The holy martyr Thecla, first among women and equal to the Apostles, was converted to the faith by the preaching of the Apostle Paul when he came to Iconium with Barnabas. Thecla became a follower of Paul, and went with him to Antioch. She settled in a solitary place near Seleucia, and was martyred in the year 51 by the local physicians who were jealous over her gifts of healing. 

Troparion

O bride of God, Thecla, you were instructed by the words of Paul, you were made firm in the faith by Peter. You were revealed a protomartyr called by God among women and the first woman to suffer. You walked into the flames as into a flowering garden; the beasts and the brutes were frightened of you, for you were armed with the cross. O all-praiseworthy Thecla, pray to Christ God to save our souls. 

Kontakion

You were radiant with the goodness of virginity and you were adorned with the crown of martyrdom. You were entrusted with the work of the apostles, O Virgin Thecla, for you are most glorious since you transformed the flames of the fire into dew. Through your prayers, you tamed the anger of the youth, for you were the first woman to suffer martyrdom. 

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 20-26

Brothers and sisters: Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Defer to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be submissive to their husbands as if to the Lord because the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of his body the church, as well as its savior. As the church submits to Christ, so wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her to make her holy, purifying her in the bath of water by the power of the wor

Gospel

Luke 3: 23-38; 4:1

When Jesus began his work he was about thirty years of age, being–so it was supposed– the son of Joseph, son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,  son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of Meleah, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, son of Aminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxas, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methusaleh, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahaleleel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, then returned from the Jordan and was conducted by the Spirit into the desert. 

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

The conception of John the Baptist: On this day are celebrated God’s mercy, His wondrous deeds, and His wisdom. The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah’s birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His Forerunner. The story of the conception of the forerunner and Baptist John is related in the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke. 

Troparion

Joy to you, O barren one, unable to give birth; behold, you conceive today the one who is really a lamp of the Sun, who will enlighten the whole world that suffers from blindness. Rejoice, O Zechariah, and cry out with confidence: The prophet of the Most High is about to be born!

Kontakion

Zechariah is radiant in joy with his wife Elizabeth, for she has conceived John the Forerunner whom the angel announced rejoicing. And humanity honors him properly as the mystical passage of grace. 

Readings for the feast

Epistle

Galatians 4: 22-31

Brothers and sisters: Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl, the other by his freeborn wife. The son of the slave girl had been begotten in the course of nature, but the son of the free woman was the fruit of the promise. All this is an allegory: the two women stand for the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, and brought forth children to slavery: this is Hagar. The mountain Sinai [Hagar] is in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem of our time, which is likewise in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem on high is freeborn, and it is she who is our mother. That is why Scripture says: “Rejoice, you barren one who bear no children; break into song, you stranger to the pains of childbirth! For many are the children of the wife deserted-far more that of her who has a husband!” You, my brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, as Issac was. But just as in those days sons born in nature’s course persecuted the one whose birth was in the realm of the spirit, so do we find it now. What does Scripture say on the point? “Cast out slave girls and son together; for the slave girl’s son shall never be an heir on equal terms with the son” of the one born free. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave girl but of a mother who is free. 

Gospel

Luke 1: 5-25

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly order of Abijah; his wife, Elizabeth, was a descendant of Aaron. Both were just in the eyes of God, blamelessly following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They were childless, for Elizabeth was sterile; moreover, both were advanced in years.

Once, when it was the turn of Zechariah’s class and he was fulfilling his functions as a priest before God, it fell to him by lot according to priestly usage to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. While the full assembly of people was praying outside at the incense hour, an angel of the Lord appeared to Him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was deeply disturbed upon seeing him, and overcome with fear. 

The angel said to him: “Do not be frightened, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son who you shall name John. Joy and gladness will be yours, many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He will never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. Many of the sons of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. God himself will go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers and their children and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just, and to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed.”

Zechariah said to the angel: “How am I to know this? I am an old man; my wife is too advanced in age.” The angel replied: “I am Gabriel, who stand in attendance before God. I was sent to speak to you and bring this good news. But now you will be mute–unable to speak–until the day these things take place, because you have not trusted my words. They will all come true in due season.” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering at his delay in the temple. When he finally came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision inside. He kept making signs to them, for he remained speechless.

Then, when his time of priestly service was over, he went home. Afterward, his wife Elizabeth conceived. She went into seclusion for five months, saying, “In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; he has seen fit to remove my reproach among men.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

Philippians 1: 1-7

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones at Philippi, with their bishops and deacons in Christ Jesus. Grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ!

I give thanks to my God every time I think of you–which is constantly, in every prayer I utter–rejoicing, as I plead on your behalf, at the way you have all continually helped promote the gospel from the very first day.

I am sure of this much: that he who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus. It is only right that I should entertain such expectations in your regard since I hold all of you dear–you who, to a man, are sharers of my gracious lot when I lie in prison or am summoned to defend the solid grounds on which the gospel rests.

Gospel

Luke 4: 38-44

At that time Jesus left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was in the grip of severe fever, and they interceded with Jesus for her. He stood over her and addressed himself to the fever and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with a variety of diseases took them to Jesus, and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons departed from many, crying out as they did so, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.

The next morning he left the town and set out into the open country. The crowds went in search of him, and when they found him they tried to keep him from leaving them. “To other towns I must announce the good news of the reign of God, because that is why I was sent.” And he continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.

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

The holy martyr Phocas, bishop of Sinope, strengthened the faithful by his example and words as bishop, and brought many to the true faith. The governor of the province had him seized and tortured, and then killed him by throwing him into boiling water. He died during the reign of the emperor Trajan in 103.

The holy prophet Jonah, son of Amathi, by whose name a book of the Old Testament is called. Jonah’s famous passage from the belly of the whale is told as a sign of the resurrection of the Lord in the Gospel.

Our venerable father Jonah the priest was the father of Theophane the Hymnographer and Theodore the Artist. He was a wonder-worker who died in the monastery of St. San as the Sanctified in the 9th century. 

Troparion – Phocas

You shared in the apostles’ way of life and succeeded to their throne, divinely inspired Bishop. You found access to contemplation in the active life. Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. O Priest-Martyr Phocas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls. 

Troparion – Prophet

As we celebrate the memory of your prophet Jonah, O Lord, we implore you to save our souls through his prayers 

Kontakion – Phocas

As a bishop you offered the sacrifice, O father, and at the end of your life you offered yourself. You gave witness to Christ God before the law, strengthened by angels and ready for death. Be ever with those who sing to you: Be with us, Phocas, and never against us.

Kontakion – Prophet

You accepted God‘s decree and became a marvelous prophet. You remained in the whale for three days as an image of the third day Resurrection. You left the whale unharmed. You were a confessor of the faith in the great city of Nineveh. For all of this we pray to you, Jonah, as a type of Christ God who loves mankind.

Epistle

2 Corinthians 9: 6-11

Brothers and sisters: Let me say this much: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver. God can multiply  his favors among you so that you may always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works, as it is written: “He scattered abroad and gave to the poor, his justice endures forever.” He who supplies seed for the sower and bread for the eater will provide in abundance; he will multiply the seed you sow and increase your generous yield. In every way your liberality is enriched; through us it results in thanks offered to God. 

Gospel

Luke 5: 1-11

At that time as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd pressed in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats moored by the side of the lake; the fisherman had disembarked and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the other belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a short distance from the shore; then, remaining seated, he continued to teach the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your net for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have been hard at work all night long and have caught nothing; but if you say so, I will lower the nets.” Upon doing this they caught such a great number of fish that their nets were at the breaking point. They signaled to their mates in the other boat to come and help them. These came, and together they filled the two boats until they nearly sank. 

At the sight of this, Simon Peter fell at the knees of Jesus saying, “Leave me, Lord. I am a sinful man.” For indeed, amazement at the catch they had made seized him and all his shipmates, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “So not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men.” With that they brought their boats to land, left everything, and became his followers.

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

The holy apostle Quadratus of Magnesia of Greece, was a disciple of the Apostles. It is told that he, by his faith and diligence, gathered together the Church, which had been scattered by terror in the persecution of Hadrian the emperor. He also presented a book in defense of the Christian religion, worthy of the apostolic teaching, to that same emperor. 

Troparion

O holy Apostle Quadratus, intercede with the merciful God that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sin.

Kontakion

O Lord, the world offers You the apostle Quadratus, a precious hierarch and a courageous sufferer. The world honors his honorable memory with hymns, asking always remission for its sins through his intercession, O merciful Lord.

Epistle

1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

Brothers and sisters, you are among those called. Consider your situation. Not many of you are wise, as men account wisdom; not many are influential; and surely not many are well-born. God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; he singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world’s lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something; so that mankind can do no boasting before God. 

Gospel

John 8: 21-30

The Lord said to the people coming to him: “I am going away. You will look for me but you will die in your sins. Where I am going you cannot come.” At this some of the Jews began to ask, “Does he mean he will kill himself when he claims, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?”

Jesus went on: “You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above. You belong to this world–a world which cannot hold me. That is why I said you would die in your sins unless you come to believe that I AM.”

“Who are you, then?” they asked him. Jesus answered: “What I have been telling you from the beginning. I could say much about you in condemnation, but no, I only tell the world what I have heard from him, the truthful One who sent me.” They did not grasp that he was speaking of the Father. Jesus continued: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man you will come to realize that I AM and that I do nothing by myself. I say only what the Father has taught me, He has not deserted me since I always do what pleases him.” Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

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

The holy martyr Eustace was a Roman military leader in the time of the emperors Titus and Trajan. He was a righteous and merciful pagan. One day while hunting, he found a stag. In the stag’s antlers, a cross appeared, and Eustace heard a voice telling him to find a Christian priest and be baptized. He and his whole family were baptized, and then left Rome for Egypt on their way to Jerusalem. On the journey, they were all separated. Years later, they found each other again only to be martyred after confessing for Christ in front of the emperor Hadrian. 

The holy martyr Prince Michael of Chernigov was a sickly child who was known for his great piety. In his youth he was healed by the intercession of St. Nikeras the Stylite of Pereyaslavl. When the Mongol horde invaded and conquered the area in 1240, Prince Michael and his counselor Theodore went to meet the Mongol khan. A pagan priest demanded the two worship fire before their meeting, but the saints refused. They had come prepared to confess for Christ. Prince Michael was beaten and beheaded. The Mongols promised Theodore great honor if he participated in a pagan ritual, but he steadfastly refused, and followed the path of his prince. He too was beheaded. The confessors’ unwavering faith impressed the khans so much so that they no longer required the conquered Russians to perform any pagan rituals. 

Troparion – martyrs 

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

Troparion – confessor

Having completed your life as martyrs, having been adorned with the crowns of confessors flowing up to the heavens, O wise Michael, pray to Christ our God to protect your country according to his great mercy. 

Kontakion – martyr

O holy Eustace, you were an imitator of Christ in His passion. You drank of His cup with courage and thereby became a sharer of His glory, receiving divine forgiveness from on high from the God of all. 

Kontakion – confessors

Perceiving an earthly kingdom as nothing and having abandoned passing glory, you came to the labor of voluntary ascetic effort. You preached the Trinity to the impure torturers, O passion-bearer Michael and brave Theodore. Standing before the King of Powers, pray to protect your country without harm, and for us who venerate you unceasingly. 

Epistle

Ephesians 6: 18-24

Brothers and sisters: At every opportunity pray in the Spirit, using prayers and petition of every sort. Pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company. Pray for me that God may put his words on my lips, that I may courageously make known the mystery of the gospel–that mystery for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may have courage to proclaim it as I ought. 

Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will keep you informed as to how I am and what I am doing. I have sent him to you for the very purpose of giving you news about me for your hearts’ consolation.

May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ grant the brothers peace and love and faith. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with unfailing love. 

Gospel

Luke 4: 22-30

At that time, all who were present in the synagogue spoke favorably of Jesus; they marveled at the appealing discourse which came from his lips. They also asked, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Jesus said to them, “You will doubtless quote me the proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your own country the things we have heard you have done in Capernaum.’ But in fact,” he went on, “no prophet gains acceptance in his native place. Indeed, let me remind you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heavens remained closed for three and a half years and a great famine spread over the land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but to a widow of Zarephath near Sidon. Recall, too, the many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one was cured except Naaman the Syrian.”

