Great Lent, day 14 · 35 days until Pascha
St Gregory Palamas
Saints commemorated
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Martyr Sabinas of Egypt
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Our Holy Father Christodoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos (1111)
Christodoulos (c. 1020 – 1093), baptised John, was a Byzantine monk and abbot of the eleventh century and the founder of one of the great houses of Aegean monasticism, the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on Patmos. Formed in the ascetic tradition of Mount Olympus in Bithynia, the Lavra of Saint Sabbas in Palestine, and above all Mount Latros in Caria — where he became the superior of its monks — he was driven westward through the islands by the Seljuk Turkish advance. In 1088 the emperor Alexios I Komnenos, by a golden bull, granted him the deserted island of Patmos, where the Apostle John had received the Revelation, in exchange for his lands on Kos; there Christodoulos built and fortified his monastery and gave it the rule (Hypotyposis) that still governs it. A fresh Turkish raid drove him at the last to Euboea, where he wrote his Testament and reposed on March 16, 1093. His relics were carried back to Patmos, where they remain incorrupt and work wonders, and he is honoured as the Wonderworker of Patmos.
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Holy Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, first Bishop of Britain (1st c.)
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Alexander of Rome
Alexander (†c. 119) was, by the ancient reckoning, the fifth Bishop of Rome after the Apostle Peter, who held the see for about ten years in the early second century and, in the tradition of the Church, suffered martyrdom in the reign of the emperor Hadrian. The Western passion joins to him the priests Eventius and Theodulus, his fellow-sufferers, and remembers his conversion of the prefect Hermes and his household. He is one of the early bishops of Rome venerated throughout the undivided Church; the Byzantine calendar keeps his memory on March 16, the West on May 3. His martyrdom, though held by the tradition, rests on a late and legendary account, and the entry keeps it as such. He is not to be confused with Alexander of Rome the Soldier, the eighteen-year-old martyr of the regiment of the Tiberiani beheaded at Drizipera in Thrace under Maximian and commemorated on May 13 — a different saint who carries the same epithet "of Rome," and whom part of the manuscript tradition wrongly calls a bishop.
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Antony of the Kiev Caves
Antony of the Kiev Caves (983–1073) is the father of monasticism in the land of Rus'. Born at Liubech near Chernigov and baptised Antipas, he went as a young man to Mount Athos, was tonsured there, and was sent back by his abbot with the word that he should carry the Holy Mountain's way of life to his own people. Settling in a cave dug in the wooded hill above the Dnieper at Berestovo, he lived on bread and water and drew disciples he had not sought; from that hole in the earth grew the Monastery of the Caves, the mother-house of Russian and Ukrainian monasticism, whose second founder and organiser was his disciple Theodosius. Antony himself never governed it: he appointed abbots and withdrew again into seclusion, and to the end preferred the cave to the church he had caused to be built. He reposed in 1073, and by a providence the tradition has never tried to explain away, his relics have never been uncovered.
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Gregory Palamas
Gregory Palamas (c. 1296–1359), Archbishop of Thessalonica, is the great theologian of the Orthodox spiritual tradition and the defender of the hesychasts — the monks of Mount Athos who, in stillness and unceasing prayer, were granted to behold the uncreated light of God. When the Calabrian philosopher Barlaam derided their experience and denied that the divine light was anything but a created symbol, Gregory answered with the distinction that would become dogma: God is utterly unknowable in his essence, yet truly known and truly partaken in his uncreated energies — the same grace and glory that shone from Christ on Tabor and dwells in the saints. His theology was vindicated by a succession of councils at Constantinople, definitively in 1351, and the Church honours him twice: on November 14, the day of his repose, and on the Second Sunday of Great Lent, where his triumph stands as a "second Sunday of Orthodoxy." He is one of several saints named Gregory, to be distinguished from Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia (September 30), and from the Theologian, the Dialogist, and Gregory of Nyssa.
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Julian of Anazarbus
Julian (†c. 305) was a martyr of Cilicia, in the south-east of Asia Minor — a young man of senatorial family from Anazarbus who confessed Christ in the Great Persecution under the Roman governor and, after a year of being dragged from city to city and tortured, was sewn into a sack filled with sand and venomous vipers and scorpions and cast into the sea. The waves bore his body to the Cilician shore (the tradition says to Alexandria), whence his relics were gathered and at last enshrined at Antioch. There, some ninety years later, John Chrysostom preached a celebrated homily in his honour, which remains the chief witness to his martyrdom. He is commemorated on March 16.
