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Thursday, 8 May 2025

Holy Apostle John the Theologian

Thursday of the 3rd Sunday of Pascha

18 days after Pascha · Tone 2 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian

Saint John, the beloved disciple of the Lord, was the youngest of the twelve apostles, son of Zebedee the Galilean fisherman and Salome, and brother of Saint James. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three canonical epistles, and the Book of Revelation. After the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, whom he had cared for as son, he laboured at Ephesus, where he preached the Gospel, suffered exile to Patmos under Domitian, and there received the apocalyptic visions. Returning to Ephesus, he survived all the other apostles and reposed peacefully at a great age, the only apostle not to die a martyr. According to tradition, when John was over a hundred years old he took seven of his disciples outside the town of Ephesus and ordered them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. The elder went down into the grave and was buried; when the faithful afterwards opened it, they did not find his body. While his principal feast falls on 26 September, the Church commemorates him on 8 May because of an annual miracle at his tomb: a fine red dust, which the faithful call the holy manna, is raised up from the grave each year on this day, and through the prayers of the apostle the sick are healed by it.

Saint Emilian the confessor, bishop of Cyzicus

Saint Emilian lived during the iconoclast persecution under the Emperor Leo the Armenian. As bishop of Cyzicus he was a zealous defender of the holy icons and stood firmly against the imperial decrees that ordered their removal. Summoned to the capital with other hierarchs, he refused to subscribe to the iconoclast position and reproached the emperor to his face for fighting against the tradition of the Church. For this he was deposed from his see and exiled to a remote place, where he endured many torments and afflictions. He reposed in confession of the holy faith about the year 820. Some calendars place him on 8 August, but he is also commemorated together with the other defenders of the icons on 8 May.

Venerable Arsenius the Great

Saint Arsenius was born in Rome about the year 354 to a pious Christian senatorial family which gave him an excellent education in rhetoric and philosophy and in both Latin and Greek. Ordained deacon by Pope Damasus, he was sent at the wishes of the Emperor Theodosius the Great to Constantinople around 383 to serve as tutor to the imperial sons Arcadius and Honorius. He laboured at the imperial court for some eleven years, but his soul yearned for stillness, and he prayed earnestly for guidance. One day he heard a voice saying, "Arsenius, flee from men, and you shall be saved." Putting off his rich garments and replacing them with old and tattered ones, he secretly left the palace, took ship for Alexandria, and made his way to Sketis in the Egyptian desert. There he was received by Saint John the Dwarf at the recommendation of Saint Macarius the Great. To his earlier prayer for guidance was added a second saying given him from heaven: "Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the sources of sinlessness." He kept silence and seclusion with such severity that he became among the most highly regarded of the desert fathers, and his contemporaries surnamed him the Great. When the Mazices raided Sketis around the year 434 he withdrew to Troe near Memphis, and to Canopus near Alexandria, before returning to Troe to repose about the year 445 at the age of around ninety-five.

Our Righteous Father Arsenios the Great

449

He is one of the original and most honored Desert Fathers. Born of a noble family, he was a deacon and a courtier in Constantinople. One day he heard a voice saying “Arsenios, flee from men, and thou shalt be saved.” He left the capital in secret and sailed to Alexandria, then journeyed to Skete in the Egyptian desert, where he became a monk. For years he was the disciple of St John the Dwarf. Even though he had already abandoned the world so dramatically, after some time in the desert he again heard a voice saying, “Arsenios, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the causes of sinning not.” He then separated himself from his brother monks and lived as a hermit, practicing silence. It was told of him that, on Saturday evenings, he would stand, turn his back to the setting sun, raise his hands in prayer, and pray without sitting down until the sun shone on his face the following morning. A monk who came to visit him looked into his cell and saw Arsenios at prayer, his entire body glowing like a flame. He reposed in peace at the age of ninety-five.

St Emilia, mother of Sts Macrina, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and Theosevia

375

She bore nine children, and imparted her Christian faith so effectively that five of them are counted as Saints of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, Macrina and Theosevia. In her old age she founded a monastery, and lived in it with her daughter Macrina until her repose.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 3.21-4.6

21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. 23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 3and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. 4Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.11-16

11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Vespers

1 John — 1 John 4.20-5.5

20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. 20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Matins Gospel

John — John 21.15-25

15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

15So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 16He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 19Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? 20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 23This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

24This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. 25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 8.26-39

26And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

26But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 27And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 28and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 29And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 32Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth: 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.

34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? 34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Epistle

— St John

1 John — 1 John 1.1-7

1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4and these things we write, that our joy may be made full. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 6.40-44

40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 40For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

41The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven. 42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 43Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 44No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.

Gospel

— St John

John — John 19.25-27, 21.24-25

25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

25These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. 24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

24This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. 25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.