Saturday Jan 26/Feb 8 ns 2025 • St. Xenophon and those with him; Translation of the Relics of St. Theodore the Studite; St. David the Restorer, King of Georgia; St. John the New Almsgiver of Amphiale ~ II St. Tim. 2:11-19; St. Luke 18:2-9 ~ GOLD SILVER DIAMONDS FOOLISH ARROGANCE A HARD HEART St. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian

Saint Xenophon

and those with him;

Translation of the Relics

of St. Theodore the Studite;

Saint David the Restorer,

King of Georgia;

Saint John the New Almsgiver

of Amphiale

Xenophon and his wife Maria 

were prominent and wealthy citizens of Constantinople. They lived a God-pleasing life and dedicated all their attention to the Christian upbringing of their sons. When their sons reached maturity, they were sent to study in Beirut; but it so happened that a storm capsized their boat. By the Providence of God, John and Arcadius were somehow saved. They were tossed ashore by the waves but in two different places so that each thought the other was drowned. Out of grief for each other, they both became monks in two different monasteries.

After two years, their grieving parents came to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage to pay homage before the holy shrines. There, with the help of the "discernment" of a spiritual father, first the brothers met and, after that, the parents with their children. Out of gratitude to God, Xenophon and Maria distributed their entire estate to the poor and both of them were tonsured.

The history of these four souls is touching and it shows how the Lord wonderfully guides the fate of those who believe in Him; how He permits pain and sorrow upon them that they may, later on, be strengthened in faith, in order to lead them into still greater joy.

They lived and died in the Lord in the fifth century.

2 Saint Timothy 2:11-19 KJV

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Saint Luke 18:2-9 KJV

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.

GOLD-SILVER-DIAMONDS-CLOTHES
THEN COMES FOOLISH ARROGANCE
AND A HARD HEART

St. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian 

“Human beings have accumulated in their coffers gold and silver, clothes more sumptuous than useful, diamonds and other objects that are evidence of war and tyranny; then a foolish arrogance hardens their hearts; for their brothers in distress, no pity. What utter blindness! . . . Attend not to the law of the strong but to the law of the Creator. Help nature to the best of your ability, honor the freedom of creation, protect your species from dishonor, come to its aids in sickness, rescue it from poverty …. Seek to distinguish yourself from others only in your generosity. Be like gods to the poor, imitating God’s mercy. Humanity has nothing so much in common with God as the ability to do good.”