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Martyrs of Milan and Venerable Paraskevi of Serbia · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Wednesday, october fourteenth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember two groups of saints, the martyrs Gervasius, Nazarius, Patasius, and Celsus of Milan, and Venerable Periscavi of Serbia.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Martyrs.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius, Jervasius, Protasius, and Celsus lived during the time of Emperor Nero, between fifty four and sixty eight AD.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius was born in Rome to a Christian mother and a Jewish father.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was baptized by Bishop Linus and from a young age chose to dedicate his life to preaching Christ and helping Christians who were traveling.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius left Rome and went to Milan, known then as Mediolanum.
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  SPEAKER_00: There he met twin brothers Pertatius and Gervasius, who were from a wealthy family.
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  SPEAKER_00: After receiving their inheritance, the twins gave their money to the poor, freed their slaves, and devoted themselves to fasting and prayer.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because of their faith, the twins were imprisoned by the pagans.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nezarius visited them in prison and was so moved by their faith that he wished to suffer and die with them.
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  SPEAKER_00: The ruler of the city found out and had Nazarius beaten and driven out.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius then traveled to Gaul, modern day France, where he preached and converted many pagans.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the city of Camel he baptized a boy named Celsus, the son of a Christian woman who entrusted her child to Nazarius.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius raised Celsus in faith, and the boy became his faithful helper.
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  SPEAKER_00: The pagans tried to kill these saints by throwing them to wild animals, but the animals did not harm them.
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  SPEAKER_00: They then tried to drown them, but the saints walked on the water as if it were dry land.
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  SPEAKER_00: The soldiers witnessing these miracles were so amazed that they converted to Christianity and freed the saints.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius and Celsus returned to Milan and visited the imprisoned twins.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because of this all four were brought before Emperor Nero.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nazarius and Celsus were beheaded, and soon after Jervasius and Protasius were also executed.
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  SPEAKER_00: A Christian named Philip took their relics and buried them in his home.
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  SPEAKER_00: Many years later during the reign of Emperor Theodosius, Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, discovered the relics of Jervatius and Protatius through a divine revelation.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later he also found the relics of Nazarius and Celsus.
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  SPEAKER_00: These relics, known for many healings, were moved to the cathedral in Milan.
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  SPEAKER_00: We also remember venerable Periscavi of Serbia, who lived in the eleventh century in the village of Epivado, between Cilistra and Constantinople.
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  SPEAKER_00: She came from a devout family.
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  SPEAKER_00: Her older brother became a monk and later a bishop.
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  SPEAKER_00: One day during church services the words of Jesus touched her deeply.
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  SPEAKER_00: If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself.
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  SPEAKER_00: From then on she gave away her clothes to those in need, which caused her family to grieve.
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  SPEAKER_00: After her parents died, she became a nun at fifteen and lived an ascetic life in the Jordanian desert until she was twenty five.
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  SPEAKER_00: An angel told her to return home, so she stayed in Epivato for two years.
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  SPEAKER_00: She died at twenty seven and was buried near the sea.
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  SPEAKER_00: Many miracles happened at her grave, and when her relics were uncovered, they were found incorrupt.
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  SPEAKER_00: Her relics were kept in the Church of the Holy Apostles at Epivato for about one hundred and seventy five years.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later her relics were moved to Chernovo in Bulgaria, then to Belgrade, and eventually to Constantinople.
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  SPEAKER_00: In sixteen forty one, her incorrupt relics were transferred to the monastery of the Three Hierarchs at Jassy in Romania, where many healings occurred.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a fire in 1888, her relics were moved to the new cathedral at Jassy, where they remain today.
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  SPEAKER_00: These saints remind us of the power of faith and the grace of God working through those who follow him with courage and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, grant us the strength to follow you faithfully, like the martyrs and saints we remember today.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to trust in your mercy and to live lives of love and service.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to follow your example with courage and faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen us in times of trial and guide us in your love.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.