Our venerable father Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople, was a contemporary of St. Constantine the Great (306-337). His father, Dometius, was a brother of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). Seeing the falseness of the pagan religion, Dometius came to believe in Christ. During a time of terrible persecution of Christians in Rome, St. Dometius set off to Byzantium with two of his sons, Probus and Metrophanes. They were instructed in the law of the Lord by Bishop Titus, a man of holy life. Seeing the ardent desire of Dometius to labor for the Lord, St. Titus ordered him presbyter. After the death of Titus, Dometius (272-303) was elevated to the bishop’s throne, and thereafter his sons, Probus (303-315) and in 316 St. Metrophanes. 

 

Troparion

Preaching the great mystery of the Trinity, you spread the Word of Christ throughout the world. As the shepherd of Christ’s flock, you drove off the spiritual wolves in their attack; you save from perdition all those who call on you. Glory to Him who gave you this might! Glory to Him who chose you! Glory to him who defends the true faith through you!

 

Kontakion

You preached the faith of Christ clearly. You increased the numbers of his flock, and now you rejoice with angels as a reward. Therefore, we ask you to pray for us, O blessed Metrophanes. 

 

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 Lucillian was a pagan priest during the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275). In his old age he was persuaded to see the falseness of the pagan religion, and with all his heart he turned to the faith in Christ the Savior and was baptized. Under the influence of his preachings, many pagans were converted to Christianity. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in Christ, reported the saint to the Nicomedia prefect, who urged the old man to return to idol worship. When St. Lucillian refused, they smashed his jawbone and beat him with rods and suspended him upside down, and then they locked him in prison. There he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius. They were brought to trial, and thrown into a red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death, sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were beheaded by sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a cross with many nails. 

 

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 approached the fire but were not burned, O courageous and wise martyr Lucillian. You possessed the cooling dew of God. You and your companions surpassed nature; therefore, we ask all of you to remember us. 

 

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

Our venerable father Nicephorus was a dignitary at the court of the Empress Irene (797-802). After embracing monasticism, he became widely known for his piety. He assumed the Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople in 806. He was a zealous defender of the holy icons. In 815, the iconoclast Emperor Leo (813-820) exiled him to Prokonnis, where he fell asleep in the Lord in the year 828.

 

Troparion

The grace of your deep words and lofty teaching has become a ladder of virtue for us. You possessed a trumpet of the spirit, O father, and by it you announce spiritual teaching. You have taken up your abode in paradise, but still confound enemies with the might of your words. O blessed Nicephorus, beg Christ to forgive the sins of those who honor you.

 

Kontakion

Since you have received the crown of victory from God, save those who appeal to you in faith, O glorious Nicephorus, for you are a prince of Christ’s priests and a teacher for us. 

 

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

The holy martyr Justin was a philosopher who followed purely the true wisdom he had recognized in the truth of Christ. He instructed by his character, taught the truth of the faith and fought by his writings. When he presented his Apology for the Christian religion to the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (161-180) in Rome and confessed he himself was a Christian, St. Justin was condemned to death.

 

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

Embellished by the wisdom of your heavenly words, all of God’s Church tells the world of your holy life. Receiving a crown in return for your blood, you stand before Christ in the company of angels and pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

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

The holy apostle Hermes, bishop of Philippi, was a disciple of St. Paul. He endured much grief from the pagans for preaching the Gospel, but he died in peace.  According to tradition, he composed the instructive book “The Shepherd,” based on revelations from angels.

The holy martyr Hermeas, suffered during the persecution under the emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). He was a soldier in the imperial army till old age. He was urged by his governor to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods in exchange for military honors and mercy from the emperor, but the old soldier turned him down, and bravely confessed his faith in Christ. He was tortured repeatedly, but all attempts to end the life of the saint failed. Finally he was beheaded by the governor’s own hand. Christians secretly buried the body of St. Hermeas, whose relics bestowed numerous healings. 

 

Troparion – Apostle

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

 

Troparion – Martyr

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Hermeas 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 – Apostle

You glimmered over the earth like a star, supporting Paul, that beam from the Divine Light who enlightens the whole world. Therefore, O Hermes, we venerate you.

 

Kontakion – Martyr

You  fought well for Christ, finding strength and courage in your old age. Having overturned the plots of evil conceived by sinners, you were kept from the harm of poisoned food, O Hermeas. You cried out loudly: God is with me, and no one can prevail against me. 

 

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.” 

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

Our venerable father Isaac lived during the fourth century, received monastic tonsure and pursued ascetic labors in the desert. During the reign of the emperor Valens (364-378), a zealous adherent of the Arian heresy, there was a persecution of the Orthodox, and churches were closed and destroyed. Hearing of the persecution, St. Isaac left the wilderness and went to Constantinople to console and encourage the Orthodox. When the holy Emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395) came to the throne, he summoned the Elder, treating him with great respect. Obeying his instructions, he banished the Arians from Constantinople and restored the churches to the Orthodox. 

