Wednesday, 9 October 2024

St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow / Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus

Wednesday of the 16th week after Pentecost

157 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus

Saint James the Son of Alphaeus was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by the Lord, and the brother of the Holy Evangelist Matthew. The Gospels list him among the Twelve under the name James of Alphaeus, distinguishing him from James the son of Zebedee, who is commemorated on 30 April, and from James the Brother of the Lord, the first bishop of Jerusalem, commemorated on 23 October.

He heard the words of Christ, witnessed the miracles of his ministry, beheld the Cross and the Resurrection, and at Pentecost received the Holy Spirit with the rest of the apostles. Tradition holds that after the descent of the Spirit, he travelled with the Apostle Andrew the First-called through Judaea, Edessa, Gaza, and Eleutheropolis, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and bringing many to baptism.

Coming at last to Egypt, he proclaimed Christ in the city of Ostrachina, where he was seized by pagans for his preaching. Following the manner of his Master, he was crucified, and so completed his apostolic course. The Church honours him as a divinely chosen herald, a steward of grace, and a witness to the Resurrection.

He is to be carefully distinguished both from James the brother of John, who was beheaded by Herod, and from James the Just, the kinsman of the Lord. Some early traditions also identified him with the apostle James the Less, who is named in the New Testament, though many Fathers, including Saint John Chrysostom, treat the two as distinct persons.

Saint Stephen the Blind, Despot of Serbia

1456

Saint Stephen Brankovic was born in 1417, the second son of the Despot George Brankovic and his wife Eirene Cantacuzene. He belonged to the noble dynasty that ruled Serbia in the closing years of its independence before the final Ottoman conquest. From his youth he was known for his quiet piety and his generosity to monasteries and to the poor.

In 1441, together with his brother Gregory, Stephen was seized by the Ottoman Sultan Murad II and blinded by red-hot needles, a calamity which he bore with patience as the providence of God. When his father died in 1456 he was unable, owing to his blindness, to claim the throne, which passed to his younger brother Lazarus. After Lazarus's sudden death in 1458, Stephen was raised to the rank of Despot of Serbia. His tenure was brief, for the country was overwhelmed by internal divisions and Ottoman pressure, and on 8 April 1459 he was deposed and forced into exile.

Travelling through Albania, he was received by the great hero Skanderbeg, whose daughter Angelina he married. After Skanderbeg's death the family fled to Italy, where Stephen lived in poverty and prayer. He reposed in exile near Belgrade in Friuli on 9 October 1476, surrounded by his wife and his sons, the future Saints Maximus and John of Serbia.

His relics were translated to Serbia by his widow Angelina and placed in the monastery of Krusedol on Mount Frushka, founded by his son Maximus. After eight years they were uncovered fragrant and incorrupt, and many miracles took place at his tomb. He is honoured by the Serbian Church as a confessor and ruler who bore his suffering with kingly patience.

Saints Andronicus and Athanasia of Egypt

Saints Andronicus and his wife Athanasia were a pious married couple who lived in Antioch in the fifth century. Andronicus was a silversmith of considerable means, who divided his earnings into three portions, giving one to the Church, one to the poor, and using only the third for the needs of his household. They were known for their hospitality, their care of pilgrims, and their love of the orphaned and sick.

The Lord blessed them with two children, a son and a daughter, but after a short illness both children died on the same day. Athanasia, broken by her grief, refused all comfort and went continually to the church of the Holy Martyr Julian, where her children were buried. There, the holy martyr appeared to her in the guise of a monk and gently rebuked her grief, reminding her that her children were now in the bosom of the saints. Comforted, she returned home and proposed to her husband that they should renounce the world.

The couple distributed their property to the poor, set their slaves free, and journeyed to Alexandria. There, with the blessing of the patriarch, they entrusted themselves to Abba Daniel of Sketis. Andronicus was tonsured a monk in the desert, and Athanasia entered the monastery of Tabennisi, where she lived in silence and prayer.

