…the devil, who hates and envies what is good, could not endure to see such a resolution in a youth, but endeavored to carry out against him what he had been wont to effect against others. First of all he tried to lead him away from the discipline, whispering to him the remembrance of his wealth, care for his sister, claims of kindred, love of money, love of glory, the various pleasures of the table and the other relaxations of life, and at last the difficulty of virtue and the labour of it; he suggested also the infirmity of the body and the length of the time. In a word he raised in his mind a great dust of debate, wishing to debar him from his settled purpose. But when the enemy saw himself to be too weak for Antony’s determination, and that he rather was conquered by the other’s firmness, overthrown by his great faith and falling through his constant prayers, then at length putting his trust in the weapons which are ‘in the navel of his belly’ and boasting in them — for they are his first snare for the young — he attacked the young man, disturbing him by night and harassing him by day, so that even the onlookers saw the struggle which was going on between them. The one would suggest foul thoughts and the other counter them with prayers: the one fire him with lust, the other, as one who seemed to blush, fortify his body with faith, prayers, and fasting…All this was a source of shame to his foe. For he, deeming himself like God, was now mocked by a young man; and he who boasted himself against flesh and blood was being put to flight by a man in the flesh. For the Lord was working with Antony — the Lord who for our sake took flesh and gave the body victory over the devil, so that all who truly fight can say ‘not I but the grace of God which was with me.’ (1 Corinthians 15:10)
(This document was sent to the clergy of the Eparchy of Phoenix as a pdf. If you find any typos it is because of an error is the process of exporting the document to this format. Please let Father Michael know if you have any concerns)
My dear friends, the secular news media has produced a torrent of false and misleading stories with headlines saying that the Catholic Church now allows blessing of strange and exotic unions. We need to step back from the publicity and read what the document actually says, and take stock of what we believe and what the Church, the Body of Christ, teaches. It is a good opportunity to remind people of the danger of getting their knowledge of the Faith from the secular news media.
BLESSINGS
Anyone can bless. I know men who bless their children each night before bedtime with a fatherly blessing. On the other hand, a liturgical blessing, or a priestly blessing, is a corporate act by the Church, the Body of Christ.
As priests, we can give a priestly blessing to anyone who asks, and we are blessing the person who asks, a person made in the image and likeness of God with an immortal soul; we are not approving of every past or future acton of the person. Many words have conflated meanings which leads to confusion. I myself have never understood how the word “sanction” can mean approve and disapprove at the same time. When someone is sanctioned we have to guess from the context whether it means punished or approved. So too, the word bless has come to mean approve in some contexts, and other things as well. A priestly blessing is not always an approval. A priestly blessing is not actually from the priest, but is a request to almighty God to bless someone or something. As such, it is implicit that all persons and things in this world are contaminated by the sin of Adam and his descendants and are in need of God’s mercy and healing.
One of the beautiful things about our Liturgy is that it always makes clear that God blesses. When someone says, “Bless me Father”, in our Liturgy, the priest replies, “May God bless you.” When we say at Compline, “Forgive me Father”, the priest replies, “May God forgive you.”
Sometimes a blessing can imply approval. In the great movie “Ostrokh” or “Island” a troubled woman travels to a monastic island in the arctic and asks a monk, who is reputed to be a saint, “Father, bless my abortion.” I daresay, she knew it was wrong and that is why she asked. He told her sternly, “I cannot bless your abortion. If you have an abortion, you will become a murderer.” In fact, the monk was living with the guilt of a murder he thought he committed, and wanted to spare her the misery that had driven him to live penitentially on this frozen island. To bless a sin in advance is not mercy or compassion, it is aiding and abetting.
If a stranger asks spontaneously for a blessing, for example at an airport, it is always appropriate to ask, “What’s going on?”, or “What’s happening?”, in a friendly or compassionate tone. There is often something happening that he or she needs to share with someone.
SCANDAL
Scandal means a stumbling block. Scandal does not mean something shocking, although I have heard well educated clergy misuse the word that way. A scandal is something that might lead someone else to sin.
In all of our actions as priests, we must avoid even the appearance of approving of evil. An English jurist wrote, “Judges, like Caesar’s wife, must be above suspicion.” Sometimes wearing our clerics into a
situation protects us and our reputation. For example, I was called into many situations as a police chaplain where I might have caused scandal if I went there at any other time, but wearing clerics with the police at the scene of a tragedy gave hope as a sign of God’s presence in darkness. Going into some places dressed in clerics otherwise might be scandal.
Jesus is very stern about scandal. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck and he were thrown into the depths of the sea. Alas for the world for scandal. Scandals must come, but woe to the man through whom scandals come.”
