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Sunday, 7 January 2024

Synaxis of St John the Baptist; Sunday after Theophany

31st Sunday after Pentecost

266 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

The Synaxis of the Baptist is a feast celebrated on 7 January, the day following the great feast of Theophany. The word synaxis means a gathering of the faithful in church for purposes of honouring and venerating the saint or saints commemorated. This feast honours the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, who is called the greatest of the prophets by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Church established this synaxis following the ancient custom of glorifying those righteous servants of God who most closely served in or witnessed great and celebrated events of Christ's life. Saint John the Baptist was the one whom the Lord chose to baptise Him in the Jordan River, and it was John who prepared the way for the Saviour's public ministry through his preaching of repentance and his baptism of the people. Saint John came before Christ, proclaiming that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand and calling men to repentance and the remission of sins. He was the bridge connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament, and thus he concluded the history of the Old Testament and opened the era of the New Testament. Of John, Christ said, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Saint John was martyred for his courageous witness and his rebuke of King Herod Antipas, who had unlawfully taken his brother Philip's wife, Herodias, as his own. The holy Forerunner was imprisoned and eventually beheaded because he would not compromise his prophetic witness to the truth. The Synaxis of John honours and celebrates his glorious life, his ministry as the Forerunner of Christ, his steadfast faith, and his martyrdom.

New-Martyr Athanasius of Attalia

1700

New-Martyr Athanasius of Attalia was a Christian martyr who lived in the later centuries of the Ottoman occupation and died for his steadfast confession of the Orthodox faith. He was condemned to death for his refusal to renounce Christ and embrace Islam, remaining faithful to his baptismal vows despite threats and torture. He was beheaded in the year 1700 in Smyrna, sealing his witness with his blood. As a "New Martyr" of the post-Byzantine period, Saint Athanasius exemplified the perseverance and courage of Orthodox Christians living under religious oppression, maintaining their faith and transmitting it to future generations despite grave persecution.

Venerable Paisius of Uglich

Venerable Paisius was a Russian monastic saint who lived in or near the city of Uglich in Russia. Through ascetical labours, fasting, prayer, and obedience to the monastic rule, he attained great holiness and became a model of Orthodox monasticism. His life exemplifies the Russian tradition of hesychasm and deep spiritual commitment to union with God through the veneration of the mystery of Christ and the intercession of the Theotokos and the saints. Though specific details of his life are limited in the surviving historical records, his memory is preserved in the Orthodox calendar as a testament to his sanctity and monastic virtue.

Our Venerable Father Cedd, Bishop of Essex and Abbot of Lastingham

664

He and his brother Chad (Mar. 2) were from an English family, educated under Saint Aidan (Aug. 31) of Lindisfarne. Both brothers entered monastic life at Lindisfarne and later became bishops. Cedd travelled as an evangelist among the people of Essex, where Saint Finan (Feb. 17) consecrated him to be their first bishop. He founded two monasteries in Essex, one of whose churches still stands; he built yet another monastery at Lastingham in Yorkshire, where he lived until his repose. He spoke both Irish and Anglo-Saxon, and served as a translator for the Irish at the Synod of Whitby in 664. He reposed at Lastingham not long after the Synod.

Daily readings

9th Matins Gospel

John — John 20.19-31

19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

19When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 20And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. 21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 21Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: 23whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

30Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: 31but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name. 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Epistle

— Forerunner weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 19.1-8

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 2and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 3And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John’s baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 4And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 5And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And they were in all about twelve men. 7And all the men were about twelve. 8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

8And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Epistle

— Sunday after Theophany

Ephesians — Ephesians 4.7-13

7But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Gospel

— Forerunner weekly cycle

John — John 1.29-34

29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

29On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me. 31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 31And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water. 32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 32And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. 34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 34And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

Gospel

— Sunday after Theophany

Matthew — Matthew 4.12-17

12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

12Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee; 13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 13and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 14that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 15The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 16The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

17From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.