The holy wonderworker and unmercenary Cyrus was a noted physician in the city of Alexandria, where he had been born and raised. He was a Christian and he treated the sick without charge. Preaching the gospel, the holy physician converted many pagans to Christ. During the persecution of Diocletian (284-305), St. Cyrus withdrew into Arabia, where he became a monk. He continued to heal people by his prayer, having received from God the gift to heal every sickness.

In the city of Edessa at this time lived a soldier, the holy wonderworker and unmercenary John, a pious Christian. When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and there he heard about St. Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When St. John finally found St. Cyrus, he remained with him and became his faithful follower. After helping the Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters, Theoctiste, Theodota, and Eudoxia, they were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.

Troparion

The grace of the trinity settled in your pure hearts, most blessed Cyrus and John. You have become marvelous exorcists of impure spirits. You were doctors over hidden and visible illnesses. Now that you stand before God, heal our spiritual diseases by your unceasing prayers.

Kontakion

Receiving the gift of miracles from divine grace, you work all sorts of wonders, O holy ones. By your invisible labors you uproot all our passions, for you our heavenly doctors, O God-wise Cyrus! O glorious John!

Epistle 

1 Peter 1: 1-2, 10-12; 2: 6-10

Peter, and apostle to Jesus Christ, to those who live as strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Sithynia; to men chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, consecrated by the Spirit to a life of obedience to Jesus Christ and purification with his blood. Favor and peace be yours in abundance. 

This is the salvation which the prophets carefully searched out and examined. They prophesied the divine favor that was destined to be yours. They investigated the times and the circumstances which the Spirit of Christ within them was pointing to, for he predicted the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories that would follow. They knew by revelation that they were providing, not for themselves but for you, what has now been proclaimed to you by those who preach the gospel to you, in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these matters angels long to search. 

For Scripture has it: “See, I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, an approved stone, and precious. He who puts his faith in it shall not be shaken.” The stone is of value for you who have faith. For those without faith, it is rather, [as Scripture also says] “A stone which the builders rejected that became a cornerstone.”

It is likewise “an obstacle and a stumbling stone.” Those who stumble and fall are the disbelievers in God’s word; it belongs to their destiny to do so. You, however, are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he claims for his own to proclaim the glorious works” of the One who called you from darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people; once there was no mercy for you, but now you have found mercy.

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

The three Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom: All three of these saints have their own feast days. This celebration began in 1100 in the days of the Emperor Alexis Comnenus. A great quarrel arose in Constantinople as to which of these three was the greatest theologian. They appeared in a dream to Patriarch John and told him that they were equal before God, and each had his special gifts and talents. John chose Jan. 30 to commemorate all three of them together, and composed the office.

Troparion

O teachers of the universe, equal to the apostles, pray to the Lord of all to grant peace to the world and abundant mercy to our souls. 

Kontakion

O Lord, You have received your priestly and inspired preachers, the crown of your teachers, into the enjoyment of your goodness and repose. You accepted their labors and death above any other sacrifice, for only You can glorify your saints. 

Readings for the saints

Epistle

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 priests 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 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

Mathew 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. I have come, not to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 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.“

Readings for the day

Epistle 

James 4:7 – 5:9

Brothers and sisters: Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders. Begin to lament, to mourn, and to weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into sorrow. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.

Do not, my brothers and sisters, speak ill of one another. The one who speaks ill of his brother or judges his brother is speaking against the law. It is the law he judges. If, however, you judge the law you are no observer of the law, you are its judge. There is but one Lawgiver and Judge, one who can save and destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbor?

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we shall go to such and such a town, spend a year there, trade, and come off with a profit!” You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes. Instead of saying, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that,” all you can do is make arrogant and pretentious claims. All such boasting is reprehensible. When a man knows the right thing to do and does not do it, he sins. 

