Pre-Lenten Triodion, day 3 · 68 days until Pascha
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates
Theodore Stratelates (†319) — "the Commander," from the Greek stratelates, a general — was a Roman military officer of the early fourth century, governor and garrison-commander of Heraclea on the Thracian coast of the Black Sea, and one of the two great warrior-martyrs named Theodore whom the Church honours. A Christian in the years of Licinius's persecution, he was so loved by the city that the emperor himself came to him; entrusted with idols of gold and silver to offer in sacrifice, Theodore broke them up and distributed the pieces to the poor, then openly confessed Christ. He was scourged, racked, blinded, and — the tradition holds — crucified, and at the last beheaded on February 8, 319. His faithful servant Varus wrote down the acts of his passion. He is closely associated with, and in the calendars and iconography often paired with, Theodore the Recruit (Tyron), commemorated on February 17; the two Theodores are distinct saints. His relics were translated to his estate at Euchaita, kept as a second feast on June 8.
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Holy Prophet Zechariah (6th c. BC)
Zachariah (Hebrew Zekharyah, "the Lord has remembered") was the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets and, with Haggai, one of the two prophets of the return from Babylon, active in Jerusalem from the second year of Darius (520 BC) as the exiles rebuilt the Temple. The son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, and by the Church's tradition of priestly (Levitical) descent, he received in a single night a sequence of eight symbolic visions — the horsemen, the four horns and the four smiths, the man with the measuring line, the cleansing of Joshua the high priest, the golden lampstand and the two olive trees, the flying scroll, the woman in the ephah, and the four chariots — and prophesied the coming of the Messiah with a clarity the Church reads at the heart of Holy Week: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion… behold, thy King cometh unto thee… lowly, and riding upon an ass" (9:9); the thirty pieces of silver (11:12–13); "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced" (12:10); and "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" (13:7). From a vision of a flying scroll curved like a sickle he is surnamed the Sickle-seer. He is commemorated on February 8.
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St Sabbas II, Archbishop of Serbia (1271)
Sava the Second (c. 1201 – 1271), born Predislav Nemanjić, was the third Archbishop of Serbia, a prince of the Nemanjić house who followed his great uncle Sava the First into the monastic and hierarchical life. He was a son of the Serbian king Stefan the First-Crowned and thus a nephew of Sava I, the founder of the Serbian Church whose name he took in religion. Renowned for the austerity of his ascetic life, he made the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, was consecrated bishop of Hum (Zahumlje), and about 1263 succeeded to the throne of the Serbian Church as archbishop, which he governed until his death in 1271. He is venerated in the Serbian Church as one of the line of holy first-hierarchs of the Nemanjić age, and is commemorated on February 8.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Kegwe of Monmouthshire (6th C)
- St. Oncho of Clonmore, poet and pilgrim (600)
- St. Cuthman of Steyning, hermit (8th C)
- St. Elfleda, abbess of Whitby (714)
- SS. Jacut and Guethenoc (5th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 2
Following thy sainted uncle in the narrow way of the ascetics and in the care of the flock, thou wast shown a worthy third shepherd of the Serbian Church, O father Sava; and now, standing before the Lord, remember them that honour thy memory.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having armed thy soul with faith through courage, and wielding the word of God as a spear, thou didst strike down the enemy, O Theodore, glory of the martyrs. With them cease thou never to intercede with Christ our God on behalf of us all.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Thy pure heart, made radiant by the Spirit, became the dwelling-place of most luminous prophecy; for thou dost behold things far off as though they were near. Wherefore we honour thee, O blessed prophet Zechariah, glory of the Twelve.
Magnification
We magnify thee, O passion-bearer and holy Great-Martyr Theodore, and we honour thy precious sufferings, which thou didst endure for Christ.
Troparion — Tone 8
As an heir of the first Sava in name and in grace, thou didst take upon thee his ascetic labours and his archpastoral throne, O holy hierarch Sava; wherefore, shepherding the Church of the Serbs in holiness, thou dost intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
By true enlistment in the army of the heavenly King thou didst become his most comely commander, O Theodore; for with the weapons of faith thou didst wisely array thyself for battle and didst utterly rout the hordes of the demons, and wast shown to be a victory-bearing champion. Wherefore with faith we ever call thee blessed.
Troparion — Tone 2
As we celebrate the memory of thy prophet Zechariah, O Lord, through him we entreat thee: save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
2 Peter 2.9-22
9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Gospel
Mark 13.14-23
14But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains: 15And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.