Monday, 20 January 2025

Ven. Euthymius the Great

Monday of the 31st week after Pentecost

260 days after Pascha · Tone 5 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Venerable Euthymius the Great

Venerable Euthymius the Great (377 – 20 January 473) was a celebrated monastic father and ascetic saint of the late Byzantine era who profoundly shaped the development of Orthodox monasticism in Palestine. Born in 377 in the city of Melitene in Armenia into a pious and illustrious family, Euthymius received an excellent education and early in life felt a calling to the monastic and ascetical life.

After establishing himself as a young monk in the region near his native city of Melitene, he journeyed to Jerusalem at the age of twenty-nine to visit the holy sites. Moved profoundly by the spiritual atmosphere of the Holy Land, he chose to remain there and withdrew into the desert region between Jerusalem and Jericho, known as Pharan, where he established his monastic life.

Through his own ascetical example, his spiritual wisdom, and his gracious pastoral care, Euthymius became a beacon for many seekers of monastic life. Numerous disciples gathered around him, and he gently guided them in their ascetical struggles. Amongst his most celebrated disciples were the luminous saints Cyriac the Hermit, Sabas the Sanctified (who himself became a great monastic legislator), and Theotictus. Under his direction, Euthymius established multiple monastic communities and hermitages throughout Palestine, establishing the foundation for a flourishing monastic tradition in the Holy Land.

Saint Euthymius participated actively in the theological work of the Church, particularly in formulating the decrees of the Council of Ephesus in 431 and contributing significantly to the Council of Chalcedon in 451, where his spiritual wisdom and pastoral experience informed the Church's defence of Orthodox Christological doctrine.

The venerable father reposed peacefully on 20 January 473 at the advanced age of ninety-seven, having spent nearly a century in steadfast monastic devotion and pastoral service. His feast day is celebrated on 20 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church and on 2 February in the New Calendar tradition.

Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma

The holy martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma were early Christian saints of the first centuries of the Church who died as confessors and witnesses to Christ during the era of imperial persecutions. They lived during a time when Christians faced intense pressure to renounce their faith and participate in pagan worship, yet they remained steadfast in their commitment to Christ and the Gospel.

Each of the three martyrs endured trials and suffering for refusing to renounce Christ. Their constancy and unwavering faith became a testimony to the power of divine grace and the courage that Christ grants to those who suffer for His name. Through their martyrdom, they joined the great cloud of witnesses whose blood cried out to heaven, bearing witness to the resurrection and the promise of eternal life in Christ.

The Orthodox Church honours these three martyrs together on 20 January, celebrating their unified witness to Christ and their sacrifice for the Gospel. Their memory serves to remind the faithful of the cost of discipleship and the grace of God that sustains believers through persecution. Though specific biographical details of their lives and deaths are limited in the surviving historical sources, their names are preserved in the Church's synaxarion as faithful servants of Christ who gave their lives in testimony to the faith.

Holy emperor Leo the Great, called Makellis

474

Saint Leo the Great, surnamed Makellis or Marcellus, was Eastern Roman emperor from 457 to 474. Born in Thrace around the year 401, he rose through the imperial guard and was raised to the throne by the patrician Aspar, becoming the first emperor to be crowned by the patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Anatolius. He took the name Leo on his accession. Leo proved an able ruler and a firm defender of the Orthodox faith proclaimed at the Council of Chalcedon. He upheld the two natures of Christ against the Monophysite party, restored Orthodox bishops to their sees, and laboured to preserve Antioch from heresy by removing the Monophysite Peter the Fuller. He is remembered as the first Eastern emperor to legislate in Greek rather than Latin and as a generous benefactor of the poor and of the churches of the imperial city. His daughter Ariadne was given in marriage to the future emperor Zeno. Saint Leo reposed peacefully in the year 474 and was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. The Orthodox Church honours him as a confessor of the faith.

Holy martyrs Bassus, Eusebius, Eutychius and Basilides of Nicomedia

303

The holy martyrs Bassus, Eusebius, Eutychius and Basilides were courtiers of the emperor Diocletian (284-305) and members of the senate of Nicomedia. They witnessed the steadfast confession and suffering of the hieromartyr Theopemptus, bishop of Nicomedia (commemorated 5 January), who was among the first victims of the Diocletian persecution. Moved by his courage and the miracles that accompanied his martyrdom, the four senators came to believe in Christ and received holy baptism. When their conversion became known, they were brought before the emperor and refused to renounce Christ. They were subjected to cruel tortures and put to death in the year 303. According to tradition, Saint Bassus was buried in the ground up to his waist and hacked to pieces; Saint Eusebius was hung head downwards and cut in two; Saint Eutychius was tied hand and foot to a pillar and broken apart; and Saint Basilides was disembowelled with a knife. Their relics were gathered by the faithful and buried with honour.

Saint Peter the Tax Collector

6th c.

“”Saint Peter, being of patrician rank, was appointed by the Emperor Justinian (527-65) to administer the Roman province of Africa. Harsh and without an ounce of compassion, he became universally known as ‘the Miser’. One day a beggar was importuning him insistently for alms, so he picked up one of the warm loaves which his servant had just brought in and threw it like a stone at his head. The beggar seized it with delight and made off. Two days later Peter suddenly fell ill with the fever and saw himself appear at the Last Judgment to give an account of all his deeds. A pair of scales was brought before him and swarthy creatures placed all his evil actions on to the left-hand dish, while bright angels stood to the right, in dismay at having nothing by way of a good deed to put on to the right-hand side except the loaf which he had thrown in anger at the beggar. Peter then woke up with a start and, forgetful of his illness, hastened to give away all his goods to the needy, even his clothing. Afterwards in a dream, he saw Christ wearing the clothes he had given away, and so he decided not to stop at that but to sell himself as slave to a goldsmith in order to give alms of the price paid for him. Some time later, fearing lest his identity be discovered, he fled to Jerusalem and thence to Constantinople, where he gave back his soul in peace to God in his old house.” (Synaxarion) The source of this story is the longer Life of St John the Merciful (November 12).

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 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

Hebrews — Hebrews 11.17-23, 27-31

¹⁷By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; ¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: ¹⁸Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ¹⁹accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. ¹⁹Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. ²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. ²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. ²¹By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. ²²By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²²By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. ²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. ²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. ²⁸Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. ²⁹By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. ²⁹By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. ³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. ³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. ³¹By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace. ³¹By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Epistle

— St Euthymius

Hebrews — Hebrews 13.17-21

¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you. ¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

¹⁸Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

¹⁸Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. ¹⁹And I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. ¹⁹But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. ²⁰Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

²⁰Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, ²¹make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 9.42-10.1

⁴²And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. ⁴²And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. ⁴³And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: ⁴³And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. ⁴⁴Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁴ ⁴⁵And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: ⁴⁵And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. ⁴⁶ ⁴⁶Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁷And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; ⁴⁷And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: ⁴⁸where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁸Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁹For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. ⁴⁹For every one shall be salted with fire. ⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. ⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.

¹And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judæa by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

¹And he arose from thence, and cometh into the borders of Judæa and beyond the Jordan: and multitudes come together unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

Gospel

— St Euthymius

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.