Thursday, 29 February 2024

66 days before Pascha · Tone 5 · Liturgy · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Theokteristus, abbot of Pelekete

Saint Theokteristus was abbot of the famous monastery of Pelekete, near the town of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara in Bithynia. He governed a community of more than seven hundred monks and was renowned for his strict observance of the cenobitic life and for his unwavering defence of the holy icons during the iconoclast persecution under the emperor Constantine Copronymus. Refusing to surrender the sacred images or to subscribe to the imperial decrees against them, the abbot and his monks remained steadfast in the Orthodox confession. The persecution fell upon their monastery with terrible severity. The buildings were plundered and the icons profaned, and Saint Theokteristus, together with many of his disciples, was seized and taken before the imperial officers. After fearful tortures, in which he was scorched with boiling pitch and beaten with rods, he was put to death for the holy icons. Saint Theokteristus is also remembered as a spiritual writer. To him is ascribed the canon of supplication to the most holy Theotokos called the "Sustainer in Many Misfortunes" (or in some manuscripts the small paraklesis), which is sung in the Orthodox Church to this day in time of trouble. The Slavic Churches keep his memory on this day, while in non-leap years his commemoration is transferred to 28 February.

Saint Oswald of Worcester, archbishop of York

992

Saint Oswald was born in England about the year 925 of a noble Anglo-Danish family. He was brought up by his uncle Oda, archbishop of Canterbury, who in due course sent him across the sea to the great Benedictine abbey of Fleury on the Loire to be formed in the strict observance of monastic life. There Oswald was tonsured and ordained, and there he learned the discipline of prayer and the love of letters that would mark his later labours in England. After his return to his own country he was consecrated bishop of the see of Worcester in 961 by Saint Dunstan and laboured together with Saint Dunstan and Saint Ethelwold in the great revival of English monasticism. He founded the abbey of Ramsey in the fens, modelled on Fleury, and from it sprang several other Benedictine houses, among them Winchcombe, Pershore and Evesham. In 972 he was raised to the archbishopric of York, but was permitted to retain Worcester, where he chiefly resided. Saint Oswald was famed for his charity. Throughout the season of Lent he was accustomed to wash with his own hands the feet of twelve poor men daily and to feed them at his table. On 29 February in the year 992, while performing this humble service, he completed his task, gave the kiss of peace to the last of the poor, and at once gave up his soul to God. He was buried at Worcester, and many miracles were wrought at his tomb.

Venerable Cassian, recluse of the Kiev Caves

Venerable Cassian was a recluse and ascetic monk of the holy Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine, where he pursued the monastic life during the twelfth century. He devoted himself to the hesychast practise of silence and seclusion, following in the tradition of the ancient desert fathers who sought union with God through withdrawal from the distractions of the world. Little detailed biographical information survives regarding the specific circumstances of his monastic struggles and spiritual achievements, yet he is venerated by the Church as a saint whose life bore witness to the transformative power of monastic dedication. The Church honours him as part of the great Synaxis of Holy Fathers whose mortal remains were interred in the sacred caves of the Kiev Caves monastery, a place revered throughout the Orthodox world as a centre of monastic holiness and spiritual power. Venerable Cassian is commemorated on 29 February, which is observed liturgically as his feast day, and also on 8 May in the Orthodox liturgical calendar. He is remembered particularly for his steadfast commitment to the monastic vocation and his place amongst the countless holy monks and ascetics who laboured in the Kiev Caves, enriching the spiritual life of the Church through their prayers and witness.

Venerable John Cassian the Roman

435

The Synaxarion calls him “Our Father Cassian, chosen by God to bring the illumination of Eastern monasticism to the West”. He was born in Scythia of noble parents, and was well educated in secular things. But, thirsting for perfection, he left all behind and travelled with his friend Germanus to the Holy Land, where he became a monk in Bethlehem. After becoming established in the monastic life for several years, St John felt a desire for greater perfection, and sought out the Fathers of the Egyptian Desert. He spent seven years in the Desert, learning from such Fathers as Moses, Serapion, Theonas, Isaac and Paphnutius. Through long struggles in his cell, St John developed from personal experience a divinely-inspired doctrine of spiritual combat. Many say that it was he who first listed the eight basic passions: gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, acedia, vainglory and pride.

In time, struggles in the Alexandrian Church made life so difficult for the Egyptian monks that St John (still accompanied by his friend Germanus), sought refuge in Constantinople, where they came under the care and protection of St John Chrysostom. When the holy Archbishop was exiled, St John once again fled, this time to Rome, where he came under the protection of Pope Innocent I. This proved to be providential for the Western Church, for it was St John who brought the treasures of Desert spirituality to the monasteries of the West. He founded the monastery of St Victor in Marseilles, then, at the request of his bishop, wrote the Cenobitic Institutions, in which he adapted the austere practices of the Egyptian Fathers to the conditions of life in Gaul. He went on to write his famous Conferences, which became the main channel by which the wisdom of the desert East was passed to the monastics of the West. Saint Benedict developed much of his Rule (which at one time governed most monasteries in the Latin world) from St John’s Institutions,, and ordered that the Conferences be read in all monasteries.

Saint John reposed in peace in 435, and has been venerated by the monks of the West as their Father and one of their wisest teachers. His relics are still venerated at the Abbey of St Victor in Marseilles.

St John’s writings were soon attacked by extreme Augustinians and, as Augustinianism became the official doctrine of the Latin Church, his veneration fell out of favor in the West. Outside the Orthodox Church, his commemoration is now limited to the diocese of Marseilles.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 John — 1 John 1.8-2.6

⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

¹My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

¹My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ²And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ²and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. ³And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ³And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: ⁵But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. ⁶He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Epistle

— St John

1 John — 1 John 2.18-3.10

¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

¹⁸Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. ²⁰And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²⁰But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²²Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²²Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁴Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. ²⁵And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him. ²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. ²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁸And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

¹Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ²Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. ³And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ³And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ⁴Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ⁴Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him. ⁷My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: ⁷Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁸he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. ⁹Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 13.31-14.2

³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. ³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

³²But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ³²But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ³³Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

³³Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. ³⁴For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. ³⁴It is as when a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch. ³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: ³⁵Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; ³⁶lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. ³⁶Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. ³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. ³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

¹After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

¹Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him: ²But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. ²for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people.

Gospel

— St John

Mark — Mark 11.1-11

¹And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

¹And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples, ²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. ²and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him. ³And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. ³And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither. ⁴And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. ⁴And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him. ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go. ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. ⁷And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him. ⁷And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. ⁸And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁸And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields. ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ¹⁰Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest. ¹¹And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

¹¹And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.