Saturday 22nd February 2025
Soul Sabbath
Today we commemorate:
Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenius in Constantinople (423). Holy Martyrs Maurice and his son, Photinus, and Martyrs Theodore, Philip, and 70 soldiers at Apamea in Syria (c.305). Holy martyr Anthousa and her 12 Servants. SS Baradates, Thalassios and Limnaius, Hermits of Syria (5th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Elwin (Elwyn) the Martyr, Missionary to Cornwall (5th C).
1 Corinthians 10:23-28; Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36
For the Departed: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; John 5:24-30
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Corinthians 10:23-28
Everything is possible for me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is possible for me, but not everything edifies. None of you is to look to your own interests but to those of each other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat-market asking no questions for reasons of conscience, because ‘the earth is the Lord’s and what fills it.’ If one of the unbelievers invites you and you wish to go, eat whatever is placed before you asking no questions for reasons of conscience. But if anyone says to you, ‘This is a sacrificial offering to an idol,’ do not eat it for the sake of that person who mentioned it and for reasons of conscience, because ‘the earth is the Lord’s and what fills it.’
Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36
Jesus said, ‘See that you are not led astray, because many will come in my name and say, “I am he” and, “The time has come.” Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened because these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once. … Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth the distress of nations in turmoil, the roaring of sea and wave. People’s hearts will fail from fear and dread of what is coming upon the world because the powers of the heavens will be toppled. And they will then see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. … Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Have regard to yourselves so that your minds do not become dulled by overindulgence and drunkenness and life’s cares, for then that Day may creep up on you suddenly because it will spring like a trap upon everyone living on the face of the whole earth. Therefore be vigilant at all times, and pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all that is going to happen and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.’
For the Departed:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then God will also keep with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. And we tell you this on the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who remain until the coming of the Lord, do not take precedence over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, at the cry of an archangel and at the trumpet-call of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are living, who remain, will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And after that we shall always be with the Lord.
John 5:24-30
The Lord said … ‘Truly, truly I tell you that all who listen to my word and believe in him who sent me have everlasting life and do not come to judgement, for they have passed from death to life. Truly, truly I tell you that the hour is coming, and it is here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he granted the Son to have life in himself as well. He also gave him authority to execute judgement because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished by this, for a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out: those who did what is good to a resurrection of life, and those who did what is evil to a resurrection of condemnation. I can do nothing of myself. As I hear I judge, and my judgement is just because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me.’