The Holy Martyr Theodotus and the Holy Seven Virgins Tecusa, Phaine, Claudia, Matrona, Julia, Alexandra and Euphrasia lived during the second half of the third century in the city of Ancyra, Galatia, and died as martyrs for Christ at the beginning of the fourth century. Saint Theodotus was an innkeeper and was married. The prefect of Ancyra issued a proclamation informing Christians that they were obliged to offer sacrifice to idols, and if they refused, they would be tortured and killed. Pagans would deliver Christians over to torture, and then divide up their property. Theodotus was not afraid to bury the remains of holy martyrs, either carrying them off secretly or ransoming them from the soldiers. When the Christian churches at Ancyra were destroyed and closed, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in his inn. At this time, seven holy virgins died for Christ. The eldest, St. Tecusa, was the aunt of St. Theodotus. The holy virgins Tecusa, Phaine, Claudia, Matrona, Julia, Alexandra and Euphrasia had dedicated themselves to God from their youth, living in constant prayer, fasting, temperance and good deeds. Brought to trial as Christians, the holy virgins bravely confessed their faith in Christ before the prefect and were given over to torture, yet remained steadfast. A heavy stone was tied to the legs of each, and all seven of the holy virgins were drowned in a lake. The next night, St. Tecusa appeared to St. Theodotus in a dream asking him to retrieve her body and give her a Christian burial. St. Theodotus found all the bodies of the seven martyrs and brought them to church where they were buried. After this act, St. Theodotus gave his life for Christ. 

 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You fought well by your martyrdom, O Theodotus, as did those who were martyred with you. You were crowned along with those martyred virgins. Implore Christ our God unceasingly for all of us.

 

Epistle

Acts 28: 1-31

In those days, once on shore, we learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordinary kindness by lighting a fire and gathering us all around it, for it had begun to rain and was growing cold. Paul had just fed the fire with a bundle of brushwood he had collected, when a poisonous snake, escaping from the heat, fastened itself on his hand. At the sight of the snake hanging from his hand, the natives said to one another, “This man must really be a murdered if, after his escape from the sea, justice will not let him live.” But Paul shook the snake into the fire and suffered no ill effects from the bite. They expected to see him swell up or suddenly fall dead. After waiting for some time, however, and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say he was a god.

In the vicinity of the place was the estate of Publius, the chief figure on the island. He took us in and gave us kind hospitality for three days. It happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed, laid up with chronic fever and dysentery. Paul went to see the man, and praying, laid his hands on him and cured him. After this happened, the rest of the sick on the island began to come to Paul and they too were healed. They paid us much honor, and when we eventually set sail they brought us provisions for our needs.

Three months later we set sail in a ship which had passed winter at the island. It was an Alexandrian vessel with the “Heavenly Twins” as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and spent three days there. Then we sailed around toe and arrived at Rhegium. A day later a south wind began to blow which enabled us to reach Puteoli in two days. Here we found some of the brothers, who urged us to stay with them for a week. 

This is how we finally came to Rome. Certain brothers from Rome who heard about us came out as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took fresh courage. Upon our entry into Rome Paul was allowed to take lodging of his own, although a soldier was assigned to keep guard over him.

Three days later Paul invited the prominent men of the Jewish community to visit him. When they had gathered he said: “My brothers, I have done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs; yet in Jerusalem I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner. The Romans tried my case and wanted to release me because they found nothing against me deserving of death. When the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to the emperor, though I had no cars to make accusations against my own people. This is the reason, then, why I have asked to see you and speak with you. I wear these chains solely because I share the hope of Israel.”

They replied: “ We have had no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers arrived with a report or a rumor to your discredit. For our part, we are anxious to hear you present your views. We know very well that this sect is denounced everywhere.”

With that, they arranged a day with him and came to his lodgings in great numbers. From morning to evening he laid the case before them, bearing witness to the reign of God among men. He sought to convince them about Jesus by appealing to the law of Moses and the prophets. Some, indeed, were convinced by what he said; others would not believe.

Without reaching any agreement among themselves, they began to leave. Then Paul added one final word: “The Holy Spirit stated it well when he said to your fathers through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Go to his people and say: You may listen carefully yet you will never understand; you may look intently yet you will never see. The heart of this people has grown sluggish. They have scarcely used their ears to listen; their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their minds, and repent; and I should have to heal them.’ Paul continued in his own words: now you must realize that this salvation of God has been transmitted to the Gentiles-who will heed it!”

For two full years Paul stayed on in his rented lodgings, welcoming all who came to him. With full assurance, and without any hindrance whatsoever, he preached the reign of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Gospel

John 21: 14-25

At that time Jesus appeared to the disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had eaten their meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” At which Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

A second time he put his question, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus replied, “Tend my sheep.

A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him: “Lord, you know everything. You know very well that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. I tell you solemnly: as a young man you fastened your belt and went about as you please; but when you are older you will stretch out your hands, and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will.”

