Monday, 14 April 2025

Great and Holy Monday

6 days before Pascha · Presanctified · Lenten Fast (No overrides)

Presanctified Liturgy

Saints commemorated

Apostles Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus of the Seventy

All three are mentioned by name by the Apostle Paul. Aristarchus is mentioned in Acts 19:29, Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24. He was bishop of Apamea in Syria; St Paul calls him ‘my fellow-prisoner’ and ‘my fellow-laborer’. Pudens is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21. He was a prominent Roman citizen who gave refuge to Christians; his house was first a place of refuge for the Apostles, then one of the first churches in Rome. Trophimus is mentioned with Pudens in 2 Timothy 4:21, and in Acts 21:29, where we learn that he was from Ephesus. He accompanied the Apostle Paul on some of his missions. All three, like St Paul, were beheaded during Nero’s persecutions.

Holy Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy

Saint Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica and one of the Seventy Apostles whom Christ Himself sent out to preach the Gospel before His face. He became a beloved companion of Saint Paul and shared with him many of the labours and dangers of his apostolic mission. The Acts of the Apostles records that he was seized by the rioting silversmiths at Ephesus together with Gaius (Acts 19:29), that he accompanied Paul from Greece into Macedonia and on to Asia (Acts 20:4), and that he sailed with the Apostle on the perilous voyage to Rome that ended in shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:2). In his epistles Saint Paul calls him his "fellow prisoner" (Colossians 4:10) and his "fellow worker" (Philemon 24), showing how closely he was joined to him in suffering and in service. After Paul's first imprisonment Saint Aristarchus was made bishop of Apamea in Syria, where he laboured in preaching the Gospel and gathering souls into the Church. He sealed his apostolate with his blood, being beheaded at Rome together with Saint Pudens and Saint Trophimus during the persecution of the Emperor Nero, around the year 67. He is also commemorated on 4 January with the rest of the Seventy and on 27 September.

Holy Apostle Pudens of the Seventy

Saint Pudens was numbered among the Seventy Apostles whom the Lord Jesus Christ sent forth before His face to proclaim the Gospel. He was a Roman of distinguished family, the son of the senator Quintus Cornelius Pudens, and held himself a senatorial rank. Together with his mother Priscilla he was among the first converts of Saint Peter when the chief Apostle came to Rome, and he was baptised by Peter himself. The house of Pudens, on the Viminal Hill, became a centre of the Church in Rome, where Saints Peter and Paul lodged when they were in the city, and where the faithful gathered for prayer and the breaking of bread. Saint Paul greets him by name in his second letter to Timothy: "Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren" (2 Timothy 4:21). Tradition gives Saint Pudens two sons, Novatus and Timothy, and two daughters, Praxedes and Pudentiana, who themselves were honoured among the saints. Saint Pudens received the crown of martyrdom in Rome under the Emperor Nero and was buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla on the Via Salaria. He is also commemorated on 4 January.

Holy Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy

Saint Trophimus was a native of the city of Ephesus and one of the Seventy Apostles whom the Lord sent out to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. He became a faithful companion of Saint Paul, sharing with him sorrows, persecutions and labours alike. Saint Luke names him among those who travelled with Paul from Greece into Asia (Acts 20:4), and it was the sight of Trophimus, a Greek, in the company of Paul that gave occasion in Jerusalem to the false accusation that the Apostle had taken a Gentile into the Temple, leading to the riot that ended in Paul's arrest (Acts 21:29). Saint Paul mentions him in his second letter to Timothy as having been left at Miletus because of illness (2 Timothy 4:20). After his recovery Saint Trophimus continued in the apostolic ministry and laboured in the spreading of the Gospel. He sealed his confession with his blood by being beheaded at Rome under the Emperor Nero around the year 67, together with the holy Apostles Aristarchus and Pudens. He is also commemorated, with all the Seventy, on 4 January.

Holy Martyrs Antony, John and Eustathius of Vilnius

1347

These three holy martyrs of the Lithuanian land suffered for Christ in the city of Vilnius in the year 1347. Originally bearing the pagan names Kumetis, Nezhilo and Krulis, they were of noble birth and served as courtiers of Algirdas (Olgerd), Grand Duke of Lithuania. Kumetis and Nezhilo were brothers, and Krulis was their cousin. Algirdas had taken to wife the Orthodox princess Maria of Vitebsk, who brought to his court her chaplain, the priest Nestor, and through his preaching the three young men received holy Baptism with the Christian names Antony, John and Eustathius. After the death of the princess, Algirdas turned again to support the old paganism and its priests, who began a persecution of the Christians at the court. The three saints openly confessed their faith. When the Grand Duke commanded them to eat meat during Great Lent and they refused, they were imprisoned and severely tortured. Saint Antony was the first to be hanged on a great oak tree sacred to the pagans, on 14 April 1347. Saint John was strangled by a crowd of pagans soon afterwards and his body hung from the same tree on 24 April. Saint Eustathius, after long sufferings, was hanged on the same oak on 13 December of the same year. Their relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, and the Monastery of the Holy Trinity was later built on the site of their martyrdom. The Church commemorates all three together on this day.

