Friday 23 November 2029
Rt. Blv. Great Prince Alexander Nevsky
Friday of the 26th week after Pentecost
Nativity Fast, day 9
Rt. Blv. Great Prince Alexander Nevsky
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Alexander Nevsky
Alexander Nevsky (1220–1263) was Prince of Novgorod and Great Prince of Vladimir, the pre-eminent prince-saint of medieval Russia. In an age when the Russian lands were crushed between the Mongol Horde from the east and the Catholic military orders from the west, he won two celebrated victories in defence of Orthodox Rus — over the Swedes on the River Neva in 1240 (whence his surname) and over the Teutonic Knights on the ice of Lake Peipus (Chudskoe) in 1242 — while by patient, self-abasing diplomacy with the khans he shielded his people from annihilation and preserved the freedom of the Church. Refusing union with Rome, he held Russia to Orthodoxy. He died returning from the Horde, having received the monastic schema as Alexis, and was glorified by the Church in 1547. He is commemorated on November 23.
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Our Holy Father Amphilocus, Bishop of Iconium (395)
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St Columban, Abbot of Luxeuil (615)
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Amphilochius of Iconium
Amphilochius of Iconium (c. 340–c. 394) was a bishop of the Cappadocian circle, kinsman of Gregory the Theologian and intimate friend of Basil the Great, who from about 373 governed the church of Iconium as the first metropolitan of the new province of Lycaonia. A trained rhetorician turned pastor, he took a leading part at the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381 and was among the foremost defenders of the full divinity of the Holy Spirit against the Pneumatomachi (Macedonians); he also convened the Council of Side against the Messalians. Basil dedicated his treatise On the Holy Spirit to him. He is commemorated on November 23.
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Gregory of Agrigentum
Gregory of Agrigentum (Akragas) was a Sicilian-born bishop and biblical exegete of the sixth century, venerated as a hierarch and wonderworker. Born near Agrigentum of pious parents, he was drawn as a youth to Jerusalem, was tonsured a monk, and after years in Palestine, Constantinople and Rome was appointed by the Pope to the vacant see of his native city. There malicious clergy conspired against him, bribing a woman to accuse him of fornication; imprisoned and tried at Rome, he was vindicated when his prayer cast the demon out of his accuser, who confessed the plot. He governed his flock in peace to a serene old age and is commemorated on November 23.
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Metrophanes of Voronezh
Metrophanes of Voronezh (1623–1703), in the world Michael and in the schema Macarius, was the first bishop of the newly erected see of Voronezh and one of the most venerated Russian hierarchs of the age of Peter the Great. A parish priest until his widowhood, he became a monk at forty, rose through the abbacies of two monasteries, and in 1682 was consecrated for Voronezh, which he governed for twenty years — building churches, reforming his clergy, caring for the poor, and supporting Peter's shipbuilding at Voronezh for the Azov campaign, while fearlessly rebuking the tsar over the pagan statues at his court. He died in 1703, having taken the schema; Peter himself bore his coffin. His relics were found incorrupt and he was glorified in 1832. He is commemorated on November 23.
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Sisinius of Cyzicus
Sisinius of Cyzicus was a confessor and bishop of the early fourth century. During the persecution of Diocletian he was condemned to be dragged to death behind a horse through the streets, but survived the torture and lived on to shepherd the church of Cyzicus in Asia Minor; he reposed in peace about the year 325. He is commemorated on November 23.
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Theodore of Antioch
Theodore of Antioch was a young confessor of the reign of Julian the Apostate (361–363). A youth of about fifteen, he took part in returning the relics of the hieromartyr Babylas of Antioch from the grove of Daphne to the city, and for this he was arrested and cruelly tortured. Rejoicing under the torments and feeling no pain — an angel, he later said, stood by and eased his suffering — he so astonished his executioners that the emperor ordered him released. He lived on to a peaceful old age. Though the calendars style him "martyr," he did not die of his sufferings and is properly a confessor. He is commemorated on November 23.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Columbanus of Bobbio, abbot and missionary (615)
- St. Polin, abbot of Whitland (6th C)
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
As a most radiant star we honour thee, who didst shine forth from the east and come unto the west; for thou dost enrich all this land with wonders and goodness, and dost enlighten those who with faith honour thy memory, O blessed Alexander. Therefore today we, thy people, keep the feast of thy repose. Pray for the salvation of thy fatherland and of all who draw near to the shrine of thy relics and who faithfully cry to thee: Rejoice, O confirmation of our city.
Kontakion — Tone 2
O divine thunder, O trumpet of the Spirit, planter of the faithful and axe that fells the heresies: O hierarch Amphilochius, greatest servant of the Trinity, ever standing among the angels, cease not to intercede for us all.
Kontakion — Tone 3
Like a great sun, with the dawning rays of thy wonders thou dost illumine the whole Church of God; by thine intercessions thou hast saved many people, and hast driven the evil-believing from thy flock. Therefore we honour thee, O God-minded father, wise Gregory.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Having subdued the body to the spirit by abstinence, and made thy soul equal to the angels, thou wast clothed in the hierarch's vesture as a crown of the priesthood; and now, standing before the Master of all, pray, O all-blessed Metrophanes, that our souls be granted peace and salvation.
Magnification
We magnify thee, O right-believing prince Alexander, and we honour thy holy repose, for now thou dost entreat for us Christ our God.
Troparion — Tone 4
As a most honoured branch of a godly root wast thou, O blessed Alexander; for Christ revealed thee as a divine treasure of the Russian land, a new wonderworker glorious and well-pleasing to God. And today, gathered in faith and love for thy memory, in psalms and hymns we rejoice and glorify the Lord, who gave thee the grace of healings. Entreat Him to save this city, that the realm of Russia may be pleasing to God, and that the sons of Russia may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
O God of our Fathers, who dealest with us ever according to Thy gentleness: take not Thy mercy from us, but by their supplications govern our life in peace.
Troparion — Tone 4
O God of our Fathers, who dealest with us ever according to Thy gentleness: take not Thy mercy from us, but by their supplications govern our life in peace.
Troparion — Tone 4
A rule of faith and an image of meekness, in word and in life wast thou to thy flock, O humble-minded father Metrophanes; therefore in the splendours of the saints thou hast shone brighter than the sun, adorned with the crown of incorruption and glory. Entreat Christ God that our land and thy city may be saved in peace.
Readings
Epistle
1 Timothy 4.4-8, 16
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Galatians 5.22-6.2 (St Alexander)
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
Luke 19.12-28
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. 28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
Matthew 11.27-30 (St Alexander)
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.