What he said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God. When Jesus had finished speaking he said to Peter, “Follow me.”

Peter turned around at that, and noticed that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following – the one who had leaned against Jesus’ chest during supper and said, “Lord, which one will hand you over?” – Seeing that disciple, Peter was prompted to ask Jesus, “But Lord, what about him?” Jesus replied, “Suppose I want him to stay until I come, how does that concern you? Your business is to follow me.” This is how the report spread among the brothers that this disciple was not going to die. Jesus never told him, as a matter of fact, that the disciple was not going to die; all he said was, “Suppose I want him to stay until I come. How does that concern you?”

It is this same disciple who is the witness to these things; it is he who wrote them down and his testimony, we know, is true. There are still many other things that Jesus did, yet if they were written about in detail, I doubt there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them. 

 

The holy apostle Andronicus was one of the Seventy apostles. He and his companion Junias were kinsmen of St. Paul, as he mentions in Romans 16:17. St. Andronicus was Bishop of Pannonia but still he traveled preaching the gospel with Junias, bringing the word of God to pagans. Many pagans temples were closed and Christian churches opened in their stead. Andronicus and his companions were martyred for the Faith. 

 

Troparion

O holy apostles, intercede with the all-merciful God that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.

 

Kontakion

We praise Andronicus, the apostle of Christ, the bright star who enlightened the pagans with understanding of God. We also praise Junias who labored along with him in bringing the Gospel to the pagans. We cry out: Implore God for us unceasingly. 

 

Epistle

Acts 27:1 – 28:1

In those days, when it was decided that we were to set sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius from the cohort known as Augusta. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium bound for ports in the province of Asia, and set sail. With us in Macedonia, Aristarchus of Thessalonica. The following day we put in at Sidon, where Julius kindly allowed Paul to visit some friends who cared for his needs. Then, putting out from Sidon, we sailed around the sheltered side of Cyprus because of the strong headwinds. We crossed the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and came to Myra in Lycia. 

There The centurion discovered an Alexandria vessel bound for Italy, and he ordered us a board. For many days we made little headway, arriving at Cnidus only with difficulty. Since the winds would not permit us to continue our course, we sailed for Salmone and the shelter of Crete. Again with difficulty we moved along the coast to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Much time had now gone by. The autumn fast was over, and with the lateness of the year sailing had to become hazardous. It was then that Paul uttered this warning: “Men, I can see that this voyage is bound to meet with disaster and heavy loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.” However, the centurion preferred listening to the pilot and the shipowner to listening to Paul.

Since The harbor was not fit to pass the winter in, the majority preferred to put out to sea in hope of making Phoenix and spending the winter there. This was a Cretan port exposed on the southwest and the northwest. When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had what they were looking for, so they weighed anchor and proceeded, hugging the coast of Crete. It was not long before a hurricane struck, the kind called a “northeaster.” Since the ship was caught up in it and could not head into the wind, we yielded and ran before it. We passed under the lee of a small island named Cauda and only with difficulty were able to gain control of the ship’s boat. They hoisted it aboard and then made use of cables to brace the ship itself. Because of their fear that they would be driven on the reef of Syrtis, they lowered the small anchor used for moving the ship and the ship was carried along. We were being pounded by the storm so violently that the next day some of the cargo was thrown over the side. On the third day they deliberately threw even the ship’s gear overboard. For many days neither the sun nor the stars were to be seen, so savagely did the storm rage. Toward the end, we abandoned any hope of survival.

All hands had gone without food for a long time when Paul stood up among them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice and not set sail from Crete. Then you would not have incurred this disastrous loss. I urge you now to keep up your courage. None among you will be lost – only the ship. Last night a messenger of the God whose man I am and whom I serve, stood by me. ‘Do not be afraid, Paul,’ he said. ‘You are destined to appear before the emperor. Therefore, as a favor to you, God has granted safety to all who are sailing with you.’ So keep up your courage, men. I trust in God that it will all work out just as I have been told, though we still have to face shipwreck on some island.”

It was the fourteenth night of the storm, and we were still being driven across the Ionian Sea, when toward midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was near. They took a sounding and found a depth of twenty fathoms; after sailing on a short distance they again took a sounding and found it to be fifteen. For fear that we should be dashed against some rocky coast, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. Then the sailors tried to abandon ship. Pretending that they were going to run out anchors from the bow of the ship, they let the ships boat down into the sea. Paul alerted the centurion and the soldiers to this: “If these men do not stay with the ship, you have no chance to survive.” At this, the soldiers cut the ropes and let the boat drift.

At dawn Paul urged all on board to take some food: “For fourteen days you have been in constant suspense; you have gone hungry-eaten nothing. Now I urge you to take some food, which will give you strength to survive. Not one of you shall lose a hair of his head.” When he had said this he took some bread, gave thanks to God before all of them, broke it, and began to eat it. This gave them new courage, and they too had something to eat. (In all, there were two hundred and seventy-six of us on board.) When they had had enough to eat, they lightened the ship further by throwing the wheat overboard.

