[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Jan 29 05:00:19 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Jan 29 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Hebrews 12:25-26, 13:22-25  (Epistle)
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not
escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not
escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying,
"Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven."
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation,
for I have written to you in few words.
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall
see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from
Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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James 1:1-18  (Epistle, Wednesday)
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the
Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field
he will pass away.
11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers
the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So
the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning.
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we
might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 10:2-12  (Gospel)
2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce
his wife?" testing Him.
3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"
4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce,
and to dismiss her."
5 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of
your heart he wrote you this precept.
6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and
female.'
7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife,
8 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer
two, but one flesh.
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.
10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same
matter.
11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her.
12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she
commits adultery.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Mark 10:11-16  (Gospel, Wednesday)
11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her.
12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she
commits adultery.
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them;
but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them,
"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of
such is the kingdom of God.
15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child will by no means enter it.
16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and
blessed them.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the
Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch
The Transfer of the Relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer:
(See December 20). After the holy hieromartyr Ignatius was thrown to
the lions in the year 107 on the orders of the emperor Trajan,
Christians gathered up his bones and preserved them at Rome.
Later, in the year 108, the saint's relics were collected and buried
outside the gate of Daphne at Antioch. A second transfer, to the city
of Antioch itself, took place in the year 438. After the capture of
Antioch by the Persians, the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius were
returned to Rome and placed into the church of the holy Hieromartyr
Clement in the year 540 ( in 637, according to other sources).
St Ignatius introduced antiphonal singing into Church services. He has
left us seven archpastoral epistles in which he provided instructions
on faith, love and good works. He also urged his flock to preserve the
unity of the faith and to beware of heretics. He encouraged people to
honor and obey their bishops, "we should regard the bishop as we would
the Lord Himself" (To the Ephesians 6)
In his Letter to Polycarp, St Ignatius writes: "Listen to the bishop,
if you want God to listen to you... let your baptism be your shield,
your faith a helmet, your charity a spear, your patience, like full
armor." (Compare Eph. 6:14-17 and the Wisdom of Solomon 5:17-20. Also
THE LADDER 4:2)
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St Laurence the Recluse of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves, and
Bishop of Turov, Near Caves
Saint Laurence, Hermit of the Caves and Bishop of Turov, in the Near
Caves at first lived as a hermit at the monastery of the Great Martyr
Demetrius, built by Great Prince Izyaslav at Kiev near the Monastery
of the Caves. Later, he transferred to the Kiev Caves monastery, and
was glorified by a gift of healing.
He was elevated to the See of Turov in 1182 (Turov is a city in the
Minsk region), and was a successor of St Cyril of Turov (April 28). He
died in 1194, and was buried in the Near Caves. His memory is
celebrated also on September 28 and on the second Sunday of Great
Lent.
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St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm
Saint Gerasimus was the third bishop of the Zyryan people, and a
worthy successor of St Stephen, Enlightener of Perm. He was elevated
to the See of Perm sometime after the year 1416, when only part of the
Zyryani had been converted to Christianity.
He was concerned for his flock, which suffered incessant incursions
from the Novgorodians and pagan Vogulians. He went into the Vogul
camps, urging them to stop plundering the defenseless Christians of
Perm. On one of these journeys in 1441, he was murdered by his Vogul
servant (according to tradition he was strangled with his omophorion).
He was buried in the Annunciation church of the village of Ust-Vym not
far from the city of Yarenga, at the River Vychegda (also January 24).
Today's common commemoration of these three saints acknowledges their
apostolic activity in this Eastern expanse of Russia. St Gerasimus is
also commemorated on January 24.
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St Pitirim the Bishop of Perm
Archimandrite Pitirim succeeded St Gerasimus as bishop of Great Perm
and Ustiug. Even during his time the Voguli had not ceased attacking
the peaceful Zyryani, the settlers of Perm. Bishop Pitirim stood up
for his flock just as his predecessor had done.
In 1447 he personally appealed to the Great Prince to help the
Zyryani. The saint often visited his flock, which was spread out over
a wide territory, instructing them in the Word of God and assisting
them in their misfortunes. He undertook long journeys to enlighten the
pagan Voguli, during which his life was frequently in danger, and he
had to endure all sorts of privation. The saint did not slacken his
efforts, he enlightened and instructed people in their homes, in
churches, and in the open places.
By his preaching he converted many of the Voguli who lived along the
tributaries of the River Pechora, to Christianity. Because of this he
aroused the terrible wrath of the leader of the Voguli, Asyk, who
murdered the saint in a field as he was serving a Molieben. This
occurred not far from Ust-Vym on August 19, 1455. St Pitirim compiled
the Life of St Alexis and the Canon for the uncovering of his relics.
The relics of St Pitirim rest in the Annunciation temple in Ust-Vym
(in Vologda district).
The common commemoration of these three saints acknowledges their
apostolic activity in this Eastern expanse of Russia. St Pitirim is
also commemorated on August 19.
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St Jonah the Bishop of Perm
After St Pitirim, St Jonah ascended the throne of Perm. He converted
to Christianity the remaining part of Great Perm, i.e. the pagan
tribes living along the Rivers Vishera, Kama, Chusova and others. By
his efforts the idols were eradicated and in their place churches were
built. Experienced pastors were sent to teach the new converts at the
church-run schools of Us-Vym.
St Jonah reposed on June 6, 1470. His relics rest together with the
relics of Sts Gerasimus and Pitirim in the Annunciation temple in
Ust-Vym (in Vologda district).
The commemoration in common of these three saints acknowledges their
apostolic activity in this Eastern expanse of Russia. St Jonah is also
commemorated on June 6.
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Martyr Romanus at Samosata
The Holy Martyrs Romanus, James, Philotheus, Hyperichius, Habib,
Julian and Parigoreas suffered in the year 297, during the persecution
by Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria on the
River Euphrates). They bravely denounced the senseless worship of
idols, for which they were arrested and given over to various terrible
tortures. Their bodies were scraped with iron, heavy iron fetters were
hung around their necks, and they were locked up in prison. Finally,
nails were driven into their heads while they were suspended on
crosses.
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Martyr James at Samosata
The Holy Martyr James suffered in the year 297, during the persecution
of Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria on the
River Euphrates). He bravely denounced the senseless worship of idols,
for which he was arrested and given over to various terrible tortures.
His body was scraped with iron, heavy iron fetters were hung around
his neck, and he was locked up in prison. Finally, he was crucified
and nails were driven into his head.
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Martyr Philotheus at Samosata
The Holy Martyrs Philotheus, Romanus, James, Hyperichius, Habib,
Julian and Parigoreas suffered in the year 297, during the persecution
by Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria on the
River Euphrates). They bravely denounced the senseless worship of
idols, for which they were arrested and given over to various terrible
tortures. Their bodies were scraped with iron, heavy iron fetters were
hung around their necks, and they were locked up in prison. Finally,
nails were driven into their heads while they were suspended on
crosses.
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Martyr Hyperechius at Samosata
The Holy Martyr Hyperichius suffered in the year 297, during the
persecution of Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria
on the River Euphrates). He bravely denounced the senseless worship of
idols, for which he was arrested and given over to various terrible
tortures. His body was scraped with iron, heavy iron fetters were hung
around his neck, and he was locked up in prison. Finally, he was
crucified and nails were driven into his head.
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Martyr Abibus at Samosata
The Holy Martyr Habib suffered in the year 297, during the persecution
of Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria on the
River Euphrates). He bravely denounced the senseless worship of idols,
for which he was arrested and given over to various terrible tortures.
His body was scraped with iron, heavy iron fetters were hung around
his neck, and he was locked up in prison. Finally, he was crucified
and nails were driven into his head.
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Martyr Julian at Samosata
The Holy Martyr Julian suffered in the year 297, during the
persecution by Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria
on the River Euphrates). They bravely denounced the senseless worship
of idols, for which they were arrested and given over to various
terrible tortures. Their bodies were scraped with iron, heavy iron
fetters were hung around their necks, and they were locked up in
prison. Finally, nails were driven into their heads while they were
suspended on crosses.
