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It's a Feria, commemoration of Sts. Marcellinus, Peter, and Erasmus, Martyrs, 4th class, with the color of white. In this episode: The meditation: “A Month to Honor the Sacred Heart and Make Reparations,” today's news from the Church: “A Pontificate at a Crossroads,” a preview of the Sermon: “Sitting at the Right Hand of His Father,” and today's thought from the Archbishop. Sources Used Today: The Risen Christ– Caryll Houselander (Amazon) “A Pontificate at a Crossroads” (FSSPX.news) https://fsspx.news/en/news/pontificate-crossroads-52734 “Sitting at the Right Hand of His Father” (SSPX Sermons) Watch on YouTube Listen & Subscribe: SSPX Sermons Podcast The Spiritual Life- Archbishop Lefebvre (Angelus Press) - - - - - - - We'd love your feedback on these Daily Devotionals! What do you like / not like, and what would you like us to add? podcast@sspx.org - - - - - - - Please Support this Apostolate with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> - - - - - - - Explore more: Subscribe to the email version of this Devotional - it's a perfect companion! Subscribe to this Podcast to receive this and all our audio episodes Subscribe to the SSPX YouTube channel for video versions of our podcast series and Sermons FSSPX News Website: https://fsspx.news Visit the US District website: https://sspx.org/ - - - - - What is the SSPX Podcast? The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition. https://sspx.org
Full Text of ReadingsMonday of the Seventh Week of Easter Lectionary: 297The Saint of the day is Saints Marcellinus and PeterSaints Marcellinus and Peter's Story Marcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous legends sprang from an early account of their death. Reflection Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the ultimate step of faith. Read: Touched by Death, Healed by the Catholic Saints Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Today is the feast of two martyrs for the Church for the Church who we celebrate today, Peter and Marcellinus. Father Kubicki shares the story of these brave saints who gave their lives to be joined with the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter; Marcellinus was a priest, and Peter was an exorcist; they were beheaded in the persecution of Diocletian in 304 A.D.; Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/2/25 Gospel: John 16:29-33
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Andrew Witt of Tyndale University. Andy is currently writing a Psalms commentary and helps walk us through some of the challenges of doing so by looking at the Hebrew text of Psalms 42-43. For more on the Psalms, see our playlist here in the Dojo: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4bbdsVUgfc6Z_lp1cLDdhsXE_k0hoEP_ Other resources mentioned: John Goldingay, 3 volume Psalms Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Baker-Commentary-Testament-Wisdom-ebook/dp/B00B76T3TA/ James L. Mays, Interpretation: Psalms - https://a.co/d/8tb0KGf James L. Mays, The Lord Reigns https://a.co/d/ezMwnUg The New Catholic Version (NCV) Psalms, for a short one-volume devotional - https://a.co/d/6Th6b62 James Hamilton, Psalms, 2 vols (EBTC) - https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Evangelical-Biblical-Theology-Commentary/dp/1683595696/ Athanasius's Letter to Marcellinus - https://www.livefatima.io/letter-of-st-athanasius-archbishop-of-alexandria-to-marcellinus-concerning-the-psalms/ Eugene Peterson's Answering God - https://a.co/d/dGuMV4c Andy's published works: Andrew C. Witt, Voice Without End: The Role of David in Psalms 3-14 (JTI Supplement, 2021) https://a.co/d/5boqS8R Further publications: https://tyndale.academia.edu/AndrewWitt ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2 ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
Full Text of ReadingsThe Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Corpus Christi Lectionary: 168The Saint of the day is Saints Marcellinus and PeterSaints Marcellinus and Peter's Story Marcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous legends sprang from an early account of their death. Reflection Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the ultimate step of faith. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Join the weekend edition. Victor Davis Hanson with cohost Sami Winc examines some remaining news--Sonoma State ask president to step aside, do universities do enough to dismantle DEI, and keeping intelligence from Israel--and VDH gives his take on historians of the late Roman Empire, Marcellinus and Procopius.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today is Friday, April 26th, 2024, the Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes , a Third class feast, with the liturgical color of red. In this episode, news from FSSPX.news about The Synodal Church and Freemasonry, a preview of today's podcast: “Didn't the Church Say…? Young Earth Creationism Part 2”, And a quote from Archbishop Lefebvre, And a quote from Archbishop LefebvreThe email version of this Devotional is a perfect companion! Subscribe to Daily DevotionalSubscribe to Podcast to receive this and all our audio episodes: https://sspx-podcast.captivate.fm/listenSupport the SSPX Podcast with 1-time or Monthly Donation >>Subscribe to the SSPX YouTube channel here >>SSPX News Website: https://fsspx.news/enVisit the US District website: https://sspx.org/en What is the SSPX Podcast?The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition. What is the SSPX?The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood.Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it.https://sspx.org
And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?Venit autem Jesus in partes Caesareae Philippi : et interrogabat discipulos suos, dicens : Quem dicunt homines esse Filium hominis? 14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.At illi dixerunt : Alii Joannem Baptistam, alii autem Eliam, alii vero Jeremiam, aut unum ex prophetis. 15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?Dicit illis Jesus : Vos autem, quem me esse dicitis? 16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.Respondens Simon Petrus dixit : Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi. 17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.Respondens autem Jesus, dixit ei : Beatus es Simon Bar Jona : quia caro et sanguis non revelavit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in caelis est. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.Et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum. Et quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in caelis : et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in caelis. St Cletus, the third pope, was martyred under Domitian A.D. 91. St Marcellinus was beheaded under Diocletian A.D. 304.
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
“Wrestling with oneself, with one's past, with one's relationships, with God … These stories push us to use disability to think about the human condition more broadly.”Longstanding narratives about disability shaped our emotional responses, our caregiving responses, and our social commentary, and our treatment of the disabled. But what if we saw disability as the site of divine revelation about God's kingdom and our place in it? As an expression of power and wisdom and agency, rather than a merely a source of suffering and lack and ignorance.Calli Micale (Palmer Theological Seminary) joins Evan Rosa to discuss how disability reframes our humanity in the Bible. They reflect on three passages: starting in the Old Testament—in Genesis 32—with the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel, and walking away with much more than a limp and a new name. Continuing with the Gospel, John 9, the story of the Man Born Blind, famous for at least two reasons: the utter stupidity of the disciples to assume “Rabbi, who sinned that this man was born blind?” and the utter visceral of having Jesus make mud with his spit and rub it in the man's eyes. And finally The Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, the story of the bleeding woman—a story of reaching out in desperate faith, an act of incredible agency and audacity, to touch the edge of Jesus's garment and be healed.Whether its intellectual disability or physical disability, and regardless of how its acquired, disability plays a role in what we might call God's subversive kingdom. God's upside-down-ness (or, maybe we should say human upside-down-ness). The least of these in the eyes of human society are chosen by God to communicate the good news of shalom and justice and salvation—that even those who are already “whole” can be saved.This episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Tyndale House Foundation. For more information, visit tyndale.foundation.Show NotesArtwork: “Untitled (The Bleeding Woman)”, Unknown, Fresco, 4th Century AD, Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, Rome, ItalyArtwork: “The Healing of the Man Born Blind”, Duccio, 1311, Tempera on wood, National Gallery, LondonArtwork: “Vision of the Sermon (Jacob Wrestling with the Angel)”, Paul Gauguin, 1888, Oil on canvas, Scottish National GalleryGenesis 32:22-32 (see below for full text)“Wrestling with oneself, with one's past, with one's relationships, with God”Disability as a plot device: exploitElaborate disguise of Jacob's impersonization of EsauEach of us wrestles with our identity“No one can see God and live”Jacob's limp: a narrative and metaphorical significanceIs disability a sign of or consequence of one's sinfulness?Is disability a divine punishment?Subverting our understanding of disability“Disability extends beyond Jacob's physical form and continues to influence the the community—how they relate with their tradition and their practices.”“The memory of the struggle with God and the intimate presence of God in the wrestling in the body, and then is preserved in memory of the body.”Is being struck on the hip socket a blessing to Jacob?The wounds of martyrs as battle woundsDisability becomes inextricable from histories of violenceIs it Jesus that strikes and maims Jacob's hip?John 9: The Man Blind from BirthJesus rejects the assumption that disability is a punishment for sin.“Dumb and blind”Disability as the site of divine revelationJesus spitting in the mud is kind of gross. It takes a lot of spit to make that much mud.Vulnerable and visceral moment of pasting dirty mudThe question of Jesus's sin (for breaking Sabbath law) is now in playAn extended metaphor about where knowledge and wisdom apply.Mark 5: The Hemorrhaging WomanAgency and PowerMutual caregiving within disabled communities“These stories push us to use disability to think about the human condition more broadly.”Genesis 32The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.' But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.' So he said to him, ‘What is your name?' And he said, ‘Jacob.' Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.' Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.' But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?' And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.' The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.John 9As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?' Some were saying, ‘It is he.' Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.' He kept saying, ‘I am the man.' But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?' He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.' They said to him, ‘Where is he?' He said, ‘I do not know.'They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.' Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.' But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?' And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.' He said, ‘He is a prophet.'The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?' His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.' His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.'So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.' He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.' They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?' He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?' Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.' The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.' They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?' And they drove him out.Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?' He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.' Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.' He said, ‘Lord, I believe.' And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.' Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?' Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains.Mark 5:25-34See also Luke 8:43-48 and Matthew 9:20-22Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.' Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?”' He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'About Calli MicaleCalli Micale is Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics and Director of the MDiv Program at Palmer Theological Seminary. She is a theologian with a particular interest in the ethical implications of theological talk for the whole of human life. Her research brings together the history of Christian thought with sustained attention to rhetoric as it grounds perceptions of the body and health in Western societies. She joined the Palmer Theological Seminary faculty in 2023 after earning a PhD from Yale University.Writing and teaching correspond in Dr. Micale's work to form students as faith leaders oriented towards gender, disability, and racial justice. She has published articles with the Journal of Disability and Religion and the Disability Studies Quarterly (forthcoming). Micale is currently working on a book manuscript, tentatively titled Crip Conversion: Narratives of Disability and Grace. The book analyzes the stories theologians tell about intellectual disability and argues that deploying intellectual disability as narrative metaphor allows one to come at the Protestant tradition from a helpful vantage point—such that the significance of sensation for the reception of grace comes to the fore.As a candidate for ordination in the ELCA with 10+ years of preaching experience, Dr. Micale delights in the variety of ways her students take up theological resources for ministry and social justice action. In each course, she aims to take students beyond learning concepts by letting divergent beliefs shape and change their perspective on what really matters—their own intellectual and spiritual lives called to make a difference in the worldProduction NotesThis podcast featured Calli MicaleEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie Bridge and Kaylen YunA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/giveThis episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Tyndale House Foundation. For more information, visit tyndale.foundation.
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
Full Text of ReadingsFriday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 351The Saint of the day is Saints Marcellinus and PeterSaints Marcellinus and Peter's Story Marcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous legends sprang from an early account of their death. Reflection Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the ultimate step of faith. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Today is the feast of Saints Peter and Marcellinus. Father Kubicki shares some words from Pope Damasus who heard the first had account of the death of Saint Peter and Marcellinus from one of the men who executed them and later converted.
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs: Office of Readings Hymn First Antiphon: The holy martyrs died for Christ; with their blood they enriched the earth. Their gift is crowned with everlasting life, alleluia. Psalm 2 Second Antiphon: The just will live for ever; to live in God is their reward, alleluia. Psalm 33 Third Antiphon: My saints, you fought the good fight in this world; I will give you the reward of your labors, alleluia. Psalm 33 Verse: Our spirits yearn for the Lord, alleluia. Resp: He is our help and our protector, alleluia. First Reading: Rv 7:9-17 Response: When a dry path opened up before them, they went unhindered across the Red Sea and were brought unharmed through the deep waters, alleluia. Second Reading: From the exhortation to Martyrdom by Origen, priest Response: Stand firm and let the truth be the belt around your waist, alleluia. Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975 Visit: https://sthelenaministries.com Donate: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/StHelena
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs: Invitatory Invitatory Antiphon: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs, alleluia. Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975 Visit: https://sthelenaministries.com Donate: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/StHelena
June 2: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs Mid-third Century–c. 304 Optional Memorial; Liturgical Color: Red Their memory was preserved by their very executioner Saint Helen went to the Holy Land and returned to Rome with remnants of the true cross of Christ. This same Helen was the mother of Constantine, the Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity in 313 and who called the Council of Nicea in 325. When Saint Helen died around 328, her Emperor-Son placed her body in a monumental, sumptuous sarcophagus of rare, porphyry marble from Egypt. The deeply carved red stone shows Roman soldiers on horseback conquering barbarians. These are not scenes likely to adorn a pious woman's tomb. It was probably meant to be Constantine's own sarcophagus, but when his mother died, he used it for her. And Constantine did one more thing for his mother. He built a large church on the outskirts of Rome over the catacombs, or burial place, of today's saints, Marcellinus and Peter, and placed his mother and her giant tomb inside of the church. That one so famous and powerful as Constantine would build a church over the catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, and honor this church still more with his mother's tomb, testifies to these martyrs' importance to the early Christians of Rome. And since they were martyred in approximately 304, only a decade before Constantine conquered the eternal city, their memory must still have been fresh when Christianity was legalized. Until this time, Christians worshipped in dark, hidden places. As they first stepped into the public light to build the ancient churches whose walls, pillars, and foundations are still visible today, these Christians honored those who came before them. They honored those whose deaths were all the sadder because they perished so close to the day of Christian liberation. They honored Saints Marcellinus and Peter. Little is known with certainty about Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter. Tradition tells us that Marcellinus was a priest and Peter an exorcist and that they were beheaded on the outskirts of Rome. A few years after the bloody event, a little boy from Rome heard about their deaths from the mouth of their very executioner, who later became a Christian. That little boy was named Damasus, and he went on to became Pope from 366–384. Decades later, remembering the story he had heard as a child, Pope Damasus honored Marcellinus and Peter by adorning their tomb with a marble inscription recounting the details of their martyrdom as he had heard them so long ago. Unfortunately, the inscription is lost.The circumstances of Marcellinus' and Peter's deaths were likely similar to those of other, better-documented martyrdoms: some public declaration of faith, arrest, perfunctory trial, a chance to offer sacrifice to a Roman god, a refusal, a last chance to be an idolater, a last refusal, and then a swift, businesslike beheading. It was over quickly. Then came the calm. Then came the night. And out of that darkness emerged a candle-lit procession of humble Christians, walking slowly and silently toward the place of execution. The headless corpses were placed on white sheets and carried solemnly to an underground burial niche. A small marble plaque etched with the martyrs' names was placed nearby. An oil lamp was lit and left burning. Thus the veneration began. Thus it continues today. Marcellinus and Peter were important enough to be included in the official list of Roman martyrs and to have their names remembered in the liturgy of Rome. As the Mass celebrated in Rome became standard throughout the Catholic world, the names of Marcellinus and Peter were embedded into the Roman Canon, the First Eucharistic Prayer. And there they are read at Mass until today, more than one thousand seven hundred years after they died. The Body of Christ forgets nothing, retains everything, and purifies its memory to honor those who deserve honoring. The catacombs and the first Basilica of Marcellinus and Peter fell into ruins at the hands of two enemies—time and the Goths. A “new” church was built nearby to replace it and is still a parish. Saint Helen's bones were removed from her imperial tomb in the twelfth century and swapped with the body of a Pope. The tomb was later emptied again and, in 1777, moved to the Vatican museums. Hundreds of thousands of tourists walk right by the tomb every year, seeing perhaps just a huge chunk of marble, oblivious to the rich history connecting the monumental tomb to ancient Christianity and the martyrs we commemorate today. Saints Marcellinus and Peter, help all those who seek your intercession to face persecution and intimidation of any kind, via words, or arms, or threats, with bravery and heroic resistance.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (How we prove that we are God's servants)
Welcome to The Saint of the Day Podcast, a service of Good Catholic and The Catholic Company. Today's featured saint is St. Cletus and Marcellinus. If you like what you heard, share this podcast with someone you know, and make sure to subscribe!
And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?Venit autem Jesus in partes Caesareae Philippi : et interrogabat discipulos suos, dicens : Quem dicunt homines esse Filium hominis? 14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.At illi dixerunt : Alii Joannem Baptistam, alii autem Eliam, alii vero Jeremiam, aut unum ex prophetis. 15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?Dicit illis Jesus : Vos autem, quem me esse dicitis? 16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.Respondens Simon Petrus dixit : Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi. 17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.Respondens autem Jesus, dixit ei : Beatus es Simon Bar Jona : quia caro et sanguis non revelavit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in caelis est. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.Et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum. Et quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in caelis : et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in caelis. Music: Good Christian men, rejoice and sing.
In the final episode of our series on Julian the Apostate, we follow Emperor Julian as he marches east to make war against Rome's traditional rivals- the Sassanids, and as he meets his ultimate fate on a Mesopotamian battlefield. We then briefly recap Julian's historical legacy and the fate of Roman paganism. Email me Follow me on Twitter Like the show on Facebook Watch the show on YouTube Visit the eBay store Support the show on Patreon Works Cited Bowersock, G.W. Julian the Apostate. Harvard University Press, 1997. Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1-3, Everyman, 1993. Julianus, Flavius Claudius. The Works of Emperor Julian. Literary Liscencing LLC, 2011. Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus. Benediction Classics, 2011. Murdoch, Adrian. The Last Pagan. Inner Traditions, 2008. Cover Image: Statue of Emperor Julian, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák Closing Theme: "The Passage of Time" by Richard Beddow
