THE PARAGON Tuesday December 20 / January 2 ns 2023 • Holy Hieromartyr Ignátios the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch ~ Wine and olive oil are permitted. Heb 10:32–38; St. Mark 9:33–41

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† The Holy Hieromartyr Ignatios

[Theophoros - the God-Bearer]

 

He is called Theophoros (the God-bearer) because he constantly bore the name of the Living God in his heart and on his lips. According to tradition, he was thus named because he was held in the arms of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ. On a day when the Lord was teaching His disciples humility, He took a child and placed him among them, saying: Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (St Matthew 18:4). This child was Ignatios. Later, Ignatios was a disciple of St. John the Theologian, together with Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, Ignatios governed the Church of God as a good shepherd and was the first to introduce antiphonal chanting in the Church, in which two choirs alternate the chanting.

This manner of chanting was revealed to St. Ignatios by the angels in heaven. When Emperor Trajan was passing through Antioch on his way to do battle with the Persians, he heard of Ignatios, summoned him and counseled him to offer sacrifice to the idols. If Ignatios would do so, Trajan would bestow upon him the rank of senator. As the counsels and threats of the emperor were in vain, St. Ignatios was shackled in irons and sent to Rome in the company of ten merciless soldiers, to be thrown to the wild beasts. Ignatios rejoiced in suffering for his Lord, only praying to God that the wild beasts would become the tomb for his body and that no one would prevent him from this death

After a long and difficult journey from Asia through Thrace, Macedonia and Epirus, Ignatios arrived in Rome, where he was thrown to the lions in the circus. The lions tore him to pieces and devoured him, leaving only several of the larger bones and his heart. This glorious lover of the Lord Christ suffered in the year 106 in Rome at the time of the Christ-hating Emperor Trajan. Ignatios has appeared many times from the other world and worked miracles, even to this day helping all who call upon him for help.

Hebrews 10:32-38 KJV

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Saint Mark 9:33-41 KJV

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

M A R T H A,   M A R T H A

The Evergetinos 
"Benefactress"

from the Gerontikon (Sayings)

A certain brother went to Mt. Sinai to visit Abba Silouan. Seeing the brothers there working, he said to the Elder:

“Labor not for the food which perisheth: for ‘Mary hath chosen that good part’ (St. Luke 10:42).”

Instead of responding, the Elder said to his disciple, Zacharias: “Give the brother a book and take him to his cell, where he is to have nothing.” The brother, of course, did this.

Now, when the ninth hour was approaching, the visiting brother continually had nothing but the door on his mind: “Maybe they are sending someone to call me to eat.”

However, after an hour had passed, and no one had called him, he got up, went to the Abba, and said:

“Did the brothers not eat today, Abba?” “Of course,” the Elder answered.

“Then why did they not call me?” the brother asked.

“Since you are a spiritual man,” the Elder replied, “you have no need of such food; since we, however, are fleshly men, we want to eat, and therefore we work. You, however, have chosen the better part. You studied all day and do not now need to eat fleshly food.”

The visiting brother, on hearing these things, made a prostration to the Elder and said:

“Forgive me, Abba.”

And the Elder responded to him:

“In any case, Mary has need of Martha, too, since it was on Martha’s account that Mary was praised.”