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Martyr Paregonius at Samosata
The Holy Martyr Parigoreas suffered in the year 297, during the
persecution by Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata (in Syria
on the River Euphrates). They bravely denounced the senseless worship
of idols, for which they were arrested and given over to various
terrible tortures. Their bodies were scraped with iron, heavy iron
fetters were hung around their necks, and they were locked up in
prison. Finally, nails were driven into their heads while they were
suspended on crosses.
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Martyr Silvanus Bishop of Emesa
Saint Silvanus the bishop suffered in the city of Phoenician Emesa
(Homs) in 312 along with St Luke the deacon and Mocius the Reader.
After tortures, imprisonment and exhaustion by hunger, they were
thrown to the wild beasts. The holy martyrs died praying, untouched by
the animals. Christians took up the bodies of the holy martyrs by
night and buried them with reverence.
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Martyr Luke the Deacon
Saint Luke the deacon suffered in the city of Phoenician Emesa (Homs)
in 312 along with St Silvanus the bishop and Mocius the Reader. After
tortures, imprisonment and exhaustion by hunger, they were thrown to
the wild beasts. The holy martyrs died praying, untouched by the
animals. Christians took up the bodies of the holy martyrs by night
and buried them with reverence.
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Martyr Mocius the Reader
Saint Mocius the Reader suffered in the city of Phoenician Emesa
(Homs) in 312 along with St Silvanus the bishop and St Luke the
deacon. After tortures, imprisonment and exhaustion by hunger, they
were thrown to the wild beasts. The holy martyrs died praying,
untouched by the animals. Christians took up the bodies of the holy
martyrs by night and buried them with reverence.
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Martyr Ashot Curapalati, King of of Artanuji
In the year 786, Ashot, the son of Adarnerse, ascended the throne of
Kartli. From the very beginning of his reign he fought fiercely for
the reunification of Georgia. His first step was to take advantage of
the Arab Muslims weariness and banish them from Tbilisi.
Three years passed and, under the leadership of a new ruler, the
reinvigorated Muslims began to hunt for Ashot. The king was forced to
flee after he delayed taking action against them. The enemy had again
conquered Tbilisi.
Ashot was compelled to leave Kartli, and he departed for Byzantium
with his family and small army. The refugees journeyed as far as
Javakheti in southern Georgia and stopped near Lake Paravani for a
rest. But while they were sleeping, a Saracen army assailed their
camp. The kings army was doomed, but God helped Ashot Kuropalates and
his scant army. He bestowed power upon them, and they defeated an
enemy that greatly outnumbered them. The king was deeply moved by Gods
miraculous intervention and decided that, rather than journeying on to
Byzantium as he had intended, he would remain in the region of
Shavshet-Klarjeti.
At that time southern Georgia was suffering great calamities. A
cholera epidemic intensified the struggles of a people devastated by a
ruthless enemy. Very few had survived, but that powerless and wearied
remnant gladly received Ashot Kuropalates as their new leader, and the
king began to restore the region at once.
Ashot Kuropalates restored Artanuji Castle, which had originally been
built by King Vakhtang Gorgasali and later ravaged by the Arab general
Marwan the Deaf. Ashot founded a city nearby and proclaimed it the
residence of the Bagrationi royal family of Klarjeti. He also
constructed a church in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul. As it is
written, God granted Ashot Kuropalates great strength and many
victories.
The region of Klarjeti took on a new life, and through the efforts of
St. Grigol of Khandzta and his companions, the former wasteland was
transformed into a borough bustling with churches, monasteries, and
schools. Georgian noblemen soon began traveling to Klarjeti to forge
their nations future with King Ashot and the other God-fearing
leaders.
Ashot Kuropalates was not only a leader who campaigned vigorously for
the unification of Georgiahe was truly a godly-minded man. With great
honor and joy he was the host of Fr. Grigol of Khandzta, a heavenly
man and an earthly angel. Fr. Grigol blessed Ashots kingdom and his
inheritance.
