Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Ven. Hilarion the Great
Hilarion the Great (c. 291–371) was the founder of the monastic life in Palestine, as his master Anthony the Great was its founder in Egypt. Born of pagan parents near Gaza and converted while a student at Alexandria, he sought out Anthony in the Egyptian desert, then returned to withdraw into the barren coastland of Majuma, where for decades he lived in extreme austerity. His miracles drew such crowds that monasteries multiplied across the Palestinian desert around him, and to escape his own fame he fled in old age through Egypt, Sicily, Dalmatia, and finally Cyprus, where he died. His disciple Hesychius stole the body back to Palestine, and both islands and mainland claimed him. He is known above all from the celebrated Life written by Jerome.
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Holy New Martyr John of Monembasia (1773)
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Fintan Munnu, abbot-founder of Taghmon (635)
- St. Condedus, hermit (685)
- St. Tuda, bishop of Northumbria (664)
- St. Malathgeny of Cluain-Edneach (767)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 3
As an unsetting star of the noetic Sun, gathered together this day we praise thee with hymns; for thou didst shine upon those who sat in the darkness of ignorance, raising them all to the divine heights, O Hilarion, as they cry aloud: Rejoice, O father, foundation of ascetics.
Troparion — Tone 8
The multitudes of monks acclaim thee as their guide, O Hilarion our father; for through thee we have learned to walk the truly straight path. Blessed art thou, who didst labour for Christ and triumph over the might of the enemy, O companion of Angels and partaker with the venerable and the righteous. With them intercede unto the Lord, that our souls may find mercy.
Readings
Epistle
Philippians 2.16-23
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. 22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. 23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
Gospel
Luke 9.23-27
23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.