1 AUGUST
SHMOONI AND HER SEVEN SONS
August 1st feast commemorates eight martyrs of the Jewish people: Shmooni and her seven sons. Their martyrdom took place around 170 BC, under the reign of the Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes. This king attempted to impose the pagan cult of Jupiter upon the Jewish people and even desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. Under the threat of persecution and even death, many Jews abandoned their religion.
According to an ancient tradition, it is said that the death of Shmooni and her sons took place in Antioch, and from there the relics of these martyrs were brought to Constinople and finally Rome, where they rest in Saint Peter church in Chains.
Although her name is not mentioned, tradition gives the mother the name of Shmooni or Salome. The account of the death of the mother and sons is found in chapter 7 of the Second Book of Maccabees. The story of their martyrdom teaches us their fidelity to the Jewish traditions, the great mercy of God for his people, their hope in the resurrection of the body, of God’s reward to those who are faithful to him and to his judgment on those who turn away. Shmooni’s example of faith as she saw her sons slowly put to death should be a lesson to us when and how our faith is tested. May the prayers of Shmooni and her seven sons be with us. Amen.
7 AUGUST
SAINT DOMITIUS
There are numerous stories about Domitius and his devotion is wide spread in Lebanon. There may have been, in fact, two saints who bore this name. One was a Persian monk who lived in Nisibus during the fourth centuryAD. He lived as a hermit on Mont Qoroch and was noted for his preachings and healing miracles. He suffered martyrdom under the pagan emperor Julian the Apostate in 363AD. Another tradition reports that Domitius was a minister in the court of the Byzantine emperor Valens who was an Arian. Domitius encouraged the emperor to persecute the Orthodox Christians until he was afflicted with arthritis. As a result, he was converted from Aryanism and became a hermit. He cured many who suffered from arthritis and is now considered as the patron of those who suffer from that disease. He died at the beginning of the fourth centuryAD. May his prayer be with us. Amen.
29 AUGUST
BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER
Undoubtedly, we can learn much from the life and death of John the Baptizer. His life was one of penance and he called the people of Israel to repentance, thereby preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. John was not concerned for personal gain, but rather, he desired only that Jesus be well known.
His great courage was especially evident in his confrontation with King Herod. The king had entered into an adulterous marriage with his brother’s wife and John publically denounced him for his sin. Without regard for his own life, he called Herod to repentance (Mark 6:9). He was thrown into jail and was eventually executed in order to appease Herod’s wife. Before his death he sent his disciples to Jesus (Luke 7:19-20).
John, who declared the truth of God’s commandments before Herod was privileged to point to the incarnate truth, Jesus Christ, and call the people to follow him. John’s death, which we recall today, points to Christ and his death on the cross. John died in fidelity to God’s truth. Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, died to reconcile us to the Father and each other. May the prayers of John the Baptizer be with us. Amen.