Upon those who labored at Khandzta Monastery, Ashot Kuropalates
bestowed the best lands, including Shatberdi, to serve as rural
estates, which would supply food for the monastery. His children,
Adarnerse, Bagrat, and Guaram, would later contribute much of their
own fortune to the revival of the monasteries in the
KlarjetiWilderness. (_Udabno_ in Georgian. Translated as wilderness,
these deserted places where hermits made their abodes often attracted
monks and pious laymen as the fame of these holy men spread. Over the
centuries, with the foundation of numerous monasteries, these deserts
became veritable cities and only retained the name wilderness in a
figurative sense.)
But after some time the usually virtuous King Ashot fell in love with
a certain woman. He forgot his honor, his achievements, and his
loyalty to God and the nation and took her to Artanuji Castle, an
estate that had been built for the queen. St. Grigol, however, heard
about the kings adulterous relationship and became exceedingly
sorrowful.
He confronted the king about his behavior, and the desperate Ashot
promised to leave the woman, but he could not bring himself to fulfill
his promise. So Fr. Grigol took her to Mere Monastery and turned her
over to the abbess, Mother Pebronia, without telling Ashot. Upon
hearing what had happened, King Ashot pleaded with Mother Pebronia to
return the woman, but the abbess refused. At long last Ashot bowed his
head to the nun and repented, saying, Blessed is the man who is no
longer alive to this world.
The king rediscovered his love for God and his country, and he
prepared to return to Kartli. But his plans were foiled when a certain
Muslim warrior named Khalil invaded, conquering the lands of Kartli,
Hereti, and Kvemo Kartli.
Ashot sent his men to assemble an army, but before the troops had been
gathered, the Saracens attacked and forced them to flee. The king then
traveled to Nigali Gorge with the intent of enlarging his army. Some
of the draftees turned out to be traitors, and when the king
discovered the betrayal, it was already too late. He hid in a church,
but the godless men found him and stabbed him to death in the
sanctuary. They murdered him on the altar, as though slaughtering a
sacrificial lamb, and his blood remains there to this day, writes
Sumbat, the son of Davit, in his book _Lives of the Bagrationis_.
Thus the first Bagrationi king, a believer, upon whom the inheritance
of the Georgian people was established, was also a martyr. The
Georgians took revenge on the murderers of their beloved king. When
the people of Doliskana heard that Ashot had been killed, they pursued
his murderers and killed them near the Chorokhi River. Venerable
Grigol and the Georgian people wept bitterly over the loss of their
king and hope. St. Ashots holy relics were buried in the Church of
Sts. Peter and Paul that he himself had built.
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St Ignatius, Wonderworker and Bishop of Smolensk
Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Smolensk and Wonderworker (+ ca. 1210): By
some accounts, St Ignatius was the first bishop of Smolensk. He was a
friend of St Abraham (August 21), whom he ordained to the priesthood.
Bishop Ignatius was a kindly and pious Elder, heading the trial
instigated by St Abraham's enemies, at which the monk was acquitted.
St Ignatius founded a monastery in honor of the Placing of the Robe of
the Mother of God. To him is ascribed the construction of the most
ancient Avraamiev monastery in which he spent the remainder of his
days, after resigning as bishop. At the death of St Ignatius a miracle
occurred: "A great light came down from heaven upon him, and all were
filled with fear." The relics of the saint rest in the Smolensk
cathedral church.
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St Aphraates of Persia
Saint Aphraates, a Persian who came to believe in Christ, disavowed
his illustrious lineage and left his pagan countrymen by going to
Edessa, and then to Antioch He attracted many by his holy life, and
preached the Word of God to them. He died in the year 370.
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St Sarbelus of Edessa
The Holy Martyr Sarbelus was a pagan priest who lived during the reign
of the emperor Trajan (98-117) He and his sister Bebaia were converted
by Barsimaius, the Bishop of Edessa. They both received the crown of
martyrdom.
St Sarbelus is also commemorated on October 15.
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Martyr Bebaia of Edessa
The Holy Martyr Bebaia lived during the reign of the emperor Trajan
(98-117) She and her brother Sarbelus were converted by Barsimaius,
the Bishop of Edessa. They both received the crown of martyrdom.
St Bebaia is also commemorated on October 15.
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New Martyr Demetrius
No information available at this time.
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St Akepsimas the martyr
No information available at this time.
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