Blog - Page 16 of 123 - St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church

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

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

Dec. 28 The Twenty Thousand Martyrs of Nicomedia

The twenty-thousand martyrs of Nicomedia: During the reign of emperor Maximian Hercules, the Christian faith was brutally persecuted in Nicomedia. When the local Christians gathered in the church to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, he ordered his soldiers to surround the church and set it on fire. Those inside were offered free passage out, as long as they betrayed Christ. They all refused, men, women, and children alike, and they were martyred.

Troparion

O passion-bearers if the Lord, blessed is the earth that received your blood, and holy is the place that received your bodies. You have vanquished the enemy in battle and proclaimed Christ with courage. We pray to you to intercede with Him, the Good One, that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

O saints made steadfast in soul by faith, twenty thousand accepted suffering by fire, calling out to Him Who was born of the Virgin: accept our all-consumed burnt offering as You accepted gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense from the Persian kings, O God existing from all eternity.

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 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

Dec. 27 The Holy Apostle, First Martyr, and Archdeacon Stephen; Our Venerable Father Theodore the Branded

The holy apostle, proto-martyr, and archdeacon Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. First of the seven deacons whom the Apostles chose to be fellow-laborers in the ministry, he was also the first of the disciples of the Lord to pour out his own blood at Jerusalem. He provided testimony for Christ Jesus, who he saw standing in glory at the right hand of the Father. He was covered over by stones while praying for his persecutors.

Our venerable father and confessor Theodore of Apamea in Bithynia was a monk of the laura of St. Sabbas in Palestine, a priest, and a martyr. In Constantinople with his brother St. Theophane the Hymnographer, he endured much in the defense of the Holy Images. He endured scourging, prisons, exile, and even brands on his forehead, for which he was called Graptus. He expired in prison in 845.

Troparion – Stephen

First martyr and apostle of Christ, you fought the good fight. You convicted the tyrants of their wickedness. When you were killed by stoning at the hands of sinners, you received a crown from God’s right hand while you cried out: Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

Troparion – Theodore

Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary for the world, inspired adornment of monks, O wise Theodore, harp of the Spirit, you enlightened all by your teachings; intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion – Stephen

Yesterday, in human flesh the Master came to us; today, from the flesh, His servant departs. Yesterday, the King was born in flesh; today, His servant is killed by stoning. Thus, holy Stephen, the first martyr, is brought to perfection.

Kontakion – Theodore

Your mouth spoke bravely, and you shamed the haughty torturer by your great wisdom through suffering tortures: you were grievously wounded on your face for the sake of the all-honorable icon of Christ which you taught us always to honor and glorify. O Theodore, obtain great mercy for us.

Epistle

Acts 6:8 – 7:5a, 47-60

Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called “Synagogues of Roman Freedom” (that is, the Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia) would undertake to engage Stephen in debate, but they proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke. They persuaded some men to make the charge that they had heard him speaking blasphemies against Moses and God, and in this way they incited the people, the elders, and the scribes. All together they confronted him, seized him, and led him off to the Sanhedrin. There they brought in false witnesses, who said: “This man never stops making statements against the holy place and the law. We have heard him claim that Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us.” The members of the Sanhedrin who sat there stared at him intently. Throughout, Stephen’s face seemed like that of an angel.

The high priest asked whether the charges were true. To this Stephen replied: “My brothers! Fathers! Listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was still in Mesopotamia and before he settled in Haran. God said to him, Leave your country and your kinsfolk, and go to the land I will show you. So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After Abraham’s father died, God made him move from there to this land where you now dwell. God did not give him any of it as his heritage, not even a foot of land.

“It was Solomon, however, who constructed [the temple]. Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings made by human hands, for as the prophet says: ‘The heavens are my throne, the earth is my footstool; what kind of house can you build me? asks the Lord. What is my resting-place to be like? Did not my hand make all these things?’

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always opposing the Holy Spirit just as your fathers did before you. Was there ever any prophet whom your fathers did not persecute? In their day, they put to death those who foretold the coming of the Just One; now you in your turn have become his betrayers and murderers. You who received the law through the ministry of angels have not obeyed it.”

