Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Ven. Anthony of the Kiev Caves

Wednesday of the 3rd week after Pentecost

66 days after Pascha · Tone 1 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · Fast

Saints commemorated

★ St Anthony of the Kiev Caves

1073

He is honored as the founder of Orthodox monastic life in Russia. He was born in Chernigov province and tonsured at the Monastery of Esphigmenou on the Holy Mountain. His abbot sent him from Mt Athos to Kiev to establish the monastic life there in 1013, during the last years of Prince Vladimir’s holy reign. He lived there as a hermit, slowly drawing to himself others who wished to share the ascetical life. In time, the brotherhood grew into the Kiev Caves Lavra. St Anthony refused to serve as abbot of the monastery; this task was taken up by St Theodosius (commemorated May 3). St Anthony continued to live as a cave-dwelling hermit and reposed in peace at the age of ninety.

Holy schemamonk Silvanus of the Kiev Caves

The holy schemamonk Silvanus of the Kiev Caves lived at the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth centuries. He was a monk of the great Kiev Caves Lavra, where he zealously preserved the purity of soul and body, subdued the desires of the flesh by fasting and vigils, and cleansed the soul through unceasing prayer and meditation upon God. Embracing the great schema, he gave himself wholly to the angelic life, hidden from the praise of men. Of his outward deeds little has been preserved, for the saint sought obscurity rather than renown. Yet the records of the Lavra remember him for one striking miracle. By the power of prayer alone, he held a band of robbers immobile in the monastery garden when they had come by night to steal the produce; the thieves stood rooted to the ground, unable to move hand or foot, until the brethren found them at dawn. Brought to the saint, they fell at his feet in repentance, and Silvanus released them with a charge to amend their lives. Saint Silvanus reposed in peace, and his incorrupt relics rest in the Far Caves of the Lavra, where they are venerated to this day. He is commemorated together with Saint Anthony and the other holy fathers of the caves on 10 July, and again with the synaxis of the fathers of the Far Caves on 28 August.

The holy forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia

The forty-five martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia suffered for Christ during the reign of the emperor Licinius (311-324), then co-regent with Saint Constantine the Great. Although Constantine had granted Christians freedom of worship through the edict of Milan, Licinius in his own portion of the empire renewed the persecution of the faithful and revived the cult of the idols.

Hearing of these persecutions, more than forty Christians of Nicopolis decided to come forward voluntarily before their persecutors, openly to confess Christ and to accept whatever sufferings might be inflicted upon them. The holy confessors were led by Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Sisinius, Meneus, and Vellerad. Coming before the governor Lysias, they boldly declared themselves Christians and condemned the worship of idols.

Lysias subjected them to fierce torments. Their teeth were broken, they were beaten with stones, and they were cast into a foul prison without food or water. By the grace of God, an angel appeared to them in their cell, strengthening and consoling them. The next day, when their constancy could not be shaken, the governor ordered that their hands and feet be cut off, and that their bodies be cast into a great fire. Thus they completed their martyric struggle around the year 319.

After the martyrs had given up their souls to God, their bones were thrown into a river, but Christians retrieved the holy relics and a church was later built in their honour at Nicopolis, where many miracles were worked through their intercession. The leaders Leontius, Mauricius, and their companions are recalled by name in the synaxaria of the Orthodox Church.

The placing of the precious robe of our Lord Jesus Christ at Moscow

The placing of the precious robe of our Lord Jesus Christ at Moscow commemorates the bringing of the Lord's robe (chiton) to the cathedral of the Dormition in 1625. According to ancient tradition, recorded by Saint Nikolai of Zhicha and other Orthodox writers, after the crucifixion the seamless tunic of the Saviour fell by lot to a Roman soldier of Georgian origin named Elioz. He carried it back to his homeland of Mtskheta in Georgia, where his sister Sidonia, on receiving it, was so overcome by grief at the death of Christ that she died clutching the holy garment. The robe was buried with her, and a great cedar grew over her grave, which became the site of the cathedral of Sveti Tskhoveli, the patriarchal cathedral of Georgia.

