TUESDAY August 23 / September 5 ns 2023 ~ Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos • Holy Martyr Loúppos, Holy Hieromartyr Irenæus of Lyons: Phil. 2:5–11; St. Luke 10:38–42, 11:27–28 ~ A Thief named John, saved by the Theotokos

Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos

• Holy Martyr Loúppos,
 Holy Hieromartyr Irenæus of Lyons

Holy Martyr Loúppos

The holy Loúppos was a servant of St. Demetrios the commander of Thessalonica. When Emperor Maximian beheaded St. Demetrius, Loúppos dipped the hem of his garment and his ring in the blood of the martyr. With this garment and ring, Loúppos worked many miracles in Thessalonica, healing people of every pain and infirmity. Emperor Maximian, who was then still residing in Thessalonica, discovered this and ordered that Loúppos be tortured and killed. However, the soldiers who took up weapons against Loúppos turned against one another and severely wounded themselves. As he was not yet baptized, even though he was a Christian, Loúppos prayed to God that He would somehow plan his baptism before his death. At that moment, rain unexpectedly fell from the clouds upon this holy martyr and thus he received baptism from on high. After great sufferings, Loúppos was beheaded and took up habitation in the Kingdom of Heaven.

THE EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PAUL

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO 

Saint Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 KJV

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

A Thief named John, saved by the Theotokos

by Saint Kosmas Apostle-to-the-Poor

A man named John was overcome and became a thief. He became the captain of a band of one hundred thieves, but he had great reverence for the Theotokos. Each morning and evening he read the service of Supplication to the Theotokos.
Wishing to save him because of the great reverence he had for the Theotokos, the gracious God sent a holy monk who was immediately captured by the thieves. The monk said to them: "I beg you to take me to your captain because I have something to tell you for your own good." They took him to the captain and he said: "Ask all the men to come so that I can tell you something." The captain called them and they came. The monk said: "Aren't there any more?" "I have a cook," the captain replied. "Ask him to come." But when he came, the cook was unable to look at the monk and turned his face aside.
The monk then said to the cook: "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I command you to tell me who you are, who sent you, and what you are doing here." The cook replied and said: "I'm a liar and I always speak falsely. But since you have bound me with the name of Christ, I can't but tell you the truth. I'm the devil and I was sent by my superior to work for the captain and to wait for the day when he wouldn't read the service of Supplication to the Theotokos to put him into hell. I have been watching him now for fourteen years and I have never found a day when he hasn't read the service."

The monk said: "I command you in the name of the Holy Trinity to disappear and no longer tempt Christians." And immediately the devil disappeared like smoke. The monk then taught the thieves. Some became monks, others married and did good works and were saved.

This is why I advise you all, men and women, to learn the service of Supplication and to use it in your prayers. And if you wish, take the book, The Salvation of Sinners, which contains the seventy miracles of the Theotokos, of which I told you one so that you might understand.

Great Art Thou O Lord and Marvelous are Thy Works, and words cannot suffice to sing the praises of Thy Wonders!

Iberian Magpie