Tuesday, 8 December 2026

Ven. Patapius of Thebes

Tuesday of the 28th week after Pentecost

240 days after Pascha · Tone 2 · Liturgy · Nativity Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Apostles of the Seventy: Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Tychicus, Epaphroditus, Caesar and Onesiphorus

These seven Apostles were among the Seventy chosen and sent out by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to preach, after the calling of the Twelve. Sosthenes, formerly the chief of the synagogue at Corinth (Acts 18:17), was converted by the preaching of the Apostle Paul and became bishop of Colophon in Asia Minor; he is named with Paul as co-author of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Apollos, a learned Jew of Alexandria mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-28), preached fervently in Ephesus, Corinth and Crete and is counted bishop of Caesarea. Cephas, distinct from the Apostle Peter, was bishop of Iconium and was rebuked at Antioch as recorded by Saint Paul (Galatians 2:11-14). Tychicus, called by Paul a beloved brother and faithful minister (Ephesians 6:21), succeeded Sosthenes as bishop of Colophon. Epaphroditus, a fellow worker and fellow soldier of Paul (Philippians 2:25), became bishop of Andriake in Lycia. Caesar was bishop of Dyrrachium in Greece, and Onesiphorus, who often refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of his chains (2 Timothy 1:16-18), shepherded Colophon and afterwards Cyrene before being martyred. All laboured to plant the Church among the nations and are commemorated together also on 30 March in the synaxis of the Seventy.

Saint Sophronius, Archbishop of Cyprus

Saint Sophronius was born on Cyprus into a Christian family in the sixth century. Educated in many sciences, he gave himself above all to the reading of the Holy Scriptures, in which he made such progress that he became renowned for his wisdom and piety. After the death of Saint Damian, bishop of Cyprus, the clergy and people of the island unanimously elected Sophronius to succeed him on the episcopal throne. As archbishop he distinguished himself by mercy to the poor, fearlessness in the defence of his flock and zeal in upholding the apostolic faith. He governed the Church of Cyprus with wisdom and gentleness, was granted the gift of working miracles, and reposed in peace. His commemoration on this day is widely observed in the Greek and Slavic synaxaria alongside Saint Patapius.

Venerable Cyril of Chelmogorsk

1367

Saint Cyril of Chelmogorsk was a Russian ascetic of the fourteenth century, born around 1286 in the city of Beloozero. Drawn from his youth to the monastic life, he entered the Antoniev-Siysk type of northern wilderness asceticism and was tonsured at a monastery on Lake Kubensk, where he lived for some years in obedience and prayer. Seeking deeper solitude, he travelled north into the forests of the Kargopol region and at length settled on Mount Chelma near the river Onega, where he lived for fifty-two years in great austerity, struggling against the elements, hostile pagan tribes and demonic temptation. Through his patient witness he converted many of the local Chud peoples to Christ, baptising them and instructing them in the Faith, and built a small church and cells which became the Chelmogorsk monastery. He reposed in 1367 at the age of eighty-two, and his relics later became a source of healing for pilgrims drawn to the remote forest community he had founded.

Venerable Patapius of Thebes

He was born at Thebes in Egypt, and at a young age left his pious parents, his inheritance and his acquaintances to dwell in the Egyptian desert, devoting himself to ceaseless prayer. After many years, he reputation spread and, despite his desire for solitude, throngs of pilgrims would seek him out for his prayers and counsel. To escape the attentions of men, he did a surprising thing: he abandoned the desert and moved to Constantinople, settling in the Blachernae district, where, amid the bustle of the city, he was able to pass unnoticed, more secure in his solitude than he had been in the caves of Egypt.

As he grew in obedience to the commandments of Christ, the grace of working miracles grew in him, and once again he gradually became known. Once a blind man cast himself before Patapius on the street, and the Saint cured him instantly by calling on the name of Christ. Once he healed a man crippled by dropsy, anointing him with the oil from a vigil lamp and signing him with the Cross.

After blessing the Church for many years with his prayers and miracles, St Patapius fell asleep in peace, and was buried in the church of the Monastery of the Egyptians near Constantinople. In 1904 his precious and incorrupt relics were uncovered in the course of some building at a small monastery near Corinth. From that time the monastery has been dedicated to St Patapius, and many miracles are worked there.

Also commemorated: Holy Apostles Sosthenes, Apollos, Tychicus and Epaphroditus, Cephas and Caesar

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

2 Timothy — 2 Timothy 3.16-4.4

¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

¹I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; ²Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 21.12-19

¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. ¹³And it shall turn to you for a testimony. ¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: ¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. ¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. ¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. ¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish. ¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls.