[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sat Mar 22 05:00:21 CDT 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Mar 22 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Hebrews 3:12-16  (Epistle)
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God;
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any
of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of
our confidence steadfast to the end,
15 while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden
your hearts as in the rebellion."
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came
out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-17  (Epistle, Departed)
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those
who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will
bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are
alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede
those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead
in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall
always be with the Lord.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Mark 1:35-44  (Gospel)
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He
went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for
You."
38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may
preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee,
and casting out demons.
40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and
saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and
touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."
42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he
was cleansed.
43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,
44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your
way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those
things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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John 5:24-30  (Gospel, Departed)
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in
Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear
will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to
have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is
the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are
in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is
righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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2nd Saturday of Great Lent Memorial Saturday
Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the
commemoration of faithful Orthodox Christians departed this life in
the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Since the Divine Liturgy
cannot be served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and
fourth Saturdays of the Fast are appointed as Soul Saturdays when the
departed are remembered at Liturgy.
In addition to the Liturgy, kollyva (wheat or rice cooked with honey
and mixed with raisins, figs, nuts, sesame, etc.) is blessed in church
on these Saturdays. The kollyva reminds us of the Lord's words,
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).The kollyva
symbolizes the future resurrection of all the dead. As St Simeon of
Thessalonica (September 15) says, man is also a seed which is planted
in the ground after death, and will be raised up again by God's power.
St Paul also speaks of this (I Cor. 15:35-49).
It is customary to give alms in memory of the dead in addition to the
prayers we offer for their souls. The angel who spoke to Cornelius
testifies to the efficacy of almsgiving, "Your prayers and your alms
have ascended as a memorial before God" (Acts 10:4).
Memorial services for the dead may be traced back to ancient times.
Chapter 8 of the Apostolic Constitutions recommends memorial services
with Psalms for the dead. It also contains a beautiful prayer for the
departed, asking that their voluntary and involuntary sins be
pardoned, that they be given rest with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and
Apostles in a place where sorrow, suffering, and sighing have fled
away (Isaiah 35:10). St John Chrysostom mentions the service for the
dead in one of his homilies on Philippians, and says that it was
established by the Apostles. St Cyprian of Carthage (Letter 37) also
speaks of our duty to remember the martyrs.
The holy Fathers also testify to the benefit of offering prayers,
memorial services, Liturgies, and alms for the dead (St John
Chrysostom, St Cyril of Jerusalem, St John of Damascus, etc.).
Although both the righteous and those who have not repented and
corrected themselves may receive benefit and consolation from the
Church's prayer, it has not been revealed to what extent the
unrighteous can receive this solace. It is not possible, however, for
the Church's prayer to transfer a soul from a state of evil and
condemnation to a state of holiness and blessedness. St Basil the
Great points out that the time for repentance and forgiveness of sins
is during the present life, while the future life is a time for
righteous judgment and retribution (Moralia 1). St John Chrysostom, St
Gregory the Theologian, and other patristic writers concur with St
Basil's statement.
By praying for others, we bring benefit to them, and also to
ourselves, because "God is not so unjust as to forget your work and
the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints" (Heb.
6:10).
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Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra
Hieromartyr Basil was a presbyter in Ancyra, Galatia. Fighting against
the Arian heresy, he urged his flock to cling firmly to Orthodoxy.
Because of this St Basil was deposed from his priestly rank by a local
Arian council, but a Council of 230 bishops in Palestine reinstated
him.
St Basil openly continued to preach and denounce the Arians.
Therefore, he became the victim of persecution and was subjected to
punishment as a man dangerous to the state. Two apostates, Elpidios
and Pegasios, were ordered to turn St Basil from Orthodoxy. The saint
remained unshakable, and was again subjected to tortures.
When the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) arrived in the city of
Ancyra, St Basil bravely confessed Christ before him at the trial, and
denounced the emperor for his apostasy. Julian ordered that strips of
skin be cut from the saint's back. St Basil endured the gruesome
torture with great patience.
