Paschaltide, day 30 · 29 days since Pascha
Holy Apostle John the Theologian
Saints commemorated
-
Saint of the day
John the Theologian
John the Theologian (died at Ephesus early in the second century) is the apostle and evangelist whom the Gospel calls "the disciple whom Jesus loved": son of Zebedee and Salome, one of the Twelve and of the innermost three, the disciple who leaned on the Lord's breast at the Supper, stood alone among the apostles at the Cross, and received the Mother of God as his own mother. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and — by the tradition of the Church — the Revelation, composed in exile on Patmos. Alone among the apostles he did not die a violent death; his grave outside Ephesus was found empty, and the Church keeps September 26 as the feast of his "metastasis" — his translation rather than his death. Of all the saints only he, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Symeon the New Theologian bear the title "the Theologian."
-
Our Righteous Father Arsenios the Great (449)
Arsenius the Great (c. 354 – c. 449/450) was a Roman of senatorial rank, a deacon of the Church of Rome and tutor to the sons of the emperor Theodosius, who left the imperial palace of Constantinople in secret to become a monk of the Egyptian desert and there grew into one of the supreme figures of early monasticism. In Scetis he placed himself under John the Dwarf, lived fifty-five years in silence, tears, and unbroken vigil, and left the Apophthegmata Patrum its longest and best-known block of sayings, opening with the word he had received in prayer: "Arsenius, flee, be silent, be still." Driven from Scetis by barbarian raids, he ended his days at Troe near Memphis, nearly a hundred years old, and was already called "the Great" in his own century. His feast is May 8.
-
St Emilia (375), mother of Sts Macrina, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and Theosevia
-
Arsenius the Lover-of-Labour of the Kiev Caves
Arsenius the Lover-of-Labour (fourteenth century) was a monk of the Kiev Caves Lavra whose whole memory is contained in his surname: he was known for a love of toil so unremitting that the brethren never saw him idle, and he joined to it a rule of fasting by which he took no food while the sun was up. The tradition holds that for his humility and his labour the Lord gave him the gift of wonderworking. His relics rest in the Far (Theodosius's) Caves, and he is commemorated on May 8 and with the fathers of the Far Caves on August 28.
-
Pimen the Faster of the Kiev Caves
Pimen the Faster (twelfth century) was a monk — and, by the Russian calendar's styling, an abbot — of the Kiev Caves Lavra, remembered for one thing only, but that a great one: the severity of his fasting, from which he took his surname Postnik. His incorrupt relics rest in the Far (Theodosius's) Caves of the Lavra, and he is commemorated on May 8 and among the fathers of the Far Caves on August 28.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Gibrian the Hermit (515)
- St. Odrian, bishop of Waterford (5th C)
Readings
Vespers
1 John 3.21-4.6
21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4.11-16
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 John 4.20-5.5
20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
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
Acts 12.12-17
12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
1 John 1.1-7 (St John)
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Gospel
John 8.42-51
42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
John 19.25-27, 21.24-25 (St John)
25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 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.
Troparia & kontakia
Apolytikion — Tone 8
O dweller of the wilderness and angel in the body, thou wast shown forth as a wonderworker, our God-bearing father Arsenius: by fasting, vigil and prayer thou didst receive heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that run to thee with faith. Glory to him that gave thee strength; glory to him that crowned thee; glory to him that worketh healings for all through thee.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having fled the palace and the noise of the world, thou didst embrace the silence of the desert, O father Arsenius, and watering the wilderness with thy tears thou wast made a vessel of stillness; wherefore we cry to thee: cease not to intercede for us who honour thy memory.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Who shall recount thy mighty deeds, O virgin one? For thou pourest forth wonders and art a wellspring of healings, and thou dost intercede for our souls, as the Theologian and the friend of Christ.
Troparion — Tone 2
O Apostle beloved of Christ God, make haste to deliver a people without defence: He who received thee leaning upon His breast receiveth thee falling before Him in intercession. Entreat Him, O Theologian, to scatter the persistent cloud of the nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.