The holy martyr Chrysanthus came from a pagan family who moved from Alexandria to Rome in the third century. He received a fine education, and among the books he read were those in which pagans discussed Christianity. The young man, however, wanted to read books written by Christians themselves. He finally managed to get a copy of the New Testament, which enlightened his rational soul. Seeking someone to instruct him in the Holy Scriptures, he found the presbyter Carpophoros hiding from persecution, and the saint received holy Baptism from him. After this, Chrysanthus began to preach the Gospel. His own father tried to turn him in for being a Christian, and finally, he married him to Daria, a priestess of Minerva. St. Chrysanthus managed to convert his wife to Christ, and the young couple agreed to live a celibate lives. After the death of his father, Chrysanthus and Daria began to live in separate houses. St Chrysanthus converted several young men to Christ, and many pious women gathered around St. Daria. The people of Rome complained to the eparch Celerinus that the saints were preaching celibacy and attracting too many young men and women to monasticism. St. Chrysanthus was sent to the tribune Claudius for torture. The emperor Numerian ordered Saints Chrysanthus and Daria be turned over to the executioners. After many cruel tortures, the martyrs were buried alive in the ground.

Troparion

O Lord our God your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

In your desire for the perfect Good, you pursued whatever good you saw. By your golden words, Chrysanthus, you led the glorious Daria to Christ. She endured many torments and shamed the enemy. We ask both of you to remember us who keep your memory.

Readings for the day

Genesis 18: 20-33

Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.”

So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

Proverbs 16:17 – 17:17

The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.

The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.

The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.

The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.

 Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.

A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.

One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord’s alone.

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents.

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler.

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper.

One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool.

Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly.

Evil will not depart from the house of one who returns evil for good.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

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

Our father among the saints Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, was born in Jerusalem in the year 315 and was raised in strict Christian piety. Upon reaching the age of maturity, he became a monk, and in the year 346 he became a presbyter. In the year 350, upon the death of Archbishop Maximus, he succeeded him on the episcopal throne of Jerusalem. As Patriarch of Jerusalem, St. Cyril fought against the heresies of Arius and Macedonius. In doing so, he aroused the animosity of the Arian bishops, and they sought to have him deposed and banished from Jerusalem. St. Cyril’s works include twenty-three Instructions (18 are Catechetical, for those preparing for baptism, and 5 are for the newly-baptized) and two discourses on Gospel themes: “On the Paralytic,” and “Concerning the Transformation of Water into Wine at Cana.” At the heart of the Catechetical Instructions is a detailed explanation of the Symbol of Faith. The saint suggests that a Christian should inscribe the Symbol of Faith upon “the tablets of the heart.” St. Cyril, a great ascetic and a champion of Orthodoxy, died in the year 386.  

Troparion

The sincerity of your deeds has revealed you to your people as a teacher of moderation, a model of faith, and an example of virtue. Therefore, you attained greatness through humility and wealth through poverty. O father and archbishop Cyril, ask Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion

You enlightened your people by your words which came from divine inspiration. You honored the indivisible nature of the Trinity which embraces three Persons. We rejoice that you are an advocate of God, and we celebrate your all-holy memory.

Readings for the day

Genesis 17: 1-9

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.  I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.”

God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.

Proverbs 15:20 – 16:9

A wise child makes a glad father, but the foolish despise their mothers.

Folly is a joy to one who has no sense, but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.

Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.

To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is!

For the wise the path of life leads upward, in order to avoid Sheol below.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live.

The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body.

The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise.

Those who ignore instruction despise themselves, but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.

The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.

By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.

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

Our venerable father Alexis was born in Rome to the pious and poverty-loving parents Euphemianus and Aglais. The couple was childless for a long time and they constantly prayed to the Lord to grant them a child, so the Lord consoled them with the birth of their son Alexis. After he moved to Edessa, Alexis sold everything he had, distributed the money to the poor, and began to live near the church of the Most Holy Theotokos under a portico. The saint used a portion of the alms he received to buy bread and water, and he distributed the rest to the aged and infirm. St. Alexis dwelt in Edessa for seventeen years. He secretly boarded a ship bound for Cilicia, intending to visit the church of St. Paul in Tarsus, but God ordained otherwise. A storm took the ship far to the west and it reached the coast of Italy. He journeyed to Rome and decided to live in his own house. Unrecognized, he humbly asked his father’s permission to settle in some corner of his courtyard. Euphemianus settled Alexis in a specially constructed cell and gave orders to feed him from his table. St. Alexis dwelt at the house of his parents for seventeen years and the Lord revealed to him the day of his death. Then the saint, taking paper and ink, wrote certain things that only his wife and parents would know. He also asked them to forgive him for the pain he had caused them. 

Troparion

Rich in poverty and clean of heart by virtue, you adorned your life by partaking in the passion. With a clean conscience you took up fasting and persevered in prayer like an angel. You glowed like the sun on the world, O most blessed Alexis.

Kontakion

You made your parents’ home that of a stranger, and you lived in its shelter as a beggar. When you passed from this life you were crowned in glory, and your reputation has become magnificent on earth. Rejoice, O Alexis, man of God and joy of angels.

Readings for the day

Genesis 15: 1-15

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4 But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.”  He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”  But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”  He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”  He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.  And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

Proverbs 15: 7-19

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way, but one who hates a rebuke will die.

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more human hearts!

Scoffers do not like to be rebuked; they will not go to the wise.

A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.

The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level high

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

The Holy Martyr Sabinus was administrator of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian, St. Sabinus and some like- minded companions hid in a remote village. His hiding place was revealed by a certain ungrateful beggar who had brought him food. The saint used to feed him and help him with money, but the man betrayed him for two pieces of gold. Sabinus was seized with six other Christians, and after torture, they were drowned in the Nile in 287.

The Holy Martyr Papas lived in the city of Laranda (Asia Minor) during the reign of Maximian(305-311). They arrested him for his belief in Christ. His feet were put into boots with sharp nails hammered into the soles, and made to walk. They took him to the city of Diocaesarea and later to Seleucia, Isauria to stand trial. St. Papas died bound to a barren tree, which then became fruitful.

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

O God-bearing Sabinus, strong sprout of heaven, divine flower and fruitful branch, fill with joy those who venerate your memory and pray unceasingly for all of us. 

Readings for the day

Genesis 13: 12-18

 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. 

The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth; so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.  Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”  So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oak of Mamre, which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Proverbs 14:27 – 15:4

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.

The glory of a king is a multitude of people; without people a prince is ruined.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.

The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.

Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

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

The holy martyr Agapius and his companions: the holy martyrs Timolaus, Dionysius, Pausis, Romulus, Alexander, and another Alexander. They all suffered in Caesarea in Palestine at the hand of Prince Urban during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. All seven were extremely young men, and none of them were Christians except Agapius. Neither were they baptized with water, but theirs was a baptism by blood. One day these seven young men were observing how Christians were being tortured: one in the fire, another on the gallows, and a third before wild beasts. Seeing with what great forbearance these Christians endures all their pain and suffering, these seven became inflamed with a zeal for Christ. They tied their hands behind their backs and came before Urban, saying: “We also are Christians.” The flattery and threats of Urban were in vain. These young men were joined by a distinguished citizen of this town, Agapius, who had previously suffered much for Christ. They became all the more inflamed in their faith and love for the Lord. All were beheaded in the year 303. 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Kontakion

These seven martyrs endured much for the Trinity, and by grace they destroyed many scheming devils. By their spirit they have been joined to the holy ones. By their prayers, O Lord, be generous to us. 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Hebrews 6: 13-20

Brothers and sisters: When God made his promise to Abraham, he swore by himself, having no one greater to swear by, and said, “I will indeed bless you, and multiply you.” And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained what God had promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves; an oath gives firmness to a promise and puts an end to all argument. God, wishing to give the heirs of his promise even clearer evidence that his purpose would not change, guaranteed it by oath, so that, by two things that are unchangeable, in which he could not lie, we who have taken refuge in him might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope which is placed before us. Like a sure and firm anchor, that hope extends beyond the veil through which Jesus, our forerunner, has entered on our behalf, being made high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel

Mark 9: 17-31

At that time a man approached Jesus and said: “Teacher, I have brought my son to you because he is possessed by a mute spirit. Whenever it sees him it throws him down; he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. Just now I asked your disciples to expel the spirit, but they were unable to do so.” Jesus replied by saying to the crowd, “What an unbelieving lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you? Bring the boy to me.” When they did so the spirit caught sight of Jesus and immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then Jesus questioned the father: “How long has this been happening to him?” “From childhood,” the father replied. “Often it throws him into the fire and into water. You would think it would kill him. If out of the kindness of your heart you can do anything to help us, please do!” Jesus said, “‘If you can’? Everything is possible to a man who trusts.” The boy’s father immediately exclaimed, “I do believe! Help my lack of trust!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, reprimanded the unclean spirit by saying to him, “Mute and death spirit, I command you: get out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting, and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out of him; the boy became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead.“ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet. When Jesus arrived at the house his disciples began to ask him privately, “Why is it that we could not expel it?“ He told them, “This kind you can drive out only by prayer.“

They left that district and began a journey through Galilee, but Jesus did not want anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples in this vein: “the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men who will put him to death; three days after his death he will rise.

