Mar. 9 The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste

The forty holy martyrs, martyred at Sebaste in Armenia on a frozen lake. They were comrades , not in blood, but in faith and obedience to the will of their heavenly Father. At the time of the emperor Licinius, after binding and savage tortures, the martyrs were ordered to pass the night naked at the coldest time of winter in a swamp in the open air. They consummated their martyrdom by the breaking of their legs at crucifixion. The forty martyrs are: Cyrion(or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclius, Smaragdus, Eunocius(or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Priscus, Theodulus, Eutychius, John, Xanthius, Helianus, Sisinius, Aggais, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecdicius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontuis, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton. 

 

Troparion

O forty soldiers of Christ and honorable martyrs, you went through fire and water, O mighty warriors, and have come to live with the angels. Join them in praying to Christ for those who praise you. Glory to Him who strengthened you! Glory to Him who crowned you! Glory to Him who heals us through you!

 

Kontakion

You left the crowds of this world and joined the Master in heaven, O forty martyrs. Passing through fire and water, you reaped glory and honor in heaven, O blessed saints. 

 

Readings for the Saints

Epistle 

Hebrews 12: 1-10

Brothers and sisters: Since we for our part are surrounded by this cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead; let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who inspires and perfects our faith. For the sake of the joy which lay before him he endured the cross, heedless of its shame. He has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Remember how he endures the opposition of sinners; hence do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle. In your fight against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. Moreover, you have forgotten the encouraging words addressed to you as sons: “My sons, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord nor lose heart when he reproves you; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he receives.” Endure your trials as the disciples of God, who deals with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you do not know the discipline of sons, you are not sons but bastards. If we respected our earthly fathers who corrected us, should we not all the more submit to the Father of spirits, and live? They disciplined us as seemed right to them, to prepare us for the short span of mortal life; but God does so for our true profit, that we may share his holiness.

 

Gospel

Matthew 20: 1-16

The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like the case of the owner of an estate who went out at dawn to hire the workman for his vineyard. After reaching an agreement with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them out to his vineyard. He came out about midmorning and saw other men standing around the marketplace without work, so he said to them, ‘You too go along to my vineyard and I will pay you whatever is fair.’ At that they went away. He came out again around noon and did the same. Finally, going out in late afternoon he found others standing around. To these he said, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ ‘No one has hired us,’ they told him. He said, ‘You go to the vineyard too.’

When evening came the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workmen and give them their pay, but  begin with the last group and end with the first.’ When those hired late in the afternoon came up they received a full day’s pay, and when the first group appeared they supposed they would get more; yet they received that same daily wage. Thereupon they complained to the owner, ‘This last group did only an hour’s work, but you have put them on the same basis as us who have worked a full day in the scorching heat.’ ‘My friend,’ he said to one in reply, ‘I do you no injustice. You agreed on the usual wage, did you not? Take your pay and go home. I intend to give this man who was hired last the same pay as you. I am free to do as I please with my money, am I not? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus the last shall be first and the first shall be last. 

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Hebrews 6: 9-12

Brothers and sisters: Even though we speak in this way, we are persuaded of better things in your regard, things pointing to your salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him by your service, past and present, to his holy people. Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal to the end, fully assured of that for which you hope. Do not grow lazy, but imitate those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

 

Gospel

Mark 7: 31-37

At that time Jesus left the territory of Tyre and returned by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Ten Cities. Some people brought him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Jesus to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched the man’s tongue; then Jesus looked up to heaven and emitted a groan. He said to the man “Ephphathal!” (that is “Be opened!”) At once the man’s ears were opened; he was freed from the impediment, and began to speak plainly. Then Jesus enjoined them strictly not to tell anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. Their amazement went beyond all bounds and they said: “He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

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

Mar. 8 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Theophylactus, Bishop of Nicomedia

