Commemoration
St. Joseph of Arimathea
July 31 Old CalendarAugust 13 New Calendar
Life
The noble Joseph, a wealthy man, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a secret follower of Christ (Matthew 27:57; John 19:38). He took down the body of Christ from the Cross, together with Nicodemus, and laid it in his own tomb. Because of this he was bound in chains by the Jews and cast into prison. But the risen Lord appeared to him and assured him of His Resurrection. After that the Jews released him from prison and banished him from his homeland. He went throughout the world to preach the Gospel of Christ, and he brought that good tidings to England as well, where he also reposed in the Lord.
He took down the body of Christ from the Cross, together with Nicodemus, and laid it in his own tomb.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, July 31. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on July 31
The full reading for July 31 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open July 31 in the reader