With the coming of daylight, they did not recognize the land they saw. They could make out a bay with a sandy beach, however, so they plan to run the ship aground on it if possible. They cut loose and anchor and abandoned them to the sea. At the same time the untied the guy-ropes of the rudders, hoisted the force sail into the wind, and made for the beach; but the ship hit a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and could not be budged, while the stern was shattered by the pounding of the sea. The soldiers thought at first of killing the prisoners so that none might swim away and escape; but because the centurion was anxious to Saint Paul, he posed their plan. Instead, he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The rest were to follow, on planks, or on other debris from the ship. And this way all came safely ashore. Once ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.

 

Gospel

John 17: 18-26

After Jesus had spoken to his disciples he raised up his eyes to heaven and said: “Father, as you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world; I consecrate myself for their sake now, that they may be consecrated in truth. I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word, that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me that they may be one, as we are one – I living in them, you living in me – that their unity may be complete. So shall the world know that you sent me, and that you loved them as you loved me. Father, all those you gave me I would have in my company where I am, to see this glory of mine which is your gift to me, because of the love you bore me before the world began. Just Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these men have known that you sent me. To them I have revealed your name, and I will continue to reveal it so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them.”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Theodore was a disciple of St. Pachomius (May 15). Yearning for monastic life at an early age, he left his parents home at the age of fourteen and joined one of St. Pachomius’ monasteries. St. Theodore cared for St. Pachomius during his final illness. He became the hegumen of all of St. Pachomius’ monasteries, and eventually the head of all the monasteries in Thebaid. St. Theodore was famed for his holiness of life and his great gift of wonderworking. 

 

Troparion

You made the wilderness your dwelling, O father Theodore, the bearer of God. You became an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker. Through fast, vigils, and prayers, you obtained from God special graces to heal the sick and to sanctify the souls of those who come to you with trust. Glory to the One who gave you strength! Glory to the One who crowned you! Glory to the One who through your intercession grants healing to all!

 

Kontakion

You bloomed like a flower in the house of God, bearing the fragrant fruit of virtue through your fasting. You have been made an equal of angels for this, O venerable father. 

 

Epistle

Acts 25: 13-19

In those days, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid Festus a courtesy call. Since they were to spend several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he said, “whom Felix left behind in custody. While I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented their case against this man and demanded his condemnation. I replied that it was not the Roman practice to hand an accused man over before he had been confronted with his accusers and given a chance to defend himself against their charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the matter. The very next day I took my seat on the bench and ordered the man brought in. His accusers surrounded him but they did not charge him with any of the crimes I expected. Instead they differed with him over issues in their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed is alive.”

 

Gospel

John 16: 23-33

The Lord said to his disciples: “I give you my assurance, whatever you ask the Father, he will give you in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. I have spoken these things to you in veiled language. A time will come when I shall no longer do so, but shall tell you about the Father in plain speech. On that day you will ask in my name and I do not say that I will petition the Father for you. The Father already loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I did indeed come from the Father; I came into the world. Now I am leaving the world to go to the Father.”

His disciples exclaimed: “At last you are speaking plainly without talking in veiled language! We are convinced that you know everything. There is no need for anyone to ask you questions. We do indeed believe you came from God.”

Jesus answered them: “Do you really believe? An hour is coming–has indeed already come–when you will be scattered and each will go his way, leaving me quite alone. Yet I can never be alone; the Father is with me. I tell you all this that in me you may find peace.”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Pachomius the Great was a soldier in Thebaid (Upper Egypt) in the fourth century. After watching Christians feed and care for his fellow soldiers because they loved their God and wanted to fulfill His commandment to love their neighbor, St. Pachomius converted to Christianity. After his baptism, St. Pachomius led a strict ascetic life. He turned to hermit Palaemon for spiritual guidance, and received his monastic tonsure from him. After wandering in the desert, St. Pachomius heard a Voice from heaven instructing him to settle there and build a monastery. His monastery attracted many followers, and eventually there were seven monasteries with St. Pachomius as Hegumen. His older brother came and joined him at the monastery, and his sister formed a women’s monastery across the Nile from her brothers. 

 

Troparion

Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom, and your suffering made your labors fruitful a hundredfold; you became a shining torch over the world. O venerable father Pachomius, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You became a light for the ends of the earth. You peopled the desert with monks like a city. You weakened your body by your abstinence. You took up your cross and crucified yourself. Pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Epistle

Acts 23: 1-11

In those days, Paul gazed intently at the Sanhedrin. Then he said, “Brothers, to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.” At that, the high priest  Ananias ordered his attendants to strike Paul on the mouth. Paul said to him in rebuttal: “You are the one God will strike, you whitewashed wall! You sit there judging men according to the law, yet you violate the law yourself by ordering me to be struck!” At this, the attendants protested, “How dare you insult God’s high priest?” Paul answered: “My brothers, I did not know that he was the high priest. Indeed, Scripture has it, ‘You shall not curse a prince of your people!’”

