imitated his teacher in
silence, ascetic deeds and in virtue. Because of his gift of
clairvoyance, he was known as "the Prophet."
After a certain time, St Barsanuphius built another cell near the
monastery. At the beginning of his solitude, the monastery sent him
only three loaves of bread per week. He dwelt for fifty years in work
and ascetic deeds.
When Patriarch Eustochios of Jerusalem heard about the ascetical life
of St Barsanuphius, it seemed unbelievable to him. He wanted to see
Barsanuphius for himself, so he and his companions tried to dig under
the wall, and to enter the monk's cell from beneath. Those attempting
to enter were almost burned by flames suddenly bursting forth from the
cell.
In his hermitage St Barsanuphius devoted himeself entirely to prayer,
and he attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. We have
manuscript accounts about the life, the deeds and talents of Sts
Barsanuphius and John. During the lifetime of St Paisius Velichkovsky
(November 15), they were translated into the Moldavian and Slavonic
languages. The publication of these manuscripts, and also their
translation into the Russian language, was done in the nineteenth
century by the Elders of Optina's Entry of the Theotokos Monastery.
The precepts of Sts Barsanuphius and John clearly show the degree of
their moral perfection, and their love for people, but contain scant
facts about their lives. We do not know exactly when St Barsanuphius
died. Some sources say the year of his death was 563, others say more
cautiously before the year 600.
After spending a long time in seclusion, St Barsanuphius thereafter
and until the death of St John the Prophet began to serve others by
instructing them on the path to salvation, as Abba Dorotheus (June 5)
testifies. St Barsanuphius replied to questioners through St John,
sometimes instructing him to give the answers, or even through Abba
Seridus (August 13), who wrote down the saint's answers.
In the answers of Sts Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, who were
guides in the spiritual life not only for their contemporaries, but
also for succeeding generations, it is clearly possible to see the
monks' gradual spiritual ascent "from strength to strength."
By deeds of fasting, silence, guarding the heart, and unceasing
prayer, St Barsanuphius attained the heights of humility, reasoning
and fiery love. The Lord gave him the gifts of discernment,
clairvoyance, and wonderworking. By the power of his prayers, he was
able to free the souls of people from sins. Sometimes, he took the
sins of others upon himself.
The venerable one knew the dispositions of hearts, therefore he gave
advice according to the spiritual state of each person. In the Name of
the Lord he raised the dead, he cast out demons, and healed incurable
illnesses. Things that he blessed received divine power and grace (for
example, kukol or furrow-weed took away a monk's headache). Even the
name of Abba Barsanuphius, when invoked mentally, gave help to those
who called upon it.
Through the prayers of St Barsanuphius, God sent rain upon the earth,
withdrawing His wrath from the multitudes of the people. The saint's
predictions always came true. Thus, he predicted that a certain monk,
the Elder Euthymius the Silent, would be placed with him in a single
grave, which indeed came to pass.St Barsanuphius acquired these gifts
after many years of patiently enduring great temptations and illness.
Besides the Orthodox ascetic Barsanuphius the Great, there was another
Barsanuphius, a Monophysite heretic. Sophronius, Patriarch of
Jerusalem, anathematized him in his "Confession of Faith," sent to the
Sixth Ecumenical Council).
We do not know when St Barsanuphius arrived at the monastery of Abba
Seridus, nor anything about the home and family of St John the
Prophet. Following the instructions of St Barsanuphius, John attained
the heights of perfection, and became like his teacher in all things.
Out of humility, he sent those who came to him with questions to Abba
Barsanuphius.
St John foresaw and predicted many things, even his own death a week
after the death of Abba Seridus. Abba Elian, the young igumen of this
monastery, begged John to remain with him for two more weeks, in order
to teach him the Rule and how to govern the monastery. St John
fulfilled his request and died after two weeks.
