Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Great Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Enlightener of the Lands of Rus

Tuesday of the 6th week after Pentecost

86 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Vladimir, Great Prince of Kiev, Enlightener of Rus'

Vladimir Sviatoslavich, the youngest son of Prince Sviatoslav of Kiev, was born about 963 and became Prince of Novgorod in 970 and Grand Prince of Kiev from 978 until his repose in 1015. In his early years he led a vigorous pagan reaction, promoting devotion to Perun, Khors, Dazhbog, Stribog, Simargl, and Mokosh, and erected idols on the heights of Kiev. By the mid-980s, conscious of the moral and political need for a higher faith, he sent envoys to examine the religions of his neighbours; the report of his ambassadors on the worship in the Great Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, where they "knew not whether they were in heaven or on earth," is preserved in the Primary Chronicle. In 988, after taking the Crimean city of Cherson (Korsun), Vladimir negotiated the hand of the Princess Anna, sister of the emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII, and was baptised, receiving the name Basil. Returning to Kiev, he overthrew the idol of Perun and summoned the people to baptism in the waters of the Dnieper, an event traditionally regarded as the Baptism of Rus'. He built churches throughout his realm, established schools, sent for clergy and books from Byzantium and Bulgaria, and, in striking contrast to his earlier life, gave alms generously, fed the poor, freed prisoners, and at first refused to use the death penalty out of reverence for the Gospel. He is venerated as Equal-of-the-Apostles for his enlightenment of the Russian land. Saint Vladimir reposed on 15 July 1015 at his beloved village of Berestovo and was buried in the Church of the Tithes in Kiev.

★ Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, enlightener of the Russian Land

1051

Though his grandmother, Queen Olga, had been a Christian, his father Svyatoslav reverted to paganism, and Prince Vladimir spent the early part of his life believing and living the beliefs of the pagan Russian people. But he sought for something more, and sent emissaries to study the faiths of the Jews, the Muslims, the Western Christians and the Orthodox. After attending services in Agia Sophia in Constantinople, they told him ‘We knew not if we were on earth or in heaven,’ and Prince Vladimir determined to embrace the Christian faith. He was baptised in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil. “He came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly.” (Great Horologion). He married Princess Anna, sister of the Emperor, and returned home with a retinue of priests from Constantinople. He immediately set about building a Christian nation: casting down the idols, baptizing the people, and establishing a Christian government. His legislation for his recently barbarian nation was modeled on the Gospel, and in its conformity to Christ’s commandments exceeded even the other Christian nations of the time. He reposed in peace in 1015, leaving behind a kingdom that grew to be the largest Orthodox nation in the world.

Holy Martyr Abudimus of Tenedos

Saint Abudimus, also called Abudemius, was a Greek Christian of the island of Tenedos in the Aegean Sea who suffered for Christ during the persecution of Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. When the imperial edict required all citizens to eat from the meats sacrificed to idols, Abudimus refused, openly confessing Christ. He was subjected to long and savage tortures and at last received the crown of martyrdom about the year 305. His memory is kept on 15 July in both the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic calendars, and the synaxaria of Constantinople record him among the holy martyrs of the Aegean islands.

Holy Martyr Lollianus

The Holy Martyr Lollianus (also rendered Lolianus) suffered for Christ during the great persecutions of the early fourth century. The Orthodox synaxaria record only that he was kicked to death by his persecutors, his fellow Christians gathering up his body for honourable burial. His memory is kept on 15 July in both the Greek and Slavonic traditions, alongside the Holy Martyrs Cyricus and Julitta and the holy martyr Abudimus, all of whom belong to the same wave of witnesses who confessed the faith under Diocletian and Maximian.

Holy Martyrs Cyricus and Julitta of Tarsus

304

Saint Julitta was a noblewoman of Iconium in Lycaonia, of distinguished family and a faithful Christian. Widowed early, she had a single son, Cyricus (also rendered Quiricus or Kerykos), who was three years old. When the persecution of Diocletian reached Iconium, Julitta took her child and her servants and fled, first to Seleucia and then to Tarsus in Cilicia, where she was recognised and arrested before the governor Alexander. While she was being interrogated, Cyricus, in the arms of the magistrate, called upon the name of Christ and struggled, kicking the governor; enraged, the tyrant flung the child down the steps of the tribunal so violently that his head was crushed and he gave up his soul. Julitta, far from grieving, rejoiced that her son had received the crown of martyrdom and confessed Christ all the more boldly. Her sides were torn with iron hooks and boiling pitch was poured upon her feet, and at last she was beheaded by the sword in the year 304 or 305. Their relics were uncovered in the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; a monastery was built in their honour near Constantinople and a church near Jerusalem, and their veneration spread widely through both East and West, with many churches and villages bearing their names.

