The Holy Martyr Sabinus was administrator of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian, St. Sabinus and some like- minded companions hid in a remote village. His hiding place was revealed by a certain ungrateful beggar who had brought him food. The saint used to feed him and help him with money, but the man betrayed him for two pieces of gold. Sabinus was seized with six other Christians, and after torture, they were drowned in the Nile in 287.
The Holy Martyr Papas lived in the city of Laranda (Asia Minor) during the reign of Maximian(305-311). They arrested him for his belief in Christ. His feet were put into boots with sharp nails hammered into the soles, and made to walk. They took him to the city of Diocaesarea and later to Seleucia, Isauria to stand trial. St. Papas died bound to a barren tree, which then became fruitful.
O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.
O God-bearing Sabinus, strong sprout of heaven, divine flower and fruitful branch, fill with joy those who venerate your memory and pray unceasingly for all of us.
Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth; so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oak of Mamre, which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
The glory of a king is a multitude of people; without people a prince is ruined.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.
The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.
Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Sunday, March 15 –
