The holy Prophet Obadiah is the fourth of the Twelve Minor Prophets, and he lived during the 9th century B.C. He gave food and shelter to all the prophets of the Lord who were being hunted because of the queen’s quarrel with the Prophet Elias. He was part of the 3 detachments of soldiers sent to arrest Elias, but, through the prayers of the prophet, 2 of the detachments were consumed by heavenly fire. Obadiah and his detachment survived, he left military service, and received the gift of prophecy. The God-inspired work of the Prophet Obadiah is the fourth of the Books of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Bible, and contains predictions about the future salvation of the Gentiles (Vs. 15) and that the Savior would come forth from Sion (Vs. 17).

The holy martyr Barlaam lived in Antioch of Syria. During Diocletian’s persecution against Christians, the aged saint confessed himself a Christian. The judge, wanting to compel the saint to renounce Christ, ordered St. Barlaam be brought before a pagan altar. His right hand was placed over it, and a red-hot censer burning with incense was put into his hand. The torturer thought that a weak old man could not endure the pain and would drop it on the altar. In this way Barlaam would involuntarily be offering sacrifice to the idol. However, the saint held onto the censer until his hand fell off. After this, the holy martyr Barlaam surrendered his soul to the Lord in the year 304.  

 

Troparion – Prophet

As we celebrate the memory of your prophet Obadiah, O Lord, we implore You to save our souls through his prayers. 

 

Troparion – Martyr

Your martyr Barlaam, 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 – Prophet

Receiving clarity of mind from divine illumination, the great Obadiah saw the future through the Holy Spirit. We piously and wisely keep his memory today, and venerate him to find light for our hearts. 

 

Kontakion – Martyr

You were revealed as a powerful fortress, for you offered a holocaust of yourself to Christ as an acceptable incense offering. You received a crown of honor, O Barlaam. Always pray for us, O sufferer.

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 5: 11-21

Timothy, my son: Refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions estrange them from Christ they will want to marry. This will bring them condemnation for breaking their first pledge. Besides, they learn to be ladies of leisure, who go about from house to house–becoming not only time-wasters but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things they ought not. That is why I should like to see the younger ones marry, have children, keep house, and in general give our enemies no occasion to speak ill of us. Already, some have turned away to follow Satan. If a woman church member has relatives who are widows, she must assist them. She should not let them become a burden to the church, which ought to be free to give help to the widows who are really in need.

Presbyters who do well as leaders deserve to be paid double, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. The Scripture says,” You shall not put a muzzle on an ox when he is threshing the grain,” and also, “The worker deserves his wages.”

Pay no attention to an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. The ones who do commit sin, however, are to be publicly reprimanded, so that the rest may fear to offend. I charge you before God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels: apply these rules without prejudice, act with complete impartiality!

Gospel

Luke 17: 26-37, 18:8

The Lord said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They ate and drank, they took husbands and wives, right up to the day Noah entered the ark–and when the flood came, it destroyed them all. It was much the same in the days of Lot: they ate and drank, they bought and sold, they built and planted. But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

“It will be like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, if a man is on the rooftop and his belongings are in the house, he should not go down to get them; neither should the man in the field return home. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; whoever loses it will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” “Where, Lord?” they asked him, and he answered, “Wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures gather. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on the earth?”

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

 

Born in the town of Ancyra in Galatia, the holy martyr Plato showed early and great perfection in virtue. While still a youth he left home and went through the cities preaching the Word of God to pagans. He amazed his audience with the persuasiveness and beauty of his speech and his profound knowledge of Greek learning. Because he did not hide his faith, he was called before the governor for trial. After having been cruelly tortured, he was beheaded and died in 266. 

The holy martyr Romanus was born in Palestine, and served as a deacon in Caesarea. At the time of the persecution against Christians, he was living in Antioch. Through his preaching, he encouraged the faithful to stand firm in their confession of Christ when the Eparch Asclypiades wanted to raze the church to its foundations. St. Romanus told the people that they must fight to prevent the destruction of the house of God, assuring them that even if they died in their efforts they would sing a hymn of victory in heaven. Boldly accusing the governor of idolatry, he was tortured and killed in 303. 

