Monday, 23 September 2024

Conception of St John the Baptist

Monday of the 14th week after Pentecost

141 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · No Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ The Conception of John the Baptist

“On this day are celebrated God’s mercy, His wondrous act and His wisdom: His mercy towards the devout and righteous parents of St John, the aged Zacharias and Elisabeth, who had all their lives begged a child of God; the wonder of the conception of John in Elisabeth’s more-than-aged womb; and the wisdom of the dispensation of man’s salvation.” (Prologue) The story of the Baptist’s conception is told in the first chapter of St Luke’s Gospel.

Conception of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

The Holy Church celebrates on this day the miraculous conception of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist, last and greatest of the prophets, foretold by the Archangel Gabriel to his father Zachariah, the priest, in the Temple at Jerusalem. Both his parents, the righteous priest Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth of the line of Aaron, were of advanced age and had remained childless, having long entreated the Lord for a child. While Zachariah was offering incense within the Holy Place, the Archangel appeared on the right side of the altar and announced that his prayer had been heard, that his wife should bear a son named John, and that this child should go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elias. When Zachariah doubted, he was struck dumb until the day of the child's naming. Saint Elizabeth conceived as the angel had said, and remained in seclusion for five months, until at the sixth month the Most Holy Theotokos came to visit her and the unborn Forerunner leapt for joy in his mother's womb at the presence of the incarnate Lord. The feast prefigures the joyful announcement of salvation and is one of six commemorations of Saint John kept by the Orthodox Church.

Holy Virgin Martyr Iraida of Alexandria

308

The Holy Martyr Iraida, also called Rais or Herais, suffered for Christ in Alexandria during the persecution of Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Going one day to a well to draw water, the saint saw a ship moored at the shore, on board of which were a great company of men, women, clergy and monks bound in chains for the confession of the Christian faith. Casting aside her water pitcher, the holy virgin ran to the prisoners and voluntarily numbered herself among them, that she also might suffer for the Lord; the soldiers placed fetters upon her without delay. When the ship arrived at the Egyptian city of Antinopolis, Saint Iraida was the first to be led out for trial. After cruel tortures, she was beheaded with the sword, going to her bridegroom Christ at the head of the others who shortly after followed her in martyrdom. She is honoured by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and her commemoration in the Orthodox Church is kept on 23 September.

Righteous Zechariah the Priest and Elizabeth, parents of the Forerunner

Together with the Conception of Saint John the Forerunner, the Orthodox Church on this day commemorates his holy parents, the priest Zechariah of the course of Abia and his wife Elizabeth, of the daughters of Aaron, who were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. They had remained childless to advanced age, and the conception of John in answer to long prayer was a miracle of God's mercy. Saint Zechariah served as a priest at the Temple in Jerusalem, and it was while burning incense at the hour of prayer that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to announce the coming of his son. After Saint Elizabeth fled with the infant John into the wilderness during the slaughter of the innocents at Bethlehem, the soldiers of Herod sought tidings of the child from his father; refusing to betray him, the righteous Zechariah was slain between the Temple and the altar, of whom the Lord Himself made mention. Saint Elizabeth reposed in the wilderness forty days after her husband, the Lord providing for her son until he came of age to begin his public ministry of repentance.

New Martyr John of Epirus

1814

He was born to Muslim parents in Konitsa of Albania — the ancient region of Epirus. His father was a prominent ruler among the Muslims and a member of the Sufi order, sometimes called dervishes, a mystical Islamic sect. John himself became a prominent Sufi and settled in Joannina. Though not a Christian, he attended to his conscience and lived a sober and prayerful life. Over time, he became increasingly attracted to the Christian faith and, in time, asked for holy Baptism. No Christian in his region dared to baptize him, knowing the reprisals that would follow. So John migrated to Ithaka, was baptized, and settled there in a village called Xiromeron, where he married and lived as a simple countryman. In 1813, John’s father somehow learned where he was, and that he had become a Christian. He sent two Sufis to bring him back and restore him to the Muslim faith. Because of this, the Ottoman authorities on Ithaka learned who he was and brought him before a judge. To each of the judge’s questions John would only reply ‘I am a Christian and I am called John.’ Realizing that no amount of persuasion or coercion would move him, the authorities determined to behead him. At his execution, since they would not loose his hands so that he could make the sign of the Cross, John cried out ‘Lord, Remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!’ With these words he submitted himself to a Martyr’s end. The Turks intended to leave his body for the dogs, but pious Christians retrieved it and secretly gave it honorable burial.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 12.10-19

¹⁰Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

¹¹I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. ¹²Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹²Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. ¹³For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. ¹³For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. ¹⁴Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁴Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. ¹⁵And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? ¹⁶But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. ¹⁶But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. ¹⁷Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? ¹⁷Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? ¹⁸I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? ¹⁸I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

¹⁹Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. ¹⁹Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Epistle

— Forerunner

Galatians — Galatians 4.22-31

²²For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. ²²For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. ²³Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. ²³But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. ²⁴Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar. ²⁴Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. ²⁵Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. ²⁵For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. ²⁶But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ²⁶But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. ²⁷For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. ²⁷For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband. ²⁸Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

²⁸Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. ²⁹But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also it is now. ²⁹But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. ³⁰Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. ³⁰Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. ³¹Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. ³¹So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 4.37-44

³⁸And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

³⁸And he rose up from the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon’s wife’s mother was holden with a great fever; and they besought him for her. ³⁹And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. ³⁹And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she rose up and ministered unto them.

⁴⁰Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

⁴⁰And when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. ⁴¹And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. ⁴¹And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. ⁴²And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

⁴²And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them. ⁴³And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. ⁴³But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent. ⁴⁴And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

⁴⁴And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

Gospel

— Forerunner

Luke — Luke 1.5-25

⁵There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁵There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. ⁷And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. ⁸And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

⁸Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, ⁹according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ⁹According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense. ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. ¹¹And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹¹And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹²And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. ¹²And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. ¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. ¹⁷And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him. ¹⁷And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ¹⁸And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. ¹⁸And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. ¹⁹And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. ¹⁹And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. ²⁰And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ²⁰And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ²¹And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. ²¹And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple. ²²And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb. ²²And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. ²³And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. ²³And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. ²⁴And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

²⁴And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men. ²⁵Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.