[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Wed Feb 13 05:00:17 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed Feb 13 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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1 Peter 4:1-11  (Epistle)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for
the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of
the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with
them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living
and the dead.
6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and
watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love
will cover a multitude of sins."
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Mark 12:28-37  (Gospel)
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning
together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which
is the first commandment of all?"
29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O
Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
30 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is
the first commandment.
31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.
32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the
truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding,
with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's
neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices.
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You
are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared
question Him.
35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How
is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The LORD said to my
Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
'
37 Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?
And the common people heard Him gladly.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Venerable Shio Mgvime
The Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates St. Shio of Mgvime several
times throughout the year. St. John of Zedazeni and his twelve
disciples, among whom was St. Shio of Mgvime, are commemorated on May
7; the repose of St. Shio is celebrated on May 9; and on Cheese-fare
Thursday the Church celebrates the miracle that, for centuries,
occurred every year at St. Shios grave.
The 19th-century historian Marie Brosset wrote that every year prior
to the 18th century, on Cheese-fare Thursday, the relics of St. Shio
rose up out of the ground from the place of their burial. Those who
approached them in faith and reverence received healing of their
afflictions.
In the 18th century the Persian shah Nadir (17361747) invaded Georgia.
Hearing about this miracle and becoming convinced of its truth, the
enraged shah assailed the monastery and destroyed the shrine
containing the saints holy relics. A group of Christians later
gathered St. Shios holy relics and reburied them in their former
place, but to this day they have never risen again.
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Venerable Martinian of Caesarea, in Palestine
Saint Martinian went to live in the wilderness at the age of eighteen,
not far from the city of Caesarea in Palestine. For twenty-five years,
he devoted himself to ascetic deeds and silence, and he was granted
the gift of healing illnesses and casting out demons. However, the
Enemy of the race of man would not stop bothering the hermit with
various temptations.
Once a profligate woman made a wager with some dissolute people that
she could seduce St Martinian, the fame of whose virtuous life had
spread throughout all the city. She came to him one night pretending
that she had lost her way in the storm, and asking for shelter. The
saint let her enter, unable to turn her away in such a storm. He went
into his room and locked the door. The wicked guest changed into
beautiful clothes and began to tempt the ascetic.
When morning came, St Martinian came out to send the woman away.
Though he was tempted by the woman's beauty, he was determined not to
fall into sin. Lighting a fire, he stepped into it, saying, "You want
me to burn with temptation, and want to lead me into the fires of
Hell. I will not let you. Instead, I will burn for my virginity and
save my soul."
The woman came to see how evil she was. She repented and asked the
saint to guide her onto the way of salvation. He told her to go to
Bethlehem, to St Paula (January 26). There she lived as a nun for
twelve years in strict asceticism until her blessed end. The woman's
name was Zoe.
St Martinian went to an uninhabited rocky island, and lived on it
under the open sky for several years, nourished by the provisions
brought by a certain sailor from time to time. In return the monk wove
baskets for him.
Once a powerful storm wrecked a ship, and a woman named Photina
floated on pieces of the wreckage to the island of St Martinian. St
Martinian helped her to survive the island. "Remain here," he told
her, "for here is bread and water, and in two months a boat will
come."
Then he jumped into the sea and swam off. Two dolphins carried him to
dry land. Thereafter, St Martinian led the life of a wanderer. Later,
he came to Athens and fell ill. Sensing the approach of death, he went
into church and lay upon the floor. God revealed to the Bishop of
Athens who St Martinian was, and the bishop buried his body with
honor. This occurred around the year 422.
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Venerable Stephen (In Monasticism Simeon), the Myrrhgusher
and Prince of Serbia
Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher, King of Serbia Stephen Nemanya was the
Great Zhupan of Serbia, and lived during the twelfth century. The
saint toiled much for his fatherland: he united a large portion of the
Serbian lands, and strove for the political independence of his
country from the Byzantine Empire. In his zeal for the Orthodox
Church, he defended his nation against heresy and false teaching.
At the age of eighty, Stephen went to Mt. Athos, where his son St Sava
(January 12), was glorified by the holiness of his life. Together they
restored the desolate Hilandar monastery, to which monks from various
lands began to gather.
St Simeon was a great ascetic and wise guide for the monks. He died on
February 13, 1200, and his relics began to exude myrrh. St Sava
transported his father's relics back to Serbia, and placed them in a
church of the Most Holy Theotokos at the River Studenitsa. St Simeon
had richly adorned this church while he was still ruler of Serbia.
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St Zoe
Saint Photina remained on the island, where she spent six years in
solitude, and then she gave up her soul to God. Everything about her
death was reported by that same sailor who brought her food, just as
he had done previously for St Martinian. The sailor brought the body
of St Photina to Palestinian Caesarea, where it was solemnly buried by
the bishop and clergy.
Ss. Zoe and Photina are celebrated on the same day with St Martinian.
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St Photina
Saint Photina remained on the island, where she spent six years in
solitude, and then she gave up her soul to God. Everything about her
death was reported by that same sailor who brought her food, just as
he had done previously for St Martinian. The sailor brought the body
of St Photina to Palestinian Caesarea, where it was solemnly buried by
the bishop and clergy.
Ss. Zoe and Photina are celebrated on the same day with St Martinian.
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St Eulogius the Archbishop of Alexandria
Saint Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria, was one of the enlightened
hierarchs of the sixth century. At first he was igumen of the
monastery of the Mother of God in Antioch, and then in 579 he was
chosen as Patriarch of Alexandria, where he served for twenty-seven
years. Throughout his life, the saint struggled vigorously against
heresies. He was also a friend of St Gregory Dialogus (March 12), and
some of their correspondence has been preserved.
St Eulogius died in 607 or 608. St Photius quotes from his writings,
which reveal an Orthodox theology of the two natures of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Only one of his sermons, for Palm Sunday, has survived in
complete form.
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