The holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary (Hilarion) were arrested for being Christians during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117). Proclus was the uncle of Hilary. Proclus said to the tortures, “When you are afraid to transgress the Emperor’s commands and risk falling into temporal punishment, how much more do we Christians fear to transgress against God’s commands and fall into eternal torment!”
Our venerable father Michael of Malein was a wealthy man of noble birth who gave away all his goods and became a hermit on Mt. Kyminas in Bithynia. He had many disciples, of whom the best-known is St. Athanasius the Athonite. He lived during the 3rd century.
The angels looked down and were amazed by your sufferings. By your flesh you vanquished the spirit foes, O holy ones, and spread him by the power of the cross. Pray for us in our need, O Proclus and Hilarion, that we too may conquer the enemy and save our souls.
Having soared on mental wings to a vision of God, you left behind all the noises of the world, O blessed saint. You despised all the explanations according to the flesh, but sought the wisdom from on high. You present yourself as a model for all of us, saying; It is a good thing to live with God.
The sufferings of these martyrs shine with the brilliance of miracles like morning stars. Therefore, we celebrate their memory and beg Christ to save our souls.
O Michael, you purified your flesh with good works, and you plumbed the spirit of mediation. You are clearly revealed to us as a home of the Trinity. O Michael, pray unceasingly for all of us.
1 Corinthians 11: 8-22
Brothers and sisters: Man was not made from woman but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman but woman for man. For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of submission on her head, because of the angels. Yet, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man independent of woman. In the same way that woman was made from man, so man is born of a woman; and all is from God. I will let you judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God unveiled? Does not nature itself teach you that it is dishonorable for a man to wear his hair long, while the long hair of a woman is her glory? Her hair has been given her for a covering. If anyone wants to argue about this, remember that neither we nor the churches of God recognize any other usage.
What I now have to say is not said in praise, because your meetings are not profitable but harmful. First of all, I hear that when you gather for a meeting there are divisions among you, and I am inclined to believe it. There may even have to be factions among you for the tried and true to stand out clearly. When you assemble it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for everyone is in haste to eat his own supper. One person goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have homes where you can eat and drink? Would you show contempt for the church of God, and embarrass those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this manner!
Matthew 17: 10-18
At that time the disciples put this question to Jesus: “Why do the scribes claim that Elijah must come first?” In reply he said: “Elijah is indeed coming, and he will restore everything. I assure you, though, that Elijah has already come, but they do not recognize him and they did as they pleased with him. The Son of Man will suffer at their hands in the same way.” The disciples then realized that he had been speaking to them about John the Baptizer.
As they approached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord,” he said, “take pity on my son who is demented and in a serious condition. For example, he often falls into the fire and frequently into the water. I have brought him to your disciples but they could not cure him.” In reply Jesus said: “What an unbelieving and perverse lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you? Bring him here to me!” Then Jesus reprimanded the demon and it came out of the boy. That very moment the boy was cured.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Thursday, July 11 –