When they began to beat his shoulders and stomach with red-hot rods,
he fell down upon the ground from the torments and cried out, "O
Christ, my Light! O Jesus, my Hope! Quiet Haven from the stormy sea. I
thank You, O Lord God of my fathers, that You have snatched my soul
from the pit of Hell and preserved Your Name in me unstained! Let me
finish my life a victor and inherit eternal life according to the
promise You gave my fathers. Now accept my soul in peace, plying
steadfast in this confession! For You are merciful and great is Your
mercy, You Who live and sojourn throughout all the ages. Amen."
Having made such prayer, and lacerated all over by the red-hot rods,
the saint fell into a sweet slumber, giving up his soul into the hands
of God. The Hieromartyr Basil died June 29, 362. His commemoration was
transferred to March 22 because of the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul.
This saint should not be confused with St Basil of Ancyra (January 1),
a layman.
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Martyr Drosis the Daughter of the Emperor Trajan
The Holy Martyr Drosis, together with Five Virgin-Martyrs Agalida,
Apollinaria, Daria, Mamthusa and Thais: St Drosis was daughter of the
emperor Trajan (98-117), a fierce persecutor of Christians. In the
year 99 he revived an earlier law which forbade secret gatherings and
was indirectly aimed against Christians. In the year 104 he issued a
special law against Christians.
Beginning in that year, the persecutions continued until the end of
his reign. During this time the bodies of martyred Christians often
remained unburied in order to intimidate others. Five Christian
virgins: Aglaida, Apolliniaria, Daria, Mamthusa and Thais, took upon
themselves the task of burying such Christians. They secretly gathered
up the bodies of martyrs, anointed them with spices, wrapped them in
shrouds and buried them. When she learned of this, Drosis, a secret
Christian but not yet baptized, asked the holy virgins to take her
with them when they went to bury Christians.
On the advice of the court dignitary Adrian, a guard was set over
those who had been killed, to arrest anyone who tried to bury them. On
the very first night, St Drosis and the five virgins were caught.
Learning that one of the captives was his own daughter, Trajan gave
orders to hold her separately, in the hope that she would change her
mind.
The remaining holy virgins were sentenced to burning in a furnace for
melting copper. They bravely accepted execution and were granted
crowns of martyrdom. The copper, mingled with the ashes of the
martyrs, was used to make tripods for a new bath of Trajan. But as
long as these tripods stood in the bath-house, no man was able to
enter it. Anyone crossing the threshold fell down dead. When the pagan
priests realized why this happened, they advised that the tripods be
removed.
Adrian told the emperor to melt the tripods and to make five statues
of naked virgins, in the likeness of the Martyrs. Then he said that
these statues should be placed before the entrance to the imperial
bath. Trajan agreed. When the statues were set up, the emperor saw in
a dream five pure lambs pastured in Paradise, and the Shepherd who
said to him, "O most wanton and wicked Caesar! Those whose images you
placed there to be mocked have been taken away from you and brought
here by the Good and Merciful Pastor. In time your daughter, the pure
lamb Drosis, shall also be here."
When he awoke, Trajan flew into a rage and ordered two huge furnaces
to be heated. At the ovens an imperial edict was posted: "You who
worship the Crucified, save yourselves many agonies, and spare us also
from these labors. Offer sacrifice to the gods. If you do not wish to
do this, however, then let each of you voluntarily cast himself into
this furnace." Many Christians willingly went to martyrdom.
When she heard of this, St Drosis also decided to endure martyrdom for
Christ. In her prison she offered prayers asking the Lord to release
her. God heard her prayer, amd the guards fell asleep. St Drosis went
off to the ovens, but began to wonder: "How can I go to God without a
wedding garment (i.e., without being baptized), for I am impure. But,
O King of Kings, Lord Jesus Christ, for Your sake I give up my
imperial position, so that I may be the lowliest handmaiden in Your
Kingdom. Baptize me Yourself with your Holy Spirit."
After praying in this manner, St Drosis anointed herself with myrrh
[chrism], which she had taken along with her, and immersing herself in
water three times, she said: "the servant of God Drosis is baptized in
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." For
seven days the saint hid, spending her time in fasting and prayer.
Christians found her and learned from her everything that occurred. On
the eighth day, the holy Martyr Drosis went to the red-hot ovens and
cast herself into the fire.
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Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at
Constantinople
St Isaac lived during the fourth century, received monastic tonsure
and pursued ascetic labors in the desert. During the reign of the
emperor Valens (364-378), a zealous adherent of the Arian heresy,
there was a persecution of the Orthodox, and churches were closed and
destroyed.
Hearing of the persecution, St Isaac left the wilderness and went to
Constantinople to console and encourage the Orthodox, and to fight
against the heretics. At that time, barbarian Goths along the River
Danube were making war against the Empire. They seized Thrace and
advanced toward Constantinople.
When the emperor Valens was leaving the capital with his soldiers, St
Isaac cried out, "Emperor, unlock the churches of the Orthodox, and
then the Lord will aid you!" But the emperor, disdaining the words of
the monk, confidently continued on his way. The saint repeated his
request and prophecy three times. The angry emperor ordered St Isaac
to be thrown into a deep ravine, filled with thorns and mud, from
which it was impossible to escape.
St Isaac remained alive by God's help, and he emerged, overtook the
emperor and said, "You wanted to destroy me, but three angels pulled
me from the mire. Hear me, open up the churches for the Orthodox and
you shall defeat the enemy. If, however, you do not heed me, then you
shall not return. You will be captured and burned alive." The emperor
was astonished at the saint's boldness and ordered his attendants
Saturninus and Victor to take the monk and hold him in prison until
his return.
St Isaac's prophecy was soon fulfilled. The Goths defeated and pursued
the Greek army. The emperor and his Arian generals took refuge in a
barn filled with straw, and the attackers set it afire. After
receiving news of the emperor's death, they released St Isaac and
honored him as a prophet.
Then the holy Emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395) came to the
throne. On the advice of Saturninus and Victor, he summoned the Elder,
treating him with great respect. Obeying his instructions, he banished
the Arians from Constantinople and restored the churches to the
Orthodox. St Isaac wanted to return to his desert, but Saturninus and
Victor begged him not to leave the city, but to remain and protect it
by his prayers.
Saturninus built a monastery for the saint in Constantinople, where
monks gathered around him. St Isaac was the monastery's igumen and
spiritual guide. He also nourished laypeople, and helped many of the
poor and suffering.
When he had reached an advanced age, St Isaac made St Dalmatus (August
3) igumen. The monastery was later named for Dalmatus.
St Isaac died in the year 383, and his memory is also celebrated on
May 30.
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Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos
This holy New Martyr of Christ was born in Demitsana in the
Peloponnesos. His parents were Panagiotes and Maria, and he was given
the name Eleutherius in Baptism. Eleutherius was the youngest of five
children (the others were George, Christos, John, and Katerina).
After attending school in Demetsana, Eleutherius and John traveled to
Constantinople to enroll in the Patriarchal Academy. Later, they went
to Jassy, Romania where their father and brothers were in business.
Some time afterwards, Eleutherius decided to go to Mt. Athos to become
a monk. Because of a war between Russia and Turkey, he was able to
travel only as far as Bucharest. There he stayed with the French
consul, then with an employee of the Russian consul.
Eleutherius began to pursue a life of pleasure, putting aside his
thoughts of monasticism. When hostilities ceased, Eleutherius made his
way to Constantinople in the company of some Moslems. On the way, he
turned from Orthodoxy and embraced Islam. He was circumcised and given
the name Reschid. Soon his conscience began to torment him for his
denial of Christ. The other Moslems began to notice a change in his
attitude, so they restricted his movements and kept a close watch on
him.
