Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Midfeast of Pentecost

Wednesday of the 4th Sunday of Pascha

24 days after Pascha · Tone 3 · Black squigg (6-stich typikon symbol) · Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosia of Tyre

307

The Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosia of Tyre suffered for Christ in the year 307 or 308 during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian and his successors, when she was only seventeen years of age. On the day of Holy Pascha she went to the praetorium at Caesarea in Palestine, where Christians condemned for the faith were held in chains, and she greeted them and asked them, when they should stand before the throne of God, to remember her in their prayers. The soldiers, seeing her bow before the prisoners, seized her and brought her before the governor Urban, who urged her to offer sacrifice to the idols. Saint Theodosia firmly confessed Christ. She was subjected to dreadful tortures: her sides and breasts were torn with iron claws until her bones were laid bare, all of which she bore in silence with marvellous courage. Asked again to renounce Christ, she replied, "Madman, I have been counted worthy to join the company of God's martyrs," and was thereupon cast into the sea, where she received the crown of martyrdom. The translation of her relics first to Constantinople and afterwards to Venice is also commemorated on 29 May, while her actual repose is kept on 3 April.

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosia the Nun of Constantinople

Saint Theodosia of Constantinople was born in the latter part of the seventh century in answer to the long prayers of her parents. Left an orphan in childhood, she was raised in the women's monastery of the holy Martyr Anastasia in Constantinople, and there received the angelic schema. With the inheritance left her by her parents she gave alms to the poor and commissioned gold and silver icons of the Saviour, of the Theotokos, and of Saint Anastasia, devoting her life to prayer and obedience. When the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian (717 to 741) issued his decree against the holy icons, an officer of the imperial guard was sent in 730 to remove the great bronze icon of Christ which had stood for four hundred years above the Bronze Gate of the imperial palace. Saint Theodosia and other women rushed to defend the icon and overturned the ladder upon which the soldier was climbing, and the soldier fell to his death. Saint Theodosia and her companions were arrested. For seven days she was scourged with one hundred lashes daily; on the eighth she was led through the city while being beaten without mercy, and at last a soldier struck her in the throat with a ram's horn, by which blow she gave up her soul to God. The faithful buried her relics with honour at the monastery of Saint Euphemia, and afterwards in the church of Saint Theodosia at Dexiokratis, where many wonders were wrought.

Saint Alexander, Archbishop of Alexandria

320

Saint Alexander, Archbishop of Alexandria, was born about the year 250, probably at Alexandria, and ruled the great Egyptian see from 313 until his repose in 328. He guided the Church of Alexandria as it emerged from the long persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian into the new freedom of the reign of Constantine the Great. Two great trials marked his episcopate, the renewal of the question of the proper date of Pascha, and the rise of the heresy of Arius, a presbyter of his church who denied the eternal divinity of the Son and proclaimed that there was a time when the Son was not. Saint Alexander summoned a synod at Alexandria in the year 320 which condemned the teaching of Arius, and he wrote and circulated encyclical letters warning the bishops of the East against the new heresy. When the emperor Constantine convoked the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325, Saint Alexander was a leader of the Orthodox Fathers, and he brought with him as his deacon the youthful Athanasius, whom he afterwards designated as his successor. He reposed five months after the Council, on 17 April 328, and is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on 29 May together with Saints Cyril and other patriarchs of the Egyptian see.

Saint John the Russian, the New Confessor

Saint John the Russian, the New Confessor, was born about the year 1690 in Little Russia and raised in piety and love for the Church of God. He served as a simple soldier in the army of Peter the Great and was taken prisoner by the Tatars during the Pruth campaign of 1711, after which he was sold to a Turkish cavalry officer who carried him home to the village of Procopion in Cappadocia of Asia Minor. There the Turks tried by threats and bribes to make their Christian captives convert to Islam, and many gave way; but Saint John, refusing to be moved by the promise of earthly comforts or the terror of beatings, replied that he was a Christian and would die a Christian, and asked only that he be allowed to perform the labour required of him. Set to work in the master's stable, he slept upon straw beside the horses, fasted continually, and spent the nights at prayer. The Lord softened the heart of his master, who eventually offered him his liberty, but the saint chose to remain a slave for Christ's sake. He reposed in peace on 27 May 1730, and his relics were soon found incorrupt. They are venerated to this day on the island of Euboea in Greece, where they were brought by his Greek countrymen who fled Asia Minor in 1924, and where countless miracles have been wrought through his prayers.

Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council

325

The council was called by the Emperor Constantine the Great and held in Nicea in 325. The teaching of the Alexandrian priest Arius — that Christ is not co-eternal with the Father, but is His divine creation — was attracting many followers throughout the empire, and the Emperor wished for a statement of correct doctrine from the Church. Present at the council were 318 holy hierarchs, including St Nicholas of Myra, St Athanasius the great, and St Spyridon. The council clearly condemned the Arian heresy, formulated the first version of the Symbol of Faith (often called the Nicene Creed), and propounded twenty canons. The Fathers of the Council are commemorated on the Sunday after Ascension.

