Wednesday, 24 February 2027

1st and 2nd Finding Honorable Head of St John the Baptist

67 days before Pascha · Tone 5 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fast Free)

Saints commemorated

First and Second Finding of the Precious Head of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John

452

After the Forerunner was beheaded at the order of Herod and his illicit wife Herodias, his head was discarded in what the Synaxarion calls “an unseemly location,” presumably a privy. According to some, it was secretly recovered by Joanna, one of the Myrrhbearing women, and given honorable burial near Jerusalem. There it was found, through a revelation of the Forerunner, by two monks who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of our Savior (the first finding). Putting the head in a bag, the monks returned home. On the way, they met an indigent potter from Emesa. That night the Forerunner appeared to the poor man and instructed him to make off with the relic. He returned with it to Emesa and immediately began to prosper in his business. Just before he died, he put the holy relic in a chest, which he left to his sister with these instructions: never to open it without instructions from the one hidden inside it; and to pass it on to a pious man beloved of God. Thus the Head of the Baptist passed through many generations, eventually being concealed in a cave near a monastery founded during the reign of Marcian (450-457), whose abbot was the godly Marcellus.

The blessed Forerunner appeared several times to Marcellus, embracing him and once even giving him a pot of honey. The Baptist ordered Marcellus to follow a star which led him to the cave and came to rest in front of a niche in the wall. Marcellus dug there and came upon a marble slab, under which was a large jar containing the precious Head. The holy relic was taken with rejoicing to the cathedral in Emesa,where it worked many wonders. In the reign of Michael III (842-867), it was taken to Constantinople. It was at this translation that the present Feast was instituted.

The version given here is that of St Symeon Metaphrastes. Other sources give substantially different accounts.

The Prologue observes: “It is important and interesting to note that, while he was alive, John did not work a single miracle (Jn 10:41), but to his relics was given the blessed power of working miracles.”

Hieromartyr Praetextatus, bishop of Rouen

Saint Praetextatus, called Prix in the speech of his country, was the seventeenth bishop of the see of Rouen in the kingdom of the Franks. He was elevated to the episcopate about the year 549 and ruled the church of Rouen for some thirty-seven years with apostolic vigour. He was a friend and counsellor of the holy king Sigebert and stood as godfather to his son Merovech. For rebuking the wickedness of the queen Fredegund, who had murdered her stepson and contrived the death of her husband, Praetextatus drew upon himself her implacable hatred. At a synod held in Paris in 577 false charges were brought against him by King Chilperic, and he was banished to the island of Jersey, where he passed seven years in patience. After the death of Chilperic in 584 he was restored to his see and resumed his pastoral labours, comforting the afflicted and rebuking the unjust. In 586, while he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the altar in his cathedral on the morning of Easter Sunday, an assassin sent by Fredegund struck him under the arm with a knife. Mortally wounded, Saint Praetextatus dragged himself to the altar to receive holy communion before he reposed. He is honoured among the holy hieromartyrs of the West, and his death is recorded with grief by Saint Gregory of Tours.

Holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius and their companions of Carthage

259

The holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Flavian, Julian, Victoricus, Primolus, Rhenus and Donatian were disciples of the holy hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage and suffered for Christ in the same city in the year 259, during the persecution raised by the emperor Valerian. After the martyrdom of their bishop in September 258, an outbreak of unrest in Carthage was used as a pretext by the procurator Solon to seize a number of Christians, although the faithful had taken no part in the disturbance. The confessors were thrown into a dark and crowded prison and there endured hunger, thirst and prolonged interrogation. From their confinement they wrote a long letter to the church of Carthage exhorting their brethren to perseverance and unity. They were comforted by visions in which the martyred Saint Cyprian appeared to them, encouraging them to await their crown. Saint Flavian, who had been a deacon, was at first separated from the others on a doubt as to his ordination, but at his earnest prayer he was granted to suffer with his companions a few days later. Led at last to the place of execution, the martyrs exhorted the faithful to peace and to obedience towards their pastors. They were beheaded together and received the crown of martyrdom. The Acts of their passion, written by their fellow prisoners and completed by an eyewitness, are among the most moving documents of the African church.

Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Caves

1160

Venerable Erasmus was a monk of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev who inherited considerable wealth from his devout parents. Rather than retain these riches for himself, he became a radiant example of Christian renunciation and generosity. He devoted all his worldly possessions to the beautification and adornment of churches, spending lavishly on silver-plating and gilding icons in honour of God. Yet his generous actions became the occasion for severe spiritual trial. After surrendering his wealth, the enemy of mankind began to suggest to Erasmus that he had acted foolishly, that he should instead have distributed his inheritance to the poor rather than expending it on the embellishment of sacred objects. The monk fell into grave despondency, tormented by such thoughts, and gradually abandoned his monastic discipline and spiritual vigilance. To humble him and bring him to deeper repentance, the Lord sent a grievous illness that nearly claimed his life. For seven days he lay incapacitated, unable to see or speak, scarcely able to breathe. During this trial, understanding the source of his affliction, Erasmus made a public confession of his sins before the entire community, concealing nothing and accepting his shame with humble contrition. He then received the monastic schema and committed himself anew to his vows. Three days after his renewal, Saint Erasmus departed this earthly life in the year 1160, and his holy remains were interred in the Near Caves of the monastery.

