September 2
1. The Holy Martyr Mamant. Born in Paphlagonia to well-known Christian parents, Theodotus and Rufina. His parents were imprisoned for the sake of Christ’s name. His father passed away first while in prison, and then his mother, after giving birth to him, also departed this life. Thus, the newborn child remained in the prison, between the dead bodies of his parents. But God, in His providence, sent an angel to a noble widow named Amma, who appeared to her in a dream and instructed her to go to the prison and take the child. Amma asked permission from the city governor to bury the dead and take the child into her care. The child, who did not speak until the age of five, first spoke the word “mama,” and from this, he received the name Mamant.
Mamant, raised in the Christian faith, grew in wisdom and spiritual strength, openly confessing his faith even at a young age, mocking the idols of his peers. During the reign of Emperor Aurelian, a fierce persecution arose against Christians, sparing not even the Christian children. At the age of fifteen, Mamant was brought before the emperor. The emperor asked him to renounce Christ, even if only verbally, but Mamant replied, “Neither with my heart nor with my mouth will I ever renounce God and my King, Jesus Christ.” The emperor ordered him to be beaten, burned with torches, and finally cast into the sea. Yet, an angel of God saved him and led him to a high mountain near Caesarea. There, Mamant lived in solitude and prayer, taming wild animals with his holiness. Eventually, he was found again by persecutors, put to further tortures, and finally martyred when a pagan priest stabbed him with a trident. Thus, he surrendered his holy soul to God, remaining faithful through all his sufferings. Many miraculous healings have occurred from his relics.
2. St. John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople. Also commemorated on August 30. Originally a goldsmith, he was ordained a priest due to his great virtue and God’s providence. Once, as a young man, John was walking with an elder monk named Eusebius from Palestine when a voice from an invisible source told Eusebius, “Abba, do not walk on the right side of the great John!” This was a prophetic indication of John’s future great calling. After the blessed Eutychius, John was chosen as the Patriarch of Constantinople, a position he initially resisted until he was compelled by a heavenly vision. He lived as a great ascetic, man of prayer, and miracle-worker until his repose in the year 595. After his death, it was found that all he owned were a wooden spoon, a linen shirt, and an old cloak. He is known for his writings on repentance and confession.
3. St. Eleazar. The son of Aaron and the second high priest of Israel, Eleazar was an assistant to Moses in numbering the people and to Joshua in dividing the Promised Land among the twelve tribes. He faithfully guarded the Ark of the Covenant in Shiloh and passed away peacefully.
4. Commemoration of the Miracle of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kaluga.
Reflection
The Orthodox Church, from experience, knows countless examples where Almighty God manifests His power through small and lifeless things, especially those that serve as signs of the Incarnation, the life, and the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, such as the Cross, icons of the Theotokos and the saints, holy water, oil, chrism, and more. One such miracle occurred with the icon of the Theotokos in 1748, in the house of Boyar Khitrov, near the city of Kaluga in Russia. Two maids of the boyar were searching through old belongings in the attic when they found a rolled-up cloth with a beautifully painted female image, radiant with holiness and devotion. One of the maids, modest and serious, called the image “Abbess.” The other maid, named Evdokia, who was vain and talkative, mocked her friend, spat upon the image, and immediately fell to the ground, convulsing, blind, and speechless, with foam coming from her mouth. That night, the Theotokos appeared to Evdokia’s parents, explaining what had happened and instructing them to call a priest to pray before the icon and sprinkle Evdokia with holy water so that she would be healed. When they did so, Evdokia was healed and changed her life completely. This revealed the miraculous nature of the icon, which was transferred to a church in Kaluga, where it continues to perform miracles.
Contemplation
Let me contemplate God’s punishment of David for his adultery and murder (II Samuel 12), and reflect:
1. How God, through the prophet Nathan, told David that because of the stolen wife, his own wives would be taken by others;
2. How David’s son would die;
3. How the sword would never depart from David’s house. All of this came to pass.
Homily on the Word of God—the Creator of the World
“He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him.” (John 1:2-4)
The Evangelist speaks of the wondrous Word of God, the eternal Wisdom of God, the co-eternal Son of God. This Word was consubstantial with the Father and the Holy Spirit, yet hypostatically distinct from the Father and the Spirit, being begotten of the Father. It was, is, and ever shall be. When was it in God? “In the beginning,” says the Evangelist. What does this mean? It means the Word of God was always with God, consubstantial with the Father, but not yet incarnate. Later, the Word became incarnate and appeared in the flesh to mankind. While the Word was still unincarnate in God, all things were made through it. Heaven and earth, the entire celestial and terrestrial world—all was made through the Word of God while it was still unincarnate. Without the Word, nothing came into existence. It was life and light, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it. Primarily, sin and death represent darkness. This darkness did not overcome the Son of God. All creation would be darkness without the mystical light of the Son of God, through whom everything was made.
He was in the beginning with God. And what happened to Him after that? The Word became flesh. Thus, begins the story of the world’s creation and the history of mankind’s salvation. Though the Word became flesh, it did not depart from the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the Trinity is divine and indivisible. Instead, the Word was clothed with flesh and human soul, so that, like the sun, it could draw near to humankind and save them.
O brothers, how sweet and ineffably wondrous is the mystery of the Incarnation of God! If we draw this mystery near to our hearts, we will better comprehend it with our minds. O Lord, our gracious Savior, the Word of the Father and the joy of the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us and save us. To You be glory and eternal praise. Amen.