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Papas of Lycaonia
Papas (†c. 305) was a martyr of Laranda in Lycaonia, in the interior of Asia Minor, who suffered in the Great Persecution under Maximian. Seized as a Christian and refusing to sacrifice to the idols, he was cruelly tortured — his feet, the tradition says, were shod with iron shoes driven through with nails, and he was made to run before his persecutors as they moved him from city to city, to Diocaesarea in Isauria. There, at the last, he was bound to a barren tree, which — at the death of the martyr — put forth leaves and bore fruit, a wonder that the tradition keeps as the sign of his crown. He is commemorated on March 16.
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Sabinus of Egypt
Sabinus (†c. 287) was a martyr of Hermopolis in Egypt — a leading citizen, and by some accounts the governor of the city, who in the persecution laid aside his rank and hid himself with a company of fellow-Christians in a house outside the town. Betrayed for two pieces of gold by a beggar whom he had fed in his need, he was seized, brought before the persecutors, tortured for his confession of Christ, and at the last drowned in the waters of the Nile. His memory is a parable of the treachery repaid for kindness and the crown won through it, and the Church keeps him on March 13.
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Serapion of Novgorod
Serapion (c. 1450 – 1516) was a Russian monastic saint and hierarch — hegumen of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and afterwards Archbishop of Novgorod — best remembered for his part in the great controversy over the monastic estate that divided the Russian Church in his day. Born near Moscow, married and briefly a parish priest, he was widowed and took the monastic habit, rising through the Dubensk and Trinity-Sergius houses to the see of Novgorod in 1506. His excommunication of the abbot Joseph of Volokolamsk (Joseph of Volotsk), who had removed his monastery from Novgorod's jurisdiction to the Grand Prince's, brought Serapion himself before a council in 1509, which deposed him from his see; he withdrew to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, was reconciled, and reposed there in peace on March 16, 1516. He was later glorified, and his relics rest at the Lavra.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Abban of Kilabban (650)
- St. Finan Lobur, abbot of Swords (5th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
Having offered thyself to God, whom thou didst love above all from thy youth, O venerable one, thou didst choose to follow Him with thy whole soul before all things else, and counting the beauties of the world as nothing, thou didst make thee a cave in the earth, and struggling well therein against the devices of the unseen enemies, thou didst shine upon all the land of Rus' like the sun in its splendour. Wherefore, standing now with boldness before Christ God, pray for thy flock, O father, and for all who come to thee, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Antony our father.
Kontakion — Tone 8
To thee who by thy venerable teachings hast led thy flock out of the dread vanity of the world, we thy children inscribe a hymn, O blessed one; but as one who hast boldness before the Lord, deliver us from punishments of every kind, that we may cry: Rejoice, O father Christodoulos!
Kontakion — Tone 8
The holy and divine instrument of wisdom, the clear-sounding trumpet of theology, we hymn thee with one accord, O God-inspired Gregory. But as a mind that stands before the primal Mind, guide our mind unto Him, O father, that we may cry: Rejoice, O herald of grace.
Troparion — Tone 4
Having gone forth from the tumult of the world, and having followed Christ after the manner of the Gospel by the renunciation of all things, thou didst live a life like the angels' and didst come to the quiet haven of the Holy Mountain of Athos; and thence, with the blessing of the fathers, thou camest to the hill of Kiev, and finishing thy course there in labour, thou didst enlighten thy fatherland, and having shown to a multitude of monastics the path that leads to the Kingdom of heaven, thou didst bring them to Christ. Him do thou entreat, O venerable Antony, that He may save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 1
The offspring of Nicaea and the boast of Patmos, and the glory of monastics, the God-bearing Christodoulos, let us honour with hymns, O brethren, embracing his holy tabernacle, that we may receive the healing of our souls and bodies, and crying aloud: Glory to him who has given thee strength; glory to him who has crowned thee; glory to him who works through thee healings for all.
Troparion — Tone 8
O luminary of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory the Wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever intercede that our souls be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4 (common of a martyr)
Thy martyr Julian, 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 impotent insolence of the demons. By his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 3 (common of a martyr)
Thy martyr Papas, 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 impotent insolence of the demons. By his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 3
Thy holy martyr Sabinus, O Lord, through his contest has received an incorruptible crown from thee our God; for having thy strength, he laid low his persecutors and shattered the powerless boldness of the demons. By his intercessions save our souls.
Readings
5th Matins Gospel
Luke 24.12-35
12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. 13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Epistle
Hebrews 1.10-2.3
10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Hebrews 7.26-8.2 (St Gregory)
26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Gospel
Mark 2.1-12
1And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
John 10.9-16 (St Gregory)
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.