 

Troparion

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

 

Kontakion

Your holy memory delights the universe and brings all the faithful together in your holy temple. Since we are now gathered together in our joy, we praise your great deeds with hymns, O Plato and Romanus, as we cry out to you with faith: O holy ones, deliver our nation and your city from its enemies. 

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 5: 11-21

Timothy, my son: Refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions estrange them from Christ they will want to marry. This will bring them condemnation for breaking their first pledge. Besides, they learn to be ladies of leisure, who go about from house to house–becoming not only time-wasters but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things they ought not. That is why I should like to see the younger ones marry, have children, keep house, and in general give our enemies no occasion to speak ill of us. Already, some have turned away to follow Satan. If a woman church member has relatives who are widows, she must assist them. She should not let them become a burden to the church, which ought to be free to give help to the widows who are really in need.

Presbyters who do well as leaders deserve to be paid double, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. The Scripture says,” You shall not put a muzzle on an ox when he is threshing the grain,” and also, “The worker deserves his wages.”

Pay no attention to an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. The ones who do commit sin, however, are to be publicly reprimanded, so that the rest may fear to offend. I charge you before God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels: apply these rules without prejudice, act with complete impartiality!

 

Gospel

Luke 17: 20-25

At that time, on being asked by the Pharisees when the reign of God would come, Jesus replied: “You cannot tell by careful watching when the reign of God will come. Neither is it a matter of reporting that it is ‘here’ or ‘there.’ The reign of God is already in your midst.”

He said to the disciples: “A time will come when you will long to see one day of the Son of Man but will not see it. They will tell you he is to be found in this place or that. Do not go running about excitedly. The Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other. First, however, he must suffer much and be rejected by the present age.”

 

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

 

Our holy father Gregory the Wonder-worker, bishop of Neocaesarea embraced the Christian faith as a youth. He progressed in both human and divine knowledge, and was ordained a bishop. He was famous for his teaching, virtue, and apostolic labors. Having received a fine education, from his youth he strove for Truth, but the philosophers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian. St. Gregory went to Alexandria to continue his studies. He attended the Alexandria Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great strength of mind and profound knowledge. St. Gregory became a student of Origen, studied with him for eight years, and was baptized by him. St. Gregory fell asleep in the Lord in the year 270, and because of the many marvels he performed, he is called Wonder-worker.

 

Troparion

You became worthy of your name through your way of life, through assiduous prayers and constant works of mercy. Therefore, Father Gregory, intercede with Christ God that He may enlighten our minds, lest we go to sleep in sin, which leads to death.

 

Kontakion

You received the power of performing many miracles and frightened the awful devils through your wonderworking and your healing of the sick. Therefore, O all-wise Gregory, your deeds entitled you to be called the Wonderworker. 

 

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 8b-19

Brothers and sisters: Live as children of light. Light produces every kind of goodness and justice and truth. Be correct in your judgment of what pleases the Lord. Take no part in vain deeds done in darkness; rather, condemn them. It is shameful even to mention the things these people do in secret; but when such deeds are condemned they are seen in the light of day, and all that then appears is light. That is why we read: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like thoughtful men. Make the most of the present opportunity, for these are evil days. Do not continue in ignorance, but try to discern the will of the Lord. Avoid getting drunk on wine; that leads to debauchery. Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the Lord with all your hearts.

 

Gospel

Luke 12: 16-21

The Lord told this parable: “There was a rich man who had a good harvest. ‘What shall I do?’ he asked himself. ‘I have no place to store my harvest. I know!’ he said. ‘I will pull down my grain bins and build larger ones. All my grains and my goods will go in there. Then I will say to myself: You have blessings in reserve for years to come. Relax! Eat heartily, drink well. Enjoy yourself.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life shall be required of you. To whom will all this piled-up wealth of yours go?’ That is the way it works with the man who grows rich for himself instead of growing rich in the sight of God. [Let him who hears this, heed it!]”

