The holy martyrs Thyrsus, Leucas, and Callinicus suffered for Christ under the emperor Decius (249-251) at Caesarea in Bithynia. St. Leucas, having reproached the prefect for his unjust persecution of Christians, was executed after being tortured. St. Thyrsus, who was still a catechumen, was nonetheless eager for martyrdom. He was sentenced to cruel tortures and torments after refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols. Citing the words of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 2:27), he ridiculed those who worshiped wood and stone. The saint’s arms and legs were pulled out of their sockets, his eyes were plucked out, and his teeth were shattered with a hammer. He was taken to a heathen temple, where, by the power of his prayers, he toppled a statue of Apollo. The prefect was enraged by this, and he ordered that greater torments be devised for the athlete of Christ. He endured them all and died peacefully after making the Sign of the Cross. The pagan priest Callinicus, seeing the bravery and the miracle involving St. Thyrsus, believed in Christ and boldly confessed the true Faith, for which he was beheaded. 

Troparion

Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns from You. With Your strength, they brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

You showed the violence of the enemy in public after you spat upon the barbarian torturer. You upheld the holiness of the faith, finding your strength in the help of Christ. Now pray for us, all you martyrs. 

Epistle

Colossians 3: 4-11

Brothers and sisters: When Christ our life appears, then you shall appear with him in glory. Put to death whatever in your nature is rooted in earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and that lust which is idolatry. These are the sins which provoke God’s wrath. Your own conduct was once of this sort, when these sins were your very life. You must put that aside for now: all the anger and quick temper, the malice, the insults, the foul language. Stop lying to one another. What you have done is put| aside your old self with its past deeds and put on a new man, one who grows in knowledge as he is formed anew in the image of his Creator. There is no Greek or Jew here, circumcised or uncircumcised, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman. Rather, Christ is everything in all of you.

Gospel

Luke 14: 16-24

The Lord told this parable: “A man was giving a large dinner and he invited many. At dinner time he sent his servants to say to those invited, ‘Come along, everything is ready now.’ But they began to excuse themselves, one and all. The first one said to the servant, ‘I have bought some land and must go out and inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen and I am going out to test them. Please excuse me.’ A third said, ‘I am newly married and so I cannot attend.’ The servant returning reported all this to his master. The master of the house grew angry at the account. He said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, after some time, ‘Your orders have been carried out, my lord, and there is still room.’ The master then said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedgerows and force them to come in. I want my house to be full, but I tell you that not one of those invited shall taste a morsel of my dinner.’ [For many are called but few are chosen.]”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes gave their lives for Christ in Armenia during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). St. Eustratius was a Roman commander in the city of Satalionus; Eugene was his companion in the army; Orestes was likewise a distinguished soldier; Auxentius was a priest; and Mardarius was an ordinary citizen who came, like Eustratius, from the town of Arabrak. Auxentius was beheaded, Eugene and Mardarius died while being tortured, Orestes expired on a red-hot iron grid, and Eustratius died in a fiery furnace. 

The holy virgin Lucy kept guard over her enkindled lamp for the coming of her Spouse as long as she lived. She was led from Syracuse to Sicily to death for Christ in 304; she was worthy to enter marriage with him and to possess light unfailing. 

Troparion

Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns from You. With Your strength, they brought down tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

O victorious one, you have been like a bright star, enlightening those who stand in darkness of ignorance. Your faith, as a lance in your hand, armed you with courage against the haughtiness of your enemies. O Eustratius, you were the most eloquent of orators.

Readings for the Martyrs

Epistle

Ephesians 6: 10-17

Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against tactics of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above. You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day; do all that your duty requires, and hold your ground. Stand fast, with the truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and zeal to propagate the gospel of peace as your footgear. In all circumstances hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, the word of God. 

Gospel

Luke 21: 12-28

The Lord said to his disciples, “Before any of this [trouble] they will manhandle and persecute you, summoning you to synagogues and prisons, bringing you to trial before kings and governors, all because of my name. You will be brought to give witness on account of it. I bid you resolve not to worry about your defense beforehand, for I will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict. You will be delivered up even by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. All will hate you because of me, yet not a hair of your head will be harmed. By patient endurance you will save your lives.

“When you see Jerusalem encircled by soldiers, know that its devastation is near. Those in Judea at the time must flee to the mountains; those in the heart of the city must escape it; those in the country must not return. These indeed will be days of retribution, when all that is written must be fulfilled.

“The women who are pregnant or nursing at the breast will fare badly in those days! The distress in the land and the wrath against this people will be great. The people will fall before the sword; they will be led captive in the midst of the Gentiles. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the waves. Men will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth. The powers in the heavens will be shaken. After that, men will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand erect and hold your heads high, for your deliverance is near at hand.” 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Galatians 5:22 – 6:2

Brothers and sisters: The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity. Against such there is no law! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the spirit, let us follow the spirit’s lead. Let us never be boastful, or challenging, or jealous toward one another.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is detected in sin, you who live by the spirit should gently set him right, each of you trying to avoid falling into temptation himself. Help carry one another’s burden; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Gospel

Luke 13: 19-29

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a large shrub and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Jesus went on: “To what shall I compare the reign of God? It is like yeast which a woman took to knead into three measures of flour until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”

He went through cities and towns teaching– all the while making his way toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?” Jesus replied: “Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. When once the master of the house has risen to lock the door and you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Sir, open for us,’ he will say in reply, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your company. You taught in our streets.’ But he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Away from me, you evil-doers!’

“There will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets safe in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves rejected. People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and will take their place at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Spiridon the Wonderworker was a shepherd who had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with the gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick, and cast out demons. After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was made Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As a bishop, the saint did not alter his manner of life, but combined pastoral service with deeds of charity. According to the witness of Church historians, St. Spiridon participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The power of St. Spiridon’s plain and direct speech showed everyone the importance of human wisdom before God’s Wisdom. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared on December 9, 1591 in Mexico to St. Juan Diego, and bestowed on him an icon “not made with human hands,” requesting that a church be built in her honor on that mountain. Her shrine there is one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimage in the Americas. Pope John Paul II named her the Patroness of the Americas. 

Troparion – Spiridon

You were revealed as a champion of the First Council, and a wonderworker, our God-bearing father Spiridon; for you called out to the woman dead in the tomb and you transformed the serpent into gold. And when you sang your holy prayers, you had angels serving with you, O most holy one. Glory to Him who gave you strength. Glory to Him who granted a crown to you! Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all. 

Troparion – Our Lady of Gaudalupe

When you appeared in the New World, O Mother of God, you fixed your image on Juan Diego’s rose-laden tilma. All the poor, hungry, and oppressed seek you, Lady of Guadalupe. We gaze upon your miraculous icon and find hope, crying out to your Son concealed in your womb: Hear our plea for justice, O Most merciful Lord.

Kontakion – Spiridon

Inspired by the love of Christ, O Most Sacred One, and giving wings to your mind through the radiance of the Spirit! You found divine vision through your deeds, O God-pleasing One, becoming a divine oblation, asking Divine Illumination for all.

Kontakion – Our Lady of Gaudalupe

No longer shall the New World lie wounded in useless blood sacrifice, for she who is clothed with the sun has revealed the Son to us. O Mother of the Americas, imprint his name upon our hearts, just as you wove your image into the cactus cloth. Teach your children to cry out: O Christ God, our hope, glory to you. 

Readings for Our Lady of Gaudalupe

Epistle

Hebrews 9: 1-7

Brothers and sisters: The first covenant had regulations and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread; this was called the holy place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the holy of holies, in which were the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold. In the ark were the golden jars containing manna, the rod of Aaron which had blossomed, and the tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation. We cannot speak now of each of these in detail. These were the arrangements for worship. In performing their service the priests used to go into the inner one, and that but once a year, with the blood which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people. 

Gospel

Luke 1: 39-49, 56

In those days Mary set out, proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: “Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leapt in my womb for joy. Blest is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.”

Then Mary said: “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior, for he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed. God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home. 

Readings for the day

Epistle

2 Timothy 1: 1-2, 8-18

Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus sent to proclaim the promise of life in him, to Timothy, my child whom I love. May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord be with you. 

Never be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor for me, a prisoner for his sake; but with the strength which comes from God bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails.

God has saved us and has called us to a holy life, not because of any merit of ours but according to his own design – the grace held out to us in Christ Jesus before the world began but now made manifest through the appearance of our Savior. He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel. In the service of this gospel I have been appointed preacher and apostle and teacher, and for its sake I undergo present hardships. But I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed, and I am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that Day. Take as a model of sound teaching what you have heard me say in faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the rich deposit of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You know that all in Asia, including even Phygelus and Hermogenes, have turned their back on me. May the Lord have mercy on the family of Onesiphorus, because he has often given me new heart and has not been ashamed of me, even in my chains. When he was in Rome, he sought me out earnestly and found me. When he stands before the Lord on the great DAy, may the Lord grant him mercy! And the many services he has performed for Christ in Ephesus you know even better than I.

Gospel

Luke 21:37 – 22:8

At that time Jesus would teach in the temple by day, and leave the city to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. At daybreak all the people came to hear him in the temple.

The feast of Unleavened Bread known as the Passover was drawing near, and the high priests and scribes began to look for some way to dispose of Jesus; but they were afraid of the people. Then Satan took possession of Judas, the one called Iscariot, a member of the twelve. He went off to confer with the chief priests and officers about a way to hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted, and agreed to give him money. Judas accepted, then kept looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over without creating a disturbance.

The day of Unleavened Bread arrived on which it was appointed to sacrifice the paschal lamb. Accordingly, Jesus sent Peter and John off with the instruction, “Go and prepare our Passover supper for us.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Daniel the Stylite was born in the village of Bethara, near the city of Samosata in Mesopotamia. His mother Martha was childless for a long while and in her prayers she vowed that if she had a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Her prayers were heard, and Martha soon gave birth to a son, who was without a name until he was five years old. Transported by the manner and example of St. Simeon, Daniel stood on a column, not subdued by force of cold or heat or wind, for thirty-three years and three months. St. Daniel also possessed the gift of gracious words. He guided many onto the path of correcting their lives as a priest of Constantinople. The monk reposed in his eightieth year in 489.

Troparion

You became a column of endurance and rivaled the forefathers, O venerable one, becoming like Job in your sufferings and like Joseph in your trials, and like the bodiless angels though you lived in the flesh. O Daniel our father, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls. 

Kontakion

Having ascended the pillar like a radiant star, O blessed One, you illumined the world with your venerable deeds, and dispelled the darkness of deception, O Father, therefore we pray you: shine forth even now the never setting light of understanding into the hearts of your servants. 

Epistle

1 Timothy 6: 17-21

Timothy, my son: Tell those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be proud, and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth. Let them trust in the God who provides us richly with all things for our use. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works and generous, sharing what they have. Thus will they build a secure foundation for the future, for receiving that life which is life indeed.

O Timothy, guard what has been committed to you. Stay clear of worldly, idle talk and the contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. In laying claim to such knowledge, some men have missed the goal of faith. Grace be with you. 

Gospel

Luke 21: 28-33

The Lord said to his disciples, “When you see the great signs of the coming of the Son of Man, stand erect and hold your heads high, for your deliverance is near at hand.” Then Jesus told them a parable: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. You observe them when they are budding, and know for yourselves that summer is near. Likewise when you see all the things happening of which I speak, know that the reign of God is near. Let me tell you this: the present generation will not pass away until all this takes place. The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus: Menas and Hermogenes were born in Athens and moved to Constantinople in the 4th century. Both were pagans. Menas was sent by Emperor Maximian to calm the strife between pagans and Christians in Alexandria. While there, he became a Christian. The emperor sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to punish Menas. After a miracle that occurred during Menas’s trial, Hermogenes became a Christian. Then the emperor himself came to Egypt and put forth both men to harsh torture. Upon seeing their valor, Eugraphus, who was Menas’s secretary, denounced himself to the emperor. Maximian had them all beheaded. 

Troparion

Having mortified the fiery visions and movements of the passions by abstinence, the martyrs of Christ received grace to dispel the ailments of the infirm, and to live even after death to work wonders. O truly most glorious wonder, that naked bones pour forth healing. Glory to the One God and Creator. 

Kontakion

Let us all honor with sweet singing Menas the wonderful, Hermogenes the divine, and Eugraphus dedicated together, for they honored the Lord and suffered honorably for Him, and are worthy to be numbered with the bodiless choir in heaven; and they are bountiful wonders.

Epistle

1 Timothy 5:22 – 6:11

Timothy, my son: Never lay your hands hastily on anyone, or you may be sharing in the misdeeds of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking water only. Take in a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because of your frequent illnesses.

Some men’s sins are flagrant and cry out for judgment now, while other men’s sins will appear only later. Similarly, some good deeds stand out clearly as such; even inconspicuous ones cannot be hidden forever.

All under the yoke of slavery must regard their masters as worthy of full respect; otherwise the name of God and the church’s teaching suffer abuse. Those slaves whose masters are brothers in the faith must not take liberties with them on that account. They must perform their tasks even more faithfully, since those who will profit from their work are believers and beloved brothers. These are the things you must teach and preach. Whoever teaches in any other way, not holding to the sound doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching proper to true religion, should be recognized as both conceited and ignorant, a sick man in his passion for polemics and controversy. From these come envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions – in a word, the bickering of men with twisted minds who have lost all sense of truth. Such men value religion only as a means of personal gain. There is, of course, great gain in religion – provided one is content with a sufficiency. We brought nothing into this world, nor have we the power to take anything out. If we have food and clothing we have all that we need. Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and a trap. They are letting themselves be captured by foolish and harmful desires which drag men down to ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all evil. Some men in their passion for it have strayed from the faith, and have come to grief amid great pains. Man of God that you are, flee from all this.

Gospel

Luke 21: 5-8, 10-11, 20-24

At that time some disciples were speaking of how the temple was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings. Jesus said, “These things you are contemplating – the day will come when not one stone will be left on another, but it will all be torn down.” They asked him, “When will this be, Teacher? And what will be the sign that it is going to happen?” Jesus said, “Take care not to be misled. Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he’ and ‘The time is at hand.’ Do not follow them. 

Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, plagues, and famines in various places–and in the sky fearful omens and great signs. When you see Jerusalem encircled by soldiers, know that its devastation is near. Those in Judea at the time must flee to the mountains; those in the heart of the city must escape it; those in the country must not return. These indeed will be days of retribution, when all that is written must be fulfilled.

“The women who are pregnant or nursing at the breast will fare badly in those days! The distress in the land and the wrath against this people will be great. The people will fall before the sword; they will be led captive in the midst of the Gentiles. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Patapius was born at Thebes into a pious Christian family. Reaching the age of maturity, he scorned the vanities of the world and so went into the Egyptian desert where he became known for his ascetic deeds. Though he wished to dwell in silence, people began to come to him for advice. He went eventually to Constantinople, where he obtained a cell at the city wall, near the Blachernae church. But here, too, he quickly became known. The sick began to throng about, and he, having been granted the gift of healing, began to help all the needy. After a life adorned with virtue and miracles, St. Patapius fell asleep in the Lord and was buried in the church of St. John the Baptist in the 7th century. 

Troparion

In you, O father, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Patapius, your soul rejoices with the angels. 

Kontakion

The people who come to your temple with reverence, O Holy One, as a place of spiritual healing, ask to receive healing of their infirmities and forgiveness of sins which they have committed in their lives. For you are revealed, O venerable Patapius, as an intercessor for all in need. 