Our venerable father and Confessor Theophylactus, along with St. Michael (Bishop of Synada) lived an ascetic life at a monastery on the coast of the Black Sea. The zealous ascetics were granted the gift of wonderworking by their God-pleasing labors and intense prayers. During a drought, when the field workers were weakened by thirst, the saints prayed and an empty vessel became filled with enough water to last the entire day. After several years at the monastery, they were both consecrated as bishops by the Patriarch Tarasius. St. Michael was made Bishop of Synada, and St. Theophylactus was made Bishop of Nicomedia. Heading the Church of Nicomedia, St. Theophylactus cared for the flock entrusted to him. He built churches, hospices, homes for wanderers, he generously distributed alms, was the guardian of orphans, and personally attended to those afflicted with leprosy. When the iconoclast Leo the Armenian came to the imperial throne, he reinstated iconoclast heresy despite the Seventh Ecumenical Council’s decision.  St. Theophylactus opposed the emperor to his face and predicted a speedy death for the emperor. For his bold prophecy, the saint was removed from his see and sent into exile in Strobil. He languished there for thirty years until his death, which took place around the year 845.

 

Troparion

You tried to live a hidden life, O praiseworthy father, but Christ made you a lamp upon the light of thought. He handed you the tablets of spiritual knowledge. Enlighten us by them, O holy Theophylact.

 

Kontakion

You became a lamp for the whole world, O father, and by preaching that the Word had the nature common to the Father and the Spirit, you enlightened the Council of heavenly fathers. You became a defender of the Trinity. As you stand before them, pray unceasingly for all of us. 

Readings for the day

Genesis 12: 1-7

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

 

Proverbs 14: 15-26

The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.

The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.

One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly, and the schemer is hated.

The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor are disliked even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor.

Do they not err that plan evil? Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.

A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and one’s children will have a refuge.

 

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

Mar. 7 The Holy Martyrs and Bishops of Cherson

The Heiromartyrs Basil, Ephraim, Elpidius, Agathodorus, Aetherius, and Caption carried the Gospel of Christ into the North Black Sea region from the Danube to the Dniper, including Crimea. They were bishops of Cherson at different times during the fourth century, and they sealed their apostolic activity with martyrdom. Only Aetherius died in peace. Long before the Baptism of Rus under St. Vladimir, the Christian Faith spread into the Crimea, which in antiquity was called Tauridia, and was ruled by the Roman Emperor. The beginning of the enlightenment of Tauridia is attributed to the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. At the beginning of the fourth century a bishop’s See was established at Cherson. This was a critical period when Cherson served as a base for the Roman armies which constantly passed through the area. 

 

Troparion

O God of our ancestors, You always deal with us according to your everlasting compassion, take not your mercy away from us; but through the prayers of our ancestors, guide our lives along the ways of peace.

 

Kontakion

The day of splendor of those brilliant bishops of Cherson has come today. We are singing for the feast of those shepherds who died for the sheep of Christ. O princes of shepherds and martyred priests, beg Christ to put us with the sheep at his right hand so that we may sing out to you: Rejoice, O priestly fathers who poured out your blood for Christ.

 

Readings for the day

Genesis 10:32- 11:9

These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their origins and by their nations. From these the nations of the earth branched out after the flood.

The whole world had the same language and the same words. When they were migrating from the east, they came to a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.” They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the Lord said: If now, while they are one people and all have the same language, they have started to do this, nothing they presume to do will be out of their reach. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that no one will understand the speech of another. So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the speech of all the world. From there the Lord scattered them over all the earth. 

 

Proverbs 13:19- 14:6

The light of the just gives joy, but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

The stupid sow discord by their insolence, but wisdom is with those who take counsel. 

Wealth won quickly dwindles away, but gathered little by little, it grows.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a wish fulfilled is a tree of life. 

Whoever despises the word must pay for it, but whoever reveres the command will be rewarded. 

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 

Good sense brings favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin. 

The shrewd always act prudently but the foolish parade folly.

A wicked messenger brings on disaster, but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy.

Poverty and shame befall those who let go of discipline, but those who hold on to reproof receive honor. 

Desire fulfilled delights the soul, but turning from evil is an abomination to fools. 

Walk with the wise and you become wise, but the companion of fools fares badly.

Misfortune pursues sinners, but the just shall be recompensed with good. 

The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just. 

The tillage of the poor yields abundant food, but possessions are swept away for lack of justice.

Whoever spares the rod hates the child, but whoever loves will apply discipline.

When the just eat, their hunger is appeased; but the belly of the wicked suffers want. 

Wisdom builds her house, but Folly tears her down with her own hands.

Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord, but those who are devious in their ways spurn him.

In the mouth of the fool is a rod for pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them. 

Where there are no oxen, the crib is clean; but abundant crops come through the strength of the bull.

A trustworthy witness does not lie, but one who spouts lies makes a lying witness.

The scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for the intelligent.

 

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

Mar. 6 The Forty-Two Martyrs of Ammorium

During a ninth-century war between the Byzantine Emperor Theophilus and the Saracens, the Saracens managed to besiege the city of Ammoria. As a result of treason by the military commander Baditses, Ammoria fell and forty-two of its generals were taken captive and sent off to Syria. During the seven years of their imprisonment, their captors tried in vain to persuade them to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. The captives stubbornly resisted all their seductive offers and bravely held out against terrible threats. After many torments failed to break the spirit of the Christian soldiers, they condemned them to death, hoping to shake the determination of the saints before executing them. The martyrs remained steadfast. The executioners took each one separately and led him off to be beheaded, then threw the bodies into the River Euphrates. In the service of them, these holy passion-bearers are glorified as : the “All-Blessed” Theodore, the “Unconquered” Callistus, the “Valiant” Constantine, the “Wondrous” Theophilus, and “the Most Blessed” Basoes. Saint Aetius and Melissenus were also among the martyrs. 

 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

 

Kontakion

We bring crowns of glory to these newly appearing stars who manifested their faith by suffering for Christ. As real pillars and helpers of Christ’s reign, they pray to Him on behalf of all of us. 

 

Readings for the day

Genesis 9:18 – 10:1

The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japeth. Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated. 

Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some wine, became drunk, and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness, and he told his two brothers outside. Shem and Japeth, however, took a robe, and holding it on their shoulders, they walked backward and covered their father’s nakedness; since their faces were turned the other way, they did not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah woke up from his wine and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said:

“Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers.”

He also said:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! Let Canaan be his slave. May God expand Japeth, and may he dwell among the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave.”

Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. The whole lifetime of Noah was nine hundred and fifty years; then he died. 

These are the descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth, to whom children were born after the flood. 

 

Proverbs 12:23 – 13:9

The shrewd conceal knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim folly. 

The diligent hand will govern, but sloth makes for forced labor. 

Worry weighs down the heart, but a kind word gives it joy. 

The just act as guides to their neighbors, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Sloth does not catch its prey, but the wealth of the diligent is splendid. 

In the path of justice is life, but the way of abomination leads to death.

A wise son loves correction, but the scoffer heeds no rebuke. 

From the fruit of the mouth one enjoys good things, but from the throat of the treacherous comes violence. 

Those who guard their mouths preserve themselves; those who open wide their lips bring ruin.

The appetite of the sluggard craves but nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is amply satisfied.

The just hate deceitful words, but the wicked are odious and disgraceful.

Justice guards one who walks honestly, but sin leads the wicked astray. 

One acts rich but has nothing; another acts poor but has great wealth. 

People’s riches serve as ransom for their lives, but the poor do not even hear a threat. 

The light of the just gives joy, but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

 

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

 

Mar. 5 The Holy Martyr Conon

The holy martyr Conon was brought up in the Christian Faith and baptized in the name of the All-holy and Life-giving Trinity by the Archangel Michael himself. Until his death, the archangel of God invisibly watched over him. Conon was illumined and empowered by the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that his heart was driven not by anything worldly but only by the spiritual and heavenly. When his parents forced him into marriage, the first evening he took a candle and placed it under a vessel and asked his bride: “Which is better, light or darkness?” She replied: “Light.” He began to talk to her about the Faith of Christ, and about the spiritual life as being far superior and more desirable than the physical. Afterward Conon converted his wife and her parents to the Christian Faith. Conon and his wife lived as brother and sister. Shortly thereafter, his wife and parents died, and he withdrew completely from this worldly life and devoted himself totally to prayer, fasting, and divine contemplation. He performed great miracles, through which he converted many to Christianity. He even compelled evil spirits to serve him. During a time of persecution, Conon was captured, tortured, and pierced throughout with knives. The sick anointed themselves with his blood, and they were healed. Afterward he lived for two more years in his town of Isauria. Conon lived and was martyred in the second century.

 

Troparion

With our hymn, let us praise Conon as a hard worker and a great martyr. He is a blessed sufferer who received authority over devils, so let us cry out to him: Beg Christ to save our souls.

 

Kontakion

Having lived an angelic life on earth in your purity, you were admitted to their company in heaven. You brought your parents to a knowledge of Christ and shed your blood to profess the one God in the Trinity. Pray unceasingly for all of us, O martyr Conon. 

 

Readings for the day

Genesis 9: 8-17

God said to Noah and to his sons with him: See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: the birds, the tame animals, and all the wild animals that were with you–all that came out of the ark. I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastated the earth. God said: This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and every living creature–every mortal being– so that the waters will never again become a flood to destroy every mortal being. When the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature–every mortal being that is on earth. God told Noah: This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and every mortal being that is on earth. 

 

Proverbs 12: 8-22

For their good sense people are praised, but the perverse of heart are despised. 

Better to be slighted and have a servant than put on airs and lack bread. 

The just take care of their livestock, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

Those who till their own land have food in plenty, but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense. 

A wicked person desires the catch of evil people, but the root of the righteous will bear fruit. 

By the sin of their lips the wicked are ensnared, but the just escape from a tight spot. 

From the fruit of their mouths people have their fill of good, and the works of their hands come back upon them. 

The way of fools is right in their own eyes, but those who listen to advice are the wise. 

Fools immediately show their anger, but the shrewd conceal contempt. 

Whoever speaks honestly testifies truly, but the deceitful make lying witnesses. 

The babble of some people is like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise is healing. 

Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment. 

Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. 

No harm befalls the just, but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune. 

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who are truthful, his delight.

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

Mar. 4 Our Venerable Father Gerasimus of the Jordan

Our venerable father Gerasimus first learned about the ascetic life while he was in the Egyptian Thebaid. He went to the Jordan and founded a community in which there were seventy monks. He instituted a special rule in his monastery: each monk spent five days a week in their cell weaving baskets and rush mats. They were never allowed to light a fire in their cells. Five days a week they ate only a little dry bread and a few dates. The monks were required to keep their cells open so that, when they went out, anyone could enter and take whatever they needed. On Saturdays and Sundays they gathered in the monastery church. They had a common meal with a few vegetables and a little wine. Each monk would then bring in and place at the feet of the abbot that which he made during the past five days. St. Gerasimus set the example to all. During Great Lent he did not eat anything except what he received in Holy Communion. Gerasimus attended the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451. Although at the beginning he leaned toward the Monophysite heresy of Eutyches and Dioscorus, he was a great defender and champion of Orthodoxy at the Council.

 

Troparion

Living a life angelic in fasting and powerful in prayer, a life unwavering in trials, unceasing in vigil, and temperate in all things, you astonished the angels and vanquished the legions of devils, O father Gerasimus. You gladden the hearts of the faithful, O blessed saint. The beasts were obedient to you for all of this. Since you have achieved a place of honor before the Lord, pray for the salvation of our souls.

 

Kontakion

Inflamed with an exalted ideal, you preferred Jordan severity to worldly delights. Until the day you died, the wild animals listened to you; and they died of sorrow upon your grave, O father. Truly they praised you before God. Pray to Him, O father Gerasimus, and keep us in your holy memory. 

 

Readings for the day

Genesis 8:21- 9:7

When the Lord smelled the sweet odor, the Lord said to himself: Never again will I curse the ground because of human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done. 

All the days of the earth, 

Seedtime and harvest,

Cold and heat,

Summer and winter,

And day and night

Shall not cease.

God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth. Fear and dread shall come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered. Any living creature that moves about shall be yours to eat; I give them all to you as I did the green plants. Only meat with its lifeblood still in it you shall not eat. Indeed for your own lifeblood I will demand an accounting: from every animal I will demand it, and from a human being, each one for the blood of another, I will demand an accounting for human life. 

