Latest / Saints and Scripture / Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch and Saint John, Bishop of Suzdal

Transcript

Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch and Saint John, Bishop of Suzdal · Saints and Scripture

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints in Scripture Podcast.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: Today is Thursday, october fifteenth, twenty twenty six.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember two saints, Martyr Lucian, the Presbyter of Antioch, and Saint John, Bishop of Suzdal.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: Martyr Lucian was born in the Syrian city of Samosita.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: He became an orphan at the age of twelve.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: After giving away his possessions to the poor, he went to Edessa to study under the Confessor Macarius.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: There he read the Holy Scriptures carefully and learned how to live an ascetic life.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: Lucian was known for his zeal in spreading Christianity among both Jews and pagans.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Because of this he was made a presbyter, a priest.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: In Antioch, Saint Lucian opened a school where many students gathered.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: He taught them how to understand the holy scriptures and how to live a virtuous life.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: He also worked on correcting the Greek text of the Septuagint Bible.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: This text had been corrupted in many places by copyists and heretics who wanted to support false teachings.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: The corrected text was hidden in a wall during Lucian's confession of Christ and was later found during the time of Saint Constantine the Great.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Saint Lucian was arrested and sent to prison in Nicomedia.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: He spent nine years there encouraging other Christians to remain strong in their faith, urging them not to fear torture or death.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: Saint Lucian died in prison from terrible tortures and hunger.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: Before his death, on the feast of Theophany, some Christians brought him bread and wine for the Eucharist.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Even though he was bound in chains and lying on sharp potshirts, he offered the bloodless sacrifice on his chest.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: All the Christians in prison received communion.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: The next day, when the emperor's men came to see if he was still alive, Saint Lucian said three times, I am a Christian, and then gave his soul to God.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: His body was thrown into the sea, but after thirty days dolphins brought it to shore.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Believers buried him with reverence.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Originally, Saint Lucian was commemorated on january seventh, the day of his death.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: Later his feast was moved to october fifteenth, possibly connected to the dedication of a church built over his relics in Antioch by Saint Helen.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Though he was a priest, Saint Lucian is sometimes shown wearing bishop's vestments in icons, especially in Russian tradition, reflecting his importance to the church.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Now turning to Saint John, Bishop of Suzdal.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Saint John entered a monastery in Suzdal when he was young.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Because of his humble and virtuous life, he was made the first bishop of Suzdal in Nijegorod in 1350.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: He was known for his love of the poor and sick.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: He spoke to the princes to lower taxes on the poor and built poor houses and hospices.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Saint John also worked to bring the Christian faith to the pagan Mordeans.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: After Suzdal became part of the Moscow diocese, Saint John took monastic vows and withdrew to the Bogolia monastery.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: There he lived quietly and died in peace.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Many miracles happened at his grave.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Both saints show us examples of faithfulness, care for others, and dedication to Christ.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to be steadfast in faith like Saint Lucian, even in hardship.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: Give us hearts to care for those in need, following the example of Saint John.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to be steadfast in faith like Saint Lucian, even in hardship.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: Give us hearts to care for those in need, following the example of Saint John.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.