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
1 Thessalonians 2.1-8
1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Gospel
Luke 11.42-46
42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. 44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. 45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. 46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.