Those who listened to his words were stung to the heart; they ground their teeth in anger at him. Stephen meanwhile, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked to the sky above and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. “Look!” he exclaimed, “I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand.” The onlookers were shouting aloud, holding their hands over their ears as they did so. Then they rushed at him as one man, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses meanwhile were oiling their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As Stephen was being stoned he could be heard praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And with that he died.

Gospel

Matthew 21: 33-42

The Lord said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, “Listen to another parable. There was a property owner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug out a vat, and erected a tower. Then he leased it out to tenant farmers and went on a journey. When vintage time arrived he dispatched his slaves to the tenants to obtain his share of the grapes. The tenants responded by seizing the slaves. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. A second time he dispatched even more slaves than before, but they treated them the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ When they saw the son, the tenants said to one another, ‘Here is the one who will inherit everything. Let us kill him and then we shall have his inheritance!’ With that they seized him, dragged him outside the vineyard, and killed him. What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to those tenants when he comes?”

They replied, “He will bring that wicked crowd to a bad end and lease his vineyard out to others who will see to it that he has grapes at vintage time.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone of the structure. It was the Lord who did this and we find it marvelous to behold’?”

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

Dec. 26 The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos; The Holy Martyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis

The synaxis of the Theotokos: On the second day of the Christmas feast, the Church gives glory and praise to the most holy Theotokos, who bore our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The holy martyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis in Lydia, was forced into exile on account of his veneration of the Holy Images by the iconoclast Emperor Michael. Finally, when Theophilus was emperor, Euthymius was brutally beaten with leather thongs, and he fulfilled his martyrdom in 840.

Troparion

Your birth, O Christ our God, has shed upon the world the light of knowledge; for through it those who worshiped the stars have learned from a star to worship You, the Sun of Justice, and to know You, the Dawn from on High. Glory to You, O Lord!

Kontakion

Before the morning star, He was born of the Father without a mother; today, on earth, He has become man from you without a father. A star announces the good news to the Wise Men. The angels join with the shepherds to sing the glory of your marvelous childbearing, O Woman full of grace.

Epistle

Hebrews 2: 11-18

Brothers and sisters: He who consecrates and those who are consecrated have one and the same Father. Therefore he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will announce your name to my brothers, I will sing your praise in the midst of the assembly”; and he says, “I will put my trust in him”; and again, “Here am I, and the children of God has given me!” Now, since the children are men of blood and flesh, Jesus likewise had a full share in ours, that by his death he might rob the devil, the prince of death, of his power, and free those who through fear of death had been slaves their whole life long. Surely he did not come to help angels, but rather the children of Abraham; therefore he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God on their behalf, to expiate the sins of the people. Since he was himself tested through what he had suffered, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Gospel

Matthew 2: 13-23

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

Dec. 25 The Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Christos Rozdajetsja! Slavite Jeho!

The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ: “When the fullness of time was come, God sent his only-begotten Son” (Galatians 4:4) to save the human race. Nine months after his conception in the womb of the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity was born in a stable in Bethlehem of Judea. To Him be eternal glory and praise! Amen.

Troparion

Kontakion

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One; and the earth offers up a cave to the Unapproachable. The angels sing his glory with the shepherds; the wise men journey with the star. The eternal God is born for us as an infant child.

Epistle

Galatians 4: 4-7

Brothers and sisters: When the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons. The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of his Son which cries out “Abba!” You are no longer a slave but a son! And the fact that you are a son makes you an heir, by God’s design.

Gospel

Matthew 2: 1-12

After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, astrologers from the East arrived one day in Jerusalem inquiring, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” At this news King Herod became greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. Summoning all of the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they informed him. “Here is what the prophet has written: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Herod called the astrologers aside and found out from them the exact time of the star’s appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, after having instructed them: “Go and get detailed information about the child. When you have found him, report it to me so that I may go and offer him homage too.”

After their audience with the king, they set out. The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, they found the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They received a message in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route.

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