Sunday, 2 March 2025

Forgiveness Sunday

Sunday of Cheesefare

49 days before Pascha · Tone 3 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Fast (Meat Fast)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrenia

Known for his wisdom and virtue, he was chosen as Bishop of Cyrenia on the island of Cyprus. When a persecution broke out against the Christians under the Emperor Licinius, Theodotus was arrested and subjected to many tortures. His torturer Sabinus urged him repeatedly to renounce Christ and worship the idols, but Theodotus replied, ‘If you knew the goodness of my God, who, it is my hope, will by these brief tortures make me worthy of eternal life, you would wish to suffer for Him as I do.’ The pagans then drove nails into his body, for which he thanked God. Believing that his death was approaching, he calmly gave counsel and instruction to the Christians around him. By God’s providence, an order came from the new Emperor Constantine to free all Christians who were being held for the sake of Christ. Thus Theodotus was freed and, though greatly weakened by his torments, served his flock faithfully for two more years before reposing in peace.

Holy Martyr Hesychius the Senator

Hesychius was a senator of Rome who held high rank in the secular administration during the age of Christian persecution. Despite his exalted station, he subordinated his earthly honours to his love for Christ. When the persecutions intensified, Hesychius openly declared his faith, thereby risking and ultimately losing his position, his property, and his life. History records that he was brought to trial, condemned, and executed for refusing to participate in pagan sacrifices and for his steadfast confession of Jesus as Lord. The Orthodox Church commemorates him as a holy martyr who chose the treasure of heaven over all earthly glory and dignities.

Saint Arsenius of Tver

Arsenius was a Christian ascetic and monastic father of Tver, a major city in Russia. Little is recorded of his early life, but he distinguished himself through unwavering commitment to monastic discipline and prayer. Arsenius established a monastic community and laboured to guide his monks through the rigours of ascetic practice. Known for his spiritual wisdom and pastoral care, he became a revered elder whose counsel was sought by pilgrims and clergy alike. Through fasting, vigil, and prayer, Arsenius devoted himself to the salvation of souls and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a holy monk and spiritual father whose intercession benefits those who call upon him in faith.

Saint Chad of Lichfield

Saint Chad (Ceadda) was a seventh-century English bishop and monastic founder who served as Bishop of the English kingdom of Mercia. Born in Northumbria, Chad was trained in the monastic tradition and became known for his ascetic devotion and pastoral care. He established the monastery at Lichfield and presided over it as abbot-bishop, combining the leadership of a monastic community with episcopal responsibility for the faithful. Chad was revered for his holiness, his dedication to prayer and fasting, and his compassionate ministry to both the rich and the poor. He refused to accept wealth or honour for himself, instead directing all resources towards the service of God and the building up of Christ's Church. Chad lived simply and laboured alongside his monks in the daily tasks of monastic life. After a brief but fruitful episcopal ministry, he reposed in peace, leaving behind a legacy of faithful service and ascetic virtue. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a holy bishop and monastic father whose example illuminates the path of Christian leadership and humble service.

The Four Hundred and Forty Martyrs of Lombardy

579

Forty of them were beheaded in one place in Lombardy (in Italy) because they refused to eat food offered to idols. Another four hundred were massacred because they refused to join with the Lombard pagans’ practice of dancing around a goat’s head that had been brought for sacrifice to the idols. Their deaths are recorded by St Gregory the Dialogist (Gregory the Great). We sometimes imagine that the Roman Empire converted almost overnight to Christianity during the reign of St Constantine the Great. This incident, more than two hundred years into Europe’s ‘Christian era’, reminds us that the progress of the Faith among the people was often slow and halting, and that paganism remained a force for many centuries.

Holy Martyr Euthalia

257

She was a pagan maiden living in Sicily with her mother (also named Euthalia) and her brother Sermilianus. When Euthalia’s mother became ill with an issue of blood, the holy martyrs Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus (May 10) appeared to her in a dream and told her that she would only be healed if she were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heeding the dream, she believed, was baptized, and was healed. Her daughter Euthalia, seeing this wonder, was also baptised. Sermilianus, despising and hating the Christian faith, first mocked his mother and sister for their conversion, then threatened them. The mother fled the house in fear. Euthalia remained, saying to her brother ‘I am a Christian, and have no fear of death.’ The cruel Sermilianus persecuted her more and more harshly until finally, enraged by the futility of his threats, he beheaded his own sister by his own hand, unknowingly procuring for her a crown of eternal glory. “And thus in this example were fulfilled the words of Christ that He was bringing a sword among men which would divide those of one blood but not those of one faith (Matt. 10:34-35).” (Prologue)

Daily readings

3rd Matins Gospel

Mark — Mark 16.9-20

⁹Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

⁹Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. ¹⁰And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. ¹⁰She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. ¹¹And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.

¹²After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

¹²And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. ¹³And they went away and told it unto the rest: neither believed they them. ¹³And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

¹⁴Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁴And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen. ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁷And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ¹⁸they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

¹⁹So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

¹⁹So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen. ²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Romans — Romans 13.11-14.4

¹¹And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

¹¹And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. ¹²The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. ¹²The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. ¹³Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. ¹³Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

¹Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

¹But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples. ²For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. ²One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. ³Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. ³Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. ⁴Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. ⁴Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 6.14-21

¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. ¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; ¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; ¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. ¹⁸that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.

¹⁹Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

¹⁹Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ²¹for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.