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Friday, 6 June 2025

Leavetaking of Ascension

Friday of the 7th Sunday of Pascha

47 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Virgin Martyrs Archelais, Thecla and Susanna

293

“As pure and virginal nuns, they lived the ascetic life in an unknown monastery near Rome. When a persecution of Christians arose under the wicked Emperor Diocletian, they fled to Campania and settled near the town of Nola. Their holy life could not be concealed, and people from nearby began to come to them for counsel, instruction and help in various trials and sicknesses, and they were finally seized by the pagans and taken for trial. They publicly and freely confessed their faith in Christ. When the judge, Leontius, questioned the holy Archelaïs about the Christian faith, she replied: ‘It is by the power of Christ that I overcome the power of the devil and teach the people understanding and knowledge of the one, true God. By the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, it is given that, through me His servant, the sick find healing.’ All three maidens were whipped, flogged with heavy staves, left to languish in prison and finally beheaded. When they were led out to the scaffold, angels appeared to them, which were seen by some of the executioners and inspired such fear in them that they dared not lift up their swords against the holy maidens. They, however, urged the executioners to finish their task. And thus, as lambs, were they beheaded in the year 293, and went to the Kingdom of Christ to rest in eternity and delight in beholding the face of God.” (Prologue)

Saint Hilarion the New, abbot of the Dalmaton monastery

Saint Hilarion the New was born of pious parents Peter and Theodosia. At the age of twelve he was tonsured at the Hesychius monastery near Constantinople, and afterwards transferred to the Dalmaton monastery in the capital, where he received the great schema and became a disciple of Saint Gregory the Decapolite. After the death of his abbot he was chosen, against his will, to take charge of the monastery. During the second wave of iconoclasm under the emperor Leo V the Armenian (813 to 820) he refused to dishonour the holy icons and openly accused the emperor of heresy, for which he was deposed, imprisoned and tortured. He continued to suffer under Michael II and Theophilus, spending nearly twenty years in various dungeons and places of exile. With the restoration of the icons under the empress Theodora in 843 he returned to his monastery, governed it for a few more years, and reposed in peace in 845. He was called "the New" to distinguish him from the elder Hilarion the Great of Palestine.

Venerable Attalus of Tabbenisi

Saint Attalus was an Egyptian monk of the cenobitic monastery of Tabbenisi founded by Saint Pachomius the Great. After many years under the guidance of Saint Pachomius and his successor Saint Theodore, he became one of the elders of the great community, distinguished by his humility, simplicity and obedience. The sayings of the desert fathers preserve several anecdotes of his ascetic struggle and quiet wisdom. He reposed in peace in the fifth century, and is commemorated in the Eastern synaxaria together with Saint Bessarion and the other great Egyptian ascetics on this day.

Venerable Bessarion the wonderworker of Egypt

Saint Bessarion was an Egyptian who was baptised in his youth and from his earliest years strove to preserve the grace given him in the laver of regeneration. He visited Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Macarius of Egypt, then placed himself under the guidance of Saint Isidore of Pelusium, by whom he was tonsured a monk. Receiving from his elder a vow of silence, he tasted food only once a week. Through unceasing prayer he obtained from the Lord the gift of wonderworking. He once made the salt water of the sea fresh for a thirsty disciple, called down rain in time of drought, walked across the river Chrysoroas dryshod, and stopped the sun in its course until he had reached his destination. His humility was no less than his power: when a brother was put out of the church for a fault, Bessarion rose and went out with him, saying, "I too am a sinner." He spent his long life as a wandering ascetic in the deserts of Egypt without a fixed dwelling, and reposed in peace in the fifth century.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 27.1-44

1And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

1And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. 2And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 2And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 3And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself. 4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 4And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 5And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. 6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; 8and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

9And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them, 10and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. 10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 11But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul. 12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east. 13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore. 14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 14But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: 15and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven. 15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 16And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: 17and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven. 17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw the freight overboard; 18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. 19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 20And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away. 21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 21And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, 23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 24saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cæsar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26But we must be cast upon a certain island. 26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country: 28and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. 28And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 29And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. 30And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship, 30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. 33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you. 34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 35And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it. 39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 40And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 41But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. 42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 43But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land; 44And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. 44and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

Gospel

weekly cycle

John — John 17.18-26

18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 18As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 20Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 21that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 22And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me. 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 25O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me; 26And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. 26and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them.