Nativity Fast, day 15
Saints commemorated
-
Saint of the day
Martyr Paramon and Companions
-
Our Holy Father Pitirim of Egypt (4th c.)
-
Acacius of Sinai
Acacius of Sinai was a young monk of the sixth century whose perfect obedience, kept for nine years under a harsh and negligent elder, became one of the most celebrated examples of the monastic virtue. He endured constant hardship, hunger, and beatings with unfailing meekness and thanksgiving, and died worn out by them. Five days after his burial, when his elder doubted whether so obedient a disciple could really be dead, the saint answered from the tomb that a doer of obedience does not die. John Climacus records the story in The Ladder of Divine Ascent as a pattern of obedience and its reward. Acacius is commemorated on November 29 and July 7.
-
Paramon and the 370 Martyrs of Bithynia
Paramon and the 370 Martyrs of Bithynia suffered around the year 250, in the persecution of the emperor Decius. According to the tradition, the governor of the Eastern provinces, Aquilinus, had imprisoned a great company of some three hundred and seventy Christians and led them out to sacrifice at a pagan shrine by the warm springs of Bithynia. A local man named Paramon, watching the confessors driven to the altar, cried out aloud against the governor and confessed the one true God. He was seized and put to death with lances, and the whole company of 370 was beheaded on the same day. They are commemorated together on November 29.
-
Philumenus of Ancyra
Philumenus of Ancyra was a grain-merchant of the Galatian city of Ancyra (modern Ankara) who suffered for Christ about the year 274, in the persecution of the emperor Aurelian. Denounced to the governor Felix by envious rivals as a Christian, he refused to deny his faith. His torturers drove nails into his hands, feet, and head and forced him to walk, and he died of his wounds, giving up his soul to God. He is commemorated on November 29.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Brendan of Birr (573)
- St. Sadwen (5th C)
- St. Egelwine of Athelney, monk (7th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having forsaken the world, from childhood thou didst follow after Christ, O most wise and venerable Acacius; and imitating His voluntary humility, thou didst cast down the arrogant tormentor. Pray without ceasing for us all.
Kontakion — Tone 2
As a bright and unerring star thou didst appear to the world, heralding by thy radiance Christ the Sun of righteousness; and having quenched every deception, O passion-bearer Paramon, thou bestowest light upon us, praying without ceasing for us all.
Troparion — Tone 8
In thee, O Father, that which is according to the image was surely preserved; for taking up thy cross thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou hast taught us to despise the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Acacius, thy spirit rejoiceth with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyr Paramon, O Lord, in his contest received the crown of incorruption from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By his intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyr Philumenus, O Lord, in his contest received the crown of incorruption from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By his intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
1 Thessalonians 2.14-19
14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 17But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
Gospel
Luke 20.19-26
19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s. 25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.