Martyr Eudocia of Heliopolis (160-170).
Martyr Antonina of Nicaea (3rd c.-4th c.). St. Martyrius, founder of Zelenets Monastery (Novgorod) (1603).
New Martyr Abbess Antonina of Kizliar (1924). New Hieromartyr Anthony (Korzh), hierodeacon of Kiziltash Monastery (Crimea) (1938).
Virgin Domnina, ascetic, near Cyrrhus (450-460). St. Albinus, bishop of Angers (550). St. David of Wales, bishop (6th c.). St. Suitbert (Swidbert), bishop in southern Westphalia and monastic founder on the Rhine River (713). St. Leo-Luke of Corleone, Sicily (ca. 900). St. Agapius of Kolitsou Skete of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos, and his four companions (13th c.). New Martyr Paraskevas of Trebizond (1659).
Monday (1st Week of Lent).
“Lent has come, O mother of chastity.” What
was the time before this day? A time of
fornication.[1]
The soul fornicated with all that struck its eye as
pleasant—both with people and with things: more
fully, with sinful passions. Everyone has his passion
which he pleases in all he does. It is time to put an
end to this. May each of you comprehend your Delilah,
who binds you and hands you over to evil enemies, and
abandon her. Then you will be given more than Samson:
not only shall your hair grow, but so also shall good
thoughts; and not only shall your strength return, but
so also your strength of will. Your eyes shall also
open, your mind shall have sight and it shall see the
Lord, yourself, and everything around you in the proper
light. This is the favourable time! This is the day of
salvation!
[1]
“A time of fornication.” Fornication here
has a double meaning in Russian, both of fornication
and roaming.