As for you, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted, your fine wardrobe has grown moth-eaten, your gold and silver has corroded, and their corrosion shall be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. See what you have stored up for yourselves against the last days. Here, crying aloud, are the wages you withheld from the farmhands who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You lived in wanton luxury on the earth; you fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You condemned, even killed, the just man; he does not resist you.

Be patient, therefore, my brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil. He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, my brothers and sisters, lest you be condemned. See! The judge stands at the gate. 

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

The translation of the Relics of the Holy Priest Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch: Ignatius was martyred in Rome at the beginning of the second century. His remains were later translated to Antioch, his birthplace and his episcopate. During the invasion of the Persians, the relics were once again taken from Antioch to Rome in the 6th century. 

Troparion

Having offered yourself as a sanctified gift to God, you were thrown to the ravenous animals. You received the crown of victory from God for this. Save those who honor you as a pastor for Christ. A teacher and a companion of martyrs.

Kontakion

Rising in the east today and enlightening all the world by your teachings, you were graced with martyrdom, O heavenly Ignatius. 

Readings for the saint

Epistle

Hebrews 4:14 – 5:6

Brothers and sisters: Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our profession of faith. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of need.

Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with erring sinners, for he himself is beset by weakness and so must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. One does not take this honor on his own initiative, but only when called by God as Aaron was. Even Christ did not glorify himself with the office of high priest; he received it from the One who said to him, “You are my son; today I have begotten you”; just as he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, designated by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel

Mark 9: 33-41

At that time Jesus and his disciples returned to Capernaum and Jesus, once inside the house, began to ask them, “What were you discussing on the way home?” At this they fell silent, for on the way they had been arguing about who was most important. So he sat down and called the Twelve around him and said, “If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all.” Then he took a little child, stood him in their midst, and putting his arms around the child, said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child such as this for my sake welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes, not me, but him who sent me.”

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we tried to stop him because he was not of our company.” Jesus said in reply: “Do not try to stop him. No man who performs a miracle using my name can at the same time speak ill of me. Anyone who is not against us is with us. Any man who gives you a drink of water because you belong to Christ will not, I assure you, go without his reward.”  

Readings for the day

Epistle

James 3:11 – 4:6

Brothers and sisters: Does a spring gush forth fresh water and foul from the same outlet? A fig tree, brothers and sisters, cannot produce olives, or a grapevine figs; no more can a brackish source yield fresh water.

If one of you is wise and understanding, let him show this in practice through a humility filled with good sense. Should you instead nurse bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, at least refrain from arrogant and false claims against the truth. Wisdom like this does not come from above. It is earthbound, a kind of animal, even devilish, cunning. Where there are jealousy and strife, there also are inconstancy and all kinds of vile behavior. Wisdom from above, by contrast, is first of all innocent. It is peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy, and kindly in deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate? Is it not your inner cravings that make you war within your members? What you desire you do not obtain, and so you resort to murder. You envy and you cannot acquire, so you quarrel and fight. You do not obtain because you do not ask. You ask and you do not receive because you ask wrongly, with a view to squandering what you receive on your pleasures. O you unfaithful ones, are you not aware that love of the world is enmity to God? A man is marked out as God’s enemy if he chooses to be the world’s friend. Do you suppose it is to no purpose that Scripture says, “The spirit he has implanted in us tends toward jealousy”? Yet he bestows a greater gift, for the sake of which it is written, “God resists the proud but bestows his favor on the lowly.”

Gospel

Mark 11: 22-25

The Lord said to his disciples, “Put your trust in God. I solemnly assure you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no inner doubts but believes that what he says will happen, shall have it done for him. I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your faults.”

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

Our venerable father Ephrem the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh, who, first in his own hometown of Nisibis, exercised the office of preaching and of handing on holy teaching. Then, when the Persians invaded Nisibis, he fled with his disciples to Edessa in Syria, where he set down the fundamentals of a school of theology, fulfilling his ministry by his words and writings. So striking is the austerity of his life and clarity of his teachings that from the exquisite hymns he composed he has deserved to be called the harp of the Holy Spirit. 

Troparion

Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom, and your suffering made your labors fruitful a hundredfold; you became a shining torch over the world. O venerable father Ephrem, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

Ever conscious of the hour of judgment, you shed tears of bitter lament, O Ephrem. Your activity embraced the life of silence which you loved so dearly. By your actions you have taught us. You have spurred the lazy to repentance. 

Readings for Ephrem

Epistle

Galatians 5:22 – 6:2

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

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

Gospel

Matthew 11: 27-30

The Lord said to his disciples: “Everything has been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son– and anyone whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.” 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” 

Readings for the day

Epistle 

James 3: 1-10

Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers; you should realize that those of us who do so will be called to the stricter account. All of us fall short in many respects. If a person is without fault in speech he is a man in the fullest sense, because he can control his entire body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, guide the rest of their bodies. It is the same with ships: however large they are, and despite the fact that they are driven by fierce winds, they are directed by very small rudders on whatever course the steerman’s impulse may select. The tongue is something like that. It is a small member, yet it makes great pretensions.

See how tiny the spark is that sets a huge forest ablaze! The tongue is such a flame. It exists among our members as a whole universe of malice. The tongue defiles the entire body. Its flames encircle our course from birth, and its fire is kindled by hell. Every form of life, four-footed or winged, crawling or swimming, can be tamed, and has been tamed, by mankind; the tongue no man can tame. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We use it to say, “Praised be the Lord and Father”; then we use it to curse men, though they are made in the likeness of God. Blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. This ought not to be, my brothers and sisters!

Gospel 

Mark 11: 11-24

At that time Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple precincts. He inspected everything there, but since it was already late in the afternoon, he went out to Bethany accompanied by the Twelve. The next day when they were leaving Bethany he felt hungry. Observing a fig tree some distance off, covered with foliage, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. Then addressing it he said, “Never again shall anyone eat of your fruit!” His disciples heard all this. 

When they reached Jerusalem he entered the temple precincts and began to drive out those who were engaged in buying and selling. He overturned the money-changers’ tables and the stall of the men selling doves; moreover, he would not permit anyone to carry things through the temple area. 

Then he began to teach them: “Does not Scripture have it, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have turned it into a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes heard of this and began to look for a way to destroy him. They were at the same time afraid of him because the whole crowd was under the spell of his teaching. When evening drew on, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. Early next morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered up.” In reply Jesus told them: “Put your trust in God. I solemnly assure you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no inner doubts but believes that what he says will happen, shall have it done for him. I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you.”

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

The Translation of the Precious Relics of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom. In the year 438, thirty-three years after the death of St. John Chrysostom in Coman of Armenia, his relics were transferred to his episcopal see of Constantinople. 

Troparion

The holy church sings praise and the world rejoices. How joyful is the transfer of your sacred relics, O venerable pastor, John Chrysostom. You lived among pastors in holiness and became a martyr in your yearning. We therefore sing to you: O martyr and companion of pastors, beg Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion

The Church of Constantinople rejoiced greatly because of the transfer of your holy relics and she kept them as a treasure of great price. Through your intercession, these same remains convey the grace of healing upon those who sing to you a hymn of praise, O most glorious John Chrysostom.

Epistle

Hebrews 7: 26- 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 the 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 priests 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 men, but by the Lord.

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 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 whom 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.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

James 2: 14-26

Brothers and sisters, what good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them, “Goodbye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed,” but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless.

To such a person one might say, “You have faith and I have work– is that it?” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you the faith that underlies my works! Do you believe that God is one? You are quite right. The demons believe that, and shudder. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that without works faith is idle? Was not our father Abraham justified by his works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? There you see proof that faith was both assisting his works and implemented by his works. You also see how the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as justice”: for this he received the title “God’s friend.”

