Monday, 24 February 2025

1st and 2nd Finding Honorable Head of St John the Baptist

Monday of Cheesefare

55 days before Pascha · Tone 2 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · Fast (Meat Fast)

Saints commemorated

First and Second Finding of the Precious Head of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John

452

After the Forerunner was beheaded at the order of Herod and his illicit wife Herodias, his head was discarded in what the Synaxarion calls “an unseemly location,” presumably a privy. According to some, it was secretly recovered by Joanna, one of the Myrrhbearing women, and given honorable burial near Jerusalem. There it was found, through a revelation of the Forerunner, by two monks who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of our Savior (the first finding). Putting the head in a bag, the monks returned home. On the way, they met an indigent potter from Emesa. That night the Forerunner appeared to the poor man and instructed him to make off with the relic. He returned with it to Emesa and immediately began to prosper in his business. Just before he died, he put the holy relic in a chest, which he left to his sister with these instructions: never to open it without instructions from the one hidden inside it; and to pass it on to a pious man beloved of God. Thus the Head of the Baptist passed through many generations, eventually being concealed in a cave near a monastery founded during the reign of Marcian (450-457), whose abbot was the godly Marcellus.

The blessed Forerunner appeared several times to Marcellus, embracing him and once even giving him a pot of honey. The Baptist ordered Marcellus to follow a star which led him to the cave and came to rest in front of a niche in the wall. Marcellus dug there and came upon a marble slab, under which was a large jar containing the precious Head. The holy relic was taken with rejoicing to the cathedral in Emesa,where it worked many wonders. In the reign of Michael III (842-867), it was taken to Constantinople. It was at this translation that the present Feast was instituted.

The version given here is that of St Symeon Metaphrastes. Other sources give substantially different accounts.

The Prologue observes: “It is important and interesting to note that, while he was alive, John did not work a single miracle (Jn 10:41), but to his relics was given the blessed power of working miracles.”

Hieromartyr Praetextatus, bishop of Rouen

Saint Praetextatus, called Prix in the speech of his country, was the seventeenth bishop of the see of Rouen in the kingdom of the Franks. He was elevated to the episcopate about the year 549 and ruled the church of Rouen for some thirty-seven years with apostolic vigour. He was a friend and counsellor of the holy king Sigebert and stood as godfather to his son Merovech. For rebuking the wickedness of the queen Fredegund, who had murdered her stepson and contrived the death of her husband, Praetextatus drew upon himself her implacable hatred. At a synod held in Paris in 577 false charges were brought against him by King Chilperic, and he was banished to the island of Jersey, where he passed seven years in patience. After the death of Chilperic in 584 he was restored to his see and resumed his pastoral labours, comforting the afflicted and rebuking the unjust. In 586, while he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the altar in his cathedral on the morning of Easter Sunday, an assassin sent by Fredegund struck him under the arm with a knife. Mortally wounded, Saint Praetextatus dragged himself to the altar to receive holy communion before he reposed. He is honoured among the holy hieromartyrs of the West, and his death is recorded with grief by Saint Gregory of Tours.

Holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius and their companions of Carthage

259

The holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Flavian, Julian, Victoricus, Primolus, Rhenus and Donatian were disciples of the holy hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage and suffered for Christ in the same city in the year 259, during the persecution raised by the emperor Valerian. After the martyrdom of their bishop in September 258, an outbreak of unrest in Carthage was used as a pretext by the procurator Solon to seize a number of Christians, although the faithful had taken no part in the disturbance. The confessors were thrown into a dark and crowded prison and there endured hunger, thirst and prolonged interrogation. From their confinement they wrote a long letter to the church of Carthage exhorting their brethren to perseverance and unity. They were comforted by visions in which the martyred Saint Cyprian appeared to them, encouraging them to await their crown. Saint Flavian, who had been a deacon, was at first separated from the others on a doubt as to his ordination, but at his earnest prayer he was granted to suffer with his companions a few days later. Led at last to the place of execution, the martyrs exhorted the faithful to peace and to obedience towards their pastors. They were beheaded together and received the crown of martyrdom. The Acts of their passion, written by their fellow prisoners and completed by an eyewitness, are among the most moving documents of the African church.

Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Caves

1160

Venerable Erasmus was a monk of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev who inherited considerable wealth from his devout parents. Rather than retain these riches for himself, he became a radiant example of Christian renunciation and generosity. He devoted all his worldly possessions to the beautification and adornment of churches, spending lavishly on silver-plating and gilding icons in honour of God. Yet his generous actions became the occasion for severe spiritual trial. After surrendering his wealth, the enemy of mankind began to suggest to Erasmus that he had acted foolishly, that he should instead have distributed his inheritance to the poor rather than expending it on the embellishment of sacred objects. The monk fell into grave despondency, tormented by such thoughts, and gradually abandoned his monastic discipline and spiritual vigilance. To humble him and bring him to deeper repentance, the Lord sent a grievous illness that nearly claimed his life. For seven days he lay incapacitated, unable to see or speak, scarcely able to breathe. During this trial, understanding the source of his affliction, Erasmus made a public confession of his sins before the entire community, concealing nothing and accepting his shame with humble contrition. He then received the monastic schema and committed himself anew to his vows. Three days after his renewal, Saint Erasmus departed this earthly life in the year 1160, and his holy remains were interred in the Near Caves of the monastery.

