Saturday, 28 December 2024

Saturday after Nativity

Saturday of the 27th week after Pentecost

237 days after Pascha · Tone 1 · Liturgy · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

Holy 20,000 Martyrs burned in the Church at Nicomedia

302

At the beginning of the fourth century the emperor Maximian (284 to 305), co-ruler with Diocletian, gave orders to destroy the Christian churches, to burn the holy books and to deprive all Christians of citizens' rights. The persecution fell with particular fury upon Nicomedia in Bithynia, where there was a large and flourishing Christian community led by Bishop Anthimus. On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in the year 302, when about twenty thousand Christians had assembled at the cathedral church for the Liturgy, Maximian sent a herald who announced that soldiers had surrounded the building and that any who wished to live must come out and offer sacrifice to the gods. The faithful, exhorted by their bishop and by the presbyter Glycerius, refused to deny Christ. The doors were barred, kindling and tar were heaped about the church, and the whole assembly, men, women, children, presbyters and deacons, was consumed in the flames, glorifying God in their last breath. Bishop Anthimus, who had escaped to a nearby village to continue to encourage and instruct his flock, was arrested some time afterwards and beheaded. From among those who survived the burning of the church many other martyrs went forth to confession in the days that followed, including Saint Indes, Saint Gorgonius, Saint Peter, Saint Mardonius, Saint Migdonius, Saint Dorotheus and Saint Zeno.

Saint Domna, Virgin Martyr of Nicomedia

Saint Domna was a pagan priestess in the imperial palace at Nicomedia in the days of Maximian. By the providence of God a copy of the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of Saint Paul came into her hands, and her heart was set ablaze with the desire to know more of Christian teaching. With the help of a Christian girl in the palace, she went secretly to Bishop Anthimus together with her faithful servant, the eunuch Indes. The bishop catechized them both and they received holy Baptism. Domna feigned madness in order to be released from the palace, and gave herself to a life of fasting and prayer in a women's monastery, where she was tonsured and clothed in the angelic habit. She used to take food from the imperial table and distribute it to the prisoners and the poor. When the great burning of the Christians took place at the cathedral in Nicomedia in 302, she went to the smouldering ruins, gathered up the relics of the slain and gave them honourable burial. Discovered and arrested, she boldly confessed Christ before the emperor. After many tortures she was beheaded and her body cast into the sea, but it was washed ashore and buried by Christians. With her also are commemorated her companion the eunuch Indes, drowned in the sea for the same confession.

Saint Glycerius the Presbyter, Martyr of Nicomedia

Saint Glycerius was a presbyter of the Church of Nicomedia and a fellow labourer with Bishop Anthimus during the persecution of Maximian. Distinguished for his fervour and his eloquence in preaching, he stood firm in the time of testing when the emperor's edicts went forth ordering the destruction of the churches and the offering of sacrifice. When Maximian came in person to the city, Glycerius openly confessed Christ before him and declared that the Christians would never renounce their faith, even under the threat of torture. He encouraged the great multitude gathered in the church on the Feast of the Nativity to remain steadfast unto death. Unable to break his confession by any threat or torment, the emperor at last ordered him to be burned alive, and so he received his crown of martyrdom around the year 303, going to the Lord whom he had so faithfully served as a priest.

Saint Simon the Myrrh-gusher, founder of Simonopetra

Saint Simon was a thirteenth-century ascetic of Mount Athos, born in the region of Macedonia and tonsured at a young age. After many years of monastic struggle in obedience to a holy elder, he withdrew to a cliff face on the south-western side of the Holy Mountain. There, on the night of the Lord's Nativity, he beheld a star descend and stand over the rocky precipice, and a voice commanded him to build a monastery in that place in honour of the Nativity of Christ. Encouraged by this vision, and aided by the Serbian prince John Ugljesa whose daughter the saint had healed, Simon raised the celebrated cliff-top monastery now known as Simonopetra, the Rock of Simon. He governed the brotherhood with great wisdom until his peaceful repose at the end of the thirteenth century. From his relics flowed fragrant myrrh, by which many sicknesses have been healed, and for this gift the Church honours him with the title Myrrh-gusher.

