Nativity Fast, day 9
Rt. Blv. Great Prince Alexander Nevsky
Saints commemorated
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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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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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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
3rd Matins Gospel
Mark 16.9-20
9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Epistle
Ephesians 4.1-6
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
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 12.16-21
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
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.