συνοδικός
April 15 / April 2
2018 (7526)
2-nd Sunday of Pascha
Antipascha. St Thomas Sunday (2018)
Ἡ Ψηλάφησις τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Θωμᾶ
Θωμᾶς, Θωμαΐς
The Sunday after Easter is the Sunday of St. Thomas, also known as Second Sunday or Antipascha ("opposite" Pascha, i.e., at the other end of Bright Week). Historically, this day in the early Church was the day that the newly-baptized Christians removed their robes and entered once again into the life of this world. This day is also known as Antipascha. This does not mean "opposed to Pascha," but "in place of Pascha." Beginning with this first Sunday after Pascha, the Church dedicates every Sunday of the year to the Lord's Resurrection. Sunday is called "Resurrection" in Russian, and "the Lord's Day" in Greek.The Orthodox Church dedicates every Sunday of the year to the Lord's Resurrection starting on this Sunday, the eighth day of the paschal celebration, the last day of Bright Week. Liturgically, the Church remembers the Apostle Thomas' vision of Christ after eight days. At that time he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:26-29).
• The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "KEY TO UNDERSTANDING"
The Most Holy Mother of God is depicted on this icon in full growth; in the lower part of the icon there is a key. Before icon are performed prayers before the beginning of the teachings of the youth, and also pray in those cases when children notice a weak development of the mental faculties necessary for mastering the sciences taught by them. Therefore, it is called "The key of understanding". This image is locally venerated and is now in the cemetery church in Balakhna, Nizhny Novgorod province.
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Αἰδέσιος καὶ Ἀμφιανὸς οἱ Μάρτυρες
这两位是来自帕塔拉城的亲兄弟，他们的父母显赫，但是都是异教徒。当在贝鲁特学习世俗科学时，他们被上帝的圣灵光照，了解到了异教的虚伪，并开始悟出了基督教的真道。当他们返回家乡后，他们再也不能同异教父母和亲戚生活在一起，而是秘密地离家出走，来到了巴勒斯坦的恺撒里亚，追随于长老庞斐洛，这位长老因其圣洁和灵性上的修养非常有名。他们同庞斐洛长老日夜学习上帝的律法，进行基督教的苦行生活。据说庞斐洛的实际年龄只有20岁，但是其学识与修养却如同百岁老人。在马克西米安在位期间开始对基督徒进行迫害，许多基督徒逃离城市，隐藏起来。其他一些人情愿地欣然将自己交在迫害者的手中，为基督而殉道，而基督是为了人们首先遭受磨难的。安斐亚诺就是这些人其中之一。他一点儿也不害怕，走进了异教徒的殿宇，当时乌尔班王子正在那里为偶像献祭。安斐亚诺抢走了乌尔班王子手中的祭品，并对他说，不要再向偶像献祭，而是要认识真一上帝。在场的一些异教徒听到这些话，为安斐亚诺的勇敢精神所感动，从而皈依基督信仰。气恼的王子宣判安斐亚诺，让他忍受酷刑。他们将安斐亚诺的腿上缠上棉花，并将其放在火上。但是他并没有死，于是他们将他的背后坠上一块石头，将其投入到大海中。汹涌激流的海水将这位殉道者的身体冲回城市的岸边。至于埃德西的遭遇，起初，他们将埃德西送到了巴勒斯坦的一个铜矿，后来又将他带到埃及。在亚历山大里亚，埃德西对一位名叫希罗克斯的王子充满了愤怒之火，因为这个王子正在一个市场上将一些基督徒修女、少女以及良家妇女集合起来，使他们遭受嘲笑。埃德西非常愤怒，殴打了这个无耻的王子。由此，他同他的兄弟一样遭受到同样的刑罚，被坠石沉海。这两个无辜的羔羊就这样为基督而牺牲了自己，当时为公元306年，由此得以进入基督荣耀的国度。
• Commemoration of Nuns and Holy Women sold to brothels for ridicule and humiliation under Governor Hierocles in Alexandria (4th c.)