In this episode of our series on Julian the Apostate, we follow Julian as he goes to war against his cousin, Constantius I, to determine who would rule the Roman Empire. We then follow the first period of Julian's reign as the sole emperor of Rome. Email me Follow me on Twitter Like the show on Facebook Watch the show on YouTube Visit the eBay store Support the show on Patreon Works Cited Bowersock, G.W. Julian the Apostate. Harvard University Press, 1997. Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1-3, Everyman, 1993. Julianus, Flavius Claudius. The Works of Emperor Julian. Literary Liscencing LLC, 2011. Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus. Benediction Classics, 2011. Murdoch, Adrian. The Last Pagan. Inner Traditions, 2008. Cover Image: Statue of Emperor Julian, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák Closing Theme: "The Passage of Time" by Richard Beddow
In this episode of our series on Julian the Apostate, we follow Julian as he is christened as Caesar (junior co-emperor) by his cousin Constantius and subsequently dispatched to Gaul to halt a barbarian invasion and restore stability to the troubled province. Email me Follow me on Twitter Like the show on Facebook Watch the show on YouTube Visit the eBay store Support the show on Patreon Works Cited Bowersock, G.W. Julian the Apostate. Harvard University Press, 1997. Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1-3, Everyman, 1993. Julianus, Flavius Claudius. The Works of Emperor Julian. Literary Liscencing LLC, 2011. Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus. Benediction Classics, 2011. Murdoch, Adrian. The Last Pagan. Inner Traditions, 2008. Cover Image: Statue of Emperor Julian, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák Closing Theme: "The Passage of Time" by Richard Beddow
In our first episode on the life and times of the man known to history as Julian the Apostate, we first take a look at the state of the Roman Empire in the 4th Century to better understand the circumstances that led to Julian's rise to power, and the reasons why his reign is considered so historically significant. Support the victims of the attack at Michigan State Email me Follow me on Twitter Like the show on Facebook Watch the show on YouTube Visit the eBay store Support the show on Patreon Works Cited Bowersock, G.W. Julian the Apostate. Harvard University Press, 1997. Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1-3, Everyman, 1993. Julianus, Flavius Claudius. The Works of Emperor Julian. Literary Liscencing LLC, 2011. Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus. Benediction Classics, 2011. Murdoch, Adrian. The Last Pagan. Inner Traditions, 2008. Cover Image: Statue of Emperor Julian, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák Closing Theme: "The Passage of Time" by Richard Beddow
Exploring C. S. Lewis' essay "The Psalms" which was a precursor to his 1958 book Reflections on the Psalms. In the first part of the essay, Lewis defends why modern Christians ought to pray the Psalms even though they are old and alien to us. While they are at times cruel and vindictive, and at others, appear self-righteous, they are what they claim to be — God's revelation. He guesses that they are useful to us as a way of dealing with our emotions, and provide self-reflection. Ultimately, because Jesus prayed them and the Church has benefited from following his example in doing so for thousands of years. Links to things mentioned in today's show: The Mere C. S. Lewis Podcast episode on "Reflections on the Psalms" The Wade Center Podcast episode on "Reflection on the Psalms" The work by Athanasius that Jordan was referring to is called "The Letter to Marcellinus." If you want to read or listen to C. S. Lewis' "The Psalms" you can find links to it in many formats at pintswithjack.com/essays Find more Lesser-Known Lewis — Online: pintswithjack.com/lesser-known-lewis Patreon: patreon.com/lesserknownlewis Instagram: @lesserknownlewis Facebook: Lesser-Known Lewis Podcast Email: lesserknownlewis@gmail.com Graphic Design by Angus Crawford. Music by Jessica Syratt (Twitter: @jesssyratt). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lesserknownlewis/message
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
Ammianus Marcellinus was a Roman soldier and an historian from the late Roman Period whose historical works, Res Gestae, provides us a brief glimpse into Rome's policy towards Cyprus. He describes Roman policy as "voracious" and implies opportunism as Rome sought to replenish its depleted coffers by seizing Cyprus and draining it of its treasury. Of course, the situation is significantly more complex. That's why next month, Ersin Hussein, from Swansea University, joins us to describe Cyprus in the Roman Period!
Marcellinus Ndbuisi Obilo CMF is The Reverend Father (Rev. Fr.). In this episode, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Ndbuisi Obilo CMF and I talk about what CMF is, evangelical teachings, his religious congregation, how priests benefit the community, the mission of Christianity in Nigeria, Covid-19, and life in Nigeria.
The Great Tsunami of 365AD was a pivotal natural disaster in the ancient world you've never heard of, and Marcellinus' account is harrowing... The post Marcellinus and the Great Tsunami of 365AD & More! | What We Missed 4th Century appeared first on TGNR.
Welcome to the twentieth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we discuss the dire consequences of impatience.SourcesBurns, Thomas. Barbarians Within the Gates of Rome: A Study of Roman Military Policy and the Barbarians, Ca. 375-425 A.D. Bloomington, Indiana U. Press, 1994.Heather, Peter. The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. Oxford, Oxford U. Press, 2007.Lee, A. D. From Rome to Byzantium: The Transformation of Ancient Rome. Edinburgh, Edinburgh U. Press, 2013.Lenski, Noel. Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A.D. Berkeley, U. of California Press, 2003.Marcellinus, Ammianus. Res Gestae (Book 31). Translated by C. D. Yonge, London, George Bell & Sons, 1911.Panello, R. J. The Private Orations of Themistius. Berkeley, U. of California Press, 2000. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
The following is a reading from Fr. Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints on Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, two saints in the Roman Canon
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Full Text of ReadingsThursday of the Seventh Week of Easter Lectionary: 300All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Saints Marcellinus and PeterMarcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous legends sprang from an early account of their death. Reflection Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the ultimate step of faith. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter; Marcellinus, a priest, and Peter, an exorcist, were imprisoned for their Christian faith; they converted their jailer and his family; executed in 304 A.D. in the forest, so that their bodies could not be venerated, but they were found a properly buried Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/2/22 Gospel: John 17:20-26
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs Invitatory Resp: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs, alleluia. Antiphon: The holy martyrs died for Christ; with their blood they enriched the earth. Their gift is crowned with everlasting life, alleluia. Psalm 2 Antiphon: The just will live for ever; to live in God is their reward, alleluia. Psalm 33 Antiphon: My saints, you fought the good fight in this world; I will give you the reward of your labors, alleluia. Psalm 33 Verse: Our spirits yearn for the Lord, alleluia. Resp: He is our help and our protector, alleluia. First reading: Rv 7:9-17 Responsory: Wis 10:17-20 Resp: When a dry path opened up before them, they went unhindered across the Red Sea and were brought unharmed through the deep waters, alleluia. Second reading: From the exhortation to Martyrdom by Origen, priest Responsory: Eph 6:12,14,13 Resp: Stand firm and let the truth be the belt around your waist, alleluia. Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) (c) 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical Readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975
Today's Saints with Mike Roberts!
