From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
April 8th - Saint Agabus the Prophet
(also known as Saint Agabos)
Memorial 8 April
8 March (Greek calendar)
13 February on some calendars
in 1st century Antioch
Saint Agabus was one of the seventy disciples of Christ sent out to
preach the Gospel, and holy martyr of Antioch. Saint Agabus was graced
with the gift of prophecy, and was likely present in the upper room on
the day of Pentecost. Saint Agabus is mentioned in the Acts of the
Apostles, in which he is recorded as predicting a great famine
thorughout the Roman Empire.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the
Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world:
which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11: 27-28)
Saint Agabus later predicted the imprisonment of Paul, attempting unsuccessfully to convince him to refrain from journeying to
Jerusalem:
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a
certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his
own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the
Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall
deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place,
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?
for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for
the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of
the Lord be done.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to
Jerusalem. (Acts 21:10-15)
Saint Agabus traveled, preaching the Gospel with his fellow disciples
of Christ. He converted both Jews and Greeks, attracting the attention
of the Jews of Jerusalem. He was arrested, tortured, beaten, and
dragged by a rope around his neck outside the city. He was stoned to
death at Antioch. At the moment of his death, a glowing light from
Heaven shone down, causing those in attendance to look upon it in
amazement. A Jewish woman proclaimed, "Truly this man was righteous,=E2=80=
=9D
and converted to Christianity on the spot. The crowds promptly stoned
her and she was buried with the holy saint in his tomb.
Today we pray that Saint Agabus, and all the holy martyrs of the
faith, inspire us to live our lives with the conviction and certainty
of Christ--that we may proclaim the Gospel through our thoughts,
words, and actions each day!
Readings
At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and
one of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that
there would be a severe famine all over the world, and it happened
under Claudius. So the disciples determined that, according to
ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. =E2=80= =93
Acts 28:27-29
Saint Quote
The Father in heaven urges us, as children of heaven, to ask for the
bread of heaven. [Christ] himself is the bread who, sown in the
Virgin, raised up in the flesh, kneaded in the Passion, baked in the
oven of the tomb, reserved in churches, brought to altars, furnishes
the faithful each day with food from heaven.
--St. Peter Chrysologus, Homilie 67: PL 52, 392
Bible Quote:
"But someone may say: So you have faith and I have good deeds? Show me
this faith of yours without deeds, then! It is by my deeds that I will
show you my faith."=C2 James 2:18:
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Short prayers to the Holy Trinity:
O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee who art dwelling by Thy
grace within my soul.
O Most Holy Trinity, who art dwelling by Thy grace within
my soul, make me love Thee more and more.
O Most Holy Trinity, who art dwelling by Thy grace within
my soul, sanctify me more and more.
Abide with me, O Lord, be Thou my true joy.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)