Sunday, 13 April 2025

Palm Sunday

7 days before Pascha · Major feast Lord · Lenten Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Artemon, Presbyter of Laodicea

303

Saint Artemon was born of Christian parents in Laodicea of Syria in the third century. Devoted to the service of the Church from his earliest years, he served first as Reader for sixteen years, then as Deacon for twenty-eight years, and finally as Priest for thirty years, having attained extreme old age in unbroken faithfulness when the great persecution of Diocletian fell upon the Church. Saint Artemon laboured to confirm the faithful and preached the Gospel boldly throughout Asia Minor. When the imperial edict ordered the destruction of churches and the offering of sacrifices to the idols, the bishop Saint Sisinius of Laodicea, foreseeing the coming storm, blessed the relics and the sacred vessels and entrusted them to the hands of his elderly presbyter. Saint Artemon, with the help of the local Christians, broke the idols of the temple of Asclepius, and, calling on the Name of Jesus Christ, drove out the snakes that had been kept there as objects of worship, killing them by his very breath. The pagan priest Vitalius witnessed this miracle, believed in Christ and was baptised by Saint Artemon, who later consecrated him bishop in Palestine. The governor Patricius then arrested Saint Artemon and had him brought to Caesarea. After many tortures, in which the saint was preserved by the visible help of God, he was finally beheaded by the sword in the year 303 and so received the crown of martyrdom.

Holy Martyr Crescens of Myra

The holy martyr Crescens lived in Myra of Lycia and was descended from an illustrious family. A man of position and standing in his city, he was nevertheless a fervent Christian, and seeing one day a great crowd of his fellow citizens making their way to a pagan temple to offer sacrifice to the idols, he stepped forward and began to plead with them to forsake their dumb gods and to come to the worship of the true Christ. Word of his preaching reached the local prefect, who had him arrested and brought to trial. Asked who he was and from what family, the saint answered only, "I am a Christian." When the prefect, sparing his rank and age, suggested that he merely make a pretence of offering sacrifice to the idols while secretly retaining his Christian faith, the holy martyr replied, "It is impossible for the body not to do what the soul thinks, since the soul governs and moves the body." For this confession he was beaten and torn with iron claws, then condemned to be cast into a great fire, in which he gave up his soul to God. After the flames had subsided his body was found unharmed by the fire, and the faithful gathered it for honourable burial. Saint Andrew of Crete mentions Saint Crescens in his sermon on Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, who was also from the same city of Myra in Lycia.

Saint Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

“Martin became Pope on July 5th, 649, at the time of a furious quarrel between the Orthodox and the Monothelite heretics. Constans the Second, Heraclius’ grandson, was on the throne at the time, and Paul was Patriarch of Constantinople. To restore peace in the Church, the Emperor himself wrote a dogmatic decree, the Typos, which leaned heavily towards heresy. Pope Martin summoned a Council of 105 bishops, at which the Emperor’s statement was condemned. At the same time, the Pope wrote a letter to Patriarch Paul, begging him to uphold the purity of the Orthodox faith and to counsel the Emperor to reject the theories of the heretics. This letter infuriated both the Patriarch and the Emperor. The Emperor sent one of his generals, Olympius, to take the Pope to Constantinople in bonds. The general did not dare to bind the Pope with his own hands, but instructed one of his soldiers to kill him with the sword in church. But, when the soldier entered the church with his sword concealed, he was instantly blinded. So, by the providence of God, Martin escaped death. At that time, the Saracens fell upon Sicily, and Olympius went off there, where he died. Then, by the intrigues of the heretic Patriarch Paul, the Emperor sent a second general, Theodore, to bind and take the Pope on the charge that he, the Pope, was in collusion with the Saracens and that he did not reverence the most holy Mother of God. [!!] When the general arrived in Rome and read the accusation against the Pope, he replied that it was a libel; that he had no contact of any sort with the Saracens, the opponents of Christianity, ‘and whoever does not confess the most holy Mother of God and do her reverence, let him be damned in this age and in that which is to come.’ But this did not affect the general’s decision. The Pope was bound and taken to Constantinople, where he lay long in prison in great sickness, tortured by both anxiety and hunger, until he was finally sentenced to exile in Cherson, where he lived for two years before his death. He gave his soul into the hands of the Lord, for whom he had suffered so greatly, in 655. The evil Patriarch, Paul,died two years before him and, when the Emperor visited him on his deathbed, he smote his head against the wall, confessing with tears that he had greatly sinned against Pope Martin and asking the Emperor to set Martin free.’ (Prologue)

In some menaia he is commemorated on April 14.

Daily readings

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 49.1-2, 8-12

¹And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

¹And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the latter days. ²Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. ²Assemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; And hearken unto Israel your father.

⁸Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. ⁸Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise: Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father’s sons shall bow down before thee. ⁹Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? ⁹Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? ¹⁰The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. ¹⁰The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. ¹¹Binding his foal unto the vine, And his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; He hath washed his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of grapes: ¹¹Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: ¹²His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. ¹²His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.

Vespers

Zephaniah — Zephaniah 3.14-19

¹⁴Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

¹⁴Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. ¹⁵The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. ¹⁵Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more. ¹⁶In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. ¹⁶In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack. ¹⁷The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. ¹⁷Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing. ¹⁸I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. ¹⁸I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of thee; to whom the burden upon her was a reproach. ¹⁹Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. ¹⁹Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.

Vespers

Zechariah — Zechariah 9.9-15

⁹Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

⁹Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass. ¹⁰And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. ¹⁰And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off; and he shall speak peace unto the nations: and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. ¹¹As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

¹¹As for thee also, because of the blood of thy covenant I have set free thy prisoners from the pit wherein is no water.

¹²Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; ¹²Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. ¹³When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. ¹³For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man. ¹⁴And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. ¹⁴And Jehovah shall be seen over them; and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south. ¹⁵The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. ¹⁵Jehovah of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.

Matins Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 21.1-11, 15-17

¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, ²Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. ²saying unto them, Go into the village that is over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. ³And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. ³And if any one say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. ⁴All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ⁴Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, ⁵Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. ⁵Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

⁶And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed them, ⁶And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ⁷and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their garments; and he sat thereon. ⁷And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ⁸And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁸And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. ⁹And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ⁹And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? ¹⁰And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this? ¹¹And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. ¹¹And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. ¹⁵And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation, ¹⁶And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? ¹⁶and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

¹⁷And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. ¹⁷And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Philippians — Philippians 4.4-9

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. ⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 12.1-18

¹Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

¹Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead. ²There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. ²So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him. ³Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. ³Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. ⁴Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, ⁴But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith, ⁵Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor? ⁵Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? ⁶Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein. ⁶This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. ⁷Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. ⁷Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying. ⁸For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. ⁸For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.

⁹The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. ⁹Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;

¹⁰But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; ¹¹because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. ¹¹Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

¹²On the morrow a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

¹²On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. ¹³took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. ¹⁴And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, ¹⁴And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, ¹⁵Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. ¹⁵Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. ¹⁶These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. ¹⁶These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. ¹⁷The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. ¹⁷The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, bare witness. ¹⁸For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. ¹⁸For this cause also the multitude went and met him, for that they heard that he had done this sign.