Nov. 6 Our Father among the saints, Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople

Our father Paul the Confessor, archbishop of Constantinople, was frequently exiled by the Arians because of his adherence to the Nicene faith, and was as often restored to dignity. Finally, he was sent by Constantius the emperor to Cucusum, a small village in Cappadocia. There, it is said, he was strangled in a conspiracy of the Arians in the year 351. St. Athanasius the Great, a contemporary of St. Paul, writes briefly about his exiles, “St. Paul the first time was sent by Constantine to Pontus, the second time he was fettered with chains by Constantius, and then he was locked up in Mesopotamian Syngara and from there moved to Emesus, and the fourth time to Cappadocian Cucusus in the Taurian wilderness.” 

 

Troparion

The Church sees you among her priests as another Paul because of your confession of the divine faith. The blood of Abel and Zechariah calls for you to the Lord. O venerable father, pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls.

 

Kontakion

You shone over the earth like a heavenly star, and now you enlighten the universal Church. For her sake, you suffered, shed your blood and made a gift of your soul, O Paul. And like the blood of Abel and Zechariah, your blood cried out to the Lord with might. 

 

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 12: 48-59

The Lord said, “When mush has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted. I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited! I have a baptism to receive. What anguish I feel till it is over! Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? I assure you, the contrary is true; I have come for division. From now on, a household of five will be divided three against two and two against three; father will be split against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Jesus said to the crowds: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say immediately that rain is coming–and so it does. When the wind blows from the south, you say it is going to be hot– and so it is. You hypocrites! If you can interpret the portents of earth and sky, why can you not interpret the present time? Tell me, why do you not judge for yourselves what is just? When you are going with your opponent to appear before a magistrate, try to settle with him on the way lest he turn you over to the judge, and the judge deliver you up to the jailer, and the jailer throw you into prison. I warn you, you will not be released from there until you have paid the last penny.” 


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



Nov. 5 The Holy Martyrs Galaction and Episteme

The holy martyrs Galaction and Episteme were husband and wife who joined nearby monasteries immediately after their marriage. They did not see each other for many years, until the persecution of Christians which brought them both to court and saw them die on the same day in the year 253. 

 

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 our souls.

 

Kontakion

O glorious Galaction, you and your honorable wife and fellow-sufferer, Episteme, were numbered among the martyrs of Christ because you fought the good fight in radiant ascetical struggles. Therefore, pray unceasingly to the only God for all of us.

 

Epistle

2 Thessalonians 1:11 – 2:2

Brothers and sisters: We pray for you always that our God may make you worthy of his call, and fulfill by his power every honest intention and work of faith. In this way the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, in accord with the gracious gift of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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. 

 

Gospel

Luke 12: 42-48

The Lord said, “Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward whom the master will set over his servants to dispense their ration of grain in season? That servant is fortunate whom his master finds busy when he returns. Assuredly, his master will put him in charge of all his property. But if the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time about coming,’ and begins to abuse the housemen and servant girls, to eat and drink and get drunk, that servant’s master will come back on a day when he does not expect him, at a time he does not know. The master will punish him severely and rank him among those undeserving of trust. The slave who knew his master’s wishes but did not prepare to fulfill them will get a severe beating, whereas the one who did not know them and who nonetheless deserved to be flogged will get off with fewer stripes. When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man whom more has been entrusted.”

 

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


Nov. 4 Our Venerable Father Joannicus the Great; The Holy Martyr Nicander, Bishop of Myra; The Priest Hermas

Our venerable father Joannicus the Great left the military after more than twenty years in arms to live as a monk and pursue solitary life in different forests of Mt. Olympus. He was accustomed to end his prayer with these words: “God my hope, Christ my refuge, Holy Spirit my protector. He fell asleep in the Lord in the coenobium of the Antidium in Bithynia in the year 846. 

The holy martyr Nicander, bishop of Myra, and the priest Hermas were both ordained by the Apostle Titus. They were distinguished by a great zeal for the Faith and for their great labors in winning pagans for Christ. Because of this, they were tortured in various ways and eventually were buried alive during the first century.

