Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Repose St Theodosius of Chernigov

74 days before Pascha · Tone 7 · Liturgy · Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Agatha of Catania

The Holy Martyr Agatha of Catania lived during the third century and is commemorated on 5 February. She was born around the year 231 in the city of Catania on the island of Sicily. From her noble family and exceptional beauty, one might have expected her to enjoy a life of worldly ease and comfort. Instead, from her youth, Agatha dedicated herself wholly to Christ, forsaking earthly pleasures for the sake of the Gospel. Saint Agatha was renowned not only for her beauty, but more importantly for her virtue, her piety, and her profound love for the poor. Though born into one of the most distinguished noble families of Catania, she possessed a heart overflowing with compassion. The wealth and property that came to her through her family she lavished upon the poor and suffering without regard to cost or risk, showing forth the love of Christ in concrete and generous service. She lived as a consecrated virgin, wholly devoted to Christ and to serving those in need. During the fierce persecution of Christians under the emperor Decius (249-251), the prefect of Catania, a man named Quintianus, learned of Agatha's wealth and beauty. Driven by both greed and lustful desire, he ordered soldiers to seize her and bring her before him for trial as a Christian. He attempted to tempt her through flattery and pleasures, offering fine clothes, amusements, and entertainment, urging her to deny Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods. But Saint Agatha, her heart fixed wholly upon Christ, disdained all these enticements. The more Quintianus pressured her, the more steadfast and resolute became her faith. When flattery and temptation failed, the prefect resorted to cruel torture in an attempt to break her spirit and force her to renounce Christ. The holy martyr endured terrible suffering, yet remained constant in her confession of Christ. During her imprisonment, the holy Apostle Peter appeared to her in a vision and healed her wounds, restoring her completely. When she was brought forth for torture a second time, Quintianus was astonished to see her completely healed, with no trace of her previous wounds. Fearful that a riot would break out among the populace, an earthquake suddenly struck the city, destroying many buildings and killing two of Quintianus's own advisors. Terrified by these portents and fearing a revolt by the citizens who revered Agatha, Quintianus ceased the tortures and returned her to prison. There, offering her thanks to God for the strength to endure, the holy martyr peacefully surrendered her soul to the Lord, receiving the crown of martyrdom.

Holy Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily

251

She is one of the best loved and most venerated Martyrs of the West. She was born to a noble family in Catania or Palermo in Sicily. At an early age she consecrated herself to the Lord and, though very beautiful, sought only to adorn herself with the virtues. During the persecution under Decius (251), she was arrested as a Christian; at this time she was about fifteen years old. Quintinian, the Governor of Sicily, was taken by her beauty and offered to marry her, thinking in that way not only to possess her body but her riches as well. When she spurned his advances, and continued to mock the idols, he grew angry and decided to have her tortured. She was gruesomely tormented and cast bleeding into a dungeon to die; but in the night her Guardian Angel brought the Apostle Peter to her, and he healed her wounds. The following day, the Governor ordered that she be subjected to further torments, but at his words the city was shaken by an earthquake and part of the palace collapsed. The terrified people stormed the palace and demanded that Agatha be released, lest they be subject to the wrath of her God. The Saint was returned to her prison cell, where in response to her prayers she was allowed to give up her soul to God. At Agatha’s burial, attended by many, her Guardian Angel appeared and placed a marble slab on her tomb, inscribed with the words ‘A righteous mind, self- determining, honor from God, the deliverance of her fatherland.’ Quintinian died soon thereafter, thrown from his chariot. On the first anniversary of Agatha’s death, Mt Etna erupted and Catania was about to be engulfed in lava. Christians and pagans together, remembering the inscription on her tomb, took the slab from the tomb and bore it like a shield to the river of lava, which was immediately stopped. The same miracle has happened many times in the following centuries, and Saint Agatha is venerated as the Protectress of Catania and Sicily, loved and honored by Christians of the East and the West.

