Sunday, 14 January 2024

Leavetaking of Theophany

32nd Sunday after Pentecost

273 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Saint Felix of Nola

Saint Felix of Nola was a Confessor and Christian martyr of Nola in Italy who lived around the third century. During a time of persecution, Felix was arrested for his faith and subjected to torture and imprisonment for refusing to renounce Christ. Though he survived his initial persecution, his steadfastness and refusal to deny the Lord earned him the veneration of the faithful as a holy confessor. He continued to minister to Christians in hiding and suffered greatly for his faith. He is commemorated on 14 January in the Orthodox Church calendar as a confessor and faithful witness to Christ.

Saint Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia

She is called “Nino” in many accounts. This holy maiden was a Cappadocian, the only daughter of Zabullon, a kinsman of the Great Martyr George. She was captured and enslaved by the Iberians (later called the Georgians) and taken away to their homeland. In captivity, she lived a sober and pious life, devoting every free moment day and night to prayer. Her exceptional virtue attracted the attention of many, especially those hungry for Truth, and she simply and boldly proclaimed the Gospel to all who inquired of her.

Once she healed a woman’s sick child by her prayers, and the report of this wonder reached the Queen of Georgia, who was herself suffering from an incurable disease. She asked the slave to come to her, but Nina refused out of humility, so the Queen had her servants take her to Nina’s dwelling. The Saint prayed and the Queen was healed instantly. Returning home in joy, the Queen praised Nina and her faith to the King, whose name was Mirian. The king payed her little heed, but later, while hunting, he was suddenly engulfed by a dark cloud, so that he lost his way and was stricken by fear. Remembering his wife’s report, he prayed “to the god whom Nina worships,” and vowed that if he were delivered he would worship Him alone. Immediately the cloud vanished and the King received the light of faith. Hastening home, he found Nina and, King though he was, cast himself at the feet of the slave and told her that he had resolved that he and his whole nation should be baptized. He sent emissaries to Constantine the Great, who quickly dispatched bishops and priests to the barbarian kingdom.

When the conversion of the country was well under way, Nina, though now freed, determined to stay in Georgia, where she withdrew to the wilderness and prayed fervently that the people would be confirmed in the Faith of Christ. Saint Nina reposed in peace, surrounded by the King, his court and the clergy. Thus did a powerless slave woman, by the power of God, convert an entire nation.

Saint Sava I, Enlightener and First Archbishop of Serbia

This best-loved Saint of the Serbian people was born in 1169, the son of Stephen Nemanja, Grand Prince of Serbia. He was named Rastko by his parents. At the age of fifteen he was appointed governor of the province of Herzegovina, but worldly power was of no interest to him, and he began to wish to give himself more fully to God. He secretly left home and traveled to Mount Athos, where he became a novice at the Monastery of St Panteleimon. His father learned where he had gone and sent soldiers to bring him back, but before the soldiers could claim him, he was tonsured a monk with the name of Sabbas (Sava), after St Sabbas the Sanctified (December 5).

In time, under the influence of his son, Stephen Nemanja abdicated his kingship, and in 1196 he became a monk under the name of Symeon, traveling to the Holy Mountain to join his son. Symeon was quite old, and unable to endure all the ascetic labors of long-time monks, so his son redoubled his own ascetical struggle, telling his father, “I am your ascesis.” The two monks together founded the Chilander Monastery, which became the center of Serbian piety and culture. Saint Symeon reposed in 1200, and his body soon began to exude a miracle-working myrrh; thus he is commemorated as St Symeon the Myrrh-streaming (February 13).

Saint Sava retired to a hermit’s life in a cell on the Holy Mountain, but was compelled to return to the world: his two brothers were at war with one another, causing much bloodshed in Serbia. The Saint returned home with his father’s holy relics, mediated between his brothers, and persuaded them to make peace with one another over their father’s tomb, restoring peace the Serbian land. At the pleas of the people, St Sava remained in Serbia thereafter. He persuaded the Emperor and the Patriarch of Constantinople to grant autocephaly to the Church in Serbia. Against his will, he was ordained first Archbishop of his land in 1219. He labored tirelessly to establish the Orthodox Faith, for, though his father had been a Christian, many of the people were still pagan. In old age he resigned the episcopal throne and went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While returning from his pilgrimage, he fell asleep in peace in 1236.

Virgin Martyr Agnes

Virgin Martyr Agnes was an early Christian martyr venerated in the Orthodox Church. According to tradition, she was a young virgin who suffered persecution for her faith and steadfast refusal to renounce Christ during times of severe trial. Though details of her life vary in different sources, Orthodox tradition holds that she endured torment in dark and solitary confinement rather than abandon her faith. She remained faithful unto death and is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on 14 January as a virgin martyr and holy witness to Christ.

The Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu

4th – 5th c.

The Holy Fathers at Mount Sinai lived in the wilderness around the holy mountain before the Emperor Justinian built the famous Monastery there in 527. The brethren were attacked by a band of Saracen barbarians who massacred Doulas, the superior of the community, and most of the other monks. They only stopped when a pillar of fire rose to the sky from the summit of Sinai, causing them to flee in fear. The Forty-three Holy Fathers at Raithu were massacred on December 22, but are commemorated together with the fathers of Sinai. They lived the monastic life on the shores of the Red Sea. One day about three hundred Ethiopian barbarians raided the area, killing many Christians and enslaving their wives and children. They attacked the church at Raithu, where forty-three fathers had taken shelter. Their abbot Paul enjoined them to persist in prayer to the end, putting no stock in the passing life of this world, which they had renounced when they came to the desert. No sooner had he finished his prayer than the barbarians broke in, slaughtering all the monks but one, who escaped to bring news of the attack to Mt Sinai. When the barbarians returned to their ships they found that the Christians had run their vessels onto the rocks. Enraged, they killed all their prisoners. They themselves were massacred by a band of armed Christians who arrived soon afterward.

Also commemorated: St Nino of Georgia

Daily readings

10th Matins Gospel

John — John 21.1-14

¹After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

¹After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise. ²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ³Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. ³Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. ⁴But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. ⁴But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. ⁵Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. ⁵Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. ⁶And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. ⁶And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. ⁷Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. ⁷That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. ⁸And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. ⁸But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. ⁹So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. ⁹As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. ¹⁰Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. ¹⁰Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. ¹¹Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. ¹¹Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. ¹²Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. ¹²Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. ¹³Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Epistle

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:

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 18.35-43

³⁵And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

³⁵And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: ³⁶And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. ³⁶and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. ³⁷And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. ³⁷And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. ³⁸And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. ³⁸And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. ³⁹And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. ³⁹And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. ⁴⁰And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, ⁴⁰And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, ⁴¹What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. ⁴¹Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. ⁴²And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. ⁴²And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. ⁴³And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. ⁴³And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.