Saint Aethelberht, first Christian King of Kent

616

In 597, a party of forty missionary monks, led by St Augustine of Canterbury (May 28), was sent to Britain by the holy Pope Gregory the Great, to bring the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ to the English people. Aethelberht, who had been King of Kent for thirty-six years, received the monks favorably, allowed them to preach in his kingdom, and invited them to establish their headquarters in Canterbury, his capital city, which already contained a small, ruined church dedicated to St Martin of Tours in Roman times. The king himself was converted and received holy Baptism at the hands of St Augustine; a crowd of his subjects followed his example. When St Augustine was consecrated bishop, Aethelberht allowed him to be made Archbishop of Canterbury and gave his own palace to serve as a monastery. The king worked steadily for the conversion of the neighboring kindoms, and in 604 established an episcopal see in London. Unlike some Christian rulers, he refused to see anyone converted forcibly. Saint Aethelberht reposed in peace in 616, after reigning for fifty-six years. He was buried in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which he had established. Many miracles were worked at his tomb, where a lamp was kept lit perpetually until the monastery was disbanded by the Protestants in 1538.

Daily readings

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54

Thus says the Lord: Comfort, comfort my people, says God. Priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem. Comfort her, because her humiliation has been completed; for her has sin has been abolished, because she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill made low; what is crooked will become straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Go up onto a high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Sion; lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift it up, do not be afraid. I the Lord God, I, the God of Israel, will hearken and will not forsake them; but I will open rivers from the mountains and springs in the middle of plains. I will turn the wilderness into water meadows and the thirsty earth with water courses. Let the heavens rejoice from on high and let the clouds rain justice. Let the earth sprout and blossom with mercy and justice. Announce a voice of gladness to the end of the earth and let this be heard: Say that the Lord has delivered his servant Jacob. And if they thirst through deserts, he will bring water for them from a rock. Rejoice you barren who have never given birth, break out and shout, you who have never known birth pangs, for the children of the deserted are more than those of her who has a husband.

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 9 - Malachi 3, 4

Thus says the Lord Almighty: See, I am sending my Angel, my messenger, before your face, who will prepare your way before you. And the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple. And who will endure the day of his entrance? And who will withstand at his appearing? Because he will enter like fire in a smelting furnace and like the lye of launderers. And he will come to you in judgement; and he will be a swift witness against the wicked and against adulteresses and against those swear falsely in his name and those who do not fear him, says the Lord Almighty. Because I am the Lord your God, and I have not changed and you, children of Jacob, have perverted the laws and not kept them. Therefore turn back to me and I will turn back to you, says the Lord Almighty. And all the nations will call you blessed and you will know that I am the Lord who discern between just and lawless on the day on which I make a peculiar possession of those who love me. Know then and remember the law of Moses my servant, as I gave him commandment on Horeb, to all Israel ordinances and judgements. And see, I will send you Elias the Thesbite, before the great and manifest day of the Lord comes; he will turn again the heart of father to son and of a man to his neighbour, lest when I come I smite the earth grievously, says the Lord Almighty, God the Holy One of Israel.

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5

A just man if he comes to his end will be at rest. A just man who dies will condemn the ungodly who are alive; for they will see the end of a just man and will not understand what they counselled concerning him. For the Lord will break the ungodly, render them voiceless and cast them headlong, and he will shake them from the foundations and they will be utterly worsted in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. They shall come with fear at the accounting of their sins, and their iniquities will convict them to their face. Then the just will stand with much boldness in the face of those who afflicted him and made his toils of no account. When they see this they will be troubled with great fear and will be amazed at the wonder of his salvation. For they will say as they repent and with anguish they will groan and say: Is this he whom we fools once made a laughing stock and a byword of reproach? We reckoned his life folly and his end dishonour. How has he been numbered among the children of God and his lot with the Saints? Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness has not shone on us and the sun has not dawned on us. We have been filled with paths of lawlessness and destruction and journeyed through trackless paths, but have not known the way of the Lord.

Matins Gospel

— Forerunner

Luke — Luke 7.17-30

¹⁷And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about. ¹⁷And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judæa, and all the region round about. ¹⁸And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

¹⁸And the disciples of John told him of all these things.

¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? ¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ²⁰When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? ²⁰And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ²¹In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. ²¹And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. ²²And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. ²²Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. ²³And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ²³And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

²⁴And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

²⁴And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? ²⁵But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. ²⁵But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. ²⁶But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁶But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁷This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. ²⁷This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

²⁸I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁸For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁹And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. ²⁹And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him. ³⁰But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Epistle

weekly cycle

3 John — 3 John 1.1-14

¹The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

¹The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

²Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. ⁴Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

⁵Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; ⁶Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: ⁶who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: ⁷because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁷Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁸We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. ⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

⁹I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

⁹I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. ¹⁰Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

¹¹Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹¹Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹²Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. ¹²Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.

¹³I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: ¹⁴But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. ¹⁴but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

Epistle

— Forerunner

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 4.6-15

⁶Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹⁰always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. ¹¹For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹¹For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; ¹³We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 19.29-40, 22.7-39

²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

²⁹And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. ³⁰saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him. ³¹And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. ³¹And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him. ³²And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. ³²And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them. ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their garments in the way. ³⁷And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; ³⁷And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; ³⁸Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁸saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ⁴⁰And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out. ⁴⁰And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

⁷And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we make ready? ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth. ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹¹And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹²And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁶for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁸for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. ²⁰And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.

²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²¹But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! ²²For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. ²³And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

²⁴And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations; ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³⁰that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁶And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.

Gospel

— Forerunner

Matthew — Matthew 11.2-15

²Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples ²Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? ³and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see: ⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁵the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

⁷And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

⁷And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? ⁸But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁸But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. ⁹But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. ⁹But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹⁰This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. ¹⁴And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come. ¹⁵He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁵He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.