Thursday, 18 April 2024

Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

17 days before Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy new martyr John of Ioannina

1526

He moved as a young man to Constantinople to work as a craftsman. After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople, many Christians had denied Christ and embraced Islam. John spoke with many of these about the Faith and challenged them for their betrayal of Christ. Shamed and angered, some of them had him arrested, falsely stating that he had earlier accepted Islam and then returned to Christianity, which is punishable by death in Islamic law. He was tortured and cast into prison. When he was brought out for more torture on the day of Pascha, John came forward full of joy and singing ‘Christ is risen from the dead!’ To his torturers he cried, ‘Do what you will to me, and send me as quickly as possible from this transient life into life eternal. I am Christ’s servant; I follow Christ, and I die for Christ that I may live with Him.’ He has bound in chains and taken to be burned, but when he ran joyfully into the fire, his tormentors pulled him from the flames and beheaded him instead, then threw his head and body into the fire. Christians were able to gather a few of his wonderworking relics and bury them in the Great Church in Constantinople.

Saint Cosmas, bishop of Chalcedon, and Saint Auxentius

Saint Cosmas, bishop of Chalcedon, and his fellow ascetic Saint Auxentius lived during the ninth century at the time when the iconoclast emperors were oppressing the Orthodox Church for its veneration of the holy icons. While still in his youth Cosmas had entered a monastery and received monastic tonsure, devoting himself to the ascetic life. There he was joined in spiritual brotherhood by Saint Auxentius, who became his close companion in labour and prayer. In due course Cosmas was consecrated bishop of Chalcedon, where he zealously defended the Orthodox faith against the iconoclast heretics. When the emperor Leo the Armenian (813 to 820) issued his decree ordering the holy icons to be removed from the churches, Cosmas refused to obey, declaring that to dishonour the image of Christ and his saints was to dishonour Christ himself. For this confession he was driven from his see, beaten and exiled to a harsh prison, where he endured many sufferings. His friend Auxentius shared in his exile and torments, encouraging the bishop in patience and remaining at his side until the end. Cosmas reposed in confession of the truth, and Auxentius soon followed him. The Orthodox have ever since honoured them together as confessors who suffered for the holy icons.

Venerable Athanasia, abbess of Aegina

Saint Athanasia was born on the island of Aegina in the early ninth century to a pious Christian family, her parents being named Nicetas and Marina. At the age of seven she had already learned the Psalter, which she read constantly and with feeling. While working at the loom one day she beheld a shining star descending from above which touched her bosom and lit up all her being before disappearing; from that moment her soul was illumined and she resolved to enter the monastic life. When she reached the age of sixteen, her parents prevailed upon her to marry, but only sixteen days after the wedding her husband was killed by Saracen raiders who descended on Aegina. Then the emperor Michael the Stammerer (820 to 829) issued an edict commanding all young widows and unmarried women to take husbands; in obedience she married a second time, but after some years her husband, persuaded by her holy life, embraced the monastic state and gave her his blessing to do the same. She gathered a community of women on Aegina and was chosen as their abbess. She wore a hair shirt under coarse sheep's wool, slept little, prayed through the night, and ate only bread and water. God granted her the gifts of healing and prophecy, and from the offerings brought by the faithful she built three churches, dedicated to the Theotokos, the Forerunner and Saint Nicholas. Fleeing fame, she went to Constantinople and lived as a simple nun for seven years before being persuaded to return. She reposed about the year 860 on this day in the Greek usage; the Slavonic churches commemorate her on 12 April.

Venerable John, disciple of Saint Gregory of Decapolis

Saint John, the disciple of Saint Gregory of Decapolis, became a monk while still young, having been drawn to the life of prayer and silence by the holiness of his master. He received the monastic tonsure from Gregory at a monastery in Thessalonica and placed himself wholly under his guidance, attaining great spiritual perfection through obedience, fasting and ceaseless prayer. When the emperor Leo the Armenian (813 to 820) renewed the persecution against the Orthodox for their veneration of the holy icons, Saint Gregory of Decapolis, his disciple John, and Saint Joseph the Hymnographer travelled together from Thessalonica to Constantinople to oppose the iconoclast heresy and to strengthen the faithful in the imperial city. There they endured many hardships and dangers for the sake of the holy images. After the repose of Saint Gregory, John remained in Constantinople with Saint Joseph and was made abbot of the monastery of Saints Antipas and Mokios, also called the monastery of Decapolis, where Gregory had laboured. Under his guidance the brethren grew in virtue and zeal for Orthodoxy. He reposed peacefully about the year 820, before the final triumph of the holy icons, and was buried beside his beloved teacher Gregory.

Also commemorated: Presanctified Liturgy

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 42.5-16

⁵Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

⁵Thus saith God Jehovah, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad the earth and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: ⁶I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; ⁶I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; ⁷To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. ⁷to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house. ⁸I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. ⁸I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images. ⁹Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. ⁹Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. ¹⁰Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

¹⁰Sing unto Jehovah a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. ¹¹Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. ¹¹Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. ¹²Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. ¹²Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare his praise in the islands.

¹³The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. ¹³Jehovah will go forth as a mighty man; he will stir up his zeal like a man of war: he will cry, yea, he will shout aloud; he will do mightily against his enemies. ¹⁴I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

¹⁴I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together. ¹⁵I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools. ¹⁵I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. ¹⁶And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; in paths that they know not will I lead them; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things will I do, and I will not forsake them. ¹⁶And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 18.20-33

²⁰And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; ²⁰And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; ²¹I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. ²¹I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. ²²And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

²²And the men turned from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before Jehovah.

²³And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? ²³And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? ²⁴Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? ²⁵That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? ²⁵That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? ²⁶And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. ²⁶And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake. ²⁷And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: ²⁷And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes: ²⁸peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five. ²⁸Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. ²⁹And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty’s sake. ²⁹And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. ³⁰And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. ³⁰And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. ³¹And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake. ³¹And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. ³²And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. ³²And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake. ³³And Jehovah went his way, as soon as he had left off communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. ³³And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 16.17-17.17

¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. ¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. ¹⁸Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁸Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. ¹⁹Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. ²⁰He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. ²⁰He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he. ²¹The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. ²¹The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. ²²Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. ²²Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly. ²³The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. ²³The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. ²⁴Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. ²⁴Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. ²⁵There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ²⁵There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. ²⁶He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. ²⁶The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto. ²⁷A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

²⁷An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. ²⁸A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends. ²⁸A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. ²⁹A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

²⁹A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. ³⁰He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. ³⁰He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass. ³¹The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. ³¹The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness. ³²He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. ³²He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. ³³The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah. ³³The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. ¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. ²A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. ²A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. ³The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. ³The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. ⁴An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. ⁴A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. ⁵Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. ⁵Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. ⁶Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. ⁶Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. ⁷Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. ⁷Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince. ⁸A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. ⁸A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. ⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. ⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends. ¹⁰A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool. ¹⁰A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ¹¹An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ¹¹An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. ¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. ¹³Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. ¹³Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. ¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. ¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. ¹⁵He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. ¹⁵He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. ¹⁶Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? ¹⁶Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? ¹⁷A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ¹⁷A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.