Paul, it should be noted, was aware that some of them were Sadducees and some Pharisees. Consequently he spoke out before the Sanhedrin: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and was born a Pharisee. I find myself on trial now because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” At these words, a dispute arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees which divided the whole assembly. (The Sadducees, of course, maintain that there is no resurrection and that there are neither angels nor spirits, while the Pharisees believe in all these things.) A loud uproar ensued. Finally, some scribes of the Pharisee party arose and declared emphatically: “We do not find this man guilty of any crime. If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him…” At this, the dispute grew worse and the commander feared they would tear Paul to pieces. He therefore ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him back to headquarters. That night the Lord appeared at Paul’s aide and said: “Keep up your courage! Just as you have given testimony to me here in Jerusalem, so must you do in Rome.”

 

Gospel

John 16: 15-23

The Lord said to his disciples: “All that the Father has belongs to me. That is why I said that what he will announce to you he will have from me. Within a short time you will lose sight of me, but soon after that you shall see me again.”

At this, some of his disciples asked one another: “What can he mean, ‘Within a short time you will see me’? And did he not say that he is going back to the Father?” They kept asking: “What does he mean by this ‘short time’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Since Jesus was aware that they wanted to question him, he said: “You are asking one another about my saying, ‘Within a short time you will lose sight of me, but soon after that you will see me.’ I tell you truly: you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned to joy. When a woman is in labor she is sad that her time has come. When she has borne her child, she no longer remembers her pain for joy that a man has been born into the world. In the same way, you are sad for a time, but I shall see you again; then your hearts will rejoice with joy no one can take away from you. On that day you will have no questions to ask me. I give you my assurance, whatever you ask the Father he will give you in my name.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyr Isidore was an officer in the Roman Navy in the third century. Once it was discovered that he was a Christian, St. Isidore’s admiral urged him to renounce Christ and made sacrifice to the idol, but St. Isidore refused saying, “You may be able to kill my body, but you have no power over my soul. The true, living God, Jesus Christ, abides in me; even after my death he shall be with me, and I with Him. I shall abide in Him, and I shall never cease to confess Him while breath still remains in my body.” He was tortured after his refusal, and thrown in prison. His own father even tried to convince him to deny Christ, yet St. Isidore’s faith remained unshaken. Despite his tongue being cut out to prevent his proclamations, St. Isidore continued to confess Christ through his tortures until the point he was finally beheaded. His body was retrieved from the well where it was thrown by Saints Ammonios and Myrope, who buried him in secret with all due honor. St. Myrope was buried alongside St. Isidore on the Greek island of Chios. 

 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Isidore has deserved the crown of immortality on account of his good fight. Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

O glorious Isidore, through your constant prayers to God, you became a leader in the world and a martyr holy in spirit. Therefore, we sing hymns of praise to you. 

 

Epistle

Acts 21: 26-32

In those days, Paul gathered the men together and went through the rite of purification with them the next day. Then he entered the temple precincts to give notice of the day when the period of purification would be over, at which time the offering was to be made for each of them. 

The seven-day period was nearing completion when some Jews from the province of Asia recognized Paul in the temple precincts and began to stir up the whole crowd there. They seized him, shouting: “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who is spreading his teaching everywhere against our people, our law, and this sanctuary. He has even brought Greeks into the temple area and thus profaned this sacred place.” They had seen Trophimus, and Ephesian, with him in the city earlier, so they now assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Before long the whole city was in turmoil. People came running from all sides. They seized Paul, dragged him outside the temple, and immediately closed the gates. Attempts were being made on his life when a report reached the commander of the cohort that all Jerusalem was rioting. Immediately the commander took his soldiers and centurions and charged down the rioters. As soon as the crowd caught sight of him and the soldiers, they stopped assaulting Paul. 

 

Gospel

John 16: 2-13

The Lord said to his disciples: “I have told you all this to keep your faith from being shaken. Not only will they expel you from synagogues; a time will come when anyone who puts you to death will claim to be serving God!

“All this they will do to you because they knew neither the Father nor me. But I have told you these things that when their hour comes you may remember my telling you of them. 