The history of the Lord's robe became entwined with the troubles that befell Georgia. When the kingdom was overrun by the Persians, the precious vestment was carried away into Persia. There it remained until 1625, when Shah Abbas I, wishing to win the favour of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich and Patriarch Philaret of Moscow, sent the robe as a gift to the Russian throne.

The robe was brought to Moscow in March 1625. After careful examination of its authenticity by witnesses who attested to miraculous healings worked at its presence, Patriarch Philaret deposited the holy relic in the cathedral of the Dormition in the Kremlin. Because the arrival had occurred during Great Lent, the feast of the deposition was set for 10 July, on the eve of the anniversary of Tsar Mikhail's enthronement. Each year on this day the robe was solemnly brought out from its chapel of the holy apostles Peter and Paul within the Dormition cathedral and placed upon a stand for the veneration of the faithful, before being returned in procession after the Liturgy.

Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves, founder of monasticism in Russia

983

Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves, called the founder of monasticism in Russia, was born in the year 983 at Liubech, not far from Chernigov, and was named Antipas in baptism. From early youth he was drawn to the spiritual life and travelled to the Holy Mountain of Athos, where he was tonsured a monk at the monastery of Esphigmenou and lived as a hermit in a cliff cave overlooking the sea. There, under the guidance of his elder, he attained great heights of prayer and ascetical struggle. Around the year 1011 the abbot revealed to Anthony that it was the will of God that he should return to his homeland and plant the monastic life among the newly baptised people of Rus. Arriving in Kiev, he found the small cave that had been dug by the priest Hilarion (later metropolitan of Kiev) on the wooded heights above the Dnieper river. There he settled, eating rye bread every other day, drinking only a little water, and giving himself wholly to prayer and vigil. His holiness drew many to him. The first to join him was the priest Nikon, then the youthful Theodosius, who would become the great organiser of cenobitic monasticism in Rus. When Anthony had gathered twelve disciples, the brethren dug a larger cave and built there a small church and cells for the monks, laying the foundation of the famed Kiev Caves Lavra. Anthony appointed Barlaam as the first abbot, and himself withdrew to a nearby hill to dig another cave and continue his solitary life. From there came the distinction between the Far Caves and the Near Caves of the Lavra. The Mother of God herself appeared to Anthony, foretelling the foundation of the great church of the Dormition. She also revealed to him the approaching day of his repose, which took place on 10 July 1073, when the saint was ninety years old. Through Anthony, the threefold inheritance of Egyptian, Athonite, and Stoudite monasticism took root in Russian soil.

Daily readings

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9

¹But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.

²In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,

³And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.

⁴For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

⁵And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

⁶As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

⁷And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.

⁸They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

⁹They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

¹⁵But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.

¹⁶Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

¹⁷He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁸He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.

¹⁹He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.

²⁰His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

²¹Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.

²²And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

²³Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

¹Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

²Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

³For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15

⁷But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

⁸For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.

⁹But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

¹⁰He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated.

¹¹Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

¹²For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.

¹³He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:

¹⁴For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

¹⁵This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Matins Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 11.27-30

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ²⁷All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Romans — Romans 8.2-13

²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁴that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁷because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: ⁸and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹⁰And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

¹²So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:

¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹³For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Epistle

— St Anthony

Galatians — Galatians 5.22-6.2

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. ²⁶Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

¹Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 10.16-22

¹⁶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

¹⁶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. ¹⁷But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; ¹⁷But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you; ¹⁸And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. ¹⁸yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. ¹⁹But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. ²⁰For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. ²⁰For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. ²¹And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. ²¹And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. ²²And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. ²²And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

Gospel

— St Anthony

Matthew — Matthew 4.25-5.12

²⁵And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. ²⁵And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judæa and from beyond the Jordan.

¹And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

¹And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: ²And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ²and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, ³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁶Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹¹Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.