Tuesday, 9 March 2027

Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

Cheesefare Tuesday

54 days before Pascha · Tone 7 · Red cross (polyeleos typikon symbol) · Fast (Meat Fast)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

They were all soldiers under one general, taken captive in the time of Licinius for their faith in Christ. They were stripped naked and cast onto a frozen lake at Sebastia in Pontus. They endured the entire night, encouraging each other to be patient. Some accounts say that their persecutors placed warm baths in their sight on the shore to entice them to renounce Christ. Finally one of their number, broken by his sufferings, apostatized and left the company. One of the guards, named Aglaius, saw in a vision thirty-nine wreaths descending from heaven onto the heads of the faithful sufferers, and was moved to declare himself a Christian. He was immediately sent to join the martyrs on the frozen lake, keeping the number of forty complete. In the morning all of them, almost dead, were cast into fire, and their remains thrown in the lake. On the third day the martyrs appeared to Peter, the local bishop, and told him to search for them in the lake. The bishop went to the lake on a dark night with his clergy, and one account says that the bones of the martyrs rose to the surface and burned there like a candle. The relics were gathered and given honorable burial.

This is the most common account. The Prologue gives a somewhat different version, in which the martyrs were made to stand, not on the frozen lake, but in the freezing waters.

Saint Bosa, Bishop of York

678

Saint Bosa was a Northumbrian by birth, who in his youth was given to the great double monastery of Whitby under the holy Abbess Hilda. There he received both his education and his monastic formation, becoming known for his learning, humility, and gentleness of life. He was one of five monks of Whitby who in his generation rose to the episcopate. When in the year 678 King Ecgfrith expelled Saint Wilfrid from the see of York, Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury divided the vast Northumbrian diocese into smaller portions and consecrated Bosa as bishop for Deira, with his seat at York. He governed the see with great pastoral diligence until 686, when Wilfrid for a time was restored, and again from 691, on Wilfrid's renewed expulsion, until his repose. The Venerable Bede, who knew several of his clergy, describes Bosa as "a man beloved of God" of "most unusual merit and holiness", and notes that he carried out his ministry after the manner of a true monk. Among the young men trained in his cathedral household was Saint Acca, afterwards Bishop of Hexham. Saint Bosa reposed about the year 705 and was buried in his own cathedral at York. He is commemorated on 9 March in the calendars of the Orthodox Church.

Saint Caesarius, Brother of Saint Gregory the Theologian

Caesarius was the younger brother of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, surnamed the Theologian and the Divine. Like his more celebrated brother, Caesarius was highly learned and devoted to Christ. He received an excellent education and achieved prominence as a physician and at the court of the Roman emperors. However, Caesarius abandoned his worldly position and devoted himself wholly to the service of God. He was ordained to the priesthood and laboured alongside his brother Gregory in the defence of Orthodox faith during the time of Arian heresy. Saint Caesarius endured trials and persecutions for his steadfast confession of the Trinitarian faith. The lives of both brothers were marked by learning, piety, and unwavering dedication to the Gospel and the traditions of the apostles.

Saint Pacian, Bishop of Barcelona

Saint Pacian was born around the year 310, of a noble Spanish family, and after a virtuous life in the world he embraced the priesthood. About the year 365 he was raised to the episcopal throne of Barcelona, which he occupied with great wisdom and holiness for nearly thirty years. Saint Jerome, in his catalogue of illustrious men, praises him for his eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness of life. Three of his pastoral letters survive, addressed to a certain Sympronian, in which he refutes the rigorist sect of the Novatians, who denied the Church's power to forgive grave sins after baptism. To these he added a short treatise, the "Paraenesis ad Poenitentiam", exhorting the faithful to repentance, and a sermon on baptism. In the first of his letters appears his celebrated phrase, "Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus vero cognomen", "Christian is my name, but Catholic is my surname", expressing the unity of the universal Church. Before entering the priesthood Pacian had been married, and his son Flavius Dexter rose to be a high official under the emperors Theodosius I and Honorius. Saint Pacian reposed in peace at a great age, around the year 391, during the reign of Theodosius. He is honoured as a Father of the Church and is commemorated on 9 March.