“I did not speak of this with you from the beginning because I was with you. Now that I go back to him who sent me, not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have had all this to say to you, you are overcome with grief. Yet I tell you the sober truth: It is much better for you that I go. If I fail to go, the Paraclete will never come to you. When he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin, about justice, about condemnation. About sin – in that they refuse to believe in me; about justice – from the fact that I go to the Father and you can see me no more; about condemnation – for the prince of this world has been condemned. I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. When he comes, however, being the Spirit of truth he will guide you to all truth.”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyr Glyceria was orphaned at an early age and became Christian. During the persecutions of Christians under the emperor Antoninus (138-161), an edict was issued that all Christians had to offer sacrifice to the idols. St. Glyceria was determined to suffer for Christ. On the appointed day, she drew a Sign of the Cross on her forehead and went to the pagan temple. When she removed her veil and revealed the holy Cross, she prayed to God to bring the pagans to their senses, thunder rumbled and the idol statue crashed to the floor smashing to pieces. The pagan priests order Glyceria to be pelted with stones, but the thrown stones did not touch her. She was thrown into prison. When her tortures started the next day, an angel appeared and frightened the torturers who could not continue. Angels brought St. Glyceria food and drink while she was in prison. Attempts to torture her were thwarted by her incessant prayers and Angels of the Lord who came to heal her and protect her. St. Glyceria was sentenced to be eaten by wild beasts. She went to her execution with great joy, but the lioness meekly crawled up to the saint and lay at her feet. Finally, St. Glyceria prayed to the Lord, imploring that He take her unto Himself. In answer she heard a Voice from Heaven, summoning her to heavenly bliss. At that moment, another lioness was set loose upon the saint. It pounced upon the martyr and killed her, but did not tear her apart. Her body was retrieved and reverently buried by Christians in the year 177. 

 

Troparion

O Jesus, your lamb Glyceria cries out to You with great love: O Bridegroom, I long for You in great pain. I am crucified with You, and in baptism I am buried with You. I suffer for your sake in order to reign with You. I die for You in order to live in You. Accept me as an immaculate victim since I am immolated for your love. Through her intercession, O merciful One, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

O Glyceria, you loved the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and consecrated your virginity to Christ. Aflame with love for the Lord, you fought the good fight until death. For this, O martyred virgin, Christ our God crowns you with a double crown. 

 

Epistle

Acts 21: 8-14

In those days, Paul and Luke came to Caesarea. There they entered the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, with whom they stayed. This man had four unmarried daughters gifted with prophecy. During their few days’ stay, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. He came up to them, and taking Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it. Then he said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” Upon hearing this, both we ourselves and the people of Caesarea urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem. He answered with a question: “Why are you crying and breaking my heart in this way? For the name of the Lord Jesus I am prepared, not only for imprisonment, but for death, in Jerusalem.” Since he would not be dissuaded, we said nothing further except, “The Lord’s will be done.”

 

Gospel

John 14: 27-31, 15: 1-7

The Lord said to his disciples: “Do not be distressed or fearful. You have heard me say, ‘I go away for a while, and I come back to you.’ If you truly loved me you would rejoice to have me go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I tell you this now, before it takes place, so that when it takes place you may believe. I shall not go on speaking to you longer; the Prince of this world must know that I love the Father and do as the Father has commanded me. Come, then! Let us be on our way.

“I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower. He prunes away every barren branch, but the fruitful ones he trims clean to increase their yield. You are clean already thanks to the words I have spoken to you. Live on in me, as I do in you. No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear fruit apart from me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and I in him, will produce abundantly, for apart from me you do nothing. A man who does not live in me is like a withered, rejected branch, picked up to be thrown in the fire and burnt. If you live in me, and my words stay part of you then you may ask what you will – it will be done for you.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our holy father Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, “a last relic of ancient piety,” as St. Jerome calls him, lived during the fourth century in Phoenicia. The Roman empress Honoria was his sister. He was of Jewish descent, and in his youth he received a fine education. He was converted to Christianity after seeing how a monk named Lucian gave away his clothing to a poor person. Struck with the monk’s compassion, Epiphanius asked to be instructed in Christianity. 

Our holy father Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople, was born at Constantinople in the seventh century. His father, a prominent senator, was killed by order of the emperor Constantine Pogonatos (668-685). Because of the sanctity of his life, Germanus was made bishop in the city of Cyzicus. St. Germanus rose up in defense of the Orthodox Faith against the iconoclast heretics. He was later made patriarch of Constantinople. St. Germanus continued to stand up against the iconoclasts and to their spokesman, the heretical emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717-741). He went to a monastery, where he spent the remainder of his life. The holy Patriarch Germanus died in the year 740, at age ninety-five, and was buried in the Chora monastery in Constantinople. Afterwards, his relics were transferred to France.

 

Troparion

O God of our ancestors, You always deal with us according to your everlasting compassion, take not your mercy away from us; but through the prayers of our ancestors, guide our lives along the ways of peace. 

 

Kontakion

O faithful, let us sing a worthy hymn of praise in honor of the two glorious bishops, Epiphanius and Germanus. They enlightened the minds of those without faith, and to the faithful they presented God’s great mysteries, explaining true belief with great wisdom.