• VM EBBA (also Ebbe or Aebbe) the Younger, Abs. of Coldingham, Martyred together with her entire monastic community (870)
Ἡ Ἁγία Εὔα ἡ Ὁσιοπαρθενομάρτυρας ἡ Νέα
During a Danish invasion Saint Ebba feared for her virginity because of the Viking reputation for rape and massacre. She gathered her nuns in the chapter house and encouraged them to follow her example: with a razor she cut off (or cut open) her nose and upper lip to discourage rape by the invaders. The entire community did likewise. They must have made a frightful spectacle. Their appearance so disgusted the raiders that the women were saved from rape but not from death: The Danes soon returned and set fire to the convent. The entire community perished in the flames.
Saint Abundius, a Greek priest, was consecrated bishop of Como in northern Italy. Because he was an able theologian, Saint Leo the Great entrusted him with a mission to Emperor Theodosius the Younger, which led to the convening of the Council of Chalcedon in 451. At the council, Abundius presided as the pope's legate. Saint Abundius is depicted in art as a bishop with a stag; sometimes he is shown raising a dead child to life.
• Hosiosmartyress Virgin ÆBBE the Younger of Coldingham, Abbess of Coldingham Priory in south-east Scotland (870)
• Holy Virgin AGNOFLEDA (638)
• Martyr ANASTASIAS
• BRÓNACH (Bromana, Bronagh or Brona) the Virgin of Glen-Seichis (Glenshesn), now Kilbronach in Ireland; Co. Antrim, and of Kilbroney, Co. Down, Fndr. of Churches (6th c.)
The name of this virgin is registered in the martyrologies of Tallaght and Donegal. Glen-Seichis is the old name of Kilbroney or Kilbronach in County Down near Rostrevor, Ireland, which takes its present name from her. Saint Bronach's Bell is the subject of a well-known Irish legend of a mysterious, invisible bell that rang in Kilbroney churchyard. In 1885, a storm ripped down an old oak tree near Kilbroney, and in its branches was found a 6th-century bell. For many years the denizens heard a bell ringing and attributed it to a supernatural origin. It seems, however, that the bell was hidden during the Reformation to prevent its removal or destruction. Over the years the tongue had worn away, so the bell stopped ringing, yet talk of it did not. The bell and Bronach's cross can now be found at the parish church of Rostrevor.
• CONALL Bishop of Clonallan, County or Down (6th c.)
• Martyr CONSTANTÍN mac Cináeda, King of Scotland (877) slain in a battle against heathen invaders of his country and honoured as a martyr, buried at Iona
In his last moments he repeated words echoing Psalm 27: " Lord Jesus, abandon not to beasts the souls that serve You.
• DROGO a monk at Fleury-sur-Loire in France and afterwards at Baume-les-Messieurs (10th c.)
After a worldly life, Saint Drogo entered the Benedictine abbey of Fleury-sur-Loire, and afterward migrated to that of Baume-les-Messieurs, where he was engaged in tending the flocks of the abbey (Benedictines). Drogo is venerated at Baume-les-Messieurs and Fleury-sur-Loire. In art, he is portrayed as a Benedictine with sheep. He is the patron of cattle, sheep, shepherds, and midwives, and invoked against deafness, dumbness, broken bones, gallstones, and rupture. This saint is often confused with Saint Drogo a.k.a. Druon.
• Venerable EUSTASIUS of Burgund, Abbot in Luxeuil (Luxeuil-les-Bains) in France (629)
• Monk EUPHYMIAS (Euthymius) (11th c.)
