Sunday, 3 March 2024

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

63 days before Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus

They were fellow-soldiers and kinsmen of St Theodore the Tyro (Feb. 17). When St Theodore received his martyrdom, they were kept in prison because the governor of Amasia was unwilling to execute them. But a new and crueler governor, Asclepiodotus, took his place and ordered the three soldiers of Christ to be brought to him. At first, the governor used flattery and bribery to attempt to turn the three from Christ. He invited Eutropius to dine with him, but Eutropius refused, quoting the Psalm ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsels of the ungodly.’ He then offered them a huge amount of silver, which they likewise refused, telling the governor that Judas lost his soul for silver. The governor then turned to torture, subjecting the three to extreme torments. At last, he condemned Eutropius and Cleonicus to crucifixion, for which they joyfully gave thanks that they had been found worthy to die the same death as Christ. Basiliscus was held in prison awhile longer in hopes that the deaths of his companions would weaken his resolve; but when he remained steadfast in the Faith, he was beheaded, on May 22 (on which he is also commemorated) in 308.

Saint Cunegundes, Empress

Saint Cunegundes (also known as Cunegunda) was a tenth-century empress of the Holy Roman Empire and wife of the Emperor Saint Henry II. Born into the royal family of Luxembourg, she was raised in Christian piety and commitment to the faith. Following her marriage to Henry, Cunegundes bore him a son but was widowed while still young. Rather than seek a second marriage or retreat into worldly pursuits, she devoted herself entirely to spiritual life and works of Christian charity. She founded the Benedictine convent of Kaufungen and served as its abbess, establishing it as a beacon of monastic discipline and prayer. Cunegundes walked barefoot to Rome in pilgrimage and visited the holy sites of Christendom, strengthening her faith through these journeys. Throughout her life, she practised extraordinary fasting, wore a hair shirt, and gave generously to the poor and the afflicted. Her marriage had been chaste—she and her husband lived in continence, devoted to prayer and service rather than to worldly pleasures. Following her long life of ascetic devotion, Cunegundes reposed in peace and was canonised by the Church. The Orthodox Church venerates her as an empress who chose God's Kingdom above all earthly honours.

Saint Nikolaj Velimirovic

Nikolaj Velimirovic (1881-1956) was a Serbian Orthodox bishop, theologian, writer, and saint of the twentieth century. Born in Serbia, he was ordained to the priesthood and later elevated to the episcopacy, serving as Bishop of Žiča and Metropolitan of Dalmatia. Bishop Nikolaj was a prolific author of spiritual works, theological treatises, and poetic compositions in Serbian, Greek, English, and other languages. His writings addressed the spiritual challenges of the modern world and sought to present Orthodox Christianity in dialogue with contemporary thought. During the Second World War and its aftermath, Nikolaj suffered imprisonment and persecution for his faith and his defence of Serbian Orthodox identity. He endured considerable hardship with patient faith, emerging from captivity as a living witness to martyrdom. His intellectual gifts and pastoral love made him a beacon of Orthodox witness in the twentieth century. The Serbian Orthodox Church canonised him as a hieromartyr and saint, and the Orthodox Church venerates him as a powerful intercessor.

Venerable Piama the Virgin

Piama was a virgin ascetic and desert mother of Egypt who lived in the fourth or fifth century. Fleeing the distractions of the world, she withdrew into the desert to pursue a life of unceasing prayer, fasting, and communion with God. Through her ascetic labours, Piama became a vessel of divine grace and was granted spiritual gifts including the discernment of spirits and the ability to teach others the ways of repentance. Though she dwelt in solitude, word of her holiness spread, and seekers came to her for spiritual direction. Piama received them with maternal compassion and guided them towards transformation in Christ. Her sayings and example became treasured in the tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The Orthodox Church venerates her as a venerable mother of monasticism and an intercessor for those pursuing the ascetic life.

An Unknown Girl in Alexandria

“She was from a wealthy house, having a good father who suffered much and had a difficult death, and an evil mother who had an easy life, died in peace and was buried with honour. In uncertainty whether to live by the example of her father or her mother, this maiden had a vision, in which the state of her father and of her mother were shown to her. She saw her father in the Kingdom of God, and her mother in darkness and torment. This determined her to devote her whole life to God, and, like her father, follow the commandments of God without regard to any opposition or misfortune that she might have to endure. And she followed the commandments of God to the end, with His help, and was made worthy of the Kingdom of heaven, in which she was reunited with her beloved father.” (Prologue)

Daily readings

6th Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 24.36-53

³⁶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

³⁶And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. ³⁹See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. ⁴⁰And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. ⁴⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? ⁴¹And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. ⁴³And he took it, and did eat before them. ⁴³And he took it, and ate before them.

⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁵Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, ⁴⁵Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; ⁴⁶And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: ⁴⁶and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; ⁴⁷and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁷And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸Ye are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁸And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. ⁴⁹And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

⁵⁰And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

⁵⁰And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵³and were continually in the temple, blessing God. ⁵³And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 6.12-20

¹²All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

¹²All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. ¹³Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. ¹³Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: ¹⁴And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. ¹⁴and God both raised the Lord, and will raise up us through his power. ¹⁵Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. ¹⁵Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid. ¹⁶What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. ¹⁶Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh. ¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. ¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. ¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ¹⁹What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ¹⁹Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; ²⁰For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. ²⁰for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 15.11-32

¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons:

¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹²and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹³And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. ¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. ¹⁵And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁷But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: ²³And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: ²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁴for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. ²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. ²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. ²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁸But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. ²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. ²⁹But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ³⁰but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. ³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. ³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. ³²But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. ³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.