Fasting Guidelines
Afterfeast of Pentecost. Tone seven.
Fast-free Week. Fast-free
Today’s Commemorations
- Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Surety of Sinners” in Korets (1622) ( movable holiday on Thursday of the 1-st week of the Pentecost ).
- Prophet Elisha (10th c. B.C.).
- St. Methodius , patriarch of Constantinople (847).
- Finding of the relics (1992) of New Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev.
- New Hieromartyr Joseph priest (1918).
- New Hieromartyrs Nicholas, Alexander, Paul priests and Nicholas deacon (1938).
- St. Mstislav-George, prince of Novgorod (1180).
- Venerable Methodius , abbot of Peshnosha (1392).
- Venerable Elisha , monk, of Suma (Solovki) (15th- 16th c.).
- Synaxis of All Saints of Diveyevo.
- Venerable Niphon, monk of Kapsokalyvia, Mt. Athos (1330).
- Venerable Julitta (Julia) of Tabenna in Egypt.
- St. John (Mavropos), metropolitan of Euchaita (1100).
- St. Joseph, bishop of Thessalonica, brother of St. Theodore of the Studion (830).
- St. Sabbas the Fool-for-Christ of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos (1349).
- St. Dogmael, monk of Pembrokeshire..
Scripture Readings
Romans 1:28-2:9
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Matthew 5:27-32
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Saints and Feasts Celebrated Today
Prophet Elisha (10th c. B.C.). 
The Holy Prophet Elisha (Elisei) lived in the IX Century before the Birth of Christ, and was a native of the village of Abelmaum, near Jordan. By the command of the Lord he was called to prophetic service by the holy Prophet of God Eliah (Ilias, Elijah) (Comm. 20 July). When it became time for the holy Prophet Eliah to be taken up to Heaven, he said to Elisha: “Ask, what shalt I do for thee, before that I be taken from thee”. Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of the grace of God: “The Spirit, which be in thee, let it be upon me twofold”. The Prophet Eliah said: “Thou dost ask the difficult; if thou seest as I be taken from thee, then so shalt it be for thee, but if thou seest not, it wilt not be” (4 [2] Kings 2: 12). And when they went along the way and conversed, there appeared a fiery chariot and horses and parted them both. Elisha cried out: “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horse!” (4 [2] Kings 2: 12). Picking up the cloak (mantle) of his teacher which fell from the sky, Elisha received the power and prophetic gift of Eliah. He spent more than 65 years in prophetic service, under six Israelite kings (from Ahab to Joash). “And in those days he trembled not before the prince, and no one could overcome him” (Sirach 48: 13 [“Sirach” in the canon of Old Testament books is found in Catholic but not Protestant English translations of the Bible, rendered as “Ecclesiasticus”]). The holy prophet worked numerous miracles. He divided the waters of the Jordan, having smitten it with the mantle of the Prophet Eliah; he made fit for drinking the waters of a Jericho spring; by an abundant bringing forth of water by his prayer he saved the armies of the kings of Israel and Judah that stood in an arid wilderness; he delivered a poor widow from death by starvation through a miraculous increase of oil in a vessel. The Shunamite woman showing hospitality to the prophet was gladdened by the birth of a son through his prayer, and when the child died, he was raised back to life by the prophet. The Syrian military-commander Namaan was healed from leprosy but the servant of the prophet, Gehazi, was afflicted since he disobeyed the prophet and on the sly took money from Namaan. Elisha predicted to the Israelite king Joash the victory over his enemies and by the power of his prayer worked many other miracles (4 [2] Kings 3-13). The holy Prophet Elisha died in old age at Samaria. “And in life he worked miracles, and at death astounding was his deed” (Sir. 48: 15). A year after his death, a corpse was thrown into the cave wherein lay his remains, and came alive by a mere touch to his bones. The Prophet Elisha, just like his teacher the Prophet Eliah, left behind them no books, since their prophetic preaching was but oral. Jesus, son of Sirach, inscribed eulogistic praise to both the great prophets (Sir. 48: 1-15). Saint John Damascene compiled a canon in honour of the Prophet Elisha, and at Constantinople a church was built in his name. Julian the Apostate (361-363) gave orders to burn the relics of the Prophet Elisha, Abdia (Obadiah) and John the Forerunner, but the remains of the holy relics were preserved by believers, and part of them were transferred to Alexandria.
