March 7, 2018. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2018

Сорок мучеников Севастийских

Икона Божией Матери ''Споручница грешных''

Евгений Херсонесский

Old Style

March 7

Tuesday

New Style

March 20

5th Week of Great Lent. Tone 8.
Great Lent.

Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclius, Smaragdus, Eunoicus, Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Priscus, Theodulus, Eutychius, John, Xanthias, Helianus, Sisinius, Angus, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecdicius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (ca. 320). The Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Capiton, Eugene, Aetherius, Elpidius, and Agathadorus (4th c.).

St. Paul the Simple, of Egypt (4th c.). St. Paul the Confessor, bishop of Plousias in Bithynia (9th c.). St. Emilian, monk, of Rome (6th c.).

New Hieromartyr Nilus (Tyutyukin), hieromonk of St. Joseph of Volokolamsk Monastery (1938).

Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “Surety of Sinners” (Moscow) (1848)

Sts. Nestor and Arcadius, bishops of Tremithus (4th c.). St. Ephraim, patriarch of Antioch (546). St. Lawrence, founder of the monastery of the Mother of God on Salamis (1707). St. Dandus and All Saints of Thrace. Martyrs Codratus, Saturninus, and Rufinus, of Nicomedia (250-259).

Repose of Schemamonk Sisoes of Valaam (1931).

Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse

St. Theophan the Recluse

Tuesday.

Hell and destruction are before the Lord:[1] how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Prov. 15:11). But the sinner thinks that nobody sees him. Concealing himself from human eyes, in the darkness of night or in a deserted place, he supposes that he is not noticed by anyone. But God’s eye has seen everything; his guardian angel and conscience were witnesses. At some time you will stand at the judgement: then all that is hidden will be laid bare: uncompromising witnesses will be present—and you shall be speechless. The verdict will not be subject to appeal. There is only one way to prevent this ultimate inevitability: repentance. The door to repentance is open. Hurry to enter, before the hour strikes … and it will strike. When? You do not know. But it will put an end to your sins, or to any hope of pardon.

[1]The Slavonic for Prov. 15:11 reads: Hell and destruction are manifest before the Lord…

Articles

In Memory of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste—A.D. 320

During this time they prepared themselves for the trial of martyrdom. One of them, Cyrion by name, exhorted his fellow soldiers: "God so ordained that we made friends with each other in this temporary life; let us try not to separate even in eternity; just as we have been found plea sing to a mortal king, so let us strive to be worthy of the favor of the immortal King, Christ our God."

Fascinating Facts Behind the Forty Martyrs of Sevaste

Too Incredible to Be True? Are we really supposed to believe that forty men in the prime of life voluntarily undressed to die by freezing? Is this just a legend? Actually, the story is as solid as ancient history gets.

Homily Concerning the Forty Martyrs

St. Gregory of Nyssa

I believe that persons who have undergone many harsh experiences can give us encouragement because the sufferings which they and others have endured are a source of special joy. A shepherd rejoices when he sees his abundant flock gathered together; although his pen is large, he expands it to accommodate a large number of sheep. Similarly, Peter saw a throng gathered about the Lord and exclaimed, Master, the crowd surrounds you and presses upon you (Lk. 8.45).

40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste

On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola. This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor, their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their emperor.

The Holy Forty Martyrs—"Winter Is Harsh, but Paradise Is Sweet!"

According to the tradition about the Holy Forty Martyrs, as they were suffering in the freezing lake, they strengthened themselves and one another by saying “Winter is harsh, but paradise is sweet!” This captures the spirit and essence of Christian martyrdom, which always sees the experiences of this world in the light of the heavenly kingdom.

The 40 Martyrs of Sebaste: Confession through martyrdom

Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi

What were they "suffering at present" from? They were tortured with whatever the devil threw at them, since he is always generating ways to prevent the devout from getting on with their business. He begins with minor internal or external annoyances and reaches even the highest of all evil, death.

Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson

For a long time the saint prayed, invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity. Then he blessed water, and sprinkled it on the dead one, who was restored to life. The saint returned to the city with honor, and many believed and were baptized.

Hieromartyr Ephraim of Cherson

Later on, Saint Ephraim went to the peoples living along the Danube, where he underwent many tribulations and sorrows. He was beheaded at the start of the persecution.

Hieromartyr Capiton of Cherson

This miracle and the great faith of Saint Capiton were reported to Saint Constantine and the holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325), and they all glorified God.

Hieromartyr Eugene of Cherson

A year after the martyrdom of Saint Basil, three of his companions, Bishops Eugene, Elpidius and Agathodorus, ceased their preaching in the Hellespont, and arrived at Cherson to continue his holy work.

Hieromartyr Aetherius of Cherson

Saint Aetherius journeyed to Constantinople to thank the emperor for protecting the Christians. He fell ill and died on the return trip.

Hieromartyr Elpidius of Cherson

They endured many hardships for the salvation of human souls.

Hieromartyr Agathodorus of Cherson

All three bishops shared the fate of their predecessor: they were stoned to death by the pagans on March 7, 311.

Venerable Paul the Simple and Disciple of the Venerable Anthony the Great

Saint Paul the Simple of Egypt also lived in the fourth century and was called the Simple for his simplicity of heart and gentleness. He had been married, but when he discovered his wife’s infidelity, he left her and went into the desert to Saint Anthony the Great.

St. Paul the Confessor the Bishop of Plousias in Bithynia

Saint Paul the Confessor was bishop of the city of Plousias (in the province of Bithynia in Asia Minor) at a time when the iconoclasts raged against the Church of Christ.

St. Emilian of Rome

Saint Emilian of Italy (in the world Victorinus) was a Roman by birth, and until he was an old man, he led a sinful life.

Icon of the Mother of God “the Surety of sinners” in Moscow

In 1848, through the zeal of Lt. Col. Demetrius Boncheskul, a copy of the wonderworking “Surety of Sinners” Icon was made and placed in his home. Soon it began to exude a healing myrrh, which was given to many so they might recover their health after grievous illnesses.

© ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY