Friday, 7 June 2024

Friday of the 5th Sunday of Pascha

33 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Marcellinus, pope of Rome, and his companions

Saint Marcellinus served as bishop of Rome from 296 to 304, during the most violent of the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. According to the tradition recorded in the Eastern synaxaria, when arrested and threatened with the most terrible tortures he weakened, burned incense and offered sacrifice to the idols, and was rewarded by the emperor with rich robes and the title of friend. Yet he was at once filled with remorse, and clothing himself in sackcloth and ashes he came before a council of bishops, confessed his sin and asked to be judged. They did not dare to depose him; instead the holy pope went out to the persecutors and openly confessed Christ, denouncing his earlier fall. Filled with rage, the emperor had him cruelly tortured and beheaded in 304. With him suffered three faithful companions, Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus, who had encouraged him in his repentance and went to the sword with him. Saint Marcellinus is honoured by the Church as one whose deep repentance was crowned with the martyr's wreath.

Hieromartyr Theodotus, bishop of Ancyra

303

Saint Theodotus, who is sometimes called the Innkeeper because of the hospice he kept in his own city, lived at Ancyra in Galatia at the height of the persecution under Diocletian. A married Christian of generous spirit, he provided refuge in his house for those fleeing the persecutors, paid the bail of imprisoned Christians, visited and comforted captives, and gave honourable burial to martyrs whose bodies had been thrown to the wild beasts. When the seven holy virgins of Ancyra, including Saint Tecusa, were drowned in a lake by the governor's orders, Theodotus by night recovered their bodies and buried them. For this and for his open confession of Christ he was arrested, charged with denouncing the folly of paganism and refusing to sacrifice. After dreadful tortures he was beheaded by the sword in the year 303. His name was later joined to the see of Ancyra by tradition, since he is honoured among the chief shepherds and martyrs of that city.

Holy Martyr Zenais of Caesarea in Palestine

Saint Zenais, also called Zenaida, was born about the year 284 at Caesarea in Palestine. From the time of her youth she was distinguished by ardent love for Christ and by a life of prayer, chastity and works of mercy. The Lord granted her the grace of working miracles, by which she healed the sick, drove out unclean spirits, and brought many of her unbelieving neighbours to the faith. For her open confession of Christ during the persecutions of the early fourth century she was tortured and finally crowned with martyrdom. Her veneration spread early to Constantinople, where a church dedicated to her was built in the Basiliskos quarter, and her name is recorded both in Eastern synaxaria and in old Western martyrologies on this day.

Holy Virgin Martyr Calliope

250

Saint Calliope, whose name means "of the beautiful voice," lived during the reign of the emperor Decius (249 to 251) and was distinguished for her natural beauty and her steadfast Christian faith. Having dedicated her virginity to Christ, she rejected many proposals of marriage. One persistent suitor, enraged by her refusals, denounced her to the local governor as a Christian. Standing before the tribunal, Calliope confessed her faith without hesitation. She was scourged so severely that her flesh was torn, her breasts were cut off and an angel of the Lord appeared in her cell to heal her wounds. She was then dragged across broken pottery, burned with fire, sprinkled with salt and rubbed with hair-cloth. None of these torments could shake her resolve, and at last she was beheaded for the name of Christ in the year 250.

Hieromartyr Marcellinus, pope of Rome

304

“When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: ‘Let him judge himself.’ Then he said: ‘I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.’ Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope’s body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus’ body, saying: ‘Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.’ ” (Prologue)

St Daniel of Skete in Egypt

5th c.

He was a disciple of St Arsenios the great and abbot of the Scetis in Egypt (the monastic system known as the “Skete” takes its name from Scetis). He lived the communal monastic life for forty years, then in 420 retired to the desert, where he remained until his repose. From the Prologue: “A saint has a very sensitive conscience. What ordinary people may consider a small sin, a saint sees as a great crime. It is said of Abba Daniel that highwaymen attacked him on three occasions and took him off to the mountains. Twice he was rescued, but the third time, in attempting to escape, he struck one of them with a stone and killed him, and then made his escape. That murder lay on his conscience like a lead weight. In perplexity as to what he should do, he went to Timothy, the Patriarch of Alexandria, and asked his advice. The Patriarch soothed him, and released him from all penance. But his conscience continued to gnaw at him, and he went to Rome, to the Pope. The Pope gave him the same reply as had the Patriarch. Still dissatisfied, Daniel visited the remaining patriarchs in turn; going to Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem, confessing to each of them and asking for advice. But he could find no peace. So he returned home to Alexandria and declared himself to the authorities as a murderer, and was flung into prison. At his trial before the governor, Daniel told how everything had come about, and pleaded that he might be killed too, that his soul might be saved from eternal fire. The governor was amazed at the whole thing, and said to him: ‘Go your way, Father, and pray to God for me, even if you kill seven more!’ Still dissatisfied with this, Daniel resolved to take a leper into his cell and care for him until he died, and then find another. He did as he had resolved, and in this way brought peace to his conscience.”

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 15.5-34

⁵But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses. ⁵But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

⁶And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

⁶And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. ⁷And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

⁷And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; ⁸And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; ⁹and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ⁹And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹⁰Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they. ¹¹But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

¹²Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹²And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

¹³And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

¹³And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ¹⁴Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁴Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: ¹⁶After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: ¹⁷That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, ¹⁷That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. ¹⁸Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁸Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.

¹⁹Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; ¹⁹Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: ²⁰but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. ²⁰But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ²¹For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. ²¹For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²²Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: ²³and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: ²⁴Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; ²⁴Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: ²⁵It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁵it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁶men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁷We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. ²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; ²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ²⁹That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. ²⁹that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

³⁰So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. ³⁰So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: ³¹Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. ³¹And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. ³²And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. ³²And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. ³³And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. ³³And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. ³⁴Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. ³⁴

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 10.17-28

¹⁷Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. ¹⁷Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. ¹⁸No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father. ¹⁸No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

¹⁹There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.

¹⁹There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. ²⁰And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? ²⁰And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him? ²¹Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? ²¹Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

²²And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: ²³And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ²³it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ²⁴The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly. ²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. ²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, these bear witness of me. ²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. ²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. ²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. ²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁸and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.