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Saint Poimén
Holy Martyr Phanoúrios the newly-revealed;
St. Cæsarius, Bishop of Arles
Poimen was an Egyptian by birth and a great ascetic of Egypt. As a boy, he visited the most renowned spiritual men and, from them, gathered tangible knowledge as a bee gathers honey from flowers. Poimen once begged the elder Paul to take him to St. Paḯsios. Seeing Poimen, Paḯsios said to Paul: "This child will save many; the hand of God is with him." In time, Poimen was tonsured a monk and attracted two of his brothers to the monastic life as well. Once his mother came to see her sons but Poimen did not permit her to enter but through the door asked her: "Do you desire more to see us here or there in eternity?" The mother withdrew with joy saying: "Since I will surely see you there, then I do not desire to see you here." In the monastery of these three brothers, governed by Abba Anubis, Poimen's eldest brother, this was their Rule [Typikon]: at night, they spent four hours of working with their hands, four hours of sleep and four hours of reading the Psalter. During the day, from morning until noon, they spent in alternating work and prayer; from noon until Vespers they spent reading and, in the afternoon, they prepared supper for themselves the only meal in twenty-four hours and that usually consisted of some vegetables. Concerning their life, Poimen himself speaks: "We ate that which was given to us. No one ever said: 'Give me something else or I do not want that.' In this manner, we spent our entire life in silence and peace." Poimen lived a life of mortification as an ascetic in the fifth century and died peacefully at an old age.
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THE EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PAUL
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 KJV
4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
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THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
Saint Matthew 23:1-12 KJV
23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
St. Theophan the Recluse
U N S E E N
W A R F A R E
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Make mental notes that drive your will towards pleasing God in everything you do, so that you might move your will more readily to this single desire, in all things to please God and to only labor for His greater glory. Remind yourself frequently, that He has granted many of your requests in the past and He has demonstrated to you His love.
He fashioned you from nothing in His own image and likeness, and has created all other creatures to be your servants. He has saved you from the devil's slavery, sending down, to redeem you, not an angel, but His Only-begotten Son. Your price of your rescue was not perishable gold or silver, but His priceless blood and most grievous and degrading death. After having done all these things He preserves you at each hour and moment from your foes. He fights your battles for you by means of His Divine Grace. In His spotless Holy Mystery He readies the Body and Blood of His most beloved Son for your food and your protection. All these things are a sign of God's overwhelming favor and love for you. It is a favor so great that it is unthinkable how the great Lord of Sabaoth could grant favors such as these to our insignificant worthlessness. Consider from this what glory and honor we should offer to the endless Majesty of Him, Who did such glorious things for us.
If we are unable to help ourselves giving thanks, honor and devoted obedience to kings of the world for their favors, how much more, infinitely more, should we useless ones offer to the all powerful Lord of Sabaoth, Who loves us and grants us favors beyond number. Yet more than everything we have mentioned, always keep in your mind the understanding that the greatness of God is by itself worthy every honor, adoration and full ministry to Him.
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