Daily Readings:
Saints/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commedmmorated/celebrated: The Fast of the Nativity
December 5 / 18. St. Sabbas the Santified. St. Karion (Cyrion) and his son St. Zachariah of Egypt. Martyr Anastasius. St. Gurias, Archbishop of Kazan. St. Nectarius the Bulgarian of Bitol and his elder St. Philotheus, of Karyes Skete on Mt. Athos. Commemoration of the monks of Karyes martyred by the Latins. St. Necetius, Bishop of Trier (Gaul). Martyr-hermit Justinian of Ramsey Island. (Greek Calendar: Martyr Diogenes. Martyr Abercius. St. Nonnus, monk. St. Gratus, monk.)
Venerable Sava the Sanctified
Saint Sava the Sanctified was born in the fifth century at Cappadocia of pious Christian parents, John and Sophia. His father was a military commander. Journeying to Alexandria on military matters, his wife went with him, but they left their five-year-old son in the care of an uncle. When the boy reached eight years of age, he entered the monastery of St Flavian located nearby. The gifted child quickly learned to read and became an expert on the Holy Scriptures. In vain did his parents urge St Sava to return to the world and enter into marriage.
When he was seventeen years old he received monastic tonsure, and attained such perfection in fasting and prayer that he was given the gift of wonderworking. After spending ten years at the monastery of St Flavian, he went to Jerusalem, and from there to the monastery of St Euthymius the Great (January 20). But St Euthymius sent St Sava to Abba Theoctistus, the head of a nearby monastery with a strict cenobitic rule. St Sava lived in obedience at this monastery until the age of thirty.
After the death of the Elder Theoctistus, his successor blessed St Sava to seclude himself in a cave. On Saturdays, however, he left his hermitage and came to the monastery, where he participated in divine services and ate with the brethren. After a certain time St Sava received permission not to leave his hermitage at all, and he struggled in the cave for five years.
St Euthymius attentively directed the life of the young monk, and seeing his spiritual maturity, he began to take him to the Rouba wilderness with him. They set out on January 14, and remained there until Palm Sunday. St Euthymius called St Sava a child-elder, and encouraged him to grow in the monastic virtues.
When St Euthymius fell asleep in the Lord (+ 473), St Sava withdrew from the Lavra and moved to a cave near the monastery of St Gerasimus of Jordan (March 4). After several years, disciples began to gather around St Sava, seeking the monastic life. As the number of monks increased, a lavra sprang up. When a pillar of fire appeared before St Sava as he was walking, he found a spacious cave in the form of a church.
St Sava founded several more monasteries. Many miracles took place through the prayers of St Sava: at the Lavra a spring of water welled up, during a time of drought there was abundant rain, and there were also healings of the sick and the demoniacs. St Sava composed the first monastic Rule of church services, the so-called "Jerusalem Typikon", accepted by all the Palestine monasteries. The saint surrendered his soul to God in the year 532.
Kontakion - Tone 8
From your youth you offered yourself to God as a blameless sacrifice,
having been dedicated to Him before your birth, blessed Sabbas.
You were an adornment of the righteous and a praiseworthy citizen of the desert.
Therefore, we cry to you: "Rejoice, ever glorious Father."
Troparion - Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
Our Father Sabbas, pray to Christ God to save our souls!
St Gurias the Archbishop of Kazan
Saint Gurias, Archbishop of Kazan, (in the world Gregory Rugotin), was the first archbishop of the Kazan diocese, established in 1555. He was born in the town of Radonezh outside Moscow into the family of a courtier. His parents were not wealthy, and so from his early years he had to serve Prince Ivan Penkov as steward of his estates.
From his youth, Gregory was pious, humble and gentle, and he preserved his chastity. Accused of improprieties with the prince's wife, Gregory was locked up in an underground dungeon for two years. This undermined his health, but it also intensified and deepened his religious fervor. In prison, he wrote a small booklet to teach children how to read and write. He donated the proceeds from his primer to the needy.
Released from prison, Gregory was tonsured with the name Gurias at the St Joseph of Volokolamsk monastery, known for its strict monastic rule. In 1543, he was chosen by the brethren as igumen of this monastery. He administered it for almost nine years, and then he resigned as igumen and lived for two years as a simple monk.
Before becoming bishop, St Gurias directed the Trinity Selizharov monastery in Tver diocese for one year. He was chosen by lot to the See of Kazan. Assisted by St Barsanuphius (April 11), St Gurias devoted himself to missionary activity. In his eight years as bishop there, four monasteries were organized, and the Annunciation cathedral church and ten more city churches were built.
In 1561 the saint fell grievously ill and could no longer perform the divine services himself. On feastdays they carried him into the church, and he either sat or lay down, since he did not have the strength to walk or even stand.