One day Eleutherius was seen wearing a cross, so the others reported
him to the master of the house, Rais Efendi. The master favored
Eleutherius, which made the others jealous. He told them it was still
too early for Eleutherius to give up all his Christian ways.
Rais Efendi and his household journeyed to Adrianople, arriving on a
Saturday. Metropolitan Cyril, who later became Patriarch of
Constantinople, was serving Vespers in one of the city's churches.
Eleutherius pretended to have letters for Metropolitan Cyril, but he
send someone else to receive them. When Eleutherius told this man that
he wanted Christian clothes, he became suspicious and sent him away.
Back in Constantinople, Rais Efendi gave Eleutherius costly presents,
hoping to influence him to remain a Moslem. Eleutherius, however,
prayed that God would permit him to escape. He ran off at the first
opportunity, seeking out a priest from the Peloponnesos who lived near
the Patriarchate. After relating his story, Eleutherius asked the
priest to help him get away. The priest refused to assist him, fearing
reprisals if he should be caught. He gave Eleutherius some advice,
then sent him away.
With some assistance from the Russian embassy, Eleutherius boarded a
ship and sailed to Mt. Athos. At the Great Lavra Eleutherius was
chrismated and received back into the Orthodox Church, and also became
a monk with the name Euthymius.
Euthymius read the NEW MARTYROLOGION of St Nicodemus (July 14), and
was inspired by the example of the New Martyrs. He then became
consumed with a desire to wipe out his apostasy with the blood of
martyrdom.
St Euthymius went to Constantinople with a monk named Gregory,
arriving on March 19, 1814. A few days later, on Palm Sunday, he
received Holy Communion. Removing his monastic garb, he dressed
himself as a Moslem and went to the palace of the Grand Vizier, Rusud
Pasha. St Euthymius, holding palms in his hand, confessed that he was
an Orthodox Christian, and wished to die for Christ. He denounced
Mohammed and the Moslem religion, then trampled upon the turban he had
worn on his head, which led the Vizier to believe that he was either
drunk or crazy.
The valiant warrior of Christ assured the Vizier that he was in his
right mind, and was not drunk. Euthymius was thrown into a dark cell
and bound with chains. After an hour or so, they brought him out
again. With flattery and promises of wealth, the Vizier tried to
convince Euthymius to return to the Moslem faith. The saint boldly
declared that Islam was a religion based on fables and falsehood, and
that he would not deny Christ again even if he were to be tortured and
slain.
The Grand Vizier ordered the saint to be beaten and returned to
prison. After three hours, St Euthymius was brought before Rusud
Pasha, who said to him, "Have you reconsidered, or do you remain
stubborn?"
Euthymius replied, "There is only one true Faith, that of the Orthodox
Christians. How can I believe in your false prophet Mohammed?"
Now the Vizier realized that he would never convince Euthymius to
return to Islam, so he ordered him to be put to death by the sword.
When the executioner attempted to tie the saint's hands he said, "I
came here voluntarily, so there is no need to bind my hands.Allow me
to meet my death untied."
St Euthymius was allowed to walk to the place of execution unbound. He
went joyfully and unafraid, holding a cross in his right hand, and
palms in his left. When they arrived at the site, Euthymius faced east
and began to pray. He thanked God for making him worthy of martyrdom
for His sake. He also prayed for his family and friends, asking God to
grant all their petitions which are unto salvation.
Then St Euthymius kissed the cross he was holding, then knelt and bent
his neck. The executioner struck a fierce blow with the sword, but
this did not behead him. He struck again, and failed to kill him.
Finally, he took a knife and slit the martyr's throat.
St Euthymius was killed about noon on March 22, 1814 in
Constantinople, thereby earning a place in the heavenly Kingdom where
he glorifies the holy, consubstantial, and life-creating Trinity, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forevermore.
The head of St Euthymius is in the Russian monastery of St Panteleimon
on Mt Athos.
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Martyr Callinica of Rome
No information available at this time.
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Martyr Basilissa of Rome
No information available at this time.
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