Saint Aethelberht, first Christian King of Kent

616

In 597, a party of forty missionary monks, led by St Augustine of Canterbury (May 28), was sent to Britain by the holy Pope Gregory the Great, to bring the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ to the English people. Aethelberht, who had been King of Kent for thirty-six years, received the monks favorably, allowed them to preach in his kingdom, and invited them to establish their headquarters in Canterbury, his capital city, which already contained a small, ruined church dedicated to St Martin of Tours in Roman times. The king himself was converted and received holy Baptism at the hands of St Augustine; a crowd of his subjects followed his example. When St Augustine was consecrated bishop, Aethelberht allowed him to be made Archbishop of Canterbury and gave his own palace to serve as a monastery. The king worked steadily for the conversion of the neighboring kindoms, and in 604 established an episcopal see in London. Unlike some Christian rulers, he refused to see anyone converted forcibly. Saint Aethelberht reposed in peace in 616, after reigning for fifty-six years. He was buried in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which he had established. Many miracles were worked at his tomb, where a lamp was kept lit perpetually until the monastery was disbanded by the Protestants in 1538.

Daily readings

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54

Thus says the Lord: Comfort, comfort my people, says God. Priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem. Comfort her, because her humiliation has been completed; for her has sin has been abolished, because she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill made low; what is crooked will become straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Go up onto a high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Sion; lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift it up, do not be afraid. I the Lord God, I, the God of Israel, will hearken and will not forsake them; but I will open rivers from the mountains and springs in the middle of plains. I will turn the wilderness into water meadows and the thirsty earth with water courses. Let the heavens rejoice from on high and let the clouds rain justice. Let the earth sprout and blossom with mercy and justice. Announce a voice of gladness to the end of the earth and let this be heard: Say that the Lord has delivered his servant Jacob. And if they thirst through deserts, he will bring water for them from a rock. Rejoice you barren who have never given birth, break out and shout, you who have never known birth pangs, for the children of the deserted are more than those of her who has a husband.

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 9 - Malachi 3, 4

Thus says the Lord Almighty: See, I am sending my Angel, my messenger, before your face, who will prepare your way before you. And the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple. And who will endure the day of his entrance? And who will withstand at his appearing? Because he will enter like fire in a smelting furnace and like the lye of launderers. And he will come to you in judgement; and he will be a swift witness against the wicked and against adulteresses and against those swear falsely in his name and those who do not fear him, says the Lord Almighty. Because I am the Lord your God, and I have not changed and you, children of Jacob, have perverted the laws and not kept them. Therefore turn back to me and I will turn back to you, says the Lord Almighty. And all the nations will call you blessed and you will know that I am the Lord who discern between just and lawless on the day on which I make a peculiar possession of those who love me. Know then and remember the law of Moses my servant, as I gave him commandment on Horeb, to all Israel ordinances and judgements. And see, I will send you Elias the Thesbite, before the great and manifest day of the Lord comes; he will turn again the heart of father to son and of a man to his neighbour, lest when I come I smite the earth grievously, says the Lord Almighty, God the Holy One of Israel.

Vespers

— Forerunner

OT — Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5

A just man if he comes to his end will be at rest. A just man who dies will condemn the ungodly who are alive; for they will see the end of a just man and will not understand what they counselled concerning him. For the Lord will break the ungodly, render them voiceless and cast them headlong, and he will shake them from the foundations and they will be utterly worsted in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. They shall come with fear at the accounting of their sins, and their iniquities will convict them to their face. Then the just will stand with much boldness in the face of those who afflicted him and made his toils of no account. When they see this they will be troubled with great fear and will be amazed at the wonder of his salvation. For they will say as they repent and with anguish they will groan and say: Is this he whom we fools once made a laughing stock and a byword of reproach? We reckoned his life folly and his end dishonour. How has he been numbered among the children of God and his lot with the Saints? Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness has not shone on us and the sun has not dawned on us. We have been filled with paths of lawlessness and destruction and journeyed through trackless paths, but have not known the way of the Lord.

Matins Gospel

— Forerunner

Luke — Luke 7.17-30

¹⁷And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about. ¹⁷And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judæa, and all the region round about. ¹⁸And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

¹⁸And the disciples of John told him of all these things.

¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? ¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ²⁰When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? ²⁰And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ²¹In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. ²¹And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. ²²And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. ²²Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. ²³And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ²³And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

²⁴And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

²⁴And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? ²⁵But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. ²⁵But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. ²⁶But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁶But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁷This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. ²⁷This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

²⁸I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁸For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁹And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. ²⁹And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him. ³⁰But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Epistle

weekly cycle

2 Peter — 2 Peter 3.1-18

¹This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;

¹This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: ²that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles: ²That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: ³knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts, ³Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, ⁴and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. ⁴And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. ⁵For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: ⁵For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God; ⁶Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: ⁶by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: ⁷but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ⁷But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

⁸But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁸But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ¹¹Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹¹Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, ¹²Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? ¹²looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? ¹³But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. ¹³Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

¹⁴Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. ¹⁴Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. ¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; ¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; ¹⁶as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. ¹⁶As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. ¹⁷Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness. ¹⁷Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. ¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen. ¹⁸But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Epistle

— Forerunner

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 4.6-15

⁶Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹⁰always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. ¹¹For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹¹For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; ¹³We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 13.24-31

²⁴But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

²⁴But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, ²⁵And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. ²⁵and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. ²⁶And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁶And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. ²⁷And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. ²⁸Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

²⁸Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; ²⁹So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. ²⁹even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors. ³⁰Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished. ³⁰Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. ³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. ³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Gospel

— Forerunner

Matthew — Matthew 11.2-15

²Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples ²Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? ³and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? ⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see: ⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁵the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

⁷And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

⁷And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? ⁸But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁸But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. ⁹But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. ⁹But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹⁰This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. ¹⁴And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come. ¹⁵He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁵He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.