Saint Polyeuctus, Patriarch of Constantinople

956

The Holy Father Polyeuctus was born in Constantinople and devoted himself from his youth to the service of God and the Church. He embraced the monastic life with great fervour, and through his ascetical labours, his theological learning, and his spiritual gifts, he became known throughout the Church for his holiness and wisdom.

Recognizing his exceptional qualities and his fitness to lead the Church, the Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenetus appointed Saint Polyeuctus as Patriarch of Constantinople in the year 956. During his tenure as the chief bishop of Constantinople, Saint Polyeuctus became renowned throughout the Christian world for the power of his preaching and his unwavering zeal for the Orthodox faith and apostolic tradition. His contemporaries called him "the Second Chrysostom" because of the strength and eloquence of his homilies and his pastoral care for the flock of Christ.

Saint Polyeuctus was a defender of the authentic traditions of the Orthodox Church against the encroachments of Rome and the Western churches. He worked tirelessly to maintain the purity of Orthodox doctrine and practice, and his leadership strengthened the Church during a critical period. His wisdom and authority extended beyond Constantinople; he was consulted on matters of faith and discipline by bishops and faithful throughout the Orthodox world.

In 957, Saint Polyeuctus performed the baptism of the Russian princess Saint Olga in Constantinople, an event of great historical and spiritual significance. This baptism marked a turning point in the evangelization of the Russian lands and the entry of the Russian people into the Orthodox Church. The holy patriarch's pastoral care and spiritual guidance were instrumental in welcoming the Russian princess into the communion of the Church.

Saint Polyeuctus served as Patriarch of Constantinople from 956 to 970, continuing his work of teaching, pastoral care, and defence of the faith until the end of his life. He departed this life on 5 February 970, having spent his entire life in service to Christ and His Church. His memory is venerated in the Church as an example of faithful pastoral leadership and steadfast defence of Orthodox tradition.

Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov

Saint Theodosius was born in the seventeenth century in the early decades in the region of Podolsk. He came from a noble family, the Polonitsky-Uglitskys, and was the son of the priest Niketas and Maria. From his youth, he was raised in a Christian household and received the gift of faith and learning. Hearing the call of Christ to monastic life, he abandoned worldly pursuits and entered the monastic community, dedicating himself entirely to prayer, ascetical labour, and service to God. In 1688, Saint Theodosius was appointed Archimandrite (abbot) of the Yeletsk Monastery in Chernigov. At the time of his appointment, the monastery was in a state of disrepair and disorganization. It had not yet fully recovered from the devastation and desolation it had suffered at the hands of the Jesuits and Dominicans during earlier troubles. The monastery was poor, its resources were limited, and its spiritual life had suffered greatly from the turmoil of previous years. With devoted labour and steadfast determination, Saint Theodosius undertook the restoration and reform of the monastic community. Over the course of two to three years through his assiduous efforts, prayerful leadership, and wise administration, he restored the monastery to good order and stability. He established proper monastic discipline, deepened the spiritual life of the community, and secured the monastery's material resources and future existence. Through his work, the Yeletsk Monastery became a thriving centre of monastic life and Orthodox witness. Saint Theodosius served as Archimandrite of Yeletsk and later as Archbishop of Chernigov, continuing his labour of pastoral care and monastic leadership. He was known for his wisdom, his devotion to the monastic tradition, and his zeal for the Orthodox faith. His leadership strengthened the Church in the region and inspired many to pursue the monastic life. Saint Theodosius departed this life on 5 February 1696 and was buried in the Saints Boris and Gleb cathedral church in Chernigov, in a special crypt near the right side of the altar. His relics were glorified and his memory was officially recognized by the Church on 9 September 1896. He is venerated as a holy father and monastic teacher whose life exemplified faithful leadership and devoted service to Christ.

Holy New Martyr Antony of Athens

1774

‘Saint Antony was the son of poor Christians from Athens. In order to help his parents, he entered the service of an Albanian Muslim at the age of twelve. In 1770, during the repression which followed the Greek rising in the Peloponnese, his masters sold him to some Turks, who tried in vain to convert him. He was then sold to a succession of five harsh, fanatical masters, but he remained unshaken in the Faith, and was bought at last by a Christian coppersmith in Constantinople. Having been warned one night in a dream that he would receive God’s help to obtain the glory of martyrdom, he was recognized next day in the street by one of his former masters, who began shouting to the passers-by that the young Christian was his runaway slave and an apostate from Islam. Antony was dragged to the court amid much commotion. He confessed that he was willing to die a thousand deaths for the love of Christ. “You would become a Christian more easily than you could make me deny my Christ,” he told the judge. Unable to persuade the Saint to feign conversion in order to save his life and under pressure from false witnesses, the judge reluctantly committed him to prison. Antony consoled the other Christian prisoners, gave away what little money he had to the poor, and wrote to thank his master for all his kindnesses and through him asked the forgiveness of all Christians and besought the prayers of the Church. ‘As the vizir delayed passing sentence, the Saint’s accusers made a complaint to the Sultan Abdul Hamid who, fearing a breach of the peace, ordered his immediate execution. The valiant sixteen-year-old went joyfully to the place of martyrdom. He offered his neck to the executioner, who struck him lightly three times to see if the pain would make him yield. Then, finding that he remained steady, he cut his throat like a slaughtered lamb.’ (Synaxarion)

Daily readings

Vespers

OT — Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8

The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.

Vespers

OT — Composite 4 - Proverbs 10; Wisdom of Solomon 6, 7, 8, 9

The mouth of a just man distils wisdom; the lips of men know graces. The mouth of the wise meditates wisdom; justice delivers them from death. When a just man dies hope is not lost; for a just son is born for life, and among his good things he will pluck the fruit of justice. There is light at all times for the just, and they will find grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise knows what is good, and wisdom will take its rest in their hearts. The Lord loves holy hearts; while all who are blameless in the way are acceptable to him. The wisdom of the Lord will enlighten the face of the understanding; for she anticipates those who desire her before they know it, and is easily contemplated by those who love her. One who rises for her at dawn will not toil, and one who keeps vigil because of her will be without care. For she goes about seeking those who are worthy of her, and shows herself favourably to those on her paths. Wickedness will never prevail against wisdom. Because of this I too became a lover of her beauty and became her friend, and I sought her out from my youth, and I sought to take her as my bride, because the Master of all things loved her, for she is an initiate of the knowledge of God and one who chooses his works. Her toils are virtues; she herself teaches sobriety and prudence; justice and courage, than which things nothing is more useful in human life. If anyone longs for much experience, she knows how to compare things of old and those that are to come. She knows the twists of words and the explanations of riddles. She foresees signs and wonders and the outcomes of seasons and times. And to all she is a good counsellor. Because immortality is in her, and fame in the fellowship of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and besought him and said from my whole heart, ‘God of my Fathers and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your Word, and established humanity by your Wisdom to be sovereign over the creatures that had come into being by you, and to order the world in holiness and justice, give me Wisdom who sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your children, for I am your servant and the son of your maid servant. Send her out from your holy dwelling and from the throne of your glory, that she may be present with me and teach me what is well pleasing before you. And she will guide me with knowledge and guard me with her glory. For all the thoughts of mortals are wretched and their ideas are unstable.’

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 10.9-16

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.

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Peter — 1 Peter 4.1-11

¹Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

¹Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; ²that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ²That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ³For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: ³For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: ⁴wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ⁴Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ⁵who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁵Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. ⁶For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. ⁶For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

⁷But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

⁷But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: ⁸above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: ⁸And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. ⁹using hospitality one to another without murmuring: ⁹Use hospitality one to another without grudging. ¹⁰according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; ¹⁰As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ¹¹If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Epistle

— St Theodosius

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 12.28-37

²⁸And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

²⁸And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all? ²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ²⁹Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³⁰and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. ³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. ³¹The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. ³²And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he: ³²And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: ³³and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. ³³And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. ³⁴And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. ³⁴And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

³⁵And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

³⁵And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David? ³⁶For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. ³⁶David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. ³⁷David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

³⁷David himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

Gospel

— St Theodosius

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.