Eastern Christianity Saints & Feasts

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April 6 Good Friday
Continued
Part 4

Matthew 27:45-61
45: Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
46: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, la’ma sabach-tha’ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
47: And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “This man is calling Eli’jah.”
48: And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.
49: But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Eli’jah will come to save him.”
50: And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split;
52: the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,
53: and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54: When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55: There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him;
56: among whom were Mary Mag’dalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zeb’edee.
57: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe’a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.
58: He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
59: And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud,
60: and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.
61: Mary Mag’dalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.

Luke 23:39-44
23:39: One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40: But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41: And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42: And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43: And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44: It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,
 
APRIL 7
Great and Holy Saturday
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SAINT GEORGE THE CONFESSOR
Because of his great virtues, which he attained through a long and difficult ortification, George was chosen and invested as Metropolitan of Mitylene. This saint governed his spiritual flock prudently and zealously to a ripe old age. When a persecution began under Leo V, the Armenian, who, in destroying holy icons, summoned this saintly elder to Constantinople to an assembly of bishops convened by him and, whose intention it was to discontinue the veneration of icons, George not only refused to carry out the wish of the wicked emperor but with other courageous bishops stood up in defense of holy icons. Not only was he ridiculed for that but he was also banished into exile by the emperor to the region of Cherson. Here he endured all sorts of physical afflictions and deprivations for the remaining years of his life. He died and was translated to eternal life about the year 816 A.D. Because of his great sanctity and love for the Lord Jesus, George was a great miracle-worker, both during his life and after his death.

THE VENERABLE NIL SORSKY
Nil is one of the great Fathers of the Russian Church. He was the founder of the Scete way of monastic life in Russia. He died peacefully in the year 1508 A.D. His relics repose in the Sorsky Monastery. His “Rule of Life” for the “Scete” way of monastic living represents a first-class work on the spiritual and practical life of a monk.

THE HOLY MARTYR CALLIOPIUS
Calliopius was an only son granted by God to a senator from Perga in Pamphylia after the senator had shed many tears in prayer. From his early youth his devout mother, Theoclea, taught him to respect God and to live a chaste life. Calliopius was still a youngster when a terrible persecution began during the reign of Emperor Maximian. To spare him from death, his mother placed him in a boat, gave him an ample amount of money and saw him off to the city of Pompeiopolis. However, God in His Divine Providence, planned it otherwise. Landing in Pompeiopolis he fell into the midst of a tumultuous polytheistic celebration. When Calliopius refused to participate in this ridiculous feast, at the insistence of the crazed mob, he was pushed toward Maximus the commander, before whom Calliopius confessed that he was a Christian. The commander ordered that Calliopius be beaten with lead canes and burned by fire. Wounded throughout, they cast him into prison. Learning about the tortures of her son, Theoclea distributed her entire estate to the poor and needy and with a paltry sum of money hurried to her son in prison. Upon entering the prison, Theoclea bowed down before her son and dressed his wounds. Finally, the commander pronounced the ultimate sentence. Calliopius was to be crucified on a cross. Joy and pain intermingled in the heart of his mother. When they brought her son to the place of execution, she slipped five pieces of gold to the executioners to have her son crucified, not as the Lord was, but rather upside down. Theoclea did this out of humility before the Lord. Calliopius was crucified upside down on Holy Thursday. His mother stood beneath the cross-giving praise to God. One the second day when they removed his lifeless body from the cross, she fell upon her son and she, herself, died. Thus, these two went before the Throne of the King of Glory together. They honorably suffered in the year 304 A.D.

THE VENERABLE DANIEL OF PEREYASLAVL
Daniel had, as a unique form of mortification, that of caring for the dead. Whenever he heard that someone was found frozen to death or that had died in some other manner, Daniel would hasten to bury him decently and to offer prayers to God for him. He died peacefully in the year 1540 A.D. His relics remain intact.

THE VENERABLE GREGORY SINAITES
A great saint and ascetic of Mt. Sinai and Mt. Athos.
Continued*
 
April 7
Great and Holy Saturday
Continued

Today Readings:
Romans 6:3-11
6:3: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4: We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
6: We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.
7: For he who has died is freed from sin.
8: But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
9: For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
10: The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
11: So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 28:1-20
28:1: Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Mag’dalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.
2: And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
3: His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
4: And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
5: But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6: He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
7: Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.”
8: So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9: And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
10: Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
11: While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.
12: And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers
13: and said, “Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
14: And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
15: So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
16: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17: And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20: teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
 
APRIL 8
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PASCHA
The Resurrection of Our Lord God
and Savior
Jesus Christ

"Christ Is Risen from the Dead, By Death He Conquereed Death and to those in the tombs He granted Life!"

THE HOLY APOSTLES HERODIAN, AGABUS, RUFUS, ASYNCRITUS, PHLEGON AND HERMES
They were all numbered among the Seventy [Lesser] Apostles. All were mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his epistles. Herodian was a kinsman of Paul. “Greet,” writes St. Paul to the Romans, “my relative Herodian” (Romans 16:11). As the Bishop of Neo-Parthia, Herodian suffered much at the hands of the Jews. They beat him over the head with rods, they struck him on the mouth with stones and stabbed him with knives. After they left him for dead, St. Herodian arose and continued to serve the apostles. He assisted the Apostle Peter in Rome and was beheaded along with many other Christians the same day that St. Peter was crucified.

St. Agabus possessed a prophetic spirit. Two of his prophecies are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. First, he prophesied a great famine throughout the world which came true during the reign of Caesar Claudius: “And one of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world and it happened under Claudius” (Acts of the Apostles 11:28). Second, when he met with the Apostle Paul in Caesarea, who was enroute to Jerusalem, Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet saying: “Thus says the Holy Spirit: This is the way the Jews will bind the owner of this belt in Jerusalem, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles” (Acts of the Apostles 21:11).

St. Rufus was a Bishop of Thebes in Greece. St. Paul also mentions him. “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13).

St. Asyncritus was Bishop of Hyrcania in Asia and is mentioned along with the others in Romans 16:14.

St. Phlegon is also mentioned in the same epistle. “Greet ASYNCRITUS, PHLEGON, HERMES, PATROBAS and HERMAS and the brothers who are with them” (Romans 16:14). He was a bishop in the Thracian city of Marathon.

St. Hermas, mentioned with the others, was a bishop in Dalmatia.

All of them, like bees for Christ, spread the honey of the Gospel into the various regions, suffering much for the love of Christ. All were translated into the eternal kingdom of Christ the beloved.

SAINT CELESTINE, POPE OF ROME
A great champion of the Orthodox Faith. At the time of the Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus, 431 A.D.), Celestine wrote an epistle against Nestorius, the heretic. He died peacefully in the year 432 A.D.

SAINT NIPHON, BISHOP OF NOVGOROD
Niphon was distinguished by his great enthusiasm in constructing and restoring the churches of God and by showing great courage in opposing the stances of the tyrannical princes. Thirteen days before his death, St. Theodosius appeared to Niphon and announced his imminent passing over to the other world. He died in the year 1156 A.D.

Continued
 
April 8
PASCHA
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The Resurrection of Our Lord God and
Savior Jesus Christ

Today’s Readings:
Acts 1:1-18
1: In the first book, O The-oph’ilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2: until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3: To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God.
4: And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me,
5: for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6: So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7: He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama’ria and to the end of the earth.”
9: And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10: And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11: and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away;
13: and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
14: All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15: In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16: "Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17: For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.
18: (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

John 1:1-17
1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2: He was in the beginning with God;
3: all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
4: In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7: He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
8: He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
9: The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
10: He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
11: He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
12: But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
13: who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
15: (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’”)
16: And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.
17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
 
APRIL 9
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BRIGHT MONDAY
Death of Methodius, Apostle to the Slavs

