1

22ndSundayAfterPentecostTheholyApostleJamestheBrotheroftheLord

23October/5November

ResurrectionTropar,Tone5:Letus,thefaithful;praiseandworshiptheWord,/Co-eternalwiththeFatherandtheSpirit,/bornforoursalvationfromtheVirgin;/forHewilledtobelifteduponthecrossintheflesh,/toenduredeath,/andtoraisethedead/byHisgloriousResurrection!

Tropariontone4:ThouhastreceivedtheGospelasadisciple,/thouartinvincibleasamartyr,/andboldastheLord'sbrother,/thoudostintercedeasahierarch./OrighteousJames,praytoChristourGodthatHemaysaveoursouls.

ResurrectionKondak,Tone5:Thoudidstdescendintohell,OmySaviour,/shatteringitsgatesasAlmighty,/resurrectingthedeadasCreator,/anddestroyingthestingofdeath./ThouhadstdeliveredAdamfromthecurse,OLoverofMan,/andwecrytoThee,OLord,saveus.

Kontakiontone4:GodtheWord,only-begottenoftheFather,/cametousinthelastdays./HehasmadetheefirstshepherdandteacherofJerusalem/andastewardofspiritualmysteries./Wehonourthee,OApostleJames.

MatinsGospelXI

EPISTLE:Galatians6:11-18

SeewithwhatlargelettersIhavewrittentoyouwithmyownhand!Asmanyasdesiretomakeagoodshowingintheflesh,thesewouldcompelyoutobecircumcised,onlythattheymaynotsufferpersecutionforthecrossofChrist.Fornoteventhosewhoarecircumcisedkeepthelaw,buttheydesiretohaveyoucircumcisedthattheymayboastinyourflesh.ButGodforbidthatIshouldboastexceptinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist,bywhomtheworldhasbeencrucifiedtome,andItotheworld.ForinChristJesusneithercircumcisionnoruncircumcisionavailsanything,butanewcreation.Andasmanyaswalkaccordingtothisrule,peaceandmercybeuponthem,andupontheIsraelofGod.Fromnowonletnoonetroubleme,forIbearinmybodythemarksoftheLordJesus.

IHAVEWRITTENTOYOUWITHMYOWNHAND!

Hehaswrittenthewholeletterhimself,whichwasproofofgreatsincerity.InhisotherEpistleshehimselfonlydictated,anotherwrote,asisplainfromtheEpistletotheRomans,foratitscloseitissaid,‘ITertius,whowritetheEpistle,saluteyou’(Rom.16:22)...Andthishedidbynecessity,notmerelyfromaffectation,butinordertoremoveinjurioussuspicion...Whatisthemeaningof‘tomakeafairshowintheflesh?’Itmeanstobeesteemedbymen.AstheyarereviledbytheJewsfordesertingthecustomsoftheirfathers,theydesire,hesays,toinjureyou,sotheymaynothavethischargedagainstthem,butvindicatethemselvesbymeansofyourflesh.HisobjecthereistoshowthattheydidnotactthiswayfromrespecttoGod.

St.JohnChrysostom.ChapterVICommentaryonGalatians.B#57,pp.45-46.

fortheApostle:Gal.1:11-19

THEGOSPEL:LUKE16:19-31

TheLordsaidthisparable:"Therewasacertainrichmanwhowasclothedinpurpleandfinelinenandfaredsumptuouslyeveryday.ButtherewasacertainbeggarnamedLazarus,fullofsores,whowaslaidathisgate,Desiringtobefedwiththecrumbswhichfellfromtherichman'stable.Moreoverthedogscameandlickedhissores.Soitwasthatthebeggardied,andwascarriedbytheangelstoAbraham'sbosom.Therichmanalsodiedandwasburied.ndbeingintormentsinHades,helifteduphiseyesandsawAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.Thenhecriedandsaid,'FatherAbraham,havemercyonme,andsendLazarusthathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwaterandcoolmytongue;forIamtormentedinthisflame.'ButAbrahamsaid,'Son,rememberthatinyourlifetimeyoureceivedyourgoodthings,andlikewiseLazarusevilthings;butnowheiscomfortedandyouaretormented.Andbesidesallthis,betweenusandyouthereisagreatgulffixed,sothatthosewhowanttopassfromheretoyoucannot,norcanthosefromtherepasstous.'Thenhesaid,'Ibegyoutherefore,father,thatyouwouldsendhimtomyfather'shouse,ForIhavefivebrothers,thathemaytestifytothem,lesttheyalsocometothisplaceoftorment.'Abrahamsaidtohim,'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets;letthemhearthem.'Andhesaid,'No,fatherAbraham;butifonegoestothemfromthedead,theywillrepent.'Buthesaidtohim,'IftheydonothearMosesandtheprophets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedthoughonerisefromthedead.'"