June 2: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, MartyrsMid-third Century–c. 304Optional Memorial; Liturgical Color: RedTheir memory was preserved by their very executionerSaint Helen went to the Holy Land and returned to Rome with remnants of the true cross of Christ. This same Helen was the mother of Constantine, the Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity in 313 and who called the Council of Nicea in 325. When Saint Helen died around 328, her Emperor-Son placed her body in a monumental, sumptuous sarcophagus of rare, porphyry marble from Egypt. The deeply carved red stone shows Roman soldiers on horseback conquering barbarians. These are not scenes likely to adorn a pious woman's tomb. It was probably meant to be Constantine's own sarcophagus, but when his mother died, he used it for her. And Constantine did one more thing for his mother. He built a large church on the outskirts of Rome over the catacombs, or burial place, of today's saints, Marcellinus and Peter, and placed his mother and her giant tomb inside of the church.That one so famous and powerful as Constantine would build a church over the catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, and honor this church still more with his mother's tomb, testifies to these martyrs' importance to the early Christians of Rome. And since they were martyred in approximately 304, only a decade before Constantine conquered the eternal city, their memory must still have been fresh when Christianity was legalized. Until this time, Christians worshipped in dark, hidden places. As they first stepped into the public light to build the ancient churches whose walls, pillars, and foundations are still visible today, these Christians honored those who came before them. They honored those whose deaths were all the sadder because they perished so close to the day of Christian liberation. They honored Saints Marcellinus and Peter.Little is known with certainty about Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter. Tradition tells us that Marcellinus was a priest and Peter an exorcist and that they were beheaded on the outskirts of Rome. A few years after the bloody event, a little boy from Rome heard about their deaths from the mouth of their very executioner, who later became a Christian. That little boy was named Damasus, and he went on to became Pope from 366–384. Decades later, remembering the story he had heard as a child, Pope Damasus honored Marcellinus and Peter by adorning their tomb with a marble inscription recounting the details of their martyrdom as he had heard them so long ago. Unfortunately, the inscription is lost.The circumstances of Marcellinus' and Peter's deaths were likely similar to those of other, better-documented martyrdoms: some public declaration of faith, arrest, perfunctory trial, a chance to offer sacrifice to a Roman god, a refusal, a last chance to be an idolater, a last refusal, and then a swift, businesslike beheading. It was over quickly. Then came the calm. Then came the night. And out of that darkness emerged a candle-lit procession of humble Christians, walking slowly and silently toward the place of execution. The headless corpses were placed on white sheets and carried solemnly to an underground burial niche. A small marble plaque etched with the martyrs' names was placed nearby. An oil lamp was lit and left burning. Thus the veneration began. Thus it continues today.Marcellinus and Peter were important enough to be included in the official list of Roman martyrs and to have their names remembered in the liturgy of Rome. As the Mass celebrated in Rome became standard throughout the Catholic world, the names of Marcellinus and Peter were embedded into the Roman Canon, the First Eucharistic Prayer. And there they are read at Mass until today, more than one thousand seven hundred years after they died. The Body of Christ forgets nothing, retains everything, and purifies its memory to honor those who deserve honoring.The catacombs and the first Basilica of Marcellinus and Peter fell into ruins at the hands of two enemies—time and the Goths. A “new” church was built nearby to replace it and is still a parish. Saint Helen's bones were removed from her imperial tomb in the twelfth century and swapped with the body of a Pope. The tomb was later emptied again and, in 1777, moved to the Vatican museums. Hundreds of thousands of tourists walk right by the tomb every year, seeing perhaps just a huge chunk of marble, oblivious to the rich history connecting the monumental tomb to ancient Christianity and the martyrs we commemorate today.Saints Marcellinus and Peter, help all those who seek your intercession to face persecution and intimidation of any kind, via words, or arms, or threats, with bravery and heroic resistance.
Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 (You have borne witness in Jerusalem: now you mus do the same in Rome) 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (How we prove that we are God's servants)
John 17:11b-19
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A reading from Fr. Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints on Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus.
April 26 - Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes, Martyrs Source: "Lives of the Saints: With Reflections for Every Day in the Year" by Rev. Alban Butler Read by: Maria Therese, Librivox https://bit.ly/3sKZVFj Visit the website: https://savenowthysoul.wordpress.com/ for sermons and meditations. Thank you for listening and God bless you, and keep you!
Today Katie Uttley catches up with Mississauga native Class of 2023 LB Nathan Doobay out of St. Marcellinus, who recently took home MVP honours at the CFC Tryout and Showcase in Brampton.Kato and Nathan discuss how he made the transition from the ice rink to the gridiron before hitting high school, how he plans on adding some extra muscle to his frame this offseason, how there's nothing he hates more than losing and the bittersweet final to St. Marcellinus' season PLUS MORE!Become a CFCINSIDER today on canadafootballchat.com
April 20 - St. Marcellinus, Bishop Source: "Lives of the Saints: With Reflections for Every Day in the Year" by Rev. Alban Butler Read by: Maria Therese, Librivox https://bit.ly/3sKZVFj Visit the website: https://savenowthysoul.wordpress.com/ for sermons and meditations. Thank you for listening and God bless you, and keep you!
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
Today's episode is about a pope who lived...and died...during the last and worst of Rome's persecutions of the Christian people, that of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. But just how that living and dying went is still up for discussion. 1700 years later. PATREON: https://patreon.com/thepopecast FB / Twitter / Instagram: @thepopecast EMAIL: popecastmc@gmail.com NEWSLETTER: https://popes.substack.com
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Person of Interest: Why Jesus still matters in a world that rejects the Bible by J. Warner Wallace.Meet Our Guests Nigel Biggar: Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology, and Director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, & Public Life, University of Oxford. Andrew Hastie: Australian Federal Member for Canning and Assistant Minister for Defence. Former Officer, Australian Defence Force. Links “There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people," is a quote from Howard Zinn's 2011 book On War. We quote statistics from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The Effect of War on Economic Growth, report from Cato Institute. Listen to Winston Churchill's full speech, We Will Never Surrender, from 1940. Read Nigel Biggar's book, In Defence of War. Find out more about Augustine's City of God. You can read more of the letters between Augustine and his Christian military officers,Marcellinus and Boniface, here. Australian war casualty statistics are from the Australian War Memorial. Read Romans 13 for yourself. Mike Bird was one of our 'phone a friend' guests for this episode. He wrote The Story of God commentary for the Book of Romans for Zondervan and is a lecturer at Ridley College. Henry Chadwick is the great Augustine biographer. He wrote the Oxford Very Short Introduction to Augustine which you can find here. Read the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporting on the alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. You can find the full Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry report (commonly known as the Brereton Report), here. More on Thomas Aquinas and Just War. If you're using Apple Podcasts, go to undeceptions.com for the full show notes, which cut off after 4000 characters here. We did a big, two-part episode on the Crusades in Season 4 - called 'God's War I and II'. Learn more about General William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union General who said, "War is hell". Jarrod McKenna was another of our lovely 'phone a friend' guests for this episode. He is an advocate for non-violence direct action. Christianity Today profiled a series of 'Christian soldiers' back in 2015 for a series called Ponder Christian Soldiers. We featured a clip from The West Wing, Season 1 Episode 3: A Proportional Response. Find out more about Carl von Clauswitz and his 1832 tome, On War. Here's the Australian Defence Force Philosophical Doctrine we quote from towards the end of the episode. Here's the plot of Shakespeare's Henry V. Watch The Hollow Crown: Henry V.
