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Saturday, 13 September 2025

Founding of Church of the Holy Sepulchre; Saturday before Elevation

Saturday of the 14th week after Pentecost

146 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · No Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Commemoration of the founding of the Church of the Holy Resurrection at Jerusalem

On 13 September the Orthodox Church commemorates the consecration of the great Church of the Holy Resurrection, the Anastasis, built by Saint Constantine the Great and his mother Saint Helen over the holy sites of Golgotha and the Tomb of the Lord in Jerusalem. After the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helen around the year 326, Constantine ordered the construction of a magnificent basilica enclosing the place of the Crucifixion and the rock-cut tomb in which the body of the Saviour had been laid and from which He rose on the third day. The work was completed under the supervision of the bishop Macarius of Jerusalem, and the dedication of the church took place on 13 September of the year 335 in the presence of bishops gathered from many provinces of the empire who had been attending a council at Tyre. From the day of the consecration the faithful kept a yearly festival of "the Encaenia," and on the day following, that is, on 14 September, the precious Cross was lifted up before the people and exalted in the four directions, the origin of the great feast of the Exaltation. The commemoration today is the memory of that consecration, and it is fittingly placed on the eve of the Exaltation, since the Cross and the empty Tomb form together the heart of the Christian mystery.

Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross

On 13 September the Orthodox Church keeps the forefeast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, preparing the faithful for the great feast on the following day. The hymnography of the forefeast already begins to call all the ends of the earth to come and venerate the holy wood by which the curse of Adam was broken and the gates of paradise reopened. The Cross, foreshadowed in the rod of Moses that struck water from the rock and divided the sea, in the brazen serpent that healed those who looked upon it, and in the staff of Aaron that budded, is sung as the weapon of peace and the unconquerable trophy of Christ. The forefeast also bridges the apodosis of the Nativity of the Theotokos, kept on the previous day, and the Exaltation, so that the Church passes from the joy of the birth of the one who would bear the Saviour to the contemplation of the saving sufferings He would endure. The faithful are summoned to fasting and watchfulness in preparation for the strict fast and prostrations of the feast itself.

Holy Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion of the Seventy

Saint Cornelius was a Roman centurion of the Italian Cohort stationed at Caesarea in Palestine, the first Gentile to be received into the Christian Church without first becoming a Jewish proselyte. He is described in the Acts of the Apostles as a devout man, fearing God with all his household, giving much alms to the people and praying to God always. While praying at the ninth hour, he saw an angel of God who told him that his prayers and his alms had come up as a memorial before God, and bade him send for the Apostle Peter at Joppa. While the messengers were on the road, Saint Peter received the vision of the great sheet let down from heaven and the voice that said, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Coming to Caesarea, Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his household, and the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word, and they were baptised in the name of the Lord (Acts 10). After his baptism Cornelius left his military service and accompanied Peter on his missionary journeys; he is numbered among the Seventy and is said to have been ordained bishop of Skepsis in Mysia, where he converted many pagans by his preaching and by miracles. He cast down a temple of Apollo by his prayer and brought to the faith the chief man of the city. After many labours he was beaten and stoned but not killed; he reposed in peace, though he is honoured by the Church with the title of hieromartyr because of the sufferings he endured for the Gospel.

Holy Martyrs Cronides, Leontius, and Serapion of Alexandria

The holy martyrs Cronides, Leontius, and Serapion suffered for Christ at Alexandria in Egypt during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, around the year 237 according to some sources, or in the early fourth century according to others. They were Christians of the city well known for the steadfastness of their faith, and when they were denounced and arrested they readily confessed Christ before the governor. After being scourged and tortured in various ways to make them deny the Lord, they were sentenced to be cast into the sea with stones tied to their feet so that no relics might remain to be honoured by the faithful. Yet according to their passion, the bodies were carried by the waves to the shore, and Christians recovered them and gave them honourable burial. Their feast on this day, the eve of the Exaltation of the Cross, sets before the Church the example of those who have already followed the Lord by way of His Cross to the resurrection and the unfading crown.

Holy Great Martyr Ketevan, Queen of Georgia

1624

In the seventeenth century, the Kingdom of Georgia was cruelly pressed by the Ottoman Empire on one side and Persia, under Shah Abbas the Great, on the other. King Theimuraz was taken captive by the Persians during an invasion and held captive in the fortress of Shiraz until, after many tortures, he was strangled. The King’s mother, Queen Ketevan, travelled to the Persian court at Shiraz along with her grandsons Levan and Alexander, to plead with the Shah to spare the Kingdom. The Shah agreed, but the three were kept as hostages, where all were cruelly tortured. Queen Ketevan endured ten years of captivity, throughout which the Shah attempted to convert her to Islam, first by persuasion and threats, then by torture. The Queen refused every effort to drive her into apostasy, and before each new torture would make the sign of the Cross and say ‘In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ At the end a brazier of burning coals was fixed to her head and, in the midst of her extreme torment, she was strangled with a bow-string on September 13 1624. After her glorious martyrdom a divine light surrounded her tomb.

Daily readings

Vespers

OT — 3[1] Kings 8.22-23, 27-30

(no verses available)

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 3.19-34

19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 20By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.

21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 22So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. 23Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble. 23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 25Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh: 26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. 26For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken. 27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 28Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 30Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.

31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 31Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways. 32For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright. 32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 33The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. 34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 34Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 9.1-11

1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 1Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: 3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 3She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him, 5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 5Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. 6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

Epistle

— Saturday before Elevation weekly cycle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 2.6-9

6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

6We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: 7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 8which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 9but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.

Epistle

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 4.1-5

1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 2Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 5Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

Epistle

— Church

Hebrews — Hebrews 3.1-4

1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus;

1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 2who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. 3For he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house. 3For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4For every house is builded by some one; but he that built all things is God. 4For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Gospel

— Saturday before Elevation weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 10.37-11.1

37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 38And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.

1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.

Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 23.1-12

1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

1Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 2saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 3all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. 4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 4Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 6and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi. 7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 9And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted. 12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Gospel

— Church

Matthew — Matthew 16.13-18

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? 14And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 15He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 18And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.