2

LAZARUS&THERICHMAN

Weallliketospendmoney,somehowthereseemstobesomeintrinsicjoyinjustgoingonabuyingspree.Formanythereistheadditionalpleasurecomesfromacquiringthingsthatgoeswithspendingmoney.Welovetogetallkindsofthingsandhangontothem.Forsomeitisbeautifulthings,forothersitisusefulthings,ormaybequirkythings,personalthings,funnythings,andsoon.Mosteveryonelikesgettingthings.AsweentertheChristmasholidaypre-season,thatloveofacquiringthingscomesintoitsownaswebegintocontemplateacquiringmorethings–eitherasgiftstogivetosomeoneelse(andthussharingourjoy)orasgiftswereceive.Acquisitivenessisapassionthatisnaturaltooursoul,however,likeallpassions,ifweoverdoitormisuseit,thatnaturalpassionbecomessinful.TherichmanintheGospelparabletodaywassomeonewhohadacquiredmanythings.Hewasnotgenerallymeanspiritedforwhileheenjoyedthethingsthatheacquired,healsosharedthosethingswithhisfriendsandotherlikemindedpeople.However,hedidenjoyacquiringandsurroundinghimselfwith“thefinerthings”inlife–finefoodanddrink,beautifulclothes,culturedfriendsandacquaintancesandsoon.Hedidnot,itseems,evennoticethosethingswhichdidnotfitintohislikesanddesires.OneofthosewhoremainedunnoticedbyhimwasthepoorbeggarLazarus.ThereisnoindicationinthisparablethattherichmanwascruelorpurposefullytormentedLazarus,ratheritseemsthathewascompletelyunawareofLazarus’existenceandthusoverlookedhispresence,notnoticinghispoverty,hisillnessandhisgreatneed.Thisrichmanwasnotparticularlyevil,however,hewasoverwhelmedbythepassionofacquisitiveness.Acquisitiveness,whenproperlyusedinstillsinusthedesiretogetthegoodthingsthatGodofferstous.WearedrawntowardsGod’sprovisionforwewanttoacquiretheblessings,virtuesandsalvationthatGodgives.Thiszealtogetthespiritualgiftsistheproperuseandvenueofacquisitiveness.Thedesiretoacquireworldlythingsisasecondaryeffectwhichrelatestoourdualnatureasphysical/spiritualbeings.However,thecorruptednaturewhichweinheritedfromourfirstparentsAdamandEvehasalreadyconfusedouracquisitivenesssothatitisnolongerdirectedmainlytowardsacquiringthespiritualgoodthingsthatleadtooursalvation,butinsteadisdirectedtowardstheacquisitionofworldlythingswhichbringworldlyjoyandcomfortbutnospiritualbenefit.Toberichortohavemanyworldlythingsisnotinandofitselfsinful,however,whenthepossessionoracquisitionofthosethingsbecomesanendinandofitself,thensinentersin.Whenweacquireorpossessthingsbutdonotusethemfortheirintendedpurpose,thensinentersin.WhenouracquisitivenessbecomesselfcenteredandcausesustolosesightofGodandofourneighbor,thensinentersin.Itseemsgoodthen,toconsiderwhatistheproperdirectionofournaturalacquisitivenessandtheproperuseofthosethingswhichwedoacquire.Allthings,thescripturetellsus,worktogetherforgoodforthosewholovetheLord.StSeraphimlikenstheChristianlifetothelifeofamerchantwhohasassetswhichcanbespenttoacquiregoodshoweverthoseassetsmustbespentwiselyalwaysseekingtopurchasethosegoodswhichwillbringthebestprofitandmaximizethereturnoninvestment.WemustrememberthattheproperpurposeofallthatGodgivestousisfortheworkingoutofoursalvation.Weshoulduseeverythingthatwehavetothatgoal.Thustheworldlythingsthatwehavearenotendsinandofthemselves,butaregiventoussothatwemightusetheminsuchawaythatwedrawnearertoGodandacquireHisgrace.Wealth,theabundanceofworldlygoods,isgiventousbyGodnotforourowneaseandenjoyment.ThisisgiventoussothatwemightusealltheseworldlygoodstodothewillofGodintheworld.Oneoftheproblemsthattherichmanoftheparablehadwashisselfcenteredness.Hesimplyclosedhiseyestoanythingthatdidnotmeetwithhisapprovalorprejudices.ThushedidnotevennoticethepoorLazarusathisgatewhosufferedfromhungeranddisease–hedidnotevenseethisneed.TherichmanoftheparableexemplifiestheplightofthosewhoatthegreatjudgmentaretoldbytheLord,“WhenIwashungryyoudidnotfeedme;whenIwasthirstyyougavemenodrink;whenIwasnakedyoudidnotclotheme;whenIwassickorinprisonyoudidnotvisitme.”Andwhentheyheardthistheysaid,“Whendidweseeyouhungryorthirstyornakedorsickorinprison?”Becauseoftheirselfabsorption,thesecondemnedoneswerecompletelyunawareofthemanyopportunitiestoserveChristaroundthem.Sowastherichmanwhowascompletelyunawareofthepoor,hungry,thirsty,nakedandsickLazaruswholayathisgate.ThusoneofthefirstthingsthatwemustdoinordertousewhatGodhasgiventousinthisworldistoopenoureyes,toseenotonlythosethingswhichpleaseoursensesandsensibilities,butalsotoseethosewhoareinneed.ThenwemustuseallthatGodhasgiventoustoexpressHisloveandHiscompassiontotheworldsimplybyusingwhatwehavetocareforthosearoundusthatweseewithouropenedeyes.StGregoryPalamaspointsouttousthegreatloveofGodformankindwhichgivesustheopportunitytoacquirethatwhichisbeyondvalue(thegraceofGod)byspendingthatwhichisworthless(worldlypossessions).“Ourlowly,earthlybodilyneeds,namely,foodanddrink,clothing,thegoldandsilvereachonepossesses:allsuchthingsareearthanddust,andnothingislessvaluablethanthat.Yettheseworthlessthingscanbethemeansbywhich,if,inaccordancewiththeLord’spromiseandexhortationsomeoneofferswhathehasinexcesstothosepossessedofvirtues,(becausetheyarecompletelydestituteofphysicalnecessities)hecanmakeupforhisdeficiencyinvirtuesandescapepunishmentforbeingwithoutthemthroughthisactofgiving.Todemonstratethispoint,thegreatPaul,writingtotheCorinthians,callssuchsharing‘fellowshipwiththesaints’andgoesontosay‘thatyourabundancemaybeasupplyfortheirwant,thattheirabundancealsomaybeasupplyforyourwant.’(2Cor.8:4&14)”Notonlywealth,butpovertytooisgiventousbyGodandmustbeusedinthepropermanner.Whenwefindourselvesinneedorwant;whenwesuffer,areillorencountersomeothermisfortune,itisnecessarytobearthispovertywithpatienceandwithoutcomplaint,rememberingthatsufferinginthisworldbringsuswealthandrichesinthekingdomofGod.If,however,weloudlycomplainandcallattentiontoourselvesanddemandthisorthat“right”fromothersorseekpityandsympathyfromsociety,thenwehavenotusedwellthepovertythatGodhasgivenandwehavealreadyreceivedourreward

