[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Fri Feb 22 05:00:14 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri Feb 22 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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1 John 2:7-17  (Epistle)
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment
which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word
which you heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him
and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light
is already shining.
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in
darkness until now.
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause
for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness,
and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded
his eyes.
12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you
for His name's sake.
13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the
beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the
wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known
the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is
from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the
wicked one.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does
the will of God abides forever.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Mark 14:3-9  (Gospel)
3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at
the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil
of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.
4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said,
"Why was this fragrant oil wasted?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and
given to the poor. And they criticized her sharply.
6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done
a good work for Me.
7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may
do them good; but Me you do not have always.
8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My
body for burial.
9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the
whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial
to her.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of
Eugenius at Constantinople
During the persecutions against Christians the relics of the holy
martyrs were usually buried by believers in hidden places. So at
Constantinople, near the gates and tower in the Eugenius quarter, the
bodies of several martyrs were found. Their names remain unknown by
the Church.
When miracles of healing began to occur at this spot, the relics of
the saints were discovered and transferred to a church with great
honor. It was revealed to a certain pious clergyman, Nicholas
Kalligraphos, that among the relics discovered at Eugenius were the
relics of the holy Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy and his helper
Junia (May 17), whom the Apostle Paul mentions in the Epistle to the
Romans (Rom 16:7). In the twelfth century, a great domed church was
built on the spot where the relics of the holy martyrs were
discovered. This work was undertaken by the emperor Andronicus
(1183-1185), whose patron saint was the holy Apostle Andronicus.
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Martyr Maurice at Apamea in Syria
Saint Maurice, a military commander of Syrian Apamea, suffered in the
year 305 under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311) together with
his son Photinus and seventy soldiers under his command (only two of
the soldiers' names are known, Theodore and Philip).
During a persecution, pagan priests reported to the emperor that St
Maurice was spreading the faith in Christ. Brought to trial, St
Maurice, his son and his soldiers firmly confessed their faith and
they yielded neither to entreaties nor to threats. They were then
beaten without mercy, burned with fire and raked with iron hooks.
Young Photinus, having endured the tortures, was beheaded by the sword
before the very eyes of his father. But this cruel torment did not
break St Maurice, who was happy that his son had been vouchsafed the
martyr's crown.
They then devised even more subtle tortures for the martyrs: they led
them to a swampy place full of mosquitoes, wasps and gnats, and they
tied them to trees, having smeared their bodies with honey. The
insects fiercely stung and bit the martyrs, who were weakened by
hunger and thirst.
The saints endured these torments for ten days, but they did not cease
praying and glorifying God until finally the Lord put an end to their
sufferings. The wicked torturer gave orders to behead them and leave
their bodies exposed without burial, but Christians secretly buried
the venerable relics of the holy martyrs by night at the place of
their horrible execution.
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Martyr Photinus at Apamea in Syria
Saint Maurice, a military commander of Syrian Apamea, suffered in the
year 305 under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311) together with
his son Photinus and seventy soldiers under his command (only two of
the soldiers' names are known, Theodore and Philip).
During a persecution, pagan priests reported to the emperor that St
Maurice was spreading the faith in Christ. Brought to trial, St
Maurice, his son and his soldiers firmly confessed their faith and
they yielded neither to entreaties nor to threats. They were then
beaten without mercy, burned with fire and raked with iron hooks.
Young Photinus, having endured the tortures, was beheaded by the sword
before the very eyes of his father. But this cruel torment did not
break St Maurice, who was happy that his son had been vouchsafed the
martyr's crown.
They then devised even more subtle tortures for the martyrs: they led
them to a swampy place full of mosquitoes, wasps and gnats, and they
tied them to trees, having smeared their bodies with honey. The
insects fiercely stung and bit the martyrs, who were weakened by
hunger and thirst.
The saints endured these torments for ten days, but they did not cease
praying and glorifying God until finally the Lord put an end to their
sufferings. The wicked torturer gave orders to behead them and leave
their bodies exposed without burial, but Christians secretly buried
the venerable relics of the holy martyrs by night at the place of
their horrible execution.
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Martyr Theodore at Apamea in Syria
Saint Theodore was one of seventy soldiers who suffered in the year
305 under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311) with St Maurice, a
military commander of Syrian Apamea.
The martyrs were led to a swampy place full of mosquitoes, wasps and
gnats, and they tied them to trees, having smeared their bodies with
honey. The insects fiercely stung and bit the martyrs, who were
weakened by hunger and thirst.
The saints endured these torments for ten days, but they did not cease
praying and glorifying God until finally the Lord put an end to their
sufferings. The wicked torturer gave orders to behead them and leave
their bodies exposed without burial, but Christians secretly buried
the venerable relics of the holy martyrs by night at the place of
their horrible execution.
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Martyr Philip at Apamea in Syria
Saint Philip was one of seventy soldiers who suffered in the year 305
under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311) with St Maurice, a
military commander of Syrian Apamea.
During a persecution, pagan priests reported to the emperor that St
Maurice was spreading the faith in Christ. Brought to trial, St
Maurice, his son and his soldiers firmly confessed their faith and
they yielded neither to entreaties nor to threats. They were then
beaten without mercy, burned with fire and raked with iron hooks.
Young Photinus, having endured the tortures, was beheaded by the sword
before the very eyes of his father. But this cruel torment did not
break St Maurice, who was happy that his son had been vouchsafed the
martyr's crown.
They then devised even more subtle tortures for the martyrs: they led
them to a swampy place full of mosquitoes, wasps and gnats, and they
tied them to trees, having smeared their bodies with honey. The
insects fiercely stung and bit the martyrs, who were weakened by
hunger and thirst.
The saints endured these torments for ten days, but they did not cease
praying and glorifying God until finally the Lord put an end to their
sufferings. The wicked torturer gave orders to behead them and leave
their bodies exposed without burial, but Christians secretly buried
the venerable relics of the holy martyrs by night at the place of
their horrible execution.
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70 Soldiers martyred at Apamea in Syria
These seventy soldiers suffered in the year 305 under the emperor
Maximian Galerius (305-311) with St Maurice, a military commander of
Syrian Apamea. Only two of the soldiers' names are known, Theodore and
Philip.
The martyrs were led to a swampy place full of mosquitoes, wasps and
gnats, and they tied them to trees, having smeared their bodies with
honey. The insects fiercely stung and bit the martyrs, who were
weakened by hunger and thirst.
The saints endured these torments for ten days, but they did not cease
praying and glorifying God until finally the Lord put an end to their
sufferings. The wicked torturer gave orders to behead them and leave
their bodies exposed without burial, but Christians secretly buried
the venerable relics of the holy martyrs by night at the place of
their horrible execution.
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Venerable Thalassius Hermit of Syria
Saint Thalassius of Syria, lived during the fifth century. At a young
age he withdrew to a hill near the village of Targala and passed 38
years there in monastic deeds, having neither a roof over his head,
nor any cell nor shelter.
For his simple disposition, gentleness and humility he was granted by
the Lord the gift of wonderworking and healing the sick. Many wanted
to live under his guidance, and the saint did not refuse those coming
to him. He himself built cells for them. He died peacefully, granted
rest from his labors.
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Venerable Limnaeus Hermit of Syria
Saint Limnaeus began his efforts under the guidance of St Thalassius
and dwelt with him for a sufficient time to acquire the virtues of his
teacher: simplicity of manner, gentleness and humility. Then St
Limnaeus joined St Maron (February 14).
On a hill he built a small stone enclosure without a roof, and through
a small aperture, he conversed with those who came to see him. His
heart was full of compassion for people. Wanting to help all the
destitute, he built a wanderers' home on the hillside with the help of
his admirers, a dwelling for the poor and the crippled, and he fed
them with what pious people brought him.
The holy ascetic even sacrificed his own quiet and solitude for these
poor brethren, and took upon himself the responsibility for for their
spiritual nourishment, inducing them to pray and glorify the Lord. For
his holy life he was granted the gift of wonderworking. He once cured
himself of a snakebite through prayer.
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Venerable Baradates, Hermit of Syria
Saint Baradates the Syrian began to live as a desert-dweller in a hut
near Antioch. He then built a stone cell upon a hill, so cramped and
low that the ascetic could stand in it only in a stooped position. It
had neither window nor door, and the wind, rain and cold came in
through the cracks, and in summer he was not protected from the heat.
After many years Patriarch Theodoretos of Alexandria urged the monk to
leave the cramped hut. Then the saint withdrew into a new seclusion:
covered in leather from head to foot with a small opening for his nose
and mouth, he prayed standing with hands upraised to heaven. The grace
of God strengthened him in his works and purified his heart from
passions. People began to flock to him for spiritual counsel, and St
Baradates with deep humility guided them. Having acquired many
spiritual gifts, St Baradates departed to the Lord in peace in 460.
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St Athanasius the Confessor of Constantinople
Saint Athanasius the Confessor was born in Constantinople of rich and
pious parents. From his childhood he dreamed of devoting himself
entirely to God, and having reached maturity, he settled in one of the
Nicomedia monasteries, called the Pavlopetrios (i.e., in the names of
the holy Apostles Peter and Paul), and became a monk there.
The loftiness of his ascetic life became known at the imperial court.
During the reign of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820),
St Athanasius was subjected to torture for venerating icons, and then
underwent exile, grief and suffering. Confessing the Orthodox Faith
until the very end of his life, St Athanasius died peacefully in the
year 821.
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9 Martyred brothers of Kola
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Guram of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Adarnase of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Baqar of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Vache of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Bardzim of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Dachi of Kola with his eight brothers
No information available at this time.Many centuries ago, the village
of Kola was located at the source of the Mtkvari River. There
Christians and pagans dwelt together as neighbors. Christian and pagan
children would play together, but when the Christian children heard
church bells ringing, they recognized the call to prayer and dropped
their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram, Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache,
Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and Parsmanwould follow the Christian
children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Juansher of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Ramaz of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Pharsman of Kola with his eight brothers
Many centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of
the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as
neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when
the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the
call to prayer and dropped their games. Nine pagan childrenGuram,
Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and
Parsmanwould follow the Christian children to church.
But the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church
and reprimanded them, saying, You are children of pagans. You cannot
enter Gods holy house. They would return sorry and dejected.
One day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly,
but they were cast out and scolded. If you want to enter the church,
you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they were told.
You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian
believers.
With great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would
receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their
priest the good news of the pagan boys desire, he recalled the words
of the Gospel: _He that loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me,
is not worthy of Me._ (Matt. 10:3738).
He was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan
community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and
baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy
Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic
hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the
children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than
return to their parents.
When their parents learned that they had been baptized in the
Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church,
abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic
children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty
for seven days, repeated again and again, We are Christians and will
not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!
Neither gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good
things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they
asserted, We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us
alone and allow us to join the Christian community!
The enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that
had happened. But the prince was of no helphe simply told them, They
are your children, do with them as you wish. The obstinate pagans
asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was
dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown
inside.
We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been
baptized! proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola,
before offering up their souls to God.
Their godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until
the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed
him, and divided the spoils among themselves.
The martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred
in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern
Georgia.
_________________________________________________________________