 

Epistle

Acts 20: 16-18a, 28-38

In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so as not to lose time in Asia, for he was eager to get to Jerusalem by the feast of Pentecost if at all possible. Paul sent word from Miletus to Ephesus, summoning the presbyters of that church. When they came to him he delivered this address: “Keep watch over yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has given you to guard. Shepherd the church of God, which he has acquired at the price of his own blood. I know that when I am gone, savage wolves will come among you who will not spare the flock. From your own number, men will present themselves distorting the truth and leading astray any who will follow them. Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears. I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of his which can enlarge you, and give you a share among all who are consecrated to him. Never did I set my heart on anyone’s silver or gold or envy the way he dressed. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have served both my needs and those of my companions. I have always pointed out to you that it is by such hard work that you must help the weak. You need to recall the words of the Lord Jesus himself, who said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than receiving.’”

After this discourse, Paul knelt down with them all and prayed. They began to weep without restraint, throwing their arms around him and kissing him, for they were deeply distressed to hear that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

 

Gospel

John 17: 1-13

At that time Jesus looked up to heaven and said: “Father, the hour has come! Give glory to your Son that your Son may give glory to you, inasmuch as you have given him authority over all mankind, that he may bestow eternal life on those you gave him. Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ. I have given glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. Do you now, Father, give me glory at your side, a glory I had with you before the world began. I have made your name known to those you gave me out of the world. These men you gave me were yours; they have kept your word. Now they realize that all you gave me comes from you. I entrusted to them the message you entrusted to me and they received it. They have known that in truth I came from you, they have believed it was you who sent me.

For these I pray–not for the world but for these you have given me, for they are really yours. Just as all that belongs to me is yours, so all that belongs to you is mine. It is in them that I have been glorified. I am in the world no more, but these are in the world as I come to you. O Father most holy,  protect them with your name which you have given me that they may be one, even as we are one. As long as I was with them, I guarded them with your name which you gave me. I kept careful watch, and not one of them was lost, none but him who was destined to be lost – in fulfillment of Scripture. Now, however, I come to you; I say all this while I am still in the world that they may share my joy completely.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our holy fathers Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs, were brothers born in Thessalonica in the first half of the ninth century. Since Methodius had been a soldier among the Slavs in Macedonia, he was considered an excellent candidate for carrying the Gospel to the Khazars. After the invention of the first Slavonic alphabet by Cyril, they began translating the Gospel and liturgical books into Church Slavonic. At the invitation of Prince Rastislav, they went to Moravia to spread the Faith. They went to Rome at the invitation of the pope, and Cyril fell ill and died there on Feb. 14, 869. Methodius then returned to Moravia and continued his apostolic work until his death on April 6, 885. 

 

Troparion

As equals to the apostles and teachers of the Slavs, beg the Master of all to confirm us in the faith and in unity of heart, O Cyril and Methodius. Beg Him for peace in the world and mercy on our souls.

 

Kontakion

We honor those priests who gave us the Light, who opened the fountain of theology for us by translating the Holy Scriptures, thus starting a river from them that still runs today. We glorify you, O Cyril and Methodius, who stand in heaven before the throne of the Lord on high, and who pray so fervently for all of us. 

 

Readings for the saints

Epistle 

Hebrews 13: 17-21

Brothers and sisters: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over you as men who must render an account. So act that they may fulfill their task with joy, not with sorrow, for that would be harmful to you. Pray for us; we are confident that we have a good conscience, wishing, as we do, to act rightly in every respect. I especially ask your prayers that I may be restored to you very soon. May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. Through Jesus Christ may he carry out in you all that is pleasing to him. To Christ be the glory forever! Amen. 

 

Gospel

John 10 9-16

The Lord said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand — who is no shepherd nor owner of the sheep — catches sight of the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf. That is because he works for pay; he has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father; for these sheep I will give my life. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Acts 20: 7-12

In those days, on the first day of the week when we gathered  for the breaking of bread, Paul preached to them. Because he intended to leave the next day, he kept on speaking until midnight. As it happened there were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were assembled. Paul talked on and on, and a certain young lad named Eutychus who was sitting on the window-sill became drowsier and drowsier. He finally went sound asleep, and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up he was dead. Paul hurried down immediately and threw himself on him, clutching the boy to himself. “Don’t be alarmed!” he said to them. “There is life in him.” Afterwards, Paul went upstairs again, broke bread, and ate. Then he talked for a long while-until his departure at dawn. To the great comfort of the people, they were able to take the boy away alive. 

 

Gospel

John 14: 10-21

The Lord said to his disciple: “The words I speak are not spoken for myself; it is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works I do. I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in me will do the works I do, and far greater than these. Why? Because I go to the Father, and whatever you ask in my name I will do, so as to glorify the Father in the Son. Anything you ask me in my name I will do. If you love me and obey the commands I give you, I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete–to be with you always: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, since it neither sees him nor recognizes him; but you can recognize him because he remains with you and will be within you. I will not leave you orphaned; I will come back to you. A little while now and the world will see me no more; but you see me as one who has life, and you will have life. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who obeys the commandments he has from me is the man who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and reveal my birth to him.” 

