The holy martyr Arethas was governor of the city of Nagran in Arabia. He and his 340 companions, in 523 during the time of the emperor Justinian, gave their lives for Christ under Dhu Nuwas or Dun’an, king of the Himayarites.
Opposing the unbelieving king, after the example of Christ, this holy martyr reproached his lack of faith. He acted with courage, and suffered torture and death. For this the angels praise you, O Arethas, and those who suffered with you. All generations of the faithful bless you as a sure intercessor for our souls.
The feast of the passion-bearers comes to us today as a herald of joy. Let us celebrate it and glorify the Lord on high.
1 Thessalonians 2: 9-14
Brothers and sisters, you must recall our efforts and our toil: how we worked day and night all the time we preached God’s good tidings to you in order not to impose on you in any way. You are witnesses, as is God himself, of how upright, just, and irreproachable our conduct was toward you who are believers. You likewise know how we exhorted everyone of you, as a father does his children — how we encouraged and pleased with you to make your lives worthy of the God who calls you to his kingship and glory. That is why we thank God constantly that in receiving his message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God at work within you who believe. Brethren, you have been made like the churches of God in Judea which are in Christ Jesus.
Luke 11: 14-23
At that time Jesus was casting out a devil which was mute, and when the devil was cast out the dumb man spoke. The crowds were amazed at this. Some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.” Others, to test him, were demanding of him a sign from heaven.
Because Jesus knew their thoughts, he said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste. Any house torn by dissension falls. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? – since you say it is by Beelzebul that I cast out devils. If I cast out devils by Beelzebul, by whom do your people cast them out? In such case, let them act as your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out devils, then the reign of God is upon you.
“When a strong man fully armed guards his courtyard, his possessions go undisturbed, But when someone stronger than he comes and overpowers him, such a one carries off the arms on which he was relying and divides the spoils. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Wednesday, October 23 –
