Monday, 4 March 2024

Monday of Meatfare

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

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyrs Paul and his sister Juliana of Ptolemais

Paul and his sister Juliana were Christian siblings of Ptolemais in Egypt who lived during the age of persecution. Despite the dangers, both maintained their faith in Christ with steadfast courage. When brought before pagan magistrates and commanded to participate in idolatrous worship, they steadfastly refused, declaring their allegiance to Jesus Christ alone. Their refusal to comply with the demands of pagan authorities resulted in their arrest and torture. Rather than breaking under duress, brother and sister encouraged each other in faith and glorified God through their sufferings. Their martyrdom became a powerful witness to the triumph of Christian faith over the violence of persecutors. The Orthodox Church commemorates Paul and Juliana as joint martyrs and powerful intercessors, honouring the special grace that unites them as blood siblings united in faith.

Saint Casimir of Poland

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a prince of Poland, son of King Casimir IV, who distinguished himself by his piety, virtue, and unwavering commitment to Christian principles despite his position of power and privilege. From his youth, Casimir gave evidence of extraordinary holiness: he devoted himself to prayer, fasting, and the study of Scripture, and he refused to indulge in the pleasures and vanities that typically attracted noble youth. As he matured into manhood, Casimir became an advisor to his father and later served as regent of Poland, but he never allowed political authority to seduce him into worldly ambition or compromise of his principles. He was known for his justice, his defence of the Church's freedom, and his extraordinary generosity towards the poor. Casimir never married, choosing instead to dedicate himself entirely to service of God and neighbour. He spent long hours in prayer, particularly before the Blessed Sacrament, and was known for his mystical devotion to Christ. Though his life was brief—he reposed at only twenty-six years of age—his sanctity left an indelible mark on his age. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a saint and prince who chose the narrow way of ascetic virtue over the broad path of worldly pleasure.

Saint Joasaph, Prince of India

Joasaph (also known as Josaphat or Yudasaf) was a legendary Indian prince whose life story, though historically debated, has profound spiritual significance in Orthodox tradition. According to the sacred narrative, Joasaph was born a prince and heir to his father's kingdom but was shielded from knowledge of human suffering by his earthly parent. When he discovered through a chance encounter the reality of sickness, old age, and death, Joasaph's heart was moved to seek the true remedy for human misery. He secretly renounced his princely estate and sought out a wise Christian hermit named Barlaam, who became his spiritual father and guide. Through their dialogues, recorded in the famous "Barlaam and Joasaph" narrative, Joasaph was instructed in the Christian faith and ascetic discipline. Abandoning all worldly honours and pleasures, he devoted himself entirely to prayer, fasting, and the pursuit of union with God. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a saint and prince who chose the Kingdom of Heaven over all earthly glory.

Venerable Gerasimus of the Jordan

He was from Lycia in Asia Minor. After living there as a hermit for many years, he traveled to the Egyptian Thebaid and lived among the Desert Fathers. He then went to Palestine, where he founded the great Lavra, a community of about seventy monks, that remains to this day. The monastery’s rule was simple and strict: During the five weekdays, the monks would stay in their cells, praying and weaving baskets and mats. On these days they ate only a little dry bread and some dates. On Saturdays and Sundays the monks gathered for worship and ate boiled vegetables with a little wine. Each monk owned only one garment; if he left his cell he was required to leave it open so that anyone else could take whatever he needed from it. Saint Gerasimos himself was an example to all of them, exceeding even the rule that he laid upon them: during the Great Fast, he would eat nothing but what he received in Holy Communion.

In the desert, the Saint once saw a lion in great pain from a thorn in its paw. Moved by compassion, Gerasim approached it, made the sign of the Cross and pulled the thorn out. The lion followed the elder back to the monastery and remained there until the Saint’s death. When Gerasimos died, the lion, overcome by grief, soon died also, lying upon the Saint’s grave.

Saint Gerasimos was present at the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon, where he proved a strong champion of Orthodoxy, though he had inclined toward the Monophysite heresy in his youth. He reposed in peace in 475.

St James the Faster of Phoenecia

6th c.

“He lived in the sixth century. He was so perfected in godliness that he was able to heal the gravest illnesses by his prayers. But the enemy of the human race brought a heavy temptation on him. There was once sent to him a woman who had been corrupted by some mockers. She pretended to weep before him, but enticed him to sin. Seeing that he would fall into sin, James put his left hand into the fire and held it there until it was completely burned. Seeing this, the woman was filled with fear and horror, repented and reformed her life. “But on a second occasion he did not resist and fell with a young girl whom her parents had brought to him to be healed of her madness. He indeed healed her, but then sinned with her and, in order to conceal the sin, killed her and threw her into a river. As always, the path from lust to murder was not very long. James spent ten years after that as a penitent, living in a grave. He learned after that that God had forgiven him, because, when he at one time prayed for rain in a time of great drought from which both men and cattle were suffering, it fell. “Here is an example, similar to that of David, of how wicked the evil demon is; how, by the permission of God, the greatest spiritual giants can topple, and how again, by sincere repentance, God in His compassion will forgive the greatest sins and does not punish those who punish themselves.” (Prologue)

Also commemorated: Rt. Blv. Prince Daniel of Moscow

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

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 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.