St Barsanuphius the Great survived his disciple and friend, but
embraced complete silence and refused to give answers to anyone. These
two ascetics have left the soul-profiting book, GUIDANCE TOWARD
SPIRITUAL LIFE: ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS OF DISCIPLES by the Holy
Monastic Fathers Barsanuphius and John as their spiritual legacy. This
book was known to many saints who lived at a later time, as evidenced
by the wrings of St Theodore the Studite (November 11 and January 26),
the hieromonk Nikon Chernogorets (+ 1060), St Simeon the New
Theologian (March 12), and other Orthodox ascetics and writers.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable John the Prophet
Saints Barsanuphius the Great and John the Prophet lived during the
sixth century during the reign of the emperor Justinian I (483-565).
They lived in asceticism at the monastery of Abba Seridus in
Palestine, near the city of Gaza.
St John, a disciple of St Barsanuphius, lived in a cell outside the
monastery of Abba Seridus for eighteen years until his death. St John
imitated his teacher in silence, ascetic deeds and in virtue. Because
of his gift of clairvoyance, he was known as "the Prophet."
There are manuscript accounts about the life, the deeds and talents of
Sts Barsanuphius and John. During the lifetime of St Paisius
Velichkovsky (November 15), they were translated into the Moldavian
and Slavonic languages. The publication of these manuscripts, and also
their translation into the Russian language, was done in the
nineteenth century by the Elders of Optina's Entry of the Theotokos
Monastery.
The precepts of Sts Barsanuphius and John clearly show the degree of
their moral perfection, and their love for people, but contain scant
facts about their lives.
After spending a long time in seclusion, St Barsanuphius thereafter
and until the death of St John the Prophet began to serve others by
instructing them on the path to salvation, as Abba Dorotheus (June 5)
testifies. St Barsanuphius replied to questioners through St John,
sometimes instructing him to give the answers, or even through Abba
Seridus (August 13), who wrote down the saint's answers.
In the answers of Sts Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, who were
guides in the spiritual life not only for their contemporaries, but
also for succeeding generations, it is clearly possible to see the
monks' gradual spiritual ascent "from strength to strength."
We do not know when St Barsanuphius arrived at the monastery of Abba
Seridus, nor anything about the home and family of St John the
Prophet. Following the instructions of St Barsanuphius, John attained
the heights of perfection, and became like his teacher in all things.
Out of humility, he sent those who came to him with questions to Abba
Barsanuphius.
St John foresaw and predicted many things, even his own death a week
after the death of Abba Seridus. Abba Elian, the young igumen of this
monastery, begged John to remain with him for two more weeks, in order
to teach him the Rule and how to govern the monastery. St John
fulfilled his request and died after two weeks.
St Barsanuphius the Great survived his disciple and friend, but
embraced complete silence and refused to give answers to anyone. These
two ascetics have left the soul-profiting book, GUIDANCE TOWARD
SPIRITUAL LIFE: ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS OF DISCIPLES by the Holy
Monastic Fathers Barsanuphius and John as their spiritual legacy. This
book was known to many saints who lived at a later time, as evidenced
by the wrings of St Theodore the Studite (November 11 and January 26),
the hieromonk Nikon Chernogorets (+ 1060), St Simeon the New
Theologian (March 12), and other Orthodox ascetics and writers.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Dorothy at Caesarea, in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyr Dorothy, the Martyrs Christina, Callista and the
Martyr Theophilus lived in Caesarea of Cappadocia and suffered under
the emperor Diocletian in either the year 288 or 300.
St Dorothy was a pious Christian maiden, distinguished by her great
beauty, humility, prudence, and God-given wisdom, which astonished
many. Arrested upon orders of the governor Sapricius, she steadfastly
confessed her faith in Christ and was subjected to tortures.
Failing to break the will of the saint, the governor sent to her two
women, the sisters Christina and Callista, who once were Christians,
but fearing torture, they renounced Christ and began to lead impious
lives. He ordered them to get St Dorothy to offer sacrifice to the
pagan gods, but just the reverse happened. St Dorothy convinced them
that the mercy of God is granted to all who repent, so they corrected
themselves and returned to Christ. The tormentors tied them back to
back and burned them in a vat of tar. Through martyrdom, Christina and
Callista atoned for their sin of apostasy, receiving from God not only
forgiveness, but crowns of victory.
