Sunday, 23 March 2025

Veneration of the Precious Cross

Third Sunday of Lent

28 days before Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Hieromartyr Nicon and his 199 disciples

He was born in Neapolis (Naples) to a pagan father and a Christian mother, and became an officer in the Roman army. Though he was not baptised, his mother had secretly instructed him in the Christian faith. Once, in a battle, his company was completely surrounded by the enemy, and Nikon recalled his mother’s counseling that, whenever he was in trouble, he should make the sign of the Cross and call upon Christ. This he did, and was immediately filled with strength and resolution, so that the enemy’s army was routed. Nikon went home, openly crying out ‘Great is the God of the Christians!’ to the great joy of his mother.

He traveled secretly to Cyzicus in Asia, where the bishop Theodosius baptised him. He then entered a monastery to spend his days in prayer and study. But some years later Theodosius, who was near death, had a vision in which he was told to consecrate Nikon as his successor. He summoned Nikon from the monastery and, to the monk’s amazement, immediately ordained him a deacon, then a priest, then a bishop.

Later, bishop Nikon returned to Italy to preach the Gospel of Christ. In Naples, he found his mother still alive, and remained with her until her death. He then set out with nine disciples, former fellow-soldiers, to proclaim the Faith. Through the Saint’s grace-filled preaching and example, many more disciples were soon added to this number. At that time a great persecution of Christians was underway, and Quintinianus, ruler of that region, seized Nikon and his companions and handed them over to the torturers. One hundred ninety of Nikon’s companions perished under torture. Nikon himself was beaten, flayed, and even thrown from a high cliff, but was miraculously preserved. Finally he was slain by the sword and his body thrown in a field to be eaten by the beasts. A shepherd boy, possessed by a spirit of madness, found the body, fell on it, and was instantly healed. He told his story to some Christians, who found the body and gave it honorable burial. Saint Nikon contested during the reign of the Emperor Decius.

Saint Luke the new martyr of Mytilene

Saint Luke the new martyr was born around 1564 on the island of Lesbos in the village of Adrianoi. Captured as a youth by Turks and forced to convert to Islam, he later escaped to Mount Athos, where he repented bitterly and was reconciled to the Church. Determined to confess Christ openly before those who had compelled his apostasy, he travelled to Mytilene and proclaimed his faith before the Turkish authorities. After cruel tortures, he was hanged on 23 March 1592, sealing his witness with martyrdom. His relics were recovered by Christians and venerated as a source of healing. He is numbered among the new martyrs who suffered under the Ottoman yoke for the confession of Christ.

Saint Pachomius of Nerekhta, abbot

1384

Saint Pachomius of Nerekhta was born around 1325 in Vladimir to the family of a priest, and was given the name Iakov in baptism. Drawn to monastic life from his youth, he entered the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Vladimir, where he was tonsured and later ordained. Seeking deeper solitude, he withdrew to the wilderness near the river Nerekhta in the region of Kostroma. There, on a hill called Sypanovo, he built a chapel and a cell, attracted disciples, and founded a monastery dedicated to the Holy Trinity. He himself painted the icon of the Trinity for the new church. Renowned for humility, prayer, and care for the poor, he reposed in 1384. His relics rest at the Sypanov Trinity Monastery, where many miracles of healing have been recorded.

Venerable Nicon, Abbot of the Kiev Caves

Saint Nicon was a venerable abbot and elder of the Caves Monastery (Pecherskaya Lavra) in Kiev. He lived during the early period of monasticism in Kyivan Rus and was renowned for his ascetic labours, spiritual wisdom, and leadership of the monastic community. Nicon strengthened the traditions of strict monastic discipline and deep prayer within the monastery. His teachings on the spiritual life and his example of humble obedience influenced many monastics. He is remembered as a pillar of the monastic tradition in the East Slavic lands and a guide for those seeking salvation through the monastic life.

Daily readings

6th Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 24.36-53

³⁶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

³⁶And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. ³⁹See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. ⁴⁰And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. ⁴⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? ⁴¹And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. ⁴³And he took it, and did eat before them. ⁴³And he took it, and ate before them.

⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁵Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, ⁴⁵Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; ⁴⁶And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: ⁴⁶and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; ⁴⁷and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁷And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸Ye are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁸And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. ⁴⁹And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

⁵⁰And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

⁵⁰And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵³and were continually in the temple, blessing God. ⁵³And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 4.14-5.6

¹⁴Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

¹For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

¹For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: ²who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity; ²Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. ³And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. ³and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. ⁴And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. ⁴And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron. ⁵So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee: ⁵So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

⁶as he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. ⁶As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 8.34-9.1

³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ³⁴And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. ³⁵For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it. ³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ³⁶For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? ³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁷For what should a man give in exchange for his life? ³⁸Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ³⁸For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

¹And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

¹And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.