THE HOLY MARTYR EUPSYCHIUS
Eupsychius was of noble birth and was well instructed in pious beliefs. During the reign of Julian the Apostate and when St. Basil the Great governed the Church of God in Caesarea, Eupsychius entered into marriage with a prominent maiden. However, it was not given to him to live even one day in marriage. For at the time of his wedding, it so happened that there was a pagan feast with sacrificial offerings to the idol Fortune. Eupsychius, with his companions, entered the temple and smashed all the idols and even demolished the temple itself. Hearing of this, Julian became greatly enraged and ordered the culprits beheaded; that many Christians be inducted into the army; that an enormous tribute be imposed upon all Christians; that, at the expense of the Christians, the temple of Fortune be rebuilt again and, that the city be deprived of its honorary name `Caesarea’ given it by Caesar Claudius and to be called by its former name, Maza. At first, Eupsychius was tied to a tree, brutally tortured and later was beheaded in the year 362 A.D. Shortly after that, the wicked Emperor Julian visited this city (Maza) on his way to Persia against whom he was waging war. St. Basil the Great went out to meet him and carried three loaves of barley bread as a sign of respect and hospitality. The emperor ordered that a handful of hay be given to the saint as a reciprocal gift. St. Basil said to the emperor: “You make jest of us O Emperor. We offer you bread by which we feed ourselves and you, in turn, give us food for livestock which you, by your authority cannot change into food for men.” To that the emperor replied: “Know that I will feed you this hay when I return from Persia.” However, the wicked apostate did not return from Persia, for he died a deserving and unnatural death.

THE VENERABLE MARTYR VADIM
During the reign of the Persian Emperor Sapor, Vadim, the abbot of a certain monastery and a man famous for his generosity was cast into prison with seven of his disciples. With them in prison was a certain Prince Nirsan who was also a Christian. Everyday they were taken out and beaten. Prince Nirsan became terrified and promised to deny the Faith and worship the sun. This was gratifying to Sapor and he promised to give Nirsan, among other things, the entire estate of Vadim’s monastery if he would behead Vadim by his own hand. Nirsan agrees to this. With a quivering hand and frightened by the majestic countenance of St. Vadim, he struck this holy man with the sword many times on the neck until he finally beheaded him. Shortly after that, Nirsan succumbed to despair and stabbed himself with the sword and received at his own hand, the due punishment for the murder of the righteous one. St. Vadim suffered in the year 376 A.D.

Continued
 
April 9
BRIGHT MONDAY
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 1:12-17, 21-26
1:12: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away;
13: and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
14: All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15: In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16: “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17: For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.
21: So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22: beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
23: And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab’bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi’as.
24: And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen
25: to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.”
26: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi’as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

John 1:18-28
1:18: No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
19: And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20: He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21: And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22: They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23: He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24: Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25: They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
26: John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know,
27: even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
28: This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Hebrews 8:3-6
8:3: For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.
4: Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.
5: They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”
6: But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Matthew 5:14-19
5:14: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15: Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
17: "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.
18: For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
19: Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
 
APRIL 10
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BRIGHT TUESDAY

THE HOLY MARTYRS TERENTIUS (TERENCE), AFRICANUS, MAXIMUS, [POMPILIUS] POMPEIUS AND THIRTY-SIX OTHERS WITH THEM
They all suffered for Christ and were crowned with the wreaths of glory during the reign of Emperor Decius. By order of the emperor, the governor of Africa announced to the people that everyone must offer sacrifices to the idols. To those who resisted, the governor threatened with cruel tortures. Upon hearing about these threats many fell away from the Faith and worshipped the idols. However these forty remained unwavering in their faith and were exposed to torture. St. Terentius (Terence) encouraged his companions saying: “Brothers, let us be on guard that we do not deny Christ our God, lest He deny us before His Heavenly Father and Holy Angels.” The governor divided them into two groups. Thirty-six of them, after flogging, scrapping of the skin and pouring salt into their open wounds, were all beheaded. The first four they cast into prison with heavy iron chains around their necks, their hands and their feet. An angel of God appeared in the prison, touched the chains of the shackled and the chains fell off. After that, the angel prepared a bountiful table for them and fed them. Once again, they were brought out and tortured and, again, they were imprisoned. Then the governor ordered the soothsayers to gather as many poisonous, loathsome creatures as possible, such as snakes and scorpions and to lock them up in the same cell with the martyrs. The loathsome creatures did not want to touch those chosen by God but rather lay compressed in the corner where they remained for three days. On the third day, when the door of the cell was opened, the repulsive creatures rushed out and bit the soothsayers. Finally, the governor pronounced the death penalty upon the four martyrs. When they were brought out to be beheaded, they rejoicefully chanted Psalms and praised God, Who made them worthy of a martyr’s death. They suffered honorably in the year 250 A.D., and were found worthy of the Kingdom.

