Nativity Fast, day 27
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Ven. Daniel the Stylite
Daniel the Stylite (c. 409–493) was the great pillar-saint of the Bosphorus and the foremost heir of Symeon the Stylite, whose leather mantle he received. A Mesopotamian monk drawn to Constantinople, he mounted a pillar at Anaplus on the European shore and stood upon it for thirty-three years, until his repose in his mid-eighties. Ordained priest upon the column by the Patriarch Gennadius, he became the oracle and conscience of the capital: emperors Leo I and Zeno sought his counsel, he foretold the great fire of the city, and he descended from his pillar only once — to march into Constantinople and confront the usurper Basiliscus in defence of the Council of Chalcedon. His feast is December 11, within the Nativity Fast.
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Saint Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves (1101)
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Our Venerable Father Luke the New Stylite (979)
Luke the New Stylite (c. 879–979) was a soldier of the Byzantine army who became the last of the great pillar-saints of the East. Having survived unhurt the catastrophic defeat of the imperial forces by the Bulgarians at Anchialos in 917, he laid down his arms for the monastic life, was ordained priest, and took up the ascesis of the stylites. After brief pillars in Anatolia and near the capital he settled at Chalcedon, on the Asian shore opposite Constantinople, where he stood upon a column for forty-five years and was renowned for the gift of wonderworking, until his repose about the year 979 at a very great age. He is commemorated on December 11, the same day as the elder pillar-saint Daniel the Stylite, within the Nativity Fast.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Cian the Hermit (6th C)
- St. Peris of Llanberis (c.6th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 4
Like a star of many lights didst thou ascend upon the pillar, O blessed one, and enlighten the world by thy holy works; the darkness of error thou didst drive away, O father. Wherefore we beseech thee: shine now also in the hearts of thy servants with the unsetting light of knowledge.
Synaxarion
The pillar raised Luke on high; and Luke raised his mind to God, toward whom he runs.
Troparion — Tone 1
Thou didst become a pillar of patience, O venerable one, rivalling the forefathers: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in his temptations, and the life of the bodiless powers while yet in the body. O Daniel our father, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 1
Thou didst become a pillar of patience, O venerable one, rivalling the forefathers: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in his temptations, and the life of the bodiless powers while yet in the body. O Luke our father, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Readings
Epistle
Titus 1.15-2.10
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Gospel
Luke 21.37-22.8
37And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. 1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.