Eastern Rite ~ Feasts of 19 April AM 7534

Today is the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women with the Noble Joseph, and the Feast of Our Venerable Father John of the Ancient Caves in Palestine.

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The Myrrh-bearing women are those women who followed the Lord, along with His Mother. They remained with her during the time of the saving Passion and anointed the Lord's body was with myrrh. Joseph and Νikόdēmos asked for and received the Lord's body from Pilate. They took it down from the Cross, wrapped it in linen cloths and spices, then laid it in a tomb, and then they placed a great stone over the entrance of the tomb.

According to the Evangelist Matthew (27:57-61), Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40) were there sitting opposite the sepulchre, and they saw where He had been laid. This other Mary was the Mother of God. Not only were these present, but also many other women, as Saint Luke says (24:10).

Today the Church honours Saints Mary Magdalene (July 22), Mary the wife of Cleopas (May 23), Joanna (June 27), Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee (August 3), Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (June 4), and the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, who was the stepmother of her husband Joseph’s sons James (October 23) and Joses (October 30). Today we also remember Saint Joseph of Arimathea (July 31), who was a secret disciple (John 19:38), and Saint Νikόdēmos, who was a disciple by night (John 3:3; 19:38).

The holy right-believing Queen Tamara of Georgia is honoured twice during the year: on May 1, the day of her repose, and also on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women.

Troparion — Tone 2

The Noble Joseph, / when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, / wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, / and placed it in a new tomb. / But You rose on the third day, O Lord, / granting the world great mercy.

Troparion — Tone 2

The angel came to the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb and said: / Myrrh is meet for the dead; / but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption! / So proclaim: The Lord is risen, / granting the world great mercy!

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You appeared to your flock as a rule of faith...”)
You visited Christ the Lord in the night, / and were born from above (1) being received, as it were, as a secret Apostle. / With good courage you disputed with the Pharisees and Scribes (2) / and followed the Savior. / Taking Him dead from the Cross, / you wrapped Him in cloths with myrrh and laid Him in the tomb, / O fervent (3) Νikόdēmos.

1 John 3:3
2 John 7:50
3 or zealous

Kontakion — Tone 2

When You proclaimed “Rejoice” to the Myrrhbearers, / You caused the lamentation of the first mother Eve to cease by Your Resurrection; O Christ God; / You bade Your Apostles preach: / “The Saviour is risen from the tomb.”

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Saint John of the Ancient Caves is so-called because he lived during the eighth century in the Lavra of Saint Chariton (September 28). This was called the “Old,” or ancient cave since it was one of the oldest of the Palestinian monasteries. The Lavra was situated not far from Bethlehem, near the Dead Sea.

Saint John in his early years left the world, went to venerate the holy places of Jerusalem, and settled at the Lavra, where he laboured in fasting, vigil, and prayer. He was ordained to the holy priesthood and glorified by his ascetic life.

Troparion — Tone 8

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, O holy Father John, rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Seeking the highest...”)
Divinely arming yourself with purity of soul, / and wielding incessant prayer as a spear, / John, our father, you impaled hordes of demons. / Unceasingly pray for us all!