3

(thatistheattentionandsympathyoftheworld)andsowillthereforereceivenospiritualbenefit.Butifwebearourburdenwithhumilityandpatience,trustinginGodtoprovideallthatweneed,thenHewillprovideusnotonlywithourworldlyneeds,butalsowiththerichesofgraceoftheKingdomofheaven.Weareallbynature“acquisitive”howeverthatacquisitivenessisoftenmisusedandmisplacedforratherthandesiringtoacquirethegraceofGodandtheblessingsoftheKingdomofHeavenwhichareforoursalvation,wehungerafterthethingsoftheworldthatareworthlessandwhichwillpassway.Asweapproachthisseasonofgivingandreceiving,letussetourheartsanddesiresnotonthethingsofthisworldwhichareearthanddustandlessthanworthlessandseekafterthevirtuesandgraceofGodwhichispricelessbeyondvaluethroughwhichwewillworkoutoursalvationandenterintotheKingdomofHeaven.

ArchpriestDavidMoserhttps://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/propoved/info

fortheApostle:Matt.13:54-58

Saintsoftheweek

23October/5November-TheHolyApostleJames,theBrotheroftheLord-Heiscalled'theLord'sbrother'becausehewasthesonofrighteousJoseph,thebetrothedofthemostholyMotherofGod.WhenJosephwasdying,hesharedouthisgoodsamonghissonsandwantedtoleaveasharetotheLordJesus,theSonofthemostholyVirginMary,buthissonsopposedthis,notreckoningJesustobeabrotheroftheirs.James,though,lovedJesusgreatlyandannouncedthathewouldincludeHiminhisshare,countinghimselftobeindeedbrothertotheLord.Jameswas,fromthefirst,devotedtotheLordJesus.Accordingtotradition,hewenttoEgyptwiththemostholyVirginandJosephwhenHerodtriedtokillthenew-bornKing.AssoonasheheardChrist'steaching,hebegantolivebyit.Itissaidthat,duringthewholeofhislife,heateneitherfatnoroil,butlivedonlyonbreadandwater,andhewaschastetotheendofhisdays.Heoftenkeptavigilofprayeratnight.TheLordincludedhimamonghisSeventyapostles,appearingtohimafterHisgloriousResurrection,astheApostlePaultestifies(ICor.15:7).HewasbishopinJerusalemforthirtyyears,andgovernedtheChurchofGodwithzeal.OntheLord'sinstructions,hecomposedthefirstLiturgy,whichwasfartoolongforlaterChristiansandwasshortenedbyStBasilandStJohnChrysostom.HebroughtmanyJewsandGreekstotheChristianfaith,andevenunbelievingJewsmarvelledathisjustice,nicknaminghimJamestheJust.WhenAnaniasbecameHighPriest,hedecided,alongwithotheroftheJewishelders,tokillJamesasapreacherofChrist.Oneday,atPascha,whenmanypeopleweregatheredinJerusalem,theelderstoldhimtoclimbupontoaroofandspeakagainstChrist.StJamesclimbedupthere,andbegantospeaktothepeopleaboutChristastheSonofGodandthetrueMessiah,andofHisResurrectionandeternalgloryinheaven.Theinfuriatedpriestsandelderscasthimdownfromtheroof,andhewasbadlyinjuredthoughstillalive.Amanthenranupandgavehimsuchaviciousblowontheheadthathisbrainsspilledout.ThusthisgloriousapostleofChristdiedamartyr'sdeathandenteredintotheKingdomofhisLord.Jameswassixty-threeyearsoldwhenhesufferedforChrist.StIgnatius,PatriarchofConstantinople;TheHolyMartyrJamesofBorovitz;St.Ethelfleda,abbessofRomsey;St.OdaofAmay,foundressofchurches(Neth.).24October/6November-TheHolyMartyrArethas-ThisholymartyrsufferedfortheChristianfaithwithmorethanfourthousandotherChristians:priests,monksandnuns,townsmenandwomenandchildren.ArethaswasthelocalgovernorofthetownofNegran,inthelandofOmirinsouthernArabia,andwasninety-fiveyearsoldwhenhesuffered.ThelandofOmirwasgovernedbyaJewcalledDunaan,aviciouspersecutorofChristians.ResolvingtoexterminateChristianitycompletelyinhisland,helaidsiegetotheChristiantownofNegranandtoldthecitizensthat,iftheydidnotdenyChrist,hewouldputthemalltodeath.Thecitizensclosedthegates,andDunaanattackedthecitywallforalongtimewithoutsuccess.Thentheiniquitousgovernorsworetothecitizensthathewoulddonothingtothemiftheyopenedthegateforhimtoenterandtakethetributeowingtohim,sayingthathewouldthengoawayatonce.TheChristiansbelievedhim,andopenedthegates.ThenthebloodthirstyJewsummonedtheagedArethastohim,alongwithhisclergyandothereminentcitizens,andslewthemallwiththesword,andthenindulgedinariotofbutcherythroughthetown.Hearingofthis,theByzantineEmperor,Justin,wasgreatlydistressedandwrotealettertotheEthiopianEmperorElesbaan,urginghimtosetoutwithanarmyagainstDunaanandavengetheChristianbloodthathadbeenspilled.ElesbaanobeyedJustin,attackedthegovernorofOmir,overcamehim,slaughteredhisentirearmyandputhimtothesword.AdevoutmancalledAbramiuswasinstalledasrulerofOmirbyGod'srevelationand,asarchbishop,alsobyGod'srevelation,StGregory(seeDec.19th).InNegran,theChristiansrebuilttheChurchoftheHolyTrinitythatDunaanhadburned,andbuiltachurchtotheholymartyrArethasandtheothermartyrsofthatcity.TheysufferedandreceivedwreathsofmartyrdomfromtheLordin523.TheIconoftheHolyTheotokos,``JoyofAllWhoSorrow'':ThisnameisgiventooneofthewonderworkingiconsoftheMost-holyTheotokos.OnthisdaytheiconiscelebratedforthemiraculoushealinginMoscow,ofEuphemia,thesisterofPatriarchJoachim,intheyear1688.Euphemiahadaseriouswoundinthesideandasthedoctorsfailedintheirtreatments,sheprayedwithtearstotheMost-holyTheotokos.Then,sheheardavoice:``Euphemia,gototheChurchoftheTransfigurationofmySon;thereyouwillfindtheicon,`JoyofAllWhoSorrow.'Havethepriestprayforyoubeforethisiconandyouwillbehealed.''Euphemiadidso,andwasimmediatelymadewell.HYMNOFPRAISEtotheIconoftheMost-holyTheotokos,``JoyofAllWhoSorrow''OMost-holyMotherofGod,``JoyofAllWhoSorrow,''Grantthymercytoussinners.ThySonnowsitsonthethroneoftheEternalKingdom,Andallourtroublesthou

4

seest;thouknowestthemastheyoccur.ThouhastalwaysprayedtoChristGodforthefaithful,Andhastrelievedmuchpainandmiseryofthesorrowful.OHolyVirgin,nevercease,totheendoftime,Toprayforthesalvationofourrace.GodhastmadetheeevenmoregloriousthantheSeraphim:Ohastentous,OJoyofallwhosorrow!St.Maglorius,abbotofSark-Died586.AbbotMagloriusofLammeur,Brittany,wasborninsouthWalesandeducatedunderSaintIlltyd.HewasacousinofSaintSamson,withwhomhecrossedovertoBrittany,wheretheybecameabbotsoftwomonasteries.St.SamsonbecamebishopofDol,andonhisdeathheissaidtohavebeensucceededbySt.Maglorius,whofinallyretiredtotheChannelIslandsandbuiltanabbeyonSark,wherehedied.HeisrepresentedinartgivingHolyCommuniontoanangelandissometimesshownwithSaintSamsonofDol.VeneratedatSark;St.Elesbaan,EmperorofEthiopia;TheIcon:JoyofallwhoSorrow;OurHolyFatherArethasoftheKievCaves.25October/7November-TheHolyMartyrsMarcianandMartyrius-ThesesaintswereclergywithPatriarchPaulofConstantinopleinthetimeoftheEmperorConstantius.AfterthedeathofthegreatEmperorConstantine,theArianheresy,whichhadtillthenbeenkeptunder,sprangupagainandbegantospread,andtheEmperorConstantiushimselfinclinedtowardsit.Thereweretwoinfluentialnoblesattheimperialcourt,EusebiusandPhilip,bothardentArians.Throughtheirinfluence,PatriarchPaulwasdethronedanddrivenouttoArmenia,wheretheAriansstrangledhim,andthepatriarchalthronewasseizedbythedishonourableMacedonius.Atthattime,whenOrthodoxyhadtwofiercestrugglesonhand,againstboththepagansandtheheretics,MarcianandMartyriusrangedthemselvesdecisivelyandwithalltheirstrengthonthesideofOrthodoxy.MarcianwasareaderandMartyriusasub-deaconattheCathedral,andhadbeensecretariestoPatriarchPaul.TheAriansfirsttriedtobribethem,but,whenthetwoholymenrefusedthiswithscorn,thehereticscondemnedthemtodeath.Whentheywereledtothescaffold,theyraisedtheirhandsandprayedtoGod,thankingHimthattheywerefinishingtheirlivesasmartyrs:'Lord,werejoicethatweareleavingthisworldbysuchadeath.Makeusworthytobepartakersofeternallife,OThouourLife!'Theythenlaidtheirheadsundertheswordandwerebeheaded,in355.AchurchwaslaterbuilttothemovertheirrelicsbyStJohnChrysostom.TheHolyMartyrAnastasius;StTabitha.