THE SIX-THOUSAND MARTYRS IN GEORGIA
In the wilderness of David-Garejeli in Georgia, there were twelve monasteries in which many monks practiced and lived the ascetical life for centuries. In 1615 A.D., the great king of Persia, Shah Abbas I, attacked Georgia, devasted it and beheaded many Christians. Once while hunting early in the morning on the Feast of the Resurrection, Shah Abbas noticed many lights in the mountains. They were the monks from the twelve monasteries in procession around the Church of the Resurrection with lighted tapers in hand. When the Shah discovered that they were monks, he asked in amazement: “Has not all of Georgia been given over to the sword?” He then ordered his solders to immediately go and behead all the monks. At that moment an angel of God appeared to Abbot Arsenius and informed him of impending death. Arsenius informed his brethren. They all received Communion of the All-Pure Mysteries and prepared themselves for death. Suddenly, the assailants arrived and hacked to pieces, first of all, the abbot, who came before the others and, after that, all the rest. They all suffered honorably and were crowned with incorruptible wreaths in the year 1615 A.D. Thus, ended the history of these famous monasteries which, for more than a thousand years, served as the spiritual hearth of enlightenment for the Georgians. Only two of the monasteries exist today: St. David and St. John the Forerunner. The Georgian Emperor Arcil gathered the relics of the monks and honorably interred them. Even today, these relics emit a sweet-smelling Chrism (oil) and heal the sick.

Continued
 
April 10
Bright Tuesday
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 2:14-21
2:14: But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
15: For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day;
16: but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17: `And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
18: yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19: And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20: the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.
21: And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Luke 24:13-35
24:13: That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma’us, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14: and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15: While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16: But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17: And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18: Then one of them, named Cle’opas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19: And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20: and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21: But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened.
22: Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning
23: and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24: Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.”
25: And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26: Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27: And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28: So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,
29: but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30: When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them.
31: And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32: They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”
33: And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,
34: who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35: Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
 
APRIL 11
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BRIGHT WEDNESDAY

THE PRIESTLY-MARTYR ANTIPAS, BISHOP OF PERGAMUM IN ASIA MINOR
Antipas is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as, “Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives” (Revelation 2:13), i.e., in the city of Pergamum. The inhabitants of this city lived in the darkness of idolatry and in extreme impurity. They were slaves to passions. They were slanderers, tyrants and they were incestuous. In other words, they were the servants of Satan. Here among them lived Antipas, “As a light in the midst of darkness, as a rose among thorns and as gold in mud.” He, who captured and killed a Christian, would be deemed as good and just. The totality of pagan belief consisted of soothsaying, interpretation of dreams, serving demons and extreme perversion. Being frightened of Antipas as from fire, the demons appeared to the soothsayers in a dream and confessed how afraid they were of Antipas and how, because of him, they must depart from this city. The pagan priests summoned a large number of people against Antipas and began to interrogate and to force him to deny Christ and to worship idols. Antipas said to them: “When your so-called gods, lords of the universe are frightened of me, a mortal man, and must flee from this city, do you not recognize that, by this, your faith is an aberration?” The saint also spoke to them further about the Faith of Christ as being the only One, True Saving Faith. They became enraged as wild beats and dragged the aged Antipas to the temple of Artemis before which stood an ox cast in bronze. They heated the bronzed ox and hurled the servant of God into the red-hot molten ox. From within the molten ox, St. Antipas glorified God with thanksgiving, as once did Jonah in the belly of the whale or the Three Youths in the fiery furnace. Antipas prayed for his flock and for the entire world until his soul parted from his weakened body and ascended among the angels into the Kingdom of Christ. He died suffering and was crowned with unfading glory in the year 92 A.D.

THE HOLY MARTYRS PROCESSUS AND MARTINIAN
Processus and Martinian were jailers in the Roman prison where the Apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned. Hearing the words and witnessing the miracles of the apostles, they were baptized and released the apostles from prison. The apostles left Rome but the Lord, on His way to Rome, appeared to Peter who asked Him: “Lord where are you going?” (Wither goest Thou?–Domine Quo Vadis?)] and the Lord answered: “I go to Rome to be crucified a second time.” Ashamed, the apostles returned to Rome where they were apprehended and slain. Also slain with the apostles were these two brave martyrs, Processus and Martinian.

