Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Repose of Ven. Sergius of Radonezh

Wednesday of the 14th week after Pentecost

143 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Our Righteous Mother Euphrosyne

c. 445

She was the daughter of a wealthy Christian, Paphnutius, who with his wife brought up Euphrosyne in piety. Not wishing to marry, she secretly fled her home and its wealth, dressed herself in men’s clothing and entered a monastery using the name of Smaragdus. There she lived in asceticism for thirty-eight years. She only revealed her identity on her death bed. Her father Paphnutius became a monk in the same monastery, and entered into repose ten years after his daughter.

★ Our Holy Father Sergius of Radonezh

1392

‘Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled by monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbor, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5th, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monk Epiphanius, who knew him.’ (Great Horologion)

Repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Wonderworker of All Russia

Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the great wonderworker and gatherer of monastic Russia, was born about 1314 in the village of Varnitsa near Rostov to the pious nobles Cyril and Maria, who themselves are numbered among the saints. He received in baptism the name Bartholomew. After the impoverishment of his family they removed to Radonezh, where, on the death of his parents, the youth and his elder brother Stephen withdrew into the deep forest of Makovets, built a small cell and a wooden church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and were tonsured. Stephen could not endure the harshness of the wilderness and departed, but Bartholomew, taking the name Sergius, remained alone for years in conflict with demons and wild beasts. As his fame spread, brethren gathered around him and he was made their abbot, founding the great Lavra of the Holy Trinity that still bears his name. Renowned for his utter humility, his unceasing prayer and his many miracles, he had a vision of the Mother of God who promised her protection to his foundation. He blessed Saint Demetrius Donskoi to do battle against the Tatars at Kulikovo Pole in 1380, foreseeing victory. Having appointed his disciple Saint Nikon to succeed him, he fell asleep in the Lord on 25 September 1392; his incorrupt relics were uncovered in 1422 and remain at the Lavra to this day. He is honoured as the abbot of all Russian monks and an unfailing intercessor for the Russian land.

Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Saint Euphrosyne was born at the beginning of the fifth century in the city of Alexandria, the only and long-awaited child of the wealthy and devout Paphnutius and his wife. After her mother's repose when she was twelve, Euphrosyne was reared by her father in the love of God and in frequent visits to a nearby men's monastery. When at eighteen her father betrothed her to a noble young man, the maiden, who longed only for the monastic life, secretly received tonsure from a wandering elder. Knowing that as a woman she could not be received in her father's beloved house, she cut off her hair, dressed in men's clothing, and entered the monastery as the eunuch Smaragdos. There she lived in a solitary cell for thirty-eight years in fasting, vigil and unceasing prayer, attaining great holiness. Her father came often to the monastery to seek consolation in his sorrow for his lost daughter, and was sent for spiritual counsel to the monk Smaragdos, by whom he was strengthened, never recognising his own child. Only in her last hour, when she revealed herself to him before her repose, did Paphnutius know at last whom he had mourned. He gave her body to burial with great honour and himself remained in her cell until his repose ten years later. The translation of her relics is also kept on this day.

Venerable Paphnutius of Egypt, father of Saint Euphrosyne

Saint Paphnutius, the father of Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria, was a wealthy and devout citizen of that city in the fifth century, who from his youth devoted himself to almsgiving and prayer and was widely known for his Christian virtue. After the early repose of his wife, he raised his only daughter in piety, often visiting the monasteries near the city for spiritual counsel and bringing the child with him. When his daughter, longing for the angelic life, secretly took up the monastic habit and disappeared, he was overcome with grief and sought her everywhere in vain. Coming again and again for consolation to the monk Smaragdos, the eunuch in whom his own child lay hidden, he was strengthened in faith and patience without recognising her. Only at her death did he learn whom he had been mourning. After giving her honourable burial, he distributed his goods to the poor and dwelt in his daughter's cell, where after ten years of strict ascetic struggle he was found one day kneeling at prayer, his soul having departed in peace to the Lord. He is commemorated together with his daughter on this day.

