← Prev Today Next →

Saturday, 29 June 2024

Leavetaking of Pentecost; Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Saturday of the 1st week after Pentecost

55 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Red cross circle (great feast typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy glorious and all-praised chief Apostles Peter and Paul

Today the Church of Christ keeps with the highest solemnity the holy and glorious chief Apostles Peter and Paul, the two coryphaei of the apostolic choir, who poured out their blood for the Lord at Rome on the same day in the persecution of Nero about the year 67. Saint Peter, called Simon son of Jonah, was a Galilean fisherman from Bethsaida, brother of the Apostle Andrew the First-called, who was given by the Lord the new name Cephas, that is the Rock, and on that confession of his faith Christ promised to build His Church and entrusted to him the keys of the Kingdom. Of all the Apostles he was the most ardent and the most ready to speak; he denied his Master thrice in the courtyard of the high priest, but after his bitter weeping and the threefold question by the sea of Tiberias he was confirmed again as shepherd of the lambs and sheep of Christ. He preached in Judaea, Antioch, the cities of Asia Minor and Greece, and at the last in Rome, where he was crucified head downwards, accounting himself unworthy to suffer in the same manner as the Lord. Saint Paul, called Saul before his conversion, was born of the tribe of Benjamin in Tarsus of Cilicia, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and zealous for the law of his fathers; he persecuted the Church even unto Damascus, until on the road there a great light from heaven shone about him at midday and the voice of the Lord said, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me. Blinded for three days, he was baptised by Ananias, and from that hour became the chosen vessel to bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Through three great missionary journeys he founded churches across Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, Crete and the islands; he wrote fourteen of the holy Epistles which are read in the Church to this day; and at length, brought as a prisoner to Rome, he was beheaded by the sword as a Roman citizen, while Peter died on the cross. The hymns of the feast call them the rocks of the Faith, the trumpets of the Spirit, and the divinely chosen pair, equal in honour, who together built up the Church on the foundation of Christ. The feast is preceded by the Apostles' Fast, which begins on the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints and ends with the eve of this day, and is kept with an All-Night Vigil throughout the Orthodox world.

Holy Apostle Paul, the chosen vessel

The holy Apostle Paul was born about the year 5 in Tarsus of Cilicia of Jewish parents of the tribe of Benjamin who possessed Roman citizenship, and was given in his birth the name Saul. Sent to Jerusalem in his youth he was educated at the feet of the great teacher Gamaliel and became a zealous Pharisee, exact in the keeping of the Law of his fathers. Present at the stoning of the Protomartyr Stephen, he consented to the killing and afterwards led the persecution of the Church, breathing out threats and slaughter and obtaining letters to bring the disciples bound to Jerusalem. On the road to Damascus, near midday, a light brighter than the sun shone about him from heaven and he heard the voice, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me; blinded by the vision, he was led into the city, where after three days of fasting and prayer he received baptism from Ananias, the scales fell from his eyes, and he began at once to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Henceforth he was called Paul, and through three great missionary journeys carried the Gospel through Cyprus, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece and the islands, founding churches at Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus and many other cities. He laboured more than any of the other Apostles, suffering imprisonments, beatings, three shipwrecks, hunger, cold, dangers from rivers, robbers, his own countrymen and the Gentiles. From his hand the Church received fourteen of the divinely inspired Epistles, in which the heart of the Gospel is laid open and the mystery of Christ and of His Body, the Church, is unfolded. After being brought as a prisoner to Rome and remaining two years in his own hired house preaching the Kingdom of God, and after a fourth missionary journey reaching as far as Spain, he was again imprisoned and at last beheaded by the sword in the persecution of Nero, about the year 67, being a Roman citizen and so spared the cross. The Church calls him the chosen vessel, the trumpet of the Spirit, the apostle to the nations, the equal in honour with Peter the chief of the Apostles.

Holy Apostle Peter, chief of the Apostles

The holy Apostle Peter, originally named Simon, was the son of Jonah and brother of the Apostle Andrew the First-called, born in Bethsaida of Galilee and dwelling at Capernaum where he plied his trade as a fisherman with his father-in-law's household on the lake. Brought to the Lord by his brother Andrew, he was at once renamed Cephas in the Aramaic, that is Peter the Rock, by the Saviour Himself. He was the first of the Twelve to confess at Caesarea Philippi, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, and was accounted worthy with James and John to behold the Transfiguration on Tabor and the agony in Gethsemane. With characteristic zeal he protested at the foot-washing, drew his sword in the garden, and after his triple denial in the courtyard of Caiaphas wept bitterly tears that were never forgotten. After the Resurrection the Lord by the Sea of Tiberias accepted from him a threefold confession of love and confirmed him as shepherd of the flock. On the day of Pentecost his preaching in Jerusalem brought three thousand to baptism. He is the one who first received Gentiles into the Church through the conversion of Cornelius the centurion, and his ministry took him to Antioch, the cities of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia to whose Christians his First Epistle was written, and at the last to old Rome. Two Catholic Epistles attributed to him are received in the canon of the New Testament. According to ancient tradition, in the persecution of Nero he was crucified at Rome, and at his own request head downwards, esteeming himself unworthy of the manner of his Master's death; the date is reckoned about the year 67. The Church honours him as the rock of confession, the chief of the Apostles, and the pre-eminent shepherd whose fall and restoration teach repentance to every penitent.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.3-9

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.13-19

13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

13Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 16because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ: 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 2.11-24

11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 15For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 16as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 19For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 20For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 21For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 24who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

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

Romans — Romans 1.7-12

7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 7to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 10making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 12that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Epistle

— Apostles

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 11.21-12.9

21I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 21I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. 23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; 26in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not. 32In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: 32In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. 33and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 5On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses. 6For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 7And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. 8Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 5.42-48

42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

43Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 44but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 45that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 46For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 48Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Gospel

— Apostles

Matthew — Matthew 16.13-19

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? 14And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 18And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.