συνοδικός
April 25 / April 12
2019 (7527)
VEN. BASIL THE CONFESSOR, BISHOP OF PARIUM (760). HIEROMARTYR ZENO, BISHOP OF VERONA (CA. 260). VEN. ISAAC THE SYRIAN, ABBOT OF SPOLETO, ITALY (CA. 550). MARTYRS MENAS, DAVID, AND JOHN OF PALESTINE (630). VEN. VIRGIN ANTHUSA OF CONSTANTINOPLE (801). VEN. ATHANASIA, ABBESS OF AEGINA (860)
HOLY WEEK: Great Thursday • Μεγάλη Πέμπτη
乃基督教紀念耶穌基督最後的晚餐，設立了聖餐禮、濯足服事精神的重要日子。
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like Judas. But like the Thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
In the evening, after the Liturgy, all of the hangings and vestments are changed to black or some other dark colour, to signify the beginning of the Passion. Anticipating the Matins of Friday morning, the Holy Passion service of the reading of the Twelve Gospels is conducted. In these readings Christ's last instructions to his disciples are presented, as well as the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, Christ's prayer, and his new commandment. The twelve readings are:
John 13:31–18:1
John 18:1–29
Matthew 26:57–75
John 18:28–19:16
Matthew 27:3–32
Mark 15:16–32
Matthew 27:33–54
Luke 23:32–49
John 19:19–37
Mark 15:43–47
John 19:38–42
Matthew 27:62–66
• 奉安至圣诞神女之圣带于君士坦丁堡纪念日 Deposition of THE ROBE of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople (942) from Zila to Tsar'grad // AUG 31 //
Μετακομιδὴ τῆς Τιμίας Ζώνης τῆς Θεοτόκου εἰς Κωνσταντινούπολη
• 穆罗姆地方之圣母像纪念日 "MUROM" (1127) Icon of the Mother of God
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐν Μούρωμ Ρωσίας
The Muromsk Icon of the Mother of God was transferred to Murom from Kiev by the enlightener of this remote region, the holy Nobleborn prince Constantine (1129, Comm. 21 May). Saint Constantine urged the pagans to accept Christianity, but they were stubborn and decided to murder the prince. Having learned of this, the saint came out to the conspirators with the Icon of the Mother of God. The grace, issuing forth from Her Countenance, touched the hearts of the pagans. They changed their minds and themselves began to ask that Baptism be made over them. With this icon Sainted Vasilii of Ryazan (3 July) sailed on his mantle from Muron to Ryazan.
• "BELYNICH" (1240) Icon of the Mother of God
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐν Μπελινὶτς τῆς Ρωσίας
The Belynich Icon of the Mother of God initially was situated in one of the Orthodox churches of the Mogilevsk district. After the emergence of the Unia (1596) the icon passed over to the Catholics and was set up in a church of the Belynich Catholic monastery, founded in 1622-1624 by the hetman of Great Lithuania, Lev Sapega, on the banks of the River Druta, 45 versts from Mogilev. The icon was venerated both by Catholics and by Orthodox. In 1832 the monastery was dissolved, and the Catholic church became a parish church. In 1876 it was given over to the Orthodox with a restoral of the monastery. On 12 April of that year in this temple was made a first Divine liturgy at the altar-table consecrated by an Orthodox bishop, in honour of the Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of God. The Belynich Icon of the Mother of God is something regarded holy in-common through the Christian world.
• The Icon of Panagia KAMARIOTISSA in Samothraki (Samothrace)
Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Καμαριώτισσας
In the village of Kamariotissa in Samothraki (Samothrace), at the port of the island in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, is found the icon of Panagia Kamariotissa. It is honored and celebrated annually on the Thursday of Bright Week The icon was discovered some time during the days of Iconoclasm on the island on the Thursday of Bright Week that year. It is estimated to have been found in the first or second decade of the ninth century. One morning some fishermen were gathered in the cove in the northwest of the island where there is the current port, and as they engaged in arranging the nets they saw on the horizon a bright light without seeing anything floating in the sea. As time passed the light became more intense, and with their growing curiosity and surprise, as they could not explain what the light was they were seeing, it gradually approached them. It finally occurred to the fisherman to take their boats out to solve the mystery of the light. In one boat there were two men and in the other a man rowed to the light by himself, which was about a half mile away. They followed each other at a short distance. When they reached approximately a hundred fathoms from land they stopped rowing awaiting for the light to approach them. And this is what happened. The illuminated object came to them and stopped in between the two boats. As they looked closely they saw a sealed canister. The boat with two fishermen took the canister, with one fisherman holding it while the other led them to shore. The other boat followed, full of suspense. They reached shore, tied their boats, and gathered around the canister curious what treasure it contained. Indeed they found a priceless treasure, when they saw that it contained an icon of the Theotokos holding the child Jesus in her arms. It bore the name "Panagia Kamariotissa". Great awe and joy seized the fishermen. They glorified the Mother of God and the All-Good God. After venerating the icon they brought it in the middle of the night to their poor homes. The three boatmen revealed to everyone the circumstance of the discovery, and everyone considered it a miracle. They even related how when their boats stopped in the middle of the sea, it was because their hands became paralyzed and they could not row anymore. The names of the three fishermen, according to tradition, are Paul and his younger brother Raxi, the latter of the two being the one who carried the canister to shore; the third was named Lambros. That afternoon during lunch they discussed where to house the icon. Instead of it being kept in one of their homes, they decided instead to build a small church forty steps above the area where they found it, since there were ruins of an old church there already. They named it Panagia Kamariotissa and its celebration was done annually on the Thursday of Bright Week. Since then all the people of the island began celebrating "the feast of Kamariotissa". These fishermen together with the help of others on the island, despite their daily occupations, made it a point to always keep an oil lamp burning before this miraculous icon. In turn many miracles over the centuries have occurred for the inhabitants of the island. The Theotokos has truly become the protectress of the island.
• MM EOCAPUS (Eucapus), TERTULLA, ANTONIA, MUSTILA, MAGINA, ACUTINA and DONATA
• Martyrs DEMAS and PROTION and those with them by beheading (285-305)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Δήμης καὶ Πρωτίων οἱ Μάρτυρες καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτοῖς μαρτυρήσαντες
• MM VICTOR, DECIUS (also Dacius or Achacius), EIRENE (also Irene) the Virgin, and those with them under Emperor Julian at Egypt (4th c.)
• Hosiosmartyrs MENAS 弥纳, DAVID 大卫 and JOHN 约翰 of Palestine (630)
Οἱ Ἅγιοι Δαβίδ, Ἰωάννης καὶ Μηνᾶς οἱ Ὁσιομάρτυρες
The Monk Martyrs Menas, David and John lived in Palestine. They were martyred in the 7th century by Arabs, who shot them through with arrows (post 636, when Jerusalem was captured by the Arabs).
• Repose of Archbishop JUVENAL of Vilnius, Lithuania, monk of Optina Monastery (1904)
• New Hieromartyr DEMETRIUS Rozhdestvensky, Protopresbyter of Alma-Ata (1921)
• Martyr SERGIUS 塞尔吉 Krestnikov, regent of church choir, member of church-parish council (1893-1938) day of martyrdom, shoted at Komi
Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀκάκιος ὁ Καυσοκαλυβίτης
可敬的阿喀基
阿喀基来自埃皮鲁斯的戈里萨村。他是阿托斯圣山的伟大修行者和神父，他具有“悟性恩典”。阿喀基曾多次目睹天国异像。他为好几个殉道的修士给予了祝福。阿喀基于公元1730年98岁高龄之际离世。
• AILELL (Helias) of Cologne; of Mucnamh, Abbot over St Martins Monastery, Cologne, Germany (1042)
• ALFERIUS (Alpherius, Adalfericus) (930-1050) monk, founder of the Monastery of La Cava
A Norman by origin, he was born in Salerno. Sent as an ambassador to France, there he fell ill and became a monk. The Duke of Salerno asked for his return and Alferius settled at Mt Fenestra near Salerno. There he founded the monastery of La Cava which became very influential in the south of Italy.