St. Methodius , patriarch of Constantinople (847).
Sainted Methodios, Patriarch of Constantinople, was born in Sicily into a rich family. Having a vocation to God, he went while still in his youth off to a monastery on the island of Chios and renovated it with his means. During the reign of the iconoclast Leo the Armenian (813-820), Saint Methodios held the high position of “apokrisiaros” (“advocate for Church matters”) under the holy Patriarch Nicephoros (Comm. 2 June). He was dispatched by the patriarch to Rome on a mission to the papacy and he remained there. During this period Leo the Armenian removed Nicephoros from the patriarchal throne and put on it the iconoclast Theodotos of Melissinea, given the nickname “Kassiter” (“Tinman”) (815-822). After the death of Leo the Armenian, Saint Methodios returned, and in the dignity of presbyter he struggled incessantly against the Iconoclast heresy. The emperor Michael the Stammerer (820-829) at first was noted for his benevolence and he set free many imprisoned by his predecessor for their veneration of icons, but after a while he renewed the persecution against Orthodoxy. Saint Methodios was locked up in prison in Akrita. After the death of Michael the Stammerer, the ruler was Theophilos (829-842), who also was an iconoclast. More refined a man than his father, he set free Saint Methodios, who likewise was a man of learning, superbly skilled in matters not only ecclesial, but also civil. Having received his freedom, Saint Methodios renewed the struggle with the heretics, and for a while the emperor tolerated this. But after defeat in a war with the Arabs, Theophilos vented his anger against Saint Methodios, saying, that God had punished him because he had let come close to him an “icon-worshipper” (such was what the iconoclasts called those who venerate holy icons). Saint Methodios objected, saying that the Lord was angry with him for the insults upon His holy icons. They gave the saint over to tortures, and struck him much about the face, from which his jaw was broken. On his face remained ugly scars. Saint Methodios was sent off to the island of Antigonos and he was locked up there with two robbers in a deep cave. In this dark prison where the light of day penetrated not, Saint Methodios languished for 7 years until the death of the emperor Theophilos. During this time, the holy Icon-Confessors Theodore and Theophanes the Lettered‑Upon (Comm. 27 December), likewise banished to prison, sent Saint Methodios greetings in verse, and the prisoner likewise answered with greetings in verse. After the death of Theophilos, his son Michael III (842-867) began to rule, but not being of mature age, the Byzantine empire was actually ruled by his mother, the empress Blessed Theodora, a venerator of icons. The empress tired to extirpate the Iconoclast heresy, and gave orders to free the confessors imprisoned for icon veneration. The heretic Annios occupying the patriarchal throne was banished, and Saint Methodios chosen in his place. At Constantinople was convened a Local Council with Saint Methodios presiding (842). The Council restored icon veneration and established an annual celebration of the triumph of Orthodoxy. The “Rite of Orthodoxy” compiled by Saint Methodios is done on the First Sunday of the Great Lent. Attempting to undermine the authority of Saint Methodios, and also the love and esteem of his flock for him, the heretics slandered him as having transgressed chastity. The slandering was exposed as such, and the enemies of the saint put to shame. The final years of the saint passed peacefully, he toiled much, wisely guided the Church and his flock, renovated temples ruined by the heretics, gathered up the relics of saints scattered about by the heretics, and transferred the relics of Patriarch Nicephoros from the place of his imprisonment back to Constantinople. Saint Methodios died in the year 846. He was spiritually close to the Monk Ioannikos (Comm. 4 November), who had foretold him his becoming patriarch and also the time of his end. Besides the “Rite of Orthodoxy”, the holy hierarch also compiled a rule for those converted to the faith, three rites of marriage and several pastoral sermons and church songs.
Venerable Methodius , abbot of Peshnosha (1392).
The Monk Methodii, Hegumen of Peshnozh (XIV), was the founder of the Peshnozh monastery. In his youth he went to the Monk Sergei of Radonezh and spent several years under his guidance; later on, with the blessing of the Monk Sergei he withdrew into a solitary place and built himself a cell in the forest beyond the River Yakhroma. Soon in this deep and marshy locale several disciples came to him, wanting to imitate his life. The Monk Sergei visited him and advised him to build a monastery and church. The Monk Methodii himself toiled at the construction of the church and the cells, “on foot carrying” (“pesh nosya”) wood along the river, and the monastery from that time began to be called “the Peshnozh”. In 1391 the Monk Methodii became hegumen of this monastery. At times he withdrew two versts from the monastery and here he asceticised in prayer, and here also the Monk Sergei came to him for spiritual conversation, wherefore this locale received the name “Beseda” (“Conversation-place”). The Monk Methodii was buried (+ 1392) at the monastery founded by him. In 1732 over his relics was erected a church in the name of the Monks Sergei of Radonezh and Methodii of Peshnozh. The beginning of his local celebration dates to the late XVII – early XVIII Centuries.
Venerable Elisha , monk, of Suma (Solovki) (15th- 16th c.).
The Monk Elisei of Sumsk – took monastic vows at the Solovetsk monastery. He was occupied with the plaiting of fishing nets. Before death he became a schemamonk. In 1688 miracles began from the grave of the monk, resting beneathe a crypt in the Nikol’sk church of the city of Suma, Archangel’sk diocese.
Venerable Niphon, monk of Kapsokalyvia, Mt. Athos (1330).
The Monk Nyphontes of Athos (XIV) was the son of a priest and from childhood he was raised under the principles of strict Christian morality. Upon taking monastic vows he soon was ordained to the dignity of presbyter. But the thirst for perfect quietude and solitary deeds led the monk to the Holy Mountain, where he asceticised for many years with the reknown Athonite elder – the Monk Maximos Kausokalites (“the Hut-burner”, Comm. 13 January). The Monk Nyphontes died at age 96, glorified by gifts of wonderworking and perspicacity. © 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
Additional Saints and Feasts Celebrated Today
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Surety of Sinners” in Korets (1622) ( movable holiday on Thursday of the 1-st week of the Pentecost ).
Finding of the relics (1992) of New Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev.
New Hieromartyr Joseph priest (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Nicholas, Alexander, Paul priests and Nicholas deacon (1938).
St. Mstislav-George, prince of Novgorod (1180).
Synaxis of All Saints of Diveyevo.
Venerable Julitta (Julia) of Tabenna in Egypt.
St. John (Mavropos), metropolitan of Euchaita (1100).
St. Joseph, bishop of Thessalonica, brother of St. Theodore of the Studion (830).
St. Sabbas the Fool-for-Christ of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos (1349).
St. Dogmael, monk of Pembrokeshire..
Today’s Hymns
Holy Prophet Elisha, Troparion, Tone IV
The angel in the flesh, the foundation of the prophets,
the second
forerunner of the coming of Christ,
the glorious Elijah from on high sent down
grace upon Elisha
to dispel infirmities and to cleanse lepers.
Wherefore, he
poureth forth healings upon those who honor him.
St. Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, Troparion, Tone IV
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith,
a model
of meekness and a teacher of abstinence
wherefore thou hast attained the
heights through humility
and riches through poverty.
O hierarch Methodius our
father, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion of the Holy Hierarch, Tone II, “The steadfast…”
Thou didst struggle on earth like an incorporeal being, O Methodius,
and
hast inherited the heavens,
as one who explained the veneration of icons to the
ends of the earth;
for subjected all the more to labors and pangs,
thou didst
not cease boldly to denounce those who cast aside the icons of Christ.
Download today’s octoechos HERE.
Download today’s menaion HERE.
Courtesy of St. Sergius Church
Hymns, Readings, Feast Day, and Fasting Information provided by Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
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