Homily One for the Epistle Reading on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers - Christian Behavior (Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

 

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Titus 3:8-15)

In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul, as we heard today in the Apostolic reading, among other things, urges him to advise Christians (clergy and laity) to behave properly in society. It does not speak of an outward behavior, but of the result of the salvation that took place with the incarnation of Christ and experienced in their lives.

Saint Nonnus, Bishop of Heliopolis (+ 471)

St. Nonnus the Catechist of Saint Pelagia (Feast Day - November 10)

Verses

Nonnus was entirely filled with the knowledge of God,
Turning even towards the worst as being of beautiful appearance.

Nonnus was renowned as a great ascetic in the Tabennisi Monastery in Egypt, because of which he was chosen bishop in 448 for the diocese of Edessa. Later, he was transferred to the diocese of Heliopolis (modern Baalbek) and there converted 30,000 Arabs to the faith of Christ. After the death of Bishop Ibas, Saint Nonnus again returned to Edessa where he remained until his death in 471.

Holy Hieromartyrs Nikandros the Bishop of Myra and Hermaios the Presbyter

Sts. Nikandros and Hermaios the Martyrs (Feast Day - November 4)

Verses

The two Martyrs lived with longing for God,
And alive they were bitterly buried in the tomb.

The Holy Hieromartyrs Nikandros and Hermaios were both ordained by the Apostle Titus, Nikandros as Bishop of Myra and Hermaios as Presbyter. They were both distinguished for their great zeal and their great labors in winning pagans over to the faith of Christ. Because of this, they were accused before a certain prefect, Libanus, who subjected them to bitter tortures.

Holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete

St. Titus the Apostle (Feast Day - August 25)

Saint Titus, an Apostle of the Seventy, was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. Preoccupied by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (Dec. 20) testifies of him.