[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sat Mar 8 05:00:18 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Mar 8 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Romans 14:19-23;16:25-27  (Epistle)
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the
things by which one may edify another.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things
indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by
which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who
does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat
from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and
the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known
to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
for obedience to the faith-
27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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Galatians 5:22-6:2  (Epistle, Departed)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one
another.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Matthew 6:1-13  (Gospel)
1 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be
seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet
before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have
their reward.
3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing,
4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees
in secret will Himself reward you openly.
5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the
streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they
have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut
your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you
have need of before you ask Him.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be
Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil
one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Matthew 11:27-30  (Epistle, Departed)
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows
the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the
Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Saturday of Cheesefare Commemoration of all our God-bearing
Fathers and Mothers who shone forth in asceticism
On this day, we commemorate all the righteous and God-bearing Fathers
and Mothers, both known and unknown, who shone forth in asceticism.
With these two weeks of Meatfare and Cheesefare, the Church gradually
eases us into the full fasting which begins on Monday.
The holy acetics are virtuous men and women who contended against the
devil and their own passions. By examining their lives and their
struggles against the Enemy, we take courage from the victory they
have achieved, and are inspired to imitate their God-pleasing conduct.
They also teach us that fasting is not merely abstinence from food,
but involves refraining from inappropriate speech and unseemly
actions.
Since these holy ascetics share the same human nature that we have,
their example is an encouragement to us as we embark on our own
spiritual struggles Their lives are a model for us to follow as we
seek to acquire and practice the various virtues and to turn away from
everything evil. If we undertake these same struggles of prayer,
fasting, and good works, we shall receive from God the same reward
they did.
Most of the holy ascetics commemorated today have their own separate
Feast Day during the year, while some are remembered only on this day.
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St Theophylactus the Bishop of Nicomedia
Saint Theophylactus lived at Constantinople in the eighth century
during the time of the Iconoclast heresy. After the death of the
iconoclast emperor Leo IV the Khazar (775-780), Emperor Constantine VI
(780-797) ascended the throne. At the same time, the holy Patriarch
Paul (August 30), not having the strength to continue guiding the
flock in the face of iconoclasm, voluntarily resigned his office
(784). St Tarasius (February 25) was chosen in his place. At that
time, he was an eminent imperial counselor. Under the supervision of
the new Patriarch the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) was convened to
condemn the Iconoclast heresy. A relatively peaceful time began for
the Church, and monasteries again began to fill with monks.
St Theophylactus, a gifted disciple of St Tarasius, with the blessing
of the Patriarch, went to a monastery on the coast of the Black Sea
with St Michael (May 23). The zealous ascetics by their God-pleasing
labors and intense prayer were granted the gift of wonderworking by
God. During a drought, when the workers in the field were weakened by
thirst, the saints prayed and an empty vessel became filled with
enough water to last the entire day.
After several years in the monastery, they were both consecrated as
bishops by Patriarch Tarasius. St Michael was made Bishop of Synada,
and St Theophylactus was made Bishop of Nicomedia.
Heading the Church of Nicomedia, St Theophylactus cared for the flock
entrusted to him. He built churches, hospices, homes for wanderers, he
generously distributed alms, was the guardian of orphans, widows and
the sick, and personally attended those afflicted with leprosy, not
hesitating to wash their wounds.
When the iconoclast Leo the Armenian (813-820) came to the imperial
throne, the terrible heresy burst forth with renewed strength.
But the iconoclast emperor was not able to influence St Nicephorus
(June 2), the successor of Patriarch Tarasius, who with the other
bishops vainly urged Leo not to destroy the peace of the Church. St
Theophylactus was present at the negotiations of the emperor with the
Patriarch. Denouncing the heretics, St Theophylactus predicted a
speedy death for Leo the Armenian. For his bold prophecy the saint was
sent into exile to the fortress Strobil (in Asia Minor). He languished
for thirty years until his death, which took place around the year
845.
