Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

25 days before Pascha · Tone 6 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Presanctified Liturgy

Saints commemorated

★ Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

Each of the Great Feasts of the Church is followed by a commemoration of some holy one who figures in the events of the Feast. So, today we commemorate the Holy Archangel Gabriel, who brought the glad news of the conception of Christ to Mary, the Theotokos. The Prologue gives the following teaching:

“The herald of the incarnation of the Son of God, he is one of the seven great angels who stand before the throne of God. He revealed to Zacharias the birth of the Forerunner, and said of himself: ‘I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God’ (Lk. 1:19). His name, Gabriel, signifies ‘man of God’. Speaking about the Annunciation, the holy Fathers comment that an angel with such a name was sent to signify who He was, and of what nature He was, who would be born of the most pure Virgin. He would be the Man of God, the Man-God, the strong and mighty God. Others have found that it was this same Gabriel who announced the conception of the Virgin Mary to Joachim and Anna, and that it was he who taught Moses in the wilderness to write the Book of Genesis. The holy Fathers consider that Gabriel belongs to the foremost and highest order of the heavenly powers, the seraphim, since the seraphim stand closest to God. And so he is one of the seven seraphim closest to God. The names of these seven are: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selathiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel. Some would add Jeremiel to this number. Each has his own particular service, but all are equal in honour. Why did God not send Michael? For the reason that Michael’s service is the suppression of the enemies of God’s truth, while Gabriel’s is the annunciation of the salvation of the human race.”

Hieromartyr Irenaeus, bishop of Sirmium

Saint Irenaeus was bishop of Sirmium in Pannonia, in present-day Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia. A young hierarch, married and esteemed for his learning and holiness of life, he was arrested during the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian around 304. Brought before the prefect Probus, he refused both flattery and torture, declaring that he had no kindred dearer to him than Christ. Though his family pleaded with him to spare himself for their sake, he answered that he who loves father, mother, wife or children more than the Lord is not worthy of him. After repeated interrogations he was beheaded and his body cast into the river Sava. His Acts are among the earliest authentic martyr texts of the Latin-speaking Balkans, and his memory is honoured in both the Eastern and Western Churches.

Holy 26 martyrs of the Goths

The Holy 26 Martyrs of the Goths suffered for Christ in the late fourth century, during the reign of the Gothic king Athanaric, who unleashed a fierce persecution against the Christians among his people. Among them were the priests Bathuses and Verkas, with their two sons and three daughters, the priest Arpilus, the laymen Abibus, Agnus, Reasus, Igathrax, Iscoeus, Silas, Signitsus, Sonerilus, Suimblus, Thermas and Phillus, and the women Anna, Alla, Larissa, Moiko, Mamica, Uirko, and another Anna. They were burned alive in a church together with many of the faithful. Through the labour of Junius Soranus, governor of Scythia, their relics were translated to Cappadocia, where Saint Basil the Great honoured them. Their feast remains a witness to the early flowering of Christianity among the Gothic peoples.

Saint Stephen the Confessor, Abbot of Trigleia

Saint Stephen was the abbot of the monastery of Trigleia (also transliterated as Trigleia) and lived during a significant period of the Christian Church. As an abbot, he governed a monastic community with wisdom and led his monks in the ascetic life. Stephen is venerated as a confessor, which indicates his steadfast faith and witness to Christ through trials and difficulties, particularly during periods of theological controversy. His leadership preserved Orthodox tradition and his spiritual guidance brought many to a deeper understanding of the faith. Stephen's legacy includes his preservation of monastic discipline and his role in maintaining proper Orthodox theology within his community.

Also commemorated: Leavetaking of Annunciation

Daily readings

6th Hour

Isaiah — Isaiah 26.21-27.9

²¹For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. ²¹For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

¹In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

¹In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea. ²In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.

²In that day: A vineyard of wine, sing ye unto it. ³I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. ³I Jehovah am its keeper; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. ⁴Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together. ⁴Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. ⁵Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; yea, let him make peace with me. ⁵Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. ⁶In days to come shall Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud; and they shall fill the face of the world with fruit. ⁶He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

⁷Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?

⁷Hath he smitten them as he smote those that smote them? or are they slain according to the slaughter of them that were slain by them? ⁸In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. ⁸In measure, when thou sendest them away, thou dost contend with them; he hath removed them with his rough blast in the day of the east wind. ⁹By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. ⁹Therefore by this shall the iniquity of Jacob be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, so that the Asherim and the sun-images shall rise no more.

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 9.18-10.1

¹⁸And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.

¹⁸And the sons of Noah, that went forth from the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. ¹⁹These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. ¹⁹These three were the sons of Noah: and of these was the whole earth overspread. ²⁰And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

²⁰And Noah began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard: ²¹And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. ²¹and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. ²²And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. ²²And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. ²³And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. ²³And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

²⁴And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. ²⁴And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him. ²⁵And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. ²⁵And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. ²⁶And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

²⁶And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. ²⁷God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. ²⁷God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

²⁸And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

²⁸And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. ²⁹And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died. ²⁹And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

¹Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, namely, of Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

¹Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 12.23-13.9 (LXX)

²³A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. ²³A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. ²⁴The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. ²⁴The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork. ²⁵Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. ²⁵Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad. ²⁶The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. ²⁶The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err. ²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent. ²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. ²⁸In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death. ²⁸In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

¹A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. ¹A wise son heareth his father’s instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke. ²A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. ²A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence. ³He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. ³He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. ⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. ⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. ⁵A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. ⁵A righteous man hateth lying; But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. ⁶Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner. ⁶Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. ⁷There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth. ⁷There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. ⁸The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. ⁸The ransom of a man’s life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Epistle

— Theotokos weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 2.11-18

¹¹For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹¹For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹²saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. ¹²Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

¹³And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me. ¹³And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. ¹⁴Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁴Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁵And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham. ¹⁶For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ¹⁷Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. ¹⁸For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Gospel

— Theotokos weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 1.24-38

²⁴And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

²⁴And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. ²⁵Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men. ²⁶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁶Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee. ²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ²⁹But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. ²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. ³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ³¹And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? ³⁴And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? ³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. ³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. ³⁶And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. ³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. ³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible. ³⁷For no word from God shall be void of power. ³⁸And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. ³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.