The holy martyr Hyacinth was born into a pious Christian family in the city of Amastridea (now Amastra in Anatolia). An angel that appeared gave him his name. As a three-year-old boy, St. Hyacinth asked God that a dead infant might be resurrected. The Lord hearkened to his childish prayer, and the dead one arose. Both lads afterwards grew up together, and they lived an ascetic life. St. Hyacinth once noticed how the pagans were worshiping a tree, and so he chopped it down. For this they subjected him to harsh tortures. They smashed out all his teeth, and having bound him with rope, they dragged him along the ground and threw him in prison. It was there that the holy sufferer departed to the Lord.

The holy martyr Emilian, who was a Slav, suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian wanted to restore the cult of the pagan gods throughout the Roman Empire, and he issued an edict, according to which all Christians who failed to honor the pagan gods would be subject to death. Instead of being intimidated by these threats, St. Emilian’s faith in Christ was strengthened. The next day he went into a pagan temple and smashed the statues with a hammer. The governor ordered that St. Emilian be beaten mercilessly, and then to be burned alive. He did not perish when he was thrown into the fire, but instead the flames consumed many of the pagans who were standing about. When the fire had gone out, St. Emilian lay down upon the dying embers, and gave up his soul to the Lord. The wife of the pagan ruler was also a secret Christian, and she gathered up the saint’s relics and buried them. Afterward, a church dedicated to the holy Martyr Emilian was built at Constantinople, where his relics were transferred.

The venerable martyr Tarsykia Matskiv was a nun in the order of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. During the Second World War she was missioned in the Ukrainian city of Krystynopil. When the Soviet Army invaded the city in 1944, Sister Tarsykia was shot by a soviet soldier as she went to open the gates to welcome the priest coming to celebrate Divine Liturgy. She was buried in the garden of the convent under the statue of the Theotokos, as it was too dangerous to go to the cemetery. ​​On September 2, 2007, Blessed Tarsykia’s mortal remains were exhumed, and ceremonially transferred to her hometown of Chodoriv, via the Cathedral of Stryj Eparchy. In silent procession, throngs of people escorted her relics, borne on the shoulders of priests, as pallbearers, to an outdoor Divine Liturgy, to accommodate these crowds, before being encrypted in the church itself. This was the funeral Blessed Tarsykia never had. 

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

Inflamed with the divine fervor, you were not afraid of the fire. You entered it willingly and were reduced to ashes in the flames. You went up like a sacrifice to the Master. O glorious martyr Emilian, pray for us. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 5:9 – 6:11

Brothers and sisters: I wrote to you a letter not to associate with immoral persons. I was not speaking of association with immoral people in this world, or the covetous or thieves or idolaters. To avoid them, you would have to leave the world! What I really wrote about was your not associating with anyone who bears the title “brother” if he is immoral, covetous, an idolater, an abusive person, a drunkard, or a thief. It is clear that you must not eat with such a man. What business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside the community you must judge? God will judge the others. (Scripture says,) “Expel the wicked man from your midst.”

How can anyone with a case against another dare bring it for judgment to the wicked and not to God’s holy people? Do you not know that the believers will judge the world? If the judgment of the world is to be yours, are you to be thought unworthy of judging in minor  matters? Do you know that we are to judge angels? Surely, then, we are up to deciding everyday affairs. If you have such matters to decide, do you accept as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this in an attempt to shame you. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a case between one member of the church and another? Must brother drag brother into court, and before unbelievers at that? Why, the very fact that you have lawsuits against one another is disastrous for you. Why not put up with injustice, and let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves injure and cheat your very own brothers. Can you not realize that the unholy will not fall heir to the kingdom of God? Do not deceive yourselves: no fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites, thieves, misers, or drunkards, no slanderers or robbers will inherit God’s kingdom. And such were some of you; but you have been washed, consecrated, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.   

Gospel

Matthew 12: 54-58

At that time, Jesus went to native place and spent his time teaching them in their synagogues. They were filled with amazement, and said to one another, “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary known to be his mother and James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers? Aren’t his sisters our neighbors? Where did he get all this?” They found him altogether too much for them. Jesus said to them, “No prophet is without honor except in his native place, indeed in his own house.” And he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith. 

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

The holy great martyr Marina was born in Antioch of Pisidia in southern Asia Minor into the family of a pagan priest. In her infancy, St. Marina lost her mother, and her father gave her into the care of a nursemaid. The nursemaid raised Marina in the Orthodox Faith. Upon learning that his daughter had become Christian, the father angrily disowned her. During the time of the persecutions against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), when she was fifteen years old, St. Marina was arrested and locked in prison. With firm trust in the will of God and His help, the young prisoner prepared for her impending fate. She was not swayed by the governor who tried to convince her to renounce Christ and marry him, nor was she swayed by the various tortures she suffered. After a Holy Light healed all her injuries, St. Marina was finally executed by beheading along with 15,000 other Confessors for Christ. 

Troparion

Your lamb Marina, O Jesus, cries out in a loud voice: I love You, my Bridegroom; I seek You with longing; I am crucified with You; in Your baptism, I am buried with You; I suffer for You that I may reign with You; I die for You that I  may live with You. Receive me as a spotless sacrifice immolated with love for You. By her prayers, O merciful one, save our souls.

Kontakion

Anointed with the balm of virginity, O virgin Marina, you were crowned with unwilting laurels. You were stained scarlet with a martyr’s blood, and now you are brilliant with miracles of healing. You have received the honors of a martyr’s triumph. 

Epistle

Romans 12: 6-14

Brothers and sisters: We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us. One’s gift may be prophecy; its use should be in proportion to his faith. It may be the gift of ministry; it should be used for service. One who is a teacher should use his gift for teaching; one with the power of exhortation should exhort. He who gives alms should do so generously; he who rules should exercise his authority with care; he who performs works of mercy should do so cheerfully.

Your love must be sincere. Detest what is evil, cling to what is good. Love one another with the affection of brothers. Anticipate each other on showing respect. Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; he whom you serve is the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer. Look on the needs of the saints as your own; be generous in offering hospitality. Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse them. 

Hebrews 13: 7-16

Brothers and sisters: Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching. It is good to have our hearts strengthened by the grace of God and not by foods which are useless to those who take them as a standard for living. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. The bodies of the animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus died outside the gate, to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us go to him outside the camp, bearing the insult which he bore. For here we have no lasting city; we are seeking one which is to come. Through him let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name. Do not neglect good deeds and generosity; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. 

Gospel

Matthew 9: 1-8

At that time Jesus reentered the boat, made the crossing, and came back to his own town. There the people at once brought to him a paralyzed man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” At that some of the scribes said to themselves, “The man blasphemes.” Jesus was aware of what they were thinking and said: “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is less trouble to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? To help you realize the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralyzed man – “Stand up! Roll up your mat, and go home.” The man stood up and went toward his home. At the sight, a feeling of awe came over the crowd, and they praised God for giving such authority to men.

Matthew 5: 14-19

The Lord said to his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. O have come, not to abolish them, but to fulfill them. Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true. That is why whoever breaks the least significant of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of God. Whoever fulfills and teaches these commands shall be great in the kingdom of God.”

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

The holy martyr Athenogenes was the bishop of Sebaste in Cappadocia. Christianity was spreading in Sebaste because of the grace-filled preaching of Bishop Athenogenes. When the governor heard that the citizens of Sebaste refused to participate in a festival for idols, he sent soldiers to arrest St. Athenogenes and his disciples. While in prison, St. Athenogenes encouraged his spiritual children for their impending struggle. Led forth to trial, all the holy martyrs confessed themselves Christians and refused to offer sacrifice to idols. After undergoing fierce tortures, the disciples of the holy bishop were beheaded. After the execution of the disciples, the executioners were ordered to torture the bishop. Strengthened by the Lord, Saint Athenogenes underwent the tortures with dignity. His only request was that he be executed in the monastery. Taken to his own monastery, the saint gave thanks to God, and he rejoiced in the sufferings that he had undergone for Him. St. Athenogenes asked that the Lord would forgive the sins of all those who would remember both him and his disciples. The Lord granted the saint to hear His Voice before death, announcing the promise given to the penitent thief: “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” The hieromartyr willingly bent his neck beneath the sword.

