Our holy father Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, brother of St. Basil the Great, one of the great theologians of the Byzantine Church (c. 395)

The venerable Dometian, Bishop of Melitene, who lived under Emperors Justinian the Lesser and Maurice. He was known for his remarkable intelligence, prudence, and spiritual zeal, and for his love of the poor. (602)

Our venerable father Marcian, priest and treasurer of the Great Church in Constantinople, second in command to Patriarch Gennadius. (c. 471)

 

Troparion

God of our fathers, You always deal with us according to Your everlasting compassion. Take not Your mercy away from us; but through their prayers guide our life in peace.

 

Kontakion – Gregory

That heavenly hierarch of the Church and precious mystic orator of Wisdom, that vigilant mind, Greogory of Nyssa, sings praises along with the angels and finds delight in the Light divine. He now prays unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Kontakion – Marcian

You were anointed with the divine priesthood, and you showed this by virtue and obedience to Christ. Having finished your course, O Father, you sing with the angels in heaven: Glory to your compassion, O Savior! Glory to your kingdom! Glory to your providence, O Lover of Humankind!

 

Readings for St. Gregory

Epistle

1 Corinthians 12: 7-11

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 10: 1,5-8

Then He summoned His twelve disciples and gave them the authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind.

Jesus sent these men on mission as the Twelve, after giving them the following instructions:

“Do not visit pagan territory and so not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this announcement, ‘The reign of God is at hand! Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons. The gift you have received, give as a gift.”

 

Readings for the day

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

Matthew 4: 1-11

At that time Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “if you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus replied, “Scripture has it: ‘Not on bread alone is man to live but every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Next the devil took him to the holy city, set him on the parapet of the temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. Scripture has it: ‘He will bid his angels take care of you; with their hands they will support you that you may never stumble on a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “Scripture also has it: ‘You shall not put the Lord you God to the test.’”

The devil then took him up a very high mountain and displayed before him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, promising, “All these will I bestow on you if you prostrate yourself in homage to me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Away with you Satan! Scripture has it: ‘You shall do homage to the Lord your God; Him alone shall you adore.’” At this the devil left him, and the angels came and waited on him.

 

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

The holy martyr Polyeuctus: The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians, as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of St. Polyeuctus in the year 259, during the reign of Valerian. In Melitene were two friends: Nearchus and Polyeuctus. Both were officers- Nearchus was baptized and Polyeuctus was unbaptized. When the command of the emperor was sent out concerning the persecution of Christians, Nearchus prepared for death; but he was in great sorrow because he had not succeeded in converting his friend Polyeuctus to the true Faith. When Polyeuctus learned of the reason for Nearchus’s sorrow, he promised to embrace the Faith. The following day Polyeuctus related this dream to Nearchus: the Lord Himself had appeared to him in light, removed Polyeuctus’s old clothes from him and dressed him in radiant new clothes – and sat him in the saddle of a winged horse. After this, Polyeuctus went to town, shredded the emperor’s decree concerning the torturing of Christians, and destroyed many statues of idols. He was tortured and condemned to death. When he was brought to the place of execution, he looked at Nearchus in the throng of people and joyfully cried out to him: “Save yourself, my dear friend! Remember the vow of love confirmed between the two of us!” later, St. Nearchus died by fire as a martyr for Christ. 

 

Troparion

Your martyr Polyuectus, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

 

Kontakion

When our Savior bowed His head in the Jordan River, the heads of the serpents were crushed, and when Polyeuctus was beheaded, he put demons to shame. 

 

Epistle 

James 2: 1-13

Brothers and sisters, your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not allow of favoritism. Suppose there should come into your assembly a man fashionably dressed, with gold rings on his fingers, and at the same time a poor man in shabby clothes. Suppose further that you were to take notice of the well-dressed man and say, “Sit right here, please,” whereas you were to say to the poor man, “You can stand!” or “Sit over there by my footrest.” Have you not in a case like this discriminated in your hearts? Have you not set yourself up as judges handing down corrupt decisions? 

Listen, dear brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom he promised to those who love him? Yet you treated the poor man shamefully. Are not the rich exploiting you? They are the ones who hale you into the courts and who blaspheme that noble name which has made you God’s own.