St Dorothy was again subjected to tortures, but she gladly endured
them and accepted the death sentence. She cried out with joy, thanking
Christ for calling her to Paradise and to the heavenly bridal chamber.
As they led the saint to execution Theophilus, one of the governor's
counselors, laughed and said to her, "Bride of Christ, send me an
apple and some roses from the Paradise of your Bridegroom." The martyr
nodded and said, "I shall do that."
At the place of execution, the saint requested a little time to pray.
When she finished the prayer, an angel appeared before her in the form
of a handsome child presenting her three apples and three roses on a
pure linen cloth. The saint requested that these be given to
Theophilus, after which she was beheaded by the sword.
Having received the gracious gift, the recent mocker of Christians was
shaken, and he confessed Christ as the true God. His friends were
astonished, and wondered whether he were joking, or perhaps mad. He
assured them he was not joking. Then they asked the reason for this
sudden change. He asked what month it was. "February," they replied.
"In the winter, Cappadocia is covered with ice and frost, and the
trees are bare of leaves. What do you think? From where do these
apples and flowers come?" After being subjected to cruel tortures, St
Theophilus was beheaded with a sword.
The relics of St Dorothy are in Rome in the church dedicated to her,
and her head is also at Rome, in a church of the Mother of God at
Trastevero.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Christina with her sister, at Caesarea, in
Cappadocia
Saints Christina and Callista were sisters who once were Christians,
but fearing torture, they renounced Christ and began to lead impious
lives. The governor ordered them to persuade St Dorothy to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods, but just the reverse happened. St Dorothy
convinced them that the mercy of God is granted to all who repent, so
they corrected themselves and returned to Christ. The tormentors tied
them back to back and burned them in a vat of tar. Sts Christina and
Callista atoned for their sin of apostasy through martyrdom, receiving
not only forgiveness, but crowns of victory from God.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Callista with her sister, at Caesarea, in
Cappadocia
Saints Callista and Christina were sisters who once were Christians,
but fearing torture, they renounced Christ and began to lead impious
lives. The prefect ordered them to persuade St Dorothy to offer
sacrifice to the pagan gods, but just the reverse happened. St Dorothy
convinced them that the mercy of God is granted to all who repent, so
they corrected themselves and returned to Christ. The tormentors tied
them back to back and burned them in a vat of tar. Sts Christina and
Callista atoned for their sin of apostasy through martyrdom, receiving
not only forgiveness, but crowns of victory from God.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theophilus at Caesarea, in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyr Dorothy, the Martyrs Christina, Callista and the
Martyr Theophilus lived in Caesarea of Cappadocia and suffered under
the emperor Diocletian in either the year 288 or 300.
As St Dorothy was being led to execution, Theophilus, one of the
governor's counselors, laughed and said to her, "Bride of Christ, send
me an apple and some roses from the Paradise of your Bridegroom." The
martyr nodded and said, "I shall do that."
At the place of execution, the saint requested a little time to pray.
When she finished the prayer, an angel appeared before her in the form
of a handsome child presenting her three apples and three roses on a
pure linen cloth. The saint requested that these be given to
Theophilus, after which she was beheaded by the sword.
Having received the gracious gift, the recent mocker of Christians was
shaken, and he confessed Christ as the true God. His friends were
astonished, and wondered whether he were joking, or perhaps mad. He
assured them he was not joking. Then they asked the reason for this
sudden change. He asked what month it was. "February," they replied.
"In the winter, Cappadocia is covered with ice and frost, and the
trees are bare of leaves. What do you think? From where do these
apples and flowers come?" After being subjected to cruel tortures, St
Theophilus was beheaded with a sword.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Julian of Emesa
The Holy Martyr Julian was a native of the Phoenician city of Emesa,
and he suffered in the year 312 under the emperor Maximian. He was a
skilled physician, and healed illnesses not only of the body but also
of the soul, and he converted many people to faith in Christ the
Savior. When they led away the holy Martyrs Bishop Silvanus, Deacon
Luke and the Reader Mocius (February 29) to be eaten by wild beasts,
Julian encouraged them and urged them not to fear death for the Lord.