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

Our venerable father Benedict was born in the Italian province of Nursia in the year 480, to wealthy and distinguished parents. He did not remain long in school for he realized himself that through book-learning he could lose “the great understanding of his souls.” He left school “an unlearned wise man and an understanding fool.” He retreated to a monastery, where he was tonsured by the monk Romanus, after which he withdrew to a steep mountain where he remained in a cave for more than three years in a great struggle with his soul. He gathered many disciples around himself, and then went to Monte Casino. There he founded his celebrated monastery and composed his “Rule for Monks.” This rule spread so widely that he has deserved to be called patriarch of monks in the West. It is said that he died on the twenty-first day of March in 550.

Troparion

The divine image was clearly preserved in you, O father; you took up your cross and followed Christ, teaching us by your life not to favor the passing flesh but attend to our immortal souls. O venerable Benedict, your soul now rejoices with the angels. 

Kontakion

You were enriched by God’s grace and sealed your calling with works. Pleasing to Christ God in prayer and fasting, you have shown yourself filled by the Spirit’s gifts, O Benedict, champion against the enemies, healer of the sick, and swift help for our souls. 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Hebrews 6: 9-12

Brothers and sisters: Even though we speak in this way, we are persuaded of better things in your regard, things pointing to your salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him by your service, past and present, to his holy people. Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal to the end, fully assured of that for which you hope. Do not grow lazy, but imitate those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

Gospel

Mark 7: 31-37

At that time Jesus left the territory of Tyre and returned by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Ten Cities. Some people brought him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Jesus to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched the man’s tongue; then Jesus looked up to heaven and emitted a groan. He said to the man “Ephphathal!” (that is “Be opened!”) At once the man’s ears were opened; he was freed from the impediment, and began to speak plainly. Then Jesus enjoined them strictly not to tell anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. Their amazement went beyond all bounds and they said: “He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

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

Our holy father Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople, died while in exile on the island of Prochonis in the year 827. After the death of the last iconoclast emperor, the relics of the holy father were brought back to Constantinople, first to the church of Hagia Sophia and then finally to the Church of the Holy Apostles in the year 846.

Troparion

You reaped your reward from your patience, unceasing prayer, love of the poor, and constant comfort of the needy. O blessed and merciful Nicephorus, beseech Christ to save our souls. 

Kontakion

The choir of patriarchs honors your memory with chants and hymns of praise, O Nicephorus; transferring your relics, it inherits your spirit. Therefore, the Church glorifies Christ the King, who alone loves human-king

Readings for the day

Genesis 12: 1-7

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Proverbs 14: 15-26

The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.

The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.

One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly, and the schemer is hated.

The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor are disliked even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor.

Do they not err that plan evil? Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.

A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and one’s children will have a refuge.

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

Our venerable father and confessor Theophane of the Sygrian Mountains in Bithynia in the monastery of Ager Magnus. He was called the Chronographer. Having been a very wealthy man, he became a poor monk. He was held in prison for two years by the emperor Leo the Armenian on account of his defense of the cult of holy icons. From there he was deported to Samothrace, where, consumed by his tribulations, he yielded up his spirit in 817. 

Our holy father Gregory, pope of Rome. After entering the monastic life, he performed the duty of ambassador to Constantinople. Then on the third of September, he was chosen for the Roman See. He dealt well with earthly matters and, as a servant of the servants of God, he attended to holy things. He showed he was a true pastor in directing affairs, in fully assisting the needy, in fostering the monastic life, and everywhere strengthening or extending the faith. He also wrote excellently on many things concerning moral and pastoral matters.

Troparion – Theophane

Adorning your life with purity and disciplining your body, you slew the goats of the devil, O father Theophane. You were carried to eternal life in the Lord. As you stand before Him, now pray for all of us. 

Troparion – Gregory

You received divine grace from heaven, O blessed Gregory, and strength from his divine power. You sought to follow the way of the Gospel, and your journey’s end brought you Christ’s reward. O blessed saint, beg Him to save us. 

Kontakion – Theophane

You became very much like the shepherds of Christ. You led the flocks of monks into the heavenly sheepfold. There you taught your flock the law of Christ, O father; and now you sing in the heavenly abode, and you rejoice happy in their company. 

Readings for the day

Genesis 10:32- 11:9

These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their origins and by their nations. From these the nations of the earth branched out after the flood.