 

Troparion – Joannicus

You fought like a brave soldier against the hostile flesh, and you battled spiritual enemies by deep fasting. You vanquished legions of devils by humility and in the end have shown yourself a great conqueror. You received power to work wonders from God. O venerable Joannicus, now pray to Him to save our souls.

 

Troparion – Martyrs

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 our souls. 

 

Kontakion – Joannius

You became a brilliant star over the earth, guiding those in the fog of passions. You became the mightiest physician, for you received the grace to heal. Grant the grace of healing to us who petition you, that we may ever sing to you: Rejoice, O Father Joannicus.

 

Kontakion – Martyrs

You were enlightened with the anointing of truth, and you were illumined by the blood of martyrdom. With joy you have taken up your place among the angels, O glorious ones. Therefore, we celebrate your precious memory today O holy ones, praying to obtain purification through your prayers. 

 

Epistle

2 Thessalonians 1: 1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be yours from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is no more than right that we thank God unceasingly for you, brothers, because your faith grows apace and your mutual love increases; so much so that in God’s communities we can boast of your constancy and your faith in persecution and trial. You endure these as an expression of God’s just judgment, in order to be found worthy of his kingdom – it is for his kingdom you suffer – even if strict justice would require that God visit hardships on those who visit them on you. He will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels; when, [as Scriptures say], “with flaming power he will inflict punishment on those who do not acknowledge God nor heed” the good news of our Lord Jesus. Such as these will suffer the penalty of eternal ruin apart from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might on the Day when he comes, to be glorified in his holy ones and adored by all who have believed – for you already have our witness to you.  

 

Gospel

Luke 12: 13-15; 22-31

At that time someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of our inheritance.”Jesus replied, “Friend, who has set me up as your judge or arbiter?” Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “That is why I warn you, Do not be concerned for your life, what you are to eat, or for your body, what you are to wear. Life is more important than food and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they do not sow, they do not reap, they have neither cellar nor barn–yet God feeds them. How much more important you are than the birds! Which of you by worrying can add a moment to his life-span? If the smallest things are beyond your power, why be anxious about the rest?

“Or take the lilies: they do not spin, they do not weave; but I tell you, Solomon in all his splendor was not arrayed like any one of them. If God clothes in such splendor the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown on the fire tomorrow, how much more will he provide you, O weak in faith! It is not for you to be in search of what you are to eat or drink. Stop worrying. The unbelievers of this world are always running after these things. Your Father knows that you need such things. Your Father knows that you need such things. Seek out instead the kingship over you, and the rest will follow in turn.”


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



Nov. 3 The Holy Martyrs Acepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Priest, and Aeithalas the Deacon; The Dedication of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda

The holy martyrs Acepsimas the bishop, Joseph the priest, and Aeithalas the deacon: Acepsimas was eighty years old when the Persian king Sapor began the persecution of Christians in which Acepsimas was seized. He was interrogated, thrown into prison with Joseph and Aeithalas, and were killed when they refused to worship pagan idols in the 4th century. 

The dedication of the Church of the holy great martyr George in Lydda, where his relics are kept: This is the anniversary of the translation of the relics of the Great Martyr from Nicomedia to Lydda in Palestine. In the time of the emperor Constantine the Great, a beautiful church was built to house the relics. It remains a place of great pilgrimage. 

 

Troparion – Martyrs

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 our souls. 

 

Troparion – George

O victorious Great martyr George, projector of the poor, liberator of prisoners, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

 

Kontakion – Martyrs

O wise one, you offered the Holy Mysteries sinlessly, and you became an acceptable sacrifice, O God-blessed one. Since you gloriously drank from the cup of Christ, holy Acepsimas, together with your companions who suffered with you, pray unceasingly for all of us.

 

Kontakion – George

We the faithful hurry to the shelter of your certain and swift protection, and we make this petition to you, O passion-bearer of Christ: Deliver from every assault of the enemy and from dangers and evil those who sing to you. So that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, O martyr George!

