Fasting Rules
Saints & Commemorations
Memorial Saturday
Forty-two Martyrs of Ammoria
They were taken captive when Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Muslims in 838, during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. Many of them were officers, and because of their status and reputation, their captors, rather than kill them, attempted to convert them to Islam. The forty-two were kept in a miserable dungeon in Syria, where they were alternately promised the highest honors and privileges if they would convert and threatened with the most horrible consequences if they refused.
They were taken captive when Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Muslims in 838, during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. Many of them were officers, and because of their status and reputation, their captors, rather than kill them, attempted to convert them to Islam. The forty-two were kept in a miserable dungeon in Syria, where they were alternately promised the highest honors and privileges if they would convert and threatened with the most horrible consequences if they refused. This continued for seven full years, but none would deny his faith in Christ. Finally, unable to shake their faith, their captors beheaded them all in 845.
Finding the Precious Cross by St. Helen
Scripture Readings
☩Epistle
1 Corinthians 10:23-28
23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26
For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
☩Gospel
Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36
8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
33
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Liturgical data sourced from OCA.org and orthocal.info