Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
Saints commemorated
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Martyrs Probus, Tarachus and Andronicus
Probus, Tarachus and Andronicus (†304) are the chief martyrs of October 12: three Christians of very different stations — Tarachus an aged Roman soldier of sixty-five, Probus a plebeian of Side in Pamphylia, Andronicus a young aristocrat of Ephesus — who were tried three times before the governor of Cilicia, at Tarsus, Mopsuestia and Anazarbus, tortured after each hearing, and finally put to the sword in the amphitheatre of Anazarbus when the wild beasts refused to touch them. Their Acts, cast as the verbatim court record of the three interrogations, have long been counted among the most remarkable martyr-acts to survive from the great persecution.
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St Symeon the New Theologian (1022)
Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022) is the great mystical theologian of Byzantium: monk of Stoudios, abbot of St. Mamas in Constantinople, spiritual son of Symeon the Pious, and the poet of the Hymns of Divine Love. He taught, against the polite religion of his age, that the conscious experience of God — the vision of the divine light, the felt presence of the Holy Spirit — is not the privilege of a vanished apostolic past but the birthright and calling of every baptised Christian now; for this he was tried, exiled, and finally vindicated. Of all the saints, only he, John the Theologian, and Gregory of Nazianzus bear the title "Theologian."
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Cosmas of Maiuma
Cosmas of Maiuma (†c. 760), called the Hymnographer, the Melodist, and simply "the Poet," is with John of Damascus one of the two great masters of the canon, the hymn-form that has framed Orthodox Matins for thirteen centuries. An orphan adopted by John's father and educated beside John by a learned Sicilian monk, he shared John's life at the monastery of St. Sabas and his defence of the holy icons, and was made bishop of Maiuma, the port of Gaza, around 743. His canons for the Exaltation of the Cross, the Nativity, Theophany, and the days of Great and Holy Week are among the summits of Byzantine hymnography, and their heirmoi are sung as katavasiai through the whole liturgical year.
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Dionysius of Glushitsa
Dionysius of Glushitsa (1363–1437) was one of the great founders of the Northern Thebaid, the monastic wilderness of the Russian north. Born near Vologda and baptised Dimitry, he was tonsured in 1382 at the island monastery of the Saviour on the Stone (Spaso-Kamenny) on Lake Kubenskoye, and after nine years went out with a single disciple into the forest, where — hearing, the tradition says, the sound of bells on the empty banks of the river Glushitsa — he founded the Monastery of the Protection of the Theotokos, and later the hermitage of Sosnovets for those who sought greater solitude, a women's monastery under the Athonite typikon, and other houses besides. He was a painter of icons as well as a builder of monasteries, and one of the earliest Russian iconographers whose name and hand can be tied to surviving work. Renowned for extreme austerity, for open-handed almsgiving in famine, and for miracles, he reposed at Sosnovets on 1 June 1437 in his seventy-fourth year, and was canonised by the Council of Moscow in 1547.
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Domnina of Anazarbus
Domnina of Anazarbus (†286) was a Christian woman of Cilicia who confessed Christ before the governor in the early years of Diocletian's reign, was beaten at length and burned with fire, and died of her torments in prison. The Greek synaxarion of October 12 remembers her with the epithet "victorious" (καλλίνικος) and a distich in her honour: though her limbs were wrenched from their joints, she did not deny the true faith. She shares her day with the greater company of Probus, Tarachus and Andronicus, who suffered in the same city eighteen years later.
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Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours (c. 316–397), whom the Orthodox calendars style "the Merciful," was the soldier who divided his cloak with a freezing beggar at Amiens and saw Christ wearing the half he had given; discharged from the army with the words "I am a soldier of Christ — it is not lawful for me to fight," he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, founded at Ligugé the first monastery in Gaul, and as bishop of Tours from 371 evangelised the pagan countryside, raised the dead, and pleaded — against bishops and emperor alike — for the lives of heretics. The most beloved saint of the pre-schism West, he is commemorated in the Byzantine-Slavic tradition on October 12.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Fiace, disciple of St. Patrick (5th C)
- St. Mobhi of Glasnevin (544)
- St. Edwin, King and Martyr (633)
- St. Wilfrid, archbishop of York (709)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
Adorned with the virtues, O God-inspired Cosmas, thou wast made an adornment of the Church of Christ, for with songs thou didst adorn her, O blessed one. Pray to the Lord that we be delivered from every device of the enemy, for we cry to thee: Rejoice, O thrice-blessed father.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Hearing the sound of bells in the trackless forest, thou didst know the place of thy calling, O father Dionysius; and where no man dwelt thou didst raise a house to the Protection of the Mother of God, painting with thy own hand the images of the saints. Wherefore, having lent thy bread to God in the hungry years, thou hast received of Him an unfading crown.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having made manifest to us the glory of the Trinity, the noble soldiers and divine martyrs of Christ — Probus and Andronicus together with Tarachus — exposed all the godlessness of the tyrants, contending valiantly in the faith.
Kontakion — Tone 3
Enlightened by the light three-sunned, O God-wise one, thou wast shown a theologian of the all-divine Trinity. Enriched from on high with the wisdom of words, thou didst pour forth the divine streams of the wisdom of God; drinking of them, we cry: Rejoice, thrice-blessed Symeon, taught of God.
Troparion — Tone 8
Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, luminary of the whole world, God-inspired adornment of hierarchs: O Cosmas most wise, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all. O harp of the Spirit, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)
In thee, O Father, was preserved unblemished that which is according to the image; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to despise the flesh, which passeth away, and to care for the soul, which is immortal. Wherefore, O venerable Dionysius, thy spirit rejoiceth with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a woman martyr)
Thy lamb Domnina crieth to thee with a great voice, O Jesus: Thee, my Bridegroom, do I love, and seeking thee I contend, and am crucified and buried with thee in thy baptism; I suffer for thy sake, that I may reign with thee, and I die for thee, that I may live in thee. Receive me then as a spotless sacrifice, slain with love for thee. By her intercessions, O merciful one, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a hierarch)
The truth of thy deeds revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; wherefore by humility thou didst gain the heights, by poverty the riches. O father and hierarch Martin, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 5
The powers of heaven marvelled exceedingly at the achievements of the holy martyrs: how in a mortal body, by the power of the Cross, they contended nobly and invisibly overthrew the bodiless enemy; and they entreat the Lord that our souls may find mercy.
Troparion — Tone 3
Having received the divine illumination within thy soul, O father Symeon, thou wast shown to the world a most radiant light, dispelling its deep darkness and persuading all to seek the grace of the Spirit which they had lost. Entreat him fervently, that he grant us great mercy.
Readings
Vespers
Genesis 14.14-20
14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Deuteronomy 1.8-11, 15-17
8Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. 9And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) 15So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. 16And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
Deuteronomy 10.14-21
14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. 15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. 16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: 18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. 21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
7th Matins Gospel
John 20.1-10
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Epistle
2 Corinthians 9.6-11
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Hebrews 13.7-16 (Fathers)
7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Gospel
Luke 7.11-16
11And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
John 17.1-13 (Fathers)
1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.