 

Epistle

Ephesians 2: 14-22

Brothers and sisters: It is [Christ] who is our peace, and who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart. In his own flesh he abolished the law with its commands and precepts; to create in himself one new man from us who had been two and to make peace, reconciling both of us to God in one body through his cross, which put that enmity to death. He came and “announced the good news of peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near”; through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

This means that you are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. 

 

Gospel

Luke 8: 41-56

At that time a man named Jairus, who was chief of the synagogue, came up and fell at the feet of Jesus, begging that he come to his home because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus went, the crowds almost crushed him. A woman with a hemorrhage of twelve years’ duration, incurable at any doctor’s hands, came up behind him and touched the tassel of his cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped. Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” Everyone disclaimed doing it, while Peter said, “Lord, the crowds are milling and pressing around you!” Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone forth from me.” When the woman saw that her act had not gone unnoticed, she came forward trembling. Falling at his feet, she related before the whole assemblage why she had touched him and how she had been instantly cured. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, it is your faith that has cured you. Now go in peace.”

He was still speaking when a man came from the ruler’s house with the announcement, “Your daughter is dead; do not bother the Teacher further.” Jesus heard this, and his response was: “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust and her life will be spared.” Once he had arrived at the house, he permitted no one to enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s parents. While everyone wept and lamented her, Jesus said, “ Stop crying for she is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, being certain she was dead. Jesus took her by the hand and spoke these words: “Get up, child.” The breath of life returned to her and she got up immediately; whereupon he told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.


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

 

Nov. 2 The Holy Martyrs Akindynos, Pegasius, Apthonius, Elpidiphor, and Anempodistus

The holy martyrs Akindynos, Pegasius, Apthonius, Elpidiphor, and Anempodistus, and very many companions in Persia were martyred under the emperor Licinius and suffered under King Shapur II. The first three were servants at the court of King Shapur II but secretly served Christ their Lord. When they were accused and brought to trial before the king, he asked them where they came from. To this they replied: “Our fatherland and our life is the Most-holy Trinity, One in Essence and undivided, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God.” Elpidiphor was one of the king’s nobles. When he revealed that he was a Christian and denounced the king for his slaughter of innocent Christians, the king condemned him to death and Elpidiphor was beheaded along with seven thousand other Christians in the year 335. 

 

Troparion

O passion-bearers of the Lord, blessed is the earth which has drunk your blood, and holy are the tombs which have received your bodies. In the furnace you conquered the foe and preached Christ. Intercede with the gracious Lord to save our souls.

 

Kontakion

The pious and God-bearing martyrs, who gave up all things on earth – Akindynos, Pegasius and Anempodistus, and with them Apthonius and Elpidiphorus – you delightfully received good things of God and into rest, O You Who alone are all-good.

 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 11: 1-6

 Brothers and sisters: You must endure a little of my folly. Put up with me, I beg you! I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God himself, since I have given you in marriage to one husband, presenting you as a chaste virgin to Christ. My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ. I say this because, when someone comes preaching another Jesus than the one we preached, or when you receive a different spirit than the one you have received, or a gospel other than the gospel you accepted, you seem to endure it quite well. I consider myself inferior to the “super-apostles” in nothing. I may be unskilled in speech but I know that I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made this evident to you in every conceivable way. 

 

Gospel

Luke 9: 1-6

At that time Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them the power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases. He sent them forth to proclaim the reign of God and heal the afflicted. Jesus advised them: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking staff nor traveling bag; no bread, no money. No one is to have two coats. Stay at whatever house you enter and proceed from there. When people will not receive you, leave that town and shake its dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, spreading the good news everywhere and curing diseases. 



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

 

Nov. 1 The Holy Unmercenary Wonder-workers Cosmas and Damian

The holy wonder-workers and Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian and their mother, St. Theodota, were natives of Asia Minor (some sources say Mesopotamia). Their pagan father died while they were still quite small children. Their mother raised them in Christian piety. Through her own example, and by reading holy books to them, St. Theodota preserved her children in purity of life according to the commands of the Lord, and Cosmas and Damian grew up into righteous and virtuous men. Trained and skilled as physicians, they received from the Holy Spirit the gift of healing people’s illnesses of body and soul by the power of prayer. They even treated animals. With fervent love for both God and neighbor, they never took payment for their services. They strictly observed the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Freely have you received, freely give.”(Mt. 10:8). The fame of Saints Cosmas and Damian spread throughout the surrounding region, and people called them unmercenary physicians. 

