THE PARAGON Monday January 9 / 22 ns 2024 • Holy Martyr Polyeuctos; Holy Hieromartyr Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow Saint: II St. Tim. 2:1-10; Afterfeast: St. Mark 1:9-15 - - - OH HOW WE DELUDE OURSELVES WHEN WE BLAME OTHERS by Saint Dorotheos of Gaza - DESERT FATHERS

Holy Martyr Polyeuctos; 

Holy Hieromartyr Philip,
Metropolitan of Moscow

When temptation from the fallen self or from the Evil One's attacks, pray to Holy Polyeuctos who almost 1800 years ago made firm his faith and love for Christ with his very blood and don't forget how little is required of us who call ourselves "the Faithful".

The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of Saint Polyeuctos in the year 259 A.D. during the reign of Valerian. 

In this city [Melitene] were two friends: both Nearchus and Polyeuctos were officers, Nearchus baptized and Polyeuctos unbaptized. When the command of the emperor was sent out concerning the persecution of the Christians, Nearchus prepared for death; but he was in great sorrow because he had not succeeded in converting his friend Polyeuctos to the True Faith. When Polyeuctos learned of the reason for Nearchus' sorrow, he promised to embrace the Faith. The following day Polyeuctos related his dream to Nearchus: the Lord Himself appeared to him in light, removed Polyeuctos' old clothes from him and dressed him in radiant new clothes and sat him in the saddle of a winged horse. After this, Polyeuctos went to town, shredded the emperor's decree concerning the torturing of Christians, and destroyed many statues of the idols. He was tortured and was condemned to death. When he was brought to the place of execution, he looked at Nearchus in the throng of people and joyfully cried out to him: "Save yourself my dear friend! Remember the vow of love confirmed between the two of us!" Later, Saint Nearchus died as a martyr for Christ by fire. The commemoration of the feast of St. Nearchus is April 22.

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2 Saint Timothy 2:1-10 KJV

2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

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Saint Mark 1:9-15 KJV

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

OH HOW WE DELUDE OURSELVES WHEN WE BLAME OTHERS

by Saint Dorotheos of Gaza

“There is the case of a man minding his own business, sitting at peace and quiet; and when a brother comes up and says an annoying word to him, he is put out by it. And from the circumstances he thinks that he is justifiably angered, and he speaks against the one who troubled him, saying, ‘If he had not come and spoken to me and annoyed me I should not have been at fault.’ This is a delusion: this is false reasoning! It was not the one who spoke that put him in a bad mood. He only showed that it already existed in him; so that he could, if he chose, make reparation for his fault. But the man referred to above is like clean-looking winter wheat, externally good and ready to use; but when someone crushes it, its corruption is revealed. He was sitting at peace but he had this anger inside him and he did not know it. One word to him from the other and the corruption hidden inside him leapt out.”

Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Passion for "things" do not exist in Christ.
Stop the passions before they stop you.