The Twenty Thousand Martyrs burned to death in their church in Nicomedia

c. 304

During a fierce persecution by the Emperor Maximian of all who would not worship the idols, the Christians of Nicomedia were subjected to especially savage treatment. (Eusebius writes that every Christian in the city was killed.) Along with many others put to the sword or otherwise butchered there, we especially commemorate the large company who, despite all danger, gathered in the church to commemorate Christ’s Nativity. The Emperor, hearing of this, sent troops to surround the building so that no-one could escape, and piled heaps of timber and brush around it. Criers then gave notice that any who wished to save their lives must come out and make sacrifice to the pagan gods. “As this announcement penetrated the church, a divine zeal, more fiery than any flame in the world, seized the deacon Agapius, who rushed to the pulpit and cried out, ‘Brethren, remember how often we have praised and extolled the Three Young Men who, when they were thrown into the Babylonian furnace, called on the whole of Creation to sing the glory of God, and how the All-Creating Word then came down in bodily appearance, to assist them and to render them invulnerable by surrounding them with a moist whistling wind. The time has now come for us to imitate them. Let us offer ourselves to a temporary death for love of our Master, in order to reign everlastingly with Him!’ The whole congregation with one voice then answered Maximian’s criers, ‘We believe in Christ God and we will give up our lives for Him!’ “As the soldiers began to set fire to the piles of wood outside, Saint Anthimus [bishop of the city, commemorated September 3] told his deacons to assemble those who were still catechumens, and he baptized and anointed them with the holy Myron. He then served the divine Liturgy, at which all present communicated in the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Armed with divine strength and closely united in a single body by Christ who dwelt in them, the holy Martyrs felt no fear as they saw the flames leap up everywhere and thick smoke begin to fill the church. With gladness they sang in unison the Song of the Three Young Men: Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him for ever (Dan. 3 LXX) until the last among them suffocated and gave up his soul. “The conflagration lasted for five days. Those who then ventured into the smouldering ruins anticipating the odour of charred flesh, found instead a heavenly scent pervading the air and the place surrounded by a brilliant light. The Saints who were glorified at this time are said to have numbered twenty thousand. Saint Anthimus himself miraculously escaped death, and so was able by his teaching to lead a large number of souls to salvation and to the new birth of holy Baptism before, in his turn, fulfilling his union with Christ by martyrdom.” (Synaxarion)

Our Holy Father Simon the Outpourer of Myrrh, Founder of Simonopetra Monastery, Mt Athos

1287

He lived during the years when Constantinople was held in captivity by the Crusaders, and the Imperial government was in exile in Nicaea. Simon fled the world at a young age and traveled to the Holy Mountain, where he submitted himself to a strict but wise Elder for many years. In time, seeking greater seclusion, he moved to a small cave on the western side of Mt Athos, near a cliff that towered a thousand feet above the sea. One night, a few days before the Feast of the Nativity, he saw a star move across the sky and come to rest above the cliff near his cave. Taking this as a demonic delusion, he ignored it; but on the Eve of Nativity, the star once again took its place above the cliff, and Simon heard a voice from heaven saying ‘Be in no doubt, Simon, faithful servant of my Son! See this sign, and do not leave this spot in search of greater solitude as you have in mind, for it is here that I want you to establish your monastery, for the salvation of many souls.’ Soon afterward, three young monks from wealthy Macedonian families, who had heard of the Saint’s holiness, came and laid their wealth at his feet, asking that he accept them as disciples. Simon sent for builders and ordered them to construct a monastery on the very edge of the precipitous cliff. The builders at first refused, saying the work was much too dangerous; but, persuaded by a miracle worked through the Saint’s prayers, they were convinced. As soon as the building was finished, the monastic community began to grow rapidly. In his own lifetime St Simon was the source of many miracles, prophecies and healings. Once the monastery was attacked by Saracen pirates. Simon went to meet them with gifts, hoping to dissuade them from attacking. When the pirates attacked him, they were blinded, and the arm of one of them was paralyzed when he attempted to strike the Saint. All of them were healed when the holy man prayed for them, and at this wonder they all repented, received Baptism and became monks. Saint Simon reposed in peace. A fragrant, healing balm afterwards flowed from his tomb in great quantities, so that he came to be called Myroblytis, ‘Myrrh-gusher’ or ‘Outpourer of Myrrh.’ In subsequent years, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt more than once, and no trace now remains of the tomb.

Also commemorated: 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia

Daily readings

Epistle

— Saturday after Nativity weekly cycle

1 Timothy — 1 Timothy 6.11-16

¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. ¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. ¹³I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; ¹³I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; ¹⁴that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁴That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁵which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ¹⁵Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ¹⁶who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen. ¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Epistle

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

— Saturday after Nativity weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 12.15-21

¹⁵But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

¹⁵And Jesus perceiving it withdrew from thence: and many followed him; and he healed them all, ¹⁶And charged them that they should not make him known: ¹⁶and charged them that they should not make him known: ¹⁷That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, ¹⁷that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, ¹⁸Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. ¹⁸Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles. ¹⁹He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. ¹⁹He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets. ²⁰A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. ²⁰A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. ²¹And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. ²¹And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.

Gospel

Luke — Luke 17.3-10

³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. ³Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. ⁴And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. ⁴And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. ⁵And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

⁵And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. ⁶And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. ⁶And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea; and it would obey you. ⁷But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? ⁷But who is there of you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say unto him, when he is come in from the field, Come straightway and sit down to meat; ⁸And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? ⁸and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? ⁹Doth he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded? ⁹Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. ¹⁰So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. ¹⁰Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.