After the restoration of icon-veneration in the year 847 under the
empress St Theodora (February 11) and her son Michael, the holy relics
of St Theophylactus were returned to Nicomedia.
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Venerable Lazarus of Murom
St Lazarus of Murom was a Greek, born at Constantinople. In his native
city he became a monk at the High-Mount monastery under the Elder
Athanasius Diskotes, builder of many monasteries. Eight years later,
Lazarus was under the guidance of Bishop Basil of Caesarea. In the
year 1343 Bishop Basil, wanting to encourage the Russian Church, sent
St Lazarus as a noted iconographer together with monks and gifts to St
Basil, Archbishop of Novgorod (February 10, October 4, June 3).
St Lazarus made a copy of Novgorod's Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God
(August 15) for the Caesarea diocese, and compiled an account of
Novgorod churches and monasteries. Meeting the monk, the Novgorod
hierarch bowed to the ground to his guest and blessed him to remain in
a monastery he built. For ten years St Lazarus faithfully served St
Basil, and in 1352 upon the death of the holy archpastor, he "dressed
the holy body in the prepared clothing and shed many tears."
Grieved that he had been deprived of both his guides (Previously, the
saint had received letters informing him of the death of Bishop
Basil), St Lazarus considered returning to his native land. However,
in a dream the Novgorod hierarch appeared to him and directed him "to
go northward towards the sea, to Mucha Island in Lake Onega" (Murom
Island in Lake Onega). In a short time his first guide, Bishop Basil
of Caesarea, commanded him in a dream to go to that same place and
found a monastery. The Chronicles say that at this time the
Novgorodians were making their first attempts to convert the peoples
of the White Sea coastal region to Christianity.
But St Lazarus was not able to get to this island at once. For a long
time, he owner of the island, the Novgorod merchant Ivan, would not
permit him. The monk prayed fervently to the Most Holy Theotokos and
to St John the Forerunner, and he wept at the grave of St Basil. And
the owner's resistance was removed. St Basil once appeared to him in a
dream and ordered him to bestow the island "to our friend Lazarus", so
that the Mother of God might be honored there.
St Lazarus arrived alone at the blessed spot. He set up a cross, a
hut, and a chapel. Soon the Lopari and Chud natives living on the
island heard about him, and he endured much suffering from them. They
burned down his hut and did what damage they could. They beat him,
chased him from the island, and pursued him in order to kill him. But
God and the Queen of Heaven guarded the saint.
At the site of the burned hut the icon of the Dormition of the Most
Holy Theotokos again appeared to St Lazarus, miraculously undamaged by
the fire. It was with this icon that they had blessed him when he
became a monk, and from it was heard a commanding Voice: "The
faithless people shall become faithful, and there will be one Church
and one flock of Christ. Establish upon this place a church of the
Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos."
Another time the saint saw how this place was blessed by "a Woman of
majesty, radiant with golden hue, and resplendant men who made
reverence to Her." Soon the eldest of the Lopari came to the monk and
begged him to heal a child born blind: "... then we shall depart from
the island, as your servants have been commanded." St Lazarus
perceived that this was an angel, and he gave thanks unto the Lord. He
healed the blind child after praying and sprinkling him with holy
water. Then, the "bad people" quit the island, and the father of the
healed child later became a monk, and all his sons were baptized.
>From that time, people started coming to the saint from faraway
places. He baptized them, and tonsured them into monasticism. Even his
fellow countrymen came to him from Constantinople, the holy Monks
Eleazar, Eumenius and Nazarius (June 4), future founders of the
Monastery of the Forerunner in the Olonetsk region.
Visiting Novgorod, St Lazarus received from Bishop Moses (1352-1360)
his blessing for the construction of a monastery, together with an
antimension and some church vessels. A church was built in honor of
the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, the first in all the coastal
region; also a church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, and even a
wooden church of St John the Forerunner together with a trapeza.
