Ascensiontide, day 9 · 47 days since Pascha
Leavetaking of Ascension
Saints commemorated
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Prophet Elisha
Elisha was a monk of the Solovki monastery on the White Sea, remembered for one thing: the manner of his death. Taken mortally ill while fishing on the river Vyg sixty versts from the monastery, he grieved not at dying but at dying without the great schema; his companions carried him by boat through a storm toward Suma, where a priest-monk could clothe him, and he comforted them in the danger by saying that he saw Saint Zosimas in the boat with them. He was dead when they reached the shore — and at the brethren's prayer to Zosimas he revived, received the schema and Holy Communion, and then reposed in peace. More than a century later his grave was found standing above the ground and healings began at it; a chapel was built over it in 1668, and the fishermen and pilgrims of the Pomor coast have asked his blessing ever since.
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St Methodios, Patriarch of Constantinople (847)
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St John Mavropos, Metropolitan of Euchaïta(1100)
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Cyril of Gortyna
Cyril was bishop of Gortyna, the metropolis of Roman Crete and the see founded by the Apostle Titus, and he was martyred there as a very old man in the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian. The synaxarion gives his story with unusual and memorable particularity: he had lived austerely as an ascetic, was consecrated bishop in his sixty-eighth year, governed his flock twenty-five years, and was then brought before the governor Agrianus; condemned to the fire, he stood unhurt while his bonds burned away and the pyre fell to ashes, and was let go. When he went on converting the pagans he was sentenced again — a bridle put in his mouth, and, being ninety-three and unable to walk, set on an ox-cart to be carried to execution. At a place called Raxos the oxen halted of their own accord, and there he was beheaded. The Greek Menaion keeps him on June 14; the Russian and American calendars on July 9.
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Elisha the Prophet
Elisha son of Shaphat, called in Greek Elissaios and in the Slavonic books Elisei, was the disciple, servant and successor of the Prophet Elijah, and the only prophet of Israel who asked for and received a double portion of his master's spirit. Called from the plough at Abel-meholah, he served through the reigns of six kings of Israel for more than half a century, and the record of his acts in the Books of Kings is the densest concentration of miracle in the whole Old Testament: the parting of the Jordan with Elijah's fallen mantle, the healing of the bitter spring at Jericho, the widow's inexhaustible oil, the raising of the Shunammite woman's dead son, the cleansing of Naaman the Syrian in the Jordan, the axe-head that floated, the blinding of the Aramean army at Dothan, and — after his own burial at Samaria — the dead man who came to life on touching his bones. The Church reads nearly every one of these as a figure of the Gospel, and keeps his memory on June 14.
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Julitta the Venerable
Julitta is one of the many names in the synaxarion of Constantinople of which nothing further has come down: she is styled hosia — venerable, that is, an ascetic and not a martyr — and the whole of her notice under June 14 is that she reposed in peace. Her memory survives with a couplet of verse and nothing else, and this entry records exactly that, without supplying a life she has not left.
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Methodius of Constantinople
Methodius the Confessor, a Sicilian by birth and a monk of Chios, was the hierarch under whom the iconoclast controversy ended. Legate of the deposed Patriarch Nikephoros at Rome, he came home in 821 with a papal letter demanding the restoration of the holy images, and paid for it with scourging, seven years in a tomb-like cell on the island of Antigoni, and a jaw broken under the emperor Theophilus, which he carried bound in a cloth to the end of his life. Raised to the patriarchal throne in 843 by the regent Theodora, he convoked the synod that restored the icons, led the procession of the images to the Great Church on the first Sunday of Great Lent — the Sunday of Orthodoxy, kept ever since — and composed the Synodikon of Orthodoxy that is still proclaimed on that day. He brought back the relics of Nikephoros and of Theodore the Studite, wrote lives of the confessors he had known, and reposed on June 14, 847, having ruled four years.
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Methodius of Peshnosha
Methodius was a disciple of Sergius of Radonezh and the founder of the Nicholas-Peshnosha monastery on the river Yakhroma, north of Moscow near Dmitrov. Having spent some years under Sergius' direction, he withdrew with his blessing to a marshy solitude beyond the river and built himself a cell there; disciples gathered, and Sergius himself came to visit and counselled him to build a church and gather them into a coenobium. Methodius carried the timber for it on foot through the shallows, and it is from that — peshnosha, "carrying on foot" — that the monastery took its name. He became its abbot in 1391 and reposed in 1392, and was buried in the house he had founded. The spot two versts off where he and Sergius used to talk together is called to this day Beseda, the "conversation-place." His local veneration begins in the late seventeenth century; he is commemorated on June 4 and again on June 14.
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Mstislav-George of Novgorod
Mstislav Rostislavich, called the Brave and the Fearless, baptised George, was a prince of Smolensk and from 1179 prince of Novgorod, a grandson of Mstislav the Great and son of Rostislav-Michael of Kiev. He is remembered in the chronicles for two things above all: the defence of Vyshgorod in 1173, where with a small garrison he held out against the enormous coalition army of Andrei Bogolyubsky and broke it, having first sent the prince's envoy home shaved and shorn; and a personal charity so marked that the chronicler could write that he never kept property for himself but gave all of it to churches, monasteries, the ransoming of captives and the poor. He reposed suddenly at Novgorod on June 14, 1180, aged about thirty, and was buried in the cathedral of Holy Wisdom, where his relics rest incorrupt.
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Niphon of Athos
Niphon, a priest's son from the Epirot village of Loukovo, was a monk of the Holy Mountain in the fourteenth century and one of the small company of Athonite hesychasts gathered about Maximus the Hut-burner, to whom he attached himself as a disciple. He was tonsured and ordained at the monastery of Mesopotamos in his own country, went up to Athos while still young, moved from cell to cell in the territory of the Great Lavra seeking stillness, and, when disciples began to gather to him at the Transfiguration, fled even that and finished his life in a cave near Kavsokalyvia in the strictest asceticism. He lived ninety-six years and was granted, the tradition says, the gifts of clairvoyance and of wonders. He is also one of the earliest witnesses to the life of Saint Maximus. His memory is kept on June 14.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Dogmael (5th C)
- St. Nennus, abbot of Arran (7th C)
- St. Ciaran, abbot of Bellach-Duin (870)
- St. Psalmodius (c.690)
Readings
Epistle
Acts 27.1-44
1And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. 2And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
Gospel
John 17.18-26
18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Troparia & kontakia
Apolytikion — Tone 4
The angel in the flesh, the foundation of the prophets, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ, the glorious Elijah, sending down his grace from on high upon Elisha, drives away diseases and cleanses lepers; wherefore he pours forth healings upon those who honour him.
Apolytikion — Tone 8
Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of the Church, God-inspired ornament of hierarchs: O wise Methodius, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all, O lyre of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Apolytikion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)
By the streams of thy tears thou didst make the barren wilderness to bring forth; and by thy sighing from the depths thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou wast a beacon to the whole world, shining with miracles, O Methodius our father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Doxastikon
A star of piety has risen from the setting of the visible sun: Methodius, the great one among hierarchs; and having cut through the mist of the wrongly-believing, he came to his rest in the true East, in Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness. And there, keeping company with the choirs of the bodiless powers and standing before the throne of the Trinity — as a holy one, as a martyr, as a priest, as a patriarch, in action and in contemplation — he asks great mercy for us who in faith keep his sacred memory.
Exapostilarion — Tone 3
From a ploughman thou wast shown forth a prophet, O Elisha; and receiving the mantle of Elijah and his spirit in double measure, thou didst draw it to thyself; and with him we honour thee.
Exapostilarion — Tone 2
As a sun rising from the East thou didst set in the West by thy contest; but now thou hast illumined the world by thy all-wise teachings, O God-bearing father Methodius: therefore pray for us.
Kontakion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)
Having laboured in the Lord's fisheries and been kept in the storm by the prayer of thy father Zosimas, thou wast clothed in the angelic habit at the very gate of death, O venerable Elisha; wherefore thy grave pours out healings upon all who call upon thee.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Having received a twofold grace from the Spirit, thou wast shown forth a wondrous prophet to all the ends of the earth, delivering from dangers those who sing thy praise, and granting the grace of thy wonders to those who run to it in faith and cry to thee: Rejoice, O prophet divinely inspired!
Kontakion — Tone 8 (common of a confessor hierarch)
Thou didst shine forth as a lamp of the true faith, and didst not fear the fire, the sword or the sealed tomb; wherefore, O father Methodius, having brought back the holy images to the Church of Christ, thou wast shown the boast of hierarchs and the pillar of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion — Tone 8 (common of a right-believing prince)
As a lover of mercy and a fearless defender of thy people, thou hast passed from an earthly principality to the Kingdom that has no end, O blessed Mstislav; and thy relics, kept incorrupt in the house of the Wisdom of God, pour out healing upon those who honour thee.
Oikos
The Sun of righteousness, shining down within thy enlightened soul, drove out from it every mist of sin and showed thee forth a most radiant prophet of God; wherefore we also cry aloud to thee: Rejoice, thou who preferred nothing to God; rejoice, thou who didst slay the yoke of oxen. Rejoice, thou who didst leave behind thy whole livelihood; rejoice, thou who wast made rich with the wealth that cannot be stolen. Rejoice, for thou didst follow the God who called thee; rejoice, for now thou hast received his gifts. Rejoice, for thou didst take up the mantle of Elijah; rejoice, for thou dost swiftly cleave the water. Rejoice, thou who passest the waters unwetted; rejoice, helper of many souls. Rejoice, thou who didst learn the hidden knowledge; rejoice, thou who art dead and yet watchest as one alive. Rejoice, O prophet divinely inspired!
Sticheron
Today the Church of God is arrayed in gladness, rejoicing and crying out: my beauty is made brighter than that of every city; for behold, the great treasure of the hierarchs, the glorious Methodius, has made his journey to heaven. Come then, lovers of the feast, you company of the Orthodox: let us stand in choir about his divine reliquary, and receiving from it a flood of healings, let us beseech Christ our God to deliver the whole world from every heresy.
Synaxarion
Though Cyril of Gortyna was an old man, he had a heart still young toward the sword.
Synaxarion
Horses bore Elijah up; but the twofold Elijah, angelic minds bore up to the heavens as horses. On the fourteenth Elisha received his appointed end.
Synaxarion
The Word of God, who for our sake appeared in flesh, leads Julitta forth out of the flesh.
Synaxarion
Methodius, the luminary of the Church — the gloomy cloud of his death puts out his light.
Synaxarion
Niphon is Niphon in very deed: for by the sobriety of his mind he ran his course through life. Niphon has passed beyond all men now in virtue, though it was in the last times that he laboured. On the fourteenth Niphon flew away from life.
Troparion — Tone 4 (common of a hieromartyr)
As a sharer in the ways and a successor to the thrones of the Apostles, thou didst find in the practice of virtue the means to ascend to divine heights, O divinely-inspired one; rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst contend for the faith even unto blood, O hieromartyr Cyril: intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)
In thee, O father, was the divine image preserved with exactness, for taking up the cross thou didst follow after Christ; and thou didst teach by thy deeds to despise the flesh, for it passes away, and to care rather for the soul, a thing immortal. Wherefore, O venerable Elisha, thy spirit rejoices with the angels.
Troparion
As we celebrate the memory of thy prophet Elisha, O Lord, through him we entreat thee: save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable woman)
In thee, O mother, was the divine image preserved with exactness, for taking up the cross thou didst follow after Christ; and thou didst teach by thy deeds to despise the flesh, for it passes away, and to care rather for the soul, a thing immortal. Wherefore, O venerable Julitta, thy spirit rejoices with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4 (common of a right-believing prince)
Thou didst rule thy people in righteousness and defend the land of Rus' without fear, O right-believing prince Mstislav; and keeping nothing of thine own, thou didst pour out all thy substance upon the churches of God, upon the poor and upon the ransoming of captives. Wherefore, having been shown a brave soldier of Christ, intercede that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)
By a flood of tears thou didst make the barren desert fruitful, and with sighs from the depths thou didst bring forth thy labours a hundredfold; thou wast made a beacon for the whole world, shining with miracles, O Niphon our father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.