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Thursday 25 September 2025

Repose of Ven. Sergius of Radonezh

Thursday of the 16th week after Pentecost

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No Fast — Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed Tone 6

Repose of Ven. Sergius of Radonezh

Saints commemorated

  • Saint of the day

    Our Holy Father Sergius of Radonezh (1392)

    Sergius of Radonezh (1314–1392) is the greatest monastic saint of Russia and one of the most beloved figures of all Orthodoxy. Born Bartholomew near Rostov, he withdrew as a young man to the forested hill of Makovets, where his hermitage dedicated to the Holy Trinity grew into the Trinity Lavra, the spiritual heart of the Russian Church to this day. Restorer of the common life, teacher of a whole generation of monastic founders who filled the northern forests — the "Northern Thebaid" — counsellor of princes and peacemaker of a fractured land, he is remembered above all as a man of the Holy Trinity, in whose honour Andrei Rublev painted his famous icon. He reposed on September 25, 1392; his relics were uncovered in 1422.

  • Our Righteous Mother Euphrosyne (ca. 445)

    Euphrosyne of Alexandria (5th century) was the only daughter of Paphnutius, a wealthy and devout citizen of Alexandria. Vowed to virginity but betrothed by her father to a rich suitor, she fled on the eve of the marriage and — to escape the search she knew would comb every women's convent — put on a man's habit and entered a men's monastery as the eunuch "Smaragdus," where she lived unrecognised in an enclosed cell for thirty-eight years. Her own father, who came for years to the monastery for consolation in his grief, was comforted by the monk Smaragdus without ever knowing her, until she revealed herself on her deathbed. Paphnutius, commemorated with her, ended his days a monk in his daughter's cell. She is commemorated on September 25, and is the chief saint of the day in the Greek Menaion.

  • Commemoration of the Great Earthquake at Constantinople (447) and the Miracle of the Trisagion

  • Venerable Dosithea, recluse of the Kiev Caves (1776)

  • Euphrosyne of Suzdal

    Euphrosyne of Suzdal (1212–1250), in the world the princess Theodulia, eldest daughter of the martyred prince Michael of Chernigov, was betrothed in youth to a prince of Suzdal who died on the very day appointed for the wedding. Refusing to return to her father's house, she entered the convent of the Deposition of the Robe (Rizopolozhensky) in Suzdal and became, under the name Euphrosyne, the most renowned woman ascetic of pre-Mongol and Mongol-era Russia: a teacher of nuns and laywomen, an ascetic of severe fasting, and a seer whose prayers, the tradition holds, spared her convent when Batu's horde burned Suzdal in 1238. She reposed on September 25, 1250, and was glorified in 1698.

  • Herman of Kazan

    Herman of Kazan (sixteenth century, died 1567) was a monk of the school of Joseph of Volokolamsk who became the first abbot of the Dormition monastery of Sviyazhsk and, from 1564, the second archbishop of the newly Christian region of Kazan. A learned copyist of books and a builder of churches and monastic libraries, he laboured to enlighten the Muslim and heathen peoples of the middle Volga. Summoned by Ivan the Terrible in 1566 to be metropolitan of Moscow, he dared to rebuke the Tsar's cruelties, was cast into disgrace, and died at Moscow on November 6, 1567. His relics were later enshrined at Sviyazhsk, and his repose is his principal feast.

  • Paphnutius of Egypt and his 546 Companions

    Paphnutius was an Egyptian anchorite of the desert who, in the great persecution under Diocletian at the opening of the fourth century, left his solitude and presented himself of his own accord before the persecuting governor. His fearless confession under torture, and the wonders that attended it, drew a multitude to Christ — soldiers, prisoners and citizens, traditionally numbered 546 in all — who sealed their new faith with their blood by fire and the sword. Paphnutius himself, whom the tradition would not suffer to die an ordinary death, was crucified, the synaxarion says, on a palm tree. He and his companions are commemorated together on September 25.

  • Paul, Tatta and their Children

    Paul and his wife Tatta, with their children Sabinian, Maximus, Rufus and Eugene, were a Christian family of Damascus who were denounced together for the faith, tortured together, and together gave up their souls to God under their torments. The synaxarion transmits neither year nor persecutor — only the household's common confession, which its verses celebrate: the father bearing witness with his children, and Tatta "wisely ranging herself" with them all. They are commemorated together on September 25.

British Isles and Ireland

  • St. Finbar Barry, 1st bishop of Cork (c.633)
  • St. Ceolfrid, abbot of Wearmouth (716)
  • St. Caian of Anglesey (5th C)
  • St. Egelred of Crowland, martyr (870)
  • St. Fymbert, bishop in the west of Scotland (7th C)
  • St. Mwrog

Troparia & kontakia

Kontakion — Tone 2

Yearning to attain the life on high, thou didst eagerly forsake the delight below, and didst mingle thyself among men, O all-lauded one; for the sake of Christ thy Bridegroom thou didst despise a passing bridegroom.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Having filled the pure vessel of thy virginity with the oil of prayer and love, thou didst kindle an unquenchable lamp in thy heart, O venerable one; and going forth with it, watchful, to meet the heavenly Bridegroom, thou wast received into His most radiant bridal chamber. There now, dwelling with the choirs of angels and saints, pray, we beseech thee, to Christ God, that we may be delivered from the portion of the foolish virgins.

Kontakion — Tone 4

Illumining with the excellences of holiness and righteousness the reason-endowed flock entrusted to thee, and nourishing it in the verdant pastures of the word of Christ, thou didst by the power of thy spirit guide it into the right path of the Lord's commandments; wherefore now also, overshadowed by thy healing wonders, on thy holy memory we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O Herman our father.

Kontakion — Tone 8

Wounded with the love of Christ, O venerable one, and following Him with a desire that turned not back, thou didst hate every fleshly pleasure and didst shine forth upon thy fatherland like the sun; wherefore Christ has enriched thee with the gift of miracles. Remember us who honour thy most radiant memory, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Sergius, wise in God.

Magnification

We call thee blessed, O venerable father Sergius, and we honour thy holy memory, instructor of monks and converser with angels.

Troparion — Tone 8

In thee, O Mother, was preserved unimpaired that which is according to the image; for taking up the Cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds didst teach us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Wherefore thy spirit, O venerable Euphrosyne, rejoices with the angels.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy holy memory makes glad the land of Suzdal, and calls together all the faithful to thine all-honourable temple, where now thine all-glorious memory is celebrated, O venerable Euphrosyne: pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Troparion — Tone 4

Having zealously taken up the yoke of Christ from thy youth, thou wast glorified by the wakeful labours of fasting and prayer; wherefore, when God called thee to the service of the Church in the newly-enlightened realm of Kazan, thou wast summoned together with the hierarch Gurias, and there wast shown to be the first founder of the monastery thou didst raise in the city of Sviyazhsk and a worthy successor of the first hierarch. Standing in spirit before the throne of the Master, pray, O hierarch Herman, together with the hierarch Gurias, that the Orthodox flock may grow in piety and that the darkness of false belief may be scattered by the light of the faith.

Troparion — Tone 4

From thy youth thou didst receive Christ in thy soul, O venerable one, and above all things didst long to withdraw from the turmoil of the world. Manfully didst thou settle in the wilderness, and there didst raise up children of obedience, the fruits of humility. Wherefore, having become a dwelling-place of the Trinity, thou didst enlighten with thy miracles all who come to thee with faith, granting healings abundantly to all. O our father Sergius, pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Readings

Vespers

Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8

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

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 3.1-9

1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Matins Gospel

Matthew 11.27-30

27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Epistle

Ephesians 1.1-9

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Galatians 5.22-6.2 (St Sergius)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

Luke 4.16-22

16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

Luke 6.17-23 (St Sergius)

17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.