Monday, 1 March 2027

Monday of Meatfare

62 days before Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Domnina of Syria

Saint Domnina was a Christian martyr of Syria who lived during the era of Roman persecutions against the Church. Following her unshakeable faith in Christ despite severe pressure and torture, Domnina endured her suffering with steadfast courage. Historical accounts record her martyrdom as occurring in the early centuries of Christian persecution, and she is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a witness to the faith. Her memory is kept alive in the liturgical tradition as an intercessor for those facing trials and tribulations, and the Church honours her as one who loved Christ more than life itself.

Holy Venerable Martyr Eudocia of Heliopolis

Eudocia was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (now Baalbek in Lebanon). A surpassingly beautiful pagan, she led a licentious life and became wealthy from the gifts of her many lovers. One day an elderly monk, Germanus, came to Heliopolis and stayed with a Christian whose house adjoined Eudocia’s. At night, he began to read aloud from the Psalter and a book on the Last Judgment. From next-door, Eudocia heard him. Her heart was reached, and she stood attentively all night, listening to every word in fear and contrition. The next day she begged Germanus to visit her, and he explained the saving Christian faith to her. Finally, Eudocia asked the local bishop to baptise her. She freed her servants, gave all her wealth to the poor, and entered a monastery.

“Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded”(Great Horologion). According to some,this was under Trajan (98-117); according to others, under Hadrian (117-138).

The Prologue gives a somewhat different account: that after entering the monastery, Eudocia was permitted to pursue the monastic life in peace — with such devotion that, thirteen months after she entered the monastery, she was chosen as abbess. She lived for fifty-six years in the monastery, and was granted the gift of raising the dead. In her old age, a persecution of Christians arose, and Eudocia was beheaded along with many others. “Here is a wonderful example of how a vessel of uncleanness can be purified, sanctified and filled with a precious, heavenly fragrance by the grace of the Holy Spirit” (Prologue).

Saint Antonina of Nicaea

Saint Antonina was a holy virgin and martyr of Nicaea who lived during the early Christian persecutions. Devoted entirely to Christ and to the service of her sisters in faith, Antonina was known for her luminous piety and her unflinching witness to the Gospel. When persecution arose, she boldly confessed her faith and endured imprisonment and torture rather than deny her Lord. Through her steadfast courage and trust in God's mercy, she became a powerful intercessor and a beacon of hope to those who suffered alongside her. The Orthodox Church commemorates her as a virgin martyr and counts her among the cloud of witnesses whose prayers sustain the faithful.

Saint David of Wales

Saint David (Dewi Sant) was a sixth-century bishop and monastic founder, considered the patron saint of Wales. Born in South Wales, David established the monastery of Glyn Rhosyn (later called St Davids) in Pembrokeshire, which became a major centre of Christian learning and spiritual life. Known for his ascetic practices, David followed a strict monastic rule emphasising manual labour, prayer, and pastoral care. He was particularly concerned with the spiritual welfare of his monks and the faithful entrusted to his care. David undertook missionary journeys throughout Wales and beyond, strengthening Christian communities and establishing monasteries. He presided over synods that addressed doctrinal questions and ecclesiastical discipline. Following a long life of zealous pastoral service, David reposed peacefully in the early seventh century. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a holy bishop and monastic father whose legacy shaped the Welsh Church.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

1 John — 1 John 2.18-3.10

¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

¹⁸Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. ²⁰And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²⁰But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²²Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²²Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁴Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. ²⁵And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him. ²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. ²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁸And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

¹Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ²Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. ³And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ³And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ⁴Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ⁴Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him. ⁷My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: ⁷Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁸he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. ⁹Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹⁰In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Mark — Mark 11.1-11

¹And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

¹And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples, ²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. ²and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him. ³And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. ³And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither. ⁴And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. ⁴And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him. ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁵And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go. ⁶And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. ⁷And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him. ⁷And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. ⁸And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁸And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields. ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ¹⁰Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest. ¹¹And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

¹¹And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.