Sunday, 18 May 2025

Samaritan Woman

5th Sunday of Pascha

28 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the Seven Holy Virgins

Saint Theodotus lived in the city of Ancyra in Galatia in the late third and early fourth centuries. He was a married man and an innkeeper by profession, but used his trade as a cover to assist the Christians during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian. Outwardly he sold wine and gave shelter to travellers; in secret he hid Christians from arrest, ransomed those who had been captured, gave alms to the poor, and brought the bodies of the martyrs from their places of execution to be honourably buried.

The seven holy virgins, Tecusa, Alexandra, Phaina, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia, all elderly and consecrated to God from their youth, lived in the same city in continual prayer, fasting and works of charity. Saint Tecusa was the aunt of Saint Theodotus. Brought before the governor Theotecnus, the virgins boldly confessed Christ and refused to take part in the rites of the goddesses Artemis and Athena. They were tortured, but persevered; at last heavy stones were tied to their feet and they were drowned in a nearby lake. That night Saint Tecusa appeared in a dream to Theodotus and asked him to recover their bodies; he did so, with the help of fellow Christians, and buried them. For this he was himself seized, terribly tortured, and beheaded for the name of Christ. The holy seven virgins suffered about the year 303 and Saint Theodotus shortly after them. The Greek calendars also commemorate them on 6 November.

Holy Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus and Benedimus of Athens

Saints Heraclius, Paulinus and Benedimus were natives of Athens who lived during the persecution of the emperor Decius in the middle of the third century. Filled with zeal for the Gospel, they went about the city preaching the true God and exhorting the pagans to abandon the worship of senseless idols. By their words and the example of their pure lives many of their fellow citizens were turned from idolatry to the light of Christ. When their preaching could no longer be hidden, the three were arrested and brought before the magistrates. They confessed Christ openly and refused to offer sacrifice to the demons. After heavy beatings they were cast into a burning furnace, but the grace of God preserved them unharmed in the flames. The judges, seeing that they could not break their faith, ordered them to be beheaded, and so the three holy martyrs received their crowns together.

Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, Andrew, Paul and Christina

These holy martyrs suffered for Christ during the persecution of the emperor Decius about the year 250. Saint Peter, a young man of Lampsacus on the Hellespont, was brought before the proconsul Optimus and commanded to offer sacrifice to Aphrodite. He refused, declaring it shameful to honour with sacrifice a goddess of unchastity, and was beaten and tortured at length until he gave up his soul to God. After his death the proconsul moved on to Troas, where Saints Andrew and Paul, soldiers from Mesopotamia, were brought before him together with the Christian Dionysius and the virgin Christina, all of whom had been arrested for their faith. The two soldiers were ordered to escort the prisoners. Touched by the courage and beauty of the virgin Christina, they at first tried to seduce her, but she rebuked them so firmly that, instead of falling into sin, they themselves were brought to faith in Christ. When this was discovered, Andrew, Paul and Dionysius were stoned by a pagan mob and so received their crowns, while Christina, who was about sixteen years old, was beheaded. Their bodies were gathered up and buried by Christians in Lampsacus.

Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, Christina, Andrew, Paul, Benedimus, Paulinus, and Heraclius

250

“These Saints all contested in martyrdom during the reign of Decius (249-251). Peter was from Lampsacus in the Hellespont. For refusing to offer sacrifice to the idol of Aphrodite, his whole body was crushed and broken with chains and pieces of wood on a torture-wheel; having endured this torment courageously, he gave up his soul. “Paul and Andrew were soldiers from Mesopotamia brought to Athens with their governor; there they were put in charge of two captive Christians, Dionysius and Christina. The soldiers, seeing the beauty of the virgin Christina, attempted to move her to commit sin with them, but she refused and, by her admonitions, brought them to faith in Christ. They and Dionysius were stoned to death, and Christina was beheaded. “Heraclius, Paulinus,and Benedimus were Athenians, and preachers of the Gospel who turned many of the heathen from their error to the light of Christ. Brought before the governor, they confesed their Faith, and after many torments were beheaded.” (Great Horologion) The Prologue adds: “One Nicomachus, who was tortured with them, denied Christ under torture, and instantly lost his mind, tearing at his body with his teeth and foaming at the mouth until he breathed his last.”

Daily readings

7th Matins Gospel

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.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 11.19-26, 29-30

¹⁹Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

¹⁹They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. ²⁰But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²⁰And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. ²¹And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. ²²And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

²²Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. ²³Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. ²³who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: ²⁴For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁴for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁵Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: ²⁵And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; ²⁶and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. ²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. ²⁹Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: ²⁹And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judæa: ³⁰Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. ³⁰which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 4.5-42

⁵So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: ⁵Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. ⁶and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. ⁶Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. ⁷There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ⁷There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ⁸(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) ⁸For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. ⁹Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. ⁹The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) ¹⁰Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ¹⁰Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ¹¹The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water? ¹¹The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? ¹²Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? ¹²Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? ¹³Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: ¹³Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: ¹⁴But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ¹⁴but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life. ¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. ¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. ¹⁷The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband: ¹⁷The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: ¹⁸For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. ¹⁸for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly. ¹⁹The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. ¹⁹The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. ²⁰Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. ²⁰Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. ²¹Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. ²¹Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. ²²Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. ²²Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. ²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. ²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. ²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. ²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. ²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. ²⁶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. ²⁶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

²⁷And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

²⁷And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her? ²⁸So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people, ²⁸The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ²⁹Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? ²⁹Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ? ³⁰They went out of the city, and were coming to him. ³⁰Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. ³¹In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat.

³¹In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. ³²But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. ³²But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. ³³Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? ³³The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? ³⁴Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. ³⁴Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. ³⁵Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. ³⁵Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. ³⁶And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ³⁶He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ³⁷And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. ³⁷For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. ³⁸I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor. ³⁸I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

³⁹And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

³⁹And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did. ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days. ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. ⁴¹And many more believed because of his own word; ⁴¹And many more believed because of his word; ⁴²And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. ⁴²and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.