You must perceive that a person is justified by his works and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot will illustrate the point. Was she not justified by her works when she harbored the messengers and sent them out by a different route? Be assured, then, that faith without works is as dead as a body without breath. 

Gospel

Mark 10: 46-52

At that time as Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, there was a blind beggar Bartimaeus sitting by the roadside. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Many people were scolding him to make him keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and said, “Call him over.” So they called the blind man over, telling him as they did so, “You have nothing to fear from him! Get up! He is calling you!” He threw aside his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabboni,” the blind man said, “I want to see.” Jesus said in reply, “Be on your way! Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and started to follow Jesus on the road.

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

Our venerable father Xenophan and his wife Mary. Xenophan was a senator in Constantinople, where he led a holy Christian life with his wife Mary and their two sons, Arcadius and John. On their way to Phoenicia to study, the young men were shipwrecked and barely managed to escape with their lives. The parents set out to find them, and, on discovering them in a monastery in Jerusalem, they too entered the monastic life, equal to one another in the ardor of their souls.

Troparion

O God of our ancestors, You always deal with us according to your everlasting compassion, take not your mercy away from us; but through the prayers of our ancestors, guide our lives along the ways of peace. 

Kontakion

You were attentive to the commandments of the Master, distributing your wealth secretly to the poor, O blessed one, with your wife and children. Therefore, you dwell in the divine paradise.

Epistle

2nd Corinthians 6:16- 7:1

Brothers and sisters: You are the temple of the living God, just as God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and separate yourselves from them.’ says the Lord; ‘and touch nothing unclean. I will welcome you and be a father to you and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Since we have these promises, beloved, let up purify ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and in the fear of God strive to fulfill consecration perfectly. 

Gospel

Matthew 15: 21-28

At that time Jesus left that place and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. It happened that a Canaanite woman living in that locality presented herself, crying out to him, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is terribly troubled by a demon.” He gave her no word of response. His disciples came up and began to entreat him, “Get rid of her. She keeps shouting after us.” Jesus replied, “My mission is only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” She came forward then and did him homage with the plea, “Help me Lord!” But he answered, “It is not right to take the food of sons and daughters and throw it to the dogs.” “Please, Lord,” she insisted, “even the dogs eat the leavings that fall from their masters’ tables.” Jesus then said in reply, “Woman, you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass.” That very moment her daughter got better.

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

Our holy father Gregory the Theologian, archbishop of Constantinople, the friend of St. Basil; bishop of Sebaste, and then Constantinople, and finally Nazianzus. He defended the divinity of the Word with great ardor, for which reason he is also named “the Theologian.” During his time as patriarch of Constantinople, he presided over the Second Ecumenical Council in 381.

Troparion

The sweet melody of your theological teachings has overcome the noisy blasts of orators. For God has granted you the power of penetrating spiritual depths and the gift of brilliant literary talent. Gregory, our father, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

O glorious Gregory, your theological knowledge has solved the problems raised by orators. You have robed the Church with true theology inspired from on high. The Church puts on this robe and cries out with us, your children: Rejoice, O father, whose theological knowledge is so great.

Readings for Gregory

Epistle

1st Corinthians 12: 7-11

Brothers and sisters: To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one the Spirit gives wisdom in discourse, to another the power to express knowledge. Through the Spirit one receives faith; by the same Spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another miraculous powers. Prophecy is given to one; to another power to distinguish one spirit from another. One receives the gift of tongues, another that of interpreting the tongues. But it is one and the same Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills.

Gospel

John 10: 9-16

The Lord said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his own life for the sheep. The hired hand– who is no shepherd now owner of the sheep– catches sight of the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf. That is because he works for pay; he has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father; for these sheep I will give my life. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Corinthians 14: 20-25

Brothers and sisters, do not be childish in your outlook. Be like children as far as evil is concerned, but in mind be mature. It is written in the law, “In strange tongues and in alien speech I will speak to this people, and even so they will not heed me, says the Lord.” The gift of tongues is a sign, not for those who believe but for those who do not believe, while prophecy is not for those who are without faith but for those who have faith. If the uninitiated or unbelievers should come in when the whole church is assembled and everyone is speaking in tongues, would they not say you are out of your minds? But if an unbeliever or an uninitiate enters while all are uttering prophecy, he will be taken to task by all and called to account by all, and the secret of his heart will be laid bare. Falling prostrate, he will worship God, crying out, “God is truly among you.”