The Murom Dormition monastery was built up and strengthened by its
zealous head St Lazarus until his old age.
The time of his death was revealed to him in a vision by his faithful
protector, St Basil of Novgorod. Having chosen a worthy successor, the
Athonite Elder Theodosius, and after receiving the Holy Life-Creating
Mysteries and blessing everyone, St Lazarus departed to the Lord on
March 8, 1391 at the age of 105 years. They buried him in a chapel
beside the church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Life of St Lazarusus was written by the Elder Theodosius from the
words of the monk himself.
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Venerable Athanasius of Murom
Saint Athanasius was igumen at the monastery of St Lazarus during the
mid-fifteenth century. After his death, the ascetic's body was buried
in a separate chapel, where the chains of the saint were preserved as
evidence of his exploits.
The veneration of this saint goes back a long time. In the second half
of the seventeenth century they called St Athanasius "a wonderworking
monk."
There is troparion and kontakion to the saint.
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Apostle Hermas of the Seventy
The Holy Apostle Hermas of the Seventy was bishop at Philippopolis,
and died a martyr in the first century. In the Epistle to the Romans,
the holy Apostle Paul summons the Romans to greet Hermas (Rom 16:14).
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Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch
Saint Theodoritus was a presbyter and keeper of sacred vessels at the
cathedral church in Antioch. This church was built and richly adorned
by the emperor St Constantine the Great (May 21) and his son
Constantius, and the people called it "the Golden church." Having
occupied the throne after the death of the emperor Constantius
(337-361), Julian the Apostate (361-363) decided to restore paganism
throughout the Roman Empire.
The emperor appointed his uncle, also named Julian, as prefect of
Antioch. He ordered him to close the Christian churches, and to send
the valuables within them to the imperial treasury. Wanting to please
the emperor, the prefect, also an apostate from Christianity, set
about his impious task with zeal.
Arriving at Antioch with the dignitary Felix, he gave orders to lock
up the priest Theodoritus under guard, and he began his plundering,
defiling the altar and the holy altar table. One of those present,
Euzoios, tried to admonish him for his impiety, and for this he was
killed. Julian accused Theodoritus of hiding the church valuables, but
the venerable keeper of vessels denied the accusation and openly
denounced Julian for his apostasy.
Despite beastly tortures, the holy martyr maintained his faith in
Christ the Savior, and predicted a speedy death for Julian and the
emperor for their sacrilege.
The soldiers torturing the faithful presbyter were struck by his
firmness and endurance, and by the power of the Word of God. They were
converted to Christ, for which they were drowned in the sea.
The holy confessor was beheaded. The mockery and sacrilege of the
pagans did not go unpunished, and the predictions of St Theodoritus
were soon fulfilled. The prefect Julian died in agony from a grievous
illness, and the emperor Julian perished in a campaign against the
Persians.
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Venerable Dometius
It is possible that this St Dometius is the same as St Dometius the
Persian who is commemorated on August 7 with his two disciples.
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St Felix of Burgundy the Bishop of Dunwich and Enlightener of
East Anglia
Saint Felix, the Apostle of East Anglia, was born in the Burgundy
region of what is now France. He was a bishop who was sent to England
by St Honorius of Canterbury (September 30) to evangelize East Anglia.
St Felix established his See in Dunwich on the Suffolk coast in 631,
and labored there successfully for seventeen years. He founded a
school for boys with the help of King Siegbert, and brought in
teachers from Canterbury.
St Felix died in 648 and was buried at Dunwich, but his relics were
transferred to Ramsey abbey in Huntingdonshire in 971.
St Felix has given his name to Felixstowe in Suffolk, and to Felixkirk
in Yorkshire. He is mentioned by St Bede (HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH
CHURCH AND PEOPLE, Book 3, ch. 18 and 20).
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Icon of the Mother of God Kursk Root "of the Sign"
This is a copy of the famous "Kursk Root" Icon of the Most Holy
Theotokos commemorated on November 27.
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