The holy martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier, served in Judea under the command of the governor, Pontius Pilate. When our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified, it was the detachment of soldiers under the command of Longinus which stood watch on Golgotha, at the very foot of the holy Cross. Longinus and his soldiers were eyewitnesses of the final moments of the earthly life of the Lord, and of the great and awesome portents that appeared at His death. These events shook the centurion’s soul. Longinus believed in Christ and confessed before everyone, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54). According to tradition, Longinus was the soldier who pierced the side of the Crucified Savior with a spear, and received healing from an eye affliction when blood and water poured forth from the wound.
Your martyr Longinus, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
The Church greatly rejoices today in commemorating the courageous ever-memorable Longinus, and it cries out, “O Christ, You are my strength and my stronghold.”
Philippians 1: 20a-27a
Brothers and sisters: I have full confidence that now as always Christ will be exalted through me, whether I live or die. For, to me, “life” means Christ; hence dying is so much gain. If, on the other hand, I am to go on living in the flesh, that means productive toil for me – and I do not know which I prefer. I am strongly attracted by both: I long to be freed from this life and to be with Christ, for that is the far better thing; yet it is more urgent that I remain alive for your sakes. This fills me with confidence that I will stay with you, and persevere with you all, for your joy and your progress in the faith. My being with you once again should make you even prouder of me in Christ. Conduct yourselves, then, in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Luke 9: 7-11
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening and was perplexed, for some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others said, “Elijah has appeared”; and still others said, “One of the prophets of old has risen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who is this man about whom I hear all these reports?” Herod was very curious to see Jesus.
The apostles on their return related to Jesus all they had accomplished. Taking the apostles with him, Jesus retired to a town call Bethsaida, but the crowds found this out and followed him. He received them and spoke to them of the reign of God, and he healed all who were in need of healing.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Wednesday, October 15 –