• Venerabless Virgin ANTHUSA (also Anthousa) 安图萨 Nun of Constantinople (801)
Ἡ Ὁσία Ἀνθούσα
Ἀνθή
St Anthusa of Constantinople was the daughter of Iconoclast Emperor Constantine Copronymos from his first wife from among the Khazars. She and her brother, the future Emperor Leo the Khazar, were twins born on January 25, 750. The empress suffered with their birth. Constantine summoned Abbess Anthusa of Mantinea from prison and asked for her prayers. The abbess predicted the birth of the twins and their fate, and the daughter was named in her honor. When Anthusa became of age, the emperor urged her to marry. However, from her youth, St Anthusa yearned for monasticism and would not agree to her father's demands. After the death of her father, she used all her personal property to help the poor and the orphaned. The devout Empress Irene, wife of Leo the Khazar, regarded St Anthusa with love and esteem and invited her to be her co-regent. However, St Anthusa did not desire worldly honors. Being at court, she wore clothes befitting her position as the emperor's daughter, but underneath her finery she wore a hair-shirt. St Anthusa was tonsured by the holy Patriarch Tarasius. She founded the Omonia Monastery at Constantinople, known for its strict rule. She was an example of humility doing hard work, cleaning the church and carrying water. She never sat at the table during meals, but instead served the sisters. She saw to it that no one left the monastery without a special need.
• Hieromartyr ARTEMON the Presbyter, of Laodicea (284-305)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀρτέμων ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας
• Venerabless ATHANASIA (Anastasia) 阿塔纳西亚 the Wonderworker of Aegina (Aigina), W., Matr., Fndr. and Abs. of Timia Monastery (860)
可敬的阿塔娜西亚
阿塔娜西亚出生于阿吉尼亚岛，父母善良且富有。阿塔娜西亚将她的财产分给了穷人，自己隐退到一座女修道院中成为一名修女。在那里，阿塔娜西亚潜心修行，忍受了巨大的磨难。她每天只进一次餐，而且只食用面包和水。在大斋期期间，她只隔日才进食一次。她只有在圣诞节和复活节时才吃有油的食物和鱼。尽管阿塔娜西亚是这座修道院的院长，但是她却经常服侍众姐妹，避免别人对她的服侍。阿塔娜西亚在生前和死后都具有施行奇迹的能力，阿塔娜西亚于公元860年荣耀归主。
Born on the island of Aegina of rich and eminent parents, she gave her goods to the poor and went off to a monastery, where she heaped greater and greater asceticism on herself. She took food only once a day, and that only bread and water, and in the Great Fast only once every two days. Only at Christmas and Easter did she taste flesh and oil. Although she was abbess of the monastery, she was the servant of all the other sisters and was ashamed that any should wait on her. She was made worthy of the great gift of wonderworking, both during her lifetime and after her death.
• BASIL 瓦西里 the Confessor, bishop of Parium (760)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βασίλειος ὁ Ὁμολογητής Ἐπίσκοπος Παρίου
宣信者，圣瓦西里
在圣像破坏运动期间，圣瓦西里是小亚细亚帕里乌斯的主教。他拒绝签署一项有关反对圣像的皇令。因此，瓦西里受到了残酷的迫害，并受到了痛苦的折磨。但是瓦西里却如同钻石一般，坚定地捍卫东正教信仰。瓦西里于公元8世纪初去世，得以进入上帝的国度。
In the dark days of iconoclasm, this holy bishop refused to sign the imperial order condemning the veneration of icons, and for this was cruelly persecuted in many ways by the heretics for the remainder of his life; all the while he remained 'firm as a diamond in his Orthodoxy.
• BASIL 瓦西里 bishop of Ryazan (1295)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Βασίλειος Ἐπίσκοπος Ριαζὰν καὶ Μούρωμ
• CONSTANTINE (529) the 1st Bishop of Gap in France
• DAMIAN (710) Bishop of Pavia in Lombardy in Italy, he vigorously opposed Monothelitism
Ὁ Ἅγιος Δαμιανὸς Ἐπίσκοπος Παβίας
Bishop Damian of Pavia, Lombardy, Italy, was elected to that office in 680. He vigorously opposed the Monothelites, and acted successfully as peacemaker between the Byzantine emperor and the Lombards.
• Bishop ERKEMBODEN of Thérouanne (714) a monk at Sithin in Saint-Omer in France, who succeeded the founder, St Bertinus, as abbot. Later he was Bishop of Thérouanne for 26 years
Travelling from Ireland to the continent to become a missionary, Erkemboden's companions were murdered and he decided to stop at the monastery of Saint-Omer in France. He became a monk and then abbot there. Bishop of Thérouanne, France for 26 years.
