Wednesday, 17 April 2024

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

18 days before Pascha · Tone 4 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Presanctified Liturgy

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him

343

The Holy Symeon was bishop of the royal cities of Seleucia and Ctesiphon in Persia, during a great persecution under King Sapor II. The king had been incited by (Zoroastrian) Magi jealous of the growth of the Faith in their territory, and by some Jews living in Persia. The king was already displeased with the holy bishop: his eunuch, Ustazan, a secret Christian, had denied Christ, but when reprimanded by Symeon, had confessed the Faith before the King, for which he was executed. On Holy Friday of 343 Symeon, along with at least a hundred other servants of the Church, was sent out to be slain. Symeon exhorted each to be of good courage, and was himself slain last. One year later, again on Holy Friday, the King’s eunuch Azat was executed for Christ, along with a great number of the faithful. It is said that more than 1,000 Christians died as martyrs during this persecution. The Zoroastrians still live in parts of Iran as a small, somewhat persecuted minority under the Islamic government.

Hieromartyr Symeon, bishop in Persia

Saint Symeon was bishop of the royal Persian cities of Seleucia and Ctesiphon during the persecution unleashed by king Sapor II (310 to 381). As the Christian community in Persia grew, building churches and ordaining clergy, the Magi who guarded the old religion of the fire-worshippers, joined by certain of the Jews, accused Symeon to the king of being a friend and spy of the Roman emperor. In 344 Sapor issued an edict imposing a heavy double tax upon Christians; when many refused to pay, the king regarded their refusal as rebellion and began a fierce persecution of the Church. Symeon, brought before Sapor in chains, refused to worship the sun or to bow to the king. He was cast into prison together with many of his clergy and people. On Great Friday of that year a great host of martyrs were beheaded before his eyes: bishops, presbyters, deacons and lay people, two of whom were the eunuchs Usthazanes, the king's foster-father, and Pousikios, head of the royal artisans. Saint Symeon comforted each one as they bowed beneath the sword, and when all had been slain he himself was the last to lay his head on the block. The faithful of his church record that one thousand one hundred and fifty martyrs perished with him for the name of Christ. His commemoration is kept on this day, although his actual repose was on Great Friday, 17 April 344.

Saint Agapitus, pope of Rome

Saint Agapitus, also called Agapetus, was bishop of Rome from 13 May 535 until his death in 536. The son of a Roman priest named Gordianus, he was of noble Roman birth and served as archdeacon of the Roman Church before his election to the chair of Peter. Though his pontificate lasted less than a year, he served the Church through some of its most testing times. His first official act was to burn before the assembled clergy the anathema which his predecessor Boniface II had pronounced against his rival Dioscurus, restoring peace to the divided clergy. King Theodahad of the Ostrogoths, fearing the imperial fleet that Justinian was preparing against him, begged Agapitus to undertake an embassy to Constantinople and persuade the emperor to spare Italy. Agapitus, having been compelled to pawn the sacred vessels of the Roman Church to finance the journey, arrived in the imperial city in February 536. There he confronted the patriarch Anthimus, whom he found to be a Monophysite who had unlawfully been transferred from the see of Trebizond to Constantinople. Agapitus deposed Anthimus and personally consecrated his lawful successor Mennas, the first time a Roman bishop performed such a consecration in the East. Shortly afterwards he reposed in Constantinople on 22 April 536; his body was brought back to Rome and buried in Saint Peter's. His feast in the East is kept on 17 April.

Saint Makarios Notaras, archbishop of Corinth

Saint Makarios was born at Trikala of Corinth in 1731 to devout parents descended from the famous Notaras family of Constantinople, his father George being a leading citizen of the region and his mother Anastasia a woman of deep piety. In holy baptism he received the name Michael. From his early years he was drawn to the solitary life and once fled secretly to the Great Cave Monastery, but his father brought him home, where he devoted himself to the study of the holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers. For six years he taught the young people of Corinth without payment. After the death of his godfather, Archbishop Parthenios of Corinth, in 1764, the clergy and people prevailed on Patriarch Samuel of Constantinople to consecrate Michael, still a layman, as their bishop. Receiving the various ranks of orders he was raised to the throne of Corinth and given the name Makarios. He purged the diocese of unworthy clergy, replacing them with virtuous and qualified men, while sending those needing formation to be trained at the monasteries. When the Russo-Turkish war broke out in 1768 he was forced to flee to Zakynthos, then to Hydra, and afterwards he travelled to Mount Athos and to Patmos in pursuit of the contemplative life. There, in collaboration with Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite, he gathered the writings of the holy fathers on prayer of the heart and edited the great five-volume Philokalia, first published at Venice in 1782. He also produced the Evergetinos and an edition of Saint Symeon the New Theologian. He was a chief promoter of the movement for frequent communion. Suffering a stroke in 1804, he reposed in peace at Chios on 17 April 1805.

Venerable Akakios, bishop of Melitene

Saint Akakios was a man of great learning and piety who was raised to the episcopal throne of Melitene in Armenia after the repose of his predecessor Saint Otreios. Known for his upright life and sound teaching, he was numbered among the bishops who took part in the Third Ecumenical Council, held at Ephesus in 431, where he stood firmly with Saint Cyril of Alexandria in the defence of the unity of the person of Christ and the divine motherhood of the Theotokos against the teaching of Nestorius. He was a friend and spiritual father of Saint Euthymius the Great, whom he had received as a young man into the clergy of Melitene; and his counsel guided several of the leading hierarchs and ascetics of the eastern Church in his generation. Akakios shepherded his see with quiet wisdom, building churches, caring for the poor, and reconciling those who had been separated from the Church by the heretical preaching of his day. He reposed peacefully about the year 435. His relics were later uncovered and his memory honoured both on this day and on 15 September, when the discovery of his relics is commemorated.

Also commemorated: Ven. Zosima of Solovetsk

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 41.4-14

⁴Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. ⁴Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he. ⁵The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come. ⁵The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came. ⁶They help every one his neighbor; and every one saith to his brother, Be of good courage. ⁶They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. ⁷So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. ⁷So the carpenter encourageth the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and he fasteneth it with nails, that it should not be moved. ⁸But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

⁸But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend, ⁹Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. ⁹thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away; ¹⁰fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

¹⁰Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ¹¹Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. ¹¹Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be put to shame and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish. ¹²Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. ¹²Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. ¹³For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. ¹³For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. ¹⁴Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. ¹⁴Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith Jehovah, and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 17.1-9

¹And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

¹And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ²And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. ²And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. ³And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, ³And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

⁴As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. ⁴As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. ⁵Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. ⁵Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee. ⁶And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. ⁶And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. ⁷And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

⁷And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. ⁸And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. ⁸And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

⁹And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

⁹And God said unto Abraham, And as for thee, thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 15.20-16.9 (LXX)

²⁰A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother. ²⁰A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. ²¹Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going. ²¹Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. ²²Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. ²²Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established. ²³A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it! ²³A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! ²⁴To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath. ²⁴The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. ²⁵The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. ²⁵Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow. ²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. ²⁶Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure. ²⁷He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. ²⁷He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live. ²⁸The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. ²⁸The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. ²⁹Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat. ³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. ³¹The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. ³¹The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise. ³²He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. ³²He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding. ³³The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility. ³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

¹The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. ¹The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. ²All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits. ²All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. ³Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. ³Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established. ⁴The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. ⁴Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. ⁵Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. ⁵Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. ⁶By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. ⁶By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil. ⁷When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁷When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁸Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. ⁸Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice. ⁹A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. ⁹A man’s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.