Friday, May 23, 2025

Saturday May 11/24 ns 2025 ~ Founding of Constantinople • Hieromartyr Mókios; Sts. Cyril and Methódios, Equals-to-the-Apostles ~ Acts 15:35-41; St. John 10:27-38 ~ WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH by St. Amphilochios of Patmos ~ ANECDOTE: BELIEVE IT OR NOT




Saint Mókios was a presbyter in Macedonia in the city of Amphipolis. During a persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), St Mókios exhorted the pagans who had assembled for the pagan festival of Dionysus (Bacchus), to abandon iniquity and the vile customs which accompanied this celebration. He urged them to repent and be converted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be cleansed through Holy Baptism.

The saint was brought to trial before the governor of Laodicea. When threatened with torture, he replied, "My death for Christ is a great accomplishment for me." St Mókios was subjected to torture, which he bore with marvelous endurance, and did not cease to denounce the idol-worshippers.

Taken to the pagan temple of Dionysus, the saint shattered the idols when he called upon Jesus Christ. After this he was put into a red-hot oven, where he remained unharmed, but the flames coming out of the oven scorched the governor.

Again the commander subjected St Mókios to fierce torture, which he endured with the help of God. He was given to wild beasts to be eaten, but they did not touch him. The lions lay down at his feet. The people, seeing such miracles, urged that the saint be set free. The governor ordered the saint to be sent to the city of Perinth, and from there to Byzantium, where St Mókios was executed.

Before his death he gave thanks to the Lord for giving him the strength to persevere to the very end. His last words were, "Lord, receive my spirit in peace." Then he was beheaded. St Mókios died about the year 295. Later, the emperor Constantine built a church in honor of the hieromartyr Mókios and transferred his holy passion-bearing relics into it.



Acts 15:35-41 KJV

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.



Saint John 10:27-38 KJV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.



ANECDOTE
BELIEVE IT OR NOT

In concurrence with what the saint tells us above, the following is offered.  The narrative could have been substantiated had not my witness reposed a few years ago.  

A close friend since childhood and I were introduced to an individual visiting St. John Church in the late 70's, purported to be an Orthodox Christian, probably in his mid-sixties, from somewhere in South America.  At the time, my friend and I, both young Orthodox Christians, were inquisitive about various Eastern religions.  During a typical  conversation we offered a few common names of mystics we had been studying such as Krishna, Buddha, Mohammed, but when the name Jesus Christ was included, only as an deviation, he began to weep and withdraw.  Tears came instantly and continued for about 15 seconds.  Surprised and lacking decorum, we pretentiously and immaturely repeated "Jesus" two more times.  Tears came immediately each time. His companion, an even older man, explained that it occurs each time he hears Christ's name and that has occurred for many years.  Still awestruck and somewhat ashamed at our lack of decorum, we refrained from asking any questions.

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