• Martyr GERONTIUS
• Venerable ISAAC 伊撒克 the Syrian (Isaac of Monteluco), abbot of Spoleto, Italy (550)
可敬的徐利亚人伊撒克二世
徐利亚人伊撒克二世的纪念日是在1月28日。对话者格里哥利曾经写过伊撒克二世。在格斯统治时期，他来到了意大利，并进入了斯波雷托的一座教堂中。他请求教堂管事允许他留在教堂中，将自己关在那里。就这样，他在教堂中彻夜进行祷告，并且是在同一个地方。第二天和第三天都是这样。教堂管事称他为伪君子，并用拳头袭击了他。但是那个教堂管事立即就变疯了。看到了他的痛苦折磨，伊撒克倚靠在他身上，这样，恶魔从教堂管事的身上被驱逐，使得他恢复了健康。听到了这个奇迹后，该城的所有居民都蜂拥而至，以惊异的眼光看着这位陌生人。他们给伊撒克钱和物，但是遭到了他的拒绝，伊撒克什么也没有接收，独自隐退到森林中。在那里，他修建了一个小茅屋，后来，这里很快就成了一个大修道院。伊撒克以其施行奇迹而被众所周知，尤其是他具有“悟性恩典”。有一次，他命令兄弟们将锄头送到葡萄园中，并将锄头留在那里。第二天，伊撒克同众兄弟们前往葡萄园，并带去了午饭。这些兄弟们感到非常奇怪：谁将会吃这些午饭，因为那里并没有工人？在抵达葡萄园后，他们看到在那里有很多人在拿着锄头干活。这是怎么回事？原来这些是盗贼，他们来这里准备偷锄头，但是依着上帝的大能，他们全都被留在那里，整晚在拿着锄头干活。还有一次，两个缺少衣服的人来找伊撒克，向他寻求衣服。伊撒克派了一个修士前往路上的一个空心树那里取回在树洞中所找到的东西。这名修士出发了，在树洞中发现了一些衣服，并将衣服带回修道院。修道院院长将这些衣服给了这两名乞丐。这两个乞丐感到非常惭愧，因为他们认出，这就是他们故意藏在树洞中的自己的衣服。另有一次，一个人送给修道院两个蜂房。路上，修士将其中的一个藏了起来，将另一个带到了修道院，将它教给修道院院长。修道院院长对这名修士说：“你回去的路上应该当心，因为有一条毒蛇溜进了你放在路上的蜂房中，因此要当心，不要让毒蛇咬了。”
This is not the famed Isaac of Syria (commemorated Jan 28) who wrote the Ascetical Homilies, but a monk who settled in Spoleto and was famed for his holy, solitary life, his miracles, and his discernment. The people of Spoleto sought to honor him with money and other gifts, but he refused everything and withdrew to a cell in the forest. Soon a large monastery grew up there as others joined him in his life of prayer. Once, two nearly naked men came begging clothing from Isaac. He told a monk to go to a hollow tree some distance away, and to bring back what he found there. The monk returned with some clothing, and gave it to the beggars. They were shamed to find that it was their own clothing, which they had hidden in the tree. A man gave two beehives to the monastery. A monk hid one of them and brought the other to the abbot. Isaac said to him, "Be careful when you go back to the beehive that you hid: it has been taken over by poisonous snakes. Be careful that they do not bite you."
• JULIUS I (352) Pope of Rome from 337 to 352. He defended St Athanasius against his Arian accusers and also built many churches
Saint Julius was by birth a Roman; he was chosen Pope on the 6th of February in 337, and was remarkable for the sanctity of his life and his zeal in strengthening the Christian faith. The impious heresy of Arius was progressing dangerously everywhere in the East, and many holy bishops were obliged to leave their sees. Saint Julius received them warmly in Rome, Saint Athanasius in particular, and he defended them to the end against their adversaries. He condemned the synods which the Arians had assembled in Tyre and in Antioch, with the intention of abolishing the faith of Nicea. He assembled two councils in Rome, where he heard the exiled bishops and proclaimed their innocence. By his counsel, the Emperor Constans, the pious prince of the West, influenced his brother Constantius to recall Saint Athanasius from exile. Saint Julius rejected a deceptive formula of faith, imagined by the Eusebians, who were partisans of Arius at the second council of Antioch. He assembled the second Council of Sardica, composed of both Western and Oriental bishops. His legates presided there, and he saw to it that useful measures for the maintenance of the Catholic faith and the re-establishment of ecclesiastical discipline were drafted and implemented. He built two basilicas in Rome and adorned them with sacred paintings. He had three cemeteries constructed, on the Flaminian and Aurelian ways, and at Porto. He regulated legal questions concerning the clergy, ordaining that they would plead nowhere but in ecclesiastical courts. Saint Julius reigned for fifteen years, and died on the 12th of April, 352.
• Martyr HILARIUS
• Martyr KISTION
• Venerable NEOPHYTUS the Recluse, of Cyprus, Wonderworker (1204)
Ὁ Ὅσιος Νεόφυτος ὁ Ἔγκλειστος
• Martyr SABBAS 萨瓦 the Goth who suffered at Buzau in Wallachia (372) Romania; body tied to a stone and thrown into the river Mussovo
Ὁ Ἅγιος Σάββας ὁ Μάρτυρας ἐν Μπουζάου Ρουμανίας
Goth. Lector in a church in what is now Romania. Captured by heathen Goths, he refused to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. He and several others were martyed for this. About 50 other Christians were martyred during this same persecution and are honored today.
• 塞尔吉 SERGIUS II patriarch of Constantinople (1019)
Ὁ Ἅγιος Σέργιος Β’ Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως
Sergius II was a firm opponent of the addition of the term filioque to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
• SYLVESTER Bishop of Pereyaslav and Igumen of Vydubychi Monastery (1123)
• Hosiosmartyr TETRICUS (707) Abbot of the monastery of St Germanus in Auxerre in France who then became Bishop of Auxerre by popular acclamation. He was murdered in his sleep
Saint Tetricus, abbot of Benedictine Saint-Germanus Abbey at Auxerre, was elevated to city's episcopal chair by popular acclamation. The saint died at the hand of his archdeacon Raginfred, who killed him with a sword as he lay asleep on a bench. Immediately he was venerated as a martyr.
• M VICTOR (São Victor) of Braga (300) A catechumen martyred in Braga in Portugal under Diocletian, thus baptised in his own blood
This city was a populous resort of the Romans; on which account it was watered with the blood of many martyrs in the persecution of Dioclesian. The names only of SS Victor, Sylvester, Cucufas, Susana, and Torquatus have reached us. Their triumphs are honoured in that church, and recorded by Vasæus in his chronicle, and other Spanish historians. St Victor, who is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology on the 12th of April, was a catechumen, who, refusing to sacrifice to idols, was condemned to lose his head, and baptized in his own blood.
• VM VISSIA at Fermo in the Marches of Ancona (250) in Italy under Decius
Consecrated virgin martyred in the persecutions of Decius.
• WIGBERT of Friesland (690) born in England, he became a disciple of St Egbert (April 24) in Ireland. He spent 2 years in Friesland in Holland but later returned to Ireland
Spiritual student of Saint Egbert in Ireland. Spent two years as a missionary in Friesland (in modern Netherlands).
• Hieromartyr ZENO (Zenone) 兹诺 bishop of Verona (260)
Bishop of Verona, Italy from 362 until his death. Noted preacher. Opposed Arianism and welcomed many refugees from North Africa who were fleeing persecution by Arians. Many of his written sermons have survived to today. Involved in bringing the relics of Saint Firmus and Saint Rusticus to Verona. Legend says he was stolen at birth and briefly replaced by a demonic changling. Possibly martyred in the persecutions of Gallienus.
SYNAXARION FOR HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY
On this day, Holy and Great Thursday, according to the order which our Holy Fathers inherited from the Holy Apostles, and the Holy Gospels, we celebrate four events: the Holy Washing of the Disciples' feet, the Mystical Supper (the institution of the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, which we celebrate to this day), the Lord's Agony in the Garden, and His Betrayal.
On the morrow, Friday, the Passover sacrifice of the Hebrews was intended to take place, namely the slaughter of the lamb reared for this purpose. On that same Friday, the Truth was intended to follow the old type. For it was intended that the true Passover would be sacrificed, the Lamb of God the Father, who takes away the sin of the world—our Lord Jesus Christ, who was prefigured by the paschal lamb which was sacrificed each year by the Hebrews. On the evening of this day - which was the day of unleavened bread, the eve of the Passover of the Old Law, March 22, the fifth day of the week—Jesus observed the Passover and dined in the city with the Twelve Disciples. The Lord did this on the evening of the fifth day (Thursday), since among the Hebrews the "night-day" reckoning begins with the evening of the present day and is called the evening of the following day. In other words, according to Jewish tradition "Friday evening" was that time period that began after sundown on Thursday. (For example: as in the Orthodox Church today, the "liturgical evening" of a feast day would be that time after Vespers.) Zebedee (the father of the Holy Apostles James and John) prepared the Passover, since he was the one who carried the earthenware jar of water, as St. Athanasius the Great says and others also say exceptional things about Zebedee.
Afterwards, Jesus revealed more perfect and sublime teaching to His Disciples, and when night fully came, in the Upper Room He handed over the Mystery of our Passover. Thus, it is said that He reclined at supper with the Twelve. Notice that this was not the Passover of the Old Law, because He both reclined and gave a supper of bread and drink. Under the Old Law, the Jews stood, with girded loins and walking staffs in hand during the meal. There all things crumbled away through Fire, including the use of unleavened bread. Before He began to eat (thus says the divine Chrysostom), He rose from supper, laid aside His garments, and poured water into a basin in preparation for the Washing of the feet. He did these things both to shame Judas and to remind the other Disciples that it is not right to seek the first place. Similarly, after the washing, He exhorted them by saying that he who wishes to be first must be last of all, showing Himself as an example. It seems that Christ first of all washed Judas, who most presumptuously sat first in line, and last He came to Peter. Since Peter was more high-spirited than the others, he prevented the Teacher, but when at the same time he heard from the Lord that if Christ did not wash his feet he would have no part with the Lord, he yielded quite readily.
So our Lord Jesus Christ washed the feet of the Disciples and showed a paradoxical exaltation through humility. He took His garments again and leaned back and exhorted and entreated them that they love one another and not seek the first place. While they were eating, He brought up the main point concerning His Betrayal. Since the Disciples were confused about His saying, Jesus said quietly to John alone, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it" (John 13:26). He spoke in this way because if Peter, being more high-spirited than the others, had known the truth, he would have taken it upon himself to strike a blow against Judas. Jesus said again, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me" (Matt. 26:23). When both these events had occurred, after a little silence He took the bread and said, "Take, eat; this is My Body" (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22), and likewise the Cup, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:27-28; Mark 14:24). "Do this in memory of Me" (Luke 22:19). He performed these deeds and ate and drank with them. Notice that He calls His Body bread - not unleavened bread. Sol let those who offer the unleavened sacrifice be ashamed. After Judas tasted the bread, Satan entered into him, because when he first tempted him he already ruled over him completely. Then he withdrew and proceeded to the High Priests, in order that he might hand Christ over to them for thirty pieces of silver.
After the Supper, the Lord went out with the Disciples to the Mount of Olives, to a certain place called Gethsemane. Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee" (Matt. 26:31-32; Mark 14:27).
Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."
Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times" (Mark 14:28-30). He said "before the cock crows twice," because customarily the cock crows not once but even two or three times, and accordingly it so happened. Immeasurable grief, signifying the weakness of human nature, overtook Peter because of this saying of the Lord. The Lord withdrew in order that this might take place - after He handed over the whole world to Himself - so that of Himself He might make known the fickleness of human nature and grant pardon to sinners.
Nevertheless, on a higher level, the threefold denial of Peter depicted the sins of all men against God. These are the following: first is the transgression of the commandment which God gave to Adam, second is the transgression of the written Law, and third is the rejection of the Gospel proclamation. But when Peter repented, the Lord healed his denial and said three times, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" (John 21:17). Thereafter, Jesus wished to show to the Disciples how fearful death is for all men, and He said, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will" (Matt. 26:38-39). He said these things as a man in order to cleverly deceive the devil, so that he might think that Christ, although appearing as a man, feared death. He did this, while knowing the truth, so He might not forsake the Mystery of the Cross.
After this first prayer, the Lord returned to the Disciples and found them deep in sleep. Then the Lord addressed Peter and said, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:40-41). He said these things to Peter so that he would clearly understand that He meant, "You say that you wish to struggle until death, so you doze in this manner with the rest?" Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words (Matt. 26:42-44). Then an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:43-44). Then He came to His Disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand" (Matt. 26:45-46). Then He went beyond the brook of Kidron, where there was a garden that He entered with His Disciples. The Lord regularly frequented the garden, and so Judas was well acquainted with the place. Judas then took some of the band of soldiers, with a crowd following, and came upon Jesus, giving them the signal of the false kiss. He arranged it in this way because many times when the Lord was seized He passed out of their midst unseen. Yet the Lord came forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" (John 18:4,7). Since it was still night, they did not recognize Him. Therefore they looked upon Him with lighted lanterns and torches, and with fear they slowly withdrew. When they returned, He made all things known.
When Judas gave the signal, Christ said, "Friend, why have you come?" (Matt.26:50). That is to say, "It is well timed, Judas, that you came." And again He said, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the Temple, and you did not seize Me" (Matt. 26:55). They came at night so that some kind of riot might not be provoked by the crowd. Then the very high-spirited Peter drew back a sword and rushed at Malchus, the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his right ear—the implication being that the High Priest neither heard nor taught the Law correctly. Then Christ reproved Peter, saying that it is not good that a spiritual man is known to make use of a sword, and He healed the ear of Malchus. They arrested Jesus and brought Him bound to the courtyard of the former High Priest, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. There all the Pharisees and Scribes who held sentiments against Christ had been assembled.
Also, as the night passed on, there occurred the conversation between Peter and the servant girl during which he denied the Lord three times as the cock crowed twice. When Peter remembered the Lord's prophecy, he wept bitterly (see Mark 14:66-72).
When day arrived, they brought Christ from Annas to the High Priest Caiaphas, where He accepted both the spitters and the false witnesses who were summoned. When the day was already advanced, Caiaphas sent Him to Pilate. Those who brought Him did not enter into the Praetorium. so that they might not be defiled and might eat the Passover. For it appears that it was fitting that they eat the Passover then, especially from the many things Christ said before the Supper on Thursday evening when He ate it and afterwards handed over the more superb and exalted teachings. For, as we have said before, it was fitting that the Truth was to follow what was typified in the Law. As St. John the Theologian says, all these events came together before the feast of the Passover during the night of Thursday and on into Friday. For this reason we keep the feast, properly remembering these awesome and ineffable works and deeds.
Through Your ineffable compassion, O Christ our God,
have mercy on us and save us.
Amen.
SYNAXARION FOR HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY
By Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos
Since the sacrifice of the Hebrew Passover, that is, the slaughter of the lamb reared for this purpose, was to take place on Friday, and it was fitting that the type should be succeeded by the truth, that is, that Christ, our Paschal Lamb, be sacrificed on that day, our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Divine Fathers say, celebrated the Passover in anticipation with His Disciples on the evening of Thursday. This evening and the whole of Friday until the evening are reckoned by the Hebrews as a single day; for thus do they count, calling this period a night and a day. Christ celebrated the Passover at that time with the Disciples according to the Law, as some, including the Divine Chrysostomos, have said: first, standing upright, girt, wearing shoes, leaning on staffs, and everything else prescribed by the Law, lest He should seem to be transgressing the Law.
After this, showing the Disciples that which is more perfect, He entrusted to them the Mystery of our Pascha in the upper room, night having already fallen. For when the Supper took place, He sat down with the Twelve.
Note that this was not the Passover according to the Law; for it was a supper, they were sitting down, and there was bread and water, whereas at the Passover everything is cooked with fire and there is no leavened bread. Before they began to eat (this is what the Divine Chrysostomos says), He arose from the supper, placed His garments on the ground, and poured water into a basin, doing everything with His own hands; on the one hand, in order to put Judas to shame, and on the other hand, in order to remind the other Disciples not to seek primacy, as He exhorts them after the foot-washing, saying, “He who desireth to be first, let him be last of all” (cf. Luke 22:24-27) and making Himself an example. It appears that Christ washed the feet of Judas first of all, who had rather presumptuously sat down first, and subsequently came to Peter. He, being more ardent than the rest, restrained the Teacher, but then, after hearing from the Lord that unless He washed his feet, he had no part with Him, gave way still more vehemently.
After washing their feet and displaying an extraordinary exaltation through humility, He took up His garments again and reclined, exhorting them to love one another and not to seek primacy. While they were eating, He introduced the subject of His betrayal.
The Disciples being perturbed at these words, Jesus said quietly to John alone: “He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it” (John 13:26). He spoke in this way, for if Peter had known what He was saying, being more fervent than the others, he would have laid hands on Judas. Again, Christ says: “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me” (Matthew 26:23).
Then, after a short time had elapsed, He took bread and said: “Take, eat”; (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22) and likewise the cup, saying: “Drink ye all of it; this is my blood, the blood of the new testament; this do in remembrance of me” (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:19). As He did this, He ate and drank with them.
Note that He calls His Body leavened bread, not unleavened bread. Let them be put to shame, therefore, who offer unleavened bread at the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
After Judas had tasted the sop, Satan entered into him, for, having previously tested him, he now completely dwelt in him. And he went and made an agreement with the chief priests, so that he might betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver.
After the supper, the Disciples went out to the Mount of Olives, to a place called Gethsemane. After much time had passed, Jesus said to them: “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Mark 14:27-30). He said, “before the cock crow twice,” because the cock typically does not crow once, but twice or thrice. This indeed happened, and Peter was seized by immeasurable fear, for God thereby revealed the infirmity of human nature. He also permitted this to occur because He had entrusted the inhabited earth to Peter. Knowing from his own case the fickleness of our nature, Peter might thereby provide forgiveness to sinners.
Aside from the foregoing, the threefold denial of Peter was an image of the sins of all men towards God: the first is the transgression of the commandment which God gave to Adam; the second is the transgression of the written law; and the third is the violation of the Gospel message. The Savior subsequently healed this denial through a threefold repentance on the part of Peter by asking him thrice: “Peter, lovest thou Me?”
After this, wishing to disclose His humanity, He told the Disciples how fearful death is to all: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:38-39).
He said these things, on the one hand, as a man, and on the other hand, in order to deceive the Devil in an artful manner into thinking that He, too, was a mere man because He supposedly feared death. He did this lest, knowing the truth, the Devil thwart the mystery of His death on the Cross.
After this first prayer, the Lord returned to the Disciples and found them sunk in sleep. Addressing Peter, He said: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40-41). He spoke this to Peter as if to say to him: “You, who said that you wanted to struggle unto death, are you just as drowsy as the others?”
“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me” (Matthew 26:42-46).
Then, after crossing the brook of Kedron, where there was a garden, He settled there with the Disciples.
Since the Lord was wont to go thither regularly, for this reason Judas knew the place. Thus, after procuring a band of soldiers, and with a crowd following him, he went up to Jesus, having previously given them a sign, saying, “Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast” (Matthew 26:48). He said this because oftentimes the Lord, when apprehended, would disappear from their midst and go on His way. However, in this instance Christ first went forth to them and asked: “Whom seek ye?” (John 18:4).
They still did not recognize Him. Now, the night was not an impediment, for they had come with light lanterns and torches. And yet, they fell to the ground in fear and drew back. When they returned, He gave the same answer.
After Judas had given the signal, Christ said, “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” (Matthew 26:50), as though to say: “It is now time to fulfill the purpose for which you have come, Judas.” And again, He said: “Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me?” (Matthew 26:55). They had, in fact, come by night so as to forestall any sedition on the part of the people.
Then Peter, who was so very ardent, drew his sword (for it was after supper, and they had come prepared) and smote the servant of the high priest, Malchos by name, cutting off his right ear. Christ rebuked Peter, saying that it is not good that a spiritual man should be known for resorting to the sword, and He healed Malchos’ ear.
Having arrested Jesus, they led Him bound to the palace of the high priest, Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. The Pharisees and scribes, who thought ill of Christ, were all assembled there. It was here that the incident involving Peter and the maidservant and his denial of Christ took place. The night having passed in the meantime, “the cock crew, and Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:74-75).
Towards daybreak they took Christ from Annas to the high priest Caiaphas, where He endured being spat upon and buffeted, and false witnesses were summoned. When day dawned, Caiaphas sent Him to Pilate. Those who led him “went not into the prætorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the passover” (John 18:28). We may conclude, therefore, that the chief priests and the Pharisees did something unlawful at that time in postponing the Passover, as the Divine Chrysostomos says; for they ought to have eaten it during the night, but postponed it so that Christ could be put to death.
That they ought to have eaten it then is shown by what Christ said before the supper on Thursday evening, when He ate the passover of the Law and then initiated the Disciples into the more perfect Passover. For, as we have said, it was necessary that the shadow of the Law be succeeded by the truth. For John says that all of these things occurred before the feast of Passover on Thursday and during the ensuing night. For this reason we keep feast, commemorating with awe those dread and ineffable deeds and acts.
By Thine ineffable compassion, O Christ our God, have mercy on 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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