Friday, 12 September 2025

Friday of the 14th week after Pentecost

145 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Liturgy · Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Leavetaking Nativity Theotokos

Saints commemorated

★ Apodosis of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos

On 12 September the Orthodox Church keeps the apodosis, or leave-taking, of the great feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos which was celebrated on 8 September. According to ancient liturgical practice, the principal feasts of the Mother of God and of the Lord are extended over a period of days, during which the proper hymns and readings of the feast are repeated, so that the faithful may be nourished gradually by the depth of what is celebrated. The Nativity of the Theotokos has a forefeast on 7 September and a five-day afterfeast culminating in the apodosis on this day. With the leave-taking the Church takes a final and solemn farewell of the festal joy of the Nativity before turning, on the following day, to the forefeast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The hymnography of the apodosis recalls once more that from the holy and barren Anna a virgin daughter has been given to the world, and that through her the salvation prepared from before the ages is about to be revealed. The placing of the Marian feast at the gateway of the year and its leaving-off only on the eve of the Cross teaches that the Theotokos and the Cross belong together as the two pillars of the dispensation of our salvation.

Holy Hieromartyr Autonomus, bishop in Italy

Saint Autonomus was a bishop in Italy in the late third and early fourth centuries, during the reign of the emperor Diocletian. To escape the fierce persecution then raging in the West, and following the directions of the Lord, he left his see and travelled to Bithynia in Asia Minor, settling in the village of Soreoi near Nicomedia in the house of a hospitable Christian named Cornelius. There he laboured as a missionary, baptising many of the local pagans, building a church in honour of the Archangel Michael, and ordaining Cornelius to the diaconate and later to the priesthood. When persecution was renewed, Autonomus moved for a time to Claudiopolis on the Black Sea coast and then returned to Soreoi to continue his work. The newly converted Christians, in their zeal, on one of the pagan feasts overturned the idols and broke up an altar, which roused the rage of the heathen. While Saint Autonomus was offering the Divine Liturgy in his church, a mob burst in and stoned him to death at the holy altar, around the year 313. His relics were preserved and translated, and a church was built over his tomb; in the sixth century, in the reign of Justinian, the church was restored and the saint's incorrupt relics were rediscovered. He is honoured as a missionary bishop and a martyr at the altar.

Holy Hieromartyr Cornutus, bishop of Iconium

Saint Cornutus was bishop of Iconium in Lycaonia, sometimes also remembered as bishop of Nicomedia, who suffered martyrdom for Christ in the persecution of Decius, around the year 249, or, according to other sources, under Diocletian. Already advanced in age, he was renowned among his flock for the holiness of his life, the zeal of his preaching, and his pastoral care for the poor and the imprisoned. When the imperial edicts of persecution were posted in Iconium, the governor Perennius summoned Cornutus and ordered him to offer sacrifice to the gods. The bishop replied with great courage that he had served Christ from his youth and could not now in old age betray the Lord who had given him the priesthood. He was scourged, shod with iron sandals studded with sharp nails, and dragged through the streets of the city. Yet he continued to give thanks and to encourage the faithful who came to see him, and he was finally beheaded by the sword. His martyric witness strengthened the Christians of Iconium during the persecution, and his memory has been kept in the synaxaria of the Greek Church on this day.

Holy Martyrs Macedonius, Tatian, and Theodulus

The holy martyrs Macedonius, Tatian, and Theodulus were Christians of Phrygia who suffered for Christ around the year 362 during the brief but bitter persecution under the emperor Julian the Apostate. While Julian was attempting to restore the worship of the old gods throughout the empire, his governor in Phrygia rebuilt and reopened a pagan temple in the city of Meros. The three friends, burning with zeal for the true God, entered the temple by night, broke up the idols, and overthrew the altars. The next morning, when the deed was discovered, innocent men were arrested in their place; learning of this, Macedonius, Tatian, and Theodulus came forward and confessed openly that they alone were responsible. Brought before the governor Amachius, they were scourged, hung up, and torn with iron hooks. Because they continued to confess Christ, they were finally laid upon iron beds heated by fire and roasted to death. Even in their torments they jested with the governor, telling him that if he wished to enjoy roasted flesh he should turn them on the other side, that he might find them well cooked on every part. Thus with cheerful courage they completed their martyrdom and received the crown.

Our Holy Father Athanasius the Elder of Vysotsk, and his disciple Athanasius the Younger

1395

He was reared in piety by his father, a priest in Novgorod. One day, hearing the words of the Gospel, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, he renounced the world and entered the Monastery of St Sergius of Radonezh. He became St Sergius’ disciple and, after a few years, became known for his virtue and his knowledge of Scripture. In 1374, with the blessing of his spiritual father, he founded the Monastery of Vysotsk, becoming its first abbot. After heading the monastery for fourteen years, he traveled to Kiev and then, in 1401, to the Monastery of the Stoudion in Constantinople. There he devoted himself to translating books from Greek to Slavonic, sending his translations back to his monastery in Russia. It was he who translated the Jerusalem Typikon and several collections of the writings of the Fathers of the Church, immeasurably enriching the life of the Church in Russia. He reposed in peace in Constantinople. His disciple Athanasius the Younger was made Abbot of Vysotsk on the elder’s departure for Constantinople, and served as Abbot for eight years, reposing in peace in 1395. He was called ‘perfect in fasting, strong in self-restraint, zealous in prayer, patient in privations and tribulations.’ The Synaxarion says that “He taught his monks to keep careful watch on every movement of the heart so as to drive away every thought displeasing to God.”

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

Galatians — Galatians 2.6-10

⁶But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man’s person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me: ⁶But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: ⁷but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision ⁷But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸(for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles); ⁸(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) ⁹And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. ⁹and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision; ¹⁰only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do. ¹⁰Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Epistle

— Theotokos

Philippians — Philippians 2.5-11

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁵Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁶who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 5.22-24, 35-6.1

²²And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, ²²And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jaïrus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, ²³And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. ²³and beseecheth him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, that thou come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be made whole, and live. ²⁴And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. ²⁴And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him. ³⁵While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

³⁵While he yet spake, they come from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Teacher any further? ³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. ³⁶But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe. ³⁷And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. ³⁷And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. ³⁸And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly. ³⁹And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth. ³⁹And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. ⁴⁰And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. ⁴⁰And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. ⁴¹And taking the child by the hand, he saith unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise. ⁴¹And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. ⁴²And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. ⁴²And straightway the damsel rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed straightway with a great amazement. ⁴³And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. ⁴³And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat.

¹And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

¹And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Gospel

— Theotokos

Luke — Luke 10.38-42, 11.27-28

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ⁴²but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.