Troparion

The holy Athenogenes offered his ten disciples like a sacrifice to the Lord. The shepherd and his sheep entered the heavenly fold. By their work they vanquished the lies of the pagans. O Christ our God, save your flock from the wolves by the prayer of your martyrs. 

Kontakion

You heeded the word of the Master and laid down your life for your sheep like a good shepherd. Therefore we bless you, O priest-martyr Athenogenes, and we praise your ten disciples who were guided by fear of God and by your teachings. The Master has crowned you as a friend and set you at his right side in glory. Now pray to Him for all of us. 

Epistle

Romans 9: 1-5

Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ: I do not lie. My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit that there is great grief and constant pain in my heart. Indeed, I could even wish to be separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen the Israelites. Theirs were the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law-giving, the worship, and the promises; theirs were the patriarchs, and from them came the Messiah (I speak of his human origins.). Blessed forever be God who is all over! Amen. 

Gospel 

Matthew 9: 18-26

At that time a leader of the synagogue came to Jesus, did him reverence, and said: “My daughter has just died. Please come and lay your hands on her and she will come back to life.” Jesus stood up and followed him, and the disciples did the same. As they were going, a woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years came up from behind Jesus and touched the tassel of his cloak. “If only I can touch his cloak,” she thought, “I shall get well.” Jesus turned around and saw her and said, “Courage daughter! Your faith has restored your health.” That very moment the woman got well.

When Jesus arrived at the synagogue leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a din, he said, “Leave, all of you! The little girl is not dead. She is asleep.” At this they began to ridicule him. When the crowd had been put out he entered and took her by the hand, and the little girl got up. News of this circulated throughout the district. 

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

The holy martyrs Cyricus and Julietta, his mother, were martyred at Caesarea in Cappadocia in the year 304. When they had firmly refused the order of the judge to offer incense to idols, they were cast into the fire. 

The holy great martyr Prince Vladimir, equal to the apostles was baptized Basil at Kiev in Rus’. Son of Prince Svyatoslav, grandson of Igor and Olga, he was pagan for the first part of his life. He sent out envoys to find the religion best suited for his people, and he and his court were baptized in the orthodox faith. He bestowed care in spreading the orthodox faith among the peoples subject to him. Reposed in the year 1015 and was buried in the church of the Tithes. A piece of his holy relics was kept in Holy Wisdom Cathedral, established by his son, Great Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

Troparion – Martyrs

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.

Troparion – St. Vladimir

You were like a merchant seeking a fine pearl as you sat on the throne of the mother of cities, the God-redeemed Kiev. Sending messengers to the capitol in your search for the faith, you discovered the priceless Pearl which is Christ. He chose you in turn as a second Paul. You submitted to the rites of baptism, and the scales of spiritual blindness fell from your eyes. Now your people have come to celebrate your death. Pray for the authorities in the land of Rus’ to be saved.

Kontakion – Martyrs

Carrying Cyricus in her arms, Julietta, the martyr for Christ, bravely cried aloud with joy in the midst of the arena: “It is You, O Lord, who give strength to Your martyrs!”

Kontakion – St. Vladimir

You were like the great apostle Paul. Late in life you gave up the foolish philosophy of idols and became a perfect man through the water of baptism. Now you stand with joy in the court of Christ. We ask you to pray for the land of Rus’ and for the salvation of its authorities. 

Readings for the day

Epistle 

1 Corinthians 4: 5-8

Brothers and sisters: Stop passing judgment before the time of the Lord’s return. Hw will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts. At that time, everyone will receive his praise from God. 

Brothers and sisters, I have applied all this to myself and Apollos by way of example for your benefit. May you learn from us not to go beyond what is set down, so that none of you will grow self-important by reason of his association with one person rather than another. Who confers any distinction on you? Name something you have that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own? At the moment you are completely satisfied. You have grown rich! You have launched upon your reign, that we might be reigning with you!

Gospel

Matthew 13: 44-54

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He hid it again, and rejoicing at his find went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it. 

“The reign of God is also like a dragnet thrown into a lake, which collects all sorts of things. When it was full they hauled it ashore and sat down to put what was worthwhile into containers. What was useless they threw away. That is how it will be at the end of the world. Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace, where they will wail and grind their teeth. 

“Have you understood all this?” “Yes,” they answered; to which Jesus replied, “Every scribe who is learned in the reign of God is like the head of a household who can bring from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from that district. Jesus next went to his native place and spent his time teaching them in their synagogues.

Readings for St. Vladimir

Epistle

Galatians 1: 11-19

Brothers and sisters: I assure you, the gospel I proclaimed to you is no mere human invention. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I schooled in it. It came by revelation from Jesus Christ. You have heard, I know, the story of my former way of life in Judaism. You know that I went to extremes in persecuting the Church of God and tried to destroy it; I made progress in Jewish observance far beyond most of my contemporaries, in my excess of zeal to live out all the traditions of my ancestors.

But the time came when he who had set me apart before I was born and called me by his favor chose to reveal his Son to me, that I might spread among the Gentiles the good tidings concerning him. Immediately, without seeking human advisers or even going to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, I went off to Arabia; later I returned to Damascus. Three years after that I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, with whom I stayed fifteen days. I did not meet any other apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. 

I declare before God that what I have just written is true. Thereafter I entered the regions of Syria and Cilicia. The communities of Christ in Judea had no idea what I looked like; they had only heard that “he who was formerly persecuting us is not preaching the faith he tried to destroy,” and they gave glory to God on my account. 

Gospel

John 10: 1-9 

The Lord said, “Truly I assure you: whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a marauder. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep; the keeper opens the gate for him. The sheep hear his voice as he calls his own by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all those that are his, he walks in front of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger; such a one they will flee, because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Even though Jesus used this figure with them, they did not grasp what he was trying to tell them. He therefore said to them again: “My solemn word is this: I am the sheepgate. All who came before me were thieves and marauders who the sheep did not heed. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture.”

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

The holy apostle Aquila and his wife Prisca or Priscilla, a married couple who were helpers of St. Paul the Apostle. They received the church into their home with hospitality and endangered themselves on St. Paul’s behalf. They are mentioned in 1 Cor. 16:19, in Romans 16: 3-5, and in 2 Tim. 4:19

Troparion

O holy apostle Aquila, intercede with the all-merciful God that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.

Kontakion

The Church has acquired you as a brilliant sun, O glorious Aquila. By the brilliance of your teaching, O apostle of the Lord, you enlighten those who faithfully honor you. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 3: 18-23

Brothers and sisters: Let no one delude himself. If anyone of you thinks he is wise in a worldly way, he had better become a fool. In that way he will really be wise, for the wisdom of this world is absurdity with God. Scripture says, “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows how empty are the thoughts of the wise.” Let there be no boasting about men. All things are yours, whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future; all these are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s. 

Gospel

Matthew 13: 36-43

At that time Jesus dismissed the crowds and went home. His disciples came to him with the request, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Jesus said in answer: “The farmer sowing good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, the good seed the citizens of the kingdom. The weeds are the followers of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, while the harvesters are the angels. Just as weeds are collected to be burned, so will it be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will dispatch his angels to collect from his kingdom all who draw others to apostasy, and all evildoers. The angels will hurl them into the fiery furnace where they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the saints will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let everyone heed what he hears!”

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

The synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel: the primary feast of the Archangel is March 26. On this day is commemorated all his appearances and marvels throughout the history of salvation. This feast was instituted on Mt. Athos in 982. 

Our venerable father Stephen of the Monastery of St. Sabbas, who suffered death  in 784 during the reign of the emperor Severus. He was the nephew of St. John Damascene, and lived the monastic life in the Sabbaite monastery near Jerusalem. 

Our holy father Julian, Bishop of Kenoman at Le Mans, Cenomanus in Latin, in Galia Lugdunesis, a Roman province that is now France. He is considered  the first bishop of that city. 

Troparion – Archangel

O people, with a candlelight assembly let us sing the praises of the leader of heaven’s hosts. He is the servant of light sent from the Light divine to enlighten all who sing with love: O Gabriel, leader of the angels, rejoice with all the power of heaven.

Troparion – Venerable Father

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 Stephen, inspired by God and lyre of the Holy Spirit, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. 

Kontakion – Archangel

Having beheld the glory of God in heaven and having brought grace to earth from on high, save and protect those who sing to you: O prince of angels and wise Gabriel, minister of God’s glory and heavenly defender of the world, always protect us and never abandon us. 

Kontakion – Venerable Father

You sought the very depth of wisdom, O Stephen, and great was your joy when you found that precious pearl. You found understanding in your infirmities, most blessed Stephen.

Readings for the Archangel

Epistle

Hebrews 2: 2-10

Brothers and sisters: If the word spoken through angels stood unchanged, and all transgressions and disobedience received its due punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore a salvation as great as ours? Announced first by the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who had heard him. God then gave witness to it by signs, miracles, varied acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as he willed. 

For he did not make the world to come–that world of which we speak– subject to angels. Somewhere this is testified to, in the passage that says: “What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You made him for a little while a little lower than the angels: you crowned him with glory and honor, and put all things under his feet.” In subjecting all things to him, God left nothing unsubjected. At present we do not see all things thus subject, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death: Jesus, who was made for a little while lower than the angels, that through God’s gracious will he might taste death for the sake of all men. Indeed, it was fitting that when bringing many sons to glory God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make their leader in the work of salvation perfect through suffering.

Gospel 

Luke 10: 16-22

The Lord said to his disciples: “He who hears you, hears me, He who rejects you, rejects me. And he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me.”

The seventy-two disciples returned jubilation saying, “Master, even the demons are subject to us in your name.” Jesus said in reply: “I watched Satan fall from the sky like lightning. See what I have done; I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice so much in the fact that the devils are subject to you as that your names are inscribed in heaven.”

At that moment Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said: “I offer you praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to your merest children. Yes, Father, you have graciously willed it so.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Corinthians 2:9- 3:2

Brothers and sisters: Of wisdom it is written: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.” Yet God has revealed this wisdom to us through the Spirit. The Spirit scrutinizes all matters, even the deep things of God. Who, for example, knows a man’s innermost self but the man’s own spirit within him? Similarly, no one knows what lies at the depths of God but God’s Spirit, helping us to recognize the gifts he has given us. We speak of these, not in words of human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, thus interpreting spiritual things in spiritual terms. The natural man does not accept what is taught by the Spirit of God. For him, that is absurdity. He cannot come to know such teaching because it must be appraised in a spiritual way. The spiritual man, on the other hand, can appraise everything, though he himself can be appraised by no one. For, (Scripture says,), “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Brethren, the trouble was that I could not talk to you as spiritual men but only as men of flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, and did not give you solid food because you were not ready for it. You are not ready for it even now, being still very much in a natural condition. For as long as there are jealousy and quarrels among you, are you not of the flesh? And is not your behavior that of ordinary men? When someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and someone else, “I belong to Apollos,” is it not clear that you are still at the human level?

After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? Simply ministers through whom you became believers, each of them doing only what the Lord assigned him. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. This means that neither he who plants nor he who waters is of any special account, only God, who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters work to the same end. Each will receive his wages in proportion to his toil. 

Gospel

Matthew 13: 31-36

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a mustard seed which someone took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest seed of all, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes so big a shrub that the birds of the sky come and build their nest in its branches.”

Jesus offered them still another image: “The reign of God is like yeast which a woman took and kneaded into three measures of flour. Eventually the whole mass of dough began to rise.” All these lessons Jesus taught the crowds in the form of parables. He spoke to them in parables only, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden since the creation of the world.” Then, dismissing the crowds, Jesus went home.