Holy Martyrs Cyricus and His Mother Julitta

304

“Holy Julitta was of noble birth. She was widowed young, and left with a newborn child, Cyricus. She lived in Iconium, a city of Lycaonia, and was a very devout Christian. She had her son baptised immediately after his birth and, when he was three years old, instructed him in the Faith and taught him to pray insofar as a child of that age is capable of learning. When Diocletian launched a persecution of Christians, much innocent blood was shed in the city of Iconium. Julitta took her son and hid from the wrath of the pagans in the town of Seleucid, but things were no better there. Julitta was arrested as a Christian and brought to trial. Seeing Julitta so courageously proclaim her faith in the Lord Jesus, the judge, to distress her and make her waver, took the child in his arms and began to kiss it. But Cyricus shouted: ‘I am a Christian; let me go to my mother!’, and he began to scratch the judge, turning his face away from him. The judge was furious, threw the child to the ground and kicked it, and the child rolled down the stone steps and gave his holy and innocent soul to God. Seeing how Cyricus suffered before her, Julitta was filled with joy and gave thanks to God that her son had been counted worthy of the wreath of martyrdom. After harsh torture, Julitta was beheaded, in the year 304. The relics of Ss Cyricus and Julitta have wonderworking power to this day. A part of the relics of these saints is to be found in Ochrid, in the Church of the Holy Mother of God, the Healer.” (Prologue. In the Prologue, the name of Cyricus is spelled “Cerycus.” It is changed here for consistency with other sources.)

Daily readings

Vespers

— St Vladimir

OT — 3[1] Kings 8.22-23, 27-30

(no verses available)

Vespers

— St Vladimir

Isaiah — Isaiah 61.10-62.5

¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. ¹¹For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. ¹¹For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

¹For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

¹For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. ²And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. ²And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name. ³Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. ³Thou shalt also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. ⁴Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. ⁴Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah; for Jehovah delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

⁵For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. ⁵For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee; and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Vespers

— St Vladimir

Isaiah — Isaiah 60.1-16

¹Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

¹Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. ²For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. ²For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. ³And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. ³And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. ⁴Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

⁴Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. ⁵Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. ⁵Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. ⁶The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. ⁶The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. ⁷All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. ⁷All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory. ⁸Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? ⁸Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? ⁹Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

⁹Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. ¹⁰And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

¹⁰And foreigners shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. ¹¹Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. ¹¹Thy gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive. ¹²For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. ¹²For that nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. ¹³The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. ¹³The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. ¹⁴And the sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee The city of Jehovah, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. ¹⁴The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

¹⁵Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

¹⁵Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. ¹⁶Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. ¹⁶Thou shalt also suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings; and thou shalt know that I, Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Matins Gospel

John — John 10.9-16

⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ⁹I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. ¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹²He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: ¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹³he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, ¹⁵even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 1.1-9

¹Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

¹Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, ²Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ²unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours: ³Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

⁴I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; ⁵That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; ⁵that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge; ⁶even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: ⁶Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: ⁷so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; ⁷So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁸Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye be unreproveable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁹God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Epistle

— St Vladimir

Galatians — Galatians 1.11-19

¹¹For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. ¹¹But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. ¹²For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹²For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it: ¹³For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: ¹⁴and I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁴And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, ¹⁵But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, ¹⁶To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: ¹⁶to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: ¹⁷Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. ¹⁷neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.

¹⁸Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. ¹⁸Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. ¹⁹But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. ¹⁹But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 13.24-30

²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

²⁴Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. ²⁵but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁶But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? ²⁷And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? ²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁸And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. ²⁹But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.

Gospel

— St Vladimir

John — John 10.1-9

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. ³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. ⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ⁴When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ⁶This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ⁶This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

⁷Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁷Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁸All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ⁹I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.