PHOTINI, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL

Zachary Baker Rodes

Interestingly, Lesser Feasts and Fasts assigns today as the commemoration of who Orthodox tradition names at Photini but what Scripture only describes as the Samaritan woman who Jesus talks to alone at Jacob’s Well. This interaction is found in Chapter 4 of the Gospel of John. Him talking to her 
and sharing this interaction alone is a big deal as Samaritans and the Jews are not friendly with each other and for a man and woman who are not married and not related to each other to be alone is susceptible to scandal. 

In the story, one may remember, Jesus reveals that he knows that she is living with another man who is not her husband, is scandal. He doesn’t reveal these things because he wishes to shame her, but to reveal himself to her. She says, “I know that the Messiah is coming!” To which he responds, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” (4:25-26). At Jacob’s well, Jesus 
revealed himself to a Samaritan woman who would then go into her village 
preach to them what she has witnessed and they would come to believe as well (4:29).  
 
O Almighty God, 
whose most blessed Son 
didst reveal to the Samaritan woman 
that He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the World; 
grant us to drink of the well that springeth up to everlasting life 
that we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth 
through thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.