Thursday, 13 March 2025

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens

Saint Publius was the second bishop of Athens, succeeding the holy Hierotheus and the holy Narcissus on that ancient apostolic throne. According to tradition he had been a disciple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who, having been instructed by the Apostle Paul on the Areopagus, became the first bishop of the city. Some sources also number him among the Seventy whom Christ Himself had sent forth to preach the kingdom of God. The labours of Saint Publius are recorded with affectionate praise by Saint Dionysius of Corinth in a letter to the Athenians, preserved in part by the Church historian Eusebius. He shepherded the Church of Athens with apostolic zeal during a difficult time, when the small Christian community in that learned and pagan city was hard-pressed by persecution and many of the faithful had grown discouraged. By his teaching, his example, and his constancy he revived their fervour and restored their confidence in the faith. He sealed his witness at last with his own blood, suffering martyrdom for Christ, according to some accounts under the emperor Marcus Aurelius in the late second century, and according to others as early as the reign of Hadrian. He was succeeded on the throne of Athens by Quadratus the apologist. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 13 March as a hieromartyr, a holy bishop and a witness of Christ.

Saint Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nicephorus was a learned theologian and Patriarch of Constantinople in the eighth and ninth centuries. He lived during the period of iconoclasm, when the veneration of holy icons was condemned by the imperial authorities. Though not a bishop at the time, Nicephorus was instrumental in defending the Orthodox teaching regarding icons and the proper veneration due to them. His learned writings and testimonies, rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Fathers, helped to restore the veneration of icons to a place of honour in the Church. When Nicephorus eventually became Patriarch, he continued to labour for the preservation of Orthodox faith and for the strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline. He endured persecution and exile for his unwavering confession of the faith. Saint Nicephorus is commemorated not only for his theological contributions but also as a confessor who remained steadfast in the Orthodox faith despite trials and opposition. The translation of his holy relics, commemorated on this feast day, is a recognition of his importance and sanctity.

Saint Theodora the Empress

Saint Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire and the wife of Emperor Theodosius II. She was known for her piety, her generosity to the poor, and her steadfast support of the Orthodox faith during a time of great theological and political turmoil. Theodora used her position and influence to strengthen the Church and to ensure that Orthodox teachings were preserved and honoured. She was devoted to prayer and ascetical practice, and her life was marked by charity, humility, and wisdom. Though she lived in the splendour of the imperial court, Theodora did not allow worldly grandeur to turn her from her devotion to God. She was beloved by her people for her kindness and for her efforts to alleviate suffering. Saint Theodora is commemorated as a saint who combined the responsibilities of imperial office with genuine piety and whose memory is venerated as an example of how one may serve God while serving in a position of great worldly authority.

Translation of the Relics of St Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

827

His main commemoration is on June 2; today we commemorate the return of his holy relics to Constantinople. Nicephoros was Patriarch during the time of the iconoclasts, and openly opposed the Emperor Leo the Armenian’s heretical policies. For this he was exiled to a monastery on the island of Prochonis, which he himself had built when Patriarch. After living there for thirteen years, he reposed around 827. In time, the iconoclast Emperors died, and the Emperor Michael, with his mother Theodora, came to the Imperial throne in 842; they appointed Methodios, a defender of the icons, as Patriarch. In 846, the incorrupt relics of St Nicephoros were returned to Constantinople and placed first in the Hagia Sophia, then in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The saint had been driven from Constantinople on March 13, and his relics were returned there on March 13, nineteen years later to the day.

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 6.1-12

¹In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

¹In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. ²Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ²Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ³And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. ³And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. ⁴And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁴And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.

⁵Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. ⁶Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

⁶Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: ⁷and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin forgiven. ⁷And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. ⁸Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. ⁸And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me.

⁹And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. ⁹And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. ¹⁰Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. ¹⁰Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed. ¹¹Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land become utterly waste, ¹¹Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, ¹²and Jehovah have removed men far away, and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land. ¹²And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 5.1-24

¹This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

¹This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; ²Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. ²male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. ³And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

³And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: ⁴and the days of Adam after he begat Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters. ⁴And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: ⁵And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. ⁵And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

⁶And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

⁶And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enosh: ⁷and Seth lived after he begat Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: ⁷And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: ⁸and all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. ⁸And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

⁹And Enosh lived ninety years, and begat Kenan:

⁹And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: ¹⁰And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹⁰and Enosh lived after he begat Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹¹and all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years: and he died. ¹¹And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

¹²And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:

¹²And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalalel: ¹³and Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹³And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹⁴And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. ¹⁴and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

¹⁵And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

¹⁵And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: ¹⁶And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹⁶and Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹⁷and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. ¹⁷And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

¹⁸And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and begat Enoch:

¹⁸And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: ¹⁹And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: ¹⁹and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: ²⁰and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. ²⁰And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.

²¹And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

²¹And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: ²²and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: ²²And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: ²³And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: ²³and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: ²⁴And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. ²⁴and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 6.3-20

³Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. ³Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbor: Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor; ⁴Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. ⁴Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids; ⁵Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. ⁵Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

⁶Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁶Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler, ⁷Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸Provideth her bread in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest. ⁸Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ⁹How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? ⁹How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? ¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: ¹¹So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man. ¹¹So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. ¹²A worthless person, a man of iniquity, Is he that walketh with a perverse mouth;

¹²A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. ¹³That winketh with his eyes, that speaketh with his feet, That maketh signs with his fingers; ¹³He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; ¹⁴In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord. ¹⁴Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. ¹⁵Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. ¹⁵Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

¹⁶These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁶There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁷Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁸A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. ¹⁹A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

²⁰My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: ²⁰My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: