Paschaltide, day 11 · 10 days since Pascha
Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus
Pelagia of Tarsus (†c. 290) was a maiden of a wealthy pagan house in Tarsus of Cilicia who came to faith in Christ from Christian companions, vowed her virginity, and refused the hand of the son and heir of the emperor Diocletian. Baptised in the mountains by the fugitive bishop Linus at a spring that sprang up for the purpose, she was denounced by her own mother, and was condemned to be roasted alive in a heated brazen bull. She entered the instrument giving thanks, and her body was consumed like melted myrrh; the bones that remained were guarded, the tradition says, by lions until the bishop could bury them, and a church rose over her relics once the persecutions ended. She is one of three early saints of the name Pelagia and must not be confused with the two of October 8.
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Our Holy Father Nikephoros the Hesychast (14th c.)
Nikephoros the Hesychast (†before 1300) was an Italian by birth and a Latin by upbringing who came to the Byzantine East, embraced Orthodoxy, and became a solitary on Mount Athos. He opposed the union of the Churches imposed at the Council of Lyons (1274) by Michael VIII Palaiologos, and suffered exile for the refusal. His single surviving work, On Watchfulness and the Guarding of the Heart, gathers the sayings of the fathers on inward attention and then sets out, more explicitly than any earlier text, the method of the prayer of the heart — the disciplined return of the mind from its wandering into the "place of the heart," with the breath as its guide. Gregory Palamas cites him as an authority and calls him a teacher of the hesychasts, and the Philokalia preserves his treatise. He is commemorated on May 4.
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St Monica, mother of Blessed Augustine (388)
Monica (c. 331–387) was a Christian woman of Tagaste in Roman North Africa, the wife of a pagan husband whom her patience won to the faith, and the mother of Augustine of Hippo, whose conversion she wept and prayed for through nearly twenty years of his heresy and disorder. She followed him from Africa to Rome and to Milan, where she attached herself to the church of Ambrose; she lived to see him baptised at Pascha of 387, and died a few months later at Ostia, on the way home, having told him that nothing further detained her in this life. Nearly everything known of her comes from her son's Confessions, which makes her one of the most vividly recorded women of the fourth century. The Orthodox calendars keep her on May 4.
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Albian of Anaea
Albian (also Olbian or Alvian), bishop of Anaea in the Roman province of Asia, suffered about the year 304 in the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian. Ordered to sacrifice to the idols on pain of death, he refused; he was scourged, seared with red-hot irons, and beaten, and when neither he nor the disciple who stood with him could be moved, both were thrown into a heated furnace and perished there. He is commemorated on May 4 in the Greek and Slavic calendars alike, and is one of the small company of hierarchs of western Asia Minor whose passion the great persecution left in the synaxarion almost without embellishment.
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Aphrodisius and Companions of Scythopolis
A company of martyrs of Scythopolis in Palestine, headed by Aphrodisius and including Misdas, Macrobius, Valerian, Leontius and Antoninus, who in the early fourth century presented themselves uninvited before the governor of the province, rebuked him to his face for his cruelty to the Christians, and then overturned the altars of the idols. The pagans of the city fell on them with stones and clubs and killed them all. Christians recovered the bodies, buried them with honour, and raised a church over the tomb; at Constantinople their memory was kept in the shrine of James the Less within the great church of the Theotokos in the Chalkoprateia. They are commemorated on May 4.
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Athanasius of Corinth
Athanasius, Bishop of Corinth, is a hierarch of the middle Byzantine period commemorated on May 4, of whom the synaxarion records only that he governed his church in piety and reposed in peace — no martyrdom, no controversy, no exile. He is styled hosios rather than merely hagios in the Greek notices, which marks him as a bishop of ascetic life. The one chronological datum transmitted is contradictory: he is said to have died "in the reign of Basil and Constantine," which points to the joint reign of Basil II and Constantine VIII (976–1025), while the year attached to the notice is 937. His memory is a good example of the great class of Byzantine hierarch-saints whose sanctity was local, undramatic, and preserved by the calendar alone.
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Erasmus of Formia
Erasmus (†c. 303), bishop of Formia in Campania, is one of the most widely venerated and least securely documented of the martyrs of the great persecution. The tradition the Orthodox calendars have received makes him a bishop who fled the persecution to Mount Lebanon and lived there seven years in hiding; who was brought at an angel's bidding out of concealment, seized, and tried before Diocletian and afterwards before Maximian; who was scourged, smeared with pitch and set alight, shut in a spiked cask and rolled downhill, and each time preserved; who converted great multitudes — the Slavic and Greek notices say twenty thousand — by his endurance; and who at length was brought to Formia and reposed there. In the West he became Saint Elmo, patron of sailors, and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers; the Orthodox books keep him on May 4, and the OCA styles him confessor rather than martyr, since the tradition has him die of his sufferings rather than by the sword.
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Hilary the Wonderworker
Hilary the Wonderworker is a venerable father of the Greek synaxarion commemorated on May 4, of whom the tradition preserves a character rather than a chronology: a man of transparent faith and pure life who was granted, unusually early, the gift of miracles — healing the paralysed and the lame, breaking droughts by his prayer, and casting out demons in the name of Christ — who withdrew for a season into a small cell to prayer and the study of the Scriptures, and who was afterwards drawn back by his people and, at their insistence, ordained priest, serving as their spiritual father and teacher until his repose. The synaxarion couplet remembers him for a joy that was native to him and for wonders that continued from his tomb. Neither his century, his country, nor the place of his labours is transmitted.
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Lazarus of the Four Days
Lazarus of Bethany, "the Four-Days-Dead" (ὁ τετραήμερος) and "the friend of Christ," is the man whom the Lord raised from the tomb four days after his death (John 11) — the last and greatest sign before the Passion, and the Church's pledge of the general resurrection. Brother of Martha and Mary, he afterwards fled the plots of the high priests, was made first bishop of Kition in Cyprus by the apostles, shepherded that church some thirty years, and reposed in peace about the year 63. His principal feast is the movable Lazarus Saturday, the eve of Palm Sunday; October 17 commemorates the translation of his relics from Kition to Constantinople by the emperor Leo VI the Wise in 898.
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Nicephorus of Medikion
Nicephorus (†813) was the ascetic who founded the monastery of Medikion on the Bithynian shore of the Sea of Marmara, near the ancient Cius and the modern Mudanya, and was its first abbot. Formed in the mountains in a life of extreme fasting and of prayer for the peace of the Church, he took the government of a community only under compulsion, and raised at Medikion a house whose discipline made it one of the great iconophile strongholds of the ninth century. Grown old and unable to bear the burden, he gave the governance into the hands of his disciple Nicetas the Confessor, who succeeded him as abbot; his repose falls on the eve of the iconoclast persecution of Leo V the Armenian, and some synaxaria make him a sufferer in it. He is commemorated on May 4.
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Silvan of Gaza
Silvan of Gaza (†311) is one of the last martyrs of the great persecution in Palestine, and one of the few saints of his rank whose death is recorded by an eyewitness historian: Eusebius of Caesarea, who watched the persecution unfold in his own province, describes him as a soldier turned clergyman of Gaza, an old man of exemplary gentleness, who confessed Christ under torture, was condemned to the copper mines of Phaeno, was made bishop of the churches about Gaza, and was beheaded at the mines with thirty-nine companions — about forty in one day — in the persecution's final spasm under Maximinus. The calendars commemorate him on October 14, some styling him presbyter and some bishop; both are true in sequence.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Ethelred (Ailred), King of Mercia and monk (716)
- St. Conleth, Spiritual Father to St. Bridget of Kildare (c.519)
Readings
Epistle
Acts 4.13-22
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Gospel
John 5.17-24
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Troparia & kontakia
Apolytikion
Giving us before thy Passion an assurance of the general resurrection, thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God; wherefore we also, like the children, bearing the tokens of victory, cry to thee, the vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Thou didst not fear the searing iron nor the mouth of the furnace, O wise hierarch, but with thy disciples thou didst go into the fire as into a cool dew, offering thyself a whole burnt-offering to Christ; wherefore, O Albian, thou hast received the unfading crown.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Unbidden ye stood before the judge and rebuked his cruelty, and casting down the altars of the demons ye were crushed with stones and staves; wherefore, O Aphrodisius and thy godly company, ye have exchanged a brief violence for an unending crown.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Neither fire nor pitch nor the iron teeth of the cask could turn thee from the confession, O hierarch Erasmus, but by thy patience thou didst draw a countless people to Christ; wherefore the sea and them that sail upon it cry out to thee: deliver us, O father, from the tempest.
