Our venerable father Euthymius the younger was born in Ancyra in 824 to Christian parents. He served in the army, married, and had one daughter. He lived for a long time in the monasteries of Plympus and then on the Holy Mountain. He entered into his rest on Mount Athos during the 9th century, and his wonder-working relics are preserved in the city of Salonica.
In his youth, the venerable martyr Lucian, priest of the great city of Antioch, was given a very wide education. After giving away his goods to the poor, he fed himself with the work of his hands. He is responsible for the correction of the Hebrew text of the Holy Scriptures. In the persecution of the emperor Maximian in 312, he was thrown into prison and died a martyr’s death. St. John Chrysostom praised him highly for his love of the poor and of the ascetic life.
In you, O father, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Euthymius, your soul rejoices with the angels.
You kept your self chaste by your fasting, O priest-martyr Lucian, O pride of Antioch, intercede with Christ God for us who keep your holy memory.
You walked through storms without getting wet, and with the arrows of your tears you slew the bodiless enemy. You received the grace to work miracles, Father Euthymius, and you heal all our passions. Pray without ceasing for us all.
We honor you with hymns of glory, O Lucian, the most radiant star. You first became illustrious by your detachment from the things of the world, then were lifted up by your struggles. Do not cease to intercede for all of us.
Colossians 2:20 – 3:3
Brothers and sisters: If with Christ you have died to cosmic forces, why should you be bound by rules that say, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” as though you were still living a life bounded by this world? Such prescriptions deal with things that perish in their use. They are based on merely human precepts and doctrines. While these make a certain show of wisdom in their affected piety, humility, and bodily austerity, their chief effect is that they indulge men’s pride.
Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God’s right hand. Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth. After all, you have died! Your life is hidden now with Christ in God.
Luke 9: 23-27
At that time Jesus said to all the people, “Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps. Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit does he show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process? If a man is ashamed of me and my doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in glory and that of his Father and his holy angels. I assure you, there are some standings here who will not taste death until they see the reign of God.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Monday, October 14 –
