The Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius and Celsus; Our Venerable Mother Parasceva of Ternovo; Blessed Roman Lysko, Pastor of Youth and Martyr of L’viv.
Saint with Six Stichera.
Philippians 1:8-14; Luke 5:12-16.
Read Luke 5:12-16
In ancient times, leprosy was seen as more than a skin or nerve disease. It was a curse. It meant you were “unclean,” and society understood the risk of lepers infecting others. For their safety, communities would cast out those with leprosy, leaving them to suffer in isolation. To get leprosy was practically a death sentence – not only physically but also socially. The Book of Leviticus prescribes that those suspected of having leprosy need to report to the priests for inspection, and if the priests deemed that that they had leprosy, they would be declared unclean and casted out (see Lev. 13).
When Jesus heals leprosy, He is not only performing the physical miracle of removing the sickness, but the healed leper can now be reintegrated into his family and society. Jesus healed not only the illness but also the isolation. When Jesus heals, He brings people together. He not only desires that we are in loving communion with Him but also with one another. In the Old Testament, leprosy could be seen as a symbol for “sin.” What leprosy does to a person’s body is like what sin does to a person’s soul. Sin leads to death. Sin cuts us off from God and others. Sin disfigures us, created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus has come to save us from sin and death and enable us to be sharers in divine life, in the communion of saints.