Prophet Joel; Martyr Varus; Blessed Cleopatra with her son in Egypt; St John, the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria

Orthodox Calendar, October 19 Prophet Joel He predicted the desolation of Jerusalem. He also prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon all people, through the Savior of the world (Joel 2:28-32).

The hymnographer Anatolius links Joel’s prophecy to the Nativity of the Lord.

In the Praises at Matins on the Sunday following the Nativity, he refers to Joel 2:30, saying that the blood refers to the Incarnation, the fire to the Divinity, and the pillars of smoke to the Holy Spirit.

He lived around 800 B.C.

Troparion — Tone 2 We celebrate the memory / of Your prophet Joel, O Lord; / through him we entreat You, / save our souls.

Martyr Varus He lived in Egypt during the period of several persecutions against Christians (late third to early fourth century). Varus (Ouaros) was a military commander and secretly a Christian. He gave assistance to many of the persecuted and imprisoned Christians, and he visited the prisoners at night. He also brought food to the prisoners, dressed their wounds, and gave them encouragement.

Once Varus spent a whole night talking with seven imprisoned monks. These men were Christian teachers who had been beaten and…