[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Fri May 30 05:00:13 CDT 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Fri May 30 2008

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Acts 15:5-34  (Epistle)
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying,
"It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the
law of Moses."
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to
them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose
among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the
gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the
Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts
by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of
the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
shall be saved in the same manner as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and
Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through
them among the Gentiles.
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and
brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to
take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is
written:
16 After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David,
which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the
Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these
things.'
18 Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the
Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols,
from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him
in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to
send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas,
leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the
brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled
you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be
circumcised and keep the law" -to whom we gave no such commandment-
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send
chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the
same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you
no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from
things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves
from these, you will do well. Farewell.
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had
gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and
strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back
with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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John 10:17-28  (Gospel)
17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may
take it again.
18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power
to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have
received from My Father.
19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of
these sayings.
20 And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you
listen to Him?"
21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a
demon open the eyes of the blind?"
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep
us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works
that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said
to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither
shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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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
March 22.
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