From his early youth, Theodosius shunned laughter and levity, dedicating himself to godly thoughts and prayers. Because of this, he was often abused by his mother, especially one day when his mother noticed around his naked body an iron belt, which had stained his shirt with blood. Having once read the words of the Savior in the Gospel, He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me (Mt. 10:37), Theodosius left the home of his parents and fled to the Monastery of the Kiev Caves to see the Venerable Anthony.

Anthony received him and shortly afterward tonsured him a monk. When his mother found him and asked him to return home, he counseled her, and she entered a convent and was tonsured a nun. Theodosius quickly surpassed all the monks by his asceticism, meekness and goodness, and became very dear to Anthony, who installed him as abbot of the monastery. During the time that he was abbot, the brotherhood of he monastery greatly increased, churches and cells were built, and the Rule of the Studite Monastery was introduced in its entirety. God endowed Theodosius with abundant grace because of his virginal purity, great labor in prayer, and love for his fellow man. Thus, this man of God possessed great power over unclean spirits, healed diseases, and prophesied the destinies of men. Along with St. Anthony, Theodosius is considered the founder and organizer of monasticism in Russia. He reposed peacefully in the year 1074. His healing relics rest beside the relics of Anthony.

When you are alone with God, time passes incredibly quickly — more quickly than when you are with company… Yet while living in the world, you can still be united with God. How? By thinking of Him, whatever you may be doing, by glorifying Him for any good that comes your way, by thanking Him for any trial He may send you. (Eldress Gavrilia)

On this third Sunday of Pascha, we take a step back, back to the tomb of Christ. During Holy Week, the Church led us through the experience of the tomb and the mystery of the death of God; it taught us the biblical meaning of these events – the blessed sabbath, the seventh day of creation, the rest of God. Today, the Church seeks to honor the secondary personages, those who placed Jesus in the tomb, so that we might admire their courage. It is the courage of those who work in the shadows and in secret.
On this day, the third Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the feast of the holy myrrh-bearing women. We also remember Joseph of Arimathea, the secret disciple of the Lord. And Nicodemus, who used to come at night to listen to Jesus. (Synaxarion)

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Why is it that much is said and written about the sufferings of holy men and holy women? Because the saints alone are considered victors. Can anyone be a victor without conflict, pain and suffering? In ordinary earthly combat, no one can be considered victorious or heroic who has not been in combat, endured much or suffered greatly. The more so in spiritual combat, where the truth is known, and where self-boasting not only does not help at all but, indeed, hinders it. He who does not engage in combat for the sake of Christ, either with the world, with the devil or with one’s self, how can he be counted among the soldiers of Christ? How then is it with Christ’s fellow victors?

St. Mary spoke about her savage spiritual combat to Elder Zosimas: “For the first seventeen years in this wilderness, I struggled with my deranged lusts as though with fierce beasts. I desired to eat meat and fish, which I had in abundance in Egypt. I also desired to drink wine, and here I did not have even water to drink. I desired to hear lustful songs. I cried and beat my breast. I prayed to the All-pure Mother of God to banish such thoughts from me. When I had sufficiently wept and beat my breast, it was then that I saw a light encompassing me on all sides, and a certain miraculous peace filled me.”

A wonderful penitent, self-tormentor, Mary hid herself from the face of men. Yea, 0 sinful me, By passion darkened.
Passions are beasts which eat at our heart;
Like serpents they secretly weave in us a nest.
Yea, O sinful me, By passion consumed!
In order to save sinners, Thou didst suffer, O Christ, Do Thou now not loathe me, the impure one! Hearken to the cry of Mary, The most sinful of all! The Lord showed compassion, He healed Mary;
Her darkened soul He whitened as snow.
Thanks be to Thee, O All-good One,
O Lord most dear!
Thou didst cleanse an impure vessel and gild it with gold; Thou didst fill it to overflowing with Thy grace.
This is true mercy.
To Thee, O God, be glory!
And Mary became radiant with the Spirit,
Girded by strength as an angel of God,
By Thy power, O Christ, By Thy mercy, Most pure! What is this fragrance in the awesome wilderness, Like beautiful incense in a temple coffer?
Mary breathes it, She exudes sanctity!

All the rebellious impulses of the flesh thou hast subdued by thine ascetic labors, showing the manly courage of thy soul. Desiring to behold the Cross of the Lord, O honored Mother, in sanctity thou hast crucified thyself unto the world, and thou hast sought with eagerness to emulate the angels in their way of life. Therefore with faith we honor thy memory, O blessed Mary, and we pray that full remission of our sins may be given to us through thine intercessions.