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

 

The holy apostle and evangelist Matthew who, named Levi, was called by Jesus to follow him and leave his job of publican or tax collector. Matthew, son of Alphaeus, was called by the Lord in Capernaum and said: “Follow Me.” After that, Matthew prepared a reception for the Lord in his home and thus provided the occasion for the Lord to express several great truths about His coming to earth. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Matthew preached the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes, and Ethiopians. In Ethiopia he appointed his follower Plato as bishop, and withdrew to prayerful solitude on a mountain. Matthew baptized the wife and son of the prince of Ethiopia, at which the prince became greatly enraged and dispatched a guard to bring Matthew to him for trial. The soldiers returned to the prince saying that they had heard Matthew’s voice, but could not see him with their eyes. The prince then sent a second guard. When this guard approached the apostle, he shone with a heavenly light so powerful that the soldiers could not look at him; filled with fear, they threw down their weapons and returned. Then the prince went himself. Matthew radiated such light that the prince was instantly blinded. However, the holy apostle had a compassionate heart. He prayed to God, and the prince was given back his sight. Unfortunately, he saw only with physical eyes and not spiritual eyes. Then the apostle prayed to God and gave up his spirit. 

 

Troparion

You rose from the tax collector’s booth and you followed Christ in all earnestness. He made you a blessing for all, a chosen apostle and evangelist for the world. Therefore, we honor your sacred memory and we ask you to beg God to forgive our sins.

 

Kontakion

You cast off the yoke of gathering taxes, and you put on the yoke of justice. You became a shrewd merchant, obtaining a wealth of wisdom from heaven itself. When you preached the word of truth, you lifted up depressed spirits. You wrote of the coming hour of judgment. 

 

Readings for the saint

Epistle

1 Corinthians 4: 9-16

  Brothers and sisters: As I see it, God has put us apostles at the end of the line, like men doomed to die in the arena. We have become like a spectacle to the universe, to angels and men alike. We are fools on Christ’s account. Ah, but in Christ you are wise! We are the weak ones, you the strong! They honor you, while they sneer at us! Up to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless. We work hard at manual labor. When we are insulted we respond with a blessing. Persecution comes our way; we bear it patiently. We are slandered, and we try conciliation. We have become the world’s refuse, the scum of all; that is the present state of affairs. 

I am writing you this way not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. Granted you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you have only one father. It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preachings of the gospel. I beg you, be imitators of me.

 

Gospel

Matthew 9: 9-13

At that time as he moved on, Jesus saw a man named Matthew at his post where taxes were collected. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened that, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s home, many tax collectors and those known as sinners came to join Jesus and his disciples at dinner. The Pharisees saw this and complained to his disciples, “What reason can the Teacher have for eating with tax collectors and those who disregard the law?” Overhearing the remark, Jesus said: “People who are in good health do not need a doctor; sick people do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice.’ I have come to call, not the self-righteous, but sinners.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Galatians 3: 8-12

Brothers and sisters: Because Scripture saw in advance that God’s way of justifying the Gentiles would be through faith, it foretold this good news to Abraham: “All nations shall be blessed in you.” Thus it is that all who believe are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

All who depend on observance of the law, on the other hand, are under a curse. It is written, “Cursed is he who does not abide by everything written in the book of the law and carry it out.” It should be obvious that no one is justified in God’s sight by the law, for “the just man shall live by faith.” But the law does not depend on faith. Its terms are: “Whoever does these things shall live by them.”

 

Gospel

Luke 9: 57-62

At that time Jesus was journeying along, someone said to him, “I will be your follower wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “The foxes have lairs, the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another Jesus said, “Come after me.” The man replied, “Let me bury my father first.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead; come away and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said to him, “I will be your follower, Lord, but first let me take leave of my people at home.” Jesus answered him, “Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.”

 

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

The holy martyrs and confessors Gurias, an ascetic, and Samonas suffered at Edessa in Osrhoene. They were condemned to death under Diocletian the emperor after a lengthy and savage torture, they were then beheaded by sword. Habibus was a deacon who suffered for the faith later. The martyrs endured everything with firmness and Samonas uttered a prayer to the Lord, which one of the witnesses to their death wrote down: “O Lord my God, against Whose will not a single sparrow falls into the snare. It was You Who made room for David in his sorrow (Ps. 4:1).” The martyrs were buried reverently by Christians after their death. After some years, the last pagan emperor, Licinius (311-324), began a persecution against Christians. The holy martyr Habibus, a deacon of the Church of Edessa, whom the emperor ordered to be arrested for his zealous spreading of the True Faith, presented himself before the executioners when he learned they were searching for him. The saint confessed for Christ and was sentenced to be burned alive. The martyr went willingly into the fire and with a prayer surrendered his soul to the Lord. When the fire went out, the mother and relatives of the saint found his body unharmed. They buried the martyr next to Saints Gurias and Samonas. 