26October/8November-TheHolyandGreatMartyrDimitrios,theMyrrh-gusherofThessalonica-Thisgloriousandwonder-workingsaintwasborninthecityofSalonicaofwell-bornanddevoutparents.BeggedofGodbythesechildlessparents,Dimitrioswastheironlysonandwas,becauseofthis,mostcarefullycherishedandeducated.HisfatherwasthemilitarycommanderofSalonica,and,whenhedied,theEmperormadeDimitrioscommanderinhisplace.Indoingthis,theEmperorMaximian,anopponentofChrist,particularlyrecommendedhimtopersecuteandexterminatetheChristiansinSalonica.DimitriosnotonlydisobeyedtheEmperor:heopenlyconfessedandpreachedChristtheLordinthecity.Hearingofthis,theEmperorwasfuriouswithDimitriosand,atonetime,onhiswaybackfromawaragainsttheSarmathians,wenttoSalonicaespeciallytolookintothematter.TheEmperor,therefore,summonedDimitriosandquestionedhimabouthisfaith.DimitriosproclaimedopenlybeforetheEmperorthathewasaChristian,and,furthermore,denouncedtheEmperor'sidolatry.TheenragedEmperorcasthimintoprison.Knowingwhatwasawaitinghim,Dimitriosgavehisgoodstohisfaithfulservant,Lupus,togiveawaytothepoor,andwentofftoprison,gladthatsufferingforChristwastobehislot.Intheprison,anangeloftheLordappearedtohimandsaid:'Peacebewiththee,thousuffererforChrist;bebraveandstrong!'Afterseveraldays,theEmperorsentsoldierstotheprisontokillDimitrios.TheycameuponthesaintofGodatprayer,andranhimthroughwiththeirspears.Christianssecretlytookhisbodyandgaveitburial,andthereflowedfromitahealingmyrrhbywhichmanyofthesickwerehealed.Asmallchurchwasverysoonbuiltoverhisrelics.AnIllyriannobleman,Leontius,becamesickofanincurableillness.HeranprayerfullyuptotherelicsofStDimitriosandwascompletelyhealed,andingratitudebuiltamuchlargerchurchinplaceoftheoldone.Thesaintappearedtohimontwooccasions.WhentheEmperorJustinianwantedtotakethesaint'srelicsfromSalonicatoConstantinople,asparkoffireleaptfromthetombandavoicewasheard:Leavethemthere.anddon'ttouch!',andthustherelicsofStDimitrioshaveremainedforalltimeinSalonica.AsthedefenderofSalonica,StDimitrioshasmanytimesappearedandsavedthecityfromcalamity,andthereisnowayofcountinghismiracles.TheRussiansregardedStDimitriosastheprotectorofSiberia,whichwasovercomeandannexedbyRussiaonOctober26th,1581.OurHolyFather,theMartyrJoasaph;CommemorationoftheGreatEarthquakeinConstantinople(740);

St.Cedd,bishopoftheEastSaxons-Ceddbelongedtoafamilyofbrothers,andallsixofthemwerechosenbyKingOswaldofNorthumbriatobetrainedbySt.Aidantobemonksandmissionaries.Thiswasin635,whenAidancamefromthemonasteryofIonainScotlandtobecomebishopofKingOswald'skingdom.OneofSt.Cedd'sbrotherswasSt.Chad,whowasthefirstbishopofYorkandthenbishopofLichfield.In653,Peada,kingoftheMiddleAngles,askedAidan'ssuccessoratLindisfarneforabishopforhisdiocese,andSt.FinanchosefourmonksfromLindisfarnetoevangelizePeada'speople.Later,thekingoftheEastSaxons,whosechiefcitywasLondon,alsoaskedforabishop,andFinancalledCeddtoLindisfarneandconsecratedhimbishopofLondon.Ceddfoundedthreemonasteriesofhisown,thebestknownbeingLastingham,wherehediedoftheplaguein664.St.BedehasabeautifulstoryofCedd'sfoundingofLastingham:CeddspentfortydaysinprayerandfastinginaremotespotgiventohimbyKingEthelwald.In664,CeddwaspresentattheSynodofWhitbyandwasamemberoftheIrishparty,thosewishingtoretaintheIrishdateforEaster.ButwhenthesynoddecidedinfavouroftheEasterndate,Ceddacceptedthedecision,notwantingtocauseanyfurtherdisunityintheEnglishchurches.AftertheSynodofWhitby,aplaguestruckEngland,andCeddwasamongthosewhodiedfromtheplague.Atthenewsofhisdeath,thirtymonkscamefromLondontospendtheirliveswheretheirfounderhaddied.Butthey,too,caughttheplagueandwereburiednearthelittlechapelthathadbeenerectedinCedd'smemory.CeddwasthesecondbishopofthecityofLondon;thefirstwasMellitus,whocamewithSt.AugustineandlaterbecamearchbishopofCanterbury.MellituswasdrivenfromtheseebythekingoftheEastSaxonsin616,andLondonwaswithoutabishopuntilCedd'sarrivalabout654.ThoughtfortheDay:St.Ceddwastrainedbyasaintandhehimselftrainedotherstoholiness.Agoodteacherteachesmostlybywhatheis;and,ifheisagoodteacher,the