 

Troparion

Holy unmercenary healers and wonderworkers, Cosmas and Damian, treat us in our weakness; freely you received, so freely give to us.

 

Kontakion

O most glorious physicians and wonderworkers who have received the grace of healing, you grant health to those in need. By your visitation, defeat our shameless enemies and by your miracles heal the world. 

 

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 5: 9-13; 24-28

Brothers and sisters: God has not destined us for wrath but for acquiring salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, that all of us, whether awake or asleep, together might live with him. Therefore, comfort and upbuild one another, as indeed you are doing.

We beg you, brethren, respect those among you whose task it is to exercise authority in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them with the greatest love because of their work. Remain at peace with one another. 

He who calls us is trustworthy, therefore he will do it. Brethren, pray for us too. Greet all the brothers with a holy embrace. I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to them all. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

 

Gospel

Luke 12: 2-12

        The Lord said to his disciples: “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nothing hidden, that will not be made known. Everything you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight; what you have whispered in locked rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops. I say to you who are my friends: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and can do no more. I will show you whom you ought to fear. Fear him who has power to cast into Gehenna after he has killed. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for a few pennies? Yet not one of them is neglected by God. In very truth, even the hairs of your head are counted! Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows.

        “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men – the Son of Man, will acknowledge him before the angels of God. But the man who has disowned me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of the angels of God. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. When they bring you before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how to defend ourselves or what to say, the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said.”


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

 

Oct. 31 The Holy Apostles Stachys, Amplius, and their Companions; The Holy Martyr Epimachus; The Blessed Martyr Theodore Romzha, Bishop of Mukachevo

The holy apostles Stachys, Amplius, and their companions were members of the Seventy Apostles. Stachys was the helper of St. Andrew the First Called, who made him bishop of Byzantium. Amplius and Urban were also fellow-workers with St. Andrew, and were made bishops of Lydda and Macedonia, respectively. Narcissus was made Bishop of Athens by the Apostle Philip, and Apelles was made Bishop of Heraklion in Trachius. 

The holy martyr Epimachus of Alexandria was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mt. Pelusium. During a persecution against Christians in Alexandria (about the year 250), St. Epimachus in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed Christ. For this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman who was blind in one eye. A drop of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. After fierce torture, the saint was beheaded by the sword. 

The blessed martyr Theodore Romzha, Bisop of Mukachevo was born in the Subcarpathia region of what is now Ukraine on April 14, 1911. As a seminarian he was sent to Rome to study and was ordained a priest there on December 25, 1936. Completing his compulsory military service he served briefly as a pastor before being assigned as Spiritual Director and Professor at the Eparchial Seminary in Uzhorod in 1939. These were difficult years for the Church in Subcarpathia as it experienced the invasions first by Nazi Germany and then the Soviet Red Army. In 1944 at the young age of 33 he was consecrated a Bishop and appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Mukachevo. During this time he ministered tirelessly to the faithful of the Eparchy, defending them from the Soviet aggression and preparing them for the persecution to come. His ministry to the faithful met with many roadblocks, but he managed to find a way around them.This angered the Communist officials who now began looking for ways to kill the young, energetic and popular Bishop. Towards the end of October, 1947 an opportunity presented itself. On the way home from a parish visitation, Bishop Romzha’s horse drawn carriage was purposely rammed by a Soviet military truck and pushed off the side of the road. The soldiers (dressed as civilians) jumped from the truck and beat the Bishop and his companions. Soon after the brutal assault began a civilian truck came upon the scene and the assailants fled. Bishop Romzha and his companions were taken to Uzhorod where they were hospitalized. The Bishop was making good progress when late on the night of October 31 a new relief nurse was assigned to the Bishop. A little after midnight Bishop Romzha was found dead. The relief nurse had mysteriously disappeared. It was believed that she had administered a poison to the Bishop that caused his death.

