8/5/2023
Elena Detinina
Archbishop Luke followed the Lord all his life, devoting all his energies to healing the sick and preaching the Gospel.
Fr. Moisei’s spiritual children related that he wore chains, slept on a bunk made of two planks, and put a block of wood covered with a rug under his head. Fr. Moisei did not like worldly fuss, always shunned idle and empty talks, and was far from worldly chores.
During those tragic days, St. Theodotus gave refuge to all the persecuted Christians in his house and inn, fed them, and gave money to the soldier-guards who were on the trail of the hiding Christians, in order to save their lives.
Amid the ringing silence was heard the maiden’s gentle reply: “I already have a Bridegroom—Jesus Christ. And I am ready to die for Him.”
Many people from other cities, towns and villages flocked to Monk Paisiy, a “fool-for-Christ’s sake”. People turned to him for help because he had already become famous for his clairvoyance and spiritual help to all those in need.
Finally, Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria were thrown into a deep pit and buried alive with earth and stones. Thus in the year 283 they suffered martyrdom and received crowns of victory from the Lord.
During those days, through Archbishop Serapion’s prayers, three seriously ill people were healed. And after the healing of a blind man, a paralytic, and a demoniac, the plague in Veliky Novgorod stopped.
The first thing she did was to distribute her wealth among the poor and the destitute. And then, on the advice of Fr. Herman, she became a member of a community of unmarried women ascetics, where she devoted all her energies and time to labors, repentance and the feats of ascetic life.
St. Polycarp replied calmly and firmly to all this: “We do not trade the best for the worst: It is a noble thing to turn from wickedness to righteousness. I have been serving the Lord for eighty-six years now, and I will be faithful to Him to the death.”
“Mama! Mama!” little Alyosha shouted. Xenia froze and turned around slowly. Tears flowed and flowed down her face. She took Alyosha into her arms and cuddled him.
Laying aside all earthly cares, the young John took up his cross and embarked upon the path of the great labor of foolishness, which contains within it the God-pleasing monastic, ascetic, martyric, and prophetic paths as well.
