Pre-Lenten Triodion, day 22 · 49 days until Pascha
Forgiveness Sunday
Saints commemorated
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Hieromartyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrenia
Theodotus (†c. 320/326) was Bishop of Cyrenia (Kyrenia) in Cyprus and a confessor of the faith under the emperor Licinius. A native of Galatia in Asia Minor, he governed the church of Cyrenia and preached Christ openly, summoning the pagans to abandon their idols. Arrested and brought before the provincial governor, he endured prolonged and savage tortures without yielding, confessing Christ throughout. When Constantine's victory brought peace to the Church and the prisoners of the faith were released, Theodotus returned to his see and shepherded his flock a while longer before reposing in peace. Though he died of natural causes, the Church numbers him among the hieromartyrs for the sufferings he bore in confession. He is commemorated on March 2.
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St Arseny, Bishop of Tver
Arsenius (†1409) was Bishop of Tver and the founder of the Zheltikov Monastery of the Dormition on the river Tmaka near that city. Born at Tver, he was tonsured young in the Kiev Caves Monastery, and rose to be archdeacon to Metropolitan Cyprian of Kiev and Moscow, whose administration he helped govern. In 1390, over his own reluctance, he was consecrated bishop of Tver, a see torn by the feuds of its princes; there he laboured as a peacemaker, built churches and his monastery, and had copied for its monks the great manuscript collection later known as the Arsenian redaction of the Kiev Caves Paterikon. He reposed in 1409; his incorrupt relics were uncovered in 1483, and he was canonised by the Moscow Council of 1547. He is commemorated on March 2.
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The Four Hundred and Forty Martyrs of Lombardy (579)
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Holy Martyr Euthalia (257)
Euthalia (†c. 257) was a young virgin-martyr of Leontini (Lentini) in Sicily. Her mother, Eutropia, long afflicted with an issue of blood, was healed through the intercession of the martyrs of Lentini and was baptised together with Euthalia; but Euthalia's brother Sermylian, an ardent pagan, was enraged at their conversion. When Euthalia refused to renounce Christ, he pursued and abused her, and at the last beheaded her with his own hand. She is honoured among the virgin-martyrs and is commemorated on March 2 in the Orthodox calendar (and on August 27 in the West).
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Hesychius the Senator
Hesychius (†c. 302) was a Roman senator and high official of the imperial palace under the emperor Maximian, martyred in the Diocletianic persecution. When Maximian ordered that Christians be stripped of their military belts and dignities and expelled from his service, Hesychius willingly gave up his rank rather than deny Christ. Summoned and reproached by the emperor for choosing disgrace over his high estate, he confessed the faith openly; whereupon Maximian had a great millstone bound to him and cast him into a river of Bithynia, where he was drowned. He is numbered among the confessing officials of the imperial court who chose the loss of all things for Christ, and is commemorated on March 2.
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Troadius of Neocaesarea
Troadius (†c. 250) was a young martyr of Neocaesarea in Pontus who suffered under the emperor Decius, enduring fearful tortures for the confession of Christ. His memory is bound to that of his great fellow-townsman Gregory the Wonderworker, bishop of Neocaesarea, who — the tradition holds — was granted to see the young man's whole passion in a vision, beholding his torments and the departure of his soul to Christ even as they were happening, and afterward bore witness to his martyrdom. Troadius is commemorated on March 2.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Chad, bishop of Lichfield (672)
- St. Gistilian, uncle of St. David (6th C)
- St. Fergna, abbot of Iona (637)
- St. Cynibild, brother of SS Chad and Cedd (7th C)
- St. Slebhine, abbot of Iona (767)
- St. Joavan (c.570)
- St. Willeic (726)
Troparia & kontakia
Troparion — Tone 4
A rule of faith and an image of gentleness, a teacher of self-restraint, the truth of thy deeds revealed thee to thy flock; and so by lowliness thou didst gain the things on high, and by poverty, riches. O Father and Hierarch Arsenius, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy ewe-lamb Euthalia cries aloud to Thee, O Jesus: "O my Bridegroom, Thee I long for, and seeking Thee I strive in contest; with Thee I am crucified, and in Thy baptism am I buried; I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee, and I die for Thee, that I may live in Thee. As a spotless sacrifice offered in love, receive me." By her intercessions, O merciful One, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy Martyr Hesychius, O Lord, in his contest has received from Thee, our God, the crown of incorruption; for, having Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of the demons. By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
A sharer in the way of life of the Apostles and a successor to their thrones, O God-inspired one, thou didst find in the practice of virtue thine ascent to divine contemplation; therefore, rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst do battle for the faith even to the shedding of thy blood, O Hieromartyr Theodotus. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy Martyr Troadius, O Lord, in his contest has received from Thee, our God, the crown of incorruption; for, having Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of the demons. By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Readings
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
Romans 13.11-14.4
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel
Matthew 6.14-21
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.