Lives of the Saints
1. HOLY MARTYRS ANICETAS AND PHOTIUS
Emperor Diocletian once visited the city of Nicomedia with the evil intent of completely exterminating Christians there. And when he began mercilessly torturing and tormenting Christians, there appeared before him holy Anicetas, one of the city's leading men, who boldly confessed before the emperor his faith in Christ the Lord, God incarnate in the flesh for our salvation. Moreover, Anicetas denounced the idols as deaf and dumb stone, to which it is unworthy for a rational man to bow down. The enraged emperor ordered that his tongue be cut out. But Anicetas, by the power of God, continued to speak. Then they released a lion upon him, but the lion fawned about him. At that moment the temple of Hercules collapsed. Photius, a kinsman of Anicetas, seeing the miracles and the sufferings of Anicetas, kissed Anicetas, declared himself a Christian, and cried out to the emperor: "O idolater, be ashamed — your gods are nothingness!" The emperor ordered that he be immediately beheaded by the sword. But the executioner, having raised his hand against holy Photius, struck himself with the sword and died. After prolonged torments, they cast both of them into prison, where they languished for three years. Then they were brought out, an enormous furnace was heated, and they were thrown into the fire. Many other Christians — men, women, and children — voluntarily entered the fire with them. And from the fire there was heard the prayer of the Christians, giving thanks to God for a martyr's death. They all suffered around the year 305. Saints Anicetas and Photius are invoked in the prayers at the Anointing of the Sick and the Blessing of Water.
2. HIEROMARTYR ALEXANDER, BISHOP OF COMANA
He lived as a simple charcoal-burner in the city of Comana near Neocaesarea. When the Bishop of Comana died, Saint Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea (see November 17) was invited to preside over the council for the election of a new bishop. In the council there were both clergy and laity. And in no way could the electors agree on a single person. In evaluating the candidates, all kept dwelling on the assessment of their outward appearance, external dignity, and comportment. Saint Gregory then said that they ought not to look so much at outward qualities as at the spirit and spiritual abilities of a candidate. Then certain jesters mockingly cried out: "Then let us elect Alexander the charcoal-burner as bishop!" And there arose general laughter. Saint Gregory asked who this Alexander was. Thinking that his name had not been mentioned in the council without God's Providence, he ordered that Alexander be brought before the council. A charcoal-burner, being a charcoal-burner, was all covered in soot and in tattered clothes. His appearance again provoked laughter in the council. Then Gregory drew him aside and adjured him to tell the truth about himself. And Alexander told him that he had been a Greek philosopher, that he had enjoyed high honor and position, but that he had cast it all aside, humbled himself, and made himself a fool for Christ ever since he had read and understood Holy Scripture. Gregory ordered that they wash him and dress him in new garments, and with him entered the council, and before everyone began to examine him in Holy Scripture. All marveled at the wisdom and words of grace of Alexander, and they could scarcely recognize in this wise man the formerly silent charcoal-burner. He was unanimously elected bishop. By his holiness, wisdom, and kindness he won the love of his flock. He ended his life as a martyr for Christ in the time of Diocletian.
“And from the fire there was heard the prayer of the Christians, giving thanks to God for a martyr's death.”
Hymn of Praise
People look at garments and face,
But God looks at the soul and heart.
Alexander the glorious was a charcoal-burner,
A charcoal-burner's body is blackened with soot.
But from the grime that water washes,
In the sinner the heart is blackened —
Washed only by the fire of faith,
The fire of faith and tears of repentance.
It is easier to wash a charcoal-burner's skin
Than to cleanse the black heart of a sinner.
Alexander, covered with humility,
Was like a hidden flame in a cave.
He was a laughingstock to the credulous world.
The world did not see, but Gregory saw;
With a keen spirit he perceived the charcoal-burner
And in him found a saint.
A beautiful flame in a dark cave,
Great wisdom beneath the mask of folly,
A pure heart beneath the grime of soot,
A kingly soul in tattered rags.
The Lord does not let the light be hidden;
At the fitting moment He reveals the light,
For the benefit and salvation of people.
All is wondrous that the Lord ordains.
“A beautiful flame in a dark cave, great wisdom beneath the mask of folly, a pure heart beneath the grime of soot, a kingly soul in tattered rags.”
Reflection
Learn to honor and love small and simple people. Of such there are the most on earth; of such there are the most in the Kingdom of God. In them there is no pride — that is, the fundamental folly from which the souls of the rich and mighty of this world suffer. They carry out their duty in this world often perfectly, and yet it seems laughable to them when someone praises them for it; while the great ones seek praise for their every deed, often imperfectly done. Saint Alexander had been a renowned philosopher, yet he abandoned everything, hid himself from high society and the praises of the world, mixed in with the smallest and simplest people — as a charcoal-burner among charcoal-burners. Instead of former praises and honors, he joyfully endured children running after him and laughing at his sootiness and raggedness. But he was not the only one who loved to live with the small and simple. Many emperors and princes, having tasted the sweetness of the faith of Christ, removed crowns from their heads and fled from the vanity of the great to be among simple people. Did not the King of kings Himself, our Lord Christ, appear among shepherds and fishermen? Saint Zeno counsels: "Do not choose a famous place to live, and do not associate with a man of a loud name."
“Saint Zeno counsels: 'Do not choose a famous place to live, and do not associate with a man of a loud name.'”
Contemplation
Contemplate the wondrous Providence of God in the election of Saul as king (1 Samuel 9), namely:
1. How Saul went out to search for his lost donkeys;
2. How Samuel met him, for God had revealed to Samuel that he should take Saul as king for Israel;
3. How God's Providence directs people, and sometimes gives them what they do not even suspect.
“How God's Providence directs people, and sometimes gives them what they do not even suspect.”
Homily
on the awesome vision of the Prophet Isaiah
Behold, a vision above visions! Behold, glory above glories, and majesty above majesties! Great was the mercy God showed to all people in letting them see this starry world, the work of His hands. Yet greater was the mercy He showed to those whom He allowed to see the angelic world, imperishable and wondrous. But the greatest mercy He showed to a small number of His chosen ones, to whom He granted to see Him, the Lord of Sabaoth, the only Uncreated One and Creator of both worlds. But how can a mortal man see the immortal God? Did not God Himself say to Moses: No man shall see Me and live (Exodus 33:20)? And does not the Gospel say: No man hath seen God at any time (John 1:18)? Truly, no mortal can see the face of God — that is, the essence of God. But through His condescension and boundless goodness and power, God can show Himself to people in some measure, and that in some form which is accessible to men. In some particular form and aspect He appeared to Moses, and to Elijah, and to Daniel, and to John the Theologian — not in His essence, but in some particular form and aspect. Isaiah saw Him on a throne high and lifted up — that is, as a Judge, exalted above all judges and all courts of the earth. The six-winged seraphim stood round about Him, and cried one to another saying: *Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth. * The Lord, therefore, is not alone, but is a King in His immeasurable kingdom, surrounded by the most exalted beings, whom His power has created. Around Him are the first orders of the heavenly hierarchy, the chief commanders of His innumerable immortal hosts, the first luminaries of His light and unbearable radiance. This is the wondrous vision of Isaiah, son of Amoz, prophet of God.
O Holy, Holy, Holy, Thrice-Holy Lord, have mercy and save us, unclean and sinful. To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen.
“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”