5

thingsthatareimportanttohimbecomeimportanttothoseheteaches.Goodteachersfashionthesoulsofothersbycontactwiththeirownsoul;S.Edfrith,bishopofLindisfarne.

27October/9November-TheHolyMartyrNestor-AtthetimeofthemartyrdomofStDimitriostheOutpourerofMyrrh,therewasinConstantinopleayoungman,Nestor,whohadlearnedtheChristianfaithfromStDimitrioshimself.Atthattime,theEmperorMaximian,anopponentofChrist,orderedvariousgamesandamusementsforthepeople.TheEmperor'sfavouritewasaVandalcalledLyaeus,amanofGoliath-likesizeandstrength.Astheimperialgladiator,Lyaeuschallengedmeneverydaytoaduelandslewthem,andthisblood-lettingofhisdelightedtheblood-lustoftheidolatrousEmperor.Hebuiltaspecialarena,likeaterraceonpillars,forLyaeus'sduels.Underneaththisterracewereplantedspearswithsharpcutting-edgespointingupwards.WhenLyaeushadovercomesomeoneintheduel,hewouldpushhimfromtheterraceaboveontothewholeforestofpreparedspears.ThepagansstoodaroundwiththeirEmperor,andweredelightedwhensomepoorwretchwrithedintormentonthespearsuntilhedied.AmongLyaeus'sinnocentvictimswerealargenumberofChristians,for,whentherewasadaywhenno-onecameforwardvoluntarilytoduelwithLyaeus,then,bytheEmperor'sorders,Christianswerecompelledtofightwithhim.Seeingthishorrifyingenjoymentofthepaganworld,Nestor'sheartswelledwithpainandheresolvedtogohimselftothearenaofthegiganticLyaeus.HefirstwenttotheprisonwhereStDimitrioswaskept,andaskedhisblessingtodothis.StDimitriosblessedhim,signedhimwiththesignoftheCrossonforeheadandbreast,andsaidtohim:'Youwillovercomehim,butyouwillsufferforChrist.'TheyoungNestorthenwenttoLyaeus'sarena.TheEmperorwastherewithalargecrowd,andtheyallbewailedtheprobabledeathoftheyoungNestor,tryingtodissuadehimfromfightingLyaeus,butNestorcrossedhimselfandsaid:'OGodofDimitrios,helpme!'WithGod'shelp,NestorovercameLyaeus,felledhimandthrewhimdownontothesharpspears,wheretheheavygiantsoonfounddeath.Thenthewholepeopleshouted:'GreatistheGodofDimitrios!'ButtheEmperorhadlostfacebeforethepeople,and,mourninghisfavourite,becamefilledwithwrathagainstNestorandDimitrios,andthewickedEmperororderedthatNestorbebeheadedwiththeswordandDimitriosrunthroughwithspears.ThusthisgloriousChristianhero,Nestor,leftbehindhisyoung,earthlylifein306,andenteredintotheKingdomofhisLord.;OurHolyFatherNestortheChronicler;St.Andrew,PrinceofSmolensk;St.Odran,monkofIona,St.Ia,virginofCornwall-thesisterofSaintsErcus(orEuny)andHerygh,SaintIa,wasaholymaidenwhocamefromIrelandtoCornwall—itissaidthatshesailedonaleafthatgrewtoaccommodateher--andlandedandsettledatthemouthoftheHayleRiverwhereSaintIves,formerlycalledPorthIa,nowstands.InCornwallsheerectedacellwhereshelivedthelifeofprayerandausterities.ThisversionrelatesthatIasufferedmartyrdominCornwallatthemouthoftheHayleRiver.28October/10November-TheHolyMartyrTerence-aSyrian,hesufferedfortheChristianfaithtogetherwithhiswife,Neonilla,andtheirsevenchildren-Sarbelus,Photus,Theodulus,Hierax,Nitus,Bele,andEunice.Aftermanytortures,duringwhichthepowerofGodwasshown,theywereallbeheadedwiththesword.TheHolyMartyrParaskeva—Petka;StArsenius,ArchbishopofPec;StStephenofStSava's;StAthanasius,PatriarchofConstantinople;StDimitri,BishopofRostov;BlessedHieroschemamonkFeofil,Fool-for-Christ's-Sake,Ascetic&VisionaryoftheKiev-CavesLavra.HieroschemamonkFeofil,intheworldFomaAndreyevichGorenkovsky,thesonofavillagepriest,wasborninatownnearKievin1788.HewassetapartbyGodevenfromhisbirth,andsufferedmuchinhisyouth,therebyacquiringgreathumility.Heenteredamonasteryin1812,labouringinprayer&obedienceformanyyears.HewastonsuredwiththenameFeodoritin1821andin1822,becauseofhisexemplarymonasticlife,hewasordainedhierodeacon.In1827hewasordainedhieromonkandappointedstewardofthemonastery.ThedemandsofthisobediencewerenotinaccordancewiththedesiresofFeodorit'sheartandheaskedtobereleasedfromthestewardship.Hethentookuponhimselfthegreatpodvigoffoolishness-for-Christ's-sake.Hetookthegreatschemain1834andwasrenamedFeofil.FeofilalwayscarriedwithhimaPsalterandprovisionstogivetothepoor&needy.Hedressedinrags,andhiscellwasunkemptandfullofrubbish.Whenquestionedaboutthis,theblessedonerepliedthatheallowedit"sothateverythingsurroundingmewillconstantlyremindmeofthedisorderofmysoul".Hewasoftenill-treatedbyhisbrethrenbutboreallpatiently.Intherefectory,hewouldmixallhisfoodtogether,bothbitterandsweet."It'sthesameinlife",hewouldsay,"bothbitterandsourandsaltymixedwithsweetandallthismustbedigested".Laterinhislife,Feofilreceivedagiftofasmallbullockwhocouldbetamedbyno-one.Meek&gentleinFeofil'spresence,theblessedonehadacartmadeforitandthecreaturecarriedhimeverywhere.Hewasfoundworthytoreceivethegiftofclairvoyancy&foretoldmanythingswhichindeedcametopass.Asaspiritualfather,hecouldseeintotheheartsofhisspiritualchildren.Heworkedmanywondersduringhislifeandforetoldthetimeofhisdeath.Havingreferredtohimselfinhislifeas"smellyFeofil",hiscellwasfilledwithabeautifulfragranceafterhisreposein1853.ManypannikhidaswereservedathisgravesideafterhisreposeandmuchhasbeengrantedbyGodthroughhisprayers.BlessedHieroschemamonkFeofil,prayforus!SaintJob,AbbotandWonderworkerofPochaev(intheworldnamedIvanZhelezo),wasbornaround1551inPokutiainGalicia.AtagetenhecametotheTransfigurationUgornitsmonastery,andatagetwelvehereceivedmonastictonsurewiththenameJob.ThevenerableJobfromhisyouthwasknownforhisgreatpietyandstrictasceticlife,andhewasaccountedworthyofthepriestlyoffice.Aroundtheyear1580,attherequestoftherenownedchampionofOrthodoxyPrinceConstantineOstrozhsky,StJobwasappointedtheheadoftheExaltationoftheCrossmonasterynearthecityofDubno,andformorethantwentyyearshegovernedthemonasteryamidstthegrowingpersecutionofOrthodoxyonthepartoftheCatholicsandUniates.Atthebeginningoftheseventeenthcentury,StJobwithdrewtoPochaevhillandsettledinacavenotfarfromtheancientDormitionmonastery,famedforitswonderworkingPochaevIconoftheMotherofGod(July23).Theholyhermit,belovedbythebrethrenofthemonastery,waschosenastheirIgumen.StJobzealouslyfulfilledhisdutyasheadofthemonastery,kindandgentlewiththebrethren,hedidmuchoftheworkhimself,plantingtreesinthegarden,andstrengtheningthewaterworksatthemonastery.StJobwasanardentdefenderoftheOrthodoxFaithagainstthepersecutionoftheCatholics.FollowingtheUnionofBrest(1596),manyOrthodoxlivinginPolandweredeprivedoftheirrights,andattemptsweremadetoforcethemtoconverttoCatholicism.ManyOrthodoxhierarchsbecameapostatestoUniatism,butStJobandothersdefendedOrthodoxybycopyinganddisseminatingOrthodoxbooks.PrinceOstrozhskywasalsoresponsible