 

Troparion

You granted us the miracles of Your holy martyrs as an unshakable stronghold, O Christ God. Through their prayers, confound the snares of pagans, strengthen the scepters of the kingdom for You alone are good and love mankind.

 

Kontakion

Having received grace from on high, O wise ones, you stood before those tempters, O all-praised ones. Therefore, like the three holy youths, you were delivered from bitter death, for in truth you are the glory of Edessa and the joy of the world. 

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 4: 4-8, 16

Timothy, my son: 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.

If you put these instructions before the brotherhood you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, reared in the words of faith and the sound doctrine you have faithfully followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths or old wives’ tales. Train yourself for the life of piety, for while physical training is to some extent valuable, the discipline of religion is incalculably more so, with its promise of life here and hereafter. 

Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Persevere at both tasks. By doing so you will bring to salvation yourself and all who hear you.

 

Gospel

Luke 16: 15-18, 17: 1-4

The Lord said to the Pharisees: “You justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God reads your hearts. What man thinks important, God holds in contempt. The law and the prophets were in full force until John [the Baptizer]. From his time on, the good news of God’s kingdom has been proclaimed, and people of every sort are forcing their way in. It is easier for the heavens and the Earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the law to pass. Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. The man who marries a woman divorced from her husband likewise commits adultery.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “Scandals will inevitably arise, but woe to him through whom they come. He would be better off thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than giving scandal to one of these little ones. If your brother does wrong, correct him; if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times a day turns back to you saying, ‘I am sorry,’ forgive him.”

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

 

The holy and illustrious apostle Philip, like Peter and Andrew, was from Bethsaida in Galilee. He had become a disciple of John the Baptist, and was called by the Lord to follow him. He preached in Phrygia with John the Theologian and Bartholomew. Philip was crucified there upside down on a tree. 

When our holy father Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica, completed his secular studies, he withdrew to the Holy Mountain and became a monk of Vatopedi and then the Great Lavra. He was made Metropolitan of Salonica in 1347, and governed that church for twelve years. He is famous as both an ascetic and a theologian. 

 

Troparion

The whole world is adorned and Ethiopia sings for joy at her crown. She received light from you, and is adorned by your crown. O Philip, speaking in behalf of God, she solemnly celebrates your memory. You taught everyone to believe in Christ and you completed the course of the Gospel worthily. Therefore, Ethiopia has come to lift their hands to God. Pray to Him to grant us great mercy. 

 

Kontakion

O Lord, Your disciple and friend and imitator of Your passion, Philip, has preached You as God to the universe. Through his prayers deliver Your Church from her lawless enemies, and through the Theotokos protect every city, O Most Merciful Christ.  

 

Readings for the Apostle

Epistle

1 Corinthians 4: 9-16

  Brothers and sisters: As I see it, God has put us apostles at the end of the line, like men doomed to die in the arena. We have become like a spectacle to the universe, to angels and men alike. We are fools on Christ’s account. Ah, but in Christ you are wise! We are the weak ones, you the strong! They honor you, while they sneer at us! Up to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless. We work hard at manual labor. When we are insulted we respond with a blessing. Persecution comes our way; we bear it patiently. We are slandered, and we try conciliation. We have become the world’s refuse, the scum of all; that is the present state of affairs. 

I am writing you this way not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. Granted you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you have only one father. It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preachings of the gospel. I beg you, be imitators of me.

 

Gospel

John 1 43-51

At that time Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee, but first he came upon Philip. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. Philip sought out Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses spoke of in the law– the prophet too– Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” Nathanael’s response to that was, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”  and Philip replied, “Come, see for yourself.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he remarked: “This man is a true Israelite. There is no guile in him.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked Jesus. “Before Philip called you,” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree.” “Rabbi,” said Nathanael, “you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus responded: “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see much greater things than that.”