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)
Full Text of ReadingsWednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 355All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Saints Marcellinus and PeterMarcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous legends sprang from an early account of their death. Reflection Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the ultimate step of faith. Saint of the Day Copyright Franciscan Media
Today, the Church celebrates the feasts of St. Marcellinus and Peter who gave the ultimate witness to the faith when they were martyred around the year 300. Both served the Church in Rome. All show notes at Father Kubicki – Prayer Reflections June 2, 2021 - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio
Catholic Mass from St. Francis High School in Traverse City, Michigan, Wednesday June 2, 2021. Feast of the Martyrs Sts. Marcellinus and Peter. Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time. Celebrant: Fr. Michael Class, S.J.
Fr. Roger J. Landry Visitation Mission of the Sisters of Life, New York, NY Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I Memorial of SS. Marcellinus and Peter June 2, 2021 Tob 3:1-11.16-17, Ps 25, Mk 12: 18-27 To listen to an audio recording of today's homily, please click below: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/6.2.21_Homily_1.mp3 The […] The post Knowing the Scriptures and the Power of God, 9th Wednesday (I), June 2, 2021 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.
Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a • Mark 12:18-27
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021
O blessed martyrs for the Lord, in your catacombs the faith flourished, upon your tomb the Church was built… your blood is the seed planted in the ground that has caused the growth of the tree of life; joining in the sacrifice of Christ, His great joy you knew – pray that such grace will be known to us this day, that we will give ourselves in faith to the Holy One by whom we are saved and so find union with Him in Heaven. How far His consolation is from our souls this day, for how little love we show; have our hearts not become as a tomb? Though cold and lifeless, by your prayers may our faith flourish once more, dear saints.
O blessed martyrs for the Lord, in your catacombs the faith flourished, upon your tomb the Church was built… your blood is the seed planted in the ground that has caused the growth of the tree of life; joining in the sacrifice of Christ, His great joy you knew – pray that such grace will be known to us this day, that we will give ourselves in faith to the Holy One by whom we are saved and so find union with Him in Heaven. How far His consolation is from our souls this day, for how little love we show; have our hearts not become as a tomb? Though cold and lifeless, by your prayers may our faith flourish once more, dear saints.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://nelsonmcbs.com/2021/04/26/%e0%b4%85%e0%b4%a8%e0%b5%81%e0%b4%a6%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%a8-%e0%b4%b5%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%b6%e0%b5%81%e0%b4%a6%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%a7%e0%b5%bc-saint-of-the-day-april-26th-st-cletus-st-marcellinus/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nelsonmcbs/support
Hans van Reisen leest delen uit brief 137 van Augustinus aan Marcellinus uit "Schrijf me en ik stuur je een antwoord" van Aurelius Augustinus. Met de vraag: Hoe werd God mens? Verschenen in de serie: Augustinus-uitgave Vertaald, ingeleid en van aantekeningen voorzien door Arie Akkermans en Hans van Reisen Met medewerking van Vincent Hunink Van Aurelius Augustinus (354-430) zijn ruim 300 brieven bewaard gebleven. Daarmee is Augustinus' briefwisseling een van de belangrijkste van de laatantieke cultuur. Een uitgave van uitgeverij Damon in Eindhoven Meer info: www.damon.nl/book/schrijf-me-en…-stuur-je-antwoord
Hans van Reisen leest delen uit brief 138 van Augustinus aan Marcellinus uit "Schrijf me en ik stuur je een antwoord" van Aurelius Augustinus. O.a. de vraag: staat Christelijke moraal en staatsmoraal op gespannen voet Verschenen in de serie: Augustinus-uitgave Vertaald, ingeleid en van aantekeningen voorzien door Arie Akkermans en Hans van Reisen Met medewerking van Vincent Hunink Van Aurelius Augustinus (354-430) zijn ruim 300 brieven bewaard gebleven. Daarmee is Augustinus' briefwisseling een van de belangrijkste van de laatantieke cultuur. Een uitgave van uitgeverij Damon in Eindhoven Meer info: www.damon.nl/book/schrijf-me-en…-stuur-je-antwoord
In this episode, the correspondence that lead to St. Augustine's penning of City of God is analyzed. Marcellinus and Volusian (with whom Augustine has this letter exchange) ask questions that really indicate society's intellectual and moral conditions in Late Antiquity and during the beginning of the fall of Rome. The title of this podcast refers to a joke about the City of God being a “doorstop of a book” and it's fitting for the podcast too because it is almost twice as long as the normal Emma•ism episodes!
A series of lives of the Saints, told by Fr. Thomas Tamm, especially for children!
A series of lives of the Saints, told by Fr. Thomas Tamm, especially for children!
"The Lord sometimes makes you feel the weight of the cross. Although the weight seems intolerable, you are able to carry it, because the Lord in his love and mercy, extends a hand to you and gives you strength."
Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, MartyrsOur country is in turmoil. What started as peaceful protests turned into riots and looting and violence. People took advantage of something good and used it for their own selfish desires. Setting cars on fires, breaking the glass windows of shops, crawling and climbing into the open areas of boarded up glass panels – what is this? This is not human. Where is human dignity? Fire and flames will come, but not the fires set by people trying to make a “statement” – that is never right or justified. May we allow the fire and flames burning within our hearts purify all of our selfish ambitions and even our unforgiving spirit so that we may stand united in the face of these inhumane actions and be a light for those rioting in darkness.Click here for today's readings.
A series of lives of the Saints, told by Fr. Thomas Tamm, especially for children! Father has put together a video for these episodes with beautiful images to go along with the story as well:
A series of lives of the Saints, told by Fr. Thomas Tamm, especially for children! Father has put together a video for these episodes with beautiful images to go along with the story as well:
"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue) (See Blessed Constantine, Metropolitan of Kiev, commemorated on June 5).
He grew up in Milan and became an army officer, where he distinguished himself so well that the Emperor Diocletian made him captain of the Praetorian Guard not suspecting that Sebastian was a Christian. In Rome, while fulfilling the duties of a courtier, he used his position to comfort and encourage his imprisoned fellow-Christians. By his labors and example he brought many to faith in Christ, including Chromatius, the Prefect in charge of persecuting the Roman Christians. Sebastian had upheld two brothers, Mark and Marcellinus, who were awaiting execution for their faith. When the day of execution came, their father Tranquillinus, who had been a pagan but through Sebastian's example had converted, presented himself to Chromatius and announced that he too was a Christian. His testimony was so powerful that the hard heart of the Prefect was melted, and he himself resolved to become a Christian. Caius, Bishop of Rome, gathered the new brethren (both men and women — not all of Sebastian's converts have been mentioned here) to embrace them and baptize them, but also to warn them of their coming Martyrdom. He instructed some to flee the city and others, headed by Sebastian, to remain in Rome, devoting their days to fasting, prayer and thanksgiving as they awaited their death. As the "company of Martyrs" did this, many came to them and were healed of ailments, and many joined them in confessing Christ. When the time of martyrdom came, each member of the company was subjected to imaginatively cruel tortures before his execution. Sebastian himself was made to witness the deaths of all his companions, then to endure his own trial. He serenely confessed his unshaken faith before Diocletian himself before being taken to the place of execution. There he was tied to a post and made the target of a band of archers until his body bristled with arrows like the quills of a porcupine. He was left for dead, but when Irene, widow of St Castulus, came to bury him, she found him alive and tended his wounds. Amazingly, he recovered, and presented himself once again to the Emperor. Astonished and outraged, the tyrant ordered that Sebastian be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the city's sewer. That evening, a pious Christian woman was told in a vision to retrieve his body and bury it in the catacombs. After St Constantine brought peace to the Church, Pope Damasus built a church over the site in the Saint's honor. For hundreds of years, many miracles were worked there through St Sebastian's intercessions.
June 2 Sts. Marcellinus and Peter d. 304 Marcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is, so
This episode is titled - Popes.We begin with a quote from Pope Leo I and his Sermon 5 ...It is true that all bishops taken singly preside each with his proper solicitude over his own flock, and know that they will have to give account for the sheep committed to them. To us [that is: the Popes], however, is committed the common care of all; and no single bishop's administration is other than a part of our task.The history of the Popes, AKA the bishops of Rome, could easily constitute its own study & podcast. Low & behold there IS a podcast by Stephen Guerra on this very subject. You can access it via iTunes or the History podcasters website.Our treatment here will be far more summary & brief, in keeping with our usual method.Several of the factors that elevated the Church at Rome to prominence by AD 200 were still pertinent to in the 4th & 5th Cs. Theologically, while at the dawn of the 3rd C Rome claimed an over-riding apostolic authority derived from both Peter & Paul, by the 5th Paul was dropped. His historical role in the Church at Rome was forgotten in favor of the textual argument based on 3 key NT passages that seemed to assign Peter a special place as de factor leader of the church under Christ. For those taking notes, the passages were Matt 16, Luke 22, & John 21.As noted in previous episodes, another factor lending weight to Rome's claim as premier church was the steadfastness of the bishops of Rome during the Arian controversy. Rome simply maintained a reputation for orthodoxy. It's interesting that the bishops of Rome never attended an ecumenical council. By doing so they ostensibly avoided the political maneuvers that often accompanied the councils; as we saw with Cyril & Nestorius, & the nasty schemes that embroiled the churches of Alexandria & Antioch.Administratively, Rome adhered to the tradition of a local & provincial synod twice a year. This group of conservative bishops was the vehicle through which their leader, the bishop of Rome, acted. This stood in stark contrast to the synod at Constantinople, held only when some need pressed & attended only by those bishops inclined to show up. And when they did, the bishops held varying loyalties between Alexandria, Antioch, & Constantinople. You remember the Robber's Council at Ephesus where it became a bloody brawl. And the Eastern Councils even altered each other's creeds & conclusions. With this kind of confusion in the East, it's little wonder Rome appeared a bastion of stability.Geographically, by reason of his location, the Roman bishop had a voice that was heard far & wide. Keep in mind that, Rome was the only patriarchate in the West.Politically, Rome, while still highly symbolic, was no longer the political center of the West. Milan, then later Ravenna were the capitals of the Western Empire. With the royal absence, Rome's bishop became the city's most important figure. Likely for this reason alone, the associations of imperial Rome began to surround the church's government.The word 'pope' derives from a word used by Greek children for their father = papas. It was first used in Latin the beginning of the 3rd C as an informal title for the bishop of Carthage. From there, the bishops of Alexandria picked it up & began to be called "pope" a few decades later. It's still the title of the Coptic patriarch of Alexandria.The first known use of the word for the Bishop of Rome comes from an inscription in 303 for Marcellinus, [MAR-shuh-LEE-noss] but a lack of attribution going forward over the next decades means the word was not a common title till much later in the 4th C. The title then became almost exclusively associated in the West with Roman bishop from the 6th C on.In covering how the Bishop at Rome BECAME the Pope, we need to look at HOW it was that the other bishops came to regard him, not just as first among equals, but as someone ordained by God to be in authority over them; someone they owed obedience to as God's Earthly representative. It's evident to anyone who takes the time to study the subject that while a growing number of bishops came to this conclusion, it was by no means something everyone acknowledged. The issue even led to the great rift between the Eastern & Western churches. // So Let's track, in outline at least, how the bishop at Rome became Pope.In the mid-4th C, during the tenure of the Roman bishop Julius, the 3rd canon of the Council at Sardica in 343 established the rule that a bishop who'd been deposed could appeal to the bishop of Rome. This was an important step in the recognition of his appellate authority.In the mid 4th C, the most important bishop of Rome for advancing the claims of his see was Damasus [Dah-MAH-sus]. He became bishop after a contested election in which there was bloodshed between his supporters and those of his rival Ursinus [ur-ZEE-noos]. Damasus made regular references to Rome as "the apostolic see" & spoke of the "primacy of the Roman see" on the basis of Matthew 16:18. Damasus sanctified the burial sites of previous Roman bishops in the catacombs, marking them with ornate inscriptions, he reformed the Latin liturgy, & commissioned Jerome to revise the Latin Bible.Instead of adopting the posture & accoutrements of a humble shepherd of God's flock, Damasus affected an imperial aura reminiscent of an emperor. So exalted was he that the pagan historian Ammianus Marcellinus hinted he might