Epistle

1 Timothy 5: 11-21

Timothy, my son: Refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions estrange them from Christ they will want to marry. This will bring them condemnation for breaking their first pledge. Besides, they learn to be ladies of leisure, who go about from house to house–becoming not only time-wasters but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things they ought not. That is why I should like to see the younger ones marry, have children, keep house, and in general give our enemies no occasion to speak ill of us. Already, some have turned away to follow Satan. If a woman church member has relatives who are widows, she must assist them. She should not let them become a burden to the church, which ought to be free to give help to the widows who are really in need.

Presbyters who do well as leaders deserve to be paid double, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. The Scripture says,” You shall not put a muzzle on an ox when he is threshing the grain,” and also, “The worker deserves his wages.”

Pay no attention to an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. The ones who do commit sin, however, are to be publicly reprimanded, so that the rest may fear to offend. I charge you before God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels: apply these rules without prejudice, act with complete impartiality!

Gospel

Luke 21: 12-19

The Lord said to his disciples, “Before any of this [trouble] they will manhandle and persecute you, summoning you to synagogues and prisons, bringing you to trial before kings and governors, all because of my name. You will be brought to give witness on account of it. I bid you resolve not to worry about your defense beforehand, for I will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict. You will be delivered up even by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. All will hate you because of me, yet not a hair of your head will be harmed. By patient endurance you will save your lives.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The Feast of the Maternity of the Holy Anna, mother of Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary: According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were childless for fifty years of their married life. In their old age, they were promised that a daughter would be born to them. After nine months, St. Anna bore a daughter, blessed by God and by all subsequent generations of humanity: the most holy Theotokos, the ever-virgin Mary. St. Anna was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She married St. Joachim, who was a native of Galilee. The Conception of the Virgin Mary by St. Anna took place in Jerusalem. In the icon for this feast, saints Joachim and Anna are usually depicted with hands folded in prayer; their eyes are also directed upward and they contemplate the Mother of God, who stands in the air with outstretched hands; under her feet is an orb encircled by a serpent (symbolizing the devil), which strives to conquer all the universe by its power. There are also icons in which St. Anna holds the Theotokos on her left arm as an infant. On St. Anna’s face is a look of reverence. Traditionally, this Feast is especially venerated by pregnant women. 

Troparion

Today the bonds of barrenness are loosed, for God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. He promised beyond all hope, the birth of their godly daughter. The Indescribable, Himself, born of her as a mortal, commanded us through the angel to sing to her: Rejoice, O woman full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion

Today the whole world celebrates how Anna became a mother by the power of God. She conceived the woman whose conception of the Word is beyond our words. 

Readings for the feast

Epistle

Galatians 4: 22-31

Brothers and sisters: Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl, the other by his freeborn wife. The son of the slave girl had been begotten in the course of nature, but the son of the free woman was the fruit of the promise. All this is an allegory: the two women stand for the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, and brought forth children to slavery: this is Hagar. The mountain Sinai [Hagar] is in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem of our time, which is likewise in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem on high is freeborn, and it is she who is our mother. That is why Scripture says: “Rejoice, you barren one who bear no children; break into song, you stranger to the pains of childbirth! For many are the children of the wife deserted-far more that of her who has a husband!” You, my brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, as Issac was. But just as in those days sons born in nature’s course persecuted the one whose birth was in the realm of the spirit, so do we find it now. What does Scripture say on the point? “Cast out slave girls and son together; for the slave girl’s son shall never be an heir on equal terms with the son” of the one born free. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave girl but of a mother who is free. 

Gospel

Luke 1: 24-38

At that time. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went into seclusion for five months, saying: “In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; he has seen fit to remove my reproach among men.”

