Holy Martyr Polyeuctos;
Holy Hieromartyr Philip,
Metropolitan of Moscow
~ Fast day ~
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.
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.
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.
THE FAITH OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
by Saint Nikolai Velimirovich
The more humble a man is, the wiser he is; the more arrogant he is, the more foolish he is.
God gives understanding to the humble, so that they may know and understand, but He opposes the proud.
The more the humble are at peace with the Lord, the more the Lord endows them with understanding. And understanding is light that leads to the One, Living, and True God. Blessed are they who have understanding, to see the transitoriness of this world and the nothingness of man.
Blessed are they who feel small and insignificant, for God will elevate them to the highest knowledge, to the knowledge of the existence and majesty of the Most High God.
No comments:
Post a Comment