St Gregory the Theologian
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Gregory the Theologian
Gregory the Theologian (c. 329 – 389/390), Gregory of Nazianzus, was Archbishop of Constantinople and — with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom — one of the Three Holy Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers of the Church. The most gifted orator and poet of the Cappadocian Fathers and the lifelong friend of Basil, whom he met as a student at Athens, he was drawn against his own longing for solitude into the priesthood and then the episcopate. Summoned to Constantinople in 379, when the capital had been in Arian hands for forty years, he gathered the scattered Nicene flock in the little chapel of the Anastasia and there preached the Five Theological Orations that won him alone among the Fathers, with John the Evangelist and later Symeon, the name "the Theologian." He presided for a time over the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 381), which confessed the full divinity of the Holy Spirit and gave the Creed its final form; then, weary of the intrigues of the great see, he resigned his throne in the midst of the Council and withdrew to Cappadocia, where he spent his last years in prayer, asceticism, and the writing of poems. He reposed at his family estate of Arianzus about the year 390, and is kept on January 25, and on January 30 among the Three Hierarchs.
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Auxentius the New Martyr
Auxentius the New Martyr (1690–1720) was a Greek craftsman and sailor of Constantinople who confessed Christ before the Ottoman authorities and was put to death for refusing to embrace Islam. Born in the diocese of Vellas near Ioannina in Epirus, he came young to Constantinople and worked as a furrier and then aboard ship. Falsely accused by Muslim shipmates of having promised to become a Muslim, he fled, repented of his careless life, and was seized with a longing for martyrdom. Denounced and arrested, he was beaten, blinded in one eye, and tortured, but held fast in his confession of Christ, and was beheaded at Constantinople on January 25, 1720. His body was ransomed by a Christian of the sultan's household and buried with honour by Patriarch Jeremiah III; he is venerated among the New Martyrs under the Ottoman yoke.
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Felicitas of Rome and her Seven Sons
Felicitas of Rome and her seven sons — Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial — are among the most celebrated of the early Roman martyrs, honoured both in the West and in the Byzantine East. According to the tradition, Felicitas was a noble and wealthy Christian widow of Rome who, in the persecution under Marcus Aurelius about the year 164, was arrested with her seven sons and commanded to sacrifice to the gods. She exhorted her children to constancy, and one by one they confessed Christ and were put to death before her eyes; last of all Felicitas herself was martyred, so that the Church honours her not only as a martyr but as the mother of martyrs, who suffered eight deaths in one. In the East they are kept on January 25; in the West, principally on the summer days associated with their tombs.
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Mares the Singer
Mares the Singer (c. 344 – c. 430) was a Syrian ascetic of the region of Cyrrhus, one of the solitaries whom Bishop Theodoret of Cyrrhus knew personally and described in his Religious History. Of good family and remarkable beauty in his youth, and gifted with a sweet and melodious voice, he renounced the world and shut himself up in a small hut near the village of Omeros, where he lived immured in ascetic struggle for thirty-seven years. Theodoret, who visited him, records that at his own request the bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the old man's cell, using the deacons' hands as an altar — a Liturgy that Mares, having never in his long enclosure seen the Mysteries celebrated, received as the crown of his life. He reposed, aged about ninety, around the year 430, and is kept on January 25.
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Moses of Novgorod
Moses of Novgorod (died 1362) was Archbishop of Novgorod the Great in the fourteenth century, a builder of churches and monasteries and a shepherd who twice held and twice laid down the archiepiscopal throne to return to monastic silence. Born at Novgorod and tonsured young, he was consecrated archbishop in 1325, resigned in 1330 to withdraw into seclusion, and was recalled to the see in 1352, governing until his final retirement in 1359. In his years as archbishop he raised and adorned many churches and founded or renewed several monasteries about the city, and he is remembered for his care of the poor and for defending the flock of Novgorod in the turbulent politics of the age. He reposed in 1362 at the Skovorodsky Monastery; his relics were found incorrupt in 1686, and he is venerated among the saints of Novgorod.
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Publius of Zeugma
Publius of Zeugma (early fourth century – c. 380) was a Syrian ascetic and monastic founder, one of the desert fathers of the region of the Euphrates whose lives Theodoret of Cyrrhus recorded in his Religious History. A man of senatorial rank and wealth from the city of Zeugma on the Euphrates, he renounced the world, distributed his goods to the poor, and settled on a mountain three miles from the city, where a community gathered around him. There he founded two monasteries side by side — one of Greek-speaking and one of Syriac-speaking monks — with a common church in which the two choirs praised God each in their own tongue, morning and evening; and over both he presided as a strict and loving father, admitting no private property and no relaxation of the rule. He reposed about the year 380, and is kept on January 25.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Eochod, apostle of the Picts of Galloway (597)
- St. Dwynwen of Wales (460)
- St. Sigebert, King of the East Angles and Martyr (635)
- St. Thordgyth of Barking, nun (700)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 3
With thy theologian's tongue, O glorious one, thou didst unravel the tangled webs of the orators, and didst array the Church in the garment of Orthodoxy, woven from on high; and clothed in it she cries aloud with us, thy children: Rejoice, O Father, thou loftiest mind of theology.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyr Auxentius, O Lord, in his contest received an incorruptible crown from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of demons. By his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyrs, O Lord, in their contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy might, they cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of demons. By their supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 1
The shepherd's pipe of thy theology overcame the trumpets of the orators; for as thou didst search out the depths of the Spirit, so too were the beauties of eloquence added unto thee. Wherefore, O Father Gregory, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8
In thee, O Father, was the divine image preserved with exactness; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to despise the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore doth thy spirit, O venerable Mares, rejoice together with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4
O God of our fathers, who dealest ever with us according to Thy forbearance: take not Thy mercy from us, but by his supplications govern our life in peace.
Troparion — Tone 8
In thee, O Father, was the divine image preserved with exactness; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to despise the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore doth thy spirit, O venerable Publius, rejoice together with the angels.
Readings
Vespers
Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8
1The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.
Composite 4 - Proverbs 10; Wisdom of Solomon 6, 7, 8, 9
1The mouth of a just man distils wisdom; the lips of men know graces. The mouth of the wise meditates wisdom; justice delivers them from death. When a just man dies hope is not lost; for a just son is born for life, and among his good things he will pluck the fruit of justice. There is light at all times for the just, and they will find grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise knows what is good, and wisdom will take its rest in their hearts. The Lord loves holy hearts; while all who are blameless in the way are acceptable to him. The wisdom of the Lord will enlighten the face of the understanding; for she anticipates those who desire her before they know it, and is easily contemplated by those who love her. One who rises for her at dawn will not toil, and one who keeps vigil because of her will be without care. For she goes about seeking those who are worthy of her, and shows herself favourably to those on her paths. Wickedness will never prevail against wisdom. Because of this I too became a lover of her beauty and became her friend, and I sought her out from my youth, and I sought to take her as my bride, because the Master of all things loved her, for she is an initiate of the knowledge of God and one who chooses his works. Her toils are virtues; she herself teaches sobriety and prudence; justice and courage, than which things nothing is more useful in human life. If anyone longs for much experience, she knows how to compare things of old and those that are to come. She knows the twists of words and the explanations of riddles. She foresees signs and wonders and the outcomes of seasons and times. And to all she is a good counsellor. Because immortality is in her, and fame in the fellowship of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and besought him and said from my whole heart, ‘God of my Fathers and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your Word, and established humanity by your Wisdom to be sovereign over the creatures that had come into being by you, and to order the world in holiness and justice, give me Wisdom who sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your children, for I am your servant and the son of your maid servant. Send her out from your holy dwelling and from the throne of your glory, that she may be present with me and teach me what is well pleasing before you. And she will guide me with knowledge and guard me with her glory. For all the thoughts of mortals are wretched and their ideas are unstable.’
Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15
7But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. 8For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. 10He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. 13He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. 15This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
Matins Gospel
John 10.1-9
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Epistle
Hebrews 8.7-13
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
1 Corinthians 12.7-11 (St Gregory)
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Gospel
Mark 8.11-21
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. 13And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. 14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. 16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. 17And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
John 10.9-16 (St Gregory)
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.