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Friday, 23 August 2024

Friday of the 9th week after Pentecost

110 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Liturgy · Fast

Saints commemorated

Leavetaking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

The twenty third of August is observed in the Orthodox Church as the leavetaking, or apodosis, of the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos celebrated on the fifteenth of the month. On this day the Church repeats the hymns and readings of the festal day, bringing to a close the eight day period in which the Mother of God's translation in body and soul to the heavenly Kingdom is solemnly proclaimed. The faithful are exhorted to give thanks for the maternal protection of the Theotokos and to take up afresh in their own lives the labour of imitating her humility, faith, and love.

Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons

177

Saint Irenaeus was born about the year 130 in the city of Smyrna in Asia Minor. As a young man he sat at the feet of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, himself a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, who baptised him, ordained him presbyter, and sent him to Gaul. There he served the elderly Bishop Pothinus of Lugdunum, the present day Lyons, and after the bishop's martyrdom in 178 was chosen to succeed him on the cathedra. Saint Irenaeus laboured to confirm the faith of his people, to evangelise the surrounding pagan tribes, and above all to refute the rising heresies of his day. His great work Against Heresies remains a foundational witness to the apostolic tradition, the canon of Scripture, and the apostolic succession of bishops. He was crowned with martyrdom about the year 202 during the persecution of the Emperor Septimius Severus.

Holy Martyr Lupus the Slave

Saint Lupus lived at the close of the third and beginning of the fourth century and was the faithful servant of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. Standing close by his master at the moment of his martyric death, he soaked his garment with the saint's blood and took from his hand a ring; through these relics he afterwards wrought many miracles, healing the sick and casting out demons in Thessalonica. Hearing of these signs, the Emperor Maximian Galerius gave orders that Lupus be seized. Strengthened by holy baptism, which he received only shortly before his death, the saint freely delivered himself into the hands of the soldiers and was beheaded with the sword for his confession of Christ.

Leavetaking of Dormition

On the Holy Mountain, the Feast of the Dormition is extended to August 28, thus consecrating almost the entire month of August to the Most Holy Theotokos.

Saint Callinicus, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Callinicus served as Patriarch of Constantinople from 693 to 705. Before his elevation he was a presbyter of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae. On the death of Patriarch Paul in 693 he was raised to the patriarchal throne, where he distinguished himself by his pastoral zeal and his courage in defence of the Church. When the Emperor Justinian II demanded that he bless the demolition of a church to make way for a palace, the patriarch replied that he had prayers for the building of churches but none for their destruction. After Justinian was deposed in 695, he was sent into exile; on regaining the throne in 705 the emperor took revenge on Callinicus by having his eyes put out and banishing him to Rome, where Pope John VII received him with honour. There he reposed in peace about the year 705, having borne his sufferings with patience and meekness for the sake of Christ.

Martyr Lupus, slave of St Demetrios of Thessalonica

306

He was the servant of the Great Martyr Demetrius, and was present at his martyrdom. He dipped the hem of his garment in the martyr’s blood, and later worked many miracles with the garment, healing many illnesses. At the order of the Emperor Maximian, he was then himself arrested, tortured and, like his earthly master, beheaded for Christ. It is said that, as his death approached, he prayed to be baptized before his death, for, though a believer in Christ, he had never been able to be baptized. A cloud suddenly poured down a torrent of water upon him, answering his prayer.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 14.26-40

26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

26What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 29And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 30But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. 34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. 35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 36What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

37If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 38But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40But let all things be done decently and in order. 40Let all things be done decently and in order.

Epistle

— Theotokos

Philippians — Philippians 2.5-11

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 5Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 6who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 21.12-14, 17-20

12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

12And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 13and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers. 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. 17And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

18Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered. 18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 19And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. 20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?

Gospel

— Theotokos

Luke — Luke 10.38-42, 11.27-28

38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

38Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 42but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

27And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

27And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. 28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.