6

forthefirstprintededitionoftheOrthodoxBible(1581).IntakinganactivepartinthedefenseofOrthodoxyandtheRussianpeople,StJobwaspresentatthe1628KievCouncil,convenedagainsttheUnia.After1642,heacceptedthegreatschemawiththenameJohn.Sometimeshecompletelysecludedhimselfwithinthecaveforthreedaysorevenawholeweek.TheJesusPrayerwasanunceasingprayeringentleheart.AccordingtothetestimonyofhisdiscipleDositheus,andauthoroftheLifeofStJob,oncewhileprayinginhiscave,thesaintwasilluminedbyaheavenlylight.StJobreposedintheyear1651.Hewasmorethan100yearsold,andhaddirectedthePochaevmonasteryformorethanfiftyyears.TheuncoveringofStJob’srelicstookplaceonAugust28,1659.TherewasaseconduncoveringoftherelicsonAugust27-28,1833.

29October/11November–OurHolyMother,theMartyrAnastasiatheRoman-ShewasborninRomeofwell-bornparentsandleftanorphanattheageofthree.Asanorphan,shewastakenintoawomen'smonasterynearRome,wheretheabbesswasoneSophia,anunofahighlevelofperfection.Afterseventeenyears,Anastasiawasknowninthewholeneighbourhood,totheChristiansasagreatasceticandtothepagansasararebeauty.Thepaganadministratorofthecity,Probus,heardofherandsentsoldierstobringhertohim.ThegoodAbbessSophiacounselledAnastasiafortwohoursonhowtokeeptheFaith,howtoresistflatteringdelusionandhowtoenduretorture.Anastasiasaidtoher:'MyheartisreadytosufferforChrist;mysoulisreadytodieformybelovedJesus.'Broughtbeforethegovernor,AnastasiaopenlyproclaimedherfaithinChristtheLordand,whenthegovernortriedtodissuadeherfromtheFaith,firstwithpromisesandthenwiththreats,theholymaidensaidtohim:'IamreadytodieformyLord,notoncebut—oh,ifitwereonlypossible!—athousandtimes.'Whentheystrippedhernaked,tohumiliateher,shecriedtothejudge:'Whipmeandcutatmeandbeatme;mynakedbodywillbehiddenbywounds,andmyshamewillbecoveredbymyblood!'Shewaswhippedandbeatenandcutabout.Shetwicefeltagreatthirstandaskedforwater,andaChristian,Cyril,gaveheradrink,forwhichhewasblessedbythemartyrandbeheadedbythepagans.Thenherbreastsandtonguewerecutoff,andanangelofGodappearedtoherandupheldher.Shewasfinallybeheadedwiththeswordoutsidethecity.BlessedSophiafoundherbodyandburiedit,andAnastasiawascrownedwiththewreathofmartyrdomundertheEmperorDecius(249-251).OurHolyFatherAbrahamtheRecluseandhisnieceMaria;OurHolyFather,theMartyrTimothyofEsphigmenou;St.Kea,bishopofDevon&Cornwall,St.Odrada,nun(7thc.)

HYMNOFPRAISETheHolyApostleJames,BrotheroftheLord

James,theBrotheroftheLord,amostbeautifulrighteousone,ExplainedtheteachingofChristwithhislife,Andwhentheytorturedhim,hemeeklyknelt,AndprayedtoGodforhisenemies.Inamostdifficultplace,atamostdifficulttime,Hepatientlyboretheepiscopalyoke.HegovernedtheChurchasagoodshepherd,AndglorifiedtheLordinwordanddeed.HetaughtmentoloveJesus,AndtaughtthefaithfultopraytoGod.”Vaingloriousman,whatisfaithalone?Faithwithoutworksisasemptystraw.Whoeverhashearing,lethimheartheteaching:Faithwithoutworksisabodywithoutspirit.Whencecomewars,abhorrenttoall?Fromtheimpurepassionsofyourbody.Menalwayswarandhavenopeace,Fortheirheartsdesireevil,thenshedblood.WhoeverturnsasinnerawayfromerrorWillreceivetheLord'sgiftofeternallifeinreward.''TheJewsslewtherighteousJames-Buttheyhavemurderedthemselves,andglorifiedhim!OwonderfulJames,holyapostle,Helpthefaithfulwhopraytoyou.

REFLECTION

FromGodcomesgrace,butfromuscomeslabor.Therefore,letnooneeventhinkthattheholyapostlesreliedsolelyontheGod-givengrace,orthatitwaseasyforthem,orthattheyperformedtheirgreatworkintheworldwithouteffort.DoesnottheApostlePaulsay:ButIkeepundermybody,andbringitintosubjection:lestthatbyanymeans,whenIhavepreachedtoothers,Imyselfshouldbeacastaway(ICorinthians9:27)?Andstill,inanotherplace,doeshenotsaythathespenthislifeinperilsofwaters,inperilsofrobbers,inperilsbymineowncountrymen,inperilsbytheheathen,inperilsinthecity,inperilsinthewilderness,inperilsinthesea,inperilsamongfalsebrethren,inwearinessandpainfulness,inwatchingsoften,inhungerandthirst,infastingsoften,incoldandnakedness(IICorinthians11:26-27)?St.Jamesfedonlyonbreadandthatnottosatisfaction.Hesleptverylittle,andspenthisnightsinprayer.Hekneltsomuchinprayerthattheskinonhiskneesbecameashardastheskinonthekneesofacamel.ThisbrotheroftheLordprayedwithtearsandsighsnotonlyfortheChurch,whichhegoverned,butalsoforthewholeworld.EvenwhenhewaspushedfromthetempleroofbythemaliciousJews,andthuswascompletelybroken,theholyapostleneverforgothisdebttoGodandtomen.Gatheringhislaststrength,heraisedhimselftohisknees,stretchedforthhishandstowardheavenandferventlyprayedtoGodsaying:``Lord,forgivethemthissin,fortheyknownotwhattheyaredoing.''Whilehewasprayingthus,wickedmenstruckhimwithstonesfromallsides.Seeingthis,oneofthesonsofRechabcriedout:``Stop!Whatareyoudoing?TherighteousoneisprayingtoGodforyou,andyouarekillinghim!''However,thatshoutofacompassionatesoulcouldnotdeterthemurderers,accustomedtoevildoing,fromkillingthesaintofGod.Soitwasthattheapostlesdidnotrelyongracealone,butalsoputforthnearlysuperhumanefforttoshowthemselvesworthyofGod'sgrace.

Availableonthenetathttp://www.saintjonah.org/bltn/orathttp://www.roq.org.au/bulletins.htmlwhereyoucansubscribetotheemaillist.