The whole world had the same language and the same words. When they were migrating from the east, they came to a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.” They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the Lord said: If now, while they are one people and all have the same language, they have started to do this, nothing they presume to do will be out of their reach. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that no one will understand the speech of another. So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the speech of all the world. From there the Lord scattered them over all the earth. 

Proverbs 13:19- 14:6

The light of the just gives joy, but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

The stupid sow discord by their insolence, but wisdom is with those who take counsel. 

Wealth won quickly dwindles away, but gathered little by little, it grows.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a wish fulfilled is a tree of life. 

Whoever despises the word must pay for it, but whoever reveres the command will be rewarded. 

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 

Good sense brings favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin. 

The shrewd always act prudently but the foolish parade folly.

A wicked messenger brings on disaster, but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy.

Poverty and shame befall those who let go of discipline, but those who hold on to reproof receive honor. 

Desire fulfilled delights the soul, but turning from evil is an abomination to fools. 

Walk with the wise and you become wise, but the companion of fools fares badly.

Misfortune pursues sinners, but the just shall be recompensed with good. 

The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just. 

The tillage of the poor yields abundant food, but possessions are swept away for lack of justice.

Whoever spares the rod hates the child, but whoever loves will apply discipline.

When the just eat, their hunger is appeased; but the belly of the wicked suffers want. 

Wisdom builds her house, but Folly tears her down with her own hands.

Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord, but those who are devious in their ways spurn him.

In the mouth of the fool is a rod for pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them. 

Where there are no oxen, the crib is clean; but abundant crops come through the strength of the bull.

A trustworthy witness does not lie, but one who spouts lies makes a lying witness.

The scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for the intelligent.

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

Our venerable father Sophronius was born in Damascus around 560. From his youth he was distinguished for his piety and his love for classical studies. He was especially proficient in philosophy, and so he was known as Sophronius the Wise. The future hierarch, however, sought the true philosophy of monasticism, and conversations with the desert-dwellers. He went to Jerusalem to the monastery of St. Theodosius. After the death of St. Modestus in 634, St. Sophronius was chosen Patriarch of Jerusalem. He toiled much for the welfare of the Jerusalem Church as its primate. Toward the end of his life, St. Sophronius and his flock lived through a two year siege of Jerusalem by the Moslems. Worn down by hunger, the Christians finally agreed to open the city gates, on the condition that the enemy spare the holy places. But this condition was not fulfilled, and St. Sophronius died in grief over the desecration of the Christian holy places. Written works by Patriarch Sophronius have come down to us in the area of dogmatics, and likewise his “Excursus on the Liturgy,” the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt, and also about 950 troparia and stikheras from Pascha to the Ascension, including the prayer for the solemn blessing of the water on the Feast of the Theophany. 

Troparion

O guide of the true faith, mirror of piety and commendable behavior, bright star of the universe, and adornment of pontiffs, you enlightened us all by your teachings. O wise Sophronius, inspired by God and lyre of the Holy Spirit, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

You advanced by heavenly fervor and spread the true dogma by your lips. You ruled your Church well and reformed the monks within it. You clearly preached words of instruction for us, and so we sing to you, O blessed patriarch: Rejoice, luminous glory of the faithful.

Readings for the day

Genesis 9:18 – 10:1

The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japeth. Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated. 

Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some wine, became drunk, and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness, and he told his two brothers outside. Shem and Japeth, however, took a robe, and holding it on their shoulders, they walked backward and covered their father’s nakedness; since their faces were turned the other way, they did not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah woke up from his wine and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said:

“Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers.”

He also said:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! Let Canaan be his slave. May God expand Japeth, and may he dwell among the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave.”

Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. The whole lifetime of Noah was nine hundred and fifty years; then he died. 

These are the descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth, to whom children were born after the flood. 

Proverbs 12:23 – 13:9

The shrewd conceal knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim folly. 

The diligent hand will govern, but sloth makes for forced labor. 

Worry weighs down the heart, but a kind word gives it joy. 

The just act as guides to their neighbors, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Sloth does not catch its prey, but the wealth of the diligent is splendid. 

In the path of justice is life, but the way of abomination leads to death.

A wise son loves correction, but the scoffer heeds no rebuke. 

From the fruit of the mouth one enjoys good things, but from the throat of the treacherous comes violence. 

Those who guard their mouths preserve themselves; those who open wide their lips bring ruin.

The appetite of the sluggard craves but nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is amply satisfied.

The just hate deceitful words, but the wicked are odious and disgraceful.

Justice guards one who walks honestly, but sin leads the wicked astray. 

One acts rich but has nothing; another acts poor but has great wealth. 

People’s riches serve as ransom for their lives, but the poor do not even hear a threat. 

The light of the just gives joy, but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

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