Kontakion
Like a most radiant star, thy precious relics have risen from Cyprus, O Lazarus, hallowing the Imperial City, gladdening the Christ-loving emperor and enriching his people, bestowing through thee the grace of healings on them that faithfully cry to thee: Rejoice, O Lazarus, friend of God.
Kontakion — Tone 4
With prayers and with unceasing tears thou didst water the hard ground of thy son's heart, O Monica, until the seed of the word sprang up in it; and hearing the promise that the child of such tears could never perish, thou didst depart in peace, having seen thy hope fulfilled. Pray for all mothers who weep for their children.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Thou didst spurn the bed of an earthly prince, O maiden, and having put on Christ in the water that sprang up for thee, thou didst enter the fiery bull rejoicing; and as sweet myrrh poured out thy body was consumed, filling the earth with fragrance, O Pelagia, boast of Tarsus and bride of the Immortal King.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a hieromartyr)
As a sharer in the ways and a successor to the thrones of the Apostles, O divinely-inspired one, thou didst find in contemplation the means to ascend to divine heights; rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst struggle for the faith even unto blood, O hieromartyr Albian: intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of many martyrs)
Thy martyrs, O Lord, in their contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God; for possessing Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of the demons. By their intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a hierarch)
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an image of meekness and a teacher of abstinence; therefore hast thou attained the heights by humility, and riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Athanasius, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a hieromartyr)
As a sharer in the ways and a successor to the thrones of the Apostles, O divinely-inspired one, thou didst find in contemplation the means to ascend to divine heights; rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst struggle for the faith even unto blood, O hieromartyr Erasmus: intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8 (from the common of a venerable father)
By the streams of thy tears thou didst make the barren desert to bring forth, and by thy sighings from the depths thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou wast made a luminary, shining upon the world with wonders, O our father Hilary. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion
As a great treasure and wealth that none can steal, thou art come to us from Cyprus, O Lazarus, by the providence of the God of all and the command of a right-believing emperor, bestowing on those who honour thee the gift of healings, delivering from perils and from every harm them that cry to thee with faith: save us all by thy prayers, O Lazarus our father.
Troparion — Tone 8 (from the common of a righteous woman)
In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother Monica; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul, since it is immortal. Wherefore thy spirit, O righteous one, rejoiceth with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 8 (from the common of a venerable father)
By the streams of thy tears thou didst make the barren wilderness to bear fruit, and by thy sighings from the depths thou didst labour a hundredfold; and thou didst become a planter of monks and a lamp to the faithful, O our father Nicephorus. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8 (from the common of a venerable father)
Thou didst forsake the errors of thy fathers and the land of thy birth, and taking up the yoke of stillness on the Holy Mountain, thou didst gather the mind into the heart and keep watch there with the Name of Jesus; wherefore, having taught the way of unceasing prayer to the sons of light, O our father Nikephoros, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a virgin martyr)
Thy ewe-lamb Pelagia crieth out to Thee with a great voice, O Jesus: I love Thee, my Bridegroom, and seeking Thee I contend; I am crucified and buried together with Thee in Thy baptism, and I suffer for Thy sake that I may reign with Thee, and I die for Thee that I may live in Thee. Receive me as a spotless sacrifice, offered unto Thee in love. By her intercessions, O Merciful One, save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4 (from the common of a hieromartyr)
Sharing the ways of the Apostles and a successor of their thrones, thou didst find thy practice, O inspired of God, a ladder of ascent to the vision of God; wherefore, rightly dividing the word of truth, thou didst suffer for the faith even unto blood, O hieromartyr Silvanus. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.