The transfer of the relics of the holy martyrs, unmercinaries and Wonderworkers Cyrus and John from the city of Konopa, near Alexandria (where they suffered in the year 311) to the nearby village of Manuphin, took place in the year 412. This Egyptian village prompted fear in everyone since in a former time there was a pagan temple inhabited by evil spirits. Patriarch Theophilus (385-412) wanted to cleanse this place of demons, but he died. His wish was fulfilled by his successor, the holy Patriarch Cyril (412-444). As he prayed fervently, the patriarch had a vision of an angel of the Lord who commanded him to move the venerable relics of Saints Cyrus and John to Manuphin. His Holiness Patriarch Cyril did the angel’s bidding and built a church at Manuphin in the name of the holy martyrs.
O Christ God, through the wonders of your holy martyrs, You have given us an invincible rampart. By their prayers disperse the council of unbelievers; strengthen the rule of your kingdom, for You alone are good and the Lover of Humankind.
After receiving the divine gift of healing, O holy ones, you ceaselessly work wonders in the world and invisibly remove all our sufferings by the art of your hands. O Cyrus, filled with God’s wisdom, and O glorious John, you are truly divine healers.
1 Corinthians 4: 5-8
Brothers and sisters: Stop passing judgment before the time of the Lord’s return. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts. At that time, everyone will receive his praise from God.
Brothers and sisters, I have applied all this to myself and Apollos by way of example for your benefit. May you learn from us not to go beyond what is set down, so that none of you will grow self-important by reason of his association with one person rather than another. Who confers any distinction on you? Name something you have that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own? At the moment you are completely satisfied. You have grown rich! You have launched upon your reign, that we might be reigning with you!
Matthew 13: 44-54
The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He hid it again, and rejoicing at his find went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it.
“The reign of God is also like a dragnet thrown into a lake, which collects all sorts of things. When it was full they hauled it ashore and sat down to put what was worthwhile into containers. What was useless they threw away. That is how it will be at the end of the world. Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace, where they will wail and grind their teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” “Yes,” they answered; to which Jesus replied, “Every scribe who is learned in the reign of God is like the head of a household who can bring from his storeroom both the new and the old.”
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from that district. Jesus next went to his native place and spent his time teaching them in their synagogues.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Thursday, June 27 –