The holy apostle Simon was from Cana in Galilee, and was known to the Lord and His Mother. Tradition says that he was the bridegroom at the wedding where the Savior performed His first miracle. After witnessing the miracle of the water turned into wine, he became a zealous follower of Christ. For this reason, he is known as St. Simon the Zealot. St. Simon was one of the Twelve Apostles, and received the Holy Spirit with the others on Pentecost. He traveled to many places from Britain to the Black Sea, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. After converting many pagans to the Lord, St. Simon suffered martyrdom by crucifixion. 

 

Troparion

O holy apostle Simon, intercede with the all-merciful God that he may grant us forgiveness of our sins. 

 

Kontakion

With holy hymns we bless Simon as a preacher of God, who rooted wisdom deeply in the hearts of the pious. Now he stands before the throne of Glory and rejoices in the company of angels. He prays unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Readings for the saint

Epistle

1st Corinthians 4: 9-16

  Brothers and sisters: As I see it, God has put us apostles at the end of the line, like men doomed to die in the arena. We have become like a spectacle to the universe, to angels and men alike. We are fools on Christ’s account. Ah, but in Christ you are wise! We are the weak ones, you the strong! They honor you, while they sneer at us! Up to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless. We work hard at manual labor. When we are insulted we respond with a blessing. Persecution comes our way; we bear it patiently. We are slandered, and we try conciliation. We have become the world’s refuse, the scum of all; that is the present state of affairs. 

I am writing you this way not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. Granted you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you have only one father. It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preachings of the gospel. I beg you, be imitators of me. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 13: 54-58

At that time, Jesus went to his native place and spent his time teaching them in their synagogues. They were filled with amazement, and said to one another, “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary known to be his mother and James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers? Aren’t his sisters our neighbors? Where did he get all this?” They found him altogether too much for them. Jesus said to them, “No prophet is without honor except in his native place, indeed in his own house.” And he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith. 

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Acts 19: 1-8

In those days, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior of the country  and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples to whom he put the question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered, “We have not yet heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Well, how were you baptized?” he persisted. They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then explained, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He used to tell the people about the one who would come after him whom they were to believe- that is Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue, and over a period of three months debated fearlessly, with persuasive arguments, about the Kingdom of God. 

 

Gospel

John 14: 1-11

The Lord said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be. You know the way that leads where I go.”

“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father also. From this point on you know him; you have seen him.”

“Lord,” Philip, said to him, “show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, after I have been with you all this time, you still don’t know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not spoken of myself; it is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Translation of the relics of our holy Father Nicholas from Myra to Bari in the reign of Alexis Commenus, emperor of New Rome in the year 1087. The body of the saint was taken to Italy after a Muslim attack on Lycia aiming to destroy the saint’s relics failed. Fearing another attempt would be successful, Venetian merchants transported the relics into the church of St. Stephen. The solemn bearing of the relics was accompanied by numerous healings of the sick, which inspired great reverence for the saint. A year afterwards, a church was built in the name of St. Nicholas and consecrated by Pope Urban II.  

 

The holy prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was of royal lineage. Saint Isaiah was called to prophetic service during the reign of Oziah [Uzziah], king of Judea, and he prophesied for 60 years during the reign of kings Joatham, Achaz [Ahaz], Hezekiah and Manasseh. The start of his service was marked by the following vision: he beheld the Lord God, sitting in a majestic heavenly temple upon a high throne. Six-winged Seraphim encircled Him. With two wings they covered their faces, and with two wings they covered their feet, and with two wings they flew about crying out one to another, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with His glory!” The pillars of the heavenly temple shook from their shouts, and in the temple arose the smoke of incense. The prophet cried out in terror, “Oh, an accursed man am I, granted to behold the Lord Sabaoth, and having impure lips and living amidst an impure people!” Then was sent him one of the Seraphim, having in hand a red-hot coal, which he took with tongs from the altar of the Lord. He touched it to the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah and said, “Lo, this has touched thy lips, and will take away with thine iniquities, and will cleanse thy sins.” After this Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, directed towards him, “Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?” Isaiah answered, “Here am I, send me” (Is 6:1 ff). And the Lord sent him to the Jews to exhort them to turn from the ways of impiety and idol worship, and to offer repentance.To those that repent and turn to the true God, the Lord promised mercy and forgiveness, but punishment and the judgment of God are appointed for the unrepentant. Then Isaiah asked the Lord, how long would the falling away of the Jewish nation from God continue. The Lord answered, “Until the cities be deserted, by reason of there being no people, and the land shall be made desolate. Just as when a tree be felled and from the stump come forth new shoots, so also from the destruction of the nation a holy remnant will remain, from which will emerge a new tribe.” Isaiah left behind him a book of prophecy in which he denounces the Jews for their unfaithfulness to the God of their Fathers. He predicted the captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the time of the emperor Cyrus, the destruction and renewal of Jerusalem and of the Temple. Together with this he predicts the historical fate also of the other nations bordering the Jews. But what is most important of all for us, the Prophet Isaiah with particular clarity and detail prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, Christ the Savior. The prophet names the Messiah as God and Man, teacher of all the nations, founder of the Kingdom of peace and love. The prophet foretells the birth of the Messiah from a Virgin, and with particular clarity he describes the Suffering of the Messiah for the sins of the world. He foresees His Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church. By his clear foretelling of Christ the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah deserves to be called an Old Testament Evangelist. To him belong the words, “He beareth our sins and is smitten for us…. He was wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions. The chastisement of our world was upon Him, and by His wounds we were healed….” (Is 53:4-5. Vide Isaiah: 7:14, 11:1, 9:6, 53:4, 60:13, etc.).

