Nativity Fast, day 19
Saints commemorated
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Prophet Zephaniah
Zephaniah (in the Greek of the Septuagint and the Byzantine service books, "Sophonias") was the ninth of the Twelve Minor Prophets, active in the kingdom of Judah in the later seventh century before Christ, during the reign of the reforming King Josiah and as a contemporary of Jeremiah and the prophetess Huldah. His short book is the great prophecy of the Day of the Lord — "the great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast" — a searching oracle of judgment on Judah and the nations that turns at its close into one of the most radiant songs of joy in all the prophets: "Sing, O daughter of Zion… the Lord thy God is in the midst of thee." He is commemorated on December 3.
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Ven. Savva of Zvenigorod
Sabbas of Storozhevsk (Savva of Zvenigorod, †1406) was one of the first and closest disciples of Sergius of Radonezh, tonsured by him in his youth at the Trinity Lavra, where he later served as father confessor to the whole brotherhood and, for a time, as Sergius's successor in the abbacy. At the request of Prince Yuri of Zvenigorod, whose spiritual father he was, he withdrew about 1398 to a wooded hill called Storozhi above the Moskva river and there founded the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery, which became one of the great houses of Muscovite Russia. A man of extreme silence, simplicity, and humility, he was glorified as a wonderworker; his incorrupt relics were uncovered in 1652. He is commemorated on December 3.
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Our Venerable Father John the Silent, Bishop of Colonia (558)
John the Silent, called the Hesychast (c. 454–558), was a bishop who became a hidden monk. Consecrated Bishop of Colonia in Armenia while still a young man, he fled the quarrels of the world, concealed his episcopal rank, and entered the Great Lavra of Sabbas the Sanctified near Jerusalem as a simple novice. When his secret was revealed and he could no longer be ordained, the Patriarch bade him live in silence — and in silence he remained for the rest of an extraordinarily long life, in his cell, in the desert (where a lion is said to have guarded him from the Saracens), and again at the Lavra, where he stood among the defenders of Orthodoxy against Origenism. He reposed at the age of 104 and is commemorated on December 3.
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Angelis of Argos
Angelis (Aggelis) was a devout Greek physician of Argos in the Peloponnese who longed for martyrdom in the last generation of the Ottoman yoke. Provoked to zeal by an impious Frenchman, and then despondent when the confrontation cost him nothing, he took the terrible step of denying Christ and professing Islam in the hope of winning a martyr's death by later recanting. Exiled to Chios, he came to his senses, wept in repentance, and openly confessed himself a Christian before the Turkish authorities. After brutal beatings and imprisonment, he was beheaded on December 3, 1813, and his body cast into the sea. The Church honours him as a New Martyr on December 3.
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Theodulus the Eparch
Theodulus was the eparch — the imperial city-prefect — of Constantinople in the early fifth century, one of the highest civil dignitaries of the Eastern capital. Unwilling to be entangled in worldly affairs, he resigned his office; and when his wife died, he distributed his wealth to the poor and became a monk. Travelling to Edessa in Mesopotamia, he mounted a pillar and lived as a stylite for some thirty years, eating only once a week, until his repose about the year 440. The Church remembers him as a great man of the world who exchanged rank and riches for the pillar of the ascetics, and commemorates him on December 3.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Birinus, bishop of Dorchester and Apostle of Wessex (650)
- St. Lucius of Britain (c.200)
- St. Ethernan (c.699)
- St. Sola, disciple of St. Boniface (794)
Readings
5th Matins Gospel
Luke 24.12-35
12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. 13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Epistle
Ephesians 6.10-17
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Gospel
Luke 18.18-27
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 2
Set aflame with longing for the Lord, and shaking off the passions of the flesh by abstinence, thou wast revealed an unsetting luminary of the divine light, enlightening with rays of miracles all who hasten to the shrine of thy relics, O Sabbas our venerable father.
Kontakion — Tone 2
The corruptible king and the swiftly-perishing glory hast thou exchanged, O wise father, for the things that abide eternally; and from thy life of sorrow upon the pillar thou hast ascended to the all-gladdening heights, reigning together with the Heavenly King in surpassing glory. O Theodulus, pray thou unceasingly for us all.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Made radiant by the divine Spirit, O prophet Zephaniah, thou didst proclaim the coming of God, crying aloud: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion of Jerusalem; preach the good tidings — behold, thy King cometh, bringing salvation.
Troparion — Tone 8
O guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of the world, God-inspired adornment of monastics: O wise John, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all, thou harp of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8
Thou wast shown to be a goodly shoot of the wilderness, O venerable one; for from thy youth thou didst choose the pure life, following thy spiritual teacher, and by his instruction soaring in mind to the things of heaven, thou wast revealed a most wise guide to thy flock. Wherefore Christ hath enriched thee with miracles, as a radiant lamp. Entreat him to save our souls.
Troparion — Tone 8
In thee, O father, was preserved unfailingly that which is according to the image; for taking up thy cross thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to despise the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Theodulus, doth thy spirit rejoice with the angels.
Troparion — Tone 2
As we celebrate the memory of thy prophet Zephaniah, O Lord, through him we entreat thee: save our souls.