Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Tomorrow is the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. On it we celebrate the memory of the Hieromartyr Theodotus, Bishop of Ancyra. Here is a brief life:

The Holy Martyr Theodotus lived in Ancyra of Galatia in the third century. He was distinguished by his kindliness and concern. At the height of the persecution under Diocletian (284-305) he provided Christians with everything they needed, and gave them shelter in his home. There they secretly celebrated church services.

St Theodotus visited the Christian captives in prison, paid their bail, and reverently buried the bodies of martyrs who had been thrown to the wild beasts. Once he buried the bodies of seven holy women martyrs, who were drowned in the sea (May 18). They reported this to the governor.

After refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, and denouncing the folly of paganism, St Theodotus confessed Christ as God, for which they subjected him to terrible tortures and beheaded him with a sword. They wanted to burn the holy martyr's body, but could not do so because of a storm which had arisen, so they gave his holy relics to a certain Christian for burial.

St Theodotus is also commemorated on May 18.

Online resources:

• Menaion service: Greek, Slavonic.
• Ochtoechos service (tone 3): Greek, Slavonic, English.
• Epistle reading: Romans 6: 18-23.
  
• Gospel reading: Matthew 8: 5-13.
• St John Chrysostom, homily 12 on Romans.
• St John Chrysostom, homily on 26 Matthew.
  
• Blessed Theophylact, Gospel commentary.
• Archbishop Andrei of Rockland, sermon.
• Fr Andrew Phillips, sermon.
• Fr Milan Medakovic, sermon.
  
• Fr George Dimpoulos, sermon.