Thursday Dec 13/26 ns 2024 • Holy Martyrs Evstrátios, Auxéntios, Eugene, Mardários, and Oréstes; Holy Martyr Lucy ~ Fish, wine and olive oil are permitted. I St. Tim. 6:17-21; St. Mark 9:10-15 ~ WEEP AND REPENT Saint Kosmas Aitolos Apostle to the Poor ~ AND a link to a nugget from A TREASURY OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE

Holy Martyrs Evstrátios, Auxéntios,

Eugene, Mardários, and Oréstes;

Holy Martyr Lucy

 Fish, wine and olive oil permitted today

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from St. Peter of Damascus

The Holy Martyrs Evstrátios, Auxéntios, Eugene, Mardários, and Oréstes shone like five shining stars in the dark days of the Christ-persecuting Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. St. Evstrátios was a Roman commander in the city of Satalionus; Eugene was his companion in the army; Oréstes was likewise a distinguished soldier; Auxéntios was a priest; and Mardários was an ordinary citizen who came, like Evstrátios, from the town of Arabrak. The imperial deputies Lysias and Agricolus tortured Auxéntios first since he was a priest.

Seeing the innocent suffering of Christians, Evstrátios appeared in front of Lysias and declared that he was also a Christian. While Evstrátios was being tortured, Eugene appeared before the judge and cried out: "Lysias, I too am a Christian.'' When Evstrátios was led through the town of Arabrak with the other martyrs, Mardários saw them from the roof of his house. He took leave of his wife and two young children and rushed after the martyrs, shouting into the faces of the tormentors: "I too am a Christian, like my lord Evstrátios." When St. Oréstes was target-practicing in the presence of Lysias, the cross he was wearing fell from his chest and Lysias realized that he was a Christian, after which Oréstes openly confessed his faith. Oréstes was a young and handsome soldier and towered above all the other soldiers in stature.

Auxéntios was beheaded, Eugene and Mardários died while being tortured, Oréstes expired on a red-hot iron grid, and Evstrátios died in a fiery furnace. St. Blaise (February 11) administered Holy Communion to St. Evstrátios in prison before his death. Their relics were later taken to Constantinople and buried in the church dedicated to them: The Holy Five Companions. They were seen alive in that Church, and St. Oréstes appeared to St. Dimitri of Rostov (October 28). A beautiful prayer by St. Evstrátios is extant, which is read at the Midnight Service on Saturday: "Most highly do I magnify Thee, O Lord.''

Holy Martyr Lucy

~ Still chained to materialism? ~

Strongly suggested featured additional reading

if you wish additional quickening by our Lord

from St. Peter of Damascus

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HERE

1 Saint Timothy 6:17-21
King James Version

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.


Saint Mark 9:10-15
King James Version

10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

WEEP AND REPENT

Saint Kosmas Aitolos

Apostle to the Poor

LET US SAY something about the thorns. Blessed Mary of Egypt was twelve years old when she fell into the hands of the devil. She lived in sin day and night. But the merciful God enlightened her and she abandoned the world and went into the desert. There she led a hermit’s life for forty years. She was cleansed and became like an angel. God wished to give her rest, so He sent the holy ascetic Zosimas to hear her confession and to give her the Precious and Life-Giving Body and Blood. Then He received her holy soul into Paradise, where she rejoices with the angels.

If there is anyone here like Blessed Mary, let him immediately weep and repent, now that he has time, and let him be assured that he will be saved as was Blessed Mary.