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Friday, 12 January 2024

Friday of the 32nd week after Pentecost

271 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Tatiana

c. 230

She was the daughter of a wealthy Roman consul. She became a deaconess in Rome, and was seized as a Christian during the reign of Alexander Severus. Before the tribunal she fearlessly confessed Christ and, when she was taken to the temple in an effort to force her to make sacrifice, she cast down the idols by the power of her prayer. At this, the soldiers seized her and subjected her to many indignities and tortures, finally throwing her into a raging furnace. When this did not harm her, she was thrown to the wild beasts, but they refused to harm her. At last she was beheaded and thus gained her crown.

Martyr Mertios

Martyr Mertios was an early Christian saint of the patristic period who suffered martyrdom for the faith during the era of imperial persecutions against Christians. Little is known of his specific biographical details, though he is commemorated in the Orthodox Church as a witness to Christ who refused to renounce his faith despite torture and imprisonment. His steadfast devotion and ultimate sacrifice for the Gospel stand as a testimony to the courage of the early Christian martyrs. His feast day is celebrated on 12 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is venerated alongside other witnesses of the faith who demonstrated unwavering commitment to Christ during times of persecution.

Martyr Peter Apselamus

Martyr Peter Apselamus was an early Christian martyr of the first centuries of the Church who endured persecution and imprisonment for his faith in Christ. His life reflects the courage and constancy of the early martyrs who stood firm against the demands to renounce Christianity and participate in pagan worship. Though details of his specific trials and martyrdom are limited in surviving historical sources, his name is preserved in the Orthodox synaxarion as a faithful witness to the Gospel. He is commemorated on 12 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, where he is honoured amongst those who gave their lives as a testimony to Christ and the faith of the Apostles.

Virgin Martyr Tatiana of Rome

Virgin Martyr Tatiana of Rome was born into an illustrious Roman family around the third century. Her father was elected consul three times and was a secret believer in Christ. He raised his daughter in the Christian faith and she devoted herself entirely to God, vowing virginity and betrothing herself to Christ. Appointed a deaconess in one of the Roman churches, Tatiana devoted herself to a life of fasting, prayer, and service to the poor and sick, tending to those in need with apostolic charity. During the persecutions of Christians, she was arrested for her faith and endured torture for refusing to renounce Christ and offer worship to pagan idols. Through her steadfast confession and endurance under torture, she became a martyr for Christ, numbered amongst the holy witnesses of the early Church. She is commemorated on 12 January in the Orthodox Church calendar as a virgin martyr and faithful servant of the Lord.

Venerable Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth

c. 690

He came from a noble Northumbrian family in Britain, and was tonsured a monk in 653 at Lerins in Gaul. In 669 he was made Abbot of the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury. He traveled to Rome in 671 to be instructed in monastic practice according to the Rule of Saint Benedict (of Nursia). Returning to Northumbria he established two new monasteries, the first to follow St Benedict’s Rule in the British Isles. He went to Rome once again in 678-679, this time bringing back the archcantor of St Peter’s, who taught the monks of St Benedict’s monasteries the chant and liturgical practices used in Rome. Under the holy abbot’s guidance, these monasteries became flourishing centers of Christian worship, scholarship and art. The Venerable Bede (May 26) was one of his disciples. Saint Benedict reposed in peace in 689 or 690, having greatly strengthened the Church and the Christian faith in Britain.

Also commemorated: St Sava, Archbishop of Serbia

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.1-2, 10-12, 2.6-10

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 10Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. 11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 6Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 9But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 19.12-28

12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 13And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 15And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16And the first came before him, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds more. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 18And the second came, saying, Thy pound, Lord, hath made five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 19And he said unto him also, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 21for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 22He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow; 23then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest? 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the ten pounds. 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 25And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 26I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. 27But these mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

28And when he had thus spoken, he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.