Jesus went on to tell them, “I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Timothy 3: 1-13

Timothy, my son: You can depend on this: whoever wants to be a bishop aspires to a noble task. A bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, of even temper, self-controlled, modest, and hospitable. He should be a good teacher. He must not be addicted to drink. He ought not to be contentious but, rather, gentle, a man of peace. Nor can he be someone who loves money. He must be a good manager of his own household, keeping his children under control without sacrificing his dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a new convert, lest he become conceited and thus incur the punishment once meted out to the devil. He must also be well thought of by those outside the church, to ensure that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons must be serious, straightforward, and truthful. They may not overindulge in drink or give in to greed. They must hold fast to the divinely revealed faith with a clear conscience. They should be put on probation first; then, if there is nothing against them, they may serve as deacons. The women, similarly, should be serious, not slanderous gossips. They should be temperate and entirely trustworthy. Deacons may be married but once and must be good managers of their children and their households. Those who serve well as deacons gain a worthy place for themselves and much assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 

 

Gospel

Luke 16: 1-9

The Lord told this parable: “A rich man had a manager who was reported to him for dissipating his property. The rich man summoned the servant and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give me an account of your service, for it is about to come to an end.’ The manager thought to himself, ‘What shall I do next? My employer is sure to dismiss me. I cannot dig ditches. I am ashamed to go begging. I have it! Here is a way to make sure that the people will take me into their homes when I am let go.’

“So he called in each of his master’s debtors, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ The man replied, ‘A hundred jars of oil.’ The manager said, ‘Take your invoice, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he said to a second, ‘How much do you owe?’ The answer came, ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ and the manager said, ‘Take your invoice and make it eighty.’

“The owner then gave his devious employee credit for being enterprising! Why? Because the worldly take more initiative than the other-worldly when it comes to dealing with their own kind. What I say to you is this: Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world’s goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.”

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

 

Our holy father John Chrysostom was born in Antioch, and was ordained to the priesthood and was found worthy of the title Chrysostom because of his golden eloquence. Chosen for the see of Constantinople, he showed himself to be the best pastor and teacher of the faith. He was forced into exile by his enemies. When he was recalled from his exile by a decree of Pope Innocent I, having suffered many evils from the accompanying soldiers, he returned his soul to God on the fourteenth of September in Comana in Pontus in the year 407.

 

Troparion

The grace shining forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe; it has stored up in the world the treasure of disdain for wealth. It has shown us the heights of humility. Instruct us by your words, John Chrysostom, our father, and intercede with the Word, Christ God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You have received divine grace from heaven and with your lips you teach all how to worship one God in the Trinity, most blessed venerable John Chrysostom. It is fitting that we praise you, for you are the teacher who reveals the divine. 

 

Readings for the saint

Epistle

Hebrews: 7:26-8:2

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

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

 

Gospel

John 10: 9-16

The Lord said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand — who is no shepherd nor owner of the sheep — catches sight of the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf. That is because he works for pay; he has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father; for these sheep I will give my life. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Timothy 1: 18-20; 2: 8-15

Timothy, my son, I have a solemn charge to give you. This charge is in accordance with the prophecies made in your regard, and I give it to you so that under the inspiration of these prophecies you may fight the good fight, and hold fast to faith and good conscience. Some men, by rejecting the guidance of conscience, have made shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenaeus and Alexander; these I have turned over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme. 

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men shall offer prayers with blameless hands held aloft, and be free from anger and dissension. Similarly, the women must deport themselves properly. They should dress modestly and Quietly, and not be decked out in fancy hairstyles, gold ornaments, pearls, or costly clothing; rather, as becomes women who profess to be religious, their adornment should be good deeds. A woman must learn in silence and be completely submissive. I do not permit a woman to act as teacher, or in any way to have authority over a man; she must be Quiet. For Adam was created first, Eve afterward; moreover, it was not Adam who was deceived but the woman. It was she who was led astray and fell into sin. She will be saved through childbearing, provided she continues in faith and love and holiness – her chastity being taken for granted. 

 

Gospel

Luke 15: 1-10

At that time the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus, at which the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus addressed this parable to them: “Who among you, if he has a hundred sheep loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wasteland and follow the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders in jubilation. Once arrived home, he invites friends and neighbors in and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

“What woman, if she has ten silver pieces and loses one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house in a diligent search until she has retrieved what she lost? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me! I have found the silver piece I lost.’ I tell you, there will be the same kind of joy before the angels of God over one repentant sinner.”

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

 

Our venerable father John the Merciful, also called “the almsgiver”, died at Amathus in the island of Cyprus in the year 620. He was famous for his compassion to the poor. Filled with love toward all, he built many churches, hospitals, orphanages, and worked with great care to relieve every misfortune of the city. To this end, he gave away the goods of the Church and diligently urged the rich to help them out with their wealth. 

Our venerable father Nilus was a government official in Constantinople. He and his wife, seeing the state of morals there, joined monasteries. She in Egypt, and he on Mt. Sinai. Nilus lived the monastic life for sixty years and died at the age of 80 in 450.

The holy martyr Josaphat, Bishop of Polotsk: Josaphat Kuncewicz, bishop of the Greek Catholic church, and martyr, spurred his flock to Catholic unity by his constant effort and nurtured the Byzantine-Slavic Church by his pious love. At Vitebsk in Belarus (then part of Poland), he was cruelly seized by an angry mob and died for the unity of the Church and in defense of the Catholic truth in 1623.

 

Troparion – John

By your patience, you deserved your reward, O venerable father. You were assiduous in prayer, and you loved and helped the poor. Blessed John the Merciful, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls. 

 

Troparion – Nilus

Your abundant tears made the wilderness sprout and bloom, and your deep sighing made your labor fruitful a hundredfold. You became a star shining over the world with miracles, holy father Nilus. Pray to Christ God that He may save our souls.

 

Troparion – Josaphat

You have become a brilliant light, O Priest-Martyr Josaphat. You gave up your life for your sheep like the Good Shepherd. You were slain by the lovers of schism, and you have entered into the Holy of Holies to rest in the company of the angels. O long-suffering saint, we make this petition to you: Beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds, to save our souls and to number us among the sheep at His right hand. 

 

Kontakion – John

O John, most wise, by distributing all your possessions to the poor, you now received the wealth of heaven. Therefore, we honor you for the sake of all, celebrating your memory who bears the name merciful because of your charity. 

 

Kontakion – Nilus

O blessed Nilus, your vigils of prayers cut down the needs of bodily passions like a scythe. Since you have confidence before the Lord, free me from every misfortune so that I may exclaim you: rejoice, universal father. 

 

Kontakion – Josaphat

You were enlightened by a spark from the crucified Christ from the time you were a child. You were like an angel in monastic life, living in it with true holiness. You openly preached unity, and with your martyr’s blood, you calmed the hearts of those who had been tossed about with schism. Christ has crowned you and we sing to you: Rejoice, unshatterable pillar of unity. 

 

Readings for the holy martyr Josephat

Epistle 

Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10

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

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

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

 

Gospel

John 10 9-16

The Lord said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand — who is no shepherd nor owner of the sheep — catches sight of the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf. That is because he works for pay; he has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father; for these sheep I will give my life. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Timothy 1: 8-14

Timothy, my son, we know that the law is good, provided one uses it in the ways law is supposed to be used – that is, with the understanding that it is aimed, not at good men but at the lawless and unruly, the irreligious and the sinful, the wicked and the godless, men who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, fornicators, sexual perverts, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and those who in other ways flout the sound teaching that pertains to the glorious gospel of God–blessed be he–with which I have been entrusted.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that he has made me his servant and judged me faithful. I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, a man filled with arrogance; but because I did not know what I was doing in my unbelief, I have been treated mercifully, and the grace of our Lord has been granted me in overflowing measure, along with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 

 

Gospel

Luke 14: 25-35

At that time when a great crowd was with Jesus, he turned to them and said, “If anyone comes to me without turning his back on his father and mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters, indeed his very self, he cannot be my follower. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. If one of you decides to build a tower, will he not first sit down and calculate the outlay to see if he has enough money to complete the project? He will do that for fear of laying the foundation and then not being able to complete the work; for all who saw it would jeer at him, saying, ‘That man began to build what he could not finish.’

“Or if a king is about to march on another king to do battle with him, will he not sit down first and consider whether, with ten thousand men, he can withstand an enemy coming against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, he will send a delegation while the enemy is still at a distance, asking for terms of peace. In the same way, none of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor what good is it for seasoning? It is fit for neither soil nor the manure heap’ it has to be thrown away. Let him who hears it, heed it.”