Thursday, 26 September 2024

Repose of St John the Theologian

Thursday of the 14th week after Pentecost

144 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

The Orthodox Church on this day commemorates the blessed repose of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, the beloved disciple of Christ. The son of Zebedee the fisherman and Salome the myrrhbearer, brother of the holy Apostle James, he was called by the Lord while mending nets on the Sea of Galilee. Together with Peter and James he was a witness of the raising of the daughter of Jairus, of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor and of the Lord's agony in Gethsemane. He alone of the apostles stood beside the Cross, and from there received the Most Holy Theotokos as his own mother. After Pentecost he laboured at Jerusalem, then preached in Asia Minor, where he was exiled to the island of Patmos under Domitian and beheld the visions of the Apocalypse. Returning to Ephesus under Nerva, he wrote his Gospel and three catholic Epistles, and in his last days reduced his teaching to the unceasing repetition of the words: Little children, love one another. Saint Jerome relates that in extreme old age, in the third year of the reign of Trajan about the year 101, the Apostle bade his disciples dig a grave in the form of a cross outside the city; entering it alive, he commanded them to cover him with earth, and on the third day his disciples opening the grave found the body gone. Each year on 8 May a fragrant manna issues from his tomb at Ephesus, by which many of the sick are healed.

Righteous Gideon, Judge of Israel

The Holy Righteous Gideon, son of Joash of the tribe of Manasseh, was the fifth of the judges raised up by God to deliver the people of Israel from their oppressors, as related in the seventh chapter of the Book of Judges. While Israel groaned under the heavy hand of the Midianites, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon as he threshed wheat in the wine press and called him to be the saviour of his people. To confirm the divine commission, Gideon laid out a fleece of wool, asking that the dew of the morning fall upon the fleece alone and the ground around remain dry, and the next morning that the ground be wet and the fleece dry; both signs were given. The fleece bedewed by heaven while the surrounding earth remained parched is interpreted by the holy Fathers as a prefigurement of the Most Holy Theotokos, who alone among mortals received in herself the divine dew of the Word, and is so chanted in the hymns of the Church. Gideon then chose three hundred men, broke the great host of Midian by night with trumpets and torches, and gave Israel rest forty years. He reposed about the year 1307 before Christ. Together with Saint John the Theologian his memory is observed on this day.

Venerable Ephraim, founder of Perekop monastery, Wonderworker of Novgorod

Saint Ephraim of Perekop was born about 1412 in the town of Volokolamsk, in the region of Tver, of pious parents, and from his youth was filled with desire for the monastic life. After leaving his father's house he received tonsure at the monastery of Saint Sabbas of Visher, where he laboured for some twenty years in obedience and prayer. Seeking deeper solitude, he withdrew with a few brethren to a remote spot by Lake Ilmen, on the river Verenda, and afterwards to the place called Perekop, where he founded a monastery in honour of the Theophany of the Lord. With his own hands he and his disciples cut a canal between two waters, from which the foundation took its name, and built a stone church. He governed his community in the spirit of the ancient fathers, in great simplicity, fasting and night-long vigils, until he reposed in deep old age in 1492. His relics were uncovered incorrupt and worked many miracles, and he is honoured among the wonderworking saints of the Novgorod land. He is commemorated on this day together with the Apostle John.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 3.21-4.6

²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; ²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. ²²and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. ²²And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. ²³And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. ²³And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. ²⁴And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. ²⁴And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. ³and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. ⁴Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. ⁴Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. ⁵They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁵They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁶We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. ⁶We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.11-16

¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ¹²No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: ¹²No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. ¹³hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹³Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. ¹⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.20-5.5

²⁰If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. ²⁰If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? ²¹And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. ²¹And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. ²Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ⁴For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. ⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Matins Gospel

John — John 21.15-25

¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

¹⁵So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁶He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ¹⁹This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. ¹⁹Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. ²⁰Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? ²⁰Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? ²¹Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? ²¹Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? ²²Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. ²²Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. ²³Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? ²³This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? ²⁴This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁴This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. ²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Galatians — Galatians 1.1-10, 20-2.5

¹Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

¹Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) ²and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: ²And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: ³Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, ³Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: ⁴Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: ⁵To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ⁵to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁶I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; ⁷Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁷which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. ⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. ⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. ¹⁰For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

¹⁰For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. ²⁰Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ²⁰Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ²¹Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²¹Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; ²²And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ: ²²And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: ²³but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; ²³But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. ²⁴And they glorified God in me. ²⁴and they glorified God in me.

¹Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

¹Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. ²And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. ²And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. ³But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: ³But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: ⁴and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: ⁴And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: ⁵to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. ⁵To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Epistle

— St John

1 John — 1 John 4.12-19

¹²No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: ¹²No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. ¹³hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹³Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. ¹⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. ¹⁷Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. ¹⁷Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. ¹⁸There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. ¹⁹We love, because he first loved us. ¹⁹We love him, because he first loved us.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 6.12-19

¹²And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. ¹²And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

¹³And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; ¹³And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles: ¹⁴Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁴Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁵Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, ¹⁵and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor; ¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

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; 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; ¹⁸And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. ¹⁸and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were healed. ¹⁹And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all. ¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Gospel

— St John

John — John 19.25-27, 21.24-25

²⁵Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

²⁵These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! ²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! ²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. ²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. ²⁴This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁴This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. ²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.