Monday, 10 March 2025

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

41 days before Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Codratus of Corinth

Saint Codratus was a holy martyr who suffered for Christ during the persecution of Christians in the early centuries of the Church. Together with his companions, he was brought before magistrates who demanded that he renounce his faith in Jesus Christ and offer sacrifice to pagan gods. Codratus and his fellow believers refused to deny the Saviour or to participate in idolatrous worship. They were subjected to various torments, being beaten and imprisoned. Their unwavering confession of Orthodox faith was a testimony to all who witnessed their trials. Despite the cruelties inflicted upon them, the saints remained joyful and gave glory to God, knowing that they would receive the crown of martyrdom. Saint Codratus and his companions were finally executed and now intercede for the faithful who honour their memory.

Martyrs Codratus and those with him

258

‘In a time of persecution of Christians, many of the faithful fled to the mountains and caves. The mother of this Codratus did so. She was pregnant at that time, and gave birth to Codratus in a forest, dying almost at once. He was kept safe and fed by the providence of God and his guardian angel. Codratus grew up in solitude with nature. He who gave manna from heaven to the Israelites in the wilderness released a sweet dew from a cloud onto the mouth of the child Codratus. When he was twelve years old, he went down to the town, and there some good people took a fancy to him and educated him. He studied medicine and then began to heal the sick, using both natural medicines and, more importantly, the spiritual power and prayer which had been with him from childhood. When a new persecution arose under Decius, Codratus was taken for trial and thrown into prison. Five of his friends stood beside him and confessed the name of Christ. They were: Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul and Crescens. They were all dragged through the streets and struck with sticks and stones by the unbelievers, especially by the children, until they arrived at the scaffold. Here the martyrs prayed to God and were beheaded with the sword. A spring of water gushed out onto the earth at the spot, which to this day is called by Codratus’ name and commemorates the heroic death for Christ of the holy six. They suffered with honour for the truth in Corinth in the year 250, in the time of the Emperor Decius and his governor Jason.’ (Prologue)

Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria

Saint Anastasia was a woman of noble birth, a patrician of the city of Alexandria, who devoted herself entirely to the service of God and to works of charity. In the early centuries of Christianity, she used her considerable wealth and influence to aid the poor, to support those suffering persecution, and to advance the faith. Saint Anastasia was known for her great compassion, her strict asceticism despite her position of ease, and her unshakeable commitment to Christ. She endured trials and persecutions for the Orthodox faith and spent her life in prayer, fasting, and service to others. The Church honours her memory as one who combined the virtues of nobility with the simplicity of evangelical poverty and as one whose intercession brings comfort to those in distress.

Saint John of Khakhuli, called the Chrysostom

Saint John of Khakhuli, known to the Georgians as Oqropiri, "the Golden-tongued", was one of the great spiritual lights of medieval Georgia. He flourished in the second half of the tenth and the early eleventh centuries, a contemporary of King David Kuropalates and King Bagrat III, who founded the celebrated Khakhuli Monastery in the historic region of Tao at the gorge where the Khakhuli river joins the Tortumi. A theologian, translator, and calligrapher of great learning, John laboured to enrich the Georgian Church with the wisdom of the Fathers, and his sermons were so eloquent that he was given the same epithet "Chrysostom" that had been bestowed long before on the great Archbishop of Constantinople. Some traditions say that he was first consecrated Bishop of Bolnisi and afterwards transferred to Khakhuli. About the year 1019 he left Khakhuli together with his companions Arsen of Ninotsminda and John Grdzelis and journeyed to the Holy Mountain of Athos. There he attached himself to Saint Ekvtime the Hagiorite at the Iviron Monastery, assisting him in his great labour of translating the Scriptures and Fathers into Georgian. The Life of Saint George of the Holy Mountain records that Saint John reposed on Mount Athos. The Khakhuli Monastery long preserved his memory, and the icon of the Mother of God of Khakhuli, set in a famous gold and enamel triptych, became one of the chief treasures of the Georgian Church.

Saint Simplicius, Pope of Rome

483

Saint Simplicius was born at Tivoli in Italy, the son of a citizen named Castinus. After serving in the Roman clergy with distinction, he was elected to the apostolic see of Rome on 3 March 468, in succession to Saint Hilary, and held it for fifteen years through one of the most turbulent periods of the late Roman West. His pontificate witnessed the deposition of the last western emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in 476, and the establishment of barbarian rule in Italy under Odoacer. Throughout these upheavals Simplicius laboured to preserve the faith of the Council of Chalcedon, opposing the resurgent Monophysitism that troubled the East. He resisted the Henotikon promulgated by the emperor Zeno and the compromises of Acacius, Patriarch of Constantinople, defending the two natures of Christ as defined by the holy Fathers. He likewise upheld the orthodox party in Egypt and Antioch in their struggles against heretical claimants. In Rome itself Simplicius dedicated several great churches, among them San Stefano Rotondo on the Caelian Hill, Santa Bibiana, Sant'Andrea Catabarbara, and a basilica in honour of the holy martyrs in the Roman cemeteries. He reposed in peace on 10 March in the year 483 and was buried in the portico of Saint Peter's Basilica. The Orthodox Church venerates him among the saints of the pre-schism see of Rome.

Our Holy Mother Anastasia

563

She was a noble lady at the Imperial court under the Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. But when she was widowed she left Constantinople and all her privileges behind and fled to the Egyptian desert. There Abba Daniel tonsured her and, at her request, presented her to the brethren as the eunuch Anastasius, so that she might avoid discovery by imperial investigators. She closed herself in a small cell, where she spent twenty-eight years in prayer and askesis. Shortly before her death, her elder Daniel saw her face shining like the sun.

Also commemorated: Martyr Quadratus and Companions

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 4.2-5.7

²In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

²In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. ³And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: ³And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; ⁴When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. ⁴when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. ⁵And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. ⁵And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be spread a covering. ⁶And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the day-time from the heat, and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain. ⁶And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

¹Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

¹Let me sing for my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: ²and he digged it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also hewed out a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. ²And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. ³And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

³And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. ⁴What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? ⁴What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? ⁵And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: ⁵And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: ⁶and I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor hoed; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. ⁶And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. ⁷For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry. ⁷For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 3.21-4.7

²¹And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them. ²¹Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

²²And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever—

²²And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: ²³therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. ²³Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. ²⁴So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. ²⁴So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

¹And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah.

¹And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. ²And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ²And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

³And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. ³And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. ⁴And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: ⁴And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: ⁵but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. ⁵But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. ⁶And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

⁶And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? ⁷If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it. ⁷If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 3.34-4.22

³⁴Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly. ³⁴Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. ³⁵The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools. ³⁵The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

¹Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. ¹Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: ²For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law. ²For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. ³For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. ³For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. ⁴And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live; ⁴He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. ⁵Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ⁵Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; ⁶Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee. ⁶Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. ⁷Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. ⁷Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. ⁸Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. ⁸Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. ⁹She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. ⁹She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee. ¹⁰Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. ¹⁰Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. ¹¹I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness. ¹¹I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. ¹²When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. ¹²When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. ¹³Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life. ¹³Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. ¹⁴Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.

¹⁴Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. ¹⁵Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on. ¹⁵Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. ¹⁶For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. ¹⁶For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. ¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. ¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. ¹⁸But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ¹⁸But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ¹⁹The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. ¹⁹The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble. ²⁰My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.

²⁰My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. ²¹Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. ²¹Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. ²²For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. ²²For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.