Saturday, 13 January 2024

Saturday after Theophany

Saturday of the 32nd week after Pentecost

272 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus

Hermylus was a deacon in Singidunum (modern-day Belgrade) during the reign of Licinius. When he was arrested he joyously welcomed the soldiers who came to seize him. When he confessed Christ before the magistrate, he was beaten, tormented, then thrown in jail. There he prayed to be allowed to partake in Christ’s saving Passion, and heard a voice assuring him that in three days he would receive a Martyr’s crown.

Stratonicus, his jailer, was a kind-hearted man and secretly a Christian, and wept to see the torments to which Hermylus was subjected. Seeing this, the soldiers began to question him; and, seeing that his hour had come, he in turn openly confessed Christ. For this he was seized, flogged and thrown into prison with his brother in Christ. The following day, both were bound, tied in a net and thrown into the Danube, where they received their divinely-promised crowns. Their bodies were washed up a few days later, recovered by Christians and buried with honor.

Saint Hilary of Poitiers

368

Saint Hilary of Poitiers (c. 315-368) was a great Church Father and opponent of the Arian heresy who became Bishop of Poitiers in Gaul around 350. Born a pagan, he was converted to Christianity through reading the Gospel of John and devoted himself to the study of Scripture and theology. When Emperor Constantius II attempted to impose Arianism upon the western Church, Hilary emerged as one of the most forceful defenders of the Orthodox faith, writing extensively against Arian errors and their theological distortions of the Person of Christ. For his steadfast opposition to imperial pressure and his defence of Orthodoxy, he was exiled to Phrygia in 356. From his place of exile, he continued to write against the Arian heresy, producing works that confounded the heterodox and upheld the truth of the faith. Though suffering banishment for his faithfulness, Hilary remained unmoved in his conviction and finally, after years of struggle, the Arian faction weakened and the truth prevailed. He reposed in 368 and is commemorated on 13 January as a great defender of Orthodox Christian doctrine and a luminous teacher of the faith.

Saint Kentigern

614

Saint Kentigern (also known as Kentigern Mungo or Mungo) (c. 518-614) was an Apostle of the Brythonic Kingdom of Strathclyde in what is now Scotland and the patron saint and founder of the city of Glasgow. Born in Scotland, he embraced monastic life and devoted himself to the preaching of the Gospel and the establishment of Christian communities. He founded a monastery on the site of present-day Glasgow and became a tireless missionary bringing the Orthodox faith to the pagan peoples of Scotland. Known for his holiness, miracles, and pastoral care, Kentigern laboured to evangelize the Brythonic peoples and establish the Church in that land. He reposed in 614 and is remembered on 13 January as an equal-to-the-apostles and apostle to Scotland whose missionary zeal brought the light of Christ to a distant land.

Saint Remigius of Rheims

Saint Remigius of Rheims (c. 438-533), called the Apostle to the Franks, was a Bishop of Rheims in Gaul and a great missionary evangelist who played a pivotal role in the conversion of the Frankish peoples to Christianity. Living in a period of great spiritual darkness when the Frankish tribes were pagan, he devoted himself with apostolic zeal to preaching the Gospel, baptizing thousands and establishing Christian communities. He became the spiritual father of the Frankish nation and is remembered as one of the most important figures in the evangelisation of Western Europe. Known for his wisdom, holiness, and miraculous works, Remigius guided both kings and commoners to the faith of Christ. He reposed in advanced age and is commemorated on 13 January as an equal-to-the-apostles and Apostle to the Franks.

