Sunday, 23 November 2025

Rt. Blv. Great Prince Alexander Nevsky

24th Sunday after Pentecost

217 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · Nativity Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky

“Nevsky” means “of the Neva (River).” This holy prince guided Russia through one of the most fragile and difficult periods of its history. Most of the nation was crushed beneath the 200-year domination of the Tatars, who burned Kiev and established their central territory (known as the Golden Horde) there. At the same time, Teutonic and Swedish Christian invaders sought to conquer from the West, and Pope Innocent IV of Rome was seeking, by conversion or conquest, to pervert the Orthodox faith of the Russian people. At the same time, constant warfare among petty Russian lords made unified work on behalf of the people almost impossible. In this harsh climate, Prince Alexander of Novgorod shone as that rare thing: a truly Christian ruler. In time of famine he opened his treasury to all who were in need. Several times he traveled to the Golden Horde, and even to Mongolia, to plead on behalf of his people for relief from Tatar taxation and oppression. Soon after he became prince of Novgorod in 1236, his kingdom was attacked by the forces of Sweden and Lithuania along with the Teutonic Knights, a semi-monastic military order pledged to force the Slavic and Baltic peoples to accept Roman Catholicism. In 1240, the night before his small army was to face the much more powerful invaders, Saint Alexander was granted a vision: Saints Boris and Gleb appeared in a boat on the Neva River, urging angelic oarsmen to hurry to the aid of “Alexander their kinsman.” Encouraged, Alexander and his small force crushed their adversaries in battle. When he was summoned for the first time to pay homage to the Khan, he went as if to his own death, for the Khan required his subjects to submit to pagan rites or die, and the prince knew that he would never betray the Faith of Christ. Before the Khan, he said “My liege, I do homage in that God has granted you sovereignty, but I am unable to worship idols because I am a Christian and adore the one and only God in three Persons, the Maker of heaven and earth.” The Khan, knowing of his valor and impressed by his integrity, received him as an honored guest. In another visit to the Golden Horde, the prince averted a Tatar invasion in retribution for an uprising by another prince, dug deeply into his treasury to ransom prisoners, and was given rule over all of Russia. Threats from the West continued. Prince Alexander firmly opposed the missionaries sent into his realms by Pope Innocent IV of Rome; in response the Pope launched what the Synaxarion calls a “veritable Crusade” against the Prince. In 1256 an alliance of Swedes, Danes, Finns and Teutonic Knights attempted to take Novgorod, but were again repulsed by Alexander, who for a time occupied Finland. In 1260, the holy Prince made a final journey to appeal to the Tatars, who had increased the tribute levied on the Russian people, and were carrying those unable to pay into slavery. Having obtained a reduction of tribute and relief for his people, he headed home but, on the journey home, exhausted and ill from his labors, he gave up his soul to God in 1263, having served his people without rest until the end. On his deathbed he received the monastic Great Schema and the new name Alexis. “Many miracles and apparitions have taken place at his tomb, especially on the eves of the great Russian victories over the Tatars in 1380, 1552 and 1572. The sanctity of the holy Prince was formally recognized by the Church in 1380, when his incorrupt relics were uncovered. In the eighteenth century, Peter the Great proclaimed Saint Alexander Nevsky Protector of the Russian people.” (Synaxarion)

Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium

394

“A fellow-countryman and friend of St Basil the Great and other great saints of the fourth century, Amphilochius early forsook the bustle of the world and withdrew to a cave where, as a solitary, he lived in asceticism for forty years. The episcopal throne in Iconium then fell empty, and Amphilochius was chosen in a wonderful way and consecrated as Bishop of Iconium. He was a marvellous shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox faith, and took part in the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. He fought zealously against Macedonius, and against the Arians and the Eunomians. He personally begged Theodosius the Great to drive the Arians out of every city in the Empire, but the Emperor did not comply with his request. After a few days, Amphilochius came before the Emperor again. When the bishop was taken into the presence-chamber, the Emperor was sitting on his throne with his son Arcadius, whom he had taken as co-Emperor, sitting at his right hand. Entering the room, Amphilochius did reverence to Theodosius, but ignored Arcadius as though he were not there. Infuriated by this, the Emperor Theodosius commanded that Amphilochius be instantly driven from court. The saint then said to the Emperor: ‘Do you see, 0 Emperor, how you do not tolerate a slight paid to your son? In the same way, God the Father does not tolerate dishonour paid to His Son, turning with loathing from those who blaspheme against Him, and being angered at that accursed Arian heresy.’ Hearing this, the Emperor understood the reason for Amphilochius’s seeming disrespect towards his son, and marvelled at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, Amphilochius wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in 395 in great old age, and went to immortal life.” (Prologue)

Saint Amphilocus was a kinsman of St Gregory the Theologian: his father’s sister Nonna (August 5) was St Gregory’s mother. Amphilocus himself was a lifelong friend of all three of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Sts Basil, Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa.

Saint Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum

Saint Gregory was born about the year 559 in the village of Pretorium near the city of Agrigentum on the island of Sicily, the only son of pious parents named Chariton and Theodota. From his earliest years he was given to learning and to the church, and at the age of twelve he was placed under the spiritual guidance of the archdeacon Donatus, who tonsured him a reader. Drawn to the monastic life, he secretly left Sicily as a youth and went to the Holy Land, where he was ordained deacon by Patriarch Makarios II of Jerusalem. Gregory then travelled to Antioch, Constantinople, and Rome, gaining a reputation for sanctity and learning wherever he went. His asceticism was noticed by Patriarch Eutychius, and he is said to have taken part in the Fifth Ecumenical Council. When the see of Agrigentum fell vacant, the Roman pontiff consecrated him bishop of his native city. As bishop he laboured for the conversion of the remaining pagans, and he endured a long period of slander and false accusation by enemies who envied his holiness, even being held in prison until his innocence was vindicated. After his vindication he ruled his flock in peace, and he is also remembered as the author of an esteemed Greek commentary on Ecclesiastes. He reposed about the year 630.

Saint Mitrophan, Bishop of Voronezh

1703

Saint Mitrophan, in the world Michael, was born on 8 November 1623 into a family of priestly heritage and was raised in the unblemished piety of the Orthodox faith. Until the age of forty he lived in the world as a married parish priest, serving in the village of Sidorovskoe near the town of Shui in the Province of Vladimir, and fathering a son named John. After the death of his wife in 1663 he received monastic tonsure with the name Mitrophan in the Zolotnikov Hermitage, where his strictness of life and humility quickly drew attention. Patriarch Joachim, hearing of his great piety, in 1675 elevated him to be archimandrite of the Makary Unzhensk Monastery, where he built a church and bell tower in honour of the Annunciation. On 2 April 1682 he was consecrated the first Bishop of Voronezh. In his twenty years as bishop the number of churches in his diocese rose from 182 to 239, and he founded the Korotoyak Ascension and the Bityug Trinity monasteries. He was a close counsellor of Tsar Peter the Great, urging the faithful to assist in the building of the Russian fleet at Voronezh and giving up his own resources for the good of the homeland; yet he openly rebuked the Tsar for setting up pagan statues in his palace, and refused to enter it until they were removed. He cared tenderly for widows, orphans, and the sick, and his house was a refuge for strangers. He reposed in 1703 and was formally canonised in 1832, after which his shrine became a great place of pilgrimage in central Russia.

St Columban, Abbot of Luxeuil

615

Born in Ireland around 540, he joined the great monastic movement that flowered in Ireland following the missionary work of St Patrick and his disciples. After spending some years in Irish monasteries, he made pilgrimage to Gaul with twelve other monks, planning to preach the Gospel wherever they were led. The king of Burgundy, learning of their holiness, gave them land, where in time three large monasteries were founded with St Columban as their spiritual Father. Here the Saint established the rule that became normal for many monasteries in the West: in addition to its severe penitential disciplines, it included provision for some monks to be in prayer at every hour of the day and night — laus perennis (unceasing praise), as it was called. (This practice was also adopted by the Monastery of the Unsleeping Ones (Akoimetoi) in Constantinople). Eventually, political strife in Gaul led to the expulsion of the Irish monks, and Columban made his way to Italy through Germany, proclaiming the Gospel, instructing his spiritual children by letter, and battling against Arianism, which flourished throughout the Germanic lands. He settled in a monastery in the Appenines, where he reposed in peace in 615.

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

weekly cycle

Ephesians — Ephesians 2.14-22

¹⁴For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, ¹⁴For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; ¹⁵having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; ¹⁵Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; ¹⁶and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: ¹⁶And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: ¹⁷and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: ¹⁷And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ¹⁸for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁸For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁹Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ¹⁹So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, ²⁰And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²⁰being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; ²¹In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²²in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ²²In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Epistle

— St Alexander

Galatians — Galatians 5.22-6.2

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. ²⁶Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

¹Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 12.16-21

¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: ¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: ¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? ¹⁷and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? ¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. ¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. ²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? ²⁰But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? ²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. ²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Gospel

— St Alexander

Matthew — Matthew 11.27-30

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ²⁷All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.