• GEORGE 格奥尔吉 of Atsquri, Georgia (902)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Γεώργιος Ἐπίσκοπος Ἀζκουρίας
• Venerable GREGORY 格里高利 ascetic of Nicomedia (1240)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Γρηγόριος ὁ ἐν Νικομηδείᾳ ἀσκήσας
• LONOCHILUS (Longis, Lenogisil) priest who founded a monastery in Maine in France (653)
• Blessed Virgin MUSA (5-6th c.) a child in Rome who was granted visions, mentioned by her contemporary by St Gregory the Great
• NICETIUS (Nizier) 尼基提 of Lyon, in Gaul (573) he Bishop of Lyons in France in 553 and was pastor for 20 years
Ὁ Ἅγιος Νικήτιος Ἐπίσκοπος Λυών
Born in Burgundy; died in Lyons, France, on April 2, 573. Saint Nicetius was descended from an ancient family of Gaul. He was raised in piety and given a good education by his virtuous parents. Humility and assiduous prayer were his favorite virtues from the cradle. In his father's house he always chose to appear the lowest in the family, though by birth he had a right to claim the highest place next his parents. He readily gave a preference in all things to his brethren, and took a singular delight, during his hours of recreation, in performing the most servile offices. He instructed the servants and children in all Christian duties, and taught them the psalter and church office. In 551, he succeeded his uncle Saint Sacerdos and governed the church of Lyons faithfully for 22 years, despite all he bad things that it is possible to say about him, and despite his violent temperament. Great miracles confirmed the opinion of his sanctity: his relics are preserved in the parish church of his name, in Lyons.
• NOFLETTE (Agneflette, Agnofleda or Onofledis) Nun at Cosme-de-Voir (7th c.)
• Martyr POLYCARP 颇利卡尔普 of Alexandria (4th c.) suffered for his bold denunciation of the emperor Maxmian (305-313) for the spilling of innocent Christian blood in the city of Alexandria. He openly confessed himself a Christian and went to voluntary torture. After cruel sufferings the martyr was beheaded
Ὁ Ἅγιος Πολύκαρπος ὁ Μάρτυρας
• RUFUS a hermit at Glendalough in Ireland
• SABBAS 萨瓦 Archbishop of Sourozh (now the city of Sudak), Crimea (11th c.)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Σάββας Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Σουρώζ
Sainted Savva, Archbishop of Surozh (now the city of Sudak), lived in the Crimea. What is known about him is preserved as marginalia of the Greek Menaion written in the 12th Century. At 5 versts from the former city of Surozh there exists a mountain, called Ai-Savva (Saint Savva), where there were once preserved the remains of a church and cave, in which apparently, the saint died and was buried. In the year 1872 was found an icon of Saint Savva of Surozh.
• Venerable STEPHEN the Wonderworker, in Ascalon, Palestine (778)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Στέφανος ὁ Θαυματουργός
• Venerabless THETWIF (Thetwig) Hermitess and Abbess in Minden (1000) • VM THEODORA of Palestine (132)
Ἡ Ἁγία Θεοδώρα ἡ Παρθενομάρτυς
• VM THEODOSIA (Theodora) of Tyre in Phoenicia (286/308) died in Caesarea, Palestine // APR 2 // MAY 29 //
• Venerable TITUS 提托 the Wonderworker (9th c.)
提托从年幼时起就爱主基督，并嫌弃世间的虚荣。由此，他从这个世间隐退，来到了一座修道院，穿上了"大天使"修道者圣衣。提托并没有感到懊悔，而是一心将自己献身于狭窄、苦涩的修行生活道路之中。经过长期的忍耐之后，他达到了两种基本的美德，即谦卑和顺从。在这些美德之中，他不仅超越了所有的兄弟，同时也超越了世间的所有人。从年轻时代起，提托就保持了灵魂和身体上的洁净。在破坏圣像运动时期，他始终成为上帝教会的中流砥柱。因为他伟大的谦卑和洁净，上帝在他生前和死后都赋予了他施行奇迹的恩典。当他魂归天国时，在他身后留下了无数的弟子。提托于公元9世纪平安进入天国。
• URBAN of Langres, 6th Bishop of Langres in France, Patron Saint of vine dressers (390)
Saint Urban was nominated as the sixth bishop of Langres in 374. In some parts of Burgundy and neighboring provinces he is honored as the patron saint of vine dressers. In art, Saint Urban is portrayed as a bishop with a bunch of grapes or a vine at his side. Sometimes he may be shown with a book with a wine vessel on it or grapes on a missal as he holds the triple cross (owing to confusion in southern Germany with Pope Urban II). Saint Urban is the patron of Burgundian vine-growers, gardeners, and coopers. He is invoked against blight, frost, storm, and faintness.
