St. John the Theologian

The holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist John (also John the Theologian or John the Divine) was one of the original twelve Apostles, and wrote the Gospel bearing his name; three canonical letters: I John, II John, and III John; and the Book of Revelation. His primary feast day is celebrated on May 8, that of the twelve apostles on June 30, and his repose on September 26. His symbol is the eagle.

St. John was the son of Salome the myrrh-bearer and Zebedee, a fisherman. His brother was St. James, another apostle.

In his own Gospel account, he refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" rather than use his name. He was the youngest of the twelve apostles, and especially close to the Lord. This closeness is often portrayed in icons of the mystical supper, where St. John leans on Jesus.

He was present for the Transfiguration of Christ with Peter and his brother James.

St. John was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian around 90-95 A.D., and it was there that he received and wrote the Book of Revelation.

"Account of the miracle that occurred at his grave: When over 100 years old, St. John took seven disciples outside of Ephesus and had them dig a grave in the shape of a cross. St. John then went into the grave, and the disciples buried him there, alive. Later on, when his grave was opened, St. John's body was not there. 'On May 8 of each year, dust rises up from his grave, by which the sick are healed of various diseases.' "

Hymns

There is an akathist hymn dedicated to him.

Troparion (Tone 2) 

Beloved apostle of Christ our God,

hasten to deliver a defenseless people.

He who allowed you to recline on His breast,

receives you as you bow before Him.

Implore Him, John the Theologian,

to disperse the persistent threat from the heathens,

entreating for us peace and great mercy.

Kontakion (Tone 2)

Who shall declare declare your greatness,

O virgin disciple,

for you pour forth wonders and are a source of healings,

and pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ. 

 

from http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_John

Great and Holy Pascha

Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let them who hate him flee from before his face.

Today a sacred Pascha is revealed to us. A new and Holy Pascha. A mystical Pascha, a Pascha worthy of veneration. A Pascha which is Christ, the redeemer. A blameless  Pascha of the faithful.  A Pascha which has opened for us the gates of paradise. A Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.

As smoke vanisheth so let them vanish away

Come from that scene O women bearers of glad tidings and say to Zion: receive from us the glad tiding of joy of Christ’s resurrection: exult and be glad, and rejoice O Jerusalem, seeing Christ the king who comes forth from the tomb, like a bridegroom in procession.

So the sinners will perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad.  The myrrh bearing women at breaking of dawn drew near to the tomb of the life giver. There they found an angel sitting up on the stone, he greeted them with these words: Why do you seek the living among the dead? Why do you morn the incorrupt amid corruption? Go proclaim the glad tidings to his disciples.

This is the day which the Lord hath made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Pascha of beauty! The Pascha of the Lord! A Pascha worthy of all honor has dawned for us!  Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously. Pascha, ransom from affliction! For today as from a bridal chamber Christ has shone forth from the tomb. And filled the women with joy saying: Proclaim the glad tiding to the Apostles!

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

This is the day of Resurrection! Let us be illumined by the feast! Let us embrace each other! Let us call brothers even those that hate us and forgive all by the resurrection, and so let us cry: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.

Great and Holy Saturday - Lamentations

In a grave they laid Thee,
O my life and my Christ,
And the armies of the Angels were sore amazed
As they sang the praise of Thy submissive love.

Great and Holy Friday

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.

He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns.

He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.

He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face.

The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.

The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.

We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.

Great and Holy Tuesday

I see Thy bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior.
And I have no wedding garment that I may enter therein.
O Giver of light make radiant the vesture of my soul and save me.


Holy Week in the Orthodox Church is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and for the Bridegroom Services for Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (served by anticipation on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening), the hymnody is absolutely marvelous.  The hymn above is easily my favorite hymn in the Church.  It is the Gospel in three sentences.  It is also balanced by the beauty of "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh," which I posted yesterday evening.  Both hymns are sung during these services, such that we get the warning to be watchful of our soul in the former, balanced against the hymn above, which reminds us that our watchfulness is not what saves us, but Christ, the giver of light, Who makes radiant the vesture of our souls.  May we ever be mindful that we are to vigilantly guard our souls, and yet despite our slumber, Christ comes to us to illumine us, unite us to Him, and bring us into His Kingdom.

Great and Holy Monday

Behold the Bridegroom cometh at midnight
And blessed is he whom He shall find watching
But unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless
Beware therefore, O my soul
Be not weighed down with sleep
Lest you be given up to death and shut out from the Kingdom
But rouse thyself, crying, Holy Holy Holy art Thou O God
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Palm Sunday

Troparion (Tone 1) 

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion,

You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!

Like the children with the palms of victory,

We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death;

Hosanna in the Highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Troparion (Tone 4)

When we were buried with You in Baptism, O Christ God,

We were made worthy of eternal life by Your Resurrection!

Now we praise You and sing:

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Kontakion (Tone 6)

Sitting on Your throne in heaven,

Carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God!

Accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing:

Blessed is He that comes to recall Adam!