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Tuesday, 2 April 2024

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

33 days before Pascha · Tone 2 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyrs Amphianus and Edesius of Lycia

The Holy Martyrs Amphianus (Apphianus) and Edesius (Aedesius) were brothers from Patara in Lycia, sons of a pagan governor. Sent to Beirut to study the pagan sciences, they were instead drawn to the Christian faith. Returning home they found their pagan family unwilling to receive their new convictions, and so they left and travelled to Caesarea in Palestine, where they entered the school of the priest and martyr Pamphilius. Under his guidance they advanced in prayer, ascetic struggle and the study of the sacred Scriptures.

When the emperor Maximinus Daia (305 to 313) ordered all the inhabitants of Caesarea to offer public sacrifice, Saint Amphianus, fired with zeal, went into the temple where the city prefect Urban was preparing to offer sacrifice. He seized the prefect's hand and rebuked him, calling him to abandon his error and to confess Christ. He was at once arrested. After cruel tortures, in which his legs were wrapped in oil-soaked cloths and set ablaze, he was thrown into the sea with a stone tied around his neck. The sea cast his body back upon the shore at Caesarea, where Christians buried it. He was about twenty years old.

Saint Edesius, who had also confessed Christ, was condemned to hard labour in the copper mines of Palestine and afterwards sent in chains to Egypt. At Alexandria, learning that the prefect Hierocles was forcing consecrated virgins and pious Christian women into brothels, he could not bear it: he came forward, struck Hierocles in the face and rebuked him publicly. For this he was tortured and, like his brother, drowned in the sea. They suffered around the year 306. Their martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea in his book On the Martyrs of Palestine.

Venerable Gregory the Sinaite

Saint Gregory the Sinaite (c. 1265 to 27 November 1346) was a Greek monk and one of the principal teachers of the Hesychast renewal of the fourteenth century. Born in Klazomenai near Smyrna in Asia Minor of a wealthy family, he was captured as a young man during a Turkish raid and taken to Laodicea, but the local Christians ransomed him. He travelled first to Cyprus, where he received the rason from a hermit, and then to the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai (whence his epithet "the Sinaite"), where he was tonsured and laboured for many years in obediences as cook, baker and copyist of sacred manuscripts. Leaving Sinai for Jerusalem, and afterwards passing to Crete, he was instructed there by the elder Arsenios in the watchful prayer of the heart. Around 1310 he settled on Mount Athos, dwelling at the skete of Magoula near the monastery of Philotheou. There he taught many disciples the practice of unceasing noetic prayer and the inner watchfulness of the mind, and gathered around himself the future leaders of the hesychast movement, among them the Patriarchs Isidore and Kallistos and Saint Theodosius of Tarnovo. Driven from Athos by Turkish raids, he withdrew with his disciples to Paroria in the Strandzha mountains of southeastern Bulgaria, where, under the protection of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander, he founded a monastery and several cells. From Paroria the hesychast tradition spread to Bulgaria, Serbia, the Romanian lands and Russia. He reposed at Paroria on 27 November 1346. The Philokalia preserves five of his works, including On Commandments and Doctrines, On Stillness and Prayer, and On the Signs of Grace and Delusion. He is also commemorated on 6 and 8 August. Greek calendars frequently keep his memory together with Saint Titus the Wonderworker on 2 April.

Venerable Theodora of Thessalonica

Saint Theodora of Thessalonica (812 to 892), known in the world as Agape, was born in the village of Paliachora on the island of Aegina, the third child of the priest Anthony and his wife Chrysanthi. At the age of seven her father betrothed her to a pious young man named Theodorinos, and when Saracen raids forced the family from Aegina they settled in Thessalonica, where Agape married. After the early deaths of her husband and of two of her three children, at the age of about twenty-five she distributed all her possessions to the poor and entered the monastery of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr in Thessalonica, where she received tonsure with the name Theodora. There she lived for fifty-five years in strict obedience, fasting and silence, hidden from the world. The longest hagiography of any holy woman in Byzantium, written shortly after her repose by the priest Gregory of Thessalonica, records her unceasing struggle against the passions, her loving service of the sisters, and her gift of tears. She reposed in peace on 29 August 892. A year after her repose myrrh began to flow from her tomb, and many were healed by it. The community took her name, and the Monastery of Saint Stephen was renamed the Monastery of Saint Theodora in 893; the monastery still stands in the centre of Thessalonica with her relics enshrined there. Although her primary commemoration in the Greek synaxaria is fixed at 29 August (the day of her repose), her uncovering and translation, with associated wonders, is also kept on 3 April; the New Calendar Slavonic and Antiochian usage commemorates her on 2 April with Saint Titus the Wonderworker.

Venerable Titus the Wonderworker

Saint Titus the Wonderworker labored in asceticism in the ninth century at the Studion Monastery near Constantinople. From his youth he displayed zeal for the monastic life, and at the Studion he gave himself to fasting, vigil and meekness of disposition, gaining the love of the brethren. At their request he was ordained hieromonk, and in time became abbot of his monastery.

Because of the purity of his soul and his virtuous life, God granted him the gift of working miracles. During the renewed iconoclast persecution he stood unswervingly for the holy icons, encouraging the brethren of the Studion and of other communities not to yield to the heresy. He remained steadfast in the Orthodox faith until the end of his life, and reposed in peace in old age in the ninth century. The synaxaria of Constantinople and of the Stoudios style him "the Wonderworker" both for his miracles in life and for the healings worked through his relics.

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 9.9-10.4

9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, 9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in stoutness of heart, 10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. 10The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place. 11Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; 11Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies, 12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 12the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

13Yet the people have not turned unto him that smote them, neither have they sought Jehovah of hosts.

13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. 14Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. 14Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 15The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 16For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 17Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

18For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns; yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. 19Through the wrath of Jehovah of hosts is the land burnt up; and the people are as the fuel of fire: no man spareth his brother. 20And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

1Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

1Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness; 2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! 2to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! 3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 4They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 7.1-5

1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

1And Jehovah said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 2Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. 2Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female: 3Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. 3of the birds also of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. 4For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the ground. 4For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

5And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. 5And Noah did according unto all that Jehovah commanded him.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 8.32-9.11

32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 32Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me; For blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favor of Jehovah. 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death. 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. 1Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:

1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: 3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 3She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 5Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. 7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.