Menas was an Athenian, a courtier of the Emperor Maximinus, and a secret Christian. Once there was an outbreak of civil unrest in Alexandria, brought about by various political factions, and by the increasing success of Christian missionaries in turning the Alexandrian people from the idols. The Emperor sent Menas to reconcile the parties and settle the dispute. On his arrival, Menas quickly resolved the political troubles and restored peace to the city; but instead of putting down Christianity as the Emperor had desired, he did everything in his power to protect the Christians and encourage the spread of the Gospel. When word of this came to the Emperor, he sent another trusted courtier, Hermogenes, to re-establish Imperial authority and to execute Menas if he would not renounce Christ. Hermogenes followed these orders scrupulously: he subjected the godly Menas to various horrid tortures in the public arena. But Menas was miraculously preserved through them all, and when he finally appeared in the arena, flanked by two shining Angels, Hermogenes repented and confessed Christ. He in turn became such a fervent advocate for the Gospel that he was soon made a Bishop (!). Finally the Emperor decided that the only solution was to come to Alexandria himself. There he had both Menas and Hermogenes cruelly tortured to death in secret, lest they perform any public miracles; but when the Emperor presented himself before the people at the arena the following day, the two Saints, miraculously preserved, appeared there also, causing the people to cry out "Christ is the only true God!" At the sight, Menas' scribe Eugraphus declared himself a Christian, leaped into the arena and publicly demanded the honor of dying with them. All three were beheaded. Their precious relics were later taken to Constantinople, where they worked many miracles.

"In the time of Diocletian, a fierce persecutor of Christians called Philomarchus came to Sebaste. He arrested and killed many Christians in the town. When he saw Athenogenes and his disciples, he told the elder to sacrifice to the idols, that they should not perish as had the other Christians. Athenogenes replied: 'O Torturer, those whom you describe as having perished have not perished, but are in heaven and make merry with the angels!' There was a touching moment when a deer, which had been hand-fed by the compassionate Athenogenes, ran up to him and, seeing him in such straits, shed tears. Wild animals of the hills had more pity on the martyrs than did the pagans! After harsh torture, during which an angel of God comforted them, they were all beheaded, first the priests and fellow workers of Athenogenes and then Athenogenes himself, and went to their heavenly home in the year 311." (Prologue)   The Great Horologion adds "There is a second Martyr Athenogenes commemorated today, mentioned by St Basil... it is said that as this Athenogenes approached the fire, wherein he was to die a martyric death, he chanted the hymn O Joyous Light in praise of the Holy Trinity." This is one way that we know that the vesperal hymn Gladsome Light was in use before the time of St Basil the Great.

"In the time of Diocletian, a fierce persecutor of Christians called Philomarchus came to Sebaste. He arrested and killed many Christians in the town. When he saw Athenogenes and his disciples, he told the elder to sacrifice to the idols, that they should not perish as had the other Christians. Athenogenes replied: 'O Torturer, those whom you describe as having perished have not perished, but are in heaven and make merry with the angels!' There was a touching moment when a deer, which had been hand-fed by the compassionate Athenogenes, ran up to him and, seeing him in such straits, shed tears. Wild animals of the hills had more pity on the martyrs than did the pagans! After harsh torture, during which an angel of God comforted them, they were all beheaded, first the priests and fellow workers of Athenogenes and then Athenogenes himself, and went to their heavenly home in the year 311." (Prologue)   The Great Horologion adds "There is a second Martyr Athenogenes commemorated today, mentioned by St Basil... it is said that as this Athenogenes approached the fire, wherein he was to die a martyric death, he chanted the hymn O Joyous Light in praise of the Holy Trinity." This is one way that we know that the vesperal hymn Gladsome Light was in use before the time of St Basil the Great.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of the book of Genesis.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Genesis 1.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of Genesis.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 2.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 3.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 3.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of Genesis 3.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 4.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 4.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 4.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis, Chapter 5 and the beginning of Chapter 6.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of Genesis, Chapter 6.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the end of Genesis Chapter 6 and Genesis Chapters 7 and 8.

Parental Advisory: This episode may contain some adult themes Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 9.

Parental Advisory: This episode may contain some adult themes. Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 10 and the beginning of Genesis Chapter 11.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 12.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion on the beginning of Genesis Chapter 12.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the rest of Genesis Chapter 12.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 13.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the rest of Genesis Chapter 13 and the beginning of Genesis Chapter 14.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion of Genesis Chapter 14

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes his discussion of Genesis Chapter 14.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 15.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the rest of Genesis Chapter 15.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 16.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 17.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 18.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 19.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 20.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 21

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapters 22 and 23

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 24.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the rest of Genesis Chapter 24.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 25.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the end of Genesis Chapter 25.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 26.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the end of Genesis Chapter 26.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 27

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the end of Genesis Chapter 27

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 28

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the end of Genesis Chapter 28

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the beginning of Genesis Chapter 29

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the ending of Genesis Chapter 29, as well as Chapters 30 and 31.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 32

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapters 33 and 34

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses Genesis Chapter 35