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Monday, 15 April 2024

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

20 days before Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Sabbas the Goth

372

In the kingdom of Wallachia (in modern-day Romania) the Goths undertook a brutal persecution of Christians. A Gothic prince came to the village of Buzau and asked the villagers if any Christians lived there. They swore to him that there were none. At this, Sabbas came before the Prince and said ‘Let no one swear an oath on my behalf. I am a Christian.’ Touched by his courage, the prince let Sabbas go, saying ‘This one can do neither harm nor good.’ The following year a priest named Sansal came to the village and celebrated Pascha with Sabbas (who was truly the only Christian there). When the pagans heard of this, they attacked Sabbas’ house and seized both men. They dragged Sabbas naked through thorns, then tied both him and Sansal to trees and tried to make them eat meat offered to idols. Neither man would touch the sacrifices. The prince then sentenced Sabbas to death and gave him over to the soldiers. Sabbas walked to the place of execution joyfully, singing and praising God. Seeing his goodness, the soldiers tried to free him on the way, but Sabbas refused, telling them that it was their duty to carry out the prince’s command. The soldiers took him to a river, tied a rock to his neck and cast him into the waters, where he gave back his soul to God. Some Christians later recovered his body and gave it honorable burial. The saint was 31 years old at the time of his martyrdom. In the reign of the Emperor Valens, the Greek commander Ionnios Soranos found the Saint’s body during a war against the Goths, and took it to Cappadocia.

Holy apostles Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus of the Seventy

These three apostles, all numbered among the Seventy whom Christ sent forth to preach the Gospel, are commemorated together on this day for their faithful labours alongside the chief apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Aristarchus, who hailed from Thessalonica, became bishop of the Syrian city of Apamea. He is mentioned repeatedly in the Acts of the Apostles and in the epistles of Saint Paul, accompanying the apostle to the nations on his missionary journeys and sharing in his imprisonments. Saint Pudens occupied a high position as a member of the Roman Senate. He received the apostles Peter and Paul into his home, which became a gathering place for believing Christians in Rome and is traditionally regarded as the site of one of the earliest house churches in the imperial city. Saint Trophimus came from Edessa and is named in the Book of Acts as a companion of the apostle Paul. He shared with Paul all the sorrows and persecutions of the apostolic mission. All three suffered martyrdom for Christ at Rome under the emperor Nero (54 to 68), being beheaded together with Paul during the persecution which claimed the apostle of the gentiles.

Holy martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome

The holy women Basilissa and Anastasia were Roman matrons of high rank and considerable wealth who were converted to the faith of Christ by the preaching of the apostles Peter and Paul, and tradition holds that the chief apostles themselves baptised them. They became disciples and devoted spiritual daughters of the apostles and accompanied them throughout their labours in Rome. After Peter and Paul were martyred under Nero, Basilissa and Anastasia gathered up the bodies of the apostles and gave them honourable burial. They went on to seek out and bury the remains of other Christians who had perished in the Neronian persecution, considering it a sacred duty to honour the bodies of the holy martyrs. For this work of mercy they were arrested and brought before the emperor. Refusing utterly to renounce Christ, they endured fearful tortures: their tongues were torn out, their flesh was lacerated with iron hooks and burned with fire, and finally they were beheaded with the sword in the year 68. Their relics are preserved in Rome at the church of Santa Maria della Pace, and the two are honoured as patron saints of tailors.

Saint Leonidas, bishop of Athens

Saint Leonidas was bishop of Athens during the middle of the third century. The brief notices preserved in the Greek synaxaria record that he shepherded the ancient Christian community of the city with apostolic zeal and that he reposed in peace around the year 250, though some accounts speak of him as suffering for the faith. The historical details of his episcopate have not been preserved in any extended life. Athens, having received the gospel from the apostle Paul on the Areopagus and counting Saint Dionysius the Areopagite as its first bishop, continued to produce holy hierarchs throughout the early centuries of persecution, and Leonidas is remembered among them. His name was preserved in the diptychs of the Church of Athens and in Byzantine liturgical books, and he is venerated together with another martyr Leonidas commemorated the following day, with whom he is sometimes confused in later sources. Orthodox tradition has long maintained the distinct memory of Leonidas the bishop of Athens on this day.

Saint Sava of Buzău

Saint Sava the Goth, also called Sava of Buzău, was born in 334 to Christian parents in a village in the Buzău valley of what is now Romania, and he is honoured as the earliest known native-born martyr on Romanian soil. The Arian bishop Wulfilas had preached Christianity among the Goths who had settled north of the Danube, and Sava was among those baptised into the faith. He led a virtuous life: devout, peaceful, temperate, simple and quiet. He avoided marriage and lived in chastity, spending his days in prayer, often singing in church and devoting himself to its welfare. He preached Christ boldly among his neighbours. When the Gothic princes and judges, urged on by the pagan priests, began a persecution of Christians and demanded that they eat meat offered to idols, Sava refused. After being seized a third time, he was condemned and drowned in the river Buzău by being weighted with a piece of wood. He suffered on 12 April 372 at the age of thirty-eight; in the Greek and Romanian usage his memory is kept on 15 April. The Christian commander Junius Saran later carried his relics to Cappadocia, where they were received by Saint Basil the Great. Sava's authentic Acts of Martyrdom, written soon after his death, are among the most important documents of early Gothic Christianity.

Also commemorated: Apostles of the Seventy Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 37.33-38.6

33Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.

33Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. 34By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come unto this city, saith Jehovah. 35For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 35For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

36And the angel of Jehovah went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 37So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

37So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 38And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead. 38And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, 3And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 3and said, Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

4Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, 4Then came the word of Jehovah to Isaiah, saying, 5Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. 5Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. 6And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city. 6And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 13.12-18

12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 12Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. 13Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly.

14And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

14And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward: 15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 15for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then may thy seed also be numbered. 17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it. 18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. 18And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 14.27-15.4

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 27The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 30A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones. 31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him. 31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death. 32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known. 34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 34Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people. 35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. 35The king’s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be against him that causeth shame. 1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly. 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.