Saturday, 13 March 2027

Commemoration of Departed Righteous Monastics

Cheesefare Saturday

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

Saints commemorated

Hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens

Saint Publius was the second bishop of Athens, succeeding the holy Hierotheus and the holy Narcissus on that ancient apostolic throne. According to tradition he had been a disciple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who, having been instructed by the Apostle Paul on the Areopagus, became the first bishop of the city. Some sources also number him among the Seventy whom Christ Himself had sent forth to preach the kingdom of God. The labours of Saint Publius are recorded with affectionate praise by Saint Dionysius of Corinth in a letter to the Athenians, preserved in part by the Church historian Eusebius. He shepherded the Church of Athens with apostolic zeal during a difficult time, when the small Christian community in that learned and pagan city was hard-pressed by persecution and many of the faithful had grown discouraged. By his teaching, his example, and his constancy he revived their fervour and restored their confidence in the faith. He sealed his witness at last with his own blood, suffering martyrdom for Christ, according to some accounts under the emperor Marcus Aurelius in the late second century, and according to others as early as the reign of Hadrian. He was succeeded on the throne of Athens by Quadratus the apologist. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 13 March as a hieromartyr, a holy bishop and a witness of Christ.

Saint Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nicephorus was a learned theologian and Patriarch of Constantinople in the eighth and ninth centuries. He lived during the period of iconoclasm, when the veneration of holy icons was condemned by the imperial authorities. Though not a bishop at the time, Nicephorus was instrumental in defending the Orthodox teaching regarding icons and the proper veneration due to them. His learned writings and testimonies, rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Fathers, helped to restore the veneration of icons to a place of honour in the Church. When Nicephorus eventually became Patriarch, he continued to labour for the preservation of Orthodox faith and for the strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline. He endured persecution and exile for his unwavering confession of the faith. Saint Nicephorus is commemorated not only for his theological contributions but also as a confessor who remained steadfast in the Orthodox faith despite trials and opposition. The translation of his holy relics, commemorated on this feast day, is a recognition of his importance and sanctity.

Saint Theodora the Empress

Saint Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire and the wife of Emperor Theodosius II. She was known for her piety, her generosity to the poor, and her steadfast support of the Orthodox faith during a time of great theological and political turmoil. Theodora used her position and influence to strengthen the Church and to ensure that Orthodox teachings were preserved and honoured. She was devoted to prayer and ascetical practice, and her life was marked by charity, humility, and wisdom. Though she lived in the splendour of the imperial court, Theodora did not allow worldly grandeur to turn her from her devotion to God. She was beloved by her people for her kindness and for her efforts to alleviate suffering. Saint Theodora is commemorated as a saint who combined the responsibilities of imperial office with genuine piety and whose memory is venerated as an example of how one may serve God while serving in a position of great worldly authority.

Translation of the Relics of St Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

827

His main commemoration is on June 2; today we commemorate the return of his holy relics to Constantinople. Nicephoros was Patriarch during the time of the iconoclasts, and openly opposed the Emperor Leo the Armenian’s heretical policies. For this he was exiled to a monastery on the island of Prochonis, which he himself had built when Patriarch. After living there for thirteen years, he reposed around 827. In time, the iconoclast Emperors died, and the Emperor Michael, with his mother Theodora, came to the Imperial throne in 842; they appointed Methodios, a defender of the icons, as Patriarch. In 846, the incorrupt relics of St Nicephoros were returned to Constantinople and placed first in the Hagia Sophia, then in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The saint had been driven from Constantinople on March 13, and his relics were returned there on March 13, nineteen years later to the day.

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

Romans — Romans 14.19-23, 16.25-27

¹⁹Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. ¹⁹So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. ²⁰For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. ²⁰Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. ²¹It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. ²¹It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. ²²The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. ²²Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. ²³And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. ²³But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

²⁵Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

²⁵Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, ²⁶But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: ²⁶but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: ²⁷To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. ²⁷to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

Epistle

— Departed

Galatians — Galatians 5.22-6.2

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. ²⁶Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

¹Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 6.1-13

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

¹Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

²When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. ²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. ⁴that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁵And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. ⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. ⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁷And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁸Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ¹³And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Gospel

— Departed

Matthew — Matthew 11.27-30

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ²⁷All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.