Pre-Lenten Triodion, day 21 · 50 days until Pascha
Commemoration of Departed Righteous Monastics
Saints commemorated
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Trans. Rel. Nicephorus, Patr. Constantinopole
Nicephorus the Confessor (c. 758 – 828) was Patriarch of Constantinople from 806 to 815 and, after Tarasius, the second of the great iconodule patriarchs to lead the Church. Born of a confessing family — his father had suffered exile for the holy icons — he served as imperial secretary, took part in the Seventh Ecumenical Council as a lay commissioner, and was raised from the lay state to the patriarchal throne. When the emperor Leo V the Armenian revived iconoclasm, Nicephorus resisted to his own ruin: refusing to surrender the images, he was deposed in 815 and exiled across the Bosphorus, where for thirteen years he wrote the great refutations of the heresy — and where, with his Breviarium and chronological tables, he left works of history besides. He reposed in exile in 828. After the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843), the Empress Theodora and Patriarch Methodius brought his relics home to the capital on 13 March 846, incorrupt, and laid them among the patriarchs in the Church of the Holy Apostles. He is kept on June 2 (repose) and March 13 (the translation of his relics).
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Africanus, Pompeius and Terence
Africanus, Pompeius (also called Publius) and Terence, with a company of fellow-Christians, were martyrs of Africa who suffered in the third century at a place called Petrium, near Carthage, in one of the persecutions that swept the Roman province. Seized for their confession of Christ and refusing to sacrifice to the idols, they endured torments and were put to death together. The Church keeps their memory on March 13; a larger company of the same African martyrs, including Terence and Africanus with many others, is commemorated again on April 10.
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Christina of Persia
Christina (fourth century) was a martyr of Persia, a young woman who was scourged to death for confessing her faith in Christ during one of the great persecutions of the Church of Persia under the Sasanian kings. Of her life almost nothing is transmitted beyond the manner and the constancy of her death; the Church keeps her honoured memory on March 13.
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Publius of Athens
Publius (second century) was Bishop of Athens and a hieromartyr — the shepherd of the Athenian church who was put to death for the confession of Christ, and after whose martyrdom the flock he left, scattered and dispirited, was gathered again by his successor Quadratus. His memory is preserved by the earliest historians of the Church: Dionysius of Corinth, writing about the year 170, records in a letter that the Christians of Athens had all but fallen away after "the martyrdom of Publius their leader," until Quadratus, made bishop in his place, rekindled their faith; and Eusebius hands the notice down. The later synaxaria honour him as a successor of Dionysius the Areopagite on the throne of Athens and number him among the disciples of the apostolic age. He is commemorated on March 13.
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Sabinus of Egypt
Sabinus (†c. 287) was a martyr of Hermopolis in Egypt — a leading citizen, and by some accounts the governor of the city, who in the persecution laid aside his rank and hid himself with a company of fellow-Christians in a house outside the town. Betrayed for two pieces of gold by a beggar whom he had fed in his need, he was seized, brought before the persecutors, tortured for his confession of Christ, and at the last drowned in the waters of the Nile. His memory is a parable of the treachery repaid for kindness and the crown won through it, and the Church keeps him on March 13.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Mochoemoc, abbot (656)
- St. Kevoca of Kyle (7th C)
- St. Gerald of Mayo, abbot (732)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 1
O initiate of heaven's mysteries and unshaken herald of Orthodoxy, thou didst shine upon the Church as her radiant star, and for the icon of Christ didst gladly bear thine exile; and now thy sacred relics, returning in glory to thy city, pour forth sanctification on them that cry: Rejoice, O Father Nicephorus, boast of the faithful.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy holy martyrs Africanus, Pompeius and Terence, O Lord, through their contests have received incorruptible crowns from thee our God; for having thy strength, they laid low their persecutors and shattered the powerless boldness of the demons. By their intercessions save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy ewe-lamb Christina cries out to thee, O Jesus, with a great voice: I love thee, O my Bridegroom, and in seeking thee I contend; I am crucified and buried with thee in thy baptism, and I suffer for thy sake, that I may reign with thee; I die for thee, that I may live in thee. Accept me as a spotless sacrifice, offered to thee with love. By her intercessions save our souls, O merciful One.
Troparion — Tone 3
Thou didst bear in very deed the victory thy name foretells, O all-blessed Nicephorus: a teacher of the Orthodox faith, a defender of the sacred images, and a pillar unshaken of the Church of Christ. For the honour of the icon of the Lord thou didst endure deposition and long exile; wherefore, crowned as a confessor, intercede that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
As one who shared in the ways of the Apostles and succeeded to their thrones, thou didst find in thy labours, O God-inspired one, an ascent to divine vision; wherefore, rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst contend for the faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Publius. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 3
Thy holy martyr Sabinus, O Lord, through his contest has received an incorruptible crown from thee our God; for having thy strength, he laid low his persecutors and shattered the powerless boldness of the demons. By his intercessions save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
Romans 14.19-23, 16.25-27
19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Galatians 5.22-6.2 (Departed)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gospel
Matthew 6.1-13
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 11.27-30 (Departed)
27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.