Continued
 
APRIL 11
BRIGHT WEDNESDAY
Continued

Today’s Readings
Acts 2:22-36
2:22: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know –
23: this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
24: But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
25: For David says concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26: therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27: For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 28: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.' 29: "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30: Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31: he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32: This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33: Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. 34: For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,
35: till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.’
36: Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

John 1:35-51
1:35: The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples;
36: and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
37: The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38: Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39: He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
40: One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41: He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
42: He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
43: The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
44: Now Philip was from Beth-sa’ida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45: Philip found Nathan’a-el, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46: Nathan’a-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47: Jesus saw Nathan’a-el coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”
48: Nathan’a-el said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49: Nathan’a-el answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50: Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.”
51: And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
 
APRIL 12
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BRIGHT THURSDAY

VENERABLE ISAAC THE SYRIAN II
Isaac the Syrian I, is commemorated on January 28. St. Gregory the Dialogues writes about this Isaac II. He came to Italy at the time of the Goths and entered a church to pray in the city of Spoleto. He implored the verger to allow him to remain locked in the church overnight. And so, he spent the entire night in prayer, remaining in the same place. The same thing happened the next day and even the second night. The verger called him a hypocrite and struck him with his fist. Instantly, the verger went insane. Seeing that the verger was bitterly tormented, Isaac leaned over him and the evil spirit departed from him and the verger was restored to health. Upon hearing of this incident, the entire populace of the city thronged around this amazing foreigner. They offered him money and property, but he declined all and accepted nothing and withdrew into the forest where he built a cell for himself, which was rapidly transformed into a large monastery. Isaac was known for working miracles and especially for his special “gift of discernment.” On one occasion, he ordered the brethren to carry all the hoes into the vineyard and to leave them there. The next day Isaac, along with the brethren, went out into the vineyard and brought along lunch. The brethren were puzzled. Who was this lunch for, since there were no laborers? Upon arriving at the vineyard, there were as many men digging as there were hoes. This is what happened: these men came as thieves to steal the hoes, but by the power of God, they were detained to dig all night. On another occasion, two partly-clad men came to Isaac and sought clothes from him. Isaac sent a monk to a hollow tree along the road to retrieve what he would find there. The monk departed, found some clothing and brought it to the monastery. The abbot took these clothes and gave them to the beggars. The beggars were extremely ashamed when they recognized their own clothes which they had hidden in this tree. Once, a man sent two beehives to the monastery. The monk hid one along the way and the other he brought to the monastery and turned it over to the abbot. The saint said to him: “Be careful upon your return. For in the beehive that you left along the way, a poisonous snake had slithered into it. Be careful, therefore, that it does not bite you.”

SAINT BASIL THE CONFESSOR
At the time of the Iconoclastic controversy, this devout man was bishop in the town of Parius in Asia Minor. He refused to sign an imperial document against the veneration of icons. For that, Basil was greatly persecuted and severely tortured. He remained as firm as a diamond in His Orthodoxy. He died at the beginning of the eighth century and was translated to the Lord.

THE VENERABLE ACACIUS
Acacius was from the village of Gollitsa in Epirus. He was a great Athonite ascetic, spiritual father and possessed the “gift of discernment.” Acacius had many heavenly visions. He gave his blessings to several monks who chose the mortification of martyrdom. Acacius died in his ninety-eighth year in the year 1730 A.D.

THE VENERABLE ATHANASIA
Athanasia was born on the island of Aeginia of wealthy and benevolent parents. She distributed her wealth to the poor and retreated to a convent. There she took upon herself greater and more difficult mortifications. Athanasia took food only once a day and that, only bread and water. During the Honorable Fast [Lenten Season], she ate once every other day. She tasted oil and fish only on the Feasts of the Nativity and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even thought she was the abbess of this convent, Athanasia was a servant to the other sisters and shied away from having anyone serve her. Athanasia was made worthy of the great gift of working miracles, both, during her life and after death. She died in the Lord in the year 860 A.D.

