Nov. 23 Our Fathers among the saints, Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium and Gregory, Bishop of Agrigento

Our holy father Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, was the cousin of St. Gregory the Theologian and close friend of St. Basil the Great. St. Amphilochius lived in the wilderness as a strict ascetic for 40 years until the Lord summoned him in a vision, telling him to go to Iconium to replace the bishop who had just died. As Bishop of Iconium, St. Amphilochius fought the Arian and Eunomian heresies. He participated in the 2nd Ecumenical Council, and headed the struggle against the heresy of Macedonius. The holy Bishop Amphilochius of Iconium departed peacefully to the Lord in the year 394.

Our holy father Gregory, Bishop of Agrigento, was a holy child, who was given to the clergy of the church of Agrigento at the age of 12 where he spent ten years under the spiritual guidance of the archdeacon. St. Gregory then felt called to visit Jerusalem, where he stayed for several years. After leaving Jerusalem, St. Gregory went to Constantinople, where he was received with love by the brethren of the monastery of the holy Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. The ascetic efforts of St. Gregory were noticed by Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople, who insisted the saint participate in the 5fth Ecumenical Council (553). The Pope appointed St. Gregory as Bishop of Agrigento through divine inspiration. 

 

Troparion

God of our fathers, You always deal with us in Your kindness. Take not Your mercy away from us; but through their prayers guide our life in peace.

 

Kontakion – Amphilochius

Divine thunder, trumpet of the Spirit, sower of faith, and axe that cuts down heresies, servant of the Trinity, O great hierarch Amphilochius, pleasing to the Trinity, you stand forever with the angels. Pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Kontakion – Gregory

The Church of the Holy Spirit leads righteously with bright rays of light the fulfillment of your dormition, O all-blessed venerable father Gregory. 

 

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 18: 31-34

At that time, taking the Twelve aside, Jesus said to them: “We must now go up to Jerusalem so that all that was written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man may be accomplished. He will be delivered up to the Gentiles. He will be mocked and outraged and spat upon. They will scourge him and put him to death, and on the third day he will rise again.” They understood nothing of this. His utterance remained obscure to them, and they did not grasp his meaning. 

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

Nov. 22 The Holy Apostle Philemon and his Companions; The Holy Martyrs Cecilia, Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossa in Phrygia. After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who believed in Christ gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast. St. Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. Saints Philemon and Apphia, and also St. Archippus (who also lived at Colossa), all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. All fled in terror, and only Saints Philemon, Archippus, and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed St. Archippus with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Saints Philemon and Apphia were stoned to death by order of the prefect. 

The holy martyrs Cecilia, Valerian, Tiburtius and Maximus: St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr, who it is said attained that double palm for the love of Christ at Rome in the cemetery of Callistus on the Appian Way. She was martyred after she buried with loving care the bodies of the martyrs Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus whom she led to Christ through her great devotion. (c. 230)

 

Troparion 

O holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins. 

 

Kontakion

We praise the apostles of Christ as stars who bathe the ends of the world with light: the glorious Philemon, and the consecrated Archippus, and Onesimus, and Mark, and Appollos, and with them the all-wise Apphia, singing: pray unceasingly for all of us.

 

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 18: 15-17, 26-30

At that time they even brought babies to be touched by Jesus. When the disciples saw this, they scolded the people roundly; but Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me. Do not shut them off. The reign of God belongs to such as these. Trust me when I tell you that whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a child will not enter into it.”

His listeners asked him, “Who, then, can be saved?” to which Jesus replied, “Things that are impossible for men are possible for God.” Peter said, “We have left all we own to become your followers.” Jesus’ answer was, “I solemnly assure you, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers, parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive a plentiful return in this age and life everlasting in the age to come.” 

 

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

Nov. 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to Holy Tradition, the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God. When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill their vow. They gathered together their relatives and acquaintances, and dressed the All-Pure Virgin in Her finest clothes. Singing sacred songs and with lighted candles in their hands, virgins escorted Her to the Temple. After entrusting their child to the Heavenly Father, Joachim and Anna returned home. The All-Holy Virgin remained in the quarters for virgins near the Temple. The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos from Her infancy until She was taken up to Heaven is shrouded in deep mystery. Her life at the Jerusalem Temple was also a secret. 

 

Troparion

Today is the prelude of God’s benevolence and the herald of our salvation; for the Virgin openly appears in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also with full voice exclaim to her: Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan.

 

Kontakion

The most pure Temple of the Savior, the most precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Treasury of the glory of God, is led today into the house of the Lord, bringing grace in the Spirit of God. God’s angels praise her in song; she is the Heavenly Ark.

 

Epistle

Hebrews 9: 1-7

Brothers and sisters: The first covenant had regulations and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread; this was called the holy place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the holy of holies, in which were the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold. In the ark were the golden jars containing manna, the rod of Aaron which had blossomed, and the tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation. We cannot speak now of each of these in detail. These were the arrangements for worship. In performing their service the priests used to go into the inner one, and that but once a year, with the blood which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people. 

 

Gospel

Luke 10: 38-42, 11: 27-28

At that time Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to his words. Martha, who was busy with all the details of hospitality, came to Jesus and said, “Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me to do the household tasks all alone? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord in reply said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”

While he was saying this a woman from the crowd called out, “Blest is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” Jesus replied, “Rather, blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

 

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

Nov. 20 Our Father Gregory the Decapolite; Our Father among the saints, Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople; Pre-festive Day of the Entrance in the temple of the most holy Theotokos

Our venerable father Gregory the Decapolite first professed the monastic life and then the life of an anchorite. Then he made a journey and settled for a long time in Thessalonica. Finally he returned his soul to God in Constantinople where he fought vigorously in defense of the holy Images during the 9th century. 

Our holy father Proclus, archbishop of Constantinople, who vigorously proclaimed blessed Mary to be the Theotokos (“she who gave birth to God”). He returned the body of St. John Chrysostom from exile in a triumphal translation. His episcopate was so adorned with the blessings that the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon he was thought worthy to be called the Great. (446)

 

Troparion – saints

O God of our Fathers who always deal with us according to Your compassion, take not Your mercy away from us, but through their prayers, guide our life in peace. 

 

Troparion – Prefeast

Today Anna prepares for us a joy that dispels all sadness for she has blossomed and borne the only Ever-Virgin. Today she fulfills her vows with gladness and leads into the Temple of the Lord the one who is the true temple of God the Word and His pure Mother. 

 

Kontakion – Gregory

The Church recognizes you as a brilliant sun which enlightens  the world with virtues and with miracles of healing. You pleased Christ, therefore, we celebrate your precious memory and honor your struggles, O Gregory, our father wise and all-blessed.

 

Kontakion – Proclus

Today the most honorable of cities truly celebrates your honorable repose, O father of fathers Proclus the wise!

 

Kontakion – Prefeast

Filled with joy today by the auspicious feast of the Theotokos, the whole world cries out: This is the Heavenly Ark.

 

Epistle

1 Timothy 1: 1-7

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our savior and Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my own true child in faith. May grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 

I repeat the directions I gave you when I was on my way to Macedonia: stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there against teaching false doctrines and busying themselves with interminable myths and genealogies, which promote idle speculations rather than that training in faith which God requires. 

What we are aiming at in this warning is the love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have neglected these and instead have turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the law but actually not understanding the words they are using, much less the matters they discuss with such assurance. 

 

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

Nov. 19 The Holy Prophet Obadiah; The Holy Martyr Barlaam

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

Ephesians 4: 1-6

Brothers and sisters: I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, beating with one another lovingly. Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given to all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all. 

 

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

Sunday Bulletin 11/19/23

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Nov.  18  –  Plato and Roman, Martyrs

5:00 PM        Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy 

6:30 PM        Reader Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 19  –  25th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM        Matins

9:30 AM        Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 20  –  Gregory the Decapolite, Venerable

4:45 PM        *Akathist for those suffering Addiction & Mental Illness

5:30 PM        Vespers

6:30 PM        Divine Liturgy Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Wednesday, Nov. 22  –  Philemon and Others, Apostles

6:30 PM        Emmanuel Moleben

7:30 PM        Firepit Social

Thursday, Nov. 23  –  Amphilochius and Gregory, Bishops

8:30 AM        Moleben of Thanksgiving

Saturday, Nov.  25  –  Clement and Peter, Pope and Bishop

5:00 PM        Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy 

Sunday, Nov. 26  –  26th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM        Matins

9:30 AM        Divine Liturgy   

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

MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE

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

Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

Please remember the following people in your prayers: The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirely Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $904.00; Online: $155.00; Candles: $33.50; SP Outreach: $525.00

Total: $1,617.50 / Attendance- PSM: 75 SPO: 63

 

Why Do We Keep Phillip’s Fast?

Unlike the Great Fast before the Feast of the Resurrection (Pascha), the Phillipian fast is seldom known or practiced in the Byzantine Church. Often it is confused with the Roman Catholic practice of Advent.

Since the Nativity / Theophany events hold less importance than Pascha – the Feast of Feasts – (the Resurrection), a detailed structure never evolved for the Phillipian Fast. Yet the Phillipian Fast is an ancient practice in preparation for the Incarnation and Theophany of the Lord Jesus Christ. This 40 day fast is important and should be preserved and practiced. The Phillipian Fast can help us to better understand and appreciate all of God’s saving plan.

Without the structure and public events to guide us, the practice of the Phillipian Fast has gradually fallen off. Theologically, the birth and the public ministry of Christ are inextricably linked. The Phillipian Fast was created to prepare us to receive Christ into the world and begin His public ministry. They are two sides of a single coin. The Phillipian fast prepares us to receive the public ministry of Christ announced at Theophany.

On arriving at Bethlehem and the Nativity on December 25th, we begin to prepare for the Theophany. We do not stop at the Nativity. In our joy at God’s arrival, we press forward and see the Theophany. With Theophany we experience the beginning of Christ’s revelation to us of the mysteries of God. Most important of all, this event points out the Mystery of the Trinity, a mystery long hinted in the Old Testament.

By Steve Puluka from: Christbearers – Meditations for the Pre-Christmas Fast, Christmas and Theophany.

“…Tonight your soul is demanded of you.” We are not our own, and this is equally true of the blessings in our lives. Jesus speaks sternly of the need to understand this so that we can be “rich toward God”. If you are blessed with the richness of a calling from God to be a priest, deacon, subdeacon, monk or nun, will you answer it with the same yes that we see in the saints? To learn more, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Nov. 18 The Holy Martyrs Plato and Romanus

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

Galatians 1: 3-10

Brothers and sisters: We wish you the favor and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, to rescue us from the present evil age, as our God and Father willed – to him be glory for endless ages. Amen.

I am amazed that you are so soon deserting him who called you in accord with his gracious design in Christ, and are going over to another gospel. But there is no other. Some who wish to alter the gospel of Christ must have confused you. For even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel not in accord with the one we delivered to you, let a curse be upon him! I repeat what I have just said: if anyone preaches a gospel to you other than the one you have received, let a curse be upon him!

Whom would you say I am trying to please at this point – men or God? Is this how I seek to ingratiate myself with men? If I were trying to win man’s approval, I would surely not be serving Christ!

 

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

Nov. 17 Our Father among the saints Gregory the Wonder-worker, Bishop of Neocaesarea

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

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-18

Brothers and sisters: We command you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid any brother who wanders from the straight path and does not follow the tradition you received from us. You know how you ought to imitate us. We did not live lives of disorder when we were among you, not depend on anyone for food. Rather, we worked day and night, laboring to the point of exhaustion so as not to impose on any of you. Not that we had no claim on you, but that we might present ourselves as an example for you to imitate. Indeed, when we were with you we used to lay down the rule that anyone who would not work should not eat. 

We hear that some of you are unruly, not keeping busy but acting like busybodies. We enjoin all such, and we urge them strongly in the Lord Jesus Christ, to earn the food they eat by working quietly. 

You must never grow weary of doing what is right, brethren. If anyone will not obey our injunction, delivered through this letter, single him out to be ostracized that he may be ashamed of his conduct. But do not treat him like an enemy; rather, correct him as you would a brother.

May he who is the Lord of peace give you continued peace in every possible way. The Lord be with you all.

This greeting is in my own hand – Paul’s. I append this signature to every letter I write. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 

 

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 force until John [the Baptizer]. From this 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. Be on your guard. 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

Nov. 16 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

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. 

 

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.”

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

Nov. 15 The Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias, Samonas, and Habibus

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. 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

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12

Brothers and sisters: On the question of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we beg you, brethren, not to be so easily agitated or terrified, whether by an oracular utterance, or rumor, or a letter alleged to be ours, into believing that the day of the Lord is here. 

Let no one seduce you, no matter how. Since the mass apostasy has not yet occurred nor the man of lawlessness been revealed–that son of perdition and adversary who exalts himself about every so-called god proposed for worship, he who seats himself in God’s temple and even declares himself to be God – do you not remember how I used to tell you about these things when I was still with you? You know what restrains him until he shall be revealed in his own time. The secret force of lawlessness is already at work, mind you, but there is one who holds him back until that restrainer shall be taken from the scene. Thereupon the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and annihilate him by manifesting his own presence. This lawless one will appear as part of the workings of Satan, accompanied by all the power and signs and wonders at the disposal of falsehood–by every seduction the wicked can devise for those destined to ruin because they have not opened their hearts to the truth in order to be saved. Therefore God is sending upon them a perverse spirit which leads them to give credence to falsehood, so that all who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evildoing will be condemned.

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