 

Troparion

In you, O holy father Isaac, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

 

Kontakion

As a champion of God, you were inflamed with zeal for the Church of Christ. Grasping the bridle of Valentian, you warned him of a horrible death. You foretold terrible events if the Churches remained closed to those of the true faith. Therefore we venerate you, O Isaac, and ask you to pray for us in turn.

 

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

 

The holy virgin martyr Theodosia of Tyre lived during the third and fourth centuries during a time of great Christian persecutions. At seventeen years of age, St. Theodosia visited some condemned Christian prisoners on Pascha to ask them to remember her when they appeared before the Lord. Soldiers grabbed her as she bowed before the prisoners and dragged her before the governor. The saint refused the governor’s request that she make a sacrifice to the idols. She was tortured, but suffered in silence. When the governor asked her again to make a  sacrifice to the idols, she mocked him saying: “Foolish man, why do you persist? Can you not see that I have received everything I prayed for, and that I am honored to share the fate of these Martyrs for Christ?” For this taunt, the severity of her punishments increased, and each time she was spared by the Lord until she was finally beheaded around the year 308. 

 

Troparion

You were a friend of Christ and a dwelling of the Spirit, and you embraced the blessing of martyrdom joyfully. You shamed the enemy who wars against the human race. You slew Copronymus by your patient endurance. You entered the hall of heaven by the sword of faith. Seek mercy and peace for those who venerate you.

 

Kontakion

By your labors you obtained a life of rest and peace. By shedding your blood you vanquished the enemy of Christ’s Church. With the heavenly hosts you now rejoice in heaven, O Theodosia, and shelter those who honor your memory. 

 

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. 

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

Our venerable father Nicetas, Bishop of Chalcedon, lived during the second half of the eighth century. He distinguished himself by his charity. He always helped the poor, lodged travelers in his home, cared for orphans and widows, and interceded for those who had been wronged. During the reign of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), St. Nicetas bravely denounced the Iconoclast heresy and urged his flock to venerate the holy icons of Christ, the Theotokos, and the saints. For this, St. Nicetas was subject to torture and was sent off into exile. The holy confessor Nicetas died at the beginning of the ninth century. From his holy relics occurred many miracles of healing. 

 

Troparion

The sincerity of your deeds has revealed you to your people as a teacher of moderation, a model of faith, and an example of virtue. Therefore, you attained greatness through humility, and wealth through poverty. O father and archbishop Nicetas, ask Christ our God to save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You were resplendent from your good works, O Nicetas, and you inherited the apostolic seat, O venerable father. You beamed like the sun over your flock, radiating all of the divine dogmas. That is why we sing to you: Rejoice, O inspiration of Chalcedon.

 

Epistle

Acts 18: 22-28

In those days, Paul landed at Caesarea. He went up and paid his respects to the congregation, and then went down to Antioch. 

After spending some time there he set out again, traveling systematically through the Galatian country and Phrygia to reassure all his disciples.

A Jew named Apollos, A native of Alexandria and a man of eloquence, arrived by ship at Ephesus. He was both an authority on scripture and instructed in the new way of the Lord. Apollos was a man full of spiritual fervor. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only of John’s baptism. He too began to express himself fearlessly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him God‘s new way in greater detail. He wanted to go on to Achaia, and so the brothers encouraged him by writing the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly strengthened those who through God‘s favor had become believers. He was vigorous in his public refutation of the Jewish party as he went about establishing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

 

Gospel

John 12: 36-47

The Lord said to the people coming to him: “well you have the light, keep faith in the light; that you will become sons of light.” After this utterance Jesus left them and went into hiding.

despite his many signs performed in their presence, they refused to believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed what has reached our ears? To whom has the might of the lord been revealed?” The reason they could not believe was that, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes, and numbed their hearts, less they see or comprehend, or have a change of heart — and I should heal them.” Isaiah uttered these words because he had seen Jesus’ glory, and it was of him he spoke.

There were many, even among the Sanhedrin, who believed in him; but they refused to admit it because of the Pharisees, for fear they might be ejected from the synagogue. They preferred to praise men to the glory of God. 

Jesus proclaimed aloud: “Whoever puts faith in me believes not so much in me as in him who sent me; and whoever looks on me is seeing him who sent me. I have come to the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in me from remaining in the dark. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save it.”

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

The Hieromartyr Therapontus, Bishop of Sardi, suffered for Christ in the third century. In fulfilling his priestly service, St. Therapontus enlightened many of the pagan Greeks with the light of the Christian Faith and baptized them. For this, he was brought before the governor Julian and put on trial where he fearlessly declared himself a Christian. St. Therapontus was thrown into prison where he was tortured. These torments did not break the saint’s valiant confession of faith. He was led off in chains to the city of Sinaion in Phrygia, and then to Ancyra. In these cities he was tortured again. They took him to the River Astala, where they stretched him naked upon the ground, fastened to four stakes, and fiercely beat him. After this torture, St. Therapontus was taken to the outskirts of the Satalina diocese, part of the Sardis metropolinate, and here after long beatings, the saint ended his martyric contest. The stakes to which the saint was toed, and which were soaked with his blood, put forth green shoots and grew into large trees. The leaves of these trees were found to have curative powers, and many people received healing through them. 

