Sunday, 31 March 2024

St Gregory Palamas; Repose St Innocent, Metr. Moscow and Apostle to Americas

Second Sunday of Lent

St Gregory Palamas
Repose St Innocent, Metr. Moscow and Apostle to Americas

35 days before Pascha · Tone 2 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra

He was born in Cilicia in Asia Minor, and became Bishop of Gangra, the capital of Paphlagonia. He took part in the First Ecumenical Council, where he was praised by all for his piety and miracles. It is said that the Emperor Constantius kept a bust of Hypatius in his palace as a weapon against demonic powers. The Saint was murdered by the Novatians, a sect which believed that there is no forgiveness for sins committed after Baptism. [The popularity of this belief helps to explain why many believers at that time postponed baptism until very late in life.] As Hypatius was traveling home from Constantinople, they attacked him on the road and stoned him to death. A woman who took part in the attack went mad and began to beat herself with a stone; she was only healed when her friends took her to the grave of St Hypatius and prayed for her. Restored by his compassionate intercession, she spent the rest of her life in repentance and prayer.

Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts

Saint Innocent (Ivan Veniaminov) was the Metropolitan of Moscow and an apostolic missionary to the indigenous peoples of the Aleutian Islands and Russian America (Alaska). He devoted his life to bringing the Orthodox faith to the Aleut and Tlingit peoples, learning their languages and translating liturgical texts. As a missionary-bishop, he combined pastoral care, education, and cultural sensitivity in his apostolic work, respecting indigenous traditions while introducing them to the saving faith of Christ. His mission resulted in thousands converting to Orthodoxy. Though he later became a metropolitan in Russia, his greatest legacy is his missionary work in America and his veneration by the indigenous peoples he served. Saint Innocent exemplifies the Orthodox missionary tradition of incarnational evangelism that seeks to clothe the Gospel in the cultural forms of those to whom it is proclaimed.

St Innocent, enlightener of Alaska and Siberia

1879

He was born in Siberia in 1797 to a clerical family, and became a married parish priest in Irkutsk. A devout explorer, John Kriukov, told him of the great spiritual needs among the Russian and native peoples in Alaska, then Russian territory. Moved to serve Christ in this very difficult environment, he and his family arrived in Alaska in 1824. He quickly learned the Aleut language and worked humbly and tirelessly among the Aleuts. His spiritual classic, An Indication of the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven, was originally written in Aleut and later translated into many languages. While he was visiting Russia in 1838, his wife died; one year later he was tonsured a monk and given the name of Innocent (he had been Fr John Veniaminov). Almost immediately after his tonsuring he was, without warning, raised to the rank of Bishop of all Eastern Siberia and Russian America, probably the largest diocese in the world at that time. Returning to Alaska, he continued his missionary work with vigor, often traveling among Aleut and Tlingit settlements in his own kayak. Wherever he went, he found the Alaskan people hungry for the faith, and his labors bore rich fruit which is still obvious today: Alaska has more Orthodox churches per capita than any other state. In old age he was made Metropolitan of Moscow, head of the entire Russian Orthodox Church. His concern for Christian mission was undiminished, and as Metropolitan he created the Orthodox Missionary Society. He reposed on Holy Saturday of 1879.

Venerable Acacius the Confessor, Bishop of Melitene

Saint Acacius served as Bishop of Melitene and is venerated as a confessor, indicating his steadfast witness to the Orthodox faith during times of theological controversy or persecution. As a bishop, he guarded the deposit of faith and cared pastorally for his flock. His designation as a confessor suggests that he endured trials and difficulties but did not yield to pressure to compromise the truth. Acacius remained true to Orthodox doctrine and ecclesiastical discipline despite opposition. His example demonstrates the role of bishops as defenders of the faith and teachers of truth. The Church honours his memory and seeks his intercessions for the preservation of Orthodox faith and for strength to confess Christ despite opposition or difficulty.

St Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow

1461

He became a monk at the age of twelve and lived in the Simonov Monastery near Moscow. He later became Bishop of Ryazan, then was chosen as Metropolitan of Moscow (at this time the Russian Church was still under the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the Metropolitanate of Moscow was its highest office). But through some political intrigue, a man named Isidore became Metropolitan instead. It was this Isidore who attended the Council of Florence and voted for the infamous Union with Rome perpetrated there. When he returned to Moscow three years later he was condemned as an apostate and exiled. Bishop Jonah at last became Metropolitan in his place. In his lifetime he was widely known as a healer, wonder-worker, seer and spiritual father. In his last years he prayed to suffer greatly through some illness, so as to be purified by his sufferings. In answer to this prayer, he was given wounds in his feet, of which he died. His relics continued to perform many wonders. The Prologue recounts, “A dumb man, John, was brought to the saint’s relics. John kissed Jonah’s hand and, as he related afterwards, the hand grabbed hold of his tongue and he felt a sharp pain. When it let his tongue go, he went back to his friends — and spoke as if he had never been dumb.”

Daily readings

Vespers

— St Innocent

OT — Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8

The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.

Vespers

— St Innocent

OT — Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5

A just man if he comes to his end will be at rest. A just man who dies will condemn the ungodly who are alive; for they will see the end of a just man and will not understand what they counselled concerning him. For the Lord will break the ungodly, render them voiceless and cast them headlong, and he will shake them from the foundations and they will be utterly worsted in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. They shall come with fear at the accounting of their sins, and their iniquities will convict them to their face. Then the just will stand with much boldness in the face of those who afflicted him and made his toils of no account. When they see this they will be troubled with great fear and will be amazed at the wonder of his salvation. For they will say as they repent and with anguish they will groan and say: Is this he whom we fools once made a laughing stock and a byword of reproach? We reckoned his life folly and his end dishonour. How has he been numbered among the children of God and his lot with the Saints? Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness has not shone on us and the sun has not dawned on us. We have been filled with paths of lawlessness and destruction and journeyed through trackless paths, but have not known the way of the Lord.

Vespers

— St Innocent

OT — Composite 4 - Proverbs 10; Wisdom of Solomon 6, 7, 8, 9

The mouth of a just man distils wisdom; the lips of men know graces. The mouth of the wise meditates wisdom; justice delivers them from death. When a just man dies hope is not lost; for a just son is born for life, and among his good things he will pluck the fruit of justice. There is light at all times for the just, and they will find grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise knows what is good, and wisdom will take its rest in their hearts. The Lord loves holy hearts; while all who are blameless in the way are acceptable to him. The wisdom of the Lord will enlighten the face of the understanding; for she anticipates those who desire her before they know it, and is easily contemplated by those who love her. One who rises for her at dawn will not toil, and one who keeps vigil because of her will be without care. For she goes about seeking those who are worthy of her, and shows herself favourably to those on her paths. Wickedness will never prevail against wisdom. Because of this I too became a lover of her beauty and became her friend, and I sought her out from my youth, and I sought to take her as my bride, because the Master of all things loved her, for she is an initiate of the knowledge of God and one who chooses his works. Her toils are virtues; she herself teaches sobriety and prudence; justice and courage, than which things nothing is more useful in human life. If anyone longs for much experience, she knows how to compare things of old and those that are to come. She knows the twists of words and the explanations of riddles. She foresees signs and wonders and the outcomes of seasons and times. And to all she is a good counsellor. Because immortality is in her, and fame in the fellowship of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and besought him and said from my whole heart, ‘God of my Fathers and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your Word, and established humanity by your Wisdom to be sovereign over the creatures that had come into being by you, and to order the world in holiness and justice, give me Wisdom who sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your children, for I am your servant and the son of your maid servant. Send her out from your holy dwelling and from the throne of your glory, that she may be present with me and teach me what is well pleasing before you. And she will guide me with knowledge and guard me with her glory. For all the thoughts of mortals are wretched and their ideas are unstable.’

10th Matins Gospel

John — John 21.1-14

¹After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

¹After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise. ²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ³Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. ³Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. ⁴But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. ⁴But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. ⁵Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. ⁵Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. ⁶And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. ⁶And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. ⁷Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. ⁷That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. ⁸And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. ⁸But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. ⁹So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. ⁹As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. ¹⁰Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. ¹⁰Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. ¹¹Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. ¹¹Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. ¹²Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. ¹²Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. ¹³Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 1.10-2.3

¹⁰And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands: ¹⁰And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: ¹¹They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment; ¹¹They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; ¹²And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail. ¹²And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

¹³But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? ¹³But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation? ¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

¹Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

¹Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. ²For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; ²For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; ³how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; ³How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Epistle

— St Gregory

Hebrews — Hebrews 7.26-8.2

²⁶For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁶For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁷who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. ²⁷Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. ²⁸For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore. ²⁸For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

¹Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

¹Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ²a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. ²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Epistle

— St Innocent

Hebrews — Hebrews 7.26-8.2

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 2.1-12

¹And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

¹And when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house. ²And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. ²And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he spake the word unto them. ³And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. ³And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four. ⁴And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. ⁴And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay. ⁵And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. ⁶But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ⁶But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God? ⁷Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? ⁸And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? ⁸And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? ⁹Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? ¹⁰But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) ¹⁰But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy), ¹¹I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house. ¹¹I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. ¹²And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. ¹²And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Gospel

— St Gregory

John — John 10.9-16

⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ⁹I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. ¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹²He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: ¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹³he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, ¹⁵even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

Gospel

— St Innocent

John — John 10.9-16