As a priest, I have been careful to avoid situations in which it might appear that I was blessing or approving something improper. In my first parish, a couple asked for the use of the social hall for their granddaughter. I didn’t realize at the time that the granddaughter was a baptized Catholic and was marrying outside the church. When welcoming people she mentioned that I might come over during the reception and give them a blessing. As a matter of fact, I fell asleep in the rectory and was spared the decision. When I went over to the hall later, the non-Catholic groom was happy to see me and we exchanged pleasantries, but she was so furious that she snubbed me. Her hatred for me was visible, almost palpable. Nevertheless, I was glad that I did not give the appearance of blessing a marriage contrary to the laws of the Church.
In the past thirty years, I have avoided aSending a number of wedding ceremonies for friends and even close relations. For a non-Catholic wedding, I might come the day before and aSend a banquet or reception instead of the ceremony, but I don’t want to give the appearance of a priestly blessing to a wedding that is not a Catholic wedding. Friends recognize that I made sacrifices to be a Catholic priest, and they respect me for it.
When I was young, there was a senior priest whom I greatly admired. He said that whenever he was asked to give a prayer, he always went. He was invited once by a well intentioned, but uninformed, freemason to give the opening prayer at one of their events. He appeared in his purple monsignorial robes and gave a fervent prayer to the astonishment of many of the freemasons. The man who invited him was unaware that the freemasons, as an organization, are dedicated to the destruction of the Church. He only knew it as a men’s social organization. From the twinkle in his eye, it was clear the monsignor enjoyed pulling one over on the freemasons.
The subject of marriage is simple in the catechism but complicated in the sinful world. Even the Apostle Paul struggled to deal with situations where Christians were married to pagans, and, in doing so, he instituted the first marriage dissolutions by the Church.
FALSE TEACHERS
In today’s world, people are demanding Catholic Liturgical blessings for junctions that are not sacramental unions, and in some cases, are even contrary to natural law. The scriptures foretold false teachers in the Church. The Holy Apostle Jude warned us, “Certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. … just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire … they are hidden reefs at your love feasts; they feast with you without fear, shepherds who feed only themselves. They are waterless clouds driven by the wind. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and are uprooted–
waves on an angry sea throwing up foam of shame. They are wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”
Similarly the Holy Apostle Peter warns us, “There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them. … For when they speak great pompous words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption … For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
WHAT THE DOCUMENTS SAYS
Taken on its face, the Fiducia Supplicans stops these immoral requests in their tracks. The document says, “a blessing requires that what is blessed be conformed to God’s will, as expressed in the teaching of the Church”. The document also says, that in the Rite of the Sacrament of Marriage, “the blessing given by the ordained minister is tied directly to the specific union of a man and a women, who establish an exclusive and indissoluble covenant by their consent.” The document also says that, “the Church has the right and the duty to avoid any rite that might contradict this conviction or lead to confusion.”
WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY
We turn to the words of Our Lord for guidance in these confusing times. When the Pharisees asked Jesus about the possibility of divorce, He replied, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Whatever other unions, or clubs, or friendships, or liaisons, or associations we form in this life, a Catholic sacramental marriage can only be what was described by Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ: “He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” The Holy Father Francis has said clearly that the Church has not changed this teaching, and will not change this teaching, and does not have the power to change this teaching.
In addition to Christ’s clarification on marriage, the Book of Genesis describes our creation as follows: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, be fruibul and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Male and female he created them. “Be fruitful and multiply.” Marriage is about our creation and our innate power to create new life, to create new men and women made in the image and likeness of God, to create new men and women with immortal souls.
In the next chapter of Genesis, we read, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ …. He brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ … That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
CONCLUDING GUIDELINES
Confusing interpretations of the document may lead to mistakes and injuries to our people and priests, therefore as Bishop, I offer the following observations and guidelines:
1) The document purports to be liturgical guidelines. The laws of the Church are clear that liturgical laws of the Latin Rite do NOT apply to the Eastern Churches.
2) In the West, couples marry each other by the exchange of consent. By ancient tradition and by current laws of the Church, in the East, a couple is married sacramentally by the blessing of a presbyter/priest. Canon 828
3) In the Constantinopolitan tradition, which includes us, the sign of the matrimonial blessing of the presbyter/priest is the Crowning ceremony.
4) Sometimes it is our custom to use Crowns at a renewal of vows, for example at 25 or 50 years of marriage. No one should confuse this pious custom with the priestly blessing that marries people.
5) A reminder to priests: a Crowning ceremony performed for a couple that cannot be married in the Catholic Church is a crime or delict under canon law. It is called simulating a sacrament. Canon 1443. All the parties are guilty of the crime, but the priest will be hurt the most.
6) Please do not be misled. Even without a Crowning, one might commit the crime of simulating a sacrament by giving the appearance of blessing an unlawful union. Cf Canon 828 §2
7) Lay people should take care not to compromise a priest by encouraging him to do something he is forbidden to do by the Church or by Divine Law or by his conscience.
8) Please be aware that presbyter/priests in recent years in our Churches in the United States have been excommunicated and involuntarily laicized for attempting to marry two males.
All of us, clergy and laity, should renew our love of God’s Law which is given to us as a free giV to protect us from injury and to lead us on the path to eternal life and joy. God gave us His Law because He loves us and desires to protect us. God’s Law is not a burden. God’s Law is a blessing and a delight.
Recently I saw parents telling their small children, “Hold my hand!”, as they crossed a busy street. When God gives us His Law, He is saying, “Hold my hand. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands!
His descendants shall be mighty in the land, a generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his righteousness shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and righteous. –Psalm 112(111)
Your servant,
Most Rev. Kurt Burnette
Bishop of Passaic
Apostolic Administrator of Phoenix and Toronto
The holy martyr Polyeuctus: The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians, as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of St. Polyeuctus in the year 259, during the reign of Valerian. In Melitene were two friends: Nearchus and Polyeuctus. Both were officers- Nearchus was baptized and Polyeuctus was unbaptized. When the command of the emperor was sent out concerning the persecution of Christians, Nearchus prepared for death; but he was in great sorrow because he had not succeeded in converting his friend Polyeuctus to the true Faith. When Polyeuctus learned of the reason for Nearchus’s sorrow, he promised to embrace the Faith. The following day Polyeuctus related this dream to Nearchus: the Lord Himself had appeared to him in light, removed Polyeuctus’s old clothes from him and dressed him in radiant new clothes – and sat him in the saddle of a winged horse. After this, Polyeuctus went to town, shredded the emperor’s decree concerning the torturing of Christians, and destroyed many statues of idols. He was tortured and condemned to death. When he was brought to the place of execution, he looked at Nearchus in the throng of people and joyfully cried out to him: “Save yourself, my dear friend! Remember the vow of love confirmed between the two of us!” later, St. Nearchus died by fire as a martyr for Christ.
Troparion
Your martyr Polyuectus, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Kontakion
When our Savior bowed His head in the Jordan River, the heads of the serpents were crushed, and when Polyeuctus was beheaded, he put demons to shame.
Epistle
James 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
Our venerable father George the Chozebite was a Cypriot monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God at Chozeba near Jericho (614)
Our venerable father Emilian the Confessor was a native of Vannes, in what is now France. He was a recluse (767)
Our venerable mother Dominica, born in Carthage in North Africa, lived a life of asceticism and died in Constantinople under the reign of the Emperor Zenon in 474.
Troparion – Venerable Fathers
Come, O people and piously honor the memory of George. Sing praises for his wonderful fasting and praise Emilian for his teachings. Let us sing out: Save our souls, O Christ, through the intercession of these holy monks.
Troparion – Dominica
In you, O mother, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Dominica, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion – Venerable Fathers
O George, you have become a brilliant source of light, enlighten all those who come to you in faith. Intercede for us with Christ our God who appeared in flowing waters and enlightened all of us.
Kontakion – Dominica
O Dominica, you crucified the flesh with your suffering, and your love for Christ was sure and constant. For this you have been crowned and admitted to the choirs of angels. Pray now for all those who venerate you, O mother.
Epistle
James 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
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: A “synaxis” feast follows one of the great feasts, and highlights a major personage of yesterday’s celebration. We remember today the work of the Forerunner, John, who baptized Christ.
Troparion
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, the Lord’s testimony is enough. You were shown to be more honorable than the prophets since you were deemed worthy to baptize in waters the Lord you had proclaimed. Therefore, you fought for the truth, and with joy proclaimed the good news to those in Hades, that God has appeared in the flesh to take away the sins of the world and to grant us great mercy.
Kontakion
O Lord, before Your presence in the flesh, the Jordan River trembled and reversed its course out of fear. Struck with awe. John hesitated to perform upon You the baptism foretold by the prophets. The ranks of angels were rapt in wonder when they saw You being baptized in the flesh. All those in darkness received illumination and sang a hymn of praise to You, O Lord; for You appeared and shed Your light upon the whole world.
Epistle
Ephesians 4: 7-13
Brothers and sisters: Each of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it. Thus you find Scripture saying: “When He ascended on high, he took a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” “He ascended”- what does this mean but that he had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above the heavens, that he might fill all men with his gifts.
It is He who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature.
