"BUILDERS" OF CHRIST’S CHURCH!
In the early Church, all Christians took seriously Christ’s commission to : "Go and make disciples of all nations." It was understood that EVERYONE had the obligation to win souls for the Lord. A prime example of this can be found in the lives of Florus and Laurus, who were responsible for the conversion of hundreds of pagans to Christianity. These twin brothers were neither priests nor preachers: they were stonemasons.
Florus and Laurus lived in the 4th century. They learned their craft in Constantinople, and later they were sent to the city of Illyricum, where they were ordered to erect a pagan temple. The overseer of this vast project was Licinius, the son of the Empress. Grudgingly, these two Christian brothers under took this massive task, giving their wages to the poor as they labored. Their wonderful example is said to have caused some 300 people to become Christians. Soon after is completion, the pagan temple became a majestic Christian cathedral! When the enraged Licinius learned of this, he put Florus and Laurus to death by casting them in a deep well and covering it with earth.
According to an ancient tradition of the Church, Florus and Laurus are viewed as the "patron saints of horsekeepers." Their icon usually depicts them with the Archangel Michael holding the reins of two horses, with three riders below chasing a herd of horses. The three riders are named SPEUSIPPUS (Horsebreaker), ELEUSIPPUS (Horse Scout), and MELEUSIPUS (Black Horse), who are said to have been 2nd century martyrs.
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin . . . . Vestal, Cliffwood, New jersey. litho in U.S.A.