A P O S T L E S' F A S T
The Holy Martyr Leóntios was a Roman commander in Tripoli in Phoenicia (Phoenicia was an ancient civilization composed of independent city-states located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretching through what is now Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel) during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.
He was born in Hellas [Greece] "of great physical stature, powerful, strong and brave in battles." Hadrian, the imperial deputy, sent a military detachment to arrest Leóntios, for Hadrian was a fierce adversary and persecutor of Christians. Hypátios, the senior officer of this detachment, became ill enroute with a bitter fever because of which the detachment had to slow down their march. One night an angel of God appeared to Hypátios and said to him: "If you want to be well, cry out three times toward heaven with all your soldiers: 'O God of Leóntios help me!' "
Hypátios informed his companions of his vision and all in unison cried out as the angel instructed and immediately Hypátios became well. This miracle astonished all but especially Theodulos. Hypatius and Theodulos then went ahead of the other soldiers to seek Commander Leóntios. Leóntios received them graciously and served them. When he expounded his faith in Christ to them, their hearts burned with love for Christ and, at that moment, a bright cloud descended upon Hypátios and Theodulos and dew from a cloud descended upon them. That was the Holy Spirit of God Himself baptizing these converted souls and St. Leóntios, at that moment, spoke these words: "In the name of the All-holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The evil Hadrian, learning that Hypátios and Theodulos became Christians, ordered that they be scourged without mercy and following that to be beheaded with an axe. And so, these two spiritual children of Leóntios died.
Then Hadrian prescribed cruel tortures for Leóntios but Leóntios remained unwavering in his holy faith. His entire body was covered with wounds but he diligently prayed to God not to abandon him. In the midst of the cruelest torments, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, encouraged and comforted him. Finally, they knocked the martyr Leóntios to the ground and beat him until he gave up his soul to God. The sufferings of St. Leóntios was personally witnessed by Kir Notarius who recorded all that he saw on lead tablets and placed them in the martyr's grave. St. Leóntios suffered honorably in the year 73 A.D.
Romans 9:6-19 King James Version
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Saint Matthew 10:32-36 King James Version
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Saint Matthew 11:1 King James Version
11 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
MENTAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Saint Theophan the Recluse
When beginning anything, for example, say ‘Bless, O Lord!’ When you finish something, say, ‘Glory to Thee, O Lord’, and not only with your lips, but with feeling in your heart.
If passions arise, say, ‘Save me, O Lord, I 'm perishing.’Say such prayers as often as possible, always making the effort for them to come from your heart, as if squeezed out of it. When we do this, we will frequently ascend to God in our hearts, making frequent petitions and prayers.
If the darkness of disturbing thoughts comes up, cry out: ‘Lead my soul out of prison.’
If dishonest deeds present themselves and sin leads you to them, pray, ‘Set me, O Lord, in the way’, or ‘do not give up my feet to stumbling.’
If sin takes hold of you and leads you to despair, cry out with the voice of the publican, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ Do this in every circumstance, or simply say often, ‘Lord, have mercy’, ‘Most Holy Theotokos save us”, ‘Holy Angel, my guardian, protect me’, or other such words.
Such increased frequency will bring about the habit of mental conversation with God.
The best prayer is the one you say with your own words. Reading a prayer is not enough
Saint Ephraim of Katounakia
Saint Ephraim of Katounakia
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