Pre-Lenten Triodion, day 15 · 56 days until Pascha
Sunday of the Last Judgment; St Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn
Saints commemorated
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Our Holy Father Procopius of Decapolis (9th c.)
Prokopius the Confessor of Decapolis (†c. 750) was a monk of the region of the Decapolis, east of the Sea of Galilee, who together with his companion Basil stood firm for the veneration of the holy icons in the first generation of the Byzantine iconoclast persecution. When the emperor Leo III the Isaurian proscribed the icons and turned the power of the state against those who honoured them, Prokopius openly confessed the ancient practice of the Church and taught that the honour paid to the image passes to its prototype. For this he was seized, imprisoned, scourged, and subjected to torments, enduring them without yielding. He outlived the persecuting emperor, was released at Leo's death, and returned to the ascetic life, in which he reposed in peace — a confessor, one who suffered for Christ yet was not slain. He is kept on February 27, on the eve of the commemoration of his fellow-sufferer Basil.
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Our Venerable Father Titus of the Lavra of the Kiev Caves (1190)
Titus (†1190) was a priest-monk of the Near (Antoniev) Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra, remembered in the Caves Paterikon for a story of enmity overcome too late and forgiveness won at the edge of death. Bound in close friendship with a deacon named Evagrius, he fell with him into a bitter and lasting quarrel, in which the two served at the same altar without speaking, passing the incense and the peace to each other in silence and hatred. When Titus was struck down by a mortal illness he begged forgiveness of Evagrius, who — dragged to the bedside by the brethren — hardened his heart, refused, and fell dead in the very act of refusing, while Titus rose up healed. The tale became one of the Lavra's enduring lessons on the deadliness of unforgiveness. Titus reposed a monk in peace, and his relics rest in the Near Caves.
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Our Holy Father Leander, Bishop of Seville and Apostle of Spain (600)
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Asclepius and James of Syria
Asclepius and James (fifth century) were two ascetics of the Syrian countryside, of the region around Cyrrhus, remembered together on February 27 among the solitaries whose lives were gathered by Theodoret of Cyrrhus in his Religious History. Asclepius first pursued the ascetic life in his own village, drawing many after him into the discipline of prayer and fasting, before withdrawing into stricter solitude; James likewise lived the hermit's life in the same country of Syria. Little more is transmitted of them than the fact and the manner of their struggle, and they are honoured as fathers of the great fifth-century flowering of Syrian monasticism.
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Julian, Eunus, Besas and Macarius of Alexandria
Julian, Eunus, Besas and Macarius were martyrs of Alexandria in the persecution of the emperor Decius (c. 250), whose sufferings are recorded by an eyewitness generation in the letters of Dionysius of Alexandria, preserved by Eusebius. Julian, so crippled with gout that he could neither stand nor walk, was carried to his trial; borne with him was Eunus (Cronion, surnamed Eunus). Confessing Christ and refusing to sacrifice, the two were set on camels, scourged through the whole city, and at last consumed in quicklime before the people. Besas, a soldier who rebuked the crowd for mocking the martyrs, was denounced, and being himself a Christian was beheaded. Macarius, a Libyan, was burned alive. They are commemorated together on February 27.
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Raphael of Brooklyn
Raphael Hawaweeny (1860–1915) was the first Orthodox bishop consecrated on North American soil and the shepherd of the scattered Arab Orthodox faithful of the New World — "the Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep in America." Born in Beirut to Damascene refugees, formed in Damascus, at Halki, and at the Theological Academy of Kiev, and a priest of the Church of Antioch serving in Russia, he was sent in 1895 to gather the Syrian Orthodox immigrants of the United States and Canada. From his cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn he travelled the continent without rest, founding some thirty parishes, printing the first Orthodox service-books in America, and in 1904 receiving episcopal consecration at the hands of the future Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow. He reposed in 1915, worn out in the service of his people, and was glorified in 2000 by the Orthodox Church in America and the Antiochian Archdiocese together. He is kept on February 27, the day of his repose.
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Stephen of Constantinople
Stephen (†c. 614) was a man of the imperial court at Constantinople under the emperor Maurice who renounced rank and wealth for the sake of the poor, founding at Constantinople a home for the aged — an almshouse or gerokomeion — and giving himself to the personal service of the old and destitute who sheltered there. Having exchanged the honours of the palace for the labour of charity, he became a monk in spirit and in deed, and reposed about the year 614, honoured by the Church as a father who made the love of the poor his whole ascetic discipline. He is commemorated on February 27.
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Thalelaeus of Syria
Thalelaeus the Hermit (†c. 460) was a Syrian solitary of the region near Gabala (Jableh) on the coast of Syria, remembered by his contemporary Theodoret of Cyrrhus for two things above all: the extraordinary austerity of his dwelling, and his ceaseless weeping — whence his surname "Epiklautos," the Ever-Weeping. He confined himself for years in a cramped hanging hut in which he could neither stand upright nor lie down, and wept without pause for his own sins and the judgment to come. From this outpost he overthrew a pagan cult that clung to the place, drew the local people to Christ, and became a source of healings. He is not to be confused with the unmercenary Martyr Thalelaeus of Cilicia (kept May 20). He is commemorated on February 27.
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Titus the Soldier of the Kiev Caves
Titus the Soldier (14th century) was a warrior who, grievously wounded in battle, turned from the world to the monastic life and became a monk of the Far (Feodosiev) Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra, where he gave the remainder of his days to prayer and repentance and was healed of the passions as of his wounds. Little is recorded of him beyond this pattern — the brave soldier who exchanged the warfare of the world for the unseen warfare of the ascetic — and his relics rest among the wonderworking fathers of the Far Caves. He is commemorated on February 27, the same day as his namesake, Titus the priest of the Near Caves.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Comgan, abbot of Glenthsen or Killeshin (c.565)
- Holy Martyr Alnoth of Stowe, nr
- Bugbrooke (c.700)
Troparia & kontakia
Troparion — Tone 8
With the streams of thy tears thou didst make the barren desert to bear; and by thy sighing from the depths thou didst yield fruit a hundredfold in thy labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining upon the whole world with miracles, O Prokopius our venerable Father. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8
With the streams of thy tears thou didst make the barren desert to bear; and by thy sighing from the depths thou didst yield fruit a hundredfold in thy labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining upon the world, O Thalelaeus our venerable Father. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Readings
Vespers
Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8 (St Raphael)
1The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.
Proverbs 10.31-11.12 (St Raphael)
31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. 1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15 (St Raphael)
7But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. 8For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. 10He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. 13He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. 15This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
3rd Matins Gospel
Mark 16.9-20
9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Epistle
1 Corinthians 8.8-9.2
8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. 1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
Hebrews 13.17-21 (St Raphael)
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel
Matthew 25.31-46
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
John 10.9-16 (St Raphael)
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.