Macrina was the eldest sister of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of
Nyssa. As a young virgin, Macrina was bethrothed to a nobleman. When her
betrothed died, Macrina vowed never to enter into marriage saying: "It is
not right for a maiden once betrothed to a young man to seek another: according
to the law of nature there must be only one marriage as there is but one birth
and one death." She further justified this by her faith in the
resurrection considering her bridegroom, not dead but alive in God. "It is
a sin and a shame," says Macrina, "for a wife not to safeguard her
faithfulness when her husband travels to a distant land." After this,
together with her mother, Emilia, she received the monastic tonsure in a
convent, where they lived a life of asceticism with other nuns. They lived from
the labors of their hands devoting a greater part of their time to godly
thoughts, prayer and the constant uplifting of their minds to God. In time her
mother died and, afterward her brother Basil. Nine months after the death of
St. Basil, Gregory came to visit with his sister and found her on her death bed.
Before her death, Macrina lifted up her prayers to God: "You, O Lord, Who
gives rest to our bodies in the sleep of death for a time, will again awaken
them [the bodies] at the last trump. Forgive me and when my soul divests itself
of its bodily attire and presents itself before You, pure and without sin, grant
that it may be as incense before You." After that she traced the sign of
the cross on the forehead, eyes, face and on her heart and gave up her soul.
She found rest in the Lord in the year 379 A.D.
2. THE VENERABLE DIUS
Dius was born of Christian parents in Antioch, Syria. From his youth, he
was taught by godly-inspired men in the monastic life and in asceticism. Since
he persevered in a lengthy and laborious battle with the devil and passions of
the flesh, God endowed Dius with the great gift of working miracles. In his
prayers he, most often, turned to the Holy Trinity. He performed great and
awesome miracles through the power of his prayers: he caused a withered staff to
blossom, a dry well to be replenished with water and an unbelieving man he
struck dead and then resurrected him again. After two brief heavenly visions,
Dius departed from Antioch and settled in Constantinople where, in the proximity
of the city, he continued his life of asceticism. His fame spread rapidly and
even Emperor Theodosius the Younger visited him to receive counsel from him and
Patriarch Atticus persuaded and ordained him a presbyter. Having lived for many
years, Dius began to prepare for death, received Holy Communion, instructed the
brethren, lay down on his bed and died before the eyes of all. The news of his
death drew many people; even Patriarch Atticus came with Alexander, the
Patriarch of Antioch. When they were about to bury him, he suddenly arose as
though awakening from sleep and said: "God has given me fifteen more years
of this life." St. Dius lived for exactly fifteen years and led many to
the path of salvation, healed many, helped many in various misfortunes and needs
and finally gave up his soul to the Lord, Whom he faithfully served all his
life. He died in the year 430 A.D. in extreme old age.
3. THE COMMEMORATION OF STEPHEN THE TALL
Stephen was the son of the Serbian Prince Lazarus and Princess Militza. He
was a protector of Christianity in the Balkans during most difficult times. He
was the founder of the beautiful monumental monasteries of Manasija and
Kalenich. After many labors and troubles he died on July 19, 1427 A.D.
HYMN OF PRAISE
THE HOLY AND VENERABLE DIUS
From early youth to extreme old age
The miracles of God's mercy, Dius counted,
God's mercy and God's justice.
Night and day, Dius directed his thoughts
In the divine light, in the divine paths,
Repelling passions and demons bitter.
What is a human being? As a murky water
That the image of the heavenly firmament does not accept.
Can the murky water transparent become,
That in it heaven can be mirrored?
It can, Dius claims, with the walk of the saints,
But, with the help of the Cross of Christ the Savior.
The Cross, in the heart place, in the midst of your being,
Affix to it your thought and God you will see
And the water murky cleared up will be,
And until now, miracles unseen you will see.
REFLECTION
One of the most beautiful adornments of a woman is her modesty and immodesty
in a woman is the most unnatural and most repulsive spectacle in the world. A
wonderful example of feminine modesty was shown by St. Macrina in her life. In
her youth, a bitter wound opened up on her breast; even though her mother
counseled her to show the wound to a doctor and seek a remedy, Macrina did not
agree to it. She had completely dedicated herself to God and would not allow
even the thought of exposing her body before men and not even before her own
mother. One evening Macrina earnestly prayed to God; from her eyes tears
flowed, which fell to the dust before her. With unwavering confidence in her
Lord, with her fingers she mixed the dust with her tears and with that anointed
her wound. The next day she awakened healthy. When her mother, with great
sorrow entered to see her daughter, Macrina did not want to reveal that the Lord
healed her (out of humility, concealing the miracle which she herself performed
through her prayer) but begged her mother saying: "I will be healed, my
mother, if you place your right hand on my bosom and make the sign of the cross
over the spot of the wound." The mother reached out her hand and made the
sign of the cross over that spot but did not feel the wound anymore but only the
scar of the healed wound. Thus did St. Macrina conceal her body out of modesty
and her miracle-working out of humility.
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the miraculous prophesying of Balaam (Numbers 23, 24):
1. How Balaam came to curse the people of Israel at the invitation of Prince
Balak;
2. How instead of cursing, Balaam blesses the people, being directed to do
so by the Spirit of God;
3. How Balaam prophesied about Christ saying: "A star shall rise out of
Jacob and a rod will rise up out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17).
HOMILY
About apostolic love and discernment
"Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease
to have these things always in remembrance" (2 Peter 1:15).
Brethren, let your hearts be opened, to receive and to understand this great
mystery. Primarily, the apostle says that he will not be slothful in reminding
the faithful of the salvific truths of the Faith; of the divine power which was
given to mankind through Christ the Lord and for the preparing of men to receive
this divine power "escaping from the corruption that is in the world
through lust" (1 Peter 1:4).
Now he goes even further and promises that he will continue this remembrance
even after separation, i.e., after my exodus (the word which is used in the
Greek text) from this life, when he will "put off this tabernacle, his body"
(1 Peter 1:14). O faith divine, O comfort, O sweetness! Even from the
other world, the apostle promises to continue his concern for the Church of God
on earth, to continue his work once begun to remind the faithful and to continue
his love toward those on earth who believe in Christ. O apostolic love, so near
to the love of Christ! O apostolic discernment, whose love the Spirit of God
does not diminish as long as man is still wrapped in the dark curtain of the
flesh!
The Apostle Peter gave this promise to the faithful nearly two thousand
years ago. Did he fulfill it? He fulfilled it to the letter, not only as some
would like to interpret it, reminding the faithful, not only through his written
epistles and through his successors the bishops, but primarily by his constant
action within the Church from the other world. The Apostle Peter appeared many
times as did the other apostles whenever, according to the Providence of God,
there was a need to appear and he reminded the shepherds and the faithful of the
Church how they must adhere firmly to the truth and how they should correct the
paths of their lives. Even when Peter did not appear to be seen in a dream or
openly, he, in a mysterious manner known only to heaven, acted and still acts
always, for our salvation.
Life after death to the Holy Apostles was as apparent as is the sun to those
who have eyes. Though their prayers may God also open our spiritual eyes, to
know where we are going and what awaits us after death.
O Lord Jesus, All-merciful, deliver us from the darkness into the light
according to Your mercy and through the prayers of Your Holy Apostles.