Anyone who sheds the blood of a human being,

By a human being shall that one’s blood be shed;

For in the image of God

Have human beings been made.

Be fertile, then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it. 

 

Proverbs 11:19- 12:6

Justice leads toward life, but pursuit of evil, toward death. 

The crooked in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those who walk blamelessly are his delight.

Be assured, the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the offspring of the just shall escape. 

Like a golden ring in a swine’s snout is a beautiful woman without judgment. 

The desire of the just ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

One person is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.

Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes the other will be refreshed. 

Whoever hoards grain, the people curse, but blessings are on the head of the one who distributes it!

Those who seek the good seek favor, but those who pursue evil will have evil come upon them. 

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like green leaves the just will flourish. 

Those who trouble their household inherit the wind, and fools become slaves to the wise of heart. 

The fruit of justice is a tree of life, and one who takes lives is a sage.

If the just are recompensed on the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Whoever loved discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is stupid. 

A good person wins favor from the Lord, but the schemer he condemns. 

No one is made secure by wickedness, but the root of the just will never be disturbed.

A woman of worth is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones. 

The plans of the just are right; the designs of the wicked are deceit. 

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright saves them. 

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

Mar. 3 The Holy Martyr Eutropius and his Companions

The Holy martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus suffered in the city of Pontine Amasea (Asia Minor) in about the year 308. The brothers Eutropius and Cleonicus, and Basiliscus the nephew of the Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit, were comrades. After the martyric death of St. Theodore, they wound up in prison and by their preaching brought many of the pagans in prison with them to the Christian Faith. Saints Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus were brought before the governor Asclepiodotus, they firmly confessed their faith in Christ before him. They were mercilessly beaten, so that their bodies were entirely bruised. On the morning of March 3, Saints Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified, but Basiliscus was left in prison. St. Basiliscus was executed on May 22 in the city of Komana. They beheaded  him and threw his body into a river, but Christian followers found his relics and buried them in a plowed field. Later at Komana a church was built and dedicated to St. Basiliscus. 

 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

This trinity of martyrs confessed the Holy Trinity before many nations. Undergoing their suffering of martyrdom, they have been presented to the angels. Today we are honoring them, celebrating their sacred and life-saving memory.

 

Epistle

Hebrews 4:14 – 5:6

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.”

 

Gospel

Mark 8:34 – 9:1

At that time Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them: “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps. Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s sake will preserve it. What prophet does a man show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process? What can a man offer in exchange for his life? If anyone in this faithless and corrupt age is ashamed of me and my doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes with the holy angels in his Father’s glory.” He also said to them: “I assure you, among those standing here there are some who will not taste death until they see the reign of God established in power.”

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

Sunday Bulletin 3/03/24

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Mar. 2  –  3rd All Souls Saturday        

9:30 AM          All Souls Saturday Divine Liturgy

5:00 PM          Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy

5:30 PM          Reader Vespers

Sunday, Mar. 3  –  3rd Sunday of the Great Fast – Veneration of The Cross          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, Mar. 5  –  Conon, Martyr         

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

Wednesday, Mar. 6  –  42 Martyrs of Ammorium    

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Presanctified Divine Liturgy

7:30 PM          Firepit Social

Friday, Mar. 8  –  Theophylact, Bishop-Confessor

6:00 PM          Santa Paula Outreach Presanctified Divine Liturgy

Saturday, Mar. 9  –  40 Martyrs of Sebaste

5:00 PM      Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy

Sunday, Mar. 10  –  4th Sunday of the Great Fast – St. John Climacus        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

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

MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession)

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

Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirley Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, Carolina Chirdon, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s

WEEKLY DEPOSIT:

Collection: $1,652.00; Santa Paula: $1,018.55.00; Online: $160.00; Candles: $32.15; Parish Socials: $47.00; Gift Shop: $45.00

Total: $2,954.70 / Attendance – PSM: 72    SPO: 88  

 

