Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Ven. Godbearing Anthony the Great

Wednesday of the 33rd week after Pentecost

276 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Our Holy Godbearing Father Anthony the Great

356

‘Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor” (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the space of twenty years are incredible. His ascetical struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him, that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city. But the cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. ‘He began his ascetical life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labours, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from the fortress “initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God.” Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that “his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul.” ‘So passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived together some 105 years.’ (Great Horologion) Speaking of the demonic temptations and struggles with the passions that beset those who seek their salvation, St Anthony said: “All these trials are to your advantage. Do away with temptation and no one will be saved.”

Saint Achillas of Larissa

Saint Achillas was a bishop and prominent ecclesiastical figure of the early Christian Church. He served as a shepherd of the faithful in the city of Larissa in Thessaly, Greece, leading his flock with pastoral care and theological wisdom. Through his faithful ministry and Christian witness, he became known as a holy bishop whose life reflected the teachings of the Gospel and the apostolic tradition of the Church. Achillas was engaged in the theological and pastoral challenges facing the Church during the patristic period. His leadership contributed to the stability and spiritual growth of the Christian community entrusted to his care. He bore witness to the faith through his pastoral service, his defence of Orthodox doctrine, and his example of Christian virtue. Saint Achillas reposed in the Lord and is commemorated in the Orthodox Church calendar on 17 January. His feast day celebrates his faithful stewardship of the Church and his role in advancing the kingdom of Christ through pastoral ministry and apostolic succession.

Venerable Anthony of Dymsk

Venerable Anthony of Dymsk was a monastic father and ascetic saint of Russia who devoted his life entirely to prayer, fasting, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. He withdrew to a monastic community, where he engaged in rigorous ascetical practices designed to mortify the flesh and elevate the spirit toward union with God. Through years of dedicated monastic struggle, Anthony acquired significant spiritual gifts and became a guide to many who sought the path of monastic life. His practices included prolonged fasting, continuous prayer, and labour in service to the community. His spiritual wisdom and pastoral care made him a refuge for those wrestling with temptation and spiritual struggles. The brethren gathered around him, benefiting from his example of devotion and his guidance in the hesychastic prayer tradition central to Orthodox mysticism. Saint Anthony reposed in the Lord and is venerated in the Orthodox Church on 17 January. His memory recalls the transformative power of monastic discipline, the grace of God working through ascetical struggle, and the fruits of unwavering devotion to Christ.

Venerable Anthony the Great

Saint Anthony the Great (12 January 251 – 17 January 356), revered since his repose as the Father of All Monks, was a Christian ascetic and monastic pioneer from Egypt who fundamentally shaped Orthodox monasticism. Born on 12 January 251 in the village of Coma, near the desert of the Thebaid in Upper Egypt, Anthony was born into a family of illustrious lineage, with both parents being devout Christians. At approximately twenty years of age, following his parents' death, Anthony heard the Gospel passage read in church concerning the disciples' practice of selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to the poor (Acts 4:35). Moved deeply by this exhortation, he began his ascetical life near his village in a simple hut, where he earned his livelihood through manual labour whilst also giving alms to those in need. After fifteen years of this initial monastic practice, around 286 AD, Anthony withdrew to absolute solitude on a mountain by the Nile called Pispir (now Dayr al-Maymun), where he dwelt until approximately 305 AD. During his eremitical life, Anthony became renowned for his spiritual wisdom, miraculous gifts, and steadfast resistance to demonic temptations. Many disciples gathered around him, and he gently directed them in the ascetic life, establishing the foundations of communal monasticism. Saint Athanasius of Alexandria documented Anthony's life in a biography considered amongst the finest hagiographical works, being the first major life of a saint who was not a martyr. Anthony reposed peacefully on 17 January 356 at the advanced age of 105 and was buried in the desert by his disciples. His feast is celebrated on 17 January in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches, and on Tobi 22 in the Coptic calendar.

Pious Emperor Theodosius the Great

395

He was born in Spain, became a general in the Imperial Army, and was crowned Emperor of the East in 379. He quickly made his Orthodoxy clear by decisively rejecting Arianism, which had divided Christians, troubled the Church, and confused previous emperors, for many years. He summoned the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 381, which reaffirmed the doctrine of Nicaea and proclaimed the divinity of the Holy Spirit. While Constantine had outlawed the persecution of Christians and made Christianity the religion of the state, Theodosius outlawed the worship of idols within the Empire. Theodosius was several times guilty of anger and bloodshed during his reign, but, when corrected, always expressed sincere repentance and submitted himself to the authority and discipline of the Church. He endured a long excommunication and penance from Ambrose, bishop of Milan (December 7), for a massacre perpetrated at his order. Once he was about to enact bloody punishment of the people of Antioch for a rebellion, but relented when St Placilla (September 14) and Patriarch Flavian enjoined him to be merciful. In this, he showed a humility and submission to the Church almost unknown in Christian rulers before or since. Having reigned for sixteen years, the Emperor Theodosius reposed in peace in 395 at the age of sixty.

Our Holy Father Makarios of Patmos

1737

He was born to a prosperous family on the island of Patmos. As soon as he was old enough to leave home, he attended the Patriarchal School in Constantinople, where he distinguished himself. He became a monk, then a deacon, but always refused to be ordained to the priesthood, though the Metropolitan of Nikomedia wished Makarios to be his successor. Instead, he returned to Patmos in 1713 and entered the Monastery of St John the Theologian, where he remained until his death. Though he lived in great asceticism and constant prayer, Saint Makarios was moved by a concern for the salvation and education of the Orthodox people, who often lived in great ignorance, even of their own faith, under Ottoman rule. He established a school in a building adjacent to the monastery, and offered courses free of charge to any who could come. Modeling the curriculum on that of the Patriarchal School, he served more as a spiritual father than a worldly professor. The school grew steadily, partly due to generous contributions from a few wealthy Greek families and trade guilds in Constantinople. But students, many of them very poor, still had to pay for their own needs, and Saint Makarios used his own funds to aid the poorest of them. In addition, he secretly distributed any money that came to him personally to the poor on Patmos. The school at Patmos became famous throughout the Greek Church, and its head became a spiritual father not only to his students but througout the Greek nation. Bishops often asked him to write homilies; about sixty of these were published in book form as The Trumpet of the Gospel, which is still widely read today by the faithful. Having greatly edified thousands while laboring tirelessly for the salvation of his soul, Saint Makarios reposed in peace in 1737.

Daily readings

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

¹⁵But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.

¹⁶Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

¹⁷He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁸He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.

¹⁹He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.

²⁰His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

²¹Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.

²²And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

²³Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

¹Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

²Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

³For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9

¹But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.

²In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,

³And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.

⁴For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

⁵And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

⁶As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

⁷And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.

⁸They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

⁹They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15

⁷But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

⁸For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.

⁹But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

¹⁰He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated.

¹¹Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

¹²For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.

¹³He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:

¹⁴For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

¹⁵This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Matins Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 11.27-30

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ²⁷All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Epistle

weekly cycle

2 Timothy — 2 Timothy 4.9-22

⁹Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

⁹Give diligence to come shortly unto me: ¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. ¹⁰for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering. ¹¹Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. ¹²And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. ¹²But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. ¹³The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. ¹³The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: ¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: ¹⁵Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. ¹⁵of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words. ¹⁶At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. ¹⁶At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. ¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁷But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ¹⁸The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

¹⁹Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. ²⁰Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick. ²¹Give diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. ²¹Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. ²²The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

²²The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.

Epistle

— St Anthony

Hebrews — Hebrews 13.17-21

¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you. ¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

¹⁸Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

¹⁸Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. ¹⁹And I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. ¹⁹But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. ²⁰Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

²⁰Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, ²¹make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 20.1-8

¹And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

¹And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders; ²And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? ²and they spake, saying unto him, Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? ³And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: ³And he answered and said unto them, I also will ask you a question; and tell me: ⁴The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? ⁴The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? ⁵And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? ⁵And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why did ye not believe him? ⁶But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. ⁶But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. ⁷And they answered, that they knew not whence it was. ⁷And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. ⁸And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. ⁸And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Gospel

— St Anthony

Luke — Luke 6.17-23

¹⁷and he came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judæa and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; ¹⁸and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were healed. ¹⁸And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. ¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. ¹⁹And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.

²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. ²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. ²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. ²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. ²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. ²³Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.