At these words the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. They rose up and expelled him from the town, leading him to the brow of the hill on which it was built and intending to hurl him over the edge. But he went straight through their midst and walked away. 

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

The holy martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedont suffered for Christ during the reign of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). A pagan festival was being celebrated in the city of Antioch. The Christians Trophimus and Sabbatius arrived in the city just as the festival was taking place, and were saddened by this loud and indecent spectacle. They prayed that the Lord would guide the errant on the way of salvation. When they were told to renounce Christ, they resolutely refused to do so. St. Sabbatius died under the fierce torment. St. Trophimus was sent to the city of Synnada in Phrygia for even more terrible tortures. The senator Dorymedont, a secret Christian, visited St. Trophimus in prison to wash and bind his wounds. They were beheaded with the sword. 

Troparion

God is praised in the Holy Trinity, and He praises the three martyrs, Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedont. By their faith, they conquered the enemy. Through their prayers, have mercy on us, O Christ our God.

Kontakion

The Church honors and glorifies your light-bearing passion as a foundation of martyrs and confirmation of piety. O ever-hymned blessed passion-bearer, divinely wise and glorious Trophimus, and those who suffered with you, implore cleansing for those who profess you, for you are invincible. 

Epistle 

Ephesians 5:33 – 6:9

Brothers and sisters: Each one should love his wife as he loved himself, the wife for her part showing respect for her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is what is expected of you. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment to carry a promise with it–”that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not anger your children. Bring them up with the training and instruction befitting the Lord. 

Slaves, obey your human masters with reverence, the awe, and sincerity you owe to Christ. Do not render service for appearance only and to please men, but do God’s will with your whole heart as slaves of Christ. Give your service willingly, doing it for the Lord rather than men. You know that each one, whether slave or free, will be repaid by the Lord for whatever good he does. 

Masters, act in a similar way toward your slaves. Stop threatening them. Remember that you and they have a Master in heaven who plays no favorites. 

Gospel

Luke 4: 16-22

At that time Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been reared, and entering the synagogue on the sabbath as he was in habit of doing, he stood up to do the reading. When the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him, he unenrolled the scroll and found the passage where it is written: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and released to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.”

Rolling up the scroll he gave it back to the assistant and sat down. All in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on Jesus. Then he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” All who were present spoke favorably of him; they marveled at the appealing discourse which came from his lips.

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

Our venerable father Eumenius the Wonder-worker was bishop of Gortyna in Crete in the 7th century. He gave himself with his whole heart to Christ from his youth. He gave all he owned to the poor, and kept a very strict ascetic life of fasting and vigils. Seeing his virtue, the people of Gortyna chose him to be their bishop. He was father to the poor, consolation to the sad, healer to the sick, and a shepherd to his flock. He traveled to visit the desert fathers in the Thebaid, where he died. 

Troparion

You enriched your life with fasting, O father Eumenius. You loved the poor and gave them all you had. You were brighter than the sun in virtue, cheering the sad and comforting the mourners. By virtue of these riches and through your prayers, now beg Christ to forgive our sins. 

Kontakion

Illumined by the Divine Light, O all-blessed Eumenius, enlighten us who sing of your honorable and glorious and holy death with love. O father and hierarch Eumenius, pray unceasingly for all of us. 

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 25-33

Brothers and sisters: Love your wives, as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her to make her holy, purifying her in the bath of water by the power of the word, to present to himself a glorious church, holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort. Husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Observe that no one ever hates his own flesh; no, he nourishes it and takes care of it as Christ cares for the church–for we are members of his body. [Scripture says:] “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cling to his wife; and the two shall be made into one.” This is a great foreshadowing; I mean that it refers to Christ and the Church. In any case, each one should love his wife as he loves himself, the wife for her part showing respect for her husband. 

Gospel

Luke 4: 1-15

At that time Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was conducted by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, where he was tempted by the devil. During that time he ate nothing, and at the end of it he was hungry. The devil said to him, “ If you are the Son of God, command this stone to turn into bread.” Jesus answered him, “Scripture has it, ‘Not on bread alone shall man live.’”

Then the devil took Jesus up higher and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to Jesus, “I will give you all this power and glory of these kingdoms; the power has been given to me and I give it to whomever I wish. Prostrate yourself in homage before me, and it shall all be yours.” In reply, Jesus said to him, “Scripture has it, ‘You shall do homage to the Lord your God; him alone shall you adore.’”

Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, set him on a parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for Scripture has it, ‘He will bid his angels watch over you’; and again [it says] ‘With their hands they will support you, that you may never stumble on a stone.’”

Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

When the devil had finished all the tempting he left him, to await another opportunity. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and his reputation spread throughout the region. He was teaching in their synagogues, and all were loud in his praise.

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

The holy martyrs St. Sophia [Wisdom], and her daughters Faith [Vera], Hope [Nadežda], and Charity [Luba] were born in Italy. Their mother was a pious Christian widow who named her daughters after the three Christian virtues. Faith was 12, Hope was 10, and Love was 9. St. Sophia raised them in the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. St. Sophia and her daughters did not hide their faith in Christ, but openly confessed it before everyone. They lived and suffered in Rome in the time of the emperor Hadrian. For refusing to sacrifice to the goddess Artemis, he had them put to death around the year 137.

Troparion

The Church solemnly celebrates and rejoices over the newly-born children and their radiant mother. Named for Wisdom and like her name, she gave birth to three children equal to the three theological virtues. In the company of these three wise virgins, she gazes on God the Word and Chaste Groom. We join her in her happiness spiritually and sing: O thrice-blessed martyrs, Faith, Hope, and Charity make us firm in faith, hope, and charity. 

Kontakion

The three sacred branches of honorable Sophia, Faith and Hope and Charity, have shown forth. Through grace they outwitted the wisdom of the Greeks. Both through their suffering and through being bearers of victory, Christ, the Master of All, granted to them incorruptible crowns. 

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 20-26

Brothers and sisters: Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Defer to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be submissive to their husbands as if to the Lord because the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of his body the church, as well as its savior. As the church submits to Christ, so wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her to make her holy, purifying her in the bath of water by the power of the wor

Gospel

Luke 3: 23-38; 4:1

When Jesus began his work he was about thirty years of age, being–so it was supposed– the son of Joseph, son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,  son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of Meleah, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, son of Aminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxas, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methusaleh, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahaleleel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, then returned from the Jordan and was conducted by the Spirit into the desert. 

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

The holy great-martyr Euphemia was raised by her devout Christian parents. Her father, Philophronus, was a senator. UNder the emperor Diocletian, when the Proconsul Priscus held a feast and offered sacrifice to Ares in Chalcedon, forty-nine Christians avoided this sacrificial offering and hid themselves. However, they were discovered and brought before Priscus. Among them was St. Euphemia. For nineteen consecutive days, Priscus imposed various tortures on them. On the twentieth day he separated Euphemia from the others and began to flatter her for her beauty. As his flattery was in vain, he ordered that the virgin be tortured again. First, they tortured her on the wheel, but an angel of God appeared to Euphemia and shattered the wheel. Then they threw her into a fiery furnace, but she was preserved by the power of God. Upon seeing this, two soldiers, Victor and Sosthenes, came to believe in Christ. Euphemia was then thrown into a pit filled with water and every kind of poisonous vermin; but she made the sign of the Cross over the water and remained unharmed. She was finally thrown to the wild beasts and, with a prayer of thanksgiving to God, gave up her spirit in the year 303. She is also commemorated on July 11.

Troparion

Your lamb Euphemia, 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 your 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. 

Kontakion

You waged a good battle in your embrace of death, and after death you sanctified us with miraculous signs. We sing of your holy dormition, O all-praiseworthy Euphemia, coming to your divine church with faith, seeking to be saved from spiritual ills and to obtain the grace of your miracles. 

Epistle

Ephesians 4: 25-32

Brothers and sisters: See to it, that you put an end to lying; let everyone speak the truth to his neighbor, for we are members of one another. If you are angry, let it be without sin. The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you. The man who has been stealing must steal no longer; rather, let him work with his hands at honest labor so that he will have something to share with those in need. Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ. 

Gospel

Luke 3: 19-22

At that time, Herod the tetrarch was censured by John on the subject of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all his other crimes. He added to his guilt by shutting John up in prison.

When all the people were baptized, and Jesus was at prayer after likewise being baptized, the skies opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the visible form like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard to say: “You are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.”

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