 

Troparion

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

 

Troparion – Epimachus 

O Lord our God, Your holy martyr Epimachus has deserved the crown of immortality on account of his good fight. Armed with Your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

 

Troparion – Theodore Romzha

My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen! Upon a cart as upon his throne, Theodore has been carried beyond the sanctuary vel. Let fall, O father, the mantle of prayer and beseech Christ to save our souls.

 

Kontakion

Let us properly praise the pure vessels of the All-Holy Spirit, and glorious rays of the sun, the wise apostles Amplius, Urban, Aristobulus, Apelles, Narcissus, and Stachys, who the grace of our God has joined together.

 

Kontakion – Epimachus 

You were an inspired pillar and a witness to the truth. You conquered the bodiless foe through bodily torment and received the crown from Christ. Thus, O blessed one, we cry out to you: pray unceasingly, O glorious one, to grant us great mercy. 

 

Kontakion – Theodore Romzha

Though the godless poured poison into your veins, your heart still beats with love for Christ, O Bishop Theodore, martyred father, who now raise your prayer before the Throne of God.

 

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8

Brothers and sisters: As regards specific times and moments, we do not need to write you; you know very well that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night. Just when people are saying, “Peace and security,” ruin will fall on them with the suddenness of pains overtaking a woman in labor, and there will be no escape. You are not in the dark, brethren, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief. No, all of you are children of light and of the day. We belong neither to darkness nor to night; therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober! Sleepers sleep by night and drunkards drink by night. We who live by day must be alert, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 

 

Gospel

Luke 11: 47-54

The Lord said to the lawyers: “Woe to you! You build the tombs of the prophets, but it was your fathers who murdered them. You show that you stand behind the deeds of your fathers: they committed the murders and you erect the tombs. That is why the wisdom of God has said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of these they will persecute and kill’; so that this generation will have to account for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world. Their guilt stretches from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who met his death between the altar and the sanctuary! Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to account for it. Woe to you lawyers! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves have not gained access, yet you have stopped those who wished to enter!” After he had left this gathering, the scribes and Pharisees began to manifest fierce hostility to him and to make him speak on a multitude of questions, setting traps to catch him in his speech.


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

 

Oct. 30 The Holy Martyr Zenobius and his sister Zenobia

The holy martyr Zenobius was a priest who, in the severity of the persecution under the emperor Diocletian, urged others to martyrdom and himself was crowned with martyrdom. Zenobia, his sister, voluntarily joined Zenobius in his martyrdom in 285.

 

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 our souls. 

 

Kontakion

Let us honor with inspired hymns the two martyrs for truth and preachers of true devotion, Zenobius and wise Zenobia, brother and sister who lived and suffered together, and together received the incorruptible crown of martyrdom.

 

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12

Brothers and sisters, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, even as you learned from us how to conduct yourselves in a way pleasing to God–which you are indeed doing–so must you learn to make still greater progress. You know the instructions we gave you in the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you grow in holiness: that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God; and that each refrain from overreaching or cheating his brother in the matter at hand; for the Lord is an avenger of all such things, as we once indicated to you by our testimony. God has not called us to immorality but to holiness; hence, whoever rejects these instructions rejects not man, but God who sends his Holy Spirit upon you.

As regards brotherly love, there is no need for me to write you. God himself has taught you to love one another, and this you are doing with respect to all the brethren throughout Macedonia. Yet we exhort you to even greater progress, brethren. Make it a point of honor to remain at peace and attend to your own affairs. Work with your hands as we directed you to do, so that you will give good example to outsiders and want for nothing. 

 

Gospel

Luke 11: 42-46

The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes on mint and rue and all the garden plants, while neglecting justice and the love of God. These are the things you should practice, without omitting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the front seats in synagogues and marks of respect in public. Woe to you! You are like hidden tombs over which men walk unawares.” In reply one of the lawyers said to Jesus, “Teacher, in speaking this way you insult us too.” Jesus answered: “Woe to you lawyers also! You lay impossible burdens on men but will not lift a finger to lighten them.”