Continued
 
April 12
BRIGHT THURSDAY
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 2:38-43
2:38: And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39: For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
40: And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
41: So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43: And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

John 3:1-15
3:1: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode’mus, a ruler of the Jews.
2: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3: Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4: Nicode’mus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5: Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7: Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.’
8: The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”
9: Nicode’mus said to him, “How can this be?”
10: Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
11: Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
12: If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13: No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.
14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
15: that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
 
APRIL 13
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BRIGHT FRIDAY

THE PRIEST-MARTYR ARTEMON
Artemon was a priest in Laodicea during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Before his tormenting judge, he spoke of himself: “I am called Artemon, a slave of Christ, my God. For sixteen years I was a lector and read books in the Church of my God. For twenty-eight years, I was a deacon and read the Holy Gospel. With the help of Christ, I have fulfilled thirty-three years as a presbyter teaching men and placing them on the path of salvation.” The judge brought him to the temple of Aesculapius, where the soothsayers nursed large reptiles dedicated to this “god.” They all assumed that the snakes would bite Artemon. Artemon crossed himself and by the power of the cross nailed all the snakes to the ground rendering them unable to move. After that, he brought them all out into the courtyard, breathed upon them and all of them died instantly. All of the soothsayers were in great fear. Upon seeing this miracle, Vitalis, the chief soothsayer of this temple, fell to his knees before Artemon and cried out: “Great is the Christian God!” The martyr then baptized him along with several of his friends. The malicious judge remained persistent in his malice and tortured the aged Artemon in various ways. Once, he wanted to throw him into a vat of boiling pitch but, he fell off his horse into the pitch and he himself was incinerated. Two eagles were seen who swooped down upon the judge, lifted him from the horse and dropped him into the pitch. St. Artemon remained free for a period of time and traveled about, always accompanied with his two beloved deer, and instructed the people. Again, he was captured and was beheaded in the year 303 A.D. and his soul took up habitation in the Kingdom of Christ our God, Whom St. Artemon faithfully served.

THE HOLY MARTYR CRESCENS
Crescens was from the city of Myra in Lycia. He was an honored and well known citizen. He openly confessed his faith in Christ and mocked the dead idols. Because of that he was burned to death by the pagans.

THE HOLY MARTYR THOMAIS
Thomais was born in Alexandria of honorable parents. She was taught piety from her youth. At the age of fifteen, she was married to an honorable man. Her father-in-law was a vile old man and in the absence of his son, attacked his daughter-in-law and desired to seduce her. Becoming terrified, Thomais, in fear reminded her father-in-law of the Law of God and slipped out of his hands. After a prolonged struggle, the father-in-law drew a knife and murdered his daughter-in-law and then cut her in half. At that moment, the punishment of God fell upon him. He was blinded instantly and was unable to find the door from which to leave. Here, in this room, he was apprehended in the act and turned over to the court which sentenced him to death. Thus, Thomais suffered for the Commandment of God regarding spousal fidelity and chastity. After that, many who would be tempted by adulterous passions directed their prayers to St. Thomais and received strong assistance from her. Daniel the great ascetic, translated her relics to the Scete [Monastery] and buried them in the cemetery of the heiromonks [priest-monks]. St. Thomais suffered in the year 476 A.D.

Continued
 
April 13
Bright Friday
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 3:1-8
3:1: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2: And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple.
3: Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.
4: And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.”
5: And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.
6: But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
7: And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8: And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

John 2:12-22
2:12: After this he went down to Caper’na-um, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples; and there they stayed for a few days.
13: The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14: In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.
15: And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.
16: And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
17: His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for thy house will consume me.”
18: The Jews then said to him, “What sign have you to show us for doing this?”
19: Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20: The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?”
21: But he spoke of the temple of his body.
22: When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
 
