From the calendar 2027

Wednesday, November 3

Martyrs Acepsimus, Joseph, Aithalas

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

Philippians 2:24–30

24But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

25Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;

26since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

27For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.

29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;

30because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Gospel

Luke 11:42–46

Open Reader ↗

42'But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

44Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.'

45Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, 'Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.'

46And He said, 'Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

The rhythm of the day

Fasting: Strict fast
Weekly tone: Tone 2

In remembrance

The saints commemorated this day

Martyrs Acepsimus, Joseph, AithalasRead the life

King Shapur II of Persia conducted a fierce persecution of Christians in his realm for thirty-seven years. In the final years of this persecution he gave his magi authority to torture and kill any Christians who would not renounce their faith. Acepsimas, the aged and holy Bishop of Paka, was arrested along with Joseph the priest and Aithalas the deacon. All not only refused to deny Christ, but boldly preached Him before the magi and the king. The enraged king had them viciously tortured, then, as a final indignity, made prisoners of all the local Christians and forced them to stone their own shepherds to death. With their martyrdom the great persecution in Persia came to an end.

Holy Virgin Martyr Winefride of Treffynnon (Holywell), Wales (7th c.)Read the life

“Saint Winefride (in Welsh, Gwenfrewi) was a maiden of noble birth who lived in North wales in the seventh century. The niece and spiritual daughter of Saint Beuno (21 April), she entered the Monastery of Gwytherin after his death, where she lived under the spiritual direction of Saint Eleril. The son of a neighbouring chieftan, Caradoc by name, seized by an unchaste passion, pursued her and struck off her head with a sword. The spot where her head fell became known as Treffynnon or Holywell, because of the appearing of a healing spring for those who would take its waters with faith. Holywell remains a great place of pilgrimage in Britain to this day.” (Synaxarion)