Monday, 8 March 2027

Monday of Cheesefare

55 days before Pascha · Tone 7 · Liturgy · Fast (Meat Fast)

Saints commemorated

Apostle Hermas of the Seventy

Hermas was one of the seventy apostles chosen and sent out by our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. Along with the other seventy disciples, Hermas was commissioned by the Saviour to go before Him into every city and place to which He Himself would come, to heal the sick and to proclaim the kingdom of God. Saint Paul makes mention of Hermas in his Epistle to the Romans, greeting him and noting his labour in the Lord. The seventy apostles are commemorated in the Orthodox Church as faithful followers who spread the Gospel in the early centuries of Christianity, suffering persecutions and trials for the faith.

Hieromartyr Theodoritus, Presbyter of Antioch

Saint Theodoritus was a presbyter and the keeper of sacred vessels at the great cathedral church of Antioch, a magnificent edifice built and richly adorned by the holy emperor Constantine the Great and his son Constantius. Because of its splendour the people called it "the Golden Church". After the death of Constantius, Julian the Apostate ascended the imperial throne and resolved to restore paganism throughout the Roman Empire. He sent his uncle, also named Julian, as governor to Antioch, with orders to close the Christian churches and to seize their treasures for the imperial coffers. Arriving in Antioch with the dignitary Felix, the governor commanded that the priest Theodoritus be locked under guard. He accused the holy man of concealing the church valuables, but Theodoritus denied the false charge and openly denounced Julian for his apostasy from Christ. Despite cruel tortures, the holy martyr maintained his confession of faith. The very soldiers tasked with torturing him were so struck by his firmness and by the power of the word of God on his lips that they confessed Christ themselves, and for this they were drowned in the sea. The holy confessor was at last beheaded. The persecutor Julian shortly afterwards died in agony from a grievous illness, and the emperor Julian perished in his ill-fated campaign against the Persians.

Saint Felix of Burgundy, Apostle of East Anglia

647

Saint Felix was born in Burgundy, in what is now eastern France, and was already a bishop when he came to Britain in the seventh century to preach the Gospel among the East Angles. While King Sigebert of East Anglia was in exile in Gaul, Felix instructed him in the Christian faith and baptised him. When Sigebert returned to claim his kingdom, he invited Felix to follow him in order to bring the Christian faith to his people. Sailing to Canterbury, Felix was sent on by Saint Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury, to East Anglia, where he established his episcopal see at Dommoc, identified by tradition with Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. From this base he laboured for seventeen years, founding churches, instituting schools after the Frankish manner, and bringing the whole kingdom into the obedience of Christ. The Venerable Bede praises him as one who freed his people "from long-standing wickedness and unhappiness". Saint Felix reposed in peace on 8 March, in the year 647 or 648, and was buried at Dunwich. His relics were later translated to Soham and afterwards to Ramsey Abbey. His name lives on in the Suffolk towns of Felixstowe and Flixton, and in Felixkirk in Yorkshire.

Saint Theophylact the Confessor, Bishop of Nicomedia

“Theophylact was from the east; his native city is unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarasius, who afterwards became Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25). Theophylact was made Bishop of Nicomedia. After the death of Saint Tarasius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who reigned from 813 to 820. Among them was Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (celebrated Dec. 26), who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 — he was exiled three times for the sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus’ command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which he died eight days later, about the year 830; Joseph of Thessalonica (see July 14); Michael of Synnada (see May 23); Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus (see Aug. 8); and Saint Theophylact, who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For this, Theophylact was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of Asia Minor, where after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint’s prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord’s Nativity, in 820.” (Great Horologion)

Hieromartyr Theodoretus

362

The priest Theodoretus was custodian of a great cathedral in Antioch, built by the Emperor Constantine and known in its time as ‘the golden church’ for the beauty and luxury of its appointments. When Julian the Apostate came to the throne, he denied Christ and launched a persecution of Christians. The Emperor’s uncle, also named Julian, came to Antioch to prosecute the persecution there. After plundering the church he brought Theodoretus to trial and demanded that he deny Christ. Instead, the faithful priest confessed Christ fervently and rebuked the Emperor for having denied the faith and returned to idol-worship ‘as a dog returns to its vomit.’ In spite, the judge urinated in the golden church, for which Theodoretus prophesied that he would die a terrible death. Theodoretus was beheaded, and Julian his judge was seized with terrible abdominal pain from the moment he defiled the church until he died in torment. Note: Theodoretus is commemorated on March 3 in the Greek Calendar.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

3 John — 3 John 1.1-14

¹The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

¹The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

²Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. ⁴Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

⁵Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; ⁶Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: ⁶who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: ⁷because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁷Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁸We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. ⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

⁹I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

⁹I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. ¹⁰Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

¹¹Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹¹Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ¹²Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. ¹²Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.

¹³I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: ¹⁴But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. ¹⁴but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 19.29-40, 22.7-39

²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

²⁹And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. ³⁰saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him. ³¹And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. ³¹And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him. ³²And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. ³²And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them. ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon. ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their garments in the way. ³⁷And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; ³⁷And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; ³⁸Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁸saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ⁴⁰And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out. ⁴⁰And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

⁷And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we make ready? ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth. ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹¹And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹²And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁶for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁸for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. ²⁰And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.

²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²¹But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! ²²For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. ²³And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

²⁴And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations; ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³⁰that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁶And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.