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” Mary was deeply troubled by his words, and wondered what his greeting meant. The angel went on to say to her: “Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know man?” The angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called Son of God. Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age; she who was thought to be sterile is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary said: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say,” With that the angel left her. 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Timothy 5: 1-10

Timothy, my son: Never censure an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. You should treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 

Honor the claims of widows who are real widows – that is, who are alone and bereft. If a widow has any children or grandchildren, let these learn that piety begins at home and that they should fittingly support their parents and grandparents; this is the way God wants it to be. The real widow, left destitute, is one who has set her hope on God and continues night and day in supplications and prayers. A widow who givers herself up to selfish indulgence, however, leads a life of living death.

Make the following rules about widows, so that no one may incur blame. If anyone does not provide for his own relatives and especially for members of his immediate family, he has denied the faith; he is worse than an unbeliever. To be on the church’s roll of widows, a widow should be not less than sixty years of age. She must have been married only once. Her good character will be attested to by her good deeds. Has she brought up children? Has she been hospitable to strangers? Has she washed the feet of Christian visitors? Has she given help to those in distress? In a word, has she been eager to do every possible good work?

Gospel

Luke 20: 27-44

At that time some Sadducees came forward (the ones who claim there is no resurrection) to pose this problem to Jesus: “Master, Moses prescribed that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife with no child, the brother should marry the widow and raise posterity to his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died childless. Next, the second brother married the widow, then the third, and so on. All seven died without leaving her any children. Finally the widow herself died. At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Remember, seven married her.”

Jesus said to them: “The children of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those judged worthy of a place in the age to come and of resurrection from the dead do not. They become like angels and are no longer liable to death. Sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God. Moses in the passage about the bush showed that the dead rise again when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead but of the living. All are alive for him.”

Some of the scribes responded, “Well said Teacher.” They did not dare ask him anything else. Jesus said to them: “How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David? Does not David himself say in the psalms, ‘The Lord said to my lord: Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies your footstool’? Now if David accords him the title ‘lord,’ how can he be his son?”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our holy father Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, who on April 4th, on the holy day of Pascha, fell asleep in the Lord in 397. His memory is celebrated today on which, while still a catechumen, he undertook ruling the famous See of Milan in 373, while he was exercising the office of prefect of the city. A true pastor and teacher of the faithful, he exercised great charity towards all, defended strenuously the freedom of the Church and the doctrine of the orthodox faith against the Arians. By his commentaries and his musical hymns, he piously catechized the people. 

Troparion

Your life has shown you to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of gentleness, and a teacher of moderation. You acquired greatness through humility and wealth through poverty. O father and archbishop Ambrose, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. 

Kontakion

Shining with divine teachings, you darkened the delusion of Arius, O Priest of the Mysteries and Shepherd, Ambrose. Working wonders by the power of the Spirit, you worked wonders and healed diverse passions, O father and archbishop, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. 

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 8b-19

Brothers and sisters: Live as children of light. Light produces every kind of goodness and justice and truth. Be correct in your judgment of what pleases the Lord. Take no part in vain deeds done in darkness; rather, condemn them. It is shameful even to mention the things these people do in secret; but when such deeds are condemned they are seen in the light of day, and all that then appears is light. That is why we read: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like thoughtful men. Make the most of the present opportunity, for these are evil days. Do not continue in ignorance, but try to discern the will of the Lord. Avoid getting drunk on wine; that leads to debauchery. Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the Lord with all your hearts.

Gospel

Luke 14: 16-24

The Lord told this parable: “A man was giving a large dinner and he invited many. At dinner time he sent his servants to say to those invited, ‘Come along, everything is ready now.’ But they began to excuse themselves, one and all. The first one said to the servant, ‘I have bought some land and must go out and inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen and I am going out to test them. Please excuse me.’ A third said, ‘I am newly married and so I cannot attend.’ The servant returning reported all this to his master. The master of the house grew angry at the account. He said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, after some time, ‘Your orders have been carried out, my lord, and there is still room.’ The master then said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedgerows and force them to come in. I want my house to be full, but I tell you that not one of those invited shall taste a morsel of my dinner.’ [For many are called but few are chosen.]”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com