Monday, 11 March 2024

Monday of Cheesefare

55 days before Pascha · Tone 7 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Fast (Meat Fast)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Pionius, Presbyter of Smyrna

250

Saint Pionius was a presbyter of the Church of Smyrna who suffered for Christ during the persecution of the emperor Decius in the year 250. A learned man and a faithful pastor, he had carefully transcribed the older account of the martyrdom of his predecessor Saint Polycarp, preserving for the Church the memory of that glorious witness. By a heavenly revelation Pionius foreknew that he would be arrested on 23 February, the very feast on which the Christians of Smyrna kept the memory of Saint Polycarp. On that day, having spent the night in prayer with his disciples Sabina and Asclepiades, he placed about his own neck and theirs woven cords as a sign of their willing readiness for martyrdom, that no one might think they were being led away by force. They were brought before the magistrates and exhorted to sacrifice to the gods, but Pionius answered with a long and noble defence of the faith, recorded in one of the most ancient and authentic acts of the martyrs that has come down to us. After many torments and a long imprisonment, Saint Pionius was at length condemned to be burned alive. On 11 March of the year 250 he was nailed to a stake in the amphitheatre of Smyrna, and giving thanks to God in the midst of the flames, he yielded up his soul. With him are commemorated his fellow-martyrs Limnus the presbyter, the women Sabina and Macedonia, and Asclepiades.

Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem

He was born in Damascus to an eminent family, and was well educated in his youth. Discontented with the wisdom of the world, he entered monastic life in the monastery of St Theodosius, where he became the lifelong friend and disciple of John Moschos. Together they visited the monasteries and hermitages of Egypt; they later wrote down their discoveries among the holy monks in the classic Spiritual Meadow. After the death of his teacher, St Sophronius traveled to Jerusalem, which had just been liberated from the Persians. He was there to see the Precious Cross returned from Persia by the Emperor Heraclius, who carried it into Jerusalem on his back. A few years later, in 634, St Sophronius was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem, where he served his flock wisely for three years and three months. He was zealous in the defense of Orthodoxy against the Monothelite heresy: He convoked a Council in Jerusalem which condemned it before it was condemned at the Sixth Ecumenical Council. The holy Patriarch even traveled to Constantinople to rebuke the Patriarch Sergius and Emperor Heraclius, who had embraced the Monothelite error.

The years of peace were few for the Holy Land; for just as the Persian Empire was decisively defeated by Heraclius, the followers of Islam erupted out of Arabia, conquering most of North Africa and the Middle East in a few years. The Saint was so grieved by the capture of Jerusalem in 637 by the Caliph Omar that begged God to take him, so that he might not live to see the desecration of the holy places. His prayer was granted, and he reposed in peace less than a year later.

St Sophronios is the author of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt, appointed to be read in the churches during every Great Lent. He also wrote the service of the Great Blessing of the Waters. Some have attributed the Vesperal hymn “Gladsome Light” to him, but we know that it dates from before the time of St Basil the Great, who mentions it in his writings. It seems though, that St Sophronios supplemented the hymn, and that its present form is due to him.

Venerable Sophronius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves

Saint Sophronius was an ascetic of the Far Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra, also called the caves of Saint Theodosius, where he laboured in the thirteenth century. Of his earlier life little is recorded, save that having renounced the world he embraced the strictest form of monastic struggle, withdrawing into the silence of the underground caves to give himself wholly to prayer and the contemplation of God. The tradition of the Lavra remembers him as a man of severe self-denial, who wore upon his bare flesh a coarse hairshirt and bound himself with a heavy iron belt. Day by day, in the unbroken stillness of his cell, he would read through the entire Psalter, weeping over the verses and offering them as incense to the Lord. By such hidden labours he attained great purity of heart and was found worthy of unceasing prayer. After a life pleasing to God, Saint Sophronius reposed in peace, and his incorrupt relics were laid to rest in the Far Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra, where they remain to this day, a source of healing and grace to those who venerate them. He is commemorated on 11 March, on the day of his repose, and again on 11 May, and is also numbered among the Synaxis of the venerable fathers whose relics rest in the Far Caves of Saint Theodosius, kept on 28 August.

St John Moschos, author of the Spiritual Meadow

622

He is commemorated today along with his disciple and friend St Sophronius (see above).

Holy Martyr Pionius

250

“A priest of Smyrna, he suffered there in the time of Decius’ persecution. They condemned him to be crucified, which was a great joy to him. And as soon as the soldiers assembled the cross and laid it on the ground, Pionius laid himself on it and stretched out his arms, calling to the soldiers to put the nails into his hands. The cross was inserted into the ground upside down, and a fire lit under the martyr’s head. There were many bystanders. Pionius closed his eyes and prayed to God within himself. The flames could not succeed in igniting even his hair, and when the fire had at last gone out and everyone thought that he was dead, Pionius opened his eyes and cried out joyfully: ‘O Lord, receive my spirit!’, and breathed his last. This saint wrote the life of St Polycarp of Smyrna, together with whom he now makes merry in the Kingdom of Christ. He suffered and was glorified in 250.” (Prologue)

Also commemorated: St Euthymius, Bishop of Novgorod

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

3 John — 3 John 1.1-14

¹The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

¹The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

²Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. ⁴Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

⁵Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; ⁶Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: ⁶who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: ⁷because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁷Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁸We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. ⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

⁹I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

⁹I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. ¹⁰Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

¹¹Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹¹Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹²Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. ¹²Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.

¹³I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: ¹⁴But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. ¹⁴but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 19.29-40, 22.7-39

²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

²⁹And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. ³⁰saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him. ³¹And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. ³¹And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him. ³²And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. ³²And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them. ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their garments in the way. ³⁷And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; ³⁷And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; ³⁸Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁸saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ⁴⁰And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out. ⁴⁰And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

⁷And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we make ready? ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth. ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹¹And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹²And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁶for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁸for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. ²⁰And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.

²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²¹But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! ²²For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. ²³And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

²⁴And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations; ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³⁰that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁶And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.