Monday, 17 February 2025

Monday of Meatfare

62 days before Pascha · Tone 1 · Black squigg (6-stich typikon symbol) · No Fast

Saints commemorated

★ Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit

Saint Theodore the Recruit, known as Theodore Tyro, was a young Roman soldier of the third century who became a martyr for Christ. When ordered to renounce his Orthodox faith, Theodore refused and confessed his unwavering devotion to the Lord Jesus. Rather than submit to idolatrous practices, he endured torture and ultimately martyrdom. His steadfast courage in the face of persecution made him a witness celebrated throughout the Eastern Orthodox Church. Saint Theodore remains a patron protector invoked by the faithful for intercession and aid, and his feast is observed with special reverence in Orthodox tradition.

Saint Marcellus, Pope of Rome

Saint Marcellus served as Pope of Rome during the early centuries of the Church. He laboured to strengthen the Church in Rome and to guide the faithful in Orthodox doctrine and practice. As a successor to Saint Peter, Marcellus wielded pastoral authority with care and wisdom. He maintained communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church and worked to preserve the apostolic faith passed down through the centuries. Saint Marcellus is remembered in the Orthodox Church as a righteous bishop who served Christ and His people with dedication and holiness.

Saint Mariamne, sister of the Apostle Philip

Saint Mariamne was the sister of the Apostle Philip and devoted herself to the service of Christ from the earliest days of the Church. She stood with the apostles in their proclamation of the Gospel and shared in their labours and sufferings. According to Church tradition, she preached the Word of God and brought many to the Orthodox faith. As a woman of great spiritual strength and virtue, Mariamne participated fully in the apostolic ministry and became a faithful witness to the resurrection of Christ. The Orthodox Church venerates her as an example of women saints who laboured alongside the apostles in building the early Church.

Also commemorated: Hieromartyr Germogen, Patriarch of Moscow

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 John — 1 John 2.18-3.10

¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

¹⁸Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. ²⁰And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²⁰But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²²Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²²Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁴Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. ²⁵And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him. ²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. ²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁸And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

¹Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ²Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. ³And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ³And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ⁴Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ⁴Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him. ⁷My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: ⁷Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁸he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. ⁹Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 11.1-11

¹And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

¹And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples, ²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. ²and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him. ³And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. ³And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither. ⁴And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. ⁴And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him. ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go. ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. ⁷And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him. ⁷And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. ⁸And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁸And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields. ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ¹⁰Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest. ¹¹And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

¹¹And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.