Shortly before his death (1563), he received the great schema from St Barsanuphius, and he was buried in the Savior-Transfiguration monastery. On October 4, 1595, the incorrupt relics of the holy hierarchs Gurias and Barsanuphius were uncovered. St Hermogenes, Metropolitan of Kazan (May 12), was present at the uncovering of their relics, and he described this event in the lives of these saints.
On June 20, 1613, the relics of St Gurias were transferred from the Savior-Transfiguration monastery to the Annunciation cathedral church. At present, the relics rest in Kazan in a cemetery church named for the holy Princes Theodore of Murom and his sons David and Constantine (May 21).
Martyr Anastasius the Fuller of Salona in Dalmatia
The Martyr Anastasius the Fuller lived at Salona in Dalmatia during the third century. He was arrested and brought to trial because of his missionary activity in Salona. St Anastasius, boldly and with out fear, confessed Christ as the true God and Creator of all. He even painted a cross on his door during the persecution of Diocletian (284-311).
St Anastasius was sentenced to death by the decision of the court, and the pagans tied a stone around his neck and threw his body into the sea. A righteous Christian, the rich matron Ascalopia, found the body of St Anastasius and reverently buried him in her estate church. The relics of the holy martyr were glorified by many miracles.
St Anastasius the Fuller is also commemorated on October 25.
Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt
Saints Karion and his son Zachariah: St Karion lived in Scetis in Egypt during the fourth century. He became a monk and left his wife and two children behind in the world. When a famine struck Egypt, 'St Karion's wife brought the children to the monastery and complained of their poverty and difficulties. The saint took his son, and the daughter remained with the mother.
He raised his son at the skete, and everyone knew that Zachariah was his son. When the lad grew up, the brethren began to grumble. The father and his son then went into the Thebaid, but complaints about them arose there, too. Then St Zachariah went to Lake Nitria, immersing himself in the foul-smelling water up to his nostrils and he stayed there for an hour. His face and his body were covered with welts, and he looked like a leper. Even his own father hardly recognized him.
The next time St Zachariah came for Holy Communion, it was revealed to the St Isidore the Presbyter what Zachariah had done. The holy priest said to him, ""Child, last Sunday you communed as a man, but now you receive as an angel."
After the death of his father, St Zachariah began to struggle together with St Moses the Black (August 28). "What must I do, to be saved?" asked St Moses. Hearing this, St Zachariah fell to his knees and said: "Why do you ask this of me, Father?"
"Believe me, my child, Zachariah," St Moses continued, "I saw the Holy Spirit come down upon you, and that is why I ask you."
St Zachariah then took the koukoulion (cowl) from his head, trampling it under his feet. After putting it on again he said, "If a man is not willing to be treated this way, he cannot be a monk."
St Moses asked Zacharias just before his death, "What do you see, brother?"
"Isn't it better if I keep silent, Father?" St Zachariah replied.
"Yes, child, remain silent", agreed St Moses.
When the soul of St Zachariah was leaving his body, Abba Isidore lifted his gaze toward the heavens and said, "Rejoice, Zachariah my child, for the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven are opened to you."
St Zachariah died towards the end of the fourth century and was buried in Skete with the Fathers.
Venerable Zachariah of Egypt
Saint Zachariah was the son of St Karion. St Karion lived in Scetis in Egypt during the fourth century. He became a monk and left his wife and two children behind in the world. When a famine struck Egypt, 'St Karion's wife brought the children to the monastery and complained of their poverty and difficulties. The saint took his son, and the daughter remained with the mother.
He raised his son at the skete, and everyone knew that Zachariah was his son. When the lad grew up, the brethren began to grumble. The father and his son then went into the Thebaid, but complaints about them arose there, too. Then St Zachariah went to Lake Nitria, immersing himself in the foul-smelling water up to his nostrils and he stayed there for an hour. His face and his body were covered with welts, and he looked like a leper. Even his own father hardly recognized him.
The next time St Zachariah came for Holy Communion, it was revealed to the St Isidore the Presbyter what Zachariah had done. The holy priest said to him, ""Child, last Sunday you communed as a man, but now you receive as an angel."
After the death of his father, St Zachariah began to struggle together with St Moses the Black (August 28). "What must I do, to be saved?" asked St Moses. Hearing this, St Zachariah fell to his knees and said: "Why do you ask this of me, Father?"
"Believe me, my child, Zachariah," St Moses continued, "I saw the Holy Spirit come down upon you, and that is why I ask you."
St Zachariah then took the koukoulion (cowl) from his head, trampling it under his feet. After putting it on again he said, "If a man is not willing to be treated this way, he cannot be a monk."
St Moses asked Zacharias just before his death, "What do you see, brother?"
"Isn't it better if I keep silent, Father?" St Zachariah replied.
"Yes, child, remain silent", agreed St Moses.