From his youth, Titus loved Christ the Lord and detested the vanities of the world. Because of this, he retreated from the world, entered a monastery and received the angelic habit. Without regret, he dedicated himself to the somber and narrow path of monasticism. Through great patience, he attained two basic virtues: humility and obedience. In these virtues he surpassed “not only the brethren, but also all men.” From his youth he preserved the purity of his soul and body. At the time of the iconoclastic heresy he proved himself to be an unwavering pillar of the Church of God. Because of his great humility and purity, God bestowed upon him the gift of performing miracles, both during his lifetime and after his death. When he went to the Lord he left behind a countless number of disciples. He died peacefully in the ninth century.

He was the son of Cleopas, who was the brother of Joseph, the betrothed of the All-holy Mother of God. Seeing the miracles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Simeon believed, and was numbered among the Seventy Apostles. With great zeal and courage he preached the Gospel of Christ throughout Judea. When the iniquitous Jews killed James, the brother of the Lord and the first Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem, by hurling him from the heights of the Temple and beating him over the head with a club, then this Simeon, a cousin of James, was appointed Bishop of Jerusalem. And Simeon, as the second bishop of the Holy City, governed the Church of God with wisdom and strength unto great old age. He was over a hundred years old when he suffered. His suffering was in this manner: During the reign of Emperor Trajan, a twofold persecution began in Palestine – against the descendants of David and against the Christians. Wicked men accused Simeon of being both. St. Simeon endured harsh torture and was finally crucified, as had been the Lord, Whom he had faithfully served on earth.

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Man’s first enemy is the devil, the second is sin, and the third is death. The Lord Jesus conquered all three of these enemies of the human race. By His humiliation He conquered the proud devil; by His death He conquered sin; and by His Resurrection he conquered death. In conquering all of our enemies, He invites us to be partakers in His glorious victory. It is not that we ourselves conquer, but that we are joined to the Victor. Only His power conquers, only His weapons vanquish. We are without power and weapons, but our enemies are frightful. With Him and alongside Him, we conquer those mightier than ourselves.

What is the price He offers to us for His victory? A meager price, my brethren; for a very paltry price He offers us the most precious victory. To humble ourselves and to submit ourselves to the will of God – that is the price He seeks to conquer the devil for us. To die unto ourselves, to die to fleshly desires and passions – that is the price He seeks to conquer sin for us. To live for Him and not for ourselves, to receive Him into our hearts – that is the price He seeks to conquer death for us. He conquered all the enemies openly and completely, but this is the price for which He offers His victory to each of us. The Apostle Paul says: Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (II Cor 15:57).

O resurrected Lord, enlighten strengthen and heal us by Thy victory. We who are grateful raise up to Thee glory and praise forever. Amen

By Saint Isaac the Syrian
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Thou that didst weep over Lazarus, and shed tears of sorrow and compassion for him, accept the tears of my bitterness. By Thy Passion, cure my passions. By Thy wounds, heal my wounds. By Thy Blood, purge my blood; mingle the fragrance of Thy life-creating Body with my body. Let the gall Thou didst drink at enemies’ hands sweeten my soul from the bitterness which the foe has given me to drink.

Let Thy Body, O Lover of men, which was stretched on the Tree of the Cross, extend toward Thee mine intellect which is dragged evilly downward by demons. Let Thy Head, which Thou didst bow on the Cross, raise up my head, which is buffeted by mine adversaries. Let Thine all-holy Hands, which were nailed to the Cross by the unbelieving Jews, lead me out of the abyss of perdition to Thee, as Thine all-holy Mouth hath promised. Let Thy Countenance, which received blows and spitting from accursed men, brighten my countenance, which is stained with iniquities. Let Thy Soul, which on the Cross Thou didst commend to Thy Father, guide me to Thee by Thy grace.

I have not a mournful heart wherewith to seek Thee, I have no repentance, I have no compunction, which bring children into their proper inheritance. O Master, I have not a comforting tear. My mind is darkened by the affairs of this life, and hath no strength to look steadfastly toward Thee with groaning. My heart is grown cold from the multitude of temptations, and cannot warm herself with tears of love for Thee.

But Thou, my Lord and God Jesus Christ, the Treasury of good gifts, grant me through repentance and a sorrowing heart, that with all my soul I may go forth to seek Thee. For without Thee, I am a stranger to all that is good. Therefore, O Good One, freely grant me Thy grace. Let the Father, Who hath timelessly and everlastingly brought Thee forth from His bosom, renew in me the features of Thine image.

I have forsaken Thee, do not forsake me. I have gone out from Thee, come out to seek me, and lead me up to Thy pasture, and number me among the sheep of Thy chosen flock, and nourish me with them on the verdure of Thy Divine Mysteries; for their pure heart is Thy lodging-place, and therein is the illumination of Thy revelations clearly beheld, which is the comfort and refreshment of those who for Thy sake have travailed in afflictions and every kind of outrage. May we also be deemed worthy of this illumination by Thy grace and love for man, O our Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the ages of ages. Amen.