Saturday, 16 March 2024

Commemoration of Departed Righteous Monastics

Cheesefare Saturday

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

Saints commemorated

Saint Christodulus of Patmos, Wonderworker

Saint Christodulus was from the region of Nicaea in Bithynia, the son of Theodore and Anna, and was given the name John at birth. He assumed the monastic habit in his youth and was renamed Christodulus, meaning "slave of Christ" in Greek. He received permission and monetary aid from Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (reigned 1081-1118), and built on the island of Patmos a church and monastery named in honour of Saint John the Evangelist. Through his prayers and holy works, he became a wonderworker, performing many miracles. When the Arabs attacked the monastery, he fled with his disciples to Euboia (Euripus), where he completed the course of his life about the end of the eleventh century on the 16th of March. The disciples of this righteous man took his sacred incorrupt remains and transferred them to his own monastery, where they repose to this day for the sanctification of those who have recourse to them with faith. The Orthodox Christian Church celebrates his memory on March 16 of each year.

The Holy Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain

“He was the brother of the Apostle Barnabas and was born in Cyprus. He was a follower of the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his Epistle to the Romans (16:10). When the great Apostle Paul created many bishops for different parts of the world, he made this Aristobulus bishop of Britain (i.e. England). In Britain there was a wild people, pagan and wicked, and Aristobulus endured among them unmentionable torments, misfortunes and malice. They smote him without mercy, dragged him through the streets, mocked him and jeered at him. But in the end this holy man came to success by the power of the grace of God. He enlightened the people, baptised them in the name of Christ the Lord, built churches, ordained priests and deacons and finally died there in peace and went to the Kingdom of the Lord whom he had served so faithfully.” (Prologue)

Note: in the Greek calendar he is commemorated on March 15.

The Holy Martyr Papas of Lampsacus

The Holy Martyr Papas lived in the city of Laranda in Asia Minor during the reign of Maximian (305-311). When he was arrested for his belief in Christ, Papas was subjected to terrible tortures. His feet were put into boots with sharp nails hammered into the soles, and he was made to walk. They took him from the city of Laranda to Diocaesarea and later to Seleucia, Isauria to stand trial. Saint Papas died bound to a barren tree, which then miraculously became fruitful as a sign of his redemption through Christ. Papas is commemorated on 16 March in the Orthodox Church calendar as a martyr saint celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians.

The Holy Martyr Sabinus of Egypt

The Holy Martyr Sabinus was an administrator of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During a persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Sabinus and some like-minded companions hid in a remote village.

His hiding place was revealed by a certain ungrateful beggar to whom Sabinus had shown kindness, giving him food and money. The wretch betrayed him for two pieces of gold. Sabinus was seized with six other Christians. After torture, they were all drowned in the Nile in 287.

The Greek Orthodox Church gives him the full office on March 16, where he is commemorated as a martyr and saint in the Orthodox tradition.

Our Holy Father Christodoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos

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He was from the region of Nicaea, and was named John by his parents Theodore and Anna. He took up the monastic life at an early age, and was renamed Christodoulos (‘Slave of Christ’). After going far in the ascetical life, he was given permission by the Emperor Alexis I (1081-1118) to establish a church and monastery on the island of Patmos, dedicated to St John the Evangelist. Both the church and the monastery stand and continue in use to this day. When Patmos was attacked by the Arabs, he and his disciples fled to Euboea, where he reposed. The Saint’s disciples brought his relics back to his own monastery, where they continue to work miracles today.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

Romans — Romans 14.19-23, 16.25-27

¹⁹Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. ¹⁹So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. ²⁰For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. ²⁰Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. ²¹It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. ²¹It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. ²²The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. ²²Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. ²³And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. ²³But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

²⁵Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

²⁵Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, ²⁶But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: ²⁶but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: ²⁷To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. ²⁷to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

Epistle

— Departed

Galatians — Galatians 5.22-6.2

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. ²⁶Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

¹Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 6.1-13

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

¹Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

²When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. ²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. ⁴that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁵And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. ⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. ⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁷And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁸Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ¹³And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Gospel

— Departed

Matthew — Matthew 11.27-30

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ²⁷All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.