Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Our Father among the Saints Nectarius (Nektarios), bishop of Pentapolis, Wonderworker, and founder of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity on Aegina (1920).
Nectarius of Aegina (1846–1920), born Anastasios Kephalas in Silivri (Selybria) in Thrace, is among the most beloved saints of the modern Orthodox world. A learned and gentle hierarch, he was consecrated Metropolitan of Pentapolis in the Patriarchate of Alexandria, then driven from Egypt by the envy and slander of fellow clergy and left, uncomplaining, to years of obscurity and poverty in Greece. He served humbly as a preacher and for fourteen years as director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens, and at last founded the Holy Trinity convent on the island of Aegina, where he reposed in 1920. His grave proved a source of healings and his relics streamed myrrh; glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1961, he is invoked across the world, especially by the sick and by cancer patients, and more churches are dedicated to him than to any other modern saint.
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Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius
Onesiphorus and Porphyrius were two martyrs who suffered together during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian (284–305). Having confessed Christ and refused to sacrifice to the idols, they were scourged and burned, and then, when neither torment shook their faith, were bound to wild horses and dragged over the stones until they died. Their relics were afterwards gathered and enshrined. They are commemorated together on November 9. In some accounts Porphyrius is named as the servant of Onesiphorus, and both are styled "of Ephesus," where their contest is placed.
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Our Venerable Father John the Dwarf (John the Short) (4th c.)
John the Dwarf (c. 339 – c. 409), called in Greek Kolobos ("the Short"), was one of the most renowned of the Desert Fathers of Egypt, an ascetic of Scetis celebrated for his humility, his obedience, and the many sayings preserved under his name in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Small of stature, hot-tempered in youth and mastered by patience, he is remembered above all for the wonder of the dry stick that his elder bade him water daily until, after three years, it budded and bore fruit — "the tree of obedience." Driven from Scetis by a barbarian raid, he ended his days near Clysma by the Red Sea. He is commemorated on November 9.
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Our Holy Mother Matrona (492)
Matrona of Constantinople (c. 420 – c. 492) was born at Perge in Pamphylia and married young to a man named Dometian, to whom she bore a daughter, Theodota. Drawn wholly to the monastic life, she left her husband and, cutting her hair and dressing as a man, entered under the name Babylas a monastery of men led by the abbot Bassianos in Constantinople, where she lived undetected until her sex was disclosed. Sent away to protect the brotherhood, she passed through convents at Emesa, Jerusalem and Sinai, evading her husband's pursuit, before returning to Constantinople and founding a convent of her own, which she governed as abbess into great old age. She is one of the most celebrated of the holy women who took the monastic habit in male disguise, and is commemorated on November 9.
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Saint Symeon Metaphrastes (960)
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Theoctista of Lesbos
Theoctista of Lesbos (9th century) was a nun of the island of Lesbos who, seized in a Saracen pirate raid, escaped on the deserted island of Paros and lived there as a hermitess in extreme asceticism for some thirty-five years, unseen by any human being. A hunter who chanced upon her in the ruined church of the Hundred Doors found an aged woman clothed only in her white hair; at her request he brought her the Holy Gifts the following year, and after she had communed she was found dead. Her story, told by Symeon the Metaphrast, closely echoes that of Mary of Egypt, and she is venerated among the desert-dwelling holy women. She is commemorated on November 9.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Benignus, the Psalmsinger (c.466)
- St. Pabo, abbot of Llanbabon (c.510)
Troparia & kontakia
Troparion — Tone 1
O dweller of the wilderness and angel in the body, you were shown to be a wonderworker, our God-bearing Father John: by fasting, vigil and prayer you received heavenly gifts, and you heal the sick and the souls of those who run to you with faith. Glory to him who gave you strength; glory to him who crowned you; glory to him who through you works healing for all.
Troparion — Tone 8
In you, O Mother, was the divine image surely preserved: for taking up the Cross, you followed Christ; by your deeds you taught us to despise the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Matrona, your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from you, our God. For having your strength, they laid low their adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 8
In you, O Mother, was the divine image surely preserved: for taking up the Cross, you followed Christ; by your deeds you taught us to despise the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Theoctista, your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Readings
11th Matins Gospel
John 21.15-25
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Epistle
Galatians 6.11-18
11Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Gospel
Luke 8.41-56
41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.