Veneration of the Cross

On this third Sunday of the Great Fast we celebrate the Veneration of the precious and life-giving Cross. Since during the forty days of the Fast we are also in a way crucified, mortified to the passions, contrite, abased and despondent, the precious and life-giving Cross is offered to us as refreshment and confirmation, calling to mind the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and comforting us. If our God was crucified for our sake, how great should be our effort for His sake, since our afflictions have been assuaged through the Lord’s tribulations, and by the commemoration and the hope of the Cross of glory. For as our Savior in ascending the Cross was glorified through dishonor and grief; so should we also endure our sorrows, in order to be glorified with Him. Also, as those who have traveled a long hard road, weighed down by the labors of their journey, in finding a shady tree, take their ease for a moment and continue their journey rejuvenated, so now in this time of the Fast, this sorrowful and laborious journey, the Holy Fathers have planted the life-giving Cross, for our relief and refreshment, to encourage and make easier the labors that lie ahead. Or as when there is a royal procession, the king’s scepter and banners precede him, he then appears himself, radiant and joyous in his victory, causing his subjects to rejoice with him. So then our Lord Jesus Christ, desiring to show His sure victory over death and His glory on the day of the Resurrection, sends His scepter before Himself, the sign of His kingship, the life-giving Cross, to gladden and refresh us, as it greatly fortifies and enables us to be prepared to receive the King with all possible strength, and to praise Him in His radiant victory.

This week lies at the middle of the holy Forty Day Fast. The Fast is like a bitter source because of our contrition and the sadness and sorrow for sin that it brings. And as Moses plunged the branch in the bitter waters of Marah, making them sweet, so God, who has led us through the spiritual Red Sea away from Pharaoh, through the life-giving wood of the precious and life-giving Cross sweetens the bitterness of the Forty Day Fast, and comforts us as those who were in the wilderness, up until the time when by His Resurrection He will lead us to the spiritual Jerusalem. And since the Cross is called, and indeed is, the Tree of Life, it is the very tree that was planted in the Garden of Eden. So it is fitting that the Holy Fathers have planted the Tree of the Cross in the middle of the Forty Day Fast to commemorate both Adam’s tasting of its sweet fruit and of its being taken from us in favor of the Tree of the Cross, tasting of which we shall in no way die, but will have even greater life.

-Synaxarion

“Whoever will lose his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it.” A vocation is a cross, a way to lose our lives for the Lord and His Gospel by giving life to the world in a life of prayer and devotion to the holy mysteries of the Church. The Lord may be showing you that holy orders or the religious life is something to consider.  Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Mar. 2 The Holy Priest Martyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrene

The Hieromartyr Theodotus, a native of Galatia in Asia Minor, was bishop of Cyrenia in Cyprus. During a time of persecution against Christians under the impious emperor Licinius, St. Theodotus openly preached Christ, calling the pagans to abandon idolatry and turn to the true God. Sabinus, the governor of Cyprus, ordered Bishop Theodotus be arrested and brought to trial. The governor ordered that the saint be beaten without mercy, suspended from a tree, raked with sharp implements, and then be taken to prison. Five days later, St. Theodotus was brought to the governor, who presumed that after his tortures the bishop would prefer to renounce Christ, rather than endure new sufferings. Many witnessed the sufferings of the martyr. Astonished at the saint’s endurance and his divinely-inspired speech, they came to believe in Christ. Learning this, Sabinus gave orders to stop the torture and throw the saint in prison. During the reign of St. Constantine the Great, freedom to confess their faith was given to all Christians, and among those set free from prison was St. Theodotus. The saint returned to Cyrenia and after two years serving as bishop he peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in about the year 326. 

Troparion

O holy priest-martyr Theodotus, you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life and succeeded them on their throne. Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue. Therefore, you became a perfect teacher of truth, fighting for the faith unto the shedding of your blood. Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

You dried up the sea of false belief and smashed the guile of the vicious idolatry by the true faith. Having become a heavenly holocaust, you feed the whole world on miracles. O sanctifying father Theodotus, beg Christ our God to have mercy on us. 

Epistle

Hebrews 10: 32-38

Brothers and sisters: Recall the days gone by when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to insult and trial; at other times you associated yourselves with those who were being so dealt with. You even joined in the suffering of those who were in prison and joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing that you had better and more permanent possessions. Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward. You need patience to do God’s will and receive what He has promised. 

Gospel

Mark 2: 14-17

At that time as Jesus moved on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector’s post, and said to him, “Follow me.” Levi got up and became his follower. While Jesus was reclining to eat in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and those known as sinners joined him and his disciples at dinner. The number of those who followed him was large. When the scribes who belonged to the Pharisees party saw that Jesus was eating with tax collectors and offenders against the law, they complained to his disciples, “Why does he eat with such as these?” Overhearing the remark, Jesus said to them, “People who are healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous.”

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

Mar. 1 The Holy Venerable Martyr Eudoxia

Holy Monastic Martyr Eudoxia was a Samaritan, a native of the city of Heliopolis in Phoenicia. Eudoxia awoke one night at midnight and heard singing from the house of a Christian woman next to hers. A monk was reading from a book which described the Last Judgment, the punishment of sinners, and the reward of the righteous. The grace of God touched Eudoxia’s heart, and she grieved because of her great wealth and for her sinful life. This was a monk named Germanus, returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Places to his own monastery. Eudoxia listened for a long time to the guidance of the Elder, and her soul was filled with joy and love for Christ. The Elder Germanus told her to give away her wealth and to forget her previous life. Eudoxia received holy Baptism from Bishop Theodotus of Heliopolis. She entered a monastery and took upon herself very strict acts of penitence. She was arrested and beheaded for the Faith under the emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. 

Troparion

You bound your soul to love of Christ by purity of heart, and you spurned perishable things as a disciple of the Word. You brought your senses under control by fasting, and then you shamed the enemy by enduring martyrdom. Because of this, Christ gave you a double crown, O glorious Eudoxia; therefore, beg Him to save our souls, O venerable martyr.

Kontakion

You fought a good fight by your sufferings, and you sanctify us after your death by miracles. We come with joy to your heavenly Church to celebrate. We beg you to deliver us from spiritual afflictions and to grace us with your miracles, O venerable Eudoxia. 

Readings for the day

Genesis 8: 4-21

In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to diminish until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains appeared.

At the end of forty days, Noah opened the hatch of the ark that he had made, and he released a raven. It flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the earth. Then he released a dove, to see if the waters had lessened on the earth. But the dove could find no place to perch, and it returned to him in the ark, for there was water over all the earth. Putting out his hand, he caught the dove and drew it back to him inside the ark. He waited yet seven days more and again released the dove from the ark. In the evening the dove came back to him, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! So Noah knew that the waters had diminished on the earth. He waited yet another seven days and then released the dove; but this time it did not come back.

In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the water began to dry up on the earth. Noah then removed the covering of the ark and saw that the surface of the ground had dried. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. 

Then God said to Noah: Go out of the ark, together with your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you– all creatures, be they birds or animals or crawling things on the earth– and let them abound on the earth, and be fertile and multiply on it. So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives; and all the animals, all the birds, and all the crawling creatures that crawl on the earth went out of the ark by families.

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and choosing every clean animal and every clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the sweet odor, the Lord said to himself: Never again will I curse the ground because of the human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done. 

Proverbs 10:31- 11:12

The mouth of the just yields wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 

The lips of the just know favor, but the mouth of the wicked, perversion.

False scales are an abomination to the Lord, but an honest weight, his delight. 

When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom. 

The honesty of the upright guides them; the faithless are ruined by their duplicity.

Wealth is useless on a day of wrath, but justice saves from death. 

The justice of the honest makes their way straight, but by their wickedness the wicked will fall.

The justice of the upright saves them, but the faithless are caught in their own intrigue. 

When a person dies, hope is destroyed; expectation pinned on wealth is destroyed.

The just are rescued from a tight spot, but the wicked fall into it instead.

By a word the impious ruin their neighbors, but through their knowledge the just are rescued. 

When the just prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. 

Through the blessings of the upright the city is exalted, but through the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 

Whoever reviles a neighbor lacks sense, but the intelligent keep silent. 

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