He was also arrested and put to death. His head, hands and feet were
pierced with long nails.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmarty Fausta at Cyzicus
The Holy Martyrs Fausta, Evilasius and Maximus, suffered during the
persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian in the city
of Cyzicus [Mezium], between 305-311.
St Fausta was raised by Christian parents. Orphaned at a young age,
she led a strict and virtuous life. Word that she was a Christian
reached the governor, and the saint was sent to the eighty-year-old
pagan priest Evilasius, who was ordered to turn the saint away from
Christ.
The girl bravely confessed her faith and was subjected to many cruel
tortures. Strengthened by the Lord, she did not feel the pain. They
locked her up in a wooden trunk, but the torturers got tired of trying
to saw it and burn it in the fire. The holy martyr, and even the
trunk, remained unharmed, guarded by divine power. The pagan priest
Evilasius was shaken by the evident and manifest power of God, he
believed in the Savior and confessed himself a Christian.
The eparch Maximus was sent to investigate the matter for the emperor,
and he began to torture the old man who had come to believe in Christ.
Evilasius turned to St Fausta and asked her to pray for him, after
which he bravely endured the tortures. They threw St Fausta to be
eaten by vultures, but the creatures would not touch her. The
thirteen-year-old girl was pierced with nails driven into her head and
other parts of her body. Finally, they threw her into a boiling
cauldron with St Evilasius. During this time the martyrs prayed for
their torturers.
Seeing the faith and endurance of the saints, the eparch Maximus also
was converted to Christ, and prayed to God for the forgiveness of his
sins. Thrown into the same cauldron in which Sts Fausta and Evilasius
suffered, he shared with them the crown of martyrdom.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Evilasius at Cyzicus
The Holy Martyrs Evilasius, Fausta and Maximus suffered during the
persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian in the city
of Cyzicus [Mezium], between 305-311.
St Evilasius was an eighty-year-old pagan priest who was ordered to
turn St Fausta away from Christ. The girl bravely confessed her faith
and was subjected to many cruel tortures. Strengthened by the Lord,
she did not feel the pain. They locked her up in a wooden trunk, but
the torturers got tired of trying to saw it and burn it in the fire.
The holy martyr, and even the trunk, remained unharmed, guarded by
divine power.
Evilasius was shaken by the manifest power of God, and he believed in
the Savior, delaring that he was also a Christian.
The eparch Maximus was sent to investigate the matter for the emperor,
and he began to torture the old man who had come to believe in Christ.
Evilasius turned to St Fausta and asked her to pray for him, after
which he bravely endured the tortures. They threw St Fausta to be
eaten by vultures, but the creatures would not touch her. The
thirteen-year-old girl was pierced with nails driven into her head and
other parts of her body. Finally, they threw her into a boiling
cauldron with St Evilasius. During this time the martyrs prayed for
their torturers.
Seeing the faith and endurance of the saints, the eparch Maximus also
was converted to Christ, and prayed to God for the forgiveness of his
sins. Thrown into the same cauldron in which Sts Fausta and Evilasius
suffered, he shared with them the crown of martyrdom.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Maximus at Cyzicus
The Holy Martyrs Maximus, Fausta and Evilasius suffered during the
persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian in the city
of Cyzicus [Mezium], between 305-311.
The eparch Maximus was sent to investigate the case of Sts Fausta and
Evilasius for the emperor, and he began to torture the old man who had
come to believe in Christ. Evilasius turned to St Fausta and asked her
to pray for him, after which he bravely endured the tortures. They
threw St Fausta to be eaten by vultures, but the creatures would not
touch her. The thirteen-year-old girl was pierced with nails driven
into her head and other parts of her body. Finally, they threw her
into a boiling cauldron with St Evilasius. During this time the
martyrs prayed for their torturers.
Seeing the faith and endurance of the saints, the eparch Maximus also
was converted to Christ, and prayed to God for the forgiveness of his
sins. Thrown into the same cauldron in which Sts Fausta and Evilasius
suffered, he shared with them the crown of martyrdom.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Martha in Egypt
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Martha and Mary were sisters who lived in Asia
Minor, and fervently desired to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Once, a pagan military commander marched past their house. The sisters
went out to him and loudly declared that they were Christians. At
first the commander paid no attention to them, but they persistently
shouted after him, repeating their confession.
They were arrested together with their brother Lykarion. All three
were crucified, and during the execution their mother came to them,
encouraging them in their sufferings for Christ. The sisters were
pierced with spears, and Lykarion was beheaded by the sword.
_________________________________________________________________
Virginmartyr Mary in Egypt
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Mary and Martha were sisters who lived in Asia
Minor, and fervently desired to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ. One
day, a pagan military commander marched past their house. The sisters
went out to him and loudly declared that they were Christians. At
first the commander paid no attention to them, but they persistently
shouted after him, repeating their confession.
They were arrested together with their brother Lykarion. All three
were crucified, and during the execution their mother came to them,
encouraging them in their sufferings for Christ. The sisters were
pierced with spears, and Lykarion was beheaded by the sword.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Lycarion in Egypt
The Holy Virgin Martyrs Martha and Mary were sisters who lived in Asia
Minor, and fervently desired to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Once, a pagan military commander marched past their house. The sisters
went out to him and loudly declared that they were Christians. At
first the commander paid no attention to them, but they persistently
shouted after him, repeating their confession.
They were arrested together with their brother Lykarion. All three
were crucified, and during the execution their mother came to them,
encouraging them in their sufferings for Christ. The sisters were
pierced with spears, and Lykarion was beheaded by the sword.
_________________________________________________________________
St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia
Saint Arsen of Iqalto was a translator, researcher, compiler of
manuscripts, hymnographer, philosopher, and a great defender of the
Georgian Christian Faith. His father was Ibadi Vachnadze, a wise,
learned man and a fluent speaker of the Greek language. He directed
the academy at Iqalto Monastery and was an instructor of Holy King
Davit the Restorer.
Few details about the life of St. Arsen have been preserved, but we
know that he lived in the 11th and 12th centuries and was a younger
contemporary of St. Eprem the Lesser. He received both his primary and
higher education in Byzantium, at Mangana Monastery, which had been
founded by the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus (10421055).
At the academy he completed one of his most important projects: a
translation of the Byzantine historian George Hamartolus Chronicle.
Hamartolus work is a nine-volume account of history from Adam to the
year A.D. 842. Also at Mangana, Arsen translated a volume of
dogmatic-polemical writings into Georgian and called his work
_Dogmatikon_. In the years that followed, works translated by other
authors were added to the book.
After completing his studies at Mangana Monastery, Arsen moved to the
Black Mountains near Antioch to continue his labors under the guidance
of St. Eprem the Lesser. Following St. Eprems repose, he returned to
Mangana Monastery to continue his translations. In 1114 King Davit the
Restorer summoned Arsen back to Georgia, to the Gelati Academy in the
west. It was there that he translated _The Nomocanon_(a Byzantine
collection of ecclesiastical law.) from the original Greek into
Georgian. Arsen later returned to Kakheti in eastern Georgia, where he
founded an academy at Iqalto Monastery. He also participated in the
Council of Ruisi-Urbnisi, which had been convened by King Davit the
Restorer. One of King Davits biographers writes that he invited Arsen
of Iqalto, translator and interpreter of the Greek and Georgian
languages and enlightener of many churches.
Arsen was present at the repose of King Davit the Restorer, and it is
believed that he composed the kings epitaph: _I fed seven kings with
my wealth, Drove the Turks, Persians, and Arabs from our borders,
Moved the fish from one river to another, And, having accomplished all
these things, Lay my hands upon my heart to die._
The theologian, philosopher, physicist, anatomist, writer of
allegories and verses, epic poet, and compiler of Church typika Arsen
was buried in Iqalto next to St. Zenon, the founder of Iqalto
Monastery.
_________________________________________________________________
St Amand, Abbot of Maastricht
No information available at this time.
_________________________________________________________________