The Fall of Constantinople; "Blessed Constantine XII, last of the Byzantine emperors, martyred by the Turks "

1453

On this date in 1453, Constantinople, the capital city of the Christian world, was sacked by the forces of Sultan Mehmet (Mohammed) II, bringing it under Turkish rule, where it remains to this day. Constantine XII, the last Byzantine Emperor, died defending the city. Sources are sharply divided as to whether he is to be counted as a Christian Martyr. The designation “Blessed Constantine”, above, is from the St Herman Calendar, whose compilers cite Russian martyrologies which list him as a saint. However, the Prologue cites the fall of Constantinople while pointedly omitting any praise of Constantine. He accepted (and never publicly renounced) the false “union” of Florence, and so is counted by some as a heretic. Many Orthodox Christians, including many of the people of Constantinople, saw the city’s fall as divine retribution for the Empire’s acceptance of the union. Before his death the Emperor donned soldier’s armor and helped to man the ramparts of the City; his body was never found. Though various legends abound, the most likely explanation is that he died with many other defenders and was cast with them into a common grave.

Also commemorated: Rep. Bl. John of Ustiug

Daily readings

Vespers

OT — Composite 19 - Micah 4.2-3, 5; 6.2-5, 8; 5.4, 5

Thus says the Lord: From Sion will come forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he will judge among many peoples and rebuke mighty nations in a distant land. For all the peoples will walk, each its own way, while we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever. Thus says the Lord Almighty: Listen hills and valleys, foundations of the earth, because the Lord has a controversy with his people; for he will dispute with Israel, saying, ‘My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Or how have I troubled you? Answer me. For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and rescued you from the house of slavery, and sent Moses and Aaron before your face. My people, what have your enemies planned against you? Was it not told you, O man, what is good? And what does the Lord seek from you, except to execute judgement, and to love mercy and to be ready to walk with the Lord your God?’ Therefore the Lord will be magnified in strength, and will shepherd his flock in peace, to the extremities of the earth.

Vespers

OT — Composite 20 - Isaiah 55.1; 12.3-4; 55.2-13

Thus says the Lord: You who thirst, go to the water; and all who have no money, go, buy and eat and drink wine and fat without money or price. For thus says the Lord Almighty to you: My people, draw water with joy from the springs of salvation. And you will say in that day: Praise the Lord, cry his name aloud, declare his glory among the nations, call to mind that his name has been exalted. My people, hear me, and eat good things, and your soul will delight in good things. Attend with your ears and follow my ways. Listen to me and your soul will live among good things. And I will make an eternal covenant with you, and you will call upon me. And when you draw near me, let the impious abandon his ways, and the lawless man his plans; and turn back to me and I will have mercy on you and forgive your sins. For your plans are not as my plans, says the Lord; but as heaven is distant from the earth, so is my way distant from your ways, and your thoughts from my mind. For as rain or snow would come down from heaven and not return there, until it had soaked the earth, and it bring forth and bud and give seed to the sower, and bread for food, so shall my word be, which once it has come from my mouth will not return there until it has accomplished all that I willed; and I will make my ways and my commands succeed. For you will go out with joy, and be taught with gladness; for the mountains and hills will exult as they receive you with joy; and all the trees of the field will clap with their branches; and instead of the briar shall come up the cypress; instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle; and the Lord shall be for a name and for an eternal sign, says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 9.1-11

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 wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of 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. ⁶Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. ⁶Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh 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 just man, and he will increase in learning. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous 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.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 14.6-18

⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: ⁶they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: ⁷And there they preached the gospel. ⁷and there they preached the gospel.

⁸And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

⁸And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. ⁹The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, ⁹The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, ¹⁰said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. ¹⁰Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. ¹¹And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. ¹¹And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. ¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. ¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. ¹³And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. ¹⁴Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, ¹⁴But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: ¹⁵And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: ¹⁶who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁶Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. ¹⁷And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. ¹⁸And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them. ¹⁸And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 7.14-30

¹⁴Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

¹⁴But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. ¹⁵And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? ¹⁵The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? ¹⁶Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. ¹⁶Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. ¹⁷If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. ¹⁷If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. ¹⁸He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. ¹⁸He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. ¹⁹Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me? ¹⁹Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? ²⁰The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? ²⁰The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee? ²¹Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. ²¹Jesus answered and said unto them, I did one work, and ye all marvel because thereof. ²²Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. ²²Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man. ²³If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? ²³If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath? ²⁴Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. ²⁴Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

²⁵Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill? ²⁵Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? ²⁶And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ? ²⁶But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? ²⁷Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. ²⁷Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is. ²⁸Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. ²⁸Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. ²⁹But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. ²⁹I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me. ³⁰Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. ³⁰They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Epistle

— Blessing of Waters

Hebrews — Hebrews 2.11-18

¹¹For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹¹For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹²saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. ¹²Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

¹³And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me. ¹³And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. ¹⁴Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁴Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁵And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham. ¹⁶For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ¹⁷Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. ¹⁸For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Gospel

— Blessing of Waters

John — John 5.1-4

¹After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

¹After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

²Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. ²Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. ³In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. ³In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered. ⁴For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. ⁴