Pious Emperor Theodosius the Great (395)

January 30 / January 17 (OS)

The Saints

• Pious Emperor Theodosius the Great (395)
• Our Holy Father Makarios (Kalogeras) of Patmos (1737)

Archive Note: Expand this section with the Life of the Saint and relevant Icons.

Fasting

Fast

The Scriptural Readings

Vespers (Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3)

¹⁵ But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. ¹⁶ Therefore 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. ¹⁷ He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. ¹⁸ He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. ¹⁹ He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. ²⁰ His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. ²¹ Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. ²² And 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. ²³ Yea, 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. ¹ Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. ² Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. ³ For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Vespers (Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9)

¹ But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. ² In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, ³ And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. ⁴ For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. ⁵ And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. ⁶ As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. ⁷ And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. ⁸ They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. ⁹ They 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 (Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15)

⁷ But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. ⁸ For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. ⁹ But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. ¹⁰ He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. ¹¹ Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. ¹² For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. ¹³ He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: ¹⁴ For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. ¹⁵ This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Matins Gospel (Matthew 11.27-30)

²⁷ All 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. ²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Epistle (2 Peter 1.1-10)

(Text unavailable for '2 Peter 1.1-10')

Epistle (Hebrews 13.17-21)

(Text unavailable for 'Hebrews 13.17-21')

Gospel (Mark 13.1-8)

¹ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! ² And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴ Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? ⁵ And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: ⁶ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. ⁷ And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. ⁸ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Gospel (Luke 6.17-23)

¹⁷ And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; ¹⁸ And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. ¹⁹ And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. ²⁰ And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. ²² Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. ²³ Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.