Our Holy Father Maximos Kavsokalybites

1365

A native of Lampsacus on the Hellespont, he became a monk at the age of seventeen. When his spiritual Father died, he went on pilgrimage to Constantinople, where he took up the ascesis of folly for Christ, pretending madness in order to conceal his virtues and struggles from the world. He then went to the Great Lavra of St Athanasius on Mount Athos, where he lived as a simple monk in complete obedience. One day, he was told in a dream to go to the summit of Athos to receive (like Moses) the tablets of the spiritual law. He prayed continuously atop the Holy Mountain for three days, after which the Mother of God appeared to him surrounded by angels. She gave him a miraculous loaf for his sustenance and told him to live in solitude on the wild slopes of Mount Athos. Henceforth he lived apart, barefoot in all weather. He would build himself crude shelters of branches and brush; after living in one for a short time he would burn it and move to a new place. Thus he received the name Kavsokalybites “the Hut Burner” from the other monks, who dismissed him as a madman. Saint Gregory the Sinaite (April 6), one of the great Hesychasts, heard of St Maximos, and hurried to meet him. When they met, St Maximos put aside his usual silence at St Gregory’s pleading, and they discoursed together for many hours. Saint Gregory was astonished at the wonders that God had accomplished in St Maximos, at his depth of spiritual understanding and his eloquence. Returning to the nearby monks, he said “He is an angel and not a man!” He begged St Maximos to give up his nomadic life and his pretended madness, and to live among his fellow monks for their edification. This St Maximos did. He settled in one of his crude huts, living on bread miraculously provided from heaven and on sea-water, which was made sweet by his prayer. He received and counseled any monks who sought him out, and over the years was visited by two Emperors and by the Patriarch of Constantinople. In his last years he returned to a small cell in his Lavra, where he reposed in peace at the age of ninety- five. The monks of Mt Athos immediately venerated him as a Saint.

Our Holy Father Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers

369

“The holy Hierarch Hilary was born of pagan parents in Gaul, and was trained in philosophy and rhetoric. At a time when paganism was still strong in Gaul, Saint Hilary understood the falsehood of polytheism, and became a Christian, and a great defender of his new Faith. About the year 350 he was ordained Bishop of Poitiers, when Arles and Milan were in the hands of the Arians and the Arian Constantius was sole Emperor. Like his contemporary Saint Athanasius, Saint Hilary’s episcopate was one long struggle against the Arians. As Bishop of Poitiers, Saint Hilary foresaw the future greatness of Martin (see Nov. 12), and attached him to himself. In 355, when required to agree to the condemnation of Saint Athanasius by the Council of Milan, Hilary wrote an epistle to Constantius condemning the wrongs done by the Arians and requesting, among other things, the restoration of the Orthodox bishops, including Athanasius. For this, Hilary was banished to Asia Minor, where he wrote his greatest work, On the Trinity. Saint Hilary returned to his see in 360, where Saint Martin sought him out again. It was at this time that Saint Hilary blessed Martin to found a monastery near Poitiers, where Martin remained until being consecrated Bishop of Tours in 371. In his last years, Saint Hilary strove for the deposition of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, but by affecting an Orthodox confession Auxentius retained his see. Saint Hilary reposed in peace about the year 368. Auxentius died in 374 and was succeeded by Saint Ambrose, who continued Saint Hilary’s battle against Arianism.” (Great Horologion, adapted)

Daily readings

Epistle

— Saturday after Theophany weekly cycle

Ephesians — Ephesians 6.10-17

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. ¹²For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 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 girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 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: ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Epistle

1 Thessalonians — 1 Thessalonians 5.14-23

¹⁴And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. ¹⁴Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. ¹⁵See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. ¹⁵See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. ¹⁶Rejoice always; ¹⁶Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷pray without ceasing; ¹⁷Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ¹⁸in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. ¹⁹Quench not the Spirit. ¹⁹Quench not the Spirit; ²⁰Despise not prophesyings. ²⁰despise not prophesyings; ²¹prove all things; hold fast that which is good; ²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ²²abstain from every form of evil. ²²Abstain from all appearance of evil.

²³And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²³And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel

— Saturday after Theophany weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 4.1-11

¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. ²And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. ²And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered. ³And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ³And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. ⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. ⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. ⁵Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁵Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

⁶and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone. ⁶And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

⁷Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. ⁷Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. ⁸Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁸Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ⁹and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹¹Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. ¹¹Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Gospel

Luke — Luke 10.16-21

¹⁶He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. ¹⁶He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.

¹⁷And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

¹⁷And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. ¹⁸And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. ¹⁸And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. ¹⁹Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ¹⁹Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. ²⁰Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. ²⁰Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

²¹In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

²¹In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.