 

 

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

 



Oct. 29 The Holy Venerable Martyr Anastasia; Our Venerable Father Abraham the Hermit

The holy venerable martyr Anastasia was born in Rome to wealthy parents, but she was left as an orphan at the age of three. She was taken to a women’s monastery to live, under the guidance of Hegumena Sophia. When she was seventeen, the pagan governor summoned her to defend herself, which she did with great eloquence. She was stripped, tortured, and finally mutilated by the guards. This was during the persecution of the emperor Decius (249-251). 

Our venerable father Abraham the hermit married under pressure from his parents, but then he fled into the desert to live as a hermit. For fifty years he did so, faithfully keeping to the ascetic life which had called him. He died at the age of seventy in 360 at Edessa in Osrhoene in Mesopotamia. St. Ephraem the deacon recorded the deeds of this remarkable man. 

 

Troparion – Anastasia

Your lamb Anastasia, 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.

 

Troparion – Abraham

In you, O father, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Abraham, your soul rejoices with the angels. 

 

Kontakion – Anastasia

O venerable Anastasia, you were purified by the waters of virginity and washed by the blood of your martyrdom. Wherefore you grant healing to those who suffer from sickness, and salvation to those who come to you with love, for it is Christ who bestows upon you this power, Christ ever-generous with His grace.

 

Kontakion – Abraham

In the body, you were like an angel on earth; and by your asceticism, you were like a tree well-planted: you grew in beauty, being watered with self-renunciation. Father Abraham, you exorcised the devil by your tears; wherefore you resembled a vessel of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13

Brothers and sisters: What thanks can we give to God for all the joy we feel in his presence because of you, as we ask him fervently night and day that we may see you face to face and remedy any shortcomings in your faith? May God himself, who is our Father, and our Lord Jesus make our path a straight one! And may the Lord increase you and make you overflow with love for one another and for all, even as our love does for you. May he strengthen your hearts, making them blameless and holy before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. 

 

Gospel

Luke 11: 34-41

The Lord said, “The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyesight is sound, your whole body is lighted up, but when your eyesight is bad, your body is in darkness. Take care, then, that your light is not darkness. If your whole body is lighted up and partly in darkness, it will be as fully illumined as when a lamp shines brightly for you.”

As he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. Jesus entered and reclined at table. Seeing this, the Pharisee was surprised that Jesus had not first performed the ablutions prescribed before eating. The Lord said to him: “You Pharisees! You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but within you are filled with rapaciousness and evil. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? But if you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you.”


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


Oct. 28 The Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonila; Our Holy Father Stephen the Sabbaite, Composer of Canons; The Holy Martyr Paraskevia of Iconium

The holy martyrs Terence and Neolina were husband and wife from Syria, who were martyred with their seven children for their witness to Christ.

Our holy father Stephen the Sabbaite was the author of many beautiful canons. He lived in the community of St. Sabbas the Sanctified, near Jerusalem. He later became bishop, and died peacefully in 807.

The holy martyr Paraskevia of Iconium lived during the persecution of Diocletian. Paraskevia took a vow of celibacy and lived her life doing good works for the poor and needy in the name of Christ. She was arrested and taken before the governor. He had her tortured, flogged, and then beheaded in the 4th century. 

 

Troparion – Martyrs

Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggle 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 our souls. 

 

Troparion – Stephen

Guide of Orthodoxy, mirror of piety snf exemplary behavior, bright star of the universe and adornment of monks, you enlightened us all by your teachings. O wise Stephen, inspired by God and lyre of the Holy Spirit, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

 

Troparion – Paraskevia

Wise and all-praised martyress of Christ Paraskevia, you received masculine strength and rejected feminine infirmity, conquering the devil and shaming the torturer, crying out and saying: O come cut my body with the sword and burn it with fire, for rejoicing I go to my Groom Christ. Through these prayers, O Christ God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion – Martyrs

The honorable memorial of the martyrdom of Terence and his wife comes again today, filling us with joy as we gather to celebrate the feast. These two have received grace from the Holy Spirit to cure ills and heal our souls. 