 

Troparion

O holy priest-martyr Therapontus, you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life and succeeded them on their throne. Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue. Therefore, you became a perfect teacher of truth, fighting for the faith unto the shedding of your blood. Intercede with Christ our God that he may save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

Having suffered under the law, O Therapontus, you became a true pastor and martyr. You were a champion for God, and so we come to you for favors. Ease our souls of uncontrollable passion and beseech Christ who loves us in his mercy. 

 

Epistle

Acts 17: 19-28a

In those days, the Athenians led Paul off the Areopagus, saying, “We are curious to know what this new teaching is that you propose. You are introducing subjects unfamiliar to us and we should like to know what it is all about.” (Indeed, all Athenians citizens, as well as the foreigners who live there, love nothing more than to tell about or listen to something new.)

Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus and delivered this address: “Men of Athens, I note that in every aspect you are scrupulously religious. As I walked around looking at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To a God Unknown.’ Now, what you are thus worshiping in ignorance I intend to make known to you. For the God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands: nor does he receive man’s service as if he were in need of it. Rather, it is he who gives to all life and breath and everything else. From one stock he made every nation of mankind to dwell on the face of the earth. It is he who set limits to their epochs and fixed the boundaries of their regions. They were to seek God, yes to grope for him and perhaps eventually to find him- though he is not really far from anyone of us.’ In him we live and move and have our being.’”

 

Gospel

John 12: 19-36

At that time the Pharisees called a meeting against Jesus and remarked to one another, “See, there is nothing you can do! The whole world has run after him.”

Among those who had come up to worship at the feast of Passover were some Greeks. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him: “Sir, we should like to see Jesus,” Philip went to tell Andrew; Philip and Andrew in turn came to inform Jesus.

Jesus answered them: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. The man who loves his life loses it, while the man who hates his life in this world preserves it to life eternal. If anyone would serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be. If anyone serves me, him the Father will honor. My soul is troubled now, yet what should I say – Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from the sky: “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 

When the crowd of bystanders heard the voice, they said it was thunder. Others maintained, “An angel was speaking to him.” Jesus answered, “That voice did not come for my sake, but for yours. Now has judgment come upon this world, now will this world’s prince be driven out, and I – once I am lifted up from the earth – will draw all men to myself.” This statement indicated the sort of death he had to die. The crowd objected to his words: “We have heard it said in the law that the Messiah is to remain forever. How can you claim that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Just who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

Jesus answered: “the light is among you only a little longer. Walk while you still have it or darkness will come over you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, keep faith in the light; thus you will become sons of light.”

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

 

The holy apostle Carpus was one of the Seventy Apostles. He was a follower and companion of the Apostle Paul, by whom he was appointed Bishop of Varna in Thrace. He also preached the Gospel on Crete, where he received St. Dionysius the Areopagite in his home. St. Dionysius testifies that Carpus was a man with an exceptionally pure mind, meekness and innocence; that the Lord Jesus, with His angels, appeared to him in a vision and that he never began the Divine Liturgy without first receiving a heavenly vision. 

 

Troparion

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

 

Kontakion

The Church has cherished you as a twinkling star, and she has rejoiced in your light, O Carpus. She is illumined by the glow of your miracles, so save those who cling to your memory with faith. 

 

Epistle

Acts 17: 1-9

In those days, Paul and Silas took the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Following his usual custom, Paul joined the people there and conducted discussions with them about Scripture for three sabbaths. He explained many things, showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am telling you about is the Messiah!” Some of the Jews were convinced and threw their lot in with Paul and Silas. So, too, did a great number of Greeks sympathetic to Judaism, and numerous prominent women.

This only aroused the resentment of the Jews, however, who engaged loafers from the public square to form a mob and start a riot in the town. They marched on the house of Jason in an attempt to bring Paul and Silas before the people’s assembly. When they could not find them there, they dragged Jason himself and some of the brothers to the town magistrates, shouting: “These men have been creating a disturbance all over the place. Now they come here and Jason has taken them in. To a man, they disregard the Emperor’s decrees and claim instead that a certain Jesus is king.” In this way they stirred up the crowd. When the town’s magistrates heard the whole story, they released Jason and the others on bail.

 

Gospel

John 11: 47-54

At that time, the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin against Jesus. They said, “What are we to do with this man performing all sorts of signs? If we let him go on like this, the whole world will believe in him. Then the Romans will come in and sweep away our sanctuary and our nation.” One of their number named Caiaphas, who was a high priest that year, addressed them at this point: “You have no understanding whatever! Can you not see that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed?” He did not say this on his own. It was rather as high priest for that year that he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation – and not this nation only, but to gather into one all the dispersed children of God.

From that day onward there was a plan afoot to kill Jesus. In consequence, Jesus no longer moved about freely in Jewish circles. He withdrew instead to a town called Ephriam in the region near the desert, where he stayed with his disciples.

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