become a Christian if he could be bishop of Rome.At the end of the 4th C, Bishop Siricius regarded even his letters as being authoritative edicts & styled them as "apostolic." Shortly after that, Innocent I declared that Sardica' s 3rd canon giving the Roman Bishop appellate power was retroactive to the Council of Nicaea in 325. Innocent said the Church's highest teaching authority belonged to Rome. He extended his authority beyond the realm of the Western Empire into the province of Illyricum and started referring to the Roman Bishop as "vicar."Boniface I prohibited appeals beyond Rome.Leo I, AKA Leo the Great, can rightly be referred to as the first pope in that he embodied what that title means for most people today. He combined authority over councils & emperors with the idea the Roman Bishop was Peter's successor in constructing his theory of the papacy.As we saw in the episode a while back on Leo, his 3rd Sermon, delivered on the 1st anniversary of his election, explained the Petrine theory in terms of the Roman law of inheritance. Leo argued Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, so authority over the other apostles. He also claimed, after long tradition that Peter was the first bishop of Rome, and his authority was passed on to the subsequent bishops of Rome. Therefore, Leo reasoned, the perpetual authority of Peter is found in the Roman bishop. He dispensed with earlier views of church leadership & made the authority of bishops dependent on the Pope.Since this is a Church History, not a theology or ecciesiology podcast, I'm not going to go into what I, as an Evangelical Protestant, find tenuous in Leo's position.What's important for our purposes here is to realize that now, the bishop of Rome stood between Jesus Christ and other bishops.When Leo's Tome was read at the Council of Chalcedon, the bishops echoed his claim with the acclamation that Peter spoke through Leo. Chalcedon was unusual in that it gave assent to Rome's teaching authority; something previously unknown and later seldom acknowledged in the East.While Rome's primacy was taken as fact in the West, it was a different story in the East. The Council of Chalcedon ranked the Eastern Capital as next to Rome in terms of authority. But Rome never accepted that canon, concerned that by doing so it would degrade Rome's claim to absolute authority.Leo drew a comparison between the 2 natures of Jesus and the 2 parts of the empire; that is, the the religious a7 the civil. Specifically, he referred to the priesthood and the kingship. He compared Peter and Paul as founders of the Roman church to Romulus and Remus as the founders of the Roman city. He presented the Pax Christianum as counterpart to the Pax Romanum.Leo's policy toward the barbarians was to civilize & sanctify them. They called him the "Consul of God." Leo negotiated with the Huns Attila to get them to turn back from Rome. He even claimed the title of the pagan chief priest of Rome, the "pontifex maximus" for himself; chief bridge-builder. He was the 1st Roman bishop to be buried in St. Peter's.It's clear that most of the powers & privileges of future popes were seen in Leo's methods, & policies. He acted as a head of Rome's civil government, checked the advance of barbarians, enforced his authority on distant bishops, preached doctrine, & intervened at Chalcedon.While Augustine provided the intellectual substance for the medieval Western church, Leo laid down its institutional form.At the end of the 5th C, Pope Gelasius took Leo's papal theory even further. He foresaw that the Emperor Marcian's claim to being a spiritual authority & kind of priest-king at the Council of Chalcedon was dangerous. Gelasisus said that the Old Testament functions of prophet, priest, and king, were filled by Jesus Christ alone as the God-Man. Among mere humans, these functions had to be kept separate. And that in the Kingdom of God, priests were superior in authority to kings. This position became a major point of tension throughout the Middle Ages. It will be the crucible that produces much of the history of Europe for the next few hundred years.Pope Gelasius continued the claim it was the office of the Roman church to judge other churches, but could be judged by no human tribunal.By the end of the 5th C, the Western Church virtually equated the kingdom of Christ with the Church. In the East the ideal of a Christianized empire continued on. The reign of Eastern Emperor Justinian seemed an affirmation, even a confirmation of this.As we end this episode, I want to take a little time to try & clarify some words that anyone who studies church history is bound to encounter. It's some titles for church leaders. The problem is sorting out exactly what these words & titles mean; WHO they refer to.I'm referring to the words--pastor, priest, monk, bishop, archbishop, metropolitan, & patriarch.What follows is BY NO MEANS a technical definition for these things. This is meant as a more practical and vastly simplified working definition for those who wants a quick handle on what these things mean as they review church history.Understand right off that these are also words that have been fluid in terms of definition over time.Pastor is a good NT word that's synonymous in the NT with the word's elder & bishop or overseer. All the words refer to the same office & ministry in a local church. And BTW, they do refer to that scope - a local church; not someone who oversees other pastor-elder-bishops.Elder refers to a man's maturity & character as morally & spiritually fit to lead a local church.Bishop refers to his office as a spiritual authority as an overseer,while pastor refers to his task as a shepherd of God's flock.A hundred or so years after the Apostles, pastors were regularly called bishops because they oversaw a team of fellow elders & deacons who served God by serving His people. We ought to think of bishops as equivalent to senior or lead pastors in today's churches.Now, keeping to that analogy, imagine there aren't several dozen churches of different denominational stripes in your town; there's just one church, led by a senior pastor bishop. That church sends out several younger pastors to plant churches in surrounding communities. They are going to look to their sending church and its bishop as a kind of spiritual parent. And if they in turn send out even more pastors to plant more works, that original sending church and pastor takes on a highly respected role of providing guidance, not just for his local congregation, but all the works they spun off. SO, he becomes archbishop - because all those local pastors are called, bishops, right?What happened over the first few hundred years of church history was that 5 churches became recognized as canters of church life and authority, 1 in the West at Rome and 4 in the East; Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, & a 4th that varied over time from Jerusalem, to Caesarea, & Carthage. The bishops of these 5 churches were at first affectionately referred to as patriarchs because they were regarded as spiritual fathers to their surrounding provinces. Over time, that title morphed from being merely an unofficial term of affection to an outright title, spelled CAPITAL P - Patriarch.The title "Metropolitan" was applied to the bishops of other large cities and their surrounding provinces beyond the 5 Patriarchates. Metropolitan is essentially synonymous with arch-bishop.A priest was someone who was officially ordained by a bishop to serve communion and baptize converts. That of course was just a very small part of his overall pastoral duties.Monks were people who devoted themselves to the service of God rather than secular employment. They may or may not be ordained as priests. Typically, they lived alongside other monks in a cloistered community.Again, this is a highly simplified description of these roles. But I hope it serves to help those of you doing your own reading in church history to sort out the various church offices.Till next time ...