St Caesarius

369

He was the brother of St Gregory the Theologian and, like his brother, was a theological writer. In his works he gave an answer to the question: How long did Adam and Eve spend in Paradise before the Fall? Various writers had given estimates ranging from six hours to three days. Saint Caesarius wrote that our first parents’ time in Paradise was forty days; and that for this reason Christ fasted for forty days in the wilderness, being tempted by the Devil. “For, while the old Adam was not able to withstand the devil’s temptation in the abundance of Paradise, the New Adam withstood him as a true knight in hunger and thirst in the wilderness.” (Prologue)

Daily readings

Vespers

— Martyrs

Isaiah — Isaiah 43.9-14

⁹Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. ⁹Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth. ¹⁰Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. ¹⁰Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. ¹¹I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. ¹¹I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour. ¹²I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. ¹²I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God. ¹³Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? ¹³Yea, since the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who can hinder it?

¹⁴Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

¹⁴Thus saith Jehovah, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing.

Vespers

— Martyrs

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9

¹But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.

²In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,

³And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.

⁴For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

⁵And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

⁶As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

⁷And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.

⁸They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

⁹They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Vespers

— Martyrs

Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

¹⁵But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.

¹⁶Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

¹⁷He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁸He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.

¹⁹He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.

²⁰His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

²¹Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.

²²And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

²³Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

¹Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

²Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

³For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Matins Gospel

— Martyrs

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. ¹²But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³And it shall turn to you for a testimony. ¹³It shall turn out unto you for a testimony. ¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: ¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer: ¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. ¹⁵for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay. 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. ¹⁶But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, 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. ¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. ¹⁸And not a hair of your head shall perish. ¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish. ¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls. ¹⁹In your patience ye shall win your souls.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Jude — Jude 1-10

¹Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

¹Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: ²Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. ²Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied.

³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

³Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints. ⁴For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ⁴For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

⁵Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. ⁶And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. ⁶And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. ⁷Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. ⁷Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. ⁸Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. ⁸Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. ⁹But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. ⁹Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. ¹⁰But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. ¹⁰But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.

Epistle

— Martyrs

Hebrews — Hebrews 12.1-10

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

¹Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ²looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ³For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls. ⁴Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin: ⁴Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. ⁵and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; ⁵And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: ⁶For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ⁶For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? ⁷If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁸But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. ⁸But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. ⁹Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ⁹Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ¹⁰For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 22.39-42, 45-23.1

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. ⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. ⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. ⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, ⁴¹And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed, ⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ⁴²saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ⁴⁵And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁵And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁶and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. ⁴⁶And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

⁴⁷And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

⁴⁷While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? ⁴⁸But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? ⁴⁹And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? ⁴⁹When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

⁵⁰And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. ⁵⁰And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye them thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. ⁵¹And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? ⁵²And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves? ⁵³When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. ⁵³When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

⁵⁴And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.

⁵⁴Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. ⁵⁵And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁵And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. ⁵⁶But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. ⁵⁶And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him. ⁵⁷And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. ⁵⁷But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not. ⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. ⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. ⁵⁹And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilæan. ⁵⁹And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan. ⁶⁰And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶⁰But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. ⁶²And he went out, and wept bitterly.

⁶³And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.

⁶³And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. ⁶⁴And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? ⁶⁴And they blindfolded him, and asked him, saying, Prophesy: who is he that struck thee? ⁶⁵And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. ⁶⁵And many other things spake they against him, reviling him.

⁶⁶And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying,

⁶⁶And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, ⁶⁷Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: ⁶⁷If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: ⁶⁸and if I ask you, ye will not answer. ⁶⁸And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. ⁶⁹Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. ⁶⁹But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God. ⁷⁰And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. ⁷⁰Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. ⁷¹And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. ⁷¹And they said, What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.

¹And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

¹And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate.

Gospel

— Martyrs

Matthew — Matthew 20.1-16

¹For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

¹For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. ²And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ²And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ³And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle; ⁴And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ⁴and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ⁵Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁵Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁶And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? ⁶And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? ⁷They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. ⁷They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard. ⁸So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ⁸And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ⁹And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling. ⁹And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ¹⁰But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹⁰And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling. ¹¹And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, ¹¹And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, ¹²Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. ¹²saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. ¹³But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? ¹³But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling? ¹⁴Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee. ¹⁴Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good? ¹⁶So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. ¹⁶So the last shall be first, and the first last.