The holy Prophet Isaiah had also a gift of wonderworking. And so, when during the time of a siege of Jerusalem by enemies the besieged had become exhausted with thirst, he by his prayer drew out from beneath Mount Sion a spring of water, which was called Siloam, i.e. “sent from God.” It was to this spring afterwards that the Savior sent the man blind from birth to wash, and He restored his sight. By the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord prolonged the life of Hezekiah for 15 years.

The Prophet Isaiah died a martyr’s death. By order of the Jewish king Manasseh he was sawn through by a wood-saw. The prophet was buried not far from the Pool of Siloam. The relics of the holy Prophet Isaiah were afterwards transferred by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to Constantinople and installed in the church of Saint Laurence at Blachernae. At the present time part of the head of the Prophet Isaiah is preserved at Athos in the Hilandar monastery.

For the times and the events which occurred during the life of the Prophet Isaiah, see the 4th Book of Kings [alt. 2 Kings] (Ch 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, etc.), and likewise 2 Chr 26-32.

 

Troparion for the translation

A day of festal joy has come. The city of Bari rejoices, and the world sings with it. Today we celebrate the transfer of the relics of the wonderworking and holy Nicholas. Just as the perfect Light has gleamed in glory, so does Nicholas disperse the darkness of temptation for those who sing out: Save us as a patron, O Nicholas. 

 

Kontakion for the translation

Like a star rising in the East, your relics have arisen and come to the West. The waters of the sea have been hallowed by your passage, and the city of Bari has received grace from you. You are truly a most wonderful miracle-worker and a merciful prelate; therefore, we praise you.  

 

Readings for the translation of the relics

Epistle 

Hebrews 13: 17-21

Brothers and sisters: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over you as men who must render an account. So act that they may fulfill their task with joy, not with sorrow, for that would be harmful to you. Pray for us; we are confident that we have a good conscience, wishing, as we do, to act rightly in every respect. I especially ask your prayers that I may be restored to you very soon. May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. Through Jesus Christ may he carry out in you all that is pleasing to him. To Christ be the glory forever! Amen.

 

Gospel

Luke 6: 17-23

At that time, coming down the mountain with the Twelve, Jesus stopped at a level to stretch where there were many of his disciples; a large crowd of people was with them from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, people who came to hear him and be healed of their diseases. Those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured; indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch him because power went out from him which cured all. Then, raising his eyes to his disciples, he said: “Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours. Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled. Blest are you who are weeping; you shall laugh. Blest shall you be when men hate you, when they ostracize you and insult you and proscribe your name as evil because of the Son of Man. On the day they do so, rejoice and exult, for your reward shall be great in heaven.”

Readings for Ascension Thursday

Epistle

Acts 1: -12

In my first account, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up to heaven, having first instructed the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit. In the time after his suffering he showed them in many convincing ways that he was alive, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking to them about the reign of God. On one occasion when he met with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem: “Wait, rather, for the fulfillment of my Father’s promise, of which you have heard me speak. John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

While they were with him they asked, “Lord, are you going to restore the rule to Israel now?” His answer was: “The exact time it is not yours to know. The Father has reserved that to himself. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you; then you are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes, even to the ends of the earth.” No sooner has he said this than he was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight.

They were still gazing up into the heavens when two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking up at the skies? This Jesus who has been taken from you will return, just as you saw him go up into the heavens.”

After that they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.

 

Gospel

Luke 24: 36-53

At that time, after his resurrection, Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: “Peace to you!” In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you disturbed? Why do such ideas cross your mind? Look at my hands and my feet; it is really I. Touch me, and see that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as I do.” As he said this he showed them his hands and feet. They were still incredulous for sheer joy and wonder, so he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of cooked fish, which he took and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “Recall those words I spoke to you when I was still with you: everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms had to be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to the understanding of Scriptures.

He said to them: Thus it is written that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. In his name, penance for the remission of sins is to be preached to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of this. See, I send down upon you the promise of my Father. Remain here in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out near Bethany, and with hands upraised, blessed them. As he blessed, he left them, and was taken up to heaven. They fell down to do him reverence, then returned to Jerusalem filled with joy. There they were to be found in the temple constantly, speaking the praises of God.