Commemoration of the Great Earthquake at Constantinople and the Miracle of the Trisagion

447

During the reign of the Emperor Theophilus, the city of Constantinople was visited by earthquakes for almost four months. The Emperor, the Patriarch Proclus, and the people joined in a barefoot procession to make prayer to God for their safety. While they were gathered, the tremors increased dramatically, and a young boy was taken up into the sky in the sight of the people, who fearfully cried out Kyrie eleison! When the boy came down from the heavens, he said that he had been among choirs of Angels who sang Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! and that a voice had commanded him to tell the Patriarch that the people should make supplication to God in this way. The Patriarch instructed the people to chant this hymn, whereupon the ground stopped shaking and the child died. The Empress Pulcheria (September 10) asked the Patriarch to order that this hymn be chanted henceforth in the Divine Liturgy, as it still is today.

Venerable Dosithea, recluse of the Kiev Caves

1776

She was born to landed gentry of Riazan province in 1721. Her name in secular life is not recorded. For much of her childhood she was cared for by her grandmother the nun Porphyria, from whom she acquired a love for the ascetical struggle. When Porphyria took the Great Schema, the child returned home, but continued to live as much like a nun as she could. Her parents were eager to marry her as soon as possible, but she foiled their plans by leaving home at the age of fifteen, dressed as a peasant boy and calling herself Dositheus. In this guise she entered the Lavra of St Sergius. Three years later she fled to avoid discovery by her parents, and went to the Lavra of Kiev. There she was turned away, since she had no passport; so she took up the hermit’s life in cave near Kitayev Skete, living only on bread, water and a few wild plants. Before long her gifts of prophecy became known, and the counsel of ‘Dositheus the Hermit’ was sought out by many of the faithful. She would speak to her many visitors through a small window that did not allow them to see her face. The Empress Elizabeth visited her in 1744, and at her request ‘Dositheus’ received monastic tonsure. When the young Prochor Moshnin — one day to be known as St Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) — visited her, she foresaw his holy future, blessed him and directed him to the Monastery of Sarov, instructing him to practice the Jesus Prayer ceaselessly. Later, the eremitic life was banned in Russia by Imperial decree, so ‘Dositheus’ moved to the Kiev Caves Lavra, then to a remote cell at the Kitaya Skete. When she discerned that the time of her death was near, she left her cell and greeted the brethren of the Skete. The next day she was found on her knees in her cell before an icon, with a piece of paper in her hand reading ‘My body is ready for burial. I beg you not to touch it and to bury it in the usual way.’ Only in preparing her for burial was it discovered that she was a woman. ‘Dositheus the Hermit’ is counted as one of the revivers of the Orthodox hesychast tradition in Russia, where it had been almost forgotten even among monastics.

Daily readings

Vespers

OT — Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8

The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 10.31-11.12

³¹The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. ³¹The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off. ³²The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. ³²The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness.

¹A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. ¹A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight. ²When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. ²When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom. ³The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. ³The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. ⁴Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death. ⁴Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

⁵The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. ⁵The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity. ⁷When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth. ⁷When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. ⁸The righteous is delivered out of trouble; And the wicked cometh in his stead. ⁸The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. ⁹With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered. ⁹An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. ¹⁰When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

¹⁰When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. ¹¹By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. ¹¹By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. ¹²He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

¹²He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

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.

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

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 13.3-14

³seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: ³Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. ⁴For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. ⁴for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. ⁵Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. ⁵Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? ⁶But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. ⁶But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. ⁷Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. ⁷Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate. ⁸For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. ⁸For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. ⁹For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. ⁹For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting. ¹⁰For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. ¹⁰Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

¹¹Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

¹¹Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you. ¹²Greet one another with an holy kiss. ¹²Salute one another with a holy kiss.

¹³All the saints salute you.

¹³All the saints salute you. ¹⁴The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

¹⁴The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Epistle

— St Sergius

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

Luke — Luke 5.33-39

³³And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

³³And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink. ³⁴And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁴And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. ³⁵But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days.

³⁶And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. ³⁶And he spake also a parable unto them: No man rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old garment; else he will rend the new, and also the piece from the new will not agree with the old. ³⁷And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. ³⁷And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish. ³⁸But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. ³⁸But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins. ³⁹No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. ³⁹And no man having drunk old wine desireth new; for he saith, The old is good.

Gospel

— St Sergius

Luke — Luke 6.17-23

¹⁷and he came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judæa and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; ¹⁸and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were healed. ¹⁸And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. ¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. ¹⁹And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.

²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. ²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. ²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. ²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. ²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. ²³Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.