 

Kontakion – Stephen

You planted a garden of virtues and watered it with your tears of repentance. Since you have found the Tree of Life, O all-glorious one , by your intercession save your flock from perdition and deliver from affliction those who honor you. O wise Stephen, we have chosen you in faith and love as our great intercessor. 

 

Kontakion – Paraskevia

You were offered the all holy and blameless torture, for a payment to the most pure, immortal Groom Christ, you gladdened a place in the angelic choir and you conquered the demonic snares. For this reason we honor you through faith, O Much-suffering Martyress Paraskevia.

 

Readings for Paraskevia

Epistle

2 Corinthians 6: 1-10

Brothers and sisters: As your fellow workers we beg you not to receive the grace from God in vain. For he says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you; on a day of salvation I have helped you.” Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! We avoid giving anyone offense, so that our ministry may not be blamed. On the contrary, in all that we do we strive to present ourselves as ministers of God, acting with patient endurance amid trials, difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, and riots; as men familiar with hard work, sleepless nights, and fastings; conducting ourselves with innocence, knowledge, and patience, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love as men with the message of truth and the power of God; wielding the weapons of righteousness with right hand and left, whether honored or dishonored; spoken of well or ill. We are called imposters, yet we are truthful; nobodies who in fact are well known; dead, yet here we are alive; punished, but not put to death; sorrowful, though we are always rejoicing; poor, yet we enrich many. We seem to have nothing, yet everything is ours!

 

Gospel

Luke 7: 36-50

At that time there was a certain Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine with him. Jesus went to the Pharisee’s home and reclined to eat. A woman known in the town to be a sinner learned that he was dining in the Pharisee’s home. She brought in a vase of perfumed oil and stood behind him at his feet, weeping so that her tears fell upon his feet. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissing them and perfuming them with the oil. When his host, the Pharisee, saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet he would know who and what sort of woman this is that touched him–that she is a sinner.” In answer to his thoughts, Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to propose to you.” “Teacher,” he said, “speak.”

Jesus said, “Two men owed money to a certain money-lender; one owed a total of five hundred coins, the other fifty. Since neither was able to repay, he wrote off both debts. Which of them was more grateful to him?” Simon answered, “He, I presume, to whom he remitted the larger sum.” Jesus said to him, “You are right.”

Turning then to the woman, Jesus said to Simon: “You see this woman? I came to your home and you provided me with no water for my feet. She has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since I entered. You did not anoint my feet with perfume. I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven–because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small.”

Jesus said to her then, “Your sins are forgiven”; at which his fellow guests began to ask among themselves, “Who is this that he even forgives sins?” Meanwhile Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has been your salvation. Now go in peace.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 2:20 – 3:8

Brothers and sisters: You are our boast and our delight. That is why, when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain alone at Athens and send you Timothy. He is our brother and God’s fellow worker in preaching the gospel of Christ, and so we sent him to strengthen and encourage you in regard to your faith lest any of you be shaken by these trials. You know well enough that such trials are our common lot. When we were still with you, we used to warn you that we would undergo trial; now it has happened, and you know what we meant. That is why I sent to find out about your faith when I could stand the suspense no longer, fearing that the tempter had put you to the test and all our labor might have gone for nothing. But no, brethren, since Timothy has returned to us from you reporting the good news of your faith and love, and telling us that you constantly remember us and are as desirous to see us as we are you, we have been much consoled by your faith throughout our distress and trial–so much so that we shall continue to flourish only if you stand firm in the Lord!

 

Gospel

Luke 11: 29-33

At that time while the crowds pressed around him, Jesus began to speak to them in these words: “This is an evil age. It seeks a sign. But no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was a sign for the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be a sign for the present age. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment along with the men of this generation, and she will condemn them. She came from the farthest corner of the world to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, but you have a great Solomon here. At the judgment, the citizens of Nineveh will rise along with the present generation, and they will condemn it. For at the preaching of Jonah they reformed, but you have a greater than Jonah here. One who lights a lamp does not put it in the cellar or under a bushel basket, but rather on a lampstand, so that they who come in may see the light.”