Christmastide, day 9
Sunday before Theophany; Forefeast of Theophany
Saints commemorated
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Repose of St Seraphim of Sarov
Seraphim of Sarov (1754–1833), born Prochorus Moshnin of Kursk, is among the most beloved saints of the modern Orthodox world — a hieromonk of the Sarov monastery who became the archetype of the Russian starets, the Spirit-bearing elder. After years as a hermit in the forest, in which the tradition sets his thousand nights of prayer upon a rock and his near-murder by robbers, whom he forgave and refused to prosecute, he passed through a long silence and reclusion into an eldership of overflowing joy: he greeted all who came, in every season, with "My joy! Christ is risen!" His conversation with Nicholas Motovilov on the acquisition of the Holy Spirit — and the counsel "Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and thousands around you will be saved" — distilled the whole of his teaching. He guided the women's community at Diveyevo, reposed on his knees before an icon of the Mother of God on January 2, 1833, and was glorified by the Russian Church in 1903.
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St Sylvester, Pope of Rome (335)
Silvester of Rome (†335) was bishop of Rome from 314 to 335, through the whole reign of Constantine the Great after the peace of the Church — the pope under whom the persecuted community of the city emerged into freedom, built its great basilicas, and saw the First Ecumenical Council gather at Nicaea in 325, where his legates sat. A confessor who had endured the last of the pagan persecutions, he governed the Roman church for twenty-one years and was remembered in both East and West as a model hierarch of the Constantinian age. Around his name a rich body of legend gathered — the baptism of Constantine, a disputation with the learned Jews before the emperor, the healing of a poisoned bull, and the sealing of a devouring dragon beneath Rome — which shaped his medieval cultus more than the thin historical record. He reposed at Rome and is commemorated on January 2, within the forefeast of the Theophany.
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Venerable Juliana of Lazarevskoye (1604)
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Holy New Martyr George the Georgian (1770)
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Juliana of Lazarevo
Juliana of Lazarevo (c. 1530–1604), called the Merciful, is the great Russian saint of the married state and of works of mercy — a noblewoman of the Murom country, wife of the landowner George Osorgin and mother of many children, who sanctified an ordinary life in the world by ceaseless charity, fasting, and night-long prayer. She gave away all she had to the poor and the sick, tended the plague-stricken, and in the terrible famine at the turn of the seventeenth century sold everything, even to her own goods, to feed the hungry, baking bread of bark and orach that in her hands (the tradition says) tasted sweet. She reposed on January 2, 1604; her relics were found streaming with fragrant myrrh in 1614. Her Life, written by her son, is a landmark of old Russian literature — a rare biography of a laywoman saint by one who knew her — and she is honoured as the pattern of holiness attainable in family life. She is commemorated on January 2, within the forefeast of the Theophany.
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Nilus of Erikoussa
Nilus the Erikousian was a prince of the house of Laskaris who became a monk, a wanderer and at last a founder. Born at Constantinople as Nicholas, son of John Laskaris and nephew of the emperor Theodore I Laskaris, he took the habit in flight from the Latin occupation, made a long pilgrimage to Jerusalem, was exiled to Mount Athos by Michael VIII Palaiologos for his opposition to the union with Rome, and after ten years at Iveron and a long voyage through the Mediterranean settled as a hermit on the deserted islet of Erikoussa north-west of Corfu, from which he takes his name. After ten years there he crossed to the mainland and founded in Thesprotia the Monastery of Giromeri, where he reposed in great age. His principal feast is January 2; the Greek synaxaria repeat his memory on August 16.
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Theagenes of Parium
Theagenes (Theogenes) of Parium (†c. 320) was a martyr of Parium, a port on the Hellespont in the region of the Troad, put to death by drowning in the sea in the last of the persecutions, under the emperor Licinius. The tradition remembers him as one who, brought before the authorities and pressed to serve the earthly power and to sacrifice to the gods, confessed himself already a soldier of the heavenly King and would not deny Christ; scourged and imprisoned, he was at last cast into the sea and so received his crown. The Slavic and OCA calendars honour him as bishop of Parium — a hieromartyr; the Greek synaxaria present him chiefly as a young soldier-martyr. He is commemorated on January 2, within the forefeast of the Theophany.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Seiriol of Wales (6th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
Let all of us who are beset by troubles and sicknesses sing the praises of holy Juliana, the helper swift to hear; for she lived in the world in a manner pleasing to God and showed boundless mercy to the poor — wherefore, by the providence of God, she found the grace of wonders.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having forsaken the beauty of the world and the corruptible things that are in it, O venerable one, thou didst settle in the monastery of Sarov; and living there like an angel, thou wast a way of salvation to many. Therefore Christ also glorified thee, O father Seraphim, and enriched thee with the gift of healings and of wonders. Wherefore we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Seraphim our venerable father.
Magnification
We call thee blessed, O venerable father Seraphim, and we honour thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and companion of the angels.
Troparion — Tone 3
Taking up thy cross upon thy shoulder, thou didst follow Christ in almsgiving, in fasting, and in prayer, O all-praised and merciful Juliana; and to all who live in the world thou wast shown to be a rule of life. Wherefore, having inherited the Kingdom on high, pray thou unceasingly that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8
Sprung from a royal house, thou didst choose the poverty of Christ, and forsaking the City thou didst make thy dwelling in the sea's solitude; then, called from the desert island, thou didst raise a house to the Mother of God in the mountains of Epirus, O venerable father Nilus: intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
From thy youth thou didst love Christ, O blessed one, and ardently longing to serve him alone, thou didst struggle in the wilderness with unceasing prayer and labour; and having gained the love of Christ with a compunctionate heart, thou wast shown to be the beloved chosen one of the Mother of God. Therefore we cry to thee: Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim our venerable father.
Readings
Vespers
Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9
1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.
Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3
15But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. 16Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. 17He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. 18He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. 19He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. 21Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. 22And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. 23Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. 1Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. 2Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. 3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
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.
6th Matins Gospel
Luke 24.36-53
36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them. 44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Epistle
2 Timothy 4.5-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Galatians 5.22-6.2 (St Seraphim)
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
Mark 1.1-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Luke 6.17-23 (St Seraphim)
17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.