Holy Martyrs Sergios and Bácchos;
St. John & the
98 Fathers with him,
of Crete
♰
Once, when there was a great sacrificial offering to idols, the emperor demanded that Sergius and Bácchos offer sacrifices with him, but they openly refused to obey the emperor in this. Beside himself with rage, the emperor commanded that their military garments, rings and emblems be stripped from them and that they be dressed in women's clothing. He then placed iron hoops around their necks and paraded them through the streets of the city of Rome, to be mocked by everyone. Afterward, he sent them to Antiochus, his deputy in Asia, for torture.
Antiochus had risen to his position with Sergius and Bácchos's help, as they had at one time recommended him to the emperor. When Antiochus implored them to deny Christ and save themselves from dishonorable suffering and death, these saints replied: ''Both honor and dishonor, both life and death-all are the same to him who seeks the Heavenly Kingdom.''
Antiochus cast Sergius into prison and ordered that Bácchos be tortured first. His minions took turns beating the holy Bácchos until his whole body was broken. Bácchos's holy soul departed his broken and bloodied body, and in the hands of angels was borne to the Lord. St. Bácchos suffered in the town of Barbalissos.
Then St. Sergius was led out and shod in iron shoes with inward-protruding nails. He was driven, on foot, to the town of Rozapha, in Syria, and was beheaded there with the sword. His soul went to Paradise where, together with his friend Bácchos, he received a crown of immortal glory from Christ, his King and Lord. These two wondrous knights of the Christian Faith suffered in about the year 303.
Saint Luke 24:36-53 KJV
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 KJV
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Saint Luke 7:11-16 KJV
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
THE SECRET OF PEACE
TO LOVE AND BE LOVED
Abba Zosimas
Monk of the Palestinian Dessert
What can be simpler than to love everyone and be loved by everyone? What great comfort do we not receive from the commandments of Christ? Nonetheless, our free will is not passionate enough. If it were truly passionate, then by the grace of God everything would appear simple for our free will.
As I have frequently told you, a small inclination (mustard seed) of our desire is able to attract God for our assistance. Moreover, as the sacred Antony says: "Virtue only requires our desire.” Or again: “We do not need to make a great journey in order to reach the heavenly kingdom, nor do we need to cross the seas in order to acquire virtue.” What rest is lacking from the meek and humble person? Truly: “The meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity” (Psalm 37.11).
GOD IS LOVE
God is love. If we love Him with all our being, not part but ALL, then since He is everywhere present filling all things, we will feel and know Him in all things, (even in a blade of grass) tangible, intangible, corporeal or incorporeal.
(anon)
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