• VICTOR of Capua, Bishop of Capua in the south of Italy and a Church writer (554)
SYNAXARION FOR THOMAS SUNDAY
On this Sunday, the second Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the Antipascha, that is to say the re-dedication of the Resurrection of Christ, and also commemorate the event of the Holy Apostle Thomas' touching the wounds of Christ. This commemoration is due to the ancient custom of rededicating important events. As a year would pass and the date of such an event would arrive, a commemoration was made so that such great events would not be forgotten. This is why the Israelites celebrated the Passover at Gilgal, to commemorate the passing through the Red Sea. They also commemorated the consecration of the Tabernacle of Witness that was in the wilderness and many other holy events. Since the Resurrection of the Lord is the greatest and most important event and beyond all thought, it is rededicated not only once a year, but also on every "eighth" day. The first rededication of the Resurrection is this present Sunday, for it is truly both the "eighth" day and the "first." It is the eighth day after Pascha, and the first day, because it is the beginning of the other days. Again, it is called the "eighth" day because it prefigures the unending day of the future age to come, which will be truly the "first" day and a day that is not divided by a single night. This is why this Sunday is called the Antipascha, which interpreted means "in the place of Pascha." We should also know that due to the honor given Sunday by the Lord's Resurrection, the Holy Apostles transferred the weekly day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to this most honored day. It is also called Thomas Sunday, the reason being as follows: On the day of the Resurrection, when Christ showed himself to the Disciples in the evening, Thomas was not present, because he had not yet joined the other Disciples for fear of the Jews. When he rejoined the others, not only did he not believe what they told him about the Resurrection of Christ and the fact that they had seen Him, but he absolutely refused to believe that Christ had risen, even though he himself was one of the Twelve. God the good Master, in His true economy, waited eight days to make His love more perfect, firmly willing to truthfully verify the Resurrection and also the events that had occurred after the Resurrection. Thus, Thomas did not believe so that he could more truthfully proclaim to all the belief in the Resurrection. Therefore, the Lord came to the Apostles again while Thomas was among them. Though the doors were shut as before, He entered and granted them peace according to the custom. He then turned toward Thomas and said, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27). Then Thomas intentionally scrutinized the Lord's side more attentively, and receiving faith through the examination, he cried, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). He said "Lord" in witnessing to the bodily form of Christ and "God" in witnessing to His Divinity. Then Christ said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). This was the second appearance of Christ. Thomas was called "The Twin" for one of several possible reasons: either he was born a twin - one of two children born at the same time; or because he was born doubtful of the Resurrection; or because by nature the middle finger and the index finger of his right hand were joined together. Since by Divine Providence he was allowed to doubt, it was with these certain two fingers that he would probe Christ's side. Yet, others say that it is more likely and more truthful that Thomas, being interpreted, means "twin." The third appearance of Christ was at the Sea of Tiberias during the catching of the fish where He even ate a meal of broiled fish and honeycomb; this particular food, as He alone knew, was consumed by the Divine Fire. This event gave further proof of the Resurrection of the body - not only His, but ours in the Age to come. After this, He revealed himself on the road to Emmaus. The fifth time He appeared was in Galilee to the eleven, as it is written. From the Resurrection until His Ascension, He worked before His Disciples many signs that surpassed all nature. However, He did not reveal all these signs to very many, for it was impossible for men yet living in this world to hear such inexpressible wonders.
Through the prayers of Your Holy Apostle Thomas, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
愿上帝怜恤我罪人
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
for the sake of the prayers
of Thy most pure Mother,
our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us.
Amen.
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Blessed be God.
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