Saint Thomais of Alexandria

476

Saint Thomais was born into a pious Christian family in the city of Alexandria in Egypt and was raised from her earliest years in the love of God. She loved to read the Holy Scriptures and the lives of the saints, and she grew in modesty, gentleness and prayer. At the age of fifteen she was given in marriage to a young fisherman, and she lived with her husband and his family, beloved by all for her mild and humble disposition. Her father-in-law, however, conceived an unclean passion for her. One night, while his son was out at sea, he came into her chamber and tried to force her to sin with him. Saint Thomais, calling on the Name of God and reminding him of the dread judgement that awaits the impure, defended her chastity with all her strength. Enraged at her refusal he seized a sword and cut her in two, and so she received the unfading crown of martyrdom in the year 476. Even as he stood over her body the murderer was struck blind, and being soon afterwards arrested he confessed his crime and was condemned to death. Many faithful sought spiritual help at the tomb of Saint Thomais, and from earliest times the Church has invoked her aid for those who struggle against the passions of the flesh. The Greek tradition keeps her memory on 14 April, while the Slavic on 13 April.

Holy Martyr Ardalion the Actor

3rd c.

He was a comic actor whose specialty was an act which mocked the Christian martyrs. But during an especially fierce persecution under the Emperor Maximian, his heart was changed in an unknown way, and during one of his performances he called out to the crowd that he was a Christian and that they must not laugh. For this, Ardalion was arrested and tried, and died by torture, as the Prologue says, “playing the role of martyr in very truth and with honour.”

Also commemorated: St Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

Daily readings

Gospel

— Bridegroom weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 21.18-43

¹⁸Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered. ¹⁸Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. ¹⁹And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. ¹⁹And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. ²⁰And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! ²⁰And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? ²¹And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. ²¹Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. ²²And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ²²And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

²³And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

²³And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? ²⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him? ²⁵The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? ²⁶But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁶But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. ²⁷And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

²⁸But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. ²⁸But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard. ²⁹He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. ²⁹And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went. ³⁰And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. ³⁰And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. ³¹Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. ³¹Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. ³²For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him. ³²For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

³³Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. ³⁴And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. ³⁴And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. ³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. ³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in like manner. ³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. ³⁷But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. ³⁷But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. ³⁸But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. ³⁸But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. ³⁹And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. ³⁹And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. ⁴⁰When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? ⁴⁰When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen? ⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons. ⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. ⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? ⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes? ⁴³Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

⁴³Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Ezekiel — Ezekiel 1.1-20

¹Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

¹Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. ²In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, ²In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, ³The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. ³the word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Jehovah was there upon him.

⁴And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

⁴And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. ⁵And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man; ⁵Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. ⁶and every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings. ⁶And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. ⁷And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. ⁷And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. ⁸And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. ⁸And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings thus: ⁹their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. ⁹Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. ¹⁰As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. ¹⁰As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle. ¹¹And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. ¹¹Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. ¹²And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went. ¹²And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. ¹³As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. ¹³As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. ¹⁴And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. ¹⁴And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

¹⁵Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

¹⁵Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof. ¹⁶The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. ¹⁶The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto a beryl: and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. ¹⁷When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. ¹⁷When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went. ¹⁸As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. ¹⁸As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about. ¹⁹And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. ¹⁹And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. ²⁰Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. ²⁰Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Exodus — Exodus 1.1-20

¹Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

¹Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob): ²Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, ²Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, ³Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, ³Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, ⁴Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. ⁴Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. ⁵And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. ⁵And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: and Joseph was in Egypt already. ⁶And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. ⁶And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

⁷And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. ⁷And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

⁸Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

⁸Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. ⁹And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: ⁹And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: ¹⁰Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. ¹⁰come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. ¹¹Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses. ¹¹Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. ¹²But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. ¹²But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. ¹³And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor: ¹³And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: ¹⁴And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. ¹⁴and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.

¹⁵And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

¹⁵And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: ¹⁶And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. ¹⁶and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birth-stool; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. ¹⁷But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive. ¹⁷But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. ¹⁸And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? ¹⁸And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive? ¹⁹And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. ¹⁹And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwife come unto them. ²⁰And God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. ²⁰Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Job — Job 1.1-12

¹There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil.

¹There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ²And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. ²And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. ³His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. ³His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

⁴And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ⁴And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ⁵And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. ⁵And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

⁶Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

⁶Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. ⁷And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ⁷And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ⁸And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? ⁸And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. ⁹Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ⁹Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ¹⁰Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹⁰Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹¹But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. ¹¹But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. ¹²And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah. ¹²And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Gospel

— Presanctified weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 24.3-35

³And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

³And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? ⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. ⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. ⁵For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. ⁵For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. ⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. ⁷For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ⁷For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. ⁸All these are the beginning of sorrows. ⁸But all these things are the beginning of travail. ⁹Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. ⁹Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. ¹⁰And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. ¹¹And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. ¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ¹²And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. ¹²And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. ¹³But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. ¹³But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. ¹⁵When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

¹⁵When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), ¹⁶then let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains: ¹⁶Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: ¹⁷let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house: ¹⁷Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: ¹⁸Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. ¹⁸and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. ¹⁹But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! ¹⁹And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! ²⁰And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath: ²⁰But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: ²¹for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. ²¹For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²²And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. ²²And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. ²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. ²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. ²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. ²⁵Behold, I have told you beforehand. ²⁵Behold, I have told you before. ²⁶If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not. ²⁶Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. ²⁷For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. ²⁷For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ²⁸Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. ²⁸For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

²⁹But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

²⁹Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: ³⁰And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³⁰and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ³¹And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

³²Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; ³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ³³even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors. ³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished. ³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. ³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.