Wednesday, 8 May 2024

Holy Apostle John the Theologian

Bright Wednesday

3 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian

Saint John, the beloved disciple of the Lord, was the youngest of the twelve apostles, son of Zebedee the Galilean fisherman and Salome, and brother of Saint James. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three canonical epistles, and the Book of Revelation. After the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, whom he had cared for as son, he laboured at Ephesus, where he preached the Gospel, suffered exile to Patmos under Domitian, and there received the apocalyptic visions. Returning to Ephesus, he survived all the other apostles and reposed peacefully at a great age, the only apostle not to die a martyr. According to tradition, when John was over a hundred years old he took seven of his disciples outside the town of Ephesus and ordered them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. The elder went down into the grave and was buried; when the faithful afterwards opened it, they did not find his body. While his principal feast falls on 26 September, the Church commemorates him on 8 May because of an annual miracle at his tomb: a fine red dust, which the faithful call the holy manna, is raised up from the grave each year on this day, and through the prayers of the apostle the sick are healed by it.

Saint Emilian the confessor, bishop of Cyzicus

Saint Emilian lived during the iconoclast persecution under the Emperor Leo the Armenian. As bishop of Cyzicus he was a zealous defender of the holy icons and stood firmly against the imperial decrees that ordered their removal. Summoned to the capital with other hierarchs, he refused to subscribe to the iconoclast position and reproached the emperor to his face for fighting against the tradition of the Church. For this he was deposed from his see and exiled to a remote place, where he endured many torments and afflictions. He reposed in confession of the holy faith about the year 820. Some calendars place him on 8 August, but he is also commemorated together with the other defenders of the icons on 8 May.

Venerable Arsenius the Great

Saint Arsenius was born in Rome about the year 354 to a pious Christian senatorial family which gave him an excellent education in rhetoric and philosophy and in both Latin and Greek. Ordained deacon by Pope Damasus, he was sent at the wishes of the Emperor Theodosius the Great to Constantinople around 383 to serve as tutor to the imperial sons Arcadius and Honorius. He laboured at the imperial court for some eleven years, but his soul yearned for stillness, and he prayed earnestly for guidance. One day he heard a voice saying, "Arsenius, flee from men, and you shall be saved." Putting off his rich garments and replacing them with old and tattered ones, he secretly left the palace, took ship for Alexandria, and made his way to Sketis in the Egyptian desert. There he was received by Saint John the Dwarf at the recommendation of Saint Macarius the Great. To his earlier prayer for guidance was added a second saying given him from heaven: "Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the sources of sinlessness." He kept silence and seclusion with such severity that he became among the most highly regarded of the desert fathers, and his contemporaries surnamed him the Great. When the Mazices raided Sketis around the year 434 he withdrew to Troe near Memphis, and to Canopus near Alexandria, before returning to Troe to repose about the year 445 at the age of around ninety-five.

Our Righteous Father Arsenios the Great

449

He is one of the original and most honored Desert Fathers. Born of a noble family, he was a deacon and a courtier in Constantinople. One day he heard a voice saying “Arsenios, flee from men, and thou shalt be saved.” He left the capital in secret and sailed to Alexandria, then journeyed to Skete in the Egyptian desert, where he became a monk. For years he was the disciple of St John the Dwarf. Even though he had already abandoned the world so dramatically, after some time in the desert he again heard a voice saying, “Arsenios, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the causes of sinning not.” He then separated himself from his brother monks and lived as a hermit, practicing silence. It was told of him that, on Saturday evenings, he would stand, turn his back to the setting sun, raise his hands in prayer, and pray without sitting down until the sun shone on his face the following morning. A monk who came to visit him looked into his cell and saw Arsenios at prayer, his entire body glowing like a flame. He reposed in peace at the age of ninety-five.

St Emilia, mother of Sts Macrina, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and Theosevia

375

She bore nine children, and imparted her Christian faith so effectively that five of them are counted as Saints of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, Macrina and Theosevia. In her old age she founded a monastery, and lived in it with her daughter Macrina until her repose.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 3.21-4.6

²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; ²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. ²²and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. ²²And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. ²³And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. ²³And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. ²⁴And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. ²⁴And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. ³and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. ⁴Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. ⁴Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. ⁵They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁵They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁶We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. ⁶We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.11-16

¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ¹²No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: ¹²No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. ¹³hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹³Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. ¹⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.20-5.5

²⁰If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. ²⁰If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? ²¹And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. ²¹And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. ²Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ⁴For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. ⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Matins Gospel

John — John 21.15-25

¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

¹⁵So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁶He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ¹⁹This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. ¹⁹Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. ²⁰Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? ²⁰Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? ²¹Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? ²¹Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? ²²Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. ²²Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. ²³Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? ²³This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? ²⁴This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁴This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. ²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 2.22-36

²²Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

²²Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; ²³him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: ²³Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁴Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁵For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope: ²⁶Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption. ²⁷Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. ²⁸Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

²⁹Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. ³⁰Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³⁰Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³¹he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³²This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ³³Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. ³⁴For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁴For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁵Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

Epistle

— St John

1 John — 1 John 1.1-7

¹That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

¹That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ²(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); ²(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) ³that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: ³That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴and these things we write, that our joy may be made full. ⁴And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

⁵And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

⁵This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: ⁷but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 1.35-51

³⁵Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

³⁵Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; ³⁶And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ³⁶and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! ³⁷And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ³⁷And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? ³⁸And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou? ³⁹He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. ³⁹He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. ⁴⁰One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴⁰One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. ⁴¹He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). ⁴²And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. ⁴²He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

⁴³The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

⁴³On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. ⁴⁴Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ⁴⁵Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ⁴⁶And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. ⁴⁶And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. ⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! ⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! ⁴⁸Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. ⁴⁸Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. ⁴⁹Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. ⁴⁹Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel. ⁵⁰Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. ⁵⁰Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. ⁵¹And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ⁵¹And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Gospel

— St John

John — John 19.25-27, 21.24-25

²⁵Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

²⁵These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! ²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! ²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. ²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. ²⁴This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁴This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. ²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.