Gospel
Matthew 4: 12-17
At that time when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went down to line in Capernaum by the sea near the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali along the sea beyond the Jordan, heathen Galilee: A people living in darkness has seen a great light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.” From that time on Jesus began to proclaim this theme: “Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.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
The Mysteries of Initiation
We at the Proto-Cathedral are in a glorious season of many adult’s receiving the Mysteries of Initiation. Here’s the basics from the “Christ our Pascha” Catechism:
“Participation in the life of the Most Holy Trinity becomes a reality for us through the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation, and Eucharist. In other words, we partake of God’s life by being united to Christ, receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit, and sharing the Body and Blood of Christ in the community called Church. As a person after birth begins to breathe and then receives nourishment in order to live, so the newly baptized, born to new life in the baptismal font, begins to breathe by the Holy Spirit and receives the nourishment of Holy Communion in order to grow in Christ. Through the prayers and sacred actions of the liturgical rite of each of these Mysteries, the Church leads the faithful (the Greek Fathers speak of mystagogy—leading into the mystery) into an understanding of the Mystery and perceiving it as a single, unified action of God’s grace. This is why in the tradition of the Eastern Church, these three Holy Mysteries are celebrated together.”
The Metropolitan Cantor Institute (MCI)
MCI Online registration is now open for 2024. There are three introductory classes that are free and open to all members of the church:
Introduction to Liturgy
Introduction to Church Singing
Reading in Church
These are 8-week, entirely self-paced classes (Reading in Church is 4 weeks); the Church Singing and Reading classes include instructor feedback on recordings each student makes. They are easy and cover a lot of material that is useful for parishioners.
To enroll, just create an ID at https://mci.archpitt.org/online, take a look at the three introductory classes, choose one, and click on Enroll me in this course on the left side of the screen.
The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Since the second century, the Church has celebrated the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River for our sanctification.
Troparion
At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to You, calling You His beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words. O Christ God, You appeared and enlightened the world. Glory to You!
Kontakion
You have revealed yourself to the world today; and Your light, O Lord, has set its seal on us. We recognize You and exclaim to You: You have come and revealed Yourself, O Unapproachable Light.
Epistle
Titus 2: 11-15, 3: 4-7
Titus my son: The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Christ Jesus. It was he who sacrificing himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for himself a people of his own, eager to do what is right.
There are the things you are to say. Make our appeals and corrections with the authority of command. Let no one look down on you.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he lavished on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Gospel
Matthew 3: 13-17
At that time, Jesus came from Galilee and appeared before John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to refuse him with the protest, “I should be baptized by you, yet you come to me!” Jesus answered: “Give in for now. We must do this if we would fulfill all of God’s demands.” So John gave in. After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water. Suddenly the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him. With that, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on him.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (c. 350)
Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is to have led a solitary life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century)
The Holy Prophet Micah, who in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, by his preaching defended the oppressed, and condemned idols and depravities. He announced to the chosen people that a leader would be born in Bethlehem of Jude, who would shepherd Israel in the strength of the Lord.
Troparion – Holy Martyrs
Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns from You. With Your strength, they brought down tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Troparion – Syncletica
In you, O mother, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Syncletica, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion – Holy Martyrs
These martyrs have become a means of holiness to those on earth. How well they endured the agony imposed by the torturer. They rejoice in the Lord and sing out: We adore Him who buried the sins of all in the flowing waters of the Jordan.
Kontakion – Syncletica
You endured the pain of your suffering by fasting. You are delighted to find a finer dwelling in heaven and have been filled with more splendid light because you followed Christ so courageously along the difficult path. You turned away from the goods of earth and became like an angel. Now you share in their glory.
Epistle
1 Corinthians 9: 19-27
Brothers and sisters: Although I am not bound to anyone, I made myself the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible. I became like a Jew to the Jews in order to win the Jews. To those bound by the law I became like one who is bound (although in fact I am not bound by it), that I might win those bound by the law. To those not subject to the law I became like one not subject to it (not that I am free from the law of God, for I am subject to the law of Christ), that I might win those not subject to the law. To the weak I became a weak person with a view to winning the weak. I have made myself all things to all men in order to save at least some of them. In fact, I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings.
You know that while all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that wither, but we a crown that is imperishable.
I do not run like a man who loses sight of the finish line. I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. What I do is discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I myself should be rejected.
Gospel
Luke 3: 1-18
In the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, Philip his brother tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, the word of God was spoken to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert. He went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A herald’s voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.’”
John would say to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him: “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform. Do not begin by saying to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the tree. Every tree that is not fruitful will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
The crowds asked him, “What ought we to do?” In reply, John said, “Let the man with two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what are we to do?” He answered them, “Exact nothing over and above your fixed amount.”
Soldiers likewise asked him, “What about us?” He told them, “Don’t bully anyone. Denounce no one falsely. Be content with your pay.”
The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all by saying: “I am baptizing you in water, but there is one to come who is mightier than I. I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in unquenchable fire.” Using exhortations of this sort, he preached the good news to the people.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles, whose names were recorded by St. Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach (cf. Luke 10: 1-5)
Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen at Cuomo in Sicilyfounded 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
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
