Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Ven. Joannicus the Great
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Joannicius the Great
Joannicius the Great (c. 752–846) was the foremost monastic saint of ninth-century Bithynia, an ascetic of Mount Olympus whose seventy years of solitary struggle, gift of prophecy, and abundant wonders made him the most celebrated holy man of the Byzantine world in the age of the second iconoclasm. A soldier of the imperial armies in his youth — and, in the tradition, once a sympathiser of the image-breakers — he was converted to the monastic life and to the fervent defence of the holy icons, foretelling the restoration of Orthodoxy that came in 843. He composed the short prayer to the Holy Trinity — "The Father is my hope, the Son my refuge, the Holy Spirit my protection" — still used by the Church. He reposed on November 4, 846, aged about ninety-four.
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Nicander of Myra and Hermas
Nicander, bishop of Myra in Lycia, and Hermas the presbyter were disciples of the Apostle Titus of the Seventy, who ordained them to the priesthood. Labouring as pastors and ascetics in first-century Lycia, they converted many pagans to Christ, for which they were seized and brought before the prefect Libanius. Neither flattery nor threat could move them, and they endured a succession of savage torments before being cast into a pit and buried alive. They are commemorated together on November 4 as hieromartyrs of the apostolic age.
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Porphyrius of Caesarea
Porphyrius of Caesarea (†c. 270) is the "Holy Martyr Porphyrius" whom the Greek Menaion commemorates on November 4, martyred by the sword. In the received hagiographic tradition he is a second actor-martyr of the same name and story as the Porphyrius kept on September 15: a mime who, mocking the mystery of Baptism on stage, was seized by grace in the water, confessed Christ before the theatre, and was put to death — this one placed at Caesarea under the emperor Aurelian (270–275). Hagiographers have long suspected the two commemorations of being doublets of a single tradition; because the liturgical books keep two, this repository follows the books and records him under a distinguishing slug.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Birnstan, bishop of Winchester (934)
- Holy Martyr Clarus of Rochester, hermit (c.875)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
Thou didst rise as an all-radiant star, enlightening the world and illumining those who sit in the darkness of the passions; a physician most mighty wast thou shown to be. Since therefore thou hast received the grace of healings, grant healing to those who ask of thee, that we may cry: Rejoice, O father Joannicius.
Troparion — Tone 8
With the streams of thy tears thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert, and by thy sighing from the depths thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours, and thou becamest a luminary, shining upon the whole world with miracles. O Joannicius our venerable father, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a martyr)
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee our God; for possessing Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By their intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a martyr)
Thy Martyr, O Lord, Porphyrius, in his contest received an incorruptible crown from Thee our God; for possessing Thy strength he cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons: at his intercessions save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
Colossians 2.20-3.3
20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. 1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Gospel
Luke 11.34-41
34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. 37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. 38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. 39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.