When the soul of St Zachariah was leaving his body, Abba Isidore lifted his gaze toward the heavens and said, "Rejoice, Zachariah my child, for the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven are opened to you."
St Zachariah died towards the end of the fourth century and was buried in Skete with the Fathers.
Venerable Nectarius of Bitolya and Mt Athos
Saint Nectarius of Mount Athos was raised by his father, who became a monk at the monastery of the holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian in Bitolia (Bulgaria). He himself was tonsured on Mount Athos, and performed his obedience under experienced spiritual guides, St Philotheus and the Elder Dionysius. Like Job, the monk experienced exceptional bodily afflictions, and he peacefully gave up his soul to the Lord on December 5, 1500. The holy relics of the saint were uncovered four years later, exuding a wondrous fragrance.
Venerable Philotheus of Karyes of Mt Athos
Saint Philotheus of Karyes lived an ascetic life on Athos in the cell of Iagari near Karyes. He was the Spiritual Father of St Nectarius. Because of the purity of his life, he was granted the gift of clairvoyance.
Monastic Martyrs of Karyes
The Holy Monastic Martyrs of Karyes were martyred by the Latins who came with fire and sword onto Mount Athos during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Michael Paleologos (1259-1282), an apostate from Orthodoxy.
Bursting in upon the Karyes monastery, the Latins burned and devastated the Church of the Protaton [the only basilica on the Holy Mountain, built in 965], "leaving no one alive." The Protos of the Holy Mountain, who had denounced the Latin rationalising as heresy, was after much torture hanged before the Protaton at the place called Chalkhos. Those hidden in caves around Karyes were cut down with swords. See October 10.
St Crispina
Saint Crispina lived at Thacora (Tagora) in Africa, and was arrested for professing Christianity. The proconsul Annius Anullinus presided at her trial at Theveste (or Tebessa) in December of 304.
Anullinus asked her if she was aware that she was required by law to offer sacrifice to the gods for the welfare of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. She said that she did not know of this decree, and that her Christian faith would not allow her to offer sacrifice to false gods.
"Turn away from this superstition," Anullinus said, "and submit to the sacred rites of the Roman gods."
St Crispina replied that she knew no other god but the God worshiped by Christians. The proconsul threatened her with torture, and the saint said that she would gladly endure this for the sake of Christ.
Anullinus told her to stop being stubborn and to obey the edict. Crispina answered, "I will obey the edict given me by my Lord Jesus Christ."
The proconsul repeated his threat of torture, saying that she would be forced to obey the edict. He also pointed out that the entire province of Africa had offered sacrifice, but St Crispina remained firm in her faith, saying that she would never offer sacrifice to demons.
Enraged that she would not accept the pagan gods, Anullinus said that she would be forced to bow before the idols and to offer incense. The courageous woman retorted that she would never do so as long as she lived.
Then the proconsul sought to persuade her that it would not be a sacrilege to offer sacrifice to the gods as required by law. She said, "May those gods, who have not made heaven and earth, perish."
Anullinus urged Crispina to respect the Roman religion, but she said, "I have told you again and again that I am ready to endure any tortures rather than worship the idols which are the work of men's hands."
Anullinus told her that she spoke blasphemy and was not acting in a way which would ensure her safety. He then tried to humiliate her by ordering her head to be shaved. The holy martyr replied, "If I were not seeking my own well-being, I would not be on trial before you now. Let your gods speak, then I shall believe."
The proconsul told her she could either live a long life, or die in agony before being beheaded. St Crispina told him, "I would thank my God if I obtained this. I would gladly lose my head for the Lord's sake, for I refuse to offer sacrifice to those ridiculous deaf and dumb statues."
Anullinus lost patience with her and ordered that the minutes of the trial be read back before he pronounced sentence. "Since Crispina persists in her superstition and refuses to offer sacrifice to the gods in accordance with our law, I order her to be executed by the sword."
St Crispina said, "Thanks be to God, Who has deigned to free me from your hands." She made the Sign of the Cross and stretched forth her neck to the executioner.
St Crispina was beheaded on December 5, 304 in accordance with the fourth edict of Diocletian. St Augustine mentions her in Sermons 286 and 354.
Scriptural Readings:
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Vespers, 1st Reading)
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be affliction,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.
4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
15 But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them.
16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.
17 The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;
18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet;
19 he will take holiness as a invincible shield,
20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen.
21 Shafts of lightening will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as a from a well-drawn bow of clouds,
22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them;
23 a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.
1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15 (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
7 But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years;
9 but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age.
10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,
11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
Luke 24:36-53 (6th Matins Gospel)
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?"
42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Colossians 1:12-18 (Epistle)
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Galatians 5:22-6:2 (Epistle, Saint)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Luke 17:12-19 (Gospel, from the 29th Sun.)
12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?
19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."
Matthew 11:27-30 (Gospel, Saint)
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
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