You are acting rightly, however, if you fulfill the law of the kingdom. Scripture has it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Whoever falls into sin on one point of the law, even though he keeps the entire remainder, has become guilty on all counts. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not kill.” If therefore you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Always speak and act as men destined for judgment under the law of freedom. Merciless is the judgment on the man who has not shown mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgment.  

 

Gospel 

Mark 10: 24-32a

The Lord said to his disciples: “My sons, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were completely overwhelmed at this, and exclaimed to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus fixed his gaze on them and said, “For man it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible.”

Peter was moved to say to Jesus, “ We have put aside everything to follow you!” Jesus answered, “I give you my word, there is no one who has given up home, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children or property, for me and for the gospel who will not receive in this present age a hundred times as many homes, brothers and sisters, mothers, children and property– and persecution besides– and in the age to come, everlasting life. Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first,”

The disciples were on the road going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus walking in the lead. Their mood was one of wonderment, while that of those who followed was fear. 

 

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

Our venerable father George the Chozebite was a Cypriot monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God at Chozeba near Jericho (614)

Our venerable father Emilian the Confessor was a native of Vannes, in what is now France. He was a recluse (767)

Our venerable mother Dominica, born in Carthage in North Africa, lived a life of asceticism and died in Constantinople under the reign of the Emperor Zenon in 474.

 

Troparion – Venerable Fathers

Come, O people and piously honor the memory of George. Sing praises for his wonderful fasting and praise Emilian for his teachings. Let us sing out: Save our souls, O Christ, through the intercession of these holy monks.

 

Troparion – Dominica

In you, O mother, 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 Dominica, your soul rejoices with the angels.

 

Kontakion – Venerable Fathers

O George, you have become a brilliant source of light, enlighten all those who come to you in faith. Intercede for us with Christ our God who appeared in flowing waters and enlightened all of us. 

 

Kontakion – Dominica

O Dominica, you crucified the flesh with your suffering, and your love for Christ was sure and constant. For this you have been crowned and admitted to the choirs of angels. Pray now for all those who venerate you, O mother.

 

Epistle 

James 1: 19-27

Brothers and Sisters, keep this in mind. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not fulfill God’s justice. Strip away all that is filthy, every vicious excess. Humbly welcome the word that has taken route in you, with its power to save you. Act on this word all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves.

A man who listens to God’s word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror at the face he was born with: he looks at himself, then he goes off and promptly forgets what he looks like. There is, on the other hand, the man who appears into freedom‘s ideal law and abides by it. He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law and practice. Blest will this man be in whatever he does.

If a man who does not control his tongue imagines that he is devout, he is self-deceived; his worship is pointless. Looking after orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unspotted by the world make for pure worship without stain before our God and Father. 

 

Gospel

Mark 10: 17-27

At that time as Jesus was sitting out on a journey a man came running up, knelt down before him and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to share an everlasting life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the Commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” The man replied, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my childhood.” Then Jesus looked at him with love and told him, “There is one thing more you must do. Go on sale what you have and give it to the poor; you will then have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me.” At these words the man’s face fell. He went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples could only marvel at his words. So Jesus repeated what he had said: “My sons, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were completely overwhelmed at this, and exclaimed to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus fixed his gaze on them and said, “For man it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible.”

 

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

Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: A “synaxis” feast follows one of the great feasts, and highlights a major personage of yesterday’s celebration. We remember today the work of the Forerunner, John, who baptized Christ. 

 

Troparion

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, the Lord’s testimony is enough. You were shown to be more honorable than the prophets since you were deemed worthy to baptize in waters the Lord you had proclaimed. Therefore, you fought for the truth, and with joy proclaimed the good news to those in Hades, that God has appeared in the flesh to take away the sins of the world and to grant us great mercy. 

 

Kontakion

O Lord, before Your presence in the flesh, the Jordan River trembled and reversed its course out of fear. Struck with awe. John hesitated to perform upon You the baptism foretold by the prophets. The ranks of angels were rapt in wonder when they saw You being baptized in the flesh. All those in darkness received illumination and sang a hymn of praise to You, O Lord; for You appeared and shed Your light upon the whole world. 

 

Epistle

Acts 19:1-8

In those days, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples to whom he put the question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered, “We have not so much as heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Well, how were you baptized?” he persisted. They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then explained, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He used to tell the people about the one who would come after him in whom they were to believe- that is Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue, and over a period of three months debated fearlessly, with persuasive arguments, about the kingdom of God.

 

Gospel

John 1: 29-34

At that time John the Baptizer caught sight of Jesus coming toward him and he exclaimed: “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! It is he of whom I said: ‘After me is to come a man who ranks ahead of me, because he was before me.’ I confess I did not recognize him, though the very reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

John gave this testimony also: “I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the sky, and it came to rest on him. But I did not recognize him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘When you see the Spirit descend and rest on someone, it is he who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen for myself and have testified, ‘This is God’s chosen One.’”

 

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

The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Since the second century, the Church has celebrated the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River for our sanctification.

 

Troparion

At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to You, calling You His beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words. O Christ God, You appeared and enlightened the world. Glory to You!

 

Kontakion

You have revealed yourself to the world today; and Your light, O Lord, has set its seal on us. We recognize You and exclaim to You: You have come and revealed Yourself, O Unapproachable Light. 

 

Epistle

Titus 2: 11-15, 3: 4-7

Titus my son: The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Christ Jesus. It was he who sacrificing himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for himself a people of his own, eager to do what is right.

There are the things you are to say. Make our appeals and corrections with the authority of command. Let no one look down on you.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he lavished on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.  

 

Gospel

Matthew 3: 13-17

At that time, Jesus came from Galilee and appeared before John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to refuse him with the protest, “I should be baptized by you, yet you come to me!” Jesus answered: “Give in for now. We must do this if we would fulfill all of God’s demands.” So John gave in. After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water. Suddenly the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him. With that, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on him.”

 

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

The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (c. 350) 

Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is to have led a solitary life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century) 

The Holy Prophet Micah, who in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, by his preaching defended the oppressed, and condemned idols and depravities. He announced to the chosen people that a leader would be born in Bethlehem of Jude, who would shepherd Israel in the strength of the Lord.

 

Troparion – Holy Martyrs

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. 

 

Troparion – Syncletica

In you, O mother, 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 Syncletica, your soul rejoices with the angels.

 

Kontakion – Holy Martyrs

These martyrs have become a means of holiness to those on earth. How well they endured the agony imposed by the torturer. They rejoice in the Lord and sing out: We adore Him who buried the sins of all in the flowing waters of the Jordan. 

 

Kontakion – Syncletica

You endured the pain of your suffering by fasting. You are delighted to find a finer dwelling in heaven and have been filled with more splendid light because you followed Christ so courageously along the difficult path. You turned away from the goods of earth and became like an angel. Now you share in their glory.

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 9: 19-27

Brothers and sisters: Although I am not bound to anyone, I made myself the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible. I became like a Jew to the Jews in order to win the Jews. To those bound by the law I became like one who is bound (although in fact I am not bound by it), that I might win those bound by the law. To those not subject to the law I became like one not subject to it (not that I am free from the law of God, for I am subject to the law of Christ), that I might win those not subject to the law. To the weak I became a weak person with a view to winning the weak. I have made myself all things to all men in order to save at least some of them. In fact, I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings. 

You know that while all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that wither, but we a crown that is imperishable.

I do not run like a man who loses sight of the finish line. I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. What I do is discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I myself should be rejected. 

 

Gospel

Luke 3: 1-18

In the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, Philip his brother tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, the word of God was spoken to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert. He went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A herald’s voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.’”

John would say to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him: “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform. Do not begin by saying to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the tree. Every tree that is not fruitful will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The crowds asked him, “What ought we to do?” In reply, John said, “Let the man with two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what are we to do?” He answered them, “Exact nothing over and above your fixed amount.”

Soldiers likewise asked him, “What about us?” He told them, “Don’t bully anyone. Denounce no one falsely. Be content with your pay.”

The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all by saying: “I am baptizing you in water, but there is one to come who is mightier than I. I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in unquenchable fire.” Using exhortations of this sort, he preached the good news to the people. 

 

Vigil of Theophany

Epistle

Hebrews 11: 8-16

Brothers and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called, and went forth to the place he was to receive as a heritage; he went forth moreover, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the promised land of a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose designer and maker is God. By faith Sarah received power to conceive though she was past the age, for she thought that the One who had made the promise was worthy of trust. As a result of this faith, there came forth from one man who was himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands of the seashore.

All of these died in faith. They did not obtain what had been promised but saw and saluted it from afar. By acknowledging themselves to be strangers and foreigners on the earth, they showed that they were seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking back to the place from which they had come, they would have had the opportunity of returning there. But they were searching for a better, a heavenly home. Wherefore God is not ashamed to called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

 

Gospel

Luke 21: 37-38, 22: 1-8

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

Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles,  whose names were recorded by St. Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach (cf. Luke 10: 1-5)

Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen at Cuomo in Sicily founded a monastery in the city of Kucuma on the island of Sicily, where he became hegumen. At his monastery lived Greek monks, who had fled persecution by iconoclasts. (800)

 

Troparion – Apostles

O holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of our sins.

 

Troparion – Theoctistus

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 Theoctistus, your soul rejoices with the angels.

 

Kontakion – Apostles

Come, you faithful people, let us praise the seventy disciples of Christ with heavenly hymns. Through them we have come to adore the Holy Trinity, and they are still a light of faith for us.

 

Kontakion – Theoctistus

You gained your merit by feeding the sheep of the Lord by your words of exhortation in an unfeeling land. You filled it with zeal and presented it to the Savior. Now that you have passed over to Him , you have received a reward worthy of your troubles. Glory to Him who strengthened you! Glory to Him who crowned you! Glory to Him who heals us through you!

 

Epistle

2 Timothy 4: 5-8

Timothy, my son: Be steady and self-possessed; put up with hardship, perform your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. I for my part am already being poured out like a libation. The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me– and not only to me, but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing. 

 

Gospel

Mark 1: 1-18

Here begins the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Isaiah the prophet it is written: “I sent my messenger before you to prepare your way: a herald’s voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path.’”

Thus it was John the Baptizer appeared in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins. All the Judean countryside and the people of Jerusalem went out to him in great numbers. They were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, and wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was grasshoppers and wild honey. The theme of his preaching was: “One more powerful than I is to come after me. I am not fit to stoop and untie his sandal straps. I have baptized you in water; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

 

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

The Holy Prophet Malachi, who after the return from the Babylonian Captivity announced the great day of the Lord and his coming to his temple, and that always and everywhere a pure offering should be made to his name.

The Holy Martyr Gordius, praised in the writings of St. Basil the Great, a centurion who suffered during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (304).

 

Troparion – Malachi

O divinely inspired Malachi, you announced the coming of Christ, and you spoke of the dignity of the Law. How clearly you informed us: The Lord is surely coming; Whom we have joyfully sought in the Temple. Beg Him now to save our souls.

 

Troparion – Gordius

Your martyr Gordius, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion – Malachi

O Prophet, by bestowing rich prophecies, you clearly predicted the coming of Christ and the salvation of the world. He enlightened the world by His radiance.

 

Kontakion – Gordius

O holy Gordius, your sweat has soaked the earth, and your precious blood has made the universe rejoice. Through your intercession, save those who sing your glory with faith and honor you fittingly, O divinely minded and glorious martyr worthy of all praise.

Readings For the Saturday before Theophany

Epistle

1 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5

Timothy, my son: Although I hope to visit you soon, I am writing you about these matters so that if I should be delayed you will know what kind of conduct befits a member of God’s household, the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of truth. Wonderful, indeed, is the mystery of our faith, as we say it professing: “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit; seen by the angels; preached among the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up into glory.”

The Spirit distinctly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith and will heed deceitful spirits and things taught by demons through plausible liars–men with seared consciences who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving be believers who know the truth. Everything God created is good; nothing is to be rejected when it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by God’s word and by prayer. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 3: 1-11

At that time when John the Baptizer made his appearance as a preacher in the desert of Judea, this was his theme: “Reform your lives! The reign of God is at hand.” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A herald’s voice in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”

John was clothed in a garment of camel’s hair, and wore a leather belt around his waist. Grasshoppers and wild honey were his food. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him. They were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

When John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were stepping forward for this bath, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the tree. Every tree that is not fruitful will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you in water for the sake of reform, but the one who will follow me is more powerful than I. I am not even fit to carry his sandals. He it is who will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Reading for the Day

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 1-8b

Brothers and sisters: Be Imitators of God as his dear children. Follow the way of love, even as Christ loved you. He gave himself for us as an offering to God, a gift of pleasing fragrance.

As for lewd conduct or promiscuousness or less of any sort, let them not even be mentioned among you; your holiness forbids this. Nor should there be any obscene, silly, or suggestive talk; all of that is out of place. Instead, give thanks. Make no mistake about this: no fornicator, no unclean or lustful person – in effect and idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with worthless arguments. These are sins that bring God’s wrath down on the disobedient; therefore have nothing to do with them. There was a time when you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

 

Gospel 

Luke 17: 3-10

The Lord said: “Be on your guard. If your brother does wrong, correct him; if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times a day turns his back to you saying, ‘I am sorry,’ forgive him.”

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith,” and Jesus answered: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore, ‘Be uprooted and transplanted into the sea,’ and it would obey you. If one of you had a servant plowing or herding sheep and he came to you from the fields, would you say to him, ‘Come and sit down at table’? Would you not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink afterward’? Would he be grateful to the servant who was only carrying out his orders? It is quite the same with you who hear me. When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say, ‘We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.’”

 

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

Our holy father Sylvester, Pope of Rome who piously ruled the Church for many years. During his pontificate, Constantine the Emperor built basilicas worthy of veneration and the Nicene Council of 325 acclaimed Christ the Son of God. On this day in Rome in the cemetery of Priscillia his body was laid to rest in 335. 

 

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 of poverty. O father and bishop Sylvester, intercede with Christ our God and save our souls.

 

Kontakion

O God-bearer of the King and God, having been acquainted with fasting, you were revealed as a priest among priests: O Father Sylvester the glory of pastors, from where the angelic hosts now rejoice together, being glad in the heaven, save in love those who keep your memory.

 

Epistle

Hebrews 11: 8-16

Brothers and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called, and went forth to the place he was to receive as a heritage; he went forth, moreover, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose designer and maker is God. By faith Sarah received power to conceive though she was past the age, for she thought that the One who had made the promise was worthy of trust. As a result of this faith, there came forth from one man, who was himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands of the seashore.

All of these died in faith. They did not obtain what had been promised but saw and saluted it from afar. By acknowledging themselves to be strangers and foreigners on the earth, they showed that they were seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking back to the place from which they had come, they would have had the opportunity of returning there. But they were searching for a better, a heavenly home. Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

 

Gospel

Mark 12: 1-12

At that time Jesus began to address the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders once more in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a vat, and erected a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey. In due time he dispatched a man in his service to the tenants to obtain from them his share of produce from the vineyard. But the tenants seized the servant, beat him, and sent him off empty-handed. The second time he sent them another servant; him too they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another and they killed him. So too with many others: some they beat; some they killed. He still had one to send – the son whom he loved. He sent him to the tenants as a last resort, thinking, ‘They will have to respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘Here is the one who will inherit everything. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ Then they seized and killed him and dragged him outside the vineyard. What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do? He will come and destroy those tenants and turn his vineyard over to others. Are you not familiar with the passage of Scripture: ‘The stone rejected by the builder has become the keystone of the structure. It was the Lord who did it and we find it marvelous to behold’?”

They wanted to arrest him at this, yet they had reason to fear the crowd. (They knew well enough that he meant the parable for them.) Finally they left him and went off.

 

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

The circumcision of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Coming eight days after the birth of Christ, this feast commemorates his naming and his becoming a member of the Covenant of Moses. 

Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, who is called “great” in learning and wisdom. He taught meditation on the Scripture and manual work in obedience and fraternal love to his monks, and established a way of life for them in the Rules he wrote. He taught the faithful by his excellent writings and shone forth by his pastoral care for the poor and sick.

 

Troparion – Circumcision

O Jesus, although You are seated on a fiery throne with the eternal Father and Your divine Spirit, You were pleased to be born of a virgin maiden, your Mother who has never known man. Therefore, as man You were also circumcised when You were eight days old. Glory to Your most noble decision! Glory to Your salvation! Glory to Your humility! You alone love mankind.

 

Troparion – Basil

Your voice resounds to the whole world which has received your word of instruction in divine dogmas. You explained the nature of creation and gave rules to order human conduct. O royal priest, O venerable father Basil, beg Christ our God to grant us His great mercy. 

 

Kontakion – Circumcision

The Lord of all endures circumcision and being good, He cuts away the sins of mortals. Today He grants salvation to the world, and the bishop Basil, the Creator’s morning star, rejoices; he has initiated into the mysteries of Christ.

 

Kontakion – Basil

You have appeared as the unshakable foundation of the Church, leading all mortals to safe pasture in the Lord, and confirming them by your teachings, O venerable Basil, revealer of heavenly mysteries.

 

Readings for the Circumcision

Epistle

Colossians 2: 8-12

Brothers and sisters: See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ.

In Christ the fullness of deity resides in bodily form. Yours is a share of this fullness, in him who is the head of every principality and power. You were also circumcised in him, not with the circumcision administered by hand, but with Christ’s circumcision which strips off the carnal body completely. In baptism you were not only buried with him but also raised to life with him because you believed in the power of God who raised him from the dead. 

 

Gospel 

Luke 2: 20-21 & 40-52

At that time the shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them. When the eighth day arrived for his circumcision, the name Jesus was given to the child, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 

The child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. His parents used to go every year to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when Jesus was twelve they went up for the celebration as was their custom… As they were returning at the end of the feast, the child Jesus remained behind unknown to his parents. Thinking he was in the party, they continued their journey for a day, looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. Not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. On the third day they came upon him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him was amazed at his intelligence and his answers. 

When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” Jesus said to them: ‘Why did you search for me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not grasp what he said to them.

Jesus went down with them then, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother meanwhile kept all these things in memory. Jesus, for his part, progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.

 

Readings for St. Basil

Epistle 

Hebrews 7: 26 thru 8: 2

Brothers and sisters: It was fitting that we should have such a high priest [as Jesus]: holy innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. Unlike other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law sets up as high priests men who are weak, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints as priest the Son, made perfect forever.

The main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, minister of the sanctuary and of that true tabernacle set up, not by man, but by the Lord.

 

Gospel 

Luke 6:17-23

At that time, coming down the mountain with the twelve, Jesus stopped at a level stretch where there were many of his disciples; a large crowd of people was with them from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, people who came to hear him and be healed of this diseases. Those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured; indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch him because power went out from him which cured all. Then, raising his eyes to his disciples, he said: “Blest are you poor, the reign of God is yours. Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled. Blest are you who are weeping; you shall laugh. Blest shall you be when men hate you, and proscribe your name as evil because of the Son of Man. On the day they do so, rejoice and exult, for your reward shall be great in heaven.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Hebrews 10:35 – 11:7

Brothers and sisters: Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward. You need patience to do God’s will and receive what he has promised.

For just a brief moment, and he who is to come will come; he will not delay. My just man will live by faith and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and live.

Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see. Because of faith the men of old were approved by God. Through faith we perceive that the worlds were created by the word of God, and that what is visible came into being through the invisible. By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s. Because of this he was attested to be just, God himself having borne witness to him on account of his gifts; therefore, although Abel is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away without dying, and “he was seen no more because God took him.” Scripture testifies that, before he was taken up, he was pleasing to God – but without faith, it is impossible to please him. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned about things not yet seen, revered God and built an ark that his household might be saved. He thereby condemned the world and inherited the justice which comes through faith.

 

Gospel

Mark 11: 27-33

At that time Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple precincts the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “On what authority are you doing these things? Who has given you the power to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question. If you give me an answer, I will tell you on what authority I do the things I do. Tell me, was John’s baptism of divine origin or merely from men?” They thought to themselves, “If we say ‘divine,’ he will ask, “Then why did you not put faith in it?’ But can we say ‘merely human’?” (They had reason to fear the people, who all regarded John as a true prophet.) So their answer to Jesus was, “We do not know.” In turn, Jesus said to them, “Then neither will I tell you on what authority I do the things I do.” 

 

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