18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—Tone 1 (5th of Luke)
Greatmartyr Artemius of Antioch (362)
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Resurrectional Troparion, Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure Body; Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life: "Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who lovest mankind."
Troparion, Tone 4 (Greatmartyr)
Thy holy martyr Artemius, O Lord, through his sufferings has received incorruptible crown from Thee, our God. For having Thy strength, he laid low his adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.// Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Resurrectional Kontakion, Tone 1
As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, raising the world with Thyself. Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished. Adam exults, O Master! Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to Thee:// “Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!
Kontakion, Tone 2 (Greatmartyr)
Let us gather to sing worthy hymns in honor of Artemius, the pious and victorious martyr who defeated his enemies. He is great among martyrs and generous in performing miracles, and he intercedes with the Lord on behalf of us all.
Kontakion, Tone 6 (Theotokos)
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, Constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
THE EPISTLE READING
Deacon: Let us attend!
Priest: Peace be unto all!
Reader: And to your spirit!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 1st Tone. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on Thee!
Choir: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on Thee!
Reader: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the just!
Choir: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on Thee!
Reader: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us
Choir: as we have set our hope on Thee!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading from the Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, 6the point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. [(188) 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (RSV)]
Priest: Peace be unto you, reader.
Reader: And to your spirit. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, in the 1st Tone.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Reader: God gives vengeance to me, and subdues people under me!
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Reader: He magnifies the salvation of the King and deals mercifully with David, His anointed, and his seed forever.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
THE GOSPEL READING
And the Lord said, 19“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, 21who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.’” [(83) Luke 16:19-31 (RSV)]
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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The Greatmartyr commemorated today:
Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great (May 21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for the spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt.
St Artemius was sent by the emperor Constantius to bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from Patras, and the relics of the holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of Boeotia, to Constantinople. The holy relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation. The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt.
The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism was extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian Faith.
During this time, St Artemius arrived in Antioch and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures and threw the Great Martyr Artemius into prison. While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and said, “Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you shall be with Me in My Kingdom.” Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up glory and thanksgiving to Him.
On the following day, Julian demanded that St Artemius honor the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to further tortures. The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint told Julian that he would be justly recompensed for his persecution of Christians. Julian became furious and resorted to even more savage tortures, but they did not break the will of the saint. Finally the Great Martyr Artemius was beheaded.
His relics were buried by Christians. After the death of St Artemius, his prophecy about Julian the Apostate’s impending death came true.
Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian’s army. The old man deceived Julian and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Tired from hunger and thirst, Julian’s army battled against fresh Persian forces.
Divine retribution caught up with Julian the Apostate. During the battle he was mortally wounded by an unseen hand and an unseen weapon. Julian groaned deeply said, “You have conquered, Galilean!” After the death of the apostate emperor, the relics of the Great Martyr Artemius were transferred with honor from Antioch to Constantinople.
St Artemius is invoked by those suffering from hernias.