After twelve years, Andronicus set out on pilgrimage to the holy places of Jerusalem. On the way he met another monk who was unknown to him; this was Athanasia, who had taken the dress of a man and the name Athanasius, fearing the perils of the road. They did not recognise each other, so altered were they by the rigour of their asceticism. After their pilgrimage they agreed, with the blessing of Abba Daniel, to share a single cell, where they lived for many further years in mutual silence. Only after Athanasia's repose, when a written note was found upon her, did Andronicus learn the truth. He himself reposed soon after.

Venerable Stephen the Hymnographer

Saint Stephen the Hymnographer, also called Stephen the Sabaite, lived in the eighth century and was a kinsman of Saint John of Damascus, by some accounts his nephew. He was raised in the great Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified in the Judean wilderness, where his uncle had taken refuge from the iconoclast persecution, and from his youth he was nurtured in the discipline of monastic prayer and the study of the Scriptures. He spent more than half a century in the Lavra of Mar Saba, sharing in the toils of the brethren and following the rule of his great uncle. Like John of Damascus, he was given the gift of sacred song, and composed many hymns and canons that entered into the daily and festal worship of the Church. With his contemporary Saint Andrew the Blind, he was among the first to write the idiomela in the Triodion which are sung from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee through to Palm Sunday. A man of deep humility, he is remembered for his stillness, his austerity of life, and his devotion to the divine services. He reposed in peace at Mar Saba towards the end of the eighth century. Some calendars commemorate him on 9 October together with the Apostle James and Saints Andronicus and Athanasia, while the Slavonic books principally commemorate him on 28 October. He is to be distinguished from Saint Stephen the Hymnographer, brother of Saint Theodore the Studite, also a poet of the Church.

Holy and Righteous Abraham and Lot

Read their story in the book of Genesis. They are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Dec 11-17.

Holy Hieromartyr Denis, first Bishop of Paris

c. 258

Saint Denis (a westernization of the the Greek Dionysius), was one of seven bishops sent to Gaul by the Bishop of Rome during the reign of the Emperor Decius. Their mission was to extend the spread of the Gospel in that mostly-pagan land. While most of the bishops were sent to major settlements, St Denis was assigned to the small, remote pagan town of Lutetia — which later grew to become the city of Paris. He and his companions settled outside the town in a house given to him by a convert, where the few Christians could meet in secret. Soon, through the holy bishop’s grace-filled preaching and his many miracles, Christianity grew rapidly. Soon a fierce persecution of Christians swept through Gaul, and many of the faithful were abused, tortured or put to death. Saint Denis, fearless of danger and heedless of his own old age, travelled among the Christians, visiting the prisoners and exhorting all to remain firm in their confession of Christ. Soon he himself was arrested along with several companions, and was tortured without pity. When was publicly hung on a cross, he preached to the onlookers of the mystery of Christ’s Passion. Taken back to prison, he celebrated the holy Eucharist for the last time, enveloped in a heavenly light. He and a host of other Martyrs were then beheaded on a hill, now called Montmartre in their memory. There is a tradition that at his beheading he rose up, took his own head in his hands, and walked for several miles to a place that later became the Basilica of St Denis in the town named after him. Before the French Revolution, the Kings and Queens of France were buried in this church.

Daily readings

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 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 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

John — John 10.1-9

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. ³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. ⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ⁴When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ⁶This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ⁶This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

⁷Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁷Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁸All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ⁹I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Galatians — Galatians 6.2-10

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. ³For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. ³For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. ⁴But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor. ⁴But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵For each man shall bear his own burden. ⁵For every man shall bear his own burden.

⁶But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. ⁶Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. ⁷Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁷Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ⁸For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ¹⁰So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. ¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Epistle

— St Tikhon

Hebrews — Hebrews 7.26-8.2

²⁶For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁶For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁷who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. ²⁷Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. ²⁸For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore. ²⁸For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

¹Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

¹Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ²a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. ²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 8.22-25

²²Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

²²Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth. ²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁴And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. ²⁵And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?

Gospel

— St Tikhon

John — John 10.9-16

⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ⁹I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. ¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹²He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: ¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹³he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, ¹⁵even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.