Friday August 10/23 ns 2024 • Holy Martyrs Lawrence, Hippólytos, and Síxtus - Fast day; I Cor. 14:26-40; St. Matt. 21:12-14, 17-20

Holy Martyrs
Lawrence, Hippólytos, and Síxtus

Fast Day

When Pope Stephen was slain (August 2), then St. Sixtus, who was an Athenian by birth, was appointed in his place. 

At first, Sixtus was a philosopher and, after that, a Christian. At that time, the Bishops of Rome were slain one after the other, so that, to become Bishop of Rome meant to be taken out to death. Emperor Decius was determined to destroy Christianity and Pope Sixtus was quickly brought to trial with two of his deacons, Felicicius and Agapitus. As they were led to prison, Lawrence said to the pope: "Where are you going Father, without your son? Where O bishop, without your Archdeacon?" 

The pope consoled him, prophesying to Lawrence that he will undergo even greater tortures for Christ and that he [Lawrence] will shortly follow him [Sixtus]. And indeed, as soon as they had beheaded Sixtus and his two deacons, Lawrence was apprehended. Beforehand, Lawrence had placed all of his affairs and the affairs of the church in order. As treasurer and Oikonomos [steward] of the church, he removed all of the church's valuables to the home of the widower, Kyriacus. On that occasion, he healed Kyriacus of a terrible head pain by the touch of his hand and restored the sight of a blind man, Crescention. Thrown into prison, even there Lawrence healed Lucillus, a prisoner of many years, of blindness and after that baptized him. Witnessing this Hippolytus, the jailer, was also baptized, and later suffered for Christ (August 13). 

Since Lawrence did not want to deny Christ but, on the contrary, advised Emperor Decius to reject his false gods, he was beaten on the face with stones and beaten on his entire body with a scorpion [a whip, curved at the end like the tail of a scorpion] i.e., by a chain with sharp teeth. Romanus, a soldier present at the torture, believed in Christ and was immediately beheaded. Finally, they placed Lawrence naked on a gridiron and lighted a fire. Roasting in the fire, St. Lawrence thanked God and mocked the emperor for his paganism. 

After Lawrence gave up his pure and heroic soul to God, his body was removed at night by Hippolytus and taken, at first, to the home of Kyriacos and afterwards to a cave where Hippolytus honorably buried him. St. Lawrence, with the others, suffered in the year 258 A.D.

Whatever you do to avenge yourself against a brother who has done you a wrong

will prove a stumbling-block to you during prayer.

St. Makarios of Corinth. The Philokalia. 

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 KJV

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Saint Matthew 21:12-14, 17-20 KJV

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

St. John Chrysostomos
On Marriage

Marriage is a great mystery because two join together and become one. But it is also a sign of a greater mystery, that Christ became one with the Church . The unity of husband and wife extends to their children. The man who properly oversees his whole household can make it a little church which will promote the spiritual growth of all its members. Husbands and wives should trust each other and not believe unsubstantiated accusations made by a third party. A husband should not mind if his wife demands more of his time, because this shows her love for him. A wife should not nag her husband for not making enough money, but should value his company. A husband should use gentle words and his example to teach his wife to be virtuous - not to desire high social position, expensive clothes and jewelry or extravagant furnishings in the house. A wife may also teach her husband virtue by her example. A husband should always begin his admonitions by telling his wife how much he loves her. He should enjoy being at home with her. He should praise her in front of others but advise her privately and patiently. Husbands must be as faithful as they expect their wives to be. They should pray together at home, attend church together, and at home discuss the readings they heard in church. A husband and wife should consider both their bodies and all their possessions common property. Neither should speak of "mine" and "yours". If they must endure poverty, they should accept it with courage and trust in God. Married people who live like this can become as holy as any monks and their children also.