Gospel

Matthew 25: 1-13

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God can be likened to ten brides-maids who took their torches and went out to welcome the groom. Five of them were foolish, while the other five were sensible. The foolish ones, in taking their torches, brought no oil along, but the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their torches. The groom delayed his arrival, so they all began to nod, then to fall asleep. At midnight someone shouted, ‘The groom is here! Come out and greet him!’ At the outcry all the virgins woke up and got their torches ready. The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our torches are going out.’ But the sensible ones replied, ‘No, there may not be enough for you and us. You had better go to the dealers and buy yourselves some.’ While they went off to buy it the groom arrived, and the ones who were ready went in to the wedding with him. Then the door was barred. Later the other bridesmaids came back. ‘Master, master!’ they cried. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he answered, ‘I tell you, I do not know you.’ The moral is: keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour [when the Son of Man will come.]”

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

Our venerable mother Xenia was of a noble and famous Roman family. As her parents were planning her marriage, she escaped from her bridegroom and fled with two handmaidens to Alexandria for refuge. There she founded a convent for virgins, where she lived an ascetic life until her death in the year 450. At the time of her death, a sign appeared over the convent: a wreath of stars  with a cross in the center, brighter than the sun. Many who were sick received healing from her relics. Her handmaidens, who also became nuns, continued in the example of their abbess. When they died, they were buried at the feet of Blessed Xenia as was their wish. 

Troparion

In you, O venerable mother Xenia, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

Kontakion

Commemorating your marvelous life, O Xenia, we honor you with fervor, singing hymn in praise of Christ who gave you the power of miracles. Intercede with Him constantly for all of us.  

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

The holy martyr Clement, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Ancrya, lived in exile for 28 years under several persecutors and died by the sword in the year 296.

The holy martyr Agathangel suffered death also in the reign of emperors Maximian and Diocletian.

Troparion

 O most holy Clement, you are a vineyard of holiness for the faithful, a rod of valiance, a flower of purity, and a fruit of great delight that God has granted. Since you struggled together with the martyrs and to the dignity of a bishop, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. 

Kontakion

O Clement worthy of all praise, you became a precious vine and a noble conqueror in Christ’s vineyard. At the time of your martyrdom you cried out with your companion: O Christ our God, You are the delight of martyrs.

Readings for Clement

Epistle

Philippians 3:20- 4:3

Brothers and sisters: As you well know, we have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will give new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of his glorified body, by his power to subject everything to himself. 

For this reason, my brothers and sisters, you whom I so love and long for, you who are my joy and my crown, my dear ones, to stand firm in the Lord. I plead with Evodia just as I do with Syntyche: come to some mutual understanding in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, too, my dependable fellow worker, to go to their aid; they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and the others who have labored with me, whose names are in the book of life. 

Gospel

Luke 12: 32-40

The Lord said, “Do not live in fear, little flock. It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.  Sell what you have and give alms. Get purses for yourselves that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure with the Lord which no thief comes near nor any moth destroys. Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.

“Let your belts be fastened around your waists and your lamps be burning ready. Be like men awaiting their master’s return from a wedding, so that when he arrives and knocks, you will open for him without delay. It will go well with those servants whom the master finds wide-awake on his return. I tell you, he will put on an apron, seat them at table, and proceed to wait on them. Should he happen to come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them. You know as well as I that if the head of the house knew when the thief was coming he would not let him break into his house. Be on guard, therefore, The Son of Man will come when you least expect him.”

Readings for the day

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