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

The holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary (Hilarion) were arrested for being Christians during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117). Proclus was the uncle of Hilary. Proclus said to the tortures, “When you are afraid to transgress the Emperor’s commands and risk falling into temporal punishment, how much more do we Christians fear to transgress against God’s commands and fall into eternal torment!”

Our venerable father Michael of Malein was a wealthy man of noble birth who gave away all his goods and became a hermit on Mt. Kyminas in Bithynia. He had many disciples, of whom the best-known is St. Athanasius the Athonite. He lived during the 3rd century. 

Troparion – Martyrs

The angels looked down and were amazed by your sufferings. By your flesh you vanquished the spirit foes, O holy ones, and spread him by the power of the cross. Pray for us in our need, O Proclus and Hilarion, that we too may conquer the enemy and save our souls.

Troparion – Venerable Father

Having soared on mental wings to a vision of God, you left behind all the noises of the world, O blessed saint. You despised all the explanations according to the flesh, but sought the wisdom from on high. You present yourself as a model for all of us, saying; It is a good thing to live with God.

Kontakion – Martyrs

The sufferings of these martyrs shine with the brilliance of miracles like morning stars. Therefore, we celebrate their memory and beg Christ to save our souls.

Kontakion – Venerable Father

O Michael, you purified your flesh with good works, and you plumbed the spirit of mediation. You are clearly revealed to us as a home of the Trinity. O Michael, pray unceasingly for all of us. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

Paul, called by God’s will to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Sosthenes our brother, send greetings to the church of God which is in Corinth; to you who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be a holy people, as to all those who, wherever they may be, call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I continually thank my God for you because of the favor he has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, in whom you have been richly endowed with every gift of speech and knowledge. Likewise, the witness I bore to Christ has been so confirmed among you that you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and it was he who called you to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Gospel

Matthew 13: 24-30

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds through his wheat, and then made off. When the crop began to mature and yield grain, the weeds made their appearance as well. The owner’s slaves came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where are the weeds coming from?’ He answered, ‘I see an enemy’s hand in this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go out and pull the weeds up?’ ‘No,’ he replied, ‘pull up the weeds and you might take the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until the harvest; then at the harvest time I will order the harvesters, ‘First collect the weeds and bundle them up to burn, then gather the wheat into my barn.’”

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

The holy martyr Euphemia the Illustrious was handed over to the beasts after various tortures under the emperor Diolcetian. Her passing is kept on Sept. 16; today is the day that her holy relics confirmed the orthodox faith at the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon.

The passing of Olga, princess of Kiev, baptized Helen, at Kiev in Rus. She was the grandmother of St. Vladimir, the first of the Rurik dynasty to receive baptism. She prepared the way to Christ for all the peoples of Rus. 

Troparion – Euphemia

Lighting your lamp, you loved your Spouse. You were radiant from your virtues, O praiseworthy one, and because of this you pledged yourself to Christ. You received a crown of suffering from Him. From troubles deliver us who venerate your memory in faith, O Euphemia. 

Troparion – Olga 

Raising your mind on the wings of theology, you soared far above visible creation. Seeking the God and Creator of all things being rewarded by finding Him, you were born again to Christ in baptism. Receiving delight from the Tree of Life, you remain incorrupt for all ages, O glorious Olga. 

Kontakion – Euphemia

You took part in the struggle with great valor, defending faith in Christ your beloved Savior. Through the powerful intercession of the Mother of God, intercede with Christ that He may wipe out all false teachings and humiliate the pride of the enemy. From the six hundred and thirty Fathers of the Council, you have received the definition of the faith and preserved it faithfully, O Euphemia worthy of all praise. 

Kontakion – Olga

Let us sing hymns to the Benefactor of the world who exalted the God-wise Olga in the land of Rus. May He forgive our sins by her prayers. 