APRIL 14
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BRIGHT SATURDAY

SAINT MARTIN THE CONFESSOR, POPE OF ROMEMartin became pope on July 5, 649 A.D., at the time of the furious debates between the Orthodox and the Monothelete heretics, who adhered to the belief in a single will in Christ. Reigning at that time was Constans II, the grandson of Heraclius. The Patriarch of Constantinople was Paul. In order to establish peace in the Church, the emperor complied a booklet, entitled Type [Typos] which was very favorable to the heretics. Pope Martin convoked a Council of one-hundred five bishops (in the Church of the Holy Savior in the Lateran Palace in October) which condemned this pamphlet of the emperor. At the same time, the pope wrote a letter to Patriarch Paul imploring him to adhere to the purity of the Orthodox Faith and to counsel the emperor to renounce this heretical sophistry. This letter angered both the emperor and the patriarch. The emperor dispatched Olympius, one of his commanders, to Rome to bring the pope to Constantinople in bonds. The commander did not dare to bind the pope but bribed a soldier to slay him in church with a sword. When the soldier entered the church with the concealed sword, he was instantly blinded. Thus, by the Providence of God, Martin escaped death. At that time, the Saracens attacked Sicily and Olympius was ordered to Sicily and there he died. Then, according to the intrigue of the heretical Patriarch Paul, the emperor dispatched Theodore, another commander, to bind the pope and to bring him to Constantinople under the accusation that he, Pope Martin, was in collaboration with the Saracens and does not honor the All-Pure Mother of God. When the commander arrived in Rome and read the accusation against him, Pope Martin responded that: “This was slanderous and that he has no association with the Saracens, the adversaries of Christianity. As regards the All-Pure Mother of God; if one does not honor her and does not confess her and does not reverence her, let him be cursed in this world and in the next.” However, this did not alter the decision of the commander. Pope Martin was bound and brought to Constantinople where he lay for a long time in prison, painfully ill, suffering from anxiety and hunger, until finally, he was sentenced to exile to Cherson. Pope Martin lived for two years in exile and died in the year 655 A.D., offering his soul to the Lord, for Whom he suffered much. Two years prior to Pope Martin’s death, the repentant Paul died. When the emperor visited him before his death, Paul turned his head toward the wall and wept, confessing that he had greatly sinned against Pope Martin and begged the emperor to release him.

**THE HOLY MARTYRS ANTHONY, JOHN AND EUSTACE [EUSTATHIUS]**All three were pagans and, at first, were fire worshippers. All of them were servants in the palace of the Lithuanian Prince Olgard in Vilna. They were formerly called: KRUGLETZ, KUMETZ AND NEZILO. All three were baptized by Nestor, the priest. All three were hanged, one after the other on the same oak tree in the year 1347 A.D. Christians cut down the tree and erected a church in honor of the Holy Trinity. The revered relics of these martyrs were then placed in this church and a holy altar table was carved from the stump of the oak tree. Their relics repose in Vilna.

THE HOLY MARTYR ARDALION, THE ACTORAt first Ardalion was an actor-comedian. For the sake of entertaining the people, he eagerly played the role of a martyr for the Faith deriding Christians in every possible manner. When a persecution surfaced during the reign of Emperor Maximian, his spirit completely changed. In front of the crowd, he cried out in a loud voice that he is a Christian and that he was not jesting. For this, Ardalion was condemned, suffered for Christ and died tied to a red hot framework of rods thus portraying a true and honorable role of a martyr.

Continued
 
April 14
Bright Saturday
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 3:11-16
11: While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded.
12: And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?
13: The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
14: But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15: and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
16: And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

John 3:22-33
22: After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized.
23: John also was baptizing at Ae’non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized.
24: For John had not yet been put in prison.
25: Now a discussion arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying.
26: And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.”
27: John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven.
28: You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.
29: He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full.
30: He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31: He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all.
32: He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony;
33: he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.
 
APRIL 15
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THOMAS SUNDAY

**THE HOLY MARTYR SABAS OF GOTHLAND [SABAS THE GOTH]**In Gothland, there was a brutal persecution against Christians. A certain prince of the Goths [Atharidus] entered the village where this devout Sabas lived and asked the villagers: “Are there any Christians living in your village?” They convinced him by swearing that there are none. Then Sabas stood before the prince and the people and said: " Let no one swear for me; I am a Christian!" Upon seeing Sabas, wretched and poor, the prince let him go in peace saying: " This one can neither harm nor benefit anyone." The following year, around Easter, a certain priest Sansala came to this village and celebrated the glorious Feast of the Pascha [Resurrection] with Sabas. Upon learning of this, the heathens suddenly attacked the home of Sabas and began to beat this holy man of God unmercifully with canes and, besides this, they dragged the naked body of Sabas through thorns and then tied both Sabas and Sansala to a tree and offered them the meat of the idolatrous sacrifices to eat. These men of God called to mind the words of the apostles and refused to eat of the unclean sacrifices of the devil. Finally, Prince Atharidus condemned Sabas to death and handed him over to the soldiers. Full of joy, Sabas arrived at the scaffold praising God. Recognizing him as a good man, the soldiers wanted to release him along the way and, because of that, Sabas became very sorrowful and said to the soldiers that they are duty-bound to carry out the order of the prince. The soldiers then brought him to the Mussovo river [at Targoviste, Romania, near Bucharest] tied a stone around his neck and tossed him into the water. His body was washed up along the shore. Later on, during the reign of Emperor Valens when the Greek Commander Ioannis Soranos was warring with the Goths, he discovered the body of Sabas and translated it to Cappadocia. Sabas, the saint, suffered at the age of 31 in the year 372 A.D.

THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYRS BASILISSA AND ANASTASIABasilissa and Anastasia were two pious and devout Romans. During the reign of Emperor Nero, they gathered the slain bodies of the disciples of the apostles and buried them with honor. For this, they were accused and imprisoned. After prolonged torture, during which their breasts and tongues were severed, they were finally beheaded.

Continued
 
April 15
Thomas Sunday
Continued

Today’s Readings:
Acts 5:12-20
5:12: Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.
13: None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.
14: And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women,
15: so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16: The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17: But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sad’ducees, and filled with jealousy
18: they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19: But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said,
20: “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

John 20:19-31
20:19: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20: When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
22: And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24: Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25: So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26: Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.”
27: Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.”
28: Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29: Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
30: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31: but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
 
APRIL 16
THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYRS AGAPE, CHIONIA AND IRENEAll three were sisters from the vicinity of Aquileia. When Emperor Diocletian was staying in Aquileia he ordered that the distinguished spiritual father Chrysogonus be killed. At that time, an aged Presbyter Zoilus had a vision in which the location of the unburied body of Chrysogonus was revealed. Hurrying, the elder found the martyred body of Chrysogonus, placed it in a sarcophagus and kept it in his home. Thirty days later, St. Chrysogonus appeared to him and informed him that, in the course of nine days, those three maidens would suffer martyrdom and that he, too, would also die at that time. The same news was received in a vision by Anastasia, a woman endowed with moral and spiritual insight], who had followed the example of her teacher, Chrysogonus. Indeed, after nine days the Elder Zoilus died and those three sisters were brought to trial before the emperor. The emperor urged these three maidens to worship the idols, but they all refused and confessed their steadfast faith in Christ. Irene said to the emperor: “How stupid it is to worship things made of stone and wood, which were ordered for an agreed price and made by the hands of a mortal man.” The enraged emperor cast them into prison. When the emperor departed for Macedonia, all slaves and prisoners were taken with him, among whom were these three saintly maidens. The emperor turned them over to a certain Commander Dulcitius for torturing. This commander, inflamed by dark passion, wanted to defile the virgins however, when the commander attempted to enter the prison while the virgins were praying to God he went insane. He fell among the black cauldrons and pots before the gates and began to embrace and kiss them and departed sooty and blackened. The emperor upon hearing about this incident ordered that another commander, Sisinius, take over the trial of these sisters. After prolonged torture, the judge condemned the first two sisters to death by burning and he detained Irene for a while longer hoping to defile her. But, when he sent Irene to the brothel with the soldiers, an angel of God saved this chaste virgin and staved off these soldiers and brought her to a hill. The next day, the commander with his soldiers went to this hill and were unable to ascend it. He then ordered that Irene be shot with arrows. St. Anastasia [the disciple of Chrysogonus] gathered the bodies of these three sisters into one place and honorably buried them. They all suffered honorably for Christ the King and Lord about the year 304 A.D.

THE HOLY MARTYR LEONIDES AND WITH HIM THE FEMALE MARTYRS: CHARIESSA, NICE, GALINA, CALLIS, NUNECHIA, BASILLISSA AND THEODORAThey were thrown into the sea but the sea received them not. They walked upon the sea as upon dry land and sang to God: “One field of battle, I ran O Lord, and the army pursued me; O Lord I did not deny You; O Lord, save my soul!” Seeing them the heathens, at first, were amazed but after that tied stones around their necks and again threw them into the depths of the sea and they drowned. They all suffered honorably for Christ the King and Lord in the year 281 A.D.

Continued
 
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