Wednesday, 13 March 2024

Cheesefare Wednesday

53 days before Pascha · Tone 7 · Liturgy · Fast (Meat Fast)

No Liturgy

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens

Saint Publius was the second bishop of Athens, succeeding the holy Hierotheus and the holy Narcissus on that ancient apostolic throne. According to tradition he had been a disciple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who, having been instructed by the Apostle Paul on the Areopagus, became the first bishop of the city. Some sources also number him among the Seventy whom Christ Himself had sent forth to preach the kingdom of God. The labours of Saint Publius are recorded with affectionate praise by Saint Dionysius of Corinth in a letter to the Athenians, preserved in part by the Church historian Eusebius. He shepherded the Church of Athens with apostolic zeal during a difficult time, when the small Christian community in that learned and pagan city was hard-pressed by persecution and many of the faithful had grown discouraged. By his teaching, his example, and his constancy he revived their fervour and restored their confidence in the faith. He sealed his witness at last with his own blood, suffering martyrdom for Christ, according to some accounts under the emperor Marcus Aurelius in the late second century, and according to others as early as the reign of Hadrian. He was succeeded on the throne of Athens by Quadratus the apologist. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 13 March as a hieromartyr, a holy bishop and a witness of Christ.

Saint Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nicephorus was a learned theologian and Patriarch of Constantinople in the eighth and ninth centuries. He lived during the period of iconoclasm, when the veneration of holy icons was condemned by the imperial authorities. Though not a bishop at the time, Nicephorus was instrumental in defending the Orthodox teaching regarding icons and the proper veneration due to them. His learned writings and testimonies, rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Fathers, helped to restore the veneration of icons to a place of honour in the Church. When Nicephorus eventually became Patriarch, he continued to labour for the preservation of Orthodox faith and for the strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline. He endured persecution and exile for his unwavering confession of the faith. Saint Nicephorus is commemorated not only for his theological contributions but also as a confessor who remained steadfast in the Orthodox faith despite trials and opposition. The translation of his holy relics, commemorated on this feast day, is a recognition of his importance and sanctity.

Saint Theodora the Empress

Saint Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire and the wife of Emperor Theodosius II. She was known for her piety, her generosity to the poor, and her steadfast support of the Orthodox faith during a time of great theological and political turmoil. Theodora used her position and influence to strengthen the Church and to ensure that Orthodox teachings were preserved and honoured. She was devoted to prayer and ascetical practice, and her life was marked by charity, humility, and wisdom. Though she lived in the splendour of the imperial court, Theodora did not allow worldly grandeur to turn her from her devotion to God. She was beloved by her people for her kindness and for her efforts to alleviate suffering. Saint Theodora is commemorated as a saint who combined the responsibilities of imperial office with genuine piety and whose memory is venerated as an example of how one may serve God while serving in a position of great worldly authority.

Translation of the Relics of St Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

827

His main commemoration is on June 2; today we commemorate the return of his holy relics to Constantinople. Nicephoros was Patriarch during the time of the iconoclasts, and openly opposed the Emperor Leo the Armenian’s heretical policies. For this he was exiled to a monastery on the island of Prochonis, which he himself had built when Patriarch. After living there for thirteen years, he reposed around 827. In time, the iconoclast Emperors died, and the Emperor Michael, with his mother Theodora, came to the Imperial throne in 842; they appointed Methodios, a defender of the icons, as Patriarch. In 846, the incorrupt relics of St Nicephoros were returned to Constantinople and placed first in the Hagia Sophia, then in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The saint had been driven from Constantinople on March 13, and his relics were returned there on March 13, nineteen years later to the day.

Daily readings

Sixth Hour

weekly cycle

Joel — Joel 2.12-26

¹²Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

¹²Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: ¹³And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. ¹³and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil. ¹⁴Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? ¹⁴Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?

¹⁵Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

¹⁵Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; ¹⁶gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. ¹⁶Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. ¹⁷Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? ¹⁷Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

¹⁸Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

¹⁸Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. ¹⁹Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: ¹⁹And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations; ²⁰But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. ²⁰but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.

²¹Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.

²¹Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. ²²Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. ²²Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength. ²³Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month. ²³Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. ²⁴And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. ²⁴And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. ²⁵And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. ²⁵And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. ²⁶And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. ²⁶And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Joel — Joel 3.12-21

¹²Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. ¹²Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. ¹³Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. ¹³Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. ¹⁴Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

¹⁴Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. ¹⁵The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. ¹⁵The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. ¹⁶And Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge unto his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. ¹⁶The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. ¹⁷So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. ¹⁷So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

¹⁸And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

¹⁸And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim. ¹⁹Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. ¹⁹Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. ²⁰But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. ²⁰But Judah shall abide for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. ²¹For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion. ²¹And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion.