Sunday, 7 September 2025

Sunday before Elevation

13th Sunday after Pentecost

140 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · No Fast

Saints commemorated

★ Forefeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos

The seventh of September is the Forefeast, or eve, of the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on the eighth of September and is the first of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year. Following the order of the Indiction, by which the Church year begins on the first of September, the festal cycle opens with the birth of the Mother of God, just as the cycle of salvation history began with her holy Nativity, and is brought to its close on the fifteenth of August with her Dormition. By placing this day of preparation before the feast itself, the Church begins to sing the joy of the world: that of the barren and aged Joachim and Anna a daughter has been promised, the Virgin who shall become the dwelling-place of God the Word in the flesh. The hymns of the forefeast already proclaim the coming birth of her who is the Bridge that leads to heaven, the Tabernacle, the Living Ark, and the Spiritual Paradise, and they call upon the faithful to make ready by purification of mind and life. The forefeast is observed with festal hymnography sung at vespers and matins, and on this day the parish prepares itself for the all-night vigil of the great feast. Together with the Forefeast, the Church remembers Saint Sozon of Cilicia, the apostle Evodius of the Seventy, the Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, the holy martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, and other saints who fell asleep on this day.

★ Holy Martyr Sozon of Cilicia

The Holy Martyr Sozon was a young shepherd of Lycaonia in the borders of Cilicia, born of pious parents and brought up in the Christian faith from his childhood. As he tended the flocks of his father in the wooded hills, he was accustomed to leading his fellow shepherds in prayer, instructing them in the truth of Christ, and exhorting them to abandon the worship of the dumb idols. Once, while seated under an oak tree by a spring, he received a visitation from on high in which he was strengthened to go forward and confess the name of Christ in the city. About the year 304, in the persecution of the emperor Maximian, Sozon went to the city of Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, where there stood a magnificent golden idol revered by the citizens. Entering the temple alone, he broke off the right hand of the statue with his shepherd's staff and went out, breaking it into pieces and distributing the gold to the poor. The pagan priests, finding the mutilated idol, raised an outcry and arrested innocent men. Saint Sozon, learning that others were being punished in his stead, gave himself up to the governor Maximian, who was then in the city, and openly confessed his deed and his faith. He was scourged, hung up and torn with iron hooks, and shod with red-hot iron sandals in which he was made to walk. Despite all this he continued to glorify Christ, and was at last cast into a furnace, where he gave up his soul to God. Christians took up his body and buried it with honour. Many miracles took place at his grave, and the staff of the holy martyr was preserved by the Church as a precious relic.

Holy Apostle Evodius of the Seventy, Bishop of Antioch

The Holy Apostle Evodius was one of the Seventy Apostles chosen by the Lord and sent out before His face. After the day of Pentecost he attached himself to the company of the chief Apostle Peter, who consecrated him as the first bishop of Antioch in Syria, where the disciples of Christ were first called Christians. Saint Evodius governed that great church for twenty-seven years, succeeding the Apostle Peter in the see and being himself succeeded by the holy Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer. Tradition records that it was Evodius who first applied the name Christian to the disciples of the Lord, and that he composed many works of doctrine, including a book entitled "The Star," which was lost, but in which, according to ancient testimonies, he set out the genealogy of Christ from the time of His ancestors. He is also said to have transmitted in his writings the tradition that the Most Holy Theotokos was twenty-three years of age at the time when she gave birth to the Lord, and that she dwelt in the household of the holy Apostle John for the space of fifteen years after the Ascension, until her holy Dormition. Saint Evodius watered the soil of the Antiochene church by his pastoral labours and crowned his episcopal ministry by martyrdom, sealing his confession with his blood under the emperor Nero around the year 66.

Holy Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy

The Holy Apostle Onesiphorus was one of the Seventy Apostles whom the Lord chose and sent two by two before His face into every city and place. He is mentioned by name in the Second Epistle of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, where the apostle writes, "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me." From these words it is clear that Onesiphorus, an Ephesian by origin, came to Rome during the captivity of the Apostle Paul and was unwearied in seeking him out and ministering to his needs. The same epistle implies that Onesiphorus had also rendered service of every kind to the Apostle Paul in Ephesus before that journey. Tradition relates that he was made bishop of Colophon in Asia Minor, and afterwards of Cyrene in Libya, where he preached the Gospel to the heathen. Together with his companion Saint Porphyrius he was finally seized by the persecutors, scourged, dragged behind wild horses, and so received the crown of martyrdom in the days of the emperor Domitian. The Church honours him together with Saint Porphyrius on the seventh day of September, and again on the fourth day of January with the rest of the Seventy.

Holy Martyr Eupsychyius of Caesarea

2nd c.

He was the son of a wealthy pagan senator in Caesarea of Cappadocia. When his father died, he gave his inheritance to the poor, proclaiming the Kingdom of God while he did so. For this he was arrested by Sapricius, Governor of Cappadocia, and put in prison. He persuaded his jailers to release him for awhile, and set about giving away the remainder of his worldly goods, first to his accusers and persecutors, then to the poor. When all his wealth was gone, he voluntarily returned to prison. He was viciously scourged several times, then beheaded. At his martyrdom, it is said that milk instead of blood flowed from his body.

Our Holy Father John, Archbishop of Novgorod

1185

“He was first a married priest and then, from 1163, bishop in Novgorod, building seven churches during his lifetime. He had a vision of the holy Mother of God and a rare power over demons, making them obey him, and he once miraculously preserved Novgorod from an attack by seventy-two princes. He suffered from diabolical temptations, but overcame them all by the power of the Cross and by prayer. Retiring to a monastery in old age, he received the Great Habit and entered peacefully into rest in the Lord on September 7th, 1185.” (Prologue)

St Kassia the Hymnographer

9th c.

She was born in Constantinople to a noble family, and grew to be unusually beautiful and learned — so much so that she was chosen to participate in a ‘bride show’, at which the Emperor Theophilos was to choose a wife. Struck by Kassia’s beauty, the Emperor approached her and said ‘Through a woman came forth the baser things,’ referring to Eve’s transgression. Kassia responded, ‘Through a woman came forth the better things’, referring to the Incarnation of Christ through His Most Pure Mother. Stung by her reply, the Emperor rejected her and chose Theodora as his wife. Kassia entered monastic life and founded a women’s monastery in Constantinople, closely allied with the Stoudion Monastery. Serving as abbess of the monastery, she wrote many liturgical hymns, at least twenty of which are included in the services of the Church. Best-known (or at least most closely associated with her) is the Hymn of Kassiani, sung at Matins on Holy Wednesday. She reposed in peace.

Daily readings

2nd Matins Gospel

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.

Epistle

— Sunday before Elevation weekly cycle

Galatians — Galatians 6.11-18

¹¹See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand. ¹¹Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. ¹²As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹²As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. ¹³For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. ¹⁴But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ¹⁴But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ¹⁵For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¹⁵For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¹⁶And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ¹⁶And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ¹⁷From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁷Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.

¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. ¹⁸Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Epistle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 16.13-24

¹³Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ¹³Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ¹⁴Let all that ye do be done in love. ¹⁴Let all your things be done with charity.

¹⁵Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints), ¹⁵I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) ¹⁶that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth. ¹⁶That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. ¹⁷I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. ¹⁷And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied. ¹⁸For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such. ¹⁸For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

¹⁹The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

¹⁹The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. ²⁰All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

²¹The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. ²¹The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. ²²If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha. ²²If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. ²³The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel

— Sunday before Elevation weekly cycle

John — John 3.13-17

¹³And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. ¹³And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.

¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; ¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁵that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁷For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 21.33-42

³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

³³Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. ³⁴And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. ³⁴And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. ³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. ³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. ³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in like manner. ³⁷But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. ³⁷But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. ³⁸But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. ³⁸But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. ³⁹And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. ³⁹And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. ⁴⁰When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? ⁴⁰When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen? ⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. ⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons. ⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? ⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?