Jan. 6 The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ

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

 

Troparion

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

 

Kontakion

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

 

Epistle

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

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

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

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

 

Gospel

Matthew 3: 13-17

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

 

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

 

Jan. 5 The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona; Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt; The Holy Prophet Micah

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

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

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

 

Troparion – Holy Martyrs

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

 

Troparion – Syncletica

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

 

Kontakion – Holy Martyrs

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

 

Kontakion – Syncletica

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

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 9: 19-27

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

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

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

 

Gospel

Luke 3: 1-18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan. 4 Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus

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

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

 

Troparion – Apostles

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

 

Troparion – Theoctistus

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

 

Kontakion – Apostles

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

 

Kontakion – Theoctistus

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

 

Epistle

Romans 8: 8-14

Brethren: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, while the spirit lives because of justice. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also, through his Spirit dwelling in you. 

We are debtors, then, my brothers – but not to the flesh, so that we should live according to the flesh. If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the spirit you put to death evil deeds of the body, you will live. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

 

Gospel

Luke 10: 1-15

At that time the Lord appointed a further seventy-two and sent them in pairs before him to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them: “The harvest is rich but the workers are few; therefore, ask the harvest-master to send workers to his harvest. Be on your way, and remember: I am sending you as lambs in the midst of wolves. Do not carry a walking staff or traveling bag; wear no sandals and greet no one along the way. On entering any house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If there is a peaceable man there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the one house eating and drinking what they have, for the laborer is worth his wage. Do not move from house to house.

“Into whatever city you go, after they welcome you, eat what they set before you, and cure the sick there. Say to them, ‘The reign of God is at hand.’ If the people of any town you enter do not welcome you, go into its streets and say, ‘We shake the dust of this town from our feet as testimony against you. But know that the reign of God is near.’ I assure you, on that day the fate of Sodom will be less severe than that of such a town. It will go ill with you, Chorazin! And just as ill with you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in your midst had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have reformed in sackcloth and ashes. It will go easier on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Are you to be exalted to the skies? You shall be hurled down to the realm of death!’”

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

Jan. 3 The Holy Prophet Malachi; The Holy Martyr Gordius

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

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

 

Troparion – Malachi

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

 

Troparion – Gordius

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

 

Kontakion – Malachi

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

 

Kontakion – Gordius

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

 

Epistle

2nd Timothy 4: 5-8

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

 

Gospel

Mark 1: 1-18

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

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

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

Jan. 2 Our Holy Father Sylvester, Pope of Rome 

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

 

Troparion

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

 

Kontakion

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

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5

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

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

 

Gospel

Matthew 3: 1-11

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

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

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

 

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

 

Jan. 1 The Circumcision of Our Lord and the Commemoration Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia

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

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

 

Troparion – Circumcision

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

 

Troparion – Basil

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

 

Kontakion – Circumcision

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

 

Kontakion – Basil

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

 

Readings for the Circumcision

Epistle

Colossians 2: 8-12

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

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

 

Gospel 

Luke 2: 20-21 & 40-52

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

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

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

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

 

Readings for St. Basil

Epistle 

Hebrews 7: 26 thru 8: 2

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

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

 

Gospel 

Luke 6:17-23

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

 

 

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

 

 

Dec. 31 Our Venerable Mother Melany of Rome

Our venerable mother Melany the Younger of Rome set out with her husband, St. Pinianus, for the Holy City of Jerusalem in the 5th century. There she lived among the women consecrated to God and her husband among the monks. They practiced the religious life and both came to rest in a holy death. 

 

Troparion

You loved the purity of virginity and supplicated your Beloved with gracious words. You spent your fortunes for the monks and nuns, and you even built them monasteries, O blessed Melany. Now that you have retired to a heavenly monastery, do not forget us.

 

Kontakion

Your soul shone with light from the One born for us of the Virgin, and you sparkled with all the virtues, for you are worthy of all praise. You shared your worldly wealth with those on earth and stored for yourself treasures in heaven, becoming a marvelous example of ascetical life. Therefore, O holy Melany, we honor you with love.

 

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 

Matthew 2: 13-23

At that time, after the astrologers from the east had left, the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command: “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up and took the child and his mother and left that night for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

Once Herod realized that he had been deceived by the astrologers, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and its environs, making his calculations on the basis of the date he had learned from the astrologers. What was said through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation: Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are no more.”

But after Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt with the command: “Get up, take the child and his mother, and set out for the land of Israel. Those who had designs on the life of the child are dead.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and returned to the land of Israel. He heard, however, that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, and he was afraid to go back there. Instead, because of a warning he received in a dream, Joseph went to the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way what was said through the prophets was fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazorean.”

 

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

 

Sunday Bulletin 12/31/23

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Christos Rozdajetsja!  Slavite Jeho!

