Saturday, 28 September 2024

Ven. Chariton the Confessor

Saturday of the 14th week after Pentecost

146 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · No Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Venerable Chariton the Confessor, Abbot of Palestine

Saint Chariton was born at Iconium in the province of Lycaonia in the third century, and from his youth he was nurtured in the Christian faith, being especially devoted to the holy Protomartyr Thecla, his fellow citizen, whose example fired him to confess Christ. During the persecution under the emperor Aurelian he was seized, fiercely tortured and cast into prison, but by God's providence he survived; on the death of Aurelian in 275 he was set free with the other confessors. Resolving to consecrate the rest of his days entirely to God, he set out for the Holy Land. As he made his way through the wilderness near Jericho he was taken captive by robbers and brought to their cave; there a viper providentially poisoned the wine the robbers had prepared, all of them perished, and the saint, set free, made the cave his hermitage. From this beginning grew the first of his three monastic houses, the Pharan Lavra, and afterwards he founded the Lavra of Jericho and the Souka, called the Old Lavra. He gave to his monks a written rule, taught them strict obedience and unceasing prayer, and is said by the Prologue to have begun the practice of the monastic tonsure. Reposing in great old age on 28 September about the year 350, he was buried in his first monastery, where his relics rest to this day. He is honoured as a father and lawgiver of Palestinian monasticism.

Holy Prophet Baruch

The Holy Prophet Baruch, whose name in Hebrew means blessed, was the son of Neriah of the tribe of Judah, and lived in the seventh century before the birth of Christ. He was the faithful disciple, secretary and companion of the great Prophet Jeremiah, and shared in his sufferings for the truth. When Jeremiah was imprisoned, Baruch wrote down the prophecies which the prophet dictated and read them in the hearing of all the people in the Temple at Jerusalem and afterwards before the princes of the king. For this faithful service he too was hated, persecuted and bound, and after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians he was carried with Jeremiah into Egypt, where, according to tradition, he ended his days. To Baruch is attributed the deuterocanonical book that bears his name, in which he foretells the return of the Jews from their captivity and clearly announces the Incarnation of the Son of God: this is our God, no other can be likened unto him; afterward he appeared upon earth and dwelt among men. For this prophecy his book is read among the Old Testament lessons on the eve of the Nativity of Christ. He is commemorated on this day together with Saint Chariton.

Holy Right-Believing Prince Wenceslaus of Bohemia

Saint Wenceslaus, called in Czech Vaclav, was born in 907, son of the Christian Duke Vratislav and grandson of Saint Ludmila, by whom he was raised in the Orthodox faith and instructed in the Slavonic letters at her court. After his father's early death his mother Drahomira, an unbeliever, opposed the Christian education of her sons; she had Saint Ludmila strangled, but the holy youth Wenceslaus on coming of age took the government into his own hands, sent his mother into exile and laboured for the upbuilding of the Church among his people. He built churches, the chief of these being the future cathedral of Saint Vitus on the Hradcany hill in Prague, brought clergy from Greek and Slavonic lands and ransomed many Christian captives. The pagan nobles, hating his piety and his close ties with the Christian east and west, conspired with his younger brother Boleslav, who at his own court at Stara Boleslav waylaid the saint as he went to Matins on the morning of 28 September 935 and slew him at the door of the church. He was at once acknowledged a martyr by his people, and his blood was reverenced as holy; his relics were translated to Prague and many wonders were wrought through them. His memory has been kept from of old in the Russian Orthodox Church, and his name is honoured throughout the Christian world.

Holy Martyr Vatslav, King of the Czechs

929

“The grandson of St Ludmilla, he lived as king in spiritual striving in the Faith like the great ascetics, and strengthened the Orthodox faith among his people. He took care when sitting in judgement that no innocent man should suffer. In his zeal for the Christian faith and his love for his neighbour, holy Vatslav bought pagan children who had been sold as slaves and immediately baptised them, bringing them up as Christians. He translated St John’s Gospel into Czech and brought the relics of St Vitus and his grandmother, Ludmilla, to Prague. His brother Boleslav invited him to stay and killed him at his court. Immediately after this, Boleslav began to make German priests and to have the Liturgy celebrated in Latin. Holy Vatslav suffered in 929. His relics are preserved in Prague.” (Prologue) This is the “Good King Wenceslaus” of the popular Christmas carol.

Daily readings

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

¹⁵But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.

¹⁶Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

¹⁷He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁸He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.

¹⁹He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.

²⁰His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

²¹Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.

²²And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

²³Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

¹Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

²Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

³For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

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.

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15

⁷But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

⁸For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.

⁹But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

¹⁰He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated.

¹¹Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

¹²For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.

¹³He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:

¹⁴For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

¹⁵This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Matins Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 4.25-5.12

²⁵And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. ²⁵And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judæa and from beyond the Jordan.

¹And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

¹And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: ²And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ²and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, ³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁶Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹¹Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 4.1-5

¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

¹Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ²Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ²Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. ⁴For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. ⁴For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. ⁵Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

Epistle

— St Chariton

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 4.6-15

⁶Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹⁰always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. ¹¹For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹¹For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; ¹³We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 5.17-26

¹⁷And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judæa, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

¹⁷And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judæa and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

¹⁸And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. ¹⁸And behold, men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before him. ¹⁹And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. ¹⁹And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus. ²⁰And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. ²⁰And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. ²¹And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? ²¹And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? ²²But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts? ²²But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? ²³Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk? ²³Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? ²⁴But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. ²⁴But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house. ²⁵And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. ²⁵And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying God. ²⁶And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. ²⁶And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.

Gospel

— St Chariton

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.