Readings for Euphemia

Epistle

2nd Corinthians 6: 1-10

Brothers and sisters: As your fellow workers we beg you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you; on a day of salvation I have helped you.” Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! We avoid giving anyone offense, so that our ministry may not be blamed. On the contrary, in all that we do we strive to present ourselves as ministers of God, acting with patient endurance amid trials, difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, and riots; as men familiar with hard work, sleepless nights, and fastings; conducting ourselves with innocence, knowledge, and patience, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love as men with the message of truth and the power of God; wielding the weapons of righteousness with right hand and left, whether honored or dishonored, spoken of well or ill. We are called imposters, yet we are truthful; nobodies who in fact are well known; dead, yet here we are alive; punished, but not put to death; sorrowful, though we are always rejoicing; poor, yet we enrich many. We seem to have nothing, yet everything is ours! 

Gospel

Luke 7: 36-50

At that time there was a certain Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine with him. Jesus went to the Pharisee’s home and reclined to eat. A woman known in the town to be a sinner learned that he was dining in the Pharisee’s home. She brought in a vase of perfumed oil and stood behind him at his feet, weeping so that her tears fell upon his feet. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissing them and perfuming them with the oil. When his host, the Pharisee, saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet he would know who and what sort of woman this is that touched him–that she is a sinner.” In answer to his thoughts, Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to propose to you.” “Teacher,” he said, “speak.”

Jesus said, “Two men owed money to a certain money-lender; one owed a total of five hundred coins, the other fifty. Since neither was able to repay, he wrote off both debts. Which of them was more grateful to him?” Simon answered, “He, I presume, to whom he remitted the larger sum.” Jesus said to him, “You are right.”

Turning then to the woman, Jesus said to Simon: “You see this woman? I came to your home and you provided me with no water for my feet. She has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since I entered. You did not anoint my feet with perfume. I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven–because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small.”

Jesus said to her then, “Your sins are forgiven”; at which his fellow guests began to ask among themselves, “Who is this that he even forgives sins?” Meanwhile Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has been your salvation. Now go in peace.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

Romans 16: 17-27

Brothers and sisters, I beg you to be on the watch against those who cause dissension and scandal, contrary to the teachings you have received. Avoid their company. Some men serve, not Christ our Lord, but their own bellies, and they deceive the simpleminded with smooth and flattering speech. Your obedience is known to all, and so I am delighted with you. I want you to be wise in regard to what is good and innocent of all evil. Then the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings; so, too, do my kinsmen Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater. I, Tertius, who have written this letter, send you my greetings in the Lord. Greetings also from Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus wish to be remembered to you. 

Now to him who is able to strengthen you in the gospel which I proclaim when I preach Jesus Christ, the gospel which reveals the mystery hidden for many ages but now manifested through the writings of the prophets, and, at the command of the eternal God, made known to all the Gentiles that they may believe and obey – to him, the God who alone is wise, may glory be given through Jesus Christ into endless ages. Amen. 

Gospel

Matthew 13: 10-23

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He answered: “To you has been given a knowledge of the mysteries of the reign of God, but it has not been given to the others. To the man who has, more will be given until he grows rich; the man who has not, will lose what little he has.

“I use parables when I speak to them because they look but do not see, they listen but do not hear or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them which says: ‘Listen as you will, you shall not understand, look intently as you will, you will not see. Sluggish indeed is this people’s heart. They have scarcely heard with their ears, they have firmly closed their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back to me, and I should heal them.’

(Jesus continued) “But blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear. I assure you, many a prophet and many a saint longed to see what you see but did not see it, to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

“Mark well, then, the parable of the sower. The seed along the path is the man who hears the message about God’s reign without understanding it. The evil one approaches him to steal away what was sown in his mind, .The seed that fell on patches of rock is the man who hears the message and at first receives it with joy. But he has no roots, so he lasts only for a time. When some setback or persecution involving the message occurs, he soon falters. What was sown among briers is the man who hears the message, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of money choke it off. Such a one produces no yield. But what was sown on good soil is the man who hears the message and takes it in. He it is who bears a yield of a hundred- or sixty – or thirtyfold.” 

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