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Dec. 30  –  Saturday after Christmas

5:00 PM        Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy 

Sunday, Dec. 31  –  Sunday after Christmas / Sunday of David, Joseph, and James

8:30 AM        Matins

9:30 AM        Divine Liturgy

Monday, Jan. 1  –  Circumcision of Our Lord

11:30 AM        Divine Liturgy for Circumcision with Romanian Community

5:30 PM        *Akathist for those suffering Addiction & Mental Illness

Wednesday, Jan. 3  –  Malachai, Prophet

6:30 PM        Reader Vespers

7:30 PM        Fire Pit Social

Friday, Jan. 5  –  Theopempt & Theona, Martyrs   

6:00 PM        Vesper-Liturgy and the Blessing of Jordan Water

Saturday, Jan.  6  –  The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ

10:00 AM Santa Paula Outreach Matins for Theophany

5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy 

Sunday, Jan. 7  –  Sunday after the Theophany

8:30 AM         Matins

9:30 AM         Divine Liturgy   

*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing neimirick@gmail.com

MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE

St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment

Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment

PRAYER REQUESTS

(Please submit or resubmit names to admin@byzantineLA.com)

Please remember the following people in your prayers: The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirely Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s

 

Circumcision and Naming of our Lord (January 1)

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (2:10). Christians have always believed that the name of Jesus is a powerful one, but many are not familiar with the meaning behind it. What does the name mean? Where did it come from?

First of all, the name “Jesus” is one that was divinely given through the angelic message of Gabriel to Mary: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Out of all the names he could have chosen, God chose that name for a reason.

The Catholic Encyclopedia states, “The word Jesus is the Latin form of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Jehoshua, meaning ‘[God] is salvation.’”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church adds, “Jesus means in Hebrew: ‘God saves.’ At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission.”

The name was a popular one in the Old Testament and during the time of Jesus’ birth. It is closely related to the name “Joshua.” For this reason the Old Testament figure of Joshua is often seen as a prefigurement of Jesus, who now leads the people of God into the true Promised Land.

According to some ancient sources, “The Greek name is connected with the verb iasthai, to heal; it is therefore, not surprising that some of the Greek Fathers allied the word Jesus with the same root.”

In the end, it is a powerful name, one that summarizes who Jesus was and what he came to do on earth.

The name “Jesus” signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke his name, for Jesus united himself to all men through his Incarnation, so that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (CCC 432).       

from https://aleteia.org/2018/01/03/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean/

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner

 

“Out of Egypt I have called my son.” The righteous Joseph the betrothed was faithful to his calling, protecting Jesus and the Theotokos by journeying to Egypt and returning to Nazareth. Our Lord calls each one of us out of the spiritual Egypt of our lives so that we may live in the promised land meant for our lives. Is he calling you to a life of holy orders or monasticism?  Contact the Vocations 

Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org 

Dec. 30 The Martyr Anysia; The Venerable Zoticus, Priest and Protector of Orphans

The holy martyr Anysia was arrested at Thessalonica when she entered that city to attend the synaxis of the faithful, and was put to death in 304 during the reign of Maximian Galerius.

The venerable Zoticus was a holy priest of Rome who went to Constantinople where he established hospitals and havens of refuge for the poor. (344)

 

Troparion – Anysia

Your lamb Anysia, O Jesus, cries out in a loud voice:  I love You, my Bridegroom; I seek You with painful longing; I am crucified with You; in You baptism, I am buried with You; I suffer for You that I may reign with You; and 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. 

 

Troparion – Zoticus

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

 

Kontakion – Anysia

Today this martyr smashes the demon by her steadfast faith and grinds to bits the enemy of holiness by martyrdom. The angels bring her crowns and gifts. O God on high and Savior of the world, save us. 

 

Kontakion – Zoticus

You loved the poor for the love of Christ, and you gave them aid and comfort. Now you have inherited heaven’s wealth, O most-wealthy Zoticus. This is why we all venerate you and solemnly celebrate your memory. 

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 6: 11b-16

Brothers and sisters: Seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and a gentle spirit. Fight the good fight of faith. Take firm hold on the everlasting life to which you were called when, in the presence of many witnesses, you made your noble profession of faith. Before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who in bearing witness made his noble profession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep God’s command without blame or reproach until our Lord Jesus Christ shall appear. This appearance God will bring to pass at his chosen time. He is the blessed and only ruler, the King of king and the Lord of lords who alone has immortality and who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no human being has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and everlasting rule! Amen. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 12: 15-21

Jesus was aware of the Pharisees’ plot to destroy him so he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him and he cured them all, though he sternly ordered them not to make public what he had done. This was to fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my loved one in whom I delight. I will endow him with my spirit and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will his voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed he will not crush; the smoldering wick he will not quench until judgment is made victorious. In his name, the Gentiles will find hope.”

 

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

Dec. 29 The Holy Innocents; Our Venerable Father Marcellus, Hegumen of the Akimetes

The holy innocents killed for Christ by Herod in Bethlehem of Judea: the impious king did this in the expectation that, with them, the infant Jesus would perish. They have been honored as martyrs from the first ages of the Church, the first-fruits of all who would pour out their blood for God and the Lamb.

Our venerable father Marcellus, hegumen of the Akimetes (the “non-sleeping ones”) fell asleep in the Lord on the Bosporus in Constantinople in 486. Day and night, without any interruption ever, he carried out the singing of psalms.

 

Troparion

O Lord who loves mankind, accept the sufferings which Your saints endured for You. As we pray, heal all our pains.

 

Troparion – Marcellus

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

 

Kontakion – Holy Innocents

When the King was born in Bethlehem, wise men from Persia came bringing gifts. They were led by the brilliant star. But Herod became exceedingly agitated, and had the infants harvested like lamenting wheat, for he sees his power suddenly coming to an end.

 

Kontakion – Marcellus

You rose in the East shining like a radiant star, O all-blessed Marcellus, and you edified with good deeds. You were a teacher to many monks, O venerable one. Therefore, you were a light to the imperial city. For this we sing to you: rejoice, O all-blessed father.

 

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 nor 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 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