St. Titus, January 26th

1st Reading: Acts 20:28-35 Epistle: Titus 1:1-9 Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

Color: White Hymn of the Day: 586 Preach you the Word, and plant it home

St. Titus, Pastor

Saint Titus was a companion and secretary of Saint Paul, mentioned in several of the Pauline epistles. Titus was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch and accompanied them to the Council of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-3).

He appears to have been a Gentile — for Paul sternly refused to have him circumcised, because the Gospel frees Christians from the requirements of the Mosaic Law — and to have been chiefly engaged in ministering to Gentiles.

At a later period, Paul’s epistles place him with Paul and Timothy at Ephesus, where he was sent by Paul to Corinth for the purpose of getting the contributions of the church sent to the poor Christians at Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:6; 12:18).

He rejoined Paul when he was in Macedonia, and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6-15). After this his name is not mentioned until after Paul’s first imprisonment, when he was engaged in the organization of the church in Crete, where Paul had left him for this purpose (Titus 1:5). The last mention of him is in 2 Timothy 4:10, where he appeared with Paul at Rome during his second imprisonment. From Rome he was sent into Dalmatia.

According to tradition, Paul ordained Titus bishop of Gortyn in Crete. Titus died in the year 107 A.D., about 95 years old.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org "Titus (Biblical)"

Aiden unrolls 8000

John Chrysostom, Preacher, January 27th

Given the added name of Chrysostom, which means "golden-mouthed" in Greek, Saint John was a dominant force in the fourth-century Christian church. Born in Antioch around the year 347, John was instructed in the Christian faith by his pious mother, Anthusa. After serving in a number of Christian offices, including acolyte and lector, John was ordained a presbyter and given preaching responsibilities. His simple but direct messages found an audience well beyond his home town. In 398, John Chrysostom was made Patriarch of Constantinople. His determination to reform the church, court, and city there brought him into conflict with established authorities. Eventually, he was exiled from his adopted city. Although removed from his parishes and people, he continued writing and preaching until the time of his death in 407. It is reported that his final words were: "Glory be to God for all things. Amen."

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa – January 9th

Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa

Basil and the two Gregorys, collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers, were leaders of Christian orthodoxy in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) in the later fourth century. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa were brothers; Gregory of Nazianzus was their friend. All three were influential in shaping the theology ratified by the Council of Constantinople of 381, which is expressed in the Nicene Creed. Their defense of the doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Holy Trinity, together with their contributions to the liturgy of the Eastern Church, make them among the most influential Christian teachers and theologians of their time.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies