Nativity Fast, day 15
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Martyr Paramon and Companions
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Our Holy Father Pitirim of Egypt (4th c.)
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Acacius of Sinai
Acacius of Sinai was a young monk of the sixth century whose perfect obedience, kept for nine years under a harsh and negligent elder, became one of the most celebrated examples of the monastic virtue. He endured constant hardship, hunger, and beatings with unfailing meekness and thanksgiving, and died worn out by them. Five days after his burial, when his elder doubted whether so obedient a disciple could really be dead, the saint answered from the tomb that a doer of obedience does not die. John Climacus records the story in The Ladder of Divine Ascent as a pattern of obedience and its reward. Acacius is commemorated on November 29 and July 7.
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Paramon and the 370 Martyrs of Bithynia
Paramon and the 370 Martyrs of Bithynia suffered around the year 250, in the persecution of the emperor Decius. According to the tradition, the governor of the Eastern provinces, Aquilinus, had imprisoned a great company of some three hundred and seventy Christians and led them out to sacrifice at a pagan shrine by the warm springs of Bithynia. A local man named Paramon, watching the confessors driven to the altar, cried out aloud against the governor and confessed the one true God. He was seized and put to death with lances, and the whole company of 370 was beheaded on the same day. They are commemorated together on November 29.
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Philumenus of Ancyra
Philumenus of Ancyra was a grain-merchant of the Galatian city of Ancyra (modern Ankara) who suffered for Christ about the year 274, in the persecution of the emperor Aurelian. Denounced to the governor Felix by envious rivals as a Christian, he refused to deny his faith. His torturers drove nails into his hands, feet, and head and forced him to walk, and he died of his wounds, giving up his soul to God. He is commemorated on November 29.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Brendan of Birr (573)
- St. Sadwen (5th C)
- St. Egelwine of Athelney, monk (7th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having forsaken the world, from childhood thou didst follow after Christ, O most wise and venerable Acacius; and imitating His voluntary humility, thou didst cast down the arrogant tormentor. Pray without ceasing for us all.
Kontakion — Tone 2
As a bright and unerring star thou didst appear to the world, heralding by thy radiance Christ the Sun of righteousness; and having quenched every deception, O passion-bearer Paramon, thou bestowest light upon us, praying without ceasing for us all.
Troparion — Tone 8
In thee, O Father, that which is according to the image was surely preserved; for taking up thy cross thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou hast taught us to despise the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Acacius, thy spirit rejoiceth with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyr Paramon, O Lord, in his contest received the crown of incorruption from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By his intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy martyr Philumenus, O Lord, in his contest received the crown of incorruption from Thee our God; for possessed of Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By his intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
1 Thessalonians 2.20-3.8
20For ye are our glory and joy. 1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
Gospel
Luke 19.37-44
37And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.