[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sat Feb 16 05:00:15 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Feb 16 2008

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2 Timothy 2:11-19  (Epistle)
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also
live with Him.
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also
will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to
strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does
not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more
ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus
are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection
is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal:
"The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Luke 18:2-8  (Gospel)
2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God
nor regard man.
3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,
'Get justice for me from my adversary.'
4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself,
'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her
continual coming she weary me.' "
6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.
7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to
Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the
Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Martyr Pamphilius the Presbyter at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
The holy martyr Pamphilius, a native of the city of Beirut, was
educated at Alexandria, after which he was made a priest at Caesarea.
He devoted much labor to collating manuscripts and correcting copyist
errors in the texts of the New Testament. The corrected texts of St
Pamphilius were copied and distributed to anyone who wanted them. Many
pagans were converted to Christ through them.
His works and concerned matters at Caesarea were gathered up into the
extensive library of spiritual books available for the enlightening of
Christians. St Jerome (4th-5th century) deeply respected St Pamphilius
and considered himself fortunate to have located and acquired several
of his manuscripts.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
Before this occurred, a servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This
was the eighteen-year-old youth Porphyrius, meek and humble. He had
heard the sentence of death for the condemned martyrs, and asked the
governor's permission to bury the bodies after their execution. For
this he was sentenced to death, and thrown into a fire.
A witness of this execution, the pious Christian Seleucius, a former
soldier, in saluting the deeds of the sufferers, went to Pamphilius
and told him about the martyric death of St Porphyrius. He was seized
by soldiers and, on Firmilian's orders, was beheaded by the sword
together with the condemned.
One of the governor's servants, Theodulus, a man of venerable age and
a secret Christian, met the martyrs being led to execution, embraced
them and asked them to pray for him. He was taken by soldiers to
Firmilian, on whose orders he was crucified.
The young Julian, a native of Cappadocia who had come to Caesarea, saw
the bodies of the saints which had been thrown to wild beasts without
burial. Julian went down on his knees and venerated the bodies of the
sufferers. Soldiers standing by at the wall seized him and took him to
the governor, who condemned him to burning. The bodies of all twelve
martyrs remained unburied for four days, but neither beasts nor birds
would touch them. Embarrassed by this situation, the pagans permitted
Christians to take the bodies of the martyrs and bury them.
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Martyr Valens the Deacon at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
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Martyr Paul at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
Actively assisting St Pamphilius in proclaiming the faith in Christ
were St Valens, deacon of the church at Eleia, a man stooped with age
and well-versed in the Holy Scriptures, and St Paul, ardent in faith
and love for Christ the Savior. All three were imprisoned for two
years by Urban, the governor of Palestinian Caesarea.
During the rule of his successor Firmilian, 130 Christians were
sentenced in Egypt and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the
gold mines. Five young brothers accompanied them to the place of
exile. On their return to Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and
thrown into prison for confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Seleucius at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
An eighteen-year-old servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This was
the meek and humble St Porphyrius. He had heard the sentence of death
for the condemned martyrs, and asked the governor's permission to bury
the bodies after their execution. For this he was sentenced to death,
and thrown into a fire.
A witness of this execution, the pious Christian Seleucius, a former
soldier, in saluting the deeds of the sufferers, went to Pamphilius
and told him about the martyric death of St Porphyrius. He was seized
by soldiers and, on Firmilian's orders, was beheaded by the sword
together with the condemned.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Porphyrius at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
An eighteen-year-old servant of Pamphilius endured suffering. This was
the meek and humble St Porphyrius. He had heard the sentence of death
for the condemned martyrs, and asked the governor's permission to bury
the bodies after their execution. For this he was sentenced to death,
and thrown into a fire.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Julian at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
The young Julian, a native of Cappadocia who had come to Caesarea, saw
the bodies of the saints which had been thrown to wild beasts without
burial. Julian went down on his knees and venerated the bodies of the
sufferers. Soldiers standing by at the wall seized him and took him to
the governor, who condemned him to burning. The bodies of all twelve
martyrs remained unburied for four days, but neither beasts nor birds
would touch them. Embarrassed by this situation, the pagans permitted
Christians to take the bodies of the martyrs and bury them.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodulus at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
One of governor Firmilian's servants, Theodulus, a man of venerable
age and a secret Christian, met the martyrs being led to execution,
embraced them and asked them to pray for him. He was taken by soldiers
to Firmilian, on whose orders he was crucified.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Elias at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Jeremiah at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Isaiah at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostatize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Samuel at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Daniel at Caesarea, in Palestine
The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Presbyter, Valens the Deacon, Paul,
Porphyrius, Seleucius, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elias, Daniel,
Jeremiah and Isaiah suffered during the persecution against
Christians, initiated by the emperor Diocletian in the years 308-309
at Caesarea in Palestine.
During the rule of Firmilian, 130 Christians were sentenced in Egypt
and sent to Cilicia (Asia Minor) to work in the gold mines. Five young
brothers accompanied them to the place of exile. On their return to
Egypt they were detained at Caesarea and thrown into prison for
confessing Christ.
The youths appeared before Firmilian, together with those imprisoned
earlier: Sts Pamphilius, Valens and Paul. The five Egyptian youths
took the names of Old Testament prophets, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Samuel and Daniel. Asked where they were from, the youths said that
they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem.
Firmilian knew nothing of such a city, since Jerusalem had been razed
to the ground by the emperor Titus in the year 70. The emperor Hadrian
(117-138) built a new city on the site, which was called Aelia
Capitolina.
Firmilian tortured the youths for a long time. He sought to learn the
location of the unknown city, and he sought to persuade the youths to
apostacize. But nothing was accomplished, and the governor ordered
them to be beheaded by the sword with Pamphilius, Valens and Paul.
_________________________________________________________________
St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia
Saint Maruthas was Bishop of Tagrith (Martyropolis), a city which he
founded between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. He was famed for his
knowledge and his piety, he wrote about the martyrs, and he suffered
for his faith in Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. He also left
behind other works in the Syrian language, among which the most famous
are: "Commentary on the Gospel," "Verses of Maruthas," "Liturgy of
Maruthas" and "The 73 Canons of the Ecumenical Council at Nicea" (325)
with an account of the acts of the Council.
In the year 381 St Maruthas participated in the Second Ecumenical
Council at Constantinople, convened against the heresy of Macedonius.
In 383, he attended the Council of Antioch against the Messalians.
During the years 403-404 St Maruthas set off to Constantinople to
plead with the emperor Arcadius to protect Persian Christians. He was
twice sent by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to the Shah Izdegerd
to secure the peace between the Empire and Persia.
In the year 414 St Maruthas, having done his duty as envoy to the
court of Izdegerd, persuaded the Shah to a favorable disposition
towards Christians, and he assisted greatly in the freedom of
Christians in Persia. He rebuilt Christian churches razed during the
persecution by the Persian ruler Sapor. He also located relics of
saints who had suffered martyrdom and transferred them to
Martyropolis. He died there in 422. The relics of St Maruthas were
later transferred to Egypt and placed in a skete monastery of the
Mother of God.
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Persian Martyrs in Martyropolis in Mesopotamia
No information available at this time.
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St Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch
Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch, was a contemporary of St John
Chrysostom. He attempted to obtain from the emperor Theodosius
(379-395) a pardon for the citizens of Antioch, who had angered the
emperor by destroying his statue. St Flavian's death was peaceful and
without illness. He is also commemorated on September 27.
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