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Thursday 29 November 2029

Martyr Paramon and Companions

Thursday of the 27th week after Pentecost

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Nativity Fast — Wine and Oil are Allowed Tone 1

Nativity Fast, day 15

Saints commemorated

  • Saint of the day

    Martyr Paramon and Companions

  • Our Holy Father Pitirim of Egypt (4th c.)

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Timothy 6.17-21

17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 20.9-18

9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 17And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.