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Wednesday 19 June 2030

Holy Apostle Jude, Brother of the Lord

Wednesday of the 1st week after Pentecost

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No Fast — Fast Free Tone 7

Pentecost week, day 4 · 52 days since Pascha

Holy Apostle Jude, Brother of the Lord

Saints commemorated

  • Saint of the day

    Jude the Apostle

    Jude — called also Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus, and in the Gospel lists simply "Jude of James" — is one of the Twelve, and in the Eastern tradition one of the "brethren of the Lord," a son of Joseph the Betrothed. He speaks once in the Gospels, at the Mystical Supper, where the Evangelist takes care to identify him as "Judas, not Iscariot" (John 14:22); he is the author of the short catholic Epistle of Jude, in which he calls himself not the Lord's brother but "the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James." After Pentecost he preached in Judea, Samaria, Idumea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia, and came at length to Armenia, where about the year 80 he was crucified and shot through with arrows near Mount Ararat. He is not to be confused with Thaddaeus of the Seventy (August 21), the apostle of Edessa, with whom the tradition has conflated him since antiquity.

  • Our Holy Father Païsius the Great of Egypt (400)

    Paisius the Great was an Egyptian ascetic of the Nitrian desert, a disciple of the elder Pambo, and one of the fathers whose austerity the desert itself thought extraordinary: he is said to have gone three years with his eyes fixed on the ground, to have fasted for weeks and at last for seventy days together, and to have received in his cell a vision of Christ promising that the wilderness he had chosen would be peopled with monks. He is remembered above all as the physician of the fallen — for the two disciples whom he won back, one from doubt of Christ's divinity and one from open apostasy, by taking their sin upon himself in prayer. He reposed in extreme old age, and his relics were laid by Isidore of Pelusium beside those of his friend Paul. He is honoured in the Coptic Church as Anba Bishoy, "the beloved of our good Saviour."

  • Barlaam of Shenkursk

    Barlaam — Vasily Stepanovich Svoezemtsev in the world — was a Novgorod boyar and posadnik of the city who owned great estates on the northern river Vaga, in the country around what is now Shenkursk. In 1426 he founded there a monastery dedicated to St John the Theologian, endowing it from his own lands; thirty years later, at the end of a long public life, he was tonsured in it himself, taking the name Barlaam, and lived as a monk for six years. He reposed on 19 June 1462 and was buried beside the church he had built. His relics were found incorrupt in the next century and became the centre of a strong local veneration in the Russian North.

  • Job of Moscow

    Job was the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, raised to that dignity in 1589 by Patriarch Jeremias II of Constantinople, and the last great churchman of the house of Rurik's Muscovy. Born at Staritsa of a tradesman's family, he rose through the northern monasteries to the metropolitan throne, and as patriarch organised the new Russian patriarchate, canonised a company of Russian saints, and sent missions to Siberia and Georgia. In the Time of Troubles he refused to acknowledge the pretender known as the False Dmitri, and for that refusal was stripped of his patriarchal vesture in the Dormition Cathedral by the pretender's men and driven into exile at Staritsa, where he died blind on 19 June 1607. His relics, found incorrupt, were carried to Moscow in 1652, and he was glorified by the Russian Church in 1989.

  • John the Solitary of Jerusalem

    John the Solitary was a hermit of the sixth century who lived in a cave in the wilderness near Jerusalem, owning nothing but an icon of the Mother of God and the lamp that burned before it. His memory has come down as a single sustained image rather than a biography: that whenever he went off on pilgrimage — to the holy places of Jerusalem, to the tombs of the martyrs, to Sinai — he left the lamp burning, and returned weeks or months later to find it still alight and still full of oil. He is remembered also for the lion that reared up and stood aside to let him pass on a narrow track, and for the answer he gave a visitor who pitied his poverty: that the cave held riches greater than any on earth.

  • Paisius of Hilendar

    Paisius was a hieromonk of the Bulgarian brotherhood at the monastery of Hilendar on Mount Athos who, in 1762, finished writing a small book called the Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya — the Slavo-Bulgarian History — and then carried it on foot through the Bulgarian lands to be copied. It was not a work of scholarship so much as a summons: an account of the Bulgarian kings, patriarchs and saints, written for a people who had lived under Ottoman rule for three and a half centuries and under Greek ecclesiastical administration for one, addressed to those who were ashamed of their own name. The book circulated for eighty years in manuscript, was the seed of the Bulgarian National Revival, and made its author, in the judgement of his nation, the man who began modern Bulgaria. He reposed on the road in 1773, and was glorified by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 1962.

  • Zosimas the Soldier

    Zosimas was a soldier of the Roman army, a native of Apollonia in Thrace, who in the persecution under Trajan laid down his arms, was baptised, and gave himself to prayer and the care of the poor. Brought to trial at Antioch of Pisidia, he refused to sacrifice and was tortured with a deliberate cruelty aimed at a soldier's body — laid on a bed of heated copper, shod in iron sandals driven through with nails, and starved in prison — and was at last beheaded, about the year 116. His memory is a synaxarion notice of a few lines, kept on June 19 under the office of the Apostle Jude.

Troparia & kontakia

Apolytikion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)

By a flood of tears thou didst make the barren desert to bring forth; with sighs from the depths thou didst make thy labours bear fruit a hundredfold; and thou wast made a beacon for the whole world, shining with miracles, O Barlaam our father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion — Tone 5

First-enthroned among the patriarchs of the Russian land, and first also in suffering for the truth, thou wast stripped of thy throne but not of thy confession, O holy father Job; and being deprived of the light of thine eyes, thou didst see the more clearly the will of God. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)

By a flood of tears thou didst make the barren desert to bring forth; with sighs from the depths thou didst make thy labours bear fruit a hundredfold; and thou wast made a beacon for the whole world, shining with miracles, O John our father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion — Tone 1

Knowing thee to be a kinsman of Christ, O Jude, and a steadfast martyr, we praise thee with sacred hymns: for thou didst trample down error and keep the faith. Wherefore, as we celebrate today thy most holy memory, we receive by thy prayers the loosing of our sins.

Apolytikion — Tone 4

Adorned with the monastic life on the Holy Mountain, thou didst take up the pen as a weapon, O father Paisius, and didst call a forgetful people back to the knowledge of itself and of God; wherefore Bulgaria honoureth thee as her awakener and boast, and we cry: intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears thou didst make the barren desert to bring forth; with sighs from the depths thou didst make thy labours bear fruit a hundredfold; and thou wast made a beacon for the whole world, shining with miracles, O Paisius our father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion — Tone 4 (common of a martyr)

Thy martyr Zosimas, O Lord, in his contest received an incorruptible crown from Thee, our God; for possessing Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of the demons. By his intercessions save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 1

Out of a glorious root thou didst spring up for us, a branch given of God, O eyewitness of the Lord, apostle and brother of God, all-wise herald of Christ; thou dost feed the whole world with the fruits of thy words, teaching the Orthodox faith of the Lord, as one initiated into grace.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Thou didst dwell in the wilderness as in a paradise, O all-blessed one, and didst tame the passions by long fasting; and taking upon thyself the sin of thy brother, thou wast shown to be a true father. Wherefore we cry to thee: cease not to pray for us who honour thy memory, O Paisius, glory of the ascetics.

Readings

Vespers

Jude 1-10

1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Jude 11-16

11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Jude 17-25

17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Matins Gospel

John 21.15-25

15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Epistle

Romans 1.18-27

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Jude 1-10 (St Jude)

1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Gospel

Matthew 5.20-26

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

John 14.21-24 (St Jude)

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.