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Monday, 21 April 2025

Bright Monday

1 day after Pascha · Tone 2 · Liturgy · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Anastasius II, patriarch of Antioch

Saint Anastasius II was patriarch of Antioch from 599 to 609, in succession to Saint Anastasius I the Sinaite. A learned man of Greek culture, he was a friend of Saint Gregory the Great, pope of Rome, and translated into Greek the latter's Pastoral Rule, a work of profound influence in the eastern Church. His patriarchate fell in a turbulent period, as the eastern Roman empire reeled under the early Persian invasions and as the religious tensions between Chalcedonians and the followers of Severus continued to trouble Syria. About the year 609, during a furious uprising of the Jews of Antioch under the misrule of the emperor Phocas, Anastasius was seized by the rioters in his cathedral, dragged through the streets, mutilated and slain in hatred of the faith. Together with him many other Christians were martyred in the same tumult. The Church has ever since honoured Anastasius II among the hieromartyrs, both for his confession of the truth, and for the gentle pastoral wisdom by which he had governed his flock. His memory in some calendars is kept on this day, in others on 20 April, together with that of his namesake Anastasius I and Gregory of Antioch.

Hieromartyr Januarius and those with him

305

These martyrs gave glorious witness to Christ during the persecutions of Diocletian. St Januarius, Bishop of Benevento in Italy, was arrested and cast into a burning furnace, but he stood in the midst of the flames, singing praises to God, and emerged unharmed. After other cruel tortures, he was bound and cast in prison in Pozzuoli, along with his deacon Faustus and his reader Desiderius. With them in prison were two deacons from Pozzuoli, Proclus and Sossus, and two laymen, Eutychius and Acutius. All seven were cast to wild beasts; but when the animals came near the Saints, they fell affectionately at their feet and refused to harm them. Finally, all seven Christians were beheaded. Some Christians from Naples secretly took the body of Januarius and buried it in their church. Countless wonders have been worked at his grave, including the restoration of a dead man to life.

Hieromartyr Januarius, bishop of Benevento, and his companions

Saint Januarius was bishop of Benevento in southern Italy at the close of the third century. During the persecution unleashed by the emperor Diocletian (284 to 305) the deacon Sosius of Misenum was arrested for his confession of Christ. Hearing of his imprisonment, Januarius went to visit and encourage him, taking with him his deacon Festus and the reader Desiderius. As they entered the prison they too were seized and brought before Timothy, the governor of Campania, at his court in Nola. Januarius confessed his faith without hesitation, refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols, and so was cast into a burning furnace; but, like the three holy youths in Babylon, he came out unharmed, and many soldiers and pagans, beholding the miracle, believed in Christ. The governor, accusing the Christians of sorcery, ordered them to be exposed in the amphitheatre to the wild beasts; but the beasts would not touch them. Then the governor, suddenly struck blind, was healed only by the prayer of the holy bishop, but in his obstinacy he persisted in the persecution. Januarius, the deacons Sosius, Proculus and Festus, the reader Desiderius and the laymen Eutychius and Acutius were all beheaded together before the walls of Pozzuoli about the year 305. The blood of Saint Januarius was gathered up by a faithful woman; preserved in vials, it has from the fifteenth century been seen to liquify each year on his feasts, a wonder confessed before the world. He is the chief patron of the city of Naples, where his relics are kept in the cathedral, and the people have many times invoked him against the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius.

Holy martyr Theodore at Perge in Pamphylia, with his mother Philippa

The holy martyrs Theodore, his mother Philippa, the soldiers Dioscorus, Socrates and Dionysius suffered for Christ at Perge in Pamphylia during the reign of the emperor Antoninus Pius (138 to 161). Saint Philippa had received from God before her son was born a revelation that he was destined to be crucified for the name of Christ, and she raised him in the faith with this knowledge. When the youth Theodore came of age he was conscripted into the Roman army; but he refused to take part in the customary sacrifice to the idols and openly confessed himself a Christian. The military commander Theodotus had him stretched on a red-hot iron plate and poured liquid pitch over his body. At that moment a great earthquake shook the place and a stream of water gushed up from the earth, putting out the fire, while Theodore was found unharmed and giving glory to God. Theodotus then ordered him bound to wild horses to be torn apart, but the horses ran only as far as the city walls and there fell down dead, leaving the saint unhurt. The soldiers Socrates and Dionysius beheld a chariot of fire descending from heaven and bearing the martyr up; in astonishment they cried out, "Great is the God of the Christians!" and they too were arrested and beheaded. The pagan priest Dioscorus, witnessing the wonders, also confessed Christ and was cast into the same furnace prepared for Theodore, in which he gave up his soul to God. Lastly Theodore was crucified, fulfilling the prophecy made to his mother before his birth. Saint Philippa, having seen her son perfected in martyrdom, was herself beheaded with the sword.

Saint Maximian, patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Maximian was patriarch of Constantinople from 25 October 431 to his repose in April 434. A native of Rome and a man of holy life, he had retired to Constantinople, where he lived as a simple priest devoted to prayer and almsgiving. He was renowned for using his own resources to provide tombs for the poor and for the strangers who died in the city, regarding the burial of the dead as a chief work of mercy. After the deposition of the heretical Nestorius at the Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431, the emperor Theodosius II and the assembled bishops chose Maximian as the new archbishop of the imperial city, the heir to a see that had been wracked by the disputes over the divine motherhood of the Theotokos. He governed the Church of Constantinople for two and a half years with quiet wisdom, healing the divisions which Nestorius had left and labouring for the restoration of communion among the eastern hierarchs. He was a faithful supporter of Saint Cyril of Alexandria in the defence of the union of the divine and human natures in the one person of Christ. He reposed peacefully on the eve of Holy Pascha 434 and was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The Greek Church keeps his memory on this day.

Daily readings

Vespers Gospel

John — John 20.19-25

19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

19When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 20And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. 21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 21Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: 23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 23whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 1.12-17, 21-26

12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off. 13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 13And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 14These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

15And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty), 16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 16Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 17For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. 21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

21Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 23And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 26And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 1.18-28

18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

19And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? 20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 20And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ. 21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. 22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. 23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24And they had been sent from the Pharisees. 24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? 26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 26John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, 27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 27even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. 28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. 28These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Cross Procession

— 1st Reading

Matthew — Matthew 28.1-20

1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

1Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 3His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 4and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 7And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 8And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 9And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.

11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers, 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 18And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Cross Procession

— 2nd Reading

Mark — Mark 16.1-8

1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 2And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen. 3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 3And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? 4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 4and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great. 5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 5And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. 6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 6And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him! 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. 8And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid.

Cross Procession

— 3rd Reading

Luke — Luke 24.1-12

1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 4And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: 5and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8And they remembered his words, 8And they remembered his words, 9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 9and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 10Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. 11And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. 11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass. 12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Cross Procession

— 4th Reading

John — John 20.1-10

1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

1Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 2She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him. 3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 3Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 4And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; 5and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in. 5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, 6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 8Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. 9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 10So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Cross Procession

— 5th Reading

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.