Sunday, 18 August 2024

8th Sunday after Pentecost

105 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Liturgy · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria

The Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus were brothers, twins both in flesh and in spirit. They lived in the second century at Byzantium and afterwards settled in Illyria, where they earned their living as stone-masons. Their teachers in this craft, Proclus and Maximus, were Christians who instructed them not only in the working of stone but also in the saving faith and the way of life pleasing to God.

The prefect of Illyria, Likaion, sent the brothers to a neighbouring district to work upon the construction of a pagan temple. The saints toiled diligently at the structure, but they distributed to the poor the wages they earned, kept strict fasts, and prayed without ceasing. Once, while they were at work, a chip of stone struck the eye of the son of the local pagan priest Mamertin, severely injuring him. The angry father came against the saints, but Florus and Laurus assured him that his son would be healed. They brought the youth to consciousness, taught him the faith, and placing their hands upon him called upon the name of Christ. The youth was instantly healed, and both he and his father were converted to Christ and baptised.

When the temple was finished the saints called the local Christians together, set up in it a cross of the Lord, and on the very night of its completion rendered the building to God by celebrating an all-night vigil within it. Hearing of this, the prefect Likaion was filled with wrath. He had the priest Mamertin and his son cast into a furnace where they perished, while three hundred of the converts were burned alive. Saints Florus and Laurus were sent under guard back to the prefect Likaion, who threw them down an empty well and ordered it covered with earth, and there they yielded their souls to God.

After many years their relics were uncovered incorrupt and were translated to Constantinople. From ancient times in the Slavonic lands the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus have been venerated as protectors of horses and herdsmen, and their icons depict them surrounded by horses entrusted to their care.

Holy Martyrs Hermes, Serapion and Polyaenus of Rome

The Holy Martyrs Hermes, Serapion and Polyaenus were Romans who suffered for Christ in the second century during the persecutions of the Roman emperors. They were Christians distinguished by their zeal in proclaiming the Gospel and refuting the polemics of the pagans, contending fearlessly with those who attacked the faith of the Church. The three friends were arrested for their open confession of Christ and brought before the authorities. They were ordered to deny Christ and to offer sacrifice to the idols, but they firmly refused, professing with one voice their faith in Jesus Christ as the only true God and the Saviour of the world. Neither flattery nor threats could shake their resolve. The persecutors subjected them to severe tortures: they were beaten without mercy and cast into a dark and foul-smelling prison, where they were tormented with hunger, thirst and many deprivations. When they remained constant in their confession, they were brought out, bound with ropes, and dragged through the streets and over rough ground filled with sharp stones. Their flesh was torn, their heads were covered with wounds and blood, and so dragged they yielded up their holy souls to God. The Christians of Rome reverently gathered the bodies of the holy martyrs and gave them honourable burial. Their memory has been preserved in the Roman Martyrology and in the Synaxaria of the Eastern Church, and they are commemorated by the Orthodox Church on 18 August.

Saint Arsenius the New of Paros

Saint Arsenius the New, called "the New" to distinguish him from Saint Arsenius the Great of the fifth century, was born on 31 January 1800 in the city of Ioannina in Epirus to pious Orthodox parents who named him Athanasius in holy Baptism. Orphaned at an early age, he was only nine years old when he made his way to Kydonia in Asia Minor, where he was received by the hieromonk Gregory Saraphis and enrolled in his school. After completing his studies he came to Mount Athos, where he embraced the monastic life and was tonsured with the name Arsenius. He returned to Asia Minor as a teacher, but longing for greater stillness he eventually settled in 1840 on the Cycladic island of Paros, entering the Monastery of Saint George at Longovardas. There he lived out the rest of his earthly life in monastic struggle, fasting, vigil and unceasing prayer. When he was ordained to the holy priesthood at the age of forty-seven, Saint Arsenius intensified his spiritual labours. Every day he studied the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, and became adept at the unceasing prayer of the heart. He was given the gift of tears, the gift of foresight, and the discernment of spirits, becoming a true spiritual father to many. From his cell he guided countless pilgrims and disciples in the Orthodox spiritual tradition, and his counsel was sought by clergy, monastics and laity alike. On 31 January 1877, having received Holy Communion for the last time, Saint Arsenius peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. He was glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1967. His principal feast is celebrated on 31 January, the day of his repose, and a second feast is kept on 18 August, the day of the uncovering of his holy relics.

Our Holy Father John, Abbot of Rila

946

He was born near Sophia in Bulgaria during the reign of the Emperor Boris. When his parents died he withdrew from the world to a cave high in the mountains, where he gave himself to the ascetical struggle. There the Prologue says that he ‘endured many assaults both by demons and men, from robbers and from his kinsmen.’ In time he moved to the mountain of Rila, where he lived in a hollow tree, eating only the wild herbs and fruits there. On Rila he saw no human being for many years, but was eventually discovered by a shepherd, after which his fame spread quickly: many came to him for counsel and for the healing of diseases, and Peter, King of Bulgaria, visited him for advice. Many people seeking their salvation settled near him, and soon a church and monastery developed around him. St John reposed in 946 and appeared to his disciples after his death. His relics are venerated at the monastery of Rila, which has for centuries been a lighthouse of Orthodox spirituality in Bulgaria.

Daily readings

8th Matins Gospel

John — John 20.11-18

¹¹But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹¹But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; ¹²And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹²and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹³And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. ¹³And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. ¹⁴And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. ¹⁴When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. ¹⁵Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. ¹⁷Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. ¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. ¹⁸Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. ¹⁸Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her.

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 1.10-18

¹⁰Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

¹⁰Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. ¹¹For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them that are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. ¹²Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. ¹²Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. ¹³Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? ¹³Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? ¹⁴I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; ¹⁴I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; ¹⁵lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name. ¹⁵Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. ¹⁶And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. ¹⁶And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. ¹⁷For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. ¹⁷For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

¹⁸For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

¹⁸For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 14.14-22

¹⁴And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. ¹⁴And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

¹⁵And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. ¹⁵And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food. ¹⁶But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. ¹⁶But Jesus said unto them, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat. ¹⁷And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. ¹⁷And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. ¹⁸He said, Bring them hither to me. ¹⁸And he said, Bring them hither to me. ¹⁹And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. ¹⁹And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. ²⁰And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²⁰And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. ²¹And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. ²¹And they that did eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

²²And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

²²And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away.